Hi All! Here is a special thank you to ZoeyOlivia, Royan Granger-Nott, viola1701e, crankypants16, takingflight4, PheonixGrifyndor, 1991, Nacf, and the Guest who commented on the last chapter. Thank you! Your words brighten my day!

The plot should be picking up slightly in the coming chapters, so bare with me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

As always, enjoy!

Chapter 12

Mid August 1997— Present

Hermione sat in silence but Riddle still bore into her eyes with his own deep brown ones. His words echoed in her head. It was Lucius Malfoy's fault for the death of not only her grandmother but her mother as well.

Did Draco know?

What else was he hiding from her?

"Why do you care about the Malfoy boy?" Riddle said, his eyes narrowing.

Hermione tried not to freeze, she really did, but it took her a moment to collect herself before she spoke. "We went to school together," Hermione lied, "it's difficult to see him— anyone really— in that much pain… The war's been hard."

Hermione's hands went to her stomach, smoothing the dress over he bump. Riddle's eyes followed her hands, his eyes softening when he saw her cradle her bump. The air in the room changed, all the negative energy being sucked out of the room in an instant.

"You're getting bigger," Riddle whispered, not truly in the moment, "you must be excited."

Hermione nodded, a smile reaching her lips, "I think I'm more nervous than anything— were you nervous when my mum was born?"

Riddle gave a booming laugh, "I was terrified. I couldn't imagine what was happening," Riddle said with mirth in his eyes, "but Jasmine was ready. She was calm and collected, I really couldn't do any of it without her."

There was a ghost of a smile on Riddle's face at the memory of his wife and the early years of his marriage.

It made Hermione's heart hurt.

"I'm glad you had help," Hermione whispered.

Riddle straightened, "You have help too. You have me— and the Nott boy of course— we will help support you. You two will be wed soon, its only proper."

Hermione gave a slow nod, lost in her thoughts. How will she ell Theo that her grandfather wanted them to get married— how would she tell Draco?

Her heart clenched at the thought of the pale boy laying on the even paler bedding down the hall. She needed to find a way to see him.

"You should get going," Riddle continued, "sleep is very important for someone in your condition."

He gave her a soft smile, standing and rounding the desk to help the young witch out of her seat. Riddle looked down at her with excitement swimming in his eyes.

He led her out after a moment, whispering a simple 'good night' to her before closing the door and leaving her in the hallway.

Hermione sighed. She made her way down the hall and when she passed Draco's room, she found the door tightly closed, the soft glow of the fireplace leaking through the crack at the bottom of the door.

Hermione rushed to her room, realizing that she had been standing by the door for far too long.

As soon as she slipped through the intricately carved doors of her bedroom, she lit the fireplace, watching the flames dance.

She would find a way to talk to Draco when he was better. Maybe that would ease the curing in her stomach.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, her breathes came to her short pants. She sank to the floor, laying down on her side to ground herself. The cool air, still untouched by the modest fire burning on the other side of the room, stung her face. An unrestricted sound passed the witches lips, she breathe shuttering.

When did she start crying?

Damn the pregnancy.

There was a soft knock at the door, but before Hermione had the chance to react, Theodore Nott decided to let himself in.

"Granger?" He whispered, sticking his head into the room, "Are you awake?"

Hermione pushed herself up, wiling her cheeks with the back of her hand, "I'm here."

Theo pushed the door open, and shut it gently behind him, "Im just here to check up—" he froze when he found Hermione on the floor. His eyebrows furrowed in concern and he moved down to her eye level, equating down awkwardly. "What are you doing on the floor? Wait— are you crying?" he whispered.

"It's the damn pregnancy." Hermione muttered.

"Are you sure it has nothing to do with Draco? He was hurt pretty badly." Theo sighed, he sat on the ground, stretching out his legs.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the wizard, "Arent you supposed to be in bed?"

Theodore shrugged, laying down on the floor fully, putting his hands behind his head, "With the potions Snape is pumping in me? I'm feeling fantastic." Theo paused, "do you want to talk about it?"

Hermione shook her head.

"Then do you want to talk about the little buddy you have there?" Theo said nodding to Hermione's stomach.

Hermione mimicked Theo's position, trying to get comfortable on the plush carpet. Eventually, she just stared at the ceiling, "Growing." Hermione sighed, "Getting heavier."

Theo smiled, "You're going to be a good mum," he said, "that little bugger will have the best of everything."

Hermione laughed, "any guesses as to the gender? Harry and Ron fight over it all the time."

Theo snorted, "Of course they are. You aren't curious? I would imagine surprises would scare you off after everything."

Hermione smiled, "With everything going on, this would be a good surprise…" Hermione turned her head toward the man, "a happy one."

Theo rolled his eyes, "well, its a boy if you want my opinion." Theo said, "but having a girl born into the Malfoy family would be great too."

Hermione's smile fell, "Are you okay with this?" she asked, "Are you okay with lying about us?"

Theo shrugged, "It'll keep you, the baby, and Draco safe, so lying doesnt seem so bad." Theo sat up, stretching before standing, "lets get you up and off the floor, cant be good for your back."

Hermione laughed as Theo pulled her up, "so you're a healer now, are you?"

"It's always been an area of interest."

"You never told me," Hermione said, her brows furrowed.

Theodore shrugged, helping her down onto the edge of her bed, "I'm an heir to a family of the Sacred 28… Dreams like that dont really ever hold in reality."

Hermione looked up at her friend, and though she didnt know each other as well as she knows Harry and Ron, she knew that this was more than just a dream. Hermione put her arm on Theo's forearm, squeezing lightly. He sat beside her.

"Thank you." Hermione said.

Theo snorted, "For what? Telling you my sad little dream?"

Hermione shook her head, "For trusting me enough to tell me— and also for lying about this." she put her hand on her bump, "My grandfather wants us married… and I know that you and Draco are close and I know once he finds out he'll be hurt." Tears began spill over her cheeks, "Theo, I dont even know what I'm doing. I shouldn't have lied… It's all too much."

Theo looked at Hermione, his soft hand wiping the tears off her cheeks.

"We'll be okay," Theo said, "we'll fix everything without getting anyone killed. And I'll take you to see Draco when he's better— I promise."

Hermione wrapped her arms around the wizard, hugging him tightly. He returned the gesture, careful not to crush her bump between them.

Theo was about to mutter something when a soft silvery light entered the room through the window.

A lion patronus.

"Viktor," Hermione whispered.

The lion bowed to the witch, "Ve have Austria and Germany. They have their vands ready."

The lion disappeared. Hermione's heart was pounding.

Theo stared at Hermione, "what was that?"

Hermione stared at the empty space that was left by the lion, gooseflesh breaking out on her skin.

"War is coming, Theo," Hermione whispered, "and we just completed the final piece of the puzzle."