Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine. I've accepted that.

Saturday morning was cold and overcast. Draco was just finishing his breakfast when an owl arrived and tapped on his window. Taking another sip of his coffee he got up to let the strange owl in. He took the envelope, handed out an owl treat and the owl left for more deliveries. It was from Ginny. Draco couldn't figure out why he would be getting anything from her. He figured it couldn't be a wedding invitation yet because Blaise had just proposed a couple nights before. Draco chuckled at the memory of his friend showing up very upset after leaving the Burrow last night. After he and Ginny announced their engagement, Molly immediately went to work on the wedding plans and apparently the brothers pounced on poor Blaise, asking him question after question. Blaise couldn't remember very clearly but he was sure that someone had placed a curse on him at some point. He knew that if he ever hurt Ginny, something was going to happen, he just couldn't remember what.

Draco opened the envelope to find an invitation to Hermione's baby shower. Baby shower! Why the hell would he be invited to a baby shower? That's for women, not men, and certainly not Malfoy men. As he continued to read the details he learned that it was not just a baby shower but a surprise birthday party for Hermione as well. The shower was just part of the plan to get Hermione there although the invitation did suggest that all gifts be for the baby. At the bottom of the invitation, was a personal note from Ginny.

Draco,

I know you probably don't want to come to a baby shower but we are trying to get all of her family and friends there to celebrate her birthday. I know you two are very good friends and I know it would mean a lot to her if you came. Don't worry, you will not be the only male there. Oh, and Blaise said if you don't show, he'll drag your sorry ass there and he'll make you wear a baby bonnet.

Ginny

If he hadn't already decided to go, the prospect of being humiliated in front of all those Weasleys would be enough. Blaise would go through on that threat. Maybe he could leave town. He heard that Greece was nice this time of year. Really though, Draco would do anything for Hermione at that point and if she was having a birthday party, he would be there.

About the same time that the invitations were going out, Hermione received a delivery. It was all of the baby furniture and supplies that she and Draco had picked out. The delivery men dropped everything in the room that would be the nursery and headed out, leaving Hermione with boxes of unassembled furniture and piles of equipment that wouldn't be used for a couple more months. Well, she'd better get started.

She found Harry's box of muggle tools. She was glad that they had them. Both she and Harry had been raised as muggles and were able to handle a hammer and a screwdriver just fine. Not everything had to be done with magic. After opening the first box to find several pieces of wood, she found the instructions for the crib. Looking them over, she decided that they must be written in some ancient text. She just had to read more carefully, she was the smartest witch of her age after all.

"Let's see. I need to find piece A. Ok, here it is, next I need to use the number 3 wood screw and attach it to piece E. Why are there two piece E's? Is this the number 3 screw? I thought I was supposed to have 8 of them, why are there only 4?" Talking to herself was not a good sign but there wasn't anyone else around. Unless you count Crookshanks and he was currently sleeping by the fire.

Hermione spent a good hour trying to make sense of all of it and wound up crying in the middle of the floor surrounded by packing materials, crib pieces and tools. She couldn't do it alone. She needed help. She decided to owl Ron to see if he could come. It wasn't until after she had sent the owl that she remembered that he was going to be in Scotland all day with Luna, doing research on an article for the Quibbler. She thought about George but she knew that he would most likely try to charm the crib to build itself and she didn't want to take a chance. She knew the most logical person was Draco but after the conversation with Molly and Ginny a few nights ago, she had been trying not to think of him. She was desperate though, and sent off an owl.

Draco was just about to head out for a walk when another owl appeared at his window. This time, it was a letter from Hermione that was quick and to the point. "Draco, I need help. My baby crib is attacking me. If you have time could you stop by." He wasn't worried about the crib actually attacking her -unless George had got a hold of it- but he flooed over right away. He found Hermione in the soon to be nursery and it did in fact look like she had been attacked by a crib.

Hermione looked up at her visitor with relief and uttered one pathetic word. "Help." Draco started laughing then, she looked like she'd been through another war. Her hair was pulled into a messy pony-tail. She was wearing an old t-shirt and jeans and her cheeks were flushed. Draco thought she looked beautiful. "Um, Hermione? What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to put this bloody crib together. I think I've figured out the instructions but I needed another hand to help me get it all attached."

"Do you see that thing laying beside you? That long pointed wooden thing? That's a wand. It helps you do magic. Just wave it around and you'll be done."

"Shut up Malfoy! I'm not in the mood. I don't want to use magic. Not on something as important as my child's bed." Hermione scowled at the still laughing man. "Are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course I'll help you. Just tell me what to do." Draco got down on the floor with his friend and began following her instructions. Things were coming together nicely when they heard a voice coming from the living room fireplace.

"Oh, that sounds like Ron. I owled him too, but forgot that he was going to be out of town today. I'll be right back." Hermione struggled to get on her feet and headed out to the living room. Draco, always nosy, followed. Hermione walked over and sat down to talk to the face that had appeared in her fireplace.

"Hi Ron. I'm so sorry I bothered you."

"Is everything ok? I can be over in a few hours. If it's an emergency I can get George or Bill."

"No, everything is fine. I was having trouble putting the crib together but Draco came over and we are almost done. I forgot that you were going to be out of town."

"Draco? He hasn't hurt you has he? I'll get George. . . " Ron was cut off by Hermione.

"Ronald Weasley, you know that Draco would never hurt me! Why you can't get over your schoolboy differences I'll never know. He's my friend and he's been there for me whenever I needed him these last few months. He's going to be a part of my life whether you like it or not."

"I don't like it one bit Hermione. I know that Harry trusted him but I don't. I swear if he lays one hand on you I'll kill him." Draco winced as he heard Ron's threat. He knew that if he wanted Hermione in his life, Ron would always be there. He could deal with Ron, but he wished it would be easier on Hermione.

"Ron please, don't say that. Not after. . . not after everything we've been through. We've seen too much death. You shouldn't threaten anyone with it. Ron, I trust Draco with my life. I trust him with my baby's life. You'll get used to it one of these days." Draco smiled at Hermione's words. It meant a lot for her to say that.

"I'm sorry Hermione. It's just a knee-jerk reaction when I think of you and Malfoy alone together. You're right, I shouldn't have said that. I'm not happy about him being there with you though."

"Just try to enjoy your day and stop worrying about me. I'll see you at lunch tomorrow at the Burrow."

Defeated, Ron said goodbye and his face disappeared from the flames. Hermione took a deep breath to calm her frustration and headed back to the nursery. She found Draco waiting with a screwdriver in one hand and his wand in the other. She laughed at the sight.

"I figure if I can't use a charm on the crib, can I at least use it on the tools?" Draco was intentionally trying to cheer her up and it appeared to be working. He loved to see her smile.

"No, we are finishing this the hard way. You'll be proud of your accomplishments."

Late in the afternoon, Draco and Hermione stood back and admired their hard work. The crib was up and sturdy, the changing table was in the corner packed with nappys and with a few well placed spells, the walls had changed to a light green with a blue ceiling enchanted with gently moving clouds. It was perfect. Hermione leaned against Draco without thinking and dropped her head to his shoulder. "It looks so wonderful. All it needs now is a baby."

Draco was shaken by her closeness and her touch. He struggled to catch his breath, but boldly placed an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. "It's just perfect." He said softly. "I can't wait to see you rocking a baby in that chair over there." Hermione smiled at the thought as she turned in Draco's arms. She hugged him then, her arms going up around his neck.

"Thank you Draco. You don't know how much your help means to me." Draco moved his other arm to surround her and breathed in the scent of her. He was falling hard and he loved the feeling of her in his arms. Suddenly, Hermione jumped and laughed.

"Did you feel it? The baby kicked? Here it goes again!" Hermione took Draco's hand and placed it on her stomach. After only a few seconds, he felt the baby move. He was speechless and stood there with his hand on Hermione and his eyes looking right into hers. She was smiling and looked so alive at that very moment.

Hermione looked into Draco's eyes and felt his hand on her stomach. An odd warmth started at the tip of her toes and moved upwards. There was some sort of connection that they shared and she couldn't explain it. It scared her a bit but more than that it made her feel content and happy. After a few moments, she broke the connection and offered to make Draco dinner.

"Really, you don't have to do that, why don't I take you out?" Draco still couldn't shake what he felt when he touched her. It was like electricity shooting through his veins. At least he was intelligent enough to answer her appropriately, even if he felt that his brain had taken a break.

"I'm not dressed to go out and I have plenty of food. Really it won't take long to broil some steaks and make a salad. I'd like to do something to thank you for your hard work."

"Sure, at least let me help you though."

"Why don't you open up a bottle of wine –your choice, I can't drink, and then you can slice the bread."

As they got to work in the kitchen they laughed and talked about several topics. Their friendship grew that night and they became more and more comfortable together.

After dinner, they sat at the table, eating ice cream for dessert when Ron and Luna showed up. He was determined to check on Hermione and seeing the cozy scene in the dining room, his temper quickly reached a boiling point.

"Trying to take Harry's place are you? You bloody bastard, think you can move in on Hermione." Ron drew his wand and was ready to strike when Luna stepped in front of him. "Luna, move. Now!"

"Ron, put your wand down this instant. You walked in on two friends having dinner, nothing more. If they were snogging on the table, you might have a reason to be angry but they're eating ice cream!" Luna turned to Hermione at that point. "Can I have some?"

With a sigh of relief and a look of caution at Ron, Hermione scooped some of the chocolate chip ice cream into a bowl as Luna sat down at the table. She was clearly shaken, not only by Ron's temper but his words. Was Draco trying to take Harry's place? More importantly, was she letting him?

Ron was currently pacing and fuming. He was trying to get a handle on his anger. He reacted badly he knew. They looked like a normal couple smiling and eating together and that was just more than he could handle. He would always remain loyal to Harry, and he just couldn't stand the thought of anyone taking his place. Ever.

Draco was not satisfied that Ron wouldn't lose his head again and decided it might be wise to head home. He didn't want to look like a coward but he wasn't in the mood to try to work things out with Ron. Maybe another day. "Hermione, I think I'd better get home. Thanks so much for the great dinner and I'll see you at lunch next week. Luna, it was nice to see you." Hermione nodded and walked him to the fireplace.

"Thanks for everything you did today. I don't know what I would do without you." She stood for a moment after Draco left and then turned to Ron. "I think you should leave too."

"What? I'm sorry for getting so worked up but I don't think you know what you are doing here. You are getting way too friendly with Malfoy. He wants more than just friendship you know, he looks at you like he's claimed you."

"He doesn't want anything more than a friend, and that's all we are. You are wearing me out with your accusations and threats. I'm tired and I think you should leave. I wouldn't mind if Luna stayed for a while though."

"You want me to go but you want my wife to stay? I'm your best friend Hermione, you need me."

"Of course I need you! I need you as a friend though, and not as a bully who tries to run my life. Friends are supposed to support each other. If you can't believe the words coming out of my mouth, well that's not acting like a friend. Please go home, we'll talk tomorrow."

Ron kissed Luna on the cheek and headed for the fireplace. "I'm sorry." He left after saying those two words, and Hermione's eyes began to fill with tears. Luna, always the sensitive friend, quickly wrapped her arms around her and led her to the couch.

"Ron means what he says right now. I won't make excuses for him. He's very angry, and still mourning Harry very deeply. The only thing I can say is that he'll get over it. Now, what exactly is going on with Draco?"

Hermione chuckled at the question. So typical of women to get right to the romance. "Nothing Luna. At least nothing I'm ready for. I don't deny that I'm attracted to him and he's been very good to me but I can't imagine having someone else in my life right now."

"But if you were ready, would it be Draco?" The question was quite similar to the one Ginny asked a few nights ago. This time Hermione felt she could be honest.

"Yes. I think it would be. If he wanted me. And the baby. Sometimes I think he might and then I think that it's impossible. He isn't the type to wait anyway. I'm sure he has a girlfriend."

"Hmmmm. I don't know Hermione. Ron was right when he said that Draco looks at you like you are already his. He just might surprise you. Besides, he would take good care of you and your baby does need a father." Hermione sat in silence while she processed that information. Draco didn't want her, she knew he couldn't. She was a mudblood after all. Besides, she didn't think that he would want to raise Harry's baby anyway. She was confused, and hurting. She needed to stop depending on Draco. She'd keep up with her weekly lunches but wouldn't ask him for anything else. She had to be fair to him. He needed to find a wife and start a family of his own.

Luna recognized that her friend was troubled but didn't know how to help. Only time could really dull the ache, but she could change the subject. "Do you want to know a secret? One that not even Ron knows?" Hermione looked up, smiled and nodded her head. "I'm pregnant too!" At this, Hermione forgot her problems and grabbed her friend in a fierce hug, all the while squealing with joy. "That's amazing! I'm so happy for you! Why doesn't Ron know?"

"I wanted to wait until the chiptacks were out of season before I told Ron. I'm going to tell him tomorrow morning though. This way, we can announce it to the family at lunch tomorrow." Hermione didn't even want to ask what a chiptack was so she just moved on and continued to gush over the news. "Ron's going to be a terrific father you know. Thank you for telling me." After they chatted some more and checked out the nursery, which was proclaimed nargal free, Luna headed home. Hermione, exhausted from her long day took a quick shower and headed for bed. She was resolved to letting Draco go and really felt it was in his best interest. Draco however was resolved on making Hermione his. He didn't care if it would be a matter of months or years, he would make it happen. He was in love.

Author's Note: Thanks again for the reviews. They mean so much to me and have really made me want to keep writing. Witingfacade18 told me to stop apologizing for the slow pace so I will. It's moving along and that's all I can hope for. The next chapter will be the shower/birthday party.