Draco awoke to the sound of a loud thump from somewhere beyond the realm of his dreams. He bolted up as he heard someone exclaim loudly: "Ouch!"

Looking around, he didn't see anyone at first and then he saw her. With a yawn, he stood up. "Er…Pansy, is there something you'd like to tell me? Like where my wife is?"

Pansy rubbed the foot that she had hit on the edge of the bed. "Oh Draco, I thought you were asleep!" Her face flushed as she jumped; he had really scared the pants off of her. "Ginny is having tea with Greg and Faye."

"Tea?" Draco repeated as he looked up at the clock. "WHAT? I've slept three quarters of the day away! Why didn't anyone wake me up?"

"Well I just did Draco… now come on, it's time to get ready!" She announced with a bright smile.

Still disoriented, he gave her a funny look. "Time to get ready for what?"

Pansy folded her arms. "Don't tell me you've forgotten already!" Her mouth fell open as Draco's blank look stayed. "The midwife is coming to examine Ginny today."

Draco felt like slapping himself… of course! The midwife's appointment had been all arranged by Narcissa and both he and Ginny were supposed to attend. "Right and that's why you're here?"

"Well…" Pansy's face reddened slightly. "Actually I was looking for a picture of Gilda Goyle and this was her room so..."

Draco furrowed his eyebrows. "Why would you want to see Gilda Goyle?"

"I just want to know what my mother-in-law looks like." Pansy answered coolly. "That's not a crime, is it?" She snapped irritably as she resumed her search.

"I didn't mean it as a criticism Pansy…I just couldn't understand why anyone would want to see her." He stood up off the bed and pulled on a fresh set of robes. "Gilda Matheson was not much of a looker and she didn't like pictures of herself being taken."

Pansy looked crestfallen. "It's so sad that she died; the way Goyle talks about her, I'm sure I would've liked her." She shrugged and walked to the door. "Do me a favor and don't tell Goyle about this… please?"

Draco gave her a comforting little smile. "I won't say a word but I'm sure Goyle could help you find a picture of his mother. All you would have to do is ask." At Pansy's uneasy look, he frowned. "Gregory Goyle loves you Pansy and he's not going to drop you if you want to know about him and his family."

"I know…I just don't want to mess anything up!" She said fervently as she looked down. "Our relationship failed once and it nearly killed me."

"It went down the drain because you lied." He answered calmly. "And I don't want to berate you for it, but lying doesn't make sense here. Goyle is very understanding… he wouldn't have friends like us if he wasn't."

Pansy huffed. "What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped. "He wouldn't have friends like us if he didn't understand?"

"Look at all of us Pansy…Ginny and I have the Dark Mark, Ginny was Tom's concubine in the Chamber of Secrets and we've all been lying to the whole world for months now. Everyone thinks Ginny and my marriage is an act of betrothal and that we still hate each other." He sighed heavily. "And you Pansy, your mother basically slandered you to the entire world by trying to marry you off to that slime-bucket Barty Crouch. None of us are saints… least of all me, and yet Goyle is my friend."

Pansy was silent for a moment. "You're right." She said with a heavy sigh. "He wouldn't have married me if he didn't give second and third chances…look at the things I've done to him."

Draco hadn't meant it like she was making it sound. "Love seems to triumph Pansy and Goyle does love you."

"I love him too." She answered automatically. "Anyway, it doesn't matter now." Pulling at the loose bodice of her robes, she avoided eye contact. "You should hurry up. Madame Trousseau does not like to be kept waiting."

"Alright, I'll be down in a moment." He said, showing Pansy the door in a mock gentlemanly fashion. As soon as she had left he grabbed his quill and scribbled a few words on a clean piece of parchment and whistled for his own again. "Bring this to Bartemius Crouch Sr. and don't leave without a reply, is that understood?"

The big black owl hooted its assent and zoomed out the window with the letter attached to its leg. When the bird was out of sight, Draco shut the window again and hurried down the stairs to where Ginny and Pansy were talking quietly.

Ginny sat up straighter as he came in. "Draco, you're finally awake! I thought I was going to meet Madame Trousseau by myself."

"I'd never do that to you Ginny! I don't know why I slept so late! I suppose it was all those runs to the kitchens at all hours that made me a little sleep deprived." He joked amicably and sat down next to her on the couch but he knew the real reason why he was so tired… and it had nothing to do with Ginny's late night cravings. "Good morning Pansy."

Pansy raised an eyebrow. "Don't you mean good afternoon?" The clock read that it was quarter past one.

"Have some tea, love." Ginny urged as she handed him a cup and a biscuit. "The midwife should be here at any moment."

As if on command there was a loud crash from the floo and a very large woman clamored over to them, out of breath. "Well hallo all, ya must be Ginny and Draco. I'm Kathleen O'Harris… well, me married name be Kathleen Trousseau but you call can just call me Kat."

Ginny was a little shocked by this woman… she had very long frizzy grey hair that reminded her way too much of Professor Trelawney and beady green that looked sunken into her head. "Well thank you Kat."

Draco moved to speak but 'Kat'—as she liked to be called—grabbed him and planted a large kiss on his cheek. "Oh you've gotten so big! Your mother sent me pictures but they just didn't do you any justice!" She turned to Pansy and smiled. "I keep personal tabs on all of the babies I deliver and there are many." In one move she pulled out a pair of spectacles… they were normal except that they had no lenses. "You're very fertile my dear… I expect a child by the next blood moon."

Pansy said nothing but her face drained of color. "Excuse me, I believe Faye needs me." She hurried from the room, shutting the door behind her.

Draco wiped his cheek. "Please Kat; let us get on with this."

"Pushy, pushy… you were eager to come outta your mom too." She smiled brightly and sat down beside Ginny. "Oh I sense boys in you dear, you're carrying quite high."

"You can tell that without a test?" Ginny asked quickly. "I thought Madame Pomfrey told me there was a test."

Kat winked. "Aye, I've been delivering babies since I was 14 years old; I ought to know the signs. That's not to say I haven't been wrong before, because that would be a lie! But experience tells me that you've got boys in there." As suddenly as she had sat, she stood up. "Now let me have a good look at you."

Draco stepped back as the woman began circling Ginny and taking some notes down on a tattered handkerchief. "Pardon me Madame T—"

She cut him off almost immediately. "It's Kat, child! Now don't speak, I'm almost done."

Ginny gave Draco a look that said 'Let's just hear her out' and then turned back to the woman. She had never met a midwife before… maybe this was what was SUPPOSED to happen.

"All done then…you best be careful, your babies will come early, I think the date will be somewhere around September 10th." She explained. "And of course they'll survive." She squaled again and Ginny jumped a foot. "Ooh I made a mistake! I'm thinking a boy and a girl… you're carrying up high but you've put on a lot of weight lower in your belly, which is normal with twins." Kat nodded again and handed her a piece of paper. "I want you to practice these breathing exercises every day… don't worry, they're self explanatory. Your hubby can help you too!"

"Thank you." Ginny said softly as she took the paper. The directions were nothing short of insane…they wanted to 'hee hee' and 'ho ho' breathe? She wasn't all too upset when the woman threw some belongings into her large bag and flooed away.

Draco's eyes widened. "Are you sure you want her to deliver our babies?"

"I don't think we have a choice." Ginny said, biting her lip. "She seemed very nice and if she has delivered as many babies as she said, she must be excellent at what she does."

Pansy peeked back into the room. "Is she gone?"

"Yes, you just missed her..." Draco said with a little smirk. "How is Faye?"

"She's been napping for hours…that woman just rubbed me the wrong way." She answered, moving back towards Ginny. "She's the best at what she does but I'd rather take inexperience any day of the week."

Ginny snorted. "Not when you have to give birth to two babies at the same time. I can handle a little craziness if she makes this easier on me…I've got enough to worry about." She turned to Pansy. "And what was this about the blood moon? A child by the next blood moon?"

Pansy sighed heavily. "She must be crazy Ginny! The next blood moon is in two weeks!"

Draco folded his arms. "Don't dwell on it Pansy…" He looked toward the window to see that his owl was flying toward the manor at breakneck speed. "Well I'll leave you two ladies to discuss whatever ladies talk about…"

"Where are you going?" Ginny asked. "I haven't seen you at all these past few days!"

"I know and I'm sorry… but I've been busy with trying to help my father and the Aurors take the Dark Lord down. We're very close Gin and with that new information on your brother it's even closer." He leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. "I love you and I'll see you later." He quickly removed himself from the room before Ginny had a chance to respond.

Draco hated that he had to keep her in the dark about this… but it was too much. Even if she were not pregnant it would be too much stress on her. With one quick movement he threw the window open to welcome his owl back in. "I hope this is good news…"

Tearing open the letter, he read aloud eagerly.

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

I am very flattered that you have joined us in our noble crusade; Lord Voldemort has had high hopes for you, especially after how well his plans were carried out. It is only a very powerful and influential wizard, such as you, who could scare Cornelius Fudge out of office. He was promptly murdered, an added bonus I must add, and we have placed our loyal sister, Dolores Umbridge, into the position.

I am most please that you are also helping us in regards to Pansy Goyle… brother Parkinson is very eager to have his daughters returned to him most haste. You may now initiate phase 2 of this plan.

We look forward to hearing from you,

Bartemius Crouch Sr.

Immediately, Draco muttered 'incendio' and the paper burst into flames. No traces of this could ever be found or Ginny would never forgive him. He swept the ashes into the fireplace and did a quick cleaning spell on the floor and his hands. The clock in the hall told him that it was now time for high tea… and he was famished.

Yes, a nice cup of tea and a sandwich would do just fine. As he stepped from the room he failed to notice a very important detail. A very irate Gregory Goyle was watching from the door of the closet… gripped in his right hand was a photo of his mother and, in the other, his wand.

"Colloportus!" Goyle yelled. "Stupefy! Levicorpus!"

Draco was momentarily stunned as he flew high above where Goyle stood. "What are you doing?" He demanded.

"What am I doing? I was just going to ask you the same thing?" Goyle snapped. "You'd betray your wife and mine like that? Barty Crouch still wants to get his hands on her and you're willing to hand her over to his father and hers!"

"Goyle, this isn't what it looks like." Draco spluttered. He felt like a caged animal and it was not a good feeling. "I can explain!"

Goyle held onto his wand so tightly that his knuckles started to turn white. "You better start talking or I'm going to start hexing…" he spat caustically.

Draco sighed heavily. "I can't tell you… you just have to trust that I'd never hurt Ginny like that. Nor would I do anything to hurt Pansy!"

"How do I believe you when you obviously have been carrying out plans for Bartemius Crouch?" He screamed. "Plans that have gotten Cornelius Fudge killed!"

"Shh!" Draco urged. "I don't want anyone else to hear us… it's really important that Ginny not know about this. It could seriously harm her and the babies; if this plan doesn't work, we're goners anyway. I'm only able to tell you that I'm working for the Order and that everything I do is highly secret."

Goyle relaxed almost immediately. "Why didn't you just SAY that you were working for the order?" He said quietly as he murmured 'Finite Incantem'.

Draco crashed down, landing inches away from the bed. "Ow, thanks Goyle… now I'm going to have a bruise!"

"It serves you right for lying to me." He said apathetically. "Now I suggest you go spend some time with your wife before she becomes even more suspicious than she already is. I've got to show this picture of my mother to Pansy." He bent over and picked up the photograph on the floor. The woman in the picture was very small and round with a cherub face and glossy reddish brown hair that was whipping with each gust of wind that swirled in the picture.

"I will…" Draco said as he rubbed his head where he had bumped it. After Goyle had left he sat down on the edge of the bed.

Goyle would never forgive him either.

I am very sorry this update took so long! It has been crazy with my new baby and trying to keep everything in order. There have been many requests about me so here goes:

My name is Marina Black and I am 26 years old. I live in Germany, in a small town called Achim that is near to the famous town of Bremen. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince does not come out here TRANSLATED until October 1st 2005… I am not good enough in English to read it in English, I think. I appreciate that no one has put spoilers into their reviews, danke!

I have a new baby boy who is 2 months old, he was born on May 30th. His name is Parker Josef and he is a very good boy if I do say so myself. For my job, I am a nurse midwife, I deliver babies… so this chapter shows a little bit of that knowledge here I suppose.

I just want to thank each and every one of you for your support and keep reviewing, it motivates me to write more!

Thank you for reading my story!

Marina