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here's chapter 12, Quidditch.
The next morning, Draco awoke at 6:30 to start practice early. He turned to a tapping noise on his window; Demon was outside his window holding a very long parcel that looked oddly like-
"A Firebolt 6!" Draco gasped, unwrapping it, quite in shock. A letter fell out of the package. It read:
Son,
This is yours if she's pregnant by Christmas. Good luck this morning. Make Potter look like the fool he is.
L. M.
Draco didn't want to take the bribe from his father, but it was a Firebolt 6. Of course he had to take it.
He changed into his stunning Slytherin Quidditch uniform (A/N I'm drooling!!!), grabbed a quick breakfast, and ran out to the pitch, where his teammates admired his new broom. The game started in two hours.
* * * *
Hermione awoke at 7:15. She ambled out of her room to the common room. She decided to make sure Harry was gone. She knocked on his door. No answer. He had probably already left, but just to make sure, she opened the door.
There was Harry, slung across his bed, in deep sleep. Hermione rolled her eyes. Draco probably got up at six o'clock.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted as loud as she could.
"What?" he yawned. "Why do you have to wake me up so early?"
"It's 7:20, you idiot!" she scolded.
"Crap!" he exclaimed, jumping out of bed.
"Here!" said Hermione, tossing him his uniform.
She ran out so he could change. A minute later, he sprinted out the door.
* * * *
Hermione showered, put on her promised green underclothes, and met Ginny at breakfast.
After eating, they hurried to watch the scrimmage/practice before the game.
"Wait here," Hermione instructed. She ran to the field. Draco and Harry flew down, Harry shooting dirty looks at Draco, who had apparently gotten the same broom as Harry, which Harry did not like. At all. "Hey guys. Good luck to both of you."
"Good morning," smiled Draco. He was apparently in a good mood, unlike some people. Harry, namely.
"Can I talk to you, Draco?" asked Hermione. She led him away from Harry. "Listen, don't try to purposely behead him."
"I won't; I promise," he answered.
"Good."
"My fingers were crossed."
"You are an idiot," she said. "And where on Earth did you get that broom?"
"I stole it," he joked. After seeing the look on Hermione's face, he lied, "My mother."
"Well, good luck anyway," she said. "I am wearing green, but you can't see it."
"I'm absolutely positive that I think that I'm wearing red," he said, "but you can definitely not see it."
"You're acting weird," said Hermione. "Are you okay?"
"Pre-domination jitters," replied Draco, smirking. "No," he added quietly. "I am definitely not all right. I am trying to make myself feel better, because Potter is going to kick my ass, like always."
Hermione looked up the six-inch distance at Draco in awe. He was a good six feet. He was admitting Harry was better than him? "Wait," she said slowly. "Let me get this straight. You're being noble enough to admit that Harry is a better Seeker than you?"
"It's not nobility," said Draco. "It's the truth." He gave her a brief kiss on the lips and whispered, "I love you."
"I will love you forever," whispered Hermione right back. "Good luck. You're better than you think."
She turned and left to Harry, who had just witnessed their little kiss and was quite angry about it.
"Harry," she started. "I told him not to hurt you. He promised me he wouldn't."
"Yeah right."
"No, really. Just return the gesture. And he just told me that he knows you're going to win. Harry, he just admitted you're better than him."
"Well then that's someone under a Polyjuice Potion," said Harry.
"He did say it," said Hermione before giving Harry a quick kiss on the cheek, which did not settle well with Harry. He couldn't get the real thing. "Good luck. I'll watch your practice."
Hermione settled in the stands with Ginny at 8:00.
They watched the scrimmage. Gryffindor predictably won that, 190 to 30.
"They're the best they've ever been since Oliver left," said Ginny. It was quite true. Harry played Seeker, of course, Ron Keeper, Tom Farrow and Jack Crossby, both fifth years, were Beaters, and Dennis and Colin Creevey and Seamus Finnigan all showed a curious talent for Chasers. Sadly, the team didn't have any girls. Though the team was oddly shaped and had quite different players, they were miraculously awesome, probably due to Harry's excellent coaching skills (not to mention his ability to catch the Snitch).
The game finally started at nine after the beginning handshake.
"And they're off!" shouted Dean, the commentator since Lee Jordan left. "Colin Creevey takes the Quaffle. Passes to Finnigan, who passes to the other Creevey. Bloody hell, they're already up at the Slytherin hoops. No Slytherin defense at all. Creevey shoots! Slytherin Keeper Nott dives for it and misses! Gryffindor scores! It's ten to nothing, 20 seconds into the game!"
There were many Slytherin groans coupled with screams of delight from the Gryffindor supporters. Ginny was jumping up and down, cheering.
Harry and Draco, meanwhile, were circling the stadium in search of the Snitch. The following half an hour was quite painful for the Slytherins. It was true that they had no defense at all. They were being killed 140-0. When they got the Quaffle, they either dropped it, or it was saved by Ron.
Hermione felt sorry for Draco. He was the captain of the team, after all. His players made him look like an awful coach.
As Hermione was slouched in her seat, feeling Draco's pain very much, the Snitch landed on her head (A/N What a coincidence!! ;))
"Hermione, move!" screamed Ginny. "Don't let Malfoy get it!"
The whole stadium was watching Hermione, who couldn't move. Draco was definitely closer to her; Harry was on the other side of the pitch in the middle of a lap around the stadium. Draco was doing his laps, too, but was going in the opposite direction. As hr passed Hermione and gave her a quick smile, he saw the Snitch. He turned back around towards her.
"Hermione!" screamed Ginny more urgently. Harry had seen. He was flying over quickly, but now Draco had the same broom as him now. Speed wasn't a difference. The distance between the boys was now the only factor. And Draco was closer. In a nanosecond, Hermione made her decision. She closed her eyes, holding her breath.
She felt a WHOOSH! Of air by her ears and felt fingers scrape her hair.
"And, bloody hell!! Slytherin wins 150-140!" shouted Dean sadly, not believing it himself. "The famous Harry Potter loses for just the second time ever. And to Slytherin, which has never happened in his career. Bad luck. But try again next time. Well, that was his last game versus Slytherin, but maybe Ravenclaw!"
Hermione opened her eyes. Draco had won! She was in shock. She didn't want to see the expression on Harry's face, which was bound to be worse than the look Ginny was giving her.
"You should have moved," Ginny hissed.
"I was, er, too scared," stuttered Hermione. "And don't blame me." Hermione ran down the stairs to see the players.
She found Harry and Ron first. Both were cursing Draco to eternal damnation as Hermione snuck up on them.
"Good game, guys. You were really good." She fell silent at the look on Harry's face. Just as she imagined.
"Why don't you go to your friggin' boyfriend?" he snapped. "He'll have some thank-yous for you."
Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but Harry said, "Later," and dragged Ron off. Hermione started after them, but then thought better of it. She knew of Harry's temper and decided to talk to him later, as he said.
She turned to find Draco and saw that he was desperately trying to get out of Pansy's grip. She was hugging him so tightly that he probably couldn't breathe. Though Hermione knew Draco wouldn't look twice at Pansy, but she couldn't help but feel jealous. He finally escaped and looked around for Hermione.
She snuck up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"And you thought you were bad," she whispered.
Draco turned around. "Thanks," he said. "I'm still bad. You won the game for me."
Hermione shrugged. "Don't be so modest! You beat Harry Potter! That's damn hard to do. Act how the old Draco would have reacted. You've been stressed. This is reason to celebrate."
Draco shook his head. "He's pissed, right?"
"Bit of an understatement," she laughed.
"I'm sorry," said Draco. "I should have let him win."
"You're way more different than I thought," said Hermione. "What have you done with Draco? You deserved to win that game, and you know it. Harry needs to learn that he's not going to win everything."
"I guess," he shrugged. "But, you know, I just kind of ruined his record. I'd definitely be pissed if I were him."
"He is, for sure," assured Hermione. "This'll be a story to tell Devon."
"Who's Devon?" asked Draco curiously.
"Devon Shane," said Hermione. "Our boy."
"First of all, you're not pregnant. How do you know it'll be a boy?"
"I have my vibes," said Hermione. "My little Devon Shane."
"I didn't have a say in that name," protested Draco. "But I like it."
"I knew you would," smiled Hermione. Then she got serious. "Does Voldemort have a deadline for Devon's due date?"
"He might," lied Draco. "But it's whenever you want."
"It's not either whenever I want," said Hermione crossly. "Really. When?"
"You're supposed to be pregnant by Christmas at the latest," sighed Draco, though he didn't like pushing Hermione.
She bit her lip. "It's a bit soon, don't you think?"
"Voldemort said it was a bit late," said Draco. "But whenever you want. I'm serious."
"I appreciate the way you're not pushing me," thanked Hermione. "I'll have to think about it. You go take a shower."
Hermione gave him a quick Eskimo kiss and left to go to her room.
Draco sighed and headed to the showers. That Hermione was something.
* * * *
Well, that night, that Hermione and Harry were talking in their Head Dorm, thought Harry more reluctantly.
"You know how much this means to him, Harry?" Hermione asked. "Beating you? He thought it was impossible! And he did it! He has feelings, Harry. He said you deserved to win. He wasn't happy. He said he ruined your record!"
"He was just sucking up," said Harry. "I'm surprised he wasn't doing victory laps around the field."
"Don't you see, Harry," said Hermione. "The old Draco would have done that. But he's much better! Why can't you see that? You can win other games. This meant so much to him. He's been trying to beat you for four years. And, his fifth match, he did!"
"Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if he'd won on his own talent!" suggested Harry. "Using his own crappy skill!"
"Are you blaming me?" she asked.
"Yes!" he shouted. "Why the hell didn't you move? When you say the Snitch land on you?"
"I don't know," Hermione lied. "Maybe I thought that it was against the rules to interfere with the game or some rule like that."
"Don't give me that shit!" he yelled.
"Harry Potter, you are acting like an incredible moron!" she scolded.
"Don't Harry Potter me," said Harry dangerously. "Hermione Riddle."
Silence.
"You've changed as much as Draco has," she concluded coldly. "You're screwed up. Talk to me when you've got your priorities straight."
She stalked off to her bedroom.
"Hermione, wait!" called Harry. "Sorry! I know I'm screwed up. Would you please talk to me?"
She slammed the door in his face.
We never would have lasted as a married couple, she thought.
* * * *
By the following Saturday, Harry and Hermione had made up, with Hermione giving Harry a strict talk about controlling his temper. After Harry was on speaking terms with her, he talked to Dumbledore about moving into Gryffindor tower. Dumbledore had agreed.
The move was made that Saturday, November 7th.
"I am so glad to be out of Pansy's watch," said Draco, now in the Head Dorm with Hermione. "You have no idea."
"It must be as good as I'm feeling right now," said Hermione. "I can go nuts now and do anything and you won't care."
"Just how nuts?" asked Draco.
"Like run around in pajamas and sing at the top of my lungs and eat strawberries the whole day," she answered.
"You do that at home?" he asked.
"All the time," she returned. "Strawberries are my favorite food."
"Hermione," he started seriously.
"What?"
Draco kissed her. It was a needy kiss. He wanted something.
"What was that about?" she asked. And Hermione just suddenly understood. She looked at him meaningfully to show it.
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked.
"As sure as I'll ever be," she said. "But you. you-"
"What?" he asked, touching her cheek.
"You and Pansy, you-" she started. She turned her face away.
Draco hadn't the heart to tell her that it wasn't even Pansy.
"I didn't and don't care for her now," assured Draco. "It was a dare. Believe me. I'd never lie to you." At least it was only a partial lie.
Hermione looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"Okay."
* * * *
The first week of December came, and Hermione was to be found in the library, her naturally favorite place. She ripped out the page she needed, making sure Madam Pince didn't see her.
Running to the Head Dorm, she ran into Harry.
"I might have to talk to you later," she said quickly. "Bye!"
She left a very confused Harry in her wake.
She practically jumped on Draco when she got back to the common room.
"What?" he asked.
"Just wait," said Hermione excitedly.
She closed her eyes and held out the ripped page. Thirty seconds later, she opened her eyes. "What color was it?"
"Er, blue." said Draco tentatively. "What?"
"Oh my god, Draco!" she cried, bringing her hands to her mouth. "I'm pregnant!" Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
Draco couldn't speak, but he could kiss Hermione like there was no tomorrow.
"I love you and now our baby more than you know," he finally whispered.
"And me more than that," replied Hermione. "Mr. Devon, you are so lucky to have the father that you have," she said, patting her stomach.
"Do you think you should go tell Dumbledore?" asked Draco.
"Let's go," said Hermione. "Oh, Merlin, then I have to go see Madam Pomfrey, and Harry and Ron, and you have to tell your mum, and then do you think that we should-"
"Nine months of this?" joked Draco.
"You brought it upon yourself, Draco Malfoy," she replied.
They were seated in Dumbledore's office five minutes later.
"What news?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well, Professor," started Hermione. "I'm pregnant."
"Congratulations, my dear!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "Did you go see Madam Pomfrey?"
"No. I'll be going," said Hermione. "Anything else you need me to do?"
"I'm just beginning war preparations," said Dumbledore. "You just get rest, eat plenty, and don't stress over homework. Draco, help her as much as you can."
"Yes, sir," replied Draco. "Shall I tell my father?"
"I was just going to say," said Dumbledore, "that you should wait until he asks. That's all then? Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!" they answered, leaving his office.
The next stop was the hospital wing.
"How can I help you?" asked Poppy Pomfrey.
"I was sent to see you," explained Hermione. "You see, I'm pregnant."
"Oh, my dear!" exclaimed the nurse. "On the bed!"
Twenty minutes later, Hermione had gone through quite a series of pregnancy spells. One reduced morning sickness, another mood swings, etc.
On the way out, Hermione said excitedly, "Now we go tell Harry and Ron!"
"Aren't you tired?" asked Draco. "Do you want to lie down?"
"Of course not!" she exclaimed. "Hurry! Let's go!"
A few minutes later, they had walked in on a furious chess match between Harry and Ron in Ron's room.
Though Harry wasn't still dead mad at Draco, there remained a silent enmity between them. Though, through forced conversation, they weren't nearly as bad as before.
"Hey, guys," said Hermione brightly. "Guess what?"
Harry looked warily at Draco and back down at the board.
"Checkmate," he said. He turned back to Hermione. "What?"
"How do you like the name Devon Shane?" she asked. "For my-"
Coughs from Draco.
"I mean, our boy."
"Congratulations!" exclaimed Harry. He came over to hug her, as did Ron.
Hermione gave the slightest, most inconspicuous nod towards Draco. Harry nodded.
"Congratulations to you too," said Harry, shaking Draco's hand.
Hermione burst out laughing. "You guys are so stupid! Stop trying to be mad at each other! Now we all have to be friends!"
"Mood swings a little early?" asked Ron wearily.
"Hermione, it's two o'clock and you didn't have lunch!" started Harry. "That baby has to be healthy, and maybe a nap after that?"
"Guys, really, I can take care of myself!" she exclaimed. "Don't fuss over me!"
"Well, at least eat lunch," said Draco, taking her arm. "Let's go."
The little group of friends, or in the boys' case, partial friends, left to lunch.
THERE Y'ALL ARE!!! How d'ya like it?? I love it!! I decided it needed to move ahead a little quicker, so there it is. NOW REVIEW!!!! For more info on that, see the author note at the beginning of this chapter. I won't be able to put the next chapter up for a couple of days, so you have time to review. So when I come back to my computer on Friday, you better have sent millions of reviews!!!!!!! Thanx!! See ya later!!!
The next morning, Draco awoke at 6:30 to start practice early. He turned to a tapping noise on his window; Demon was outside his window holding a very long parcel that looked oddly like-
"A Firebolt 6!" Draco gasped, unwrapping it, quite in shock. A letter fell out of the package. It read:
Son,
This is yours if she's pregnant by Christmas. Good luck this morning. Make Potter look like the fool he is.
L. M.
Draco didn't want to take the bribe from his father, but it was a Firebolt 6. Of course he had to take it.
He changed into his stunning Slytherin Quidditch uniform (A/N I'm drooling!!!), grabbed a quick breakfast, and ran out to the pitch, where his teammates admired his new broom. The game started in two hours.
* * * *
Hermione awoke at 7:15. She ambled out of her room to the common room. She decided to make sure Harry was gone. She knocked on his door. No answer. He had probably already left, but just to make sure, she opened the door.
There was Harry, slung across his bed, in deep sleep. Hermione rolled her eyes. Draco probably got up at six o'clock.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted as loud as she could.
"What?" he yawned. "Why do you have to wake me up so early?"
"It's 7:20, you idiot!" she scolded.
"Crap!" he exclaimed, jumping out of bed.
"Here!" said Hermione, tossing him his uniform.
She ran out so he could change. A minute later, he sprinted out the door.
* * * *
Hermione showered, put on her promised green underclothes, and met Ginny at breakfast.
After eating, they hurried to watch the scrimmage/practice before the game.
"Wait here," Hermione instructed. She ran to the field. Draco and Harry flew down, Harry shooting dirty looks at Draco, who had apparently gotten the same broom as Harry, which Harry did not like. At all. "Hey guys. Good luck to both of you."
"Good morning," smiled Draco. He was apparently in a good mood, unlike some people. Harry, namely.
"Can I talk to you, Draco?" asked Hermione. She led him away from Harry. "Listen, don't try to purposely behead him."
"I won't; I promise," he answered.
"Good."
"My fingers were crossed."
"You are an idiot," she said. "And where on Earth did you get that broom?"
"I stole it," he joked. After seeing the look on Hermione's face, he lied, "My mother."
"Well, good luck anyway," she said. "I am wearing green, but you can't see it."
"I'm absolutely positive that I think that I'm wearing red," he said, "but you can definitely not see it."
"You're acting weird," said Hermione. "Are you okay?"
"Pre-domination jitters," replied Draco, smirking. "No," he added quietly. "I am definitely not all right. I am trying to make myself feel better, because Potter is going to kick my ass, like always."
Hermione looked up the six-inch distance at Draco in awe. He was a good six feet. He was admitting Harry was better than him? "Wait," she said slowly. "Let me get this straight. You're being noble enough to admit that Harry is a better Seeker than you?"
"It's not nobility," said Draco. "It's the truth." He gave her a brief kiss on the lips and whispered, "I love you."
"I will love you forever," whispered Hermione right back. "Good luck. You're better than you think."
She turned and left to Harry, who had just witnessed their little kiss and was quite angry about it.
"Harry," she started. "I told him not to hurt you. He promised me he wouldn't."
"Yeah right."
"No, really. Just return the gesture. And he just told me that he knows you're going to win. Harry, he just admitted you're better than him."
"Well then that's someone under a Polyjuice Potion," said Harry.
"He did say it," said Hermione before giving Harry a quick kiss on the cheek, which did not settle well with Harry. He couldn't get the real thing. "Good luck. I'll watch your practice."
Hermione settled in the stands with Ginny at 8:00.
They watched the scrimmage. Gryffindor predictably won that, 190 to 30.
"They're the best they've ever been since Oliver left," said Ginny. It was quite true. Harry played Seeker, of course, Ron Keeper, Tom Farrow and Jack Crossby, both fifth years, were Beaters, and Dennis and Colin Creevey and Seamus Finnigan all showed a curious talent for Chasers. Sadly, the team didn't have any girls. Though the team was oddly shaped and had quite different players, they were miraculously awesome, probably due to Harry's excellent coaching skills (not to mention his ability to catch the Snitch).
The game finally started at nine after the beginning handshake.
"And they're off!" shouted Dean, the commentator since Lee Jordan left. "Colin Creevey takes the Quaffle. Passes to Finnigan, who passes to the other Creevey. Bloody hell, they're already up at the Slytherin hoops. No Slytherin defense at all. Creevey shoots! Slytherin Keeper Nott dives for it and misses! Gryffindor scores! It's ten to nothing, 20 seconds into the game!"
There were many Slytherin groans coupled with screams of delight from the Gryffindor supporters. Ginny was jumping up and down, cheering.
Harry and Draco, meanwhile, were circling the stadium in search of the Snitch. The following half an hour was quite painful for the Slytherins. It was true that they had no defense at all. They were being killed 140-0. When they got the Quaffle, they either dropped it, or it was saved by Ron.
Hermione felt sorry for Draco. He was the captain of the team, after all. His players made him look like an awful coach.
As Hermione was slouched in her seat, feeling Draco's pain very much, the Snitch landed on her head (A/N What a coincidence!! ;))
"Hermione, move!" screamed Ginny. "Don't let Malfoy get it!"
The whole stadium was watching Hermione, who couldn't move. Draco was definitely closer to her; Harry was on the other side of the pitch in the middle of a lap around the stadium. Draco was doing his laps, too, but was going in the opposite direction. As hr passed Hermione and gave her a quick smile, he saw the Snitch. He turned back around towards her.
"Hermione!" screamed Ginny more urgently. Harry had seen. He was flying over quickly, but now Draco had the same broom as him now. Speed wasn't a difference. The distance between the boys was now the only factor. And Draco was closer. In a nanosecond, Hermione made her decision. She closed her eyes, holding her breath.
She felt a WHOOSH! Of air by her ears and felt fingers scrape her hair.
"And, bloody hell!! Slytherin wins 150-140!" shouted Dean sadly, not believing it himself. "The famous Harry Potter loses for just the second time ever. And to Slytherin, which has never happened in his career. Bad luck. But try again next time. Well, that was his last game versus Slytherin, but maybe Ravenclaw!"
Hermione opened her eyes. Draco had won! She was in shock. She didn't want to see the expression on Harry's face, which was bound to be worse than the look Ginny was giving her.
"You should have moved," Ginny hissed.
"I was, er, too scared," stuttered Hermione. "And don't blame me." Hermione ran down the stairs to see the players.
She found Harry and Ron first. Both were cursing Draco to eternal damnation as Hermione snuck up on them.
"Good game, guys. You were really good." She fell silent at the look on Harry's face. Just as she imagined.
"Why don't you go to your friggin' boyfriend?" he snapped. "He'll have some thank-yous for you."
Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but Harry said, "Later," and dragged Ron off. Hermione started after them, but then thought better of it. She knew of Harry's temper and decided to talk to him later, as he said.
She turned to find Draco and saw that he was desperately trying to get out of Pansy's grip. She was hugging him so tightly that he probably couldn't breathe. Though Hermione knew Draco wouldn't look twice at Pansy, but she couldn't help but feel jealous. He finally escaped and looked around for Hermione.
She snuck up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"And you thought you were bad," she whispered.
Draco turned around. "Thanks," he said. "I'm still bad. You won the game for me."
Hermione shrugged. "Don't be so modest! You beat Harry Potter! That's damn hard to do. Act how the old Draco would have reacted. You've been stressed. This is reason to celebrate."
Draco shook his head. "He's pissed, right?"
"Bit of an understatement," she laughed.
"I'm sorry," said Draco. "I should have let him win."
"You're way more different than I thought," said Hermione. "What have you done with Draco? You deserved to win that game, and you know it. Harry needs to learn that he's not going to win everything."
"I guess," he shrugged. "But, you know, I just kind of ruined his record. I'd definitely be pissed if I were him."
"He is, for sure," assured Hermione. "This'll be a story to tell Devon."
"Who's Devon?" asked Draco curiously.
"Devon Shane," said Hermione. "Our boy."
"First of all, you're not pregnant. How do you know it'll be a boy?"
"I have my vibes," said Hermione. "My little Devon Shane."
"I didn't have a say in that name," protested Draco. "But I like it."
"I knew you would," smiled Hermione. Then she got serious. "Does Voldemort have a deadline for Devon's due date?"
"He might," lied Draco. "But it's whenever you want."
"It's not either whenever I want," said Hermione crossly. "Really. When?"
"You're supposed to be pregnant by Christmas at the latest," sighed Draco, though he didn't like pushing Hermione.
She bit her lip. "It's a bit soon, don't you think?"
"Voldemort said it was a bit late," said Draco. "But whenever you want. I'm serious."
"I appreciate the way you're not pushing me," thanked Hermione. "I'll have to think about it. You go take a shower."
Hermione gave him a quick Eskimo kiss and left to go to her room.
Draco sighed and headed to the showers. That Hermione was something.
* * * *
Well, that night, that Hermione and Harry were talking in their Head Dorm, thought Harry more reluctantly.
"You know how much this means to him, Harry?" Hermione asked. "Beating you? He thought it was impossible! And he did it! He has feelings, Harry. He said you deserved to win. He wasn't happy. He said he ruined your record!"
"He was just sucking up," said Harry. "I'm surprised he wasn't doing victory laps around the field."
"Don't you see, Harry," said Hermione. "The old Draco would have done that. But he's much better! Why can't you see that? You can win other games. This meant so much to him. He's been trying to beat you for four years. And, his fifth match, he did!"
"Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if he'd won on his own talent!" suggested Harry. "Using his own crappy skill!"
"Are you blaming me?" she asked.
"Yes!" he shouted. "Why the hell didn't you move? When you say the Snitch land on you?"
"I don't know," Hermione lied. "Maybe I thought that it was against the rules to interfere with the game or some rule like that."
"Don't give me that shit!" he yelled.
"Harry Potter, you are acting like an incredible moron!" she scolded.
"Don't Harry Potter me," said Harry dangerously. "Hermione Riddle."
Silence.
"You've changed as much as Draco has," she concluded coldly. "You're screwed up. Talk to me when you've got your priorities straight."
She stalked off to her bedroom.
"Hermione, wait!" called Harry. "Sorry! I know I'm screwed up. Would you please talk to me?"
She slammed the door in his face.
We never would have lasted as a married couple, she thought.
* * * *
By the following Saturday, Harry and Hermione had made up, with Hermione giving Harry a strict talk about controlling his temper. After Harry was on speaking terms with her, he talked to Dumbledore about moving into Gryffindor tower. Dumbledore had agreed.
The move was made that Saturday, November 7th.
"I am so glad to be out of Pansy's watch," said Draco, now in the Head Dorm with Hermione. "You have no idea."
"It must be as good as I'm feeling right now," said Hermione. "I can go nuts now and do anything and you won't care."
"Just how nuts?" asked Draco.
"Like run around in pajamas and sing at the top of my lungs and eat strawberries the whole day," she answered.
"You do that at home?" he asked.
"All the time," she returned. "Strawberries are my favorite food."
"Hermione," he started seriously.
"What?"
Draco kissed her. It was a needy kiss. He wanted something.
"What was that about?" she asked. And Hermione just suddenly understood. She looked at him meaningfully to show it.
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asked.
"As sure as I'll ever be," she said. "But you. you-"
"What?" he asked, touching her cheek.
"You and Pansy, you-" she started. She turned her face away.
Draco hadn't the heart to tell her that it wasn't even Pansy.
"I didn't and don't care for her now," assured Draco. "It was a dare. Believe me. I'd never lie to you." At least it was only a partial lie.
Hermione looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"Okay."
* * * *
The first week of December came, and Hermione was to be found in the library, her naturally favorite place. She ripped out the page she needed, making sure Madam Pince didn't see her.
Running to the Head Dorm, she ran into Harry.
"I might have to talk to you later," she said quickly. "Bye!"
She left a very confused Harry in her wake.
She practically jumped on Draco when she got back to the common room.
"What?" he asked.
"Just wait," said Hermione excitedly.
She closed her eyes and held out the ripped page. Thirty seconds later, she opened her eyes. "What color was it?"
"Er, blue." said Draco tentatively. "What?"
"Oh my god, Draco!" she cried, bringing her hands to her mouth. "I'm pregnant!" Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
Draco couldn't speak, but he could kiss Hermione like there was no tomorrow.
"I love you and now our baby more than you know," he finally whispered.
"And me more than that," replied Hermione. "Mr. Devon, you are so lucky to have the father that you have," she said, patting her stomach.
"Do you think you should go tell Dumbledore?" asked Draco.
"Let's go," said Hermione. "Oh, Merlin, then I have to go see Madam Pomfrey, and Harry and Ron, and you have to tell your mum, and then do you think that we should-"
"Nine months of this?" joked Draco.
"You brought it upon yourself, Draco Malfoy," she replied.
They were seated in Dumbledore's office five minutes later.
"What news?" asked Dumbledore.
"Well, Professor," started Hermione. "I'm pregnant."
"Congratulations, my dear!" exclaimed Dumbledore. "Did you go see Madam Pomfrey?"
"No. I'll be going," said Hermione. "Anything else you need me to do?"
"I'm just beginning war preparations," said Dumbledore. "You just get rest, eat plenty, and don't stress over homework. Draco, help her as much as you can."
"Yes, sir," replied Draco. "Shall I tell my father?"
"I was just going to say," said Dumbledore, "that you should wait until he asks. That's all then? Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!" they answered, leaving his office.
The next stop was the hospital wing.
"How can I help you?" asked Poppy Pomfrey.
"I was sent to see you," explained Hermione. "You see, I'm pregnant."
"Oh, my dear!" exclaimed the nurse. "On the bed!"
Twenty minutes later, Hermione had gone through quite a series of pregnancy spells. One reduced morning sickness, another mood swings, etc.
On the way out, Hermione said excitedly, "Now we go tell Harry and Ron!"
"Aren't you tired?" asked Draco. "Do you want to lie down?"
"Of course not!" she exclaimed. "Hurry! Let's go!"
A few minutes later, they had walked in on a furious chess match between Harry and Ron in Ron's room.
Though Harry wasn't still dead mad at Draco, there remained a silent enmity between them. Though, through forced conversation, they weren't nearly as bad as before.
"Hey, guys," said Hermione brightly. "Guess what?"
Harry looked warily at Draco and back down at the board.
"Checkmate," he said. He turned back to Hermione. "What?"
"How do you like the name Devon Shane?" she asked. "For my-"
Coughs from Draco.
"I mean, our boy."
"Congratulations!" exclaimed Harry. He came over to hug her, as did Ron.
Hermione gave the slightest, most inconspicuous nod towards Draco. Harry nodded.
"Congratulations to you too," said Harry, shaking Draco's hand.
Hermione burst out laughing. "You guys are so stupid! Stop trying to be mad at each other! Now we all have to be friends!"
"Mood swings a little early?" asked Ron wearily.
"Hermione, it's two o'clock and you didn't have lunch!" started Harry. "That baby has to be healthy, and maybe a nap after that?"
"Guys, really, I can take care of myself!" she exclaimed. "Don't fuss over me!"
"Well, at least eat lunch," said Draco, taking her arm. "Let's go."
The little group of friends, or in the boys' case, partial friends, left to lunch.
THERE Y'ALL ARE!!! How d'ya like it?? I love it!! I decided it needed to move ahead a little quicker, so there it is. NOW REVIEW!!!! For more info on that, see the author note at the beginning of this chapter. I won't be able to put the next chapter up for a couple of days, so you have time to review. So when I come back to my computer on Friday, you better have sent millions of reviews!!!!!!! Thanx!! See ya later!!!