I want to thank my lovely perfect and brilliant beta Margaritama for her wonderfulness. To my reviewers-you're all making this boring bedrest thing fly by, I really do thank you.

A very special thanks to Shanda and crazywildcat17-LOVE LOVE LOVED your reviews. Hit the review button and show me love!! Things are gonna be getting good!

Draco followed Katharina down to the dungeons where the now familiar scent of his grandfather reached him.

He saw Katharina bow and leave the room. He wanted to have some trust in the woman, so was after all the person who had taught him so much about his vampire half that it would be useful to keep her around when he would have to spend more time at court.

"Ah, I can already see that marriage is calming you down." His grandfather greeted him with a wry smile.

"If you call this calm, I'd be almost frightened to know how I'd feel if I were agitated," Draco replied, walking over and folding himself into a chair.

"Well, I'm sure that you want to get back to you woman. I merely came to say that our army is ready. We are assembled and will be ready to fight at a moment's notice. Our scouts have seen the dark vampires mobilizing which would only happen if an attack is less then a few days away. Full mobilization will take a matter of minutes after your signal. I am placing my best general directly under your command and all you need to do is tell them what you want and they will find a way to do so. Just say the word and the full force of Eursica will be yours."

Draco eyed his grandfather before straightening out his body confidently. He waved his arm around the room and cast all the privacy charms that he knew. "I have a problem and I want to ask if you could keep it confidential for now," Draco started. He waited until the ancient man consented and began to explain the situation regarding Harry. After he finished, Draco felt as if a large weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Well, the only thing that I'd be able to do is arrange a meeting with the Necromancer. She'd be the one to ask about the life of your friend. I can come meet you at dawn. That is supposedly the best time to peer through the veil of the other side so the Necromancer can see what is really inside that boy. She would need something from his person, a few drops of blood or some hair. It will aid in making the visions clearer."

"Very well. I'll get them and meet you in the Transfiguration Courtyard," Draco answered as he stood up. He was desperate to get back to his mate, the time that they had to be alone was so little and he wanted to take advantage of every second that they had to be by themselves.

"Agreed." His grandfather rose also before asked tentatively. "How is your mate, by the way?"

Irritated, Draco snapped, "She's fine. She's getting used to everything."

A small twitch of a smile played around the older vampire's lips. "Very well. I have very high hopes for her."

Draco nodded once again and walked out of the room. A wandless Tempus Charm showed it was past midnight now. He suppressed a groan, praying that his wife was still awake. He began to run and managed to make it to the tower in under a minute.

Arriving, he cursed under his breath upon spying Hermione slumped over the couch, surrounded by books and parchment, and sound asleep. He dragged his hands roughly through his hair in an attempt to calm down. Mating season was in full swing and he couldn't be his mate. Whenever he managed to get her to himself for any amount of time, something would always come up or someone would interrupt them. The whole thing was ridiculous-he was Draco Malfoy for Merlin's sake!

He slowly walked up to the couch so as not to wake her and waved his hand, making the scattered papers and books pile themselves neatly on the coffee table.

He carefully scooped her up in his arms to carry her into their bedroom where he gently laid her on the bed. After quick consideration, he waved his arm over her sleeping body and transfigured her uniform into a simple green silky nightgown that showed off her creamy legs and thighs. He smiled as he admired his beautiful wife's sleeping form.

Silently, he made his way to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. He knew that he should try to get some sleep, but it seemed unlikely. He stripped down to his boxers and slid into bed, pulling his mate to his side as close as possible. He mind was somewhat more at ease with the promise of help from his grandfather.

Focusing on the small figure next to him, Draco felt a surge of possessive yet tender emotions swell within him. She felt warm, soft and tempting.

He kissed her temple when he heard the sweet little mumbling elicited from her throat. She turned and burrowed herself a bit closer into his body, making him grin. His fingers danced up and down her spine trying to concentrate on her deep even breathing in an attempt to sleep.

He brought his hand around and placed it gently on her lower stomach, trying to sense if any change. Nothing. He still felt the same soft, warm skin as always. Trying to suppress the urge to wake her and demand to know why she hadn't conceived yet, he was very pleased with himself for maintaining his composure.

He buried his nose in her curls and inhaled, relishing the soft flowery scent that was unique only to her. Draco frowned and looked at her again. For a moment, he thought he felt there was a hint of something else. Shaking his head, he discarded the notion as someone else's scent that must have rubbed off during the school day.

********

Morning came unexpectedly and Draco barely had time to leave a quick note to his wife before he made it out of the room. The early light of dawn was misty as made his way to the dungeons. He didn't fully understand how his grandfather could exactly help Harry.

"Ah, good morning, Draco." The older man was smiling ushering Draco into the room. "I'm afraid we'll have to Floo to the nearby village and then Apparate to the palace. I have managed to secure a short interview for you with our Necromancer and she will not tolerate us being late."

Draco was taken aback at his grandfather's respectful tone. "You're the Tsar; shouldn't this person make herself available to you whenever you ask?"

Shaking his head, his grandfather chuckled. "Draco, you have much to learn. Persephone is over 2,000 years old. And the power that she has over the dead is not something you take lightly. She can not only damn your soul for all eternity but can summon your dead loved ones and make them suffer as well."

Draco listened intently as the regal vampire ended on a solemn note. "She commands the respect of all and you'll do well to always remember that, especially as my heir."

Draco nodded his head respectfully as he grabbed a pinch of Floo powder and stepped through the flames.

They were traveling for about half an hour before they finally made it to a clearing. Draco caught a strong a variety of herbs and plants in the air as he focused his eyes on the small round, stone house. Smoke was rising from the chimney and he couldn't believe anyone of importance would choose to live so humbly.

"I will wait for you here. Remember, this woman is to be respected." His grandfather admonished sternly.

Draco rolled his eyes but nodded his head in assent and strolled up the worn path to the door. It creaked open just as he raised his hand to knock. He reeled back as he was overwhelmed with a kaleidoscope of overpowering scents too sweet for his strong senses. Drawing strength, he willed himself to walk into the dimly lit room.

Taking in his surroundings, the inside was poorly lit, with the sun light coming in from small windows and only a small fire burning in the middle of an oak round table. Every surface was occupied with something-books, vials, sachets of herbs, plants, anything that a wizard would ever need was a within reach. He couldn't place the color of the walls and floor, it must have been a light color centuries ago, but now it was like a continuation of the colors of all the potion ingredients.

"Draco Malfoy. Newly created Grand Duke and Heir Presumptive to the throne. I would have expected you to come visit me in regards to your marriage, but you come here today to assist a friend. Such a noble quest to one whose place in this world is so high."

Turning to the voice, he spotted a slim, small woman. He couldn't figure out her age but she appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties. However, her eyes were sharp and full of knowledge. He could tell her eyes were ancient, older than his grandfather's. Her hair was completely white, no other color at all. It was done in a braid giving it the appearance of a silk cord that ran all the way down her back. And she was beautiful, like all immortals, but in a strange way that only inspired admiration, not lust.

Draco narrowed his eyes as he replied defensively. "There is nothing wrong with my marriage, madam. In regards to my friend, I wish to save the life of someone I hold dear. There's nothing exceedingly noble of that desire. "

"No, it is. You're not a modest person, my Lord so don't deny it. You could very easily have turned your head and taken your woman away. But here you stand, fighting your nature and trying to be a normal, human wizard."

Remembering his grandfather's warning, Draco bit his tongue and walked over to her, placing a small cloth on the table. "I was told you needed something from him. This was taken a few days ago."

For a moment, the woman didn't move. Then she glanced at the cloth and smiled mysteriously. "Very well. Before we begin, however, we need to discuss the subject of payment. One ounce of your blood should suffice, for this time."

Draco stared at the woman in shock. "Why blood?"

"I have always asked the same price for everyone that has come. It helps me keep a record of my interactions; call it a habit if you'd like. I promise that it will not be used for anything but my own entertainment."

He wasn't sure what it was exactly that made him trust her, but he offered up the palm of his right hand. He watched carefully as she took an ornate silver dagger from behind her and carefully made a small shallow cut. She gathered the drops that fell into a tiny vial and waved her hand and a stopper magically appear as well his name along the side.

"Now then, just sit down and wait for me while I seek your answers."

Draco sat on a somewhat questionable-looking chair across from her. Testing it, he decided that it could bear his weight. He stared as she calmly took the rag that had a few drops of Harry's blood and placed her left hand a few inches above it. She gazed into a metal bowl burning brightly with a blue flame, her eyes changing color from rich dark brown color to an opaque milky white.

Motionless and mesmerized, he looked on unsure of what to do or how much time had passed. Minutes, hours, it didn't matter as he could not tear his eyes away. Then just as suddenly as her strange trance began, it ended. The fire instantly extinguished and her eyes returned to normal.

"Harry Potter. His parents watch over him closely still after all these years. You shall have him come see me soon after all this is over."

Draco's eyebrows shot up in hope. "Then he will live through this?"

"The boy has two souls that reside within him. You all have witnessed it at some point, the sudden foul temper, the want to push people away. He has suppressed as long as he has because he is very strong and much loved by his friends." She spoke softly. "When his task is upon him, he must be angry. He must not be himself as the killing curse is being cast so that his soul remains in him. The part of Voldermort must be allowed to come forward just this once."

"How?" Draco asked; his voice not above a whisper.

"You must find a way. That soul in him has been corrupting him for years, it must be expelled from the boy, but not too soon or the Dark Lord will notice and bring the fight sooner rather than later and it will be deadlier. You have seen into the boy's mind, you know how innocent and good he is. If he even suspects that the last piece of the Dark Lord's soul is in him, he'll do something foolish, such as attempting to take his own life. That cannot happen. It must be done properly or all is lost."

"Very well." Draco sighed deeply, he needed to come up with a plan and time was quickly running out.

"Go now. Your mate is awake and speaking to your mother."

He looked at the Necromancer in genuine gratitude. "Thank you, for everything."

"We shall see each other soon, Draco Malfoy. I sense that your next visit will be in regards to the girl. Lovely little thing that she is." She laughed as he scowled.

"My marriage is fine, madam," Draco insisted as he rose to his full height.

He narrowed his eyes as she just grinned widely. "We shall see, Your Highness."

************

Hermione woke up seeking Draco. She shot up when she noticed that the other side of the bed was empty. Frowning, she recalled Draco mentioning going out with his grandfather. Shrugging, she realized she needed to start her day. She had promised to have breakfast with Narcissa and thought that now would be a perfect time while Draco was otherwise occupied.

She showered, dressed carefully in her uniform and tried to do something with her hair. After fighting with the unruly and uncooperative curls for a few minutes, she gave up and gathered it in a low ponytail. Hermione gathered her school bag then piled Draco's books in his bag and propped it up against the small common room. Before she left, she made sure that the room was properly warded.

It took her about twenty minutes to reach the guest room where Narcissa was staying. A soft knock was answered quickly and Hermione walked in as the door swung open. Seeing Narcissa, Hermione smiled as she leaned into the hug from the woman that was like a mother to her now.

"Come in, my darling. It feels as if we haven't seen each other in so long." Narcissa wrapped an arm around the tiny girl's shoulder and led her over to a small settee. "Breakfast should be here shortly. I ordered it as soon as I caught your scent."

Narcissa allowed Hermione to settle in before proceeding kindly. "So tell me sweetheart, how have you been? Truly?"

"Everything's been be fine." Hermione was unable to face Narcissa as she replied in a small, tight voice.

Narcissa took Hermione's hand in hers. "Tell me, darling. You know that you can speak to me in all honesty."

Sighing, the young woman opened up. "It's just . . . We're still getting used to everything. We've only been married for a few days so it's taking me a bit longer to get adjust. The school year has just started but I'm already exhausted."

"Maybe you should just consider lightening your load by removing a class from your schedule and used the extra time to rest. Weariness will surely make all of you schoolwork suffer." Narcissa's tone was soft and gentle.

"I never have been this tired before and I don't need to get sick right now." Hermione confided in earnest.

Narcissa looked at Hermione suspiciously. "Sick? In what way?"

Their breakfast appeared on the small round table and Hermione stalled for a few moments while she served herself a bit of eggs and toast.

The older woman pressed her further. "Why would think that you are becoming ill?"

"I don't know, just a funny feeling. It's probably just the Muggle Flu." Hermione waved her hand dismissively.

Narcissa paused before asking calmly. "Hermione, when was your last menstrual cycle, dear?"

Hermione blushed and dropped her gaze, embarrassed that she couldn't answer. She felt Narcissa's fingers lift her face up; her eyes full of questions. "Hermione?"

Swallowing, she felt her cheeks flush. "Well, I don't remember. I-I've never been very regular. I guess maybe last month."

"Hermione, is it possible that you might be pregnant?" Narcissa said with a light behind her eyes.

Nervous, the girl put down her plate. "Well, it's possible. I was going to visit Madame Pompfrey after things settled down a bit."

"You might be putting your health at risk if you really are with child," Narcissa admonished sternly.

Hermione's head snapped up, her voice full of worry. "I promised Draco that I wouldn't fight if I got pregnant. I'd be abandoning my friends when they need me the most. I don't know if I could do that."

"Oh, my dear. Why don't we see if you really are with child before we decide on anything else?" Narcissa wrapped her arms around the trembling girl. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll be right by your side through it all."