The pain of the mind is worse than the pain of the body.
-Pubilius Syrus
Chapter Six: Judgement Day
"Why didn't you tell me, mum?" Ron shouted, his mother standing before him with her hands on her hips.
"Hermione didn't want me to, Ronald, and I respected her decision!"
"Didn't you ever think of me?" Ron cried, his voice losing steam.
Harry and Layla sat on the couch, staring up at the two that had been locked in a screaming matching for the past half-hour.
"Of course I did, dear, but I also had to think about Hermione." Mrs. Weasley said tiredly, sitting down beside Layla.
"I have to go see Hermione." Ron suddenly said, then disappeared from the room. Layla stood up.
"I should probably go-."
"No, please, stay." Mrs. Weasley said hopefully, smiling. Layla smiled back, then nodded. Her aunt would be by to take care of her mother. Plus, she liked the noisiness of the Weasley home.
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Hermione sat in the rocking chair, a silk robe around her shoulders as she rocked back and forth. She covered her huge belly, smiling a little to herself.
Her father was at work and her mother was out shopping, giving her time alone. She liked being alone in the peace and quiet, rocking back and forth as she dreamed about her child's future. Would she love it as much as she love it now? Or would everything change as soon it came into the world?
DING, DONG! Hermione got up; wondering whom it could be as she went down the stairs. She was glad she was wearing a robe over her nightgown. She opened the door without checking through the window.
"Oh my god, Ron!" Hermione said, feeling a cold chill run over her. She wrapped the robe tighter around her, but saw Ron's eyes go to her stomach immediately. He knows!
"May I come in, Hermione?" Ron asked, unsmiling. Hermione nodded and he went in. She closed the door quietly and followed him into the living room where they sat down. Hermione sat across from him, feeling her hands trembling as she rearranged the pillows nervously.
"Um, so, how is Harry?" She asked, not attempting eye contact.
"Hermione, please. Don't act like I don't know." Ron said bluntly. At the same time as her sorrow, Hermione felt freedom. She wouldn't have to tell him!
"I'm sorry, Ron." She said softly.
"How could you, Hermione? How could you not tell me?" Ron asked, his voice rising.
"I didn't-I wasn't ready! I didn't believe it myself!" Hermione cried, looking up at Ron. She could see the pain and hurt in his sparkling eyes and she wanted to kill herself for it.
"I would have helped you. Instead, you've been going through this alone for-who knows how many months? Now, you're already showing and what am I supposed to do? Step in like it doesn't matter that you never told me?" Ron said, turning red. Hot tears stung Hermione's eyes as he spoke harshly. He was right.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Is that all you can say?" He snarled, standing up. Hermione looked up; her eyes like pools of dark water.
"What else is there to say, Ron? Why are you so angry? I apologized." She whimpered, frightened by the deadly glint in Ron's eye.
"Why am I so angry? Because you didn't trust me enough to tell me in the beginning, that's why." Ron retorted, taking a deep breath. The fear in Hermione's big chocolate eyes made him quiver with guilt inside.
"I trust you, Ron." She murmured, dropping her eyes.
"Not enough." Ron said, before turning away from her toward the door. Hermione saw it and jumped up.
"You're not leaving, are you?" She asked. She held back the 'me'.
"I can't stay."
"You said you'd help me!" Hermione cried, trying to reach him. Ron edged away. The next thing he said hurt him so much he felt his heart break in two, along with hers.
"It's too late, Hermione."
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For the next two days, Hermione stayed in her room, sobbing. She hated him and wanted him all at the same time; wanted him to hug her and reassure her she'd be okay. But he had refused. Refused to help her just because he had no forgiveness.
Hermione flipped onto her back and let the last of her tears fall down the sides of her face. She felt like pummeling something, but she was too weak. She loved Ron, and she had thought he loved her back. She felt so stupid to have been so mistaken. He had never loved her; he had only wanted her for her body. Now, she was paying for it.
She needed Layla. She needed the strong girl to tell a joke, or say something mean in that sarcastic way of hers. But Hermione didn't know then what turmoil her counselor was going through herself.
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"Let me go!" Layla tried ripping away from the man's strong grasp but it was nearly impossible. He had her by the back of the neck, pressing his fingers down in the painful places. Layla felt her eyes water, just as the man dropped her. She fell to her knees, gasping for breath. For sweet air.
"You should have known that you would pay for breaking my son's heart." The man snarled, kicking her in the back so she collapsed onto her stomach.
"I didn't break anything!" Layla cried, trying to keep from sobbing. The man laughed and poked at her back with his boot.
"You broke everything, just like you broke your innocence. You should marry him. Actually, let me rephrase that. You will marry him. You have no choice." The man said, smiling evilly. Layla gulped with shock.
"What? I'd never marry your son!" She screamed, turning her head to look at the man. He smirked.
"You'd do everything else with him. This is a nice time for your mother to be ill. If you don't agree to marry my son I'll, oh, accidentally slip something in your mother's medicine." The man smiled.
"If you do, I'll slit your throat." Layla hissed, anger and fear running through her veins like blood. She knew she'd end up on his side of the bargain, because she would so anything for her mother.
"Hmm. I'm guessing you agree then?"
"If you promise on your life never to hurt my mother." Layla said, struggling up. The man clapped his hands joyously. He withdrew a velvet box from his cloak pocket and handed it to Layla.
"I promise. Good, I shall tell him right away. Put that on." Layla opened the box to find an enormous diamond ring, so big she knew it would weigh down her whole hand before she put it on. She slid it onto her left ring finger and looked at is unfamiliarity. Hot panic rose up her throat.
"Get out." She hissed, raising her blue eyes to his. The man nodded, bowed insultingly and disappeared down the hallway to the front door. He stopped though. Once making sure the girl did not seem him, he turned into a hall bedroom.
He looked at the sleeping woman and shrugged, still smiling. He took a vial filled with clear liquid from his cloak and dumped the contents into the cup on the bedside table.
"I promised her I wouldn't hurt you. I'm not hurting you, darling, I'm killing you."
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Harry walked down the hallway of St. Mungo's urgently, dread rising in his heart.
When he reached the door, he found that the plaque that once said Ambra Ogilvy was gone. Confusion flew through him as he opened the door. A janitor was stacking books when he came in.
"Can I help you?" He asked, eyeing Harry.
"Where is Ms. Ogilvy?" Harry asked, his eyes darting around.
"The missus is dead. Died last night. Her daughter just got engaged. Hard for the girl, I bet." The man went back to cleaning, shaking his baldhead. Harry stood there, shock paralyzing him.
"Harry?" The sweet voice coming behind him made him want to cry with joy.
"Layla!" He said, rushing toward her. He could see happiness in her eyes as she hugged him. But she quickly let him go. She lifted her hand in front of his face and he saw the huge ring.
"I'm getting married. Next month. It was kind of short notice." And for the first time, Harry saw tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry." He murmured before wrapping her up in his arms again. She dried her tears against his cloak, breathing deeply like she used to when she was young and worked up.
"I don't want to get married." Layla said, her voice firm and sure. Harry felt his heart sing. So she hadn't agreed on it meaning-.
"Who forced you?" Harry asked, pushing her back to look her in the eye.
"His father." She replied simply, crossing her arms.
"Who is it?" Harry asked, more kindly now.
She frowned.
"You might know him. He went to Hogwarts also." Harry felt happier at the thought. Maybe the person would be a friend of his and the whole father thing was a mistake.
Ron stormed into the shop, sending the customers flying. Fred and George Weasley looked up and both frowned. The unexplainable fury on their little brother's face was one they had never before seen.
"Ron, Ron!" Fred grabbed Ron by his shoulders and spun him into the back room. Ron shook him off and turned around to face them.
"Get your hands off me!" He said angrily, his already pink face turning a deeper color. The twins stared at their brother, all sense of teasing and fun gone.
"What's with you, little brother?" George asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Leave me alone!"
"Ronald, you came to us. Now sit down. This must have something to do with Hermione." Fred said, sighing and rolling his eyes. Everyone in the family knew the secret.
"I don't want to." Ron pouted, feeling just like he did when he was five.
"Then don't-." George started viciously, but Fred cut him off.
"Why don't you tell us what happened?"
"I told Hermione that…I can't help her." Ron said after a pause. There was another moment of silence as the twins digested the information.
"Well, you've gotten yourself into quite a problem, haven't you little brother?" George said, sitting down on a cardboard box. It sagged under his weight perilously.
"Are you completely mad?" Fred's calmness blew up right in his face. Before he could stop himself, he had already shouted it out. Ron looked up with a surprised expression, as well as George.
"What-." Ron started.
"First, you get Hermione pregnant and then you just abandon her? You're dumber than I thought, you little git!" Fred yelled, grabbing Ron by the arm and shoving him into the main shop. Ron stumbled forward, his face agape.
"Mr. Weasley? We've had a little accident." The girl that stood in front of Ron took his breath away. Long, golden hair that swept perfectly down her back and clear, crystal blue eyes. She was slim and long-limbed and that was all he could notice as Fred shoved him aside to get to the cashier.
"Okay, Minta, I've got this one." Fred disappeared holding the hand of the boy with an abnormally Snape-ish looking nose.
"Um…hi." Ron said shyly, just as the cashier was about to turn away. She looked over her shoulder and smiled a huge, white smile.
"Hello. You must be Ronald. Oh yes, your brothers have told me all about you. I'm so honored to meet you! My name's Minta Lawrence." Through her comment she had turned around and taken Ron's trembling hand. She shook it with her warm dry hand, smiling at him the whole time.
"Uh-yeah, I am." He stammered. Minta smiled and turned away. She vanished into the crowd. George had seen the whole thing.
"No, bad. Go home, Ron." George hissed as he led his little brother to the door. Ron was still in a daze as he was deposited on the front stoop. Before he would know it, he and Minta would become much more.
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Layla went inside the empty house. She dropped her bag on the door side bench and slowly went in to the bedroom. It was so quiet; so…dead.
"You're home…at last." Layla spun around. Her eyes narrowed.
"Who let you in?" She snarled.
"Don't be stupid. No one's here to let me in. I let myself in and I'm sorry, but I couldn't freeze my adorable little butt of any longer." The man, more of a boy, smiled charmingly, the same way that made Layla fall for him in the beginning.
"Fine. Whatever." She muttered, trying to get used to the idea that this man was her husband-to-be. No matter what she did, she was getting married to him.
"Stop, please." It was times like these, when he spoke softly and apologetically that made her want to slap him. How could he act so nice when he knew she was only here because of his father?
"What?" She asked in her meanest voice. His silver eyes sparkled at her.
"Don't act like this. We're getting married, aren't we? Sure, I may be known to be a total prick, but I won't be that way to you, all right? This may be off character of me to say. It hurts, honestly it does." He said dramatically, smirking.
"It should." Layla retorted, but she couldn't help but smile. In return, the boy smiled also.
"That's the spirit." He whispered, tipping her chin up with one finger and brushing his lips against hers softly. It drove her crazy, the way he did it, but at the same time, she loved it. She watched him as he backed away.
"I have to go, but I promise you I'll stop by soon." Then, he was gone.
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Harry was in just as bad a mood as Ron as both apparated into the Weasley kitchen at the very same time.
"Bloody hell, Harry!" Ron shouted, stumbling back as his friend appeared right in front of him.
"Oh...Ron." Harry murmured, not even looking at his friend before swinging the door to the den open and stepping in. Ron looked after him, wondering what was eating at him.
"Harry!" Ron called as he went into the den. Harry was standing at the window, staring out at the darkening sky.
"Yes?" He asked, turning to look at his friend out of deep green eyes. Ron felt a dead weight fall on his heart.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"Layla is getting married."
"Layla, as in Hermione's counselor?" Ron lied, knowing fully well who Layla Ogilvy was. She had taken intrigued him the first time she had come.
Harry nodded demurely.
"She's getting married? I mean, isn't she eighteen?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Yeah. She was forced to." Harry said, a deep, angry color rising in his cheeks.
"Oh. By who?" Ron asked, forgetting his initial troubles for his best friend.
Hermione flipped the pages of the calendar absently. She had forgotten to flip over three months. It was now about February. She looked down at her big belly. Two more months to go.
Christmas had been less festive than she had wanted. Her parents were busy and she had never gotten to see any of her friends. She only got a package from the Weasleys and Harry. Nothing from Ron.
Hermione felt a tear slide down her cheek. She hadn't given up hope that maybe, just maybe, Ron would appear on her front door, tell her he was sorry, that he loved her with his whole heart, and that he would be the best dad he could be. Hermione didn't know how mistaken she was.
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The chilly rain pattered against the windowpane. Ron's blue eyes did not waver under it, but rather sucked it in. He loved the peaceful sound of it.
"Ron, someone's at the door." Ginny said, sticking her head in. She did not stay long enough for Ron to ask her who it was. She had been avoiding him ever since Ron's abandonment of Hermione.
"Um…hi." Ron felt his tongue constrict in his throat. It was Minta Lawrence from his brother's shop! He ran a hand through his hair nervously.
"Hi. I hope I'm not interrupting you in anything." She said, her big blue eyes staring at him adorably. Ron shook his head and invited her in. She happily stepped in and took the chair Ron held out for her.
"This is a lovely place." She said, smiling, her eyes roving around. Ron couldn't take his eyes off her.
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Draco Malfoy looked up to see his enemy, Harry Potter standing over him. He sneered.
"Potter. Sit down." He said, tipping back in his chair and pointed at the chair across from him.
"Thanks." Harry muttered and took the chair, half expecting it to explode at his pressure. It did not and he could slightly relax.
"So, why are you here?" Draco drawled, speculating his rival.
"I want to talk to you about Layla." Draco's head shot up from where he had looked down at the paper in his hand. His eyes narrowed.
"What about her?" He snarled.
"Your father killed her mother and you're forcing her to marry you. Don't you think I should say something?" Harry replied, his expression just as deadly.
"Listen to me, Potter. I had no part of her mother's murder and to my forcing her, that was again my father. Layla and I have dated once before, when we were sixteen. I love her, Potter. Don't you doubt that." Draco hissed, standing. Harry stood up as well, partially stunned by Malfoy's words. Malfoy, love her?
" Don't lie, Malfoy." Harry retorted, stopping himself from saying, 'I love her.'
"I'm not, Potter." Draco sat back down, looking up at Potter, inviting him to sit back down with the glint in his eye only Harry could understand. Harry sat down and both were quiet for a moment.
"I never thought you could love anyone. "Harry said.
"I've always acted cold because that is how I was raised. I love Layla, because she is strong and she is the only girl I have met who doesn't simper or bat her eyelashes at me." Draco said fiercely, his hands clenching the paper until it tore.
"I know what you mean." Harry let slip. Draco looked up.
"Don't tell me you fell for her too, Potter."
"Could I have helped it?" Harry asked, smiling tiredly. Draco smirked, then it slid into an easy smile.
"I guess not. It's funny how we're always competing for things." Draco sighed and looked away. There was a moment of understanding passing through them right at that moment. A moment that had never before occurred.
"I should go." Harry muttered, getting up and walking out of the room. Draco watched the defeated boy leave, but felt no thrill of his success.
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Hermione threw Harry's letter into the crackling fire, feeling grief and anger overwhelm her. How could he? How could he honestly do this to me?
Dear Hermione,
Ron is too much of a coward to write or see you. I know you'd want to hear this from him, but that would never happen. Ron is engaged. Her name is Minta Lawrence and she is very nice. Don't worry. I know you're probably crying or furious about this, but please, Hermione, forget about Ron? Have the baby and give it to people who can take care of it? Remember, I'm always here for you.
Love,
Harry
Hermione breathed loudly, biting her lip to keep back the vomit that threatened to over spill her willpower. Ron had gotten her pregnant then so easily betrayed her. How could he?
She was due any day now, and she was glad. The initial excitement of her baby's arrival was now welcomed by something other than joy. No, it was fueled by desperation and bitterness, only made worse by Harry's letter and Ron's cowardice.
Then, Hermione smiled. It was a smile unlike any she had ever used before. It was evil and deceitful, but with all the better intentions. Revenge.
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Layla Malfoy opened the door, holding a basket of laundry but instantly dropped it when she her friend.
"It's so great to see you!" Layla squealed as she pulled Hermione into a hug. Hermione beamed.
"Layla! I haven't seen you forever. Really, I must say, it doesn't seem like he's been hurting you." Hermione said, frowning worriedly. Layla rolled her eyes, still smiling.
"Honestly, where do you all come up with this? Harry has already stated the same thing. Draco does not abuse me. He is a perfectly fine husband. Except his vanity in clothing. Look at all this!" Layla cried, throwing up her hands as she crouched down to pick up the robes and shirts that had fallen from the basket.
Hermione smiled and apologized that she couldn't help.
"You are not to help me, Hermione. Look at you! When are you due?" Layla asked, leading Hermione into the living room. The women sat down and drank tea, laughing happily like young girls, which in fact, they still mostly were.
"Have you heard?" Hermione suddenly said, a cloud growing over her face. Layla tipped her head.
"That Ron is getting married?" She said, not at all restraining her hurtful comment. Hermione felt the gash in her heart open more.
"Thanks, that made me feel so much better."
"Hermione! No, don't say that you actually care about him still!" Layla exclaimed, her big blue eyes growing wider.
"I do, Layla! He's the father of my child and I love him!" Hermione said, feeling hot tears sting her eyes.
"H-." The door opened then, with a loud bang, making both girls jump.
"Layla?" Hermione recognized the male voice at once and she felt herself cringe. Draco Malfoy stepped into the living room, a swirl of handsome emerald robes. His keen eyes spotted the very pregnant Hermione Granger and his wife, both staring up at him. Hermione dropped her eyes.
"Oh, I didn't know you had guests." Draco murmured, holding back all his snide comments about Hermione's bloodline. He could see the way her shoulder tensed that she was waiting for them, just like when they were at Hogwarts.
"Seriously, stop it you two." Layla said angrily, standing up and sweeping around Hermione's couch. She grabbed Draco by the arm and threw him on the couch. The blonde stumbled and fell down. There was a stunned look on his face that almost made Hermione laugh.
"And people think I'm the mean one." He muttered, settling down uncomfortably. Layla took her seat and before giving Draco a dirty look, smiled warmly at Hermione.
"You know, Draco tells me that you two are enemies." Layla began, her voice calm and friendly. Hermione stiffened. It was bad enough being in the room with him, but to review their relationship, if there ever was one?
"Well, we aren't exactly friends." Hermione said, feeling oddly as if she was in a shrink's office. Layla beamed.
"I put all blame on Draco." She chimed. Hermione smirked at Draco's putout expression. You should know she isn't one to be controlled, She told Malfoy mentally. As if he could read it, Draco shot Hermione a grudging look.
"Layla, I need to go back to the Ministry, but I'll be home later. Nice to see you, Gra-Hermione." Draco said, standing up and wincing at the same time.
"Nice to see you too…Malfoy."
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Ron stared at his mother and his fiancee, who were both avidly talking about the wedding plans. He had been up all night long, and now he had a raging headache.
"Mum-." He whimpered childishly, only to be waved off.
"Not now, Ronald." Mrs. Weasley said, turning to her son and sighing. He could tell she was tired too, and wasn't enjoying it. She hadn't been that happy in the beginning.
"Ron, what do you think of having my niece Alexandra as the flower girl?" Minta asked energetically, brushing his knee under the table.
"That's great," He said, yawning. He wanted nothing more than his bed.
"Ron, go to bed." Mrs. Weasley suddenly said, not even looking at him. He nodded stupidly before getting up and going up the stairs. He showered and got into bed. The moment his head rested on the pillow, everything rushed back to him.
"Honestly, Harry, do you really want to be here?" Ron asked as he followed his friend up the steps of the church and inside. The music was already in full swing. They watched from the side as Layla came down in her beautiful white gown, her blue eyes half closed and staring at the ground. She was escorted by her uncle, having no other family members left.
Draco stood at the end of the aisle, slick and handsome in his dark clothing. Harry felt his blood bubble jealously. As much as his hatred for his enemy had gone down, he'd never let Malfoy live this one down.
Ron shifted awkwardly, watching the inward battle raging in his best friend. He never knew a girl could do such things to Harry Potter, who could easily defeat any dragon, any dementor, or any wizard.
The music ended as abruptly as it started.
Ron would always remember the day he knew Harry didn't love Ginny and had stopped after he had met Layla Ogilvy. Ron felt bad for both. And especially Layla who would have to live with Ferret Boy forever.
Then, the last person he wanted to think about came into his mind. Hermione. His beautiful Hermione. Everyday since he left her he regretted it and he had stumbled into marriage blindly, just to keep her away. And now, he knew she hated him. Ron tossed on his bed. It was so quiet.
Ginny hardly spoke to him lately and Harry had gone to Remus Lupin's house on an invitation for the summer. He hadn't been reluctant to leave, Ron thought. He frowned in the dark. Was anything in life easy these days?
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The next morning, Ron woke up to blissful silence. He flipped over and said cheerily,
"Good morning, Hermione." He realized his mistake too late. Minta turned around and lucky for Ron, was still asleep. His breathing came in quick, short gasps of shock.
"Ron?" Minta asked groggily, opening her eyes.
"Yes?" He asked, trembling a little as he scooted out of bed.
"Did you say something a few minutes ago?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.
"No." Ron said hurriedly, turning toward the dresser and taking out some clothes.
"Oh," Minta said.
A/N: Thanks for all the R/R!!! You guys are the best!!! And about Ron+Minta, just ignore how fast it went. It explains itself later!
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