Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, but if JK wants to give them to me, I'll take them.
Hermione rushed into her office at work. She had just come from a long meeting and she was supposed to be at the Burrow ten minutes ago. She knew that they worried about her and she figured it wouldn't be long before someone popped in to check on her. Throwing her papers on her desk, she headed out down the hallway to get to the fireplaces in the atrium. Just as she figured, there was a man with red hair heading her way.
"Mione, you're late. You know mum worries about you. Let's go, I'm hungry."
"I'm sorry Ron, I just got out of a meeting and I'm moving as fast as I can. Do you know if my parents have arrived?"
"Your parents arrived about an hour ago and are currently being questioned by dad over the proper use of the cell phone." Ron laughed as he took Hermione's arm. The Grangers were always subjected to intense questioning whenever they were around Arthur. They stepped into fireplace and within seconds arrived at the Burrow.
"Hi, sorry I'm late. I had an important meeting and just couldn't get away." Hermione was greeted warmly by everyone assembled. She was planning on giving away her secret tonight. She was just starting to show and didn't want to hide this amazing gift from the people she loved any longer. Her only hesitation was the public. Harry was still very much a celebrity and when word got out that his child was on it's way, there would be a great deal of interest. It was just a fact she'd have to accept. She'd wait until after dinner though and then ask Luna to help her write a press release. Maybe if it came out in the Quibbler, less people would be inclined to believe it at first and Hermione might have peace for a little longer.
After dinner, while dessert and coffee were on the table, Hermione stood up to make her announcement. Ginny gave her a supportive thumbs up; she took a deep breath and began. "I wanted to have you all here tonight because I have an announcement. I've been keeping this a secret because it's so very special to me. I'm pregnant." She got the words out and waited for reactions, most of which were what she expected.
Her mother immediately started crying about how she always wanted a grandchild. Her father sat stunned, still not accepting that his little girl was a grown woman. Molly burst into tears moaning something about "poor Harry". George and Bill were exchanging money from some sort of a bet and Ron's mouth hung open in shock.
"Pregnant? You mean you had sex after Harry died? How could you?" Ron yelled, shocking everyone into silence.
"Ronald! How could you think that? This is Harry's baby you idiot!" Hermione ran out the back door trying to control her emotions. How could Ron think that? How could it even cross his mind that she had already found someone new?
"Mione? I'm so sorry. I didn't think before I spoke. Typical I know. Did Harry know?" Ron asked as he followed her out the door.
"Yes Ron. Harry knew. We were going to tell everybody but he. . . he died and I didn't want to share this yet."
"Can you ever forgive me? I just haven't been thinking right since . . . well since Harry. . . since he died. I'm so sorry. For everything." Ron reached out for Hermione's arm and pulled her in for a hug. They both needed that hug. Ron had been distant after Harry's death and even though Hermione understood that he was upset and felt guilty, she needed him to support her. After a time, Hermione told Ron that of course he was forgiven and they went back in to enjoy the celebration. Molly was making plans with Mrs. Granger for a baby shower and George had out the firewhiskey, toasting "Good Ol' Harry." There was a great deal of laughing that went on that evening and everyone healed just a little bit.
4 days later, Draco was picking up lunch in Diagon Alley when he saw the display of Quibblers at the newsstand. Right away he noticed a picture of Harry and Hermione from some event. The headline was "The Boy Who Lived, Lives On." The article was obviously announcing Hermione's pregnancy. He stood for a moment before finally buying a copy of the paper. He couldn't seem to stop looking at Hermione's picture. What was going on in his head? He hadn't been able to get her out of his mind at all. As he continued on toward the café, he skimmed the article. It was well written; he had to give Luna credit for that. As he approached the café he noticed a bushy haired woman sitting alone reading. That hair could only belong to one person.
"Hey Hermione, finally decided to tell the world huh?"
Hermione looked up from her reading and noticed Draco watching her intently. "Oh, hi Draco. I was just having lunch."
"Mind if I join you after I order?" Hermione nodded in agreement and Draco went to order his sandwich. Upon returning to the table he noticed that Hermione was reading Hogwarts A History, the latest edition. With a smile, he sat down and joined her. "I read the article, and it was very well done. Good thing to bring it out public before people start guessing and starting rumors."
"I know." She sighed, putting down the book. "I would rather my pregnancy not be big news but I know it would have whether Harry were alive or not. I'm over 4 months along and it wasn't good to keep hiding."
"No reason to hide, I think it's great that Potter gets to live on. Junior there will have a lot to live up to." Draco said with a smirk.
"I don't want this baby to have to live up to anything though, that's the thing. I don't want this baby to always be labeled as the child of the Boy Who Lived. That's too big of an expectation to put on a little child."
"I know all about expectations believe me. I lived with being the Slytherin Prince, the Malfoy heir and everyone expected me to become a death eater. It's bad enough I have this permanent mark on my arm. It's good you want to let your baby have a normal life. I hope you succeed."
"Thank you Draco. Darn it, I thanked you again. This is getting a little weird. What's even weirder is that I enjoy talking to you. You seem to be the only one who says things like they are to me. Everyone else tiptoes around me. I am not going to break. I'm stronger now."
She looked stronger too. Draco was glad to see that she looked healthier and not as fragile. This was more like the Hermione who could kick his butt if need be. He hoped it wouldn't come to that. "So, how would you like to continue having good conversations, I mean better ones than you'll get from a Weasley? How about we meet for lunch once a week? Oddly enough, I enjoy talking to you too."
"Well, I do need to eat and I don't have to read every lunch hour. Sounds good. How about the same time next week. Same place?" Hermione asked.
"Great, I'll see you then. Goodbye Hermione." Draco watched her walk away and couldn't help but feel that by asking her to lunch he was getting himself in deep. He couldn't deny that he was beginning to be attracted to her. She was beautiful, smart, and feisty. In other circumstances he would have been pursuing her hard and fast. She would have already been in his bed. This was different. She was a recent widow, she was pregnant, and Draco knew she wasn't ready for anything at this point. He just needed to get his mind off of her. Somehow. Except he didn't want to.
Hermione took a look back at Draco as she walked back to the office. He had changed and she could tell that he was a good man who was trying hard to live up to past mistakes. She also knew that he was trying to make up for his father's mistakes as well. She smiled to herself as she though of how Harry would have reacted to her having lunch with Malfoy every week. He'd have probably joined them eventually. Harry and Draco could have been friends if they had more time. Ron was another story entirely, but she couldn't worry about him right now. She smiled as she realized how much she was looking forward to lunch nest week.
Author's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews! A couple of you asked about Ron. I think this chapter explained that he had a lot of guilt. I almost feel that Harry was the glue keeping Ron and Hermione friends. Without Harry, they struggle. There will be more with Ron coming up. I'm sorry if this is progressing slowly but I just can't have Hermione and Draco together yet. It will happen though, just stick with me! I was sidelined by a migraine over the weekend but I have the next chapter started and will get that up soon. Please review!