Part II

In Which Shit Gets Real

Draco was standing in her kitchen looking at the Witch Weekly magazine she had brought home from the hospital. The day after Potter' engagement party she had gotten three owls. One was from Granger- she hadn't opened it. The other was from Potter he wanted to get lunch when she had the time. The last owl was from Rita Seekter asking for an interview. Her child had made front cover until Potter and Weasley were seen out and about. People wondered why she was still with the cheating bastard while others wanted to know if the wedding was still on. They were met with silence from all.

"Half of your food is gross cheese Pansy," Draco complained. Pansy rolled her eyes and pulled out some bread- she had been craving grilled cheese day and night.

"Why aren't you at work?" Pansy asked. Today was her day off she could be lazy after her Healer's appointment.

"Granger has been hounding me. Apparently you haven't replied to her owl." Draco scowled at her. Pansy tried not to laugh. Draco Malfoy was stubborn but so was Granger.

"Why would I? It seemed pointless," Pansy told him. She started making herself a sandwich.

"Because now she's annoying me. Just write her or something!" Draco told her. He smirked though so Pansy knew he was loving it.

"She thinks you know something?" Pansy questioned. Draco snort and watched as she flipped to reveal a golden side sandwich.

"I don't know. I made sure she can only go as far as the waiting room. She tried to get Terry Boot in on whatever it is she's up too." He sighed. Pansy laughed.

"Potter wants to meet for lunch," Pansy told Draco. He was reading so not giving her his full attention- Draco wanted an excuse to beat the shit out of Potter.

"Then meet him for lunch. Granger and Potter are close that's probably why she hasn't left me alone," Draco sighed weary.

Pansy shrugged and ate her grilled cheese. Draco watched her eat before making himself a cheese sandwich. He grumbled under his breath about the lack of good tea before using her floo. Pansy began cleaning up when she heard the sound of the floo. Pansy groan she didn't want to deal with Draco until after lunch.

"Pansy?" Daphne's voice rang throughout the flat. Pansy groan Daphne was worse than Draco. Draco didn't try to spend her money on stupid baby things or get her started on the nursery. Pansy frowned Daphne knew she didn't have work- he eyes landed on Potter's letter. She wrote back quickly before Daphne could be annoying about that too.

"In the kitchen!" Pansy called. Daphne bounce in the biggest smile on her face. Pansy already wanted to punch her.

"So, we should really get e crib. That's it, I promise. Draco already yelled at me for being too pushy. I'll take you to lunch after?" Daphne asked. She looked hopeful.

"Okay, but I have lunch plans," Pansy told her. Daphne nodded then sat on one of the stools and waited for her to finish.

The number of stores that held baby supplies was surprisingly small. Pansy of course was glad because Daphne couldn't drag her into every single one. The first store was small and cramped with few places to walk around- it was even harder with her small belly.

"Have you at least decided on the color of the room?" Daphne asked as they browsed the second shop.

"I'll probably pant it a pale green. It's gender neutral and I like green." Pansy shrugged. She looked at the list of charms placed on a crib; Anti- cold charm, anti- fall charm and anti-stuck charm. It was a standard looking one too, tall bars, white, a nice soft bed, plus storage underneath. The price however wasn't within her price range.

"You like that one?" Daphne asked. Pansy shrugged looking back at the crib. If Parkinson House hadn't burned Pansy would have used her crib- the one that had been in the family for years. Pansy tried not to think of her parents or the debt that had left her with, thank god she'd paid it off with what little gold they'd left her.

"I can't really get it right now. I'll come back later. I've got to get to lunch anyway Daphne," Pansy told her. Daphne opened her mouth to speak but sighed instead. She nodded and hugged her.

"Alright, I'm going to look around more. You know there are four more shops we haven't seen!" Daphne smiled. Pansy rolled her eyes and started walking to the Leaky Cauldron.

It was the lunch rush when she finally got there, lots of witches and wizards from the shops and near by papers eating lunch. Pansy looked for Potter and saw him in the back. She didn't want her conversation with him on the front page of every major magazine and newspaper. She nodded to the barman before slowly making her way back, her hand on her bump protectively.

"It's crowded," Pansy said sitting down. Potter had stood as soon as she was at the table and pulled out her chair. He sat too, in front of him my a steak and kidney pie and a glass of butterbeer.

"I was going to order your usual but I ah wasn't sure if I should," Potter told her. Pansy laughed; of course Potter would remember what she liked to eat.

"I'll have the Shepard's pie," Pansy told him. Potter nodded signaled the barman- Shepard's pie was placed in front of her. She didn't say a thing but dug in- she was almost always hungry now.

"I, ah, I wanted to talk about the baby," Potter said after a moment. Pansy nodded her mouth full of mash potato, she waited for him to continue.

"I forget that you always know I'm going to say more…" Potter chuckled, "I was wondering if I could go to an appointment with you. Maybe talk about arrangements for when the baby is older. I want to be there for everything."

"Right," Pansy nodded, "and how is that going to work?" Potter frowned and his fork still.

"What do you mean?" he asked finally.

"I mean," Pansy began, "you're going to be a newlywed. You're going to want time to…to be newlyweds Potter. Then there's the fact that I don't trust your friends and they don't trust me. Or that a newborn isn't really up to travelling around from place to place like that. And my feelings too."

"Okay then what do you want?" Potter asked. He had stopped eating to listen to her.

"After going to your engagement party I realized a few things Potter. I realized I don't need you to be apart of her life. Draco and Daphne and Roger and my friends can pick up your slack." Pansy said taking a deep breath, "After you found out you did nothing Potter. Nothing. Is it because your friends know that you actually care? Because I'm moving on. And you helping with the baby isn't something that's going to happen." Pansy watched as Potter winced every time she called him by his last night. She watched as his face became more and more blank- it was putting on his auror face.

"You're not going to give me a chance?" he asked finally, "because I did write. That week of silence was my job happening Pansy- why I found out about the baby in the first place. And if you're not going to let have my rights as a father I will fight for them. So you better come up with a better god damn reason then I'm getting fucking married."

"Not getting any Potter?" Pansy asked deflecting. She didn't want to go to court. Draco could get her the best solicitor but the amount of press involved wouldn't be worth it in the long run.

"Fuck you Pansy," Potter snapped. She took that as a yes, it shouldn't've made her happy but it did.

"Done that, that's why we're here." Pansy told him. Potter sighed and looked strangely defeated and lost. Pansy wondered if he was truly happy.

"I want to be a part of her or his life." Potter told her again.

"You'll have more kids." Pansy shrugged. She could picture him being happy with the red haired children she'd have. Would Weaslette make her baby's life hard? Would rumors be spread, would Hogwarts be an option?

"This is still my kid Pansy. I don't want to but I'll take you to court," Potter told her.

"I'll think about it," Pansy said after a minute. After he was married and started a family of his own he'd forget about them.

"Thank you," Potter sighed.

"But…" Pansy began, "but you'll just be another uncle. I don't want you in my life Harry. No doctor's appointments or asking how I'm doing. I'll tell you when I give birth and that's it."

"And I'm supposed to deal with that?" Potter asked bitterly. He glared at her and at her empty plate- his was only half way eaten. Pansy shrugged, she was going to move on with out without Potter's help.

"Just like I have to deal with my love not being enough right?" Pansy laughed. Potter flinched and looked conflicted. He raised his hand but thought better before sighing. She got up and left.

Daphne and Draco were waiting for her when she got home. Pansy smiled, she was tired and wanted to send them home. After all she was full from a lunch Potter paid for and had the day off. She could read without interruption or soak in the bath until she was wrinkled everywhere- the possibilities were endless. She didn't however want to entertain company.

"I have a surprise for you!" Daphne smiled.

"And what's that?" Pansy asked. It was easier to play along to get the out faster.

Draco and Daphne lead her to the room that she thought would best be the nursery. It was painted a pale mint green with grey trimmings. One wall had a moving mural of the highlands, a rocking chair and crib sat on the opposite side. It was a basic room but Pansy looked back at the crib- it had been from the shop earlier.

"Why?" Pansy asked. She was going to cry- she sometimes felt more emotional then before.

"Because," Daphne said. Draco rolled his eyes but smiled all the same.

"Thank you," Pansy said.

Both engulfed her in a hug. She was going to be okay.

If you've read this far then I guess I should state that yes, there is a happy ending. Is that why no one is reading or reviewing? Or is it because I totally didn't edit? I'm a firm believer in editing...oops.