A/N: A slightly shorter chapter but an important one nonetheless! Thanks as always to TectonicTigress & TriDogMom for the endless encouragement.
When the sun rose the next morning glorious and bright, Hermione could be found gazing out of her window absently tracing patterns on her slightly rounded stomach with Draco sleeping soundly beside her. The burning pain which had lingered through the day yesterday was now gone and Hermione felt like going home. Although she had been unconscious for the majority of the time, she was sick of the hospital.
The door to her room opened slowly and Healer Turpentine poked her head around the door, seeing Hermione awake she stepped in quietly. "Good morning Ms Granger," she said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Better, thank you," Hermione replied, keeping her voice light to avoid waking Draco. "When can I go home?"
"I hope today," Healer Turpentine smiled back, glancing at Draco's sleeping form. "We'll need to run some more tests, as long as they show improvement I have no problem releasing you into Mr Malfoy's care."
"Draco's care?" Hermione questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Your core is still extremely weak," Healer Turpentine answered calmly. "If we don't release you into his care, you have to stay here until your core is strong enough, which we have no timeframe for given the severity of your attack. Mr Malfoy has already put together a care plan which has been approved by myself, the Aurors and the Ministry."
"Oh," Hermione replied, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Whilst she logically understood the precautions she didn't like the idea of so many people having a say in what she could and couldn't do.
"I'll come back in a few hours to start the tests," Healer Turpentine stated before leaving the room.
What was this care plan Draco had put into place? Why hadn't he mentioned anything about it? Did Harry know? Hermione closed her eyes as her brain went into overdrive, all she wanted to do was go home but even that had to be signed off.
Feeling her skin prickle with agitation Hermione shook Draco gently until he opened his eyes. "What is this care plan you've spoken to everyone else about but me?" Hermione asked imperiously her agitation building as Draco looked at her sleepily.
"It's meant to be a surprise," Draco grumbled trying to wrap himself back around Hermione.
"Tell me, Draco," Hermione commanded, watching as Draco flinched at the harshness in her voice.
Draco mumbled incoherently under his breath as Hermione glared at him. "Just remember you made me ruin the surprise," Draco answered, his voice bitter as he glared right back. "We're going to France, specifically Blaise's château out in the country. Complete peace and quiet so you can relax, his wards are stronger than yours so no one will disturb us, no one will know we're there."
Slightly satisfied with the look of shock on Hermione's face Draco waited in silence for her response. "Y-you're right," Hermione stammered as Draco's eyes went wide in disbelief. "I totally ruined the surprise, I'm so sorry Draco." Never, would Hermione have thought something so wonderful could be considered a care plan.
"I'll forgive you if you let me go back to sleep— now," Draco answered as Hermione nodded, allowing him to settle back into her side. "You should never wake a sleeping dragon, Hermione."
With those last words Draco closed his eyes and just like that, he was out like a light. Leaving Hermione to stare at him dumbfounded. It was then she noticed the dark rings beneath his eyes and the slightly sunken look to his stubbly cheeks, had he not been eating and sleeping properly?
Scolding herself, Hermione realised that no, of course he hadn't. If she knew anything for certain it was that Draco Malfoy had not left her side since her accident and probably never would. Settling down next to him, Hermione pondered their unique situation. At some point she was going to have to address her ever-increasing feelings for Draco, feelings she was now certain he reciprocated.
A few hours later Hermione and Draco were interrupted by a knock at the door, opening her eyes, Hermione found Healer Turpentine standing at the foot of her bed with a very amused Harry.
"All right there Hermione?" he asked grinning as Hermione realised she had fully wrapped herself around Draco in her sleep. Struggling to untangle their limbs Hermione poked her tongue out at Harry as Draco laughed at her flustered state.
"Mr Malfoy," Healer Turpentine said as she beckoned him to stand beside her. "As discussed, providing Ms Granger's vitals have improved, we are happy to release her into your care. However," Healer Turpentine continued as Draco grinned at Hermione, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "This is dependent on you being able to complete the checks yourself perfectly and recognise any cause for concern."
Listening to the Healer's words, Draco sobered quickly. If he messed this up he wouldn't be able to get Hermione out of here. "I understand," Draco replied firmly, pulling his wand from his pocket. "My top priority is the well being of Hermione and the babies."
"Well then," Healer Turpentine responded, pulling Hermione's records and handing them to Draco. "Please proceed Mr Malfoy."
Nervously, Draco moved to stand beside Hermione, gulping as he asked, "please lie still," before beginning a series of complicated wand movements above her now still body. After a few minutes, Draco stopped and carefully assessed the parchment in his hands. To him, everything looked good, but he wasn't about to get his hopes up. Handing the parchment over to Healer Turpentine with a quiet, "I think everything is normal." Draco waited patiently for her assessment.
Carefully checking Draco's results and comparing them against a few of her own, Healer Turpentine looked up from the parchment and spoke directly to Hermione. "Once I sign these off, you are free to leave with Mr Malfoy."
Sighing with relief Hermione grinned at Draco as he let out a shout of joy, "However, I must impress the seriousness of your condition Ms Granger." Healer Turpentine continued sternly, "you are not to attempt the slightest bit of magic, even the smallest use of your magic could leave your core empty. As your case is so unique we're not one hundred percent sure what would happen but we don't want to find out. No magic. Under any circumstances, do you understand?"
Lost for words Hermione looked at Draco, then to Harry. Both of their faces serious as they looked back at her, "Of course," Hermione stated stunned. "It'll be just like before I found out I was a witch. Is there anything else?"
"If you begin to feel unwell or notice anything out of the ordinary, tell Mr Malfoy," Healer Turpentine replied firmly, doing her best to ensure they all understood. "It is his responsibility to notify us immediately of any changes and we will come to you. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to travel by magic if you are feeling unwell. We have arranged a portkey for your journey to France as that won't affect your magic and I understand Mr Malfoy has the best French Healer on standby if you require urgent attention."
"Don't worry Hermione," Draco spoke softly as she stared open-mouthed at him. "Nothing is ever going to hurt you again, you will have my undivided attention."
"Like she doesn't anyway," Harry joked, hoping to lighten the atmosphere. Smirking when Hermione threw one of her many pillows at him.
"I'll be back in a while with your discharge papers Ms Granger," Healer Turpentine said, placing Hermione's records back in their place. "Mr Malfoy, if you would come with me I have a few more things to go over with you."
"Of course," Draco replied, quickly turning to place a kiss on Hermione's cheek before following Healer Turpentine out of the door.
"Looking forward to your holiday then Hermione?" Harry asked casually as she sat still in shock.
"You knew?!" Hermione squeaked at Harry as he grinned at her. "You knew and didn't tell me?"
"Of course I knew. Draco asked if I thought you'd be ok with it," Harry replied laughing as he threw her pillow back at her gently. "Plus Kingsley and I had to sign it off, along with your boss and Healer Turpentine."
"Gods!" Hermione moaned as she buried her face into her pillow. "I'm not sure if I should be delighted at the thought of leaving all this behind or mortified that you all knew and I didn't! What are people going to think? I can't just vanish with Draco…"
"You can and you are Hermione," Harry answered gently pulling the pillow away from her. "I'm not sure you realise how close you came to… well, let's not go there. With Ron's arrest being made public and the press buzzing around, you're not going to get a break. Blaise's place can offer the peace and security you need to recover, plus he was more than willing to help Draco. You both need the time away, not to mention you need to figure out what you are to each other."
Blushing Hermione threw herself back on her pillows covering her now pink face with her hands. "When did this get so complicated?"
"Hermione," Harry said softly, pulling on her hands so she was looking at him. "We've not had an easy year since we started Hogwarts, why would it be any different now?"
Looking at her dearest friend Hermione realised he was right, their lives never had and never would be easy. Being part of the Golden Trio had its perks as well as its downfalls, "I'm going to freshen up," Hermione told Harry standing up slowly. "If there's the possibility I'm leaving today, I'm doing so in clean, fresh clothes."
Laughing Harry hovered near Hermione, just in case she lost her balance as she slowly padded her way to the bathroom. "Draco bought a bag of your things over, just hung up in there."
"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said gratefully, looking forward to a nice hot shower as she stepped into the bathroom.
"Be careful," Harry reminded Hermione sternly, earning himself a patented Hermione Granger scowl. "Just saying," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"I'll be out in a minute," Hermione answered with a roll of her eyes. Shutting the door behind her, Hermione proceeded to strip off her pyjamas and step under the shower head. Remembering to turn it on with the taps instead of with magic.
Pacing anxiously outside of the bathroom door, Harry kept pausing to check his watch and listen to the steady stream of water. It felt like Hermione had been in there for an eternity, he had to stop himself on more than one occasion from bursting in, just to check she was ok. Harry knew it was just his overprotective brother instincts kicking in, but he couldn't help it.
How many times had he watched Hermione push herself to breaking point, just to prove she could do something? Knowing what she just survived Harry would never forgive himself if anything happened to her due to a lapse in his judgment now. As another minute ticked by Harry briefly wondered if Draco realised what he'd gotten himself into. Just as he was about to reach out and crack the door, it opened in front of him and Hermione appeared, looking thoroughly refreshed and happy.
Standing in the door frame Hermione smirked at Harry, knowing full well what he'd just been about to do. "Have you been waiting for me?" Hermione questioned as Harry moved to sit down.
"Yes," Harry answered truthfully as Hermione vigorously rubbed her wet hair, casting him a look of disdain as she attempted to comb through her knots.
"I'm perfectly capable of showering alone Harry," Hermione replied grimacing in pain as the comb got caught in her curls. "Damn thing!"
"I know," Harry acknowledged bowing his head. "I was just paranoid, I'm sorry."
"That's ok," Hermione replied, wrenching the comb through her hair once more. "I forgot how bloody difficult it was to sort my hair out without magic," Hermione huffed as Harry smiled at her. His eyes looking her up and down, noticing for the first time how pregnancy suited her. "What?" Hermione asked nervously as she noticed Harry's gaze.
"It's just…" Harry began trying to explain how different she looked without upsetting her. "I hadn't noticed how much you've changed— in a good way— it suits you, Hermione."
"Oh," Hermione said assessing her outfit in the mirror, she had chosen a red tank top and her black harem pants because they were the comfiest clothes in the bag. However, on closer inspection, Hermione realised how the tank top clung to her accentuated curves. With the loose waistband of the pants cradling her bump, before she could say anymore Draco walked in, followed by Healer Turpentine.
"Oh good you're up," Healer Turpentine said happily brandishing three bits of parchment. "I have your discharge papers here along with strict instructions you have to follow." Hermione nodded her head at Healer Turpentine's words, "I also have the results of the paternity test. Would you like to do this privately?"
Hermione froze, her eyes locked with Draco's as he looked back at her. This was it, Hermione thought as her heart raced, the moment of truth. Was she ready to know? After all their waiting this was what they had been waiting for.
Drawing strength from Draco, Hermione spoke, a slight tremor in her voice. "You can do it now," she answered, breathing deeply as she prepared herself for the truth.
"Ok," Healer Turpentine answered. Calmly opening the parchment she observed the couple as she prepared herself to speak, "Mr Malfoy— Mr Malfoy is the father."
Draco stood numb with shock, he was the father. He was going to have a baby with Hermione Granger! Not just one baby, two! Before he could even move, Hermione had launched herself at him, the comb in her hand clattering to the floor as she crashed into him with an almighty force. As her legs wrapped around his waist, Draco automatically cradled her body against his. His arms snaking around her small frame as he nuzzled his face into her wet tangled hair.
"Oh my god," Hermione whispered as Draco held onto her shaking body. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." Unable to do anything but hold her as she shook, Draco breathed in her scent, feeling her tears run down her face and onto his shirt where she nestled into his neck. "I don't believe it, I can't, oh my…"
"I'm the father," Draco eventually croaked sometime later pulling back to look at Hermione, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "It's...we're…" words were suddenly not enough for Draco, a mixture of happiness, shock and pride coursing through his system. Looking into Hermione's warm, blazing eyes, the eyes of the mother of his children. Draco crushed his lips to hers, his hands gripping her tightly where he held her.
Gasping as desire pounded through her veins, Hermione pulled Draco closer, threading her hands into his hair as he deepened their kiss. His tongue expertly caressing hers as he savoured her taste, their kiss, however, was cut short by Harry's laughter and Healer Turpentine's not so discreet cough.
Realising where they were and who was with them, Hermione carefully loosened her grip on Draco. Allowing him to stand her on the floor beside him, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, "I would say I'm sorry, but I'm not." Draco joked as Hermione's face flamed next to him.
"Not a problem," Healer Turpentine said tightly. "Here is the paperwork, you just need to hand it to the desk as you leave, don't hesitate to contact us if anything changes."
"Of course Healer," Draco replied quickly, trying his best to act mature even though he was grinning ear to ear.
Nodding in Draco's direction, Healer Turpentine left, with what sounded like a tut, as the door closed behind her Harry spoke. "I best be going too, you look after yourself," Harry said sternly looking at Hermione before turning to Draco. "Remember, if anything happens to her, I killed the most powerful Dark Wizard at the age of seventeen, I'm now trained to the highest standard Malfoy. Don't you forget it."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Potter," Draco replied, slightly abased as Harry kissed Hermione on the cheek before leaving the room.
Silence engulfed Hermione and Draco as they stood alone in the room, the heat from their kiss still sizzling through their bodies. "France?" Draco questioned, ready to have Hermione all to himself with no interruptions.
"Yes," Hermione answered quietly, squeezing his hand. "France."