A/N- I'm sorry, friends, for the wait on this chapter. I have gotten mostly good feedback on my story so far, last chapter included, so I want to thank y'all for that. Some days I really struggle to write and you guys are my inspiration. On a completely different note, I was only able to respond to a couple reviews because FF once again hates me. When I hit the reply button, it tells me that its an invalid message. If anyone has any ideas on how to get around this problem so I can still answer, I would appreciate hearing them! Thanks again for reading, y'all!

Disclaimer: Only in my wettest dreams do I own Harry Potter and Co. I do, however, own Leslie Pritchard and Grace Wensel. I haven't made a knut off this story or any other literary work. Maybe someday...

Chapter 36

April 4, 1999

Hermione attacked her eggs and toast with a veracity she didn't know that she possessed. She usually ate porridge and fruit for breakfast, with a side of toast, but the last three days she had craved eggs and a dashed of bacon. Everyone had been surprised at change of diet until Ginny mentioned pregnancy cravings. After that, the table had kept quiet and went about their conversations.

At almost six months pregnant, her belly had blossomed. There was a little bump visible for the world to see and Hermione went to no lengths to hide it. The school still whispered until she or Draco approached, the rumors now resembling the truth as much as she resembled a blast-ended skrewt.

It had only taken three days after the pregnancy becoming common knowledge for Hermione and her group of friends to discover the culprit. Lavender and Parvati had confronted Hermione in Charms, on behalf of Gryffindor House, or so they said. Lavender had revealed that she had overheard the conversation in front of Zonko's, from just around the corner, and had run to Ron with the information. Ron, being Ron, had confirmed the knowledge even though Molly Weasley had threatened him with her wand to keep his silence.

Lavender and Parvati had told her she obviously wasn't the smartest witch of her age, completely unable to perform a simple contraceptive charm. Hermione had kept her temper in check, surprisingly, and inwardly cursed Professor Flitwick for pairing her with the Terrible Two. She had volunteered no further information about her pregnancy; she knew that if she had, it would have been around the whole school by lunch. In fact, she had been sure that that was their reason for baiting her all along, a rare Slytherin moment that neither had ever shown before. Hermione laughed inwardly at the thought; she had much more practice at dealing with Slytherins than they had.

When Hermione had informed her friends of exactly how the information had been leaked to the school and the whole of Hogsmeade, Harry and Ginny had been furious. Draco had been angry, of course, but even he hadn't shown the level of fury that her brother and best friend did. Hermione rather suspected that it was because he really hadn't expected anything different from Lavender and Ron.

Harry had managed to rein his temper in and not make a scene. Ginny, however, possessed the red-hot Weasley blood and lack of forethought that came with it. She had stood and made her way to the Gryffindor table before anyone had been able to stop her. First, she had lashed out at her brother, her face red and her eyes flashing, telling him he was the worst friend in the world and a disgrace to the family. When Ron stood there in stoic silence, accepting her words with a smirk on his face, Ginny had turned on Lavender.

Ginny had yelled at Lavender, almost screamed actually, telling her she wasn't fit to be a Gryffindor, had no traditional traits of their House, was a dirty slag who was only playing her brother, and was a coward to blame her opinion on the whole of their House. Chaos had erupted at the Gryffindor table, Dean and Seamus being the loudest among them. It had been perfectly clear that most of her House bore her no ill will, that Lavender and Parvati had played upon Hermione's insecurities.

As soon as the shouting at the table began, the Headmistress had risen from her seat at the Head Table and began to make her way to her House's table. By the time she arrived, Lavender was yelling back at Ginny that she was just as much of a slag due to all the boys she had dated before she had settled with Harry. Ginny had looked ready to tackle the blond when the Headmistress silenced the pair of them.

As a result, Lavender, Parvati, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione had been asked to accompany Headmistress McGonagall to her office. Draco had followed to wait at the bottom of the stairs and Hermione was mortified to even be inccluded. Everyone had told their story and the Headmistress had clucked in disapproval.

In the end, the Headmistress told Ron she would be owling Molly about his behavior, letting her deal with him since he had broken no school rules. Lavender and Parvati were given three days detention for spreading rumors and taunting Hermione. Ginny was given a week of detention for causing an outburst in the Great Hall and Molly would be notified of her behavior as well. Behind the stern expression on the Headmistress, Hermione could see a glimmer of pride in her eyes. Nobody could ever accuse their Headmistress of not being proud when students from her own House displayed the traits.

Hermione had been the only one to escape unscathed. Draco had been waiting for her when they all emerged and had laughed uproariously when Ginny had told him Molly wouldn't be mad at her at all, but that they needed to watch Ron for any howlers he would receive.

Indeed, Ron did receive a howler that very next morning, berating him for disobeying her and breaking Hermione's trust. Everyone in the Great Hall had laughed, Hermione included, when Ron had turned bright shade of red. Molly had made sure to include a thank you to Ginny for looking after "our Hermione". While nobody had been looking, Hermione had caught the slight upward turn of Headmistress McGonagall's mouth.

Hermione received a letter from Molly every three days, like clockwork, to see if she had been experiencing any new pregnancy symptoms and how she was handling the physical strain along with her studies. Hermione replied to every letter, beyond grateful that her adopted mother cared so much.

George also wrote, although his letters only came once a week. He seemed to be doing a little better dealing with Fred's absence and actually told her he was excited to teach her children enough pranks for the both of them. Hermione knew that whatever was being planned to commemorate the anniversary of the Final Battle would tear him apart, but he was putting on a brave face. There was no way she could fault him for that.

Hermione was pulled from her musings when an owl dropped a letter in front of her and another in front of Harry. Hermione looked on in wary surprise as the owl waited patiently for her to untie it from its leg. Once the letter was free, the owl took flight again, leaving her with a large envelope bearing the Ministry of Magic's seal. She and Harry exchanged looks of unease before Ginny began to speak.

"Ron got a letter too. Hurry and open them, what does the Ministry want?" Hermione carefully opened the envelope, whereas Harry ripped it open in one fell swoop. Harry was halfway through his letter when Hermione began hers.

Hermione,

I'm sure you're aware that the Ministry has been planning a program for the Battle at Hogwarts anniversary. We felt that there was no better place to hold it than Hogwarts itself. All the students have the right to be there and may not be able to attend if it's held elsewhere. I know you and your friends will want to attend.

The reason I'm writing to you, Harry, and Ron is because I need a favor. The Ministry will be giving out awards to those that have fallen, those that played an important part in the war, and those that provided invaluable help during the Battle. Of course, you and your friends will be receiving them. What I need from you three is a list of those you think deserving of these awards. If you could owl me names and accomplishments within the week, I would greatly appreciate it.

One other thing. If you could prepare a speech to present, I would appreciate it. The three of you telling our world how you appreciate the sacrifice of those gone would mean so much to the survivors. Please let me know if you will.

I will close for now as I'm sure you're busy with classes and have enough homework for three people. Good luck and I hope to see you soon.

King

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. Whatever it was that she had been expecting, it hadn't been this. However, she should have seen it coming. Opening her eyes, she handed the letter to Draco and he began to skim it. Harry reached out and took her hand while Ginny read his letter.

"Should we do it, 'Mi?" Hermione leaned against his shoulder and sighed.

"I really don't want to. I hate being the center of attention. However, I think King's right. Our speaking would bring a great deal of comfort to the survivors." By this time, Ginny and Draco had lowered the letters and looked on in pride. It was at this moment that Grace broke the silence.

"Anyone want to tell the rest of us what's going on?" Harry took over the explanations.

"King wants us to send a list of people we think deserve awards for the commemoration next month. He also wants us to give speeches to help the moral of the survivors." Their group of friends burst into excited chatter, but Hermione and Harry remained silent. The task ahead of them wasn't one that either wanted to think about, let alone do. Hermione was already trying to put together a preliminary list of those she felt deserved an Order of Merlin.

Draco held her hand tight while she pondered the new development. Without realizing that the bell had rang, she was pulled to her feet by Draco and started her on her way to History of Magic with himself and Theo.

As she took her seat in History of Magic, she was drawn out of her thoughts by the content of the lesson. They were still covering the the second wizarding war and Hermione truly was appalled at all the incorrect information that they were being taught. She had to bite her tongue to keep the information to herself. It was thirty minutes into the lecture that she decided to write the book that Harry suggested.

Professor Binns was covering the breakout of Sirius Black. He lectured that the prisoner was rumored to be after Harry Potter and dementors had been stationed at Hogwarts. By the end of the period, the students had been taught that Sirius was indeed a mass murderer, had indeed been after Harry Potter, and Remus Lupin had been suspected of helping him escape when he had been captured at Hogwarts. Harry would go mental if he discovered that they were taught Sirius had indeed been trying to kill him and Professor Snape had stopped it.

As the trio of friends gathered their things and departed their classroom, Hermione gritted her teeth before speaking.

"I can't listen to another four years worth of lies about this war. I'm writing that book when we graduate. Sirius was innocent and never tried to kill Harry. He would be sick if he knew that's what we were being taught." Draco kissed her knuckles as Theo smiled at her determined expression.

"I have every faith that you will write an amazing book. I'll help you as much as I can on the Death Eater point of view." Hermione nodded quietly, running over methods of how to go about writing a book of this magnitude.

Both men pulled her along on their way to Ancient Runes, where they took their customary seats at the back of the room. Hermione tried to focus on the lesson, Celtic runes and the difficulty of their translations, but she couldn't quite manage it. She kept bouncing from her History of Magic lesson and the task she had received from Kingsley. The class was over in a flash, it seemed, and it didn't take long for the group to make their way to the Great Hall for lunch. When Hermione took her usual seat next to Harry, she turned to him with a small smile.

"I've decided to write the book, Harry." A smile broke out on his face before his expression turned wary.

"What made you decide so quickly?" Hermione sighed.

"Our lesson. Please don't ask me what it was, I really don't want to talk about it. I just know that most of it was nothing but a lie and those involved deserve better than to have people believe that of them." Harry nodded slowly, studying her face, and then pulled her into a side hug.

"You don't have to start it now, you can wait til after graduation." Hermione smiled and nodded. Before she could reply again, an owl swooped down and held it's foot out to her so she could untie a letter. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw her mother's handwriting. As soon as the owl departed, a piece of biscuit in it's mouth, Hermione unceremoniously ripped open the letter, eager to read Jean Granger's words. Tears came to her eyes when she read.

Hermione,

I am still reluctant to write you. However, your father misses you now that he knows he has a daughter and has urged me to write and schedule a time when we can meet and listen to your excuses.

I want you to know that I will never forgive your actions. I am writing this because I love your father more than myself and he's miserable not knowing why his baby girl deceived him. Maybe once he hears, he'll have closure.

I feel like your Easter break would be best for us to meet, as we will be in town for a convention. Meet us at The Rookery, a hotel in London, on April 13 for dinner at six. Bring this magical creature you're bound to. We want to meet the father to our grandchild. I can't help but wonder if this is the same Draco Malfoy that tormented you and called you names all through school?

We'll see you then.

Til then,

Jean Granger

Hermione couldn't help but be hurt at most of the words in the letter, not to mention the signature of her mother's name rather than her customary "Mum". However, at the thought of getting to try to make her parents see reason, tears of happiness came to her eyes. Draco carefully took the letter from her and he and Harry read it together. When they finished, Draco leaned down and kissed her softly.

"I'm so happy, Angel. You'll show them that your actions were justified and I'm going to help you." She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, then leaned over and did the same for Harry. She cocked an eyebrow at him when he gave her a sad look.

"Bet you regret having me adopt you now, huh, 'Mi?" Hermione gasped softly at his words and threw herself into his arms. When she whispered in his ear, her words were strong and genuine.

"I will never regret it, Harry. You've been my brother since Halloween of our first year. We'll always be there for each other and you were there for me when I needed you, needed a family. I will never be sorry that I'm a Potter. If my parents don't like it, they can stuff it. You've been there for me more than they have." He nodded in her hair and kissed the side of her head before releasing her.

Since there were no classes for either her or Draco after lunch that day, they made their way to the library to complete some homework before Draco's Slytherin quidditch practice. They took Hermione's normal table just inside the restricted section, spreading their books before them and beginning on their assignments from that day. It wasn't long before they were joined by Blaise and Theo, and a little later, Neville. The group worked quietly and efficiently, completing several assignments before Draco and Blaise began to pack their things away so they could depart for practice. Hermione gave them a small smile and wish of good luck as the pair departed.

-O-

Draco contemplated his mate's situation as he and Blaise made their way to the quidditch locker room. He knew that she was excited about seeing her parents and finally being able to explain her actions. However, he couldn't help but think this was a bad idea. Her mother was still adamant that she wanted nothing to do with her daughter and was only placating her father by corresponding with her. Draco just knew that when her mother made the final judgement of still wanting nothing to do with her daughter, her father would follow along. He hated the thought of hi mate having her heart broken again.

Draco could tell that she wasn't too excited about making a list of people to receive awards. He knew that it would tear her up trying to decide who exactly deserved an award for their deaths and who didn't. In fact, the Slytherin had a sneaking suspicion that she would be conferring with Harry a lot over the next week on their lists.

The speech she was asked to prepare surprisingly didn't worry him. He knew that she would be nervous and make herself sick worrying about it, but in the end, she would be brilliant. Hermione had a natural talent for leading and her bossy nature made it easy for her to speak in front of others. She would be just fine.

He and Blaise changed quickly and made their way to the pitch, shoving each other good-naturedly as Blaise shared details of his night with Leslie the evening before. Draco could honestly say that he was surprised at the things was Blaise was telling him that she liked; the young Gryffindor seemed like such a prude.

Not that he had any room to talk. Hermione came across as a prude to everyone who knew her. Draco knew different, however, and completely enjoyed her willingness to experiment and her fiery hot passion. Blaise tried to wheedle details about her from Draco, but he was adamant about sharing nothing specific. Their sex life was something that nobody else needed to have any information about.

Practice was grueling. His beaters just couldn't get in sync, or wouldn't, he wasn't sure. His chasers were playing well but there was an unmistakable air of tension surrounding them, radiating out to the rest of the team. Blaise kept almost every goal out and was doing an admirable job of keeping his temper every time he was almost hit with a rogue bludger. Finally, Draco could take no more and called them all to the ground so he could get to the bottom of the problem. When they were all leaning on their brooms, he began.

"I don't know what is going on, but I want to know now. Bletchley, you and Cairns are playing like shite. What's wrong with you three? Why are you pissed off?" He was met with silence. When he crossed his arms over his chest, Bletchley sighed.

"I was seeing Astoria and Cairns was seen snogging her in the library. I have no reason to want to play nice with him." Before he could comment on Bletchley's problem, Carrow spoke up.

"We all have an issue with you, Draco. You knocked up the mudblood. What were you thinking? You disgraced your family, your House, and yourself." Draco felt a flash of anger run through him at Carrow's words but he tamped it down. As he began to speak, Draco felt Blaise move closer, he was sure so they could appear to be a solid team against the rest.

"Bletchley, as much as I hate to say it, Astoria was a willing partner in snogging. You might have been serious but she obviously wasn't. I know it isn't what you want to hear, but you should thank Cairns for showing you that she is out for what she can get, not necessarily what you can give her. It sucks, but it's the truth. Girls from Slytherin are just like us, out for themselves. If you want something different, shop around in other Houses." Draco could only take a deep breath before he continued.

"Carrow, this will be the only time I ever speak on the subject at hand. I am a pureblood, a member of the Sacred 28. We all learned the same ideals and the same prejudices. Those ideals and prejudices tore our world apart, our families apart, and killed a lot of innocent people. I won't be responsible for bringing that to our world again. Hermione Potter is my mate. I am not ashamed of her at all. Her blood looks exactly the same as ours. Warm, red, thick. We may come from money, but our families are no better than her's. Her parents love her just as much as ours do. There is no difference. If you all want to care about my standing with the Sacred 28, go ahead. I don't care anymore. As for her pregnancy, we're both happy so I don't see why it's any of your business." His words were met with silence, but he felt like he had at least made a difference in Bletchley. His features had softened and he looked contemplative. After a few more moments, Draco made an ushering motion towards his team members.

"We're done for the day. Go shower and change. Sunday afternoon at two, be here." With that, the rest of the team made their way to the locker room in silence. Blaise clapped him on the shoulder but didn't say a word.

Draco and Blaise showered and changed quickly, both of them eager for dinner. They beat the rest of their friends there and watched as everyone seemed to trickle in one by one. Draco was happy to see Neville escorting his mate to the table, the two of them laughing about something that happened in the library if he heard correctly. When she took the seat next to him, Hermione quickly kissed his cheek before she began to pile food on his plate. He could only smile inwardly at her silent rebellion. Without further adieu, he started in on his meal.

Draco was thankful that Blaise kept the conversation on the pitch to himself. He didn't want Hermione to be aware of the fallback he was receiving because of his decision to be with her. She would only feel guilty. The meal passed by pleasantly, Draco extremely pleased with his mate's consumption. Just as they were getting ready to leave the table, Miles Bletchley approached and Draco knew he was going to blow it. When he made it to their seats, he bowed slightly in Hermione's direction.

"I just wanted to tell you, Draco, that I don't agree with what Carrow said. I've never been a big believer in blood purity. I just didnt want you to think the whole team was against you." Draco watched as Hermione's eyes swung over to meet with his and reached out to give her thigh a reassuring rub. When he met Bletchley's eyes, he gave a small smile.

"Thanks, Miles. I appreciate the gesture." Bletchley gave a curt nod before he turned and left. At Hermione's penetrating gaze, he sighed inwardly and filled the table in on what was said on the pitch. The feeling of guilt he received from his mate was instantaneous. In seconds, he was leaned over and nuzzling her neck so he could whisper in her ear.

"It's not your fault. I made the decision to be with you. You reminded me of everything I would be giving up with you the day we learned you were my mate, remember?" He felt her slight nod as he kissed to tender skin behind her ear.

"I knew what I was doing then and I know what I'm doing now. I don't want to feel you feeling guilty. I made the best decision of my life that night. Besides, you rarely have friends in Slytherin House. You have allies. And with friends like I have since becoming your veela, I have no use for allies." She finally reached up and stroked his stubbled cheek before kissing his jaw. Draco sighed when he felt the guilt lift.

The two finally made their getaway and headed for their common room. It was still fairly early so Draco knew they would be entertaining themselves for a little while. They went to their seperate rooms to change into pajamas, even though they were usually pointless. For the last week and a half, Hermionee had been near insatiable and they hadn't ended up in bed with clothes once. Not that Draco was complaining. Veela were sexual creatures and he could handle two or three times a night easily. Not to mention, it helped her sleep.

Draco had changed first and settled in his spot on the couch, opening a muggle book that Hermione had gotten him hooked on. She had told him some considered it a classic and he could see why. Trolls, elves, wizards, hobbits. If he hadn't actually read the book, he would have thought it was all real, hobbits just being something he had never heard of before.

When Hermione appeared, she was in a tiny tank top that accentuated her baby bump and a pair of lace panties. As she settled in next to him, he saw that she had a piece of parchment and one of her muggle pens. She didn't say a word about what she was doing, she simply just leaned into his side and tapped the top of her pen to her bottom lip.

Draco watched her do this for a good ten minutes out of the corner of his eye and when she finally began to write, he had to admit curiousity. They sat in relative silence for a good two hours, Draco reading and Hermione scribbling away on more than one piece of parchment.

By eleven o'clock, Draco's eyes were beginning to sting and Hermione was heavy on his side. Her paper had fallen flat, pen out of her hand, and he could clearly see what was written there.

People Who Deserve Awards

All the Weasleys- obvious reasons.

Severus Snape- spied for twenty years, protected students for years.

Minerva McGonagall- watched over students and participated in BOH

Neville Longbottom- led the light side army, killed snake.

Sirius Black- obvious reasons.

Remus/Tonks- obvious reasons.

Albums Dumbledore- leader of the light.

James/Lily Potter- saved Harry so he could save us.

Draco Ma

The list ended with half his name on the list; it had a squiggle next to his name like she had fallen asleep trying to finish it. He could only try to breath through his surprise. Why on Earth would she think that he deserved an award? He had done nothing during the war that had been even remotely good, certainly not something to warrant an Order of Merlin. Draco couldn't even ask her what she was thinking because he hadn't asked to read what she had been writing. He could only hope Harry would talk some sense into her before she sent her list to Kingsley.

Carefully, Draco stood and lifted his mate carefully into his arms and made his way into her room. He laid her down under the blanket carefully before going to the loo one last time before bed. When he crawled in behind her, his hands stroked her ever-expanding belly just like he did every night. With a small smile, he wrapped himself around her and let sleep pull him under.

A/N- I know this chapter isn't as long as normal, but I didn't want to add a bunch of unimportant babble. Hope you all enjoyed it. Leave me your thoughts, they keep me going.

Love,

A