Lovers

Part 18: The Truth

They stare at her.

Silent.

Speechless.

One confused.

One in pain.

"Hermione..." Draco says a bit angered.

"Enough...Draco...please. Enough." She says a bit softer this time. In her hands the wash cloth that's slightly covered in dry blood. His eyes catch it and confusion takes over him. "Your mother was only helping..."

"Helping?" He asks as he turns to look at his mother before turning back to Hermione. "Helping with what?"

"I...I...was...I..." Choking on her tears, she closes her eyes and shakes her head.

"Hermione, you should sit down- Sweetheart." Narcissa goes to her and tries to lead her to the couch, but she pulls away.

"I...I can't...it hurts..." Hermione quietly says to Narcissa and she leans into her side.

"Hermione...what is that?" Draco asks and nods to the cloth in her hand.

"I'm sorry..."

"Hermione, what is that?" He asks again, a bit more worried, but unsure.

"I can't..." She cries and Narcissa nods knowingly and takes the cloth from her and slowly walks to Draco, who regards her with concern and fear.

"Draco, listen to me. Please, listen carefully..." Narcissa begins.

"What is it..."

"Draco, you told Hermione that...that you wanted to wait..." She tries so hard to be strong for her family. "To have children."

"What does that have to do with..."

"Hermione found out she was pregnant." Draco goes pale and feels his stomach twist. He looks at Hermione, who has her one arm holding her waist and the other hand covering her mouth to hold back her tears. "She was so scared to tell you because she didn't think you'd want it and that stress and other causes of nature...she...I came and found...she was...she... she lost the baby."

Narcissa gestures to the cloth and Draco's jaw drops open slightly and he ever so slowly reaches forward- hand shaking horribly and he lifts up the cloth to find the grape sized fetus in it. His stomach turns and twists and he feels he may be sick.

"That's...that's..." He can't verbalize his pain and fear. He can't bring himself to say it. Wiping his hand over his mouth and then grips the front of his hair as his other hand is on his hip. The whole of him shaking horribly. When he looks up and finds Hermione missing. He steps away from his mother and she covers the poor thing back up.

"She wants us to bury it on the property. Give it a nice grave..." Pacing, Draco, can't breathe.

"Why...why didn't..." He goes to go to the bedroom to talk to Hermione, but Narcissa stops him.

"Be kind. Draco, she's in a very fragile state. She's still hurting and processing..."

I...I need fresh air...I..." Shaking his head, he goes to the window and climbs out onto the fire escape and leans on the railing.

Narcissa watches him, seeing his body convulse and shake- she knows he's crying and breaking down. She walks into the bedroom and finds Hermione under the covers sobbing her eyes out.

"Darling, I'm sorry."

"He...ha...hates me..."

"No, Dear- he's confused and upset. He's on the fire escape getting air and...and we'll processing it." She stands quietly by the door and Hermione pushes her face deeper into the pillow.