A/N: I want to start off with a thank you to CatPeach, InsideTheFridge, Parrisblues24, Aid4, bookworkH.M.327, Cecily Mitchell, dyhrth, and the Guest who commented on the last chapter.

I also want to thank everyone who's been following along!

Im sorry that I haven't posted in a long wile, but it's been a little crazy lately but I have a little more free time at the moment so I'm going to try and get ahead on this fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Thank you all again, and as always, enjoy!

Chapter 14

The next few weeks were a blur. Draco had slowly built up his strength, and with Narcissa's constant meals coming in and out of the room, it wasn't a difficult task. In the past three weeks, Parkinson and Nott had come at least seven times. Narcissa and Zabini were there daily, and Lucius had yet to show himself.

The veela and his mate would sit and talk— and often argue— about a variety of topics. Hermione would read to Draco and when he would fall asleep, she would take a sip of her potions to keep her 'episodes' in check. She was just lucky enough that Harry could sneak in a vile of her potion in-between some fresh clothes when Draco was actually sleeping. Apart from the occasional nausea, the potions were working better than she had expected.

All was going well— for the most part.

The problem was she hadn't left this damn room since she had arrived. She showered in the en suite bathroom and all the food was brought to them. Thank Merlin that the curtains were open or Hermione would have gone mad.

Hermione was on her back, staring up at the ceiling, Draco's arm thrown over her waist. He had said over and over that it wasn't safe outside, that once he was better, his father would send Hermione away.

She had tried to calm Draco, tried to tell him that everything was safe, but every time he would start to panic, begging her to stay.

Ultimately, Hermione figured, Draco didn't want her to leave—well— because he was a Veela and they're typically over cautious of their mate's safety. It had gotten to the point where he had build a sort of nest on the bed for the two of them where 'they would be protected'.

And Hermione could understand, she was tortured in the drawing room after all.

But now she lay in the bed, fresh from a shower, Draco sleeping the days away as his magic recovered.

And then they would mate.

But till then, she was stuck in a room where she read all the books, and she couldn't leave.

She turned to Draco, who still clung to her in his sleep, and she watched him. The dark circles were gone from under his eyes, and when he was awake, he would have the brightest of smiles.

She sighed. Why was it always her?

Hermione jumped at the knock at the door interrupting her retrieve. She gently moved Draco's arm off of her, slipping out of the bed.

Draco groaned behind her, and she turned to find his eyes skewed shut, his arm outstretched searching for Hermione.

The brunette sighed and opened the door, her shoulders falling at the sight of Lucius and Zabini.

"Miss. Granger," Lucius whispered, looking over her shoulder, avoiding looking directly at Hermione, "I hope you're well."

Hermione chuckled, "He's doing fine, Mr. Malfoy, he's asleep."

Lucius nodded, pink rising on his cheeks, "My apologies," He said. He looked back at Zabini who looked at Hermione in amusement, "Would you mind coming down for tea with Narcissa and I? It's been a long while since you've left the room."

Hermione turned back to look at the veela, sprawled out on his stomach gripping the sheets where she was moments before.

"He'll be fine, Granger," Zabini said, a sly grin on his face, "I'm going to give him a quick check up."

Hermione nodded, then looked down at herself, and coughed. Maybe she should have changed before she opened the door.

Standing there, in front of two of the pompous Purebloods to ever exist, in a pair of Draco's boxers and one of his ratty Slytherin shirts.

"I'll be right back," Hermione muttered as she closed the door.

Hermione went further into the room and changed her clothing, tucking the discarded shirt under Draco's cheek. His brows softened and he pulled his outreached arm to his face, pushing the fabric to his nose.

Hermione made quick to change into a simple jumper and muggle jeans. She took a sip of her potion before she was off.

"I'm ready," She whispered to her self before opening the door again, "let's go. Let me know if you need me back up here, Zabini."

Zabini stood there awkwardly, "I actually wanted to give you a quick check-up if you don't mind."

Hermione stilled, "Er— okay. Lead the way." Hermione stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her.

Zabini motioned to the room across the hall.

"If you can please have a seat, I just have a few questions," Zabini said, closing the door, leaving Lucius in the hallway.

"Oh— well— erm," Hermione sat on the swing bed, looking up at Zabini expectantly, "what do you want to know?"

Zabini summoned a chair and sat across from Hermione leaning back and crossing his legs. He pulled out a clip board and pen.

"Any preexisting conditions?" he asked.

Hermione lied, "No."

"How have you been feeling since you came here?" Zabini asked.

Hermione pulled her lip between her teeth, "Better than before," technically it wasn't a lie, "I've had some nausea lately but it comes and goes."

Zabini hummed, scratching away at the parchment, "If that keeps happening, let me know," Hermione nodded, "How has Draco been when he's awake? Do you have any aversions to him?"

Hermione looked at Zabini in question, "Aversion?"

"Yes," Zabini's eyes pierced Hermione's "when a veela is too far gone, their mate will typically feel discussed and resentment towards them."

"No!" Hermione all but shouted, "Nothing like that. Draco's fine. He built us a nest."

A pregnant pause.

"A nest?"

Hermione nodded, she looked down at her hands as she spoke, "He woke me a few days ago and showed me that he turned the bed into a nest. It's all clothes, pillows, blankets— I— I don't know why, but we now have a nest. He won't let me leave but he seems content."

She looked up to see Zabini's teary smile, "That's a good sign, Granger," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Hermione smiled back, "I'm glad."

There was another pause, and Hermione gave Zabini a moment to feel his feelings. After a moment, Zabini coughed.

"How opposed would you be to mating in about a week," Zabini asked as though they were talking about the weather.

Hermione sputtered, "I beg your pardon?"

It was Zabini's turn to look at her in question, "His birthday is coming up, and if he isn't mated by 25 he'll start to deteriorate again. And the nesting— it's a really good sign."

Hermione nodded in understanding, "I— Well— I need to talk to Draco about it first— if thats okay."

Zabini opened his mouth to speak when there was a knock on the door. "Sorry for the interruption," came Lucius's muffled voice, "It looks as iff Mrs. Malfoy is growing impatient."

Zabini chuckled, "We'll be right out." He turned to Hermione, "I have one more question, when was your last mensural cycle?"

That caused Hermione to pause. Her body had never been normal since that day at the manor.

"Er, a few weeks ago— Maybe 3 weeks? But I am on potions so—"

Zabini's pen froze, "What kind of potions?"

Hermione cursed at herself for the slip up, "Fertility blockers, some pain potions— um— for management of post-curcio pain."

Zabini nodded, "Anything else?"

"Nothing major, Zabini, I promise." Hermione said, clasping her hands on her lap

"Then we best not leave the lady of the Manor waiting. I'll call you if I need help with Draco."

Hermione gave a curt nod and left, finding Lucius pacing impatiently in the hallway.

"Finally," he muttered.

Lucius took hold of Hermione's hand and pulled her down the hall. She winced at the contact, taking measured breaths in an attempt to control the pain.

She looked back to find Zabini watching her in interest.