The happy couple came into the kitchen and Ann nudged Ron, for him to go ahead and tell everyone, not seeing that they were still in a meeting. Ron whispered in her ear, to wait a moment.
"I think we should conclude our meeting, it looks as if two young people are eager to talk to us! I believe we should start on what we were discussing immediately." Albus concluded the meeting and turned to look at the couple.
"Can everyone come in here?" Ron shouted throughout the house. Soon the kitchen was holding all occupants.
Ron cleared his throat and Ann squeezed his hand in support. "Well Ann and I just wanted to let everyone know, that I asked Ann to marry me and she said yes. We will be getting married on Oct. 31st of this year."
The room erupted into cheers, whoops, hollers and congratulations. Everyone was taking their turns hugging the couple.
Kingsley leaned over to Albus and whispered in his ear, "I think now would be the perfect time to start, she's distracted and you are the strongest one."
"I do agree." Albus looked directly at the girl and whispered, "Legilluems(sp?)"
Ann, who was in the middle of hugging Bill, felt someone trying to push their way into her mind. She held them where they were, she did not push them out, but she allowed them to go no further. She whirled around and everyone stopped to look at her. She was turning her head frantically back and forth trying to decifer who it could be.
Albus knew he was stuck. He couldn't pull himself out, but all he saw was blackness. He knew she was strong, but no one was stronger than he in this, not even Severus and that's why it was decided that he would try and see the girls memories.
"WHO IS IT?" the young witch bellowed into the crowd. Ron ran to her side looking worried.
"Ann what is wrong?"
"Which one of you is stupid enough to try and invade my memories, without my permission? Who is it?" No one said anything. They all knew what was happening, with the exception of Ginny, Hermione, and Ron.
"No one wants to confess? Fine, have it your way!" With that Ann's mouth turned to a small smirk.
A strangled gasp was heard from Albus and everyone whirled around to look at him. He was clutching his head and blood had started to come out of his nose and ears. Tonks ran over to Albus to try and help him. Moody and Kingsley pulled out their wands and pointed them at Ann. Everyone else in the room were too stunned with what was happening to move.
"Stop what your doing girl, we don't want to hurt you!" came Moody's athoratative voice.
Ann simple raised her arm and both of their wands were in her hand and they were securly pinned to the far wall.
"Any one else who pulls a wand on me, I will not deal with so nicely. I am getting ticked off. Tell me why you were trying to invade my mind and I will let him go!"
"We wanted to find out what happened in your journey to the spirit realm!" this came from Arthur.
"And you didn't think to simply ask me, instead you betray my trust and invade my memories? There are things that I know that no human can ever know." Ann released Albus and waved her hand at him. He was instantly better.
"You try to do that again and the next time I will turn your brain to liquid and make it leak out of your ears!"
"I believe you completely my dear, from what that just felt like I believe you were very close to doing just that. Please forgive an old man his meddling!"
"You are forgiven, but heed my warning. What I just did to you was simple little pressure, what I will do next time will 100x worse. I will show you my journey, but I will also leave out certain aspects that humans are not meant to see. I cannot use you as you are still worn out." Ann blankly scanned the room until her blind gaze landed on Severus.
"You!" was all she said.
Severus gasped and his eyes widened. He was skilled, but never before had he been so invaded with such forceful and vivid images. It was like he was there himself. In a couple of seconds it was all over and Severus sat clutching the table and panting for breath.
"Now that you know my journey, you can share it with whomever may find it useful." Ann turned and took Ron's arm, who had never left her side. Ron felt extemely proud of Ann and a little disappointed at the adults, that they had tried to do this to her and hadn't even asked first.
Some of the members waited for Severus to pull his memories and put them into the pensieve. When they had all gotten a chance to see them, Molly put her hands to her mouth and exclaimed, "Merlin, she went through all that for someone she doesn't even know? What will she do for someone she does know?" This was a question everyone was wondering. Everyone including the younger ones had looked at the memories and only felt more impressed with the young witch standing in the other room.
"I think we owe her a very large apology. It seems she is collecting a lot of those lately." Albus looked to the group and headed out to the living room and to Ann.
A few weeks had passed and everything was back to normal. They found that while Ann was very powerful and had a fierce temper, she was also very loving and quick to forgive. Molly was over the moon that one of her sons was getting married and she was absolutely trilled it was Ron to Ann. It was decided that they would have a simple garden wedding with only close friends and family. Even then there would be almost 200. They thought that maybe they should have it someplace else and give Molly a break, but she insisted they have it there otherwise she would be insulted. Ron and Ann agreed happily, this is where they wanted it after all.
One night Ginny, Hermione and Ann were sitting in Ginny's room all talking. Hermione had just come back from her date with Draco and was telling them how romantic it had been. They had reservations at a very posh, very exclusive restaurant. Draco had decided he wanted everyone to know that he and Hermione were a couple and that she was now off limits. This did not come about until Draco caught some wizards trying to chat her up and convince her to come out with them. Draco became very jealous and almost cursed them with a crucio. Hermione gently reminded him that he was the one who had wanted to keep their relationship a secret and he had no right to get angry if another wizard wanted to talk to her, after all they didn't know she was taken! The day ended with Draco dragging Hermione to the Leaky Cauldron and renting a room. All night long he had her screaming for more and when morning finally came, they both fell into an exhausted but blissful sleep. From then on he made it no secret that she was his. This had all happened a month ago and now they had just come back from their one month anniversary of "officially" dating.
Hermione was in the middle of telling them about the carriage ride when she jumped up and ran for the loo. Both girls followed her and could hear her vomitting into the toilet. Just then Draco came running by and shoved the loo door open. Hermione was by the sink washing up, when Draco leaned over the toilet and lost his dinner. Ginny decided she had better get her mother.
When Molly came into the room, both Hermione and Draco were clinging to the bowl, vieing for a spot and both looking very green.
"Oh dear, it looks like a spot of food poisoning! I will have you fixed up right away." She left again and came back holding two vials. She prompted both young people to drink and instatly Draco started to feel better, Hermione however brought the potion back up.
"That should have worked! Did you eat something Draco didn't?"
"She ordered the shrimp cocktail and I had a couple of pieces, but she ate most of it." Draco replied as he hung the towel back on the rack.
"Of dear. No wonder she is still sick. I'm afraid your just going to have to ride it out. I can't give you any more of this potion, it will only make you more sick." Hermione's only responce was a groan from the toilet. She decided that she would spend the night leaning against the tub and Draco decided to stay with her.
Morning came and she was feeling a little better. Both headed down to the kitchen and the minute Hermione rounded the corner into the kitchen she turned green and ran for the door. Outside she dry heaved. She no longer had anything left to bring up.
"What's up with Mione?" Ron inquired
"The poor dear has a severe case of food poisoning. I'm afraid that even the look of food will give her that reaction for a while."
(a/n: I based this knowledge on first hand experience. I would take the worst flu over food poisoning any day.)
It was 2 weeks later and Hermione was still getting violently ill. She had lost weight and was weak and pale. Draco had confronted the manager of the restaurant and found out that a new employee had mistakenly left the shrimp out of the cooler and they didn't realize until it was too late. They gave them back all of their money and agreed to pay for any medical expenses. They also gave Draco and Hermione a card that allowed them to eat at the restaurant for free whenever they wanted and they also got the pick of the best tables without having to wait, which usually there was at least a 1 week wait for reservations. For Hermione, it would be a while before she could eat there again. Draco was growing more and more concerned for his girlfriend. She still couldn't seem to eat properly and whenever she did she would bring it back up. Finally into the 3rd week he snapped and threw her over his shoulder and apparated into St. Mungo's.
"I need some help here!" Draco called down the empty corridor. An older witch appeared and looked at Draco and Hermione's buttom. Draco carefully placed her down and explained Hermione's problem. He told her that she hadn't wanted to come, so he needed to throw her over his shoulder to get her there. The nurse nodded understandingly. She lead Hermione into a room to change and wait for the doctor.
Draco had been pacing in the waiting room for an hour. It didn't take that long to check some one over, did it? Draco had never been in the hospital before, besides injuries from quidditch at Hogwarts and to visit people. The same elderly nurse stuck her head into the room and told him it was alright to go and see her now. He ran down the corridor to the examing room. Inside Hermione was hooked up to various machines and had an iv in her arm. Draco was shocked and quickly made his way to her side.
"Hi, they found I was severly dehydrated and losing vital nutrients, so they are trying to replenish me. My heart and lungs were also effected so they have me on a heart and breathing monitor. I need to stay here at least a week and I have to be able to keep down some foods, before they will let me out." Draco was relieved. She was going to getting better. He put his head down on the bed and said a silent prayer of thanks.
"Draco?" Draco shot his head up from where he had it on the bed. Her voice was full of worry and concern.
"There is something else too. The food poisoning was only part of my problem. You see, they ran some tests and found that I am almost 2 months pregnant. That's why they are so concerned." Hermione bit her lip and waited for Draco to run out of the room. She wouldn't blame him one bit, who wanted to be tied down with a child when they were so young. She wanted to still do things, but she already knew no matter what he decided, she was keeping this child. It had been made in love and it was a product of her and her lover.
Draco's heart raced. Hermione was 2 months pregnant? He quickly did the math in his head. This meant it happened that weekend at the Leaky Cauldron. He suddenly became scared, what if he had done something to harm his child, after all it was his idea to go to the restaurant, why didn't he bring her in sooner. Hang on, his child, he was going to be a father! A father, him Draco Lucius Malfoy was going to have a baby with the love of his life. They had made a child, a perfect result of their love for each other. He looked at Hermione and saw that her eyes were closed and tears were leaking out.
"Mi, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry! Don't worry I won't ask you for anything. I am going to keep this baby. I won't tie you down with this burden. You need to go and find someone whom you can have fun with and not have any responsiblities. Can I at least tell him or her, you are their father?" Hermione looked into Draco's shocked face.
"Shut up Hermione Jane Granger. You are doing no such thing, raising this child by yourself I mean. Of course they will know I am their father, I will be there right beside you to raise this little guy. I will not find someone else, I already have everything I want in my life, sitting right here in front of me." Draco proved his point by kissing Hermione soundly.
When Draco sat back down he held her hand. "I am sorry for hestitating after you told me. I can see why you took it to be regret, but know this, I regret none of what we did and I wouldn't change anything for the world. I was just thinking back to when this child would have been concieved and thinking I wouldn't mind a night like that again, but you have to get better first!" By the time Draco was done Hermione was crying tears of joy.
Just then Lucius Malfoy came bursting into the room. He looked around frantically and then spotted Draco and Hermione in the bed. He strode over to his son and gave him a hug.
"I went to see you at the Weasley's and they said you had gone to St.Mungo's. I thought you might have been injured at work, so I came right over. What is the matter?" Turning and leaning over Hermione he gave her a hug. "What ever is the matter, why are you stuck to all of these contraptions? You are all right aren't you?" Lucius sounded concerned for the girl lying in the bed.
"I'm fine, just a case of food poisoning. I had gotten dehydrated and malnurished. They want to keep me here to monitor me because they also found out that I am pregnant."
"Pregnant? I suppose it is yours Draco?"
"Yes sir, it is! I'm going to be a father!" Draco burst out happily.
Lucius reached his sons side and gave his son a second hug that evening and whispered in his ear, "congratulations son, you have always made me proud! Now I must go and congratulate the one who will be doing all the real work." Lucius bent down and wrapped his arms around Hermione again. "Thank you my dear, for saving my son and giving him a future. I will never be able to repay you for that."
"Yes you will, just be there for us and your granchild, that is more than enough payment, Lucius!"
"You have my word and please call me father!" For the first time Lucius gave a genuine smile. When Lucius said this Draco looked at his father in shock.
"So, has my son proposed yet? No I suppose he hasn't, not the lightening one in that department!" Lucius and Hermione were laughing
The night nurse had come in, so to do something Draco asked when Hermione was going to be transferred to a more comfortable room.
"She is going to stay right here. We do not give rooms to people who do not have coverage!" the haughty nurse replied.
Lucius was livid. He quickly stood and demanded that she go and get her supervisor. She asked who she should tell her boss was waking him up at such a rude hour.
"Tell him Lucius Malfoy would like to speak with him immediately!" The girl was new here and didn't recognize his name as the number one benefactor of the hospital. She left the room thinking smugly that it would be fun to watch her boss tell off the arrogant prick.
Not even 10 minutes later a short doctor came running into the room.
"What can I do for you Lucius? Is anything the matter?"
"You can start by informing your staff that whatever Hermione Granger asks for, she will recieve immediately and without hesitation. Did you know she is carrying the next Malfoy heir? Her and my son have been in a realtionship for quite some time now and they are expecting their first child in December."
The doctor heartily congratulated Lucius and the couple and said that the orders would be given.
"Finally you can move the mother of my granchild into a more appropriate room. One suited for a Malfoy!"
"We will have her moved to the presidental suite before the hour is up." this said the doctor turned to the nurse and told her to get some help and to have the girl moved.
The nurse couldn't believe someone could make her boss scrape and bow so low! She made this comment to one of her fellow nurses. The other nurses just looked at her like she was crazy.
"You do realize, that you have just angered the hospitals largest benefactor! Lucius Malfoy has basically saved this hospital. It was his money that restored it after the war and his money that keeps it running to this day. If that girl is carrying the Malfoy heir, you can bet it is going to be powerful and be born into a powerful family. The Malfoys are very wealthy and very powerful. That combined with the fact the mother is none other than Hermione Granger, best friend of Harry Potter and one of the heroes of the war. It is said she found a spell that could take out 10 death eaters at a time. They also say she is the brightest witch to come out of Hogwarts besides Rowena Ravenclaw." Suddenly the new witch didn't feel so well and needed to get a glass of water.
True to his word Hermione was moved to the poshest hospital room she had ever seen. She kept protesting that she didn't need something this fancy, but was hushed each time.
"My love, you had better just accept it. You are carrying the Malfoy future inside of you, so you are going to be this spoiled from now on and more, much, much more." Draco loved the way Hermione wrinkled her nose when he informed her of this.
She had finally fallen asleep, his father had left to head back to the manner. He said he had some very important business to attend to. Draco thought he had better inform the Weasley's that everything was fine and to give them the good news. He had talked to Molly who had screeched with delight. She asked how his father had taken it and when Draco informed her that he was probably at home having the house eleves redecorate some rooms into a nursery and living quaters for he and Hermione, Molly laughed. Yes a grandchild would be exactly what Lucius needed. Everyone may disagree with her, but Lucius was going to be a very doting grandfather, she just knew it. She stood up from the floo call and smiled happily. The only ones left were Harry and Ginny now.
Hope you are enjoying so far. Please be patient, there is much more to come adn I will update as soon as possible each time.
I also want to thank again pettybureaucrat, she has been a constant reviewer and served as my partial muse for this story so far.
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