A/N: Another chapter and as usual I have nothing to tell you all so I'll let you read.
DISCLAIMER: I only own the plot.
Chapter 15: The Unforgivable Curses.
Another 2 months past. The Minister for Magic had given Dumbledore permission to teach Harry, Hermione and Draco the Unforgivable Curses. Hermione had learnt it almost straight away and was now learning the Cruciatus curse. She was now 6 months pregnant and her robes showed the outline of her steadily growing stomach. The students of Hogwarts now knew she was pregnant and with the help of Ron, they believed the baby was his. She had also been having the strangest cravings, pickled onions with ice cream. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Draco all laughed at her the first time she had asked for it but now they just went to the kitchens for her to get it unless she went herself.
"Avada Kedarvra." Harry bellowed at the spider he had been trying the curse on. There was a bolt of green light, which had exploded from his wand, and the spider's legs curled up and it was on its back, dead. He had finally done it. Finally learnt the worst of the Unforgivable Curses. He tried it one more time to make sure he could do it and when the second spider keeled over, he was pleased to know he had learnt it. He then moved on to learning the Cruciatus Curse and when he had tried and failed three times, Draco learnt the killing curse. That meant all three were onto learning the Cruciatus Curse. Dumbledore was pleased with their progress. He told them that they could stop for the day. Hermione, Harry and Draco left his office and went to the Great Hall to get some dinner. Harry and Hermione sat with Ron but ate in silence. Draco decided to sit next to Pansy. He might be able to get information from her.
"Hello Drackie. How are you?" she smiled sweetly at him as he piled food on his plate.
"Fine. Do you know when our next meeting is?" he touched his left arm to show Pansy what he meant.
"Saturday. 11pm." Pansy replied as she touched his leg under the table. Draco pushed her hand away.
"Pansy I've told you not to do that. I don't like you in that way ok!" Draco grumbled. Pansy looked hurt but moved her hand away.
"You live with Harmony, Draco. How is her pregnancy going?"
"Dunno. She's showing but I don't pay her any attention so I don't know." He lied.
"Well if you find anything out let me…hey where are you going? You haven't even finished your dinner…Draco!" Pansy yelled out at Draco, who was sick of hearing Pansy's voice got up and walked out of the Great Hall. Hermione watched him leave, finished her dinner and followed him out. She found him walking around the castle grounds muttering to himself.
"Draco, what did that bitch want?" Hermione asked.
"To know how your going so she can tell that filthy arsehole that put you in this mess." Draco cried angrily. He hadn't told Hermione that Voldemort had wanted Draco to 'seduce' Hermione so she thought the baby was his. What was the point in doing that when Hermione already knew who her baby's father was?
"What did you tell her?" Hermione asked curiously.
"That I didn't know because we don't talk to each other." He told her truthfully.
"Good. The less he knows about this pregnancy the better. Don't let her get to you Draco."
"She just gets on my nerves. She says she has feelings for me and she…" Draco didn't want to tell Hermione that Pansy had put her hand on his leg. She was emotional in her pregnant state and he didn't want her to worry or anything. Hermione looked at him questioningly.
"She what Draco? Just tell me." Hermione asked him.
"She put her hand on my leg. I swear I made her move it." Draco looked at his girlfriend and she smiled at him.
"Its ok Draco. I know you don't have any feelings for her. I trust you with all my heart and I know you would never cheat on me."
"I would never dream of it. I couldn't do anything if it meant I could loose you." Hermione cuddled Draco. They kissed each other lightly and headed down to their living quarters. They spent an uneventful night, Draco talked to Hermione's belly and the baby kicked in response. Hermione had warmed to the idea of Draco being her baby's father and both were becoming extremely excited about the birth. Hermione's adopted parents had been told about Hermione's pregnancy and knew without Hermione telling them what had happened. Even though they were muggles, they had tight connections with the wizarding world. Dumbledore kept them informed on the goings on at Hogwarts. When Hermione had contacted them they had been quick to apologise for not telling her about her true parentage. Hermione wasn't worried about that. They had been there for her as parents and Hermione was entirely grateful for everything they had done. She wasn't angry with them in the slightest. They had kept her true identity a secret for her own protection.
A few days later, Hermione, Draco and Harry were once again in Dumbledore's office practising the three Unforgivable Curses. Hermione was growing increasingly tired and even though Dumbledore had told her that because she was pregnant she would not be fighting in the Great Battle, she was still learning the curses so that if Voldemort came after her she would be protected. She would be hiding at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters so Voldemort's chances of finding her where slim but still possible. Dumbledore was no longer the Secret Keeper for Grimmald Place. Molly Weasley was the new Secret Keeper. Dumbledore knew that she would never willingly tell Voldemort where the headquarters were but as Voldemort was an extremely powerful wizard, he could hoodwink Molly into telling him.
Harry was concentrating hard on the spider he was trying to use the Cruciatus spell on when a cry of pain tore his gaze from the spider and over to Hermione. Her hand was clutching her stomach and she was doubled over. Draco and Harry ran over to her.
"Mione…what's wrong?" Draco asked leading her over to a chair as Dumbledore came out of a room at the back of his office.
"I…dunno…it really hurts…" Hermione panted.
"Harry go and get Madam Pomfrey quickly." Dumbledore half yelled. Harry tore from the room and ran all the way to the Hospital wing, ignoring the angry yells from the teachers and prefects who were patrolling the corridors. He skidded to a halt outside the hospital wing and barged through the doors. Madam Pomfrey looked up rather startled by his entry.
"Hermione needs you…NOW!" Harry hurriedly told her.
"Where is she?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she hurriedly pulled on her dressing gown.
"Dumbledore's office." Harry told her as they ran from the hospital wing. The teachers and prefects said nothing to Harry this time as they saw he was with the nurse. The two hurried up the spiral staircase and into Dumbledore's office.
"Dumbledore what is wrong with her?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she crouched in front of Hermione who was still clutching her stomach.
"I do not know Poppy. She was fine a minute ago then she just doubled over in pain. Is her baby alright?" Dumbledore was looking worried. More worried than Harry had ever seen him. Madam Pomfrey examined Hermione then stood up smiling. Everyone, apart from Hermione, looked at her quizzically.
"Poppy what is it?"
"Hermione is merely having Branxton Hicks contractions. They prepare a woman who is pregnant for the real labour. They do not hurt as much as real contractions." Madam Pomfrey smiled at Hermione who looked up feeling rather relieved. Although now, it had made her feel quite anxious about the upcoming birth of her child.
"Madam Pomfrey, how long will they last?"
"There is no set time. They will pass when they pass. Why, may I ask, are you up this late anyway? You should be getting lots of rest now that you are in the third trimester of you pregnancy."
"Poppy we have been practising the Unforgivable Curses. I think it is necessary the Hermione learns these as she is in great danger."
"Absolutely not. Those curses take to much energy out of a person. If you want this baby to be healthy when its born I recommend that you stop this at once." Pomfrey said seriously. Hermione looked at her stunned. How was she meant to protect herself without these three curses?
"But Madam Pomfrey. Voldemort could…he wants me with him. How am I meant to protect myself?" Hermione cried.
"I can't see why someone else wouldn't be able to watch over you while the rest of the Order is off fighting. Would that be to much trouble Albus?"
"If that is what you say needs to be done then we must do it. I will find someone trustworthy and worthwhile to protect you Hermione."
"Ok. I'm feeling kinda tired I think I might go to bed. Is that ok Grandad?" Hermione replied.
"I think it is time for you to all go to bed. Harry and Draco please come back to my office at 9:30 tomorrow night. I will inform the teachers on patrol. Hermione you may come too if you are feeling up to it. That's if it is ok with you Poppy?"
"As long as she doesn't try learning any curses." The nurse told them.
Hermione and Draco left Dumbledore's office followed closely by Harry. They went down to the kitchen for a mug of hot chocolate and then headed off to bed. The Braxton Hicks contractions Hermione had been experiencing had passed and her and Draco talked about names for the baby.
"What about Louise if it's a girl?" Hermione suggested.
"Nah…that's not you. You need something that is different, like your name." Draco told her. Hermione nodded and thought about it for a while.
"What about Tahlia?"
"That's a nice name. I like it. What about a middle name?"
"Umm…you think of one. You're the baby's dad. You get to have input on the name. I'll make you a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"If it's a girl, I choose the first name, you choose the middle and if it's a boy, you choose the first name and I choose the middle. That a good deal?"
"Yep. Sounds like a plan. What do you think of the name Marie? I mean Tahlia Marie."
"Tahlia Marie Malfoy. Sounds nice. We'll think about more names later but I want you to tell me some boy's names. Just for ideas."
"Ok. What about Damien?"
"No. I don't like that name. I never have."
"Ok. Well what do you think of the name Thomas? That was my grandfather's name."
"I love it. Its part of your heritage and our baby will never know that you not the father if it's a boy. I also like the name Jaycob. I was thinking that could be his middle name."
"Thomas Jaycob Malfoy. I like it."
"Well that's settled then. We should think of some more in case we decide we don't like them when the baby is born but for now I think I might go to bed. You coming?" Hermione smiled lovingly at her boyfriend. The had been sharing a bed for the last few months now because Hermione liked his company saying she felt safer when he was in there with her. They both changed into their p.j's and brushed their teeth. Hermione rubbed her belly as she lay back against her pillows. Draco placed his ear on her stomach and smiled. He could hear soft gurgles and feel the occasional kick. Hermione pulled Draco up to her, with his help, and they shared a passionate kiss. Draco wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders and she put her head on his shoulder. She fell asleep almost instantly and Draco followed quickly after. Life for them was bliss. They were in a good relationship and nothing was going to break the bond they had formed.
A/N: Well the next chapter is chapter 16. That means that this story is almost over. Don't worry there will be a sequel as I have already mentioned...I think. Anyways thanks all for the reviews.