Disclaimer- In case we haven't noticed yet, I do not own any of the characters, and most of the places mentioned. If I did, I would be J.K. Rowling, and I severely doubt I would be spending my time corrupting the characters like I am. Hermione, with Draco? I tell you...

Chapter 26- Meet the Parent?

The carriage clattered along the cobblestone pathway. The only sounds were those of the wheels, and the quick tap of the horses hooves on the pavement as the driver cracked a whip to keep them moving. Seated most comfortably inside were the couple, Draco's head resting on Hermione's shoulder. He had nearly drifted off, but Hermione sat alert as ever, taking all of the scenery in.

"I cannot believe I agreed to this," Hermione said quietly, more to herself than Draco. He sat up abruptly.

"Now, don't act like I twisted your arm here, Hermione. You agreed of your own free will," Draco said.

"Oh, like I had much of a choice."

"You could have refused. Admit it, you wanted to meet my parents."

"Ha."

"Oho, clever with the come-backs, aren't you?"

Hermione sniffed. Draco just stared at her, daring her to answer, while she stared back, apparently uninterested.

"Here we are," the carriage driver announced, calling the horse to a stop. They watched him through the window as he hopped down off his seat to assist the couple. He opened the door and offered his hand to Hermione, who took it graciously. "Malfoy Manor," the driver said, nodding at the property.

It was an exquisite mansion, to say the least. They stood in front of two large, silver gates. The initials 'MM' were inscribed along the top in curly, loopy writing. Behind the gates loomed a shadow of the massive mansion, and in it's place stood the mansion itself.

"You live there?" Hermione asked in disbelief, pointing at the house.

"Yes," Draco answered nonchalantly, handing the driver some money and gesturing to their bags. "Bring those up to the door, thanks," he said. He grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her through the gates, which opened by themselves. The walked up the long path to the huge double doors, and Draco reached for the knocker.

They only waited for about fifteen seconds, and then the door was opened by a small house elf. "Master Draco, welcome home," the tiny elf squeaked.

"Tipsy," Draco nodded. He pushed past the elf and pulled Hermione inside.

The walls of the entryway were a pale stone, complimented by a floor tile in the same hues. The largest source of light came from two large windows above the door, but there was also a magnificent silver chandelier above. Several hallways led off of this room, obviously to different areas in the house.

"Where's mother?" Draco asked the elf, beginning down the hallway in front of them.

"In her room, sir," Tipsy answered. "Should Tipsy call her, sir?"

"No need. Just let her know of my arrival." Draco waved his hand and the elf disappeared with a crack.

"You weren't very polite," Hermione said, finding her voice at last. She had finally given up on S.P.E.W., but she still found time to criticize those who she deemed "rude to our equals".

"I don't need to be," Draco said with a smirk.

"Oh, you are unbearable," Hermione said with a roll of her eye.

"I know. Hurry on then, much to see," Draco said, quickening his pace. He led her up a large marble staircase, and turned down another hall.

It'd be easy to get lost in this place, Hermione thought. They finally came across a row of oak doors, and Draco stopped at the second one. "Here we are," he said, pushing open the door. Hermione gasped.

In the very center of the room stood an enormous four-poster bed, and a magnificent green silk bedspread lay atop it. A large wooden armoire stood across from the bed, and a squishy couch was sitting between a stone fireplace and a bookshelf. There was a door off to the left, which Hermione supposed led to a bathroom, though she couldn't be sure.

"Wow," Hermione said, as Draco pulled her inside.

Draco smiled, obviously proud of himself. "Our luggage should be–" He was interrupted by a 'CRACK', and all of their bags appeared by his feet, along with Tipsy. "Good."

"Master Draco, sir, the Missus would like to see you, sir," Tipsy squeaked. "She's in the largest sitting room, sir."

"Very well," Draco waved her off. "If you'd like to get unpacked, you can put your things there." He pointed to the armoire. "I have to tend to my mother. It shouldn't take long."

"Alright, I might take a nap," Hermione replied, looking longingly at the mass of pillows and blankets atop his bed.

Draco smirked. "I'll be back," he promised, leaning down to kiss Hermione.

Draco had turned down several more hallways before he finally came to a large, wooden door in an otherwise doorless hall. He knocked twice, and the door was wrenched open.

"Draco!" Narcissa Malfoy wrapped two think arms around her son, embracing him. "Oh, I've missed you so!"

"How've you been Mum?" Draco pulled out of her hug, and stepped inside the sitting room. He seated himself on the arm of a black leather armchair.

"Lonely, dear… very, very lonely." Narcissa sighed. "With your father gone… it's just terribly quiet."

"I'm sorry," Draco said. "Father will be back soon though, I assume."

"It all depends. He has friends in the ministry, as you know, and they are trying to help him as best they could. Those opposed couldn't find any solid evidence, so that's all working to our advantage."

"How could they put him in prison, with no evidence?"

"These days, all you need is a clear assumption and a motive. He'll be alright, your father always is." She took a deep breath. "That isn't what I needed to talk to you about, anyway." Draco nodded. "This girl you brought home… I am assuming she's with you," Narcissa peered at her son, who nodded. "What were you thinking?"

"You don't understand, mum, she's different. She's… amazingly intelligent, beautiful, and strong."

"In other words, an asset to our family?" Narcissa shook her head. "You know how the Malfoy's feel about those sorts of people."

"I love her."

"You don't… the best explanation I can think of is that you had a lapse of judgment."

"Mother!"

"Draco, no. You know better than that… what would your father think?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Draco Malfoy, don't you disregard your fathers feelings. He's been good to you, we both have."

"Mother, do you expect me to dump Hermione, and leave her on the streets?

"She'd hardly be on the streets…" Narcissa thought for a moment, wondering if the girl could possibly be homeless. "Though, who knows… a muggleborn like herself–"

"She's pregnant, mum."

Narcissa stopped to put her hand under Draco's chin and lift his face to hers. "What did you say?" she said quietly.

"Hermione is pregnant."

"And it's yours, is it?"

Draco let several different answers run through his mind, but after a long silence, decided to be honest. "I'm not sure."

Narcissa laughed, a cold laugh that sounded off the stone walls. "You're dating a whore, are you?"

"Not in the least," Draco snapped, the tone of his voice dangerous.

"Then what would you call her?" She peered at her son, daring him to answer.

"She was raped, mother. Twice," he added.

Narcissa stopped smiling, her face now expressionless. "By who," she said in a whisper.

"Ronald Weasley, one of her supposed friends. It happened once after we first started dating, and then again a few weeks later. On Christmas."

"The Weasley boy? Of your year?"

"Yes."

Narcissa thought for a moment. "This changes things."

"It changed everything," Draco corrected.

"I have nothing more to say," Narcissa said. "Have her ready for dinner at seven, I'll meet her then."

Draco nodded, and stood up to exit. "Thanks mum," he said, and then closed the door behind him.

"What happened," Hermione asked, before Draco had even fully entered his room. She had a wine glass in her hand, which Draco nodded at suspiciously. "Cranberry, I swear," she clarified. "Tipsy popped up while you were gone."

Draco sniffed the glass just to make sure. Hermione rolled her eyes. "What happened? You mom knows I'm here, doesn't she?"

"She does. In fact, she knows everything."

"Everything… what?"

"She knows you are pregnant, and she knows why we aren't sure if it's mine." Draco threw up his hands as Hermione grew angry. "I swear to god, she isn't miffed at all."

"I could care less," Hermione snapped. Her eyes grew sad. "You told her, you told her I was… raped?"

"Yes, I did. And before you get upset at me, I think it was for the best…" Draco grabbed both of her wrists, pressing them against his chest. "You trust me, don't you?"

"I thought I did… I am so embarrassed." She tried to pull away but Draco didn't let her. "How could you tell her that?"

"She could have found out anyway, Hermione. I know that was bold of me… but you have to know that it was for the best." Draco said the last three word with extra gusto.

"How do you know that?" Hermione snapped. "How in hell do you know what's going to be best?"

Draco thought for a moment. "Because, I do."

"Oh, you absolute arse!"

"Don't insult me! I…I brought you to my mansion, for Merlin's sake!"

"Don't you shout at me!"

"You shouted at me first," he snapped.

"I did not," Hermione retorted.

"Did too."

Hermione suddenly had the childish urge to stick out her tongue and waggle her fingers at Draco. She cracked a smile.

"What are you smiling about?" Draco asked. This girl was crazy… absolutely crazy. He decided to tell her so.

"But you love me all the same, don't you?" Hermione asked. "Even if you think I'm crazy."

"I do," he answered. "Please, don't be angry at me… I really think what I did was right. Besides, she wants to meet you at dinner, tonight."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Draco?"

"What, love?"

"What am I supposed to wear?"

Narcissa Malfoy was seated at the head of a long table set for twelve. She snapped her fingers twice, and a house elf appeared. "The table only needs to be set for three," she said, waving at the extra place settings. "Put away the extras."

She glanced at the grandfather clock against the wall, it was one minute to seven. She watched the second hand swoop around, and the clock rang on the hour. Only a few seconds later, the doors to the dining room opened.

Her son, dressed in a plain, black button up shirt and black slacks, entered with the girl she supposed was Hermione. The girl was fairly pretty… warm, brown eyes, curly brown hair worn down, but pulled back in the front with a barrette. She was dressed nicely, something Narcissa took as a good sign, in a pale pink top and a black skirt. At least she knows how to dress for dinner, she mused.

"Draco," Narcissa smiled at her son, "And I assume you are Hermione?"

Hermione gripped Draco's hand tighter, and nodded at the woman. "Yes, I am. Nice to meet you." She smiled, hoping it would come across as a peace offering.

"Please, sit down." Draco led Hermione to the table, seating himself in between the two women.

"Draco, would you please pour the wine? Oh, don't worry," Narcissa smirked at Hermione's face, "I've charmed your glass. The wine will turn to the equivalent of grape juice."

Hermione tried her best to look relieved, but couldn't stop the twinge of red that appeared on her cheeks. Draco shot his mother a look. She just smiled at him and took a sip of her wine.

"So then, what do your parents do? What is their… work?" Narcissa added the last bit as if Hermione wouldn't understand the question.

"They're dentists," Hermione said.

"Those muggle healers of sorts? The ones that mess about with teeth?" Narcissa stifled a haughty giggle.

"Yes, mother," Draco said warningly.

"No matter." She gave a shrug of her shoulders to disregard her son's tone, and then looked around impatiently. "Where in bloody… Tipsy!" With a crack the house elf appeared. "Dinner is supposed to be at seven, could you so kindly hurry it up in the kitchen?" Narcissa snapped, making Hermione wince slightly.

"Yes, Miss. Right away," Tipsy said, and then disappeared only to appear momentarily with a tray of food. She set it on the table, and Draco took the largest bowl from her. "Salad?" he offered Hermione, who nodded. He served Hermione, then his mother, and finally himself, and moved onto the next dish. "Potatoes?" It continued on this way until all the food had been served, and so began dinner.

Draco proceeded to inform his mother of different activities at their school, all of which Narcissa seemed interested in, and in turn, Narcissa filled him in a bit on the different Wizard families they were associated with. Hermione sat and listened, not commenting on much of anything.

"You alright?" Draco said out of the corner of his mouth, nodding at his mother while she spoke.

"I suppose." Hermione stared at her food. A small wave of nausea came over her. She scrunched up her lips and shook her head. "Just tired."

Draco nodded. "We'll go then."

"Mum?"

Narcissa finished her sentence and then looked at him. "What is it, Draco?"

"You'll have to excuse us, we are both quite tired," Draco said. He wiped his mouth on a cloth napkin and stood up from the table. He helped Hermione to her feet, and pushed in their chairs. "We'll see you in the morning?" Narcissa nodded.

"Dinner was lovely, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione said, politely. "Thank you."

"You're welcome… Hermione," Narcissa spoke, trying out the girl's name. She had never dined with a muggle, but it seemed like the girl had manners enough.

Draco led Hermione to his room and helped her undress, then left her in bed while he took a short shower. He returned quietly, but Hermione was still awake waiting for him.

"I sleep better with you," she answered, scooting over to one side to make room for him. She didn't have to move much, seeing as the bed was huge, but the gesture was appreciated. He crawled in next to her, and she rested her head against his arm.

"I need to let you know, Hermione, that my whole family knows about you. What you are, I mean," Draco said, knowing what he was saying sounded ruder than he meant.

"I figured they would," Hermione said.

"But that means Hermione, you need to be careful… we need to be careful," he corrected, "A wrong step could cause terrible things to happen."

"What do you mean, Draco?"

"You know what certain members of my family are… you know what I must become to please them," Draco said. "While you are in this house… things may be mentioned, you may overhear things, that can never leave this house. Do you understand?"

"I do, but Draco… what do you mean?"

"You know that two years ago… certain people escaped from Azkaban, right?" Hermione nodded. "Well, one of them was my aunt."

Hermione sat up a little. "You mean Bellatrix, don't you?" She knew she was right, it was only two years ago that the same woman had killed Sirius Black.

"Yes, or Aunt Bella, as I refer to her."

"But what about that? You know… Of course you know, where she is?"

"Hermione, of course I do. And it's things like that that you must not let out. While you are in this house, you may or may not meet her. Her, and several other people," he added. "I expect that you would know better than to do something stupid in their presence, but I need to make sure you know not to say a word. To anyone."

"But Draco… they, she killed Sirius," Hermione protested. "They've… killed hundreds."

"I know, Hermione. I should have never asked you here… but I can't change the fact that I did. I need you to listen to me, and I need you to understand–"

"It's not fair," Hermione said. "Your asking me to come here, and now you're telling me to keep quiet about things that are against the law, and about everything I've ever believed."

"Its for your own protection, Hermione." Draco sat up as well, facing his girlfriend. "They will kill you… they will not practice any precaution after you, if you betray them."

"Draco, what do you want me to say?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Draco, you know I do. We seem to go over this a lot, don't we?"

"Do you love me?"

"Yes. I do."

"Then promise me, promise me that you won't say anything." Hermione stared at him, his face drawn fierce but serious.

"I promise, Draco," she said solemnly.

"I don't want anything to happen to you… that's why I am asking this of you."

"I know."

"Are you angry?"

"No… scared."

"Oh, come here." Draco lay back down and Hermione laid down next to him, stretching one arm across his chest. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know that." She snuggled closer to him and buried her face in the pillow. "Goodnight Draco," she muffled through the down.

"Night, love."

Hey look at that! I got a new Chapter up!
Sorry for the wait again... its looking like this story will take forever to write, doesn't it?

... Reviews? Let me know what you thought.

-Emma