"Mate, you've got to be kidding me. You! A father?" Blaise laughed it off as nothing but a joke.
"I'm not lying about this Blaise; you know what happened at the Ministry Party. I hadn't wanted to go and yet you made me go, thinking I would have a good time. I was drunk, she was drunk and we had sex, nothing more. Turns out we hadn't used any of the contraceptive spells and now she's pregnant with my child."
"Wow, I'm not exactly sure what to say. I mean, this is Granger we're talking about here."
"I know that Blaise, thank you for clearing that up for me, I hadn't realized," Draco drawled sarcastically.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Granger's decided to keep the child, so the baby will be born within the next seven months or so."
"I still can't believe you're going to be a father Draco, seems so farfetched. Do Potter and Weasley know?"
"Well I didn't exactly ask for this, you know. I highly doubt Potter and Weasley know because it's likely Granger isn't going to tell them anytime soon. The She-Weasel on the other hand does know that Granger is pregnant, just not that it's my child."
"Ah, I see. So where were you today then?"
"Granger and I went to see a Healer, and we have to go back every month to check on the baby."
"So I take it Granger's not going on that mission with you, Potter and Weasley?"
"Nope, we've made arrangements so that she wouldn't have to participate, luckily enough for her."
"Well let's just hope for the sake of both of you that you don't kill each other before the baby is born. I find it odd to see the two of you as parents together. You aren't planning on marrying her are you? Isn't it ritual in your family or something?"
"It is, but since neither of my parents are here anymore I see no reason to abide by it. I have no intention of marrying Granger. We have seven years of school hatred for each other; I highly doubt our feelings for each other will change."
"Glad to hear it. Well I should be off; I suppose I'll see you on Friday for drinks."
"Yes, I suppose. Vincent and Greggory will be there I presume?"
"Yes, when do those numbskulls ever pass up the chance to get drunk especially if it isn't with their own money?"
"True, alright Blaise, I'll see you Friday."
"Bye Draco." Blaise said with a final wave and apparated home.
Draco sighed, slightly relieved that he told someone of his situation. Blaise was his best friend and was sure not to say anything to anyone, though if word got to Nott, he might be in quite a bit of trouble. Nott was known for talking to the wrong people. He hadn't been placed in Slytherin for nothing. If word got out that he had impregnated Hermione Granger, well there was no telling what would happen.
XXX
Hermione had woken up after a three hour nap feeling slightly refreshed after a long day. Being pregnant wasn't helping her in the slightest. She was tired all the time and had a hard time concentrating. Ginny was to stop by quite soon, Hermione had told her of the appointment, and knowing Ginny Weasley she'd want details afterwards.
She fixed herself a snack as she sat staring at the TV, not really watching what was playing on the screen. She was going to be a mother in seven months. A light tap was heard from the window, as Hermione realized it was an owl. She opened the window with ease and took the letter from the owl's leg. The owl took off without a sound and Hermione was left with silence.
'Hermione,
Dear, whatever news you have to tell us, I'm sure it won't be something we'll disapprove of. You know we love you, we've raised you well Hermione. We know you're capable of great things and we understand that your place is in the Wizarding world, rather than here in the muggle world. Please come home soon.
Ps. Hermione, it's your father. I've missed quite a lot while I was at that wretched hospital but I've returned home with your mother. I missed you and I do hope that when you return home you'll have plenty of things to tell us. Please let us know when you want to stop by, it's been too long Hermione.
Love,
Mum and Dad
xox'
Hermione put the letter down, she couldn't reply to her parents yet, she hadn't even spoken to Malfoy yet about meeting her parents, and she was just dreading that thought. She knew he wouldn't do it, but what could she possibly do? She couldn't possibly tell her parents the truth, they'd be ashamed. She pulled out a sheet of parchment and ink, and wrote her letter to Malfoy.
'Malfoy,
I need to ask you a huge favor and I know you're going to hate it. I honestly have no choice in the matter. My father has come home from the hospital and my parents have asked me to stop by. Problem is, I'm going to start showing soon and as bad as the situation is, I can't tell my parents the truth. If I tell them that I was drunk and had sex with a random stranger, they'll be furious with me. As much as I deserve it for what happened, I don't want to risk it.
Basically I'm asking you to accompany me to my parents home, and we'll come up with something to tell my parents of my situation, or rather our situation.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger'
Hermione sent the letter off quickly with her own owl, who'd just returned from a hunt. She sat back down on the couch, her eyes drifting once again.
…
A week later, Hermione received a letter from Malfoy, although much delayed due to him being gone for the week on the mission. She hadn't heard much from Harry and Ron about what had happened. She was quite relieved, shocked maybe a little surprised by his response when she opened the letter.
'Granger,
As much as I'd like for you to suffer, I'll do it. I mean it's not as if our situation is any worse than it could possibly be. Mail me your address and we'll come up with a situation and a time for when you want to meet your parents.
Draco Malfoy.'
She put the letter down and apparated out of her apartment and into Diagon Alley. Ginny was waiting for her there at the Leaky Cauldron.
"What took you so long Hermione?"
"Sorry, I was just about to meet you, but I received a letter, so I was a little sidetracked."
"Who sent you a letter?" Ginny asked.
Hermione sighed, how many times was she going to lie to her best friend about this? She was just going to have to tell her what was going on. "The father,"
Ginny had a surprised look upon on her face, before she shook it to pose her next question. "The father? As in, 'you told him'?"
"Yes,"
"Well who is it then, I think I have every right to know, you've kept this secret long enough."
Hermione was hesitant; it was one thing to admit that she was contacting 'the father', but to tell her best friend that the father of her child was Draco Malfoy was completely different. Not only would her reaction be furiously angry, as the Weasley's hated all the Malfoy's and that they were bitter enemies in school. Then again she did have every right to tell her best friend the truth. She hoped Ginny wouldn't react badly, but she couldn't assume.
"Draco Malfoy."
"What! You've got to be kidding me, please tell me you're joking! Draco Malfoy?" Ginny pleaded.
"I'm being serious Ginny; Draco Malfoy is the father of my child."
Silence overwhelmed them as they walked towards the shops. "Ginny, please don't mad, you have to believe me I never would have slept with him if I wasn't as intoxicated as I was."
"I believe you, Malfoy of all people. I knew he was at that Ministry Party but I had no idea, ugh I don't know what to say." Ginny sighed, cleared her throat. "You know I'm not happy about this, but I will continue to support you, I am your best friend after all, nothing would change that." She paused once again as realization hit her in the face. "What are you going to tell Harry and Ron?"
"I'm not going to tell them anything. Just imagine their reactions are too scary. It's one thing to admit to them that I'm pregnant to them, they'd faint. But to tell them that the father is Malfoy of all people. As much as I hate Malfoy, I don't want him dead either."
"Yeah I can imagine he'd be dead before he got two words out. Harry and Ron, as idiots as they are sometimes, would love any day to kick Malfoy's butt."
"Harry and Ron are leaving on Monday for the mission; they're going to be gone for the week. Isn't Malfoy going with them?"
"Yes he is, they went last week but couldn't find anything, so they're leaving again this week in hopes of finding Greyback but who knows if they will."
"Alright, let's get some shopping done shall we?"
This wasn't Hermione plan, but Ginny had persuaded her to come along since she knew she needed clothes for when the baby was going to start to show. Her clothes wouldn't fit her forever. She was having a hard time coming up with a plan to convince her parents that she and Malfoy somehow were involved beforehand. She and Ginny traveled to different stores, stopping every now and then for clothes Hermione would fit into. Ginny had invited Hermione to a girl's night out but Hermione wasn't feeling too well at that moment and declined the offer. She settled home for a good book and some hot chocolate. She read late into the night before calling it quits, she was tired.
She was alone, as sudden realization hit her. She wasn't involved with anyone and as much it pained her, she couldn't do anything about it. As much as she hated it, being pregnant made her somewhat tied down to Malfoy; though she would never be able to imagine herself with him romantically. They were enemies, hated each other for the longest time. He was changed now though, and as much as she didn't want to believe it, he was good for the most part. She hardly knew anything about him, but could she get to know him? They would have to spend more time regardless because of their situation. Her next appointment would be soon enough and she would see him at work. How long would it be till she was able to work? As soon as her boss got word of her situation, he wouldn't be able to keep her working there. As an Auror, it would be difficult in her situation, it could harm the baby.
She turned the T.V. on, trying to find something to watch- there was nothing on of interest. She flicked the channels watching once more, finding the movie channel on, and watching as a boy falls in love with a girl and they live happily ever after. It had Hermione in tears about half way through the movie because she knew she would never have that. She got off the couch and approached her freezer, pulling a carton of ice cream out and a spoon. She couldn't help it. She was a girl with emotions and hormones gone haywire. It wasn't her fault. What was with these romantic chick flicks? They had never bothered her before. She would watch these movies with her friends, joining in as they complained of how stupid they were to believe in love at first sight and fate. As old as she was, she never had believed in those kinds of things, she relied on personality and intelligence.
She had dated men previously, but she knew they never really wanted to get to know her, love her. All those men just wanted the fame, the glory of having gotten involved with one of the members of the Golden Trio. They would gloat to their friends saying they were the ones to break it off, and brag to their friends that they had shagged her rotten, when Hermione knew the truth, she would have never done that. She believed in relationships, not one night stands, and that within time she would fall in love with someone, and they would love her for her, and not the fame. She did not believe in fate however, and she wouldn't sit around either. She settled with the carton of ice cream in her lap and she continued to watch these women loose and gain the love of their lives again. These women with different characteristics, and somehow always manage to win the guy of their dreams in the end. She was too absorbed with these movies to notice the swoosh of her fireplace and the two figures that stood in her living room. Her eyes blurry were from the tears she'd been crying with the ice cream carton still in her lap, half-full.
"Hermione? What's wrong?" She wiped her tears and her friend passed her some Kleenex. She looked up to see Ginny and Luna.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Well we had decided to go on our girl's night out but it just wasn't as fun without you there so we came to see how you were doing." Ginny answered. That's when Hermione took notice of their appearance, fancy dresses and high heel shoes.
"I'm fine really," Hermione responded wiping her tears away.
"You don't look fine to me; the tears and the fact that you're watching a 'chick flick' when we all know you find those types of movies barbaric. So why don't you tell us the real reason?" Luna asked.
"I just finally realized that I'm alone, really alone. You both have your own lives, relationships, and I'm just always going to be plain Hermione Granger. I've never going to find love, at least not like in those movies."
"Hermione, you know those movies are fake, they're actors."
"They may be fake, but at least they have someone."
"Hermione you're not alone, whether or not we're in a relationship or not. We're always going to be there for you." Luna said.
"I just wish things were so much simpler."
"Life is never simple, whether or not we wished it were. Fighting Voldemort was the worst of our problems."
"I'm pregnant Luna, it's not as easy."
"I know."
Hermione was surprised to say the least, "Wait, what? How do you know?"
"Don't worry Ginny didn't tell me. I just knew; you forgot how much I can read other people's expressions. Your emotional Hermione, and in your state I think it's normal to be feeling this way. You're going to be a single mother, but you're not the only one in this world who's done it." She paused, waiting for Hermione to take in her words. "We'll be there for you."
"Thanks Luna." As her words finally sunk in, she wouldn't be alone as long as she had her friends to help her along the way.
