BIGGER THAN US
TEN
Over the course of the next few months, Draco and Hermione were inseparable. Hermione it turned out was now insatiable when it came to sex. Draco thought himself the luckiest man in the world to have such a beautiful and intelligent woman who also happened to love sex. She was an enthusiastic, giving lover that Draco was absolutely head over heels for. The student population was tearing their hair out trying to get proof of the sexual relationship between the two. Everyone knew they were shagging, but the cagey couple left them no definitive proof. How in the world would they ever find out when they had done the deed? Ron was mourning the potential loss of the now 230 galleon pot.
"I ask you again, did you think that you would outsmart the two of them?" Harry asked.
Hannah Abbot and Colin Creevey, editors of the Hogwarts Herald school newspaper, touted the couple with a front page article entitled "Hermione and Draco- Hogwart's Super Couple!" The "super couple" laughed off the headline, announcing that it looked like a tabloid headline, but admitted that the article was tastefully written.
"Well of course, what would my father say if he found out that I wrote a bad article?" Luna Lovegood commented.
Her father was editor of The Quibbler, while not officially acknowledged as a tabloid, came close. Draco sent a copy of the latest school paper to his parents, knowing that it would amuse them. On April 20th, shortly after the Easter season, Hermione and Draco were practice brewing a potion for their NEWTS, when Hermione was overcome by a fit of nausea.
"This potion never affected me before," Hermione groaned and held her stomach. "EEEWW."
She covered her mouth and ran for the wastebasket beside Professor Snape's desk, emptying her stomach of the contents of her breakfast. When she finished, she charmed the mess away and apologized to Professor Snape. He raised an eyebrow and spoke.
"Miss Granger, I believe a visit to the infirmary is in order, as this potion has never made you ill before," the professor said.
"Thank you sir," Hermione said and left the class. Professor Snape came to their desk.
"Mr. Malfoy, could she have ingested some of the aconite powder, or absorbed some into her skin?"
"Highly unlikely, sir," Draco said.
That much was true. Hermione would not have made such a mistake.
"Very well. Clean your desk and review your notes the remainder of class," Professor Snape said.
Twenty minutes later, Madame Pomfrey was attempting to comfort a distraught Hermione. She had just been informed that the cause of her nausea was pregnancy.
"Oh my God, Draco's going to hate me," she sobbed.
We've been so careful! How could have I been such a tart?
"I assume that Mr. Malfoy is the father?" the nurse asked gently.
Hermione nodded.
"I'm quite sure he won't hate you, Hermione," she said.
"Well if he doesn't, McGonagall will," she sniffed.
"I'll give you a little while to compose yourself while I notify the Headmaster and your two heads of house," Madame Pomfrey said. "Mr. Malfoy will be excused from his class as well. You two have a lot to talk about."
What will my mum think? What will the Malfoys think? Hermione thought desperately. They will think me the worst kind of skank, that's what!
Twenty minutes later, Hermione and Draco were sitting in front of the Headmaster's desk. He would let Hermione break the news to Draco before McGonagall and Snape arrived. Hermione decided to just come out and tell him.
"Draco love, I'm pregnant."
"Pardon?"
"I.am.pregnant."
Draco swallowed and his eyes narrowed. Hermione put her hand to her stomach again as another wave of nausea hit. She was startled when Draco stood up and embraced her into a twirling hug.
"A baby! Our baby! Hermione, this is great!" Draco exclaimed.
Good show, Mr. Malfoy! Dumbledore thought as he watched the couple.
"You're happy about this?" Hermione asked.
"Of course I am, aren't you?" Draco asked, setting her down.
"I don't know. I like babies, but this is a shock right now, I'm still in school," Hermione said, glancing at the headmaster. "You must think I'm such a tart."
"This isn't the first time this has happened, I assure you. However we do hope it will be that last," Dumbledore said. "We will invite your Heads of House to join the discussion. And for the record, Miss Granger, you're no tart."
McGonagall and Severus were let in and looked carefully at the whispering couple. Draco was wiping Hermione's cheeks with a handkerchief and kissed her forehead. Severus had an idea of what this meeting was about.
"I have called you two here to inform you that the happy couple is expecting," Dumbledore said.
McGonagall put a hand over her heart. "Are you serious?"
"Confirmed an hour ago by Poppy," Dumbledore said.
Severus cleared his throat and spoke. "I assume that you plan to take responsibility for your child?"
"You had better, young man!" Minerva scolded.
Draco stood up. "What kind of a stupid question is that? Of course I do!"
He turned to Hermione and knelt before her. "I know we can't get married now, it's against school rules, but will you marry me when we leave?"
Hermione was shocked at the sudden, earnest proposal. When she saw the loving, concerned look in his eyes, no one else existed in the room. She cupped his cheeks with her hands and lightly kissed him.
"Of course I will," she said softly.
"WHOOP!" Draco shouted and hopped up.
"The next matter at hand is to contact your parents," Dumbledore said.
"Wait a minute. What about my apprenticeship?" Hermione asked.
At the beginning of April, her application to apprentice under Professor Vector in Arithmancy studies was approved. Professor Vector thought it quite a coup to land Hermione as an apprentice. Five other professors tried to woo her for a position. In addition, she would be studying at the Ministry of Magic for Muggle Studies certification.
"The apprenticeship is yours if you still desire it," McGonagall said.
"You two are excused from classes tomorrow to break the news to your parents," Dumbledore said.
"I'll owl my mother straight away," Hermione said.
"Me too," Draco said.
"Very well. I suggest the two of you visit the infirmary and consult with Poppy in regard to Miss Granger's health care for her remaining time here at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.
Kathy took a day off from the dental practice for Hermione and Draco's visit. At nine a.m. they stepped through the floo.
"I've missed you," Kathy said, hugging Hermione.
"Draco, welcome to you as well. Have you had breakfast?" Kathy asked.
A lot of good it did, I chucked it up! Hermione thought.
"Yes, we had breakfast, but thanks anyway," Hermione said.
"I'll get some tea made then. You said you had something important to talk to me about?" Kathy said.
"Yes mum, it has to do with my future," Hermione said.
And Draco's, and this baby! Hermione thought.
A few minutes later, Kathy appeared in the den with a serving tray and tea.
"Now, let's talk," she said.
Draco cleared his throat. "I am here to ask permission to marry your daughter."
"Pardon?" Kathy asked.
"I want to marry Hermione," Draco said. "And she would like to marry me."
"Now?"
"No mum, when we leave Hogwarts," Hermione said.
"Aren't you two a little young?" Kathy asked, forgetting the tea.
Hermione looked at the teapot; tea would soothe her stomach. Draco saw her eyeing the tea and got her a cup. He rubber her back when she nodded in approval.
"In the Wizarding world, it's fairly common to marry at a young age," Draco said.
"Why so suddenly?" Kathy asked. A second later it hit her.
"Pumpkin, are you-" Kathy started.
"Yes mum, I'm pregnant. I found out yesterday that I'm about two weeks along. Are you angry with me?"
Kathy looked at her nineteen year old daughter warmly. "No, I'm not mad. You are young to be going through this, and I had hoped that you would have a little more self control- "
"That's the rub, mum. We were careful," Hermione said.
"Mother nature works in mysterious ways pumpkin, or perhaps you got caught up in the moment and forgot. Once is all it takes," Kathy said.
"Believe me, I know that now. This baby was conceived in love, and will be born into love, I'm sure of it," Hermione said, wiping a tear.
"In that case, yes Draco, you may marry my daughter. If John was here, he would agree," Kathy said. "What do your parents think, Draco?"
"We will be informing them when we leave here," Draco said.
"May I join you? I would like to meet the other grandparents," Kathy said. "We can take the Benz," she quipped to Hermione.
"First I need to give you the background on my parents," Draco said.
An hour later, the Malfoys looked out the window to see an attractive, obviously expensive car slowly pull up the drive. Draco emerged from the car first to open the door for Mrs. Granger, then Hermione.
"His manners are impeccable, for that I thank you," Narcissa said of Draco.
"He is a Malfoy after all," Lucius said smoothly.
Draco took Kathy's arm and propelled her to the front door. Kathy was stupefied at the sight of the manor.
"Draco, my goodness! Neither of you said anything!" Kathy said.
Draco chuckled and led her into the house.
"Mother, father, we're here!" Draco called out.
Lucius and Narcissa strolled into the foyer. The parents looked at each other. Hermione was spitting image of Kathy, and Draco was a mix of his parents.
What a striking family! Kathy thought.
Kathy glanced around the opulent manor. Evidently, Draco was in charge of a fortune that made the Queen of England seem like a pauper.
"Good afternoon, I'm Kathy Granger," she said, walking forward to shake their hands.
Lucius nodded and extended his hand. "Lucius Malfoy, and this is my wife, Narcissa."
"A pleasure to meet you," Narcissa said. Then she hugged Draco. "It's wonderful to have you home, dear boy. I'll put on some tea."
She might not think me so dear after this! Draco thought.
"Shall we adjourn to the parlor? There's a nice view of the gardens there," Lucius said.
"I absolutely adore your home," Kathy said.
"Why thank you, we've worked hard on it," Lucius said.
"I can imagine so, from what Draco told me," Kathy said.
Narcissa returned with tea. Draco immediately got Hermione a cup to soothe her stomach, then served Kathy. Lucius held a hand up to Narcissa, preferring coffee.
"Ahh, another addict to the juice of the coffee bean," Kathy said.
"Now, what brings you by today?" Narcissa asked.
Draco cleared his throat. "I asked Mrs. Granger for Hermione's hand in marriage this morning," he stated. "And keeping with wizard tradition, I present to Mrs. Granger the holdings of the estate, thatshe may examine my suitability as a proper provider for Hermione and our child."
He gave Mrs. Granger three parchments.
Our child? both Malfoys thought. They were stunned.
"Mother? Father?" Draco asked.
Narcissa was the first to snap out of it. "A baby? My goodness, when are you due?"
"In January, I'm about two weeks along," Hermione said softly.
Narcissa nudged Lucius in the side. He was proud that Draco was taking responsibility for the situation, but had hoped that they would exercise a bit more self control. They were still in school.
"I assume that you find our son acceptable?" Lucius asked Kathy.
"Yes I do," Kathy said. "He loves her that much is obvious. As a parent, I want nothing more for my child than for her to be loved, to be happy. Your son accomplishes both."
"Very well, when will this marriage take place?" Lucius asked.
"As soon as we leave school," Draco said.
"Where will the ceremony be held at?" Narcissa asked.
At that question, the Malfoys were concerned. They couldn't leave the house- they would miss their only childbe wed! Hermione and Draco grinned at each other.
"In light of the fact that you two cannot leave the manor, we wondered if we might have a small, intimate ceremony in the solarium, here," Draco asked.
"Headmaster Dumbledore has agreed to perform the ceremony," Hermione added.
Narcissa clutched her hands to her chest. "The solarium, here? That would be divine! I can think of no better place!"
She stood up and beckoned Hermione and Kathy out of the room toward the direction of the solarium. That left Draco and Lucius to talk.
"Are you sure about this Draco? Once it's done, it cannot be undone."
"Yes Father, I'm sure," Draco said.
Lucius stepped forward and shook Draco's hand. "You've made me proud today, you kept with tradition and handled this like a true man. Through you and this child, may honor be brought back to the Malfoy name."
Draco was dumbstruck. Lucius had never said anything so fatherly and caring before. Lucius handed him a small glass of whiskey and held up his own.
"Let's charge our glasses. Congratulations on the impending arrival of another Malfoy and a toast to the women we love."
They tapped their glasses together and threw the whiskey back.
The next day back at Hogwarts, no one was the wiser. Hermione and Draco considered this the ultimate payback for a whole term's worth of gossip, plotting and innuendo directed their way. There was just over a month left of the term. Hermione and Draco were counting the days. So was the student body, as the wager was now up to 240 galleons. At breakfast, Hermione again placed a large amount of food on her plate. She was eating for two now. She was ravenously hungry and ate, not knowing if it would stay down or not.
"Did everything go alright in the infirmary?" Harry asked.
"Yes Harry, I'm fine, I just ate something that disagreed with me," Hermione said and resumed her breakfast.
Draco waited for her at the Great Hall doors after breakfast, took her book bag and they walked to Potions class together. Hermione slowed down and leaned against the wall and groaned.
"Your stomach again?" Draco asked.
Hermione nodded and resumed walking.
"I hope this passes soon," Hermione said. "This baby has to be a boy, seeing all the trouble it's already giving me," she said with a grin.
"I love you so much, do you know that?" Draco said.
"Yes. Me too."
Severus saw the couple walk through the doors to class. Hermione was a bit green in the face and walking slower. Draco held the door for her, took her by the elbow and guided her to a seat. He pulled the chair out for her, said a charm to cushion the seat and made sure she was settled before taking his own seat.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, I'll see you after class," the professor drawled.
"Yes sir," they replied in unison.
Professor Snape noticed throughout the duration of class that Hermione put on a brave face, but her misery was obvious. Draco frequently rubbed her back and gave her crackers from his pocket. When the bells indicating the end of classes sounded, Draco gathered their belongings. They started to stand.
"No, stay seated, especially you, Miss Granger. Will you be able to continue with this class the remainder of term?"
Hermione looked panicked. "Of course sir. Hopefully, this morning sickness will pass. Madame Pomfrey said that it's different with every woman, and some don't get it at all."
Why couldn't I have been one of those? Hermione wondered.
"Has she given you a supply of morning sickness potions?" Severus asked.
"No, she has none. I'm the first pregnant student or professor in 38 years. She said she had no need to keep it on hand," Hermione said.
"I'm quite surprised that she didn't ask for some to be brewed," Severus said. "With your permission, I will brew a substantial supply for the infirmary, you will have to get it from there. It's pointless to be suffering from this when something can be done. Madame Pomfrey has strict rule regarding medicinal potions."
"Yes sir, I appreciate it," Hermione said.
"How did your parents take the news?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Surprised at first, but now happy," Hermione said.
"Where will the ceremony be held?" Severus asked.
"In the solarium at the manor," Draco answered. "It would have broken mother's heart to not seethe ceremony."
"It will be a small, intimate ceremony," Hermione said. "You are invited sir."
"In that case, I will make every effort to attend," Severus said. "You do plan to apprentice under Professor Vector, do you not?"
"Yes professor," Hermione said.
"Very well. Check with Madame Pomfrey later this evening for your potions. You are dismissed," he said.
Why am I so concerned? Severus thought.
Despite outward appearances, he did care for Draco. The young man stepped forward from his father's shadow and became one of the heroes of the war against Voldmemort. He was taking his new situation as a young, prospective parent with grace. As for Hermione, he didn't understand how Poppy would not have a morning sickness potion made available; there was no need to suffer needlessly. The girl was going through enough with NEWTS coming up. And despite outward appearances, he did have a high regard for mothers. He would have a quick lunch then start on the morning sickness potions.