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Years Ago From Now: Chapter Fourteen

Hermione had abandoned the library in favor of pacing in front of the fireplace in Lucius's office, knowing that he would either floo in through there or walk by the doors she could see him if he came through the front.

She knew, logically, that he had met with the Dark Lord since she had arrived. She had never watched him go, though, so she hadn't necessarily known it was a time to worry. Now, though… now, she worried.

She also knew that it was impossible that he would kill or torture Lucius into insanity. After all, the Lucius Malfoy she had known had been alive and saner than most Death Eaters. Still, one could live through lots of horrors without scars that could be seen by the world. She knew that first hand.

The Owl Order Catalogue was thrown onto the top of Lucius's desk. Several selections were very harshly circled for him to consider. The average spouse would look at it thinking that his wife might find several okay but he damned well better choose THAT ONE! Instead, it was just a result of her getting lost in thought as her hand formed a habit of circling a vaguely desirable item. She had stopped when she had ripped a page from the paper weakening as the excessive ink sunk in.

The fire flared harshly green as Lucius stumbled out of the fireplace and to his knees in front. She stood came to an abrupt stop next to a cart with his favorite brandies on it. He groaned as he climbed to his feet, cursing himself for his clumsiness.

His muttered swear words were enough to shock her into action, and Hermione practically flew to wrap her arms around him tightly.

"Lucius! Are you okay?"

He pulled back, smiling warmly at her despite his bloody lip. "That's a greeting I could get used to," he said quietly, leaning in to press his lips to hers. She pulled back when she tasted the blood and felt him tremor slightly.

"Merlin, what happened?!" she said, expecting the worse.

Lucius smiled, "Come and sit. I'll tell you all about it." He led her by the arm over to a small sofa up against the far well. "…first off, I don't think you will have to worry about Rabastan hitting on you next time you see him," he started, smirking.

Four days later, Hermione was finishing up her owl order and humming "Here Comes the Sun" underneath her breath when an owl flew in and landed upon her desk in the library. Not recognizing the owl, she hesitated for a moment before untying the missive.

Dearest Narcissa,

I apologize for the letter, but I was hoping you or Lucius could let me know if either of you have seen Regulus. He has not come home the past few nights. Our house elf, Kreacher, is acting strange but will not say a word about it. As you know, it is most unlike Regulus to shirk his responsibilities. Especially without a good excuse.

Aunt Walburga Black

Hermione felt her stomach cramp fiercely in response. She had known, of course, that it would happen. It was strange, though, knowing that while she had slept Regulus had been dragged to his death. She hadn't been any the wiser.

It was the first death of someone she knew from her life here, and she mourned the loss of Regulus. He had seemed to be a good man, if Dark. A light snuffed out, bringing her one death closer to the life she knew would one day exist. The first of many deaths to come. She cringed. It was time.

She hung her head for a few moments, giving Regulus a moment of mourning. He had been so young, barely a man, yet he had died silently and selflessly, no one knowing his good deeds. He deserved to have someone acknowledge his sacrifice now.

She sighed, raising her head and calling Mink to bring Lucius to her. It was time he know the whole truth. And that truth involved Lily Potter.

She didn't have to wait long. Lucius came in just a few moments later, looking at Hermione seated at the desk in her room. "You must be near your due date if you are sending the elves to get me mere rooms away. You know, Narcissa, I wouldn't force you to do anything in my room if you did by chance stumble upon it."

Hermione sighed, waving off his flirtations. "Sit, Lucius. We need to talk."

His face turned serious quickly, and he took her hand, helping her up from the desk chair and leading her to sit at the foot of her bed next to him. "What's happened?"

Hermione felt tears come to her eyes. "Regulus Black has disappeared. He won't be found. All… all you have to know, for his sake, is that he was a hero. It will be decades before anyone knows and all the people who personally cared for him, save us, will be gone before they can find out the truth."

Lucius was expressionless, seeming shocked while he gathered his words. "What… what do we say if people ask?"

Hermione shrugged, "We haven't seen him, and we don't know where he could be. However, we have no reason to suspect foul play. People will assume that either he was killed by the Dark Lord for wanting to defect or that he ran away."

"Goodness, the Black family is relying on a disowned son to carry on the family name," Lucius said, looking sick.

Hermione shook her head, "This isn't about Sirius yet. That isn't all I called you here for, Lucius."

He nodded at her, squeezing her hand to encourage her to go on.

Hermione took a deep breath. She had thought about this conversation quite a bit in the past month. It was necessary, but it was going to hurt.

"When… when I first got here, I was unspeakably terrified. I felt like I had nowhere to turn. I believed you to be a loyal Death Eater, Severus still is one for now. I don't trust Dumbledore with the information. Yet, I couldn't resign myself to staying here. Yet, no one in my time had ever hinted at knowing me as Narcissa. I knew that if I had somehow made it back with someone's aid, it was likely someone I hadn't met. Someone that I could trust and was very good with research. Someone that could ask questions on the light side without giving me away. So, I came up with someone. I told her before I even told you," Hermione whispered.

Lucius frowned, pain clear in his eyes, "Why didn't you tell me? Who?"

Hermione looked down, "I didn't tell you because even after you found out the truth… at first, I still wanted to get back. She was researching ways to get me back there. When… when we went to the first scan together… the first one you were allowed to go to… I decided that I would tell her not to tell me if she found anything until after Draco was born. He deserves his life, and I wasn't sure what would happen to him if I tried to travel with him inside of me. I didn't want to harm him or leave you alone…"

"So you hope to leave me with an infant to be my confidante? How considerate of you," Lucius said softly, though she could hear the pain in his voice.

Hermione squeeze his hands, feeling tears come to her eyes. "As time passed I became more and more convinced that I could not go back. Lily's efforts would be fruitless as I am meant to be here, even if I don't understand how. I don't think I ever will, truly. Then, this last appointment with Healer Wynne confirmed it. I'm here to stay, and I… I think I will be happy."

Lucius looked up at her, a desperate sort of sadness in his eyes. "So… you aren't leaving."

"No. I can't. I am yours until the end best I know," Hermione said. She leaned in gently, pressing her lips to his and feeling the baby punch her in the stomach. He barely responded and when he pulled back, the pain was still there.

"But… if you could leave. If you could go back and leave us here…. Would you want to?" he asked.

She knew the answer he wanted to hear, and she knew that giving it to him would truly hurt nothing but her conscience. Giving him a half truth, though… he had enough lies in his life.

"I… I don't know. Maybe," she whispered.

He nodded, standing up with an awfully closed off expression. "I see. I'll need some time to think over this. Until then, I propose you set a meeting up with your… connection? Lily, you said? Evans-Potter?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, we… we need to talk about why that is important, as well. Before. Big things are coming soon."

"Later, Nar…. Later," he concluded, walking with his perfectly measured steps toward the door. Hermione stood up, intending to call him back, but leaned over harshly instead when she felt a swift kick followed by the gush of water down her thighs.

"Lucius," she called, a hint of worry in her voice.

"I just need time," he called, half pausing in the door.

"My water just broke," she said quietly. The weight of her words resonated about the room as loud as fifty cannon blasts.

His about-face was something even the most esteemed of generals would have applauded, and he looked at her in shock.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Hermione felt a moment of incredulous amusement as she gestured down to the obvious wetness on her silk skirt. "Quite," she said, and then she doubled over in pain as the first contraction hit. It felt like someone had grabbed her by the kidneys and was squeezing them inward so hard that she felt sure her spine might crack under the pressure.

Lucius was next to her in a second. One hand coming over her back to help hold her against him as he walked her to the couch. "Oh, gods. Oh, Gods! What do I do?!"

She felt the pain abating almost as suddenly as it came on and shook her head, taking a deep breath as she stood up. "Hhhelp me to my room, and then call Healer Wynne," she said, feeling her own nerves start to settle in. It was too early! He wasn't due for another two and a half weeks! They should have time!

Lucius was muttering to himself as he guided her out of the room and toward the stairs. At the foot of them, she promptly had another contraction, holding onto the wooden post as she tried to breathe through it. She felt Lucius, rubbing her back, trying to be helpful. A few minutes later, she was ready to move again.

They climbed the stairs slowly and, this time, made it all the way to her room before she curled in on herself. This time, Lucius scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bed, setting her gently down upon it.

She took several deep breaths, rolling onto her side and trying desperately not to curse. Lucius always found it hilarious when she did, so unlike Narcissa, and she wasn't in the mood for his laughter at the moment.

"Mink!" Lucius yelled, somewhat desperately. The little elf appeared instantly, smiling widely when she saw the state of things.

"Yes, Master?! She asked, excitedly.

"Please go to Healer Wynne and tell her that Narcissa is in labor. Her water has already broke, and she is in considerable pain," Lucius said, over enunciating his words as if the elf couldn't normally understand him.

Hermione scooted herself more onto the bed, groaning pitifully. "I thought it was supposed to hurt your stomach," she said, rubbing at her lower back.

Lucius walked toward her, sitting himself next to her. "Here, let me rub your back."

She groaned as another contraction hit, rolling onto her elbows and knees as the next contraction hit. Lucius's hands touched her back, and she growled angrily, "Wait!"

When the contraction passed, she nodded. "Now," she said, trying to relax. Lucius's hands quickly started rubbing her back, and she sighed in appreciation.

"I….I know you don't want to be doing this. I know you never asked to be in this situation, but… just know how thankful I am for you. For what you are doing. It means everything to me. And our son," Lucius said quietly.

Hermione simply nodded, resting her head on the bed between her arms.

Another contraction hit, and Hermione shook her waist, knocking Lucius's hands away just as Abecca Wynne walked into the room. "Beautiful day to have a baby, isn't it?" she greeted warmly.

Lucius stood from the bed. "She's hurting. Do something," he demanded, gesturing for the healer to move toward the bed.

Abecca's lips twitched in amusement. "I'm afraid a certain measure of pain in guaranteed, Mr. Malfoy. She is to be pushing a rather large baby through a rather small opening."

Lucius went white at the thought of what would be physically happening soon.

"Do you wish to wait in another room? I can have an elf fetch you when the baby arrives," the healer said, expecting him to step out of the room. She was surprised to see Lucius straighten up angrily.

"Absolutely not. I will be staying for the duration," he said, walking back toward the bed as if to challenge the healer to attempt to kick him out. Abecca nodded, impressed with the man. Few pureblood, traditional wizards chose to stay with their wives.

"Is there anyone else she is wanting in attendance?" Abecca asked.

"No. I just need Lucius," Hermione said from the bed, voice weak.

Her words prompted Lucius to properly sit on the bed, helping his wife roll onto her back and lean against the headboard.

"Let's just do a quick check, then," the healer said. Abecca pointed her wand at Hermione's abdomen and said a series of spells, looking over the floating numbers with a satisfied look on her face.

"Well, you are definitely in labor," she said with a nod. "Quite strong contractions considering your waters have broken. Unfortunately, I think it is going to be slow going."

"But she's in pain!" Lucius said, somewhat angrily as he took Narcissa's hand in his.

Abecca smiled, "Yes. And considering that we do have a while until we start with the pushing, I have a potion I can give that can help relax the contractions."

"Side effects?" Hermione asked, then groaned as she sat up, reaching behind her to rub her back. "Why is it hurting my back?!"

"Just the nature of the labor, how the baby is positioned. It is likely to change. There are no side effects other than some sleepiness. Considering the baby isn't likely to be here before the sun, a little rest would do no harm. You'll need your energy, then," the healer said.

Hermione looked at Lucius. He didn't seem to be handling her being in pain very well, and… well, she didn't truly want to be. "Are you sure?" she asked the healer.

Abecca nodded "Yes, I'm positive."

Taking a breath, Hermione nodded as the next contraction hit. After it was finished, she practically snatched the small vial from the healer, swallowing it down without hesitation.

Abecca cast a spell on the bed, telling Lucius that it would help keep the bed clean, vanishing any fluids.

"Well, as I said, it should be a while. If you don't mind, I will do some reading and paperwork and check on your periodically. Might I use a sitting room of some sort so as not to disrupt you too much?" she asked.

Lucius nodded and called Boden to show Abecca the way to the drawing room. She walked out with a promise to be checking in as needed and to send for her if they had any concerns.

Hermione, in the meantime, was looking drowsy. "Do you want to wear that to sleep in?" he asked, plainly.

Hermione looked down at her now soaked skirt and blushed. She hadn't really thought of what she must look like to him. "No. I have a nightgown in the bathroom hanging on a hook by the door. Can you get it for me?"

He hurried off, returning with the grey gown. Hermione felt another contraction hit and winced in pain, but it was a modicum of the amount she had felt earlier. Lucius turned away as she slipped her clothes off and put the nightgown on, using the time to fluff up several pillows on the bed so that she could lie down a bit and get comfortable. . "Do you want me to go somewhere else?" he asked, looking toward the door.

Hermione furrowed her brow in confusion as she walked around him and climbed into the bed. He lovingly pulled the blankets over her and adjusted the pillows behind her slightly.. Why would she want him to leave? She was having his baby in a matter of hours! She shook her head, "No. No, you can stay. I just," she released a long yawn, blinking slowly. "I'm sleepy. There's plenty of room. You can lie down, too."

Lucius hid his surprise but nodded, walking around to the other side of the bed. He took off his shoes and jacket, leaving himself in just his pants and button down shirt. He climbed in and laid on his side, looking at her as her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

He was sure he wouldn't be able to sleep at all. His child was coming. And this goddess that had been sent to aid him would bring his child home.

Author's Note: INCOMING! Anyone want to to guess the baby's name? Thanks for all of your reviews! Keep them coming!