Thank you all for the reviews! I love them so very much. Anyway on with the story!( I know it goes pretty fast towards the end but it is all for the sake of the story, please stick with me)
Chapter 24
Hermione felt the odd twisting in her stomach, and the hard ground that her feet landed on. She looked around to take in where she landed. She was standing directly in the middle of the alter that she took her vows on just hours ago. Chairs that were on the lawn were tipped over, decorations strewn about, and her bouquet was on the ground, flowers falling apart. She knelt down and gently picked up the daisies and tulips, she held them softly.
XXOOXX
Draco was pacing in front of the windows to the back gardens, he was holding Sophia before but she started to get dizzy so Ginny took a hold of her.
Suddenly he heard the crack, his heart stopped. Could it be? He whipped around to face the gardens. There on the alter gracefully holding her flowers was his love, the one he was certain he may never see again. He gasped and pushed through the doors, ignoring the questions that rang behind him, he was only focused on her. He was running towards her now, his feet pounding on the walkway.
XXOOXX
She looked up from her flowers and saw the blinding blonde hair running towards her, his eyes wide, his face disbelieving. She smiled but it felt weak, as if her whole body became numb. A fuzzy blackness started to close in on her vision, little white bursts interrupting what she saw. Her head started to sway, she felt as if there was no air in her lungs, like they were folding into tiny squares.
"Draco…" She tried to say, it came as more of a whisper then anything, she saw his face start to morph into one of worry and dread, then nothing.
XXOOXX
There she was standing right in front of him, in his grasp. Draco felt elated, his heart about to burst when he saw it. Her eyes started to blink rapidly, her shoulders hunched, and her head swayed.
"Draco" he heard through the wind
"NO" he cried as he dove forward to catch her body that seemed to go limp. The last thing he heard was the sound of the flowers hitting the alter, Her body, like dead weight in his arms.
XXOOXX
Hermione lay in her bed, the sheets delicately placed on top of her. Her hair washed and clean thanks to Ginny and Kelsi. Her skin seemed fair; cold to the touch, her eyes unmoving and only the faintest sound of breathing to signal she was alive. Her room was still and silent, there was a flow of loved ones coming in and out to sit with her for a while. Luna and Neville came back to visit, he brought some plants that may help her awaken, they didn't.
The most permanent thing in the room was Draco, sitting on the wooden rocking chair right next to her bed, watching her. She seemed so small and still on the bed, it made Draco sick when he thought that he couldn't save her. Ginny tired to get him to go rest, she promised she would watch her, but he refused he was not moving from his spot.
It was Monday morning now, and he only left to use the loo and he only drank tea when Narcissa or Blaise brought it to him. Everyone left by now; Maria needed to go home to Hermione's father to explain everything. Harry and Ginny only left when Molly said that Albus and James missed them, Luna and Neville went back to Zenon and Ron took Kelsi to the Burrow. John and Lucy took Parker home with Marie; they needed their time just like Draco and Hermione needed. Blaise stayed though, Narcissa said he should go home, but he argued that he was friends with Draco his whole life this was his home. Narcissa and Blaise watched Sophia constantly and tried to answer her questions about her mother, and why her father was not leaving the room.
"you see, Draco loves you and your mom so very much. He just needs to make sure your mom is okay" Blaise explained to the little girl that was curled up on his lap. He took quite a liking to the small Sophia, she had spunk and was strong like her mother but sneaky and hard headed like her father. She connected to Blaise in those hours, referring to him as Uncle Blaise much to his pleasure.
Narcissa had called the same healer that came to look Hermione over when her first accident happened. And much to Draco's frustration the diagnoses was the same, she was alive and functioning but she just wasn't ready to wake up, there was nothing they could do but wait.
Monday stretched on with no progress with Hermione, she stayed perfectly still except the slight rise and fall of her chest with every light breath. Draco stayed in his spot, just watching making sure she was okay, she had to come back she just had too.
He has not spoken to Sophia all this time, his mother and Blaise tried their best to keep her occupied. Its not that he didn't want to talk to her, he was just upset with himself, how could he look her in the eyes when he failed to save her mother, again.
He noticed the room darken and the charmed candles flicker, he was not sure of the time and he really didn't care, he just knew it was night. Another night without Hermione, with her lopsided smile, and her quick glances, her laugh that brightened her whole face, and her voice that calmed even the roughest storms in his mind.
All of the sudden he heard a small creaking noise, he looked to the door expecting Blaise or his mother but was surprised to see a head of brown curls rushing through the doors.
"Sophia, what are you doing up? Where is Blaise or your Grandmother?" He looked past her small body towards the doorway.
"Granma sleeping, Uncle Baise too" She said softly and quietly. She looked up at him with large innocent eyes
"Then why are you up?" His voice was weak and timid from the lack of sleep and the heavy weight of worry.
"I want my daddy," She said before she climbed right on top of Draco's lap and laid her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms tight around her and felt her little body jolt with silent tears that soaked through his shirt. He lowered his head and placed a kiss on her small head and rubbed her back.
"Shh, its okay Sunshine. Daddy is here," He whispered to his daughter. Closing his eyes for the first time he rocked back and forward, whispering calming words to Sophia trying to calm her to sleep. Before long his whispered words quieted and her little sobs stopped, and all that filled the room was the passing sound of breathing.
XXOOXX
Hermione slowly opened her eyes; they felt heavy and tired from the lack of activity and movement. How long has she been asleep? She stretched her muscles cringing when she heard the popping of her bones. Slowly she stood, her bare feet cushioned by the soft fibers of the plush carpet beneath her. She noticed the room was dark except for the faint glow of the candles, turning her head she stopped when she noticed her husband and daughter curled together on the rocking chair, deep in sleep. She stepped closer to them, noticing the dark almost painfully black circles under Draco's eyes, his hair was limp and his skin a sickly white, her brows furrowed in confusion.
"He never left" the deep voice startled Hermione and she whipped around to face the origin.
"Viktor! What…" He was pale, almost see through, growing up with ghosts at Hogwarts helped her to not be shocked but what she saw next certainly did shock her.
"Oh my" She walked over to the bed where she looked down at herself, still and unmoving.
"Did I…Am I dead" She gasped; she went to touch her skin but her hand passed through.
"No, Mione. You are very much alive, I am sorry I have kept you this long but I needed to thank you." Viktor walked towards her and she noticed a glow in his eyes that wasn't there when he came to her in her dreams.
"Thank me? For what?"
"For saving my daughter" He looked towards Sophia and smiled, a bright smile that Hermione found she missed.
"I love her very much and would do anything for her" Hermione supplied Viktor turned and grinned at her
"I know Mione, that's why Ana and I chose you. You are a wonderful mother to Sophia." He turned back to his daughter in the arms of another father figure.
"He loves her too" Hermione said noticing where Viktor's glance laid.
"That I know also. He is a good man Mione. He never left your side, I like him" He said with shock and happiness in his voice, Hermione had to smile
"Yeah, I like him also" She smiled at Viktor
"I will ask one more thing of you Mione" His tone was now a little sad but hopeful
"Of course Viktor"
"Make sure she knows of me and her mother. Even if you tell her we were just friends. Just make sure she knows our names" Viktor's eyes were pleading and Hermione felt her heart break
"Oh Viktor. Sophia will know you and Ana as the wonderful parents who gave her life. Draco and I well we decided that on her eighth birthday we will tell her" Hermione watched as her old friends eyes light up
"You are a beautiful person Mione inside and out. Love them with all that you have" Viktor said before turning away
"I will Viktor, I promise"
XXOOXX
When Hermione woke up on Tuesday morning, Draco and Sophia were still fast asleep. She smiled and slowly made her way to the shower to sooth her stiff muscles, Draco needed his sleep she would wake him later.
While she was in the shower the curtain was ripped back and she turned to face the shocked face of her husband, it slowly melted into a scowl. He then proceeded to yell at her, how could she be so stupid to do a thing like that, she could have died, he even called her Granger in the heat of the moment! Hermione listened to his ranting's with a smile on her face. When he stopped to breathe she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her very naked body into his and whispered in his ear.
"I love you Draco Malfoy" She pulled back and watched as a smile grew on his face and his arms wrapped around her naked back pulling her closer
"I love you too Hermione Malfoy" His lips then crashed into hers in one of the hardest yet most passionate kisses she has ever experienced. She pulled him under the spray of the warm water, pulling at his now see through cotton shirt. He pulled the offending garment over his head and dropped it to the floor. Their lips were connected at all times, their bodies never apart. There in the middle of the shower with Hermione's back pressed up against the smooth cool tile and Draco's hands gripping her bottom they consummated their marriage.
Hermione's gasps and moans melted in the steam and Draco's murmurs intensified with every powerful thrust upwards. Her nails raked through his hair and back and his hand defiantly left marks on her also. With her legs wrapped securely around his waist and his lips sucking and massaging hers they both lost themselves in the utter pleasure of being together again.
The water ran cool and the steam filled the bathroom, their panting and breathing now at a normal pace.
"I guess we should tell every one the news" Hermione said with a smile
" I guess we should"
Draco and Hermione then spent until Friday visiting and spending time with their friends. They were all elated to see Hermione was all right, Ginny and Lucy cried when they arrived and Sophia hardly let go of her mother. Narcissa had tears in her eyes even though she was too proper to let them fall, Harry actually hugged Draco much to everyone's shock. Besides Parker and Sophia none of the kids had any idea what was going on they just sat and watched the confusing adults blubber and hug.
XXOOXX
Hermione was sitting in her room back at Draco's flat. Her eyes were wide as she watched the Healer leave the room, closing the door behind them.
How could this happen? Well she knew how it happened but how could she not know?
"Any news?" Draco asked as he poked his head in their room, Hermione stood and a smile started to spread on her face. It was Saturday morning and Draco insisted the healer check her over again.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that" Hermione said with a laugh, Draco cocked his head and gave her a confused looked; he opened the door and walked over to her.
"Well what is it?" His hair was falling into his face and his hands rested on her hips, she could not help but laugh. As she wiped away a tear from her eye she saw the confused look in Draco's eyes
"Hermione?" He asked
"Well Draco I never thought I would say this but…we are going to have a baby" Her smile was wide and bright, she watched Draco's eyes widen and his mouth open.
"what? How? When? Really?" He was stuttering and Hermione placed her hands on his face and calmed him
"Yes really, in six months we are going to have a baby" Hermione laughed as Draco shouted and picked her up swinging her around the room placing kisses all over her face.
"Daddy what you doin to mamma?" Draco turned to the door to see Sophia clutching her Dragon looking at her parents.
"Sophia we have something to tell you" Hermione said with a smile as Draco placed her down.
"What?" She asked as she ran over and stared up at her father who had an unusually large smile on his face.
" Well, how would you feel about having a little brother or sister?" Hermione asked kneeling down in front of the toddler.
"Really? I have someone to play with?" Her smile made Hermione's heart twist and she looked up at Draco who kneeled down at their level
"Yes Sophia in December you are going to have a baby sister or baby brother" Draco smiled as she gasped and started to jump up and down and clap her hands.
Hermione watched as Draco picked up Sophia and tossed her in the air, catching her and swinging her around. She closed her eyes and listened as Sophia's laughter and Draco's voice rang through her body. With a hand on her still small stomach she sighed, finally everything was getting better. Definitely not what she thought it would be but a family with Draco Malfoy is all she was looking forward too.
XXOOXX
Sunday night Hermione, Draco, and Sophia made their way to the Weasley's home for dinner. Gathered outside around a large table Hermione and Draco stood to tell their news. Looking around at all of their friends the felt at home, all of the Weasley's were gathered together along with Kelsi, John, Lucy, Parker, Marie, Luna, Neville, and Zenon. Even Blaise came along, to everyone's surprise he got along quite well with George.
After announcing that they had some news for everyone, Sophia stood on her chair and yelled that she was going to have a baby brother or sister. Draco and Hermione laughed and everyone looked to them for conformation. When Ginny asked if Sophia was right, Hermione laughed, nodded and rubbed her small stomach. From there the table erupted with laughter, congratulations, and hugs. Hermione has never felt this happy before. Draco accepted the handshakes and hugs, feeling more at home then he has ever felt in his life. Who would have thought?
XXOOXX
It was Tuesday and Hermione refused to sit at home any longer. She and Lucy opened up shop, apparently Marie ( who was home on summer holiday) and John snuck in to decorate it with balloons and streamers with a banner that said congratulations on the baby!
Draco went into work after triple checking the wards at Hermione's store. He entered his office that was filled with confetti and a banner that said Congratulations on doing the deed! Draco laughed deeply and slapped Blaise on the back.
"He would not stop touching my stomach I swear I am going to chafe from all of the rubbing" Hermione laughed as she wrapped up someone's purchases and Lucy giggled.
"He is just so happy, just wait until you are actually showing!" Lucy continued to giggle as she levitated some potions into a high shelf.
"Oh merlin, this is going to be a long six months!" Hermione laughed
Half way through the day an owl swooped down and dropped a letter on the counter. Hermione picked it up and gasped when she opened it, Lucy rushed over.
Hermione dear,
Your father suffered a stroke last night; we are in the hospital now and the doctors say he has taken a turn for the worse. Please I know you both have your disagreements but he does love you.
Please come as soon as you can
Love
Your mother.
Hermione felt the tears start to pool in her eyes.
"I…I Have to go" Hermione choked, Lucy rubbed her back and handed her bag over.
"I understand Hermione, don't worry I have the shop covered" Lucy sighed as Hermione rushed to the back, the roar of the floo signaling she was gone. Lucy grabbed a quill and parchment.
XXOOXX
"Mom?" Hermione quietly opened the door and saw her mother turn to face her with tears in her eyes. After hugging each other for a few moments, the door opened again and a doctor walked in.
"You must be his family" The doctor acknowledged, Hermione nodded
The doctor then informed Hermione and Maria that there was a history of strokes in his family and that he suffered quite a large one. Hermione gasped and held on to her mother when the doctor said they were lucky he was alive but regrettably he was not going to get better.
For the next hour Hermione sat across from her fathers bed in the small room. Maria held onto her husband's hand and tears rolled down her cheeks, she no longer tried to hide them. There was a small knock at the door and Hermione turned to head to see Draco standing in the doorway with Sophia holding his hand. She had her Dragon in her other arm.
"Hermione" was all he needed to say before she rushed over to him and collapsed in his chest, tears spilling down her face. After comforting her for a few moments Hermione picked up Sophia and held her tight. Draco walked up to Maria Granger
"Maria, I truly am sorry. I do hope he gets better" Even though they all knew he wouldn't it was still comforting to think it.
"Oh Draco, thank you" Maria pulled Draco into a hug and whispered
"You are a wonderful man, He may never say it but I know Richard would love to have you as a son in law." Draco nodded and walked back to Sophia and Hermione. Hermione was trying to explain that Grandpa Granger was sick and he might go visit other family in a distant land.
"love?" a small weak croak came from the man laying in the bed, every one gasped and Maria leaned down.
"Oh my dear. I am so sorry" She sobbed, he reached up slowly and brushed her tears away before giving a weak smile. Then he turned his head
"Hermione, are you here?" his voice was cracked and slow but it was good enough, Hermione placed Sophia down and stepped forward.
"Hi Dad" She whispered as she stepped on the other side of his bed.
"my little girl. I am so sorry" He groaned, Hermione grabbed a hold of his hand and held tight.
"No dad, Im sorry, I should have fought with you…" Tears were pouring down her cheeks. Draco watched aching to go comfort her but he knew that they needed their time.
"No, no, don't be sorry. It was my fault; I am a stubborn old man. I love you very much and I am so proud of you" He smiled slowly and brushed her hands
"Oh dad" Hermione sobbed as she fell forward to embrace him in an awkward hug.
"Now, where is my granddaughter" He looked around the room, Hermione had to hold in a sob at the sound of her father calling Sophia his granddaughter. She motioned to Sophia to step forward.
Sophia edged towards the bed, her dragon still in her clutch. Hermione bent down and picked her up. Sophia looked at the man and then wiggled out of her mother's arms onto the bed. Hermione was about to pick her up with her father held up his hand to stop her; he looked at Sophia and smiled.
"Hello Sophia" He said smiling softly. Sophia tilted her head
"Are you sick granpa Granger?" She asked
"Im afraid so, but soon I will go somewhere where I will be better" Maria sobbed in the background.
"Oh, well, here. He makes me feel better when I no feel good" Sophia pushed her Dragon into his arm and patted his head, Hermione chuckled.
" Thank you dear. Now can you promise me something?" He asked the little girl who nodded
"take care of your mum and dad. I know they love you very much, and watch grandma over here, she may need you." He grinned and looked at his wife who was standing by with tears in her eyes and a small smile on her face.
"No worry granpa, me and broder or sister watch them" Sophia nodded and Maria and Roger's eyes widened and looked at Hermione who just smile and nodded. He continued to speak with Sophia.
"Good, I know we didn't know each other for long, but Sophia remember your Grandfather loved you. I do, I really do." Hermione's tears were flowing freely now.
"I wove you too granpa" Sophia hugged the man who finally accepted her. He chuckled and pulled away.
"Now, where is your father" Sophia turned to Draco who's eyes showed shock and uncertainty, he stepped forward regardless.
"Sir?" Draco asked, he nearly jumped when the man's hand grasped his.
"I am truly sorry for how I treated you. From what I hear you are a good man. Take care of them, take care of our family"
"I will sir" Draco nodded and placed his other hand on top squeezing it as reassurance.
"Oh, before I forget! Hermione, look in that box over there" He pointed to a cardboard box in the corner Hermione knelt down and opened the lid, quietly gasping. She lifted out a tiny puppy with golden fur, it whimpered and snuggled into her grasp.
"It is my wedding present to you both, I do regret burning bridges. I hope this puppy brings you the happiness and laughter that I couldn't." He smiled as Sophia squealed and coed at the puppy.
Hermione could not help but cry even more. Her father started to get weaker as minutes went on. Draco said his goodbyes and watched as Sophia gave him one last hug, saying she loved him and wished him a good trip. Roger Granger had a tear in his eyes as the young girl pulled away. Draco charmed the box with the small puppy to look like a bag so they would not get in trouble for having a dog in the hospital. They went and sat in the waiting room, Draco took Sophia to get something to eat and they waited for Hermione.
Hermione left the room feeling week and upset but at peace two hours later. Her father slowly slipped away, in and out of sleep. After muttering last apologies and promises of love, he gave Hermione and Maria one last kiss before his body became still and at peace. The doctors walked in and Hermione needed to get out of the small room. Her mother was taking it as any wife would, hard, but she knew that he was better off then staying in pain.
After meeting Draco and a sleeping Sophia in the waiting room, they left the hospital without uttering anything. At home Draco placed Sophia in her bed, and set the puppy up in a pile of blankets with a small bowl of water.
He fell into bed with Hermione wrapped in his grasp. She was letting her silent tears fall from her eyes; he kissed her and held her until she fell asleep in his arms. He continued to hold her.
XXOOXX
The funeral was held that Friday, in a small muggle village where her father grew up. Hermione sat next to her mother as people walked in before the service.
She was surprised to find all of her friends were in attendance; Blaise approached her first hugging her tightly. Harry and Ginny sat behind them along with Luna, Neville, Ron, Lucy and John. Hermione left Sophia with Harry and Ginny but apparently Kelsi and Marie offered to watch all of the kids so they could come support Hermione and her mother. Even Narcissa came; Maria was so touched by her in-law's support that she would not let Narcissa move from her side. She introduced her to the family as her in law and one of her closest friends. Narcissa smiled with pride and love in her eyes.
The funeral was perfect, calm and simple, a proper funeral, just as he would have wanted. They were at the grave sight when Draco let go of Hermione's hand for the first time.
"I will only be a minute" She whispered into Draco's chest
"Take all the time you need" He kissed her forehead and watched her walk towards her father's tombstone.
"Hi Dad, I know we did not always get along but I did love you, still do. I tried to be proper and perfect for you, and I ended up doing everything backwards. I am glad that we got to say a proper goodbye, not even a goodbye really, more like a see you later. Hopefully not for a long time for Sophia's sake but I will see you eventually. She will know that you were a wonderful man dad. I love you, please watch over us, where ever you are"
Hermione placed a hand on the cool dark stone and sighed. She wasn't sure if she believed in heaven, or a God, she had a hard time believing in something she didn't have proof of. But she did believe that there is a better place, and her father was hopefully there.
XXOOXX
June was filled with friends and family every day, Hermione loved going to work every single morning, Marie and Lucy made all the hours worth it. She actually caught Draco reading a book for when you're expecting, after having a good laugh she made sure to convince Draco that they will be fine and everything will go smoothly.
John and Lucy continued to plan their wedding, they decided on a small ceremony with only close friends and family, Lucy asked Hermione to be her matron of honor, and asked Sophia to be the flower girl.
Draco thought that everything was going perfectly. Even though he is constantly awakened by the small puppy barking and whining to leave the crate, so at three in the morning Draco would drag himself out of bed to open the crate door and watch the golden retriever puppy run into Sophia's room. He was never a dog person, or a pet person in general but Sophia and Hermione fell in love with the puppy that her father gave her.
"What are you going to name it?" Draco asked watching as the puppy chewed on a stuffed animal.
"the dog is a he, not an it Draco" Hermione rolled her eyes and smacked his arm.
"Nugget!" Sophia yelled, Draco and Hermione's eyebrow rose but they did not disagree, so Nugget was officially part of the family.
XXOOXX
July came quickly and Draco was currently organizing which books were going to where in his office when the door opened and slammed shut. He looked up over the parchment in his hands and saw Blaise standing there his eyes blank.
"Blaise?" Draco asked, concerned about his mate who walked over to the chair and collapsed into it.
"bloody hell" Blaise muttered and rubbed a hand over his face
"Alright, who did you sleep with now, Potter's girl, wait did you shag Luna!" Draco's eyes were wide and Blaise looked up at him and shook his head
"NO, I didn't sleep with anyone…well I did and well um…" He was trying to get his words straight.
"Out with it!" Draco said starting to get frustrated
"I have a kid" Blaise confessed dropping his head in his hands. Draco stared at his best mate with wide unbelieving eyes
"What, you're kidding right" Draco could not believe his ears.
"No, I wish I was."
"How did you not know?"
"The mother decided to keep it to herself for three bloody years!" Blaise threw his hands up and collapse back in the chair.
"Well who is the mother?"
" This one night stand I had, her name is Nicole, she was in University when we met"
"Wait University, is she a muggle?" Draco no longer held any opposition to muggles but still it was surprising.
"Muggle born like Hermione. She learned magic from her Uncle at home but decided to go to Muggle University since she only knew her Uncle and no one else from the magical world."
"Wow, no offence but do you know if the kid is really yours?" Draco wanted to make sure Blaise was not trapped in a money scam.
"Did the spell myself, doesn't help that the kid looks just like me. A boy, Lucas" Blaise looked at Draco and shook his head
"Im a father and I never knew it, and now it is just sprung on me" He stopped talking and shook his head again.
" What made her come forward after all of this time" Draco questioned
"Apparently the kid started asking about his father, so she decided why the hell not and showed up at my door"
"Youre kidding right?" Draco's eyes were wide and he could not wait to tell Hermione
"I was bloody blind sided!"
For the rest of the day Draco tried to calm Blaise, ensuring him that everything will work out, that he just needed to talk to this Nicole witch and figure everything out. It was five o'clock before Draco finally got Blaise calm enough to go home, he gave him tomorrow off to deal with it.
XXOOXX
"You're kidding" Hermione almost dropped the glass bowl with the salad in it
"Nope, bloody serious" Draco laughed and placed the plates on the glass table.
"Draco language" Hermione hissed Draco laughed again and pulled her into his arms placing a kiss on her nose
"Calm down love Sophia is…."
"Hi daddy, hi momma" Sophia's upbeat little voice rang through out the kitchen.
"I was going to say in her room" Draco groaned Hermione chuckled and kissed him quickly before turning to help Sophia with her dinner.
XXOOXX
The next morning Draco was walking through his building checking in on various employees when a strong hand grabbed his arm and pulled him into the small kitchen.
"Want to inform me on how Neville and Luna found out that I am a father?" Blaise stared at Draco who smirked and shrugged.
"You should know our friends by now mate. I told Hermione who probably told Ginny who told Potter then it just continued to travel I guess." Blaise looked really peeved
"You guess? I have not even adjusted to this yet now I am getting advice from all different bloody corners!" Blaise huffed crossing his arms and leaning back on the counter.
"Well, you know the easiest way to get every one over it." Draco smirked and Blaise scowled
"Don't. even. Say. It"
"Bring Nicole and the kid to Sunday dinner" Draco rushed out in a hurry then dashed from the kitchen before Blaise could do any bodily harm.
XXOOXX
The week was filled with work for both Hermione and Draco. Hermione had a rather well known wizarding author in her store for a book signing. It was a hectic day but she made great sales and the store got a lot of publicity. To her surprise Narcissa showed up and ended up staying for the rest of the event, she charmed a lot of wizards into buying something from Hermione's store.
Draco was starting a new scholarship fund so he was maxed out on meetings with his company, and meetings with possible donators. One day Sophia's school closed early so he ended up bringing her to one of the meetings with him. The possible clients were so taken with her sweet and intelligent personality they shook hands with Draco and confirmed business with him. Sophia got ice cream that day.
Blaise decided to man up and contacted Nicole. He said that he was going to be the father he never had and he wanted to get to know Lucas and Nicole. He took them out to lunch every day on his lunch hour. On Friday he took Nicole out to dinner so he could present the idea of meeting all of his friends on Sunday. She looked apprehensive about how every one would treat them but she agreed for the sake of Lucas.
Sunday
"Bloody dog" Draco grumbled as he cleaned up yet another torn apart Daily Prophet.
"Daddy say bad word!" Sophia yelled, her small finger pointed at the blonde man dumping newspaper shreds in the trash.
"Did not!" Draco countered bending down so he was nose to nose with his tattle tail daughter.
"Did too! Call Nugget bad word!" Sophia placed her hands on her hips and stomped her little foot.
"Draco are you arguing with a two year old" Hermione said with humor in her voice as she walked into the room picking up her bag and jumper
"She started it" He stuck his tongue out at Sophia and she returned the gesture before bending down and hugging the fuzzy puppy that never left her side.
"Come along you too we are going to be late" Hermione picked up Sophia and Draco held the dog who took to chewing on the collar of his dress shirt and they flooed their way over to the Burrow"
XXOOXX
Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Kelsi, and Lucy were all gathered in the Kitchen helping Molly cook dinner. They were also gossiping about the new witch joining them for the night.
"what do you think she is like?" Lucy asked as she munched on a carrot
"Knowing Blaise, hot and dumb" Ginny scoffed and her mother scolded her.
"I don't know, if there is anything I have learned from Blaise it is that he does not stick to any pattern" Hermione pointed out the girls nodded
Meanwhile the men were out in the back yard watching the kids chase around a barking Nugget.
"So how old is he?" Harry asked as baby James gurgled on his lap.
"Three I think" Draco replied before taking a swig of his butterbeer
"wow, imagine just having someone show up on your door step saying hey we shagged once, and by the way, you're a dad" John laughed and the other's shook their head, glad they were not in Blaise's place.
"When are they getting here" George asked they heard the floo activate and everybody turned towards the door.
"Now I guess"
XXOOXX
"Hello?" Blaise stepped out of the fireplace and dusted himself off, a tall witch with curly auburn hair stepped out behind him holding the hand of a nervous toddler with short dark brown hair and beautiful olive skin.
"Blaise you're here!" Hermione came from the kitchen and gave him a quick hug before turning to his guests
"Uh right, um Hermione this is Nicole and my son, Lucas. Nicole, Lucas this is Hermione my friend and Draco's wife." Blaise made the proper introductions and Hermione held out her hand.
"Nice to meet you Nicole" Nicole took her hand and shook it politely
"Likewise Hermione" Hermione smiled and dropped to one knee sticking out her hand for the little boy
"Hi there Lucas" Lucas took her hand timidly and shook it with a small smile.
Just seconds later the room started to fill with chatty people who all wanted to meet the infamous mother and son. Lucas started to hide behind his mother's legs, Blaise upon noticing this called Albus and Zenon forward.
"Lucas, this is Albus and Zenon, they are the same age as you. Would you like to play with them?" Blaise was kneeling next to Lucas pulling him from behind his mother who smiled encouraging at the young boy. Lucas nodded and Albus waved.
"Good we were looking for Snorflagies in the garden" Zenon said grabbing the new comers hand and pulling him outside, the adults laughed at the confused face Lucas had.
"UNCLE BAISE!" Blaise looked down quick enough to pick up Sophia who flew into his arms.
"Whoa hey there squirt!" Blaise gave Sophia a loud kiss on the cheek and she laughed before turning in Blaise's arms to Nicole who was smiling.
"HI, I Sophia" Sophia smiled and Nicole laughed
"Hi Sophia, I have heard a lot about you. I'm Nicole Lucas' mother" Sophia nodded then looked at Nicole and tilted her head.
"You not marry Baise?" Nicole looked around then nodded slowly
"Yes that's right, I'm not married to Blaise"
"That okay. Momma and daddy not marry first but then they did" She looked between the two blushing adults and smiled
"You marry now!" Nicole's eyes widened at Sophia's idea and Blaise looked like he was going to pass out. Draco stepped in quickly and took her from Blaise
"Go play with Parker and Nugget you little trouble maker" Draco sent her off with a pat on the bottom and a shrug to Blaise.
There were a couple minutes of awkward silence before Molly came into the room and shooed all of the men outside to watch the kids. Blaise patted Nicole on the arm before she was pulled into the kitchen with a chattering Ginny.
XXOOXX
"So um Nicole, what do you do for a living?" Hermione started off with easy safe questions.
"Well I was a travel photographer for a while but when I found out I was pregnant I wanted something more stationary so now I am a teacher" She replied nodding her head
"Oh well that's nice" Hermione smiled and Ginny rolled her eyes
"How did this whole thing happen?" Ginny blurted out
"Ginny!" Hermione smacked Ginny on the arm
"No, its okay. Direct, I like it" Nicole chuckled and placed her drink on the table before sighing.
"Well it was pretty much one of those meet in a pub stories. I was trying to rid myself of the annoying feelings I had for one of my oldest friends when Blaise sat on the stool next to mine. Pretty soon we got to talking and at first I didn't like him, he was snooty and pompous and I was pretty sure he harbored feelings for some other chick like Star or Sun something like that." Nicole shrugged and Hermione glanced at Luna out of the corner of her eye, Luna did not realize anything.
"Anyway I figured hey what a better way to get over my friend than sleep with a prat who I wont fancy and won't have ties too. So a couple of shots later we were thrown in bed. Little did I know I would be tied to him in the strongest way possible" Nicole chuckled and Hermione smiled
"Still think Blaise is a jerk?" Ginny asked after laughing at Nicole's honest story.
"Well, honestly sort of. But I don't think he means to be, it must have been how he grew up. He really is a nice guy though and seems to be genuine about being a proper father to Lucas. He deserves a father" Nicole looked down at her hands and Kelsi patted her shoulder.
"If it helps Blaise very good with Sophia" Hermione added and Lucy nodded her head
"Yes Parker also" She agreed
"Its his lack of maturity" Ginny scoffed, Nicole laughed out loud and everyone looked at her with a confused look.
"What?" She looked at all of their raised eyebrows.
"Nothing, its just surprising that someone in your um position is so um.." Ginny struggled to find the correct term.
"Relaxed? Yeah I get that a lot" Nicole nodded and looked at her hands.
"We mean noting bad by it." Luna supplied tilting her head and flashing her airy smile.
"No don't worry, I take no offence. I have been through a lot in my life and Lucas is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me. Regardless of how I got him, I love him more and more each day, so everything after the day he was born is a reason to smile and laugh at life, and thank merlin I have Lucas." Nicole had a large goofy smile on her face and everyone had a watery smile on their faces clinging on to her every word. All being mothers themselves they understand greatly, even Molly stopped her cooking to listen to the young woman's words.
"Im sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry" Nicole said in a lightly amused voice as she rubbed Hermione's knee. Hermione just waved her hand and brushed away the tears.
"No no its just the hormones" She laughed and Ginny and Luna nodded their heads to confirm
"Oh your pregnant! How wonderful congratulations!" Nicole hugged Hermione and Hermione was shocked at first but then accepted the hug.
The women stayed in the kitchen for the next half hour finishing up dinner and talking about motherhood and their husbands/fiancés/boyfriends/baby daddies. Nicole easily blended into their group, just how Kelsi and Lucy had. She was funny and quick witted, always made a joke out of something with out it being inappropriate. She was sarcastic and had a sharp tongue like Ginny, very confident and self assured in a good way like Kelsi, spunky and outgoing like Lucy, relaxed and laid back like Luna, and was very intelligent and had a kind heart like Hermione. She was a little part of everyone and they all felt at ease around her, they wouldn't mind if she stuck around.
XXOOXX
"So what did you witches talk about while us men were gone" Draco asked Hermione as they were sitting down for dinner.
All of the adults crowded around a large wooden table outside, and the kids sat off to the side at a slightly smaller table, James sat in a height chair off to Ginny's side.
"This and that, what did you men discuss" Hermione countered as she sat in her chair.
"What do you think?" He gave her a smirk and his eyes flashed to Nicole who was sitting between Blaise and Kelsi. She just laughed at something Blaise said and she placed her hand on his upper arm, Blaise looked at her hand and smiled, a small blush brushing the surface of his face. If you weren't friends with him you would have missed it but both Draco and Hermione noticed it.
"She is very nice, funny too. I think she would be good for Blaise actually" Hermione smiled when Draco took her hand in his lacing his long fingers with her small soft ones.
"I think Lucas would be good for him also, he is smart but timid, I have never seen Blaise act so gentle and calm." Draco scoffed and Hermione quirked an eyebrow he shook his head
"Never have I thought that I would say that Blaise is bloody gentle, he's always been calm but gentle no." Draco laughed and Hermione smiled as she nudged him with her shoulder
"Judging from all of our pasts, our present is definitely not what you would think" Hermione smiled sweetly and Draco placed a soft kiss on her lips, which earned him a gagging sound from John who was sitting by his side.
"Prat" Draco said punching John in the arm.
XXOOXX
ONE MONTH LATER
"SOPHIA get over here!" Hermione chased after her daughter
"NO" Sophia screeched as she ran around the sitting room avoiding her mother's grasp.
"Sophia this is not funny, we need to get ready" Hermione was trying to get Sophia dressed and she was running around in just her undergarments with her curly hair un brushed and wild.
"NO I not going!" Sophia cried as she dodged her mother and started to run through the hallway. At that same moment Draco opened the front door to see a naked Sophia charging towards him, he quickly scooped her up in his arms
"AHHA finally! Thank you dear" Hermione kissed him on the lips and took the squirming girl out of his arms.
"Uh your welcome. Care to enlighten me on why our daughter was sprinting around the flat naked?" He placed his bag and cloak on the kitchen table and followed Hermione to Sophia's room where she proceeded to force Sophia into a jumper.
"Your daughter has been avoiding getting dressed in hopes of delaying the inevitable." Hermione finally got the jumper on and huffed the hair out of her face placing her hands on her hips.
"My daughter? Uh oh Soph what did you do?" Every time Sophia gets into trouble or is being difficult she automatically only becomes Draco's daughter.
"I not go Daddy, you not make me!" Sophia crossed her arms and had an upset pout on her little face.
"Not this again Sunshine I thought you were excited about going?" Draco sat next to Sophia but she refused to climb onto his lap like she usually did.
"NO, this home, I stay here" She looked up at him with large sad pleading eyes and he almost said okay lets stay but then Hermione sighed and shook her head
"Sophia, the house will be your home also, your father and I spent a lot of time trying to find one that you would like." Hermione was kneeling in front of the bed patting Sophia's legs.
"Yeah, its brilliant actually. There is a large backyard with trees and a garden. You also have big windows in your room."
"I like my room now" Sophia pouted but she seemed to be easing up.
"Well, we can charm your room to look just the same in the new house" Draco added
"Okay" Sophia finally cracked and nodded her head.
Draco decided that for his wedding gift for Hermione he was going to buy them a house. A real house for a family to live in, he knew that she would be very picky so he just gave her an uncut key and told her to find her dream home.
They visited many places but finally found their dream house.
It looked like a sweet quaint cottage in an old part of town. There was a slightly weathered picket fence around a large green lush yard with wildflowers growing in all the corners. The house had stone detailing all on the front and showcased a bright blue door.
The inside was nice and cozy, a large living room that flowed into the dining room that was open to a bright yellow kitchen with a white door to the back yard. Upstairs there were five rooms, one master, a room for Sophia, a room for the new baby, and two extra's. Hermione smiled at the thought of filling the rooms with her and Draco's spawn.
It was the attic that sold Hermione on the house. It was fairly small but it had these adorable circle windows that had window seats and looked over the whole back yard. There were old wooden bookcases that were built into the walls and oddly enough a small stone fire place nestled in the corner.
XXOOXX
By the end of July Hermione, Draco and Sophia were all settled into their new home and new life. Draco charmed Sophia's room so it looked exactly the same, he also painted the baby's room pale green since he did not know the sex. When Hermione got back from work she smiled when he showed her the room but then pulled out her wand and with a swish the room was blue.
"A boy! We are having a boy!" Draco turned to his wife with wide eyes that had excitement bursting through.
"you betcha. We are going to have a little wizard" Hermione grinned and was pulled into a tight hug with Draco kissing her hair.
"Wow. I am going to have a son…" He whispered. Hermione relished in the warmth and pride that Draco eventually grew to show.
XXOOXX
"Do you know any good flats around here" Nicole asked the group around her.
Nicole, Ginny, Hermione, and Lucy started meeting for lunch almost everyday, it gave them time to connect and really learn about each other
"Why? Are you moving in with Blaise?" Ginny sat straighter in her seat with her eyes wide and thirsting for gossip, Nicole chuckled and shook her head
"No, but Lucas really grew to like him and they are close now. His family is here in Wizarding London, he will always have a muggle background but this is his life now" She motioned out to the street that had the hustle and bustle of witches and wizards going every which way.
Nicole was a photography teacher in a local muggle school; she lived in a muggle flat close to her muggle parents. In the beginning she and Lucas were fine with it, they didn't have many friends from the wizard world so muggles suited them just fine. Now Lucas is constantly talking about his father and how great of a wizard he is, and always looked forward to hanging out with Albus and Zenon. So Nicole decided to take the leap and told Lucas that they could move to Wizard London to be closer to his father and his friends, he was nearly vibrating with excitement.
"Maybe my old flat from before Draco is still up on the market, it was small but perfect for two people!" Hermione scribbled down the information on a piece of parchment and handed it over to Nicole
"So are you keeping your Muggle job?" Lucy asked
"Im not sure, I would really love to teach wizards and witches that are too young for proper schooling like Hogwarts. I know a lot of pureblood families choose to tutor them separately but I feel like that just divided the younger generations setting them up for that whole war. " Nicole shook her head and all of the women understood. The rest of lunch was spent gossiping over funny things their kids did or the stupid things that their fathers did.
XXOOXX
It was July 26th and Hermione was sitting in the Healer's office after her monthly check up that Draco insisted she get. Draco stayed home with Sophia because Narcissa was out visiting Kelsi (and Ron because they are never apart) in Iceland for a photo shoot and she could not watch her grandchild.
"Now Ms. Malfoy, this is your first pregnancy correct" The healer with the thick glasses asked over her dark wooden desk.
"Hermione Ma'am and yes it is my first" She smiled but noted the frown on her healers face and became worried
"Hermione, I am going to be honest with you. It is very common for muggle born witches to have a very difficult first pregnancy." Hermione knitted her eyebrows and tilted her head
"What do you mean by difficult, pregnancy in general is difficult"
"Yes that is correct but for witches that come from muggle bloodlines, there first pregnancy has an actual 60/40 percent chance of success and well…survival." The Healer frowned and tried to make the information easy to grasp
"Wha…why? My friend Nicole is a muggle born and she did not say anything about a rather difficult pregnancy" Hermione shook her head and tried to process everything
"Does your friend have any relatives besides her parents with magical blood?"
"Uh, yes her Uncle, why should that make a difference?"
"Well Hermione I am just going to be straight forward. Muggle born blood is not as magically strong as pure blood. This has absolutely no effect on magical ability and you are proof of that but it does come into play when supporting a child. Magical pregnancies are difficult in a sense that the mother is basically giving the child magic and forming her child's own magical finger print. Pure bloodlines have little to no problems with this because of the generations and generations of it in practice. Witches from muggle blood have more difficulty because their magic has never done that before at all." The Healer took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her long pointy nose, Hermione was shaking her head
"Oh…Okay but um what could happen" She wanted to know all of the risks right off the bat.
" Well, the baby could be born with no magical ability, so born a squib. It has also been known for the mother's to actually drain themselves of their magical ability when giving it to their child, so you could in essence weaken or loose your magic. And in rare but still there cases, during birth the magic bond may not have completed therefor rupturing. If this happens it causes the magic that is in the child to flood through the blood looking for a connection to continue the transfer. There is no way to know if this is happening during the birth but once the umbilical cord or the only direct connection is severed, the magic will..well" The healer hesitated
"WILL WHAT" Hermione asked desperately
"Will start to drain the child of its blood, looking for the connection. Killing the child in the process" The healer gave Hermione a sympathetic look and Hermione sat there with a frozen expression.
"So far I am not detecting an problems or risks with your pregnancy, but if you feel anything out of the ordinary or if your magic starts to act out or weaken come in immediately. Here, these are some pamphlets that will explain more"
Hermione flooed home, with out crying, with out talking. She just stepped in the floo with the information in hand and the worry at heart.
XXOOXX
" But daddy, if I stay wit Z I be weird like her" Sophia pouted at her dad and Draco laughed
"oh come on I know she is a little um imaginative but she is still smart" Draco said patting Sophia's head when he saw the floo activate out of the corner of his eye, he turned to see Hermione step through with a blank and cold expression in place.
She didn't even respond to Sophia's call, she just walked right past them dropping what ever was in her hand in the process.
"What wrong wit momma?" Sophia turned to her dad, worry thick in her voice
"Im sure she is just tired", he bent down and picked up what she dropped, he read what was on front in bold red letters
Serious and deadly risks Muggle Born will encounter with Magical pregnancies
"Uh Sunshine how about you go play in your room" Draco's mouth went dry when he read this. He walked behind Sophia and watched as she bounced into her room. He looked into his room and she wasn't there, he turned the corner and noticed a light from the third bedroom. He pushed open the door to see Hermione gripping the sides of the crib silent tears streaming down her face.
"It all comes back at me" She whispered without turning around
"What does love" Draco asked taking a step towards her
"Me, me being a muggle born" She turned to face her worried husband
"My blood might kill our baby"
dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn
Okay I know a lot has happened but I am trying to move my story along so it does not end up being a 100 chapter fic haha.
Enjoy