Talk about a plot twist! There's many reasons why Hermione is pregnant with Scorpius, and there's reasons why she did not know about it, too. Those will be revealed later on. Now, remember: Scorpius is very important to the outcome of the war, as is Hermione and Draco's relationship. And remember that The Order knew that this could happen, and it was "very dangerous putting them together." What we thought Snape meant by that was because of their past, they would not get along and possibly end up killing eachother. However, he meant something entirely different. They created a life that will play a pivotal role in the wizarding world. So, let's continue on and see how Draco takes the news of being a father… and how Ron reacts to this whole entire situation. Frogster – I thought you'd left me forever. Thanks for catching that mess up there. Normally I do my homework, this time I didn't. :P I'm glad you enjoyed that little glimpse into the future! Imranramji1 – You best belieeeevvvee you're getting an update. I do it just to spite you; you know it. Guest – There will be a ton of fighting in this chapter; if you make it through without crying, you get a cookie. Pgoodrichboggs – I'm also glad he will be with her, it'll make things a lot easier. BUT that doesn't mean that he doesn't go back to Voldemort. KissMiInk – Cat got your tongue? ;) Here's your next chapter! ZephyrLegend – I told you it was insane.

Chapter 26:

Narcissa pulled the grey fabric of her jacket tighter around her bodice, shielding her face from the late March rain. She looked up as she passed the people of London; the sky was grey and overcast. It was misting so much it almost covered her ankles. She pushed past the ladies crowding around the entrance of a fancy restaurant, excusing herself, and walking up to the host stand. The young man standing there immediately looked up at her with a sense of admiration.

"Mrs. Malfoy, good afternoon! Are you meeting someone?" he asked hastily.

"No, Nicholas, not today," Narcissa replied. "I just need to slip over to the bar."

"Go right ahead," the young man nodded in the direction of the bar.

Narcissa smiled at him before taking down her hood and moving slowly through the crowded people in the restaurant to the left side where the bar and restrooms were. She was indeed meeting someone, and she had a feeling that that person would stand out like a sore thumb. However, everyone around her was dressed in blacks, greys, whites, and blues, all with a sense of regality about them. She carefully took off her gloves and put them in her pocket. The barkeep nodded to her from behind the countertop. Narcissa frequented the establishment and knew this particular man by name; it was Cody. She moved past the man and the bar to the back part of the darkened restaurants where the restrooms were located.

She opened the door, gripping the heavy metal handle, and pulling it open to see the person she was looking for inside. The woman's blue eyes rose to hers, so very much alike, but different in every regard. Narcissa closed the door and locked it so they would not be interrupted. She did give the woman credit, however, as she wasn't dressed as she usually would be. She was wearing a long black dress with a black overcoat and her hair was swept into a tight bun on the top of her head. She looked much different than usual, so different that Narcissa would not have recognized her.

"I am sorry to call you on such short notice," Narcissa apologized to the woman.

"Nonsense," Molly Weasley replied and waved her hand. "What did you need to tell me?"

Narcissa sighed and clasped her hands in front of her body. "Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and your son were captured by Snatchers and brought into my home a few weeks ago. My son formulated a plan with the house elf, Dobby, to get them out safely. And Draco was able to do just that, but Bellatrix tortured Hermione, and she was gravely injured. I know Dobby took them to your son, Bill's, home. But, there has been a development."

Molly raised her eyebrows. "Go on, Narcissa."

"Hermione is pregnant with Draco's child," Narcissa replied curtly, and sighed, covering her lips with one of her hands to restrain from crying. Molly's eyes widened and she had to catch herself on the sink to keep from falling over. "She is carrying the next Malfoy heir."

"The Order knew this could happen," Molly said softly. "Arthur and I tried to tell them, Narcissa."

"I do not care that it is Hermione that Draco chose to fall in love with, in fact, I think he couldn't have chosen anyone better," Narcissa said. "I do not care about blood-status as my husband does. But, that is why he must not find out."

"Absolutely," Molly agreed. "If either side knows, both of them would use the baby for their advantage."

Narcissa's eyes grew teary as she sighed. "We cannot allow that to happen. Draco is with Hermione right now. Potter owled me."

"Harry did?" Molly's eyes widened and looked as though they were about to bulge out of their sockets. "What did he say?"

"That Hermione was pregnant and to have Draco go to shell cottage immediately," Narcissa replied. Molly looked to the side. "I have to assume that they just found out."

"I worry for the baby," Molly said into her hand. "They're in capable hands, though. I have no doubt of that."

"Good," Narcissa nodded. "As soon as the situation is resolved, Draco will need to come back to the Manor. I've only granted him temporary leave. Anything more than a few days to a week will look suspicious, and we cannot have suspicions arising."

"I agree," Molly concurred. "I will inform shell cottage to send Draco back by Thursday next."

The two women shared a look that was both motherly and understanding. Molly knew that Narcissa wasn't as evil as her husband, and knew she obviously did not see things the way that the Dark Lord did. But, she was taking precautions, which was why she did not go to McGonagall or Snape. Molly was the best to keep the secret, and she understood just what Narcissa was going too. If The Order had the baby, it would use it for their gain – just as Voldemort would. Narcissa was more worried about the baby's bloodline, and how his magic would be used to influence the outcome of the wizarding world. Either way, this child would be powerful. The prophecy foretold this.

Draco breathed sea salt and was reminded of the Malfoy vacation home in France when his feet hit solid ground. For a moment, he wondered if that was where his mother sent him. But, the moment he opened his eyes, he saw that he was definitely not at his vacation home. His grey eyes looked around in bewilderment, wondering where in the world he was and why was he there. He quickly transfigured his suitcase into a pocket-sized version and began walking over the sandy dues until he saw a cottage sitting on the sea shore. That must have been where he was wanted.

It took a while for Draco to see a head of unkempt black hair waiting for him about fifty feet away from the cottage. He immediately recognized Potter, and his mind began to race. Why the hell was Potter here? What was his mother playing at? But, then he realized that Hermione was probably with him. As he approached his arch-nemesis, Draco saw the look on Potter's face was absolutely grave. His made Draco's heart sink, and he tucked his wand in the pocket of his dress pants as a sign of good faith to Potter.

"Malfoy," he said and gave him a brisk nod.

"Potter. I don't assume you have any reason as to why I'm here."

Harry allowed himself a small chuckle. "This time, it's not my fault. I thought we could walk and talk for a moment before I took you inside?"

Draco held his hand out in front of him and the two men began to walk towards the cottage.

"Hermione told me about your relationship," Harry began and Draco clenched his jaw, trying hard to restrain from interrupting Potter right then and there. "I'm not going to reprimand you, but do know that I don't understand how or why at all. But, what you did at the Manor… That took true bravery, and maybe I gained some respect for you."

"You should know that the feeling is mutual," Draco replied. "I still think you're the biggest prat I know though, and that will never change."

Harry grinned. "And you're still a git. But, there must be some good in you for Hermione to fall in love with you."

"You're giving me too much credit, Potter," Draco sneered. "You still haven't told me why I'm here."

"You will find out soon enough," Harry told the blonde as they drew closer to the cottage. "You must know that Ron is here too, and he didn't take the news of your and Hermione's relationship well."

Draco rolled his eyes in the prissiest manner in which he would. "Are you surprised, Potter? This is the Weasel we're talking about. I'm surprised he can even tie his shoes."

"Well…" Harry said with a smile and Draco snickered. "Don't ever bring that up, Malfoy, or I'll have Hermione hex you into next week."

"Thanks for the warning, Potter, but I can handle myself," Draco said. The two were at the door of the cottage now.

Harry took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing."

The moment the door opened, Hermione saw a flash of blonde hair, and she was out of her seat before Draco could even step foot inside of the cottage. Her arms were around him, her head in his shoulder, and her eyes full of tears. Draco staggered backwards at first, his eyes wide in confusion about the little body around him, but then they closed and he wrapped his arms around Hermione as well. He had thought this was too good to be true at first, but his mind processed that it was actually her holding onto him. His chest relaxed and he snuggled himself against the side of her head.

"Hey," he whispered, bringing one of his hands up to the side of her face and pulling her back so he could see her properly. He stared into her hazel eyes, seeing they were filled with tears and immediately felt the need to make them go away. "Hermione, if you start crying, I'll turn right back around and leave."

Hermione sniffled. "I can't believe you're here…"

"Yeah, that makes two of us," Draco murmured and decided it was time to look at his surroundings.

An older man that looked like Ron but more distinguished was standing at the table in the kitchen with his hands on the back of a chair, and was eyeing him over. The look on his face was not disapproval but it wasn't acceptance either. Next to him was a girl that had silver-blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked familiar – she was one of the champions at the Triward Tournament. Fleur, Draco thought her name was. But, then there was the Weasel. He sat next to Fleur, and his eyes were so full of hate that Draco was surprised Ron could handle that much emotion. Draco carefully untangled his arms from around Hermione's back as Potter went to take his seat next to his best friend.

"I'm sure you two have lots to talk about," Harry said with a pointed look to Ron.

Hermione took Draco's hand and yanked him outside before he could protest otherwise. This was the first time she had been outside following the incident, and was reminded of the dream she had of Draco and their son… Maybe it was something real, after all. She hadn't planned out how she was going to tell Draco that she was carrying his child, and she thought it best maybe to just tell him instead of planning it vigorously…

The two walked in silence down the beach for a while, hand in hand. Hermione hadn't worn shoes or socks, and relaxed at the feeling of the sand between her toes and the sea wind in her hair. It was still mildly cold outside; a good 50 degree day. She wore skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, a navy blue button-up, and a brown cardigan over top of it. Her hair was loose and hanging down below her bust now in easy curls. There was a hint of blonde in there now from being out in the sunlight for so long. Draco felt out of place next to her, in his normal black ensemble. But, Hermione didn't seem to mind. Draco noticed that she had healed quite well after the torture with the exception of a few bruises here and there and that God-awful fucking mark on her arm… But, Hermione also noticed that Draco had received his fair share of punishment: a scar was running down the side of his left eye on his perfectly porcelain skin. Their marks were proof that they had withstood punishment for what they believed in.

When Hermione was sure that she couldn't take it anymore, she stopped. She sat down on the cool sand, and inhaled the breeze while she waited for Draco to sit beside her. He did, much to his disappointment of having his clothes become sandy. But, his curiosity was getting the best of him. He turned to look to Hermione, seeing her staring off into the ocean. It was such a peaceful scene. He reached out and pushed a stray hair behind her ear and gave her a smile that she didn't see. Draco quite enjoyed their private time, and was rather pleased that Potter hadn't made an issue out of their relationship. He relaxed and studied the woman he loved.

"Draco," Hermione said almost dreamily. Draco tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. "I have something important to tell you." She hesitated before turning to look him dead in his grey eyes with the stare that she gave him when she was about torture him. Draco prayed this time it wouldn't involve him being thrown around and beaten beyond recognition. "I'm pregnant."

Draco felt his eyes blink but his mind stopped. All thought processes ceased to advance and he couldn't turn his eyes away from Hermione. He stared at her without reason and abandon until he felt his eyebrows cease to crease and the grip on her fingers slacken. Hermione never broke her stare with him, studying him as she said it. He didn't show much, but his expressions never did. His actions were what told her how he was feeling. But, even his actions now had ceased and he stared at her until she saw his lips begin to move.

"You're pregnant?" he whispered.

"I am," Hermione nodded.

Draco titled his head slightly, looking over the specimen in front of him, and slowly reached out with his fingers and his eyes asked for permission before he touched her. Hermione smiled in beckoning, and Draco placed his hand over her slim tummy, feeling a tiny bulge. A strange feeling washed over him; something between anxiety and happiness. He looked at her belly then up to her chocolate eyes, unsure of what to say until reason kicked in.

"We used a charm," he told her.

"It obviously didn't work," was her reply.

"Obviously," Draco said softly. Hermione put her hand over top of his on her stomach and looked at him to continue. "How did you find out?"

"Harry," Hermione answered and immediately saw the look of anger on Draco's face. "No, when we landed here, I lost consciousness from the blood loss. Harry said I was whispering 'Scorpius', and he put two and two together. Scorpius is a constellation and –"

"The Black family always named their offspring after astronomic names," Draco finished.

"Apart from your mother," Hermione put in.

"She was named after a flower," Draco said and thought for a moment. "You didn't have any symptoms?"

"I threw up a few times, but I always thought it was from nerves," Hermione said slowly, studying Draco's face.

"This will change things," Draco muttered and turned back towards the sea to think. "How do you want to handle this?"

Hermione sighed. "I can't deny I haven't been thinking about it. But, we cannot let You-Know-Who know about the baby."

"That much is obvious," Draco snorted and ran a hand over his face. "I say we continue doing what we're doing. If you're four months along at most, hopefully five months is enough for Potter to destroy those damn Horcruxes and kill the Dark Bastard."

Hermione chuckled. "I think Harry will come through. What do we do after that?"

Draco turned towards Hermione. "We raise him. I like Scorpius for a name. It feels… right."

He put his hand back on Hermione's stomach and felt the heat from her skin seep through the fabric of her shirt. He didn't say anything, but Hermione could tell that he was in awe and admiration of the baby growing inside of her. Hermione, in all her high and might, was half tempted to ask Draco if it could possibly be a girl, but the name uttering of her unconscious self had proven quite the opposite. Draco, on the other hand, realized that his mother had been correct: "Even in war, good things can and will happen."

When Draco entered the cottage with Hermione, he hadn't expected a warm welcome. Hermione held onto his hand tightly, and led him to his chair after Bill had said that they had some things they needed to discuss. Draco sneered to himself; that seemed to be the running theme today. As soon as Draco was in his seat between Potter and Hermione, across the table from Ron, Bill began his discussion with his hands clasped in front of him, business-like and straight to the point.

"We have bad blood here for good reasons," Bill said to the table, looking between Ron and Draco. "But, we are all adults now, and I think everyone deserves an explanation."

Ron took that as his que to begin his rampage. "What the fuck do you see in him, Hermione!? This is the same person who bullied you throughout school, who made you feel completely insignificant! You cried to me so many times because of the things he said to you!"

"People change, Ronald," Hermione said, her voice weak with emotion, but stern with force.

"People like him do not change!" Ron barked and raised his hand to Draco, who had kept a straight face the entire time Ron had been yelling, much to his amazement because all he wanted to do was punch Ron in the face. "He's probably using you or worse!"

"Worse?" Draco asked with an eyebrow raised. Harry looked to Ron, his eyes telling him that he had gone too far. "How would I be using her?"

"To get close to Harry so you can tell You-Know-Who where he is!" Ron yelled. Hermione looked frantically back and forth between the two, unsure of how to handle the situation. "In case you haven't forgotten, Hermione, he is a BLOODY DEATH EATER!"

Draco clenched his jaw again, chewing on his tongue to keep from spitting fire. "A damn good one too, may I add, as I have been able to deceive the Dark Lord for months now."

"Deceive him how exactly?" Ron demanded, fury in his blue eyes. "By pretending to be in love with Hermione to get close to Harry?"

"May I remind you, Weasley, that while I was snogging Hermione, you and Potter were nowhere to be found and I was presumed dead," Draco said tiredly. He was enjoying watching Ron fume at the thought of Hermione snogging the Slytherin Prince.

"It still doesn't explain why you suddenly fell in love with her!"

"Believe me, Ron, it wasn't suddenly," Hermione said quickly. "It took months before we were even able to stand eachother and even longer to admit that we loved eachother!"

"This is a ploy!" Ron desperately tried to convince everyone at the table. "You stood by and watched while your Aunt tortured her in your home!"

Draco gritted his teeth at the memory. "I had every intention of going after her myself, but I had to keep up appearances. How would it look if I went after her? It would have gotten all of us killed. And you're forgetting who got you out of the Manor. I believe thanks are in order for my act of 'bravery'."

"Malfoy's right, Ron," Harry said softly. "He did get us out."

"You brought a child into this!" Ron growled, seemingly remembering that Hermione was pregnant now. "In the middle of a war!"

This seemed to ignite Draco's flame and Hermione felt him tense under her hand. "Because I knowingly impregnated Hermione just to spite you. Good one, Weasley. Do you want a medal for the dumbest red-head on the face of the earth? Oh, wait, you already have those all over your bedroom walls at home, lined up by date and in alphabetical order."

"Draco…" Hermione whispered furiously and squeezed his hand hard. She reminded him of how his mother did so when they were at Death Eater meetings. He side-glanced her, but kept his grey eyes focused on Ron.

"Did you have more to say, Weasley? I'm all ears."

"You will never be a good father," Ron said lowly. Draco's eyebrows raised, and his vision tunneled at the man in front of him. "You'll turn out just like Lucius!"

That seemed to do it. One of them was across the table at the other, and it was impossible to tell who lunged first. Common sense said it was Draco, but emotion said it was Ron. Hermione was pulled out of the way by Bill before she was hit, and she reached for her wand to find out that it was not on her person. She watched the scene in front of her unfold in horror: Draco and Ron were rolling around on the table, throwing punches at one another in unison, and blood was splattered on the wood holding the table together, the wall behind them, and some cabinets.

They moved in such a blur that Hermione couldn't tell who had the upper hand. She screamed at them to stop, but they didn't seem to hear her or cared enough to hear her. Bill was attempting to separate them, and Harry had been thrown backwards by Ron twice. Hermione saw Ron land a punch to Draco's cheek, and blood come out of the right side of his lips. Draco kicked Ron off of him, but he was back on top of him almost instantly, repeatedly punching at anywhere on Draco's body he could find.

Draco attempted to shield himself and was doing a damn good job of it, considering he could've killed Weasley if he really wanted too. He didn't want to hurt him for fear of Hermione's wrath, but at the moment, he was getting the shite beat out of him and wouldn't stand for it much longer. Once again, he raised his legs to Ron's abdomen and kicked him backwards. The kick was good, and Ron attempted to sit up on the wooden table. Not a second passed before Draco tackled him down off the table by his mid-section, Ron hitting at the sides of Draco's head. Both of them hit the floor hard, the sound of glass shattering in their ears, and Draco heard Hermione's scream distantly in the back of his mind. He ignored it, even though he knew he shouldn't have.

He was on top now, and had the advantage. He raised his fist to hit Ron, seeing the bruised and bloody wizard beneath him wheezing for breath. The hit would knock him out, and that's what Draco desperately wanted. If he could just put the Weasel in his place, things would be so much easier. And besides, it wasn't like he didn't want to knock him out for years anyway…

"DRACO!"

Draco heard Hermione's shrill tone fill his ears, and he knew to take warning from it from previous experience. Reluctantly, he gave in and lowered his fist. He climbed off of Ron, staggering to his feet. His eyes found Hermione and limped over to her, realizing that his vision was lopsided and blurry from the repetitive hits he had endured. Hermione pulled him to her, seeing that there were tears in the fabric of his black suit, some of the buttons on his shirt were dislodged, and his tie was hanging around his neck. Harry helped his best friend to his feet, and took him to the other side of the room.

"Do you two feel better?" Bill asked, looking from Draco to his brother.

Draco sighed down at Hermione, who was staring at him with the glare of death. He ignored it and kissed her forehead, smearing a tad bit of blood on it. There was silence in the room until Bill spoke again, seeming to be the regulator between the two parties.

"Now that you two have that out of your system, I think the lesson learned from this is that this isn't going to change," Bill explained. Ron wiped the blood out of his mouth on the back of his hand as Draco spit blood onto the floor. "Nothing will change Hermione being pregnant. I think it's safe to assume that Malfoy isn't going anywhere."

"Hear that Weasley? I'm here to stay, lucky you," Draco spat. Hermione would've hit him if he wasn't already bruising.

"Piss off, Malfoy," Ron grumbled. He would have hit the Slytherin again if he wasn't already suffering from a possible concussion.

"Hermione, take Malfoy upstairs and get him cleaned up," Bill instructed her. "Harry, take Ron downstairs. In the morning, we are all going to pretend like this never happened."

Draco allowed Hermione to lead him up the stairs of the cottage to the bathroom three doors down and to the left. She sat him down on the toilet, and closed the door, then pulled a rag out of the wooden cupboard to their right. She wet it and pushed it against his skin, wiping the blood off of his skin gently, careful not to hurt him or press on the bruises.

"That went well," he said softly and met her eyes with a smile.

Hermione shook her head, but didn't say anything. She just continued to wipe blood off of the blonde's skin. It got to the point where she had to take off his clothing to study the various bruising on his body. Draco noticed how her eyes trailed over his pale skin with desire, though she was desperately trying to hide it. Knowing he could handle himself, he pulled himself up off the toilet seat and shrugged off his suit coat, letting it drop to the floor beside her. He unbuttoned what was left of his shirt buttons and tossed his shirt to the ground as well. As he undid his belt buckle, he turned to meet Hermione's eyes, daring her to come into the shower with him and giving her a grin that the devil himself would be proud of.

She watched him as he undressed and stood, meeting his eyes, and studied him as he pulled back the shower curtain. She titled her head to the side and her feet moved to their own accord; following the blonde into the shower, unsure of what she was doing, almost as though she was blinded and lost in a daze of pheromones and sweat… And she liked it.