Prequels in this series in order {Worthy, Winning Lucius, Wedding Jitters, Tahitian Treat}

Nusquam

Chapter 1 – Branches

"He that loves the tree loves the branch" – George Herbert

September 15th

Hermione raced through the halls of the Ministry. Why didn't I just say no to Father? In her heart, she knew that no one wanted to put a kink in Lucius' reform progress. Plus, he remained intimidating. Though he asked politely, everyone knew he ordered cordially. Normally, she wouldn't make such a trip back home from her signing in Bucharest. Though witches and wizards could travel relatively quickly, the strain of time differences and simply the hassle of the travel itself, made them stay in hotels just like the Muggles. Moreover, she and Draco agreed that when they travelled, unless they travelled together, they packed their schedules in order to finish sooner and return home quicker. However, when they travelled together they did so leisurely in order to enjoy the sights and each other.

Now, on her third father and daughter luncheon with the governors, she didn't have the heart to say no, especially since it was "Dress Like a Muggle" themed for this month and she had planned Lucius' suit. She devised the closest Muggle outfit that looked slightly magical that the family tailor could design that still reflected tradition: an onyx colored, trimmed in deep green-banded collar summer suit without a vest. On the other hand, she wore a kilted red mini with a black shirt, matching jacket and pumps that reflected youth.

Since her book signing ended slightly early, she had the opportunity to see Draco for just a little while. After over week, she missed him. "Puro," she called as she bounded in his Archival office. When she saw he wasn't sitting at his desk, her smiled turned to a frown as she looked around at the books and Quidditch memorabilia peppered throughout the ostentatious office. From behind, she heard the door close and lock.

"Amoveo," Draco commanded as all her clothes but the red-kilted mini, were cast aside.

A low growl reverberated from him, signaling he brought forth his veela side. His arm encircled her waist pulling her back against him as his lips sought her neck. Kisses quickly turned to love nips. As he drank her scent, his hand trailed down her hip and back up her inner thigh, reaching her final delight. As he titillated her, soft waves of delight pulsated through her, intensifying with each moment. Moisture trickled down her thigh as her entire body flushed with warmth. "My Dragon," she whispered as her knees weakened. "Please," she begged now as her body screamed for him. His armed tightened around her waist and he lifted her onto the couch. As she crouched on her hands and knees, he pushed her skirt up and took her. "Oh Draco," she cried as her knuckles whitened, gripping the cushions. As sheer animalistic pleasure overwhelmed her, she trembled. "H..h…harder," she begged. Roughly he grabbed her hips and ferociously pulled her against him. Her fingernails pierced the cushions. Almost breathless, now trembling, she felt afire. "Draco," she screamed as bliss gushed from her for long, incredible moments. She whimpered from sensations that overwhelmed her. When she started to collapse, he grabbed her hips once more still hungry.

"Mine," he growled.

"Yes," she whispered as she crouched helplessly. She felt him burst in her.

Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the afterglow and one last tingling sensation. Moments later, he lay down to the couch next to her, both of them dazed, breathless and glistening. Five months of marriage and we've still got it. Lazily, she cuddled in his arms, enjoying their warmth and strength. I missed him so much. "Miss me," she asked as she brushed some strands of hair from his eyes. He nodded and kissed her. "You were a bit barbaric."

"I'm barbaric." His eyes and mouth opened in shock. "How many times have I been tied to the bedposts for being a naughty dragon?"

"You have a point." She giggled. "Why am I wearing a now drenched skirt and nothing else?"

"Remember on the train ride to Hogwarts for our internship, you wore that mini?" She nodded. "Well, I really wanted to shag you then but I didn't have a chance," he confessed. "Today I conquered."

"You've conquered for almost two years now," she countered.

"It's a bloke thing," he replied.

She smiled at that logic and grabbed her wand. With a whisk of it, they were both cleaned and dressed. "Draco, my knees are all red. Everyone will know what we've been doing."

"We're married. It's expected," he reasoned. Sensing her frustration, he removed a small container from his desk. "Here's some healing salve that I use it for paper cuts."

"Thanks," she replied as her rubbed it on her knees. She kissed him quickly before heading to the door. "I've got to run to that luncheon. I love you and I'll see you in a week."

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During the luncheon, she smiled and conversed as Lucius paraded her to various governors. At only nineteen, his daughter the renowned author, Coeus Award winner, and scholar, he boasted throughout the luncheon to all the visiting dignitaries since the old guard had already heard it. From his actions, one would think he never was a former Death Eater. He had done a complete reversal and very much so overcompensated for his former actions.

After several of hours, she returned to Bucharest for a late dinner with an authors group. Once finished she returned to her hotel room, now well into their night. Exhausted, she collapsed onto her bed, still feeling the glorious but ever so slightly tingling after affects of her session with Draco.

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September 23rd

With her hand resting on her abdomen below her belly button, Hermione awoke to total beatitude. She giggled as she swore could still feel Draco in her. Though the veela side of him brought her to an animalistic orgasmic tidal wave quickly, she preferred her Draco. He could bring her to that same glorious end but with a lot more waves in between. As she packed, she remembered that she didn't take her contraceptive potion. Since Draco wouldn't be joining her on her travels, she didn't even bring it. Moreover, she knew he couldn't have taken it since his veela inheritance had come to fruition making its effectiveness iffy at best.

When she returned home, she raced to her bathroom and opened her bottle of contraceptive potion. The smell of rotten eggs sickened her: a fail-safe measure formulated into the potion to prevent damage to a fertilized egg or later a fetus. She sat on the edge of their bed worrying about how they could handle this. During their engagement, she and Draco agreed to wait about five years or more due to their age and careers. Then she reasoned that this was too early to worry. She hadn't even missed her cycle yet.

October 11th

For the past couple of weeks, forcing her worries to the back of her mind, Hermione went about business as usual until she could no longer deny that she was late. In the Muggle world, she bought a pregnancy test. While her parents were at work, she snuck in and tested herself. To her horror, she tested positive. To be sure, in the Malfoy lab she quickly formulated a potion to test herself the witch way. With a drop of blood, the clear potion turned blue: a boy. In her study, she cried worrying about how upset Draco would be, not that he would ever show it. Despite the fact that her and their baby just ruined his career, he would feign happiness.

A few hours later, someone knocked on her study door. "Go away," she shouted as she now sat there numb with worry.

"No Hermione. Tinkey thought she heard you crying so I'm coming in." Immediately, Lucius entered and sat next to her. "What's wrong?" Refusing to answer, she took the handkerchief he offered. Still uncomfortable with familial affection, he took her shoulders and gave a stifled hug while he lightly patted her back. To her horror, she leaned into him and sobbed against his chest. "Was someone rude to you? If so, you tell me their name and I will handle the situation." She gently shook her head. "Did you and Draco have a fight?" She shook her head. After a few hiccups, she ceased her tears. "Why don't you go upstairs and freshen up? It's a bit late have you had lunch yet?" She shook her head. "I haven't either. We'll discuss things and maybe you will tell me what's bothering you?"

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After freshening up, Hermione went to the breakfast nook where she joined Father, who seemed unusually happy. "I'm sorry to be a bother." Solemnly, she tasted the overly delicious Monte Cristo sandwich. "Everything is fine."

"You're not a bother at all," he assured her. "You can confide your problems with me and not be embarrassed." With a smirk, he admitted, "Remember, no matter what you have done, I have done far worse."

She laughed at that one seeing where Draco got his acerbic wit. "I guess I'm just worried about getting writer's block. I overreacted. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"First, I was only mildly uncomfortable and that is my issue, not yours," he admitted. "Moreover, I think there is more to it than that. You are only an amateur at deception whereas I am a professional." He sipped his drink. "I'm glad I could be here for you." He smiled. "Just relax and I'm sure ideas will come to you." Then they ate in silence for a bit.

"Draco will be approaching you about something though I advised him not to and I want you to be prepared." She looked at him wondering what he could possibly mean. "Lately, he's confided in me that he's anxious to start a family." She almost choked on her drink. "I told him not to pressure you since you were still young and just started your career. While I love my son, I realize he's used to having his way. Don't let him manipulate you into anything you're not prepared for."

"Thank you for warning me but I can handle Draco."

Lucius smiled at that. "You certainly can."

Though she had her doubts, he seemed sincere. Besides, how would he know? She concluded that he didn't suspect a thing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made that comment about deception or about starting a family. It would be to obvious. She also felt very embarrassed about her overly emotional state. She had never been prone to tears like that. Feeling a little tired after that meal, she excused herself for a nap.

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October 11th - continued

Draco finalized the details of his campaign, starting with a tour of the assorted Ministries around the globe, in order to promote various innovations while learning how other Ministries operated. Though he only would handle Great Britain, international publicity certainly couldn't hurt. Since by law, he couldn't hold office until he turned twenty-one, the campaign kickoff in March would make him well over that age instead of just skimming in just in time. Followed by four months of local campaigning, it worked perfectly. With five months of advanced planning for the start of it, he hoped Hermione would travel with him on a simultaneous signing tour or such.

With two tings from the Floo, done as a courtesy, his Father showed up, grinning ear to ear. "Father, this is an unexpected but welcome visit."

"And I have some unexpected but welcome news," he remarked. "Hermione is pregnant." Draco nearly fell out of his chair in utter shock. "I found her very upset in her study earlier and she refused to tell me why. When she went to wash up for a late lunch, Tinkey informed me that she had been in the lab and that something must have upset her there. I went down to investigate and found a discarded pregnancy test." Draco remembered how he had ambushed her in his office and wondered. "I haven't let on that I know. Over lunch, I told her that you were anxious to start a family but not to let you bully her. Since it will be your idea, she won't feel guilty. Believe me; she'll be very emotional during this time. You're mother was." His father seemed to reflect a moment. "Also, I put some sleeping potion in her drink so I could sneak away. I couldn't trust an owl with this."

With that surreal news, for a little while, his mind blanked. "We agreed not to start a family for at least five years," Draco remarked once he regained his senses. "I'm going to have to figure a way to backtrack that one."

"You're a politician. Lying is an art form for you." His father beamed proudly. "Speaking of which, I think the reason she was so upset was that she and the child would interfere with your career. I'm sure you'll find a way around that one as well." His father stepped back into the Floo. "Now, I must return home before anyone gets suspicious."

Alone in his office, Draco contemplated fatherhood as he formulated his web of deceit. Bollucks, I don't want this now. Though he didn't want it, he accepted it. No matter what, he would never let Hermione know his true feelings. Somehow, he would have his career and a family. Throughout it all, he didn't resent Hermione nor did he blame her. Recently, she had been worried and restless and now he knew why so he went home slightly earlier than normal that day.

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When Draco peeked into their room, he saw that Hermione still slept, now due to sheer exhaustion and worry. Brushing back a few silky strands of hair from her face, he noted her hand on her abdomen and a slight smile on her face which held a subtle glow. I'll make sure you stay happy about this pregnancy. Then he brought her a bowl of soup and tea.

As Draco entered with her dinner, she had freshened up but still looked wiped. He gave her a light kiss and put her back in bed. "Dinner in bed for you Crisalide," he requested. "You look exhausted," he remarked as he helped her into her nightgown. "When you're feeling better, I have something very important to discuss with you. I actually wanted to talk to earlier this week but you seemed preoccupied."

"Tell me now," she pleaded. "You know I hate being left in suspense."

"Well, you know when we agreed to not start a family for a few years," he confided. She nodded. "I told you what I thought you wanted to hear. I want to start a family much sooner that." Brushing her hair aside, he gently kissed her neck, like he always did when he needed to convince her of something. She gasped with pleasure. "I know it will be difficult with your career and my campaign amongst other things but together we can do this. I guess with all the apathy that I've experienced during my childhood, I just want a family of my own to compensate for it." He kissed her. "When you're feeling better, why don't we try?"

"Really," she asked. He nodded. Slowly a smile of happiness and relief crossed her face. "We already have. I'm pregnant. It's still very early but I have an appointment with the nurse next week." She hugged him tightly. "Are you in for the night?"

Draco sensed her need for reassurance. "I'll have Tinkey bring me some real food later. In the meantime, I'll get some books to read." Since he had learned of his veela inheritance, Draco ensured that he had books on the subject. At one time he had read that veelas had familial bonds so he decided to read on it further to lend credence to Hermione that he really did want to start a family.

Later that evening, Draco thought about how drastically his life had changed over the past couple of years since he won Hermione. First of all things, he befriended Harry Potter, someone he would barely speak to, became a trusted cohort that he got along with quite well. Secondly, his father rejoined the family. Though still chilly in manner most times, he did love him and they finally bonded. Third, his career, though at times overwhelming, he found it challenging and rewarding. Last and most importantly, cuddled against his chest as he read a book on familial bonds associated with veelas, his Crisalide, who slept peacefully. After the defeat of Voldemort, her compassion healed him. All that he had become stemmed from her love. She brought him more joy than everything in his whole life put together. All these farfetched unplanned events that should have never come to fruition gave him happiness beyond measure.

Now, this unplanned, unexpected fatherhood appealed to him. Following the pattern his life had taken and seeing the look of sheer bliss in his wife's eyes when she told him of her pregancy, this would only be amazing. When he rested his hand on her abdomen and brought forth his veela side, he felt a miniature but potent spark of the life force that would be his son: an act he planned to continue throughout her pregnancy to enhance the familial bond. Hermione looked up at him half-asleep. After a light kiss, he said his most heartfelt "Thank you" ever. "Come here," he whispered, cuddling her tightly.

"I didn't have to give you a hint." Lightly, she ran her finger from his wrist to his elbow: her hint to him that it was time to cuddle since it wasn't in his nature.

"See I am getting better."