A/N: I know, I'm sorry I haven't posted in like 6 months...I just haven't had the energy or the motivation to write lately, so this chapter probably won't be as good. Anyway, look, I know that Sirius Black died in the 5th book, but I'm in denial about it and began writing this waaay before his death, so my story will continue as planned. Besides, he only has cameos, but it's enough to give Sirius fans a little bit of him. Please R/R. I know that a lot of people have been waiting for this chapter, the birth is approaching! On a final note, a HUGE thanks needs to be given to my friend Carrie, or Care Behr as I like to call her, for her talents in developing Perseus Aitor. I must give her credit for the name, which means "To destroy good fathers" and for assistance with that rather eerie description of his. Thanks Babe! Oh, and I'm sure you'll all be seeing her input next chapter as well, when Draco and Hermione's child FINALLY makes their appearance.

Unto the End, Into the Beginning

Chapter Five: Preparing the Future

Hermione sat nervously at a table in Three Broomsticks. She lifted her arm to look at her watch. It was only 3:15pm, yet it seemed like she had been waiting here for hours. She drummed her fingers on the table, the sound of her French manicured fingernails making a loud tapping noise. 3:16pm. Time seemed to be going very slowly, and see could hear the second hand ticking in her head, taunting her. At 3:20pm the waitress came to see if she wanted anything. Hermione only ordered water. She looked at the clock again: 3:25pm and then she looked to the doorway, which no one had walked through since she had arrived here almost an hour ago. Hermione gave a sad sigh and then rose to leave. Just then, however, the doors opened and Harry walked through them. They exchanged shocked looks and slowly walked to each other, not quite sure what would happen when they met. When at last they finally reached each other Harry first looked at Hermione's large stomach.

"How much longer?" Harry asked.

"Any day now," Hermione replied with watery eyes.

Harry wrapped his arms around her and they held each other there in silence for quite a while. When Hermione backed away there were tears in their eyes. They sat down at the table that Hermione had been waiting at.

"Sorry I was kind of cutting it close to 3:30...I was hoping that I wasn't going to miss you, which would have been awful. Anyway, I got you this. It's why I'm late," Harry explained, handing Hermione a small silver box.

Hermione smiled and opened the box, which revealed a familiar bracelet. It was different colors of silver and pale blue of an interwoven pattern of leaves made of sterling silver that continued throughout the bracelet. Harry had given it to Hermione on her 16th birthday.

"Harry, where..?" Hermione began to ask.

"I found it in my trunk not too long ago. I don't know how I wound up with it. Look on the other side of the band," Harry instructed.

Hermione turned it over and saw that the bracelet has been inscribed. It said "Forgive me for all the times I should have been there. Love, Harry"

"Oh Harry, there's nothing to forgive..."

"Yes, there is. At graduation I promised you that I wouldn't walk away from this friendship. But that's exactly what I did, I avoided you when I should have been there as a friend. I should especially be here for you now that you're going to be a mother soon. I'm sure Draco probably told you that we're going to the same academy. Every time I saw him I was reminded of you. I thought of how you two were having a baby soon and I didn't think it was my place to pry. Well, know I'm going to make a place for me in your life whether you like it or not.

"Harry, you know that I wouldn't have it any other way. But let's not live in the past. I just want to..." Hermione stopped talking when she felt a pressure on her right shoulder and realized that it was someone's hand.

Hermione looked up to see Ron standing beside her with an unsure look on his face.

"Hey Hermione," he said as casually as possible.

"Hi Ron," she said, standing up and giving him a hug.

They both sat down and there was a moment of awkward silence. After another moment, all three of them tried to speak at once.

"You go ahead...Hermione and I have already had a chance" said Harry, looking at Ron.

"Well, I guess what I cam here to say is that I'm sorry I never really tried to communicate with you. I just kept making excuses. I was too busy working with Dad at the Ministry or I was too busy training...but the truth is that I could have made time for you and I didn't and I'm sorry."

"I'll forgive you Ron, if you forgive me," Hermione said, smiling.

"I think you've got yourself a deal Hermione. Let's drink on it!" Ron said happily, smiling. Hermione remembered that smile and it was good to see it again.

Ron signaled for the waitress and she came over to take their orders.

"What will you have dears?" the waitress asked in a cheerful voice.

"Three butter beers," said Ron.

"Two butter beers and water actually, please" Hermione corrected.

"No problem, I'll have it in a jiff."

Ron looked at Hermione with a quizzical look.

"Since when don't you like butterbeer?" he asked.

"Since it became unsettling to my stomach," Hermione said.

Ron was now very curious about Hermione's pregnancy, since he had never been around a woman who was pregnant. After all, Ron was practically a baby himself when Ginny was born.

"Is there anything else that bothers you?" he asked.

"Well, yes. I've have sort of a difficult pregnancy." Hermione admitted to them.

Ron and Harry exchanged concerned looks and instantly Hermione knew that it had been a mistake telling them that.

"I'm fine, honestly. Nothing that isn't normal. Just some bad dreams and headaches. I can't eat or drink certain things either, but that's about it." Hermione said, trying to end the subject.

"And that's normal?" Harry and Ron asked in unison.

"Well I suppose it is," Hermione said laughing. Just then, Hermione felt a sharp pain in her stomach and she attempted to muffle her cry of pain by taking a sip of water the waitress had just brought.

"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked.

"I'm fine, honestly." Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"Are you having contractions or something?" Ron asked worriedly.

"No, I don't think so," said Hermione, honestly hoping that she wasn't.

Hermione set the glass down on the table, in fear that she might drop it. It was then that Harry and Ron could tell that Hermione's hand was shaking.

"Hermione?!" Harry half shouted.

They rushed to her side, trying to figure out what was wrong. Just then Draco rushed through the doors of The Three Broomsticks, gasping for breath. Wondering how he got here so fast, Harry noticed a man return to his seat just beside the door. He recognized him as the man who had been Draco's partner during yesterday's raid. He pulled his attention away from the man and back onto Hermione.

Draco was doing some sort of breathing exercises with her; his hand was on her cheek. He raised his hand to her forehead and Draco realized that she had a fever.

"I've got to get her to Saint Mungo's; she might be going into labor." Draco said.

Harry, Ron and Draco were able to get her to Saint Mungo's quickly and Medi-Wizards admitted her right away, but would not allow Draco back there with her. So the three of them waited in awkward silence for what seemed like hours. But Draco learned that they had only been waiting for 20 minutes after looking up at the clock.

"I wonder how long labors take," Ron asked no one in particular, although he was facing Draco.

"How should I know? All I know is that she has to be alright," Draco said desperately.

Harry wanted to tell him to shut up and drop the act, but decided against it. If Hermione was in there having a baby, then the least he could do was be to her, Harry swallowed hard, fiancée. After another 10 minutes a Medi-Wizard approached Draco, who rose from his seat immediately.

"Relax, Mr. Malfoy, your wife is fine. She had a false labor. Although, the baby was turned. Everything is fine now though. These things tend to happen when women are close to delivering or when they become stressed or over-worked. Has any of that occurred lately?"

"Well, she has been a little stressed lately." Draco admitted.

"Alright, well, just keep her off her feet as much as you can. We should be seeing you back here soon," the man assured Draco.

Draco waited anxiously for Hermione to come out of the hospital room that they had her in. When she came out her took her into his arms and kissed her forehead gently. Then he turned to Harry and Ron,

"I'm going to take her home now. I'll let you know how she's doing." Draco said, not looking directly at Harry or Ron, but keeping his eyes on Hermione.

"Let us know when it's happening for real, okay Hermione?" Harry asked her, ignoring Draco.

"I will," Hermione said, she managed a soft smile and waved goodbye as Draco lead her out of Saint Mungos.

"Hermione?" Draco said softly.

He wasn't sure if he should be waking her so soon, but she had been sleeping for quite a long time and she needed to eat. He helped her sit up in bed, making sure she had plenty of pillows. He placed a tray in front of her with a class of warm milk, soda crackers and chicken broth, no noodles...just how she liked it.

"You're so sweet Draco," she said, reaching to kiss his lips lightly.

"You gave me quite a scare earlier, you know," Draco said.

"I know. I'm sorry" Hermione replied.

"Don't be sorry 'Mione. I'm just glad you're alright."

"How long have I been sleeping?" Hermione asked, rubbing her eyes.

"About six hours. It's nearly eleven at night. Sorry to wake you, but you need to eat."

"I can't believe I slept that long" she said; now munching on soda crackers soaked in broth.

"I guess I should tell you this now. My mom wants us to come and visit her again tomorrow. I told her only if you were up to it." Draco said.

"Of course we'll visit her. Don't worry about me, I'm fine," Hermione replied.

"Well, of course you're alright, you have me taking care of you," he said, sitting beside her.

"That I do," she said, relaxing in his arms.

The next morning Draco and Hermione made a trip to Malfoy Manor. As soon as they walked into Narcissa's room, they knew that there was something wrong. There was a Medi-wizard standing beside her, checking her pulse. She was sweating and looked ghostly pale. Draco ran to her side, taking her small hand into his large, rough hands.

"Mom? What's wrong?" He asked worriedly.

"It's alright Draco. I'm going to leave you now." Narcissa said in a scratchy voice. Draco could tell that it was painful for her to speak.

Draco looked away from his mother and turned his attention to the Medi-wizard,"What's wrong with her? Why can't you do something?! Give her a potion or something!"

"I'm deeply sorry Mr. Malfoy, but there isn't anything to give her. Your mother is suffering from the lingering effects of the Imperius Curse that your father held over her. She became so dependent on that power over the years that she doesn't know how to survive without it. I'm very sorry, but you're going to lose her."

"NO! You have to do something," Draco demanded, looking back to his mother.

"Mother, you just need rest, that's all, you'll recover your strength, I promise you will."

"No Draco, I'm afraid I won't, and I've accepted that. Now just come here and sit with me, I want to see my boy again before I go."

Draco obeyed his mother and sat down on the bed beside her. Hermione sat down in the chair closest to the bed and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder, trying her best to comfort him.

"It's a shame I won't be able to see my grandchild. But, what can you do..." Her small voice was cut off by her horrible coughing.

Draco grabbed her glass of water from the bed side table and helped her drink from it. Hermione noticed that his hands were a little shaky. However upset he might have been, he didn't leave his mother's side until she died a few hours later.

Draco stood in front of the mirror the morning of his mother's funeral, something missing from his eyes that had been there before. Maybe it was because this was the second parent that he had lost within less than a year, or maybe it was because of that fact that he had actually cared about his mother. He wasn't sure who would show up, but there were certainly a few people's absences that he hoped for.

By the time Draco and Hermione reached the courtyard, the few guests that would be attending had already arrived with the addition of one unexpected guest: Sirius Black. Draco walked to the small row of chairs that had been set up in front of his mother's coffin. He walked up to his mother's casket, standing beside Sirius for a few moments before turning to him and saying, "So dear cousin, you've finally come to visit Mother."

"I came to pay my respects Draco, that's all. After all, she was part of the family."

"A part of the family you disowned," Draco said firmly.

"A decision I don't regret, but I really don't think this is the place for an argument over the past Draco,"

"Right, sorry. It would be rather disrespectful to fight over my mother's grave. Not that you ever showed the same respect to my father."

"Your father? Deserve respect? Forgive me Draco; I was shocked by the fact that your father, a man so passionate in his cause, would be defeated so conveniently."

"It was considerate of you to pay your respects to my mother, but I don't think that my family will be requiring your sympathy or respects."

"Actually, I'd rather like to stop by from time to time cousin. I'd be able to rest easier at night knowing that things are going well here."

Sirius didn't hesitate in leaving the grave side and finding Hermione before Draco could lose control of his temper. He searched for Hermione only for a few minutes. He was surprised to find her alone on a bench, not too far away from where he had just been.

"Hermione, I'm sorry to hear about Draco's mother."

"Sirius? What are you doing here? Are you sure that..?" Hermione rose slowly, shocked by his presence.

"Don't worry about it, I already talked with Draco. Hermione...Harry wanted me to send his best," Sirius paused for a minute and lowered his voice, "and here's a warning from me; don't be blinded by your love for him. He may have convinced you that he's different, but the Malfoy blood flows through his veins, don't forget that." And with that Sirius left her side to take his seat for the service.

Draco and Hermione stayed in Malfoy Manner that night after the funeral for his mother. Hermione was already asleep, and Draco dressed in the dark and went into the courtyard for a late night meeting that he rather not have. But after all, a tainted life was better than none at all, or at least that is what he kept telling himself.

"You're late Draco," said Perseus as he emerged from the shadows.

All heat was drained from Draco, every breath he took felt as if would be the last before his body was frozen. With his approach is the drowning of all other sounds except for the wind torn howl of the metallic ring of foot falls across a stone courtyard. His black cloak rippled in the wind behind him.

"I'm not late Perseus, I arrived precisely when I meant too," Draco replied.

"I suppose you think that's clever, don't you boy? Just remember whose running our little arrangement here, shall we? Now, before I waste anymore time in your presence, I must inform you that you father had some rather rare...artifacts in his possession that I would like brought to me."

Perseus' grey eyes hardened, he was not a man to be toyed with. Draco knew this not by his appearance or is threatening words, but by the red of his pupils, which made you feel hollow looking into them.

"I have a better idea, Perseus, why don't you just take the whole manor? That would be a lot easier than moving everything hidden within it."

"Why do you offer me the manor?" Perseus asked.

"Because you want the manor and I want galleons, it seems like a fair trade."

"You expect me to pay your for it? I hope you haven't forgotten that just must follow my orders Draco. I could simply order you to give me the manor free of charge," You could see the wrinkles in Perseus Aitor's face as he laughed menacingly, his jet black hair now messy from the wind. His hair was the only sign of his age, white had already begun to appear.

"What then, would I tell my fiancée? I decided to hand over the manor to an old family friend?" Draco said, he wasn't about to back down.

"Fine. I do suppose compensation is in order," He said, his gloved hands reaching for a piece of paper within the pocket of his cream shirt, "this is the amount of galleons that will be deducted from the total cost of whichever home you choose. I'll be in touch."

"Wait," said Draco, "this is something else I which to speak with you about. I don't think it'd be wise for us to meet at my new home, or anywhere in the open public. I don't want to be connected with you at all. From now on send owls to me at this location," said Draco, handing him a card.

Perseus nodded and turned away from Draco only to slowly fade into shadow, the same sound of his departing steps haunting Draco. He could understand why most men feared him. The farther Perseus got from him, the less Draco could remember about his intimidating features. His raspy voice still sent chills down Draco's spine, and the conversation was still clear in his mind. The appearance of this man however, was a complete blur.