Chapter 16 - Crossroads
September 2003
As Ginny had predicted, "Virginia Weasley Fashion" became a huge success in less than three months. She knew that part of it was because she was Harry Potter's wife, and even though Harry wasn't related to the company, he always went with her to the meetings and parties. He hated it. Harry wasn't much of a sociable guy, but he did it just to please her. That was what she had expected from him. Now that he believed she was pregnant, he was extremely caring, and didn't let anyone to upset her.
But the success was also due to Hermione's fantastic designs. Ginny hated to admit it, but that woman had an incredible talent. But who cared, anyway? All the designs were under her -Ginny's- name, and no one had to know that a poor muggle-born witch was the brain of everything. Even Harry thought that everything was Ginny's creation.
Under other circumstances, Ginny wouldn't have minded that Hermione got the credit she deserved. But things weren't like that. She needed to have control over every aspect of the Malfoy's lives to carry on with her plan. She was going to lift them high in the sky, and then let them fall flat on the ground. She had to make Hermione's life miserable. She didn't want to, but it was her duty. She had promised her father.
* * *
One of the things Hermione liked about working with Ginny was that she could make her designs at home and she didn't need to leave Daniel alone. She was now working on a new style in robes she had been thinking about.
That afternoon, she was alone in that big house. Draco had taken Daniel to a fair. It was amazing how attached that boy was to his father. That was one of the main reasons why Hermione felt like she could never break them apart. And she had given it a thought. After that party and sharing that dance with Harry she had found herself wondering a lot what would have happened if they had been alone, if there hadn't been any interruptions.
Seeing the look that Harry gave her that time, the way that their hands touched, she realized that the sparks were still there. And she had imagined herself leaving all she had now and running away with the love of her life. But she knew she couldn't.
Neither could Harry. He was going to be a father now. She still remembered when Ginny had told her the big news. She had been happy for them, but at the same time, sad and drepressed. Nothing could be done now. She would have to learn to find some happiness, even without love.
A head she didn't recognize popped in the fireplace, startling her.
"Good afternoon, are you Mrs. Malfoy?" the middle aged woman asked.
"Yes," Hermione replied.
"We are calling you from St. Mungo's. We have a patient under the name of Virginia Weasley here..."
Hermione didn't let her finish. She apparated immediately in St. Mungo's. Why was Ginny at the hospital? She knew that they had called her because Harry was out of the country. As soon as she reached the ward where Ginny was supposed to be, she spotted a tall wizard with a white apron walking towards her.
"Are you Mrs. Malfoy?" the man asked. Hermione nodded. "My name is Ludo Bagman, I am the Healer taking care of Mrs. Potter's pregnancy..."
"Is Ginny alright?" Hermione cut him off.
The man nodded. "She's fine. But her baby... I'm afraid she's lost it."
Hermione gasped. It couldn't be! A miscarriage? "But what happened?"
"She fell down the stairs- terrible accident."
Hermione took a deep breath. "I want to see her," she demanded.
"I'll take you to her room." Hermione followed Bagman towards Ginny's room. "We sent an owl to Mr. Potter with the news," he informed her before Hermione entered in the room.
Ginny was asleep. Her face was peaceful. Hermione sat on a chair beside her bed, feeling awful. Her poor friend... She had given up her first child and now had lost the second. And Harry... Her heart ached just thinking how he would feel when he read that letter... And he was going to be alone in that moment. How she wished to be with him...
Stop it, Hermione, she ordered herself. Ginny shifted in the bed and opened her eyes slowly. She met her gaze.
"Hermione," she said, not sounding surprised at all.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked, taking her friend's hand.
"Fine," Ginny sighed. "Does... Harry know?" she asked, slowly.
Hermione's eyes filled with tears and she wiped them away quickly. "They sent him an owl. He'll be here as soon as he gets it."
"He wanted so bad to be a father," Ginny sobbed.
"You'll have your chance," Hermione whispered. "I'm sure of that."
"Yeah... Thanks for coming."
Hermione nodded.
She stayed with Ginny for a really long time. It was night already, and the red-head was asleep with the help of some spell the nurse had put on her. Hermione didn't want to leave until someone arrived to be with her.
A little past 9 o'clock, the door of the room opened. Hermione turned around to check if it was some other nurse, or maybe Bagman this time, but it wasn't any of them. It was Harry. He had probably taken the first Floo Connection he could find. He was still carrying his suitcase. He didn't notice Hermione and he walked straight to the bed.
"She'll sleep until tomorrow," Hermione whispered, and Harry jumped at the sound of her voice. When he turned to look at her, she noticed his face was pale and his eyes were sad and worried.
"I didn't know you were here," he whispered back. "Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me, she's my friend," Hermione said, giving a quick glance to Ginny and then turning to Harry again. "Harry, I'm so sorry," she said, sincerely.
Harry just stared at her, not able to speak. He looked tired and helpless, and Hermione felt the urgency to hug him, like she had done that time in Hagrid's barn, or in Spain's chalet, when he had let her see a little more of his soul. But their life was different then. There were just the two of them. She looked at his eyes. His expression was unreadable.
Hermione took a step towards him and he did the same. She felt awkward. She didn't know what to do, and he was probably feeling the same way. A soft breathing made Hermione aware that Ginny was in the room, after going through a really hard time.
"I should probably go," she said, avoiding Harry's look. She left the room as quickly as she could. Facing Harry was getting harder every time, even when, after the incident in Kent, his attitude towards her was still polite, but not cold.
Forget him, she pleaded. Please.
* * *
Ginny was ready to go home. She was waiting for Harry, who was settling the paperwork. Everything had been so easy, she was amazed. All she had to do was find a greedy Healer with no morals, like Ludo Bagman, pay him a good amount of money and make him her ally. Bagman had done his job incredibly well, and Ginny guessed this wasn't the first time he had pulled an act like this. Thanks to him, everyone had believed that she was pregnant and that she had tragically lost her baby in an unfortunate accident.
She deserved some credit too. She was one hell of an actress. The tears she had cried when she woke up and found Harry beside her bed had been so real that for a moment she believed her story. Of course, as she had known he would, Harry had blamed himself.
"I shouldn't have left you alone," he said.
"Harry..." she put a hand over his. She didn't tell him it wasn't his fault, though. She wanted him to feel guilty. As long as he felt responsible for her, he wouldn't leave her. If she had to pretend another pregnancy and miscarriage to do that, she would.
* * *
When Ginny went back to the company, she started to work on her plan. And her best ally was Draco Malfoy, although he wasn't aware of that. All Ginny had to do is offer him some temptations, and he did everything all by himself.
"Draco, look at this place. This is where Harry buys his suits and robes. It's a little bit expensive, but you won't find anything better in this country."
"Here you can find the best champaigne..."
"If you want to buy some flowers, you can go here..."
Draco was a compulsive spendthrift. Ginny knew, by looking at Hermione, that this was causing trouble in their marriage.
Hermione, on the other hand, was starting to get desperate. She couldn't control Draco's expenses. He was spending so much. Clothes, furniture, paintings, toys for Daniel, jewels for her, a racing broom... She was in charge of the bills, and everyday at least ten more arrived to her house. She tried to pay everything on time, but even with their new salary, it was hard. She had tried to talk to Draco, to make him understand, but it was worse than talking to a wall. He was so desperate to show everyone that he was rich and important, that he didn't realize he wasn't. Hermione was tired of being the bitter one who spoiled everything for him.
* * *
January 2004
"Draco, I want to introduce you to someone," Ginny said one day. It had been four months after her 'miscarriage', and Daniel was almost four years old.
The 'someone' that Ginny wanted to introduce to him turned out to be the most stunning woman Draco had ever seen. "This is Chloe, and she will be the face of Virginia Weasley from now on. Chloe comes from America, and she doesn't know the city very well. It will be your job to make her feel at home."
Draco accepted the task eagerly. Chloe turned out to be a fun girl. She asked him to take her out for some drinks. He hadn't had such a great time in a while. Hermione didn't like bars, or going out for that matter. She was always so complicated. For once, Draco felt young again - he was only twenty-three, after all. When she took him to the most expensive hotel in London, he didn't complain. She suggested he should charge the room to the company's account. "It's what big executives do," she said. The magic words when it came to Draco. Chloe made him feel alive again, and after that night, it was a regular thing for them to meet in different hotels, to have a bit of what Draco wasn't getting from his wife.
He had never cheated on Hermione before, and certainly, he had felt guilty at first. But then, he convinced himself it was better for their marriage. He was in a better mood and him and Hermione weren't fighting as much as they used to- a great therapy indeed.
Ginny observed Draco and Chloe closely. The model she had hired was doing a great job with Malfoy, after all. Inside, she was angry at her. How did that skinny bitch dare to sleep with her friend's husband? The saddest part was that Hermione didn't even notice. Or maybe she did, but she didn't care. Ginny often got scared of these fraternal feelings that her enemy awoke in her. How was she supposed to destroy her life if she was still attached to her in some odd way?
Every time that happened, she had to remember her father. It worked like the best magic, and the hatred appeared again. It was the only way to keep going.
* * *
Ginny also found a little pleasure showing Hermione and Draco that they didn't belong in her world after all. That particular night, she invited them to a dinner at her house with some of the most important wizards in London. Draco had made a fool of himself trying to impress them, and Hermione had found herself quite out of place with their financial and political chat.
"Why did you invite the Malfoys with these people coming?" Harry asked her when everyone had left and they were getting ready to sleep. "They didn't look very comfortable."
"Yes, I noticed that too. Well, it's not my fault, dear. I'm just being generous and introducing them to some of our friends. I forget that Draco and Hermione are different from us."
Harry frowned at this comment, but didn't say anything.
"Honey?" Ginny said, a little later.
"Yes?" Harry replied, his back turned to her as he pretended to be falling asleep.
"I've been thinking... We should try to be parents again. It's been a while since the last time we..."
"I'm tired, Gin," Harry cut her off quickly. "Good night."
* * *
"Hermione, are you sick?" Ginny asked, slightly worried when her friend went to the office that morning with some of her designs.
"No, I'm okay," she replied. "I'm just tired."
"Are you having trouble at home?"
Hermione made a pause before answering. She didn't want to worry Ginny with her troubles with Draco and the bills. "Nothing serious, don't worry, I'll be fine."
"If you say so... Have you gotten any ideas for the new collection?"
"Actually yes, I have. There's something on my mind, but I haven't been able to focus on it properly. If you give me some time..." she sighed. Time was something she didn't have so much of in her house.
Ginny eyed Hermione thoughtfully. Her friend didn't look good. There were purple bags under her eyes, and her skin was a little yellow. It was obvious she was going through a hard time. 'But that's what I want!' she thought. However, another part of her, the one that still cared about Hermione, made an appearence.
"I have an idea," Ginny said, slowly. "Harry and I have a small apartment in Taxco, Mexico. Is a small muggle town, a lovely place, you'll love it."
"What are you saying?" Hermione asked.
"You should take a week. Go there, alone, rest and work on that new collection. What do you say?"
"Gin, thanks for the offer, but I can't leave now. There's Danny, Draco, my house..."
"Oh come on, they'll be all right. It's just a week. You need a break. You know what? I'm not going to take a no for an answer! This is an order. You're leaving tomorrow. End of conversation."
* * *
Taxco was, indeed, a wonderful place. It was small and picturesque, the place where all the fantastic silver jewelry from Mexico was made. Hermione loved it the very minute she stepped on it.
The Potter's 'small flat' was bigger than the house she had lived in before starting to work with Ginny. She took a nap, then decided to walk a little through the town to buy some souvenirs for Draco, Danny and Ginny.
The main street was full of small stores. She spent a great amount of time looking at the jewerly. There was a silver chain with a cross that caught her eye, and she debated with herself if she should buy it or not. Draco had given her jewelry, but it was too much for her. She preferred something simple, like this. However, after having the chain in her hand for a long time, she decided not to buy it. It was too expensive anyway.
Two hours later, she entered in a small restaurant. She approached to the counter.
"I'd like a beer and some enchiladas, please," she asked in Spanish.
"You should be careful with the enchiladas. They are very spicy here," a voice said behind her, in English.
Hermione turned around violently. Harry was sitting behind a small table beside the window, looking at her calmly.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, not able to hide her surprise.
"Having lunch," Harry replied simply, although his table was empty.
"You know what I'm talking about," she said.
"Well, I happen to own an apartment here."
"I know, that's where I'm staying."
"Really? That's a coincidence," he commented, accomodating his glasses. "By the way, I never knew you were so careful when you shopped."
Hermiones eyes widened. "You've been following me?" she accused.
Harry shrugged. "Yes."
Hermione turned to the waiter and cancelled her order. She stormed out of the restaurant. Harry followed her outside.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I'm going to your apartment to pick up my stuff," she said, walking quickly through the street and not looking at him.
"Why?"
"Because I'm not staying if you are. I'll go to a hotel." Hermione took a small blind alley that was empty and disapparated, apparating immediately in the apartment. Harry apparated only a second after her.
"You don't have to leave," he said.
"Of course I have to. This is your place. If you want to use it, I'm not going to disturb you," she said, grabbing her suitcase and opening it on the bed.
"Stop," he said, grabbing her arm and turning her around.
Hermione was faced with his eyes, what she had been fearing since she had heard his voice. She swallowed hard and tried her best to remain calm so he wouldn't notice she was shaking.
"How did you know I was here?" she asked.
"Ginny told me you'd be staying here for a week. I should be in New York by now, but I followed a strange hunch and came here instead."
"Why?" she asked, faintly.
"Because... because I wanted to see you. I needed to see you."
Hermione held back the tears and backed away slowly. He let her go, but his eyes didn't leave her. "I'll go," she said, walking to the door.
"Do you want to?" he asked, and she stopped. "Do you want to leave, Hermione?" he repeated.
She had so many reasons to say yes. HER husband, HIS wife, fidelity, loyalty to her friend, her own emotional -and mental- well being, but not one of them was good enough. She turned around slowly and their eyes locked.
"No."
* * *
A/N: See?? I Do have a heart! I do love H/Hr and hate H/G and Hr/D. Of course, you might still think I'm evil for leaving such a cliffhanger...
From now on, this story will get a lot more intense, trust me on that.
Again, I thank you for the reviews. This chapter was beta read by Emily, as usual. She has done an incredible job and I'm really thankful.