Disclaimer: The end of the story, and yet we still can claim absolutely no ownership of the copious amount that we have written. Well, we suppose the order that the words were put in belongs to us, but those words themselves were all taken from English dictionaries. On top of that, you all know that the characters are not ours either; they belong to the only one deserving of them—J. K. Rowling. We wish that we could say we own this wonderful world, but we don't. That's the hard facts of life that we have learned to deal with—we suggest you do the same! The story is over and we claim no ties to the original story at all. Only our plot do we own. Oh wait! Andrea Lynch and Luci Malice we own. We forgot about them. There may be other little odds and ends—such as the Green Dragon and Cassandra Poltergeist, along with the actual Pageant itself—but the majority of the cast we do not own. In summary—enjoy the last chapter. Epilogue will come soon. (Yes we realize that was a horrible—and totally inaccurate—summary of the above novel, but it was the best we could do with such pressure to get this chapter up!) Enjoy!
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Chapter Thirteen
A Long Story
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Draco stared back at her, not sure if he had heard her correctly. He thought that she had said she was pregnant but there was no way that could be true. "What?" he asked, sounding quite stupid.
"I'm pregnant," she repeated. She hoped he would take the news well. After all, they were newlyweds; a baby was the furthest thing from their minds right now. Or at least, it had been.
Draco appeared too shocked to say anything so Ginny filled the silence. "Oh, Hermione!" she smiled, her eyes twinkling in delight for the couple. "Are you sure?"
Hermione nodded. "I've known for a few days now," she confessed. She had taken two muggle tests along with a few wizarding charms that had all had the same results. She would be a mom in about eight and a half months.
"Why haven't you mentioned it?" Ginny asked.
"I wanted to be sure, first. And I planned on telling Draco in private as well." She turned back to him and lightly touched his hand. "I know earlier in this trip you said you didn't think we were ready, and maybe we aren't, but we need to—"
Her words were cut off by Draco's lips. He whispered against them after he pulled away from the kiss, "We're ready now. You love me," he reminded her as if that single fact made his world keep spinning. She smiled and they kissed again, reveling in the idea of a family and forgetting the setting. Neither Ginny nor Blaise interrupted them; they looked at each other and smiled.
"Maybe we'll have that one day," Blaise said softly.
"I'd hope," she agreed. She wanted a family. That was one of the reasons she had been so eager to marry. Ending her engagement had been upsetting for that reason as well. But, on the good side, a family with Blaise was much more appealing than one with Oliver.
Draco and Hermione were now finished with their kissing and again the group was able to toast, Hermione with water, now to 'I love you' and to the baby. Another generation of the Malfoy line.
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"Blaise, may I talk to you for a second?" Hermione asked after they had finished lunch but before they had paid. Surprised, Blaise nodded and followed Hermione out with a bewildered look. When they were out of the restaurant she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Blaise was confused. He and Hermione had never had a real friendship; in fact, he was sure that she despised him for interfering in Ginny's engagement.
"Uh, Hermione…" he muttered and she pulled away. She wiped away the tears that were forming and tried to smile.
"Thank you."
Blaise cocked his head. "What?"
"Draco told me about the real story behind the bet. Back in school? You had wonderful intentions, although it didn't work right away. And now… Draco and I are married with a baby on the way." She protectively placed a hand on her stomach. "And it's all thanks to you."
Blaise gave her a grin, unsure how to respond.
"I just wanted you to know that I appreciate it." She smiled and he nodded.
"You're welcome, Hermione."
They were about to return when Hermione suddenly stopped. "One last thing, Blaise," she said. "I've never seen Ginny so happy."
She went inside with a smile and Blaise followed. So she didn't hate him for the lack of the Weasley-Wood wedding. He was glad that she had talked to him. He felt more comfortable around her now, and he knew that she knew all of what had happened in school.
"What was that about?" Ginny asked Blaise and Hermione when they reappeared. Draco was missing, presumably paying the bill.
"I just had to talk to him," Hermione said secretively. "Don't worry. I'm not stealing him." Draco had returned and she wrapped an arm around him. "I have my own," she grinned and they kissed.
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"Can you believe we only have four days left in Las Vegas and we have yet to see the entire strip?" Blaise wondered aloud.
"I don't think you can visit the entire strip in only two weeks."
Hermione chuckled. "Of course you can, Ginny. It's not that big."
"Do you three want to go have a night out? Hit some Casinos?" Blaise asked.
"No thank you," Draco sneered. "I don't gamble…"
Hermione explained. "He's sour because he has bad luck," she laughed and told them of his "worthless" money.
Blaise smirked. "A Malfoy who doesn't get what he wants. How entertaining."
Draco sneered maliciously at him. Then he relaxed his face and adopted a carefree air. "Not that I need the money, of course," he reminded his best friend who just grinned.
"So…. What to do tonight?" Hermione pondered. "There's no need to hang around here. We already have our scores for the night and we can stay out as late as we want because we needn't get ready for the next competition. It isn't until four in the afternoon. Besides, we're not supposed to really do much with ourselves. We should look like we've just rolled out of bed."
Blaise turned to Ginny and smirked. "So I'll know what to expect?" he asked. She gave him a stern look and put her hands on her hips.
"Maybe," she said sarcastically, "just maybe, I'll lock you out tonight and it'll be a surprise as to how I look." She laughed at him when he mumbled about how unfair she was being.
"Denying me sex…" he muttered. "The nerve!"
"Why don't we just walk around and see what looks interesting?" Hermione suggested, bringing the topic back to its agenda.
They all agreed and left the hotel room looking for some excitement.
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"That was hilarious!" Ginny laughed as they exited the show room. They had decided to see some magician who was performing at the Luxor and see if he was any good.
"All he could do were stage tricks!" Blaise snickered.
"Where was the real stuff? You know; make someone's legs dance, freeze them stiff, even turn a feather into a lion! It's not that hard!" Draco complained.
Hermione giggled. "Muggles can't do all that stuff you guys. Believe it or not, Lance Burton is actually the best in his business!"
"Well, I could put that business out of business," Draco said.
Ginny giggled. "I thought it was funny."
"We were lucky we weren't kicked out," Hermione said with a glare to Blaise.
"All I did was laugh!" he defended.
"Right as he was sawing a woman in half! He could have harmed her!" she cried, shocked at his less than concerned view on his actions.
"Oh, I would've fixed any damage," he sighed lazily.
Hermione scoffed.
"I'm hungry," Ginny interrupted. She wanted to change the subject.
Hermione put a hand on her stomach. "Me too."
Draco smiled at the motherly gesture. "Then let's eat!" He took Hermione by the arm and led her back into the Luxor.
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After dinner they headed back to the Green Dragon. It was late and Ginny wanted to head back and get some… sleep. On the way there was an arcade that they would have passed by if Draco's attention hadn't been captured by a machine. He forced a quarter down the slot and stuck his left hand stubbornly onto a metal plate.
Hermione, who had continued to walk with Ginny and Blaise, noticed that he was missing and she called out to the others to slow down. They retraced their steps and found Draco with his hand down on a machine.
"Draco? What are you doing?" Hermione asked in an exasperated tone.
"Finding out what turns me on," he smirked.
"What?" Hermione looked up the booth at its name. "Sex Cards?" She put a hand on Draco's outstretched arm. "Honestly?"
His second card printed out. He stuffed it in his pocket ant then grabbed Hermione's wrists. He held both of her hands down and slid a few coins down the metal chute. A few seconds passed and then two more blue cards printed out.
"That was a waste," Hermione grumbled.
Draco laughed as he looked at his cards. "Comments After…. Was it good? and Again?"
Hermione giggled. "Was it good?" She looked at her cards then and her eyes grew wide. "Mine too!" she laughed. "Reminds me of two weeks ago," she smiled.
"A week and a half. Hey, where are Ginny and Blaise?"
Hermione looked around. "Using that machine," she said, pointing to the Sex Analysis machine, now producing two more of the aqua blue rectangles. She resumed looking at one of her cards. Then she compared it to the other. When she laughed, Draco asked what was so funny. "Both of my cards match on this category." She smiled. "My next sexual peak is tonight."
Draco smirked and looked down at his. "Oh, mine are different. Monday morning and…. Hey! Tonight as well!"
"I guess we know what we're doing when we get back," Hermione laughed playfully.
Draco was anything but playful at this suggestion. "Zabini! Weasley! Let's go!" he shouted urgently.
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"You know," Oliver yawned, "I might just be a slight bit grateful for Ginny leaving. Of course, she went about it in the entirely opposite way I would have opted for, but still…. I have you now."
Andrea smiled. "Ollie, I'm happy, too. Besides, aren't you happier knowing now that you can be with someone who cares for you?"
"I think she cared; she just didn't love me."
"Well, I'm not going to say that I love you, Ollie. But, I want you, I have you, and I'm happy. It that good enough?"
"For now, I suppose." They laid in silence for a while. "Do you want to watch the remainder of the pageant, Andrea?"
"Oh, I don't care. Do you?"
"Not particularly. I want to go home."
"But Ollie…. You live in England. I'm from Michigan."
"Come with me," he suggested. "Just for a few weeks before I go off for Quidditch."
Andrea frowned. "What then? You dump me back here?"
Oliver shrugged. "Well, you can travel around with me if you want. I just thought—well, Ginny didn't seem to like the idea."
"I'm the daughter of a professional Quidditch player, Oliver. I love traveling."
"Well then, stay with me. Do you not mind leaving Michigan?"
Andrea snorted. "You've obviously never been graced with a visit…" She smiled. "I'll manage."
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Waking up at noon, lying next to her gorgeous husband—all tousled from a long night—fit Hermione well. She smiled and brushed some of his hair out of his eyes so that she could better see his fine features. He stirred slightly and Hermione say his eyes flutter beneath his lids.
"You're dreaming," she whispered in awe. She watched him and moved closer so that his body encased her own. "About… me?" she asked softly, hopefully, into his ear. She felt the stiff pressure form against her leg and smirked. "It had better be about me then." A small smirk crossed his features and she gasped when his arm tightened around her and he kissed her.
"You were awake!" she cried out.
"Only because you woke me with your ticklish whispers." He rolled over and pinned her beneath him. "But yes, it was about you," he grinned.
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Their last four days in Vegas had sped by and before they knew it, all four of them were boarding a plane back to England. Oliver had left with only a short good bye to Ginny and the others and with Andrea following him a few days prior. He had told Ginny that they could meet to arrange any trips of moving any of Ginny various belongings from Oliver's house. These items, along with all of her belonging from her England flat, would be moved to her new place—Blaise's house which he had offered to share with her.
Hermione herself was moving into Draco's Manor and she was more than a little wary of leaving her comfortable flat. But, with the other option including both the man of her dreams and an extensive library for her use—much better than the few crammed bookshelves she owned—she had to agree that it would be a move for the better. The best. Besides, so much had happened that she felt a new house would be appropriate. In fact, Mrs. Malfoy shouldn't live in anything less than a huge mansion. For Merlin's Sake, she was a Malfoy!
To think that in two short weeks she had changed so much. From a single, lonely Charms teacher she had turned into a married and happy teacher with a—hopefully successful—modeling job on the side. She had come in third place at the pageant, a score she was extremely proud of, even considering her Talent Show performance, which had gone terribly awry. Brewing a love potion, Amortentia, had seemed like a good idea at the time, but she hadn't counted on Draco jumping up and trying to take her there on the stage simply from the fumes.
Ginny's performance, however, had been flawless. She had taken the stage and then sang to the audience like there would be no tomorrow. The only girl to receive a standing ovation, she had treated her listeners with an encore at the end of the show. She had rightfully deserved the first place honor.
They each were to be on a cover of Witch Weekly as well as models for the annual calendar with the other top three contestants. Both were excited at their new futures. Both were happy and content as the plane took off and they held hands with their men.
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"Hermione!" a voice cried out as she came down an escalator.
"Harry!" she laughed. "Ron!" She ran into Harry's arms and gave him a hug.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"Third place," she smiled. She turned to Ron. "Ginny came in first."
"Really? That's great!" He looked around. "Where is she?"
"Oh, she's getting our luggage."
"Ah." Ron put an arm around Hermione. "You know, I'm kind of shocked that you didn't win."
She moved away a bit, out of his embrace. "Top twelve won, Ron."
"Well, I'm surprised you didn't come in first. I would have given you all tens."
Hermione held back a laugh as she remembered how her own husband had only given her sevens at first.
"You know, I've been wanting to talk to you," Ron said softly to Hermione. "I thought that maybe you would like to—"
"Actually Ron," Hermione interrupted. "I don't think—"
"Malfoy!" Ron said harshly as his attention was drawn to the blonde standing directly behind Hermione. Draco sat down the luggage and then stuffed his hands in his pockets, adopting a lazy, I'm-still-better-than-you-even-now form.
"Weasley, Potter."
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry demanded.
"Oh, I'm just looking for my wife," he said casually.
Ron glared at him angrily. "Then go find her!"
Draco smirked and put an arm around Hermione, pulling her to him. "I already did," he stated. Then, as if it wasn't already quite clear, he proceeded to make his meaning crystal by kissing her in front of her two shocked friends.
"What?" Ron demanded in a fury.
"When?" Harry asked in a less angry tone, quickly after Ron.
"How?" begged Ron.
"Where?" Harry inquired curiously, yet still annoyed.
"Why?" Ron cried.
Hermione pulled away. She looked Draco in the eyes and smirked. "It's a long story."
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A/N: And a long story it was. About 119 fan fiction pages. We hope you enjoyed it. Look for the mini Epilogue coming soon to a web site near you! Sorry about making it such a rushed ending. We didn't see much point in drawing it out any longer. Especially since the plot was over. You can ask for a sequel, but I doubt it will do you much good. Try, we dare you. Just kidding. If you can give us any type of good basis for a sequel, be our guest. But if it is really complex better to just review and say look out for my e-mail, I have an idea. Then e-mail us your idea. Our email, as you all should know, is: youknowmeassilvershiver yahoo dot com
Thanks for reading!
Butterscotch Lemons (eww…)
ShiverBoo:
BooBack and SilverShiver:
Brittany and Amber:
Cricket and Silver:
Sexy and Quincy:
Boobs and Nams.
I guess that's it!