Dramione - The Sweetest Dream

Chapter 33

            "Ron," Hermione couldn't get farther than saying his name. She loved Ron, not the way she loved Draco, but she did care for him. She felt Draco's arm tighten protectively around her.

"I knew that filth would try and get his hands on you," he growled as he took out his wand and pointed it at Draco. Malfoy had his wand pulled out of his robe and was standing in front of Hermione in the blink of an eye. Hermione pulled her own wand out and pointed it at Ron and Draco hurriedly,

"Expelliarmus!" She caught the two of their wands in her left hand. Draco and Ron looked at her with shocked faces. "Listen, we're going to talk about this like adults. Dueling this out isn't going to work. There's a time and place for magic, and it isn't now." She walked off into the direction of the library. Ron and Draco followed her, casting hateful glares at each other.

Once inside the library Hermione felt her shoulders relax as she let out a sigh. The library. The old room held so much nostalgia, seven years worth of memories flashed in her mind as she sat down at one of the solid mahogany tables. She cleared her throat when the boys refused to sit down. Draco sat next to Hermione, his hand on her knee. Ron sat across from them, his elbows on the table; face red, and breathing heavily. Hermione cast a Muffliato charm under the table.

"What the bloody hell is going on? First you disappear on us- we've been sending you owls non stop, you know- and now you come back with him?" Hermione heard an almost growl like noise emerge from the back of Draco's throat. She squeezed his hand in warning.

"I love Draco," Hermione said, meeting Ron's eyes without hesitating. He sat back as if he had accidently touched a hot cauldron. "I know, it's the last thing you want to hear, but I love him. I really do, Ron. I love you dearly, but you and I both know that we were meant to be friends- just friends. I'm so, well, happy with him." She looked at Draco's silver blue eyes before meeting Ron's gaze. Guilt began to creep seep into her. "Please, understand."

"Why were you coming out of the hospital wing?" Ron's eyes were glassy as he desperately tried to change the subject. Draco and Hermione looked at each other. After the long silence, Ron raised his eyebrows and coughed, trying to maintain focus. Draco took in a deep breath.

"Hermione's pregnant," Draco said delicately, his voice low and steady. Hermione realized she hadn't breathed for quite a while, her breath stagnant and mossy as she exhaled.

"Who's the father?" Ron asked as he leaned forward, his brows drawn together. There wasn't a hint of sarcasm on his face.

"I-I am, Ron," Draco said as he looked down at the table before meeting Ron's eyes. The red head sitting in front of Hermione sunk back in his chair, his face a blank mask.

"Who else knows?" His voice was solemn, his words choked by emotion. Hermione bit her lip to keep from crying.

"Just you, Madame Pomfrey, and Draco's mother," Hermione said in a shaky whisper. Ron merely nodded his head.

"Hermione, can I talk to Malfoy for a minute?" Her eyes widened at the prospect of the two boys talking to each other without supervision.

"No wands," Hermione was not going to budge.

"That's fine. I just want to talk," Ron stood up and walked outside of the library, Draco trailing behind him after planting a kiss on Hermione's forehead. She sat at the table with her head in her hands and her knee bobbing under the table.

"Listen, Malfoy," Ron sighed, "I need you to be completely honest with me."

"I promise," Draco nodded his head. He wanted to get along with Hermione's friends. Anyone she cared about he would care for as well.

"Do you love Hermione? Was she just a fling to you? She doesn't deserve that if that's all this is." Draco's eyes widened.

"I love Hermione with all my heart and soul, Ron. I can't even tell you how much Iadore her. It's not physical for me. She's the most beautiful person in the world; I'm never going to hurt her like that. You can have me in a lifelong Cruciatus Curse if I ever do."

"I'm holding you to that," Ron said lightly, the corner of his mouth tugging into a small smile as he clapped Draco on his back. They walked back to see a fidgeting Hermione sitting nervously at the desk. 

 "So, are you keeping the baby?" Ron asked her as he sat in his seat. She looked up as if she were surprised to see him. Draco took the liberty of answering for her.

"We most definitely are," he said warmly, nuzzling her cheek, evoking a small giggle from Hermione.

"Well, that's great. I'm happy for you guys," Ron said softly, a sad smile pulling on his lips.