Couldn't leave you all hanging for that long! Chapter 13 is almost finished, but it is a little shorter than this one so I may lengthen or merge it with what I had planned for 14 before posting. I originally posted the wrong version of this chapter, but I updated it a few minutes after posting, so hopefully only a few of you read that version.


CHAPTER TWELVE

Hermione knew she was in the hospital this time, but refused to open her eyes all the same. She could hear the low, urgent whispers of those in the room, and longed to shut out the voices. She did not want to hear what they would say. She knew, just from the painful throbbing between her legs, that it would not be anything she wanted to hear.

"She's awake," a familiar voice spoke from beside her. A hand wiped away a tear she hadn't realized had slipped from her closed eyes. "Hermione, sweetheart, please talk to me," Harry's urgent voice persisted.

She squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head away. In her head, she began screaming, praying that if she made up a noise loud enough it would drown out those in the room, and she wouldn't have to hear the words she'd so been dreading to hear.

"Baby, please," she'd unwittingly turned her head towards where Draco sat on her other side, and she felt him stroke her cheek soothingly.

She turned her head upwards and clapped her hands over her face as more tears began to flow. "My baby," she sobbed. "My poor baby, my baby, my baby," she was nearly incoherent.

"Hermione!" Harry shouted. She hadn't realized that she'd started thrashing wildly, but she opened her eyes as her arms were locked down to see Harry, Draco, and Neville holding her down from various positions around her hospital bed.

"The baby is fine, love," Sirius was standing across the room, looking alarmed as he took in her appearance. "The baby is fine, I promise," he said again.

"Wh-what?" she blubbered.

"The baby is alright, Hermione," Neville assured her.

There was a shift behind him, and she was surprised to see Snape standing behind him, his face devoid of emotion although his eyes were trained on her. She looked around the room, and realized that they were in St. Mungo's, but instead of the plain rooms she'd become accustomed to, they were in one of the exclusive suites on the hospital's uppermost floors. Arthur and Lucius were seated in large, plush armchairs, and even Kingsley was there. All eyes were trained on her.

She sniffled, looking around again. "Why...why are you all here?"

"Why are we-" Draco's voice had an angry edge, but he cut himself off mid-sentence as he caught her expression. "We're here because you had an emergency," he finished more softly.

"You and the baby…" Neville spoke quietly. "You were in distress," he said.

"We could have lost you," Harry whispered. "Both of you," he added.

"I-" she tried to recall what had happened to her that day, and it came back in a dreadful rush. Lucius. Narcissa. Blood, so much blood...

"Oh," she choked, running her hands over her belly. "I'm so sorry baby," she cried, fresh tears running down her cheeks. She sobbed hard, uncaring for once of all the eyes on her.

"Hermione, please," Harry begged. "You need to calm down. Everything's alright now," he gripped her hand, eyes shining with worry.

She nodded and let Harry wipe at her face with a cool, damp cloth as she tried to regulate her breathing.

"What happened Hermione?" Neville asked after she calmed a bit.

She looked up, and noticed him and Harry shooting dark glares at Snape, who glared back. "Stop it," she said quietly. "He-he didn't do anything," she said, meeting Snape's eyes as he looked over to her again. It had most likely been him that had brought her here, after she'd bled and nearly collapsed on the floor of his lab. "Thank you," she said to him. He gave her a quick nod in response.

"What was it, then?" Draco asked. She looked up at him, then away again as she saw the relief reflected in his eyes. He probably felt relieved that it hadn't been his godfather that caused her distress. She didn't want to break his heart by telling him that it had actually been his parents, and an argument that had had everything to do with him.

"It was nothing, I've just been stressed with it all," she answered finally. She doubted they believed her, but they didn't press the issue all the same.

The door to the room opened then, and Healer Browne stepped in. A somber look descended on the woman's face as she took in Hermione's expression. "I trust your husbands have brought you up to speed on the situation?" she asked.

Hermione nodded, not yet trusting her voice to be steady enough to respond.

"Good," Healer Browne said, satisfied. "Your distress was likely caused by heightened stress, but you and the baby are no longer in danger. If you don't mind…" she gestured at those nearest her bed to move deeper into the room, and they moved quickly.

"Are you alright if I…?" Healer Browne gestured at her nether regions and she blushed, but nodded all the same. She knew that it would cause too much friction to send out some husbands and not others, and she hadn't she strength to bother at the moment.

The room was quiet as the Healer placed her legs in stirrups and summoned a stool so that she could peer under the sheet that was tented over her spread legs. Although none of her husbands could see anything, she still felt dreadfully exposed.

"Does that hurt?" Healer Browne asked, her fingers prodding lightly.

Hermione nodded, then remembered the woman couldn't see her. "Yes," she whispered, then sighed in relief when the woman whispered a spell that had her relaxing as the pain lifted. Harry and Draco had ventured back towards her upon hearing the pain in her voice, and were now close enough to take one of her hands in each of theirs. She squeezed them back gratefully.

The woman prodded around and casted diagnostic spells for a few more minutes in silence, although Hermione could only focus on the bated breaths of her husbands as they lingered behind her.

"Is everything alright?" Draco finally broke the silence, his voice laced with concern.

"Everything is fine," Healer Browne said as she stood up, gently removing Hermione's feet from the stirrups before righting her clothes with a flick of her wand.

Hermione sighed, thankful.

"When was the last time you had intercourse?" Healer Browne asked, her voice as professional as ever.

Oh, gods. Hermione's face burned in embarrassment. "Erm," she said awkwardly. She peeked out the window nearest her and spotted the late afternoon sun hanging low in the sky. "This, uh, late this morning," she muttered. Healer Browne nodded, and an awkward silence ensured.

Hermione begged the gods that the woman wouldn't continue, but she was a healer herself and thus already knew the next question the woman would ask before it left her lips.

"And how many ti-" Healer Brown started, but Hermione cut her off before she could pose the entire embarrassing question out loud.

"Five," Hermione said quickly.

Healer Browne's eyebrows raised minutely. "In the past-" Twenty-four hours? The woman was going to ask, but Hermione cut her off again.

"Yes," she said hastily, face flaming.

Healer Browne paused. "You are in no way required to appease to your husbands' excessive...demands, especially while pregnant," she noted with a stern look on her face as her narrowed eyes roved the room. If they hadn't caught on to the questions the healer had been asking before, the men certainly had by now. She heard some distinctly awkward sounding shuffling, and a throat clear in the silence.

"I'm aware. It was, uh, my choice," she mumbled, longing for the cover of Harry's invisibility cloak to hide her embarrassment.

Healer Browne looked into her eyes before nodding, seeming satisfied with what she saw. "Very well, then." She moved over Hermione's stomach, and tears sprang to Hermione's eyes when the sound of the baby's heartbeat hit her ears. It was as strong as ever.

"Any other symptoms other than an increased libido?" she asked.

Hermione shook her head no, face still flaming. "Just been a little tired, but otherwise fine. Besides my magic issues, of course," she answered quietly.

The other woman nodded. "You also need rest, and no stress until delivery," she added sternly. "You had some bleeding, but the baby is no longer in danger."

"Thank you," Hermione said softly, eyes still shining with happy tears at the news that her baby was alright.

"You may resume having, erm, relations, once you feel ready," Healer Browne continued. Hermione reddened again, immensely grateful that she didn't have to meet the eyes of any of the men in the room in that moment. "But not too rough," Healer Browne sternly, looking around the room once more.

The room was silent for a moment as Hermione burned in embarrassment. Harry and Draco's hands had stiffened in hers, but she did not dare look up to see if either was looking at her.

"Would you like to know the gender?" Healer Browne carried on casually, as if she hadn't just brought up her vibrant sex life in front of all eight of her husbands.

Immediately, she heard a chorus of yeses from around the room. "Actually," Hermione smiled at their eagerness, "I'd like to be surprised."

Healer Browne nodded and gave her leave to return home before exiting.

"Oh come on!" Draco snapped.

"Really?" Harry said.

"Yes, really, Harry," Hermione laughed again, feeling light. "Wouldn't you like to be surprised as well?"

"I'd rather not leave every surprise for the delivery room," Draco sniffed.

She swatted at him playfully. "Patience, please."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Arthur asked.

She hadn't heard him approach, but she smiled gratefully at him. "I am now," she assured him. He nodded and squeezed her hand before taking his leave after Harry and Draco assured him that they would escort her home.

The other men in the room began filing out with small goodbyes. Lucius and Snape said nothing, but nodded quickly at her before taking their leave.

Soon, she was alone with Draco and Harry.

"Alright, shall-" Hermione stopped short. The two men each had a hand outstretched to help her up, and they were glaring at each other.

She looked between their hands, realizing they expected her to make a choice. She opted instead to swing her legs over the bed and push herself up on her own.

She'd overestimated her strength, however, and found herself pitching forward towards the floor before being caught by two sets of hands.

She looked up to find their glares directed at her. "No stress," she reminded them, crossing her arms. "Which means no forcing me to choose."

They exchanged another glare before helping her up.

"I'd like to go for a walk," she said smiling at them. "It'll be good for the baby."

"Hermione, you need rest-" Harry started.

"No walks. Let's go home for now-" Draco started speaking over him.

"It will be good for the baby, I promise!" she said, smiling at them as she tucked a hand in the crook of each of their arms.

X

"Isn't this nice?" Hermione smiled happily, enjoying the feel of the sunshine on her skin. She'd changed into muggle maternity jeans and a tank top that Harry had brought her, and she was thoroughly enjoying the feel of the warmth on her skin.

"Fantastic," Draco ground out, looking at the muggles around them with disgust. They were in the same park she'd walked through with Neville near Grimmauld, and the sun was shining high in the sky as the Londoners took in the rare sunshine.

She giggled at their obvious discomfort, touched at the notion that they were there, together, solely for her benefit.

"Thank you," she told them, taking up each of their hands and squeezing them in appreciation. "I needed this." A muggle woman pushing a stroller smiled at her, then frowned slightly as she saw the way Hermione's hands were intertwined with two different mens'. Hermione dropped their hands hastily, flushing.

"Let's get ice cream," she diverted their attention to the cart Neville had deemed his favorite.

They were soon sat on a bench, cones in hand. Harry and Draco had vanilla and chocolate, respectively, while she'd chosen a twist cone to appease them. She hadn't the heart to tell them that she actually preferred strawberry as they'd both waited with baited breath to see which of the two flavors she would pick.

"Oh!" she exclaimed happily, running a hand over her stomach. "Baby likes this," she giggled, feeling it roll around inside her.

"He's kicking?" Draco asked, hands flying over her belly. "Where?"

Harry scowled, shoving away one of Draco's hands as he tried to feel as well. "It could be my son, too. Or daughter," Harry said wistfully. He yelped happily as he felt the baby kick, and Draco shoved Harry's hands away to feel for himself. Even as they fought, they were both exceedingly gentle with their touches.

"What…" Hermione asked quietly, lips quivering as she finally formed the question she'd wanted to ask for a long while now. "What will you do when the baby comes? It can only be one of yours, and I know you don't get on, but-"

"Wait," Draco stopped her. "You don't think-"

"Hermione," Harry said softly. "No matter who the father is, the baby will still be half yours."

"I promised you that I would care for your children, no matter whose they are." Draco's voice was tinged with sincerity.

She closed her eyes and nodded. "Can you manage this, then? Me? You? Us? This entire...situation we've found ourselves in?"

"All I want is you, Hermione," Harry said, stroking a finger over her cheek.

Draco nodded. "I'll take whatever I can get."

"I…" she hesitated. "I don't think I would have been able to choose, if I'd only been allowed one."

Both men were quiet, pensive as they waited for her to continue.

"I didn't have to chose, in the end, but I do have to share myself among you, and others," she said. "But I will always want you. Both of you. Please don't ever forget that."

She nodded, smiling at them and being met with a smile from each in return.

"Oh!" she shot up. "We have something to do today!" she giggled, pulling them up as she led them off to find a discreet place to apparate.

They were walking through Diagon Alley a short time later, and she pulled them through the throngs of people to a store she'd discovered by chance a few weeks prior.

Harry's eyes lit up in delight as he realized where she was taking him, and even Draco's eyes had a gentle glint in them beneath the trepidation she saw.

The store was filled with the buzzing and whirring of various magical trinkets that were nestled amongst rows of cribs, strollers, toys, and clothing.

"Hullo," a young woman said from behind the counter across from them. Her eyes widened minutely as she recognized her guests who pulled off their concealing cloaks once they were certain they were safe from the eyes of nosy reporters. Hermione smiled back at her.

Hermione immediately left the two men to their own devices and began exploring the store's multitude of aisles, which she noted had been charmed to expand - likely a result of the impending amount of expectant mothers that would be descending upon it.

She was most enthralled by the toy aisle. There was a large bear that, when tapped with the right spell, would stand up and dance, or sing a pre-programmed lullaby. There was a stuffed dragon that was charmed to fly in low, lazy circles, breathing puffs of multicolored fire that was cool and slightly ticklish on the skin. A set of dazzling toy fairies giggled happily, leaving smatterings of glitter in their path as they toyed with anyone who came near.

She moved past the toys to the furniture, and found a changing table that was demonstrating how it automatically cleaned and changed a fake baby within seconds of it laying down, repeating its movements on an endless magical loop. She was dazzled by a beautiful canopy that moved in an invisible breeze, shimmering iridescently, and a charmed powder that simulated a night sky twinkling with the light of a thousand stars when dusted in the air. She wanted it all, and thought absently that she probably should buy it all, what with the litter of children the house would soon be filled with.

She'd been fingering nursing robes with trepidation when she heard Harry calling out to her excitedly.

"Hermione!" he called. "You have got to see this!"

She followed his voice and found him and Draco at the front of the store, enraptured by a crib in the display window. She rolled her eyes slightly when she approached, realizing the reason for their excitement. It was a large, exceedingly opulent crib, that was completely gilded in what looked almost like real gold, complete with curling gold vines that seemed to undulate around the round crib's railing. But this was not what had captured her husbands' attention. The two men were watching the miniature Quidditch team that flitted around in the air above the crib, cheering excitedly as the game intensified.

"Really?" she said, hands on her hips in mock annoyance even as her lips twitched with humor.

"Yes, really," Harry said, whooping with joy as the team he'd chosen scored.

Draco scowled, then cheered loudly as a player on his team caught the snitch, swinging the game in his favor. "Ha!" he said smugly. "Do you ever make the right choice, Potter?"

Harry scowled, but said nothing as the players started up again.

"Come along," Hermione said, laughing at their antics. "Besides, we can't get this," she added.

Both mens' eyes whipped to her instantly. "What? Why not?" Harry pouted.

"Have you seen the price of this?" she gestured at the price tag, cringing at the absurd amount of zeroes it displayed.

Harry and Draco blinked at her.

"What?" she asked, puzzled.

"You do know that we're rich, right?" Draco deadpanned.

Hermione sighed. "You may be well off-"

"We," both men corrected her, only to be met with a scowl.

"-but I refuse to spend exorbitant amounts of money on frivolous things-"

Both men looked affronted at her words. "Frivolous?" Harry said. "We have to start our children out young!"

"What if this one's a girl?" she asked.

"There are plenty of fantastic women's Quidditch teams out there," Draco shot back.

"Yes, but-" Hermione was terrified of brooms herself, and she felt sick at the thought of her child mounting one. She knew she'd have little to no shot at warning away a boy, but she'd hoped that a girl would be more amenable to her mother's concerns.

"But nothing," Draco said. "Besides, I've already purchased two." He smirked at her indignation.

"Two?! Honestly Draco, that is just-"

"And we've already requested that they have whatever you've taken a fancy to sent over to the Manor immediately," Harry said happily, and Draco nodded, looking distinctly proud of himself.

Hermione gaped. She'd looked at half the things in the shop wistfully. She could only imagine what was now awaiting her at home.

The two men snickered at her speechlessness, then went back to watching their game.