IWSC3: Round 6 Writing School

School: Beauxbatons

Year: Exchange Student 2

Technique: Kinship name and compound words

Word count: 634

Hermione had many reasons to be thankful for her breakup with Ron, but escaping Molly Weasley as a mother-in-law, had been near the top of the list.

Then she had to go and marry Draco Malfoy.

Hence her current predicament, spending her Sunday afternoon, heavily pregnant, having tea with Narcissa Malfoy. It was a weekly-mandated-event, brought into force by the Malfoy matriarch the day Draco had announced their engagement. Thank goodness Lucius was in Azkaban.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably in the hardbacked chair as she felt a twinge of pain in her back. Oh, how she longed to be curled up on the sofa, watching Pride and Prejudice and eating ice cream.

'I see you decided not to accompany Draco on his business trip?' Narcissa said, with a slight sniff.

Hermione took a deep breath before plastering a smile on her face. 'Draco is in New York and as I am eight-months-pregnant, I deemed it an unnecessary trip.'

'Hmm,' said Narcissa dismissively. 'Have you managed to look at the list of suitable Nannies I gave you? My preference would be for Nanny Hardcastle. She may be advancing in years, but she did after all raise Draco.'

Another deep breath. 'Narcissa, as Draco and I have already made clear, we will not be having a Nanny. My parents will be coming back from Australia in a few weeks' time, and my mother will be helping us out.'

'I see,' Narcissa said icily. 'I have decided I shall be called Grand-Mère Malfoy.' Her eyes narrowed, 'I hope that won't be problem with your own mother?'

Hermione unsuccessfully held back a snort. She knew her mum would be happy with plain old Gran. Still, she couldn't resist the chance to wind up Narcissa.

'My mother has already expressed her preference for something similar I'm afraid.' She paused, pretending to think. 'How about Granny M?' Hermione said sweetly, as she took a sip of tea.

Hermione was gratified by the squeak of distress that escaped Narcissa's lips. She started to smile but it turned into a wince as another spasm of pain shot through her. She sucked in her breath as it was quickly followed by another.

Her mother-in-law paled.

'Narcissa,' Hermione gasped out, through another wave of pain, as she tried not to panic. The baby wasn't supposed to come now. Not a month early. Not when Draco was in America. And definitely not when she was having tea with her mother-in-law.

She started to hyperventilate but was startled when she felt Narcissa's hand in hers.

'Just breathe, my dear,' the older witch said, as she started to rub circles on Hermione's back. 'In…and out. In… and out.'

Hermione found herself steadying to Narcissa's breathing.

'Mopsy,' Narcissa called sharply, and her house-elf appeared instantly. 'Contact Master Draco immediately and inform him that his wife is going into labour. We will meet him at St Mungo's.'

'Yes mistress,' Mopsy said, with a hurried curtsy.

'Now Hermione, listen to me,' Narcissa said authoritatively, and Hermione instinctively lifted her head. 'This baby is a Malfoy,' she paused, 'you are a Malfoy, and Malfoys as you well know are survivors.' She smiled at her daughter-in-law, brushing a hair back from her face. 'You are going to be fine.'

Hermione nodded her head and managed a weak smile in return.

'Now, let's get you to St Mungo's so I can meet my grandchild,' Narcissa said with a sudden grin.

A gruelling 10 hours later, saw Hermione exhausted but beaming, as she held her new-born son in her arms, with Draco beside her smiling down at them both.

There was a soft knock on the door and Narcissa entered hesitantly.

Hermione smiled gratefully up at her. 'Grand-Mère Malfoy,' she said with a slight twinkle in her eye, 'let me introduce you to your grandson.'