Just Let Me Die | By : TalisRuadair Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 25097 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1 |
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I am not making any profit from this, as this is only written for practice. |
Chapter Ten – Confronting Inner Demons
Draco was enjoying the afterglow of his morning treat. He held Hermione’s perfect body tight to him wondering what he did to deserve someone as wonderful as her. Something within his mind nagged him and made him question if the happiness he’d felt was real. Could she really be here? Was this just a wonderful dream that he was going to wake up from and find himself back in that small cell and Crabbe’s groping hands all over him?
Then he heard it like a whisper on the wind, “I’m pregnant.”
He didn’t know what is was about that simple phrase that was so familiar to him, but that one sentence brought him back to his nightmare. He was once again in that dark, dank, dungeon cell, but he was not alone. Another curly haired beauty lay next to him. Her ice blue eyes focused on him as she gently caressed his cheek. “Mi amor, I don’t know how long it will be before he returns. I know that my death will come, but I want you to know the past few months I’ve spent with you have been wonderful. Okay, so the location isn’t the best, but it’s magical in its own right.”
Draco focused on her features, “You know about magic?”
Sofia’s face lit up and her blue eyes sparkled, “Ah, yes I do. My cousin is a witch, so I know about magic. My grandmother on my father’s side was a squib, so even our fathers knew about magic. Though my uncle Robert thought my grandmother was only making up stories, but my father always believed it was real. It’s funny that Robert was the one to have a witch for a daughter. Especially, since he and his wife are both dentists.”
“Wow, so your cousin’s a muggle-born witch,” Draco mused and couldn’t stop the feeling that he was missing something very obvious.
“There’s something else I’ve discovered, Draco. I’m pregnant,” She whispered as if she was afraid how he’d react.
Draco sat up and stared at her. He cleared his throat, “Do you think it was from when I, when I raped you?”
Her eyes widened, “It’s possible that it might’ve been from the night you were forced on me, but it could’ve been from any of the other times I’ve willingly made love to you.”
“How far along do you think you are?” Draco asked wondering what they were going to do. Was he going to allow Crabbe to kill his unborn child when he killed Sophia? Was there anything they could do to protect her until after the child was born? He knew there was no way to protect her indefinitely. It was a reality he feared she knew too well. He suspected she had accepted her inevitable death like a courageous Gryffindor.
She shook her head, “I don’t even know how long exactly we’ve been down here.”
Draco had never tried to call the little house elf before, but he wondered if she’d come when he called her, “Rosy.”
A loud pop sounded and the little doe eyed thing appeared, “Yous called me?”
“Yes, Rosy I was wondering if you’d check to see if Sofia is pregnant and if she is how far along is she?”
The already large eyed house elf managed to widen her eyes further before closing them. She snapped her fingers and squealed, “She’s six month along and it be a boy.”
Draco let out a slow breath. She was pregnant with the next male Malfoy heir. A desire to live, he hadn’t felt in over a year, exploded within him. He had to insure his son was born and safe. If he ever made it out of that predicament alive, he’d search for him. He’d find him and claim him as his own. He owed it to Sofia. “Is there a way we can hide Sofia when your master comes back? I know you cannot allow me to leave, but did he say anything about her?”
She shook head, “I can’t lets no prisoners out. He ordered me not to allow anyone who’s been in the dungeon out. So nos I can’t let her out, but maybes we could hide hers. Master does has a hidden invisibility cloak in upstairs closet. We could throw it over her when he visits. Hes been gone fur long time. He probably forgot about his muggle filth.”
Draco closed his eyes now that they had a plan. They’d insure Sofia’s survival until after their son was born, but then he realized something Rosy had said. “Rosy, after the baby’s born do you think you’d be able to leave with him? He will have been born here, but he’s not one of your master’s prisoners.”
Rosy thought for a while, “Yous right I could leave with him. If he only in room for a few minutes, he no prisoner.”
Draco sighed, “Thank you Rosy.”
Three months passed with Crabbe visiting him weekly, Draco’s hope for his son to make it in the world, kept him from breaking. Sofia cried for a couple of hours into his chest as soon as Crabbe left after every visit. Her tears showed him she cared and he held her while Rosy tended to his wounds. He’d rest his hand on Sofia’s growing belly and talk to his unborn son. They discussed what to name him and Draco explained his family’s tradition of naming their children after stars and constellations. Draco was shocked when she suggested the name Eltanin, which was one of the brightest stars in the Draco constellation. It was apparent that Sofia was an avid star gazer. When he agreed to that as a first name she suggested her maternal grandfather’s name Esteban for his middle name. Draco liked how the traditions from both sides were combined into one. It was what his parents did for him, by naming him after a constellation and then giving him his father’s first name as his middle name.
On the fateful night when his son made his way into the world, he held Sofia when she cried out in pain. Rosy popped down and helped deliver the baby. After hours of pain and pushing, Eltanin had arrived. Sofia passed out after having one quick glance at her baby.
Rosy wrapped him up in a blue blanket that Draco didn’t know where she’d gotten it from. She smiled at the baby, “What’s yous name?”
Draco smiled staring at the little boy. His eyes were closed but his bright blond hair was vivid once the elf was done cleaning him up. “His name is Eltanin Esteban Malfoy. Do you think you could get me a quill and some parchment?” The elf snapped her fingers and parchment, a quill, and a jar of ink all appear before him. He quickly jotted down a note explaining the boys name and that they couldn’t care for him but that someone would arrive for him and ask for the child by his full name. He requested that they care for him until that day came. He advised them that person would pay whatever amount necessary to cover the cost of caring for his son. It was all written in perfect French, as he asked Rosy to bring him to a French Muggle Orphanage. He figured his son would be safe from Crabbe in Muggle France, and it was unlikely an enemy would come across his son before he could retrieve him. When he was done, he handed the rolled up parchment to Rosy. “Will you please deliver this with him to the Muggle Orphanage you selected and never tell Crabbe about him or where he could be located.”
The elf nodded her head yes and disappeared with a loud crack. Draco looked over at the weak Sofia and wiped away the sweat. He held her close to him before a pop sounded. Draco looked over his shoulder expecting to see the elf but felt his stomach drop when he saw the tall, portly man. Rosy had taken the invisibility cloak with her so she wouldn’t be seen by the muggles at the orphanage. Sofia was exposed and Draco knew the day of their son’s birth was the same day she was going to die.
Crabbe chuckled, “You thought I forgot about her, didn’t you?”
Draco remained silent as he held Sofia’s unconscious body close to him. He couldn’t bare this. He loved her, she was the mother of his child, and sadly he knew there was no way he could stop Crabbe from killing her. Crabbe’s voice shouted, “Avada Kedavra.” The green light flew past Draco and hit Sofia. He felt her heart stop beating and he couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. His reason for holding on was no longer there. She was dead like everything else he touched. Crabbe ripped her still warm body from his arms and chuckled, “I’m going to take out the trash and then I’m coming back to enjoy you. You’ve been apparently enjoying her in my absence, so I’ll need to make up for taking away your toy.”
Draco didn’t respond other than curling up in a ball and sobbing. He knew this was inevitable. She knew she was going to die. They were only able to put it off long enough so that they’re son could be born, but it didn’t stop it from hurting. She was just in his arms and he already missed her. There was something about her that just seemed so familiar and just so right. If only he could remember what it was or of whom she reminded him.
Lucius, Narcissa, and Hermione stood around Draco’s bed hoping he’d awake from his vacant stare. Hermione attempted to enter his mind but his walls quickly flew up. She wasn’t sure if it was an unconscious response on Draco’s part since she assumed he was reliving his stay in the dungeon. His eyes jotted around the room and he jumped out of bed. “I need to find him. I can’t believe I forgot about him. I broke my promise. I promised to get him as soon as I got out of that place.”
Lucius placed a hand on his son’s shoulder and calmly asked, “Who?”
Draco shrugged the hand off his shoulder, “You wouldn’t understand. You’d never accept him because he’s a half-blood. You’re pure-blood values would rather see him dead than welcome him into our family. I will retrieve him and if I have to, I’ll leave the Manor. I must care for my heir. I’ve left him alone for too long. Will he hate me?” His eyes pleaded with Hermione to answer.
She was able to quickly piece together what he was talking about. He must’ve remembered his son. “No, I don’t think Elty is capable of hating anyone. He’s much like his mother in that respect. Don’t worry, little Eltanin is safe.”
Draco’s eyes widened, “You called him Elty and you spoke of his mother as if you knew Sofia. How could you know Sofia?”
Hermione pulled him into a hug, “Draco, I’ve known Sofia all of her life. She’s my younger cousin, Sofia Rose Granger.”
“You said Elty was a boy your parents were adopting. Please don’t tell me they’ve adopted my son. I must keep my promise. He’s my first born heir. Wait, Sofia did say she had a cousin that was a witch. That’s why she looked so familiar to me.”
“Draco, we were waiting until your father was released before we brought him home. I sent him to Australia with my parents because I knew he’d be safe there until you were well enough to be around him. You didn’t remember him. I didn’t want to cause you more pain by telling you that not only did Crabbe force you to rape Sofia but that she gave you a son.”
He pushed her away and crossed his arms, “When do I get to meet my son, Granger?”
“I will see about having an International Portkey prepared as quickly as possible and I’ll send Harry to escort my parents, his other grandparents, and Elty here.” She quickly walked into the sitting room to quickly write a note to Harry and didn’t notice that Draco was following her.
“Potter’s met my son?”
She ignored Draco’s question and called for Rosy. When the elf appeared she asked, “Rosy could you deliver this note to Harry?” The elf nodded and disappeared with a crack. She then turned to Draco, “Of course Harry met your son. He was the one who retrieved him from the orphanage.” Before he could complain she crossed her arms, “Do you even remember what I said that sent you down memory lane?”
Draco’s eyes widened, “You told me that you’re pregnant. Are you?”
Hermione nodded her head, “Yes, I’m two months pregnant. Greg did the diagnostic spell for me.”
Draco sat on the couch and muttered, “I should’ve known she was your cousin, she acted so much like a bloody Gryffindor.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked at her with glistening eyes, “Am I capable of being a father? I don’t have the best example of how a father should act.”
Hermione bit her lip not sure how to respond. She noticed the hurt look on Lucius’ face when he heard his son’s statement. He and Narcissa had stayed back in the bedroom more than likely to give the couple some space. She sighed, “There’s something else. I think that those memories you have starting the summer after your first year at Hogwarts. Well, I think that might’ve been Crabbe disguised as your father and not your father.”
Hermione had given Draco a partial dose of a sleeping draught. He was too upset to sleep but too depressed and drained to do much else after reliving everything that happened with Sofia. In the end, he was grieving her loss, as he never really had time to go though the grieving process after it happened. Hermione sat in one of the chairs in the Drawing Room where she was having Afternoon Tea with Narcissa and Lucius.
Narcissa smiled, “I’ll have the house elves prepare the suite next to Draco’s as a play room and two bedrooms, one for Elty and one for the nursery. I think that we should have a door added between your sitting room and the playroom, so you two can easily access the children. Though I’m sure, Rosy would be happy to help care for them.”
Hermione sipped her tea, “Rosy has become a member of the family. I think she’ll be excited to hear about Elty’s arrival. She’d admitted to me that she’d used the invisibility cloak to visit him in the orphanage from time to time up until Draco was found.”
Lucius cleared his throat, “I think we’re dancing around the Erumpent in the room. My son hates me and will probably never allow me to meet my grandson. I understand that he accepted what you told him, but I’m afraid it’s too late. We spoiled him with materialistic things, but I never gave him what he really needed.” Tears glistened in his gray eyes, but from the shear will of a proud pure-blood not one escaped, “I was too reserved with my emotions. I was quick to reprimand him when he acted unbecoming, but I never showed him love. I guess I always thought that was his mother’s job.”
Hermione set her delicate tea cup on the saucer she held in her left hand and let out a long sigh. “I fear that’s the problem with pure-blood aristocratic society. A stringent code of conduct exists, which requires the male members to act cool and aloof. This causes the child to feel unloved from the male parent and the cycle continues as the son follows in the footsteps of the father before him.”
He pounded his clenched fist causing Hermione to jump, “I’m sick of it. I don’t want to have a damn thing to do with what almost cost my family their lives. I want to pull my son into a hug and tell him that I love him, like my father never did for me, and reassure him that I’ll make sure no one ever harms him again. I want to see my son, strong, and able to smile again. I just want him to be happy, something I rarely allowed myself to feel. I was trying to make my father proud long after he was gone. I just wanted to prove to him that I was worth something that I neglected to see that I was doing the same thing to Draco.”
Hermione watched as Narcissa took his hand and squeezed it. She decided that it was time to recommend what she and Healer Bagshot were discussing earlier. She set her tea cup and saucer on the end table before making eye contact with the older couple. “You know, something that Healer Bagshot thought would be beneficial for Draco’s recovery was family therapy. She suggested that we all sit in a room together. I would be acting as the healer while you all take turns discussing your feelings. Do you think this is something you’d be interested in doing?”
Narcissa nodded her head yes and smiled. Lucius bowed his head, “I’ll do anything that will help my son get better and hopefully improve our relationship.”
“I think we should wait a week before bringing Elty home. This will give us time to start these conversations and–” She was interrupted by the loud pop of apparition and the appearance of Harry Potter. She jumped up and squealed, “Harry.” She pulled him into a hug.
Lucius quickly stood, “Who gave you permission to apparate into my drawing room?”
Narcissa chuckled, “I’m the one who changed the wards. He’s been here to visit Hermione several times since she moved in. I couldn’t very well keep her best friend from seeing her.”
Harry ended his hug with Hermione, smiled at Narcissa, and then turned to Lucius, “Mr. Malfoy, I’m happy to see that you’ve been released. I never thought you deserved the sentence they gave you, but they saw your act as disproving the testimony I gave during your first trial. I guess they didn’t think you’d changed, but I saw the act as what it really was. It was an act of a desperate man who’d lost his son.” He offered his hand to Lucius who took it and shook it in a businesslike manner. “I’ve been the Auror overseeing your son’s abduction case, and I’ve asked to be assigned to the whole family. As the circumstances are very delicate, and I fear not everyone in Magical Law Enforcement have the best intentions for your family.”
Hermione cleared her throat, “I was just talking to them about delaying Elty’s return for a week. I thought in that time we could work through any underlying family issues. I also wanted to take that trip to Azkaban we were talking about. Did you talk to Blaise about helping us with the case against Crabbe?”
“Yes, well I didn’t even have to ask him. He approached as soon as Draco was found on one of Crabbe’s properties. Also, Theo wanted to lend some of his services as well. He does have many contacts within the Magical Law Enforcement department.”
Hermione nodded her head, “I wanted him with me. I’ve become a pretty strong Legilimens, but I think Theo should be there as a backup. If he and I have to double team the git, we will. I don’t care if his brain turns to mush. It’s not like he has many cognitive functions to begin with.”
Harry smiled, “I’ll get everything ready for tomorrow afternoon. Also, I’ll get that International Portkey. You may wish to give your parents a call, so they’ll be expecting my arrival.” He kissed her on the temple, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He disappeared with a loud crack.
Hermione cracked her knuckles, “Okay, so now that we have all of that worked out. How about we try our first family session after dinner tonight? I think that Draco will be feeling a bit better by then. Especially, since my parents sent me a video tape of Elty. I’ll just have Rosy retrieve my television and VCR. I think it might be the best start for our conversation.”
Narcissa hopped up, “I’ll go talk with the House Elves about preparing all of Draco’s favorites tonight. We have a reason to celebrate, after all. Lucius is home, Elty’s coming home, and we have another grandbaby on the way. Oh, and I must have the guest suites prepared for your parents, and Elty’s muggle grandparents. I think they should share the East Wing with you.”
Hermione looked down at her hands, “That’s something I didn’t think about. I don’t know how my parents will react when I tell them that I’m expecting and that Draco and I aren’t even engaged. They’re a bit conservative.”
A/N: So now we see how Sofia died and how they hid her from Crabbe. Family therapy sessions forthcoming, Crabbe’s interrogation, and the arrival of the muggle relatives to Malfoy Manor, make for interesting future chapters. I think my excitement is beginning to build. I cannot wait to see what happens.
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