"You're certainly looking better," Harry commented as Hermione wolfed down the salad in front of her. At Harry's suggestion, they had popped into Muggle London, frequenting their favourite cafe to avoid any prying eyes.

Hermione grinned up at him. Lunch out of the office had been Harry's idea and she was eternally grateful, having grown bored of the mediocre food they offered in the Ministry. "Yup," Hermione said between two mouthfuls. "Now the sickness is easing off, my appetite has come back."

"I'm glad," Harry replied, taking a bite of his own sandwich. With his elbows resting on the solid wood table top, Harry covertly looked around the cafe before asking, "does Draco still make you stay at his?"

"Eurgh, yes," Hermione responded with a roll of her eyes, her fork spearing a tomato with more force than strictly necessary. "It's not even worth trying to argue. He just waits until I fall asleep and takes me anyway. On the plus side, his bed is much comfier than mine."

"You're sharing his bed?" Harry questioned, the words tumbling from his mouth with no filter as his eyes bugged out of their sockets. At Hermione's look of horror, Harry quickly turned to the people sitting a few tables away and muttered a quick apology for his outburst.

Realising her mistake, Hermione shuffled her chair closer to the table whilst mentally scolding herself before answering quietly. "Yes, but it's not like that."

Harry cocked an eyebrow, inviting Hermione to continue as he mimicked her posture. As a blush rose upon her cheeks, Hermione leaned forward to keep her words away from the waiter who was loitering nearby. "We just sleep, Harry. It's just like when we used to share on the run."

"Hermione," Harry said sincerely, looking very quickly at the busy street behind her. "You and Draco sharing a bed is nothing like you and I sharing a bed. We're like brother and sister. The relationship you have with Draco is something else, something different."

Hermione shifted in her chair, staring down at a knot in the wood of the table as she refused to meet Harry's questioning eyes. Yes, her relationship with Draco was like nothing she had ever had before. But did that make it a bad thing?

"Hermione," Harry spoke calmly reaching out to take one of her hands. "I know I've asked you before, but I can't not ask again. Do you have feelings for Draco?"

Hermione looked up so fast it made her head spin and stared into Harry's green eyes, waiting for him to back down from his question. When he didn't, Hermione realised she was going to have to answer. "I don't know, Harry. I never used to think of him as anything other than Draco, but now… now he's like… it's difficult to explain."

"Why is it difficult?" Harry asked thoughtfully, remembering his own burgeoning feelings for Ginny and how he had never doubted that she was the one for him, it had felt so natural he couldn't imagine being unclear of his feelings for her. Seeing Hermione, who was usually so coherent and eloquent, looking lost for words was almost funny, had it not been for the mounting frustration Harry could see building in Hermione's face he might have laughed.

"Because it is Harry!" Hermione cried, releasing her hand from his and slumping back in her chair. Ever since her dream come nightmare, Hermione had been struggling to reconcile her thoughts and emotions regarding both Ron and Draco."Six months ago, I was happily married to the apparent love of my life. Now, I'm getting divorced. Two months ago, I wasn't even thinking about children, and now, I'm pregnant." Hermione paused, her chest heaving as she debated telling Harry about the twins. Deciding now wasn't the time, she simply asked, "what about this is easy?"

Harry moved to sit in the empty seat next to his best friend and hugged her. "I never said this was easy, Hermione," Harry said softly, smiling at the owner behind the till. "Far from it. Just think about it, ok? I think Draco's mad for you."

Hermione sighed deeply, resting her head on Harry's shoulder. "I don't know what to do, Harry," Hermione confessed. "Draco is so amazing, I can't imagine not spending time with him. He makes me happy and I like to think I make him happy too. This situation is so unusual, I just don't know what to do."

"Just be, then, Hermione," Harry responded delicately. "Right now, and always, you need to be happy. If you are happy spending time with Draco, then spend time with him. I'll stop asking how you feel, just remember I'm here."

"Thank you, Harry," Hermione sighed, thankful for his promise not to push the issue, when she suddenly remembered why she had been so keen to meet Harry. "Oh!" Hermione exclaimed, her hands fluttering in front of her. "I'm throwing a little gathering for Draco's birthday, will you and Ginny come? I've already spoken to Blaise, Daphne and Theo so they'll be there. It's tomorrow. I was thinking around six? Draco always arrives for dinner around six."

"I'm sure we can be there," Harry replied promptly, smiling as a grin lit up Hermione's face. "I'll owl you later to confirm."

"Perfect," Hermione said, smiling and looking at the clock behind Harry's shoulder. "I guess we had better head back to the office?"

"Come along then, my lady" Harry joked, pulling a Muggle twenty pound note and leaving it on the table, waving to the owner as he ushered Hermione out through the door.

Butterflies fluttered restlessly in Hermione's stomach. Tonight was Draco's birthday, and Hermione was getting ready to surprise him by hosting a bunch of Slytherins in her home. Hermione knew he didn't want a fuss, but she wanted to say thank you— somehow— for everything he'd done for her.

Hermione felt self-conscious as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing her favourite red dress from Bill and Fleur's wedding, which was now a bit tight around her chest and waist. Hermione knew there was no way anyone would be able to tell she was carrying twins, but she hoped Harry and Ginny arrived first; she wasn't ready to tell them yet, but they would help her feel calmer.

Just as she was about to dig out a looser dress, her ward bell rang. Breathing in deeply, Hermione ran her anxious hands over her dress and attempted to hoist the neckline higher. Grumbling to herself when it didn't budge, Hermione reached out with her magic and recognised Harry alone at the door.

Hermione lowered the wards so he could enter and turned away from the mirror, hurrying to greet her guest. She met Harry just inside the entrance and was promptly pulled into a bone-crushing hug. "Hey, Harry, where's Ginny?" she asked as Harry shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

"She's umm…" Harry stopped, spinning on his foot to look out into the forest. Something was crashing around not far from them.

Harry and Hermione stood still and listened as the sound drew closer. Harry slowly raised his wand and moved in front of Hermione, relaxing slightly when a male voice carried back to them. "Why does she have to live in the middle of a god damned forest!"

Raising a questioning eyebrow, Harry looked at Hermione as she slapped her hand to her head. "I didn't tell them how to find us, just which forest to Apparate to."

Harry stepped forward, wand still raised— he wasn't Head Auror for nothing— and called out, "Who's there?" causing the people stumbling in the forest to freeze.

"Potter?" a different voice called back. "Where the hell are you? We've been stumbling around out here for bloody ages!"

Smirking, Harry lit his wand and walked into the forest, finding himself three very irritable looking Slytherins. "Zabini, Nott, Daphne, nice to see you all," Harry greeted calmly, leading the way back to Hermione, who looked awfully embarrassed.

"Can anyone tell me why Granger lives in the bloody woods?" Theo grumbled as a tree branch slapped him in the face, making Hermione laugh. Quick as a flash, Theo's head snapped up, his eyes greedily roving over Hermione's body as his attitude quickly shifted. "Whoa, Granger, don't you look delightful."

Before Hermione could muster a response, Daphne slapped the back of Theo's head. "For Merlin's sake, Theo!" she said sternly, her face set into a scowl. "You know what Draco is like, he'd kill you if he heard that." As Theo grumbled under his breath, Daphne turned, her face smoothing out. "Hermione, hello, it's so nice to meet you. I apologise for Theo."

Hermione smiled back at Daphne and greeted her guests, allowing them through the wards. "It's nice to meet you too, Daphne. Theo, Blaise, it's good to see you again."

"Right back at you, Hermione. You're looking well," Blaise said smoothly as they followed Hermione and Harry into the living room, his eyes widening as he spied the waterfall through the floor to ceiling windows. "Interesting place you have here. Draco's descriptions haven't done it justice."

"Yea," Theo said looking around the room, his jaw slack as he took in all the little details surrounding him. "How come you live in a cave? In the middle of the woods?"

"Thank you, Blaise," Hermione responded before turning to Theo to answer his question. "It's an assignment from work." Hermione turned to look at Harry before asking the group as a whole, "Drink, anyone?"

After organising the drinks, Hermione perched on the sofa next to Harry, anxiously awaiting Draco's arrival. "So," Hermione began nervously, her eyes darting between the group in front of her, "what have you all been up to since Hogwarts?"

Theo yawned theatrically and stretched his arms out. "Boringggg," he drawled, leaning forward toward Hermione with a devilish smile. Draco had been tight lipped about the situation with Granger but Theo wasn't about to let the opportunity to watch her squirm go to waste. "Why don't you tell us if that's Draco's baby? Everyone is dying to know."

Nausea rolled in Hermione's stomach as her back stiffened. This had been a bad idea. Why did she think the Slytherins could play nice? Before Hermione could come back with a witty retort, a different voice answered Theo's question.

"Because she doesn't know, Nott," Draco said sternly as everyone whipped their heads round to look at him, he knew letting slip about Hermione's baby at work would come back and bite him in the ass. His eyes immediately found Hermione's as she looked up at him in surprise.

"Draco!" Blaise shouted standing up quickly to put himself between Draco and Theo, just in case. "Happy Birthday!"

Draco looked at Blaise, then back at Hermione before looking at the rest of the guests assembled before him, his bag of takeout hanging limply in his hand. If he hadn't been so riled by Theo's comment, he might have been slightly touched to see his friends here, obviously gathered together by Hermione. "Hermione, want to come help me with this? In the kitchen?" Draco asked, his grey eyes holding her interest.

Hermione nodded, standing quickly to move toward Draco. As she walked, someone whistled, which was quickly followed by the sound of flesh on flesh and a growl of "Theo— shut it!" Watching Draco's face tense, Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him into the kitchen, casting a silencing charm on the room as they entered.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said softly as Draco put the takeout on the counter. "I thought it would be nice for you to see them."

"It is nice," Draco assured Hermione, his face softening as he looked at her. Carefully he reached out and pulled her into his arms. "You look… spectacular."

Hermione blushed as Draco appraised her, she ducked her head beneath his chin and wrapped her arms around him, trying to ignore how his toned physique pressed against her. "Thanks, it's an old dress, from Bill and Fleur's wedding," She answered, looking down at how the material rested over her bump. "It's a bit tight now."

Draco squeezed her and placed a swift kiss against Hermione's forehead. "Like I said— spectacular," he whispered against her skin, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

Hermione took a deep steadying breath, trying to slow her racing heart as Draco pulled away and led her back to their guests.

"Well, that was quick," Theo commented as soon as the pair reappeared. "Not even a hair out of place."

Draco's hand tightened on Hermione's. "Theo," he spoke icily, "behave. Hermione and I are friends. End of conversation."

"Whatever," Theo replied, eying Draco as he casually took a sip of his drink. "When are we eating?"

"Now, everything is set up in the dining room," Hermione answered a little too quickly before turning to lead the way, towing Draco along in her wake.

Hermione's dining room was lit by the soft glow of candles and the faint blue light from the waterfall, which could be seen through the floor to ceiling glass windows. "Impressive," Blaise said as he walked in, taking in the view and the mountain of food on the table. "You designed this all yourself?"

"Yes," Hermione replied happily, sitting down between Draco and Harry. Blaise took the seat opposite, with Daphne and Theo sitting either side of him. "I had a lot of help building it, I didn't want to lose the beauty of the cave, so I've got full windows on this side so you can see out and the enchanted ceilings so you can see up. Help yourselves to the food, by the way."

"Wow," Daphne said softly, staring up. "I didn't even notice the ceilings, are they like this through the whole house?"

"Mhmm," Hermione nodded, swallowing her first mouthful. "I think it's best in the bathroom, I can just lie in there for hours."

"Granger," Theo said carefully, looking at the food around him. "I don't mean to interrupt, but where is the real food? All I'm seeing is vegetables."

"Oh, shit," Hermione blurted out, slapping her hand to her head. "I forgot." Hermione recalled the first meal she had cooked for Draco, the confusion she was seeing on Theo's face was almost the exact same look Draco had worn. Now, however, Draco actually enjoyed the food she cooked and if he fancied something specific he would provide and cook it himself.

"You forgot?" Theo questioned as Hermione nodded her head, causing her neat curls to bounce around her face.

"Hermione's a vegan," Draco stated, watching as confusion flashed across Theo's face. "She doesn't eat meat or anything that comes from an animal." He almost laughed as he realised how unobservant his friends were. Even though they frequently dined together, not one of them had noticed how he had stopped ordering meat dishes, choosing the vegetarian option most of the time unless he really craved a juicy steak.

"I'm so sorry," Hermione apologised, looking at each of the Slytherins in turn. "I didn't even think, everyone I usually cook for knows." Whilst most people were accepting of her choice, Ron hadn't understood and insisted on Hermione cooking meat for him. Which ultimately ended up in Hermione using Tofu as a meat substitute and Ron being none the wiser.

"How interesting," Daphne interjected, smiling at Hermione. "How did you survive through Hogwarts?"

Hermione laughed, remembering the first time she had spoken to Harry and Ron about her wish to be a vegan. "It was almost impossible. I tried my best but there just wasn't enough variety. Now I do all my own cooking, it's so much easier."

"Well, I'm quite enjoying the food," Daphne responded happily, cutting up her food carefully. "You're a good cook."

"I agree," Blaise added, helping himself to another stuffed pepper as Draco grinned at him.

"Theo," Draco questioned, shifting his attention from Blaise as Theo still looked a little gobsmacked. "Do you want my takeout? I grabbed some chicken and cashew nuts."

"No, no, it's fine," Theo replied, trying his best not to be rude and smile at his hosts. "I was just surprised."

"Theo," Hermione said, waving her hand in the air. "Eat it, I won't be offended. Draco still eats meat around me, just because I don't want to doesn't mean you shouldn't."

The takeout box was now hovering happily next to Theo. "How did you do that?" He asked sharply, reaching out to take the offending box and loading the food onto his plate.

"Brightest witch of her age," Harry supplied jokingly, flashing Hermione a smile. "That's why we had to take her on the run with us, we couldn't have survived on our own!"

"Very funny, Harry," Hermione smirked, poking her tongue out at him as Draco squeezed her leg beneath the table.

The rest of the meal passed quickly with the scrape of cutlery and easy conversation. Hermione was becoming more comfortable with the three Slytherins and found Daphne's presence to be quite enjoyable. Daphne was smart and quick-witted, having hung around with boys for so long like Hermione had. She also had a wicked sense of humour, the whole table laughing at her on more than one occasion.

As the food vanished from the table and everyone sat happily full, Hermione stood, summoning all the plates to stack neatly in front of her before she turned to leave the room, noticing as she did that Draco was standing to help. "No," Hermione said with a smile. "You sit," she commanded, pointing her finger at his chair causing Draco to be forced back into his seat. "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Hermione cried rushing back to Draco, "I didn't mean to!"

Draco laughed and held his hands up in surrender. "It's fine, don't worry, I won't help you."

"What was that?" Blaise asked Draco as Hermione left the room with the plates levitating in front of her.

"Sometimes Hermione accidentally uses magic," Draco answered calmly, folding his napkin and tossing it down in front of him. "It only happens here and it's always minor magic. The other day she accidentally froze me when I tried to help cook dinner."

Harry laughed. "Yea, you don't help Hermione cook, should have warned you about that one."

"No harm, Potter," Draco replied as he stretched, smirking at the memory. "Her face was a picture though, she was so surprised!"

Suddenly all the candles went out and the room was lit only by the moonlight from the enchanted ceiling. "What's going on?" Theo questioned as the rest of the guests sat up straighter in their chairs. "More accidental magic?"

Hermione laughed from the corridor. "No, I meant to do this," she said, appearing in the doorway, holding out a giant golden snitch cake— like the one she and Ginny had made for Harry's birthday— lit with twenty-two flaming candles. "Happy Birthday, Draco."

A soft "ooh" echoed through the room as everyone watched Hermione carefully place the cake in front of Draco. "Thank you," he said, mesmerised by the flames. Draco caught one of Hermione's hands as she made to move away and kissed her palm lightly.

"Don't forget your wish!" Hermione reminded Draco as he took a deep breath. He then closed his eyes, made his wish and blew out all his candles in one go as the table around him cheered.

"Who wants some?" Hermione asked as she passed Draco the knife. With a chorus of "Me!" from everyone in the room, Hermione summoned the plates from the kitchen and relit the dining room candles.

"Merlin this is good, Granger. I would marry you for this cake every day," Theo spoke thickly through his mouthful.

Hermione let out a shocked gasp as Draco choked on his cake. Speaking to Theo, Hermione rubbed small circles on Draco's back to ease his coughing. "I'm flattered, Theo, but I'm still married."

Blaise, Daphne and Harry had tears running down their faces as Draco regained his composure. "Bloody hell, Theo, the M word from you is like hearing Potter swear!" he laughed as Theo slowly realised what he had said.

"I didn't mean to— I mean— I just," Theo bumbled as everyone laughed, his cheeks flushing pink. "It's bloody good cake, that's all."

Eventually the laughter died down and everyone finished their food, now sitting in a comfortable silence. Harry excused himself. "Sorry guys, I've gotta get home to the wife. Draco, Happy Birthday mate. Hermione, mind if I have a quick word?"

"Cheers, Potter, say hi to Ginny for me," Draco said sleepily as Harry and Hermione left the room.

"Do they do that a lot?" Daphne asked curiously, leaning back in her chair.

"What? Harry and Hermione?" Draco asked, continuing as Daphne nodded. "Yea, they're like brother and sister, they tell each other everything. Hermione'll tell me if she thinks I need to know."

Daphne nodded, her head coming to rest on Blaise's shoulder before falling into a sleepy silence along with the rest of her Slytherin companions.

"What's up, Harry?" Hermione questioned, leaning against the wall. Overall, Hermione was quite impressed with how the evening had gone, even with Theo's little comments, everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves and she had enjoyed seeing Draco interact with his friends.

"Ron's back," Harry said quickly, deciding it was best to get the news out in the open as he rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. "They finished their mission early so he's on desk work for the next two weeks at least, maybe the whole month. I just wanted to tell you before you saw him around the Ministry."

Hermione sighed. She had hoped to have a clearer idea of things with the baby— babies— before she had to see him again. "Thanks, Harry, do you know when he's due to see the lawyer?"

"From what I remember, he's meeting him on Wednesday," Harry responded, opening his arms to hug Hermione.

"Ok, thanks, Harry," Hermione replied, muffled against his chest. "You still need to tell me why Ginny didn't come tonight."

"I know," Harry murmured, rubbing his hand across Hermione's back. "Can I talk to you about it on Friday?"

"Yea," Hermione nodded as Harry stepped outside. "See you Friday."

"Thanks," Harry said before disappearing with a pop. Hermione headed back to the living room to find Draco in the middle of goodbyes with his friends.

"Good to see you guys," Draco spoke happily, turning his head to see Hermione approaching. "We must do it more often."

"Yes," Daphne agreed as she pulled on her light jacket. "It was fun. Plus, Hermione is a great cook. I'd love for us to have a girls night soon so I can get to know you better."

"I'd enjoy that," Hermione replied with a smile, "I'll check my diary and owl you?"

"Brilliant," Daphne answered, giving Hermione a small hug before returning to stand with Theo and Blaise.

"I think we know what Theo thinks of Hermione's cooking," Blaise teased lightly as he tipped his head in Hermione's direction. "Thanks for inviting us."

"No problem," Hermione smiled back, tucking herself into Draco's open arm. "It was nice to get to know you all."

"Yea, thanks, Granger," Theo muttered as he scuffed his feet against the floor.

"If you'll excuse me," Hermione said sleepily, squeezing Draco's side. "I'm rather tired, so I'll leave Draco to see you out." Draco pecked her quickly on the cheek before she headed back to her bedroom.

After a chorus of "Night!" Draco showed the group back to the entrance of the cave. "Thanks for coming guys, it really was a nice surprise."

"All Hermione's idea," Blaise said as he stepped outside, drawing his cloak around him.

"Yea," Theo added as he too stepped outside. "Hermione owled me last week. I was surprised she remembered me."

"No one forgets you, Theo," Daphne said softly as she looped her arm through Theo's, laughing as his face lit up.

"You're coming back to mine?" Theo questioned. As Daphne smiled at him and nodded her head, Theo quickly wrapped his arm around Daphne's waist and pulled her in close. "Laters guys!" Theo rasped as he Disapparated the pair of them quickly.

"Are they seeing each other again?" Draco question, shocked, still staring at the spot where they vanished.

Blaise shrugged, putting his hands into his pockets. "I've given up trying to understand Theo and Daphne. Night, Draco."

"Night, Blaise," Draco replied easily, watching as Blaise also vanished into the darkness. Stifling a yawn, Draco headed back to Hermione's bedroom, pausing for a moment when he spotted her already half asleep beneath the sheets. Draco pondered for a moment taking her back to his place but quickly decided against it. She was slowly getting better and she worked so hard to give him a wonderful evening. Draco stripped down to his boxers and joined her in bed, pulling Hermione into his embrace to whisper into her ear, "Thank you for tonight."

"You're welcome," Hermione replied as she snuggled back into Draco's chest, her voice heavy with sleep already. "Oh! I almost forgot your present!"

"You didn't have to get me anything, Granger," Draco mumbled as she squirmed against him. Reluctantly, he let her go, and Hermione shuffled to her bedside table.

"Here," Hermione said, moving back to his side with a small gift wrapped neatly in silver paper.

Draco took the gift carefully and sat up, watching as Hermione nibbled her lower lip. He removed the bow and tore into the paper. Two little pictures fell out onto his lap, and Draco picked them up to inspect them.

"I know we're not sure if they are yours," Hermione began, mumbling as Draco sat in silence, his hands trembling faintly. "But since our last appointment, I just feel like they are. I know I'm still married and we're just friends but honestly, I want them to be yours."

At Hermione's admission, Draco snapped his head up, his eyes focusing on her as his heart thumped loudly in his chest, unable to speak, Draco allowed Hermione to continue, her voice wavering slightly. "I could be getting my hopes up, but I can't imagine it being any other way and I... I just wanted you to be able to carry them with you like I am."

Unfamiliar emotions filled Draco, his brain trying rapidly to understand what was going on as he looked at those two tiny pictures. His heart constricted as he replayed Hermione's words, she could be getting her hopes up. She wanted the babies to be his? Hermione wanted him to have her scan pictures. For the first time, Draco truly the fantasy of them play out inside his head— him, Hermione

and their twins. Unable to speak, Draco placed the two pictures on the bedside table before turning back to Hermione. Placing his hands on either side of her head, Draco lowered himself down slowly, pressing his lips to hers.

It was a slow, sweet kiss, and Hermione felt her hands creep up around Draco's neck and into his hair, holding him close as she kissed him back, his soft lips moving against hers in a perfect rhythm. Draco broke the kiss first and rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily as Hermione released a contented sigh.

Draco laid back down next to Hermione and pulled her body into his, kissing a bit of exposed skin before whispering, "Night," into Hermione's ear, causing her to snuggle back into him. Wrapping his arm around her waist, Draco nuzzled his face into her hair, breathing in its fruity scent as Hermione fell asleep in his arms. When he closed his eyes, all he could see was her face and the photos of the babies she had given him, thoughts of his best birthday ever filling his mind.

A/N - Alpha love to tectonictigress & TriDogMom as always :D