It was the annual Halloween Masquerade of the British Ministry of Magic. Every year the employees would dress to the nines and put on masks, go to the ballroom of a posh hotel and play pretend like they didn't know who was who. Hermione Granger smirked. The ball was a tradition, but it had turned into an excuse for singles all over the ministry to shag anonymously and the next Monday go to work feigning ignorance. Maybe tonight she would play the game. Maybe she would find someone attractive enough to break the dry spell that was her dating life. She was a workaholic, and her rapidly ascending career was intimidating to most men, so dating was a drag. But she was feeling lonely, and she had not had sex in over a year. Maybe if she got a good one that would buy her another year.

She scanned the room, and then she saw him. He had jet black hair and a Phantom of the Opera type of mask, but she knew the hair was a glamour. She would recognize that smirk anywhere. And no one had grey eyes like those. Hermione walked to the bar and stood next to her best friend.

"Who does Malfoy think he's fooling with that black hair? Like it would be even possible for him to hide in plain sight."

"Give the bloke a break, 'Mione," answered Harry, "he's leaving tomorrow for the undercover assignment with MACUSA, and even I fear for him. Two years minimum. I'm allowing him to go on a suicide mission only because he insisted, and he really is the best one for the job. But I'm sure that he may be feeling that he needs a good shag tonight. Merlin knows what would happen after tomorrow."

She looked at Malfoy and sigh. After 5 years of training for the ministry and working together, they had a polite acquaintance type of relationship. Turned out that when you stripped Malfoy of his arrogance and pureblood bullshit what was left was nothing less than a gentleman. A chivalrous one, that was now putting his life at risk to save muggleborns like her from a new generation of crazed dark wizards. The guy did deserve a good shag. Not that she would ever admit that for the last two years she finally saw him for what he was: an insanely hot and delicious man. Maybe she could be the right woman for this particular job.

She decided to pretend, like everyone else. She had her hair straight and highlighted, and was wearing a mask. Not the best disguise, but wouldn't it be nice if Malfoy would actually go for it knowing it was her? Why not give this a try.

She walked to stand next to him, giving him a sweet smile. He answered in kind.

"Good evening madam"

"Good evening sir. Care to take a lady to the dance floor?"

"It would be my pleasure."

They danced, laughed, and flirted, both of them pretending to be strangers. After a few waltzes, he offered his arm and they went to the balcony for some air. They immediately started kissing passionately. He said

"I have the penthouse suite. Join me there?"

"Absolutely."

He apparated them to the magnificent room, and before things went further he said

"I have to live early in the morning to start an overseas assignment. Please don't be offended."

She smiled. He was sweet. Too bad now he would be gone.

"Don't worry."

They kept their masks on and had an incredibly sensual night. He was a fantastic lover, and she was very much inclined to please him in return. It was just extraordinary.

The next morning Hermione woke up and he was gone. There was a white rose on the pillow next to her, with a note.

You are a light in a world of darkness.

Her eyes tear up. He was gone. He may die. She may never know if there could have been a future for them.

For the next few weeks, Hermione focused on work, trying to forget the pain in her heart. Why is she reacting so hard? But then she felt sick. Every morning she would wake up and run to the bathroom. Maybe she had a virus? The third day it happened she went to St Mungo's to see Andromeda Tonks, her personal healer. Andromeda only needed to look at her to know what was going on, still, she performed the spells to confirm it.

"You are pregnant my dear. I hope this is good news?"

Hermione's head spun. She had to put her head between her knees to breath. Andromeda rubbed her back compassionately, waiting for her to come back up. Hermione looked at her with tears in her eyes.

"Draco is the father."

"Oh boy."

Andromeda hugged her tight. She was not privy to where Draco was, but she had repaired her relationship with her sister Narcissa, and she knew she was dead worried about her son and that he was gone on a secret mission that he might not come back from. Andromeda's heart ached.

Hermione went to work the next day and collapsed on her desk chair. At that moment Harry came by to check on her.

"Mione, are you ok? What is it? Is it something serious? What did Andromeda say?"

"I'm pregnant"

"Oh"

"Draco Malfoy is the father."

"Oh, shit."

Harry came around to hug her. He was the only person privy to Draco's whereabouts, but still, it was extremely dangerous to try to contact him. He could only wait for Draco to communicate first. Also, if he found out about the baby they could all be in danger. Malfoy was an outstanding Occlumens, but the people he was dealing with were capable of anything. Torture, legillimency, veritaserum, muggle truth serum. It was better if he did not have personal information that could be used against him. He didn't need to explain that to Hermione. All he could do was to be there for her.