A/N: Aren't you all proud of me? I finally redid Chapter 17!! I'm sorry it took so long but I'll also be trying to update a NEW chapter this weekend. I haven't talk to Eedee in awhile so we'll see how that goes. I moved in July then I went to Chicago, so I'm so sorry for the delay!! I hope to finish this before June next year because I've planned on finishing this six months ago but now I'm busier than ever with high school and French. I might go on a trip to France this summer!!

NOTE: Hermione is around five months pregnant now...if not...uh I'll fix it later

Without further adieu, Chapter Seventeen

Chapter 17

Another Trip to Hogsmeade

The morning of the next Hogsmeade trip, Hermione woke up early. She bathed and pulled on some black sweatpants, the only garment that would fit her, and a roomy red shirt. With wet curls down her back, she peeked into Draco's room. Draco was tangled in his green silk sheets, his blonde hair tousled, a look of pure innocence.

Hermione smiled slightly, eased the door shut, slipped on her trainers and exited through the portrait.

Hermione made her way down to the Breakfast Hall, scooped some fruit and toast on her plate, and a tea of strong hot tea. Those were the basic things she could keep down these days. The morning sickness was supposed to be letting up Madame Pomfry had said, but apparently that wasn't the case. Harry had opened a Chocolate Frog two nights before, and Hermione had literally run from the room, nauseous at the thought of consuming her favorite candy.

Hermione concentrated on just swallowing when Ron sat next to her and started piling his plate with eggs, bacon, toast, and cereal, along with glasses of orange juice and milk, and a mug of tea.

"Good morning Ron. Why are you up so early?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Qutruch pwartise" Ron muffled around a mouthful of food. He swallowed audibly and repeated, "Quidditch practice. Harry and the rest of the team went back to bed. But I couldn't sleep, I was too hungry."

"Typical." Hermione laughed.

The two had a long pleasant meal together. As Ron got up, he asked. "Are you going to Hogsmeade today?"

Hermione stood up, her back aching and answered, "Yes, I'm supposed to pick out a dress for Christmas at- ." Hermione didn't finish her sentence, as she closed her eyes and stumbled. Ron caught her right before she fell to the floor, and she opened her eyes, dizzy.

"Hermione! Are you okay? What happened?" Ron helped her back onto the bench. Hermione held a hand to her forehead, waiting for her head to spin. "Don't worry about it Ron, it's been happening off and on for a couple days." Hermione stood up again and steadied herself against the table. "Let's go play chess in the common room shall we?"

But Ron shook his head firmly. "No Hermione, you're going to the Hospital Wing. This couldn't possibly be normal." So despite her protests, Ron took her to the Hospital Wing.

Madame Pomfrey wrote her off with a clean bill of health, despite Ron's accusations of 'softening us for the worst'.

"Really Miss Granger, you just need to drink more liquids. And try to get up more slowly, and have a snack with you. Your body is giving a blood supply to your babies, and carrying twins, I'm surprised you haven't come in sooner. Has this been happening for awhile?" Hermione smiled sheepishly. Hermione had always been the strong one, never ill, so it was hard for her to tell everyone how she was feeling, all the time.

Draco burst into the Hospital Wing, his hair still tousled and a pair of wrinkled trousers and a haphazardly buttoned shirt.

"What happened? What's wrong? Has anything happened?" For the first time, Hermione saw how anxious and worried he was. Nobody had ever seen Draco Malfoy this disheveled and genuinely concerned.

"Everything is fine Draco, I just felt a little dizzy." Hermione beckoned him over to the bed. Draco looked to Madame Pomfrey for assurance. When she nodded, Draco inquired again, "Are you sure you're okay? As soon as we get to the Manor, I'll send for a physician."

"Everything is fine Draco. The babies are fine, I'm fine, everything is just fine. How did you find out anyway?" Hermione slipped her hand into his and squeezed reassuringly.

"There were a couple of Ravenclaws in the Hall when you collapsed." Draco squeezed back gently without thinking, and pulled her close, his chin on top of her head.

"I didn't collapse Draco, I just stumbled a bit, that's all." Hermione poked him in the stomach.

"Either way, when we get home, there'll be the best of care waiting for you." Madame Pomfrey sniffed, miffed at the idea that she wasn't the best of care.

"Either way Draco, I'm perfectly healthy, so why don't we go into Hogsmeade today?" Hermione stood up slowly, taking Madame Pomfrey's words to heart. Both Ron and Draco helped her up. Ron kissed her cheek good-bye and nodded at Draco and took off.

"See you at Hogsmeade," Hermione called down the corridor.

Hermione and Draco went back to their quarters so Draco could get dressed, while Hermione rested. Her back had started to hurt, and although she had gained girth to her waist, she didn't expect it so soon.

Hermione dozed while Draco showered, and got ready. He stood at the sink, cleaning his teeth and thinking. Why had I been so worried? I mean they are my children, but I was more worried about Hermione. I don't possibly care for her this much do I? He spat, rinsed his mouth and went to the commons, where Hermione was sleeping, her damp curls spread about her.

Draco gently woke her and they worked their way through the crowds to Hogsmeade.

As it was the holiday season, Hogsmeade was decorated at its extravagant best. Elves and gnomes littered every corner, singing carols, or fairies flitting about, sprinkling couples with fairie dust.

Hermione made Draco stop for the fourth time to watch another slew of elves sing in a store display window. Winter was Hermione's favorite season. Having Christmas during it just made it better. Draco watched her scoop up snow, and toss it up, crystals catching the sunlight, and landing onto her hair, laughing. They had met up with Harry, Ron, and Ginny earlier when Hermione threw a snowball at the back of Ron's head.

Now Hermione was clutching Draco's arm, mouthing the words to "Silent Night". The wind was whipping her hair around, her cheeks and nose red, her gloves and boots caked in snow. It was that moment when Draco knew.

Draco tilted Hermione's head up with his gloved hands. He brought his face close to her, looking into her eyes.

"I love you Hermione." Draco murmured simply, only them in their own world, as he kissed her, snow falling all around them.

A/N: Ahhh sweet love, but will it last? Well you guys know the answer seeing as this is chapter 17 and we're on 22 now but still!! I think its better than the original. A little OOC I admit but its just so romantic!!

Till Chapter 23,

XIV