So, I had every intention of posting this yesterday, but got too swept up with work. I swear I've done so much math today that it's giving me flashbacks to the 4th grade. We were learning double digit multiplication, and the teacher called me to the board to solve a problem. Math has never been my thing, so of course I couldn't solve it. Teacher got mad (way to encourage!) and I cried. Like sobbed like a little little girl...because I was a little little girl. Anyhow, this project is seconds away from turning me back into that little little girl, so I'm giving myself a distraction.

Chapter 4
Hermione glanced back at the house, wondering what was taking Draco so long. Ron stood in front of her, but she ignored the words he spoke. At least until he said something that truly got under her skin.

"You don't even like the git," Ron whined. "You're only putting up with him because he's Liam's father. And forgive me for saying, but it's not like there's ever been any proof of that. All I'm saying, Mione, is we belong together, have since the beginning of time. Why won't you marry me?"

"Do you think we should get married?" Draco asked, pouring her a cup of tea. They were seated at his kitchen table, the kettle between them, and neither able to make eye contact with the other.

Hermione grimaced at the thought. "No," she replied simply. A small sound passed Draco's lips as he tried to protest, but she held up a hand to silence him. "We don't like each other. We got drunk and made a mistake. Not that I'm saying this baby is a mistake, but we were careless. It's not fair to either of us to get married when it's not what either one of us truly wants. I know you purebloods were raised with this sense of duty, but believe me, you don't have to."

He agreed that he didn't want to marry, but a part of Draco feared that by not being married she could take their child away from him. It wouldn't be an option, and he knew she wasn't the type who would keep him from their baby, but he needed it to be known. There was a distinct look of fear in his gray eyes as he voiced his concern.

"I don't want to keep you away," she said, reaching across the table to cover his hand with her own. "I half expected you to chuck me out the second I got the words out of my mouth, but you didn't. I want you to be a part of this child's life. Hell, I need you to because I'm terrified of doing this all on my own."

Smiling softly, Draco leaned back in his chair. "What if we moved in together?" he suggested. "Think we'd kill each other within a week?"

Hermione laughed. "Probably," she agreed. Sobering just slightly, she continued. "Perhaps we should get to know each other better before taking any more, life altering steps."

"Ron, for the last time, I'm not going to marry you," Hermione stated tersely. "Please, stop asking."

The tips of Ron's ears were beginning to redden, a sure sign that he was angry. He glanced over her head to see Draco emerge from the house. "I thought you loved me," he replied. "I thought you wanted to marry me."

"Yes, and things have changed," Hermione cried exasperatedly. "You broke up with me when I said I wanted to get married, remember? Whatever relationship I have with Draco now is none of your business."

A hand gently touched her shoulder as Ron's temper grew more heated. Startled, Hermione spun around to find Draco behind her. She relaxed upon seeing him, but tensed once more when she noticed the look in his gray eyes. It was a look she had been familiar with as a teenager, one that he got whenever he was ready to curse someone.

"You're not doing this," she murmured, resting her hand on his side. His hand twitched as if preparing to reach for his wand. "Draco, where's Liam? I think we should go."

Draco stepped around her, anger seething from within. He now stood so close to Ron that with just one more step their noses might touch. Hermione tugged on his hand, trying with all her might to stop the fight before it could begin.

"What's the matter, weasel? Can't handle the possibility that she's with someone else now?" Draco taunted. "It's only when you've lost her to someone else that you want her? How many different ways does she have to tell you that she doesn't want you?"

Ron scoffed. "What, ferret, you think she wants you?" he spat. "Did you know she wasn't even going to tell you he was yours?"

The glare Draco shot the redhead as he dropped Hermione's hand produced a small smirk to form on Ron's face. "My guess was she never wanted you around," he continued. "Can't say I blame her. I would have gone it alone too if you were involved."

Draco said nothing. He could feel his wand just in reach. A few more centimeters and he could pull it out of his sleeve. He'd hex Ron into next week if he had to. But he didn't. From the corner of his eye, he could see the pleading look on Hermione's face, a look that begged him to stop and just leave with her. But he didn't do that either. It wasn't until Hermione turned and left for the house that he finally spoke.

"You go anywhere near her and I'll kill you," he threatened with a menacing growl. "You touch my son and you'll wish you were never born. That's my family, and I will see to it that you have no part of it."

A small crowd had begun to form around them, but Draco paid them no attention. His sole focus was on getting back to Hermione and Liam, and going home. Turning on his heel, he began the walk back to the house.

"She'll never love you like she loves me," Ron called out. "You were just some random bloke in a bar who bought her a few drinks. Got her nice and pissed, did you, Malfoy? That's the only reason she would ever dare to shag you. I bet she's regretted it ever since."

All Draco saw at that moment was red, and it had nothing to do with the signature Weasley hair. He marched back to Ron, cocked his fist, and hit the redhead square in the nose. Ron let out a distressed cry as blood dripped down to his lips. Satisfied that he had effectively silenced Ron Weasley, Draco went back to the house.

"That was low, Ron, even for you," he heard Harry say before running to catch up with him. "Hey, Malfoy!" he called.

"Sod off, Potter," Draco muttered. He glanced down at the hand on his arm that halted his retreat. "Let go. Before you end up like your friend."

Harry shook his head, a stern look of determination in his eyes. "What Ron said, none of it is true."

Draco shook the hand free and continued on. "Whatever," he grumbled.

"Hermione's just left," Mrs. Weasley informed him as he looked around the kitchen and living room. He walked to the fireplace near the back door and grabbed a handful of floo powder. Before he could leave, Molly rested a hand of his cheek. "Don't you believe a word of what my son said. I always thought that girl would be a permanent member of this family, but things don't always work out the way I want. I know you take good care of her and that sweet little boy."

Shifting from foot to foot, his gaze diverted, he replied, "I'm not sorry I hit him."

"I'm not either," Molly confided with an easy smile. "I hope to see you again soon."

"Thank you," he said sincerely before dropping the powder and calling out his destination.

"Do your friends know yet?" he asked.

Hermione nodded. "Ronald offered to make me an honest woman," she told him angrily. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you first. I wasn't sure if..."

"You don't owe me any explanations," he absolved her. "It's not like I didn't know it was you that night. I knew what I was doing."

Fiddling with the handle of the tea cup, Hermione asked, "Are you at all scared? About becoming a parent, I mean."

Draco chuckled. "Absolutely terrified."