A/N: Hi All! A Special thank you to jacpin2002, ZoeyOlivia, Royan Granger-Nott, crankypants16, renowned-warrior, and the Guest that commented on the last chapter. Thank you so much for your comments! They make my day brighter (in all honestly they do).

I dont have much else to say so, as always, enjoy!

Chapter 10

January 1996— 6th Year

Hermione slipped into the Room of Requirement, anxious to get into the hidden room. It had been difficult to get away from Gryffindor Tower now that everyone was back. She smiled to herself when she saw the now familiar man in the center of the room, bent over books, clutching his hair in concentration.

"Draco?" Hermione whispered.

The blond's head snapped towards Hermione, his brow that was crinkled in concentration softening as his eyes lit with fire. He smiled at her, striding over and cupping her face tenderly. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly.

Merlin, Hermione was sure that no matter how many times it happened, it would always feel like the first time.

She leaned into the kiss, fisting Draco's clothing to pull him in closer.

This moment was theirs but in the back of Hermione's mind, she felt a darkness hang over them. It was different than what she had felt before, and she prayed that it wasn't Draco's.

Late July 1997— Present

Hermione stretched her legs. She was sure she hadn't slept this well since before the war. The brunette tried to move when she was stopped by a heavy arm flung over her torso. She groggily turned to find Ron splayed out on the bed, his mouth handing open, his wand in one hand while his other arm pinned her to the bed. Hermione groaned and pushed Ron's arm off of her, sitting up and stretching her arms over her head, her eyes closed, allowing the sun to warm her skin.

"Mornin', 'Mione," Harry muttered, hauling himself up into a sitting position.

"Morning indeed," a voice said from the other side of the room.

Hermione's eyes shot open, to find Narcissa standing at the foot of her bed, her eyes trained on her.

Ron pushed him self up, muttering to himself as he rubbed the sleepiness from his eye. "Hey Lady, isn't kinda rude to just watch people sleep?" Ron said, stretching his long legs underneath the covers before reaching to the nightstand to grab his eyepatch.

"Its also improper for a young, unmarried, witch to share a bed with two wizards," Narcissa said with venom in her tone.

Harry's eyes narrowed, "and what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Narcissa said nothing, turning her nose up at the three friends.

"Need I remind you that I'm already pregnant," Hermione said, feeling insulted at the accusation, "and need I remind you who got me into this situation."

Hermione and Narcissa glared at each other for minutes on end. The only reason the two witches stopped silently glaring at each other was when Mossy popped into the room, bowing deeply and announcing breakfast.

Narcissa scoffed and exited the room, her robed dramatically flowing behind her. Harry looked at Hermione quizzically, his brows drawn together.

"Bloody hell, 'Mione, I thought we like her," Ron interrupted, righting his eyepatch before turning to face Hermione.

Hermione sighed, nudging Harry. The black haired boy took the hint and slid off the bed, he immediately walked to the en suite bathroom with the clothes that he had worn the day before. Hermione stood and stretched again, her back hurt, and she assumed it what from her body accommodating the fetus inside her.

"You're definitely bigger today, 'Mione," Ron said, his eye on her stomach.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "That's impossible, Ron," she snorted.

Just then, Harry decided to exit the bathroom, "What's impossible?" he asked, looking much more put together, though his hair would say otherwise.

"Ron insists that I'm bigger since yesterday," Hermione said with the role of her eyes.

Harry considered Hermione for a moment and gave a gentle nod, "He's right."

Hermione scoffed, looking at her reflection in the window, she didn't notice a change. Perhaps it was just Ron and Harry.

Hermione took the bathroom next, changing and readying herself quickly before she let Ron take over the bathroom.

It was a little jarring to see how differently Hermione dressed form Harry and Ron now that she was safely tucked away at Malfoy Manor. Her clothes were made of the finest silks, elegant and timeless whereas Harry and Ron looked to be wearing what they had been for the last year. It wasn't exactly a lie, and she was sure Narcissa had already burned whatever clothes she had come to the manor in.

Once Ron had emerged from the en suite, Hermione showed them down to the dining room. The portraits were quiet for the most part, either not wanting to speak or too frightened to do so.

The Death Eaters had already been in the dining room when Hermione, Harry, and Ron had gotten there. The quiet whispers had fallen to silence when the Golden Trio walked in through the doors.

Bill had already been seated next to Nott Sr., who had a modest pile of food on his plate. Hermione let her friends to the head of the table, where three seats had been left open to Riddle's right. Hermione sat next to her Grandfather, then Harry and Ron respectively.

"Good morning," Hermione said to everyone, to which she got mutters and short nods.

Hermione looked across from her, Snape's eye burrowing into hers. He gave her a curt nod, levitating a small vial towards her.

"That's for your pregnancy," Snape said indifferently, "its for any nausea and pain."

"Thank you," She whispered. Hermione took the vial from the air, uncorking it and gently drinking it down.

"Why didn't you tell us you were in pain?" Ron asked, alarmed.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "It's not like you could do anything to help, Ron."

Ron grumbled and looked down to his plate, filling it with eggs and grilled tomatoes. Harry, who had been silent so far, had already tuckered into his breakfast, quietly eating his potatoes as he watched on.

Riddle had also been quiet, watching the Golden Trio and occasionally Bill as they settled into their breakfast.

"What time will you three gentlemen be leaving today?" Bellatrix LeStrange asked, her face pulled into a sneer.

Hermione froze, her forkful of egg not stilling inches from her mouth. She knew it was going to happen, but she didn't want to think about it yet. Bill cleared his throat and dabbed the corners of his mouth before speaking.

"After breakfast," the Oldest Weasley said, "so we get back on time without raising any suspicion. In a few days, however, the first round of captive Slytherins will be driving with some of the most trusted… If that's acceptable." He finished with a bow.

Bellatrix started but Riddle cut in, giving the mad woman a firm look, "Of course, we've prepared some care packages for your journey back." The Dark Lord said.

Harry hummed, "Thank you."

Riddle waved him off.

The table fell into silence yet again, but this time it was Ron who broke the silence, "Where's Malfoy— er— Draco Malfoy?"

Hermione's heart clenched, she hadn't even noticed that he was gone. What kind of person was she that she forgot to look for the father of her unborn child. There was a clatter down the table, Lucius Malfoy had uncharacteristically dropped his cutlery and Hermione focussed on the empty seat between Draco's parents.

"Why do you ask?" Riddle questioned, raising his eyebrow.

Ron stumbled over his words, before clearing his throat, "Charlotte Pucey was asking, she's a first year, apparently Malfoy had protected her and a few others during the final battle."

Riddle looked thoughtful for a moment, his eyes connecting with Hermione's, who hoped that the Legitimis didn't see the fear and concern in her eyes.

"I know who Charlotte Pucey is." Riddle said, "He went on a mission, a few days before you arrived. He should be retiring soon… if he didn't parish."

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek, fearful that she might say something that would endanger Draco. She felt Harry slide his leg against hers, taking a steadying breathe as a signal for the pregnant witch to breath.

"Lets hope he dines die then," Ron said, "Charlotte would be upset."

"Indeed."

The rest of breakfast was uneventful. Bill said his goodbyes to the still unconscious Theodore, promising to return when he could. On their way out, Hermione clung to Harry and Ron, making them promise that they would do anything stupid, that they would live long enough to see who was right about her baby.

The boys said nothing, tightening their hold on their best friend. They whispered halfhearted promises while the young witch refused to let them go back to the madman.

It was Nott Sr. who pulled Hermione away, his hand on her shoulder as she waved to her friends.

She retired to her rooms for the rest of the night, ignoring the soft knocks on the door, choosing to read What Witches Should Expect When Expecting instead.

Draco was on a mission that might kill him, Harry and Ron were gone, and all Hermione could think was how she wished things would have been different. She mindlessly rubbed her growing stomach, finding that it was in fact getting larger every day.