A/N: Hi everyone! I want to start off with saying thank you to; 1991, takingflight4, viola1701e, Royan Ganger-Nott, Relent1less, and the one Guest who commented on the last chapter. Thank you!

I also want to say thank you for everyone who has favorited this fic, because of all of you I have reached 400 followers on this fic! Thats mind blowing!

I also want to apologize that this chapter is short, I didnt want Harry and Ron to show up quite yet (next chapter for sure).

As always, enjoy!

Chapter 18

Early September

Hermione stared up at her ceiling, breathing in deeply through her nose. Molly was hovering over her, the older witch's intricate wand movements precise over Hermione's swollen middle.

This was the fifth time the Weasley Matriarch ran her diagnostics spells in the week since Hermione's contraction's started.

They both hoped that after hiding the situation form the others, they would have some answers.

"What is it?" Hermione asked when Molly paused.

Molly's shoulder's dropped, "You have to be careful," she began, "it's too much stress— you're in danger of going into preterm labor."

Hermione sat up with the help of Molly.

"What do you mean?" Hermione rushed out, "I can loose it?"

Molly nodded. Silence fell over the two.

"You need less stress," Molly said, "less pressure. This is your body's way of telling you to slow down."

Hermione huffed but nodded. Molly finished up her examination, her lips quirking up at the end of her last incantation.

"Do you want to know the sex?" Molly asked, setting her wand down on the nightstand next to a cup of cold tea.

Hermione froze.

"I— erm— I— no," Hermione stuttered out, "I want it to be a surprise. It would be a good surprise."

Molly nodded and sat on the bed, running her hand up and down Hermione's back.

"I understand. Ron was a surprise. We were at war when I found out I was pregnant— I already had 5 other children. It was safe to say I was horrified." Molly said, her eyes not really looking at Hermione.

"It must have been so scary," Hermione whispered, "not only having to fight for the Order, but taking care of your family."

Molly shrugged, "We made it through. And so will you."

Hermione gave as sad smile, her hand moving to her bump. She let her head fall back against the headboard.

There was a knock at her door.

"Come in," Hermione said, her eyes still closed.

She heard the door creak open and slam shut. Molly shifted next to Hermione and she felt the older witch's hand shoot out and grasp the younger witches hand.

"Hermione."

Oh Merlin, she couldn't deal with Riddle right now.

She cracked open her eye, looking over to Riddle. He was standing by the door, his arm crossed, a look of disappointment marring his features.

"You lied to me," Riddle hissed, "You're carrying a Malfoy spawn."

Riddle spat the surname as though he was describing something vulgar. The windows by Hermione shattered. Molly gasped but Hermione didn't react. Hermione opened her eyes fully and stared her grandfather in the eye.

"I am," She said, her hand on her stomach, "I doubt your reaction would have been any better."

Riddle unfolded his arms and pressed his fists into his hips, "You were going to keep this from me? Until when?"

Hermione shrugged. She had hoped her plan had panned out at that point, then telling him wouldn't have been a problem.

Well, there was no going back.

"You will still be marrying Nott," Riddle declared, "He wold know how to raise a proper child."

Hermione's eyes narrowed into a glare, "You cant force me to do that."

"Of course I can," Riddle said, advancing towards Hermione, looking down at her with a sneer, "I am your grandfather, I have this right under pureblood law."

Hermione felt a shiver shoot down her spine. She took in a deep breath, trying to force her body to calm down.

"I'm not a pureblood," Hermione said weakly, "those rules don't apply."

Riddle's sneer grew deeper, "Believe me when I say, this will be best. I will not have my blood raised by a traitor. You and Nott will be bound by the month's end." With that, he turned with a flourish and stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him.

Hermione let her head fall into her hands, talking in a shake breath.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," she muttered, "damn Draco and his anger."

Molly took out her wand and vanished the broken glass scattered around the brunette. The older witch pulled back the duvet and encouraged Hermione to lay down.

"Can he really force me to marry Nott?" Hermione asked, looking up at the older witch.

"Yes," Molly said, "It's cruel, and archaic but it's how our world works."

Hermione's lip quivered, she bit the inside of her cheek to stop her from letting her emotion's get the best of her.

"Go to sleep, dear," Molly whispered, wiping a stray tear from the brunette witch's cheek, "I promise things will be better tomorrow."

Molly reached over to the nightstand and pulled out small vial of dreamless sleep and dumps it into the cold tea. She turned to Hermione.

"How do you know that?" Hermione whispered, "Everything's ruined. This wasn't supposed to happen. None of this was supposed to happen!"

Molly lifted the cup to Hermione's lips. Hermione drank it down.

Molly gave a sad smile. She stood from her place on the bed and helped Hermione lay down, "This was supposed to be a surprise, but Ron and Harry should be here tomorrow," she said.

Hermione's head snapped towards the red-headed woman, "Really?"

"Really."

Hermione let her body relax. She had so much to tell Harry and Ron.

And as always, she had plan.

She closed her eyes, the potion taking over, but before she let herself fall under its spell, she heard a soft knock on her bedroom door.

Molly tiptoed over and opened the door.

"Mr. Malfoy," Hermione heard through the haze of the potion, "She's resting."

"Is she okay?" Draco asked meekly.

"Eventually, ." Molly whispered, "Go to bed now, tomorrow will be better."

The door closed, and Hermione let herself fall.