Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters or the characters or music from Wicked.

Friday morning, Hermione couldn't get out of bed. She tried, but she realized that her body was not bending at the middle anymore and her energy seemed to be completely gone. She was ready for this baby to be born and she was ready for her body to be her own again. It would be nice to see her toes. After managing to get up with a difficult maneuver, she headed for the shower. She was going to see Wicked that night and from the way she was going, it would take her all day to get ready.

As she headed into the kitchen she saw the DVD box for The Wizard of Oz lying on the table. She smiled as she thought back to Wednesday night. Draco interrupted the movie constantly to ask questions. Why were the Munchkins so happy over a dead witch? What was the deal with the shoes? Why would a witch melt when water was poured on her? Growing up in the Wizarding world definitely stumped his spirit of fantasy. She'd had a wonderful time with him and they spent a good hour after the movie discussing the finer points of the story. She hoped he enjoyed the musical tonight because she fully intended to.

Sitting down at her table with toast and eggs Hermione looked down at her round belly. She missed Harry more than ever at times like these but she found that her life was filled in other ways. In social settings, she still had the same friends and they were all so good to her. She never really got lonely except when she allowed herself time to think about what she was missing. She knew that if Harry were still alive, he would have brought her breakfast in bed and would have been doting on her non stop. Instead, she was doing it all alone. Sometimes the thought of that was very overwhelming.

Her cell phone rang at that point and brought her out of her reflection on what might have been. Her parents had insisted that she have a phone so they could check in on her as her due date approached. They never liked communicating by owl or floo. She also had a computer and received daily e-mail reminders from her mum to take her vitamins and other assorted pregnancy tips. They could take the witch out of the muggle world but they couldn't take the muggle out the witch. She loved technology.

After assuring her father that she was fine and that she was still pregnant, she sat down to read. She didn't have energy for much else and she could spend the morning doing research for work, even if she wasn't actually going to work.

Draco was busy at work that morning, but he was also thinking of her baby. He didn't know where such strong feelings came from but he wanted to be the father of that baby. He tried to push the feelings aside, knowing they were too much too soon, but he knew that when that baby was born, he wanted to be there to meet his son or daughter. He just didn't know how to express that to Hermione without scaring her away. Unless she wanted it as well.

Ideally he would move in with her, taking the spare bedroom for now, and help her raise the baby. That was the plan formulating in the back of his mind but the execution of his plan was the problem. The fact that he didn't want to stay in the spare bedroom for long was a whole different issue and he knew that it would take all of his Malfoy charm to manage that one. It would take time and some finesse to plan out that conversation.

Lost in his work, he managed to get through the day, looking forward to his evening with Hermione. He wasn't sure about this play that they were going to see. He enjoyed the movie but he thought it was so strange. He still wasn't sure what kind of wizard would hide behind a curtain. That was just silly. He had hired a muggle car to pick her up tonight. It would be difficult to apparate to such a public place and the closest floo wasn't close enough to walk in her condition.

Draco finished up his day and rushed over to Gringotts for some muggle money. He figured if he was going to spend the evening surrounded my muggles he'd better be prepared to pay for things if needed. He headed home to eat some dinner and get ready. The car was supposed to pick him up at 7, head over to Hermione's and then be at the theatre for an 8 o'clock performance. They had decided not to go to dinner as Hermione was just not up to it. He knew that she was feeling very tired and worn out but he was just happy he could do this for her.

At 7 o'clock exactly there was a knock on his door. He was pleasantly surprised to see the very professional looking driver and a very nice car waiting for him. He hadn't ridden in very many muggle cars but he knew good quality when he saw it. Instructing the driver on where to go, he sat back and enjoyed the ride. It wasn't until he pulled up at Hermione's house that he started to feel a little nervous. In his mind this was a date. Sure, she didn't feel the same way but Draco knew his feelings and couldn't hide them much longer. He walked up to her door and knocked, pleased at the smile on her face at the surprise of seeing the car waiting.

Hermione was shocked! She had been expecting Draco to apparate or floo in, certainly not knocking on the door with a car waiting for her.

"Hi Hermione. You look beautiful." While she appreciated the words, it certainly wasn't how she felt.

"Thank you. Draco? What in the world are you doing with a car?"

"It's just the easiest way to get to the theatre. There isn't a close floo connection and I didn't figure we should just pop into our seats. Besides, the driver is doing a good job and the car is very nice. Are you ready?" Hermione nodded yes and headed for the car. She still couldn't believe that Draco would put his life into the hands of a muggle driver. Not that she wasn't thrilled, but still it was unusual.

They talked about their friends and family while they headed for the theatre. Hermione was terribly excited about seeing the musical. She loved musical theatre, having been to many West-End productions both with her family and Harry. Harry didn't care for it much but he went because she loved it. She wondered what Draco's reaction would be. It would be interesting, that's for sure.

Arriving at the theatre, the driver opened the car door and Hermione stepped out into the hustle of London. The theatre was lit up with the logo for Wicked prominently displayed. She wished she had brought her camera to capture some of this. Draco stepped up beside her and with a hand on her back led her toward the doors. Handing the tickets over, they stepped into the foyer and were directed toward their seats.

As the lights dimmed and the music started, Hermione was swept away. She was completely enthralled by the story of two unlikely friends. Two friends from different backgrounds who found a common ground. It was a bit like her friendship with Draco. Back in school, their first reaction to each other was loathing as well. Who would have thought he'd be the one sitting next to her at that moment. As the first act concluded, she struggled to get out of her seat and headed straight for the bathroom. She only hoped people would take pity on the pregnant lady and let her jump some spaces in line.

Draco stood and stretched as he watched Hermione walk away. He was enjoying himself, and thought that he could probably handle attending more musicals in the future as long as Hermione joined him. He jumped a bit as he heard a voice from behind him.

"Congratulations."

"What?" Draco couldn't understand why a strange muggle would be talking to him.

"I was just offering congratulations on the baby. Your wife must be due soon." Draco felt his stomach twist at the word wife.

"Oh, thank you, yes, the baby will be here in a couple of weeks. She's not my wife though." Draco wasn't sure why he was explaining this but the words came anyway.

"I'm sorry for presuming. Not that it matters in this day and age. I have two kids of my own. You'll enjoy being a father." The man walked away to join his wife who was calling him from the entryway.

Draco would enjoy being a father. He only hoped he would get a chance. He watched as Hermione carefully made her way back towards him and thought about what the man had said. He liked the idea of her being his wife. He liked it a lot.

"I'm back. The ladies were so nice and let me head toward the front of the line. I apparently looked like I was in distress!" Hermione laughed as she lowered herself into her seat.

"That's good. Are you enjoying the performance?"

"It's so wonderful! The costumes, the colors, the music are all so amazing. Thank you so much." Hermione didn't think when she grabbed Draco's hand to give it a squeeze. She didn't really realize that she'd kept her hand in his until she had to pull it away to clap along with the rest of the audience after the curtain rose again. She wondered why she had done that and why it was so comfortable to have that contact. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and let herself get lost in the show once again.

Near the end of the performance Draco looked over at Hermione and noticed that tears were rolling down her face. He was immediately alarmed and whispered in her ear "Are you okay?" Hermione turned and looked at him, smiling in embarrassment.

"I'm fine. It's just such a beautiful song." She whispered back. Draco reached over and gave her hand a squeeze, only once more he didn't let go. They sat there with their fingers entwined until the final number was over and they had to clap once again. Draco was warm all over from the feeling of her hand in his. He didn't ever want to let go. After the performance he once again took her hand, this time using the crowds as an excuse. He didn't want to get separated from her. Hand in hand they walked out to the waiting car.

"Do you want to go anywhere else?"

"I'd like to go home I think. I want to get into more comfortable clothes and take these shoes off. I've had an amazing night but I'm just not up for much more. I do have some ice cream if you'd like to come in and join me for dessert."

"Sounds good." They laughed and talked about the show all the way to Hermione's. Draco thanked the driver, paid him, and sent him on his way. He helped Hermione into the house and went into the kitchen to scoop out the ice cream as she changed. They continued to talk about any number of things until Draco lost his mind.

"So, I just wanted to tell you that the lyrics to that song are true."

"Which song? Which lyrics?" Hermione was shocked he'd paid enough attention to remember lyrics.

"Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." Draco sat stunned after he said those words. This was not a good idea and he knew it. He was about to confess his love to a woman who wasn't ready to even consider loving another. He mentally told himself to stop, say goodnight and walk out the door. What he did instead was probably the stupidest thing he could have done. He kissed her. He pressed his lips to hers and loved every moment of it. Every short moment. He came to his senses in time to pull away before she slapped him.

Hermione was looking at him in shock. She was more than shocked, she was stunned. She was also extremely touched by the lyrics that he had recited to her. To be honest, she wasn't sure what to think. She was both angry and moved at the same time. She just knew she wasn't ready for this.

"What the hell was that?" She asked stupidly. She knew what that was.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. It just happened." Draco commanded himself to apologize again, walk out the door and send flowers tomorrow. He wasn't taking commands apparently and continued with his rambling.

"I love you Hermione. Now before you say anything I just want you to know that I mean it when I say that. I love you. I've loved you for a while now and I have tried to put it in the back of my mind so that I could still be your friend. I had no intention of telling you this tonight. I planned to wait until after the baby was born. Only I can't. I've started and now I can't stop. You see, I love that baby too. I've felt very attached to that baby for a long time and I want to be its father. I know I can't replace Harry but the baby needs a father and I'm available and would like the job. I could move in here, into your spare bedroom and be a father right from the start. I love you and I don't want to pressure you into anything but eventually, I'd like us to be a real family. What do you say? I could move my things in this weekend." He took a deep breath as he finished his lecture.

Hermione continued to stare, her mouth slightly open and her mind running through all the possible reactions that she could have. One tiny little part of her wanted to just say "Okay." One slightly larger part of her wanted to laugh, tell him he was crazy and to go get some help. The part of her brain that won out was the part that was angry. Angry that he would allow her to feel for anyone again. Angry that he wanted to be the father that Harry should have been. Angry that he put her in a position like this at all.

"You need to leave." Hermione said with a crack in her voice. She couldn't deal with any of it. Not now. "Please leave." She saw the pain that settled across his face, but she wasn't able to give him comfort. "I'm not ready for any of this. My baby has a father. It doesn't need anyone but Harry. You've gone to far. Please just go."

Draco looked at her, wanting to tell her he didn't mean it but he couldn't. He'd told the truth and he had to deal with the consequences. He walked toward the fireplace gathered some floo powder and looked at her once more. "I love you," was all he said before leaving.

Hermione looked toward her now empty fireplace and felt the tears start. It was wrong of her to even consider what he was offering. She wasn't being faithful to Harry's memory. It wasn't fair to Draco to lead him on. They couldn't have a future together. It just wasn't possible. With great effort Hermione went to bed, where the tears could flow for all that she'd lost. Now she wasn't just grieving over her lost husband but her lost friend. One thing was certain; their relationship had changed and would never be the same again.

Author's Note: I am trying to get updates in as quick as I can but stupid me decided to try NaNoWriMo this year (Google if you don't know) and now in addition to writing this story, I've got 20 days left to write 40,000 words. I must be crazy. I'm going to try to have the next chapter up next weekend. In the next chapter you will meet the baby. I'm thinking there will probably be 2 chapters and an epilogue to come. Almost done! Once again, thank you for all the reviews. I really should be answering you all personally but I haven't had the time. If I could send you all flowers I would.