So sorry for the delay...life got busy there for a minute. The result of the vote was "C", closely followed by "A". If you don't remember what those were, then it wont spoil what's in store for you today. I hope you enjoy.
Minerva McGonagall would never have suspected that she'd be asking Hogwarts for this. The Headmistress was currently down in the Room of Requirement, setting up a sort of home within the castle. Minerva had voiced her opinion to Hermione about how she thought Draco's point about wanting to wait to go after Lucius was a good one. Hermione and the baby didn't need that kind of stress.
On top of that, Hermione had suggested that Draco was equally unsafe until Lucius was behind bars, and that it might be wise for Draco to move in with her, so they could watch out for each other. That was when Minerva had suggested that they both move to Hogwarts, where the older witch could watch out for both of them. After presenting Draco with the idea, the three had concluded that yes, moving to Hogwarts was a good idea, but as a school year was in session and Lucius has a history of meddling with Hogwarts from afar, that they would move there in secret.
Secret meaning that no one, save Minerva, would know. Secret meaning that the students could not be aware of their presence. That was where the Room of Requirement came in handy. One room within the castle that upon request, was morphing into an array of rooms in which Hermione and Draco could live comfortably. It had a three bedrooms (one of which was to become a nursery), a bathroom for each adult, a large living area which Minerva thought looked pleasantly like the Gryffindor Common Room, a potions lab, a kitchen and dining area, and a small library which Minerva was presently trying to think up a secret passage to the Hogwarts library for. Hermione and Draco were both scholars, in their own ways, and would enjoy having plenty of reading material in the coming months.
"Perfect," Minerva muttered, seeing everything come into place. It had been Hermione's idea to add a passage to the main Library, which Minerva had agreed to under the condition that both Draco and Hermione were to wear heavy glamor charms and whatnot if they went. They could only dodge students to a point, and all it took was one student to see them and all the secrecy would be for nothing.
"It's wonderful," Hermione said, suddenly appearing beside her. "I can't wait to see the nursery."
Minerva smiled at the younger woman's presence. "Well let me show you. I think you'll find it satisfactory."
The pair made their way down the plush, carpeted hall to the room directly beside Hermione's. Minerva touched the younger witch's shoulder as she opened the door with her free hand, and a small graced her lips has Hermione gasped at the sight before her.
The room was decorated in pinks and greys. There was white furniture; a crib, dresser, changing table, and rocking chair, all matched. There was also a comfortable looking loveseat with white end tables and a matching coffee table, in case Hermione wanted tea while in the nursery with the baby. Various baby toys littered the room; some larger items, like a self rocking swing which Minerva had gone into muggle London to buy, and other boxes of toys that the baby wouldn't use until she was a bit older. Perhaps it was Minerva's wishful thinking that Hermione would stay at Hogwarts even after the baby was born and Lucius was in Azkaban, though if not, Hermione was equally welcome to take the toys with her when she got back into her own place.
"This is...unbeleivable, Minerva," Hermione said in awe. "I suddenly feel like I'm ready for all this. I can't believe you went to all this trouble for me."
Minerva gestured toward the loveseat, and she and Hermione sat down together. "I love you," Minerva said simply. "As you pretty much forced me into admitting yesterday."
Hermione had the good grace to blush. "Yes, well, I needed to know. We, the baby and I, needed to know."
"Have you thought of a name for her?" Minerva inquired. "I know she wont be born for another five months, but it's hard to pick out monogrammed blankets and such without knowing her name."
Hermione looked quizzically at Minerva before speaking. "Have you ever been married?"
Minerva looked puzzled. "No. Why?"
"Would you consider getting married, if the right person came along?" Hermione asked, ignoring Minerva's question.
Suddenly it dawned on Minerva what Hermione was really asking, though she knew that this was a discussion that they absolutely were not ready to have. Hermione wanted to know if Minerva would marry her, presuming things continued to develop in their currently unofficial romantic relationship. She was considering names that sounded good with 'Granger', but also considering names that sounded equally good with 'McGonagall'.
"Yes," Minerva answered quietly. "If I found a woman that loved me for me, not for my title or history or money, and whom I loved in return, I would marry her."
Hermione nodded, but said nothing.
Minerva touched Hermione's cheek gently before adding, "And if perhaps she had a child, I would be honored to adopt the child, and raise it as my own. Perhaps down the road, this wonderful woman and I might decide to have a child of our own, and I'd want those siblings to share a last name."
Hermione tried to hide her grin, but Minerva saw it anyway. "I was thinking about Adra...Adrasteia in full form," the younger witch said, tenderly touching her growing stomach. "It means 'not running away'."
Next chapter - Hermione tells Harry and Ron what's going on (well some of it), prior to going into hiding with Draco. How shall they handle it all? The pregnancy? Her rape? The fact that she removed their memories? That she's moving in with Draco? Will she even dare tell them about her growing feelings for their former Professor? Please review! This is the first story that I've posted that I thought ther was actual hope of hitting 100 review before I was done with the story.
Also, on a side note, I'm considering starting up a Hermione/Lily fic...would that interest any of you people? Not a common pairing, but I think I might be able to come up with a clever way to make it work.
