Hermione
We started our day out as normal. Got dressed, had breakfast, and walked to the office. He made small talk by asking what I had planned for the day. And I did the same. There was a slight air of awkwardness between us. I began to worry that maybe he thought it was a mistake on his part. Maybe he didn’t mean for it to go that far.
My mood only became more hectic as the day progressed. I was making mistakes on It was near noon when someone walked into my office. I didn’t raise my head to see who it was, I assumed it was Charlie coming to tell me not to forget lunch.
“You know better than to-.” I stopped; it wasn’t Charlie.
This man had silver hair and his grey eyes were wide. All at once my fear took over, I couldn’t form words. How did he get here? He wouldn’t be allowed here without clearance from the Ministry, and that would have crossed my desk.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded. My breath barely under control.
“So it’s true.” He said.
It took me a moment to gather my voice. “What do you mean?”
“I didn’t believe it when Mother said you were pregnant. I thought it was a bloody lie. What the hell Hermione?!” He began to get louder.
I worried who might hear, the office was spaced out, but not enough that yells wouldn’t carry.
“Heather!” I called out. She came running, she looked worried.
“What’s wrong?” She looked pointedly at Draco, then back at me.
“I need someone to go get Charlie for me. Make it fast please, tell him Malfoy is here. He will understand.” I said as calmly as I could manage, but there was a hint of worry in my voice. I didn’t want to risk drawing too much attention. Damn it all. Why was he here?
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Her eyes didn’t leave Draco’s face.
“No, I will be quite alright. Thank you. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I nodded, her eyes went back and forth but she nodded and closed the door. I casted a silencing charm.
“Okay, what now Malfoy?” I said coldly.
“How the hell are you pregnant?” He looked down at my stomach. “Is it mine?”
“Why are you asking? Think about it very carefully, you are married to Pansy and apparently she is further along than I am.” I spit out. “So, what made you come running? And what do you mean your mother told you?!”
He paused; his face was full of anger. “I slept with you because I thought you wouldn’t be able to get pregnant. I can’t have half-blood children, especially with you. It would ruin me, not that the fucking Weasley’s haven’t already started that shit.”
“You didn’t answer my question. How did your mother know I was pregnant?” I asked.
He face flashed with shock, it was clear that he didn’t mean to release that information. “I don’t know how, but after what happened last week, she told me that you were. She was throwing a fit because my reputation was ruined and said that it was because of you. She said that she was ruined in society and I didn’t know what the bloody hell that meant. She told me to find out where you were.”
“And how did you find out where I was?” I had made sure to tell everyone not to mention where I was. The only people who knew were the Weasley’s, Kingsley, and my old department head.
“One of your old coworkers has a big mouth and was talking about your move to Romania to another coworker from your old department.”
“What happened to you last week? And what makes you think it was the Weasleys?” I huffed out. Furious that someone had let it slip, Kingsley is going to have a field day.
“As if it could be anyone else. Fuckin’ Weasels and you are always in cahoots. You tell me, suddenly I started telling people what I think about them. I called half of my team idiots and the other half worthless, like I was compelled to do so. I thought I was under veratiserum, but there were no traces of it. I’m a bloody joke at the Ministry!” He screamed. “I even told Pansy about us on accident, now she’s left to her parents.”
“Why would she be upset about that, you said it was going to be an open Marriage.” I asked him. His face fell, and he looked off to the side. Oh, Merlin’s balls. “You even lied about that?!”
“Yes! Okay? It was a fuckin lie and now your fucking pregnant, you can’t have the baby.” He groaned.
I was appalled, utterly pissed. “Who are you to tell me anything like that Malfoy? To tell me to have these babies or not? It’s not my fault or theirs that you are a pig.”
“What do you mean? We cannot have any children together! It’s practically an abomination.” He sounded disgusted.
“You sound so much like your father Draco. Well, I’m having the babies, you can’t say anything about it.” I told him.
“If you do that, I want nothing to do with it.” He spat out. “I am nothing like my father!”
Did I really think he changed? How could we have been so naïve, no, not naïve, just didn’t see behind the rose-colored glasses. My anger knew no bounds.
“How do you not sound like him! You just called my babies and abomination!” I shouted.
He stood there, face red from anger. I didn’t fear him, instead I just felt stupid for having believed he changed. I had an idea, but I needed Kingsley.
“Fine, I want it in writing. But proper writing.” I turned to the floo in my office.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“I want this in writing and done by law.” I told him.
I made the call to Kingsley and stuck my head in the fireplace. He answered right away. “Hermione, what do I owe the pleasure.”
“Hi Kings, I wish this was pleasure, but I need you to come over here right away please.” I told him. My anger was apparent on my face, and I made no qualms to hide it.
“Is everything okay?” He asked.
“No, it really isn’t. Can you bring Arthur and Percy please? I need you all to come as soon as possible. Draco is here.”
“Yes, give me about ten minutes and we will be there.” His expression was hard, I can only assume what he was thinking. I didn’t want to give him too much information, I didn’t know who could be in the office with him.
“Thank you, I appreciate it so much.” I took my face out of the fire.
“What was that about?!” Draco exclaimed.
“You will have nothing to do with my child. I want to make sure of it. Now, sit in that chair and if you so much as move I will bind you.” I let my voice sound chilled, my wand at the ready.
It wasn’t more than three minutes later that Charlie came barging through the door. He must have run the whole way here because his face was red, though that might have been from the anger.
“Where is he?” Charlie demanded.
I pointed to the chair where Draco sat. My expression was bored the fear I felt earlier was long gone, I wanted this to be over. I lived the last month worried about what Narcissa might do, that Draco would try to take them away. And now I have the perfect opportunity to keep them out of my life.
“How the hell did you get through?” He asked.
“I walked though. You lot should really update the wards around here.”
I rolled my eyes. “He came here a couple years ago, and they never made the wards keep him out after that. Do you really need to be a smart ass?”
“Bill, is going to have a field day with someone when he comes over this weekend.” Charlie told me. He walked over to my chair to stand behind me. I knew he was looking over me to make sure that I was safe. His expression was deadly.
“Kingsley, Arthur, and Percy should be here any moment.” I told him.
“Why?” He asked.
“Because I need witnesses for this to work.” I told him. I looked at Draco who sat in the corner. “He will be signing away his rights to the babies. So, he will have no rights to them after they are born, and they will not be noted anywhere on the Black family tapestry when they are born.”
Charlie’s grip tightened on me as Draco’s glare grew. “Don’t give me that shit, Draco. You told me not ten minutes ago to not give birth to them.”
“What did he say?” Arthur’s voice came through the doorway, none of us noticed that it opened. Standing there was Kingsley, Arthur, and Percy, all looking shocked. The anger on Arthur’s face was similar to that of the night we told him about what had happened. I knew something bad was about to happen. Right behind them was Ron and Harry, and I knew this would end badly.
“Yes, that’s what he told me before I called Kingsley.” I told them. “So, he has agreed to terminate his rights to the babies. What are you two doing here?”
“I was talking with Percy when Kingsley sent him a Patronus and mentioned you. So, I got Ron and we followed him. Once we heard why you wanted them, we had to come with.” Harry said. His eyes moved to Draco, if looks could kill.
Ron’s eyes were similar. “They wouldn’t let me tell Ginny.”
I was silently grateful, she would not have made this any easier.
The room was tense, the anger could be felt throughout the room. Luckily my silencing spell still held, and no one outside could hear what was going on. Though they were probably wondering why the British Minister of Magic was in my office, with two Aurors at that. I stood to give them all a hug. Kingsley’s eyes were on Draco, anger ever so present.
I gave him a hug and then returned to Charlie’s side. “So, I needed all of you here so that we can do this and make it legal.”
“Yes, I will be able to do this.” Kingsley told me. “Malfoy stand up and repeat after me.”
Draco got up and stood on the other side of Kingsley. Ron and Harry right behind him, I noticed that their wands were poking him from behind. Percy and Arthur were standing opposite to Kiingsley.
“I Draco Lucius Malfoy.” Kingsley said and he repeated.
“Hereby release my claim, both magically and heritage” The same thing.
“To the unborn children being carried by Hermione Jean Granger.” When Draco said the last word there was a small light that was carried between Him and I. Almost string like.
“Hermione it is your turn, repeat after me.” I nodded.
“I, Hermione Jean Granger.” I repeated him
“Accept that Draco Lucius Malfoy”
“Releases his claim magically and heritage to the children I am carrying.” On the last word the string between us snapped. I felt a little lightheaded and leaned on Charlie for support. Just then a parchment appeared in Kingsley’s hand.
He turned to Arthur and Percy. “You will both need to sign this as witnesses to this agreement. Once that is done, I will file this in the Ministry’s Family Records Department in Hermione’s file.”
“Okay.” They both said, using a quill on my desk to sign the paper.
“With this Malfoy, you are no longer bound to Hermione. If there is any more reports of you or your family bothering her you will be punished.” Kingsley had ice in his voice. He was probably over the Malfoy family just as much as we were at this point.
“Leave the reserve, now, Malfoy.” I told him. “I will not be responsible for what they will do to you.”
I motioned to the four Weasley men and Harry, who looked like they wanted to kill him. Even Kingsley had a menacing look. I felt truly liberated at this moment, I expected to feel sad or even hurt when he found out. A small part of me wanted him to be involved if he ever did find out. Instead, I was greeted with the cruel reality that I didn’t want to face.
Draco’s face twisted into a smear, he looked like he was going to say something, but Arthur cut him off.
“Leave, right now, before I call the rest of the boys. They have some unfinished business.” His lips pressed into a hard line. Part of me wanted Draco to fight, to stay, just so I could see what they did to him. But it appears that he has more self-preservation than that, bloody Slytherin.
He turned on his heels and walked out of the room, Charlie followed him. Ron and Harry hot on his heals. I went to move but Arthur caught my arm. Shaking his head, I let out a small sigh.
“Well, let’s have some tea, while you lot are here.” I told them and released the silencing charm.
“Julie?” I called out. She was our secretary. She popped through the door. “Can you bring us a tea tray please?”
“Of course, right away.” I love her, she is the sweetest girl. She has a small stature, no more than seventeen years old, her eyes filled with bright hope. I wish for the children that come after us to have that light in their eyes. Ours was stolen.
“Actually Hermione, I want to have a small walk around the reserve.” Percy told us. I knew where he was going, I should have known better.
“Of course, don’t get lost and fall somewhere. But if you do, Charlie should have some clothes for you to change into.” Everyone knew the meaning behind my words, but the true words should not be spoken, lest we need to give a pensive.
“Perfect, thank you. I will be back shortly.” With that he was out of the door, in the direction Charlie went.
“Well, now that that’s happened. How have you two been?” I asked the remaining two men.
“Busy as normal in the Ministry.” Kingsley said. “We did finally catch the woman who was supposedly a healer. Let’s just say she was an acquaintance of Lady Malfoy.”
“Ah, so my suspicion was true?” I asked.
“Yes, and it had been well taken care of by Harry and Ron.” Arthur added. I had a feeling I should ask my brother what he did to her. “But more importantly how are you doing?”
“I’ve been perfect. Everyone here is very caring and thoughtful. The babies are progressing well. Healer John said everything looked fine when Charlie and I went to St. Mungo’s for an appointment.” I told them. I collected a photo from my desk to show them
“Wow, look at that.” Arthur said, he looked mesmerized. Kingsley nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, they look so small, but considering there’s two of them I look big.” I smiled down to my belly.
Just then there was a knock at the door it was Josh. He was as tall as Charlie, except he was tan, with dark brown hair and green eyes. I thought he was a model at first.
“Hi Josh, what brings you in?” I asked.
“Well, if the British Minister of Magic is on the reserve, word travels fast. So, I came by to greet and pay my respects.” I got up and brought him in.
“Kingsley, this is my boss on the reserve, Josh Kaur. Josh this is Kingsley Shacklebolt, British Minister of Magic.” The two of them shook hands.
“I have heard a lot about you from Hermione, it’s honestly a great pleasure.” Josh told him.
“Likewise, she has nothing but positive things to say about the reserve and the people on it.”
I motioned to Arthur. “Josh, this is Arthur, Charlie’s father.”
“Nice to meet you. Charlie has been amazing here.” Josh said.
“I would hope so that boy has always been a hard worker.” Arthur said.
“You must be excited for the new grandchildren?” Josh motioned to the photo. “Everyone here is in love with Hermione, she brings a lot of joy, especially to those of us who stay in the office most of the day.”
Arthur’s face lit up again. “Oh yes, were all excited for two new little ones. Molly has been knitting non-stop.”
I bushed a little. “That’s because I enjoy the work here. Not that it was too bad in Britain, Kingsley, but there is a lot more sunlight here.”
“That I can understand.” He said, looking around my office, well light by the natural sunlight.
There was a knock on the door, it was Julie, back with the tea. She set it on the coffee table and left the room. The four of us spent the next hour talking about work and excitement over the baby. For me the babies were a sign of hope that some good can come out of the horrific war that we fought in. I wasn’t the only person who was experiencing pain and PTSD from what we endured.
I started to feel a bit lightheaded, and I knew that I had been away from Charlie too long. The others noticed the look on my face.
“Do you need me to call him, Hermione?” Josh asked.
I nodded. “Yes, can you send him a Patronus?”
“What’s wrong Hermione?” Arthur asked, his face showed his worry.
“This happens when I spend too long away from Charlie. Normally we can be away for about two to three hours and be okay. But it seems like today was just a bit too long without him. Probably because of the stress.”
“Can we do anything?” Kingsley asked.
“Unfortunately, no, it’s what happens when your magic is tied to another person. It’s like a small piece of you is missing. I’ll feel better when he is near me.” I told them. “He should be here in a few minutes.”
Except just then he burst through the door, probably breaking one of the hinges.
“Do not break my door, Charles Weasley.” I told him. Poor Percy was right behind him, completely out of breath. Percy was in different clothes than the ones he came in. I was shocked to see them so soon; Josh had sent out his Patronus no more than five minutes ago. They must have already been at the cabin, changing clothes.
“Josh said that you were feeling sick and to come right away.” I turned my small glare to josh and raised an eyebrow.
“He would have killed me if I sugar coated it.” Josh raised his arms in defense.
I rolled my eyes but nodded. It was probably best to return to our cabin. “Okay, okay. You’re probably right.”
Charlie came up next to me, looking me up and down. “What happened?”
“I am feeling a bit lightheaded, you’ve been gone for a little over five hours. And I only saw you for about twenty minutes earlier.” I turned to look at Arthur and Kingsley. “I’m sorry to have to cut our visit short, but I should really go rest.”
I looked around, I didn’t see Harry or Ron anywhere. “Where did those go?”
Percy’s mouth opened but it wasn’t him that spoke. “They had to leave a little early, something about being called away.”
Charlie knew that he wasn’t convincing. I knew where they went, and that they probably took Draco with them. I can only hope that they don’t do anything too drastic, but that is extremely wishful thinking.
“Do not worry about it. We can visit again another time, or whenever you come back to visit in Britain.” Kingsley said and gave me a hug.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll let Molly know what happened. Best to expect a letter from her later tonight or in the morning.” Arthur gave me a hug.
Percy gave me a hug next; I whispered a thank you in his ear. Knowing that it was probably him that stopped Charlie from killing Draco. He nodded and whispered you’re welcome.
Once everyone was gone Charlie and I walked through the floo to our cabin.