Authors note: Hey! I told ya I'd update as soon as I could! But give it about a week for the next one; my high school teachers give tons of homework! And yes to my reviewers, I am indeed a girl, just for your info! No matter how much this might seem like a HG/RW fic right now, it is not! Ewww…sry peeps that's just gross, never expect one of those from me. :P Thankx! Jellybeanz :)

Chapter 3- new arrivals

Draco simply stared at Hermione open mouthed for a moment before speaking. He was in complete and total shock, he had seen her stand up for herself and for her friends, but never in a manner so…so...Un-Granger like. And the worst part was that he loved every minute of it.

'God Granger, don't get your knickers in a twist...' He smirked at her as she sat herself down, fuming.

'Fine, then.' Hermione said, taking several calming breaths. 'So, are you going to help me or not, because I want to get started right away.'

Malfoy thought for a moment.' Okay Granger.'

'Alright then, 'Hermione replied, pulling some parchment and a quill out of her bag.

She got up and went over to the center table, and Malfoy joined her.

' Listen, 'she said, dipping her quill in ink. 'I know you don't like me, and I don't like you, but seeing as we have to work together, let's establish some sort of a truce, to at least be civil to each other for the week. Okay? After that, we can go back to normal. Agreed?'

'Fine, 'Malfoy said reluctantly folding his arms across his chest, and looking grumpy.

'Prat...' he said, disguising his remark as a large sneeze when she looked up

Hermione ignored this childish behavior and they set to work. Well, Hermione set to work. Malfoy sat there, playing with random items, like Hermione's inkwell, until it fell over; spilling all over the plans Hermione had been poring over, resulting in her getting very mad.

Over the next few hours, there was no sound coming from the Head's common room, except the faint scratching of Hermione's quill tip, until two ecstatic looking boys burst through the portrait, startling the two.

'Mione! Guess what!' Harry exclaimed, brandishing a scroll of parchment in his hand, Ron and Luna close behind him.

'What is it?' Hermione asked, in no mood for any kind of guessing game.

'Tonks had the baby! I've just got this from Lupin, here...' He shoved the paper into her hand, and she opened it and scanned the page.

'That's great!' Hermione said, genuinely happy. 'It's a boy too...Evander...That's a really nice name.'

'I've already had a word with Professor Dumbledore; he says we can go for a quick visit later, after dinner. He's given us special permission.' Harry babbled, sitting down at opposite Malfoy, who was again, unusually silent. Hermione eyed him suspiciously. She caught him staring at her, and he quickly adverted his stormy eyes. He never missed a chance to insult Harry or Ron, and there were no teachers anywhere in the vicinity. But the atmosphere was too happy right now, for it to be ruined by Malfoy, so Hermione laid down her quill, and shoved her plans into her bag. They would work on it tomorrow.

After dinner, Hermione met her friends in the lobby, just outside the Great Hall. They all finally had passed their apparition tests, so they were allowed to apparate to St.Mungo's. They trekked down the slippery slope and through the gates, stepping out of the Hogwarts grounds. With four loud pops, they all disappeared, and reappeared just as suddenly, inside the noisy wizarding hospital. They squeezed through the crowd and up to the front counter where the blonde receptionist sat, running a strand of hair through her hair, and flipping through a magazine.

'Uh...hi.' Harry said, attempting to get her attention.

She took her time looking up and she slowly closed her magazine. 'What?'

'We're her to see Ton- uh I mean Nymphadora Lupin. She checked in yesterday, I think.'

'Ya, I remember her.' The receptionist witch answered, blowing a large pink bubble in his face. 'Pink hair, right?'

'Yes, do you know what room she's in?' Harry said, somewhat impatiently.

'Just down the hall, fifth floor on your right.' She was eyeing Harry rather hopefully. He noticed this, and quickly took Luna's hand. The witch's face fell and her eyes narrowed. She snatched up her magazine again and she disappeared behind it, but Luna piped up.

'Ohhhh, you're reading the Quibbler!' she exclaimed excitedly.

'Yeah? So?' She answered relatively coldly.

'My fathers the editor. Did you read the article about 'Sneezing snoodle dragons' yet? On page eighty-two? I helped write it you know.'

'Ya, I did. You wrote that? It was awesome!' she brightened up a considerable amount, and they began to chatter animatedly. Harry smiled fondly at Luna, and she motioned for them to go on. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, much to the witch's dismay, and joined his other two friends, and they started down the hallway.

'Here it is!' Ron said, stopping abruptly, causing Harry and Hermione to collide into one and other.

'Great,' Hermione mumbled. She picked herself up off the stone floor, and helped the raven haired boy up. He straightened his robes, and repaired his shattered glasses.

'Sorry about that,' Ron said, grinning sheepishly at his bruised friends. They attempted to glare teasingly at him, but broke out into a fit of giggles instead. Once they had discovered some self-control, the approached the room. Hermione quietly knocked and Lupin opened the door. His hair was tousled and he looked like he hadn't slept in a few days, but the smile across his face couldn't have brighter.

'Ah, Harry, Hermione, Ron it' you! I was wondering if you were going to stop by,' He stood aside to let them pass into the room. It was very cheerfully decorated, with sunshine yellow walls, and more balloons floating around the ceiling than they could count. Tonks was sitting propped up in a bed in the center of the room, and she met them with a smile.

'Hey guys.' She said quietly, pointing to the peaceful bundle of blue blankets in her arms. She placed the sleeping baby in Harry's arms, just as Luna came into the room. They caught each others gaze and they smiled as she came over to him.

'He's gorgeous,' she whispered peering into the blankets. Hermione and Ron exchanged glances, and they to, went to meet the new arrival. Harry carefully held out his arms, and Hermione took the baby boy in hers.

'Hello, Evander,' she murmured, brushing a stray piece of brown hair away from his eyes. He was beginning to stir as Hermione passed him over to Ron, who looked frightened, afraid he was going to drop him. Hermione went to him, and showed him how to hold the tiny boy properly. Their eyes met for one brief moment, until Hermione adverted her chocolate eyes. Ron handed the fussing infant over to Lupin, and he calmed at once. Hermione sat down beside Tonks, and Harry and Ron joined her on the opposite side of the bed.

'I hope he's a Gryffindor,' Tonks said, randomly, a smile playing at the corner of her lips.

They all agreed simultaneously.

'So, Evander.Thats' a beautiful name. Why'd you name him that?' Hermione inquired curiously.

'Well, Dora and I decided we wanted to name him something original. Not a name you hear everyday you see.' Lupin said. 'We had a hard time settling at first but in the end, 'Evander' was still our favorite. In Greek it means 'good man.' I hope it's fitting when he's older.' Lupin smiled as the baby in his hold yawned hugely.

The four teens took this as their cue to go. After another round of congratulations and hugs, they departed, and headed back to the castle grounds, just in time for dinner.

End notes: Hey! I got the name Evander from Marmalade fevers 'sold' story, it's borrowed. I read it and I fell in love with it. Until next chapter! Please review:)