Nichole stood in her mothers living room dressed in a silver dress. She considered, for a brief moment, wearing dress robes as it was a Wizarding Event, but she also knew that there would be reporters, and paparazzi, and numerous people taking photographs and dress robes just weren't as flattering as the muggle clothing was. Draco looked momentarily speechless as she walked out of her room the day of the wedding. The silver dress was strapless and hugged her bodice while flaring gracefully down, but there was a slit in the side, where she wore a hidden garter with her wand attached to it- not that she could use magic as she wasn't sixteen yet, but if there was one thing she had learned from the war sixteen years ago, it was that a witch should always carry her wand.

"Nichole you look-." He gulped, unsure what to say. As a male he knew his daughter looked beautiful but as a father he felt overly protective and thought she was showing too much skin.

"Beautiful," Hermione finished for him, emerging from her own bedroom with glowing eyes as she studied her daughter. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks mum," Nichole smiled softly, "as do you. You're absolutely glowing!"

"It's the hormones," Hermione sighed. "I do hope nobody notices- I'm not ready for that big announcement yet."

Draco came and wrapped his arm around her, kissing her temple softly. "The only one we need to worry about telling is my mother. Dinner tomorrow night, remember?"

Again Hermione sighed as she thought about Narcissa's reaction. "Yes, yes, I remember Draco. Shall we be going?" She added glancing at her daughter.

Nichole nodded but a knock sounded at the door. Turning she opened it to see Christopher standing there. His mouth dropped open as he saw her dress and, like her father, he was brought up speechless as he stared. Nichole could hear her father grown protectively followed by Hermione's hush. From her peripheral vision she saw her mother pull her father away to give her some privacy. "Hi Chris," Nichole said softly, staring into his eyes.

He gulped, licked his lips, then managed to speak. "Cole, you look- stunning."

"Thank you," she replied as a blush crept up her cheeks. "What are you doing here? I thought we weren't having dinner until Monday evening."

"I- I wanted to see you. Your mother said you were coming back late last night and- I thought maybe we could grab some lunch or something but- it looks like you already have plans."

Nichole felt a wave of guilt wash over her as she realized she never actually told Chris about the wedding. "Yes, we have a wedding to attend. My mothers old friend Ron is getting married today. He's practically family so-." Her words trailed and he nodded.

"I get it, you know, have a good time-." He turned to leave but Nichole called out to him causing him to stop and glance back at her wearily.

"I wanted to invite you," she said quietly. "But mum didn't think I should bring a- a muggle- non magic folk- to a wizarding wedding. It would bring up questions and-."

"It's fine," Chris assured her. "I can't say I'm not disappointed because blimey I'd love to spend some time with you and that dress-." His eyes trailed up her body another moment, making her blush again. "But I understand."

"Are you sure?"

He heaved a sigh but nodded, "I'm sure. Have a good time Nichole. I'll see you Monday." He leaned in to kiss her cheek quickly, but Nichole turned her face in order to capture his lips with hers. Surprised he allowed her to take control of the kiss for a moment before backing away. "Your parents are in the next room," he reminded her, blushing himself.

Nichole leaned back and smiled as she shrugged. "It was worth it." She bade him goodbye and closed the door at the same time Hermione and Draco emerged from her room; it was clear they'd been eavesdropping.

"I'm sorry Nichole," Hermione said softly seeing the sad look in her daughters eyes. "It really is for the best though."

"I know," Nichole agreed. She glanced at the fireplace. "Shall we get going?" With a nod each of them picked up a pinch of powder and one by one they floo'd to the Burrow.

"The ceremony was wonderful," Hermione said holding a glass of sparkling water in her hand, her other arm wrapped around Draco's waist.

"Thanks to you," Kayla cried, throwing her arms around Hermione and causing her to stumble away from Draco and nearly drop her glass. "I can't thank you enough Hermione, really!"

"You really came through, Mione," Ron agreed smiling at his friend while avoiding glancing at the blonde at her side. "Mum and Ginny would have never been able to organize everything without you."

"Your mum's planned like five weddings, Ron," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes, "she would have got on just fine without me."

"Still," he shrugged, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "We owe you one."

Hermione smiled and grabbed Draco's hand, moving away from the newlyweds so they could greet the next pair in line. She sighed as she glanced over at Draco, who was downing his second glass of champagne. "You could have at least wished him well." Draco grunted but didn't reply. "Please don't be like that, Draco. I know you and Ron never got on well, but that's all in the past. Beside's, he's my friend, he's going to be around, and if we're ever going to have a future together-."

"We'll have to," Draco stated reaching for another glass from a floating tray as it passed. "We're having a baby together, remember?"

"Keep your voice down," Hermione hissed glancing around to see if anyone had heard, but they were alone. She sighed, "If I had known you'd be this uncomfortable here I never would have invited you as my date."

Draco turned a stony face to stare at her as he tipped his glass back for a healthy mouthful. "Who else would you have asked then, Hermione? Mathew?" he sneered the name causing Hermione to let out another sigh.

"I've already told you, Mathew is my past. You, Draco, are my future- if you'll have me that is."

Draco stopped, his eyes going a little wider as he stared at the brunette in front of him. Did she just-? Was she-? But that wasn't how it was suppose to go! "Are you proposing to me, Hermione?" He finally asked quietly through stiff lips.

Hermione started, surprised at his words. "What? No! That's not what I meant at all. I was just saying-." She wracked her brain trying to form a sentence to explain her thoughts. "We have Nichole, and we have this new baby on the way- and if you want any part of their lives then you-."

Draco cut her off by pressing his lips to her. She could taste the champagne on his lips, and when his tongue delved into her mouth the taste got stronger. She sighed and she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"PDA!" Hermione jumped away and whipped her head around to see her daughter standing there smirking. "You know there are kids around, right? And the press? Unless you want the entire Wizarding World to know about the two of you I'd keep your hands off each other."

"She's right," Hermione sighed taking a step back. "I'm not ready for the tabloids to get a hold of that. I love you Draco, but-."

"I completely agree," he surprised her by saying. "I've been the Wizarding Worlds Most Eligible Bachelor for far too long- if the tabloids had any clue about us they'd be pounding on your door day and night."

"So what do we do?" Hermione asked.

Draco sighed as he glanced out at the party. "You stay here and enjoy yourself with Nichole and I'll return to the Manor for the evening. You are both welcome to join me once the reception is over, or you may return to your home. Either way I'll see you both at dinner tomorrow night."

Hermione nodded, a frown upon her face. "if you're sure-."

He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss before standing back up and stepping away from them. "It's for the best Mione." He turned, his dress robes swishing as he went, and strolled out of the party until he reached the boundaries and the apparation point. Nichole and Hermione both watched as he glanced back their way one more time before turning and disappearing with a soft crack.

Hermione sat at a table watching as Nichole danced with a few kids her age, presumably of the Weasley family from the colour of their hair though she dare say she'd never met them. Glancing around she wished she could have a glass of champagne from the passing tray but continued to consume the sparkling water instead, despite the fact it didn't taste very good.

Ginny swooped into the seat next to her, eyes on the dance floor where little James was spinning in circles, disrupting countless couples dancing, but giggling while he did so. Ginny shrugged and sipped her own glass of champagne with a smile on her face.

"Shouldn't you be stopping him?" Hermione inquired as she watched the small boy nearly knock a woman off her feet.

Ginny shrugged again, "I'm off the clock." When Hermione glanced her way she nodded at her husband. "Harry's on kid patrol right now. We agreed I'd take the first shift and he'd take the night shift. Besides," Ginny glanced at the magical clock floating around the tent, "Mum should be coming to gather the lot of them for bed any minute now."

Hermione nodded, raising her glass for a sip and wincing as the bubbles hit her throat.

Ginny noticed, "how come you aren't celebrating with the rest of us?" she asked casually. When Hermione raised her eyebrows Ginny tipped her glass towards her friend. "You haven't had a sip all night."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked, her voice a little bit higher than usual. "I've been drinking-."

"Sparkling water," Ginny smirked, a smirk worth of a Malfoy. "You didn't really think I wouldn't notice, did you?" Hermione was silent. "Out with it, Mione. What's up?"

Hermione let out a big breath and glanced back out at the dance floor, her eyes on her daughter. As she watched Nichole refused a dance from a boy who looked to be about eighteen and she smiled, knowing her daughter was trying to remain loyal to Christopher. Finally, without taking her eyes off of her daughter, she whispered, "I'm pregnant, Gin." She could see the redhead growing excited so she turned to face her and quickly added, "and you can't say a word to anyone! Not even Harry, not yet. We- we haven't even told Draco's mother yet."

"But he knows?" Ginny asked pointedly. "You've already told him?"

"But of course," Hermione scoffed. "I told him and Nichole the other night. They're both- surprisingly- thrilled, albeit Draco was a tad bit shocked at first."

"I'm happy for you Mione," Ginny insisted squeezing her friends hand. "But why the secrecy? And where is Draco, anyways? I know I saw him at the ceremony-."

"He left." Hermione admitted a little sadly. "We both got to thinking and- we haven't come out to the public as a couple yet. Sure, anyone who matters knows, and it's not like we've been trying to keep it secret or anything- but he's Draco Malfoy, eligible bachelor in the pureblooded societies, and I'm Hermione Granger, heroine of the wizarding war- and we are surrounded by reporters. We wanted to come out on our own terms, not some sleazy photographer trying to make a buck or two off of us."

Ginny nodded her understanding- when she and Harry had started dating they'd been caught kissing in Diagon Alley and the next day their picture had been posted all over the Daily Prophet. It had been a nightmare for them. "So what are you going to do, then?"

Hermione let out a breath, "first we tell Narcissa about the baby- tomorrow evening. Then we'll sit down and have a conversation about how we go about making our public debut. I'll be showing very soon, I'm already three months along, and I'd rather it be known that Draco is the father than have gossipers speculating about my love life."

Ginny saw Molly walk into the tent and approach Harry, ready to round up the kids. Ginny knew she ought to help so she leaned over and kissed her friends cheek, giving her a hug in the process. "Good luck Mione- and if you need to talk, you know you can always confide in me. I won't tell anyone, I swear."

"Thanks Gin," Hermione smiled, then watched as the red head plowed through the crowd and towards her youngest son, who was currently jumping up and down on the dance floor and drawing everyone's attention.

"Can I have this dance?" Nichole glanced over to see Teddy with a hand extended out to her. He'd decided to change his hair to Weasley red for the celebrations, and, she grudgingly admitted, looked quite nice in a pair of black dress robes. With a roll of her eyes she accepted, if only to avoid her mothers scolding.

Teddy was a surprisingly good dancer but that didn't mean Nichole was going to allow him to lead the whole time. She quickly took over, moving their bodies this way and that, weaving through the crowd of couples and expertly avoiding the kids who were running amok. The two didn't speak as they danced, but Nichole wasn't confident the silence would last.

Finally, Teddy spoke. "You seem different lately."

Nichole raised her eyebrows, "really? And how's that?"

"Nicer," he shrugged. When Nichole looked insulted he added, "you don't yell at the kids nearly as much as you use to. I even saw you helping little Lily with her dress when the bow came undone, and Victoire says you haven't insulted her once tonight." Nichole sighed and grumbled unintelligibly under her breath. Teddy smirked, "so, what's changed? I was sure you'd be a lot more conceited with everyone considering you blew those apparation lessons away. So what gives?"

"None of your business." In truth, Nichole had been trying to adjust her attitude ever since her mother confessed she was pregnant. If she was going to have a little child running around the house soon she'd have to learn to be nice to them. She hadn't realized that her behavior was quite so noticeable, or that it was making it seem like she'd changed for the better.

"Fine, have it your way then," Teddy shrugged as the song ended. He stepped backwards. "But whatever the reason, and I know there is one- I'm glad. It's a lot easier to admit we're family when you aren't throwing insults and threatening us every two seconds." With that he walked away, disappearing into the sea of red heads until Nichole could hardly identity which one was him and which was a biological Weasley.

"Ready to go?" Hermione jumped as Nichole approached her. She'd been watching Ron and Kayla have their last dance of the evening before heading off for some remote location as a honeymoon. For reasons unknown to her she began to picture herself in that position as well, except instead of Ron Draco was holding her close and staring deeply into his eyes as she wore a white wedding dress- it wasn't thoughts she'd ever entertained before tonight, and she wasn't particularly sure how she felt about it. After all, they'd only been together for a few months- was marriage really something she should be considering so soon? "Mum, are you okay?"

Nichole took the seat next to her mother who nodded, reaching over to squeeze her daughters leg comfortingly. "Yes, I'm fine. I just wish your father would have stuck around is all."

"Why didn't he then?" Nichole asked easily with a shrug. "All you had to do was ask him to stay."

"We both agreed it would be best not to encourage the paparazzi- not tonight, anyways. Tonight was all about Ron, not your father and I. Ron would surely never forgive Draco if he took the spotlight away from him and they already have difficulties being in the same room as it is. Beside's, your father and I want to make a public appearance when it suits us, not because we were caught."

Nichole nodded, "I guess that makes sense- but you're still sad he left, aren't you?"

"Yes," Hermione admitted, "but it's fine."

"Do you want to stay at the manor tonight then?" She asked, turning to face her mother full on. "The House Elves always make the most delicious breakfasts in the morning. No offence but their waffles are better than yours, hands down."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her daughter. "All right, yes, we'll stay at the Manor. But we'll need to head home first and pack-."

"No need," Nichole interjected before her mother could continue. "Mama has bought me lots of clothes, I have a wardrobe full in my room there. And-," she confessed looking a tad sheepish, "we may have picked some things up for you as well, just in case."

"Oh." Hermione cleared her throat, uncomfortable with the thought of Draco's mother buying her things. However, as she sat there and thought about it she realized that the action was actually quite sweet of her. She nodded and stood up, bringing her daughter along with her. "I'll have to remember to thank her."

A/N

So that's that, Ron's married! Next- Narcissa finds out about the baby! Who's excited? Please R&R!