Chapter 10

"You're sure you want to do this?" Draco asked as they approached Malfoy Manor. "I would understand if you're not comfortable."

Hermione took a deep breath to steel herself. The estate held far too many painful memories for the witch who had only been there once. "I'll be fine," she told him, though her sweat-dampened hand tightened around his. He let them in and led her to the sitting room where his mother waited.

Narcissa rose from her seat, a gracious smile on her face as she greeted the pair. She held Hermione's free hand longer than necessary, giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's good to see you, dear," she said, her voice soft and motherly. "The circumstances are more pleasant, I hope."

Smiling, Hermione nodded in agreement. The one and only time she had been to Malfoy Manor, she'd been kidnapped by Snatchers and tortured by a deranged Death Eater. She still bore the scars of that day, both the physical and mental.

Narcissa sat, and is if taking her cue, Draco led Hermione to sit down across from her. They remained silent as tea was poured and prepared. "So, Mum, there's something we came to tell you," Draco said, sounding far more confident than Hermione thought she could be. "Hermione and I are having a baby. Um, I know this doesn't exactly fit the grand Malfoy plan, but you should know that we're happy together, and committed to the family we've created. I won't leave her or our child."

Blue eyes widened as Narcissa eyed the young couple. "You're sure this is what you want?" she asked. Draco cheeks reddened with anger as he nodded. "Sweetheart, please. I didn't mean it to sound insulting."

"Then how did you mean it?" he inquired bitingly.

Narcissa sighed as she considered her words. "I just want to make sure you, both of you, have thought this through," she said. "You're young, and you hated one another for so long. I'd hate to see you trapped in something you don't want. Whatever you choose, you both have my support though."

Hermione blamed her hormones for the overwhelming rush of emotions. Standing, she crossed the small space between them and hugged Draco's mother. "Thank you," she whispered when the older witch returned her embrace. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she pulled away, reclaiming her seat beside Draco. "Sorry, it just means a lot to me that you'd say that. I know Draco and I had our differences in the past, but we've also left all of that in the past. He's been a very good friend to me these last couple of months, and I can't imagine doing something like this without him."

Draco kissed her temple. "I'm not going anywhere," he told her. "Mother, I don't want you to believe that I'm trapped. I certainly don't feel that I am."

"I'm glad," Narcissa replied. "Have you thought about where you'll live? How you'll support your child? Draco's mentioned your desire to return to school, Hermione. Will you still be able to do that?"

"I've spoken with the Minister, and he's assured me that I can study from home. I'll take my N.E.W.T.s next April," she shared. "He also promised me a position working for the Care of Magical Creatures department once I've completed them."

All eyes turned to Draco. "I like the idea of staying home all day playing daddy," he said with a smile. "Maybe our child will turn out better than I did."

"You've learned a great deal from your father," Narcissa said. "I suggest doing the opposite."

The young couple laughed, and Hermione felt herself begin to relax. A pleasant afternoon was had by the trio, and Hermione felt better when they returned home. Narcissa loved her son, and could see past blood status so long as he was happy. It was a relief to know that she wouldn't be the cause of another familial rift.

"You have visitors," Adrian warned her when they entered the flat.

Nervously, Hermione thanked him and entered her bedroom to find Harry and Ron waiting for her. Harry gave her a warm smile, but Ron seemed on edge. His face was red; usually a sign of anger or nerves. Hermione didn't know which way he leaned. The friends stood in silence until Ron sighed and stepped forward to hug her.

"I've missed you," he murmured.

Her heart raced. There was a very good chance he wouldn't feel that way when he found out that she was pregnant. Fear set in as she pulled away. "What are you doing here?" she wondered.

Ron moved away to stand by the dresser. He frowned when he saw a man's belongings mixed with hers. "Harry told us about your folks," he said. "I know you said you weren't feeling well last week, and that's why you didn't come to dinner. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"It's, um, it's been tough," she admitted.

Ron scoffed. "Tough enough that you've resorted to living with Slytherins and Death Eaters?" he inquired. "You know Mum would have taken you in. She still will. Just say the word."

Sighing, Hermione shook her head and sat down on the bed she shared with Draco. "I can't do that," she told him. "And Adrian and Draco aren't Death Eaters. Adrian never was. It would mean a lot to me if you, the both of you, would accept the situation as it is. I like living here, and I plan to stay here."

"What's the situation?" Harry wondered. "I mean, I thought the plan was to make things right with your mum. How do you do that from here?"

"For now, I don't," was her sad reply. "My mother has decided that some of my recent actions are unforgivable, which is why I'm living here. I, uh, I'm pregnant, and I think it was the straw that broke the camel's back. The things she said...I couldn't stay there."

Harry sat down and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry," he murmured. Looking up, he noticed the look of utter shock on Ron's face. Slowly, he moved toward his friends.

"You've got us," Ron promised, wiping his thumb through the tears that wet her cheeks. "I may never stop seeing Malfoy as a bouncing ferret, and it might be awhile before I can forgive him for everything he's done to us, but I will support you, Mione. Who knows? Maybe Malfoy and I will be friends one day."

Hermione smiled as she wrapped an arm around each of her boys. "Thank you," she told them.