Hermione stood balanced as best she could at the top of the ladder. She was attempting to put away their newest shipment before any customers came in, but the angle at which she was perched seemed to be putting her off balance. She felt the ladder wobble underneath her and tried to re-adjust but the attempt was futile and she was falling before she knew what was going on. She closed her eyes and braced for the fall, curling into a foetal position. When no painful impact occurred she opened one of her tightly closed eyes to look down and see a slender fingered hand around her middle. She saw the telltale signet ring, felt her panic rise and closed her eye tightly again.

'Hermione!' She heard Theo's voice as he came running from the back. 'What in the name of Merlin are you doing you crazy witch! I told you I would stock the books when I was done in the back!'

Theo came into view of the scene and let out a sigh of relief that she was not crumpled on the floor. He had heard Hermione's scream from the back and come as quickly as he possibly could. He knew he wouldn't make it in time, just as he should have known she would have climbed that blasted ladder to stock the shelves. Why in Merlin's name did they even have a ladder, they had magic!

'Mr Malfoy! Thank goodness you were here to catch her! Please, put her down over here, I think she may have fainted.'

Hermione was still clenching her eyes shut, afraid to open them. Why had Theo addressed him so formally?

'Certainly Mr Nott, I don't think Miss Granger should be climbing a ladder in her condition.' He laid her on the settee near the fireplace. Once she was down he took a moment to take in the rounded belly she sported along with a glance at his signet ring with a brief look of curiosity.

Once her saviour had spoken, Hermione let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and dared open her eyes, to look at Lucius Malfoy. He was standing over her, along with Theo with concern written on their faces. She sat up and made to stand but was prevented by both men.

'Thank you both, but I am perfectly fine.' She made to stand again as she heard the bell on the door chime that a customer was entering.

'Lucius,' the customer called out into the store, 'are you still in here?'

All three looked towards the doorway as Astoria Malfoy made her way towards the blonde standing near the fireplace.

'I am over here Astoria, please keep your voice down, there is no need to yell.' The annoyance Lucius let out in his words were not lost on Hermione or Theo.

As Astoria made her way towards the small group, Theo reached out instinctively to Hermione and put his arm around her shoulders. This gesture was not lost on Lucius or Astoria.

'Lucius, did you find the book you were looking for? Oh! Well isn't this an unpleasant surprise. Hello Hermione, Theo.'

'Astoria.' was all the response Hermione gave her former friend. Theo's only response was the glare he gave the younger girl.

Astoria took in Hermione's appearance. She hadn't seen her in six months, she chuckled to herself, had it really been that long? The older witch appeared to be glowing, not what Astoria had expected or hoped for. She raked her eyes over the girl and settled on the bump protruding, well that explains it, she thought. She looked at the hand held protectively over the bump and noticed plain gold band on her left ring finger. In looking at the arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders Astoria noticed a similar band adorning Theo's left hand as well.

'Well well Hermione, I see you didn't waste any time recovering from your heartbreak. Did you wait a whole month before getting knocked up by Theo here, or did you run to him that very night?'

Both Hermione and Theo's eyes went wide and she pulled away from his arm like it was on fire. Before she could get out a scathing remark, Lucius interrupted what could have been a very bad argument.

'Let's take our leave Astoria. The book I am looking for is not in stock at the moment.' He turned to Hermione. 'I will owl you Miss Granger so you may order it in for me.'

With that the pair left the store and apparated back to the manor, leaving the pair in the store to try and compose themselves as they prepared for more customers.