This is Kat's chapter, but this is Eedee posting. Sorry about the wait. She has not had prolonged access to the internet, and I have had the busiest two weeks of my life, hopefully I'll be able to get Chapter 23 out soon, but who knows. Just read and enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione stepped into the Great hall and sighed contently. It was
wonderful to be home. As much as she loved Draco, the Malfoy Manor
would never feel remotely homely. Especially with Lucius lurking
about in the many corridors.


Hermione shivered with eerie chills. Draco breezed in beside her and
brought his arms around her, thinking the chill he had brought in
with him had made her shiver. Hermione leaned into Draco's side,
breathing in his comforting scent. Hermione closed her eyes as Draco
put his hand on her swelling belly and kissed the top of her head.


"Ah, how touching." A familiar voice sneered above them. Hermione
opened her eyes and glanced up at Harry, who was surrounded by at
least ten other Gryffindors. Draco rolled his eyes, but Hermione
grinned.


"Hullo Hermione, long time no see." Harry glared at Draco, who
merely raised an eyebrow. Hermione just looked awkwardly around her
and shrugged. "What can I say? I took a longer holiday than
expected." Hermione laughed trying to lighten the atmosphere.


"Well, would it bloody hurt to send an owl?!" Ron burst out angrily,
his left eye twitching. "Erm, yes. Well, I didn't have an owl to
send. But didn't you lot get my presents?" Hermione glanced
hopefully at Ginny, who only gazed stonily back at her.


"Didn't have an owl? Shouldn't Malfoy have a whole flock of owls,
waiting for something to send?" Draco interrupted, angry that they
were upsetting Hermione, whose brown eyes were filling up with
unshed tears. "First of all Weasley, my owls wouldn't even attempt
to deliver to filth like you." Lee Jordan and Seamus grabbed the
back of Fred and George's robes, holding them back. "And secondly,
Hermione and I were a little busy if you realize where I'm getting
at." Draco winked pompously and squeezed Hermione's shoulder.
Hermione poked Draco's side indignantly, knowing he was
intentionally trying to piss Harry and Ron off.


Apparently the holiday spirit didn't extend to Ginny, Dean, Seamus,
Lavender, Parvati, the Weasley twins, and Lee Jordan. Ron flew down
the stairs and tried to hit Draco. Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati
ushered a protesting Hermione away from all the violence. But
Hermione wrenched herself in front of Draco, just as Harry threw a
punch to Draco's abdomen.


But it was Hermione's stomach who recieved the punch.


Hermione let out a low moan as she crumpled to the floor. Blood
began to flow, as Harry gaped in horror.


The girls cried out and immediately started for the Hospital Wing to
inform Madam Pomfrey. Quickly assessing the situation, Draco picked
up a whimpering Hermione into his arms and headed for the infirmary
as quickly as his legs would carry him.


Harry stood staring disbelievingly at his fist. Professor Snape
sauntered up from the dungeons. "What have you done now Potter?"
Snape drawled lazily, thinking all he had to do was deduct points.


Harry said in an almost inaudible voice. "I believe Sir, that I've
just brought downfall to us all."


Ron and the rest who remained rapidly explained. Snape twirled
around and walked briskly in the direction of the Headmaster's
office, calling for Harry and Ron to follow him. Dean, Seamus, Fred,
George, and Lee Jordan trudged to McGonagall's office, hoping she
could explain what Harry meant.



***

Hermione had lost conciousness on the way to the Hospital Wing.
Draco's hands were bloody and it took all he had to keep her from
slipping from his hands. He laid her on the nearest cot as Hermione
groaned and whispered. "Draco, our children will be-" Hermione's
words were cut off as she convulsed in a paroxysm of pain.


The girls where huddled together crying, blocking Madame Pomfrey.
She quickly took the girls and Draco aside as Albus Dumbledore
entered the infirmary.


***

Harry stared down at his hands, while Ron paced in Dumbledore's
office. Snape had disappeared. Harry blinked and glanced at Ron
warily. "Do ya think we should head up there?" Harry said
monotonously. He had lost Sirius, he'd be damned if he lost
Hermione. He would never lose her, not now, not ever. Harry wanted-
no, needed to know if she was going to be alright. If his
godchildren were going to be alright.


Ron hadn't appeared to hear Harry. He was muttering to himself, "If
it weren't for me." He collapsed in a chair beside Harry. "If I
hadn't let him get to me, this never would've happened. If I just
hadn't let him get under my skin." He held his head in his hands.
Harry's head hung low. "No mate, it was my anger that got the best
of me. I was just so mad that he took her from us. Malfoy doesn't
deserve her, prophesy or no. Why did she dart in front of him? Does
she really love that bloody git?" Harry stopped, pondering his
earlier actions.


***


Hours later, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were given dreamless sleep
potions. Draco adamantly refused the concoction and sat at
Hermione's bedside.


Madam Pomfrey assured Draco that Hermione was fine, just a little
bruised, but she couldn't make any assumptions about the health of
their unborn children.


Though nobody dared to speak it aloud, everybody was thinking the
same: What if they weren't alright? Draco wouldn't allow himself to
think the worst.


He took Hermione's cold hand and pressed his lips against it.



"Mister Malfoy, a moment please." Draco looked up, where Headmaster
Dumbledore was standing in the doorway of Madam Pomfrey's office.


"Draco, it's possible that one of your children didn't make it. I
couldn't find two heartbeats." Draco stared at his hands,
dumbfounded, but wouldn't let his emotions shine through his mask.
Dumbledore cleared his throat.



"Draco you have a-" He was cut off by Neville Longbottom. He burst
through the door and gasped out, "The Dark Lord and Death Eaters
have come. They're trying to enter the Great Hall!" Neville
collapsed in a cold faint.