A/N: Hello everyone! Im so sosososososo sorry for how late this chapter is! I was just adjusting to a new schedule and I feel horrible about not being able to post!

A thank you to rabradley09, decadenceofmysoul, 1991, Whit96, takingflight4, and the two Guests who commented on the last chapter.

And thank you to everyone who has been following along and being patient with me and this fic, I appreciate ever single one of you!

And as always, enjoy!

Chapter 17

Late August— Present

Hermione slipped into something comfortable once Molly left. She had missed the feel of a nice pair of muggle pajamas.

She sat on her new bed and brushed out her hair, struggling to get out the knocks. When she finally finished, her hair sticking up all around, she pulled it into two braids, tightly tying the ends.

She waited until she was sure that everyone in the house was asleep, until their footsteps quieted. Hermione cast a silencing charm on her self and slipped into the hallway, knowing that this was her only chance to get what she needed. She silenced every step when she moved down the stairs, and froze when the floorboards groaned under her weight.

But eventually she made it to her sanctuary. The library.

She shut the door behind her and lit the fireplace. Her let her fingers since over the spines of the ancient books, forcing herself to memorize the titles for future reference. Hermione's lip quivered when she passed Hogwarts; A History, she wanted to pull it off the shelves and get lost in the magic that had amazed her so many years ago. It was home. Her first love. Her reason to breathe.

After a moment, she gathered herself, wiping the stray tear daring to slip down her slender cheek before she started to pull books that would help Harry.

Harry. Ron.

Merlin how she missed them.

She pulled out books one by one and started to scan the table of content's for any information on Dumbledore's past.

Positive results were few and far between.

It was the wee hours of the morning when there was a tiny pop in the library. Hermione had begun to fall asleep where she say on the floor when she was jolted awake.

A familiar elf stood by the fire with a single tray.

"Miss shouldn't be up at this hour," the elf said looking away from the witch, "but Mossy told Rosey that Miss doesn't listen."

Rosey put the tray next to Hermione on top os a pile of books. Hermione gave a soft laugh. The tray was filled with an array of different sandwiches, all lopsided, next to a cup of tea.

Hermione's shoulder's relaxed, "Thank you, Rosey. Tell Mossy I'm thankful."

The elf froze, turning to Hermione with tears in her eyes. "Mossy is gone, Miss. The fire took her."

Hermione's smile fell.

How could be so foolish! She never asked who was lost in the fire.

Her stomach twisted with guilt.

A sharp pain shot through Hermione.

"Oh Rosey," Hermione muttered, "I'm so sorry."

Rosey nodded, her little lip quivering. "I'm here to protect you now, Miss. I promised Mossy."

Hermione rose to her knees and moved to the elf, taking the creatures hands in her own, "You dont have to protect me, Rosey."

"I promised," the elf said, her eye's defiant, "I is never going back on a promise."

Hermione bit her lip, nodding at the elf, "Okay, Rosey."

Hermione dropped Rosey's hands, and the elf gave her one final stern not before popping off. Hermione stared at the carpeted floor for a moment before turning back to the books that lay behind her, going through them with determination.

The sun had begun to break through the night when the door opened. Hermione looked over her shoulder, glancing at the intruder, Draco, before turning back to her books.

"Been here long?" Draco asked. He moved to her, arranging himself on the ground but the fire, "You should be resting."

Hermione gritted her teeth, her eyes still glued to the book, "Dont tell me what to do."

She could feel his eyes n her. The goosebumps that broke out on her skin were the visible consequences of her reaction to the blond. Other than the pregnancy, that is.

Draco sighed. He stretched out his legs and leaned back on his hands, "Are you going to look at me, Granger?"

Hermione ignored him, flipping the page to the next chapter, The End of the Wizarding War of 1980. Hermione froze, putting a slip of paper to make the chapter.

She really hoped that her theory on the missing horcrux was wrong.

"Granger," Draco said again.

"I'm busy, Malfoy," Hermione hissed, shutting one book, only to pick up the next.

From the corner of her eyes, Hermione could see Draco stiffen, his eyes widening slightly at the use of his last name.

"Will you at least tell me what youre doing?" Draco whispered, scooting closer to Hermione.

Hermione moved away.

Draco huffed, "Oh come one, Hermione. It's a simple question."

Hermione didn't look up from her book, the cracking from the fire filling the awkward silence.

"Hermione?" Draco whispered again.

The wizarding war had miraculously ended when he-who-should-not-be-named found the Potters and…

"It's nothing important." Hermione said as she jotted down a few notes.

"You're a lying," the young wizard said coldly.

Hermione's nostrils flared, a pain shooting up from her stomach that almost caused her to double over, "Let me remind you who the lair in this relationship is."

Her eyes were blazing, and in her anger, she could see guilt cloud over Draco's eyes.

She didn't feel any pity. He had lied. He had watched her be tortured.

He was willing to leave her behind.

Hermione may love him, but trust was broken.

"Hermione—" Draco began.

The door opened, Bellatrix stepping onto the room, seemingly unaware of the tension in the room.

"Ooh," she the mad witch cackled, "what do we have here? Little Drakey here with our very own princess. "

Draco sighed, "Aunt Bella, I'm just catching up with an old schoolmate."

Hermione turned her attention back to the books. She dearly wished that she could have the quiet serenity of the library back.

Apparently that was a pipe dream.

"That's better be all that's happening, boy." Bellatrix said, her tone suddenly changing, "She is a taken woman— I doubt Mr. Nott will appreciate you accosting his heir's mother."

The mad woman shot a look at Draco, her nose high in the air, a sneer marring her face. She waited a beat then turned to walk right out of the room.

The door slammed behind her.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Hermione could feel Draco's eyes on her.

"What did she mean by that?" Draco asked, his voice small.

Hermione sighed, putting the book down, "Theodore has taken responsibility. My grandfather wants us to get married."

Hermione turned to Draco who's eyes were focused on the witch's bump.

"You're going to marry him?" Draco whispered.

"I didnt say that," Hermione said, "no real decisions been made yet."

The blond's eyes snapped up to Hermione's, "But youre thinking about it."

Hermione's eyes dropped to the floor between them.

"So that's it." Draco said, pushing himself off the floor, "You're never going to forgive me, and you're marrying my best mate."

Hermione followed Draco's lead, and struggled off the floor, her swollen and distended middle making it difficult for her to navigate.

"I didnt said that!" Hermione exclaimed, following Draco after she had some equal footing.

Draco wasn't listening, he marched out and headed straight for the kitchen. Hermione tried to catch up but Draco's long strides didnt give her any advantage.

Hermione stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe huffing for air.

"Draco—" Hermione began.

"—You," Draco hissed.

Hermione looked up to find Theodore on the other side of the kitchen helping Molly with breakfast, bent over a cutting board, working on potatoes. Draco marched over, pulled Theodore away from the counter from his collar, and before Hermione knew it, the blond's fist was drawn back. Draco's fist landed square in the middle of Theodore's face. A loud crack echoed in the kitchen.

Theodore fell backwards, holding his bloodied nose. Molly turned from her place in front of the stove in horror.

"Draco Malfoy!" Molly cried, "What in Merlin's name are you doing!"

Draco tried to lunge down to Theodore, his fists still curled when a strong hand landed on his shoulder.

Hermione's eyes widened in fear when she say Riddle walk into the room, an amused smile on his face

"Well, well, well," Riddle said, "Arent we upset?"

Molly helped Theodore up, pushing a towel to his face.

Draco's walls went up, his anger being hidden behind a mask. He pulled himself away form the older wizard and walked out of the room, not bothering to give Hermione a second look.

Hermione felt another pain in her lower abdomen. Her hand flew to her bump taking in a deep breath, to help the pain ebb away. She looked up and met Molly's eyes from across the room.

There was a flash of concern in Molly's eyes, her eyes going from her stomach to her eyes, brows furrowing in thought.

Hermione's lip wobbled slightly, and Molly jerked her head towards the stairs. Hermione nodded and left, knowing that the older witch would follow her up soon.