Hermione didn't know when she had fallen asleep. What she did know was that she woke up feeling awful. Not sick, but rather the feeling of dread and anxiety. She knew it had to do with what Draco had said about her curse last night. While a part of her was happy that he had shared the news with her, another part was horrified that he had. Healer Hasbrook and Dr. Lonnegan wouldn't be able to try a curse removal until after the baby was born, probably a few more months after that. And with that came the realization that she would have to wait to know. Her due date was March 5th. Factor in those extra months and then...what, a year? A year or more to find out whether future pregnancies would be a shot in the dark?

The brunette groaned and turned to roll over. She had intended to go back to bed, but the soft steam coming out of the bathroom attracted her attention. And then shortly after that were the sweet smells of roses and vanilla. Hermione had never learned to tame her curiosity, and so she crawled out of bed and slowly made her way into the bathroom.

The bathroom itself was a beautiful place. An odd description for a bathroom, yes, but Hermione really did like it. It had a shower immediately to one's left with a sliding glass door. The toilet and double sink was on one's right. Ornately carved wooden cabinets hovered over the sinks. A large, no-door cabinet was just beyond the shower. And two huge windows were above the long and wide tub that took two steps up to be able to get into.

That's where she found Draco. He wasn't inside of the tub, but rather pouring in the necessary oils and bubbles and adjusting the temperatures how he saw fit.

"That's quite the bubble bath you've got going there."

Draco looked up from what he was doing and smiled. "You don't know how long it took me to get it right. There is such a thing as adding in too much bubbles, apparently."

Hermione laughed. She then stared at her husband amusedly as he headed towards her and began slipping her shirt over her head.

"After last night I figured you needed this." Draco told her. He hooked his thumbs onto the sides of her pyjama pants and underwear and let both fall to the floor. As she stepped out of them, and he was able to see her fully naked, he was desperately aware that it had been almost two weeks since they'd slept together. Despite how much he'd love to defile the bathroom with her on every surface possible, he (unfortunately) had more restraint than that. Hermione needed something much more than a shag right now.

"After you, Mrs. Malfoy."

Hermione giggled as she slipped her hand into Draco's and he ushered her up the two small steps into the bathtub.

"I never get tired of hearing you say that. Or...anyone for that matter. So much has changed in such a short amount of time."

"Thank Merlin," Draco said as Hermione settled neatly into the water and under a mass of white, foamy bubbles. "I don't even want to think about the pitiful mess I'd probably still be."

"Draco," Hermione smiled. "I hardly doubt you'd still be like that."

"That, love, is the realist in you. Let's go over the facts, shall we?" He sat by the side of the tub with a loofah in one hand and reached for hers with the other. She eagerly gave it to him and up and down he went with the lathery bath aid. "You seduced me with that damn white dress at the ball-"

"I didn't actively seduce you-"

"Shh, I'm telling the story."

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave him her other arm to lather.

"After reassuring me that you weren't afraid of me nor that you hated me, you seduced me yet again in Hogwarts' library. Bravo yet again on that front-"

Hermione's skin flushed out of pure embarrassment.

"You encouraged me to go for the Dark Arts' division, whereas otherwise I wouldn't have wanted to. You helped me get into Auror training with that bastard Warren stopping me at every turn. You promised me that you'd always be here even when, not if, things got bad for us. And they certainly did," he said with a frown. The loofah was hanging limply in his hand by now and he relished in the feeling of Hermione hand on his arm. "Either you really love me or you're mad for staying."

"Can I be madly in love with you and leave it at that?"

Draco smirked. "That's the sappiest thing I think you've ever said to me."

Hermione laughed and then shrugged. "I'm pregnant and hormonal. Give me a break, will you?"

"Pregnant and hormonal," Draco repeated with a wide grin. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing you say that."

Damn hormones… Hermione thought to herself as she fought the urge to let a happy tear trickle down her face. Once she felt Draco's thumb across her cheek she knew for certain that it didn't work.

Cissa,

They are our allies. If you allow Draco to go burning bridges what will we have left? You have already relinquished the Manor. Shall our monetary assets leave us as well? Shall we be reduced to some shack and nothingness all because Draco has lost sight of what is important? I suggest that you remind him before it is too late.

Lucius xx

Lucius,

With as much love as I can show with written words, I must remind you that it is not we, it is I. Legal proceedings have rendered Draco and I to handle things in your stead and this, whether you see it or not, is for the best. You cannot expect to move forward while following rules of the past. Not to say that positions on the social ladder hold no value. No, they hold a value worth more than rubies. However, it is how the game of socialites to be played that matters most and strategies, my darling Lucius, have changed greatly.

I must also remind you that Draco has his own family to take of now. He will do any and everything he can to ensure them a life to be envied. And, quite frankly, so will I.

Narcissa xx

"Your guests have arrived, Mistress Malfoy." A house elf that had appeared at Narcissa's side squeaked.

"Thank you, Twinkle. You may go."

Twinkle bowed and disapparated. Narcissa sighed at the letter she had just penned and folded it neatly. She would sent it off after her guests had gone. No, she hadn't told Lucius of what Draco had done, and she knew that her son had yet to write to his father. Most likely it was one, if not several, of the men Draco had met with at the meeting last week. They must've poured their frustration out on parchment with the hopes that Lucius could do something to reign in his young son.

It was such a shame their ink was wasted.

With a sigh, she stood from her desk and went in front of the ceiling-to-floor mirror. She smiled at her reflection. She looked nothing like her age. That wasn't to say that she was old, but aside from the very faint lines around her lips and eyes, her face still had a youthful appearance that she revelled in. The only weight she had ever gained in her life was when she was pregnant, and that was lost within a year of having Draco. Despite having a good shape (frequently told by her husband when he was amorous or by drunk party guests), she detested tight clothing. Anything that she wore was close enough to showcase her assets, but demeure enough to represent a proper Lady Malfoy and pureblood aristocrat.

Narcissa gave a final nod of satisfaction before taking her time to the salon where her guests would be.

"Narcissa," Gideon greeted. He stood with a slight shake but was fine once erect.

"Gideon," she said happily and gave him her hand to kiss. "It's been a while since we've spoken. I don't believe you attended Draco's wedding."

"Afraid not. You can understand why."

Narcissa resisted the urge to scowl. It wasn't ladylike.

"I do."

"I hope I'm not stepping over any boundaries in thinking that there are alternative motives for this dinner?" Nott Sr. questioned as he also gave her hand a kiss.

"Not at all." Narcissa admitted. "You are all key stakeholders in our endeavors and our dearest family and friends. I desire no rifts between us, thus the dinner."

"It's no wonder Lucius married you." Roland said brightly. "A competent and understanding woman...and beautiful too."

How lovely… He's not even saturated with alcohol…

"Let's move on to our dinner, shall we?"

"Let me escort you." Parkinson offered brightly and Narcissa allowed him to hook his arm with hers.

"While I do admire your new home, Narcissa, it will never replace the grandeur that was Malfoy Manor." Roland said as they walked.

"Nothing will ever replace the Manor in its grandeur." Gideon answered with obvious distaste. "How exactly did the little mudblood beguile you into turning it into a squatter's den?"

Narcissa's patience was absolutely remarkable.

"While my daughter-in-law may be a muggleborn, she's actually quite gifted in persuasion."

Gideon scoffed. "And what do we get out of her getting her way?"

"Clearly you haven't been reading the Daily Prophet, Gideon." Narcissa admitted as she glanced back at him. "Our family name has been in a favorable light as of late. Like it or not, Hermione will continue to wash away what has marred us in times past."

Roland sighed. "An unfortunate truth. The name 'Malfoy' will forever be associated with that orphanage. A beacon of hope for little children everywhere."

Nott Sr. scoffed. "You sound like a salesman, Roland."

"Selling a bad product on top of that." Parkinson chuckled.

They had all finally reached the dining area and sat. Narcissa was at the head of the table (of course), while her guests sat on both her left and right. She imagined Lucius sitting at the other head of six-person dining table. Regal. Poised. No nonsense, but still witty.

It suddenly dawned on Narcissa that she had never hosted men to dine before. In pureblood customs it was always the man of the house to host such occasions. If it was the wife, it was only for couples, men and women. Tiberius didn't count. Draco had been there and therefore was co-host. This situation, however, was strange, although not unwelcomed. It was funny where circumstances landed a person.

The dinner wasn't out of the ordinary. They talked. They laughed. Roland commented on Narcissa's beauty more times than the woman could count. It was flawless.

Now it was time for calculated chaos.

"Well," Narcissa said pleasantly as she set her wine glass down. "Now that we're all properly fed, I think we can discuss the matter weighing heavily on your hearts."

"Yes." Gideon nodded. "What in Merlin's name is wrong with Draco? That contract he made us sign was-"

"Heinous," Nott Sr. finished bitterly. Narcissa gently nodded.

"Heinous, yes, but brilliant." She answered. "An Unbreakable Vow in a contract… My son's level of creativity is praiseworthy."

Roland cocked a brow. "Praiseworthy?"

"Oh yes," Narcissa beamed. "However, I must take credit for suggesting that he do something about the unruly lot that has a vendetta against his family."

Narcissa, who had slipped her wand from an invisible pocket on her dinner gown, whipped it out and flicked it quickly. The men at the table were startled when straps shot out and wrapped around their torsos and arms.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Parkinson shouted as he pulled against the straps. "What-?!"

His words were silenced, as well as everyone's, with another wave of her wand.

"I would like not to be interrupted, thank you." Narcissa set her wand down on the table and neatly cupped her hands on its edge. "Now, listen to me carefully, yes? Hermione Malfoy, née Granger is Draco's wife. They have a son and another child on the way. They are Draco's family, and he will do everything in his power to protect them and he has.

'You think his contract and the financial conditions are strict. I understand. However, considering that Hermione was cursed into nearly complete infertility by someone in the family, extreme measures were necessary.

'Yes, she is a muggleborn. Yes, I had my fair share of reservations concerning her. But those reservations have long since dissipated, and I think of her, quite dearly, as my very own.

'That said, Hermione, Aiden, and her unborn child are my family, and I don't appreciate your cries of outage towards them. With the contract signed you have no choice but to behave. Unfortunately, that only controls behavior, not verbal abuse. Calling her a mudblood, for example."

Narcissa sighed, picked up her wand and rose from her seat. Their eyes followed her with trepidation.

"You see, I'm planning a party to celebrate Hermione's pregnancy, but the last thing she needs is stress. You four," she eyed them all, "are stress. And so, as a little incentive to be on your best behavior, I'm going to give you a taste of what Tiberius feels every day as he rots in his Azkaban cell."

Narcissa headed over to Roland first. Merlin, how she disliked him the most. With a gentle hand on his shoulder, she set the tip of her wand in the middle of his chest. She could see his face from her periphery and how scared he looked.

Good.

She didn't say the curse out loud. None of them needed to hear it. However, there was something that she needed to hear, and so when she was finished with her curse she took off the Silencing Charm.

Roland's scream ricocheted off the walls.

"What…? What did you do?! My body hurts… Everything...gah!"

"Right now your insides feel like they're being ripped apart." Narcissa told him. "That is what I did."

She walked over to Parkinson and relished in his thrashing when she got near. She cast the curse again, once again taking off the Silencing Charm. Again for Nott Sr., and then finally for Gideon. The lucky man received partial effects of her curse solely because he was elderly. The last thing Narcissa wanted was for him to die at her table.

When she was finished, she returned to her seat and happily gazed upon the situation, not to mention listening to their cries of pain. After a near half an hour of the same shouts and cries of agony, she removed it and stared as they all caught their breath.

"Is there anything that you all would like to say?" She asked sweetly. No one said a thing. She took that as a good sign and finally released them from their chairs. "Well, that was a lovely dinner." Narcissa smiled. "I'll have a house elf show you out. And do look for my owl with the invitation to the party."

After her bath, Hermione spent the rest of the day at St. Mungo's. Lavender had gone into labor and while Draco stayed home with Aiden, she had popped over to the hospital with Harry, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasley clan. Despite being in labor for ten hours, the new Weasley seemed quite determined not to come out. Being pregnant herself, Hermione had grown tired and had been granted permission from Ron to head home and that he'd owl her with any news. Gracious for the leave, she exited her fireplace at home near eleven pm.

She stopped in Aiden's room first, finding him sound asleep as she expected. Draco wasn't there, nor in their bedroom when she got there, and she furrowed her brow, wondering where he could be. Regardless, she thought it a perfect opportunity to wear the final piece of lingerie that she and Liliana had picked out last week. Hermione had to admit that her husband was a trooper. He was lasting much longer than anticipated which was both commendable and annoying. Today would be the last day. By tomorrow morning he was going to wake up to unmentionable things being done to him to make up for the lack of intimacy they usually shared.

Satisfied, Hermione pulled out the piece that she prayed mercilessly would make Draco drop to his knees. She pulled her shirt over her head, tossing it to the floor, and shimmied out of both her pants and underwear. She stretched out for the lingerie, but snapped her hand back when it flew off the dresser and onto the floor.

"Don't even think about putting that on." Draco said from the doorway, his wand in hand. Hermione looked at him over her shoulder and smiled.

"Why?"

"Because I am sick and tired of seeing clothes on you."

Hermione practically shivered where she stood. Either his words had really gotten to her, or they had been out of it for so long that anything he did at this point would send her into a pool of mush. Draco, that damn man, had noticed, and was grinning like a madman.

"Oh look, she blushes." Draco said as he closed the door behind him and tossed his wand onto the bed.

"I'm not blushing."

"Yes, you are. Now...what was that word that made you red again?"

Hermione fully turned around and leaned back against her dresser. "I haven't the foggiest clue what you're talking about."

"I think you do." Draco grinned as he walked over slowly, fully enjoying the deep breaths she was taking that made her chest rise and fall and hypnotize him. "It starts with a 'P' and ends with an 'O.'

"You should check your spelling." Hermione chuckled. She let Draco uncross her arms and she was fully aware of how his attention wasn't on her face.

"So, now you know what word I'm talking about, do you?"

Hermione grinned. "I do. And the word pleasure,-" she stopped talking immediately when she felt her husband's mouth latch onto her breast, his tongue happily playing with her nipple. "The word pleasure doesn't end in an 'O.'"

Draco stopped and smirked, proceeding give both breasts a kiss before kissing, sucking, and leaving gentle licks down to her navel.

"It does when you do it right."

Damn his word play… Hermione thought, and it was the last coherent one she had. His kissing and licks had continued between her legs. She rest her hands on his shoulders and knew that she wouldn't last long. Not when he started doing a devilish thing and started spelling out the very word that often made her heart race and her skin flush.

She recognized what he was doing at the beginning of his "E" and emitted a groan. On the "S" she had held his shoulders tightly and bit on her own lip. At his "R" he had gripped her hips and arse to keep her steady because he could feel her starting to buckle just before she came undone.

Draco softly laughed and swiped his tongue over his lips as he rose to his feet. He brushed his mouth near her ear and whispered, "I told you I could spell."

His voice sent a tingle down her spine and a feral-like sound escaped her as she brought his face to hers and kissed him. She could taste herself on him and let out an involuntary, yet contented gasp when she felt his fingers enter her briefly.

"Teasing isn't fair." Hermione grumbled. Draco had to disagree, but he wanted his release too, and her at expense.

Draco let Hermione (roughly) take off his shirt, her hands making busy work of his pants until they fell with a soft thump to the floor. No sooner than he stepped out of them did his overeager wife wrap her legs around his torso and he closed his eyes in a fit of his own pleasure as she stroked him.

"Hermione," he breathed as her ministrations changed from simple stroking to outright pumping until he stopped her and slipped himself inside of her. His first thrust was slow, as well as the second, but the rest was hardly as gentle nor did Hermione care. It was a sharp and welcomed shock to her core each time. She let her head fall back, vaguely aware of the sounds of things falling off their dresser. Some breaking, some not, but the noise was quickly obscured by both her uncontrolled shouts and gasps for air and Draco repeating her name onto her skin.

It was Draco's turn to come undone and he shuddered while his wife planted little kisses along his shoulder.

"I am never waiting this long again." Draco sighed contentedly. Hermione grinned.

"That's what you get for listening to Blaise."

Draco snapped his eyes to her. "You knew?"

"That you were trying to take advantage of your pregnant wife?" Hermione smirked. She kissed him on the nose and ruffled his hair even more than it already was. "Not the whole time. Liliana clued me in."

"...And then you went shopping." He chuckled. "Damn it, woman, you could've killed me with those outfits."

Hermione laughed. "That's good to know. Now, no more experimenting with me."

"Done," he kissed her cheek, and then her forehead. "And done."

Author's note: DRACO CAVED! Lol. And you have yourselves to thank for Narcissa's scene as I wasn't originally going to include what she did to those who protested. Thanks for being so patient with me. Classes begin yet again on Monday. Help me... (hugs needed).

Replies to Guests

Guest: "Oooh" -Glad that you liked it!

Guest2: "Awesome chapter!" -You're right. They deserve to be happy after everything! Oh Lucius. More of him in future chapters ;)

KangBoRam: Hahaha Draco needs a medal. Honestly lol.

Guest3: "YAY!" -Keep those fingers crossed! Welp, Draco gave in LOL. If he waited until the morning he would've on hahahaha.