So I lay my head back down.

I lift my hands and pray

to be only yours.

I pray to be only yours.

I know now your my only hope.

~Segment from Only Hope by Mandy Moore

Chapter 29: Four Months Later…

A belly was starting to show. Every morning the first place I go is Lavender's full length mirror (I want to say it was a birthday present) and look myself from each side to see the change.

Don't get me wrong, people have noticed. They just assume I've gained wait due to my comfort with Malfoy. When I heard that, it did make me uneasy. What if after I have the baby I don't have my figure back? What if I stay chubby?

I felt sick at the thought that morning and stepped away from the mirror. Today, I was going to meet Madame Pomphrey to finally see the babies sex. I know I was supposed to have done that a long time ago, but…I was scared. Maybe more scared than Malfoy.

I never told him either. Like I would! If I so much as sneeze too hard, he starts worrying. I put on a happy face to reassure him that everything is okay.

I just put on my normal clothes since it was they weekend. A flowing empire cut blouse (to try to hide the stomach) and some jeans. I was glad that finals were done with. Tomorrow, my class would finally graduate and on August, I will be married. Sad that I would have to find a dress to suit the baby belly.

I was out in the corridors when I spotted Harry talking with Ginny. A lot has happened in four months, but mostly to Ginny. She still wears black, but her hair is back to normal, except for the fact that she cut it in a nice bob. Harry asked her out two months ago and the usual drama did happen. In the end everything worked out. Everything was okay.

I decided to just walk pass them as they got closer to the kiss. I felt a smile on my face and lightly touched my stomach, praying that my baby would kick. I only felt a light kick one, but after that, the baby kicked no more. I told Malfoy that it was a tease just like him.

"Hermione? What are you doing?" I heard an American accent and turned to only see my gay ex, Mickey.

"Um…nothing."

"Okay then, so how are things with you and Malfoy?"

He came closer and I really felt fat next to his lean muscles. "Things are well. You?"

"I actually met someone!" he said happily. "He is from here but he is an auror. I met him over spring break and we really hit it off."

"That's terrific! I am so proud of you!"

He stopped smiling and I saw hurt in his eyes. "Yeah, out of all the people here, you were the only one really there for me. And what do I do?"

I perked up a little, "Go on, what did you do?"

He seemed a little shocked at my behavior and hesitantly went on. "Hermione, that spell that you were under that forced you to see those diary entries…that was me."

I felt my frown deepen and felt my mood swing from indifferent to just pissed. "You what!"

"W-well, I didn't like the fact that I was out of the closet and-"

"What!"

"I-saw-your-diary-and-thought-that-I-should-bring-the-attention-to-you!"

"WHAT THE HELL! I KEPT YOUR SECRET FROM EVERYONE AND YOU GO OFF AND DO THAT YOU SON OF A-"

"Hermione, what's wrong?"

There he was, my knight in shining army. Malfoy ran to me and gave Mickey a strange look. Like he wants to feel jealous, but really there is no reason to be since the worse Mickey could do is enter my dreams.

"Is there a problem?" Malfoy said with his nose up in the air and his back to Mickey. A classic Malfoy move.

I thought about telling Malfoy everything. Well, my pregnant self would love to see Mickey getting into trouble, but I let it go because it was really not worth it. Besides, Mickey cowardly act really did do things for the better. If you think about it, Mickey is the reason I'm pregnant.

"Nothing, lets just go. Bye Mickey."

He didn't say anything when I left and I don't blame him. I just grabbed Malfoy's hands and noticed they were sweating and smiled that he was just as nervous as I was. I gave his palm a comforting squeeze. He gave me a smirk, but I could still see the anxiety in his eyes.

"I can't believe we're finally going to find out. What took you so long anyways love?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise, but I can't wait anymore."

We entered the hospital wing where Madame Pomphrey was looking down a cauldron. The place smelled of steamed herbs and meat, it actually made me hungry. That's another thing about being pregnant, the random cravings. When we went to Hogsmeade last year, I sent Malfoy and Ron on a goose chase to find the right roasted nuts because the one the offer at Three Broomsticks didn't cut it.

"That stew is not for eating Ms. Granger," said Madame Pomphrey. Since I was still in school, Professor Dumbledore put her in charge of my babies health, which seemed very stupid at first, but then the more Madame Pomphrey took care of me, the more foolish I felt. She was stern, but she knew what she was talking about.

"If you could, Ms. Granger, please lay down. Mr. Malfoy, be a gentlemen and help her."

Malfoy helped me up to the hospital bed, which I could of sworn, wasn't such a challenge last week. It is a hell of a workout just get up and down. Not only do I have to do that, but act like it's every other day.

"What is that stew for?" asked Malfoy. He sat in another bed holding my hand comfortingly. I squeezed it, begging for more reassurance than that.

"This potion will be poured over Hermione's stomach making her stomach glow. It would glow either two colors: red for boy and white for girl.

"Wait, wait, wait-your going to put a boiling potion on my baby?"

"Sorry Madame Pomphrey," said Malfoy. "She has been a little testy all morning."

"I don't need you apologizing for me!" I whined.

Madam Pomphrey just ignored the whole scene and dipped a wooden spoon into the cauldron. The steam cam out as she came out with a spoon full of potion, which still looked like beef stew to me. I squeezed Malfoy's hand harder and I could hear him curse under his breath.

When the potion hit my stomach, it was like a…wow. It was a warm sensation that made me smile. It sort of tickled. I was looking at my stomach just wondering was the baby was going through. Was it dancing or smiling? Is it imagining what is going on out there?

One of the most beautiful things happened. The stomach turned white. A soft glow of angelic white brought tears to my eyes. I have a daughter. I felt Malfoy kiss my forehead and looked up to he him teary eyed as well. I was so happy that he was.

"We have a daughter," he said softly. The image of pink bows, ball gowns, fairy wings, and ballet slippers danced in front of my eyes. I could see our first family portrait and was eager to see her eyes staring back at me.

We were all in our gowns in hats. I could see my mother and father in the far back, as away from any magic folk as they could. They looked scared, but their eyes were glued to me. I told them that they were going to have a grand daughter. They seemed happy, but I could tell they're scared. When Malfoy's belongings showed up in the living room that morning, they were scared what would become of us. Me being a wife and mother before graduation isn't something they were expecting. Still, when they saw me they waved and smiled and mouthed 'I love you'.

We were all set up in the front of the Great Hall by house. Dumbledore and McGonagall were standing in front of us with this look of pride and I guess I felt normal because I was finally a student graduating again. The Gryffindors were in the far left of the stage and then it goes onto Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Dumbledore did his speech about success, McGonagall did her's on discipline, and they finally called out the names. I was going to be the last one because since I did have the highest grade (still managed my studies during pregnancy!) I was to give my farewell speech. I looked at the cards I wrote the speech on. All I thought of it was crap, crap, and more crap.

"Calm down Hermione!" said Ron. He gave me a smile and I was happy because it was as if all was forgiven. I guess when it's the last day of school, recent moments count. Not the embarrassing moments. I looked at Harry at the bottom row and saw how lost he was. My heart went out to him because I know he wished his parents could see him. I wished and Mrs. Weasley especially wished it. I saw Mr. Weasley taking pictures of his last son in his cap and gown. "Do you want me to tell you something that could take your mind off that stupid speech?" asked Ron.

"Only if it's good."

"Well, that secret I was going to tell you is…I have a huge crush on Nicki Button."

My eyes widened as I was trying to adjust to the news without drawing attention to myself. Ronald Weasley liked a Slytherin? Was the whole world really is topsy turvy. "Since when?"

"Well, since I saw her devouring a turkey leg. The girl can eat."

I tried to muffled a giggle. So that's what turns Ron on? Food? If I knew that back in the olden days, I would have bought a whole Christmas feast. "Are you going to tell her?"

"No," he said. "She is well wanted and she's a Slytherin."

"Ron, I'm pregnant with Malfoy's daughter, I think it's okay for you to ask for a date."

"Just forget it Hermione," he said with red cheeks. I looked down at how many students were left and saw that Harry was already out there in the crowd. He looked at us smiling with his diploma on his lap. Before I knew it, Ron was called, then I was the only one left.

"To present us with the farewell speech, top of the class, Hermione Granger."

I looked out to the see of my former classmates and parents. The classic deer-in-the-headlights feeling was in full throttle. I went to the stand and looked at my speech. It was all really blurry all of a sudden. I got that sick feeling in my stomach and wanted to blame it on the baby, but I bet she would hate that.

"This is the…last time we will all be together," I decided to turn my cards away from me because I knew I was going to wing it. "It sets me to all these emotions. Dread of never going to a Hogwart's feast. Regret for not getting to get to know some of you more. The one emotion that sticks out the most…is hope." I felt a little more easy. "We just got through seven years of growing up. This day-the rest of our lives is finally ours. We can go to careers and finally define us by our standards. When I leave this stage, I will no longer be a Gryffindor as all of you would no longer be a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. Let us forget the houses or breeding and have fun today. Thank you."

I received my diploma and Dumbledore took the stage. I could feel his approval raining down on me. I took my place to the crowd and looked up to the all-knowing headmaster, as a student, for the last time. "Very wise words from such a young lady. It is my honor on behalf of Hogwarts staff and myself, I declare that this class has met all requirements and has graduated."

There was a huge cheer that rung through my ears. Next thing I knew, I was hugged by Harry and Ron. My father came up to me and kissed me on the cheek. There was laughter and tears, but what really did it for me was when Draco came up, unsure because of all the former Slytherin's around him. Still he came up to me and we had a deep kissed. He looked around and asked me. "What's next?"