Author's Note:As if I deserve to have one! I am so sorry for the infrequent updates. I hope you enjoy the chapter!Disclaimer: You guys know the drill.

Chapter Ten: Frigid Armor

Hermione set herself none-too-gracefully on a seat at the Gryffindor table, as had been her routine for the last week. On the table, she plopped baby Rose, who was now about four month with the accelerated growth and was displaying her full vocabulary of "doo-doo"s and "daa-daa"s to awing Gryffindors. The rest of the Gryffindor babies, Avory Joseph Potter, Gabriella Thomas, Penelope Weasley, and chubby, silent Albert Longbottom enjoyed the attention just as much.

Although Hermione tried to convince herself that Rose was all she needed, Hermione couldn't help but look at the other couples in defeat. They all looked tired, but content with their matches for now. Hermione noticed the differences: the bags under her eyes were darker then theirs, her clothes messier, and her hair more unruly (though she couldn't blame the last one on baby Rose). Ginny was a god-send, spending her time at the table, in her free periods, and sometimes in the evenings distracting Rose with little playthings so that Hermione could finish her essays or eat. Hermione slept little, especially since Rose had an internal alarm that woke her every hour for changing, feeding, bathing, or whatever else came into the little creature's mind. It caused Hermione to go through another vial of her carefully brewed Albartrez potion.

Hermione felt her temper flare up every time she saw the blond-headed ferret, who had learned after several one-sided rows, to stay out of sight. She hardly saw him now, and she was conflicted at his blatant disregard of Rose and, to her immense relief, at his blatant disregard of his fiancé.

Hermione ruffled through her sheets of parchment until she found the schedule handed to her that Monday.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts and then Double Potions with Slytherin" Hermione announced to her fellow classmates. Rose turned from Ginny's lap to nod at her mother, as if she understood perfectly. "Harry, I think that Professor Lupin should be there for this class, so do you plan on asking him about NEWT qualifications for Auror?"

Harry looked at her startled, as he tried to (yet again) detach Lavender's arm around his.

" 'Mione, give it a rest! We just started school and you want him to think about it ending already?"

"Ron, if it was up to you, we would think about the world ending the minute before it did"

"Live life in the moment, right mate? Say, do you think you could give me extra Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons again, Harry? Lupin says I may be able to get a NEWT in the subject if I really got some of the seventh year spell."

"Yah Harry, can ya' help me too? Mum says I'll have to go to dad's Uni if I don't get N.E.W.T.s here, and you're a really good teacher" said Seamus.

"Speaking of which," said Hermione, "I could use a bit more practice."

"I don't know, guys. We tried Dumbledore's Army, and a load of good that did us." Harry said, placing a firm hand on Avory's back to make sure the infant didn't fall off the table.

"Harry, you wouldn't have to do it in secret this year, not if you asked Lupin," said Ginny, ignoring baby Rose who was attempting to place a rather large chunk of toast into Ginny's mouth. Of course, Rose who was determined not to be ignored, dropped the toast and began gnawing away at a strand of Ginny's red hair.

Harry looked at Ginny, and then quickly stole a glance at Lavender before looking back down at his plate. It was a quick look, enough for Hermione and Ginny to notice, but the rest of the table remained blissfully oblivious.

"Umm, yah…I guess. I just don't think it's a good idea with this new project, and everything else we have going on…" he trailed off. He crumbled off the end off his toast, playing uneasily with his food.

"Harry, with all this going on, its exactly the right time to focus on something else. We need something normal in our lives, and studying or training could do that for us."

Ron snorted at this and mumbled something along the lines of "speak for yourself," before catching Hermione's eyes and turning back to his food, ears tinged with red.

"Anyhow, the number of Order members dropping in and out of Hogwarts is making me nervous. We might need this. More than any of us can imagine right now."

A hush among her friends fell at the ominous words, and the seventh years looked around, as if expecting Voldemort to pop out of a long-winded game of Hide-and-Seek.

Rose, utterly oblivious, attempted to start a conversation with the platter of eggs in front of her, and when she failed to do so, she threw large chunks of scrambled eggs at the surrounding party. A fistful landed into Ron's open mouth, and the anxious edge of the table exploded into laughter.

"Alright, I'll do it," said Harry laughing, "I'll ask Lupin today."

_X_X_X_X_

Late September was still a pleasant time, Hermione found on one of her rare days when Ginny had offered to take care of Rose for the afternoon. It was one of those days where shadows became extinct in the bright sunlight, and the grounds at Hogwarts were littered with students who had free periods. The Quidditch pitch had turned into a pre-season scrimmage, and had drawn in a rather large cheering crowd.

Hermione fingered the pale scar on her left forearm. The skin had pulled over itself, leaving a thin jagged line that was raised above her skin. It was a result of Bellatrix's fury. She had cut Hermione with her cursed knife, and it had never quite healed. Magic, especially dark magic, leaves traces. Hermione marveled at the idea that Harry had spent the last seven years in discomfort, knowing he had been touched by such dark magic. She felt sorry for him, as she often did when she remembered his hardships…and he had had so many.

She looked past the crowd and saw him flash by the other team's seeker on his new Firebolt, an apology gift from Xenophilius Lovegood. Harry hadn't been too keen on accepting such a flashy gift, but decided it was better than the mansion in Godric's Hollow that the Daily Prophet was offering to get back into his good graces.

Hermione tucked her feet under robes and pulled out a book to pass the time. She didn't indulge in flying, especially since no amount of reading or studying would make her excel at it. And it didn't help that her two best friends were naturally good at it.

"Ermm, Ms. Granger?...uh, Hermione?"

Hermione looked up to see a small first year that had called her name. The young girl's pretty blue eyes flashed uncertainly as she addressed the older girl.

"Yes?"

"The Headmistress is asking for you in her office. She told me to tell you to come at once." The young girl gave Hermione a small grin before scampering away to join her friends.

Hermione picked up her bag and headed back towards the grounds, confiscating several Fanged Frisbees that had snagged onto her on her way back to the school.

Hermione knocked on the door and waited for the harsh 'come in' before swinging the door open. Hermione was surprised to see Malfoy turn to look at her from the seat across from McGonagall's.

McGonagall motioned for Hermione to take the empty seat near Malfoy. Hermione took it rather coldly, sitting up straighter, her jaw set determinedly. She would not let Malfoy see weakness. She would not let Malfoy see it bothered her that he showed no interest in Rose, and had chosen to ignore her. If he wanted to pretend that she didn't exist, she wouldn't complain.

"The Minister has recently informed me of the situation you two are in. Although I personally do not believe that this is the best way to handle the current situation, I am unable to go against the Ministry's demands. I know you two have had your differences in the past, yet you both have chosen to put aside these differences for what the Ministry believes is a noble cause. However, seeing as we have to come up with an act that will not only convince the school but the world of your 'love,' which you know is essential for this plan to be successful, I would suggest you two find something you both can relate to. Mr. Malfoy could you propose a plan for us to follow?"

"No" said Malfoy quickly, adding "Headmistress" after a short pause.

McGonagall looked at him sharply, across the large mahogany desk. She looked as if she considered reprimanding him, but eventually thought better of it.

"Very well," she continued, "What about you, Ms. Granger?"

Hermione paused for a second. She didn't want to do this. She wanted to wake up and realize that this miserable year was over, that she was safe at home with her friends and family. No spell baby, no fiancé, and no stupid law.

But another part of her, a horribly irritating voice of reason, reprimanded her for being so cowardly. She knew why she was doing this. She knew it was so no other child had to suffer the way that she had, made to feel like a second citizen because she wasn't born into this world. No other Bellatrix would draw a knife for this pureblood insanity. It could…no it would end with her.

"Rose" she whispered softly.

"I'm sorry?" McGonagall asked.

"The spell-baby. We can start off by trading her, like people expect us to do (Hermione added that with emphasis for the little ferret's sake). Slowly, we can go on 'family outings,' pretend to enjoy ourselves, and it would be said that the project brought us close together and that we fell in 'love'. After all, parents would do anything for their children, so it would seem plausible." Hermione shivered slightly, thinking over the tearful reunion with her own parents. How they had said that they would have rather died than ever leaving Hermione again.

"Do you think you can do it convincingly?" McGonagall addressed the two.

"Perfectly" said Hermione, jaw set in determination.

"I'll…try" said Malfoy. Hermione looked at him quickly, and what she saw mirrored her own expression. Malfoy seemed determined.

Hi Guys,

Again, I am extremely sorry for the infrequent update. I had a pretty hard year, but progress has been made! I am going to be a Medical Student in the fall!

Also, I have unfortunately broken my ankle, so I will be bed-bound for the next couple of weeks, and you guys should be able to expect several updates.

Anyway, tell me how you guys liked this chapter. I know it seems like nothing is happening, but it seems like our two main characters need a little more convincing to try to fall in love. Did McGonagall do the trick?

Thank you if you still stuck by!

~IceChanter