DISCLAIMER :: Everything besides the plot is owned by the lovely J.K.R.! Similarities to any other story, movie, or real life occurrence, are completely coincidental unless stated otherwise (:

Chapter Twenty Five || Week five :: month five.

Draco's POV ::

Since that day, baby kicked Hermione every night at seven. Like clockwork, at seven p.m. the baby would kick— thus inspiring me to name it Seven. But when I suggested it to Hermione she just glared. Once we were still at dinner at the time, and the other parents watched as we felt him kick us. And every night, Hermione would sleep in my bed and I on the floor. It was the right thing to do— she's pregnant and I can't force her to sleep on the ground.

Today was Monday morning. Hermione and I walked to breakfast, actually talking. Things between us were different, and it was nice. We no longer just traded insults and dirty looks. We were no longer just partners. We realized what we were— parents.

"I can only imagine what McGonagall and Lockhart have in store for us today." Hermione smiled at me as we slipped into the Great Hall.

"I don't even try to guess anymore. I've learned just to expect crazy shitt and deal with it." I replied, taking a seat across from Astoria and Ron.

"Good morning guys." Hermione said cheerfully and reached for her goblet, taking a healthy gulp.

"Astoria, Weasley." I nodded at them both, grinning at Astoria.

"Hey, you two." She answered, with a smile. Ron just stabbed his waffle.

"You're really showing, Hermione." Astoria commented on Hermione's figure.

"Yea, I really am." Hermione said gladly, looking down to her swelling abdomen.

Luna sat next to me and Blaise on the other side of her. We exchanged upward nods. "Hello Draco," she said, her grey eyes meeting mine.

"It's nice to see you Luna." I remarked with sincerity. "Um, I haven't thanked you yet for what happened a week ago. In Divination."

"Oh, no problem at all. That was my pleasure, truly. I hope I didn't frighten you." Luna answered without hesitation.

"Uh nah, no not at all." I swatted the air awkwardly as I tried to force my point.

"Welcome to your fifth class!" McGonagall said to the class. We were split into circle for Gender Discussions. "Please read with your group and discuss the five month progress."

She sat down. Lockhart turned to us with a goofy grin. "Hey there everyone! Who wants to talk about fetuses?" He passed us each a sheet of parchment.

"Harry, my man, be a lad and read for us!" Lockhart thumped him on the back.

Harry shot the professor a look before beginning to read. "Your baby, now about in its 5th week / 5th month of development, measures about 4.4 to 4.8 inches from crown to rump and has doubled in weight in the last two weeks to about 3.5 ounces. Fat begins to form, helping your baby's heat production and metabolism. The lungs are beginning to exhale amniotic fluid, and the circulatory and urinary systems are working. Hair on head, eyebrows and eyelashes is filling in."

"Thanks, Potter." Lockhart nodded to him. "It's really easy to picture your child now, right?

Close your eyes for a sec, guys." He encouraged.

I looked around. The other blokes looked uneasy. Neville shut his eyes first. Then Ron. Then Harry, and then Seamus. Blaise and I closed our eyes.

"Picture your baby." Lockhart's voice reached me.

Hermione's POV ::

Hannah stopped reading at the paragraph's end.

"Thank you very much, my dear." McGonagall told Abbott. "Some other things you ladies are noticing are that you're showing more now, with an obvious swelling in your lower abdomen. A five- to 10-pound weight gain is typical by now. You also may be noticing an increase in appetite. At breakfast you all probably ate the most you have in weeks."

"I did notice that! I just thought I was hungry. God, it feels like I'm eating for twelve." Parvati reached her arms over her stomach.

"Well I certainly hope not. You could have twins, maybe. Could you imagine? But yes girls, you are eating for two now. Don't be alarmed if you don't feel as full as soon." McGonagall remarked. "All of you should change positions slowly, especially when you move from a lying down position to sitting or from a sitting position to standing to avoid feeling dizzy or faint. If you feel lightheaded, sit down and lower your head, or lie down for a moment. Your baby is the number one priority for you now."

"This is all so crazy." Astoria whispered as she looked down at her hands clasped around her baby bump. "I'm going to be a mother!"

McGonagall smiled. "There is one more thing we need to discuss :: Postnatal Depression. Astoria, could you read for us?"

"Postnatal depression, PND, is a depressive illness that occurs after having a baby. It is common for women following childbirth to experience a period of 'low' mood. This can range in severity from a mild and normal period of mood disturbance, through the most severe and rarest problem— postnatal psychosis. Although there are differences between PND and 'ordinary' depression, there are many similarities." Astoria read out loud.

Silence settled over the group. "Does this mean some mothers don't feel a connection to their baby?" Pansy asked quietly.

The professor nodded. "Not all women love their baby at first. Think about it— the baby has been inside of you for weeks, eating your food and breathing your oxygen and pushing on your bladder and making you gain weight. When a woman sees that child… love might not be their first feeling."

"Could this happen to us?" Hannah asked, astounded.

"It can happen to any mother. Oh, look at that," McGonagall was called over by Lockhart. "Discussion time for today is over. The desks will arrange themselves, please take your seat with the father."

Draco sat in the chair next to me. Lockhart and McGonagall looked on from the front of the room. At the professor's desk there was a stack of parchment and several quills.

"Great, more writing." Draco whispered to me as he noticed.

"Today we have another exercise designed to make you all closer as a group. When your name is called, please come to the front desk and take a quill and piece of parchment. Upon touching paper the quill will write 'Dear Someone.' A name will appear, and it is your assignment today to write that person a letter, to be delivered over Christmas break. Write about your expectations, how they act, your relationship, this class, anything you want. Do not sign your name." Lockhart announced as we listened intently.

"Hermione, how about you start us off?" McGonagall called me forward, picking up a quill and parchment for me.

I walked up to the front of the room and hear Lockhart call Neville to come up as well. McGonagall handed me the quill and paper. At my seat I eagerly touched the quill to the top left of my parchment. The ink flowed out and the feather moved on its own. A name appeared and I bit my lip. Interesting.