The Big Question

Several days went by after Draco's encounter with his parents. He felt kinda bad because of some of the things he said about, his love, Hermione; especially, the topic on the father of the baby. He couldn't even look her in the eyes, because he knew if he did, he would just start apologizing.

Later that day, while he was walking towards Advanced Potions, he got pulled into an old unused classroom.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked. She looked even more concerned now.

Draco looked at the ground and said "It's nothing."

"Look at me." She demanded

He couldn't look at her. He was too disgusted with himself. He had practically disowned her and their baby.

"Why won't you look at me? Did I do something wrong?" Hermione asked sorrowfully.

"No, no, no. Don't think like that love..."

"Then why won't you look at me? I must have done something wrong."

"You didn't do anything wrong. It's what I did; or better yet, said."

"What did you do; or say?"

"I umm... we can't talk about this here; how about our common room?"

"Umm... okay then. After dinner"

"Okay." He then gave her his genuine smile.

She knew that this must really be bugging him because he never kept anything from her. She kissed him and walked out of the door to their Potions class. Draco came in a few minutes later and took a seat next to Blaise.

After Class

The class was almost empty. The only occupants in the class were Hermione, Harry, Ron, Draco and Blaise. Everyone left the class as soon as the bell rung. They didn't like being in the dungeons, all except the Slytherin's, longer than they have to be. Exactly when they were heading for the door, Professor Snape called out. "Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, my desk now."

They looked at each other and walked towards his desk. When they got there he handed them a note and shooed them away. Hermione looked at Draco quizzically and opened the letter. It was from Dumbledore and it went as followed:

Dear Miss Granger

I am so sorry for the late admission but I would really like it if, you can come to my office tonight after Dinner. The head boy has gotten this letter as well, so don't worryboth of you will bethere. Both of your head of house will be there, as well. I expect you to be tardyas always because this meeting is very important.

Yours truly,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione stuffed the letter in her bag and was about to kiss Draco, but she remember that she and Draco were still standing in front of Snape's desk, so she walked off and looked back at him. He nodded and she left.

After Dinner

Hermione and Draco left Dinner a little early so they could walk the halls, slowly, to Dumbledore's office. They didn't want anyone to see them holding hands. So they left early to prevent prying eyes. When they finally arrived to the office, they dropped their hands, and went inside.

When theywent inside, they met Dumbledore talking in a kind of low whisper to Snape and McGonagall. They wondered what they were talking about, so they decided to make their arrival noticeable. Draco cleared his throat and everyone turned and looked at them. Dumbledore smiled while they other teachers just looked at them like they were from a foreign land. No one moved from their seat so Hermione and Draco took a seat on the newly appeared love seat.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked at them. He went in his cupboard and asked "Lemon Drops? Kisses?"

"Kisses?" Snape and McGonagall asked in unison

"Oh, why yes. They are quite good. I only offer them to the student though."

Hermione smiled. She was craving chocolate for the past few hours and she glad she have a taste. He looked at her and she nodded. He gave her the dish and said "Have as much as you want, it's never goes empty."

She smiled again and began on her first kiss. When the meeting started they were asking the heads about the graduation festivities. They filled them in, about all they had done; which just happens to be 3/4 complete.

After the duties were discussed Dumbledore asked a totally off topic question "So Miss Granger. How is the baby?"

Hermione choked on the chocolate she was eating, while Draco, Snape and McGonagall opened their eyes wide.

Hermione looked at Dumbledore and asked "What did you just say, Professor?"

He smiled and said "You heard exactly what I said Miss Granger. There is nothing to be ashamed of..." he didn't get to finish because Hermione broke down. Snape, a person who never saw Hermione cry before, looked like he just saw the most fascinating thing in his miserable life.

Hermione had her head in her hands crying, while Draco drew calming circles on her back. She looked up at him, smiled and said "Thanks."

"No problem."

Snape saw the exchange and looked shocked. This couldn't be happening. Out of the blue, Snape looked at Draco and said "My office, when this meeting is over."

Draco looked at his godfather and said "Sorry. I have plans."

Snape got mad and said "Did you not hear me? I said my office after the meeting."

"I heard you perfectly fine. And why do you want to see me?"

"I'll leave that for a discussion in my office."

He suddenly remembered his discussion with is dad and asked irately "What is it with everyone saying that they need to discuss things with me. Why can't you leave me alone?"

"You are my godson. I will do what I damn well please."

"You almost sound like my father..." he shake his head, trying to rid himself of the memory of his father, and continued "...you two really need to mind your own business."

Snape's voice rose and he continued "If you haven't noticed, you are my business."

"That is another thing I hate. I am not you or anyone's business. Everyone needs to mind their own fucking business once in a while." He said shouting back at his godfather. He then looked at Dumbledore who was watching with amazement and said "Sorry, sir."

Dumbledore nodded his head in approval. Draco turned back to his godfather and listened to the rest f bullshit that was about to come out of his mouth. But he was completely shocked by the change in his tone. "So that means you're the father?"

"What?"

"So that means you're the father, right? Do you ever think things throughbefore you did something stupid? If you haven't noticed you have put your life, Miss Granger's life and that baby's life in terrible danger." He said while raising his voice

McGonagall looked at him like he grew another head. Severus Snape being caring?

Snape continued "And what will your father do when he hears this?"

"Don't worry about my father. I've already took care of that?"

"How?"

"That's my business; not yours."

Dumbledore looked at Hermione, whose head was leaning on Draco's shoulder peacefully, and asked "Is what Mr. Malfoy said is true?"

Hermione raised her head off of Draco's shoulder and said "Actually sir, I haven't been listening to a thing that has been going on in this room, since I finished crying. What is it that was said?"

McGonagall looked at Hermione and said "Are you pregnant, Miss Granger?"

Hermione hesitated for a few minutes and opened her mouth. Before she said anything, she closed her mouth and nodded. McGonagall looked at Hermione and said "Hermione, talk to me."

Hermione looked in her eyes and began talking. "Minerva..." she said ask new tears flowed down her face "...I didn't mean for it to happen. But since it happened, I'm glad."

"You're glad?"

"Yes."

"How could you be glad? You're ruining your life."

"I would have thought, you out of all people, Minerva, would understand but I guess I was wrong."

"It's not the same thing..."

"Yes, it is. It's exactly the same thing, and you damn well know it."

Minerva took a deep breath and said in a low voice "I know it's the same but it was just too painful. What if he was like...?"

"He's not. He loves me."

Severus and Draco were looking at them quizzically.Draco then turned to Hermione and asked "Hon..." that sure got her attention. He looked at her and continued "...can you tell mewhat going on? I'm kind of lost."

She smiled at him and said "Don't worry about it. It's nothing but female things. There's nothing to worry about."

He smiled at his pregnant girlfriend and she smiled back. Everyone saw the exchange in the smiles and Minerva smiled. "I see what you mean."

Hermione beamed and looked at Severus. He looked at them and could never imagine a time when she saw his godson happier. He hesitated and then said "So there's no way, I could change your mind?"

"No."

"Well the only thing I could say is be careful."

Both of the heads beamed at their head of house and mentors and then looked at Dumbledore. He dismissed them. As they were closing the door, they heard someone whisper something to Dumbledore and he said "Don't worry about them. I will do everything in my power toprotect them."

Hermione told Draco that she was going to the Gryffindor common room to get something from Ginny. He nodded, kissed her and watched her walk her separate way.

Draco walked seemingly fast to the common room. When he arrived inside, hecollapsed on the sofa and began thinking out loud.

What will I tell her? What if she doesn't forgive me?

But his inner voice answered his questions for him. She'll forgive you. She loves you.

How do you know?

I know what she thinks. It's like she is apart of you

I hope your right. But what he didn't know was that he said the last sentence out loud.

"You hope I'm right about what?" Hermione asked while walking out of the doorway

"Oh. It's nothing. I was just thinking out loud."

She walked closer to him and noticed that he looked sweaty and nervous.

"Are you okay, Love?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Because you look sweaty and nervous. Not that I mind you being sweaty after that heated discussion in Dumbledore's office, but it's over. So, why the sweaty palms?"

"You seem kind of nervous as well."

"That's only because, seeing you sweaty and nervous makes me uneasy."

"I'm sorry, I just can't help it. I feel guilty."

Hermione looked confused and then horrified "What are you talking about...Did you cheat on me?"

"No, nothing like that. How could you think that?"

"It's just that I've only seen you this nervous when..."

"Exactly; my father."

"Did he send you another letter?"

"No. It's just that I feel guilty about what I said."

"Love, that a few days ago. I thought you forgot about it."

"I can't."

"What did you say exactly?"

Draco thought about what to say. He knew that Hermione was moody lately. He knew it was the pregnancy and that pregnant women are very emotional and sensitive. So how could he put this in terms of being gentle? This will crush her.

"Well..."

"Stop procrastinating." Hermione said while raising her voice

"Okay, love. No need to snap at me."

"Sorry"

"Okay, before I say what I said, you may not think that it's bad but I just want to know if you forgive me anyway."

Hermione let out a loud sigh and said "Of course, I'll forgive you; now say it."

"Okay, okay. First When I got there, he told me that Pansy told him..."

"What did she tell him?"

"I was just getting to that. She told him that we slept together." Draco took a long pause

"And..."

"I couldn't lie. I told him the truth."

"What did he do to you?"

"Nothing; actually. He just smirked."

"I thought that you would deny it."

"I thought about it but something that special in my life should be mentioned. And besides, he could see straight through me remember."

":Oh. was that all she told him?"

"No."

"What else."

"I'm getting to that now. Anyway, she told him about our relationship..."

Hermione gave Draco a nervous look and then asked "What did you say?"

"Hon, I had to lie. There was no other way. I had to protect the two of you so I said we did, but it only lasted for a week..."

"Draco stop. I don't think this was a good idea. I can't hear anymore."

"You know I would never intentionally hurt you; don't you?"

"Of course I know that. I thank you for what you said to him. I know that you probably had to call me mudblood and I understand. But just don't tell me no more. I don't think I could take it." She said while tears streamed down her face.

Draco couldn't stand to see the most beautiful woman in his life, cry. So he put his arm around her slouching shoulders and whispered comforting words in her ear. They were like "I love you. I would never hurt you, ever, please forgive me for anything I've done. I can't stand to see you cry. It just breaks my heart. I can't live without knowing that you forgive me."

She raised her head and looked in his eyes and said "Love, I do forgive you. It's just the thought of you saying that hurts me."

"I'm so sorry. I will never lie about our love even if it gets me killed. I will love you forever. You are the only one for me and I will never leave or hurt you."

While Draco was saying his comforting words, she couldn't help but love him even more. Draco, then rubbed his hands over he slightly plump belly.

"I love you and our baby with all my heart."

"I love you too; and I always will."

He leaned in and kissed her. The kiss became more intense but minutes after the intensity grew, Hermione pushed him off. She looked at him and said "Draco that reminds me, we haven't chosen a name yet."

"That's true. But can't we do that tomorrow? It's already 11:20."

"Oh come on. It won't take long. Please?"

Draco looked at her face and immediately gave in. "Okay. I'll be back then."

"Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back. I have to show you something."

Draco got up and disappeared in his room. He came back, a few minutes later, with a book. She looked curiously at the book in his hands and then asked "What's that?"

"A book." He said sarcastically, while smiling.

Hermione returned the smile and said "I know it's a book, but I've read almost every book you own and I've never seen that book before."

"I know. You were not suppose to see it; because I put a disillusionment charm on it..." he turned her in his arms, so herback was to his chest, wrapped his arms around her and continued "...here. I got it a few weeks ago."

Hermione looked at the book in the front of her and read the cover "1001 baby names for the new age wizard family." Hermione snuggled up closer in Draco's embrace and then asked "Draco, this book is old. Where did you buy this book?"

"Actually, I didn't buy it. Blaise gave it to me as soon as he found out that you were pregnant. His mother sent him the book a few years ago because she wanted him to be prepared if he ever got a girl pregnant."

Hermione laughed and said "That's sweet. Let's find a name."

"Okay."

They opened the book and immediately the book stopped to the letter D.

"Wow. Why did it stop?"

"Well, the book identifies the gender and the letter the parent's first name begins with. But in this case since it's a boy, the book went to my first name."

"Wow. That's amazing. What a smart book."

They looked through the book and again the book stopped at the name Devin.

"What do you think about Devin?"

"I like it, but let's look for another name, just for an option."

The book flipped the pages again and stopped at the name Dominic.

"I like Dominic. It's now up to you." Draco said

Hermione thought for a minute and then said "I pick Devin."

"Okay, but why not Dominic?"

"Because your name has 5 letter and so does Devin."

Draco smiled and said "that's one of the reasons I love you."

"I love you too."

They laid there in each others embrace for a while until Hermione decided to get up and put the book on the desk. Hermione got up and walked to the desk; not knowing Draco came behind her a few seconds later. When he finally got there, he turned her to face him and got on one knee. Her eyes grew wide, as tears swelled in them, and her mouth dropped open.

"Draco, what are you doing?"

"What I wanted to do for a while now. So be quiet so I could do this before I lose my nerve..." he took a deep breath and continued "...Hermione Elizabeth Granger, love of my life and mother of my child, I can't put this in better words than to say that I love you with all my heart. I can't imagine my life without you. Just the thought of waking up one day without you by my sidescares meto death. I know you love mejust as much as I love you and after all of the consequences that we have been through, we pulled through it together. So I would just like to ask you this, will you make me the happiest man alive, by becoming my wife?"

She watched as he took out a box from his pocket and opened it. She gasped loudly at its content. It was a 5 carat silver band ring with a diamond in the middle surrounded by 2 rubies and 2 emeralds, on each side. It was the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen. She stared in his eyes and saw the sincerity that she loved about him. Draco took the ring out of the box and held it between two fingers and waited for her answer.

He thought that she didn't want to marry himso he asked again just to be sure "So...will you marry me?"

"Are you sure you want to? I don't want you to do this because you feel obligated to do so in my condition."

"Of course, I'm sure. I love you and I know you feel the same."

She slipped her finger through the ring while he was still holding it and brought him off his knees. She embraced him in a tight hug and tiptoed until she reached his ears and whispered in them by saying "Yes"

Well there you have the 2 chapters I promised. Just to tell you. I just put that Dumbledore, Snape, and Minerva scene at the last minute off the top of my head (the After class scene, included).I just wanted to add something because the chapter was missing something in the gap between Potions and the Common Room scene.

I hope you like it. I HAVE 2 MORE CHAPTERS LEFT YAY! That includes the epilogue.

See you when I update again. And remember being OOC in this story is kind of a good thing, so don't worry about it much.