Chapter Thirty-Six: Civility

Hermione hated to admit it, but she was growing to enjoy the pampered world of Malfoy Manor. Lucius, still believing that she and Draco were going ahead with the possession, had hired a few personal lady's maids to watch over her and the baby, and now her nails were always done, her bed turned down, but she had also taken it upon herself to get to know her servants, and they were actually becoming quite good friends.

Draco had been away at school for nearly a week and a half, and she did find herself missing the long studying hours and piles upon piles of books. She attempted to content herself to the long hours of boredom now that her dizziness and nausea were starting to fade. Lucius had begun to purchase different versions of books, all wrapped with Death Eater propaganda, but bad reading was better than no reading at all, in her opinion. She looked up as Jolein entered the room and smiled.

"Hello." Hermione said, as she noticed a rolled up scroll in her eyes.

"That wouldn't be for me, would it?" She said, smiling as Jolein tossed the scroll to her. Hermione unrolled it.

Hermione-

I'm just writing you in my free-time between classes and avoiding Pansy. Ever since word about Blaise got out, all of the students assumed it had something to do with Death Eaters and everyone and their mum has been trying to get on my good side. It would please you, I think, to know that I'm trying to cut down on my smoking. I figure that if I do spend a lot of time with the baby after it's born, I wouldn't want to give it cancer.

I take it you've let the Weasel and Scarhead know about the baby. Lately they've been rather un-annoying and actually talk to me. Of course, it's always about you and 'the you-know-what' but it's better than having to come up with clever insults all of the time. I hope you're doing well, and they say hi.

Regards, Draco

Regards? She thought, and smiled, handing the letter back to Jolien.

"So what did he say?" she asked, in her cute Dutch accent. Hermione smiled.

"He sends his regards. Says Harry and Ron are being nice. I guess they think Draco can order me killed at any moment."

"Did you really tell Ron you loved him? I mean, here all this time I thought you and Draco..."

"Oh no, deary, what 'Young Malfoy' and I have is not love. But it's no longer hate."

"So you're in love with Ron?"

"I never said 'in-love.' I don't know what I feel anymore. It is all of these bloody hormones. I want to love Draco, but he's such a complex person. Ron's sweet and I'll always care for him, but... well, there's just no hot intensity there like there was with Draco."

"So? Anyways, if you don't mind me saying so, I think that you're not yet even seventeen so you don't need to be thinking about grandeur things like that. You should be more about... shopping. Not who-you're-going-to-spend-the-rest-of-your-life-with."

"Jolein?"

"Yes?"

"In four months, I am having a baby. I should be thinking about those things."

"I guess you're right. Do you want some privacy to write him back?"

"No, I'll be alright with you here. I hate being alone now. With Lucius in the house."

"Oh, well he probably won't be coming within inches of you. He doesn't want to anger you while you're in such a fragile state."

Hermione laughed and tossed aside Draco's letter.

Draco sat, slightly bored, in his seat in Seventh Year Potions. Weasley and Potter sat across the room from him. Snape trounced proudly at the front of the room, and Draco attempted to take notes without worrying about this weekend. He needed a two-day pass. He had to have it.

Dumbledore, it seemed, had been quite disappointed at Hermione's absence, and thus named Susan Bones Head Girl in her place. Pansy had since taken up with a Sixth Year, and was finally leaving him alone, save for the occasional polite smile to keep from getting on his bad side. But Draco knew that his father had had Blaise killed. Blaise knew, but had no strict Death Eater ties. He'd had to go.

The class ended, and Draco drew in a breath, walking up towards Snape. He looked up, giving him a grin that one could barely manage to call content.

"Afternoon, Professor."

"Afternoon, Draco. I noticed you were a bit distant today. Those pesky Gryffindors giving you problems?"

"No, not at all, Professor. I do have a favor to ask, though."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"I need a weekend pass."

"No."

"Snape, I do not ask for a lot of tangible things from you, but this is rather important."

"Draco, after all of the time you spent away from school last year, Dumbledore has asked that all of your comings and goings stay under incredible scrutiny – and, seeing as you are still technically under probation from the Ministry-"

"Please." Draco said, and hated it the moment the words left his lips. He always hated having to beg, it made him feel so lowly.

"Alright, but I will be keeping tabs on you, so you know the rules."

"Yes, yes – no drugs."

"If I feel you doing any of those, I will have no choice but to report you."

"I understand."

It was a Friday now – September 18th, and Hermione sat at the window where she had received the fateful news of Hogwarts just over two months weeks ago. She had begun to wonder why she hadn't received any letters from Ron or Harry – only Draco. Tomorrow was her birthday, and she'd never really felt more alone. Sure, Jolein and Nanette would show up every now and then, but she really missed the closeness they'd all had at Hogwarts.

The sun was setting on the horizon just as Hermione felt herself growing quite fatigued. That was one of the things she liked about the pregnancy – it gave her an excuse to sleep very often. She was on her way to her bedroom when she heard the distinct sounds of footsteps behind her. Indeed, Hermione felt rather scared. The sexual energy that had always exuded from Draco also beamed from his father, and having him near her – alone – still frightened her despite what Jolein had said. Attempting to hold her heart in her chest as it beat wildly, she turned around, and attempted to hold in her scream.

"So you never wrote her to tell her she was expelled?" Harry asked Dumbledore in his office, and the old man shook his head.

"Alas, no. Any contact that's been attempted towards her doesn't seem to be getting through, Harry. You said yourself that she has not been writing you back. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Dumbledore."

"And you said that Lucius is out of Azkaban?"

"Yes. Couldn't you just owl them or something?"

"I'd like to, but I have a feeling that there's something bigger going on here than just Lucius having escaped and him keeping a closer watch on your Hermione than we'd like."

"You think it has something to do with Voldemort?" Harry asked, and Dumbledore turned to him, sighing.

"Doesn't it always?"

"What are you doing here?!" Hermione shrieked, and the Head Boy before her smiled.

"I got a weekend pass."

"But, why, Draco?" She asked, and he smiled. Walking up to her, he held out his hand, and at first, she had no idea what the gesture was for, but she watched as he began to whisper softly and soon a tiny little cupcake with a single candle sat in his palm.

"Happy Birthday," he said, and handed her the sweet. She, taking it, raised her eyebrows and looked at him.

"You came all the way back for my birthday?"

"Yes I did."

"Why? It is not until tomorrow" She asked, and was met with no answer, but suddenly felt her heart floating down to her toes. Draco had kissed her.

Review!

P.S. - In response to all of the concern about Ron's return and "Where Draco and Hermione stand," I'm going to first say that I've had this story and its outcome planned for some time now so only minor story suggestions get taken seriously (i.e. a funny incedent,) but I don't ever want what the characters truly feel to be so Mary-Sue-obvious. This is not a fluff fic. Sorry.