Chapter 20 - No Turning Back
"Are you feeling better?" Harry asked about an hour later, looking at Hermione with concern.
Hermione nodded absent-mindly. She had cried for a long time after Harry had arrived, then she had somehow managed to tell him all about Daniel's symptoms and what the Healer had said. For the last half hour, though, she had stayed silent, in some sort of numb state.
Despite all this, Hermione had still remembered to send an owl to Ginny to inform her that Danny was in St. Mungo's. She had done it a little after Harry's arrival. She had excused herself to go to the toilet, but instead, had gone to the owl post of the hospital and had written a short message for Ginny.
She was sure she had already received it. After all, the Potter's manor was very close to St. Mungo's. Why she hadn't come was a mystery to Hermione, although lately every one of Ginny's action was strange, to say the least.
"You know..." Harry started, softly, "Sirius Black Foundation gives a lot of money to an institution who specializes in these kinds of maladies. Maybe I could get some specialist to come and check Danny."
She looked at him, hopefully. "Really? But I don't want to bother you..."
"Please," Harry interrupted her. "Let's stop this, alright? You're not an acquantaince to me, Hermione."
She nodded and gave him a weak smile.
"I have the documents in my office... I should go and look for them. I'd ask my secretary to do it, but since it's Sunday, I don't think she'll be at the office."
Hermione hadn't even realized it was Sunday. She wondered why Harry would have been at the office then, but she didn't ask him.
"But I don't know if I should leave you alone," Harry added.
She shook her head. "Go Harry, I'll be fine. If you have something that can help Danny, then it's my priority. Besides, Draco should be here any minute."
Harry eyed her, trying to decide what to do. Hermione was thankful that he hadn't asked where Draco was, she would hated to tell him that she had no idea. She wasn't even sure if he would come at all, but if she didn't say that to him, he would never leave.
"Fine," Harry said, standing up. "I'll be back as soon as possible. If anything happens, call me."
"Don't worry," she said and he disapparated.
Hermione leaned against the cold wall. Why hadn't anyone come to tell her what was going on with her son? She wanted to see him. He was probably scared to death to be alone in that place, surrounded by strangers. She wasn't able to hold back the tears when she thought that, in Daniel's short life, he had been on the edge of death too many times.
* * *
Ginny had stared at the parchment for an hour, struggling with herself. The few words that Hermione had quickly written were enough to cause a terrible battle inside her. She had given up this boy years ago; she didn't have anything to do with him now. He was her enemy's son. This was a plus to the vengeance she hadn't even planned. She should be satisfied.
But, of course, she wasn't. She was afraid and overwhelmed by a weird feeling which could only be the worry of a mother. And she couldn't help but thinking of Hermione and how she was dealing with this after all that had happened to her lately. Ginny had made sure to make the Malfoy's life a living hell... She had hired two lawyers to deal with the loan business, and they were doing a great job harrassing Hermione until she payed what they owed to her.
Finally, Ginny made a decision. She grabbed her cloak and walked towards St. Mungo's. She could have apparated, but she needed the cold air to clear her mind and give her strength. Besides, it was only two blocks between her house and the hospital.
When she got to the waiting room, she scanned the place, looking for Hermione. She spotted her in the corner, sitting on a chair. She had her eyes closed and a frown in her face. Her clothes were wrinkled and her hair messy. As Ginny approached her, she could see the tear stains on her pale cheeks. For a second, she thought she was sleeping, but as soon as she was in front of her, Hermione opened her eyes.
"Thanks God you're here," she said, standing up. There was an awkward moment in which none of them knew exactly how to act.
"You look terrible," Ginny said, speaking first. "Like a worry-wart overprotecting mother."
"How can I not be worried? He has meningitis!"
"Really?" Ginny asked, avoiding her eyes.
"Didn't you recieve my message?"
"It's a past time of mine to lurk in the hospitals so early in the morning," Ginny said. My God, how can I be so sarcastic at a time like this? She asked to herself.
"Meningitis is very serious... He could die," Hermione said in a whisper.
"You're a true medicine expert."
"He has all the symptons of the worst kind... Paralysis, fever, red spots on his skin," Hermione continued, trying her best to ignore Ginny's comments.
"You should give a conference or something."
"If you don't give a shit how Daniel is doing, then why the hell are you here!?" Hermione finally snapped. A couple of nurses turned to look at her disapprovingly.
Ginny considered to answer with the truth, but finally said "That's me. The good samaritan."
"Sure you are. That's why you fired Draco and me."
For a second, both women stared at each other. Ginny was expressionless and Hermione's face had a look of anger and concern. They hadn't seen each other from before Ginny had fired them, and Hermione would have never expected to see her again under this situation.
"Where is Draco, anyway?" Ginny asked finally, looking away from Hermione.
"He's on his way," Hermione lied.
"I see... Such a caring father."
Hermione would have given anything to follow her impulse of slapping Ginny, but she held back. She remembered that her friend always hid her real emotions under that tone of sarcasm. Sighing tiredly, she sat down again.
Ginny sat down beside her slowly. "Have you seen him yet?"
Hermione shook her head. She was going to say something else, when she heard steps coming towards them. She expected it was the Healer, or maybe Harry...
But it was Draco. His face was red, proof that he had been drinking. His hair was untidy and he hadn't shaved in a couple of days. He stared at Hermione and then at Ginny, with slight surprise. He smiled at them.
"Greetings, Ginny," he said. He leaned in to kiss his wife on the cheek, but Hermione moved away. "I came here as soon as I read your message. I had been..."
"I don't care where the hell you've been," Hermione interrupted him. She didn't need to hear one of his lies now. "Daniel has meningitis."
"Meningitis?" Draco repeated. He obviously didn't know what that meant.
Hermione explained quickly to him all that the Healer had told her. "They haven't informed me of anything since then," she finished.
"No news, good news, they say," Draco said in a cheerful way. "Come on girls, I'll invite you to a cup of coffee..."
"Why not a glass of champagne?" Hermione asked, annoyed.
"Well, we should celebrate with champagne, now that we're all friends again..."
"Jesus!" Hermione exclaimed, storming out of the waiting room.
Draco and Ginny stared after her. "As you can see, all of this has gotten the best of us," Draco apologized, and went after his wife.
Ginny looked at them leaving. She was doing a good job... They were truly unhappy. Then why didn't she feel satisfied that her revenge was working out?
She had nothing more to do there, so she slowly made her way out of the hospital.
* * *
"Hermione, I am really sorry I wasn't there when all this happened," Draco said for the tenth time.
He started telling her a complicated story of how he had met with a friend two days ago who had invited him to a drink and then offered him a job somewhere... He had stayed in his friend's hotel that time, discussing this new business.
Hermione wasn't really hearing him. Was he telling the truth, or had he really been with Chloe, or some other girl? She definitely hoped that was the case; she'd rather have him with other women than spending more money in every single pub in London.
Finally, he changed the subject and started asking about Daniel's treatment.
"What I don't understand is how he got sick all of the sudden..." he said.
"I had noticed him like this for a couple of days, though not as bad," Hermione explained.
"Why didn't you take him to a Healer sooner, then?"
She gave him a cold glare. How was she supposed to take him to a Healer if she didn't have any money to pay him? Hermione didn't have the time to answer. Harry appeared at that moment, walking slowly towards them. He gave a quick look towards Draco, then his eyes fell on her.
"Harry!" Draco said, shaking his hand. "It's so nice of you to be here! You're a true friend, mate."
Harry didn't say anything and approached to Hermione. "Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you," she said.
Harry turned to Draco. "Your house is too far away from the hospital. You should move into mine while Daniel is here. I don't think Hermione is in a right state to be apparating all the time."
Draco smiled. "That would be really considerate of you. We'll accept your proposition."
"Then I should go to your house and get the things you might need," Harry offered. "It's better if you stay here in case something comes up."
"No! I mean, thanks, but I can do it. Besides, Hermione needs a shower and..."
"I'm staying here," she interrupted him. "I want to be here when Daniel is ready to see someone."
"OK, then I'll go by myself." Draco leaned towards Hermione with the pretext of giving her a kiss, and he whispered in her ear, "Don't tell him we moved... He doesn't need to know we now live in that tiny place..."
"Good Lord, Draco," she said through gritted teeth.
"This is important. If you tell Harry that we had to sell the house, he'll take it as a critic to Ginny and that will ruin our chances of getting our job back." He winked at her and disapparated.
Harry sat down next to her. "Why didn't he want me to go to your house?" he asked.
"Because we moved," she replied.
"Moved? Why?" Harry hadn't gone to Hermione's house since that night he had seen her crying next to the window.
"Because we can't afford it anymore," she said, sighing. "Besides, we have to pay Ginny back... But I'm sure this is not news to you."
Harry was looking at her, surprised. "Yes, it is news, actually. Ginny and I don't talk too much anymore."
"Well, she fired us. She used the pretext that Draco had spent too much money of the company's in his private flings..."
"She fired you?!" Harry asked, shocked. "And what do you mean she used a pretext? I don't understand."
"Isn't it obvious? She's punishing me for getting involved with you."
"She doesn't know about us," Harry assured her.
"Then why has she been acting like that? First she hires some top designer without telling me; second, she fires us; then starts sending those lawyers to make us pay all the money that Draco owes to her... It's like she isn't my friend anymore. I can't imagine why else she would act like this."
Harry remained silent for a moment and then slowly took her hand. Hermione flinched a little, but then relaxed at his touch. He gently stroked her palm. He didn't know she was having such a terrible time. She didn't deserve to suffer so much. He was really angry, especially at Ginny for doing all this. He wanted to help Hermione so much...
She stood up abruptly, moving apart from him. She couldn't stand his loving look. It was too much for her. She turned her back to him and heard him standing up and moving towards her. He turned her around. At first, she resisted, but then gave in and leaned her head onto his chest while he stroked her hair.
"I'm so scared," she muttered.
"I know," he whispered. "I found the documents. A Healer expert in Meningitis will come. I'm sure he will help Danny."
"Thanks, Harry, I don't know how I will be able to pay you back for all you have done for me," she said looking up at him.
"It is me who has to pay you back... If it weren't for you, I-"
"Mrs. Malfoy?"
Harry and Hermione turned around and saw Dr. Wood standing there. They moved apart quickly and she approached to the Healer anxiously.
"You can see Daniel now," Wood said.
Hermione nodded and followed him.
Harry waited until she had entered the ward, then disapparated.
* * *
Ginny was sitting by the pool, pretending to be reading, although she didn't even know what book she was holding. Her mind was in that hospital. She looked up when Harry came into the garden. For a second, she felt really happy. It had been a long time since he had been at the house at that hour. Maybe he would come back to her after all...
However, one good look at him told her otherwise. Harry's eyes were cold and he didn't even bother to say hello.
"Daniel Malfoy is in St. Mungo's," he said.
Ginny blinked. "Yes, he has meningitis. I went to see him this morning. Did you go too?"
"The Malfoys will be staying here," Harry continued, ignoring her question.
"What?" Ginny asked, not able to hide her surprise. She knew Harry was fond of Daniel, but she could tell he didn't like his parents. He was always cold and too polite with them. He never wanted to have anything to do with the couple.
"They'll be coming today."
"Thanks for asking my opinion," she muttered.
"I'm not," he replied, with a stern look.
"I'm not sure if I told you, but they don't work for me anymore."
"No, you didn't." He narrowed his eyes at her. "Daniel is very sick."
Ginny took a deep breath. The way he looked at her... She couldn't take it. "This is very nice of you, dear. Hermione is my best friend, after all."
* * *
Hermione entered the room where Danny was. He was lying on a bed, surrounded by a yellow glow, because of the spells that were being applied to him to help him breathe. She tried to be strong.
Daniel opened his eyes when he heard her.
"Mum..." he muttered weakly.
"Hi, there," she said in the happiest voice she could find.
"Am I going to die?" he asked.
Hermione controlled a sob, but her eyes watered anyway. "No, honey. I won't let anything bad happen to you."
Daniel closed his eyes again, falling asleep, and Hermione's fake smile disappeared. The Healer had explained that Daniel's meningitis was of the worst kind. They would do anything in their hands to help him, but the chances of him living were almost nonexistent.
* * *
The next five days went by terribly slow for Hermione. She spent almost all day in the hospital. She only went to Harry's house to change her clothes and take a shower. She spent the nights in the waiting room, not able to sleep or eat anything. Draco usually was with her during the day. Ginny went every now and then too, and Hermione knew, by the little questions she popped, that she was worried, too. But the person who spent the most time with her in the hospital was Harry. Every night he sat there, comforting her. He also came every time that Draco went back to the house.
The Healer that Harry had managed to get was working along with Wood. However, he wasn't more optimistic than the people in St. Mungo's, and Hermione was on the verge of losing all hope.
Daniel's fever went up and down all the time. She went in the ward every time she was allowed, and talked to him about anything, trying to remain cheerful and relaxed.
The Saturday after Daniel's arrival to the hospital - and the Malfoy's to the Manor - Ginny was finishing dressing up for a party she and Harry had to attend. It would be a huge social event organized by the Sirius Black Foundation benefactors. Checking the time, she moved to the library, where she knew she would find her husband. She knocked on the door, and after a couple of seconds, Harry appeared. He was wearing a blue shirt and jeans.
"You're not ready yet?" she asked. "We can't be late!"
"I'm not going."
Ginny wasn't aware of how much time Harry spent at the hospital. She wondered why he looked so tired. "But honey, you are the director of the Foundation. All those people are expecting to see you."
"Tell them I'm on a business trip."
"They know you aren't," Ginny argued. "They give a lot of money to SBF. You can't lie like that to them."
"Well, then tell them the truth: I'm not in the mood for parties."
And do you think I am? Ginny thought, bitterly.
"You're getting more boring every day," she said, and left him alone.
* * *
She came back a little past midnight. It had been a terrible evening. She had to make up excuses for Harry, and the only thing she wanted to do was go back to the house and ask Hermione how Daniel was.
She had just closed the front door when he saw Harry coming out of the living room.
"We missed you," she said, smiling at him. He didn't return the smile.
"I was on my way to the kitchen to get some coffee," he said. "Could you go and get it for me? Draco is totally drunk. Hermione and I are trying to wake him up."
"Why don't you ask Dobby?"
"I gave him the weekend off."
"I'm so tired," Ginny said. "You shouldn't get involved in this. Draco is like that; his best friend is FireWhiskey..."
Harry shot her a glare, which interrupted her speech.
"Fine, I'll go," she said, moving to the kichen. Harry had never asked her to do house chores before, and she certainly hated that she had to do them for Draco Malfoy.
She took the coffee into the living room. Draco was sunken into one of the couches, with Hermione by his side, who was looking at him with a mix of embarrassment, anger and pity. Harry was standing by the fireplace.
"Here comes the waitress," Ginny announced.
Hermione stood up and received the cup of coffee. "Thanks, Ginny. I'm sorry for bothering you like this..."
"Here comes my past and future boss," Draco said. He was obviously drunk, drawling the words, with a silly smile plastered on his face.
"Come on, Draco, drink the coffee," Harry said.
"You two are some good friends," Draco said, looking at him, and then at Ginny. "Harry brings *hic* great Healers to help Danny and he stays in the *hic* hospital with my wife when I can't..."
Ginny looked at Harry. "You have been going to the hospital?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered shortly.
"You are great too, Ginny," Draco said, continuing his rambling. "You invite us to your lovely *hic* lovely house... Well, I'm not surprised with your behavior," he said, grinning stupidly. "After all, you are the moth-"
"Draco!" Hermione jumped.
Ginny felt her heart beat going one hundred times faster. "You don't have to thank me, Draco. We've known each other for a long time. Now drink that coffee. It's the first cup I've made in a while, though, I will warn you."
"Sorry for making you step into the kitchen," Draco apologized and took a sip of the coffee. "Wouldn't you like to hire me again?"
He started rambling about all of the things he had done for Virginia Weasley Fashion. Ginny heard him talk with great fear. She wanted to change the subject. What could she say to stop him from mentioning the unmentionable?
"Draco, let's go upstairs," Hermione urged, as concerned as Ginny.
"I'm talking to Gin here!" Draco said, frowning.
"I have to rest a little to go back to the Hospital," Hermione reasoned.
"That's my adorable wife!" Draco said, the cup of coffee in his hand spilling some hot liquid over the side. "She never *hic* thinks about anything but herself! If at least you had thought *hic* for a minute of your family, Danny wouldn't be sick now. If you had taken him to the hospital sooner..."
"I already told you what Healer Wood said. It wouldn't have made a difference," Hermione whispered.
"Or, or, or if you had called a *hic* doctor!" Draco continued, not hearing her. "But you are so stingy..."
"That's enough, Draco," Harry cut in, with a hard voice.
Draco looked at him. "You don't know her. You don't know my wife, 'Arry. *hic* Danny was sick, and she didn't call the doctor! Wanna know why? *hic* I'll tell ya: because of money, money, money!"
"IF YOU DON'T SHUT YOUR BLOODY MOUTH, YOU FUCKING DRUNK, I'LL KICK YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE!!"
Ginny's mouth dropped in shock. She had never heard Harry using such a language. She couldn't even remember hearing him swear before. She had always admired his coolness and calm attitude. But now, looking at him about to punch Draco, she realized why he was such a valuable member in the Resistance. He was scary.
Draco blinked and sank even more onto the couch. "I'm sorry, Harry," he muttered with a cleared voice. "This meningitis thing is driving me crazy."
But it seemed that Harry wasn't forgiving him. "Why didn't you call the doctor? Where were you?" he asked, frowning.
"I was looking for a job."
"For two days straight? Without ever coming home?" Harry asked, incredulous. "And how was Hermione supposed to pay the doctor?"
"Harry, why are you doing this?" Hermione interrupted, with a shaky voice.
"He wasn't there when you and Daniel needed him," Harry said, turning to her. "But he turns everything around and blames you!"
"He's just drunk," she tried to explain.
"Hermione..." Harry started, now forgetting that more people were in the room and staring at her intensely.
"He's right, we're under a lot of pressure..." she said, looking back at him in the same way.
Ginny looked at Harry, then at Hermione, and then at Harry again. She noticed the way they stared at each other, the way they talked at each other...
And in a very subtle way, she finally understood.
Harry was having an affair with Hermione.
Memories flooded back into her mind. When Hermione had asked about Harry so curiously, and she had lied to her about seeing and talking to him. The way that Harry had acted that time in her apartment in Saint-Ouen, when he saw the picture of Hermione and Danny... She had been so worried that he could have found out that he was her son, she didn't stop to think that there might be other reasons for him looking so pale and devastated. The strong wish to not have anything to do with the Malfoys and the indifference he treated Hermione with after they had finally met. His trip to New York, when Hermione had gone to Mexico. He had come back talking about how apart they were. The way that Harry had invited the Malfoys to stay at his house, and the rude way he was acting towards Draco now...
He wasn't having an affair with her. He was in love with her.