Broken Smile

Broken Smile

Hermione sat in the library on a Tuesday evening; she was trying to catch up on her homework. She had arranged to meet Draco by lake at seven, so she worked as quickly as she could.

Hermione planned to tell Draco that she’s pregnant. She was tired of covering up why she had to leave class some times or why she goes to see Madam Pomfrey so much.

Hermione picked up her schoolbooks and made her way out of the library. As she reached the top of the hill she could see Draco skimming stones across the lake.

“Hey,” Hermione said softly.
“Hey,” Draco replied, turning around and smiling at her.
“Sorry I’m late; I’m way behind on homework, which is very unusual for me,” Hermione explained, sitting down on the grass.
“I’ve only been here a little while,” Draco said, sitting next to her.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Draco asked.
Hermione took a deep breath. She had thought she would just come right out and tell him but it proved to be a lot harder. “I’m not telling you this because you have the right to know; I’m telling you because I want to,” Hermione said in a business-like voice.

Draco looked sideways at her, his smile faded. “What are you talking about?” he asked. Hermione turned so she could look Draco in his eyes.
“I’m pregnant, Draco,” she said in a clear tone of voice.

Draco gave a nervous laugh. “You’re…you’re joking?” He seemed unable to speak properly. “I’m mean…you’re pregnant…” Draco broke off and just stared at her. “I wouldn’t joke about something like this. You’re the only one in schoho kho knows besides Ginny, and the teachers of course,” Hermione said, trying to read his expression.

Draco looked down at his hands. “It’s his, right?” Draco asked with anger lining his tone. Hermione focused on his twitching hands; she took a deep breath and said, “No.”

Draco looked up at her sharply. “You mean Weasley…?” Draco asked, with some sort of revulsion. Hermione shook her head. “No, this is your father’s little parting present, but this baby has nothing to do with him. My baby will never know of him—not even his name,” Hermione said, trying to hold back her tears.

There was a silence in which they both just stared out onto the lake. “How far are you…?” Draco tried to ask.
“Four and a half months,” Hermione answered.
“So, you’re keeping it?” Draco asked, now looking at her again.
Hermione meet his gaze. “Yes, I’m keeping IT,” she answered angrily.

Draco stood up. “You don’t think that this baby is going to make it hard on me, the Weasleys, and not to mention you—you’re only eighteen!” he yelled.
“My family already knows and they’re being very supportive, unlike you!” Hermione yelled back, now on her feet, too. “I don’t care how you feel about this baby. This baby has nothing to do with you!”

“That baby is going to be my…” “This baby is going to be your nothing,” Hermione spat at him. “I only told you because we have this…friendship, if you can even call it that!” Hermione continue to yell.

“What do you want me to say? That I’m happy you’re having my father’s baby? The man who raped you; do you remember that?” Draco yelled back.
“Everyday of my life—there’s not one night that goes by that I don’t see his face…I can still feel him sometimes…” Hermione broke off, unable to continue with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Draco tried to go to her but she took a few steps back. “I don’t know what I want you to say. All I know is he took everything from me but he left me with this baby.” Hermione took a breath and wiped her tears. “I don’t expect you to understand; I’m not asking you for anything. I just wanted to know and now you do.”

Draco watched Hermione walk back up to the castle. He wanted to go after and tell her he was there for her, but he couldn’t. He watched her hair flying behind her as he thought about this baby, his brother or sister.

*********

Hermione had packed to return home to the Burrow for Easter holidays. Usually students stayed at Hogwarts during the holiday but Molly had insisted on Hermione and Ginny coming home to spend time with the family.

Hermione and Charlie had been writing letters to one another every couple of days since she returned to school. She kept him updated on the baby and school; Charlie related his concerns about her working in the Three Broomsticks. She tried to explain in letters why she needed to work but he still nagged her every letter to take it easy and not work too hard.

Charlie also spoke of a surprise for her; she pretended not to care but secretly she couldn’t wait to get home and see what it was. Hermione had a surprise of her own; only Molly knew of the guest that was coming to spend Easter with them.

“Mummy…Mummy wake up,” whispered a little voice. Hermione’s eyes fluttered open, and she sat up rubbing her eyes; then she remembered the little voice. Hermione looked around the room; she didn’t expect to see her son running around or lying next to her, it was just that those dreams seemed so real.

Hermione climbed out of bed. She usually got up before her roommates every morning, so they hadn’t started to notice her round stomach, but she had started to worry. Soon she would be too big to hide beneath baggy clothes.

Lately Hermione had become very slow when moving around. Professor Snape even had to delay his next class because she takes so long to brew potions and clean up her desk after herself.

The Hogwarts Express pulled up at Kings Cross Station; Hermione and Ginny could see Molly waving at them as climbed off the train. Ginny went to her mother while Hermione waited back with Draco.

That night by the lake was long behind them. D apo apologized a few days later, explaining that he had been shocked and needed some time to let the news sink in. Hermione accepted his apology and they had grown closer over the few weeks.

Now Draco helped cover for Hermione when she missed classes and helped her catch up on homework on the nights she wasn’t working at the Three Broomsticks.

Molly smiled at them and came over to say hello. Hermione introduced Draco and they made the way to Burrow.

Hermione showed Draco around the Burrow, and they spent most of the day outside just walking around and talking. Draco and Ginny played chess while Hermione helped Molly with dinner.

Hermione could hear them arguing from the living room. “Face it, Weasley, I’ve won, checkmate,” Draco said with glee. “I’ve already beaten you twice, so don’t get too cocky,” Ginny shot back. Hermione and Molly shook their heads and carried on making dinner.

“How come Charlie went into work with Arthur?” Hermione asked as she set the table for dinner. “I promised I wouldn’t say,” Molly replied taking baked potatoes out of the oven. “Why the big secret? I promise to act surprised” Hermione said, trying to give Molly puppy-dog eyes.
“Charlie should be home any minute; you’ll have to wait and see,” Molly told her firmly. “Fine,” Hermione in a child-like voice. “But us women should stick together,” Hermione tried one last time. Molly simply shook her head.

Hermione went upstairs to pee again. While she was up there, she could hear Charlie’s voice greeting everyone, so she hurried off the toilet. As Hermione reached the landing she could see Draco shaking Arthur’s hand, which made her smile.

Hermione face lit up as she saw Charlie. He didn’t look too happy with Draco’s presence but he turned his attention back to Hermione and gave her the biggest smile. Hermione came down the stairs as quickly as she could, as she reached the bottom step, Charlie took her in his arms.

“I missed you,” Charlie whispered as he held on to her. “I missed you, too” Hermione whispered back, kissing his cheek. Charlie held her at arm’s length; his eyes travailed to her stomach. “Wow, may I?” he asked. Hermione nodded and took hold of his hand, placing it on her stomach.

Charlie’s eyes never left Hermione’s as his large hand rubbed over her stomach gently. “I’m five months and one week,” Hermione informed him.
“Wow,” was all Charlie seemed able to say.
“Right, dinner’s ready; everyone into the kitchen,” Molly ordered. Hermione took hold of Charlie’s hand and started to follow everyone, but Charlie tugged her hand gently and pulled Hermione back to him. “What’s he doing here?” Charlie asked irately.

“Draco? He had no one to spend Easter with, so I spoke to Molly and she thought it would be nice for him to come to the Burrow,” Hermione explained, wondering why Charlie had a problem with Draco being there. Charlie caressed her cheek. “Let’s talk about it later,” he said, kissing her nose.

Dinner went pleasantly. Draco was quiet to begin with but Arthur made him welcome, which seemed to put Draco at ease. Soon Ginny and Draco were back at the chessboard while Molly and Arthur washed up.

Charlie brought Hermione outside; they stood on the porch watching the rain streaming down. “So, what did you want to talk about?” Hermione asked.
Charlie sat on the swing chair. “Come here,” he said, holding out his arms to her. Hermione broke into a smile. “I’m far too heavy to sit on your lap,” she said as her hands rubbed over her stomach.

“No lap, no surprise,” Charlie teased. Hermione shook her head and walked over to him, carefully sitting onto his lap. “Happy?” she asked. Charlie kissed her cheek. “Happy,” he repeated.

“Well, I’ve started to work for the Ministry of Magic.” Charlie held up his hand to silence her and then continued. “I’m working for Rescue and Protection of Unusual Beasts, which I have to say is very challenging, but I love it.”

Charlie watched Hermione, looking for some signs of happiness or anything at all. “I left Romania, I’m living at home until I can find other accommodations,” Charlie explained while Hermione sat there just staring at him. “Say something, please,” Charlie pleaded nervously.

“You left your job? But I thought dragons were your life, I mean…” Hermione broke off. She tried to stand up but Charlie held her in place.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, not expected her reaction to his news.
“Charlie, dragons are your passion—why?” Hermione asked in a panicked voice.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. Firstly, I miss not seeing my family. Secondly, I get to work with all different kinds of creatures and, most importantly, I get to be closer to you,” Charlie said raising her chin so she was looking into his eyes. Hermione usually would be lost in his warm blue eyes, but this time she couldn’t help but think that he was doing all this for her.

“Charlie, you’re not just doing this all for me, are you? I’m not silly enough to think that I’m that special but I don’t want to be the reason you give up your passion…” Hermione tried to explain. “What if you regret leaving? I don’t want to be that person who…” Hermione was unable to finish her sentence, her eyes pleaded with his to see reason.

Charlie hand rubbed hece. ce. “You will never be my regret. I want to live closer to you, so I can help,” he told her, while his other hand rubbed over her stomach. Hermione placed her small hand over his large one.
“You don’t have to worry about me. Between Molly, Ginny, and Draco, I’m being very well mothered,” Hermione said feeling his hand still.

“Great, at least Malfoy can be there for you,” Charlie said irritatedly. Hermione glared at him. “Draco has been a good friend to me. He’s…” Charlie cut her off. “He’s his fathers son, that’s what he is.”

“Draco’s nothing like him. He’s been very supportive; I’ve really gotten to know him…” Hermione was once again cut off.
“Oh, great you’ve gotten to know him. How lovely,” Charlie said sarcastically. He couldn’t believe she was defending Malfoy.
“Don’t make fun of me, Charlie Weasley,” Hermione said, rising from his lap. “I can be friends with whomever I like; I can’t honestly believe you’re jealous of a seventeen-year-old boy,” Hermione spat at him.

Charlie looked outraged; his ears turned red. “You know what? Forget it!” he yelled as he stood up and stormed off.

“Charlie!” Hermione called. “Please, let’s talk about this.”
“You want to talk to someone? Why don’t you talk to Malfoy? I hear he’s a great listener,” Charlie called back in a petulant tone.

Hermione watched him walk away. She wanted to go after him but he was acting like a child. She felt the baby kick, so she soothingly placed her hand on her stomach. It was like the baby was telling her to go after him, but she couldn’t. Hermione thought it best to let Charlie cool off; the Weasley temper could be quite difficult. She went back into the house to write in her journal. Lately Hermione had been writing down her thoughts and feelings; she had even started to write short stories in her spare time. It looked like she would have plenty to write about tonight.

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Thanks to Jamie. What would I do with out you?

Amber- I’m sorry to say the baby isn’t Ron’s. Draco has started to show he cares for Hermione and the baby. Thanks for reviewing.

Juri- Thanks, I’m really enjoy writing this story.

Lacey- the reviews I’ve been getting are like magic. Thank you so much.

Iria- Draco falling in love with Hermione? Maybe, maybe not. Thank you for reviewing again.

Jaycee- I’m sorry about Harry and Ron, I do miss them, Lol. Draco will find his place soon. Hermione and Charlie are really fun to write for.

Wizarding Angel- thanks for reviewing and saying lovely things.

Kimberly- Thanks, glad your enjoying the story.

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