A/N: Hey all. So sorry for the delay. I had to move house again and the net took forever to change over. Then I had 50 emails to read through and a bulk were reviews! So yay! Thanks for reviewing!
DISCLAIMER: I only own the plot!
Chapter TenA week passed with everyone wondering when the battle was going to finally take place. But still no one knew of Narcissa's secret, other than Sirius. She hadn't even had the courage to tell Draco that she might not be a full-blooded Black; she could quite possibly be a muggleborn herself. The thought shocked her but didn't make her feel disgusted. She didn't speak about it to Sirius and brushed the topic away whenever he tried to bring it up in conversation.
She entered the Great Hall for dinner not taking notice of anyone, not the chattering students some feeling relaxed with exams ending and school coming to a close the week after or her son giving his mother a worried look. Narcissa sat down and shook her head to un-cloud her thoughts and smiled brightly at Hermione who was chatting to Ginny about her pregnancy. She piled her plate with a variety of food, most being salad.
"Mother are you alright?" asked Draco catching his mother's attention.
"Fine Draco," replied Narcissa, "I was just mulling over some thoughts. How has your day been? I hear you are practising sword fighting again?"
Draco nodded, "It's tiring but I am getting fitter again and not falling asleep so early. How is the battle planning going?"
"Oh," said Narcissa. She hadn't been attending the meetings in a week as she waited for news from the Ministry, "It has been progressing slowly."
"Don't lie to me. I know you haven't been all week. If you have a look around you, you'll notice Lupin, Arthur, Sirius, and McGonagall aren't here. They are still in the meeting. What is going on?"
Narcissa sighed and placed her fork against her plate, "Would you like to take a walk with me?"
Draco nodded and told Hermione he would be back. She smiled and nodded before returning to her meal and conversation with Ginny. Draco stood and followed his mother out of the hall. They exited the castle and walked across the grounds slowly.
"Last week Sirius and I were reminiscing over some photos. When he left I had a look at an old one of Bellatrix, my parents and myself. I noticed a startling difference between them and myself only came to my attention then and I pulled the photo out to see our ages. On the back it said Bellatrix 4 years, myself 1.5 years – two days after adoption."
"You mean you could be adopted?"
Narcissa nodded, "Sirius knows of course and he suggested I send a letter to the Ministry to find out. I am waiting for their reply."
"But Bellatrix could be the adopted one."
Narcissa shook her head, "No. I look too different to the family. It's an obvious difference that I have been blind to."
Draco sighed, "So why didn't you tell me before now?"
"I didn't know how to go about it. You have a lot on your mind as it is."
"But you are my mother. I worry about you all the time when you go all quiet."
Narcissa smiled and hugged Draco before they headed back to the castle.
HD
"Wow… how did she feel about it?" asked Hermione leaning against Draco placing her book on her stomach as she looked up at Draco.
"Probably like fool to not have noticed the difference sooner. But normally everyone puts down different looks to others in their family as being because they get their looks from their grandparents. I actually think mother will be pleased if she isn't a Black. It'll explain a lot of things about her personality compared to the rest of the Blacks… excluding Sirius of course," said Draco with a sigh.
Hermione frowned and peered at Draco curiously, "What if your mother is adopted and she is… say either a muggleborn or half-blood? Would that bother you?"
"No, why should it?" asked Draco without any hesitation.
"I was just wondering. I mean the old Draco would hate it… hate himself even."
"Well," said Draco placing his hand over Hermione's, which rested on top of her book, "The old Draco was a tool and didn't know wrong from right. And this Draco loves you and our baby deeply."
Hermione smiled and lifted her head to kiss Draco, "And this Hermione loves you and the baby exactly the same."
HD
Narcissa finished pinning her long blonde locks up into a French twist and examined it from both sides of her head to make sure every hair was in place. She walked over to her room's windows and pulled the curtains back letting in the day's sunshine. She took a deep breath smiling despite the thoughts in the back of her mind. As she headed to the door to head to the hall for breakfast a knock came at her door. She opened it and smiled at Sirius who gave her a brief smile before handing her a thick envelope.
"Is it from the Ministry?" asked Narcissa quietly.
"The wax seal says it is. It arrived today along with Dolores Umbridge," said Sirius, "Aren't you going to open it?"
Narcissa nodded with a furrowed brow as her trembling hands held the envelope. She moved her left hand to the seal and neatly peeled it back. With a deep breath she pulled out the neatly folded papers. She looked at them and then at Sirius who gave her a reassuring nod and smile.
Narcissa placed the two folded papers on the table and opened the top one.
"Dear Mrs Narcissa Malfoy,
"Enclosed in this envelope are the papers you requested from the Ministry of Magic. I sincerely hope they are what you are searching for and give you any answers you need. If you wish for any more information on yourself or your family tree, please do not hesitate in letting me know.
"Sincerely,
"Geraldine Mathews."
"Well, its what you wanted and they will help you with everything else," said Sirius as Narcissa finished reading the small note.
Narcissa didn't reply and opened up her birth certificate. This was it. This was what she needed to know and it would explain a lot of things about why she was different to her relatives. She looked down at the mother's name and bit her lip.
"My birth mother is… oh my gosh," whispered Narcissa shocked at the name she was reading, "Josephine McGonagall."
"Are you reading that correctly?" asked Sirius walking over and having a look himself, "Blimey you are right!"
"My father is unknown though… butJosephine McGonagall? I wonder if she is related to Minerva in some way."
"Obviously. So that means you are adopted then."
Narcissa opened the second one and nodded, "Says it right here. I was at a orphanage from two months after my birth."
Sirius let out a long breath, "Wow… that is amazing. You… a McGonagall. Narcissa McGonagall."
Narcissa gave Sirius a look, telling him to be silent about it all. She folded the papers up and looked back at Sirius, "I should tell Minerva. I mean maybe she can tell me something I don't know."
"It's up to you. Would you like me to escort you, Ms McGonagall?"
Narcissa swatted Sirius on the arm and walked out of the room before him.
HD
Hermione looked at the gun and ran her fingers over the engraved letters on the side, M.G- Matthew Granger. She placed it back in the case and put the case in her suitcase. Standing, she pushed the suitcase under her and Draco's bed before heading out to go for a morning walk. She rarely ate breakfast due to mostly throwing it back up. By lunch she was always famished and in need to a little rest. The pregnancy was making her easily tired, which worried Hermione a little. As she reached the castle doors to outside Fleur came out of the Hall.
"Fleur!" cried Hermione catching the young French woman's attention, "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," smiled Fleur, one hand on her growing stomach, "What is it?"
"Around the two, nearing three month period… did you get tired easily?"
"No, I can't say I did. I felt a little odd, but that was all."
Hermione nodded, "Thanks. I might go pay Poppy a visit."
With a smile Hermione forgot about her walk and headed straight to the Hospital Wing. As she walked in a student walked out, but other than that it was empty.
"Gee," said Hermione as Pompfrey made a bed, "This place used to always be busy."
"Yes well, you and your two friends always kept me busy," she said with a sigh, "Now what can I do with you?"
"Well, I have been getting tired rather easily and I find that a little odd."
Pompfrey nodded and gestured to Hermione to sit down on one of the beds. She pulled her wand and began murmuring spells to see if she could find an answer. After a while she gave a nod and put her wand away.
"What is it?" asked Hermione fixing her shirt up.
"Well I have found out the answer."
"Yes… what's that?"
"You, Miss Granger, are going to have twins."
HD
"Twins?" cried Ginny as Hermione told Ginny the news in the privacy of hers and Draco's room, "Blimey… twins to either Draco or Oliver."
"I know," sighed Hermione fidgeting with her bracelet, "How do I tell Draco?"
"Hermione, the guy loves you more than anything else. He'll be other the room – regardless of who the father will be."
"I know… you're right."
As Ginny was about to speak a knock came at the door. Hermione stood and opened it smiling when she saw it was Narcissa.
"Hello Narcissa," smiled Hermione stepping aside to let Narcissa in, "Is everything alright?"
"Is Draco around?" she asked looking at Hermione as she clutched onto papers in her hand.
"Ah, no… he's out training. He's at the Room of Requirement. If you want I can take you too him. I have to speak to him anyway."
Narcissa nodded and headed outside to wait for Hermione.
Hermione turned to Ginny who was looking at Narcissa's retreating back with concern.
"She looks worried," said Ginny, "I'll see you later. Let me know how Draco takes the news."
Hermione nodded and Ginny left. Hermione pulled on her shoes and left the room shutting the door behind her. She walked with Narcissa in silence, glancing at Draco's mother who kept a tight hold on the papers. Hermione wondered if they were to do with the possible adoption but didn't ask. They reached the blank wall and Hermione thought about wanting to see Draco. The door appeared and Hermione opened it beckoning Narcissa in. Sure enough, there was Draco practising his sword fighting on a hologram figure of his own father. Draco was covered in a thin layer of sweat, making his shirt stick to his body. His blonde hair was darkened with the sweat along his brow and back of his neck.
"A-hem," said Hermione with a smile.
Draco looked up and smiled. The hologram vanished as he walked over to Hermione and his mother.
"Hey," he said greeting Hermione with a kiss on the cheek, "Mum… what's wrong?"
"Well I was meant to see Minerva first, but she is busy dealing with two students caught doing inappropriate actions in a classroom. So I thought I would see you first… ah does Hermione know… about you know what?" asked Narcissa glancing at Hermione.
"Yeah she does," replied Draco an arm around Hermione's waist.
Narcissa nodded and took a deep breath, "It turns out I am adopted. My real mother was a witch, Josephine McGonagall… my father however… he is unknown."
Hermione's mouth fell open while Draco looked truly shocked.
"You mean Minerva is like your Aunty?" said Draco taking a look of the birth certificate.
"Possibly, yes."
"Wow… Minerva will be surprised if you are related to her," said Hermione looking at the certificate as well.
Narcissa nodded as she took the certificate back, "I thought you should know. I might go and see if Minerva is available for a talk now. I'll see you both later."
With a smile, Narcissa left shutting the door behind her. Hermione turned to Draco and hugged him before giving him a long, loving kiss.
"Is that what you came to see me for?" asked Draco with a cheeky grin.
"Part of it. I have something else to tell you… something, well surprising."
"Okay…"
"I went and saw Poppy today about my tiredness. And she found out the reason. It will continue on for a while and will get worse as the months go by… even after the birth," said Hermione in a serious tone making Draco look at her worriedly, "Things will be stressful, for the both of us. But I think we can cope."
"Hermione, what is it?" asked Draco with wide eyes and worry etched all over his face.
"I'm having twins."
Hermione watched Draco take in the news. His face changed from worry to shock, then to complete and utter happiness. He grinned at Hermione and hugged her tightly before kissing her all over the face.
"This… is… wonderful!" he said between kisses.
Hermione giggled and pulled away, "You aren't upset?"
"No! I get to be a father twice in one go."
Hermione smiled and hugged him before breathing in his sweaty smell, "You need a shower," she said backing away, "I'll let you go… and continue building up sweat."
Draco stepped towards her but Hermione ran over to the door grinning. As she turned and opened the door, his grabbed her around the waist and spun her around ignoring her laughing pleas to be put down. Finally he did and Hermione gave him one last kiss, then managed to leave.
HD
McGonagall looked down at the birth record and adoption papers. She sighed then nodded knowing it was true. Narcissa sat down across from her and waited for the elderly witch to muster up the courage to speak about something she hadn't said a word about in years.
"Josephine… Jo as we all called her… she was a free spirit," said McGonagall, "She was my older sister by five years and my bestfriend. We confided in each other about everything, even her unexpected pregnancy. Both of us were virgins up until our marriages. Mine didn't last long as we both went separate ways and I loved another man. Jo was the same, only she went about her secret love behind her husbands back, I knew… I told her it was a foolish thing, but Jo was in too deep already. She was pregnant to her muggle lover. Her and her husband had consummated their marriage, but only did it once. She was trapped and knew it," McGonagall paused as she blinked back tears, "Her husband… he was a violent man when he found out. He beat her! She came directly to me and I protected her throughout the nine months and helped her mourn the loss of her lover. We both knew it was her husband who killed him. Our parents disowned her when they learnt the truth but Jo was my bestfriend and I would never leave her. She gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl who had her mother's blue eyes and father's fine blonde hair. Jo went out one day with her baby Bethany May… but never came home. The Aurours found her beaten to death five hours after I reported her missing. She was found in an alleyway and etched into her skin, written by her bastard of a husband was the words "Muggle loving whore". I tried to find her baby but I couldn't… and now here is my niece sitting before me."
Narcissa blinked back her own tears as Minerva dried her eyes from bringing up the memory of her beloved, lost sister Josephine.
"I only just found out as you know," said Narcissa, "I only discovered the possibility after finding a picture of me two days after my adoption."
"How old were you when you were adopted?"
"One and a half years old."
Minerva gave a watery smile, "I searched for you for three years before Albus told me you had most likely been adopted or even killed, yet all this time you were right under my eyes! In the school I taught at!" Minerva looked at her eyes and smiled, "Your mother's eyes… they are so noticeable now. And the smile. She always had that smile on her face," Minerva stood and opened one of the draws in her office. She pulled out a photo and placed it on the desk in front of Narcissa. Narcissa picked it up and found herself looking at a much younger Minerva and a woman beside her. Sure enough she had Narcissa's smile and fair skin. She was waving and giggling as Minerva rolled her eyes and then laughed. They both had black hair but instead of Minerva's being in a tight bun, it was loose and flowing in curls, along with her sisters.
"She was beautiful," said Narcissa, "So I am a half-blood?"
McGonagall nodded, "Yes. My sister would have brought you up in a most loving way. So would have I if I found you. But, despite who you married, I must say you were a bright student with a wittiness that rivalled your mothers."
Narcissa smiled and looked down at the photo of the mother she never knew and finally understood where all her characteristics came from.
"Bethany May… what would my last name have been?"
"Manchester was the surname of your father, but Jo made it McGonagall."
"Bethany May McGonagall."
HD
Lucius walked through his large empty mansion paying no attention to his surroundings – or the moans coming from one of the guest rooms; if he had he would have found his future wife in a compromising position with a young Blaise Zabini. His mind was on a young brunette. If her unborn baby weren't his sons his plans would be destroyed. He had to know the answer of the question on his mind. If he didn't he would lose his mind over it. The question was how.
With a sigh Lucius entered his office and poured a glass full of whiskey and sat down sculling the glass down. There had to be a way. He looked at the glass and deemed it unfaithful to him. So much for showing him all he wanted to know. The silly plane of glass couldn't even show him inside Hogwarts!
"Useless thing," he muttered, "You can't even show me my son!"
He looked at the glass in hope it would suddenly bring up an image of Draco. But it merely stood in place blank as ever. In anger he threw his empty whiskey glass at it, shattering the expensive and rare mirror into a million pieces. Lucius stood and walked out of his office and punched the wall nearest to him, leaving a gaping hole into the library.
"PANSY!" roared Lucius, "I NEED YOU NOW!"
He walked along the hall and saw Pansy run out of a room dressed neatly and smoothing her hair with an innocent smile.
"Walk with me," said Lucius, "I need you to go to Azkaban."
"What! Why?" cried Pansy looking at Lucius in shock.
"You need to speak with Severus. Find out a way to get into Hogwarts to the Hospital Wing and the medical files Pompfrey keeps."
"How am I meant to get in unnoticed?" cried Pansy in anger, "Why don't you go do it yourself?"
"If you want your lover to remain alive, I suggest you find out a way and get the information from Severus," threatened Lucius with a cold glare before stalking off leaving behind a furious Pansy.
HD
The next few weeks passed until a date Hermione and Draco had been waiting for arrived. Hermione woke on the morning with her stomach a bundle of nerves. She dressed in a loose pink top with black, loose track pants with pink edging. Draco gave her reassuring hug with a kiss on the cheek. Taking her by the hand they walked to the Hospital Wing in a nervous silence. More than anything, Hermione wanted the babies to be Draco's despite her earlier doubts. They could get rid of the dark magic Draco was cursed with, allowing her children to live a normal life without any dark temptations. Standing outside the Hospital Wing was Harry, Ginny, Ron and Luna along with Narcissa and Sirius.
Over the weeks Narcissa had grown accustomed to being a half blood, with Draco taking it in his stride that he wasn't a complete pureblood like he once believed.
"We will be here for you no matter what," said Ginny hugging Hermione.
"Exactly," said Narcissa, "They are my grandchildren with or without my families blood in them."
"Shall we get started?" asked Sirius opening the Hospital Wing doors.
Hermione nodded and walked in with Draco holding her hand the entire way. They found a bed towards the back of the Hospital Wing and Pompfrey drew the curtains closed around them. Hermione looked at Sirius expectantly as he pulled out two vials and a bottle of green potion.
"Okay," he said looking at Hermione and Draco, "I will need to extract a sample of magic from your babies Hermione and a sample of Draco's. It won't hurt a bit. I promise."
Hermione nodded and lifted her top, showing her slightly, barely noticeable rounded stomach. Sirius pulled his wand out and pointed the end against Hermione's stomach. He frowned a little and pulled his wand away drawing out with it a red, shining, liquid like substance. He dropped it in one of the vials and then turned to Draco. He pointed the tip of his wand at Draco's wrist and with drew more red liquid like substance. He placed it in the second vial and lifted the potion.
"Now. I will mix this in with Draco's magical DNA. It will turn yellow after a few seconds. Once that happens I will mix it in with the babies. If it stays yellow that means Draco isn't the father of the twins. However if it turns a sky blue he is the father of the twins."
Hermione nodded and gripped onto Draco's hands tightly. Sirius mixed in the green potion with his DNA and like he said it turned a golden yellow. Both watched with wide eyes as he poured it into the babies DNA. Then slowly as if hours were passing, Sirius mixed the two lots of DNA together. Hermione sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes not wanting to watch the change, if it happened. Draco beside her tensed up, his grip on her hand tightening before a dry yet relieved laugh escaped from him.
Hermione opened her eyes and looked at his face before turning to Sirius who held up a sky blue filled vial.
"T-that means," said Hermione in disbelief, "D-Draco is the father."
"It sure does. Congratulations, Draco. You are the father of the twins."
Hermione turned to Draco and hugged him tightly, laughing into his shoulder as he murmured wonderful things into her ear of how everything would turn out perfect in the end.
HD
Pansy hugged Blaise tightly before she began running up the side of the cliff to where the Azkaban prison stood. No Dementor's were in sight, but Pansy knew they were there. Her and Blaise had found a spell to make her emotions unreadable to the horrible creatures. Before she ran any further she cast the spell on herself and began moving quickly. The spell worked for only an hour. She ran past the grave of dead bodies and slipped through a bent bar wide enough for her slim figure. She ran over to a board with all the names of the prisoners. Most were former Death Eaters who supported Voldemort or Lucius. Reaching the High Security part, Pansy found Severus' name and began heading for the staircase that lead to the high security prisoners. Pansy ran along the corridor and could feel the chill in the air from the Dementor's. She knew, though she hated it, she would most likely end up in Azkaban for betraying the Order. It was foolish a act from her. Pansy came to a halt midway to Severus' cell and turned around before stopping again. Could she do it? Would she do it?
She loved Blaise dearly. She'd been dating him before she joined Lucius, only doing it because he threatened her and her family along with Blaise if she didn't. Playing the role of being in love with him was hard and she knew it wasn't going to last long, which it didn't.
"I can't do it," mumbled Pansy as she turned ran back down the stairs, out of the prison, across the cold sticky grass. She nearly tumbled down the cliff side but kept her footing as she made it to the boat. Blaise looked at her pale face and messy hair in surprise.
"That was quick," he said wrapping a blanket around her.
"I couldn't do it, Blaise," sobbed Pansy leaning into his chest, "I know Lucius will kill my family, but Draco is one of my dearest friends and so is Hermione. I can't betray them like this. Please… take me back to main land. We will go to Hogwarts and confess everything. The Order will help us."
"Okay baby," said Blaise softly as they climbed into the boat and set sail for main land, Pansy sobbing the entire way at her own stupidity.
A/N: There you go. Draco is the Daddy and Narcissa is McGonagall's niece and we found out why Pansy turned against the Order – for love of Blaise and her family! Anyway, please review! Not long to go before we reach the end now...
Until next time…
Love yas!
Love Coz!