23. Not able to say goodbye

Parents Too Young

Disclaimer: NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE NOT MINE

A/N – Sorry this took so long in coming guys, I hope you like this chapter. I'm undecided on whether I like it or not.

Oh and whenever I mention what Lucius might be doing to Ella, please do no think paedophilic thoughts. It's more violence to Ella than any sexual stuff (wrong!)

Not able to say goodbye

'Your father?' Hermione said as she jogged to keep up with Malfoy's fast pace. They entered the school and made a beeline for Dumbledore's office, stopping at nothing in their way.

'Yes, my father' He snapped, as he turned the corner with Hermione calmly walking behind him.

'I think you need to calm down a bit here' Hermione said as she gently placed her hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off harshly and fixed her with a stare.

'Calm down? My father has taken our daughter to do god knows what to her. I don't know how you're remaining so emotionless and calm. Maybe for once, you would get your head out of your ass and realise what's going on.'

'Remaining calm is the only thing keeping me from breaking down' Hermione whispered darkly as they appeared in front of the statue that guarded the way to the headmaster's office. 'This is all your stupid fault anyway' She muttered. Malfoy's head snapped round to face her.

'My fault?'

'You were the one that gave her away to a look a like'

'How was I supposed to tell the difference?' He said, giving her a glare before turning around and kicking the statue that was in their way.

'Oh that'll work' Hermione said with her arms crossed defiantly. He flung his body around to face her angrily.

'Then what!' She gave him a look, 'stop staring at me stupidly and help.'

'Oh, so you're giving me orders now?'

'Stop being so self centered' He bit back.

'I'm self-centered? If it weren't for your stupid display in front of the school, this wouldn't have happened' She snapped.

'Go on, blame me if it helps but-'

'Ahem' both heads snapped to the side to see Dumbledore next to the statue that had jumped to the side.

'Follow me to my office. I think you both need to calm down' He said flicking between Malfoy and Hermione who both looked ready to pummel the other.

They both walked into his office to find Snape bent over some bits of parchment that were lying on the headmasters desk. Hermione barely acknowledged him as she sat down but Malfoy walked up to his head of house and raised his wand angrily.

'You! You told my father! He's taken Ella to try and teach me a lesson you idiot' Malfoy said, growing redder and pointing his wand at Snape, who was remaining disinterested.

'I suggest you sit down, put your wand away and stop talking right now, Mr Malfoy before I feel the need to suspend you for raising your voice and insulting a teacher' Dumbledore said in a dangerous voice as he sat down with Snape standing next to him. 'Now, please do explain to me what is going on. I want to hear everything'

And so both Malfoy and Hermione launched into what had happened the past few weeks, both leaving out certain intimate details but leaving in the necessary bits. Dumbledore remained emotionless through the tale until the end where he let out a very shaky breath.

'I'm not sure at what point to begin. Severus, could you give us a moment?' He said, giving his colleague a disapproving look. It didn't go unnoticed by Snape as he walked slowly from the room, giving both Hermione and Malfoy a dirty look.

'This tale of events is leading me to some not so pleasant conclusions. Did your father say what he intended to do with Ella once he had her?' He said looking at Malfoy over his glassed.

'No' Draco admitted simply.

'This puts me in a highly difficult place' Dumbledore murmured as he fingers rubbed gently at his temples. 'You both want your child back?'

'Of course!' Hermione blurted out loudly, sitting forward in her seat.

'I think I should remind you that this was all for a class.' Dumbledore mentioned carefully.

'What are you saying?' Malfoy said dangerously.

'After a long time researching we have finally come to a conclusion about the spell and why it did not work. Someone, who we do not know yet, bewitched the room. It might have been by accident or it might have been with malicious intent. Any spell attempted on the room either did not work at all or worked with differences from the intended spell. The spell that created Ella worked, so the room must have had a spell cast upon it after that spell.'

Malfoy and Hermione looked at him in confusion and waited anxiously for him to continue.

'What I propose we do, is try the spell now that Ella is no where near the room which was effected or the castle at all.'

'So, you think we should just leave our child with Lucius and attempt the spell that if it works, would mean I would never even get to say goodbye?' Hermione said slowly.

'Yes, she is after all the repercussions of a spell. Nothing more.'

Neither Malfoy nor Hermione said a word, as they finally understood what their professor was saying.

'As we do not know what Lucius is doing or is intending to do, perhaps it would be a lot more humane to do the spell so Lucius can't do anything, as she won't exist.'

Hermione raised her tear filled eyes to look at her headmaster and then at Draco. She got up suddenly and fled from the room as the tears began to trail their way slowly down her cheeks.

Malfoy found her later on sitting silently in their daughter's room. He approached her cautiously and rested his hand on her shoulder.

'Dumbledore said to get back to him as soon as possible on what we decide' He said softly as he sat down next to her on the bed and drew her back into his arms.

'She's not even real' Hermione said as she fiddled with the bed covers. Malfoy stayed quiet.

'When I think about what your father is doing to her, I want to scream. Why can't we just go and get her? I mean, he can't have taken her far! We can go and look!' She said hopefully looking into Malfoy eyes.

'And then what? Would we raise her as our own for the rest of our lives? Dumbledore was right, she's not real. It's a nice fantasy but it's not real.'

'Stop saying that' She snapped as more tears fell down her face.

'Saying what?' He asked her gently.

'She's not real'

'You know it's true. I want her back too, I really do but we need to start being realistic'

'I know' Hermione said as she leaned up and captured Malfoy's lips softly. 'She's not real' She said resting her forehead against his.

'I know' He said, sliding his hand around her waist.

'Take me to bed' She said quietly as she backed away from him. Draco blinked stupidly until his shoulders slumped dejectedly.

'To sleep right?' He said running a hand through his hair.

'No' She stated simply before turning around and walking out of their daughter's room and into her own. Malfoy stood stuck into place for a few seconds before following her slowly.

'Are you sure about this?' He asked gently as he pulled her body up against his.

'I've been sure for a while' Hermione said quietly, fiddling with the buttons on her top.

'So you've been playing me with the whole 'I want to wait' thing?'

'No, I really did but…this thing with Ella. I think I like you…a lot'

'Damn straight you do' He said with a smirk before pulling her onto the bed. 'Last chance to back out' He said, knowing full well that if she told him she didn't want to know, he wouldn't listen.

'Would you just shut up and kiss me?' She said looking up at him and wriggling.

'Bossy'

'Idiot' She said leaning up and kissing him passionately.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

'Ella' was the first word muttered as Hermione awakened. The next thought that entered her mind was naked and Draco. She turned to her left as she heard a door open and Malfoy walk in with his school robes on.

She shot him a smile but it was lost on Malfoy as he avoided looking at her at all costs as he scurried about the room collecting some books.

'Draco?' Hermione tried. He made no movement to acknowledge he'd heard her. 'Draco?' She said leaning off the bed slightly and resting a small hand on his shoulder. He tensed up before raising his eyes to meet hers.

'Morning' He said with no emotion present.

'I..you don't…was I ...Draco!' She said trying to get his attention.

'What!' He said raising his voice sharply as he stood there with a scowl fixed in place.

'Why are you acting like this? Is it Ella? Or…is it about…err…last night?'

He raised an eyebrow. 'Well, I think doing the spell would be the best route for Ella. And…last night was fun'

'Spell? Fun?' Hermione said clutching the thin sheet to her bare body. 'What's up with you?'

'Nothings up with me. I do honestly think the spell is our best bet as I know what my father could and probably will do'

'And what about me?'

'You were fun' He muttered making no attempt at looking at her.

'I'm starting to hate that word' She said coldly as she looked around for her clothes. The only thing she found was a shirt and she shrugged it on and stood up to face him. 'I don't know what to say.'

Malfoy smirked as he very obviously raked his eyes over her bare thighs and across her barely covered breasts. 'Hmmm…fancy having some fun again?' He said reaching over to put his hand on her thigh.

'Get off me' She said in a low deadly tone. He stopped and tilted his head to the side.

'Didn't tell me that last night though did you? As I remember you were all over me' He said stepping closer with an arrogant smile in place.

She slapped him hard. 'Stop being such an ass' She hissed.

Malfoy's lips pursed and his eyes darkened. Hermione took a subconscious step back as he looked dangerous. But then his shoulders sagged and he let out a defeated sigh.

'Ok, I'm sorry. You were more than fun. You were…' He trailed off thoughtfully. Hermione tapped her foot with an expectant glare on her face.

'I was what?' Hermione said, raising both eyebrows.

'You were…wonderful'

'Wonderful?' Hermione said, her anger dissolving in a flash.

'Yes. How bout me?'

'You were…average' Hermione said, with a small smirk as leaned in and pressed her lips gently to his.

'Average? I'll show that I'm above bloody average' He growled as he tackled her onto the bed and started taking off the shirt she had on.

She pushed him back gently. 'Later, I promise. But we need to talk'

'Yeah' He admitted as he rolled off of her.

'I want my daughter back and for me to do that, I need access to your manor.' Hermione said, pulling on some jeans and tying back her hair.

'Hold on a second, you're going now? You, Hermione Granger, are missing class?'

'Uh huh' Hermione said giving a proud grin. 'Anyway, I need you to get into your house'

'Right' He said dubiously. 'So your gunna what? Stroll in there, find our daughter in a place that you don't even know your way around, get her, bring her back here without my father knowing?'

'Well…that's the plan'

'And if you come across my father…what are you going to do? He would kill you straight away. It's not worth the risk. I say we do the spell. We don't even know he's keeping Ella at home'

'Well we need to start somewhere. I'm going to go with or without you. With you will give me better odds of surviving.'

'I don't want to risk you ok?'

'If you love me, you'll come with me and not let me go by myself'

'Who says I love you?' He said with a smirk. She shifted uncomfortably.

'I don't know. So…you don't?'

Malfoy broke out in a genuine smile. 'Nah, I totally do'

'Does that mean you're coming?' Hermione said hopefully.

'Dumbledore would kill us'

'I don't care' Hermione said, picking up her jacket.

'I want you so much right now' Malfoy said striding out of their room with Hermione behind him.

…………………………………………………

'I know a back way in. So just stay behind me and if we see anyone coming, you hide and I'll handle it' Malfoy said as he walked calmly on to the grounds and around the mansion.

'Big enough house Draco? Compensating for something?'

''You know I'm not' He said throwing a smile over his shoulder. They crept around the side of the house and went through a door that led to the kitchen where house elves were busily preparing food. The minute they saw Draco, they all froze.

'Keep working' He said in a demanding voice as he walked through. Hermione gave all of them a pitiful look as she moved her way through the kitchen and up a small staircase to the main house.

Draco opened the small door at the top of the staircase and peered around to check for people, when he saw no one, he pushed the door full open and walked out.

'Draco!' A woman's voice shrieked behind him. He turned and slammed the door shut he came from before Hermione could come through.

'Mother' He said swivelling around with a fake smile plastered to his face. He smiled sweetly before embracing her in a quick hug.

'Draco' She said looking him up and down suspiciously. 'Any reason why you are not in school and creeping in through the kitchen?'

'Forgot a book' He stated simply.

'You could have just owled me and I would have sent it to you. Now what's the real reason why you're here' She said, folding her arms elegantly.

'I..' His mother's eyebrow rose. 'I'm having girl problems and I need your advice' He tried.

It worked for now. 'A girl!' His mother squealed loudly. 'Oh how wonderful. Is she nice? Pretty? Pureblood I hope.'

'She's nice' He said, thinking his way out of the inevitable conversation.

'Well come on in to the sitting room and tell me about her' She said laying her hand gently on her son's arm and leading him toward the sitting room.

'I don't really feel like talking about her at the moment actually. Is err father around?' Malfoy said looking around the entrance hall.

'I don't believe so. Why? Is the issue with a girl a male thing? You can tell me you know, Draco'

'I will, when I'm ready' He said with a fake smile. 'Anyway, I feel like a walk'

He started walking off before his mother stopped him again. 'So you came to the house through the kitchen, during school, to talk about a girl who you now don't want to talk about and instead go for a walk?' His mother said with a smirk. 'Do not lie to me'

Draco turned to face his mother's now very icy glare. 'I can't tell you why I'm here.'

'Oh yes you can. And you will' She said, gliding over her son and fixing him with another glare.

'I will tell you, just not now. Ok?'

'Don't be disobedient. It's not like you. And Draco, you may want to tell that girl you so nicely left in the kitchen, to join us perhaps?' Malfoy's mouth opened and shut in shock. He walked slowly to the door in the entrance hall and pulled it open revealing a very bored Hermione. She blinked up at Draco before getting up and walking out with him.

'Mother, Hermione. Hermione, my mother' Draco said with a tone that made it obvious he would rather die by flesh eating snails than be standing there.

'Good taste Draco. Pretty.' Narcissa said as her eyes perused Hermione.

'Nice meeting you, Mrs Malfoy'

'Indeed' She said briskly. 'Now what are you doing sneaking a girl into my home?' Malfoy and Hermione shared a look of panic. 'Wait, did you say your name was Hermione? Hermione Granger?'

'Err yes' She said shifting uncomfortably.

Narcissa's eyes became cold with fury as she turned on her son. 'How dare you bring a muggle born into our home. Is that why you were creeping in? So I wouldn't notice? Wait until your father hears about this!' She said pointing her finger at Draco.

Before Draco knew what was happening, he heard a 'stupefy' behind him, followed by a flash of red as his mother fell to the ground stunned. He swivelled to see Hermione with her wand outstretched.

'I cannot believe you just did that! That's my mother! I'm going to be so punished when she wakes up'

'She was going to stop us. It was the only way' She said apologetically, putting her wand away. 'Now where are your dungeons?'

'We are going to have a strict talk about spells on parents when we get back' he said taking her hand and pulling her towards the dungeons.

………………………………………..

'Goodness. You Slytherins like your dark and dank dungeons, don't you?' Hermione said as she crept down the cobbled steps and down into a long, dark corridor.

'Well, we like having dungeons because we can hide all sorts of stuff here'

'Like dead muggle bodies?' Hermione snapped.

'Never killed a muggle.'

'Doesn't mean your father hasn't' She said, wrapping her jacket around as she shivered.

'You cold?'

'Aren't you? It's freezing down here' She said, clutching her jacket. Malfoy wordlessly shrugged off his robe and put around Hermione's shoulders. Leaving his arm draped around her shoulders. 'Thanks.'

They moved around a corner to see a small room that looked like a jail cell. They looked through the bars and to disappointment, found nothing.

'Maybe if I call her name or something'

'You could try but I really don't think she's here' Draco said, searching through the darkness. Hermione walked down another small corridor to another empty room. She slouched against a large box and let out a saddened cry.

'Mum?' Hermione froze, as did Draco who was only metres away from her. 'Mum? Dad?' Hermione jumped off the box and turned to look at it. Her hands covered her mouth.

Without another word, Draco aimed a spell at the box, which broke it into pieces. In the middle of the mess was sitting their small, upset daughter.

'Ella!' Hermione screamed as she embraced her daughter in her arms and hugged her til she could barely breath. Draco followed with exactly the same response. But then they suddenly both got pushed away by Ella as she grabbed her mother's hand and tried to pull her down the corridor.

'We have to go now' She said, her voice breaking with tears. 'He's coming, we have to go'

'Who's coming?' Malfoy asked desperately as Hermione shot him a panicked look.

'Me' a cold voice spoke from the shadows as Lucius stepped out with his wand in front of him. 'So predictable, Draco. Come for your daughter? And you brought the little mudblood. How charming.'

Both Hermione and Draco moved in front of Ella to protect her. The move wasn't lost on Lucius who smiled maliciously.

'Let's go somewhere more…light shall we? This dungeon is giving me a headache' Lucius said indicating with his wand where he wanted them to go. 'Draco will lead, the girl behind him, the mudblood behind her and I will make sure none of you try to escape. Understand?'

They all walked slowly out of the dungeons into the living room where a very nervous looking house elf was waiting. 'Mr Malfoy, your wife was found stunned sir-' He started to squeak out.

'Which one of you did it?' He said coldly, turning to face Hermione and Draco.

'Me' Hermione said with no fear evident in her voice.

Lucius seemed to contemplate her answer for a while before raising his wand again. 'It seems that you are going to have make a decision today, Draco' Lucius said as he twirled his wand through his fingers. 'You simply can't live in this house while being friendly with a mudblood. Our reputation will not take it so if you choose to end everything with this girl and come back to your family as a Malfoy, I will forgive you for this little mistake after some…time. If you decide the mudblood is more important than your heritage and family, you will no longer be apart of this family. You will have no money and no support.'

Draco remained still.

'So who is it going to be? Your family or the mudblood!' He shouted gesturing between him and Hermione. Ella hid herself shyly behind Hermione who was looking at Draco hopefully.

Draco looked at his father, who was standing tall with superiority as his wand was held out his side. He then looked at Hermione who was giving him a look that said exactly what she thought of the situation. She put her hands on her hips as if his answer should be obvious.

He made his mind up. He hung his head low as he headed over to Hermione. Lucius's grip on his wand tightened and his eyes burned with fury.

Draco put a steady hand on Hermione's cheek as she smiled. He leant in and kissed her gently before putting his mouth near her ear and whispering, 'I'm sorry'. Hermione looked confused for a second before her anger and hurt rose to the surface as she watched Draco turn away and walk towards his father who was now looking happily at his son.

A/N He chose his dad…sowwee, But don't worry, I looove happy endings, so it will be a happy ending.

HARRY POTTER HBP COMES OUT TOMORROW NIGHT! I'm one of those people that go to the midnight openings, it's always so much fun! Can ya tell i'm excited? And, I won't update this until I've finished the book. I bet this website will be dead the day after HP HBP comes out. Anyway, happy reading guys!