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The Affair	By : snowblind12 & Lissa Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 55609 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: This fanfic is based off the Harry Potter books which are owned by JKR. I make no money from this fanfic and these characters as well as the Harry Potter books and world belong to JKR!

Chapter List
- 31
- 32
- 33
Thanks to my brilliant co-writer, LissaDream and our wonderful BETA, Rayne Phoenix2!
Thanks also to all who review! We truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a thought or two.
We are in the process of cleaning up this story and are actually re-writing some of the chapters. We aren't changing plot or anything, just re-wording and improving the descriptions and what not. We've only gotten through the first six chapters so far, but will slowly work our way through the other chapters that need sprucing. It's amazing how much my/our writing has changed over the past year and a half!
Anyhoo, thanks again for reading and reviewing! :)
-Snow
Chapter Thirty-Two
BETA - Rayne Phoenix2
As soon as Theo left the room, Draco climbed into the hospital bed to pull Hermione close and spoon her into the cocoon of his arms.
Her words were almost monotone and there were no histrionics or sobs of panic; she merely laid out the truth as it was. "There will be no stopping those photographs now. I'm not only an adulteress – I'm pregnant with another man's child. Ezmirelda will do her best to destroy me."
His soft breath brushed against her cheek as he whispered, "Shh, pet. It's going to be okay. The important thing is we take care of you and our baby. I'm sure we have a little time before Ezmirelda does anything rash." The consoling edge of his voice left completely when he added definitively, "But regardless, you are out of Theo's flat now. You will come live with me. We'll get married as soon as your divorce is final."
Hermione let out a mirthless laugh. "Draco, I'm not moving in with you and I'm certainly not getting married right away! I'm not even divorced yet."
"Yes, but you are carrying a Malfoy in that delicious belly of yours, love. He'll be legitimate, and he'll bear the Malfoy name and reap the benefits that come with it. We owe him that, don't you think? For him to be born to married parents who love him and provide everything he will need for a happy and prosperous life?" He laughed lightly. "Besides, Janky will be beside himself with excitement over this turn of events. He already idolizes you – to have you be his Mistress and be bearing the newest Malfoy heir? Merlin help us all."
Hermione couldn't argue that logic, but she wasn't convinced a marriage certificate would make them better parents. Deciding to let it go she peeked back over her shoulder and asked, "Do you think I can get out of here? I want to get my cat and go home."
Thirty minutes later, Hermione and Draco entered Theo's flat. The air was still and quiet and Hermione breathed out a sigh, believing them to be alone. A flick of her wand and her many scattered belongings gathered onto the coffee table. She watched as books, CD's, unopened mail, photographs, and clothes from the hallway closet made their way to the crowded surface.
Heading to the bedroom with Draco on her heels, she immediately froze upon the site of Theo laying on their bed. He was on his side, facing away from the door. He didn't stir upon their arrival. No one spoke for a moment and Hermione realized she and Theo still had words to say to each other. Peeking back over her shoulder, she found steel grey eyes which glanced concernedly from the still figure on the bed back to her. They moved to her lips when she softly said, "Draco, go. I'll owl you when I get to my place. I need to speak with him."
Not wanting to leave, but respecting the circumstances, Draco kissed her forehead lightly and paused only a second before leaving.
Theo had not said anything and was still on his side, facing away from her. Hermione walked around to what had been her side of the bed and sat on the edge, turning back to face him.
He was staring straight ahead, his face was void of expression, empty…
Lost.
"Theo," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry things are so…gah. I just don't even know what to say." She watched him for a moment. "I guess I'm just sad it's over between us and I hate that you're hurting. Despite everything, I want you to be happy, Theo. I love you, you know that, right?" Now that they were here – at the moment; at the very end of everything they had shared – Hermione felt sick with heartache.
In a different world, she and Theo would have stood the test of time. They would have filled a home with children, watched them grow and marry, and been excited when those children had babies of their own. They should have been married a hundred years – even longer. They could have held their small, personal world in their hands and been happy and content until the day they crossed the veil and beyond…
If only she hadn't gotten so involved in that case all those years ago. If only Theo had told her that he missed her and that they needed to carve out more time. If only she had realized what the removal of his dominance had meant. If only he had told her the truth about Daphne. If only she had told him about Draco's proposition.
If only…
If only…
If only…
The world of "shoulda", "woulda", "coulda", and "if only" was a terrible game to play with oneself. It tore the soul apart. It was as they say – hindsight is always twenty-twenty.
All those weeks ago, when she realized she had fallen in love with Draco Malfoy, Hermione had come to terms with the fact that she and Theo were only supposed to last a season of time. They had needed each other, and, for their time, they had been happy. The last few years, however, they had just been existing.
Then Draco blew in on the winds of change and now her and Theo's season was over. Hermione knew her forever lay with Draco. It was hard not to be sad about leaving Theo behind, though, he had meant so much to her for so long. It was doubly hard leaving him when she knew that he still held love for her that she could no longer return.
His eyes suddenly moved to hers, his expression still far away. "The first time I ever saw you, I mean really saw you, you were in the library."
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle, even if it was a bit of an unhappy sound. "Hmm…what a surprise."
He smiled softly as he continued, "It was fifth year and things in the castle were…awful. That dreadful woman, Umbridge, was running the school and everyone – except maybe Draco – was miserable."
Hermione let out a real snicker this time when Theo rolled his eyes as he said Draco's name. "There was a second year Slytherin crying because she had just come from a detention with the hateful bitch. Despite her being a little pureblood dressed in green, you – the beacon-of-light Golden-girl – comforted her. You led her to a corner where she wouldn't have to be seen crying, much less be seen being comforted by a Gryffindor of all people."
Theo shifted and moved his right hand under the side of his face as he continued. "I knew you were smart and I knew you were Harry's best friend. Of course, I also knew that you were Muggle-born, but that was all I really knew about you. That day in the library I learned you were kind and had a generous nature. At first, my Slytherin brain thought you must have been putting on a show for a teacher. You know, playing the perfect prefect in the hopes of landing the Head Girl badge down the line," he gave her a teasing smile, which she returned softly, "but it wasn't false – nothing about you ever is. You genuinely cared that she was upset and wanted to help her. You were even late to Potions because of it. It made Snape's day when he had a legitimate reason to castigate you in front of the class."
Hermione's lip quirked into a fond smile of remembrance. "You realize that every time you tell this story, you make me seem more and more angelic and selfless."
His blue eyes met her chocolate ones when he spoke softly with obvious sincerity, "I guess that's because you become more and more angelic and selfless to me with each passing day."
Hermione climbed further onto the bed so that she was leaning against the headboard, sitting up as he continued to lay facing her. "Theo, I think we both know that I'm neither of those things. You've always put me on a pedestal – no one can ever live up to those kinds of expectations all the time."
It was quiet for a moment as they continued gazing at each other with sad eyes. After a moment, Theo tentatively reached for Hermione's hand and held it gently as he let out a shaky breath. "I'm going to do everything I can to protect you from my mother, Hermione."
Hermione stared at her hand in his and then responded in a resigned whisper. "I'm pregnant with Draco's baby, Theo. Your mother is going to crucify me."
Theo's look become lost again. It seemed that the mention of the child that should have been his caused him to wish for the good-old-days all over again. His tone was completely forlorn when he spoke next. "For a minute there – when I thought the baby might be mine? – I felt the greatest happiness I have ever felt in my life."
Hermione felt a stab of pain for Theo and fought the rising despair in her chest as she struggled for something to say. Before she could open her mouth to respond, however, he whispered with heartfelt sincerity, "You'll make a wonderful mother, kitten."
Hermione wiped the tears that escaped her lashes. "Oh, Theo," she said shakily as she pulled her hand away from his and grabbed a tissue from the box on the nightstand. She wiped her eyes and cheeks and after a second glanced down at him. "You realize you'll need a beater bat to keep the witches off you when it gets out you're single again."
His lip quirked into a playful smile at her attempts to lighten the mood, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Hermione felt the urge to sob at how desolate he seemed. "Well, I'm sure in some misguided attempt to ail my broken heart, I'll bask in those attentions far more than I should."
Hermione laughed lightly as she slid off the bed and began gathering her things. Theo rolled to his other side and pushed himself to sit on the edge of his side of the bed. He watched her as she moved about the room. "If you leave anything I'll set it aside for you," he whispered.
Hermione nodded and answered softly. "Okay. Thanks, Theo."
She glanced about the room to be sure she had everything before looking back at him. She watched him as he stood and approached her until he was close and towering over her. She didn't step away from him when his hand gently cupped her cheek while his eyes searched her face as though he was trying to memorize every angle and freckle. He closed his eyes and pulled her to him, enveloping her in his arms as he buried his nose in her curls. After a moment, he let out a shaky breath before he kissed the top of her head and whispered, "You take care of yourself, love."
Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat as she pulled away and looked up into his blue eyes. Pressing up on her toes, she kissed him very gently and very chastely on his lips. She was unable to stop the tears when she pulled back and found his eyes were closed with a mixture of pained bliss. A tear escaped one of his own eyes to trail down his cheek.
"You too, Theo," she whispered brokenly, gently wiping the tear with the tips of her fingers.
With one more glance about the room, she waved her wand to levitate the bag with her belongings to follow her as she walked out of the bedroom – leaving Theo behind. The gentle click of their bedroom door gave finality to the moment.
Forcing down the emotions of the day, Hermione peered around the flat and spotted Cassiopeia sitting in the kitchen window sill. She dashed to her cat and swept her up, "Come along, Beauty. We are going home."
A short walk and Apparition later and Hermione was in her beloved flat. A simple cleansing spell left the surfaces clean and sparkling, all traces of dust and disuse vanished.
"Are you sure you won't come stay with me?"
Hermione smiled, not surprised by Draco's sudden arrival. "No, I want to live on my own for a bit." She set the box with all her shrunken belongings down on the kitchen counter and turned back to face him. "Stay the night with me?"
"Oh, of that you can be certain, witch. I'm not sleeping away from you again. You are mine, no matter what roof you shut your eyes under."
She smirked up at him as he crossed the small space and she reached to slide her hands around his middle. A little sigh escaped her lips as his palms cupped her jaw and tilted her head up. Then he was kissing her, and it felt as if it were the first time. The electric current of the moment zapped between them, causing her to hum in her throat and draw a deep breath in through her nose.
She wasn't even sure exactly how it happened, but the next time she took in her surroundings, Draco had her sitting on the kitchen counter while he stood between her knees. His shirt was unbuttoned, and her blouse had been thrown into the sink. Her bra had been pulled under her breasts which forced her nipples up high and they were already tight with need. She moved back in to kiss him, but his look stopped her.
His grey eyes were dark and covetous with desire and his voice was raspy as he demanded, "On the floor, hands and knees. Crawl and follow me," in his Dominant tone. Hermione whimpered in the back of her throat when he didn't even wait to make sure she would follow his command; he just turned and walked towards her bedroom.
She slid off the counter and crouched onto all fours, arching her back like a cat and slinking after him in what she hoped was a graceful manner. Her heartrate was accelerating at an alarming rate and her breathing was ragged with anticipation. They hadn't participated much in their D/s relationship for too long. They hadn't been free to. Now – now they were truly free. There was nothing to hide, no one to hold them back from being together. All the inhibitions could melt away.
When Draco turned his eyes back to her, it was to watch her move through the doorway of her room. He had wondered if she would obey and he felt no small amount of relief when she not only obeyed him but did it without hesitation. The arch in her back drew his eyes to the round globes of her bum. Fuck, he couldn't wait to spank her. He snapped his fingers, his eyes glittering with humor as she turned slightly narrowed eyes up at him. For a brief moment he thought that maybe she forgot – or that she was going to pretend she had forgotten – but then she gave what was an obvious sigh of resignation and moved into the first kneeling position he had taught her.
"Good girl," he whispered, walking around her appraisingly. "Remove your bra." She complied and then returned her hands to her lap with her palms up, awaiting his next instructions.
Draco stopped behind her and gently finger combed her hair into a pony tail before securing it with a whispered sticking charm. With no warning he grasped it violently and pulled. "Stand!" he commanded as a gasp of surprised pain left her. Hermione quickly rose to her feet, slightly desperate to take the sting out of him pulling her hair even as she felt the deluge of arousal flood her knickers.
Brusquely, he marched her to her bed before bending her over it forcefully. "Your safeword is red, pet," he instructed as he tucked the hem of her skirt into her waist band before brutally tearing her underwear out of the way. "Count." He took both her slender wrists in one on his hands and held them roughly to the small of her back.
There was no warning as the sound of his hand to her backside made them both jump with how loud it reverberated around the room. Then Hermione gave a low moan in the back of her throat which caused Draco's already hard cock to fill to capacity, straining against his trousers painfully.
"One!" she gasped.
Smack!
"Two!"
Smack! Fuck, he had missed this. So fucking much.
"Three!"
Smack!
"Four!" Draco had increased the firmness of each blow to her backside slightly. The fifth landed hard, causing her to grunt, "Ow! Five!"
Smack! He backed off a little, wanting her a writhing mess of need with these spankings, not miserable. True pain was for punishments, this pain was for arousal. He landed the seventh blow. Smack!
"Seven!"
A villainous grin crept across his face as he watched her rub her thighs together, striving for the friction she so desperately needed. "Ah, ah, ah. None of that," he scolded, teasingly. "Spread your legs a foot apart."
Hermione complied somewhat unwillingly and then she was crooning as his hits became a regular rhythm of sting and heat, building her arousal with each strike. "Fifteen!" she growled, rolling her hips with her desire.
"Pet, I want you too much," he confessed after the twentieth hit, releasing her wrists. "We'll do this all properly soon, right now I just need to be buried inside you," he added urgently as she heard the unbuckling of his belt followed by his zipper. Instantly, he was thrusting into her from behind. Stretching her, filling her, they both exclaimed incoherently as they were overcome with the thrill of a savage pounding. Draco reached around to find her slick slit, furiously torturing the little nub of nerves as she pushed back to meet him stroke for stroke.
"Fuck!" she shouted as he wound her womb tighter and tighter before she exploded. "Draco!"
"Yes!" he hissed, grasping both her hips with his hands as her arousal juices flowed hotly over his dick and he pounded himself through her contracting muscles. "Merlin, witch!" he groaned when his bollocks tightened, and his climax shot out of him while tingles of the sweetest pleasure reverberated up his spine. A moment later, he lay his weight across her back, pressing his forehead into the juncture where her neck met her shoulder and dropping kisses above her shoulder blade. "I love you, Hermione," he told her hoarsely. "I've missed you, very much."
Hermione turned her head to the side, so she could catch his eye and smiled lazily, feeling very relaxed after their passionate romp. "I love you, too," she promised breathlessly, tilting her chin so she could kiss him on the lips. "We're on the right track now," she continued. "I know it won't be easy, we just have to take it one step at a time."
He nodded, his eyes serious. "Everything will be okay in the end," they both gave a small noise of protest when his softened cock slipped out of her, "we'll get through all this together."
Draco stood and watched appreciatively as Hermione rolled to her back, before his eyes settled on her lower abdomen. Without conscious thought, he tenderly stroked the skin beneath her navel. When he glanced up at her, she was watching him with knowing eyes. "Doesn't seem real yet, does it?"
"It doesn't." He reached with both hands and helped her into a sitting position while moving to stand between her legs. Settling his mouth over hers, he kissed her long and deep, tangling and untangling his tongue with her own. He loved it when she dug her fingers into his locks and held on tightly while he continued to devour her, knowing that her arousal was growing all over again. Well…they had all night…and the next…and the next. And all the nights – for the rest of their lives.
"We'll go to St. Mungo's tomorrow to see my GYN," she promised him when the kiss broke some minutes later. "It'll be more real, then."
He nodded in agreement before pulling her gently to her feet. "Right now, the only place we're going is your shower…and then maybe the kitchen counter…or the wall…but we'll end up in bed eventually. Your thoughts?"
Hermione's amber eyes had darkened with need and he chuckled ominously. "I believe that sounds like a wonderful plan," she answered, her lips twitching into a seductive smirk.
"Hermione?"
Draco and Hermione both looked to the Mediwitch calling her name as they rose to their feet. A few minutes later, Hermione was in an itchy hospital gown while sitting on the edge of an examination table between the stirrups meant to hold her legs in place. Draco, for some reason seemingly anxious, was pacing the small room as she tracked him with her eyes.
"What's the matter, Draco?" she asked when his nervousness started affecting her.
"What is wrong?" He dragged a hand through his hair and fixed almost wild eyes on her. "Shit, Hermione! We're pregnant!"
Hermione stared at him for the briefest slice of time before she burst into uncontrollable giggles. "You just worked that out, did you?" she gasped between galls of laughter. "I take it that it just sank in? Here in the GYN office with the stirrups staring you in the face?"
He sank to one of the hard, plastic chairs meant for family and buried his face in his hands. "Something like that," he muttered in a muffled voice. He looked up and their gazes caught. "Aren't you scared?"
"Bloody terrified," she admitted before she began chewing on her bottom lip, "but I think everything will be okay in the end. It'll get worse before it gets better, but Draco?" She paused for a moment and searched his eyes with her own. "I'm excited, too. Before all this craziness went down, I was thinking it might be time to start a family. This wasn't quite how I planned it to go, but now? Now I'm relieved Theo and I haven't had any children. You're my future. You and this child." Hermione looked down to where her hand was settled over her abdomen and smiled contentedly.
Draco's worried expression melted away and was replaced with a soft look of complete understanding. He was about to speak when the door burst open.
"Mrs. Nott," Healer Anderson said scoldingly as she pushed through the door. "I see you didn't take our letters to heart."
When she looked up from her clipboard she met Hermione's confused expression and was startled to see Draco Malfoy sitting where she had expected Theo Nott to be. Her steps faltered. "Oh, my.
"What letters?" Hermione asked, prompting the witch to turn her attention back to her.
The plump, sweet-faced woman back tracked a moment before squaring her shoulders and moving to sit in her chair. "The letters that informed you that your birth control potion had come from a bad batch and to make an appointment to be seen and receive supplemental protection."
Hermione's eyes widened comically, and Draco couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped his nose. "Oh," she whispered as Draco shook his head with mock-sternness.
Hermione covered her mouth with one hand and shook her head in dismay. "I thought, I thought the notices were to remind me of my annual. I didn't read them," she gave her Healer a contrite look as her hand fell back to her stomach, "but now that you mention it, there were rather a lot of notices."
"Well, it is what it is," the healer continued. "Are you keeping the child?"
"What?" Draco asked incredulously.
At the same time Hermione snapped, "Of course I am!"
Healer Anderson held up her hands in defense. "It's a reasonable question in this situation," she said kindly, looking pointedly at Hermione. "How far along do you think you are?"
"Twelve weeks, maybe?" Hermione answered, her voice just a bit cool at her GYN's less than subtle rebuke.
"Excellent." The witch went on to ask Hermione about her symptoms, answering questions and concerns along the way. She prescribed some potions for morning sickness and fatigue before standing. "Shall we take a looksee at the baby's vitals?"
"Yes," Hermione answered, and for the first time all visit her voice was laced with a tinge of excitement. Draco stood and moved next to Hermione as Healer Anderson gestured for her to lay back on the examination table. A couple swishes of her wand and a series of lights and runes started to glow, causing the healer to smile gently.
"Growing well, healthy. You are fairly correct in your assumption, I have eleven weeks and five days gestation as the reading." Another swish and more runes glowed before a gentle whoosh-whoosh, whoosh-whoosh, whoosh-whoosh sound filled the room. "That would be the heartrate…at…" there was a pause as the witch counted "…168-beats-per-minute. Perfect, perfect."
A few more flicks and swishes occurred as Draco took Hermione's hand and laced his fingers through hers, his eyes suspiciously sparkly and a smile pulling on the corners of his lips. She wouldn't tease him, though, she had tears running down her own temples while she grinned stupidly at him as little giggle escaped her throat. What an extraordinary sound!
"Would you like to know the sex of the child?"
"I would," Hermione answered. "Draco?"
"It's a boy, Hermione. I've already told you," he teased, referring to a brief chat they had in the middle of the night. "Malfoys have only birthed boys for the last three centuries."
She grinned at him wickedly. "I'm not a Malfoy, Draco," she reminded him snarkily. "I think it's a girl. Care to place a bet?"
"Hmm…okay," he said. "If it's a boy, I get to name him. If it's a girl, you choose."
"Deal!" Hermione's eyes glowed as she looked to the healer. "Yes, we'd like to know the sex."
"Alright then." Her wand danced intricately through the air before she smiled wickedly, and her gaze moved back to the couple. "It's a – "
Monday morning, Hermione smiled as she came to consciousness wrapped in Draco's strong arms. Her joy was compounded when she found herself not nauseated for the third morning in a row. The potions seemed to be working. Nestling deeply into her pillow, she pressed herself into the warm body behind her and poised for another hour of sleep. A soft groan and a hardness pressing into her back told her Draco was awake and that her hour of sleep was likely only a thing of dreams.
Her complaint was short lived however, when his left hand stroked her hair and gave it a slight tug before snaking its way down her cheek to her neck where it took a possessive hold. His show of Dominance elicited a soft, grunty mewl from her throat and she immediately complied when he whispered, "I want you on your back."
Her heart began fluttering with anticipation as he adjusted himself on top of her. His eyes were a lusty dark as the one hand maintained its grasp around her neck and the other began to explore her body under the silky fabric of her nightgown. It paused its travels and tenderly caressed the soft skin over her lower abdomen as his lips moved to her own with the lightest, feathery touch. Craving more contact, she attempted to push her lips more firmly up onto his, only to have her forward motion halted by the spreading of his fingers from around her throat to incorporate her jaw. He chuckled darkly, "No moving, pet. I'm still not used to waking up with you in my arms and I intend to work you into a frenzy."
As he lightly peppered her mouth with barely-there touches from his lips, the hand on her belly continued its venture to the apex of her thighs. Just as his fingers began to explore her neatly trimmed curls, an incessant tapping on the window interrupted them.
"Ignore it," Draco's husky voice whispered as he moved his lip's attentions from her mouth to her breasts.
Unable to resist, Hermione glanced towards the tapping only to spot an owl flapping its wings and watching them. "It could be important. I should grab it."
"This is more important," he responded in a muffled voice, his mouth still feasting on her breasts as his fingers dipped into the dewy moisture coating her nether lips.
"It could be from the Ministry…or from the Medi-witch," she gasped while arching her back as the tug of her nipples pulled the invisible string in her womb.
Draco let out a puff of impatience as he pulled his mouth back from the particularly tasty spot he had just discovered next to her left nipple. "Fine," he begrudgingly pushed himself off her, "don't move. I'll get it."
Hermione watched with no small amount of ogling as her very naked wizard climbed out of the bed and stalked towards the window. He opened it easily and took the envelope from the owl's leg before spitting out, "Scram!" to the highly offended bird.
He closed the window to find Hermione giving him a reproachful glare.
"What?"
"What do you mean… "what"? That was very rude! The poor creature was merely doing its job."
Draco shrugged as he looked at the envelope. "It's from your office."
Sitting up, Hermione snatched it from him and ripped it open urgently. Her eyes quickly glanced over the words before she looked up nervously. "The Wizengamot is voting this morning on my proposal." Hermione jumped out of bed and dashed into the bathroom before Draco could even respond.
An hour later, Hermione, Draco, and Nelba waited anxiously outside the Wizengamot chambers. Technically, they didn't need to be there, but Hermione made it known to the governing body that she was right outside the doors should they have any last-minute questions for her. She knew they had researched her facts and had likely called other witnesses as well as business owners before them to testify. If they had done their jobs, there was no way they wouldn't see the bias and prejudice towards non-human magical beings that was still very abundant in the work place. Particularly, towards females.
It wasn't until lunchtime that the doors swung open and the members made quick strides past them for the lifts. Hermione looked at their expressions for answers but all most of them did was offer a friendly nod as they walked by. No one stopped to talk to them until the secretary of the council, Elspeth Irmadine made her way over with a small smile on her face. "They passed your proposed legislation – with only a couple modifications – by a wide margin, Mrs. Nott." Hermione could feel Draco tense beside her when her name was spoken. She couldn't change her name to Malfoy fast enough in his eyes. She, on the other hand, was leaning towards retaking her maiden name, Granger. She was not looking forward to that discussion.
"What modifications?" Hermione asked.
"Mainly the time frames for each phase of requirements. The board felt businesses will need a little more time to adapt and make the changes. The Wizengamot also approved another position in Ms. Bittington's department to help oversee compliance of the adaptations."
Hermione and Nelba looked at each other with stunned faces. While they had both determined the Department of Magical Being Protection and Oversight needed more hands to help handle compliance if the legislation were passed, they had both agreed to hold off on such a request until after it had happened. The fact the Wizengamot saw this need without prompting and had acted on it proved that they truly believed in this legislation and clearly wanted it to succeed. Hermione thanked the elderly witch profusely for the good news.
"I think this calls for a celebration!" Draco whispered after Ms. Irmadine walked away with Nelba.
Before Hermione could respond, however, Rita Skeeter approached the couple. "I heard the news. I'd like an interview with the two of you to accompany the article I have planned."
For a second Hermione wondered which news the gossip queen was referring to. "Of course, Rita. I can't speak for Mr. Malfoy here, but I would welcome the chance to go on record about this legislation." When Rita shot Hermione a knowing look, Hermione acted quickly. "By the way, that exclusive I promised you? It will be soon."
"How soon?" the garish witch asked with a touch of warning. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if Rita either already had the truth about her marriage or something else up her sleeve. The way she was looking at Hermione was with a rather smug expression. "Within the week, I'm sure," Hermione responded a bit cautiously.
"A week is an awfully long time. Someone else could break the story before then," Rita replied in a sing-song-y voice.
"Just what are we talking about?" Draco asked with no small amount of confused irritation as he looked from Hermione to Rita and back again.
Hermione cut him a glance. "Just an exclusive I promised Ms. Skeeter."
Hermione looked back at Rita. "Give me five days. No longer. Even if it gets out, no one will hear a peep from me before you. You will be the only reporter I talk to."
Rita huffed with irritation. "Fine, fine. I'll expect an owl." Looking from Hermione to Draco she turned to walk away. "Toodles."
As Hermione watched the older witch walk away, she felt herself wondering if Rita really already knew something, or if she had just played Hermione brilliantly.
"Are you sure they're not going to freak out, Draco?" Hermione questioned nervously as she watched her reflection twist and turn in the mirror, checking every angle of her elegant dress robes.
Draco chuckled at her apprehension. Sure, his parents were going to be surprised to see him bring Hermione Nott née Granger for dinner, but the second they found out she was carrying his child, it would be nothing but gushing excitement from his mother. His father would maintain an outward sense of cool politeness, but Draco knew he was itching for a grandchild as badly as his mother was.
Once upon a time, Lucius would be horrified that Hermione was a Muggle-born. While he would still be very reserved with his affections (and would sometimes have to watch his ingrained derogatory remarks), he was much more open in his mindset these days. The war had changed all the Malfoys drastically, but his father most of all. Draco knew the only thing that would concern his father greatly was how quickly he could get his son and future daughter-in-law down the aisle, so the child was born legitimate.
"It will be fine, pet," he assured her gently as he moved up behind her and smoothed his hands down her arms in a gesture of protectiveness and comfort. He watched the lazy smile cross her face as his palms detoured to encircle her waist before rest gently on her still flat abdomen. "I love you," he murmured in her ear before pressing a kiss to the erogenous spot just behind it.
"I love you, too," she murmured as she turned in his arms, and raised to her toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips. "I'm still worried," she admitted when she pulled away. "The scandal surrounding me is going to be a very good reason for them to not accept this."
"We're going to figure it out, Hermione," he promised.
An hour later, Draco ushered Hermione through the doors to an elaborately decorated parlor in Malfoy Manor. Both Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy rose upon their entry before freezing at the sight of her. The Lord and Lady of the house recovered admirably quickly after exchanging a startled glance. Draco had told them he was bringing a woman with him tonight and had warned them that he had every intention on marrying the witch in question. When pressed for details by Narcissa, their son had remained elusive, asking them only to keep an open mind.
"Mrs. Nott," Lucius greeted with a stiff nod of his head. "What…a pleasure to see you again. It's been a few years, no?"
Hermione felt her cheeks grow hot at the subtle spurn. The last time she had seen the Malfoy patriarch had been at her and Theo's wedding. "Yes, sir," she answered, forcing herself to remain polite. Draco had stiffened at his father's words and shot the older man a glare while Narcissa busied herself by crossing to the drink cart.
"Something to drink, Mrs. Nott, Draco?"
"Please call me Hermione, Mrs. Malfoy, and just some water," Hermione answered, grateful for the quick topic change. "Thank you for having me for dinner, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Narcissa, Hermione. It's our pleasure," Narcissa smiled kindly while she handed Hermione a champagne flute of sparkling water. "Here you are Draco," she continued, raising her eyebrows at her son while giving him his usual glass of fire whisky.
"Let's sit, love." Draco ignored his mother's questioning glace and took Hermione's elbow before steering her to the settee across from where Lucius had retaken his seat. He almost laughed aloud when Lucius' face noticeably paled at his son's term of endearment for the married Muggle-born witch.
Narcissa watched the couple covertly as she fixed herself and Lucius their typical before dinner drinks. Her son was overly protective of the witch, hovering and touching her every chance he could. It may have only been minutes since they had walked through the door, but it was obvious to Narcissa that Draco was deeply in love with the witch.
With his best friend's wife.
She touched her head lightly, feeling a headache of confusion coming on. What in the world were they thinking?
"I can see the way your mind is going, mother, please have a seat and we'll explain," Draco chuckled as he watched his mother out of the corner of his eye.
A few minutes and typical pleasantries later, Draco launched right into their story.
"Theo Nott has been having an affair on Hermione for the last five years," he told the now astonished couple. "About two and a half months ago, Hermione and I began seeing each other quietly while she started the proceedings to divorce him." He purposely left out the part about him approaching her for a D/s contract before Hermione had discovered Theo was cheating.
And on the tale went. He explained that Hermione had left Theo and was on her own when Ezmirelda proposed her blackmail. Wrapping a protective arm around his embarrassed witch, Draco explained that the photographs the Nott matriarch had were of Hermione and Theo and only of Hermione and Theo. He briefly told them how she moved back in with Theo and that the couple were going through the motions to hold Ezmirelda off. How Draco had realized he was in love with Hermione and asked her to leave Theo, scandal be damned.
As Draco spoke, he watched his father carefully. Lucius maintained an expressionless face, although Draco could tell by the shadows in the elder Malfoy's eyes that he was not liking where this story was leading. Not one bit. Draco knew his father very well, however, and knew better than to have any doubt in his own conviction towards Hermione. The minute Lucius smelled weakness, he would pounce. Besides, his father would feel differently once he had all the information. Draco was sure of it.
Draco told them everything. Right up to, "Hermione's pregnant, mother – father. A paternity test was done; I'm the child's father."
Hermione, face permanently pink at this point, wasn't looking at either Malfoy. She had hardly been able to look at them during the entire explanation. She felt like a bloody teenager going to mummy and daddy with her unexpected pregnancy. She kept her eyes focused solely on Draco and his excitement of the last bombshell he dropped. He was truly thrilled to be a father and her heart swelled as she realized that – no matter what happened with the coming gossip – they would survive it and come out stronger on the other side.
"A…baby?" The tone of Narcissa's voice made Hermione look up. The woman sounded positively delighted. She looked from Narcissa's surprised, but eager expression to Lucius Malfoy. The man had terrified her in her youth and was still intimidating to say the least. The expression on his face, however, when Draco confirmed his mother's question that he was going to be a grandfather made Hermione's chest heat with warmth.
Apparently, Draco hadn't been lying to ease her mind. His parents had changed and were obviously excited to hear of the upcoming birth of their first grandchild. Lucius caught her watching him and schooled his features, a slight scowl slipping onto his face. Hermione was no longer fooled, however. Not now that she knew what to look for; she could see the sparkle of excitement in his eyes.
Lucius sat back on the couch and propped one ankle on the opposite knee. He found his wife's hand and slid his fingers over the top of hers and squeezed gently. He contemplated the curly-haired, Muggle-born witch that obviously had his son wrapped around her still-married-finger over the rim of his wine glass. He could see her nervousness, which thrilled him. It was nice to know she was still intimidated by him and that she was being cautious. The way Narcissa was gushing and exclaiming over the upcoming bundle led him to believe his wife had already accepted that she would marry Draco.
He wasn't so sure about that. She and Draco could have the child and his son could acknowledge it as a bastard and set up a trust fund. The child would never want for anything. While that wouldn't paint them in a very nice light, the higher societal circles wouldn't frown at it. Tainting the Malfoy line with Mudblood was hardly palatable.
However…this was Hermione Granger. The Hermione Granger. She could put them back on top by marrying Draco. They could come full circle and return to their rightful place as Kings and Queens of the wizarding world. They would be seen as having changed completely and many of the Sacred Twenty-Eight would even turn a blind eye to their offspring only being Half-blood with how powerful and influential Granger was. They would deem it an infusion of "fresh-blood". Within a century, no one would remember that the Malfoy line had been tainted by a Mudblood.
Lucius' lips quirked into a small smile and he eyed the young witch again as she conversed with Draco and Narcissa, discussing the unborn child. A grandchild. It had been a long time coming. He and Narcissa had expected Draco and Astoria to have children immediately. Narcissa had been ever-so-disappointed when they hadn't. Draco had confided in Lucius that Astoria was just too frail – he didn't want her to bear his sons. Thus, Lucius had allowed the divorce. Granger was a strong witch with a fiery personality. She was overtly powerful and unquestionably brilliant. She had been touted as downright cunning in the courtroom…leading Lucius to wonder if she had a rather less unfortunate bloodline, would she have been a candidate for Slytherin?
Then something was said that made Lucius' eyes grow wide. He straightened his body slowly to sit up properly and looked Granger in the eye. "Tell me again," he demanded, his stomach clenching with eager pleasure.
Hermione smiled softly at him before she repeated herself. "The child is a girl."
Absolute silence followed her statement as Lucius' brain worked fast, all the needed pieces falling into place. "You will wed the moment you divorce to make sure the child is claimed legitimately. We will lie and say she was early while praying you deliver past your due date. That is my only demand."
"Like I was saying, Mr. Malfoy, it might be best to wait for the scandal of the photos being released to calm down. We don't want too much atten – "
Lucius waved his hand at the girl, feeling his heart constrict. A granddaughter. There hadn't been a female Malfoy in over three centuries. All Malfoy women since had married into the family. "Do not concern yourself with the scandal. It will be taken care of. My granddaughter will be legitimate. End of discussion."
He didn't miss the way both Draco and Narcissa were grinning at him smugly. The wretches knew exactly how he was feeling. Even Granger's wide, doe-like eyes were knowing. He ended the conversation with finality when he stood and announced, "It's time to eat, let's move to the dining room."
The next day, Hermione and Draco arrived back at the Manor via floo promptly at noon as requested by Narcissa. Hermione felt certain that this was going to be a very awkward and uncomfortable visit. Now that Draco's parents had had the chance to truly absorb everything, they were likely distressed by their son's association with a woman who was about to be tainted with a scandal of such epic proportions.
Hermione had warned Draco what would likely happen today, but he had insisted it was not the case. If it was, he promised he would marry her anyway. Hermione wasn't so sure he would be so noble if his inheritance was on the line. It was with heavy dread that she followed the house elf, Tinny, into Lucius's study.
"Mistress says the young Master and Miss is to wait." With a pop, Tinny was gone. Hermione and Draco looked at each other with curious expressions. Even Hermione knew it was odd to be led into a room without a host or hostess there to greet them and felt sure that her fears were about to be realized.
It was of no matter that the night before had gone well – any minute now, Lucius would storm in and pronounce her a harlot who had bewitched his son most egregiously and demand she cease all contact with him. He would insist she had become impregnated on purpose in the hopes of securing some of the Malfoy fortune for herself. Because of the pregnancy, there would probably be some sort of pay off offered as well. Giving herself an internal pep talk that she would refuse any such offering and would take the insults thrown at her with as much dignity and grace as she could muster, she watched with resignation as Draco walked over to the refreshment table where he prepared them each a cup of tea.
Placing their cups with saucers on the coffee table in front of them, Draco sat next to her and smiled softly, "It's going to be fine, pet. I know what you are thinking, and I promise that you are wrong. They will be here any minute with words of ap…"
He was interrupted when suddenly there was movement in the large, life size gilded mirror to their right. A mirror neither one of them had noticed until that very moment, it had certainly never graced the study before.
Rather than their own reflections, the mirror revealed the Lady's Parlor. Narcissa was positioned on a beautiful chaise lounge and dressed as immaculately as always in finely-spun spider silk robes. The shimmering fabric was done in shades of gold and deep red draped her perfect figure magnificently. When she stood, she looked every bit like a woman of royalty. Hermione felt Draco stiffen beside her when Tinny escorted Ezmirelda Nott into the Parlor where Narcissa greeted her with not-quite touching kisses to each cheek.
"What the hell?" Hermione whispered.
"Shhh. Something's afoot love," Draco reassured. Although Hermione didn't think he sounded as confident as he had only moments earlier.
Hermione could not disagree – this could be bad – really bad. Was Narcissa in cahoots with Ezmirelda? Would Rita Skeeter walk in next to be handed a folder full of photographs and a sordid tale to accompany them? Hermione began to feel sick.
In the Lady's Parlour, Narcissa coolly contemplated her old "friend" while spewing the standard greeting. "Ezmirelda, my dear, it's such a pleasure to see you. You look lovely! Thank you for coming on such short notice," Narcissa purred as she gestured for Ezmirelda to have a seat.
"How could I not rush right over, Cissy! Your message left me quite perplexed and concerned. What is this injustice and tragic situation with which you require my assistance? You know I am always available to you and the others."
Hermione didn't miss the way her mother-in-law had said "available to you and the others". Ezmirelda was truly a snooty piece of work. She could never resist the opportunity to rub it in Narcissa's face that she was now the social queen bee of the pureblood circles. Narcissa had been tainted by her association with Voldemort, but Ezmirelda had been able to avoid tarnishing her own name.
While her husband had been a Death Eater, Ezmirelda had evaded any association with Voldemort. Her son marrying Hermione after the war, as well as her own development of the muggle born outreach program, had secured her status as the usurper to Narcissa's previously held rank amongst the pureblood witches. The Nott's were also the second wealthiest to the Malfoys, and her riches furthered her ascent and her favor.
Narcissa sat on the opposite end of the tufted crème colored chesterfield sofa from Ezmirelda, the witch's bodies slightly facing each other like bookends. Tinny served them each a cup of tea and then popped out of the room.
Narcissa took a sip and then put her cup with saucer on the coffee table. She smiled softly at Ezmirelda and then spoke. "Ezmirelda. We've been friends many years and it is for that reason that I am coming to you so that you can refute the terrible tale that was brought to my attention recently."
Ezmirelda straightened her back slightly and, with a look of surprise, replied, "Well, I'm intrigued. What is it that you wish me to refute? Tell me right away so that I can reassure you, my dear friend."
"Well, it's a rather delicate situation. One that involves your son, or more pointedly, your daughter-in-law."
Ezmirelda sat stunned for a shimmer of a second and then oozed into the concerned persona of a woman under much duress. "Oh dear. You've heard? I was told of some…disturbing photographs and some behavior…" She sighed heavily. "However, I was not aware the information had been made public."
Narcissa was dismissive of Ezmirelda's façade as she asked with distaste, "Is it true, Ez? You have photographs to be released to the public eye? Photographs of your own daughter-in-law?"
Ezmirelda seemed to consider her options before answering. She smelled a rat. "Tell me Cissy – if I did, why would you care?"
"She cares because Hermione grows the next Malfoy heir in her womb. She cares because you are blackmailing the girl in a most despicable way."
Both women turned towards the booming voice of an irate Lucius Malfoy who stormed into the room, tossing a folder onto the table before his wife. He smirked at her attire, noting how the garments subtly showed support of their soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Narcissa's appraisal of her husband was glittered with affection, while Ezmirelda stared at the wizard completely stunned.
"What?" Ezmirelda choked. She tried to look innocent as her mind spun.
Narcissa sighed dramatically. "Oh, Ezmirelda. How could you? Such photographs will not only ruin Hermione, they will ruin Theo. It will be argued he is the blurry male figure. Why would you subject them to that?"
"You know nothing of what you speak, Narcissa. It is not Theo, but multiple partners with which that tramp of a witch took to her bed. She is an adulteress and a harlot. She is…"
"Desist your blathering, woman," Lucius interrupted. "You are speaking of my son's future wife and the mother of my grandchild."
Ezmirelda shook her head in disgust and then let out a huff of indignation. "So, this is how she is trying to worm her way out of my clutches. By worming her way into your son's bed!" She rolled her eyes. "Don't you see what she's doing? Are you even certain it is your grandchild she is carrying, if she's really even pregnant? Last I spoke to Theo, Hermione was still sleeping in his bed!"
"Only because your blackmail forced her to lead a double life, Ezmirelda!" Narcissa proclaimed. "Hermione was faithful to Theo for five years while he cheated on her with Daphne Greengrass. She found happiness with Draco and they have fallen in love." Her tone turned softer. "Ez, I understand. You want your son to be happy and you don't want the scandal of a divorce in the Nott family history. But don't you think that you serving a stint in Azkaban for blackmail and slander is far worse than allowing your son a simple divorce?"
Ezmirelda cut Narcissa an evil glare and a tone of warning. "Are you threatening me, Narcissa?"
"Well, no. Not really threatening…merely pointing out the obvious. Hermione is best friends with Harry Potter, Ez. She is close to the Minister himself. Do you, for one second, believe that once those photos are released and Hermione tells her side of the story that you won't be accused of blackmail? Of sexual extortion? For the benefit of your son?"
Lucius spoke quietly but with no small hint of dismissiveness. "You were sloppy, Ezmirelda. You left a written trail. Notes and threats via owl. You have no way of denying what you have done."
"Ah, Lucius. You have a talent for avoiding persecution for your crimes, what makes you think I can't do the same?" She huffed. "I have deep pockets as well, you know."
Narcissa scooted towards the exacerbated witch and took her hand. "Ez, please. Please destroy those photos and stop the blackmail. Let Hermione live her life and let Theo move on. He is a handsome wizard who is intelligent and charming. Despite everything, Hermione still cares for him. Let them part amicably so he can find his happiness. He will never be happy with a witch who loves another."
Lucius rolled his eyes and demanded impatiently. "Enough! Show her, Cissa. Show her."
"Show me what?" Ezmirelda pulled her hand from Narcissa's as she looked at the platinum blond wizard who was now sitting in a Queen Anne chair across from them.
Narcissa gracefully leaned forward and lifted the folder off the table. She spoke softly and wistfully. "The years before the madness set into my sister's mind, she had a brief time in her life when she was truly happy. Before that first stint in Azkaban, she was beautiful and radiated grace and strength. Her marriage was not a happy one, yet she positively glowed. She smiled and laughed easily. We always assumed it was The Dark Lord – we were sure she was having an affair with him. Then we found these," Narcissa opened the folder and stared at its contents, "letters and photographs." She lifted a photo out and looked at it, smiling warmly. "Ahh, so beautiful. The sheer bliss on Bella's face in this one – it's lovely. Of course, your face is buried between her thighs... but it's so obviously you."
She batted her lashes lightly as she looked up at the frozen face of Ezmirelda Nott. Glancing back at the folder as though she were looking through a photo album of someone's grandchildren, she lifted out another. "And then there is this one. I confess, I've never been one to share, but it's lovely that Rudolphus allowed your affair and this picture of you and Bella tending to him so thoroughly…well, it's no wonder he approved. It was as if he had the joy of two wives…is it not?"
"Tell, me Ezmirelda. Are you certain Theo isn't a Lestrange?" Lucius teased with a smirk.
Narcissa looked aghast as she pulled out another photo. "Now this one…this one did surprise me. To think none of us believed you had anything to do with the Dark Lord. Yet here you are," she passed the photo to the ashen and stunned speechless witch and continued in the same sweet voice, "with him buried in your…well. You can see for yourself." Narcissa's eyes moved back and forth with the motion of the wizarding photograph. "That had to have hurt, Ez. Tell me…do you build up to something like that? I mean, you appear to be enjoying it."
"Where did you get these?" Ezmirelda snapped in an icy voice. She reached forward as though to snag the folder out of Narcissa's hands.
Narcissa shifted it out of Ezmirelda's reach as she put the photo delicately back in the folder and pulled out a stack of letters. "But it's the letters…the letters are what truly moved me the most. Did you know she kept them?" She looked up questioningly at the shocked witch.
Ezmirelda seemed to have completely deflated before them. Narcissa continued, "I haven't read them all, but the ones I did were very touching. It's plain you loved my sister very much."
"I'll ask you again. Where did you get these?" Ezmirelda's voice was no longer cold but strained with obvious emotion.
Narcissa shrugged. "They were amongst her things in her bedroom suite. After she died, we found them." She put the folder back on the table. "It was many years ago."
"You had no right, Cissy. That's personal. You should have… you should have…"
"What, Ezmirelda? We should have what? Given them to you?" Narcissa asked.
"They weren't yours to…" Ezmirelda stopped speaking, her eyes were glistening.
"I do understand, Ez. I'm sure you feel quite violated right now." She sighed. "In truth, we didn't tell anyone about this folder. It's been locked up in one of the Manor vaults all these years. We could have destroyed you with these, Ezmirelda. You cheated on your husband, had a lesbian affair with my sister, had threesomes with Bella and multiple wizards – including the Dark Lord. But out of love for my sister, and out of respect for you and your privacy, we said nothing."
"Yet, you kept them!"
Lucius laughed. "Of course, we did! It would have been very un-Slytherin-like to have destroyed them or handed them over to you. There was always the possibility they would…be needed one day."
"Yes, one day when you had a need to blackmail me! Or Theo!" She spat.
Lucius smiled maliciously. "Or others. There are many married wizards depicted in those photographs. Tell me…was that your end game? Is that why you and Bella took these photographs? For blackmail? Is this what gave you the idea to have Hermione photographed?" He leaned back and smirked. "I must say, I find it particularly fitting that you are actually guilty of what you accuse Hermione of being. A promiscuous and deviant tramp."
Ezmirelda shook her head and looked up at the ceiling, as though praying for some kind of divine intervention. "Of course not! These were never taken with the intent of blackmail. It was Trixie's idea. She enjoyed looking at them afterwards. She enjoyed watching our memories in a pensieve as well."
There was moment of silence. Just as a tear broke loose from Ezmirelda's glamoured, luxurious lashes, Narcissa handed her a lady's handkerchief and spoke in a soothing and reassuring voice. "Ez. No one need see these. No one need know anything about this. All you have to do…is the right thing. Let Hermione go. Destroy everything you are holding over her. If you do that, this folder will never see the light of day again."
Narcissa smiled lightly. "I'll even give you copies of whatever you want. There are some lovely pictures of the two of you I'm sure you would like to have." She pulled out a picture of the two witches laughing as they sat together on a bench in the Nott Estate gardens.
Ezmirelda took the moving picture and let out a small sob. "I loved her, Cissy. With all my heart."
Lucius rolled his eyes and let out a sigh of disgust. "On that note, I'm going back to my study." He stood. "I'll bid you a good day, Ezmirelda." He exited the room in a billow of robes reminiscent of another dark wizard from the past.
In the other room, Hermione and Draco stared at each other in complete shock.
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The Affair