Authors note: Hey friends, fans and Dramonie lovers. I hope everything is well, I am trying to write up some chapters for you all I am just struggling a little bit. The original things that I had thought up with my brother has had plot holes in it that I can't figure out how to fill so I am trying to figure out what exactly to do. I shouldn't have started a sequel, that might have been the route to go, but alas I am here and I will not give up and we just have to keep fingers crossed and push foreward. I hope this isn't too disappointing for you all and that you enjoy this chapter as well. Reviews are welcome I suppose, they just make me a little nervous I guess. Alright onto the story folks! :)

Chapter 6:

It had been a month since Hermione's blow out of emotions and life had been great. Well as great as it could have been since everything had happened. She was dealing with things her own way, in a healthy way, and allowed Draco to comfort her. There were obvious times when she felt like she didn't want to be held by him and those were the times when he did it anyway to break through the defensive wall she had created to keep him out; and everytime she would melt into his arms and allow his comfort to flow through her. It was a work in progress. She was talking more, actually reading instead of robotically flipping pages and she was thinking about going out to see Ginny. Things were going really well for her all in all. She had her up and down days, Draco understood those. She would just go to the bedroom and lay down for a while; take a nap or read, and when she felt like she could handle it again she would come out and the three of them would go for a walk. They avoided the topic of Lucius and the events that had happened when they had moved into their new home, Draco was searching for answers on his own to spare her, but all the Dark Magic was out of her system by now. Her health was in good shape, her mental state was getting there so all in all things were going really well and Draco was pleased at her efforts.

They enjoyed having Teddy around, Hermione read to him every night before bed and Draco would lean in the doorway listening. She was wonderful with him and they were surprised at his development, he had strong legs that liked to kick the water during bath time and he was managing to lift his head up more and more, almost rolling over and he had finally been able to get his eyes to be the same color. He was almost six months now and it blew Draco out of the water,They had been parents for two months and it was going great. It didn't surprise him how easily Hermione went into mother mode, it did surprise him how easily he adjusted. Teddy was an easy enough child, they would go out in the front lawn sometimes and the neighbors were absolutely enamoured by their little family. Things were happening so perfectly, but it seemed Hermione was having an off day.

Teddy was sitting on the little blanket they used for when they went outside, he had some toys in his hand that rattled everytime he swung his arms around. Draco was lying on his side, propped up on his elbow by Teddy and Hermione had a book in her lap that she was 'reading' but instead it was just sitting limply in her hands.

"Are you going to see Ginny today? She owled this morning asking." Draco asked, trying to strike up conversation.

"No." Hermione sighed, shutting her book. "I don't feel up to it today."

"What's going on? You had a really good day yesterday, was it the letter?"

Hogwarts had sent letters to all former students which encouraged them to come back to redo their missed school year. It was a perfect opportunity for students to continue their education in a safer environment than before. Hermione had been so excited before she had looked back and forth between Teddy and Draco and then it was as if her mind travelled far away. She couldn't go back there, not after everything.

"Maybe a little. But not in the way that you think." She tossed the book to the side rubbing her face with her hands; suddenly exhausted.

"What's bothering you?" Draco stood up and sat behind her, pulling her to his chest again. It was one of his tricks to comfort her and bring the truth out. Not that either of them complained it felt nice. But like normal she resisted at first, then felt herself melt into his embrace.

"Well I miss school. But I don't think I could go back to Hogwarts, not after everything that happened. I would only see what had happened there and I am not ready to do magic." Hermione said, ever since the war she hadn't picked up her wand. She said she needed a break from something that had caused so much damage, Draco understood this and she understood that he would keep using his; it was all her knew.

"If you wanted we could transfer you somewhere else."

"No. I am content with what I have now. This sounds awful but I don't want to work. I want to just relax for a few years and realize that the stress of life or death situations is gone. It seems so pathetic that I am not doing anything with my life but this is what I want."

"You are doing something with your life. You have me and you have taken in Teddy, that's more than what others have done. It's more than what others would be willing to do. Actually I have a question for you."

"What's that?" She said, turning her head to look at him.

"What would your opinion be on adopting Teddy? He officially is ours."

Hermione turned at looked at the chubby cheeked little boy in front of her. He had light sandy hair like his father and dark brown eyes like his mother. She could never replace them but she couldn't help but feel like his mother and love him as though he were her own. But she didn't want to have Draco do something that he might not really want, even if his Veela told him just so it would please her.

"What is your opinion on it?" She asked him.

"I love the little bugger. More than I thought possible. I love him and I love you. I would love to have him become apart of the family and I would love to marry you and make every part of our lives official. Like what you always talk about."

"Its a lot to think about." She said, although she couldn't help the excited feeling that pulsed through her at the idea of marrying Draco and having Teddy as a son; but the darkness she had been feeling was overwhelming her, in a way that made her feel that blackness was going to consume her. "I'm sorry I have to go lay down." She went to stand, suddenly feeling dizzy, her hand placing itself on Draco's shoulder for support before she straightened herself and practically ran into the house.

Draco sighed and turned his attention back to Teddy, waving as their neighbor; Miss. Jessica Wilkins, pulled up next door. She got out of the car and headed over into their lawn, sitting down next to Teddy. They had gotten to know her pretty well and she was a well rounded girl, very sweet and good with Teddy. She often watched Teddy when Hermione had really bad days, she never asked questions and she just simply understood. She had confided in Draco that her mother had suffered from depression and she completely understood.

"Wheres Hermione?"

"She's having one of her days. She just went in to get some rest."

"They've been happening more frequently?"

"A little. She will get through this one like every other one."

Jessica stayed silent for a moment, contemplating if what she was going to say was out of line or not. She chose the latter. "Why do you stay? If you don't mind my asking. You could take Teddy and go at anytime so why do you stay and deal with it?"

Draco tried not to get enraged, it was a question that anyone would ask. Hermione had asked him herself when she was lost in her anguish. "I love her. I love her more than life itself and the reason that she is the way that she is; it's not her fault. The things that happened to her were things she didn't ask for and I was responsible for some of it. No one deserves to be alone."

"You are with her out of guilt? You think some of the things were your fault, and I don't mean to be rude but if you are with her because you feel guilty then you are only going to hurt her more."

Draco couldn't help releasing a throaty chuckle. "No, its much deeper than that. I love her with everything that I am. " LITERALLY.

"Its good that love like that still exists." Jessica smiled. "Hermione's never told me what she had gone through, I see some scars on her arm but whenever I have asked she always changed the subject."

"Its her personal business, not something she likes to talk about." He felt slightly enraged that the black haired neighbor had the gall to ask Hermione about her scars. She had no filter really.

"What did happen?" She asked shyly.

Draco looked at her through his pale lashes before decided that she deserved to know some sort of the truth. She had watched Teddy last minute for them multiple times, and she had never before asked so many questions. It was perfectly reasonable for her to be curious and she had the right to know the type of people she lived next to and helped out. Draco took a deep breath. "There was a type of war going on that she got mixed up in because of me."

"Like gang related?"

"Yeah," Draco said, not having the slightest idea as to what that meant. "My father was apart of this 'gang' and I was sworn into it because of him. "He rolled up his sleeve to show the Dark Mark which branded him forever. "She was on the opposite side, fighting to save the people that we were going against. She was one of those people. I fell in love with her and she and I were inseparable until it became closer and closer to where things were going to fall got branded like me, lost a lot of friends along the way and faced...torture. It's taken a toll on all of us, her the most. She went through a little more than what any of us almost died for her cause, and she was brave until the very end. Hell she is still brave."

Jessica had tears in her eyes, "I am sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"No. Its good to talk about sometimes, helps me know how grateful I am to have her."

" I think it's really admirable that you sti-"

Draco had jumped up suddenly, feeling a tightness in his chest and nausea overwhelm him. Without even asking to go he ran towards the house leaving Teddy with Jessica. He burst through the door, allowing her scent to enter his nose and bring him to her. He ended up in the kitchen with Hermione on the floor, the faucet was on and a glass was shattered next to her head. Draco shut off the water and gently rolled Hermione to her side. She looked so pale, a trail of blood coming from her nose. He heard footsteps behind him and a crying Teddy.

"Oh my God!" Jessica exclaimed. "She has to go to the hospital."

"I know." He scooped her up effortlessly into his arms, listening intently for her little pulse. "Can you watch Teddy?"

"Of course. Go. I will clean up here."

Without so much as a backwards glance Draco ran to their attached garage, their apparition point, and apparated them to 's.

Hermione awoke groggily, her stomach protesting in pain and her head pounding right behind the eyes. She tried to speak but her throat was too dry, she felt a hand holding onto hers; both of them resting on an itchy sheet. She opened her eyes, flinching at the bright fluorescent light bulbs. She managed to roll over, her face pressing against the pillow as she moaned in agony, that simple movement hurt so much. The hand around hers tightened and she saw Draco sitting next to her in a stiff plastic chair. His hair was ruffled and his eyes red rimmed. He looked so lost in thought until he heard her moan, then his eyes were on hers in an instant.

"Thank Merlin you are alright." He physically sagged with relief.

"What happened?" Hermione croaked.

"The healers will be in soon to explain everything, I just found you lying on the kitchen floor."

Hermione nodded remembering slightly. She had come inside to rest, trying to avoid a panic attack; she had needed water and just as she was filling up the glass it had all turned dark. Her thoughts were fuzzy the entire day, she could only remember the gripping exhaustion that had overcome her. She tried to pull herself up but her body was going to cooperate with that demand, it was far too tired for it.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Not long. Just today." Was Draco's quick response. Hermione losing time did not bode well for her.

"My head hurts." She whimpered, her eyes fluttering closed again. Hermione reached for the hand that was holding hers and brought it to hold the cheek that was against the pillow instead; taking his other hand in hers. The coolness of his palm was calming slightly but it did nothing for her pain. "Draco, can you do that Veela thing?" She muttered, her lips hardly opening for the words.

"Which Veela thing?" He couldn't suppress a smile, with her not in complete peril it was kind of adorable to have her being so vulnerable; Draco knew how sick that thought was but he couldn't help it.

"Teeth Venom thing." She peeked one eye open, confused when he had a smile on his face. "What in the earth are you smiling at?"

"Nothing. Just happy you are alright."

"Well that's all fine and dandy but I don't feel alright." She huffed.

Draco was about to respond when the door to her room opened up again, the Healer walking through with a floating clipboard by his side. He was a tall, beady eyed man with quite the impressive round stomach that didn't fit his length at all. But when he smiled at the pair Hermione found it hard not to be comforted by it and allowed her eyes to close once more, it was hard to find a good healer these days who actually cared about their patients and as far as Hermione was concerned; she could trust this one.

"Miss. Granger. . I am Gregory Mallor, the Head Healer on your case."

Draco slowly pulled his hands from Hermione, so as not to disturb her; got up and shook the Healer's hand. Hermione held her little hand out for him to shake and then both men took a seat across from her. Draco retaking his place earlier, seeing as it brought the most comfort; and the Healer keeping a professional distance away.

"Now I have some questions for the both of you. You are a Veela, is that correct ? And Miss. Granger is your mate?"

"I am not a full Veela but yes I have Veela blood in me and Hermione is my mate."

"This may seem like a foolish question but have you already mated?"

Hermione groaned in embarrassment and pushed her face further into the pillow, her cheeks gaining a nice pink that was missing before. "Yes." Draco said with a little smile, his thumb stroking her cheek.

"Did you by chance marry at all?"

"What?" Hermione said, sitting up quickly and grabbing Draco's shoulder for support. "No we didn't have time to get married, there was a war going on. But I assure you that just because we mated before marriage goes not make us bad people; his time was running out and I loved him too much to let anything happen. Further more-"

"Love," Draco said, holding up a pale hand to stop her. "Let him do his job, he didn't mean anything like that."

Hermione looked back and forth between the Healer and Draco, suddenly embarrassed. It was no secret to her and Draco that Hermione was a virgin when they had mated, and she had told him that she'd promised her parents to wait until after marriage. To her it felt like that was the only thing she had left from them and she had let them down in that aspect, she felt guilty for it but she loved Draco enough to get over it; his life was on the line. But it didn't mean the subject wasn't a touchy one for her.

"Sorry." She mumbled. Hermione put her arm around Draco's neck and pulled herself onto his lap, her head pressing into the crook of his neck. This was nice. This was what she had been missing out on these past couple of months. Sighing she closed her eyes and gestured for the Healer to continue.

"Well before I say anything else, I just wanted to comment on how unique your pairing seems to be. Just from this alone."

"Why do you say that?" Draco asked.

" Miss. Granger was immediately discontent with what I had said, as a Veela you should feel that and respond accordingly as to what would please her and sooth her. You did not do that however. Is there any reason why?And continuing on with that, when she said she loved you, your Veela should have been hurt through that. She didn't say because she loves you that's why you mated but she said loved, it is a form of rejection and you didn't react one bit to it."

"Mr. Mallor," Draco started. "Are you aware of the effects the war had on her specifically? On what had happened?"

"I had heard about those events, yes." He said with a flinch.

"Hermione is skilled in occlumency, which has helped her build walls to keep me out of what she is feeling. Only recently did we start to break down those walls; she lets me feel what she wants me to feel and I don't push her into letting me feel everything. I could do it if I so choose but it is her choice."

"Yes, but your Veela should make you want to do it. This is very curious. Continue." He leaned forward, both elbows resting on his knees.

"As i was saying. I wanted to do it, hell I almost did a few times, but I love her and that is an invasion of privacy that I have had the unfortunate privilege of experiencing one to many times; I couldn't do that to her. As for the rejection phase, I only feel it when she is at her most desperate. When she tells me she hates me or to go away; that's when I feel it. Little slip up in words like that mean nothing to me."

"Draco," Hermione whined. "I have been so awful to you." She snuggled closer into his warm embrace, loving every bit of it. She didn't necessarily like that he was sharing their private life with a practical stranger but she felt she needed to hear these words too and perhaps then they could find out what's wrong with her. Every detail helps to solve the hardest mystery, that was something Hermione learned this year; you can't leave anything out.

"Right. how is it that she was able to be so... indifferent to you? She should be drawn to you shouldn't she?"

"One would think, but she is very stubborn. Her emotions were too much for her and our Veela coupling was under the Romance category, we were always harsh with each other during school and as it turns out we were always meant to be together; I didn't expect our harshness to disappear once we mated, it makes up who we are. If that makes any sense. Does this have anything to do with anything?" He said, getting impatient.

"I believe it does. You said she was exposed to Dark Magic?"

"Yeah, she was sick for weeks following, trying to expel the magic."

"Okay. I believe part of the reason she was able to be so harsh to you was because the Dark Magic was pushing her to be that way. It allowed the dark thoughts to hover, along with the sadness, grief and any anger she experienced. All negative feelings were amplified on top of what she had already decided, which was pushing you away. Now, I believe this explains why you could not feel what was wrong with her."

"What is wrong with her?" Draco snapped, his patients running out. It felt like they had been talking for hours and no results to be shown.

"Well, I asked if you were married because it appears Miss Granger is pregnant. And that can only happen if you were married or she was unfaithful. Which you would have known right away . However it is more complex than that, I need to know when you mated."

Hermione was shaking with confusion, this was not making sense at all to her. "The end of March, early April."

"Curious. You are 5 months pregnant."

At this Hermione laughed, it was one of those desperate laughs when you didn't know what else to do. "It's impossible. Do I look 5 months pregnant to you?"

"No you don't. But Mr. Malfoy would you do the honors. I want you to smell her; take in her scent and tell me if anything is different."

Draco stood up, placing Hermione on the bed and allowed his Veela senses to come over him. He laid her back and started taking deep breaths at her neck; placing a kiss on her mark that made her shiver. He continued down to her chest, inhaling every so often. She smelled like Vanilla and Lavender, it was so soothing for him. He continued down her stomach and was confused when he caught a hint of something else...He took another deep breath. Rose? Vanilla, Lavender and Rose. That wasn't normal. He allowed himself to pause for a second, placing a hand; palm down, on the base of her stomach. He took another deep breath and the scent was stronger, along with the huge waves of hormones that were hitting him square in the face. He pulled away from her and sat down, his eyes filling with tears.

"Is it mine?" He questioned.

"Does the smell call to you? Is the scent nice?" Healer Mallor asked.

"Yes."

"If it wasn't it would repulse you. Now this is where things get tricky and I have no answer for you exactly. You wouldn't have been able to get pregnant until after you were married, the Veela magic prevents such a thing. However here we are, exactly five months after you mated you are five months pregnant. But then we have to look at the fact that your body is pregnant but...there is no baby inside of Miss Granger."

"I'm so confused!" Hermione screamed. Draco got up to sit next to her but she pushed him away, he sat down rejected and ignored the pain in his chest. "Don't. This doesn't make any sense! The Veela magic prevents pregnancy, and even if I was pregnant; there was a war. Where, if you have forgotten, I was tortured. That alone would have caused a miscarriage. No to mention the fact that the wand had physically been inserted in me, in my stomach. Do you have any explanation to this whatsoever? And if I am pregnant then where is it? Where's the baby?" Tears had started falling from her eyes at this point, and she shakily reached for Draco. He didn't grab her right away but when he felt that she was done being angry he quickly wrapped her in his arms.

"Miss Granger," Healer Mallor started, leaning back in his chair. "These are questions we don't have answers too, but I believe that Dark Magic has something to do with it. With further investigation my team has come to discover that there is a bond between your pregnancy and some unknown force. We believe that someone else is carrying your child, why it happened that way we do not know."

"But as far as you know the baby is healthy and fine?" Draco asked.

"Yes."

"Then that is our main concern."

"But Miss. Granger, you must be careful. We don't know the extent of the bond. If you were to get hurt it could affect the woman who is carrying the child or the child itself. We just don't know yet."

"Can we find this baby? Through the bond?" Hermione asked, lifting her head from Draco's neck.

"We will have my team work on that immediately. We will have them decipher the bond and find the connection."

"Right. Thank you for everything. Keep in touch." Draco said, standing up with Hermione in his arms.

" ?"

"We have stayed here long enough, I need to get her home and there is nothing else you can do for us. Our son is at home with a last minute babysitter and we don't have time for chit chat."

With that Draco apparated with a pop to their front door, eyeing around them to make sure no one was watching and if they were he would have to obliviate them. He set Hermione down, his arm around her waist for support. She had stopped walking and almost looked to be in a daze.

"You said our son."

Draco turned and held her cheeks. "He is our son. Papers don't mean anything, blood doesn't mean anything. That is our son."

"We have another child somewhere on the way."

"We will find her." Draco said.

"What makes you think it's girl?"

"I have a gut feeling."