AN- No I don't own the characters

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Chapter 3

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"Here are all the books and magazines I could find, Hermione," Ginny sighed heavily, dumping a pile on the ground beside her. "I never realized how much work it is to be pregnant."

Hermione chuckled as she reached forward to grab a random book. "Thanks, Ginny. You've no idea how much your support means to me."

Ginny placed a hand on her friend's knee, "I'm always here for you, Hermione. You know that."

"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully, giving her hand a squeeze.

"I'm sure Harry and Ron are, too," Ginny said knowingly. "That is, if you decide to tell them."

Hermione's grateful feelings decreased as she sighed heavily. "No, Ginny. I can't tell them yet, please try to understand-"

"I do!" Ginny interrupted. "But they're your two best friends, right? Surely they would stand by you no matter what?"

Hermione made a small impatient sound as she snapped the pregnancy book shut. "Ginny, please. Just give me some time."

Ginny bit her lip to keep from retaliating and counted to ten to calm her anger. "Fine."

Hermione let out a small breath of relief. She looked up from her closed book to give her friend a warm smile, hoping that would dampen the tension around them. To her relief, Ginny gave a reluctant smile back before grabbing another book.

"So," Ginny started, flipping through the pages, "What is there to know about being pregnant?"

"That's what the books are for,'' Hermione laughed, nodding towards the pile.

"Merlin, listen to this!" Ginny laughed, pointing at the sentence as she re-read it, "According to this book, if your baby is a boy, he can get an erection while in your womb!"

"Ginny!" Hermione laughed, throwing the book at her ridiculous friend. ''You're being-"

"Look!" Ginny scoffed, shoving the book in front of her.

"No, thank you," Hermione smiled, shaking her head.

She glanced at Ginny as she continued to voice out random facts and sighed with contentment. Even during tough times like these, she was thankful to have a friend like Ginny to keep her sane.

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"I don't want to go there," Ron complained as Hermione dragged him inside the ice cream parlor. "We've been here a hundred times already, I'm tired."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, "Ronald Weasley tired of eating ice cream? Rubbish."

"I mean it, Hermione," Ron scoffed, looking down at his stomach. "Mum said I need to lay off the sweets so I don't end up like Harry's Uncle."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're being stupid, Ron. Fine, if you don't want any, I'll buy one for myself."

Before Ron could answer back, he was cut off my a smooth feminine voice.

"Pardon me."

Hermione stiffened. She recognized that voice. Merlin, what the hell was she doing there? The place was packed with Muggles!

Ron frowned at Hermione's behavior before turning to the voice.

"Astoria," he said coldly, remembering the woman from the restaurant. "Can we help you with something?"

Astoria smiled. "Actually, I wanted to thank you both for my fiancé."

Knowing she was acting rude, Hermione sighed as she hesitantly turned around to face the soon-to-be bride of the father of her baby. With that thought, Hermione inwardly cringed.

"Thank us? What for?" Hermione finally said, civilly. If Astoria wanted to act civil, then she could too, right?

"Well you helped-"

"There you are."

Hermione inwardly groaned. Was Merlin punishing her for something she'd done?

"I'm not hungry anymore," Hermione suddenly said, grabbing Ron's arm.

"Oh, please wait," Astoria pleaded. "I really think Draco wanted to thank you both, as

well!"

Before Hermione could protest, her living nightmare started walking towards them.

Draco Malfoy was wearing an impatient look on his face as he addressed Astoria, "Where have you been? Mother and I have been looking all over for you. You know we're not familiar with these Muggle towns."

Astoria turned to him and gave him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, love. I saw Weasley and Granger and I wanted to thank them personally."

Even though Hermione was concentrating hard on the selection of ice creams on the wall, she could feel Draco's piercing gaze on her face.

"Weasley," Draco nodded, his eyes not leaving Hermione. "Granger."

Hermione involuntarily glanced at him with a sigh. To her annoyance, he was smirking.

"You two on a date?" he asked so conversationally that Hermione wanted to vomit.

"Um-"

"Yes."

All three of them were looking at Hermione. She secretly gave Ron a slight pinch on the side as she glided her hand into his.

"Yes, we are."

Draco quirked an eyebrow as he glanced at Ron.

"I'm not entirely surprised. But come on now, Weasley; even you can do better than a..." He gave Hermione a once over while sneering, "plain girl like Granger. Even that bint Brown was better looking."

"Draco!" Astoria gasped, "What the bloody hell is wrong with you!"

"You take that back!" Ron barked angrily, ready to whip out his wand.

Hermione just stood there, feeling shocked and hurt.

She swallowed hard before clutching Ron's hand tightly. She leaned towards her friend and whispered, "I'm not craving for sweets anymore. Can we go?"

"I was just joking," Draco smirked, though his eyes meant otherwise as he continued to look at Hermione.

Something about his stare made Hermione uncomfortable.

Was there something on her face? Was she showing already? She knew Magical pregnancy was different than a normal Muggle pregnancy.

"Well, Mother and I will meet you by the portkey. Don't be late," Draco said sharply to Astoria, as if nothing had happened.

Hermione wanted to slap him.

Astoria rolled her eyes as Draco walked away without saying a proper goodbye.

She turned to Hermione and sighed, "I'm so sorry, Granger. I didn't know Draco was going to be so harsh-"

"Yeah right," Ron muttered. "I bet you planned everything didn't you?"

Astoria glared at him, "No, I didn't. I mean, I knew you lot had some history, but I thought he would be over it."

"It's okay," Hermione cut in, before another argument grew. "I'm used to his... humour."

Astoria flashed her a sad smile. "I really am sorry, Granger."

Hermione suddenly thought that someone as beautiful and nice as Astoria deserved better than Draco.

"Call me Hermione."

Laughing, Astoria patted Hermione on the arm. "I'll see you around then, Hermione. Weasley."

Ron nodded back and watched with amusement as she walked away to follow her husband-to-be.

"That was weird," Ron commented. "What was that all about anyway?"

"No idea," Hermione sighed, letting go of her friend's hand. "I'm sorry I had to put you on the spot like that."

Ron's cheek turned slightly pink as he wiped his now sweaty hands on his pants. "It was no problem. Really."

"I just didn't want Malfoy to-"

"Make fun of you, I know," Ron finished for her. "He did it anyway."

"Git," Hermione sighed. "So, want some free ice cream or not?"

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"What was that all about?" Astoria snapped, shutting their bedroom door closed for some privacy.

Draco rolled his eyes, "What are you on about now?"

"At the Muggle shop!" Astoria shouted, glaring at the pathetic man in front of her. "Honestly, when I was trying to be nice to those who have helped us in so many ways, you have to go and ruin it!"

"Didn't I already tell you I thanked them?" Draco scoffed. "Besides, it was obvious they wanted to be alone on their little date. If Granger is desperate enough to go for that weasel, I'm sure she must be in dire need of a good shag.

Astoria stared at her fiancé with a mixture of confusion and anger. "What is wrong with you, Draco? What's going on?"

"Nothing," Draco spat, dragging his tie down and throwing it on the bed. "Now shut up so we can go downstairs and have supper."

Astoria stared at him for a few seconds longer. "You're a real piece of work, Draco Malfoy. I've no idea why my parents arranged me to be married to you."

Draco listened to her walk away as he continued to change his clothes. He didn't know why he acted the way he did. It was just how he was.

Was it wrong of him to be acting how he truly felt? Besides, it wasn't like he was lying.

Weasley didn't deserve Granger.

Draco closed his eyes and groaned. The throbbing pain inside his head was increasing. Who cared if he'd hurt her feelings? She should get used to it.

Letting out a tired sigh, he threw himself on the bed and lay down flat to stare at the ceiling. He had just realized something. He couldn't really pinpoint it, but something about the mudblood was different.

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"A scoop of cake batter flavored ice cream with a scoop of the peanut butter, please?" Hermione asked eagerly, standing on her tip-toes as she stared down at the selection of sweetness in front of her.

The lady gave her a smile back and handed her the sweet. "Here you go, dear."

"Thank you," Hermione grinned, absently placing her other hand on her slightly bigger stomach as she reached for the ice cream.

The lady noticed this and smirked knowingly. "Ah, I remember my first pregnancy. Made me want to buy a lot of chocolate bars, but I never really ate them!"

Hermione bit her lip, as she handed her the payment. "Oh, does it show already that I'm... expecting?"

She knew Wizarding pregnancy was different than Muggle pregnancy.

According to the Witch's Guide to Pregnancy, Volume I, she would crave more things than a Muggle pregnant woman, her emotions would run even more wild, and her hormones might even drive her to act like a completely different person. But the book did say it could vary between witches, so she was hoping things wouldn't get too bad.

"Not that bad, dear," The lady assured her, as Hermione headed towards the exit. "Stay safe out there!"

Hermione waved, feeling warm and happy. It had been awhile since she'd been so happy. She couldn't help but feel free and new. She ate a mouthful of the cake batter ice cream and moaned indulgently.

"Well, well, well," a voice drawled to her right.

Upon hearing that voice, the delighted and blissful feeling of just a moment ago vanished and was replaced with horror and shock.

This was the first time they found themselves alone together since that horrible night.

"Go away, Malfoy," Hermione growled, taking longer, faster strides.

Draco smirked, "Ice cream again, Granger? Careful, you looked like you've gained a stone."

Hermione shot him a look, "What are you doing here?"

"Astoria has decided to degrade herself by getting a Muggle-made wedding dress," Draco scoffed, placing his hands inside his pockets. "Pathetic."

"You're pathetic!" Hermione spat, whirling around to face him. "I mean, what do you want from me? Are you stalking me?"

Draco had the nerve to chuckle. "Funny. I could ask you the same thing. Tell me Granger, do you miss me or something?"

"What?"

"Weasley not up to your standards? That's why you're making sure you're everywhere I am?" Draco asked, smirking menacingly. "Need me again? Because if you do-"

"Fuck. You." Hermione spat slowly.

Draco's eyes narrowed as his smirk turned more sinister.

"Don't you remember, Granger?" He breathed softly, "You already did."

The sound of her slap was enough to cause some of the people passing to stop short and look at them in shock.

Draco slowly turned his head back to face her and smirked without humor. Hermione was shocked.

Shame and embarrassment were surrounding her as she saw several people eying them. Merlin, couldn't they mind their own business?

"Malfoy, I'm so-"

"You're going to regret that, mudblood." Draco sneered, making her involuntarily take a step back.

Without warning, he smacked the ice cream from her hand and smirked as it fell to the ground in a mess. Hermione stared at the ground in shock before looking back at him with a glare on her face.

"How dare you?"

"Like I said," Draco said, "you look a bit fatter since I saw you. Don't want to end up looking like Goyle, do you?"

Hermione felt that familiar sting in her eyes, but refused to show any weakness in front of Malfoy. But he noticed. And he loved it.

Smirking again, he gave Hermione a fake pout. "Aw, did I hurt the mudblood's feelings?"

"I thought you'd changed," Hermione said softly. "At the bookstore that day, you were nicer...I thought you had actually changed? I-"

"Merlin, you're so gullible." Draco laughed cruelly. "You should keep a reminder inside that innocent little head of yours, Granger, that guys will say anything to land themselves a quick fuck."

Hermione was shaking. She knew she should control herself for the sake of the baby, so she placed a hand on her stomach to remind herself to calm down.

"Please leave me alone," she whispered, trying to tame the rapid beating of her heart. She can't lose control now. She just can't.

Draco raised an eyebrow at her defeat and sneered, "Don't think I won't make you pay for your mistake, mudblood."

It's your mistake, too, Hermione thought silently.

Giving her one last angry look, Draco elbowed her out of his way as he left.

Ignoring everyone's concerned faces, Hermione rushed towards a dark corner and apparated home.

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THANKS TO MAEGHAN AKA OCCUPYMALFOYSBED ON Tumblr FOR FIXING THIS CHAPTER UP!

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