Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling. Just because I want them doesn't make them mine.
A month after she buried her husband, Hermione sat on the floor of the bathroom after another exciting period of morning sickness. Waiting for the strength to return to her body, she stroked her offending stomach and muttered soothing words to the precious baby who didn't mean to cause its mum so much grief. She was almost 3 months along now, and about ready to tell people about the baby. It's been her little private secret and the only thing that's kept her going. The only person who knew was Ginny and that's because Ginny had a knack for knowing everything that was going on with everybody. She must have been blessed with that trait from her mother. Ginny was coming over in a little bit to borrow a dress to wear to the ministry ball. Her boyfriend Blaise worked in the misuse of muggle artifacts office, taking over her father's old position and would be her escort.
"Hermione? Are you home?" Ginny called after flooing in from the Burrow. "I think you should reconsider going to the ball. Where are you?"
"I'm here Ginny, this little baby decided that I didn't need to keep my lunch down today."
"Poor Hermione! Leave it to a Potter to make mischief!" Ginny laughed as she tried to keep Hermione's spirits up. It was a tough job. "You've got a future marauder growing in your belly, what do you expect?"
"I'm fine, let's look at the dresses, I've pulled out all the ones that will fit you." Hermione led Ginny into the bedroom where she had laid out several gorgeous dresses that she had worn to one event or another. Being married to the savior of the wizarding world led to attending a number of social events.
"Which one are you wearing?" Ginny asked her friend. She saw the scowl on Hermione's face and continued to talk her into going. "You know that they are going to honor Harry right? You really should be there. Ron's speaking and so is Kingsley. You could leave right after, but so many people want to see you and Blaise said he'd be happy to escort two women."
"I don't want to go and have all those people look at me with pity. I am proud of Harry and I'm glad he's being honored but I just don't know if I can face everyone else. Ron is bad enough. Every time he looks at me I can see how guilty he feels and no matter what I say it doesn't help." Hermione turned away and picked up a dress while a tear fell from her face. "Try this one, the color will be perfect on you."
Ginny obediently tried on dress after dress, all the while trying to figure out how to talk Hermione into going. Finally she came up with a brilliant plan. She excused herself from the mess of dresses and claimed to need a drink of water. In the kitchen she quickly scribbled a note to the Minister of Magic and "borrowed" Hermione's owl to send it.
About a half hour later Ginny had chosen a dress when a very official Ministry owl pecked at the window. Hermione opened the window to receive her letter.
Hermione, as you know we are honoring Harry at the Ministry Ball tomorrow night. I know how hard this may be for you to consider, but we would love it if you could please say a few words and accept the award of service that we are giving Harry. It would mean a lot to the Ministry employees for you to be a part of this. Harry was much respected by all who knew him. Please reply by tomorrow afternoon so we can plan accordingly and find someone else to accept the award.
Sincerely,
Kingsley Shacklebot,
Minister of Magic
"Well, that makes my decision a bit harder doesn't it? I wonder who else they would get to accept the award. Harry didn't even have any other family. Except the Dursleys of course and they don't count."
"There's no one else Hermione. You have to go, do it for Harry." Ginny pleaded.
"Oh, I suppose you'd better help me choose a dress then." Hermione sighed, resigned to the fact that she would have to go out amidst all those people and face the looks of pity.
In another part of London, Draco Malfoy was having a bit of trouble regarding the ball himself. He couldn't find a date. This was quite unusual for Draco and it made him very uncomfortable. His plans to go with Pansy had fallen through when she ran off and married Marcus Flint after a night of firewhiskey drinking. That had just happened a week ago and Draco was still angry. He didn't much care who Pansy married but she had been an easy date whenever he needed one. He could go alone if he had too. With his reputation he wouldn't be alone for long. There were a large number of single Ministry workers who he was sure he could charm into a few dances, but none that he wanted to be committed to for a date. There would be photos, and stories in the Prophet and he just couldn't have that gossip about just any girl. He supposed that alone was the way to go considering he couldn't think of any woman who really caught his fancy. Well, except for Ginny and she was taken. Damn, Blaise was a lucky man, he thought, Ginny was hot!
The next night a very nervous Hermione was putting the finishing touches on her hair and trying to quell the nausea that this time wasn't caused by the baby. She didn't know if she could really do this. Ginny told her she could leave as soon as the presentation was over so she focused on that. She could come home and curl up with a good book, which was all she wanted to do tonight anyway. There was a knock at the door and Hermione knew that her "dates" had arrived.
Upon opening the door, she was greeted by a large group of people, many of whom had red hair. It seemed that anyone who knew Harry was invited regardless of whether or not they worked at the ministry. She was to be escorted by Arthur, Molly, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, George, Ron, Luna, Ginny and Blaise. Aside from Harry being there, she couldn't ask for better companions. Most importantly she felt as if she were protected by friendship. "Let's go and get this over with!" she exclaimed as George and Charlie took her arms and apparated away.
Draco watched the large group arrive and noticed that Hermione was with them. They were being quite protective and he figured that there would be a Weasley at her side the entire night. He was glad for it because she still didn't look as strong as he knew she could be. There was something about her that made him want to protect her. He knew that she was planning to end her life that day at the lake. Whether or not that was the reason for his concern, he wasn't sure. She smiled and laughed with her friends but he could tell that it wasn't genuine. She wasn't ready to be here and he knew it. He'd keep an eye on her tonight just in case.
Hermione was greeted by her coworkers from the Department of Mysteries. She hadn't been back to work since Harry died so she was genuinely happy to see many of them. She was relieved that most of the looks that came her way were of friendship and concern, not pity. While her eyes scanned the room, she caught a glimpse of white blond hair. Knowing that Lucius was safely locked in Azkaban, it could only be Draco. She hadn't seen him since that day at the lake but she thought of him often and how he had saved her baby's life. Finally he looked her way and their eyes locked. He gave her a smirk and raised her glass. She laughed a little because he looked like he wanted to be there even less than she. Nodding her head in response, she turned back to her friends.
At last it was time for the presentation. Kingsley said a few words about the work that Harry had done for the Ministry and the Order. The words were from the heart and Hermione was touched at how much respect he had for Harry. Next was Ron's speech. He had most of the room in tears as he remembered being the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived. Finally it was Hermione's turn. She took deep breaths as she heard Kingsley's words.
"We honor every member of the Ministry who die in the line of duty, but this time it's different. Harry wasn't just an employee; he was a friend, a fighter, and a hero. We'd like to present this award of service to Harry's wife, please welcome Mrs. Hermione Potter."
Hermione walked to the front of the room and took the beautiful plaque from Kingsley. "I know that Harry would have hated to be recognized like this, but for me it makes me proud. I'm proud to have been by Harry's side for so many years and I'm honored to accept this on his behalf. Thank you all for supporting me over the last month and I look forward to coming back to work and thanking many of you personally." As the crowd clapped for Hermione, she quickly made her way down the steps and out a side door before the tears started to fall. "Damn it! Damn you Harry for being so brave. You knew you were going to be a dad, why weren't you more careful?" she sobbed as she ran down the path. Finally collapsing on a bench, the tears came freely. Once again she didn't notice she was not alone.
Draco had been standing near the door that she bolted out of. He didn't see a Weasley in sight so he figured it was up to him to follow her and make sure that she was ok. It was beginning to be a habit of his. He wasn't prepared for the words that came out her mouth however and was stunned to hear that Harry was going to be a father. He figured that very few people must have known about this as he would have heard if it was public knowledge. Making as much noise as possible so not to startle Hermione, he walked up and sad down on the bench next to her.
"So, Potter knocked you up huh?" He knew it was a crass thing to say but he didn't deal well with tears and was hoping to make her smile, or at the very least get mad at him.
"Go away Malfoy. I just need some time by myself." She then realized what he had said and quickly turned to look at him. "Please don't tell. Only Ginny knows and I just want a little more time."
"It's not my secret to tell. I'm sorry I overheard but you were yelling pretty loudly. So it is Potter's kid right?"
"Draco! You prat! How could you even say a thing like that?"
"Good, you are mad at me. I'd rather have you mad at me than sobbing on my shoulder." Draco grinned at her then and saw the beginnings of a smile on her lips.
"Well, I'm not crying anymore but I don't think I'm mad either. Thanks for being an arse and cheering me up." A full smile graced her face then and she found herself once again shocked at actually thanking Malfoy for anything.
"Come on, I'll walk you back in to find one of your Weasley protectors." Draco helped her to her feet and guided her back toward the door. "When are you coming back to work? I'm guessing that you'll be taking more time off when the baby comes."
"I'm going to start back next Wednesday actually. I need to get out of the house and it will be good to get back to a routine. As for taking time off for the baby, I of course will take some time but I can't decide whether or not to quit or just take a leave. That's another one of those big decisions I need to make."
"Well, I suppose I'll see you around the Ministry then. Take care of that little Potter."
"Thanks Draco. For everything." Draco watched Hermione as she rejoined her friends. The evening was winding down and he apparated home. That night he had dreams of a little raven haired boy causing trouble at Hogwarts. Hermione instead dreamed of a little raven haired boy playing Quidditch with a tall blond man.
Authors Note: Eventually there will be a romance, I promise. I got my first review too! Thanks abel is in the castle! I don't want to beg for more but reviews sure are nice to get. (hint, hint)