I am so sorry it's been so long since I last updated but unfortunately I struggled with writers block on top of a very busy work schedule. I know what I want to write but it's the act of sitting down and doing it, making it all flow right that is the hardest part. I want you all to know that I've appreciated the messages of encouragement, the reviews; and I hope you'll have patience with me in the future. I'll update when I can and try not to take as long as I did this time but I cannot make any promises.

Enjoy, please review and tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: None of the characters or the world created by JK Rowling belongs to me nor do I make any money off this story.

*****************HP******************

Hermione turned herself in front of the mirror, first left and then right, trying to decide how much she really liked the dark blue sweater. It fell to her mid-thigh, with three quarter sleeves and was made of a silky but strong cashmere. There was a small hood on the sweater and a large pocket on the front that could still hold things, despite her extended stomach.

"Hermione? You got a minute?"

Hermione turned away from the mirror and walked over to the changing room door. Opening it up she met Harry's green gaze

"Everything okay Harry? Where are Molly and Fleur?"

Harry nodded before glancing around quickly.

"They're browsing in the baby clothes. Can I come in for a minute?"

Hermione poked her head out, making sure no one was around before pulling him inside the small room. Even though they were in the heart of muggle London they couldn't be too careful, who knew what kind of headline someone could come up with; her and Harry in a dressing room. Harry settled onto the bench and let out a sigh. Hermione sat next to him, a frown marring her face.

"What's the matter Harry?"

Harry played with his hands for a minute, unsure of what to say.

"I'm attracted to someone Hermione, someone who hasn't exactly been our friend in the past. They're different though, they've changed and suddenly I'm feeling more than just attracted to them. I don't know what to do."

Hermione was puzzled. Harry seemed so nervous but she didn't understand why. He had the right to like or love anyone he wanted and she had no room to judge. Hell, she slept with a teacher and got pregnant.

"Who is it Harry?"

Harry bent his head and mumbled something too low for her to hear. Hermione reached out and pinched the dark haired savior, scowling when he yelped.

"Look at me Harry James Potter. If you really like this person then don't sound so ashamed."

Before Harry could hesitate he repeated himself, much louder.

"Malfoy."

Hermione blinked, momentarily stunned.

"Malfoy? Please tell me you mean Draco and not Lucius."

It was Harry's turn to pause, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish before his face turned red.

"Of course I mean Draco. When would I have had time to flirt with his father?"

"Well when did you have time to flirt with Draco?"

Harry flushed again, lips tight. Hermione rubbed her belly idly and let out a breath.

"Start from the beginning Harry."

Harry didn't waste time, Merlin knew when Molly and Fleur would show up. He started from the beginning, how he found Draco on the bleachers and taking him back to his room. He explained how he'd been sneaking glances at the Slytherin since, watching him almost like a predator did injured prey and how he couldn't seem to stop himself from dreaming about him; about touching him. Harry explained how much he loved looking at Draco's hands and how he was sometimes jealous that he wasn't taking NEWTS Transfiguration.

When he was done Harry was breathing like he'd been running, staring at Hermione and waiting for her reaction. Hermione blinked a couple times, trying to take it all in. This explained why Harry insisted on walking her to the library and from the library back to the tower when she met with Draco, Blaise and sometimes Daphne. She'd also noticed him glancing at the Slytherin table more than a few times during meals but she hadn't really thought anything of it.

"What is it about Slytherins Harry? I'm pregnant by one and you apparently want to seduce another."

Harry laughed, the sound nervous with a hysterical edge.

"Really Hermione? I tell you I want to do naughty things with the guy who spent seven years trying to do us in and that's your reaction?"

Hermione shrugged.

"I don't have any room to judge, my situation is a bit worse than yours. Besides, he is different; it's obvious in the way he acts and the things he's done since the war. If he's what you want and if he wants you back I say go for it."

Harry rubbed the back of his neck.

"That's the thing Hermione, I don't know if he wants me back. I didn't even pay attention to what I was saying that morning and I scared him off."

Hermione reached out and gripped one of Harry's large, rough hands in hers and squeezed.

"I guess you'll just have to find out when we get back to school. Have you mentioned this to Ron?"

Harry shook his head quickly.

"No, I want to see if this goes anywhere before I do. No need to get him riled up if it doesn't."

Hermione agreed and stood again, looking at the mirror.

"I want this sweater."

Harry laughed, walking up behind the witch. Leaning into her back he smiled at her in their combined reflection.

"The sweater looks lovely Hermione, you're lovely. I still think we'd make a cute couple, if you swear off Snape for me I'll swear off Malfoy for you. Our kids would be both messy haired and smart."

Hermione shook her head and let her body relax back into his embrace. It was nice to let someone hold her, if only for a moment. Truth was, her back hurt, her feet ached and Hermione had grown to miss touching other people, letting them touch her. Turning in Harry's arms Hermione raised up to her toes and planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"I appreciate the offer Harry but I'm just fine."

Hermione moved to pull the sweater over her head when Harry's hand on her arm stopped her. Looking at him Hermione became confused by the suddenly serious look on his face.

"What's wrong?"

Harry was quiet for a moment and his grip tightened almost imperceptibly on her arm.

"I know whenever I've mentioned marrying you we've acted like it was a joke but I want you to know that my offer was always partly serious. If things don't work out, if whatever you're planning falls through, Ron and I will always be here for you. I'd marry you in a heartbeat Hermione, I promise I'd make you happy, if you ever need me."

Hermione's throat tightened and she was afraid to speak, fearing she would cry instead, as usual. Harry was growing into a good man who would one day make someone very happy and for a moment Hermione wished it was her.

Without another word Harry let go of her arm and dropped a swift kiss on her forehead before slipping out of the dressing room.

*****************HP******************

Another fiery dragon raced across the sky and exploded into a cacophony of individual fireworks. Cheers and laughter erupted from the sky, the younger Weasley generation on brooms throwing Weasley's famous Wiz Bangs at each other and the stars above. Every few minutes another dragon, reminiscent of the one that destroyed the Great Hall in fifth year, shot up into the sky, bigger than the last. Hermione and Fleur sat snuggled in a nest of blankets on the ground, warming charms covering them, the blankets and several feet around them. Arthur and Molly were nearby, smiling and watching their children tear across the sky.

Hermione shoved aside the blankets and cringed as the little monster currently occupying her insides kicked again, almost urging her to move faster. Fleur glanced up at her rising form in question.

"Are you al'ight?"

Hermione nodded and kicked the blankets back into place.

"Just have to use the loo."

Fleur smiled.

"Be back soon, eet is almost mid'ight."

Hermione hurried toward the kitchen door as the baby kicked again, this time in the vicinity of her ribs. Said baby probably wasn't too happy about being thought of as just another baby, without a name. Hermione had been thinking of names, pouring over baby name books in an effort to find the right moniker, but nothing had stuck out so far. Moving swiftly through the kitchen Hermione cursed the fact that like Grimmauld Place, the Burrow did not seem to have a first floor loo; and she took the stairs two at a time despite the extra effort it took. She kicked the bathroom door shut behind her and lowered her leggings at the same time, groaning inn relief as she sat down.

Remaining in a seated position even after Hermione had finished using the loo, she bent over and reached for her toes in an attempt to stretch out her sore back. She was already achy as it was that morning and was now spending the night sitting on the ground; blankets only did so much. Lightly polished fingertips barely reached her ankles, let alone her feet or the floor. After washing her hands she headed back downstairs at a much more sedated pace. The Christmas tree was still up in the living room and would remain until they went back to school in a few days, lights blinking in the dark. Turning toward the kitchen Hermione stopped, a movement just outside the front window catching her eye.

Pulling her wand Hermione tiptoed toward the door and concentrated on the shadow she had thought she saw move. Briefly it occurred to her to send up an alarm and alert the rest of the family but she didn't want to look paranoid if there wasn't anything there. Reaching for the doorknob Hermione's wand was at the ready, a stunner on the tip of her tongue. Turning the knob she pulled the door open inch by inch when suddenly it was shoved open and she was pushed backwards towards the sofa. A tall figure followed her backwards, lithe fingers securing her wand wrist and hoisting it above her head while the other arm snaked around her back and pulled her close. Hermione barely had time to open her mouth to scream when a pair of soft lips sealed over her own.

Hermione froze, her mind racing in a panic. The thumb of the hand holding her arm began to slide back and forth over the soft and vulnerable skin on the underside of her wrist in a familiar manner, something she was sure she should recognize but couldn't. The arm at her waist tightened subtly, pulling her closer. An ache began in her chest as the person pulled back.

"You should be more cautious Ms. Granger, especially since you are carrying my child. Any number of people would love to do you harm for that reason alone."

Hermione pulled her wrist from Severus's grip and slipped her wand away.

"Good thing they don't know then."

Severus grunted, his arm around her waist still tight and warm.

"With any luck it will stay that way, at least for a while."

Hermione's eyebrows flew up to her hairline and she pushed on his chest, stretching the hold he had on her waist.

"For a while? You planning on telling anyone professor?"

Severus's lips twisted into a barely perceptible grimace.

"It's bound to come out sooner or later."

Hermione nodded, truth be told people were way too nosey and it was made worse by the fact she was something of a celebrity and Severus a not so beloved anti-hero. Severus pulled his arm from around her back and simply let his hand rest on her hip while his other hand drifted up to caress her cheek.

"What are you doing here professor? What are we doing here, in this very moment?"

Severus smirked and showed her his wrist, a single silver cuff link barely visible in the dim light.

"In regards to your first question, I came by to thank you for my gift. As for your second question, it's quite inelegant. In this moment, I'm holding you."

Hermione laughed.

"I'm glad you like the cuff links and though my second question sucked, you're avoiding it."

Hermione had to admit that she had always admired the potion's master's ability to display the perfect poker face but when faced with it, she hated it just a bit. Over the summer they'd had sex with no strings attached, but little gestures like this were beginning to toy with Hermione's feelings; and that wasn't something she could allow.

"Professor, what is it that you want from me?"

Shouting erupted from the back door, lights flashing and the clock began chiming midnight. Severus leaned in close, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

"We'll talk when you come back to Hogwarts. Happy New Year."

Severus's lips gripped Hermione's once more in a tantalizing kiss before the sweet pressure was gone, and he with a sharp crack.

"Hermione, hurry up! You're going to miss it!"

Hermione raised her fingers to her lips and quickly brushed the sleeves of her sweater over her face; and closed the front door, making sure to secure it before heading out to the back yard.

"I'm coming, keep your robes on!"

She'd honestly never been so confused.

*****************HP******************

The morning of January 3rd found Hermione settling into an empty compartment on the train while Ron and Harry loaded up their trunks just outside. She yawned lazily, eyes drifting closed for a moment. Hermione and Fleur had been up half the night packing all of her new maternity clothes and baby things. The trip into muggle London had proved fruitful and even Fleur and Molly had arrived home with new things. Harry had escorted them around dutifully that day, without a single complaint while Molly explored inquisitively, Fleur took each shop by storm and Hermione watched in silent mirth. Ron had begged off the trip to hang out with his brothers, while Ginny had been and still was, refusing to speak to Hermione.

Hermione had removed her latest reading material and set up the boys first chess game when they came ambling through the compartment door, both in seemingly good spirits.

"Ah Hermione, you'll make someone a great wife one day, setting up a man's chessboard just how he likes it."

Hermione paused the opening of her book and raised an eyebrow at Ron's jovial statement.

"There's only one way to set up a chess board Ronald."

Ron shrugged.

"Just trying to be positive here Hermione."

Hermione rolled her eyes and opened her book, tucking the marker into the pages for safekeeping and settled the book on her stomach. It was the perfect reading height but after wiggling several times in the next few minutes it became apparent to Hermione that this position she was sitting in wasn't going to work. Placing the book on the bench seat next to her, the witch glanced around for her bag. Spying the bag laying on the floor partially under the seat where it had fallen, Hermione bent down to reach it and stopped a few inches short, fingers straining uselessly in the air. Sitting back up she glared mutinously.

"Great, just bloody great. First I can't see my feet and now I can't reach things on the floor."

Ron chuckled and retrieved the bag for her.

"Hermione, you probably haven't been able to see your feet for a while. It's only bothering you because you actually noticed it yesterday."

Hermione snatched the bag from his hand with a pout and refused to look him in the face while he continued to chuckle at her. A few minutes of digging convinced Hermione that she needed to clean out the bottomless bag, especially when she came across a flask of polyjuice that she was sure wasn't any good, and more than likely still had Bellatrix's hair in it.

Removing a pillow from the bag Hermione placed it in the small of her back and wiggled again before settling in. Carefully she lifted her feet onto the empty seat across from her and leaned back into the plush upholstery. Hermione traded the bag for her book and settled back in for not just the train ride back to Hogwarts but the wait before the train even left the station. Hermione hadn't wanted to face the gawking students and ugly whispers just yet so she had made sure they were among the first few on the train and if she had her way they would be some of the last few off when they reached Hogsmeade Station.

Time passed in relative silence, Hermione engrossed in her book and the boys quietly ribbing each other during their game. The noise outside steadily grew as students began arriving, meeting up with friends and escaping their parents by getting on the train. Feet ran down the corridor and past their compartment, laughter and blonde pigtails in the small girl's wake. For the next twenty minutes Hermione couldn't focus on her book and instead found herself watching the compartment door from under her lowered eyelashes. Every time someone slowed outside the compartment her fingers tightened on the tome in her hands and her breath hitched. All it took was one person to open that door and the kneazle would be permanently out of the bag.

The train whistle went off once as a last call to board and minutes later the locomotive jerked into motion. Some of the tension left Hermione's body, majority of the students would have found compartments and the risk of someone opening theirs had shrunk. Minutes later however her hopes were crushed when Blaise Zabini made his grand entrance, Draco and Daphne Greengrass behind him.

"Hermione luv, I missed you! Doing McGonagll's work without you has simply been a bore."

Hermione sighed at the Italian's dramatics, taking in Daphne's grimace and the roll of her eyes just over his shoulder. Draco stayed back, looking anywhere but at the compartment's occupants.

Blaise made a move into the compartment and stopped, his eyes on Hermione's bulging robes.

"My my Hermnione, what have we been up to? Is that a crystal ball in your jumper or are you just happy to see me?"

Hermione's gut unclenched and she narrowed her eyes. Blaise was definitely a failed actor of the highest caliber.

"How long have you known?"

Blaise shrugged noncommittally. Daphne shoved past Blaise, pushing him into the doorframe and dropped herself nearest the door on Hermione's bench, directly across from Ron.

"We've known since your shirts started getting too small and you kept running to the bathroom. Weasley, let's play."

Ron blinked, stunned that Daphne was speaking to him.

"Whaaat?"

Daphne rolled her eyes.

"Chess Weasley. I hear you're pretty good, show me."

Ron nodded and glanced at Harry who just shrugged and moved over to the opposite bench. Honestly he had no desire to sit next to the Sytherin, she made his skin crawl and not inn a good way. Daphne proceeded to clear the board and set the pieces back to their places, pushing long blonde curls from her eyes.

Blaise laughed and dropped his body between Daphne and Hermione, wiggling into the space between the two women. Hermione sighed and shifted, carefully lowering her feet from the bench and onto the floor. She sat up straighter and glanced at Harry who kept looking at the door. Draco stood just outside the doorframe, almost as if he was either afraid of crossing the threshold or was awaiting permission. It was obvious the way the Savior fidgeted that he was acutely aware there was only one spot left in the compartment for the blonde to sit, between himself and the window.

Hermione toed Harry's calf and grabbed his attention. She looked between himself and the seemingly forgotten Slytherin just outside the door, and back again. Harry took a deep breath and licked his suddenly dry lips before calling out to Draco; or at least trying to. Harry's cheeks turned a light pink when no sound came out and Hermione smothered her laugh, all the noise Blaise was still making provided plenty of cover.

Harry cleared his throat.

"Malfoy."

Draco stilled, his body tense as he looked toward Harry. Harry tried to give what he hoped was a welcoming smile and not a grimace.

"Come sit, we're not going to make you stand outside while your other friends have slithered in."

Daphne glanced up toward Harry as she eliminated one of Ron's knights with brutal efficiency. The black pieces on the board cheered in triumph, making it more than obvious that they approved of her strategies much more over his; bloodthirsty little blighters. Daphne kept her gaze on Harry and leaned forward, crowding both the board and Ron's personal space; long blonde curls draping over everything.

"Believe me Potter, when we slither in, it'll be in a much more exciting place than a train compartment."

Ron shrunk back from her as she moved away, heart racing. A light caress against his thigh had him glancing down, expecting to have pumped into Harry and instead he found a small, pale hand ghosting across his knee and back toward its owner. Looking up Ron found himself caught in a pair of bright green eyes and a smirk that promised danger to anyone near.

What the bloody hell?

Harry cleared his throat and help up his hands.

"Fair enough. Malfoy, would you like the seat?"

Draco hesitated and clenched his jaw but moved forward into the compartment, pausing to close the door behind him and activate the privacy screens. Carefully Daphne floated the chess board up and above Draco's head as he walked by, her pieces cheering again as one of Ron's fell over the side of the board and hit the floor in two.

Hermione smiled at Draco as he settled in across from her and readjusted herself.

"How was your Christmas Draco? Is your family well?"

Draco gave a curt nod.

"They're fine as ever, Christmas was quiet."

Hermione frowned. She certainly wasn't best friends with Draco and barely spoke two words to him a study session, but he was definitely far quieter than he had been when they were growing up, broken in a way. A poke to her ribs had the witch turning to look at Blaise who had actually stopped talking, for once in his life. The Italian frowned and shook his head, glancing at Draco. Hermione shrugged and went back to her book, trying to find some peace in the suddenly loud compartment.

*****************HP******************

Draco adjusted himself in the seat once more, making sure to keep as much distance between himself and Potter as he could. Of course it was just his luck that Blaise had wanted to crash the compartment and the gods were obviously laughing at him when they left him with the only seat next to Harry bloody Potter. Glancing around it was obvious everyone was engrossed in something; Daphne and Weasley battling to the death, Granger trying to read with Blaise constantly butting in. Potter looked to be watching the chess match with feigned interest but Draco knew better. He'd spent the last two weeks since their last meeting examining every encounter he had ever had with the Gryffindor and couldn't seem to get him off his mind.

Draco watched out of the corner of his eye as Harry leaned back into the seat and rested his head on the upper cushion, closing his eyes. His body was lax, arms loosely at his side and fingers entwined on his lap. Draco too closed his eyes, only for a movement only to jerk them open in surprise. Harry had rotated his lower body and stretched his legs in Hermione's direction, allowing the pregnant witch to rest her feet on his shins. This meant that the dark haired male's legs were nearly crossing one of his own and he could feel the heat coming off him through the material of their uniform pants. Draco didn't dare twitch, praying he was imagining things. He turned toward the other man, meeting his gaze and knew the move had been on purpose. Bottle green eyes stared back at him unblinkingly through think spectacles and his lips were quirked up into a smile. This time when Harry adjusted his legs he did it agonizingly slow, rubbing one leg cross his own. In the background Draco heard Granger say something but his attention was focused where his and Harry's bodies met.

"We're okay Hermione, honest. Right Malfoy?"

Draco glanced at Hermione and nodded, willing the witch back to her book before she asked anything else and as for Blaise, Draco completely ignored his smug expression. Draco took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as he relaxed his body, refusing to remain tense and uncomfortable for the next several hours. Carefully he leaned his head back, closed his eyes and concentrated on the noises of the train, the wheels clanking over the tracks and most definitely not on the sensation of Harry's legs on his.

Draco remained like that for a while, tension slowly leaving his body. Eventually his arms fell to his sides and he was asleep when the first brush over his right wrist stirred him. Another pulled him out of the fog and a third woke him from any vestige of sleep. His eyes slid open and over towards Harry once more; taking in the compartment as he went. Granger had fallen asleep on Blaise's shoulder and Blaise had appropriated her book. Weasley and Dahpne were still dueling over the chess board, neither one backing down and appeared to have blocked everyone out.

Draco met Harry's half lidded eyes and looked down to find the Gryffindor running his thumb back and forth over the inside of his wrist. Looking back up at the other man Draco struggled with himself, whether he should pull his arm away or just ignore the other man. Fingers tightened around his wrist lightly and Draco closed his eyes once more, determined not to be drawn into whatever game Harry was playing. He'd deal with this when they arrived in Hogsmeade because at the moment he was just too tired.

Draco let the stroke of Harry's thumb across his wrist lull him back to sleep.

*****************HP******************