Chapter Four
February 1st 2002
Draco rolled over in search of his wife, but found her side of the bed empty. Sitting up he looked over to his alarm clock, 6:00am, he sighed and swung his legs of the edge of the bed and made his way to the bathroom. That was where he found her,
"Hermione?" she said moving to her side as she sat beside the toilet bowl, "It's ok" he said as she retched over the toilet again, he gently rubbed her back, he knelt beside her while she threw her guts up, "Shall I get you a potion" he asked, but she shook her head,
"I'll be ok in a minute" she said
"Was it something you ate?" he asked, again she shook her head, as she allowed him to pull her into his lap, "A bug?" he said holding her close,
"A nine month one maybe" she whispered, she felt his body stiffen behind her, "I'm late Draco," she began sobbing, "I thought it was the stress but I…I think I'm pregnant" she sobbed
"Shh" he gently soothed her, "It's ok my love" he stroked her hair, "Come on he said slipping her out of his lap so he could stand, before scooping her into his arms, "You need some sleep, we shall go to the healers when they open in a few hours" he said laying her in their bed,
"I have lectures" she mumbled,
"Not to today you don't, I'll get your notes for you, I'm sure you're not the only one with morning sickness" he said laying on his side besides her resting his hand on her flat stomach,
"Do you know the spell?" she asked him, he shook his head,
"My major is Mental health not paediatrics" he smiled, "The healers open at eight, you sleep I'll wake you when we need to leave" he smiled leaning down to kiss her, she turned away,
"I have sick breath" she mumbled, Draco turned her head to face him again,
"I don't care" he smiled pressing a gentle kiss on her lips, "Sleep" he smiled stroking her hair.
Draco re-entered the bedroom after taking a quick shower, sending two owls to the administration of the collage to advise that they would both be absent today due to the need to see a healer, that he would swing past later to collect any lecture notes,
"Hermione love" he said perching on the bed beside her, "It's time to go to the healers" he said stroking her hair.
"Healers?" she mumbled,
"Are you still feeling sick?" he whispered, before she could answer Hermione shot up and ran to the bathroom, "I take that as a yes" he sighed, before following her, "Its ok my love" he rubbed her back,
"How can there be anything left" she groaned,
"I'd give you a potion to ease it but I don't know if you need special potions" he said rubbing her back as she retched again.
"I…" she took a breath, "I think I can go now" she whispered, letting him pull her up,
"Come on my love" he held her tightly to him, as they made their way back to the bedroom to get changed.
Fifteen minutes later they landed outside the general Healers Hermione clutching a bowl as the sensation of the disapproation setting her nausea off again,
"You too" came a familiar voice,
"Weasley" Draco nodded at Ron,
"Katie's been, puking all night" Ron sighed, Hermione retched again,
"Why aren't you with her then?" Draco asked,
"She's in the it's all your fault mood, so I'm waiting here until they give her something to stop the puke" Ron shrugged,
"Draco" Hermione managed to groan out
"Ok love, come on" he guided her to the entrance, "You sit here I'll talk to reception," He said sitting her in a chair, bowl clutched in her lap. Draco moved to the receptionist where there were two people waiting to be seen.
"Next" the receptionist called out a few minutes later and Draco approached, "Name?"
"Hermione Malfoy" He said,
"What is she here for?" the woman said never looking up,
"Um we think she is pregnant, she's having severe sickness," Draco explained,
"Another one" the receptionist shook her head, "Right, has she taken any anti-sickness potions?" she asked,
"No" Draco said,
"Good, you're the first one to say that," she sighed, "I will send a nurse out to you in a minute she will give your wife a potion that should stop the sickness then the Healer will call you when he's ready." The woman said handing Draco a blue bracelet, "Have Mrs Malfoy pot this on" she said,
"Thank you" Draco took it and moved over to Hermione's side, "Pop this on my love, a nurse should be out to give you a potion soon"
"Malfoy" the Healer called, Hermione stood up. Her sickness having diminished after the nurse had given her a potion, "Good morning Mrs Malfoy, Mr Malfoy" the Healer smiled, "please take a seat" he said as he took his own seat, "Now, you've been given a potion by my nurse, how are you feeling now?" He asked,
"Um, I haven't been sick since so better that I have been since I woke up" she admitted,
"And you believe that the sickness is due to pregnancy?" he asked, Hermione nodded, "Have you been tested?" He asked,
"No. I was late, I thought it was down to stress," she said,
"No problem can I ask you to come a lay on the examination table" The Healer said pulling on a pair of gloves. Once Hermione was settled Draco holding her hand the Healer cast an intricate spell, Hermione felt the sensation of sinking into a warm bath before the sound of a heartbeat echoed through the room, "Well there we go" he smiled, "Mr and Mrs Malfoy you are indeed pregnant, I will write you a prescription to keep on top of the morning sickness," he said as he flicked his wand again, "I would say that you are around six weeks along" the Healer continued, "We will know better when you see a midwife in the next two weeks, but I think you will be looking at August or September" he said allowing Hermione to sit up.
"Thank you" Hermione said as he past her a prescription note,
"Thank you" Draco nodded as they left, Hermione stopped at the in house Pharmacist,
"Please don't be more anti sickness" the harassed woman sighed,
"Sorry" Hermione whispered,
"Not your fault dear, you would think the ministry would have foreseen this and made sure we had a surplus of them, I have enough here for a week, we have a large order coming in next Monday, we can have them sent straight to your address" the woman said,
"That's fine" Hermione nodded, "Thank you" she took the bag of potions,
"Have a good day and congratulations" the pharmacist smiled.
When they arrived back at their cottage they found Harry on their doorstep
"You didn't come for breakfast I was worried" Harry said,
"I'm sorry Harry, I was unwell" she said,
"I had to take her to the healers" Draco said unlocking the door, "Cup of tea?" he asked,
"I'd love one" Harry said following them in, "SO are you ok?" Harry asked Hermione, who looked to Draco,
"We don't want everyone knowing just yet Potter so say nothing to…" Draco stopped "Never mind Weasley know" Draco rolled his eyes,
"What?" Harry looked between them,
"I'm pregnant, Ron was at the Healers with Katie," Hermione explained,
"Ah, so expect Molly to come a knocking" Harry laughed, "Congratulations guys" he smiled, as Draco placed a mug in front of him,
"Thanks" Hermione smiled, "We should go see your mother before someone else tells her" Hermione sighed taking the mug Draco handed her,
"Yeah she won't be pleased if she finds out from anyone else" he sighed, sitting at the table with them,
"Sorry I scared you Harry, I was in a right state" she sighed,
"Don't worry about it, you're safe and that's what matters" Harry smiled. He stayed chatting with them for an hour before he left them so that they could go see Narcissa before news could reach her in another way.
Draco apparated them to the doorstep of the Manor, Hermione had so far avoided all trips to the manor, but knew on this occasion the news was best given in person.
"Mother" Draco called as he opened the door, they heard a glass drop on the floor, "Mother?" he called, leading Hermione to the lounge,
"Draco Darling what a surprise" Narcissa shut the door behind her,
"What's going on?" Draco looked at the woman,
"Nothing, just surprised to see you and Hello Hermione" Draco heard movement in the room behind her,
"Mother, who is in there" he asked, Hermione felt unsafe at that moment,
"Draco, let's go, she obviously has a guest" Hermione said,
"IS HE in there?" Draco snapped,
"Now Draco" she began but he pushed her aside and kicked the door open,
"How dare you!" Draco yelled, Narcissa ran behind her son,
"Draco Please" She begged him, Hermione followed knowing exactly who was in the room,
"Mother how can you, let him set foot back here!" Draco turned on her,
"Draco, now is not the time" Narcissa said,
"I came here to give you some news, now…" he looked to Hermione, "My wife and I are leaving and you will never meet your grandchild" he snapped,
"Draco?" Hermione whispered,
"Wife!" Lucious screamed in anger,
"Grandchild" Narcissa gasped