A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I was going to make Oliver the father but then thought… no… Draco has to be. It's only right! Anyways on with the story!
DISCLAIMER: Only the plot.
Chapter Eleven
Hermione and Draco both jerked awake in surprise as a pounding came from their door. Hermione was up first as she pulled on her dressing gown and stumbled towards the door. She pulled it open and looked at Harry confused.
"What's going on?" she asked glancing at the clock, "It's only 3am."
"I know. But two people have just tried getting into the school grounds," said Harry as Draco stood behind Hermione and hand on her shoulder.
"Who?" asked Draco stifling a yawn.
"Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini. They claim to need to speak with us. Hermione, I know it's late but we need you to do that spell you used on Draco."
Hermione nodded, "Let me get changed. Where do I meet you?"
"Great Hall."
Hermione nodded again and shut the door. Her and Draco both dressed got their wand and headed to the Great Hall hand in hand. Hermione and Draco had told all of the news that he was the father with smiles on their faces. Everyone was happy and they had a celebration dinner that night. McGonagall was pleased knowing she was going to be a great-great Aunty.
Outside the Great Hall Lupin and speaking quietly to Narcissa, Arthur, Kingsley, Moody, Tonks and Minerva. He looked up and nodded at Hermione and Draco. The two followed the group into the Great Hall where in the centre of the empty hall were two chairs. Sitting in them bound by magical rope and chains were Pansy and Blaise. Draco looked at his two friends placing a hand around Hermione's waist protectively. Pansy had tears streaming down her cheeks Blaise kept murmuring supporting words to her but it was clearly evident that he wanted to hold her closely.
"Have you given them the truth potion yet?" asked Hermione looking at Lupin before glancing at Pansy and Blaise.
"We will administer it now," said Lupin gesturing to Kingsley and Tonks to force down the potion.
Hermione pulled her wand out and muttered the spell as soon as they swallowed the drink. She stepped back beside Draco as Lupin looked at the two with narrowed eyes.
"Why did you come here?" he asked.
"For help," said Blaise.
"Protection," replied Pansy.
"Who from and why?"
"From Lucius," said Pansy holding back tears, "Because I wouldn't go through with the mission."
"What mission?"
"Get into Azkaban and find out from Snape how to get into Hogwarts. He wants to know if Hermione's baby is Draco's or Oliver Woods. He wants Hermione's baby! I couldn't do it! I couldn't pretend any longer!"
"Pretend what?" asked Draco stepping forward with Hermione clutching onto Draco's arm.
"That I am on his side. I did it to keep my family and Blaise alive. I love Blaise and Lucius said if I didn't join him he would kill them… I had no choice. I accepted in the heat of the moment… I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry."
Pansy broke down into tears and all knew she was speaking truthfully. No red globe had appeared around her.
"Where is Lucius now?" asked Lupin in a gentle tone.
"The Malfoy Manor," answered Blaise, "He is waiting for us to return with news."
Lupin nodded, "Are you on the Order's side? Will you remain loyal for here on out?"
"Yes," said Blaise without hesitation, "If you allow my family, and Pansy's to live here in the castle."
"I swear," said Pansy as calmly as possible.
"Very well," said Lupin. He looked at the senior member's of the Order and they filed out to the entrance hall to discuss the situation.
Hermione turned to Draco who was watching his former friends very closely. Hermione wrapped her arms around him bringing his attention to her and her concerned brown eyes.
"You okay?" she asked.
"I'm more worried about you. If father finds out that the twins are mine he will do anything in his power to take you away from me."
"He won't get me. We will spread a false rumour that they are Oliver's children if we have too," said Hermione firmly running a hand down his cheek, "Don't worry… too much. Focus on your sword fighting. I'll practise some shooting as well. This will come to an end, with Lucius dead in the end."
Draco nodded and kissed Hermione on the tip of her nose and then lips. She pulled away grinning a little as Lupin and the others walked back in. Everyone stopped their chatter and Pansy only gave a little sniffle that echoed throughout the hall.
"We have come to a conclusion," said Lupin, "We will protect you and your families to the best of our ability. Only there is one condition- when the call to fight comes, you will fight in the battle wearing the Order robes."
"Robes?" murmured Hermione too Draco who gave a shrug.
"That's fine," said Blaise as him and Pansy were released from their ropes.
"You won't get your wands back till the battle. Is that understood?"
The two-nodded Pansy stood and engulfed Blaise in a hug before turning and running over to Draco. Hermione quickly moved to the side as Pansy hugged Draco tightly sobbing that she was sorry for all she had done. Pansy pulled away and Draco gave her a little smile. He understood just how persuasive his father could be, having experienced it first hand himself.
Pansy turned to Hermione, "I'm sorry Hermione… I wasn't cruel to you was I?"
Hermione shook her head, "You were very stand offish about it all, really."
Pansy gave a watery smile, "I was concerned for you. Under all that stress and pregnant."
Hermione gave a little smile as her hand went to the stomach, "All is well. But I am exhausted, so I will see you in the… later part of the morning."
With a brief hug Hermione left the hall meeting Ginny at the doorway. Ginny looked at Pansy suspiciously before walking with Hermione across the entrance hall.
"I know she didn't lie, but I'm not putting my full trust into her just yet," said Ginny too Hermione softly.
"I know and I'm the same. It will take while to trust her like it took me a while to trust Draco properly again," replied Hermione as she was hit with a sudden pain, "Argh!"
"Hermione!" cried Ginny pulling her to the side of the corridor, "What is it?"
"Ah… Ginny I think I'm… something is going on with the babies," cried Hermione before she cried out again.
"HELP!" screamed Ginny not daring to leave her friend's side, "Please! Somebody!"
Footsteps came running up the stairs revealing to be Bill and Percy.
"Get Sirius or Pompfrey," ordered Ginny, "Percy, help me carry Hermione to the hospital wing."
Percy ran forward and helped Ginny lift a pain stricken Hermione up and carry her down the stairs in the direction of the hospital wing. Bill ran ahead, glancing back till he ran into the Great Hall and over to Sirius.
"It hurts Ginny," moaned Hermione as she started sobbing, "Oh Merlin, it hurts."
"It's going to be okay Hermione," said Ginny calmly trying to hide the worry in her voice.
Hermione nodded as another stab of pain issued from her stomach. She groaned and yanked herself from Ginny and Percy's grip as she fell to the ground vomiting up water and any food in her stomach.
Sirius arrived with a panicked Draco, Harry, and Ron.
"Mione," cried Draco falling down beside the woman he loved, "Mione, I'm here."
Hermione looked up at Draco her brown eyes unusually pale before she said in a raspy voice, "I'm going to take away this woman and those babies… I will… you wait."
Draco looked at Hermione in shock before he leaned forward catching her as she passed out cold from the pain and weakness.
HD
"Will someone tell me what is going on?" shouted Draco from outside the Hospital Wing as he paced in front of the doors.
Harry looked up at him from where he sat on the ground with Ginny leaning against him asleep. All the Weasley's were in attendance sitting or standing, even Fleur who had grown close to Hermione over the months. Narcissa was seated on a bench with McGonagall beside her.
"Give them time," said Narcissa, "We only know one thing."
"What?" asked Ron as he and everyone else looked at Narcissa in surprise.
"Lucius has found a way to connect himself to Hermione, obviously using the babies power."
Draco looked at his mother closely, "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
Without a word Draco stormed into the hospital wing alarming Sirius and Pompfrey.
"Stop him," ordered Draco as his mother, Harry, Ron and Ginny ran in behind him, "Stop him from hurting her!"
"What is going on?" cried Pompfrey standing up from where her and Sirius were searching through medical books.
"Lucius is using his power to connect with my babies! Hermione can't handle that happening to her!"
"It's true," said Narcissa, "It's the only logical way to explain what happened."
"How do we stop it?" shouted Draco, "Will someone please tell me that?"
"You know how," said Narcissa softly, "You have to kill him."
"Fine," said Draco but before he stormed out of the Hospital Wing he walked over to Hermione and ran a hand across her smooth forehead.
She stirred and looked at him with her deep brown eyes, "What's going on?"
"I'm going to kill him Mione," whispered Draco, "I won't let him hurt you again."
Hermione frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Lucius. He did this to you. I love you. I promise to come back."
Hermione tried to sit up and stop him but her body was too weak to handle the sudden move. Draco ran out of the Hospital Wing leaving behind, shocked and unmoving people.
"Harry," said Hermione, "Harry, come here."
Harry ran over to Hermione and peered down at her with his concerned green eyes, "What is it?"
"I need you to take me to my room," said Hermione, "Carry me if you must."
Harry nodded and lifted Hermione up.
"No!" cried Pompfrey, "She isn't well enough."
Harry ignored Pompfrey and with Ron running ahead to open the door, Harry carried Hermione all the way to her room. It took well over twenty minutes, with Narcissa and Sirius running off to tell Lupin the news. The whole castle, though empty with the students at home, became a place full of movement.
At Hermione's room Hermione told Harry to put her down as she opened the door. She walked in swaying a little but made it across the room. She knelt down and pulled out her suitcase and opened it. She grabbed the gun case and pulled it out. She placed in the full amount of bullets in and slipped more in her pants pocket. She slipped her wand into her back pocket and stood up looking at Harry and Ron.
"No," said Harry, "Hermione you can't be serious."
"I am not going to stand back and watch the man I love go off to fight someone who is powerful enough to get to me here at Hogwarts," said Hermione forcefully, "Either you and with me or against me. But either way I am going."
Hermione walked past Harry and Ron mustering all the strength she still had left. Ron gave Harry a look and followed Hermione out. Ron had been by her side through everything and wasn't leaving her side now. Harry quickly caught up to them weaving them through the shortcuts to avoid being seen by others. At the entrance hall they slipped out when they had the chance. Quickly the trio moved across the school grounds, Harry and Ron supporting Hermione the entire way, till they reached the gates. Hermione slipped through first and held onto Harry and Ron as she apperated them to the Malfoy Manor.
HD
Draco opened the Manor's front door the sword in his left hand whilst his right carried his wand. The house was dark and an air of coldness about it; colder then was normal for the large place. Draco ran up the stairs, swearing he would not be caught and trapped here like last time. He walked down the corridor checking for light unde every door. No sound issued from anywhere except the sound of his feet walking along the hall. As he neared the end the sound of glass breaking alerted him to the door on his left. Draco walked over to it and listened closely.
The sound of movement issued followed by the sound of something hissing. Something in a cauldron to be precise. Draco leaned closer.
"I will get what I want," came Lucius' voice, "With or without permission."
Without waiting another second Draco kicked the door down and walked in slamming his father to the ground. Lucius rolled quickly and grabbed his wand pointing it at Draco who was ready for any form of attack.
"Get what you want huh?" snarled Draco, "And you think nearly killing Hermione is the way to go?"
The cauldron bubbled as Lucius replied with a sudden attack of spells. Draco rebounded everyone feeling the power surge through his veins. Draco held it back as he rebounded away more spells and fired back a few of his own. Suddenly a force threw Draco back, slamming him against the wall behind him. Draco gave a mighty, angry yell and forced the power source back at his father, using his own dark magic. The two invisible forces, pushed against each other making the room around them begin to rumble, shattering the room's windows and shaking the cauldron.
Lucius roared as he summoned his power from deep inside him and began pushing it towards Draco. Draco felt his skin tighten but he wasn't going to give up. He had more to live for then he did before. Images of his future flashed through his mind. Him marrying Hermione, their children smiling at them. He couldn't die, he wouldn't die. Draco took a deep breath and threw everything he had into the force. But Lucius had more, sending Draco falling to the ground in a weak heap. He scrambled for his sword a mere meters away but hit the ground a Lucius slammed his foot onto his back, leaving him utterly windless and with no source of defence.
"So, this is where it ends for you once and for all. A weak, useless, boy at his father's mercy," snarled Lucius, "What a picture perfect moment."
Draco turned as far as he could and saw his father pull out his wand and point it at Draco's back, "Goodbye Draco. Adva-"
Suddenly three bangs shot through the air followed by Lucius falling to the ground, struggling for breath. Three figures ran forward one grabbing the sword and another pulled Draco up. Draco swayed as he stood up and saw Hermione, Harry and Ron looking down at Lucius. Ron handed Draco the sword and Hermione turned away as Draco sliced it through Lucius' neck, decapitating him.
"Well," said Harry, "He's dead."
Hermione pointed her gun at Lucius and shot him three more times for good measure, "Just to be sure."
Draco looked at Hermione and stumbled over to her, hugging her tightly, "You came."
"Did you seriously expect me to stay lying in that hospital bed?" cried Hermione in disbelief.
Draco laughed a little as Ron and Harry stepped away to look around, "Marry me, Hermione."
Hermione looked at Draco in surprise but nodded, "It's not the most romantic way to ask me, but of course I will!"
Draco laughed and hugged her again before kissing her passionately.
HD
The four walked through Hogwarts gates as Lupin and the other members of the Order came running down the path. At the sight of the four, Draco who was bloody and bruised, Hermione who looked tired and carrying a muggle gun in her hand and Harry and Ron who were carrying something long and wrapped in black between them, the group came to a halt. Lupin walked forward and looked at what Harry and Ron were carrying. He reached to open it but Harry stopped him midway.
"You wouldn't want to do that," he said, "His head is down at his feet."
"You mean… Lucius is dead?" asked Lupin.
Harry nodded, "Hermione shot him three times, Draco decapitated him and then Hermione shot him again for good measure."
"It's more complicated then that," said Ron, "But that is probably the best way to put it."
Everyone looked at the four in amazement. Hermione leant against Draco with an arm around his waist. She looked up at him and sighed.
"Let's go to bed," she murmured with a yawn, "I'm about to fall asleep."
Draco nodded and they walked past the group and the sun rose on a brand new day that was free of any evil threat.
HD
"That is something I never want to see again," said Lupin covering the body up after the people sent from the Ministry saw the evidence themselves, "You will be taking this with you, right?"
"Of course," said one of the officials, "The body will be buried and the Manor will be destroyed."
Lupin nodded and walked out of the hospital wing to see Narcissa hugging Sirius, "A-hem."
Narcissa pulled away and smiled at Lupin, "What is going to happen?"
"Well Lucius will be taken away and buried and the Manor will be destroyed. Obviously for safety reasons. But he is dead now, that is what counts."
Narcissa nodded and sighed, "It's over… finally over. Draco is free and so are the children. I knew Lucius harming Hermione and the babies would be the last straw for Draco."
Sirius placed and arm around Narcissa, "It's over now. The past is the past and the future is now."
Narcissa smiled and nodded as Lupin walked off to find Tonks. Narcissa looked at Sirius and sighed, "Do you think that is why we always had a connection?"
"What?"
"That deep down we knew I truly wasn't a Black?"
Sirius turned to Narcissa and nodded, "I say it is."
Narcissa smiled and suddenly kissed Sirius without warning. They knew it wasn't wrong, they weren't related in any way now. Finally they to were free to show how they felt for one and other.
A/N: As you can guess it is coming to an end. The next chapter will no doubt be the last! So please review cos it is my 19th birthday tomorrow - 22nd of October:)
Until next time…
Love yas!
Love Coz!