Easter fell in the middle of April that year. Lucius knew his husband was going to be absolutely stir crazy for he could not continue with classes in May as the due date approached. He had decided to take Harry as well as Draco and Hermione who was happy to accept the invite, to London for the week. It would allow Harry's company like his dads and sister to come. Also the townhouse was close to the hospital just in case he went into early labour as he was eight months pregnant.
Hermione was smiling as they headed for the bus. "Thank you for inviting me to come with you guys. Mum and dad are away at a dental conference in Dublin."
Draco kissed her. "I was just happy you agreed to come with us. I was not sure you'd want to leave the library this close to NEWTS."
Though the exams were not for two months but Hermione was nearly insane already. Not that Draco was that much better. Harry had even got into it. He wanted to do as good as possible. Harry already had a job offer but he had every intention of giving Draco a run for money in grades. Draco said it was not fair for he had two less classes then Draco and three then Hermione. Harry reminded his brother he was also pregnant and an apprentice.
Hermione shrugged. "Harry is the one who should be worried. There is not much time for him to study when your little sister makes her grand entrance."
Harry laughed. "I am taking the classes from home after Easter. If anything while she is napping I can study. Besides that's what husbands are for."
Kissing Harry, Lucius reminded his husband he was still teaching. He had every intention though of being hands on like he never was with Draco. They would have Dobby's help but he still wanted to be as hands on as possible. The cradle sitting at the foot of their bed was a change. Draco had never been in their bedroom.
Harry was already winded when they got to the gates. "I wish we could have got the headmaster to open the floo. I am already in serious need of a nap."
Lucius held him close. "Maybe that is the way I planned it. I would not mind you and me going to bed as soon as we get to the townhouse."
Ignoring the groans from his best friend and stepson Harry turned to kiss his husband passionately. He had meant a real nap. But he admitted he would not mind more first. He had been a bit horny in the past month. The healers had assured him it was not uncommon. They could not have sex any more till the baby was born but they definitely still managed to be intimate with each other. His husband still found him extremely sexy at eight months even though the baby had definitely grown. The sweat pants had been coming out more in the past two weeks.
Lucius helped him onto the bus. "I am so excited about our little girl but I will definitely be happy when we can apparate places once again."
Harry sank down into a seat. "You know she can not apparate or even long distance floo very often, until she is two months old."
The floo was fine if it was not often but the apparating was serious. It should only be done in emergency. It was like flying for newborn muggle babies. It was not good for their ears. They would be at school though the first six weeks of her life busy with finals so it would not matter too greatly. It would only affect two weeks really.
Hermione did not mind. "You know I took the bus a lot in the muggle world. I really have not been on this thing very often."
Draco smirked. "You insisted on coming with them on this thing. You know we are both legal to apparate and could have met them in London."
Hermione shrugged. "I thought it would have been nice to accompany them. Besides it is not like we're taking a muggle bus. It won't take hours to get there."
Since they had started dating Draco had learned more and more of the muggle world. He had met Hermione's parents a few times. He had yet to go and spend some real time with them though. They were to be home in a few days and he had been invited to spend next weekend with the Grangers. They argued since their daughter had been his guest so often he should come. He had been in the muggle world with his dad but had never been in a muggle home. The Grangers always met them out.
Harry looked at Hermione. "You know you could take him on the muggle bus when he comes with you on the weekend. Then maybe he will not complain as much."
Hermione laughed at her boyfriend's expression. "You might like it Draco. The sight seeing tour busses in London are fun. I won't take you on a long trip one."
Though he and his dad had been to muggle London a tour bus was not something Draco had experienced. They had always apparated or taken a few cabs. He had known that Hermione had grown up in the middle class neighbourhood. Her parents had nice cars but she had taken the bus to Muggle School.
Harry winced. "She has decided to wake up again. I hope we get to the townhouse soon because she is starting her morning exercises on my kidneys."
Lucius bent and kissed his husband's stomach. "If need be I know a spell to help. But there is only one more stop before the bus comes to the townhouse."
Sure enough it was not much of a wait. But his husband and stepson were laughing when as soon as they got inside he ran for the bathroom. Hermione had hid her humour a bit better then the men. She tended to have a more sympathetic streak. When she and Draco had kids she would be the pregnant one. She would not have wanted her best friend laughing at her discomfort. Draco knew he would have to watch it when Hermione was pregnant for she would hex him other wise.
When Harry reappeared he turned to his husband. "I recall your promise to take me to bed for a nap when we got home."
Lucius kissed his husband and nodded. "I did and I have every intention of keeping it. I am sure Draco and Hermione can entertain themselves today."
They had considered the manor for Sirius and Remus could come just as easily but they had decided here. It was not just the location to the hospital. It was located on Diagon Alley. It would allow them to go shopping and such easily. Harry grew tired so easily now. He was anxious for May for more then just to hold his daughter.
Draco turned to his girlfriend as his dad and Harry headed up stairs. "How about we hit the alley and shop a bit before some lunch?"
Hermione smiled and nodded. "I'd like that Draco. I would like to find something for my parents when we go over on Friday for dinner."
Reminded of the dinner Draco paled a bit again. Hermione reminded her boyfriend how often she spent time with his dad. The Grangers quite liked him besides. He had faced the third degree when he first met them. The fact he had teased their daughter had been well known. But they thought he was good for their daughter. He came from a good family and they knew he was studying to be an attorney like their daughter. Lucius was giving the two the townhouse to live in as they did as he and Harry would come through the floo for work though the master bedroom was still theirs to use here.
Hermione prodded him. "You know we're telling dad I'll be living with you here in the fall. He is going to ask you what your intentions are."
Draco went from pale to blushing. "He knows this has six bedrooms and we will have our separate ones for now. And because of training..."
She silenced him with a kiss. Her parents knew neither would make any real money when they were in their first year of training. She could not have afforded much of a flat even with roommates. Draco had every intention of proposing one day Hermione had assured her dad. She had no idea just how close Draco was to it.
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Draco was no less nervous when he accompanied Hermione on Friday. He was only put at ease for Lucius and Harry had been invited and had agreed to come. They were only coming for lunch though and he would be spending the weekend. Harry and Lucius then would be spending the weekend with Harry's dads and sister.
Harry had to keep his hands from his belly as they headed up the front path. "This is so insane."
Hermione smiled. "Just until we get inside. You know my neighbours would freak if they saw you. An eight month pregnant man?"
Before leaving the house Hermione had cast a concealment charm. They had known it had to be done. Hermione's parents knew he was pregnant. But the neighbours did not even know magic existed. It would definitely raise some eyebrows in such a normal middle class neighbourhood. Harry just had to think of his relatives. He had heard his Aunt had filed for divorce and was now living in Kent but he had no real interest in knowing more.
Jean welcomed them at the door and ushered them inside. She surprised Harry by hugging him. "Hermione has told us about your daughter. We're so happy for you."
Harry smiled when Hermione removed the spell. "Thank you for that. I am not surprised she told you. You would think she was already the proud sister over there."
Hermione went as pale as Draco. "Well she is more like my niece anyways. You have been my brother for years I remind you."
Laughing Harry agreed. He had considered Hermione more a sister since their first year. He was closer to Luna because of how he opened to her but Hermione was still one of his best friends. She would go from honorary Aunt to half sister in law one day. Harry had no doubt at all that Draco would marry her one day.
Michael was waiting for them in the sitting room and welcomed them. "I was glad that Hermione said she was bringing the rest of Draco's family to meet us."
Lucius shook his hand. "I was happy to accept the invitation Michael. Your daughter is such a wonderful young woman. She has been so good for my son."
Jean smiled at her daughter and Draco. "I think we could say the same thing on both counts. We could not have chosen a better man for our daughter to date."
As they sat down for a talk and then lunch Draco found he was being hit with the third degree again. He thought he had passed this when he came the first time. He had met them a few times since. But now that they knew Hermione was moving in with him there were more. Michael had to be kept in check by her husband. He had reminded his wife once again that Hermione was his only daughter.
Lucius agreed with the man. "I can assure you your daughter will have her own room. I believe she will be living in Narcissa's old room. No worries there."
Draco sent a look at his dad and mumbled. "You're not one to talk."
Lucius really could not deny his son was right. The fact that his husband was four months pregnant when they married spoke of that. He had been sharing a bed with Harry for well over a year before. But he did not want his son to make the same mistake. He knew Draco had been in the alcoves before Hermione. But not since. He knew his son intended to marry her. But he still wanted his son to do things rights with her. He regretted a lot about how he handled Harry.
Draco hugged his dad and Harry after lunch. "Are you two sure you will not stay with us here for the rest of the weekend?"
Harry laughed. "Draco you have faced worse. You have passed his new third degree. Besides you know my dads and my sister are waiting for us. Sorry."
Really he knew his dad and Harry were right. Michael had calmed down even with lunch. He knew he and Hermione would not be spending much time at the house. Hermione had not shown him much of where she had grown up. She wanted to show him where she went to Muggle School and more. He was excited to see it.
Hermione turned to her parents. "I am going to take Draco to see my old school this afternoon. Some of my old teachers are expecting us there."
Jean handed her daughter the car keys. "Don't drive to fast. I know you have your license but you have not driven a lot."
Though she had been living in the wizard world she had been learning to drive with her dad summers and holidays home. She had her license and though Draco looked a bit worried about getting in the car he did. He was not fond of muggle cars to begin with. Add to that the lack of experience his girlfriend had, scared him.
Hermione led him to the car. "I assure you that my parents would not give me the keys if they did not trust me to drive. I promise we will not crash or anything."
Draco laughed as he realized how nervous he must have looked. "I guess I can brave this with you. I am trusting you; I want to be alive for my sister's birth."
Though he want a bit white knuckled he survived not only the trip to the school but the entire weekend. Michael and Jean did lay off the third degree. He even went to see their dental office. He was glad he was not a muggle for he could not imagine going to a dentist with drills and such. It terrified him. What terrified him the worse though was the conversation he was about to have. On Sunday afternoon before they left he took Hermione's dad aside before the trial.
Draco turned to Michael. "I would like your permission to propose to your daughter. I was hoping to propose on graduation day but I want your permission."
Michael was silent for a bit and worried Draco. "You seem like a good young man and you obviously make her happy. I am impressed you have asked for her hand."
Draco nodded. "I thought it was the only honourable thing to do sir. She is your only daughter. It won't be till end of June but since I am here, I thought to do it."
Michael shared a smile with his wife who had come in behind them. "Well you have our blessing young man. I am sure there will be a wedding to be planned."
Jean hugged him and he was surprised when Michael did as well. He had told his dad he was planning on proposing by graduation. Lucius was happy. He knew there would be no kids for a few years till they finished law school. Harry did not know for he could never keep such a secret from Hermione. He was relieved they agreed.
Hermione raised an eyebrow when she saw Draco and her parents coming out. "Should I be worried? My father has not scared you off with a drill has he?"
Draco kissed her. "Not at all my love. Your father simply asked to talk to me for a moment. I guess a bit more of the third degree I thought was over."
Though Michael felt like defending himself a look from his wife quieted him. They knew Draco was not proposing yet. They knew Draco would make her happy. They wanted it to be special. Michael held his tongue through lunch before his daughter and Draco were to leave to head back to school.
Michael hugged his daughter. "I know we were concerned but we approve of you living in the townhouse. It will be better for your studies of course."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you dad. It definitely would mean having to work less while studying and concentrate on my studies."
Malfoy industries had offered them both internships. They would make some money but neither wanted to work too many hours. Draco had a trust fund to support him but Hermione was not the same. Lucius' offer of the townhouse was definitely a generous offer that they could not turn down.
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May had arrived and Harry was stuck in his apartments most of the time. He was studying for hours on end for he was going stir crazy. His husband laughed that pregnancy was good for him. His marks on his homework had gone up even before. He would definitely give Draco competition for top male student. He had even done most of his husband's grading for him as he was growing more and more bored.
Lucius came in a week before he was due and kissed him. "I have to go into London today my love. Sev and Draco will both be joining you."
Harry sighed and put his husband's hand on his belly. "Please be home tonight. I have a feeling this little one is becoming anxious to come into the world."
Though Poppy had said he had not progressed yet Harry had a feeling. It had been a few days ago she had seen him. He was not sure if he was just anxious. He just had this feeling that his little girl would not be born on the 16th like she was scheduled to be.
Lucius grabbed his things. "I promise to try and be home tonight. But if I can't you know Sev or Draco will get me. Besides your dads are coming."
Harry smiled. "They want to be here when I make them a grandfather for the first time. They're talking about a new baby and I am making them grandfathers."
With one last kiss Lucius reminded him that Draco and Hermione could make him a grandfather in the next few years. He and Harry wanted at least one more child. Harry knew he was right and sometimes he forgot Draco was in the same position as he was in a way.
Harry had been alone most of the afternoon when the door opened and his dads and Lara came in. "Hey cub how are you and the cublette doing?"
Remus laughed at his husband with Harry. "Your father has been driving me and your sister a bit nuts. You would think it was him having the baby once again."
Though Harry was not due for another week they had come and would stay till the baby came. They had wanted to be there by his side. Sirius was on paternity leave for another week since he worked right till the baby was born really, so he had not needed to take time away. Remus was as anxious as his husband was though.
Sirius noticed his son wince when he stood. "Harry are you in labour?"
Harry shook his head but the hand went to his back. "I have been having pains in my lower back all day. Not contractions yet."
Remus went for some floo powder. "That is usually signs of early labour. I think we need to take you to the infirmary and have Poppy check on you."
Reluctantly Harry allowed himself to be taken through to the infirmary. Poppy took one look at him and knew he was in labour. She directed his dads to find Draco and Severus, as well as send word to Lucius. She got him settled into the bed in a dressing gown. His body was starting to form the natural birth canal.
Draco arrived with Severus moments later. Severus assured him. "Your dad has gone to find Lucius for you. I promise he will be here before the baby is born."
Harry nodded and took Draco's hand for he was having his first contraction. "Your dad and mine can't miss the birth. He can't miss his daughter's birth."
Sitting down Draco assured his best friend that there was no way his dad would miss this. His dad was so excited about her birth he would do anything to be here. Harry clung to Draco praying he was right. Sirius returned with Lara, saying Remus was looking. Severus was there to act as the nurse, as well as for his friends.
The door opened about an hour later as the contractions became more intense and the canal was nearly fully open. "Oh Harry thank Merlin."
Harry turned to his husband and clung to him when he got to his side. "Thank Merlin Dad found you. I can't do this without you. I can't."