The Other Granger- COMPLETED

Chapter 48

Elaine's POV:

After I was released from the hospital with Fred, we went straight home (Draco included). I showed my son around the apartment, bouncing on the balls of my feet as I walked, and talked to him even though he was fast asleep in my arms.

I tried with all my might to get information from Draco about why he showed up drunk to the hospital, but he quickly rushed off to work claiming there was an emergency. "Draco...please talk to me," I begged, but he pecked my cheek and left in quite a hurry.

"Looks like it's just you and me," I muttered to Fred who I placed in his crib. I was very anxious to be with Fred by myself...I mean, I just became a mom a few hours ago. I was more upset than anxious, though...I mean, how could I not be upset...my own husband and my best friend just completely blew me off minutes after coming back home from having a baby. I couldn't believe it...the apartment felt empty without him there.

I shuffled around the house, fixing the broken tv with my wand and quickly showering in hopes that the warm water would make me feel better...but it didn't.

A few hours later, I got a letter from Draco saying he'd be stuck at the office late into the night, and that I shouldn't wait up for him. As I wrote him back, there was a knock on my door. Abandoning the letter, I opened it and smiled broadly when I saw Harry standing in front of me. "Elaine!" he exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "Hi Harry," I said, and I knew immediately he sensed something wrong. "What is it?" he asked, adjusting the glasses on his face. I didn't answer him. I wasn't sure how to. Lucky for me, Fred began to cry, so I rushed to pick him up and avoided the question...for now at least.

"What's his name?" Harry asked me, taking a seat on the couch before I passed him the baby. "It's Fred," I said and watched Harry's eyes tear up. "He's beautiful...Mrs Weasley's gonna freak when she meets him," Harry said, cradling the baby. "So where's Draco?" Harry asked, looking in my eyes. I felt his stare, but I quickly stood, asking if he wanted a drink. "Elaine? Tell me," he demanded, standing up next to me now. "He's gone, Harry," I mumbled before crumbling to the floor in a puddle of tears.

Harry quickly placed Fred back into his crib, rushing back to where I was collapsed on the floor. "What happened?" he asked. "He found out I've been visiting Lucius," I mumbled. "You have?" he asked. "Yes...he deserved to know I was marrying his son...and t-that he'd b-be a grandpa," I stuttered. Harry rubbed my back as I cried. "Do you know where Draco is now?" Harry asked. "He told me there was an emergency at work...b-but I don't know if I b-believe him...he showed up d-drunk to the hospital," I cried, hiccuping now. I began to hyperventilate and my loud cries made Fred cry. "Why don't you wait until he comes home tonight...talk to him. And if he gives you a problem, write to me," Harry said.

Harry let me cry for a while. He didn't leave until I had stopped. Before leaving, he assured me it would all work out. "Oh, before I forget," he said, taking a small package out of his pocket. "Congratulations...mom," he smirked, making me laugh. Then he hugged me goodbye and left.

I stared down at the package and then opened it quickly. I told myself I wouldn't cry, but I couldn't help it I found myself holding a tiny pair of socks with little broomsticks and golden snitches.

Hours after Harry left (very close to midnight), Draco came home. He didn't notice me at first. I was sitting on the couch reading a book Hermione had recommended. When he did see me, he jumped, holding his wand out. "You're up?" he asked, quickly pocketing his wand. "Where have you been?" I asked, closing my book and placing it next to me. "Where's Fred?" he asked, ignoring my question. "He's asleep," I said, glaring at Draco. He was hiding something...I could tell. "Draco what is that?" I asked, noticing redness on his neck. I stepped up and placed my hand on his shirt, pulling it away from his neck. "Nothing," he said, trying to cover his neck with his hand. "It's hives," I said, running my hand over it. I quickly went to the bathroom and got cream. "Why are you suddenly breaking out in hives?" I asked, rubbing the cream over the infected area. "Stress I suppose," he replied, kissing my forehead as I closed the tube of cream. What was he so stressed about?