From Venice with Love

The next day Hermione was released from the hospital wing and was told by Professor McGonagall that the wedding would take place the next afternoon. The Professor assured her that her parents would be notified, and Hermione went back to her room to lie down. She wasn’t there long before there was a knock at her door. Ginny stood there, alone and noticeable nervous. Hermione was nervous too, things had been alright the day before but now that her friends were over the shock she wasn't sure how they would react.

“Hello,” she said to Ginny.

“I was wondering if we could talk a bit,” Ginny said.

“Of course,” Hermione let her friend enter and sat down on the bed. Ginny took a seat on a chair at the table.

“I can’t pretend I’m not hurt,” she began. “Though I understand why you thought you couldn’t talk to me.”

“Everything I said to you was true, Gin. Just not the name of who I was seeing.”

“I just don’t get it, Hermione. I mean, he’s Malfoy.”

“We spent a lot of time together in Venice. He’s very different out of school. I don’t know what to say to get you to believe me.”

Ginny shrugged. “I guess time will do that,” she said. “At least Malfoy accepted his responsibilities, he can’t be that bad.”

“He was better about it than I was,” Hermione admitted. “He wanted to get married right away.”

“Well, you have to, for the child. It would be horrible for it otherwise.”

“That’s what Draco said too,” Hermione said. ”Some things in this world are so- archaic.”

“It’s just the way it is,” Ginny said.

“What about Harry and Ron? Are they alright with this?” Hermione asked, almost afraid for the response.

Ginny winced. “Well, they are a little angry of course. At me as well, for not telling them that you were pregnant. Harry, less, he’ll come round. Ron, well, I’m sure he will too.”

Hermione stood up. “Let’s go,” she said. “Better to get it over with."

“Maybe you should wait.Give them a few days.” Ginny started, but Hermione was already in the hall.

She found the pair in the Gryffindor common room, playing chess. As Hermione and Ginny entered they looked up but didn’t smile.

“How are you feeling, Hermione?” Harry asked stiffly.

“I’m fine. I’d like to speak with you,”

“We’re in the middle of a game right now,” Ron said.

“Now, please.” Hermione’s voice was quiet as not to attract attention, but firm. Ron looked at Harry, who shrugged and they abandoned the game to follow Hermione back to her room, Ginny trailing quietly behind.

As the door closed behind them, Harry said, “Really, Hermione, you might want to wait and let us get used to things.”

“No, I’m getting married tomorrow and I want this mess behind me. “ Ron snorted, but Hermione ignored him. “First of all, don’t you dare be mad at Ginny. All she knew was that I was pregnant, which she guessed, by the way, and she was a good friend to keep the secret I specifically told her NOT to tell you. Second,” she went on though Harry tried to interrupt. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Draco. It was horrible, I know, but I was sure you would be against it. I did plan on telling you after we were married. I’m not under a curse, blackmail, potion, or anything else,” she went on, looking at Ron pointedly. “Now, I understand that you’re angry, but I hope in time you will forgive me.” She was silent.

Harry and Ron just looked at her blankly for a moment before Harry responded. “I just don’t understand how you could be with him, Hermione. He’s a hateful, spiteful, spoiled little prat. The thought of you married to him, I mean, we won’t be able to tell you things to do with the Order, you understand? No one trusts him.”

“I trust him,” Hermione said loudly. “I’ll understand if you withhold things from me. It’s probably for the best, considering who my in-laws will be.”

“That’s another thing. Assuming he’s really in love with you, what about his parents? They’ll never accept you or the baby. At best, they’ll disown him. At worst, they’ll want to kill you both, or talk Malfoy into killing you.”

“I’m aware of that,” she said. “That I don’t have an answer for. Professor Dumbledore will know what should be done in that regard.”

“We’re just scared for you,” Ginny broke in. “Very scared.”

“I’m scared too,” Hermione said. “I need you to support me though. Be there tomorrow.”

“Of course I’ll be there,” Ginny said. Harry and Ron just stared at her.

Finally, Harry said, “I’ll go Hermione. For you. But if Malfoy so much as looks at me strange-“

“I’ll speak to him,” Hermione cut in. “He’ll be good.”

Harry nodded. “Ron?”

Ron shrugged. “I guess. I thought that Alessandro guy was bad, but this is lots worse.”

“Speaking if which, who was he?” Harry asked.

“His name is really Alessandro. Gabrielle is a friend of his. We knew them in Venice and Draco had them come out, make our charade more believable.”

“You don’t expect us to be nice to him, do you?” Ron asked.

“I expect you to be civil. That’s what I’ll expect of him as well.” Hermione said. “In private. In public, of course, be as hateful as you want.”

“Really?” Ron’s eyes lit up.

“I’m kidding, Ronald. Obviously, you need to treat him the way you would have before though. No one should be able to tell the difference.”

“I expect Professor Dumbledore will inform the Order,” Harry said.

“Professor McGonagall told me that he’ll have to,” Hermione responded.

“Has Malfoy said anything about his father?” Ron asked hopefully. “Anything we can use?”

“No, and he won’t. It’s his father, Ron.”

“And you’ll be his wife!” Ron snapped. “Who will he be loyal to? You may trust him, but I don’t. His father would kill you Hermione, but he won’t give us any information to prevent that?”

“His father won’t know about me to kill me,” Hermione snapped back.

“And if he finds out?” Ron challenged. “What then?”

Hermione was silenced by that. “I suppose you’d have to ask him that,” she said finally.

“Shouldn’t you know the answer to that?” Harry asked quietly.

Hermione felt her eyes begin to water. “What would you have me do, Harry? Leave him and hide the rest of my life with his child? He’d never let me go and even if he did, you heard Professor Dumbledore. It would be obvious whose baby it was- I’d have to leave the wizarding world. Is that what you want?”

“Of course not. What if it is a plot though? To get to me through you? What if Voldemort thought that by him getting you pregnant, he could get information about me?”

“You would make everything about you, wouldn’t you Potter?” A voice behind them spat. They turned to see Draco leaning in the door frame, scowling. “It may interest you to know that your precious Order just gave me Veritaserum.”

“Really?” Ron said. “I’d have given money to see that.”

“They did what?” Outraged, Hermione stood up. “How dare they?”

Draco’s face softened as he looked at her. “It’s fine. I let them. They didn’t sneak up on me and stuff it down my throat.”

“Pity,” Ron said, and Hermione glared at him.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course. Not to break up the party, but McGonagall’s given Weasley permission to accompany you down to Hogsmeade to get what you need for tomorrow.”

“Does he know your password?” Ron asked.

“Of course. How do you think we made that baby, Weasley?” Draco raised his eyebrows at Ron, who turned bright red and stood up. Harry joined him.

“Listen you foul-“

“Stop!” Hermione shouted. All 3 boys looked at her, startled. “That’s enough! You will be civil to each other!”

“But he said-“

“After you insulted him, Ron. Though that’s not an excuse.” Hermione said, glancing at Draco. “I have enough on my mind without worrying about you lot killing each other. Now,” she said, looking at Ginny. “I have to go shopping. Ginny, are you game?”

“Can we spend his money?” Ginny asked, grinning at Draco.

Draco made a face and handed a pouch to her. “Here you go. Spend away.”

“Let’s go!” Ginny grabbed Hermione’s arm. Harry and Ron made to leave but as they left, Harry turned and said, “See you tomorrow,” to Hermione, who smiled happily.