I am SO SO SORRY for the wait. I'm really lazy and well…yeah my life has been tragically hectic lately but that's not really an excuse.

Enjoy!

-KaT

***

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING

The Prophesy of Forbidden Love

Chapter Nineteen

The Dark Mark

~

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. She whipped around and faced Draco. His sparkling blue eyes looked so hopeful and clear. He can't be serious...is he?

Minutes had passed. Draco put the ring back in his pocket, never breaking his gaze. His heart was dropping to the bottom of his stomach. This wasn't exactly the enthusiastic "Yes!" he had envisioned.

"...Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"What is your answer?"

"My answer is...delayed. How about we go to bed and think about this later tomorrow?"

Draco felt like his world was coming down around him. Hermione glanced at him from the mirror and twirled around to face him.

"Draco!! I didn't say NO, I'm...I just want to...think about it okay?" Hermione kissed his cheek and sat on the canopy bed, pulling a book from the bedside drawer. Draco turned to go.

"No Draco, I want you to stay with me tonight." Hermione said, not looking up from her book.

Draco watched her smile as she read. Then Hermione closed the book mumbled good-night and blew out the candle next to her.

"Lumos" Draco went to the bathroom and rinsed the gel from his hair. He stared long and hard into the mirror. All of a sudden the mirror spoke in a high peaky voice, "Ya know, a relationship never really does survive a rejected proposal."

"Shut up, she didn't reject me." Draco snapped. Why was he talking to a damn mirror anyway?

Draco slammed the bathroom door shut and pulled the bedcovers over his head, falling asleep with anger and a wounded ego.

Hermione turned over in her sleep and unknowingly slipped her arm over Draco's torso. Draco positioned his arm over her shoulder, stroking her hair.

***

The sun rose early, as did Draco. Kissing Hermione's sleeping head, he got dressed, had an early breakfast and walked through the manicured rose garden, towards the stables.

Hermione awoke with a start, not feeling the body warmth of Draco snuggling against her body. She rushed to the open window and saw a lone figure stalking to what seemed to be stables. Bugger, she really needed to talk to him.

So Hermione showered and got dressed, patting the bulge of her stomach. Two little ones...

'She got lost in the great manor a couple times, but managed to find her way downstairs for breakfast.  She ended up spending a lovely breakfast on the veranda with Draco's grandfather.

"So Hermione, when are you due?" The cloaked man asked.

Hermione swallowed a mouthful of eggs.

"Well sir, they are expected round Easter, but my Headmaster said that they could be earlier."

"They?"

"Oh yes sir, I'm having twins."

The cloaked figure snorted into his mug of tea. He slammed the mug down, sloshing some of the hot liquid onto the white tablecloth.

"Tw-twins?!" The man dabbed at his cloak, apparently trying to clean up the mess.

"Sir are you okay?" Hermione was concerned. It was obvious this man was  aged, and he was practically hacking a lung out.

"I'm fine. But tell me about Draco and your's twins." He settled back in the seat, obviously preparing for a long story.

"Well...it's part of that prophesy I was telling you about last night. My Headmaster told me if a chosen couple produces twins, then evil is banished from the world for a century. Draco and I are having a boy and a girl. We're both very excited." Hermione took a delicate sip of orange juice.

"Is this the Headmaster of Durmstrang?"

"Oh, Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster at Hogwarts, haven't you ever heard of him?" Hermione was incredulous. Who had not heard of Dumbledore?

"Ah...indeed. I know Dumbledore alright." Malice was apparent in the cloaked man's voice.

Before Hermione could question him, he stood up abruptly. "I'm afraid I need to meet with Lucius about some issues. Good day madamoiselle." The cloaked figure kissed Hermione's hand. And then he Disapparated from the hall.

Hermione rubbed her hand not realizing that it burned. She presumed eating and only did she notice the mark that Draco's grandfather had left on her hand.

It was the Dark Mark.

***

Hermione raced down the green lawns, glistening with morning dew. But all that abrupt exercise is not god for a woman in her third month. Hermione collapsed against an oak tree, clutching her swollen belly.

She didn't notice the shadow looming over her. Draco could only gape. Hermione was deathly pale and laying against the rough bark. As gently as he could, he hauled her up onto his horse all the while whispering in her ear, "It'll be fine Hermione, just wait."

~*~

Hermione opened her eyes, groaned loudly and shut them again. It was WAY too bright in her quarters.

Draco squeezed cold water from the rag in his hand and smoothed it over Hermione's forehead.

"...Draco?" Hermione lifter her hand, weakly searching for Draco.

"Right here, Hermione."

Hermione groaned in pain. Her hand burned and her head was pounding.

"Yes Draco." Hermione clasped his hand.

Draco leaned forward with bated breath. "Yes what Hermione?"

"I'll marry you."

Draco's feelings were indescribable. Joy, and then worry.

"Hermione, why were you running?" Draco's brow knit with worry.

"That charming man, your grandfather..." Hermione was drifting back into sleep.

"Hermione I don't-"

Hermione cut him off with, "He kissed my hand and...look at my right...hand..."

"Hermione, I don't have a grandfather. He died five years ago."

~

A/N: Well I'm terribly sorry about taking so long and leaving you all in suspense!! I'm awfully lazy and I apologize. But I also left you another cliffhanger so you're gonna have to wait!!

And could you please review?! I'm hoping to have at least 200 reviews by the time Eedee updates. (hint, hint)