Dealing With the Consequences

Chapter Four

Narcissa Malfoy was sitting in the study inside Malfoy Manor. It had been a long and exhausting day for her, nothing had been going right. She'd just been trying to wind down, sipping her tea inside her husband's old study and reading one of her books. It had been working rather well to calm her nerves, until she was interrupted by the house-elf, Erma.

"Sorry to be disturbing you, Mistress," the house-elf said, bowing low to the floor. "But a letter has arrived for Master Malfoy."

Narcissa accepted the envelope that the house-elf handed to her. "Thank you, that will be all."

"Yes Mistress." The house-elf bowed once more, and then with a pop, she was gone. Narcissa eyed the cursive writing on the envelope, not recognising the penmanship. She didn't have a clue as to who would be writing to her son, especially when all his friends knew very well that he was vacationing at their summer home in France. Narcissa would have joined him as well, but since her husband had passed away, she hadn't been able to set foot inside the place.



Narcissa carefully tore open the letter, reading it over. She felt terrible for reading her son's mail, but he was all she had left. You couldn't blame a mother for being protective of her only son. As she read the letter, her face fell.

Narcissa couldn't believe what she was reading. Her son had actually slept with and conceived a child with Hermione Granger, the Muggle-born bookworm whom he'd always despised. She'd always known that her son was just like his father was as a teenager, charming and full of raging hormones. But she'd always hoped that he'd been smart with who he chose to be associated with. Lucius and herself had tried to impose the importance of their family name upon their son, but it seemed that it had not paid off. Something like this could ruin their whole reputation, just when she'd finally beguan to make progress at restoring their name after her husband's madness. No, a child born out of wedlock to teenage parents was not something the Malfoy name needed. A scandal of that sort and Narcissa may as well lock herself in the dungeons now.

Thinking quickly, she stuffed the letter deep inside the desk drawer. Taking the key out of her pocket, she locked the drawer just to be sure that Draco would never see it. It pained her to hide something like this from her son, but she could never let him know if this baby business was true. He was young;, he had the rest of his life to father real children, children who he could bring up in a real family and love. He didn't need a bastard child sucking out his youth and ruining the best years of his life. She knew it was wrong, horrible even, but it had to be done. She just had her baby's best interests at heart, after all.

*

Meanwhile, in the quiet town of Nice, France, Draco Malfoy was tossing and turning in his canopy bed, unable to sleep.

"Amos!" Draco shouted into the darkness. Almost immediately, a tiny house- elf appeared, bowing low.

"You called, Master?" the house-elf asked.

"Bring me another bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion," Draco demanded.



"But sir, that will be four nights this week!" Tthe house-elf exclaimed, his big green eyes filled with worry.



"Who's the master here, me or you?" he replied, losing his temper.

"You sir!" Tthe house-elf answered quickly, tugging on his floppy ears. "Sorry, sir; I'll retrieve it, sir." With a snap of his fingers, the house-elf was gone.

Draco lay back down in his bed, pulling the covers tight around himself. It was odd. When he'd first begun to haveing trouble sleeping, his mother had suggested a vacation at their summer home in France. The house had always been a happy place as he'd been growing up, so he'd immediately packed his bags. The first night he'd been there, he'd gotten nearly five hours of sleep. Since then, he was lucky if he got three a night.

He didn't know why he was having problems sleeping;, perhaps it was stress. The stress of being finished with school for good, and knowing that, once he turned twenty years old, he would take over the family business and try to build the family name back up. After his father's insane antics, that type of stress was enough to make anyone lose sleep.

Draco's life since leaving Hogwarts had been like nothing he'd ever experienced. He'd always pictured himself finishing school and then taking a year or two off to explore the world. Sure, he'd travelled before, but he'd never gone anywhere alone. He'd wanted to pack up his bags and just leave, going wherever his will would take him. But with his father now gone, he couldn't afford to do that. His mother was ill, suffering from a severely broken heart. He just couldn't take off and leave for a year, not knowing how she'd manage without him. Even now, he worried about her constantly, Flooing her about four times a day.

When he wasn't tossing and turning in his bed or worrying about his mother, Draco passed the time by checking out all the Muggle nightclubs and bars. He wasn't proud of mingling with Muggles, but at least amongst them, he was just another person in the crowd. No one there knew him; no one knew his past. It comforted him to know that he could start afresh each night, some nights he'd even make up a façade, tell women a fake name, and a Muggle occupation. He was actually getting quite good at lying, making him able to bed a new woman nearly each night. It wasn't a glamourous lifestyle, but it was all he had.

"Master?" Amos interrupted Draco's thoughts, handing him the bottle of Dreamless Sleep Potion. Draco grabbed the bottle out of the house-elf's hand and downed the entire contents in one go. "Will you be needing anything else, sir?"

"No Amos, that should be fine," Draco told him. Amos bowed low to the floor once more before snapping his fingers and disappearing into the darkness. Within minutes, the effects of the potion began to take hold and Draco found himself drifting off into a deep sea of blackness.

*

A few weeks passed by and still, Hermione heard not a word from Malfoy. She began to lose hope and didn't think she'd ever hear back from him. Her friends constantly asked about the father, but she still wouldn't tell. Even though Malfoy had to have gotten her letter by now, she just couldn't tell anyone until she heard back from him. That way, she could at least tell everyone whether he was going to step up and be a father or not.

Hermione was quickly beginning to notice more symptoms of her pregnancy. She'd already read the entire booklist that the healer had given her, so now she felt like an expert. Nothing came as a surprise to her anymore, and for that, she was thankful.

About a week after she found out she was pregnant, Hermione went over to her parent's house for tea and told them. Surprisingly, they weren't mad, they didn't yell or lecture her. They just hugged her, letting her know that, even though they were disappointed, she had their full support. They even asked for a copy of her ultrasound to frame for their bedroom. After leaving her parent's home, Hermione began to think much more positively. Perhaps the love and support that her friends and family could give her, will make up for the absence of the father. It was doubtful, but it might just be possible.

With each passing week, Hermione felt like her stomach was getting bigger and bigger. Everyone else said you could barely tell, but since she’d always been a petite girl, she felt as if she was huge. Ginny, however, thought her baby bump was completely adorable.

"It's so cute!" Ginny exclaimed when Hermione showed her stomach off at the Burrow. Touching her friend's rounded abdomen.

"It is not cute," Hermione argued, pulling her shirt back down, and throwing on her cardigan.

"’Mione, you have a life growing inside of you!" Ginny told her with a grin. "That belly is the proof. It's bloody adorable."

"Okay, if you love it so much then how about we trade?" Hermione joked. "You can have my fat stomach and I get your tiny little body."

"Gladly!" Ginny replied, flopping down on her bed. "I just can't wait until Harry and I have kids."

"Slow down Gin," Hermione told her friend, sitting down on the bed beside her. "It's a little soon for the two of you to be thinking about babies just yet."

"Ugh, I know!" Ginny said, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I hate being younger then everyone else."

"Well, it's not like I planned this baby," Hermione reminded her friend. "It was an accident. If I hadn't gotten pregnant, I don't think I would've even thought about having a child for at least ten years."

"Honestly," the redhead told her, "if it weren't for school and the fact that mum would kill me, I'd probably be trying for a baby now."

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, grabbing a pillow and slapping her friend across the face with it. "You're horrible!"

"I know, I know." Just then, there was a loud knock at Ginny's bedroom door. "Come in!" The door opened and Harry poked his head in.

"Molly says dinner's ready,." Harry told the girls. Hermione couldn't help but notice that as soon as Harry was within eyesight, Ginny's cheeks flushed and she would always fuss over her appearance. Normally, this type of smitten behaviour would annoy Hermione, but in this case, it just made her sad. Sad, that she would never experience those types of feelings. But also, it made her happy that two of her best friends had found love and happiness with each other- even if she couldn't find it herself.

"Hey ‘Mione," Ginny said in the tone of voice she always used when she wanted a favour. "How about you go ahead and we'll catch up?"

"Oh wow," Hermione simply said, covering her face with her hands as Harry's face turned beat red.

"Sorry Ginny, we don't have time for that," Harry told her, making Hermione grateful. "Everyone's waiting."

"Nice try, Gin," Hermione laughed, helping her friend up before following the couple down the stairs and into the backyard for dinner.

"About time you lot show up," Fred greeted the girls with a smile.

"Yeah, we were about to start without you," George added as Hermione, Ginny, and Harry took their seats.

"Hermione dear, take off that sweater. It's much too hot out." Molly said, passing out the salad.

"Oh no, I'm fine." Hermione lied, feeling self-conscious.

"But you're sweating," Molly pointed out. "It's not good for the baby."

"Just take it off, you look fine," Ginny joined in, causing Hermione's face to burn red.

"Okay, okay." Hermione gave up, pulling off her cardigan and placing it on the back of her chair. As she removed the sweater, she couldn't help, but notice Ron give her a once over as he stuffed his face.

The family dinner went over well, everyone chatted, catching up. There was lots of talk about Hermione's baby, making her feel just like part of the family.

"You know," Ron said through a mouth full of potatoes. "You still haven't told us if it's going to be a boy or a girl."

"You haven't told them yet?" Ginny asked, turning away from Harry whom she'd been making eyes at.

"No, I've been waiting until everyone was all together." Hermione said shyly, very aware that everyone was now giving her their full attention.

"Well, come on then and tell us," Harry encouraged her.

"Yes, don't keep us in the dark, Hermione," Arthur agreed with a smile.

"Well," Hermione said, pausing for dramatic affect, just like in the movies. "It's a girl."

"A girl?" Molly repeated, her hands over her mouth and her eyes bright.

"Here," Hermione said, reaching into her purse and pulling out a copy of her ultrasound.

"Iz that her?" Fleur asked, pulling Bill up so they could see the moving picture.

"That's her." Hermione replied proudly, unintentionally placing a hand over her abdomen.

"She iz beautiful!" Fleur exclaimed, holding her husband's hand tight.

"Thank you." Hermione watched as everyone got up to take a look at the picture. Everyone, that is, except Ron who just sat there looking sullen. Hermione tried to catch his eye to figure out what was wrong, but he wouldn't look away from his plate.

"Have you thought of any names yet?" Percy asked once everyone had sat back down.

"No, not yet," She answered. "Right now I'm trying to focus on getting a job."

"You can't get a job now dear," Molly told her. "In the third trimester of a magical pregnancy, your magic levels will intensify. You won't even be able to pick up your wand without accidentally doing a spell."

"It didn't say anything about that in the books the healer recommended,." Hermione said, feeling embarrassed that she didn't know.

"Don't worry," Molly told her. "I'll grab my old pregnancy books for you sometime tonight."

"Thanks, Molly."

After dinner, Molly and Arthur made everyone tea so they could all sit out in the backyard and enjoy the summer weather. It was nice, having big family dinners with the Weasleys each month. It made Hermione feel important, like she belonged somewhere in the wizarding world. She'd always wanted to have brothers and sisters as a child, but since meeting the Weasleys, she felt like she had two families. Together, her two families surrounded her with the love and support she needed to overcome anything, even a teenage pregnancy.

As the night grew later, members of the Weasley clan began to return back to their own homes, bidding everyone personally a goodbye. Hermione had decided to spend the night at the Burrow, so she was one of the few people staying, along with Harry.

"All right children," Arthur said around eleven o’clock. "Molly and I are off to bed. You lot be good now."

"Goodnight," the four of them said, watching as the two adults walked back into the house, hand in hand.

As the four teenagers sat chatting, Hermione noticed that Ron still seemed distant. Although she was sitting right beside him, he refused to look at her, instead choosing to study his hands or his trainers. His behaviour was really getting on her nerves, putting a damper on her otherwise good day.

"So, I got a letter from Luna the other day," Ginny told her friends, noticing the tension between her brother and Hermione.

"Oh, how is she doing?" Hermione asked to be polite. Frankly, she'd never really cared for Luna. Sure, Luna had never actually done anything to her, but the girl was just so odd.

"Really well actually, she and Neville have been together most of the summer. They just can't get enough of each other."

"Now, there's an odd couple," Ron joined in.

"I think they make a great couple, don't you think so, Harry?" Ginny argued before turning to her boyfriend.

"They're all right," Harry replied, obviously uncomfortable with the conversation. Hermione knew that Luna had always made him feel awkward, she couldn't really blame him either.

"How about we talk about something else?" Hermione suggested. "Maybe about something everyone is interested in?"

"All right, what about baby names?" Ginny said, grinning as if she'd been wanting to discuss the particular topic all day.

"No, Ginny. I don't want to talk about baby names right now," Hermione told her, sensing Ron stiffen beside her.

"Yeah, I wouldn't feel right picking out Hermione's baby names." Harry agreed.

"And why not?" Ginny asked him, seeming hurt.

"It's not something blokes want to do." Ron told his sister.

"I wasn't asking you, Ronald." Ginny turned on her brother with fire in her eyes. Harry and Hermione exchanged looks, having had to sit through a Weasley squabble before.

"I don't care!" Ron shouted at her.

"What the bloody hell shoved it's way up your arse today?" Ginny shot back. Hermione rolled her eyes, beginning to feel a headache coming on.

"Oh, shut up, Ginny. I'm sick of hearing all this bullocks about bloody babies and fathers, and bloody Luna Lovegood!" Ron was now standing, towering over his sister with his hands balled into fists.

"See, every time something doesn't centre around you, you get so bloody uptight and have a fit about it. Well guess what? We're all sick of it!" Ginny shouted, standing so she was more level with him.

"Ginny, that's enough. Just sit down." Harry said, placing a hand on her waist.

"No, someone needs to take Ron off his high horse before I rip his bloody head off!" Ginny half shouted to Harry, never taking her eyes off her brother.

"Just try it, you little witch," Ron challenged her, glaring angrily.

"That's it," Ginny said, turning to face Harry. "Give me your wand so I can hex the arse hole out of him."

"This is mad Gin, just drop it," Harry grabbed Ginny's hand, trying to pull her back into her seat but she wouldn't budge.

"You know what, I'll just save you all the trouble," Ron said, grabbing his sweater. "I'm going inside. Have a good night." With that, he stormed off, back into the house.

The remaining three stayed silent. Hermione felt tears she didn't know she was holding back slide down her cheeks. She was trembling terribly;, her hands and legs just wouldn't stay still. She couldn't speak, she couldn't really even think. She just kept going over the same question in her mind, What the hell is Ron's problem?

"I think I should go talk to him," Harry said, standing.

"No Harry," Hermione told him. "I think I should. He's been acting odd around me ever since I got here. I need to find out what's wrong."

"Okay, just be careful. In your condition, you don't need to be getting into a row." Hermione bid her friends goodnight before walking back into the house.

When Ron wasn't in either the kitchen or the sitting room, Hermione made her way up to his room. She knocked lightly on the door, but when he didn't invite her in, so she just entered.

Ron's room was dark. All of his lights were off and his orange curtains were pulled shut. Hermione stood at the door for a few minutes, allowing her eyes to adjust, before she walked over to the bed where Ron was sulking under the covers.

When Hermione sat down on the edge of his bed, Ron stiffened. He didn't say a word, just simply pulled the covers around him tightly. His back was to her, but she was still determined to speak with him, even if it would be a one sided conversation.

"Ron?" she asked, waiting for his reply. When she didn't get one, she continued. "Look, Ron. I don't know what the hell your problem is, but for some reason, you've been acting strange and I don't like it. I mean, you won't talk to me or even look at me. Every time I'm around, you stiffen up, just like you are right now. I don't know what I could have possibly done to make you hate me so, but I miss my best friend and I want him back." Tears began forming in Hermione's eyes, causing her to silently curse her hormones. She'd never been an overly emotional person before, but since she became pregnant, she'd probably cried more times in the past month than in all of her seven years at Hogwarts. She hated it.

She was trying to hide the fact that she was crying, but when Ron still refused to look at her, the tears worsened. She began to sob and shake, fearing she'd never get things back to the way they used to be. The thought made her feel as if everything bad was surrounding her, taking over. She covered her face with her hands in an attempt to stifle her sobs, but it didn't do much. She was crying so hard, she didn't even see Ron turn to face her.

"’Mione, don't cry." Ron said, his voice soft and soothing.

"What do you care?" she asked, beginning to feel anger. "You hate me, remember?"

"I never said I hated you."

"Yeah well you bloody well act like it!" She shouted through her tears. She removed her hands from her face, allowing him to see her puffy red eyes and the tears flowing from them. "Honestly, what the hell did I do to you? What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?"

"I-" Ron began to say, but stopped himself and bowed his head.

"You what, Ron?" Hermione asked, feeling hot from the anger bubbling inside her.

"Never mind." he just barely whispered.

"I will not never mind!" she told him. "I'm sick of this, Ron! I'm sick of you acting this way around me, acting as if I don't deserve your time of day. We have been best friends since we were children and now, all of a sudden, you start with this. I haven't done shit to you, okay? I am fucking huge and hormonal, and I have a bloody fucking person growing inside me for the next six months and you are not making this any fucking easier! Now, whatever the fuck is up your arse, take it out and get over this because I need your support and I will hex it out of you if I have to!"

For a few minutes, Ron just sat there, staring at her with his mouth open in shock. He'd never before heard Hermione swear at him like that, or even talk to him that way. It scared him a bit, but also, he found it extremely attractive.

"Okay, I'm sorry," Ron apologised. "Just please don't cry again."

"Are you going to stop being such a git then?" she asked, her anger subsiding.

"I'll stop."

"Good, now give me a hug because this is all too much for a pregnant woman to handle." Ron reached over, embracing Hermione tightly. After a minute or two, he pulled away rather quickly.

"What's wrong now?" Hermione asked, giving him a look.

"I can feel it." He told her, motioning to her stomach.

"I know, I'm a bloody cow." She blushed, putting her arms over her stomach.

"No you're not," Ron said, taking her hands away. "Actually, you look really good."

"Thanks, Ron," she smiled.

"Anytime." He smiled back.

To Be Continued...

Okay, so finally this chapter is finished. Special mention goes to my new beta, Gryffindor_Slytherin, you're amazing. Previous chapters should soon be beta'd as well. As for reviews, thnxx goes out to: Amaya, Gryffindor_Slytherin (really? Mine usually only take a few minutes then I get the results right away. I think it depends on if your doctor's office has a lab or not), Jess (just for the plot I had in mind, I felt it was better for her to write him a letter), Mitsu, kazfeist, and finally, scarletwitchextreme. I've been getting really good reviews which has been motivating me to write more chapters. I'm hoping to have the next chapter written sometime this week, so hopefully I'll have it posted in a week or two. Until then, read and review!

Much Love...

XXX

Xx-.k.a.y.y.-xX