Disclaimer: obviously not mine. Why would it be on a fan fiction site?

Chapter twelve

The next few weeks were the most peaceful Hermione had ever had during her pregnancy. She had no idea what Malfoy had said to Pansy but she had finally stopped tormenting her, although Hermione was still unable to speak to Malfoy because Pansy continued to hang off him.

It was the last Saturday before the seventh month mark when Hermione, after having a horrible nights sleep, decided to head off around the lake for a peaceful walk to calm her nerves. She had a little over two months to go and she was becoming nervous about the birth. She wanted to speak to someone about the baby, like picking a name and small things like that and she guessed that Malfoy was the best to talk to but he was never there. And every time they tried to speak to each other Pansy would intersect and pull an unwilling Malfoy away.

Hermione was just setting off around the lake when Malfoy came running up to her.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, looking slightly harassed. Hermione shrugged and continued to walk. Malfoy hesitated a moment before catching up to her and slowing down to her pace.

Neither of them spoke for a long time; they simply strolled along the waters edge in a comfortable silence. It was when she felt Malfoy's hand slide over hers did she receive a big shock. When she didn't say anything, he laced his fingers through hers and moved a little closer.

They walked in silence for a while longer before Hermione felt a sharp pain in her stomach.

"It's kicking," she said, massaging her stomach to ease the pain. Malfoy raised an eyebrow before pushing Hermione gently back against a tree and pressed his hands to her stomach.

"Granger, you look really tired" Malfoy said suddenly, raising his gaze from her stomach to her face. "Have you been getting enough sleep?"

"Not as much as I could," she said softly, closing her eyes and enjoying the calm, rhythmic motions Malfoy was making across her stomach.

"Why not?"

"This thing has been kicking the hell out of me and my back hurts and just little things like that"

When Malfoy didn't say anything, Hermione opened her eyes and peered at him curiously. He was watching her in much the same manner.

Quite suddenly, and very unexpectedly, he leant in and kissed her. Hermione didn't even get a chance to hesitate; she was so suddenly swept up in the passion that she was barely able to raise her shaking arms to slide them around Malfoy neck. It was not like any kiss she had ever felt before. His lips were insistent yet soft. His tongue was exploring, and yet not in a conquering way. Without thinking she began kissing him back.

What seemed like years later, Hermione pulled away, gasping for air. Malfoy smiled and began massaging her stomach again.

"What do you think about Shia?" he asked casually, as if the kiss had never taken place.

"Huh?"

"Shia – for a girl."

Hermione paused, running the name through her mind.

"Its nice" she said truthfully, "what about Adrian for a boy?"

Malfoy nodded and looked down at his hands. Hermione bit her lip.

"Malfoy… why did you kiss me?"

He looked up again, this time with an impish smile on his face.

"'Cause I felt like it"

"What about Pansy?"

"What about her? I don't like her"

"Then why are you dating her?"

"To keep her quiet"

Hermione straightened up from the tree as they prepared to leave. Once again, Malfoy took her hand in his.

"Why would you need to keep her quiet?"

"So she would stop harassing you. Its something you don't need on your back at the moment"

"You didn't have to do that if it's making you unhappy"

"Its only two more months. I can deal with it."

Hermione looked down at her watch as they reached the castle doors. Malfoy had let go of her hand in case Pansy was out on the prowl and Hermione was already missing the warmth of his touch.

"I have to go to Madam Pomfrey for an ultra sound," she informed him "would you like to come?"

Malfoy's face brightened considerably and he opened his mouth to reply.

"No he doesn't want to go" Pansy came stalking out of the Dungeons and straight over to them. "Come on, Draco. We have to finish that essay for Snape. You don't have time to be messing around."

Hermione laughed. "I'll see you later, Malfoy"

"See you, Granger"

"Your stomach is very small for seven months" Pomfrey told Hermione as she set up the ultrasound machine.

"That's not a… problem, is it?" Hermione asked, fear striking up inside.

"No, no of course not. I was simply making an observation. Here we go… lift up your shirt… ok. That's its head there… and if I'm not mistaken that's its nose."

Pomfrey did a complete check up of Hermione before sitting her down for a talk.

"Have you thought about your baby's future yet, Hermione?"

"What about it?" Hermione replied, eyes narrowed.

"Well I know your parents kicked you out of home. Do you have anywhere to go? Or any money?"

"I'm moving in with Malfoy"

"Oh good, at least the baby will have both its parents around"

Hermione left after that and headed back to the lake, her mind still haunted by Malfoy's kiss. Had he really done it because he'd felt like it or did he fancy her? Was there a possibility of a future together?

She sat, with some difficulty, by the waters edge and proceeded to toss pebbles into the lake. Despite the beautiful weather, there weren't many people out and about. Exams were just around the corner and students had been loaded up with homework. Hermione, of course, had already finished.

For some reason her thoughts swayed to Harry. His life had been through hell the last few years and yet lately he seemed so overly happy. Ron had straight away suggested that he might be on drugs but Hermione had other ideas. Harry had been spending an increasing amount of time with Parvati and Hermione knew it was only a matter of time until something happened between them…

Hermione went into labour three days before school broke up for the summer. She had been in the girls' toilets with Ginny when her water broke. Hermione freaked out and was barely able to let Ginny leave to get help. Ginny had been gone a little over two minutes when the first contraction hit. She had to grab the sink to keep herself up. Ginny returned moments later with Pomfrey and McGonagall.

"Get her back to the hospital wing. Easy goes the baby isn't here yet" Pomfrey instructed and Hermione realised she was right. The pain of the contraction gone, she was able to walk to the hospital wing unsupported. Harry ran into them halfway there.

"Malfoy – gotta get Malfoy" he muttered and hurried off.

Hermione was sitting on a bed in the hospital wing when Malfoy and Harry came flying in, practically falling over each other.

"Oh hi, Herm" Harry said when he spotted her sitting on the bed with a book in her lap. "I thought you said you were having the baby?"

"I am," she said as the boys sat either side of her. "It's just not coming yet"

"Well when is it coming?" Malfoy asked impatiently, patting her stomach absentmindedly through the light cotton shirt she was wearing.

"Probably not for a few more hours. I've only had one contraction"

Harry glanced at Draco over Hermione.

"Are you going to tell her?"

"Later"

"Tell me what?" Hermione sat up straighter, looking from Harry to Malfoy.

"Nothing" Malfoy said innocently. Hermione punched him in the arm.

"Tell me!"

"Fine!" he said, sliding away from Hermione slightly. "I asked Potter to be godfather"

Hermione raised an eyebrow then looked at Harry who nodded.

"And did you accept?"

"Yes"

"Oh thank you!" she flung her arms around her raven-haired friend. "I didn't know how I was going to choose between you and Ron"

"Weasley isn't mature enough" Malfoy stated, quite put out that Harry got a hug and he didn't. Hermione turned to him.

"Well thank you for making the decision for me"

"What? I don't get a hug?" he asked when she turned back to her book.

Harry glanced between them, smirking slightly. He stood up.

"I'll be back later, Herm. Don't have that kid without me"

When Harry was gone, Malfoy knelt down in front of Hermione and pulled up her shirt.

"Would you hurry up you little bugger?" he said to her stomach and kissed it. Hermione giggled.

"Its not going to hurry up if your calling it names"

Malfoy looked up at her with his intense grey eyes. Without breaking the gaze, he straightened up and kissed her.

Hermione pulled away seconds later with a sharp cry. Malfoy stumbled backwards as Hermione clutched her stomach.

"Are you ok?" he asked, sitting beside her and rubbing her back.

"Yeah… I think so," she said as the pain went away.

The door at the end of the wing opened and four people came striding in.

It was Clarisse, Alfred, Charlie and Dumbledore. They spotted her and Malfoy and came walking up the wing, the group led by Clarisse looking divine in a satin dress and long mink coat.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked weakly, standing up as the group reached them.

"It was short notice but we found a muggle family" Clarisse said abruptly, looking at Hermione's huge body with distaste.

"A muggle family for what?"

"If the baby's a girl. It has to go to a muggle family for sixteen years"

"It's not going anywhere!" Malfoy spoke up. Clarisse looked at him as if she'd only just noticed him.

"Draco! What are you doing here?"

"He's my baby's father" Hermione said tiredly

"I thought you said you didn't – "

"I lied. We didn't want to get married so I lied" Hermione shrugged as if she didn't care but she had seen her fathers face and he looked hurt. Charlie, on the other hand, was grinning.

"Mum, I'm going to go and live at Malfoy's place for a while after I have the baby. Just until you get used to the idea that I'll be keeping it no matter what gender it is."

"And when are you having it?" Clarisse asked, crossing her arms and glaring at Hermione.

"Right now. My contractions started an hour ago"

Charlie couldn't contain himself. He burst out laughing.

"Charlie!" Clarisse said, disgusted at his behaviour. "Control yourself!"

"I'll wait outside" he said, fighting back his laughter. "Malfoy, may I have a word?"

Malfoy glanced at Hermione who nodded then followed Charlie out of the wing.

"Hermione, I know its hard to give up your child" Clarisse said kindly. "I had to give up you, remember. But it's tradition and if the baby is a girl, which it will hopefully be, you will have to give it up"

"I live with Malfoy now" Hermione informed her harshly. "He doesn't have any traditions so the baby stays"

Mother and daughter glared at each other for a moment before Clarisse turned and stalked away.

"She'll come round, Hermione" Alfred said kindly, speaking for the first time. He smiled, kissed Hermione on the forehead then followed his wife out.

"You handled that well, Hermione" Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling. He dipped his head to her then strode to the other end of the wing and into Pomfrey's office. Malfoy came back smiling.

Everything's gonna be alright now
Everything's gonna be alright
Get down stay up all night now
Let's do this one more time
Everything will be alright
Everything will be alright alright

Ooooooo cliff hanger. She's in labour and you don't know what's going to happen! Ha! Review please and I may post more…