{6} News

Hermione starts to get answers

The next morning was a very dreary and rainy day. Hermione Granger had a headache. It wasn't a splitting one, just one that she knew would make her day even worse. She was dreading 6:00 PM, when Malfoy arranged to meet her. She was nervous and anxious at the same time. She was starting to have this sinking feeling in her gut telling her that something horrible was going to come up. She felt dead. Against her own mind battles, she got up and got Hugo and Rose up and ready. While Hermione was making them breakfast, Rose decided to ask her mother a question.

"Mommy?" asked Rose

"Yes, sweetheart?" answered Hermione in a motherly tone

"How come daddy can come see you and another girl at the same time?"

Hermione dropped the plate that she was holding. It smashed on to the floor with a loud crack. The kitchen was dead quiet. Hermione stared at her daughter, wondering what on earth made her say that. Hermione quietly whispered, "Reparo!" at the broken dish before putting it away with shaking hands.

She knelt down to her daughter's level, and asked in a somewhat steady voice, "Sweetie, why would you ask if Daddy is with another lady?"

"Because he always talks to us about having a new mommy." Rose said innocently.

Hermione crashed on the floor in a dead faint.

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Draco Malfoy smiled faintly at the letter he had just received from Granger. He snarled at himself that Weasely could do that to his family and kids. He thought; Granger, if you only knew. He still wanted to ask her why him though. It was curious enough that Hermione hated him throughout school. Could it be possible that she saw a change in him? His mind wandered to this possible thought throughout the morning and brightened up his day a bit. He couldn't wait to to get to the Leaky Cauldron.

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Hermione opened her eyes slowly, at immediately saw the face of Harry Potter looming over her. She groggily got up and rubbed the back of her head. Her children were staring wide-eyed at her, scared for her, and immediately ran to give her a hug. Hermione squeezed them back, trying to calm them down. When she finally got them to calm down, she quietly told them to go up in their room because she needed to talk to Uncle Harry. The two children walked slowly to their bedroom afraid of what was to come next.

Hermione looked at Harry and ran to him in a crushing hug. The tears she held back for so long came rushing out. Harry looked at his best friend with much concern. It wasn't like Hermione to worry so much to the point of fainting. She was lucky Hugo knew how to use floo powder and immediately called him, saying his mother was lying on the floor not moving.

Harry held Hermione close to him, trying to calm her heart wrenching sobs. It was a while before Hermione let Harry go and calmed herself down. She glanced at Harry with a sad look on her face. She beckoned Harry to her and led him to the living room, where she motioned Harry to sit. Her hands were trembling and she was weak. Harry was now alarmed at Hermione's behavior.

He couldn't take the suspense anymore and asked, "Hermione, what the bloody hell is going on?"

Hermione gazed at her best friend with frightened eyes and whispered back quietly, "Ron is cheating on me."

Harry stared at her, not daring to believe what he heard. It was possible but 

Harry didn't have enough information to confirm it. He sat their next to her in silence, not quite sure what to say. When Ginny came out with her affair, it was not pretty between the two of them.

"How do you know, Hermione?" asked Harry cautiously.

"Rose. She told me just before i fainted that Ron keeps talking to them about them having a new mom."

Harry was wide-eyed. Whatever possessed his best friend to say that to his kids, he'll never know. He was at a loss of words.

After a period of silence between them, he took Hermione's hand in his and whispered quietly, "Hermione, I don't know if that's true or not, but ill be here for you if you need a shoulder to lean on."

Hermione smiled faintly toward Harry. He was always there when she needed him, unlike Ron. Hermione decided to tell Harry about Draco Malfoy.

"Harry. I need to tell you something, but you need to keep this very quiet." Hermione said in a serious tone.

Harry nodded slowly at her, wondering what other news she will be splay on him.

Hermione took a deep breath and said "I am meeting Malfoy tonight at the Leaky Cauldron."

Harry's eyes widened to their full width, the shock was written all over his face. Hermione was meeting Draco? This day for him was just getting more bizarre with every word said.

"M-Malfoy?" he somehow managed to stammer out. "W-Why?" Harry's bewilderment was showing clearly now, and Hermione smiled weakly at Harry's astonishment.

"I asked him to follow Ron around. I needed him to do some snooping for me. He's the only person that I know that hates us enough but is willing to play dirty to find the information. He's changed, Harry. He's not the idiot that we met at Hogwarts. I-I don't know, I feel sort of different around him." Hermione had a wistful look on her look, as she remember the soft side of him. A slight chill ran down her spine. No, she scolded herself Stop it, Hermione. You don't feel anything for him.

Sighing, she leaned back and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. Harry wrapped an arm around her and said, "Hermione, I'll still be your friend no matter what happens. Maybe its best to meet Draco and find out what's up."

Hermione reluctantly agreed and noticing the time, she realized that she needed to get the kids off to Mrs. Weasely and get ready for work. Harry frowned. He stood up and said, "I am a fire away if you need me, Mione." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and flooed back home. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and started to get ready.

Hermione and Draco were sitting in the back of the Leaky Cauldron, making small talk. To Hermione, she felt relaxed around Draco, and kept chastising herself for it. It wasn't right. She technically was still married, no matter what news Draco brought her. For Draco, he felt right at home with Hermione. He never felt happier.

When things were a bit quieter, she asked in a shy voice, "So, what news have you uncovered about Ron?"

Draco's eyes darkened. He didn't know how to put what he was going to say in the kindest words. He didn't want to shatter her world, nor his marriage. 

After all, she needed his help in fixing it, and not breaking it. Sighing to himself, he cleared his throat and said, "Well, uhh, he has being going to work everyday, lunch with Potter." He fidgeted uncomfortably.

Hermione could tell something was wrong. She urged Draco to continue, and said "Whatever it its, I can handle it."

Draco gazed sadly at Hermione. He didn't want to tell her. He didn't want to break her heart, nor make her feel pain, again.

Resigning under Hermione's steady gaze, he reluctantly told her, "Hermione, every day after work he's been spotted going into someone's apartment. A woman answers the door and quickly ushers him in. I haven't picked up a name yet. He's been seen staying their for nights, and coming back to your place in the morning. I am sorry."

Hermione slumped down into her chair. Her face paled, as the rest of the color in her face drained out. She could feel her heart pounding, and the feeling of being dead take over her. She took one look at Draco and fainted for the second time that day.