PART 2

Disclaimers:

Harry and the gang are mine (and if you believe that I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you), however the lyrics belong to Celine Dion's "Sorry For Love".

Forgive me for all the things

That I never said to you

Forgive me for not knowing

The right words to say to prove

That I will always be

Devoted to you and me

And if you can't feel that in my love

Then I'm sorry for not giving you enough

But I'm not sorry for my love

***

Hermione's shoulders sagged, still facing the lake and when she spoke he wasn't sure that she had spoken at all or if he had just imagined hearing the words. "I'm pregnant, Draco."

"Pregant?" Draco echoed incredulously. The world suddenly tilted crazily and when he opened his eyes, he was lying on the sandy beach, his head aching and Hermione kneeling above him, her expression both amused and worried.

"Draco," she said, a smile playing about her lips but not quite reaching her eyes. "Did you faint?"

Draco levered himself up on an elbow and tried to affect an imperious tone. "Faint? Me? Malfoys do not faint."

Hermione crossed her legs under her and settled herself next to him. "Did you swoon?"

"Swoon? Not likely. I..." he cast his mind about for a suitable excuse. "I fell." he finished lamely.

"Fell, huh?" she reached down, grabbed a handful of sand and let it sift through her fingers. "Yeah, this sand is real treacherous."

"Yeah, treacherous." he echoed, absent-mindedly, studying Hermione's face. He took a deep breath. "Pregnant, eh?"

She nodded.

He let himself flop back onto the sand. "Pregnant." he rolled the word around in his mouth, testing it. "How far along?" he turned his head and squinted at her.

She shrugged miserably.

He regarded her for a moment, then pulled himself into a sitting position. "Is this a good thing?" he asked carefully.

Hermione bit her lip and made to look away but Draco reached out and gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Is this a good thing?" he repeated.

She looked at him, fear making her brown eyes huge. "Yes." she said suddenly. "We're sixteen and there's no way that you'll marry a *mudblood*," she spat viciously, shocking him. "But it's a good thing." she pulled away from him and stood, walking to the water's edge. Draco scrambled up and followed her.

"I meant what I said before, Hermione." he touched her shoulder, hesitantly. "I do want a family. I wouldn't have chosen to start one now, but I won't walk away from you, from this," he paused, uncertain suddenly. "Unless you want me to."

She turned and looked at him. "Do you mean that?"

"I don't lie, Hermione."

Her face lit up and he reached for her, drew her in his arms and held her tightly. They stood like that, arms wrapped around each other for a few moments, until he realized that she was crying. Puzzled, he drew her chin up so she was looking at him. "What's wrong?"

"I was so afraid." she whispered.

"Afraid? Of me?"

"I was afraid you would hate me. I was afraid you would blame me."

"Blame you? Why would I do that?" he shook his head. "What's that Muggle expression? It takes two to disco?"

She smiled a watery smile. "Tango."

Draco considered. "Hm. That makes much more sense." he reached down and brushed her hair out of her face. "You know, for someone so smart, you certainly can be dumb sometimes." he leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers. "Whatever happens, it was *both* of our doing. It wasn't your fault. And as for hating you? I can't believe you would even *think* that, let alone say it."

"I'm sorry, I just was so - "

"No." he placed a finger on her lips. "Don't apologize. It will be alright. I promise."

"Oh Draco!" She flung her arms around his neck, knocking him backwards. He lost his footing and slipped, falling and taking her down to the sand with him.

He looked up at her and smiled disarmingly. "See? I told you that sand was dangerous."

She smiled down at him, a predatory smile. "Ah, but now I've got you right where I want you."

~*~*~*~ Later, what seemed like much later, Hermione lay, snuggled up to Draco, his arm around her, fingers tangling in her hair.

"I don't suppose you'd consider a traditional Malfoy name. Something distinguished?"

Hermione scoffed. "What, like Draco?"

"Draco is a family name!" he feigned hurt. "And it's in the school motto."

"No." she smiled against his chest. "Not Draco."

He was quiet for a moment, considering. "Not Harry either. Or Ron! Most definately *not* Ron."

She laughed quietly. "No. Not Ron or Harry."

They were quiet again, then Draco hiccoughed suddenly. "You do realize, Granger, that I'm liable to get disowned from Slytherin for this."

"Well, Malfoy," she pushed herself up on one elbow. "Was it worth it?"

He looked thoughtful, then reached up and pulled her down to him. "Most definately." She smiled against his lips and he pulled back suddenly. "Although I don't think Weasley will much like it when I move into Gryffindor tower with you."