Disclaimer:
B4 on MPES:
'Mum, turn off the camera, right now!' Hermione said, quite annoyed, but Mrs. Granger did no such thing.
'You know I can't do that baby. Draco deserves to share this moment with you, even if it can't be today. You'll thank me someday,' she said and Hermione moaned.
'Like hell I will.'
"I guess she was right," Hermione told Draco, and he smiled.
"When's his birthday?"
"December 1st," Hermione said softly and Draco turned to her.
"Isn't that early?" Hermione nodded.
"Yes... almost a month... The doctors said it was because of I was so stressed... what with everyone leaving and everything... but I think he was just ready to come out. At 9lbs 8ozs he certainly wasn't low birth-weight." Draco's mouth dropped.
"I was only seven pounds something..." he said and Hermione nodded.
"Six-twelve... how did we end up with such a fat baby? I think it was just my incredibly bad luck... just to torture me," she said, glaring at the picture.
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER SIX: Home Movies
Draco kissed her. "I'm glad, really... if he'd been on time I probably wouldn't have been able to do it naturally... and I really didn't want surgery." Draco nodded and turned back to the picture.
The scene had changed; now Hermione was lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to various monitors, with no one in the room except the cameraperson, which was her mother, and a nurse.
Hermione moved closer to Draco, knowing what was about to happen.
'I am going to kill Draco when he gets back here,' the laboring woman screamed and Hermione squeezed her eyes closed, holding Draco tight.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it... I was in a lot of pain..." she whispered and Draco kissed the top of her head.
"It's okay, Mia. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you to kill." Hermione laughed and Draco held her close as he went back to watching the picture.
'Another one's coming, Mother...' said the hospital inhabiting Hermione. The camera moved closer, suggesting that Mrs. Granger had come closer as well.
'Squeeze my hand, baby,' said Mrs. Granger and Hermione did, screaming as she was hit with a particularly painful contraction. 'Ow...' Mrs. Granger breathed and the Hermione beside Draco laughed. Draco smiled at her.
'Excuse me, ma'am,' said the nurse, who had moments before been sitting in a chair, waiting for something to happen. Mrs. Granger stepped out of the way, letting the older lady examine her daughter. 'Finally,' sighed the nurse. 'I'm going to get the doctor Mrs. Malfoy. You're having this baby right now.'
'What? Now? Already? No... I'm not ready yet!' Hermione cried in horror and both women laughed.
'What do you mean already, Hermione? You've been in labor for... going on 72 hours. I think it's about time, and you don't exactly have a choice in the matter,' said Mrs. Granger, and Draco snapped his head toward Hermione again.
"Seventy two hours?" She nodded guiltily.
"It was seventy three and a half by the time Draco finally decided to make an appearance," she said, smiling, and Draco shook his head.
"That's a long time, Mia."
"No shit," she said, laughing. "I was the one in immense pain for that amount of time, remember," she said and Draco smiled.
"I'm sorry," he said and she shook her head.
"It was most definitely worth it. Mother's muggle version of this video has a whole lot of footage of those horrendous three days; I cut a lot of it out when I converted it."
"We'll have to look into that sometime," Draco said with a smile.
'Push now, Mrs. Malfoy,' said the doctor, who was also female, and Draco and Hermione turned back to the screen.
'I'm not ready!' said a sweat covered Hermione, who lay on her back, legs spread and in position, with the help of the metal guides. The doctor chuckled.
'I'm sorry Mrs. Malfoy, but it's already crowning, I need you to push,' she repeated.
'Oh! I have to see this!' said Mrs. Granger, and soon, the very top of Jr.'s head was visible to both Draco and Hermione. She looked up at his face, and laughed at the horrified look of disgust it held. 'Oh my... push, honey!' Through tears, the laboring Hermione pushed while the nurse holding her hand counted down.
'Eight... nine...ten. Good. Relax.' Hermione collapsed back on her bed. The camera angle didn't change, and neither did the look on Draco's face. He kept the same expression as he watched his son's head poke out and suck back in as Hermione stopped pushing. It wasn't even five minutes before the nurse spoke up again. 'Again, Mrs. Malfoy. One... two...'
'Ah... I can't!' Hermione called out.
'Yes you can, Hermione, keep going!' contradicted her mother excitedly.
'Ah...'
'Relax,' said a nurse and Hermione collapsed back again, breathing hard and letting the woman dab her forehead with a washcloth.
'I think one more push should do it, Mrs. Malfoy," said the doctor. 'Ready?'
'Just get it out!'
'Okay, ready? Go. One... two...' started the nurse.
'Harder, harder... come on...' the doctor instructed and Hermione strained. 'And.... it's a boy!' she called, handing the baby to one of the nurses and clipping the umbilical cord. The camera angle turned back to Hermione, who was relaxing and breathing hard, eyes half closed. A few seconds later, a loud slap was heard. The camera turned toward the doctor, who had just attempted to make the baby cry, but to no success.
'What's wrong? Why isn't he crying? Mum?' Hermione demanded, horrified, and the camera turned back to her scared face. Draco held Hermione a little tighter.
'I don't know, honey,' Mrs. Granger admitted and Hermione peeped in fear. With the exception of the one nurse taking care of Hermione, the rest of the staff had gone with the baby. Mrs. Granger moved away from her daughter, and toward the doctors surrounding her grandson. No one was doing anything. The baby was cleaned as best as possible, wrapped in a white towel, eyes open and looking around.
'I've never seen anything like it, doctor... he's breathing, and his heartbeat is strong... but he won't cry,' said the voice of the nurse and the baby turned his eyes to her.
'I've never seen something so alert...' said the doctor, and again the baby turned his eyes to the person talking. 'My god... Linda, say something.'
'Hello little Malfoy,' said the nurse directly behind the baby, and he tilted his head back, trying to look at her.
'Amazing...' the doctor said.
'Mother? What's wrong?' called Hermione, and the camera turned back to her. She looked run down and exhausted, but it was covered with absolute fear.
'Nothing, Hermione. Everything's okay, the baby's alright, love... don't worry," she said softly and Hermione's worry significantly decreased.
'Oh, oh thank god... can I see him?'
'Just a moment, Mrs. Malfoy.'
While they waited to see the baby in his mother's arms, Draco turned to Hermione. She smiled at the look on his face.
"I never want to see that," he pointed toward her hips. "Do that," he pointed toward the screen. "Ever again." Hermione laughed and kissed him.
"That's up to you, not me," she said and he let out a breath.
'Here you are, Mrs. Malfoy,' said one of the doctors and the new mother's breath caught as she was handed her son. He looked up at her with bright blue eyes and Hermione smiled down at him, taking his hand in hers, and he squeezed her thumb.
'Hi...' she said softly, and the baby blinked, but didn't otherwise acknowledge that she'd spoken.
'What's his name, sweetie?' asked Mrs. Granger and Hermione smiled, looking up at the camera.
'Deme.... no, Draco,' she whispered, then turned back to her son, who was now looking at the video camera with extreme interest.
'Draco it is, then,' said one of the nurses as she came to collect the baby.
'No... Don't take him away...' Hermione pleaded, reaching out, and the nurse smiled warmly.
'Don't worry dear. Once we get you both cleaned up, I'll bring him to your room... he can stay all night if you'd like.' At this reassurance, Hermione relaxed, and the camera faded out.
When the picture returned, it was of Hermione asleep in a hospital bed, but in a different gown, in a different room, and in a different bed, without leg guides. Warm yellow light poured through the blinds behind the camera operator, showering her with lines of goldenrod. As Draco watched, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Gee Mia, you don't look so good," he said and she huffed.
"You try pushing something the size of a watermelon out of an opening the size of a lemon and see how good you look," she scolded and Draco laughed, squeezing her.
'Hey, baby. How you feeling?' Mrs. Granger asked and Hermione laughed slightly.
'Better than when Dad asked,' she said, and Draco smiled. 'I'm exhausted, Mum...' Hermione said, closing her eyes again, then opened them, looking around the room. 'Did they bring the baby in yet?'
'They did, love... about three hours ago, but you were asleep. You haven't slept in a long time... they won't let me feed him, so they brought him back to the nursery. The nurse said to hit the call button when you want them to bring him back.' Hermione sighed.
'He's alright?'
'He's perfect. The doctors actually said they'd never seen one so alert before.' Hermione sighed again, this time in relief.
'Am I alright?' The camera jostled a little, suggesting Mrs. Granger had nodded. 'I'm sore all over, Mum.'
'I know, baby. It'll pass...'
'Where is everybody?'
'They wouldn't let more than one in until you woke up. Your father is the only one who's seen you, but everyone's seen the baby.' Hermione smiled for a moment, then it fell again. She looked seriously at her mother.
'I wish Draco was here, Momma. I miss him so much,' she said, voice cracking slightly with tears. Draco kissed the top of Hermione's head.
'I know, baby...' said Mrs. Granger sadly, then her tone change a bit. 'All you do is push the button, and the nurse will bring him right here.' Hermione smiled.
'If only,' she said, then looked up. 'Thanks Mum, for being here for me.'
'Of course I am, sweetie; just like my mother was for me, and you will be when Draco's wife has his first baby.' Hermione laughed.
'Draco's wife just had his first baby, and if she has anything to say about it, she won't be having his second for a looong time.' Mrs. Granger laughed.
'Do you feel up to letting Ginny and Narcissa in yet, love? They're practically on the verge of breaking down the door.' Hermione laughed.
'Sure, Momma... but first, show me how to call the nurse...'
Again, the scene changed. Now, Narcissa, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Granger all occupied the room. Hermione was looking a little better; she had adjusted the bed to let her sit up almost straight. Everyone was seated in chairs, fussing over her and talking about things that had happened. Hermione kept looking toward the door, fidgeting with her hands.
'Calm down, sweetie, I'm sure they'll bring him soon,' Mrs. Granger said amusedly and Hermione turned to her.
'You don't think something happened, do you? You said they were doing tests... what if something was wrong, Momma? Why didn't he cry?' she asked worriedly and everyone in the room smiled sympathetically.
'Listen to your mother, Mione. Everything is fine. I saw him; he's beautiful... and big. I have no idea how you could have possibly pushed something that size out of your body,' Ginny said, shaking her head. 'I am never having children.' Hermione laughed.
'It wasn't easy, I'll tell you, Gin.' Then, there was a knock on the door. Hermione practically jumped out of bed to answer it.
'You even attempt to get out of that bed, I strap you in, missy,' said Mr. Granger as he moved to open the door. Outside a chubby nurse, the same one who'd pushed her wheelchair, was pushing a cart stocked with diapers and pre-made bottles of formula below, and a baby bin on top. Complete with an 'It's a boy!' name card.
'Look who's here,' she said cheerily and Hermione nearly chewed off her lip in anticipation. The nurse carefully lifted the baby from the bin and handed it to his mother.
'Hi, Draco,' Hermione said, looking at him with a smile. The nurse smiled warmly.
'He's a favorite in the nursery. Never cries... just flails about a little when he wants something. Very perceptive, too... I actually think he was watching the T.V.' Hermione laughed. 'If any of you want to hold him, just make sure you wash your hands first... bacteria and what not.' Hermione nodded, not taking her eyes off the baby. The nurse smiled. 'I'll leave you be. Call me if you need anything.'
'Thank you,' Hermione said and the nurse nodded, then left the room. All inhabitants of the hospital room kept their eyes on the baby, smiling warmly. Then, Hermione's breath became a little ragged, and tears started to flow down her cheeks. Mrs. Granger, who was sitting closest, put her hand on her daughter's arm. 'He's so beautiful, Momma... he looks... he looks...' she took a breath. 'He looks just like Draco,' Hermione whispered and smiled crookedly as she began to sob slightly. The baby actually looked alarmed. When Hermione took her hand from below it, resting him on her stomach, to wipe away a tear, Jr. began to cry. Hermione jumped slightly and lifted him again, rocking him slowly. 'Shh, shh, shh...I'm sorry, don't cry...' she whispered to him, holding the baby close. Jr. stopped all at once, like he'd never started. Everyone but Hermione gave each other strange looks. Hermione just kept her eyes on the baby. 'I thought they said you never cry.'
'That's the first time he ever has... I've been watching them since they brought him into the nursery,' Narcissa said and Ginny smiled.
'Maybe he was worried about you, Mione.' Everyone laughed softly, and the scene faded, then the screen disappeared.
"That's it," Hermione told Draco and he looked down at her. "Of that anyway... there's still a bunch more to watch."
"I can't believe I missed that, Mia..."
"You would have even if you'd come home when Harry and Ron did, Draco... it's okay... you're here with us now, that's all that matters." Draco looked sadly down at the book. "Here... pictures first," she suggested, flipping to the first page. Draco smiled.
The first few pages were pictures Hermione while she was still pregnant, then pictures of the hospital. Mostly of Jr., but some of Hermione. There was a picture for each member of the gang holding the baby, and one of everyone together. Then there were random pictures of Jr. as an infant... followed by the day everyone came home. The first few were of everyone happy... Hermione holding Jr., wearing his tiny little suit, both smiling as if they were about to meet a movie star. Then... there were two or three of Hermione crushed, holding Jr. tight and crying with Narcissa. Even the baby cried.
Draco kissed Hermione repeatedly as they turned the page on those pictures. The next set was of the day Harry and Ginny brought home baby Eric. Pictures, again, of everyone holding him. Some of Draco and Eric together, of the new Potter family unit... some with Ron and Ginny holding him... everyone having a great time.
Next: Draco's funeral. Everyone dressed in black and crying, including Jr. It seemed whenever Hermione cried, Jr. cried. There was no casket; simply a pedestal with the urn from the parlor placed above it, and a black and white picture of Draco sitting in front. There were a lot of people that Draco never thought he'd see at his funeral. A few loyal Slytherin, such as Pansy and Blaise, were there... but it was mostly Gryffindor. Dean, Seamus, Padma, the entire Weasley family, and of course, Harry. He concluded it was for moral support... for Hermione.
After that, all the pictures were happy. Christmases with the boys... birthdays, vacations, school functions, Ron's wedding.
"Who's that that he married?"
"Some muggle girl he met in Paris. Her name is Ursula Van Cockrin. Lovely girl," Hermione said, and Draco nodded.
They continued, and by the time they made it back to the pages of movie titles, it was past midnight.
"Draco, I'm tired... can we do this tomorrow? We have all day... except that we have to go to Diagon alley... get you a new wand... clothes that actually fit..." Draco smiled and kissed her lips softly.
"Whatever you want, Mia." Hermione smiled and placed the book on the floor near her night table, then turned out the light, letting the moonlight be the only luminescence in the room. She turned back to Draco, who was smiling, then slid under the covers. He followed soon after. Hermione cuddled close to him, arms wrapped around his skin-and-bones body. It was a few minutes before she said anything. Draco was still awake... she could feel him twisting her hair between his fingers.
"I'm afraid to go to sleep," she said softly and Draco looked slightly confused.
"What? Why?"
"I'm afraid that I'll wake up all alone... and that this was all a dream, and that you're really dead... for real... and I'll never see you again," she nearly whispered and Draco kissed her forehead.
"I know the feeling, Mia. I don't want to wake up back in my eighty-dollar- a-month apartment," he agreed and Hermione looked up. She stared for a moment, then kissed him softly on the lips.
"Make love to me," she whispered and Draco seemed a little surprised, but not at all unhappy. He touched their lips again, deepening the kiss, and Hermione rolled back, pulling him on top of her. Draco finished their lip caress, then pulled back.
"Are you sure?" he asked and Hermione laughed.
"That's a very stupid question, Draco. Kiss me," she demanded and Draco smirked, then set to work. He couldn't ask for more than this... he'd wanted nothing more than to touch her... feel her beneath him, her bare skin running over his... for years...
"You never know, I could get you pregnant again... then you'd kill me," he said and Hermione laughed, shaking her head.
"Not if we get another little Draco out of it," she said, and he smiled, kissing her again.
"Maybe we can have a Hermione this time."
"Sounds good... but we won't name her that, or I will kill you," Hermione said and Draco laughed.
"Why not?"
"Because when boys are named after their fathers, it's cute... but when girls are named after their mothers, it's stupid. She'd hate me forever. And even if Draco thinks that way, he can't hate you. I named him." Draco laughed. "Okay, enough small talk," Hermione said and pulled his head into hers.
Draco kissed her deeply, running his hands over her sides, bringing the skimpy nightgown up and over her head, exposing her chest to him. He let out a ragged breath, and began to kiss her neck.
"Mmm..." Hermione moaned, reaching to the nightstand and lifting her wand. She sent a locking charm toward the door, and Draco stopped, looking at her. "Just in case," she said and he smiled before going back to his kisses. One last flick and a silence was bestowed upon the rooms outside their own. With that, Hermione dropped her wand on the floor and brought her hands over his shoulders and around his back.
Hermione managed to hook her toes into his the band of his boxers and push them down far enough for Draco to kick them off. It didn't take long to free her of her underwear, and in no time they were both naked, breathing hard in anticipation of something they'd waited years for... Draco leaned close to her ear as his hips slowly made their way toward her.
"I love you so much, Hermione..." he whispered breathily and Hermione kissed him.
"I love you too, Draco..." she assured and braced herself as she felt him enter her. Draco kept the pace slow, savoring every moment. He continued to kiss Hermione's neck. It was a few minutes before he noticed her sobs.
"Hermione..." he breathed, stopping and pulling out of her. Hermione shook her head, curling her arms around his shoulders.
"No, don't stop..." she pleaded and he kissed her, trying to be comforting. "Happy tears," she said and Draco smiled.
~*~*~*~
"Ow... Draco, what are you doing, man?" Eric asked as a small foot came into contact with his leg and the tiny body of Jr. fell over him. Jr. got up quickly.
"Eric? Why are you on the floor?"
"I didn't feel like getting the bed, and Aunt Mina said to sleep here... where are you going?" Eric explained, sitting up from his makeshift berth.
"Mummy is crying... I have to go help her," Draco said and started toward the door. Eric grabbed his arm.
"No, Draco... your Mum said not to go see her tonight. Just go back to bed, okay?" he said, but Draco shook his head.
"No, Eric! She's crying! I HAVE to go help her... I just HAVE to. I can't let her just cry all alone."
"She's not all alone, Draco... your Daddy's there with her," Eric said and Draco nodded.
"I guess. Can I go to the bathroom?" Eric looked at his cousin for a moment, then let go.
"Sure, Draco. But come right back in here... and leave this door open," he said and Draco nodded.
"Okay, Eric," he agreed and walked out the door, leaving it open like he'd been asked to, and to the one across the hall; their shared bathroom. Less than five minutes later, Draco emerged again. He peeked into his room, to see that Eric was still awake, waiting for him, looking at the ceiling. He'd have to make a run for it. When Eric heard the soft thumbs of running feet, he got up.
"One of these days, kid..." he grumbled as he chased after his cousin. Draco didn't stop running until he made it to his parents' room. He tried the doorknob, but it wouldn't turn, so he pounded on the door.
"Mummy!"
~*~*~*~
Draco and Hermione were lying together, both naked and exhausted, smiling like newly-weds. Draco placed a slow and gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead, and she closed her eyes. He was about to do the same, when a loud thump on the door, followed by frantic yelling, caused them both to jump.
"Draco..." Hermione whispered, hurriedly getting out of bed and picking up her wand from the floor. She quickly clothed them both, then unlocked the door and opened it.
"Gotcha," Eric said, picking up Jr. like a football and starting back toward their rooms.
"NO, ERIC, STOP!" the little boy protested. Then, the door opened and Eric stopped. Sighing, he put Jr. back down.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Mina; I tried to keep him there... but he lied to me," Eric said, giving Jr. a glare as he ran to embrace his mother. Hermione was surprised.
"You lied, Draco?" she asked, pulling back, but her son shook his head.
"No, Mummy! I told Eric I was going to the bathroom, and I did... but then I came here. I never said I wasn't going here too..." Jr. said and Eric looked outraged.
"But I told you not to!"
"Okay, okay, everybody calm down. What do you want, baby?" Hermione said, turning to Draco.
"You were crying, Mummy." Hermione gasped slightly.
"How did you know that, Draco? I had up a shushy charm... how did you hear me?" Jr. shook his head.
"I didn't hear you, Mummy... I just knowed. I always know when you're crying." Hermione just stared at her son. She was completely baffled as to how he would know... maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe he'd had a bad dream, and she'd been crying...
"Okay, baby. Do you want to sleep with Daddy and me tonight?" Jr. grinned.
"Can I, Mummy?" Hermione smiled and nodded slowly, then she turned to look at Eric.
"I'm sorry, Eric. I know you tried, baby... you can go sleep in your own bed now, if you want to," she said and Eric nodded.
"Goodnight Aunt Mina," he said and turned, walking toward his room. Hermione watched him go, then turned to her son.
"Come on, baby," she said, picking him up and entering the room. Draco was sitting up, leaning on his arms behind him.
"What happened?" he asked softly as Hermione sat back down on the bed.
"Bad dreams," she said softly, but Jr. shook his head.
"It wasn't a dream, Mummy. You were crying... I know you were... weren't you?" Hermione shook her head slowly as she let Jr. crawl in between them.
"No, baby... I wasn't crying," she said and Draco looked up at her. Hermione met his gaze and shook her head.
"But..." Jr. started.
"No, baby, go to sleep," she said softly, moving down and wrapping an arm around him. Draco did the same, his hand rubbing Hermione's arm slowly. They shared one last quick kiss before closing their eyes themselves. Jr. seemed to have taken his mother's advice, but then he gasped. "What, Draco, what is it?" Draco opened his eyes and Jr. turned to his mother.
"I forgot Melville," he said and Hermione laughed quietly, while Draco smiled and closed his eyes again. Hermione picked her wand back up and summoned the stuffed animal, giving it to her son, who held it tight. "Thank you Mummy," he said and she smiled, kissing his temple.
"Go to sleep, Junior."
A/N: My Mum had a baby a few months ago... in fact, Kaitlin (the baby) will be one the day the fifth book comes out! How cool is THAT? Anyway, I didn't actually get to SEE Mum have the baby... and we DIDN'T videotape it...but I've watched 'A Baby Story' on TLC, and I'm pretty informed in that department. And, I know... baby's are like blobs of flesh that cry a lot when they're first born. The fact that Jr. even had his eyes open was amazing. I know this. It's supposed to be that way. You'll see why later... but anyway, it's pretty accurate, I think.
PRF: Yes! I'm actually doing them! Thanx to everyone who reviewed but didn't get responded to the last couple of chapters; I appreciated it. I did. I'm just lazy... :oP these are the people who reviewed chapter 5:
AngelGurl06: Thanx, lol, I will.
Ash: Cause she wanted alone time with Draco, and they were doing the hibbidy dibbidy. Plus, would you want your five-year-old son to walk in on THAT video? Scar for life, I tell ya.
Krissy: Lol, glad you think so! I will!
Silver Dragon Goddess: Don't feel bad; I haven't been updating flames! I'm sorry!
Couch-potato01: Nope, not tragic... but nice, anyway ;o)
Sweet Lovin: I liked this chapter hehe
Dragonfly: Thanx, and I will.
Gee... not very many reviews... does that mean you don't like this story? :o( Am I going to have to stop writing it? :o( Please don't make me do that. ;o)
B4 on MPES:
'Mum, turn off the camera, right now!' Hermione said, quite annoyed, but Mrs. Granger did no such thing.
'You know I can't do that baby. Draco deserves to share this moment with you, even if it can't be today. You'll thank me someday,' she said and Hermione moaned.
'Like hell I will.'
"I guess she was right," Hermione told Draco, and he smiled.
"When's his birthday?"
"December 1st," Hermione said softly and Draco turned to her.
"Isn't that early?" Hermione nodded.
"Yes... almost a month... The doctors said it was because of I was so stressed... what with everyone leaving and everything... but I think he was just ready to come out. At 9lbs 8ozs he certainly wasn't low birth-weight." Draco's mouth dropped.
"I was only seven pounds something..." he said and Hermione nodded.
"Six-twelve... how did we end up with such a fat baby? I think it was just my incredibly bad luck... just to torture me," she said, glaring at the picture.
~*~*~*~
CHAPTER SIX: Home Movies
Draco kissed her. "I'm glad, really... if he'd been on time I probably wouldn't have been able to do it naturally... and I really didn't want surgery." Draco nodded and turned back to the picture.
The scene had changed; now Hermione was lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to various monitors, with no one in the room except the cameraperson, which was her mother, and a nurse.
Hermione moved closer to Draco, knowing what was about to happen.
'I am going to kill Draco when he gets back here,' the laboring woman screamed and Hermione squeezed her eyes closed, holding Draco tight.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it... I was in a lot of pain..." she whispered and Draco kissed the top of her head.
"It's okay, Mia. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you to kill." Hermione laughed and Draco held her close as he went back to watching the picture.
'Another one's coming, Mother...' said the hospital inhabiting Hermione. The camera moved closer, suggesting that Mrs. Granger had come closer as well.
'Squeeze my hand, baby,' said Mrs. Granger and Hermione did, screaming as she was hit with a particularly painful contraction. 'Ow...' Mrs. Granger breathed and the Hermione beside Draco laughed. Draco smiled at her.
'Excuse me, ma'am,' said the nurse, who had moments before been sitting in a chair, waiting for something to happen. Mrs. Granger stepped out of the way, letting the older lady examine her daughter. 'Finally,' sighed the nurse. 'I'm going to get the doctor Mrs. Malfoy. You're having this baby right now.'
'What? Now? Already? No... I'm not ready yet!' Hermione cried in horror and both women laughed.
'What do you mean already, Hermione? You've been in labor for... going on 72 hours. I think it's about time, and you don't exactly have a choice in the matter,' said Mrs. Granger, and Draco snapped his head toward Hermione again.
"Seventy two hours?" She nodded guiltily.
"It was seventy three and a half by the time Draco finally decided to make an appearance," she said, smiling, and Draco shook his head.
"That's a long time, Mia."
"No shit," she said, laughing. "I was the one in immense pain for that amount of time, remember," she said and Draco smiled.
"I'm sorry," he said and she shook her head.
"It was most definitely worth it. Mother's muggle version of this video has a whole lot of footage of those horrendous three days; I cut a lot of it out when I converted it."
"We'll have to look into that sometime," Draco said with a smile.
'Push now, Mrs. Malfoy,' said the doctor, who was also female, and Draco and Hermione turned back to the screen.
'I'm not ready!' said a sweat covered Hermione, who lay on her back, legs spread and in position, with the help of the metal guides. The doctor chuckled.
'I'm sorry Mrs. Malfoy, but it's already crowning, I need you to push,' she repeated.
'Oh! I have to see this!' said Mrs. Granger, and soon, the very top of Jr.'s head was visible to both Draco and Hermione. She looked up at his face, and laughed at the horrified look of disgust it held. 'Oh my... push, honey!' Through tears, the laboring Hermione pushed while the nurse holding her hand counted down.
'Eight... nine...ten. Good. Relax.' Hermione collapsed back on her bed. The camera angle didn't change, and neither did the look on Draco's face. He kept the same expression as he watched his son's head poke out and suck back in as Hermione stopped pushing. It wasn't even five minutes before the nurse spoke up again. 'Again, Mrs. Malfoy. One... two...'
'Ah... I can't!' Hermione called out.
'Yes you can, Hermione, keep going!' contradicted her mother excitedly.
'Ah...'
'Relax,' said a nurse and Hermione collapsed back again, breathing hard and letting the woman dab her forehead with a washcloth.
'I think one more push should do it, Mrs. Malfoy," said the doctor. 'Ready?'
'Just get it out!'
'Okay, ready? Go. One... two...' started the nurse.
'Harder, harder... come on...' the doctor instructed and Hermione strained. 'And.... it's a boy!' she called, handing the baby to one of the nurses and clipping the umbilical cord. The camera angle turned back to Hermione, who was relaxing and breathing hard, eyes half closed. A few seconds later, a loud slap was heard. The camera turned toward the doctor, who had just attempted to make the baby cry, but to no success.
'What's wrong? Why isn't he crying? Mum?' Hermione demanded, horrified, and the camera turned back to her scared face. Draco held Hermione a little tighter.
'I don't know, honey,' Mrs. Granger admitted and Hermione peeped in fear. With the exception of the one nurse taking care of Hermione, the rest of the staff had gone with the baby. Mrs. Granger moved away from her daughter, and toward the doctors surrounding her grandson. No one was doing anything. The baby was cleaned as best as possible, wrapped in a white towel, eyes open and looking around.
'I've never seen anything like it, doctor... he's breathing, and his heartbeat is strong... but he won't cry,' said the voice of the nurse and the baby turned his eyes to her.
'I've never seen something so alert...' said the doctor, and again the baby turned his eyes to the person talking. 'My god... Linda, say something.'
'Hello little Malfoy,' said the nurse directly behind the baby, and he tilted his head back, trying to look at her.
'Amazing...' the doctor said.
'Mother? What's wrong?' called Hermione, and the camera turned back to her. She looked run down and exhausted, but it was covered with absolute fear.
'Nothing, Hermione. Everything's okay, the baby's alright, love... don't worry," she said softly and Hermione's worry significantly decreased.
'Oh, oh thank god... can I see him?'
'Just a moment, Mrs. Malfoy.'
While they waited to see the baby in his mother's arms, Draco turned to Hermione. She smiled at the look on his face.
"I never want to see that," he pointed toward her hips. "Do that," he pointed toward the screen. "Ever again." Hermione laughed and kissed him.
"That's up to you, not me," she said and he let out a breath.
'Here you are, Mrs. Malfoy,' said one of the doctors and the new mother's breath caught as she was handed her son. He looked up at her with bright blue eyes and Hermione smiled down at him, taking his hand in hers, and he squeezed her thumb.
'Hi...' she said softly, and the baby blinked, but didn't otherwise acknowledge that she'd spoken.
'What's his name, sweetie?' asked Mrs. Granger and Hermione smiled, looking up at the camera.
'Deme.... no, Draco,' she whispered, then turned back to her son, who was now looking at the video camera with extreme interest.
'Draco it is, then,' said one of the nurses as she came to collect the baby.
'No... Don't take him away...' Hermione pleaded, reaching out, and the nurse smiled warmly.
'Don't worry dear. Once we get you both cleaned up, I'll bring him to your room... he can stay all night if you'd like.' At this reassurance, Hermione relaxed, and the camera faded out.
When the picture returned, it was of Hermione asleep in a hospital bed, but in a different gown, in a different room, and in a different bed, without leg guides. Warm yellow light poured through the blinds behind the camera operator, showering her with lines of goldenrod. As Draco watched, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Gee Mia, you don't look so good," he said and she huffed.
"You try pushing something the size of a watermelon out of an opening the size of a lemon and see how good you look," she scolded and Draco laughed, squeezing her.
'Hey, baby. How you feeling?' Mrs. Granger asked and Hermione laughed slightly.
'Better than when Dad asked,' she said, and Draco smiled. 'I'm exhausted, Mum...' Hermione said, closing her eyes again, then opened them, looking around the room. 'Did they bring the baby in yet?'
'They did, love... about three hours ago, but you were asleep. You haven't slept in a long time... they won't let me feed him, so they brought him back to the nursery. The nurse said to hit the call button when you want them to bring him back.' Hermione sighed.
'He's alright?'
'He's perfect. The doctors actually said they'd never seen one so alert before.' Hermione sighed again, this time in relief.
'Am I alright?' The camera jostled a little, suggesting Mrs. Granger had nodded. 'I'm sore all over, Mum.'
'I know, baby. It'll pass...'
'Where is everybody?'
'They wouldn't let more than one in until you woke up. Your father is the only one who's seen you, but everyone's seen the baby.' Hermione smiled for a moment, then it fell again. She looked seriously at her mother.
'I wish Draco was here, Momma. I miss him so much,' she said, voice cracking slightly with tears. Draco kissed the top of Hermione's head.
'I know, baby...' said Mrs. Granger sadly, then her tone change a bit. 'All you do is push the button, and the nurse will bring him right here.' Hermione smiled.
'If only,' she said, then looked up. 'Thanks Mum, for being here for me.'
'Of course I am, sweetie; just like my mother was for me, and you will be when Draco's wife has his first baby.' Hermione laughed.
'Draco's wife just had his first baby, and if she has anything to say about it, she won't be having his second for a looong time.' Mrs. Granger laughed.
'Do you feel up to letting Ginny and Narcissa in yet, love? They're practically on the verge of breaking down the door.' Hermione laughed.
'Sure, Momma... but first, show me how to call the nurse...'
Again, the scene changed. Now, Narcissa, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Granger all occupied the room. Hermione was looking a little better; she had adjusted the bed to let her sit up almost straight. Everyone was seated in chairs, fussing over her and talking about things that had happened. Hermione kept looking toward the door, fidgeting with her hands.
'Calm down, sweetie, I'm sure they'll bring him soon,' Mrs. Granger said amusedly and Hermione turned to her.
'You don't think something happened, do you? You said they were doing tests... what if something was wrong, Momma? Why didn't he cry?' she asked worriedly and everyone in the room smiled sympathetically.
'Listen to your mother, Mione. Everything is fine. I saw him; he's beautiful... and big. I have no idea how you could have possibly pushed something that size out of your body,' Ginny said, shaking her head. 'I am never having children.' Hermione laughed.
'It wasn't easy, I'll tell you, Gin.' Then, there was a knock on the door. Hermione practically jumped out of bed to answer it.
'You even attempt to get out of that bed, I strap you in, missy,' said Mr. Granger as he moved to open the door. Outside a chubby nurse, the same one who'd pushed her wheelchair, was pushing a cart stocked with diapers and pre-made bottles of formula below, and a baby bin on top. Complete with an 'It's a boy!' name card.
'Look who's here,' she said cheerily and Hermione nearly chewed off her lip in anticipation. The nurse carefully lifted the baby from the bin and handed it to his mother.
'Hi, Draco,' Hermione said, looking at him with a smile. The nurse smiled warmly.
'He's a favorite in the nursery. Never cries... just flails about a little when he wants something. Very perceptive, too... I actually think he was watching the T.V.' Hermione laughed. 'If any of you want to hold him, just make sure you wash your hands first... bacteria and what not.' Hermione nodded, not taking her eyes off the baby. The nurse smiled. 'I'll leave you be. Call me if you need anything.'
'Thank you,' Hermione said and the nurse nodded, then left the room. All inhabitants of the hospital room kept their eyes on the baby, smiling warmly. Then, Hermione's breath became a little ragged, and tears started to flow down her cheeks. Mrs. Granger, who was sitting closest, put her hand on her daughter's arm. 'He's so beautiful, Momma... he looks... he looks...' she took a breath. 'He looks just like Draco,' Hermione whispered and smiled crookedly as she began to sob slightly. The baby actually looked alarmed. When Hermione took her hand from below it, resting him on her stomach, to wipe away a tear, Jr. began to cry. Hermione jumped slightly and lifted him again, rocking him slowly. 'Shh, shh, shh...I'm sorry, don't cry...' she whispered to him, holding the baby close. Jr. stopped all at once, like he'd never started. Everyone but Hermione gave each other strange looks. Hermione just kept her eyes on the baby. 'I thought they said you never cry.'
'That's the first time he ever has... I've been watching them since they brought him into the nursery,' Narcissa said and Ginny smiled.
'Maybe he was worried about you, Mione.' Everyone laughed softly, and the scene faded, then the screen disappeared.
"That's it," Hermione told Draco and he looked down at her. "Of that anyway... there's still a bunch more to watch."
"I can't believe I missed that, Mia..."
"You would have even if you'd come home when Harry and Ron did, Draco... it's okay... you're here with us now, that's all that matters." Draco looked sadly down at the book. "Here... pictures first," she suggested, flipping to the first page. Draco smiled.
The first few pages were pictures Hermione while she was still pregnant, then pictures of the hospital. Mostly of Jr., but some of Hermione. There was a picture for each member of the gang holding the baby, and one of everyone together. Then there were random pictures of Jr. as an infant... followed by the day everyone came home. The first few were of everyone happy... Hermione holding Jr., wearing his tiny little suit, both smiling as if they were about to meet a movie star. Then... there were two or three of Hermione crushed, holding Jr. tight and crying with Narcissa. Even the baby cried.
Draco kissed Hermione repeatedly as they turned the page on those pictures. The next set was of the day Harry and Ginny brought home baby Eric. Pictures, again, of everyone holding him. Some of Draco and Eric together, of the new Potter family unit... some with Ron and Ginny holding him... everyone having a great time.
Next: Draco's funeral. Everyone dressed in black and crying, including Jr. It seemed whenever Hermione cried, Jr. cried. There was no casket; simply a pedestal with the urn from the parlor placed above it, and a black and white picture of Draco sitting in front. There were a lot of people that Draco never thought he'd see at his funeral. A few loyal Slytherin, such as Pansy and Blaise, were there... but it was mostly Gryffindor. Dean, Seamus, Padma, the entire Weasley family, and of course, Harry. He concluded it was for moral support... for Hermione.
After that, all the pictures were happy. Christmases with the boys... birthdays, vacations, school functions, Ron's wedding.
"Who's that that he married?"
"Some muggle girl he met in Paris. Her name is Ursula Van Cockrin. Lovely girl," Hermione said, and Draco nodded.
They continued, and by the time they made it back to the pages of movie titles, it was past midnight.
"Draco, I'm tired... can we do this tomorrow? We have all day... except that we have to go to Diagon alley... get you a new wand... clothes that actually fit..." Draco smiled and kissed her lips softly.
"Whatever you want, Mia." Hermione smiled and placed the book on the floor near her night table, then turned out the light, letting the moonlight be the only luminescence in the room. She turned back to Draco, who was smiling, then slid under the covers. He followed soon after. Hermione cuddled close to him, arms wrapped around his skin-and-bones body. It was a few minutes before she said anything. Draco was still awake... she could feel him twisting her hair between his fingers.
"I'm afraid to go to sleep," she said softly and Draco looked slightly confused.
"What? Why?"
"I'm afraid that I'll wake up all alone... and that this was all a dream, and that you're really dead... for real... and I'll never see you again," she nearly whispered and Draco kissed her forehead.
"I know the feeling, Mia. I don't want to wake up back in my eighty-dollar- a-month apartment," he agreed and Hermione looked up. She stared for a moment, then kissed him softly on the lips.
"Make love to me," she whispered and Draco seemed a little surprised, but not at all unhappy. He touched their lips again, deepening the kiss, and Hermione rolled back, pulling him on top of her. Draco finished their lip caress, then pulled back.
"Are you sure?" he asked and Hermione laughed.
"That's a very stupid question, Draco. Kiss me," she demanded and Draco smirked, then set to work. He couldn't ask for more than this... he'd wanted nothing more than to touch her... feel her beneath him, her bare skin running over his... for years...
"You never know, I could get you pregnant again... then you'd kill me," he said and Hermione laughed, shaking her head.
"Not if we get another little Draco out of it," she said, and he smiled, kissing her again.
"Maybe we can have a Hermione this time."
"Sounds good... but we won't name her that, or I will kill you," Hermione said and Draco laughed.
"Why not?"
"Because when boys are named after their fathers, it's cute... but when girls are named after their mothers, it's stupid. She'd hate me forever. And even if Draco thinks that way, he can't hate you. I named him." Draco laughed. "Okay, enough small talk," Hermione said and pulled his head into hers.
Draco kissed her deeply, running his hands over her sides, bringing the skimpy nightgown up and over her head, exposing her chest to him. He let out a ragged breath, and began to kiss her neck.
"Mmm..." Hermione moaned, reaching to the nightstand and lifting her wand. She sent a locking charm toward the door, and Draco stopped, looking at her. "Just in case," she said and he smiled before going back to his kisses. One last flick and a silence was bestowed upon the rooms outside their own. With that, Hermione dropped her wand on the floor and brought her hands over his shoulders and around his back.
Hermione managed to hook her toes into his the band of his boxers and push them down far enough for Draco to kick them off. It didn't take long to free her of her underwear, and in no time they were both naked, breathing hard in anticipation of something they'd waited years for... Draco leaned close to her ear as his hips slowly made their way toward her.
"I love you so much, Hermione..." he whispered breathily and Hermione kissed him.
"I love you too, Draco..." she assured and braced herself as she felt him enter her. Draco kept the pace slow, savoring every moment. He continued to kiss Hermione's neck. It was a few minutes before he noticed her sobs.
"Hermione..." he breathed, stopping and pulling out of her. Hermione shook her head, curling her arms around his shoulders.
"No, don't stop..." she pleaded and he kissed her, trying to be comforting. "Happy tears," she said and Draco smiled.
~*~*~*~
"Ow... Draco, what are you doing, man?" Eric asked as a small foot came into contact with his leg and the tiny body of Jr. fell over him. Jr. got up quickly.
"Eric? Why are you on the floor?"
"I didn't feel like getting the bed, and Aunt Mina said to sleep here... where are you going?" Eric explained, sitting up from his makeshift berth.
"Mummy is crying... I have to go help her," Draco said and started toward the door. Eric grabbed his arm.
"No, Draco... your Mum said not to go see her tonight. Just go back to bed, okay?" he said, but Draco shook his head.
"No, Eric! She's crying! I HAVE to go help her... I just HAVE to. I can't let her just cry all alone."
"She's not all alone, Draco... your Daddy's there with her," Eric said and Draco nodded.
"I guess. Can I go to the bathroom?" Eric looked at his cousin for a moment, then let go.
"Sure, Draco. But come right back in here... and leave this door open," he said and Draco nodded.
"Okay, Eric," he agreed and walked out the door, leaving it open like he'd been asked to, and to the one across the hall; their shared bathroom. Less than five minutes later, Draco emerged again. He peeked into his room, to see that Eric was still awake, waiting for him, looking at the ceiling. He'd have to make a run for it. When Eric heard the soft thumbs of running feet, he got up.
"One of these days, kid..." he grumbled as he chased after his cousin. Draco didn't stop running until he made it to his parents' room. He tried the doorknob, but it wouldn't turn, so he pounded on the door.
"Mummy!"
~*~*~*~
Draco and Hermione were lying together, both naked and exhausted, smiling like newly-weds. Draco placed a slow and gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead, and she closed her eyes. He was about to do the same, when a loud thump on the door, followed by frantic yelling, caused them both to jump.
"Draco..." Hermione whispered, hurriedly getting out of bed and picking up her wand from the floor. She quickly clothed them both, then unlocked the door and opened it.
"Gotcha," Eric said, picking up Jr. like a football and starting back toward their rooms.
"NO, ERIC, STOP!" the little boy protested. Then, the door opened and Eric stopped. Sighing, he put Jr. back down.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Mina; I tried to keep him there... but he lied to me," Eric said, giving Jr. a glare as he ran to embrace his mother. Hermione was surprised.
"You lied, Draco?" she asked, pulling back, but her son shook his head.
"No, Mummy! I told Eric I was going to the bathroom, and I did... but then I came here. I never said I wasn't going here too..." Jr. said and Eric looked outraged.
"But I told you not to!"
"Okay, okay, everybody calm down. What do you want, baby?" Hermione said, turning to Draco.
"You were crying, Mummy." Hermione gasped slightly.
"How did you know that, Draco? I had up a shushy charm... how did you hear me?" Jr. shook his head.
"I didn't hear you, Mummy... I just knowed. I always know when you're crying." Hermione just stared at her son. She was completely baffled as to how he would know... maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe he'd had a bad dream, and she'd been crying...
"Okay, baby. Do you want to sleep with Daddy and me tonight?" Jr. grinned.
"Can I, Mummy?" Hermione smiled and nodded slowly, then she turned to look at Eric.
"I'm sorry, Eric. I know you tried, baby... you can go sleep in your own bed now, if you want to," she said and Eric nodded.
"Goodnight Aunt Mina," he said and turned, walking toward his room. Hermione watched him go, then turned to her son.
"Come on, baby," she said, picking him up and entering the room. Draco was sitting up, leaning on his arms behind him.
"What happened?" he asked softly as Hermione sat back down on the bed.
"Bad dreams," she said softly, but Jr. shook his head.
"It wasn't a dream, Mummy. You were crying... I know you were... weren't you?" Hermione shook her head slowly as she let Jr. crawl in between them.
"No, baby... I wasn't crying," she said and Draco looked up at her. Hermione met his gaze and shook her head.
"But..." Jr. started.
"No, baby, go to sleep," she said softly, moving down and wrapping an arm around him. Draco did the same, his hand rubbing Hermione's arm slowly. They shared one last quick kiss before closing their eyes themselves. Jr. seemed to have taken his mother's advice, but then he gasped. "What, Draco, what is it?" Draco opened his eyes and Jr. turned to his mother.
"I forgot Melville," he said and Hermione laughed quietly, while Draco smiled and closed his eyes again. Hermione picked her wand back up and summoned the stuffed animal, giving it to her son, who held it tight. "Thank you Mummy," he said and she smiled, kissing his temple.
"Go to sleep, Junior."
A/N: My Mum had a baby a few months ago... in fact, Kaitlin (the baby) will be one the day the fifth book comes out! How cool is THAT? Anyway, I didn't actually get to SEE Mum have the baby... and we DIDN'T videotape it...but I've watched 'A Baby Story' on TLC, and I'm pretty informed in that department. And, I know... baby's are like blobs of flesh that cry a lot when they're first born. The fact that Jr. even had his eyes open was amazing. I know this. It's supposed to be that way. You'll see why later... but anyway, it's pretty accurate, I think.
PRF: Yes! I'm actually doing them! Thanx to everyone who reviewed but didn't get responded to the last couple of chapters; I appreciated it. I did. I'm just lazy... :oP these are the people who reviewed chapter 5:
AngelGurl06: Thanx, lol, I will.
Ash: Cause she wanted alone time with Draco, and they were doing the hibbidy dibbidy. Plus, would you want your five-year-old son to walk in on THAT video? Scar for life, I tell ya.
Krissy: Lol, glad you think so! I will!
Silver Dragon Goddess: Don't feel bad; I haven't been updating flames! I'm sorry!
Couch-potato01: Nope, not tragic... but nice, anyway ;o)
Sweet Lovin: I liked this chapter hehe
Dragonfly: Thanx, and I will.
Gee... not very many reviews... does that mean you don't like this story? :o( Am I going to have to stop writing it? :o( Please don't make me do that. ;o)