Imperiused (Dramione)

12 Grimmauld Place's Drawing Room (Part 2)

Harry arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place around 7 later that day. The girls were just about to sit for their dinner in the kitchens.

"Master," Kreacher greeted the new arrival, while serving the freshly coooked food on the table.

"Kreacher," Harry acknowledged. "You should eat now too, you need to go to Malfoy Manor at 8," he added.

The House-elf bowed in response. Exiting the kitchens once he has served their food to eat alone in his room.

The three silently ate their dinner, the atmosphere too thick because of Hermione's upcoming meeting.

Ginny was trying to be calm so she would not hex Malfoy on the spot once she sees him, while Hermione was anxious.

Harry hoped that whatever Malfoy's got to say to his best friend, that Hermione would not be hurt again.

After their quiet dinner, Hermione excused herself, telling them she will be staying in the library until Malfoy's arrival later. Her friends just nodded in agreement, knowing she needs time alone to think.

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Draco couldn't finish his dinner, his stomach was in knots in anticipation of facing Hermione again.

He wanted to confess to her when he took her with him to the manor when they met after Christmas but his cowardice overcame him.

"I should have told her then," he whispered to himself. He stood up without eating much, knowing that he won't be able to keep it down due to stress.

He went up to his room to pace, to wait for the house-elf, Kreacher. He knew that he was the Black's House-elf, and was puzzled why Potter has him, but it was not the issue now.

He hopes that Hermione would give him a chance to prove that he could change for her and their child.

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"What do you think she will do?" Ginny asked quietly to her boyfriend.

They were now sitting in the love seat in the drawing room, waiting for their guest's arrival. Kreacher will be leaving in ten minutes to fetch him.

"I am not really sure, she still looks undecided when I look at her," Harry answered, taking a calming breath. "But whatever it is, I'll stand by her decision whether Ron likes it or not," he added, thinking of their other best friend.

"I'm sure Ron will be outraged," the redhead replied. "But you are right, Hermione needs us. I promise not to hex Malfoy when he arrives," she agreed.

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Hermione was trying to read a book while waiting, she decided that she will give Malfoy a chance to tell her why he had done what he did to her, then she will tell him what she thinks about it.

She couldn't forget the way he looked at her when they met at Flourish and Blotts. The way he held and kissed her like he missed being with her.

She just hopes that what she saw and felt was the truth, rather than dwell on his atrocities a month ago that led to her pregnancy without her knowing.

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There was a crack as Kreacher apparated back at 12 Grimmauld Place's drawing room, now with Draco Malfoy.

Harry and Ginny stood up from the love seat they were sitting on to greet their guest.

"Malfoy," said Harry to the blonde boy across from him.

"Potter," Draco responded. Seeing Ginny beside the Chosen One, he added, "Weaselette."

Ginny just nodded in response, still wanting to hex him as she saw him.

His grey eyes roamed around the room, not seeing Hermione Granger, but his eyes saw the large tapestry in the farthest wall.

"Is that the Black Family Tree Tapestry?" Draco asked them curiously, walking towards it. He had never saw the original before, just the miniature copy of his mother's. He was mesmerised by it.

"Yeah," Harry answered him. "We will call Hermione, just wait here," he added, pulling Ginny to the doors. He did not trust Ginny to be alone with Malfoy, it's either she hex him or yell at him at least.

Ginny huffed in annoyance as Harry pulled her out. She so wanted to have a word with the Ferret before they call Hermione.

"Thank you," Draco replied, still scanning his eyes on the tapestry. Finally, after a short while, he saw what he was searching for- his name.

He touched the golden question mark below his name, feeling the ancient magic within the tapestry. He glanced at Hermione's picture beside his. A feeling of warmth and longing enveloping him.

He moved closer to it, letting his forehead touch the tapestry with his family's names. He will make sure to do whatever it takes to have them.

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"Malfoy's downstairs," Harry announced once Ginny and him walked inside the Black's Library.

Hermione looked up from her book and just nodded. She stood up and went to her friends.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Mione?" Ginny asked her friend, taking her hand. She would gladly just hex Malfoy if Hermione changed her mind.

"Yes, Gin," the brunette responded. "I need to get this over with before we go back to the Burrow tomorrow," she told her.

"Fine. Just yell if you need us, we will be waiting just outside the door of the drawing room," the redhead conceded.

"Just know that we will support you on whatever decision you make," Harry informed her, taking her other hand and squeezing it lightly.

"Thank you both. That means so much to me," Hermione replied, hugging them both. She needs their support on this, and she was glad that they will respect whatever she decided.

They all went downstairs to the drawing room. Hermione hesitating for a second before opening the doors. She just nodded to them both as she closed the doors again.

Once Hermione closed the drawing room's door, Ginny took out something from her pockets.

"Here, wear this," Ginny whispered to Harry, as they both sat on chairs outside the doors.

"Why do you have these?" Harry asked her holding the Extendable Ears in shock. "Are you serious?" He did not want to eavesdrop on Hermione and Malfoy's conversation.

"Found them in one of my bedroom drawers this afternoon," she answered. "Fine if you don't want to wear them," she answered putting hers on.

Harry sighed, putting his on, telling himself it's more for Hermione's benefit than wanting to eavesdrop.