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Cast No Shadow	By : ColdWaterFairy Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 13632 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
Miahdrake - Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. I wrote to make you happy.
JESS- Thank you for support and sticking with me.
Sakura - Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you liked it.
A huge thank you to everyone who reviewed.
Hermione was shaking as she approached the door. She knocked, fidgeting with her clothes. She hoped her hair and make-up were still intact. Draco's house-elf answered the door again. She was distinctly conscious of the last time she was here and how she had just pushed past him. "Hi, is he in?"

The house-elf shook his head. "My master is not home yet. Would you like to wait for him?" Hermione hesitated. She'd meant to just give him back the necklace and leave. She would wait for half an hour, and if he still hadn't shown up in that time she'd go.

"Okay," she said, stepping into the house. The elf closed the door and led her to the library. Once there, he silently retreated. Hermione looked around, not sure what to do with herself. She crossed to a bookshelf and started looking at titles. One in particular caught her interest. She took it off the shelf and went to the couch. There was no harm in reading while she waited. She wasn't even aware of when she started to doze off.

The house-elf was waiting for Draco when he arrived home. "There is a young lady in your library, sir." It didn't take a genius to know who that young lady had to be. Draco smiled. She had got the necklace. Was she here to return it or thank him? He was about to go down to meet her when he realized how dirty he was. A quick shower wouldn't hurt.

As he was rinsing off a short while later he wondered about her being here. He knew she was getting married tomorrow. He'd thought his gift a very nice wedding present. He hadn't really expected her to thank him. He'd figured she would probably return it by post, but her coming here in person to do it just made it sweeter. He dried off and got dressed, then jogged down the stairs and headed for the library.

Hermione awoke to the feel of someone caressing her face. She moaned and batted the hand away. "Stop it, Harry." The hand immediately stopped and she was roughly shaken. She opened her eyes and stared at Draco.

She quickly sat up. "Oh." He was staring back at her. She started tumbling over her words. "I wanted to talk to you. Make you understand."

"Understand what, Hermione?" She stood up, taking the box with the necklace out of her pocket.

"I can't keep this. I'm getting married tomorrow."

"I know. It was meant as a wedding gift. This is what you wanted me to understand, why you couldn't accept my gift?" She shook her head and sat back down.

"There's something else I wanted to tell you."

"It must be vitally important to make you come here on the night before you're to be married."

She motioned for him to sit down. "I wanted to explain why I came here that one day." Draco looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "The bad news I found out was the fact that I'm sick. Terminal actually; the medi-witch only gave me two more years." Her voice wavered and she wouldn't meet his eyes. "I was deeply shocked; as you can imagine, I wasn't thinking clearly."

He had gone completely still next to her. The silence stretched before them. Finally he answered, "Obviously you weren't in total shock if you came here. Why not go to Potter? Why turn to me for comfort?" Then understanding hit his eyes. "I'm good enough to fuck your pain away but not to marry."

She grimaced and opened her mouth to protest. "No, that's not it at all. I l—" She stopped herself from finishing her sentence. Had she really been about to say she loved him?

He grabbed her. "Finish it," he whispered.

She shook her head, struggling to get out of his grasp. This was a mistake. She'd only meant to come here to give him back his present and explain why she'd come here before. She needed Draco to understand that she'd made her up her mind, to have him respect her decision to marry Harry and live the rest of her time in peace instead of existing in this tormented hell, having to hide her visits to him from Harry. She could no longer stand the hell of loving two people.

His grip never loosened. "So that's why you're marrying Potter? Because you feel you owe him the rest of your life after being with me—for loving me?" With those last words he crushed her lips against his. She fought to get away from him. Breaking free, she backed up several steps.

"I'm marrying him because I love him. I would have married him regardless of meeting you."

Draco sneered at her. "You make me sick. You profess your love for Potter and in the same breath you tell me you love me." He turned his back on her.

"What if I asked you to leave Harry, to choose me? Do you really love me, or have you only convinced yourself you do to make yourself feel better about what we've done?" He turned around to face her again. He saw the struggle on her face. She was shaking and part of him wanted to comfort her, but he held himself back. She deserved to suffer. The reasons why he had first started with her no longer mattered. He needed her. He had to have her. She was the perfect drug. He saw the regret enter her eyes and then she steeled herself. He knew then that she'd chosen Potter, and something inside him turned to stone. She reached out as if to comfort him, but he slapped her hand away.

"Get out my sight. You're fucking pathetic. You're not who I thought you were. You're weak." The venomous tone of his voice scared her. She walked to the door and stopped. Turing to him she said, "I may be weak but at least I have honor." With that last parting shot she left.

A deathly calm descended upon him. It was a good thing she'd left, because if she hadn't he had no doubt he would have hit her. How dare that fucking bitch try and justify her weakness? She had honor? Her decision to stay with Potter had nothing to do with love or honor! She didn't have the courage to leave, to face what people would say. An inner voice taunted him. Maybe she just loved Potter more. Draco shook his head. If she did, she would never have come to him that day. He wished he'd told he loved her, but he had his own weaknesses. He sat in the chair not fighting the tears that came at the thought of all he'd lost.
Hermione felt like her heart was breaking. She was having a hard time fighting back her own tears. Helen appeared in front of her. Upon seeing Hermione's face, Helen gathered her into an embrace and led her to the couch, then left to get her a glass of water. When she came back she picked up Hermione's hand. "What happened? You were gone for four hours! I was starting to panic. "

Hermione shook her head, still unable to talk. She took several sips of water and calmed herself. "You were right, Helen, I shouldn't have gone." Helen didn't say "I told you so", and Hermione continued. "I fell asleep waiting for him. I'm sorry." She paused, trying to collect her jumbled thoughts. "He asked me to leave Harry to be with him."

Helen's mouth dropped open. "What did you say?" she asked.

"I'm marrying Harry tomorrow, Helen. Nothing is going to change that."

Helen hesitated. "I've never seen you like this before, Hermione."

But Hermione didn't want to hear it. She got up from the couch. "I'm going to bed." Helen didn't stop her.

Hermione undressed and washed her face. She walked over to the dresser to get something to wear to bed. She was about to pull on pajama pants and then stopped. She dropped them on the floor and reached into her underwear drawer. She found Draco's shirt and lifted it up, burying her face in it. Taking in the familiar scent, she started to cry again. She undid the buttons and pulled it on. Her hands shook as she buttoned the shirt. After tonight she would throw it away, but tonight she would take comfort in it. She might be weak when it came to Draco, but she knew she was doing the right thing for her and for him. She crawled underneath the covers. Wrapped in his scent, she dreamed of him.

Helen woke her up the next morning, a cup of coffee in her hand; she knew not to wake Hermione without it. Hermione grunted and turned over.

"Rise and shine!" Helen sang out. "We have three hours before the ceremony."

At that Hermione's eyes flew open. It was her wedding day. She sat up and took the mug from Helen's hands. She knew that soon her family and friends would be here and she wouldn't have a moment to herself until it was all over. She sighed and got out of bed. She'd better go shower. Helen asked her if she wanted anything to eat, but she shook her head and headed to the bathroom, holding up her coffee. "This is my usual breakfast."

When she was done showering she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked tired and slightly troubled. She grabbed her wand and said a spell to get rid of the tired look, but there was no spell to get rid of the feelings she had. She mentally shook herself. This is what you want, she told herself. And it was, partly. She brushed her teeth and dressed. Picking up the shirt she had slept in, she hugged it to her chest briefly and then used her wand to destroy it. By the time she exited the bathroom everyone had arrived. She was enveloped in hugs and happy chatter. Her mood couldn't help but change from all the excitement in the air. She was dragged to a chair and told to sit. After the girls did her hair and makeup they left the flat.

The wedding was to take place in a Muggle church so all of Hermione's family could be there. The church was a small Gothic cathedral tucked away in the countryside of Sussex. As Hermione walked up the steps of the church, she suddenly felt very sick. She paused.

Helen rushed to her. "You okay, Hermione?" Hermione could only nod. Helen helped her up the rest of way. She sent the others away on various errands and then put her hand to Hermione's forehead. "You feel clammy, dearest."

"I'm just having an episode. It will pass soon enough." Helen didn't look convinced. Hermione grabbed her hand and smiled. "I'll be fine, don't worry. Help me dress." Helen nodded her head, still looking worried.

Everyone came back in to help Hermione put on her gown and veil. Her mum commented on how thin she had gotten. Hermione laughed it off, saying that as soon as the wedding was over she'd be able to eat nonstop without having to worry about her figure. Everyone laughed with her. As they pulled the wedding dress down over her head she couldn't help but feel excited. She couldn't wait to see Harry's reaction when he saw her in her dress. Once she was zipped up and her veil was attached she looked in the mirror. She gasped. She had never looked as beautiful as she did now, even with the weight loss.

She was roused from her admiration of herself by a knock on the door. Helen answered it and came back with a small box which she handed it to Hermione. Hermione opened the card and recognized Harry's familiar scrawl.

I'm told brides need something new. I hope you like it. I love you more than words can say. See you at the altar.

Harry

She opened the box to reveal a necklace and earring set. The necklace was a thin white-gold chain that held a teardrop-shaped pendant with a diamond in the middle. The earrings had the same design. Hermione's eyes welled up with tears. It wasn't as beautiful as the necklace Draco had given her, but it was infinitely more precious. Helen once again stepped up to put the necklace on her. Everyone told her how pretty it was and how lucky she was to find a man with such good taste in jewelry. Hermione agreed.

When it was finally time for her to walk up the aisle, she wasn't nervous liked she'd expected to be. She was filled with love. This was the right thing to do. As the doors opened and the music started she smiled and starting walking. She made eye contact with Harry, waiting for her at the other end of the aisle. He looked devastating handsome in his traditional tux. She grinned wickedly at him when she saw his reaction at seeing her in all her wedding glory. His eyes widened and his hand came up to readjust his tie. She could see all the love he had for her shining in his eyes. When she finally reached the altar he clasped her hand. She handed her flowers to Helen. Turning to Harry, she grinned. He squeezed her hand. "You're stunning," he whispered right before the priest started talking.

They tuned out the priest and stared at each other. When it came time to give each other their rings, Hermione turned to Helen, who handed her Harry's ring. Hermione took his left hand in hers and starting to repeat her vows after the priest. Suddenly she started to feel sick again with the horrible clammy feeling she always got when she was about to faint. Harry was looking at her with concern. She realized she had stopped talking. She forced herself to focus and push aside the overwhelming sense of nausea. She finished repeating the words and put the ring on Harry's finger. Harry took her hand and started to repeat his own vows, but Hermione knew she wasn't going to make it though the ceremony. Her vision was starting to tunnel and her body was swaying. She heard Harry calling her name before she blacked out.

When she next awoke it was in a Muggle hospital room. When she stirred Harry appeared at her side. He looked down at her with a mixture of hurt, anger, and agony. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "How are you feeling?"

She groaned; her body ached. "Fine," she told him.

"Hermione, why didn't you tell me you were sick?" His voice was tight with anger and hurt. She opened her mouth to say she'd planned to tell him, but instead all she said was, "I'm sorry."

He let go of her hand. "I'd better go tell everyone you're awake." She watched him go, wanting to call him back and ask him to forgive her, but she didn't. Her mum and dad bustled into the room just then, each going to one side of her bed and taking one of her hands. Her mum was crying and her dad looked solemn.

"Why didn't you tell us, Hermione?" he asked.

"I didn't want everyone to treat me differently. I wanted the time I had left to be happy." She clutched her parents' hands. "Please forgive me."

Her mum smoothed her hair. "There's nothing to forgive, darling. We love you." Hermione started to cry. It was out ,and now there was no turning back. Her parents stayed with her until she fell asleep.

When she next awoke it was to find Helen at her side. "Hey there, stranger," Helen greeted her.

"Hi." She looked around the room. "Where's Harry?"

Helen shifted in her seat. "He left after you woke up. He hasn't come back."

"Oh, Helen, did I muck things up beyond repair by not telling him?"

"He was really shook up when you collapsed. We all were. One minute you were smiling and the next you were out cold. I had to tell them. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. They were going to find out from the doctor anyway." Just then the doctor came into the room. He picked up the chart at the foot of the bed and looked it over, then he came over to the bed to take Hermione's vital signs. When he was done he told her she could check out.

After he left she turned back to Helen. "You didn't answer my question," Hermione said.

"Don't worry; he just needs time to come to terms with it all. He loves you more than anything, Hermione."

Hermione was only slightly comforted. "Help me dress. I want to get out of here."

Her mum, dad, and Helen helped her into bed when she got home. Hermione was too tired to argue. She'd hoped Harry would be there when she got home, but he wasn't. Her mum reassured her that he just needed time to sort everything out. Hermione drifted into a drugged sleep.

Much later that night she was awakened by the feel of someone climbing into the bed with her. Harry's arms encircled her waist and pulled until her back was flush against his chest. She could smell the Firewhisky on him but didn't say anything.

"How am I supposed to go on without you?" he asked brokenly.

"The same way you always have, love." She moved to look at him in the dark. "Promise me you won't dwell on my passing. I want you to remarry and have children. I want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy, Harry."

"How can I be happy with another woman? How can I stand to have kids with her when I'd only hate them because they weren't from you?" She kissed him then, with all the love and passion she held for him. It took a moment but he finally kissed her back. His hands came up to frame her face.

"No one else's kisses will ever be as sweet as yours." Her heart hurt.

She shifted so she was on top of him and kissed him senseless. When he was panting under her she got up on her knees. She tugged his shirt off and brought her mouth to his chest, placing kisses along his collarbone before moving down. She scraped her teeth across his nipples, smiled against them when she heard his sharp intake of breath. He called her a tease and she only chuckled. She moved up to his ear and begged, "Love me, Harry."

He flipped her over onto her back. "For forever and a day, my love."

Four months later

Hermione and Harry sat in a room at St. Mungo's, waiting to see the doctor. Harry had forced Hermione to go after the third straight day of her being sick. She didn't want to know if her condition had worsened. The medi-witch she'd seen when she had first come walked in.

"Hello again! What brings you here today?"

Before Hermione could open her mouth to tell her, Harry piped up. "She's been throwing up for three days straight. She can't keep anything down, and nothing seems to help." He fidgeted nervously. The witch nodded. She sat down next to Hermione and asked questions while touching her wand to various parts of Hermione's body. They were the same questions she'd asked when Hermione had first come to see her.

When the wand touched Hermione's stomach she gasped. The medi-witch paused and Harry gripped her hand so hard it hurt.

The witch pulled away with a kind smile. "Congratulations—you're three months pregnant." Both Hermione's and Harry's mouths dropped open. Hermione turned to look at her husband and he had tears in his eyes. They laughed and hugged each other. This was indeed a blessing.

Hermione stood in her office, putting her books in a box. She was about six months pregnant. She should have taken Helen's offer to help her pack up her office, she thought. She had given her notice a month ago. She passed a hand over her stomach. After finding out she was pregnant the medi-witch had warned that if she proceeded with her pregnancy the chance of her dying in childbirth was almost guaranteed. Harry had tried to tell her it wasn't worth it, but Hermione wouldn't hear of it. She reasoned with him, telling him she was going to die regardless and at least this way she would be leaving a part of her behind. It was hard, though. As they shopped for things for the baby, the thought of what it would mean when it was finally born was always in the back of their minds. There were nights when she heard Harry crying in the other room and it broke her heart, but she knew she'd made the right choice. He wouldn't be alone now.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she turned back to packing. She was standing on her toes trying to reach a book, making little straining noises as she tried to hook a finger over it. Suddenly an arm reached over her head and grabbed the book. She jumped and turned around. Draco held the book out to her.

"Thank you," she said, taking the book and putting it in the box. She stood there watching him take in her heavily pregnant stomach.

"You shouldn't be doing this by yourself," he told her. She smiled ruefully. "I know."

He helped her finish packing up her office in silence. Once it was done she went to sit in her chair; she was spent. He walked around to sit in a chair in front of her desk.

"How are you doing, Draco?"

He was about to say something scathing but he stopped. She looked pale and tired. Instead he replied, "Fine. I finally caught the last two leaders of the sex-slave ring."

She smiled. "That's good."

"I miss you," he told her.

She paused. "Draco, I've had a lot of time to think. You would have fallen for anyone. You've been undercover for so long that by the time I came along you were starving for human contact. I don't doubt you loved me, but it wasn't a lasting love. Neither of ours was." She could tell he was about to protest but she cut him off before he could. "I regret hurting you, but you hurt me too, Draco."

"Are you happy?" he asked after a pause.

She grinned. "Very." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. Her heart ached for him. "Don't worry, Draco. I have a feeling you'll find someone."

He sneered. "I'm not some nancy-boy that needs love to feel complete, Potter."

She smiled at his use of her married name. "I never thought you were."

Just then Helen poked her head in the office. "You ready, Hermione? We're supposed to meet Harry for dinner in ten." She took in the sight of a man sitting in the chair and her eyes widened in surprise. Hermione smiled. Helen mouthed, "Is that him?"

"Yes," Hermione said.

Draco finally turned around to glare at Helen. "Who are you?" he asked coldly. Her mouth dropped open upon seeing who it was.

"You're dead," she blurted out.

Draco turned to Hermione. "You sure know how to pick them, don't you?" Helen's mouth snapped shut and she glared at his back.

Hermione laughed. "Actually, sir, Helen is head of her department. I personally think she would be great in my job."

"Really," he murmured skeptically. He stood up. "Let us hope she's not as incompetent as you were. I don't think my poor nerves could take dealing with a another idiot." With that he smirked at Helen and passed by her, but not before he raked his eyes over her. Helen blushed. "Goodbye, bushy-haired twit," Draco said over his shoulder.

"Goodbye, jerk-off," she called after him affectionately. He heard Helen tell Hermione she thought he was a wanker. Hermione laughed and Draco smiled. She had been wrong; he hadn't just fallen in love with her because he'd been without human contact for so long. She was special. He chuckled when Hermione told Helen that at least he was a good-looking wanker. He smiled evilly, thinking of the fun he was going to have with Helen.

On July tenth, Lily Hermione Potter was born. She was the spitting image of her mother. Hermione drew her last breath while looking at her husband holding their baby.
Thanks for reading.
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Cast No Shadow