I do not own Harry Potter- it all belongs to J.K. Rowling, alas.

"Maybe he likes you," suggested Luna dreamily, still swirling her swizzle stick about her glass. I wrinkled my nose.

"I hardly think Draco Malfoy is harboring some secret passion for me," I replied and Ginny snorted.

"That would be ridiculous," she said.

"Oh, I don't know," said Luna. "Have you seen the pictures of his girlfriend? She looks an awful lot like Hermione, only with hair that's a bit less frizzy."

"Astoria?" said Ginny. "Really? But she's got hazel eyes, doesn't she? And her hair is more wavy-"

I nearly choked on my ice. "Astoria Greengrass? That's who he's dating? But I- we- work with her older sister half the time! She's always coming over from Gringotts about goblin documentation. Draco would never be so obvious, would he? Or…common?"

"What, don't think he'd stoop to pursuing you while he was dating Astoria and yet seeing Daphne all the time at work? Sounds just like a Slytherin to me," Ginny said. "Not that I think that's the case," she added hastily when she saw my murderous glare. "I mean, I don't trust him as far as a hippogriff flies, but maybe he does just want his fair chance with the baby. You think?"

I looked from Ginny's doubtful face to Luna's glazed, dreamy one and sighed. "It's been a lovely evening, you two," I said, "but neither of you has been any help."

Ginny laughed and bent over the island, holding her sides. "Sorry, Hermione- it's just so funny. I mean, you, of all the girls we knew at Hogwarts- knocked up, not knowing who the father is, wondering how to get away from one of Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelors- it's too much!"

"Malfoy did not make that list," I said. "Did he?"

Luna nodded brightly. "Oh, yes. I expect Astoria wasn't very pleased, but everyone knows he'll marry her anyway." She lowered her voice. "I hear she's his Veela mate."

Ginny burst into another round of laughter and I rolled my eyes as I cleared away the glasses. We had only had virgin margaritas, right? I sniffed at the blender and shook my head. Yeah, no alcohol in any of them, save a bit in Luna's. Behind me, Ginny continued to chortle as Luna listed out all the possible honeymoon locations for a Veela marriage. I had to admit to myself, the situation was humorous. I wondered briefly what Sirius Black, who'd once called me the brightest witch of my age, would have said if he could have seen me now- probably winked, nudged me and said something lewd about having a go, himself. The thought made me giggle and pretty soon I had joined Ginny in doubling over the counter, howling with laughter.

"The thing is," Ginny said, wiping her tears, "can't you just imagine Draco withering away because he refuses to mate with Astoria because of Hermione? Oh, Luna, you've got to publish something in the Quibbler about it- you've just got to! Make everyone see how ridiculous it is-"

"And maybe you could do a cover spread of me," I suggested, still snickering. "And list all the blokes who are apparently madly in love with me."

Luna stared at us both innocently. "You're laughing at me again."

"Oh, no, Luna," Ginny said, "we're laughing with you. Honestly, can't you tell the difference yet? No- I know what it is," she said and began waving her hands about Luna's head. "It's the Nargles!"

Luna took one look at her and cracked up herself, before joining in Ginny's spasmodic waving. She was the only one of us that had added any alcohol to her margarita and it showed. When Luna drank, she was almost like a normal person…not that we loved her any less.

The rest of the week passed without any trouble from Draco; and my officemates all steered clear of me unless they had a real issue with their work. It was nice to be left alone after the first two days being so drama-filled. I suspected my boss had something to do with their silence, but I was alright with that, too. After all, I had bigger things to worry about- like talking to Ron about Malfoy and going to my first official doctor's appointment. Er, healer. Whatever.

Additionally, I really, really wanted to get started on the rest of my shopping for the baby.

Out of all my friends whom I informed of my shopping plans, Ginny was the one who thought I'd gone completely mental. She was probably the most practical mother I knew, perhaps because Molly was her complete opposite. If I'd thought it was safe to laugh about it in front of her, I would've. Ron wanted to go with me to both events- the shopping and the appointment. I'd tentatively agreed; not because I didn't want him around; but mostly because I was still feeling a bit guilty about the whole thing.

Harry heard about the shopping trip and wanted to go as well, but Ginny vetoed it. "We already have plenty of stuff for the baby," she'd said. When he'd begun to argue that it was all hand-me-downs from James, she'd tut-tutted in a very Molly-esque manner. If she'd inherited one thing from Molly besides her looks, it was her money-saving skills.

I wasn't too surprised to see Harry standing outside Mungo's with Ron that Saturday morning, however. He looked rather sheepish.

"Just thought I might, er, look around with you two," he said. I grinned.

"No need to explain, Harry," I said. "But what are you going to do while we're in the-"

"Oh, I brought a book," he murmured cheerfully. I laughed, though I also wondered how on earth I was going to talk to Ron about Malfoy with Harry hanging about.

"Of course. Well," I said, looking up at Ron nervously. "I guess this is it."

"Right," he responded, sounding just as nervous. "Come on, then. Let me help you- there-"

Once we were inside the hospital we made our way to the proper floor and I filled out the appropriate paperwork. After that, it was off to the exam room. I was surprised when I saw some sort of screen set up, but there were no wires or gels or any other sorts of normal items I would have seen in a regular doctor's office. The healer came in after a moment- a witch named Belinda Baggins. I smiled a little at the name, but managed not to make an references to Tolkein. I wasn't sure she'd appreciate it. Ron sat nearby and smiled reassuringly at me. I felt even more nervous.

"Now, don't be nervous," Healer Baggins said. She was filling out some paperwork of her own, asking me questions. "I understand you don't know who the father is? Did you want us to run a test now? They can be dangerous when done from inside the womb-"

"No, no," I said hastily. "I do want to know, but I don't want to risk hurting the baby at all."

"Alright, that's fine then. And how far along are you- ah, two and a half months, approximately? Well, we'll know for certain in a short while, give or take a few days. Now, then. Eating healthy?"

"I'm a bit heavy on the custard," I said apologetically and noticed Ron smiling. Healer Baggins smiled indulgently as well.

"That's fine. As long as it's not all custard, all the time, you'll be alright. Okay. Any other vitamins- ah, yes. All the proper ones. Good witch," she murmured. After another moment or two she put aside her clipboard and rolled up her sleeves.

"Now, then. Let's get to it. I expect you know about ultrasounds- well, this is our version. Much more accurate. A little more graphic to look at, but tell me if it is and I can tone down the colors some, put it in black and white," she said, gesturing at the screen. Then she folded up my hospital gown, ran a hand over my bump, and finally pulled out her wand.

"This won't hurt a bit," she murmured. She uttered a quiet spell and waved the wand in a circular motion over the bump. Within a second, an image flickered and came to life on the nearby screen. It was followed by a fuzzy, rapid, whooshing sound emitting from the speakers on either side of the screen.

"And…that's your baby, Ms. Granger," she said, looking to the picture herself. My breath caught in my throat. The screen was a haze of reds and oranges and there, nestled inside what was clearly my womb, was my baby. It was weird and beautiful at the same time.

"You can already see its hands," Ron whispered from the side and I turned my head to look at him. There was a look of awe on his face and his mouth was hanging slightly open, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He caught me staring at him and gave me a weak grin. I noticed he was a bit pale.

"She's beautiful," he said. "Just like her mum."

I flushed and looked back at the screen. "Is it really a girl?" I asked.

"Oh, it's a bit too soon to tell yet, but it might be," Healer Baggins said. "If it'd turn this way a little- no, it's staying put. Well, we'll likely find out next time. Everything looks and sounds in order. Now, would you like a printout?" she asked me.

"Oh, yes," I said quickly. "Is that her- its- heartbeat I hear?"

"Yes," she replied. She let us stare at the screen a bit more, sent for a printout, and then the screen flickered and went black again. The swift whooshing noise, like a brushed drum, lingered in my ears. I didn't think I'd ever forget it.

Ron reached out and gave my hand a squeeze before getting up and leaving so I could get dressed. The healer came back in and asked me a few more questions, made a second appointment for me, and then I joined Ron outside. He was talking to Harry and still looking a bit pale.

"How about some lunch before we do any shopping?" I suggested.

Ron was about to answer when an alarm went off and Harry immediately grabbed for his phone. (The Auror's department had switched to a sort of wizarding walkie-talkie system in the years after the war. They were more effective than sending out a patronus every time something went wrong.)

"Potter," he answered shortly. "What? Where? Today- no, we can do it. Hmm? Weasley's here, yeah. Okay. Okay. Out."

Harry looked up Ron, his face apologetic, but grim. "Sorry, mate, duty calls."

"What's happened?" Ron asked.

"An accident out on a country lane. Might be dark magic related- they think some sort of curse was tripped."

"Cars?"

"Yeah, some civilians were upset and bit bruised, but not heavily injured. No one killed, but it's the sort of thing a rogue left over from the war might do."

"Yeah, I can see that," Ron replied. He turned to me. "I'm sorry, Hermione. Can I take a rain check? Or maybe go shopping tomorrow, if I'm not still busy?"

I tried not to let my disappointment show too badly. After all, Ron was an Auror now. This sort of thing would happen a lot, if we stayed together. I'd have to get used to it.

"No, that's alright. You go ahead- take care of work. Don't worry about tomorrow, okay? I'll likely see you at The Burrow…and it's really too early for me to be buying baby things, anyway, isn't it, at eight weeks."

Ron looked uncertain, but I smiled encouragingly and Harry tapped his watch. "Sorry, Hermione. We've got to go. Why don't you go see Ginny while we're out?"

I shrugged and nodded and waved them off with another smile. The minute they were out of sight down the hall my shoulders sagged. I had been looking forward to this day out- and Ron and I did need to talk about Malfoy. Now what was I going to do all day? I thought of going to see Ginny like Harry had suggested, but just couldn't seem to make my feet take me there. I was just standing outside Mungo's looking about myself and wondering what to do when a familiar voice called out my name.

"Granger!"

I whipped about. "Malfoy?"

He approached me tentatively and gestured to the façade behind me. "Feeling under the weather?"

"Er, no," I said. This was awkward. I'd had a checkup for a baby that might be his and not told him anything. "It was…well, it was an appointment about the baby."

His face cleared and he looked at me with that thoughtful expression I'd seen on Tuesday.

"I see," was all he said. The unspoken question of course being, "Didn't want me there?"

I looked at a tree determinedly. "So, what brings you here?"

"Just, ah- picking something up for my mother- down the street," he said, pointing behind him. "That new-"

"Holistic shop, yes, I know it," I completed and finally looked at him. He seemed embarrassed.

"So, er- everything look alright, then?" he asked. "Everything quite-"

"In order, yes," I finished again. Then I rushed forward. "Perhaps you'd like to- well, maybe, only if you wanted- see the printout?"

He looked down at me keenly. "Really?"

"Well, it could be yours, you've just as much a right to see it-"

"Yes," he broke in. "Yes, I would like to see it. But not here- have you eaten? We could, er, go to a café, or something."

Stupid me. I was so surprised to see him (and have him acting so cordially), and so let down over Ron and Harry's absence (it had been a long time since it had been the three of us, spending time together), that I agreed. Draco looked as though he might offer me his arm, thought better of it, and stuck both hands in his pockets, his brown paper parcel tucked under one arm. I smiled tentatively and we started down the street to a patisserie, hardly saying a word between us.

AN: What is Draco up to?