A/N: Hey all…. We have finally reached the final chapter of the first part of what will be a two part series… hey I like writing series… I can't help it! The next part to this story will be told at the end of the chapter… if I said it now it would give away what happens in this chapter. DON'T SCROLL DOWN TO READ! Thankyou… now thanks for the reviews, you all rock!
DISCLAIMER: I own the plot, Merle and Michelle.
Chapter Fifthteen: Leaving Early
Draco moaned as he rolled over holding a hand on his forehead. He had a major hangover from an extremely heavy night of alcohol. He sat up with a groan and heard a giggle behind him. His eyes opened wide as he stood up, grabbing his boxers and yanking them on. Lying in his bed was a naked woman with dark blonde hair and shining brown eyes. Her lips were full as her body was curvy.
"W-who are you?" asked Draco in confusion as he tried to remember last night after drowning his fifth drink.
"I am the woman who experienced the best night of sex in her life," she purred, "Come back to bed baby."
"No… ummm I think you should leave. I have to go to work soon… and err I don't normally have one nightstands," replied Draco throwing her some clothes he found on the ground that weren't his.
The woman glared at him and stood up, "I'm just another notch on your belt, aren't I?"
"No, no… last night I was messed up… the woman I love told me to leave her alone for good… it's complicated. I'm sorry."
The woman nodded, "Well… I had fun Draco… my name is Penny by the way."
Draco smiled as she left with a crack. Once she was gone he sat on his bed and ran a hand through his messy hair. All he could think of was Hermione's hurt look when he didn't answer her one critical question of whether he would defy his family for her.
When he was younger his grandmother had told him one thing he had always believed, "Family stays together through it all my boy, no one gives up family for love or friendship. Family is what counts and it will always count. Remember that."
But was family more important to Draco then love?
O
Hermione pulled her head out of the flames and dusted off her pants and shirt. She exited the floo room of her business building and headed directly to Merle's office smiling happily at the people she passed. Once at Merle's office door she knocked loudly and entered when Merle told her too.
"Morning Merle," greeted Hermione taking a seat.
"Morning Herms," came Merle's reply, "What's up?"
"I just came from a floo meeting with the lady in charge of the business department in Australia. I have chosen to situate my business in Brisbane, which is the Queensland state. And I want to leave for there in two days. I know that is really soon but you can stay here and come in October like planned but I just have to get away now."
Merle nodded, "Okay… where will we stay?"
"In a wizard hotel at Merlin Alley, which is located in the centre of Brisbane. The woman, Maddie Cooke said to floo to her office and she will escort us too the alley upon arrival. Then the day after I arrive or we arrive we find a shop in the alley to renovate to make into the Muggle Magic Wedding's Planning building. In the mean time we can look for a house to live in… one with three bedrooms," explained Hermione placing a hand on her stomach at the last part.
"Your leaving early because of Draco aren't you?"
Hermione sighed, "That is part of it. But I also want to get everything ready before the pregnancy gets too advanced."
Merle nodded, "Well then. We'd best go talk to Luna and get her too call a staff meeting now don't you think?"
Hermione smiled and nodded, "We should."
O
Everyone starred at Hermione expectantly as she stood up from her chair at the head of the table. Hermione smiled at them all and let out a deep breath before she began her talk, "Good morning everyone. As you are all aware I am leaving for Australia too open a Muggle Magic Wedding's business there and that Merle will be joining me. Originally my plan was to move there in October but due too certain happenings Merle and I will be leaving in two days. I know this is a shock but from this day Luna Lovegood will be in charge of this business until I return in a few years. I will be coming by in November to check on things as well as be here for when Ginny and Harry have their baby. Luna and I will have a flood conference meeting every week so I can be up to date on things. Should anything urgent happen I will come back until things are straightened out. Are there any questions?"
Michael raised his hand, "Will there be a second in charge?"
"Yes. You and Hannah."
Michael and Hannah both smiled at Hermione happily.
"Now… anymore questions?"
"How about we all go to Enchanted tomorrow night for a goodbye party?" shouted Sally-Anne Perkins.
Hermione and Merle laughed and preparations began for tomorrow night's party.
O
"Two days?" cried Anne in shock at her daughter and Merle, whom she considered a daughter, "Are you sure about this? It's a bit soon!"
"Mum don't worry," sighed Hermione, "I'm going to give Ron my house to live in because he is looking for somewhere to live. You can have my car and well Crookshanks is coming with me. He'd be lost without me and I'd miss him too much to leave behind."
Anne sighed, "I don't why you are running away all because of that guy."
"I'm not running away because of Draco."
"Yes you are, Hermione! Had last night never of happened you would be sticking to your original plans. Beside's don't you think you should tell him he is going to be a dad?"
"No! It will make things worse for both of us. Beside's Melanie said she saw him leaving a pub with some blonde girl last night and that they were all over each other. Didn't I mean a lot to him?" snapped Hermione bitterly as she pushed her glass water away, "Merle you should start packing. I had best go and break the news to Molly and the other Weasley's."
Merle nodded and after saying goodbye Hermione apperated to The Burrow. When she opened her eyes she saw Molly and Arthur hugging Harry and Ginny goodbye before they left for their honeymoon to Spain. All turned to see who had arrived and smiled with their greetings.
"Hi guys… I ahh just came to tell you all something," replied Hermione as Ron, Bill and Fleur entered the dining room.
"What is it?" asked Ginny worriedly, "Was the wedding illegal?"
"No! No, it was one hundred percent legal… it's something else. You all know how I was moving to Australia in October," they all nodded, "That date for my leaving has changed. I am leaving in two days."
"Oh no!" cried Ginny, "Harry and I won't be here to see you off!"
"It's okay. I'll still be coming back in November to for the birth."
"Herms just because Draco messed you up last night doesn't mean you have to leave so soon," said Ron calmly.
"I know but I just need to get away soon. Beside's Ron I want you to live in my house and have all the furniture."
"Really?" asked Ron smiling.
Hermione nodded, "You can move in the day I leave. Look Harry, Ginny I love you both and I will miss you but I need to leave now. Please don't hate me."
Harry stepped forward and hugged Hermione tightly, "We would never hate you Herms. You just take care of yourself and that little tyke inside of you okay? And write to us often as you can."
Hermione smiled and kissed Harry on the cheek before Ginny engulfed her into a hug, "I'm going to miss you so much. Please stay healthy and know you can come to us whenever you need anything at all."
"I'll miss you too Ginny. You and Harry have a blast on your Honeymoon," smiled Hermione pulling away.
Her too bestfriends smiled and with final goodbyes were gone with a crack. Just as they left an owl came flying in dropping a letter into Ron's hands before leaving. Ron opened it and grinned.
"Hermione and Merle's goodbye party is to be held at Enchanted tomorrow night from 5:30pm till 10:30pm just so they can get a goodnights rest before they leave the next day."
"We'll all be there," said Molly smiling sadly at Hermione.
Hermione smiled and let out a deep breath, "I think I'll go home and start packing my gear. See you all tomorrow night."
O
Draco handed the nurse his files as he signed his name on the book to say he was finished for the night. It was 3am and he had been working since 1pm. He walked over to his office and grabbed the things he needed and headed for the elevator listening to the two female nurses standing beside him as they waited.
"Did you hear about that really famous wedding planner? How she's leaving for Australia tomorrow. The goodbye party is on tonight at Enchanted," said the brown haired one.
"Really? Oh! That's the owner of Muggle Magic Weddings!" cried the purple haired nurse, "Wow. She's leaving? I wonder why. I heard she wasn't leaving until next month."
"Well something big must've made her changed her mind."
"Yeah."
Draco stepped out of the elevator once he'd gotten in and it reached his destination. Normally he would've headed straight home, but he needed to have a drink to calm him. Just one, not twenty or so like the night before. Who knew he could drive Hermione to feel the need to leave the country just to escape him?
O
"Dear Merlin! Draco what happened to you?" cried Narcissa running down the staircase and into the entrance hall at the sound of something crashing onto the marble floor. Behind her Lucius followed frowning at their bloody and bruised son lying on the floor with the worried house elves standing around him.
"Twinkie, Minky, Bobby clean this mess," said Lucius as he helped Narcissa life Draco off the ground and move him into the nearest room with a lounge to lay him on, "Draco it is 5:30 in the morning, you shift ended at 3am. What have you been doing?"
"Had a few drinks," mumbled Draco, "Some guy pissed me off trashing muggleborns so I kicked his arse then his mates kicked mine."
Narcissa sighed and shook her head, "Dear me. Bobby, bring me the healing kit please. Lucius get some clean cloths and warm water. You're too drunk Draco to heal yourself."
Lucius exited the room hurriedly just as Bobby arrived with the healing kit. Narcissa took it and opened it. She pulled out various vials and poured three into one flask and shook it up till the top was frothy. Lucius walked back in with a few cloths and a bowl full of warm water. Narcissa took it from him and dabbed one cloth into the water before cleaning Draco's wounds on the face and arms. She applied the mixture on them afterwards to speed up the healing process. Carefully her and Lucius removed Draco's top and together healed the bruises around the ribcage and stomach.
"Let's get you too bed," said Narcissa and with Lucius's help they helped their son walk up the staircase to his bedroom.
O
Hermione glanced at her watch and read it was midday. Only half her clothes were packed but most of her pictures, ornaments and books were packed. So far the things packed had taken up twenty boxes but Hermione knew the clever spell to make things smaller that way she could fit the boxes into a bag and when her and Merle found an actual house she could make them bigger to unpack.
Hermione carried an armful of shirts, skirts, jean and jackets and carefully packed them into a box before going back for another armload.
"Don't you think it's time you cleaned out your closet?"
Hermione jumped and spun around to see Merle enter the room, "Merle! Are you already packed?"
"Yeah… I don't have much thanks to Emery selling a lot of my things. Want some help?"
"That would be so nice of you. Could you finish packing my books in the lounge room?"
Merle nodded and exited the room to finish packing the final one hundred and twelve books.
It wasn't until twenty past four that all of Hermione's clothes, shoes, ornaments, pictures and books were packed, with her little electronic pieces she couldn't leave behind.
"I can't believe those fifty two boxes contain all that was in this house other then the furniture," commented Merle, "Twenty boxes contain your clothes. Ten have books… no thirteen do sorry."
Hermione smiled, "Oh well I have a bag in my room with some clothes in it for tonight and tomorrow… wow… I can't believe we will be in Australia… this time tomorrow."
"What time will be there when we arrive?"
"Well we are leaving here at 10am… there is an eleven hour difference so it will be… 9pm," said Hermione smiling, "It's all exciting yet nerve racking at once don't you agree?"
Merle nodded, "Are sure about this move?"
"Yes. Are you sure you want to come with me?"
"I am. Like you I think I need a fresh start to forget about Emery."
"Well then how about you go back home and shower and I'll meet you outside Enchanted at 5:30?"
Merle nodded and left. With a deep sigh Hermione looked around her at her lounge room that now only had the furniture in it. Crookshanks was walking around confused and toddled over to Hermione for familiarity. Hermione bent down and picked him for a cuddle.
"It's okay boy. Soon we will be living in a new home in Australia… I'm sure you'll love it," sighed Hermione placing him back on the ground so she could go shower and get ready for her last night out in England.
O
Draco glanced at his beside clock and read the time to be five minutes to five. Slowly he sat up and pushed the blankets back and stood up wincing a little. His rib cage hurt a lot after having it kicked at a few hundred times. Moaning in pain as he walked over to his dresser he grabbed his wand and raised his arm up crying out as a surge of pain shot across his rib cage.
"Guar," he murmured sighing in relief as the bones healed slowly and carefully as a bolt of pink light shot from Draco's wand and into his rib cage.
Changing hands, Draco raised it arm again wincing at the pain but relaxing as the spell did its work.
After healing his stomach's bruises and any others visible on his face and arms Draco dressed, grabbed his money pouch and pocketed his wand before apperating, just before his mother and father entered the room.
"He's gone," sighed Lucius.
"Obviously Lucius," snapped Narcissa, "Didn't you read the news in the Daily Prophet?"
Lucius frowned; he did read the Prophet but obviously not an article that would concern his son.
"The owner of Muggle Magic Wedding's is leaving England to open a business in Australia. She is leaving tomorrow instead of next month like she planned. Tonight at Enchanted is a goodbye party for her and a friend who is moving with her. Oh and there are rumour's circulating that she is pregnant. It was in Witch Weekly. They have a picture of her in Digion Alley looking at baby products."
"Are you saying if she is its Draco's?"
"Possibly. I know he loves the girl Lucius but if she id pregnant and it is his he will demand to be with her and to marry her."
"Tell me Narcissa… why do you keep on insisting to keep Draco away from that girl? She seems to make him happy and ever since he had broken up with her he has been moody and the past two nights he has come home drunk! Remember what I said before we went to France? If it didn't work out with Destinee we could cease on finding him a rich pureblood witch to marry and let him choose who he wants to be with."
"Lucius… she is Harry Potter's bestfriend, she is a muggleborn."
"The Dark Lord caused more chaos in this family then a death would. He created these pureblood rules and I am ending them now. I will not let my son be miserable for the rest of his life. If you wish him to become an alcoholic go right ahead but I will have no part in it," snapped Lucius storming out of his son's room in anger.
O
Hermione ran over to Merle dressed in a three-quarter length tan coloured skirt and a off the shoulder white short sleeved shirt. Her shoes were simple flip-flops with a wooden sole and white leather bit across her feet with a heart clip on the long leather strap. Her hair was out and flowing in its curls as she hugged her friend who she was now classing as a sister even though they weren't related. Merle's blonde hair was pulled back into a messy bun and her shirt as a plain black singlet top and white wash flare jeans with black leather boots.
"Herms I love that skirt!" grinned Merle as they entered the club to be greeted with loud cheers from all their friends.
Hanging above the bar was a banner with sparkly writing that changed colours. It read: WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU HERMIONE AND MERLE!
"Oh my Merlin!" cried Hermione hugging Ron then George as she looked at the decorations, "This is amazing!"
"Michael and Hannah did the decorations. They were in here all day organising everything," said
Seamus as Hermione hugged him, "Only they forgot to buy you some juice."
"Oh, well I'll got pop over to The Three Broomsticks," said Hermione.
"No-"
"It's okay I'll be right back," cut in Hermione before Seamus could stop her.
"Shit!" cried Seamus as Hermione disappeared into the crowd.
"What?" asked Molly with Arthur beside her.
"I saw Draco Malfoy wandering around out there earlier. I told him to clear off and leave Hermione alone but he wouldn't listen… what a great night she is going to have when he gets her alone."
"We should get out there before he does get her," said Arthur heading out with his wife, Ron, Seamus and Merle.
O
"Thanks Rosemerta," smiled Hermione before exiting the pub with three glass bottles of plain juice in a bag, "When you close up for the night you should come on over to Enchanted."
"I'll try my hardest dear," replied Rosemerta before Hermione pushed open the door to exit into the street. She ran down the front steps and stepped out only to have some grab her arm and spin her around.
Hermione yanked her arm away and looked up to meet grey eyes, "Why can't you just leave me alone?" She didn't yell it out, she simply said it calmly, too tired of arguing and getting emotional.
"You're leaving early and its all my fault isn't it?" he replied just as calmly.
"I need to get away for a reason beyond you. Look I have friends inside wishing to talk to me before I leave."
"Fine…"
"Have a good life Draco. I'm sure you will find someone else to make you happy the way I could when we were together."
"I wish the same on you."
Hermione smiled a little and turned to leave.
"But I'll always envy that guy and love you till the day I die."
Hermione inhaled a deep breath and turned back around. Draco's shoulders were slumped and a small bruise was visible below his left eye. Behind Hermione hurried footsteps could be heard, but whoever they were never said a word as Hermione stepped closer to Draco.
"You will always have my heart, Draco. I can't change that or deny it but moving away is for the best. You made it clear last night that you can't go against your family and I understand that. But please don't come after me, it will make things worse and they can't be that way forever."
Draco nodded before Hermione's lips connected with his in one last passionate kiss. After a few seconds she pulled away and ran a hand down his cheek, "Goodbye."
"Goodbye," he whispered in sadness as Hermione turned and walked out of his life, but not his heart.
Hermione glanced over her shoulder at Draco but saw him entering The Three Broomsticks.
"Everything okay?" asked Ron worriedly.
"I think so," replied Hermione softly, "I did what I felt was right… but Ron… just keep an eye on him for me… don't let him get into any trouble."
"I promise."
O
"Okay," sighed Hermione, "Everything has been shrunken in size so it fits into my bag… Crookshanks is in his cat box… wand is in my jeans pocket. Merle is all your thing's packed?"
Merle nodded, "All five boxes."
Hermione smiled and turned to the people watching her. They were at The Burrow, along with Hermione's mother who would be apperating back to her house with Mrs Weasley when her and Merle were gone. Hermione glanced at her watch and saw it was time to leave.
"Okay… well it's time for us too go," sighed Hermione looking at her mother.
Anne stepped over to her daughter and pulled her into a tight hug, "You take care of yourself sweetie. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything, anything at all!"
"I know Mum. I love you and you take care of yourself too okay?" replied Hermione trying not to cry as she pulled away so Merle could say goodbye.
Hermione turned to Molly who was already crying, "Thanks for everything Molly. You have always been there whenever I've gone through a hard time."
"You welcome. You take care now. Please keep in regular contact," replied Molly.
"I will," said Hermione as she hugged Arthur goodbye, then Bill, Fred, George, Charlie and Jonathon.
"You muzt keep in contact," said Fleur after hugging Hermione, "When you 'ave your baby I vill come and visit... iz that okay?"
"That would be great," grinned Hermione before turning to Ron, "Well then… do you want me to start the promise list of things I will do?"
Ron smiled a little, "Just promise to write, take care of yourself and come to me if you ever need someone to talk to or to help you out in anyway."
Hermione nodded, "I'll promise all those things if you promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"Get out there and find the girl of your dreams. She is waiting for you, I know it."
Ron smiled, "I promise that as well as keeping an eye on Malfoy for you."
Hermione nodded and hugged Ron letting her tears fall, "I'm going to miss you, Harry and Ginny a lot. We've always been together right through Hogwarts and have never been far apart and now I am going away to another country."
Ron rubbed Hermione's back comfortingly, "I know but it doesn't mean we will grow apart. Our friendship is too strong for that to happen."
Hermione nodded and pulled away wiping her eyes, "Okay… well I'll go first…"
Hermione grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the fireplace lighting up the green flames. She stepped in and turned around smiling at them all before shouting her destination clearly "The Business Department of the Australian Ministry!"
With one last look at her mother and friends Hermione was gone with a whirl of flames. She shut her eyes and held back the nausea as the spinning carried on for longer then usual. Her ears picked up the distant sounds of people talking in English, Spanish, German, Chinese, and finally English again only with a strong accent. The spinning finally came to a halt as she tumbled out of the fire place and into an office with dark blue carpet and clean white walls. Standing in front of her was a smiling woman with slightly wrinkled skin and black hair with streaks of grey and bright blue eyes.
"You must be Hermione Granger. I'm Maddie Cooke, welcome to Australia," she said her Australian accent evident due to her slight twang.
Hermione smiled and shook her hand as Merle stumbled out of the fireplace seconds later, "This is Merle Tompkins. She is a Wedding Planner as well and is coming to help me."
Maddie nodded and shook Merle's hand firmly.
"Well then lets get you too the Hotel shall we?" said Maddie leading Hermione and Merle down the corridor towards their new life in Australia.
To be continued…A/N: Okay well that did leave a lot of questions for all and they will be answered in part two. Part two will be called: Always and Forever. I should have it up in a week or so, so please keep an eye out for it. Just so you all know, I have a C2 Community called Forbidden Desire. I co-run it with another fanfic author and mybestfriend princessamelia.
Bye for now!
Love yas!
Love Coz!