**Authors Note!: Hello Lovelies! This chapter is basically just some light fluff regarding Draco and Hermione's relationship! I'm currently working on the last chapter or two, but until then I hope you enjoy this one! All reviews are welcome!**
8
Over the next few weeks everything went relatively quiet. Hermione's work settled down and she submitted her potion to the International Conference for their review, she heard back within a fortnight. "Lady Malfoy, we are pleased with your potion, we would like you to attend our next conference with your mentor, to explain your potion in greater detail." Hermione was overjoyed when she had received the Boards invitation, so much so that she had ran upstairs to Draco's office to show him herself. "I'm so proud of you love, I knew you could do it. It makes me happy to see you succeed." "I do wonder how we they will allow me to test it, it is illegal to use the Cruciatus curse." Draco kissed Hermione softly on the lips "I am sure they have their ways Love. Just leave it to them and await their owl summoning you to the International Potion's Conference!" To celebrate the young couple had Floo'd to Paris and eaten at their favorite restaurant.
The group of rogue Death Eaters that had attacked Diagon Alley had went silent. Despite their best efforts the Auror department had been unable to find the base that the group was working out of. Harry had personally seen to interrogating the one Death Eater that had been captured, but unfortunately he stubbornly refused to talk. The interrogation lasted for hours, nearly everyday. Draco and Hermione were there to observe, just in case Harry missed anything in the heat of the moment. Hermione sighed as Harry ended yet another interrogation "This isn't good Harry, even under the affects of Veritaserum he is refusing to reveal information that could lead to the groups downfall. Which means that, more than likely, the entire group has under gone training in how to keep themselves grounded when under the potion's affects. It is incredibly difficult to do. That took me years to master when I was working with Severus." The trio left the interrogation viewing room, walking towards the Auror office. "I know 'mione. Veritaserum is the strongest truth potion we have, if he won't spill their secrets with it, then more than likely nothing will. Except maybe…" Draco stopped and put his hand on his partners shoulder "Absolutely not Harry. I know what the other Auror's are suggesting. We will not be using the Cruciatus curse to get information out of the suspect. We will not stoop to their level." Hermione nodded her approval and Harry smiled at his two friends "You are right Draco, of course. It was a momentary lapse of judgement. I really need to put a stop to the other Auror's suggesting it." The group continued to discuss strategies as they walked towards to the Auror's office. "I think we are all in agreement that interrogation's should continue. We need to get something out of him, even the smallest detail would be useful to our investigation." Harry started as they reached the office. "Yes and I know I am not an Auror Harry, but perhaps you should send undercover Auror's out and about known previous Death Eater hangouts? Maybe one of them will slip up and be seen out in public." Hermione suggested. Both men stared at her and didn't say anything for such a time that Hermione started to feel nervous about her suggestion. "Of course if you don't think it's a good idea, forget I suggested it." "It's a brilliant idea 'mione! I'm just surprised no one has thought of it before." Draco and Harry began to discuss the teams that they could send out undercover and before you knew it an hour had passed. "Harry I hate to interrupt this discussion, but Draco and I have to leave. We have some shopping to do for the baby room." Harry looked at the small clock on his desk, his eyes raising in surprise. "I didn't know it was so late. Of course, please go. Enjoy your time together."
Shortly after leaving the Ministry Of Magic, Draco and Hermione were in wizarding London shopping for baby furniture and toys. "There is really so many things we need to get. And plus we have another baby appointment in a few hours." Draco took his wife's hand and kissed her knuckles "One thing at a time Love. One thing at a time. Let's go look at paint samples for the room, then we will take a look a some furniture and THEN we will go to the baby appointment. Don't forget that we still have a good eight months before the baby arrives. Plenty of time." Hermione smiled lovingly at her husband as they stepped into a paint shop. Naturally the couple drifted towards the lighter, more relaxing shades of paint. "That rose color and sunflower color is really nice. It's calming, which is perfect for the baby room." Draco nodded "I agree, but this sky blue and sea foam green is quite nice as well." Hermione looked at his choices "They are nice" she conceded "But we can't have all four in one room, it would be to busy!" "Well why don't we take the four samples and decide later?" Hermione nodded "Great idea, I'm sure we can make a choice we can both be happy with." Draco took his wife's hand and put it on his arm "Now furniture shopping! We need a crib, a new wardrobe, changing station, toy box and a rocking chair." As they were walking towards the store Hermione nervously broached a subject "Draco, I suppose I should've asked before this. But what are your thoughts on a nanny?" Rubbing her free hand over her belly she continued "This baby is my child, our child. I won't have another woman raising him or her." Draco came to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk "I was raised by a nanny for the duration of my childhood. While I was never unhappy, I was never overjoyed. Even though Mother took over for my nanny when I reached age 5, I always wished she had done more when I was younger." "So we are in agreement? No nanny?" "No nanny Love. We will raise our child." Hermione stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Stepping into the furniture store, Hermione's eye was immediately drawn to one set that was in the middle of the store. It was a beautiful white wooden crib, with matching changing table, rocking chair, toy box and a dresser. Hermione ran her hands over the side of the crib, the wood was soft. There was a mattress included that was as soft as butter, or better yet clouds Hermione thought. Turning to look at the other pieces Hermione could just imagine rocking her baby to sleep in the chair, playing with him or her by the toy box and watching them sleep in the crib. A small tear leaked out from the corner of her eye's "This is the one Draco." Turning she didn't see her husband anywhere around "Draco?" she called out softly as she wiped her tears away. "Coming!" Draco appeared from the back of the store, walking along side a different man. "Hermione, this is the proprietor of this shop. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson, my wife Lady Malfoy." Mr. Wilson nodded at Hermione "Lady Malfoy, it's a pleasure." "Draco where did you disappear to? This nursery set here, it's absolutely perfect. I adore it." Hermione gushed as Draco moved to stand beside his wife "I know love, I knew the second I saw you make a beeline for it. I admired it for a few moments and while you were lost in thought, I went to find Mr. Wilson here. I've already bought, paid for it and arranged for the set to be delivered to the Manor by the end of the week." Hermione gasped and threw her hands around her husbands neck "I am the luckiest woman alive to have a husband such as you!"
Having arrived at her doctors appointment, Hermione sat patiently on the exam table while Draco stood beside her and held his wife's hand. They were both rather surprised to see Astoria walk into the room "Astoria? You're my healer?" Hermione asked in surprise "Yes! They higher ups gave me your case. But if you'd rather I wasn't, I can find you a different healer." Hermione shook her head "No of course not! I'm glad it is you!" Draco smiled at his school friend "As I am Astoria. You are one of our closets friends. You can share in our joy this way. " Astoria smiled as she laid out Hermione's file on the table "Now if you could lay back on the exam table and expose your stomach." Hermione nodded and did as Astoria asked. Waving her wand over her patients stomach Astoria asked some questions "Are you experiencing any morning sickness? Back pains? Nausea?" Hermione shook her head "No, I've felt good. A little tired, but good nonetheless." Astoria smiled as a blurry picture appeared on the wall off to the side of the bed "I would expect the tiredness to continue and maybe get a little worse as the pregnancy continues. Also expect a fair amount of morning sickness. And here is your baby's heartbeat." A soft yet strong Thud, Thud, Thud, Thud filled the room. Hermione put her hand over her mouth and started to cry "That's our baby!" She looked up at Draco, who had tears in his eyes as well as he gripped her hand tighter "Our baby!" Tearing his eyes away from the blurry image on the screen he looked down at his wife and kissed her forehead. As the two of them stared into each others eyes another version of a heartbeat filled the room. Thud, Thud, Thud, Thud. Draco looked at Astoria "Is that an echo of the heartbeat?" Astoria waved her wand over Hermione's stomach again and furrowed her brow as two distinct heart rhythms appeared on the wall beside them "No Draco. That's a separate heartbeat. Congratulations, you are having twins." She said as she smiled at her friends. "Twins?" Hermione whispered, as fresh tears ran down her face and Draco was openly crying by that point. "Are they healthy?" Was his first question. Astoria nodded "Yes they appear to be very healthy. Both heartbeats are strong. And if we are reading these signals correctly, you are having a boy and girl." "Oh Draco! A baby boy and girl!" Hermione cried out as she gripped her husbands hand and he buried his face in her neck. Astoria was silent for a few minutes allowing them to take in the news. "Well as we said the twins are very healthy right now. But I would like to have you back here every few months for another check-up. We don't want to risk anything. If you start having weird feelings or strange pains please come back immediately." "Thank you Astoria, thank you so much for this wonderful news." Draco said as he helped Hermione off the exam table, Hugs were exchanged and soon after Draco and Hermione left.
Once back at the Manor, they went straight to the one room they had picked out. "Well I guess just one room won't due since we are having twins." Hermione said as they stared. Draco smiled and shook his head "Apparently not. But how about this one." Leading his wife a short distance down the hallway, Draco opened another door, "This one still faces the rose gardens, however it has adjoining bathrooms so once the twins get older they can share. And hopefully they will grow up to be the best of friends and quite close." Hermione stepped inside the room and looked around before standing in front of the window and admiring the view. The two adjoining rooms were just as large as the first one they had choose, so really it was perfect. "It's perfect Draco, I love it. And I'm sure the twins will grow up very close. I wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe this room for our baby girl? And the other for our baby boy?" Draco moved beside his wife and kissed her softly on the forehead. "Of course. And if I may, I think the sunflower yellow color would be great for our daughters room." Hermione stared at her husband with love "And I think that seafoam green color would be great for our sons room." Draco kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly "It would also appear we need another set of nursery furniture. And twice the amount of toys and clothes." Hermione just relaxed into her husbands arms "Our things to do list just doubled. But I know we will take care of it together."
Later that evening after dinner Hermione and Draco sat together in their sitting room. Draco reading the days newspaper, as Hermione sat reading a book on pregnancy and childbirth. When suddenly Draco sighed and put his paper down. "Hermione I think we need to have a discussion." Hermione barely glanced up from her book "About what Draco?" Clearing his throat "Well you are working on the case of the rouge Death Eaters and you are an accomplished potion's mistress." Hermione marked her page in the her book and looked at Draco signaling for him to continue "Well, some vapors from potion brewing can be dangerous to pregnant women and the unborn baby. I was wondering if you might take a step back from brewing some dangerous potions?" Hermione smiled "That thought had already occurred to me. I will be taking a step back from brewing some potions, but there are a few spells that I can place on and around myself to protect myself and the babies from any dangerous vapors." Still looking somewhat nervous Draco continued "Well that is wonderful. But I was also wondering if you would consider staying out of the raid of the rouge Death Eaters base, once we find it." At that Hermione's mouth dropped open "Excuse me? You want me to stay out of the a raid, by a group of Death Eaters who attempted to kidnap and kill me? Like Hell." "Hemione please, I think it would be for the best." Hermione stood from her chair and stalked away from her husband, staring out the window. "Do you think I am weak? Unable to defend myself? Because I can assure you I am not. I spent a year on the run with Harry Potter, fighting Death Eaters and putting myself in dangerous situations so that we could defeat Lord Voldemort. I am more than capable of taking care of myself!" Hermione all but screamed at her husband "Bloody Hell woman, calm down!" Hermione whirled around to face Draco "Don't you take that tone with me Draco! How dare you suggest that I sit out of the coming attack. I deserve to be there! I am the one who finally uncovered what the poison was made of! Harry asked me personally." Hermione continued to rant and yell before Draco interrupted her "Hermione, please will you let me explain?" Hermione pursed her lips and crossed her arms, but stopped talking. "I didn't mean to imply you couldn't defend yourself. I know that you are an accomplished witch. You are formidable, that is something that I admire the most about you. The only reason I asked if you would consider staying out of the raid is because, well you are pregnant Love. Pregnant with our twins. If something happened to you, it happens to the twins as well. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you three. You all are the most important things in my life." Hermione took a deep breath and let the anger flow out of her, as she realized that she had been in the wrong. Hermione walked over to her husband and pulled him onto his feet and wrapped him in a hug "I'm sorry Draco, I shouldn't have flown off the handle like that. I hadn't considered the raid. And yes you are right I am pregnant with our twins." The couple was silent for a few minutes "I will sit out of the raid, when the time comes. I won't endanger my life or our babies lives. Not for a group of Death Eaters." Draco kissed Hermione's forehead "That's all I ask, Love. But why did you get so angry when I asked that of you?" Hermione held onto her husband tighter "Because Ron used to demand that I sit out of things that would make him look like less of a man or less important than him. His words, not mine. And when he would start asking that of me, I would refuse and it would start a huge fight." Draco started to gently rock his wife "I will never treat you or your job like it is less important than me or my job. Whatever you want to do, I encourage. Just please take your health and our babies health into consideration." Hermione chucked slightly "Anything for you Draco. Anything for you and our children."