Hey, long time no see. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been busy with Homework and writing my own book. But I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's only short but essential to the plot.

Chapter Seven

Not Again

A couple of months had passed since they restarted Hogwarts. Both Mia and Dan had adopted the cold, Slytherin Prince as their honorary father, mimicking him whenever they possibly could.

Hermione had so many pictures of Dan copying Draco's scowl or smirk or Mia crossing her arms just because Draco was doing the same.

She had come to respect and become something akin to friends with him due to the amount of time the children spent at his side.

The whole school had soon gotten used to seeing the children wandering around Hogwarts, after the rumours had died down of course.

There lots of rumour circulating at first. Some of Hermione's favourites were that the children were Voldemort's. That she and him had had a whirlwind romance for a few years and she had ended it.

The next was that the children were Harry's. That was more plausible, but the fact that they had been secretly married since second year and the fact she had been petrified had been a front for the engagement and marriage brought it down.

The last was they were Professor Snape's! Once he caught wind of that rumour, the culprit was sentenced to detentions with him for the rest of the year. So that rumour quickly died.

"Mummy?" Dan asked, bringing Hermione back to the present. They were sat at the Gryffindor table for dinner with Harry, Ron and Ginny.

"Hmm?" She smiled, gently stroking his hair.

"When can we go see Draco?" Dan gave her an innocent look, his large brown eyes completing the look.

Ron almost choked on his drink and Ginny paused from playing with Mia to give him a funny look.

"Later on, baby." Hermione assured the boy, shooting an amused glance at Ron.

"Why do they always want to hang around with Malfoy?" Ron grumbled. "I'm much cooler."
"That's what you think." Harry teased.

Ron grabbed a roll and threw it at his friend. It was only due his seeker reflexes that Harry avoided having a face full of bread. "Thanks!"

"No problem." Ron grinned.

"Mummy!" Dan called again.

Hermione looked at him. "Yes?"

"Is it later yet?" He asked.

Hermione smiled to herself. "Not yet, baby."

"When will it be later?" Dan looked sad.

"In a moment." Hermione rolled her eyes.

Ten minutes later, Hermione had finished. "Is it later now?" Dan asked, predictably.

"Yes, Dan, it is." His mother sighed.

"Yeah!" Dan cheered.

The little boy tore out of the hall, dragging his mother, who was holding his sister, as he went. It was all Hermione could to wave goodbye to her friends.

They were almost at the Room of Requirement when Hermione's head began to spin.

"Dan, slow down." She called.

She placed Mia on the floor, swaying slightly. She sank against the wall. The last thing she heard was Dan's alarmed cry as everything went black.

Hermione awoke to the familiar smell of the hospital wing. She groaned and reached a hand up to her head.

"Miss Granger! You're awake!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, hurrying over.

"What happened?" Hermione grumbled.

"You fainted. Mister Malfoy found you and brought you here. The look on his face…" Madam Pomfrey trailed off and shook her head.

"My children!" Hermione gasped suddenly. "Where are they?"

"Mister Malfoy took them for the night. I believe he stayed in the Room of Requirement." Madam Pomfrey began to pour out some potions.

"Why did I faint?" Hermione asked after a moment, suddenly recalling the reason why she was led in the bed.

Madam Pomfrey faltered.

"What?" An icy hand gripped Hermione's heart and a montage of scenarios shot through her mind.

"You're pregnant again, Miss Granger." Madam Pomfrey sighed. She was one of the few outside of the Shadows who knew the groups' sad stories.

Hermione lent back on her pillows, tears running down her cheeks. "I'll never be free."
"Mummy!"

Hermione quickly wiped away her tears and plastered a smile on her face as a little cannonball landed in her lap.

Dan was delighted to see his mother was alright. He had been so worried.

"Hi, baby." Hermione swept some hair behind his ear.

"Are you okay? I thought when we left we weren't supposed to hurt anymore." Dan sniffled.

Draco had followed Dan, Mia on his hip. He was just approaching when he heard Dan.

His heart went out to the young family. "Huh, you had a rough time didn't you?" He cooed to Mia.

Mia merely looked up at him with her large eyes. She seemed to be silently answering him.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that. You don't have to suffer anymore. I promise."

A quizzical look seemed to form in Mia's eyes.

Draco smiled warmly at the toddler. "I'll protect you. I will always stand by you. No one will ever hurt you, your mum and your brother again."

Mia sighed softly and laid her head on his shoulder, nestling her head into the crook of his neck.

"I love you too, Mia."

Please Read and Review. I hope it wasn't too disappointing. I hope you enjoyed it. I have a job interview later. My first job. Wish me luck!