I'm so excited that 2 chappies ago, the story hit 800! And maybe. Possibly. After this chapter...we could hit...say I don't know...900?:) That was shameless. I know. But I'm really hoping this story will hit 1200 by the end. It's my goal!:) Shameless again. Damnit.

But for all the reviews so far! It's been exciting. Here is the next chapter.

Monumental

Time flew by rather easily in the Malfoy household. It passed by rather normally, one could say. Or as normal as it could be.

The day after Hermione's birthday, Narcissa and Lucius had told her they hoped she had had a good time and apologized for not being able to celebrate it with her. Actually, it was only Narcissa who said that, but Lucius was present at the time. It was also Narcissa who had winked rather conspicuously as she said the words "good time". Hermione didn't even want to think about what the implications of that wink entailed.

Hermione, over the past few days, had immersed herself into her role—being the most obnoxious girlfriend she could be, with mixed results. Oh, she was pissing off a member of the family alright, but not the designated two—only Draco most of the time, who bore it with a grin. She had convinced herself to be happy, trying her best to thoroughly ignore her growing feelings for the boy. She took his lead in pretending the kiss had never happened, although she had desperately wanted to talk about it.

What did it mean? Why did he do it? What about Stephanie? Where was it going?

Draco, on the other hand, was torn between two things. Hermione? Or Stephanie?

Clearly, he had feelings for Hermione. He didn't deny that anymore. But Stephanie. Could he leave her? Could he truly?

But Hermione was Hermione. Hermione was there. Hermione was there smiling brilliantly at him as his mother and father laughed tearfully at something she had said.

"What's going on?"

"Oh, Hermione just said the funniest thing son!" Lucius wiped the corner of his eyes, and wrapped his arm around his wife's waist. "Isn't that right Cissy?"

Hermione turned towards him and flashed a small smile, before returning to what she had been saying to his parents.

He smiled back, but he wasn't sure if she caught it at all.

"Honey," he called, as he climbed the steps of a small house. His hand trailed against the railing. "Hello?"

"In here!" a voice returned, muffled by the distance and the walls.

The wooden floorboards creaked as his weight fell upon them. He strode towards the sounds. "Hello?"

He walked in to find the woman, knees on the ground, belly nearly touching the floor as she struggled to look for something.

"What are you doing?" he scolded, rushing forwards.

She waved him off with her hand without changing her position, her other hand still feeling the ground.

"Get up right this instance," he commanded, his tone not nearly as harsh as he would have hoped.

"I can't," she complained, finally looking up at him. Her bottom lip quivered as her eyes washed over with a layer of shine. "I can't find those earrings you gave me!"

Draco shook his head and sighed, grasping the woman by the arm and gently easing her up.

"Are you m-mad at me?" she whimpered, her quiver pronouncing.

He shook his head yet again. Hormonal. Definitely the one downside of pregnancy. But after 6 months, he was rather accustomed to it now. He reached forwards, struggling to wrap his arms around her, wondering when the space between them had grown so much.

She seemed to realize this too, as she stomped her feet on the ground. "Oh, I'm fat! Of course you're mad at me. I'm F-A-T! Fat!" she screamed.

This was not the first time they were having this one sided argument, and Draco doubted it would be the last. It was better this time he supposed, as she wasn't blaming him for making her fat at least. Pregnant, he meant. Not fat. Not fat.

He gently tucked his arm beneath her perfectly coiled hair and around the base of her head, easing her head onto his shoulder to muffle her cries. He kissed the top of her head affectionately.

"I could never be mad at you," he soothed, kissing her again, "and you're not fat. You're pregnant. P-R-E-G—"

"Don't patronize me Draco Malfoy! I know I'm pregnant. No thanks to you!" She looked up, her eyes flashing as her hands curled into fists. He anticipated it, bracing himself. Then, as predicted, she threw feeble fists at his chest, crying, "you made me fat! How dare you?"

He used one hand to grab both her wrists, and the same hand to pull her again closer to him. This time, he swirled her around so that he could press up right against her back, her body fitting perfectly with his.

"Shh," he whispered, tucking his head into the nook between her head and shoulder. "Shh," he whispered again. He let go of her wrists as she stopped struggling. He used one hand to brace her waist, and the other to carefully stroke her stomach, containing her baby. Their baby.

Eventually, she leaned her head against his, her own small hands covering both of his.

"I think it'll be a boy," she whispered, as he placed a small kiss on her neck. She craned the other way to give him room to do so.

"Why a boy?" he asked, in between kisses.

"I don't know. I can just feel it," she answered, as his kisses moved upwards. "A boy with brown hair, and lovely blue eyes like your own. With just a tint of gray."

He kissed her cheeks. "But I like your brown eyes," he whined.

"But they're a Malfoy trait," she answered contently, "and the little boy will be a Malfoy."

Draco nodded, kissing her one last time. "Good point. So, are you ready for the charity ball tonight Mrs. Malfoy?"

He felt the slight hesitation in her."But I don't look good like this Draco," she complained.

With his arms still wrapped tightly around her, he straddled them over towards the full length mirror nearby. "See that?" he said, pointing into the reflection, "That's the most beautiful woman that will be at the ball tonight."

She stared, more so at him.

"But I don't have the earrings. They go perfectly with the necklace that you gave me," she said, her hands automatically reaching for the choker adorned with jewels around her neck.

She watched as he brought his first out and opened it. Inside, lay two earrings, both dangling with small brilliant rubies. "Where'd you find them?" she gasped, her hand reaching for one immediately.

"You told me to keep them safe so you wouldn't lose them before the ball the other night, remember?" he chuckled, helping her wear the other one.

They smiled at the reflection, before Hermione frowned slightly.

"What's wrong now?" he asked.

"I just...tonight...I know it's your mother's ball..."

"That she specifically asked us to attend?" he asked.

She nervously twirled a few strands of hair. "Yes..." she began slowly.

"That we can skip if you don't feel like going?" Draco offered with a smile. He slowly walked towards their bed and pulled up their single blanket. "Moxie makes a mean in-bed dinner."

"Yeah?" She asked, approaching the bed.

"Yeah," he replied. He turned around, preparing to call the house elf when her voice interrupted him.

"Draco?"

"Draco?"

He turned around.

"Draco?"

Draco shook his head to clear his thoughts to see Hermione's hand rested on his knee, shaking it slightly.

"Where were you?" she chuckled, removing her hand.

The spot suddenly felt cold.

"Just...dozed off for a moment," he answered smoothly, looking around to see his parents getting up. "Daydreaming I suppose," he said to her before addressing his parents, "where are you guys going?"

"We must prepare for a charity ball tonight," Lucius replied, less formally than usual. "Your mother is going to be the—"

"Let's not go into that now Lou," Narcissa said, blushing prettily. As Draco looked up, he caught sight of the beautiful ruby earrings dangling off her ears. The sight was eerily frightening.

Narcissa caught Draco's stare. She self-consciously touched the jewels.

"I've never seen those before," Draco commented, tearing his gaze away as his mind raced.

"Oh yes," Narcissa said, thumbing the rubies. "They're a family heirloom, passed on to the Malfoy brides," she explained. "I rarely wear them, in fear of them getting lost."

"But they're red," Draco couldn't help but comment.

"Ironic isn't it," Naricssa said lightly, looking at Hermione, who didn't notice. However, Draco did, and he gulped nervously. Earrings? Charity ball? It would be scary if his parents suddenly announced that he was going to be a brother soon too.

Oh god, he didn't even want to consider that.

"Draco," Lucius suddenly said, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

Draco gulped. NO!

"Draco, I would like to speak with you."

This was not looking good.

By now, all members of the room were looking towards Lucius. "Privately," he clarified, looking rather awkward as he loosened his robe slightly.

Hermione coloured. "Oh, well I was just uh...library...uh...I'm going now," she muttered, hurriedly standing up. She shuffled out of the room quickly, not looking behind.

Everyone watched her leave.

Then Lucius turned to Narcissa. "You go get ready first," he said gently, "I'll be right up."

Narcissa looked worried, but didn't comment as she, too, proceeded out of the room.

Finally, the doors to the living room, or parlour if you may, slammed shut.

After moments of awkward standing, Lucius gestured to the couch opposite the one behind him. Draco took a seat, as did his father.

Silence ensued once again.

Eventually, the tension was too much. Draco broke in tentatively. "So...," he ventured.

"So..." Lucius mimicked, looking out one of the large windows facing the front of the house.

"Weather's great," Draco commented, frowning.

"Yes, yes it is."

"Sun's out," he continued.

"No rain," Lucius agreed.

"No clouds—"

"Don't lose her."

Draco froze midsentence. Did he just hear correctly?

"Don't lose her," Lucius said quietly. "I want you to keep her."

Draco opened his mouth to speak. To say something. Anything. But nothing came out.

Lucius finally turned to Draco.

"Don't lose her," he said simply, in a very Lucius-like manner. "Because I don't want you to lose her."

Draco couldn't close his mouth.

"I've always wanted a daughter too. Son, promise me, you'll keep her."

Draco blinked.

"Draco."

"What?" he finally managed to croak out.

"Don't lose her," his father said simply, before sweeping off the couch and striding towards the door, his cloak trailing behind. Right before leaving, he turned around, "I mean it."

Draco stood to leave as well.

And then, Lucius swept out of the room.

"Ye—" Draco began, more to himself, before the front doors swung open.

Damn. And double damn.

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