Hello everyone! Thanks for the reviews…most of them have been the same. As for Hermione's baby being Blaise's…You'll just have to see how the story turns out. Sorry for being so unbearably evil. :)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Draco held her hand and led her down the corridor to their dormitory. Hermione was feeling a bit faint; the conversation had worn her down. She allowed Draco to lead her inside the dormitory and to the foot of the steps where he unsuspectingly picked her up and she gave a gasp of surprise. "You shouldn't be climbing the stairs." He said in a sort of muffled way.

He laid her down gently on the bed and made sure the covers were secure around her. "You have my undivided attention." He said sitting down at her bedside. Hermione smiled, she was elated that everything was going so well. Then a thought clouded her mind and she looked at Draco with a worried expression. "What's wrong?" He asked timidly.

"Before we go Malfoy Mansion, I'm going to have to tell Harry…and Ron. I haven't seen Ron for the longest time…after he saw us like that and all. I just don't know what to tell them…" she said helplessly.

"Don't worry about that. I'll tell them to come see you tonight after dinner, that'll give you enough time to tell them whatever you want to. But for now, you must rest." She smiled weakly and he started for the door.

"Where are you going?" She asked him, she hadexpected him to lie down with her. "I've got classes!" He said good naturedly and gave her a peck on the lips before she heard the thud of his feet on the steps and the creaking noise of the dormitory door.

She was quite unused to just lying idle in bed. She imagined the bustle of Hogwarts everyday activities as she stared at the clock; she felt slightly guilty for missing her classes. After all she didn't feel particularly unwell.

She lay there for an hour and a half, then finally sleep over took her.

She was sitting down in a darkened clearing with her back against the bark of a tree. Her face was glistening with sweat and the twiggy undergrowth poked at her. She was in pain and she saw the leering faces of people around her; men. She couldn't make out their faces, it was just the pain, it was too horrible.

Someone was holding her hands really tightly and she felt the strangest sensation come over her-

Hermione awoke with a start. She sat up frantically in bed pushing off the hot sheets and flung her legs over the side. She sat there looking at her hands and saw that she was in her room, not in a dank forest.

Since she could no longer sleep she stood up and looked for her wand. She found it where she had left it; on the dresser. She picked it up and waved it with a poking motion; instantly a large duffel bag appeared. She opened her oaken chest and started packing her clothes neatly inside.

After an hour or so when she had packed all but a few clothes and left out the toiletries, she left her half packed things in a corner and decided to shower; for it was almost evening. Harry and Ron would be coming soon to see her. When she got out of the shower she saw that a tray of steaming aromatic food had been left on the desk; probably the work of a house-elf.

She dabbed on a little make-up so as not to look sickly then quickly ate the food that had been brought for her. She straightened up her room, then grabbed her battered copy of Othello and took it downstairs; where she curled up in front of her favorite couch in front of the fire.

She heard their voices before she saw them, then the door opened. Draco led her two best friends inside, where they entered with a slightly indignant expression; having been led in by their arch-nemesis at school.

Harry's face instantly brightened up at seeing her there, but Ron sort of hung back reclusively with no expression on his face. She stood up and gave Harry a hug while Ron tried to causally hang back. She didn't really make a move to embrace him.

They all sat down about the fire while Harry talked of his latest quidditch practice which he and Draco soon took up; leading to a small brawl which Hermione patched up. Ron said nothing. Hermione could bear it no longer, he was one of her best friends, and this icy reserve which he had maintained was killing her.

"Ron, I haven't seen you for the longest time, where have you been?" She asked trying to start a conversation. "Around." Was his blank response. After a half an hour, Hermione tried to broach the subject of her pregnancy.

"Well I actually wanted to tell you two something." She said looking at them both. "I'm going to have a baby-I'm pregnant." There it was all out in the open. She gave a sigh of relief. No one said anything for a few moments then Harry spoke up: "That's great Hermione! I'm so happy for you!" He got up and gave her a hug. He muttered a "congratulations" to Draco. Ron seemed furious for a split second, his face turning a puce color, but then his face regained its blankness once more.

"Well..." Harry said. "I have some homework for Flitwick to finish up. I'll see you all later." He got up and so did Ron, and they left; Ron not once looking back.

Hermione sighed hopelessly. At least they hadn't gotten angry. It was certainly awkward however. She went up with Draco to sleep.

Three Days Later

Hermione awoke early and got carefully out of the bed so as not wake the sleeping Draco beside her. She showered and got ready in respectable clothes so as to make a good impression upon Draco's mother, and dabbed on a little makeup. There were butterflies doing dances in her stomach; she was so nervous. After she had packed up; she woke Draco, who was surprised to see her dressed already.

He showered and dressed while Hermione waited patiently for him on the couch downstairs. He hoisted her belongings downstairs. "Oy what have you got in here!" He joked, carrying the suitcase as if it weighed as much as a mere purse with his muscular arms.

They walked down together to the great hall, and since no one was really awake on this Saturday morn as early as they were, the great hall was mostly empty except for a few early risers. She sat and munched on a bit of toast while Draco urged her to eat more.

Since she refused, they both walked outside in the watery sunlight to Hogsmeade Station. Dumbledore had asked the Hogwarts Express conductor to bring the scarlet train to the station for them to drop them off to Malfoy Mansion.

The conductor took her bag and Draco and Hermione boarded the train. They opened up a compartment and Hermione sat by the window looking disconsolately outside, watching the trees and countryside race by her. The pleasant jolting of the train soon caused her eyes to droop and for her to sleep.

She was met with pain as she looked about her. Sweat was running down her head and clouding her eyes. She felt the rough bark of the tree and felt a strange sensation around her lower body. She saw the leering faces once more but could not make out who they belonged to. There was the strong grip on her hands-

She suddenly awoke as the train halted to a stop. Draco was gently shaking her shoulder to wake her. She stood up in a daze and recollected herself. They were here.

They stepped off the train and the sunlight hit her eyes causing her to squint. Draco led her by the arm carrying her bag and suddenly Draco was pummeled by a small woman with bright blond hair. "Mother!" He cried happily as he hugged her.

The woman let go of her son and then turned to look at Hermione. She did not possess that expression from the World Cup, but her face had a cheery look to it. At once Hermione felt comforted. "Welcome home!" She said and gave Hermione's arm a gently squeeze. Her face had a genial expression, and she led them to a bench at the noisy station.

"I've got my portkey here somewhere…" She said rummaging through her lizard skin handbag. She pulled out a ring with a giant opal and said "Aha!" Hermione was totally surprised because she expected Narcissa Malfoy to be a somber woman. Perhaps that was only when her infidel husband was around.

They all touched the ring, and Hermione felt that nauseating lurching feeling. The world was swimming around her, and then they evolved in front of a large handsome wooden door with serpent's heads as knockers.

Mrs. Malfoypulled on them and the heavy door opened. Hermione was led into an extravagant hall with a plush green embroidered rug, large crystal chandelier, and polished staircases leadingin every direction. Hermione sucked in a breath as she was led to her living quarters and she lots of wonderful tastefully decorated things.

Mrs. Malfoy opened a large door and Hermione was led into a large spacious room with cucumber agreen carpet and walls which gave it a cool relaxing look. There was an enormous bed covered with darling matching bed clothes and an assortment of frilly pillows. There was a large heavily curtained window which was actually a French door that opened out onto a balcony overlooking the acres of land that the Malfoy's owned.

The room had all sorts of things to look at and be entertained by, such as a glass cabinet with gold filigree which held a collection of tiny crystal ornaments. There was a shelf of the classics Hermione loved; there was a little sitting area with comfy couches and a personal fireplace. There was a door that led the bathroom, as fantastic as the room. It was her own suite.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Malfoy! It's lovely!" She exclaimed. She at once went over to the bookshelf and fingered the spines of her favorite volumes. The carpet was plush under her feet, they sunk down and were engulfed in its comfort.

"Your welcome sweet heart. Draco gave me instructions on what you liked and required. It's just something I put together in a matter of days." She smiled. "I'm going to go prepare some lunch." She left the room. "So you like it huh?" Draco said coming up from behind and her wrapping his arms around her.

"I love it." She said turning around and giving him a teasing kiss. Draco's want for her emerged to the surface once more as he held onto her lips with his and led her to the bed. He pushed her down and started unbuttoning her blouse when Hermione stopped him. "Draco what will your mother think if she comes in!" She laughed and pushed him away, and he made excuses saying she would make nothing of it. She hastily buttoned up her blouse and inspected herself in the mirror.

"Come I want to show you something." He led her by the hand down countless stairs and inside an old fashioned elevator with a silver grille. When the door opened he led her down a corridor to a closed door. He turned the handle and had Hermione close her eyes. When she opened them she saw shelves and shelves of books stretching on infinitely in every direction, the books' embossed titles gleaming in the light. She gave an exclamation of joy and ran to them inspecting their titles. She saw the ladder attached to the bookshelf; which would slide and take her to any book she desired. "Come on!" Draco said and he helped her stand on a rung of the ladder. Then he stood on the rung below and pressed himself lightly against her; Hermione could feel his want for her.

The ladder slid sideways and Hermione laughed and laughed as she sped by countless books as Draco had the ladder go at accelerating speeds. Finally they stopped and Hermione got off the ladder dizzily still laughing. He had taken her to the very end of the library, and she saw that it was indeed a long way that they had come. She could not even see the door. The shelves at where they were standing were arranged in a circular style.

She went to a shelf and picked off a book. "Hey look its Hogwarts: A History! I've read this so many times!" She exclaimed happy at seeing a familiar friend. "Excellent, now I'm gonna f you on it." He said huskily and grabbed her. Hermione laughed and the book dropped from her hands as Draco kissed her hungrily. "I won't be with you tonight so lets make up for it now," he said as he ripped of her clothes not bothering to conceal his desire upon his face. She was against a bookshelf half undressed as Draco struggled with the rest of her clothes while she pulled off his.

She pulled off his pants and slapped his member roughly as if to see how much he wanted her. This evoked even more lust in Draco as she lay teasing kisses upon him and slid from underneath him. She ran laughing to another bookshelf looking sexy; and Draco caught her and trapped her beneath him. He held her hands while she pretended to struggle and try to run away from beneath him. He pressed himself against her and was groaning as if in pain and he bit at her neck while touching her. Then he entered her and Hermione moaned as a familiar and ecstatic sensation filled her once more. She moved to his rhythm, his music. Finally they had slid to the floor and their little alcove was steamy. They lay panting besides each other, and Hermione realized how much she was going to miss Draco when he left.

She hastily dressed herself and he did the same and they rode the ladder back to the entrance of the library. They went down to the kitchen where there was a table arrayed with cucumber sandwiches, jam sandwiches, tarts, biscuits, and other delightful things. They had a cheerful lunch and Narcissa made no comment upon their disheveled appearances.

Finally after a tour of the house which took practically the rest of the day because the mansion was indeed enormous, it was time for Draco to leave. Hermione felt a lump starting to form in her throat and she dismissed it feeling childish for feeling the way she did. She kissed Draco good bye, and he left for the station.

She just stood around not knowing quite what do now that he was gone. Narcissa smiled at her forlornness and said: "I knew you would get bored, so I decided we'd do a bit of shopping you know, for yourself and the baby." Hermione smiled at the thoughtfulness of the woman and ran upstairs to her room to collect a light jacket and her purse.

They embarked on their journey to the shops in a horse drawn carriage which trundled up the cobblestone street. They stopped at various stores, and Hermione discovered they both had the same taste. They picked lots of neutral clothes for the baby since they didn't know if it was going to be a boy or a girl. Of course Narcissa refused to let her pay for a single thing, and payed for everything.

Hermione enjoyed the days as they went by, picking books to read from the library and having strolls with Narcissa outside. It was a great break. She enjoyed her comfortable room, and made up for sleepless nights. It was not at all how she thought it would have been; dismal.

She awoke a week later in her comfortable bed, got showered and dressed and went down to breakfast. Narcissa wasn't as cheery as usual, but her face held a gaunt expression. Hermione inquired as to what was wrong, and she replied: "Mr. Malfoy will be coming tonight. He gave me an unexpected call." He eyes held worry.

Hermione felt her features tighten, and herstomach to give an unpleasant turn. Lucius Malfoy…the disgusting man who had tried to rape her at Hogwarts. What will she do? "Is there anything I should do?" She asked Narcissa. "There's nothing sweetheart. He knows you're here. I wasn't expecting him back so soon." They finished their breakfast in silence. Then Hermione decided to go to the library and told Narcissa of her intentions. She merely nodded in a offhand way, and Hermione walked to the library.

She felt uneasy. She felt as if she was being watched. She turned around countless times because she felt someone's presence behind her. She cautiously went into the library, her heart beating at a fast pace. She picked a book and sat down to read. Suddenly a filthy rag was put on her mouth covering her mouth and nose. Hermione flailed her arms desperately but it wasto no avail. Before she felt herself losing consciousness she saw a dark haired figure before her who took out a coil of rope.