Draco was miserable. Over the last few months he'd gained weight, developed swollen ankles, a chronic back ache and gone through a cycle of nausea followed by heartburn. Then there were the ever more frequent trips to the loo. How his mother had made it through her own pregnancy he had no clue. Not for the first time he wished that he could seek her guidance, but that was impossible now. Lucius had made it quite clear at their last meeting that he considered Draco a disgrace to the name Malfoy, and that mountain trolls would be welcomed at the ministry of magic before he'd be welcome again at Malfoy manor. His mother had no choice but to obey his wishes.

Draco looked round the tiny cottage that Mr. And Mrs. Weasley had helped them furnish. It wasn't much, but it did keep the rain off. He needed something to do. Dobby and Winky had resigned their positions at Hogwarts and taken up residence with them, and for that Draco was grateful, but it left him with too much free time on his hands. Harry was off all day taking instruction from Moody and his healer had forbidden him to fly. So what was left. Reading the Daily Prophet? That took maybe half an hour. He spied the can of floo powder. Of course, why hadn't he thought of it before. He'd go to Diagon Alley and do the shopping. Draco had always hated shopping but it would fill some of the empty time. He sprinkled some of the powder on the fire and when it turned colors he stepped in, called out "The Leaky Cauldron", and dropped some more powder on the flames. Whooosh! He sped past hundreds of fireplaces before coming to rest at the Leaky Cauldron. Stepping out of the hearth he brushed the soot from his robe and made his way out onto the alley.

He'd just finished his shopping done and was considering having a bite to eat back at the Leaky Cauldron when a familiar voice called out to him.

"Draco Potter just what do you think you're doing."

He turned to face a very upset looking Ron Weasley. "What do you mean, what am I doing, I'm shopping."

"I can see that, but carrying all those heavy packages around in your condition isn't very smart. Here, let me carry them for you."

Draco sighed as he handed over his parcels. Ron had certainly changed since the wedding. Harry had asked him to be the babies god father and it seemed that he now regarded himself as a combination big brother and protector to Draco and the baby. Not that Draco minded the attention, but it could be a bit trying at times.

"So how did you get to Diagon Alley anyway."

"Floo powder, how else."

"Floo powder, are you nuts. What if you'd gone into pre-mature labor."

"I didn't go into pre-mature labor Ron."

"No, but you could have. Honestly Draco sometimes I wonder if you have any sense at all. Come on I'll see that you get home in one piece."

Stepping out from the curb Ron shifted the packages so he could raise his wand and flag down the Knight bus.

"Where to," the conductor asked.

"Two to lakeside cottage."

"Right ya are mates. Come aboard."