January 9th

How Far Does The Apple Fall From The Tree?

That's the question on everyone's minds as Draco and Hermione (once Granger) announce the birth of their son Scorpius Malfoy. The child, weighing a mere 6 lbs 3 oz and only 45 cm long, shows a remarkable resemblance in looks to his father and grandfather, the late Lucius Malfoy. But are looks all the young infant shares with his Death Eater father and grandfather or is he facing the same dark future they once held?
Until next time, Rita Skeeter with the Daily Prophet.

"I can't believe him, Ron. He just gets back and instead of visiting his pregnant wife he goes out and drinks with Goyle! Ugh, I could scream. Selfish, inconsiderate little boy!" Ron simply watches as a nine-month pregnant Hermione paces back and forth. He had just gotten back himself, should be at home with Sonya and his newborn daughter but whenever Hermione came to him, tears in her eyes, and asked for someone to talk to Ron couldn't tell her no. Ron had never been able to tell Hermione no. "I just wish he would be around more, Ron. I wish that he..that he could be more like you." Hermione wraps her arms around Ron's neck, her tears staining the shoulder of his t-shirt. Gently Ron wraps his arms around Hermione, hugging her tight.

"Having a baby is scary, Mione." Ron comforts "Bloody scary actually. I'd rather face Voldermort again to be honest. Give him time, he'll come around."Hermione looks at him and nods. Suddenly, grabbing her stomach she doubles over in pain."What's wrong, Mione? Are you okay? Are you okay?"

"Go" Hermione can't help but breath hard from the pain. For some reason, the heavy, panted breathing just seemed to help. "Go. Get. Draco. Tell. Him. I'm."

"Okay, you're having a baby." Ron stands up, ready to apparate. "She's having a bloody baby." He disapparates, his face white with fear.

Harry, Ginny, and Sonya sit there and watch as Ron paces back and forth in the waiting room.

"She's taking too long. It shouldn't take this long." Ron whispers, turning around again on his heels.

"Ronnie, sometimes muggles take hours to have a baby, fifteen to twenty for a rough delivery. Sometimes its more than that even." Ron had blocked out every other word Sonya had said, only hearing two. Rough Delivery. His stomach drops as he returns to pacing.

"Ron!" Harry exclaims, getting Ron to stop pacing for only a second. "Hermione is going to be fine. Sit down." Ron looks at his sister, knowing she wouldn't be able to lie about something like this.

"How bad is it?"

Ginny stares at him, remembering the pain she faced delivering James, how the Healers encouraged her to push even though she was seconds away from giving up. She thought about how she just wanted to look over and see Harry's face, him urging her to push one more time and instead she faced her best friend. It was great that Hermione was there, but simply not the same.

"It wasn't that bad." Ginny answers, insecure with even her own answer, "It was worth it the second I saw James though."

"Wasn't that bad? My own sister can't even tell me Hermione will be okay and she's the logical one. Bloody brilliant!" With that, Ron goes back to his pacing. "I wouldn't be so worried if they weren't so bloody tiny."

"Push Hermione, Push." Draco tells his wife, holding her hand. Her face is covered in sweat and tears, her legs up in stirrups. "Come on, Push." He can't help but hear the Healers in the background, words of an arm facing the wrong way, of the umbilical cord possibly being around the neck, of lack of oxygen as he closes his eyes with fear. "Come on Hermione."

"I can't" Hermione screams, the pain nearly unbearable.

"Come on 'ermione, this baby izn't going to push itzelf." Fleur coaches, her accent chopped up. "Push 'ermione." Fleur grabs the baby, wrapping it gently in a blanket as she rushes over to a table in the corner of the room.

"Anapneo" a Healer whispers, running his wand over the white haired baby.

"Anything?" Another one asks, receiving a shake of the head. "Then do it again."

"Is he crying? Draco, why isn't he crying?" Hermione looks up at him, her hair soaked with sweat. "What's going on?"

"Shhhh, he's fine." Draco whispers, brushing her hair out of her face, never taking his eyes of his son laying there still on the table. "He's doing great."

"But why isn't he crying?"

"Sometimes they don't right after their born. Sometimes a woman has a quiet one." Draco lies, staring at the baby, watching Fleur's hands run over his son.

"Is he okay?"

"He's doing good. Hermione, please relax." Draco holds her hand in his, running his fingers up and down the inside of her arm to comfort himself.

"Can you please look at me if he's doing so good?"

"I just can't believe it, he's so beautiful Hermione. He's so perfect." If I look at you, you will see straight through me. You will see the truth. You will see my worst fear.

"WWWWAAAAHHH!" Draco looks down praying and kisses Hermione's hand.

"Did you hear that, love? You wanted him to cry, now he'll never stop." Draco smiles, thanking his stars.

"Can...Can I hold him?" Hermione asks as Fleur brings the screaming baby over.

"'ere you go 'ermione. Zay 'i baby-" Fleur looks at Draco, her eyes asking for the name

"Baby Scorpius." He answers, smiling. He watches as Fleur gently sets the baby in Hermione's arms, causing tears to fall down Hermione's face.

"He's so beautiful. You were right, Draco. He's perfect. You're so so perfect." She whispers, brushing the few blonde hairs on the baby's head back. "He's got your hair." Draco can't help but smile.

"And he's got your eyes." Draco replies, kissing her forehead. "Your beautiful eyes. I'll be completely honest Hermione, I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love the two of you."