Author's Note: The last chapter was weak, like super weak. Trust me I know. Hopefully y'all enjoy this one a bit more. I poke fun at one of Hollywood's favorite trends, the celebrity bump watch. Read on read on.
The next weeks passed in a blur of work and functions for the fashion line. It seemed that the success of Foi Du Saint had rocketed Draco and Blaise into the social stratosphere, and Hermione went with them by default. More and more events cropped up for them to attend and scheduling became a bit of a nightmare. Things got even more hectic after Harry and Ginny's wedding invitation came. After Ginny accepted the second proposal they had wasted no time getting the ball rolling. In a matter of weeks they had a date, flowers, and the food, almost everything they needed. Hermione was content to sit back and wait for the day, but as fate would have it that wasn't what would happen.
Hermione and Draco were preparing one of his famous home cooked meals at his place when there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Draco said. "You just stir."
Hermione nodded and took over stirring the marinara sauce. Draco crossed the room in quick strides and opened the door to find Ginny Wesley.
She smiled awkwardly. "Hi, um, Harry said Hermione would be here."
"Oui, of course come in." He held the door open as she stepped inside. "Petite sorciere, someone is here to see you."
Hermione turned from the stove. "Who on earth would be…" She trailed off when she saw the visitor.
Draco walked over and kissed her cheek. "I'll be in my office. Take as much time as you need."
"Merci," Hermione said quietly. She waited until he was gone before speaking again. "Let's sit."
Ginny fidgeted nervously as she took a seat on the couch. "I just want to start by saying how sorry I am. I've been rather cold towards you these past seven months."
"You had every right to be. Ron is your brother and what hurts him hurts you."
"That's true, but I've taken it too far. I understand now why you did what you did. You've moved on, and I can see that you're happy. It was petty of me to carry a grudge for so long."
Hermione shook her head. "No it wasn't. I know my calling off the engagement must have been quite a shock for you, and my relationship with Draco must have been even more surprising. I honestly can't blame you for feeling the way you did."
"It seems we've reached an impasse," Ginny said with a smile. "I'm glad you're not upset with me, because I came here to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Well, before everything fell apart between you and Ron you were always my closest girlfriend. I was hoping that you would be willing to be my Maid of Honor."
"Oh Ginny of course I will!"
"I'm so glad. I was hoping you'd say yes but I couldn't be sure. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'm so excited now."
Ginny stood with a beaming smile lighting up her face. "I am too. I'll let you get back to your dinner." She hugged Hermione tight before heading for the door. "I'll be in touch with all the details. Thank you again."
When she was gone Hermione turned to see Draco lounging against the doorjamb. He'd figured it was okay to venture back in when he'd heard the excited squeals. "I take it that went well," he said, smirk firmly in place.
"Everything went spectacularly," she said, practically dancing back over to the sauce. "I'm going to be her Maid of Honor. Everything's just falling into place. I'm so happy."
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm glad you're so excited, and I can't wait to see the dress you get to wear
Her smile faltered a bit. "It'll be fine, Ginny has good taste." She hoped.
From then on wedding duties were added to her list of things to do. She went to the fittings for the dress that turned out to be rather nice, helped Ginny with gifts for the wedding party, and successfully avoided any interaction with Ron. She even spent some time with Molly, who was slowly warming up to her again. By the time the wedding rolled around she felt exhausted and excited that it was finally there.
The morning of the wedding the hairdresser tried in vain to tame her wild hair, but there wasn't enough product or enough time on hand so it went free. After three hours between hair and makeup and Fleur's usual antics Hermione ventured out of the room to find Draco to make sure he wasn't being eaten alive. She surprisingly found him chatting to Fred and George about how business was going.
"Sorry guys, I need to borrow him for a moment." She pulled him away and they strolled down the hall hand in hand. "How is it going? Everyone treating you okay?"
"Comme si comme sa SP. It's been ok. A lot of people are still wary of me, and of course the majority of the Weasley clan isn't really happy to see me. I can't complain though."
"Good. I need to get back but I just wanted to check on you."
"I'm fine, really. Go on."
She left him in the hall and went back to the bridal room. When she returned she found Ginny and all of the bridesmaids huddled together. "What's going on?"
Everyone broke apart and Ginny regarded her with a slight frown. "Have you seen the paper today Hermione?"
"No I haven't, why?"
The girls handed her the Daily Prophet which was turned to one of the last pages. Hermione frowned down at the headline: Are Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger Expecting? Under the headline was a picture of Hermione in a top that flowed loosely around her stomach. She remembered that day and seemed to recall that the wind had been blowing, making the top poof out creating the illusion of a burgeoning belly.
"How do you deal with it Hermione?" Parvati asked.
Hermione sighed. "It was hard at first, but now I just let it roll off, try not to let it get to me. These people will make anything up on a slow news day."
"I hope this isn't how it is for me and Harry," Ginny said with a frown.
"It could be, but that's not for you to worry about right now. Today is a happy day, and it's about your wedding. So you just forget all of this and relax. I need to go warn Draco so he can handle this if he needs to. I'll be back in just a minute."
She struck out in search of her significant other and found him sitting outside of Harry's suite reading the paper. "I take it you've seen then?"
He stood up and nodded. "These people will do anything for a story won't they?"
"They will and it's starting to get on my last nerve."
"I just try not to let it bother me. Even so, I need a drink. Let's sneak out and see if they've set up the booze for the reception yet."
Hermione laughed. "I think that's the best suggestion I've heard all day."
They wandered out to the reception area and found that the alcohol had regrettably not been set out yet. As they headed back hand in hand they heard harsh laughter from behind them. Hermione stiffened but they turned around to meet the owner of the laugh.
"Hello Ronald," she said tightly. Draco became stoic as he regarded Hermione's ex-fiancée.
"So is it true then?" Ron spat.
Though they both knew exactly what he was talking about she wasn't about to give in that easily. "Is what true Ronald?"
"Don't play dumb Hermione. Are you two starting your happy little family?" he asked, every word dripping with sarcasm.
"I don't really see how that's any of your business at this point Weasley," Draco drawled.
"I wasn't asking you Malfoy, stay out of it."
Draco released Hermione's hand and took a step forward. "I really don't want to have to make a scene Weasley but I will if it's necessary."
"I told you to stay out of it."
Now Hermione was flat out angry. "No, Draco's right. It isn't any of your business. If it's anyone's business it's mine and Draco's. You're out of the picture Ron."
He stood there glaring for a moment then stepped towards Hermione. Draco was there in front of him in an instant. "This is the part where I tell you to back of. You heard the lady; you're out of the picture. So I suggest you walk away, that way we won't have to ruin your sister's wedding day because I beat you to a bloody pulp."
Rom moved to take another step and Hermione let loose. "Ronald Weasley if you do anything to ruin this day for your sister I will see to it that you never walk again."
He stayed rooted there momentarily before turning and stalking away. When he was out of sight Draco gathered Hermione in his arms. "I really hate that ane. He has got to be the biggest idiot on the planet."
Hermione got the general gist of the French and nodded against his chest. "You're right, but I can't help feeling sorry for him. I don't understand why he can't move on."
"It's very hard for him. He's bitter about the loss of something he never truly had to begin with, and the realization that he never truly had you is what makes it that much worse" He kissed her softly. "He will get better and maybe then he'll understand."
She nodded. "I hope you're right. Now come on, I've got to go stand with the bride."
The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Hermione stood at the front of the church while Ginny and Harry said I do and fought back tears when they walked out of the church together as man and wife. Ron thankfully left soon after the start of the reception and freed Hermione to enjoy herself more thoroughly. Of course several interested parties asked her when she was due or when she and Draco were getting married, but it was simple to laugh and explain that neither events would be occurring any time in the near future.
As the end of the reception neared Hermione realized she had yet to congratulate Harry. She left Draco with Dean and Seamus and went to steal a dance. When they were on the dance floor Hermione could practically feel the happiness radiating off of him.
"Congratulations," she said with a smile.
"Thank you, and thank you for being so supportive. I know how much it meant to Ginny to have you be her Maid of Honor."
"I was more than happy to do it. I'm so glad she and I are friends again."
"So am I." They danced in companionable silence for a moment. "Hermione, I'm sure I'm just being thick, but I have to ask, if only because I worry. Are you pregnant, because if you are I expect Malfoy to treat you like a queen. And of course I expect full rights as godfather" he joked lightheartedly.
She grinned at him. "No Harry I'm not pregnant. The picture in the paper was rather coincidental and rather unflattering. If I ever get pregnant you'll be one of the first to know I assure you."
"I thought that would be the answer but I just wanted to check. I do worry about you, and considering how well we've been getting along I would hate to have to clock Malfoy."
"I'd hate to have you clock me as well," Draco said dryly from behind him.
"I just have to check on her Malfoy, I'm sure you can understand."
"I understand perfectly Potter, I'm sure I'd feel the same if I were you. May I cut in?"
Harry bowed out and went to find Ginny, leaving Draco and Hermione swaying gently on the dance floor.
"I've lost track of how many times I've been asked that very same question today," Hermione said with a sigh.
"Sixty-three," Draco intoned flatly. "At least that's my count."
Hermione laughed. "Nice to know someone's keeping tabs on it."
As they danced Hermione thought about the press machine and the power it had over the people. With one picture it was likely that people would be speculating about her 'condition' for months. When she thought about her and Draco's relationship in the public eye it made her smile.
"I wonder what people would say if they knew we'd never slept together," she said more to herself than anything else.
Draco looked down at her in surprise at the muttered thought. He recovered quickly enough to answer without a great delay. "They wouldn't believe it."
She blushed when she realized she'd said it out loud. "You don't think so?"
"I know that no one would believe it. We make an attractive pair, and people would much rather have the gossip inspiring their imaginations run towards the more… let's say carnal side of things."
"I know you're right, but sometimes I miss having people just believe me when I tell them things. The speculation can get old."
Draco raised her chin so that grey eyes met brown. "I don't know that I've ever apologized for making your life such a media circus."
She nodded. "You have apologized several times since we started, but you don't need to. After the war people had a casual interest in me so I would see my name in the paper now and then. When I found you it just became more frequent, that's all," she said with a small smile.
"I'm still sorry to have made it worse."
"Don't be, the tradeoff for all the press problems has been ten really fabulous months with you. So don't feel bad, I think everything else compensates."
His eyes lit up as he smiled at her. "You know, I think you're right."
Later they watched as the newlyweds drove off, pure ceremony since they intended to apparate to their honeymoon in Italy. After they had left Draco and Hermione drifted away from the others and started home. They came to her apartment and he kissed her goodnight softly. After he left she lay in bed for a long time thinking about the newspaper speculation and about what it would be like when it was her turn to walk down the isle.
Author's Note: Ane means Ass, I think