"Okay, here we are." Blaise threw a pile of books on my desk.

I looked up at him, grabbing a large one with a picture of a screaming baby on it. "What the hell are these for? What to Expect when your Lady's Expecting?"

"It's your day off so it's time to get reconnected with reality. I was in Diagon Alley today when I stopped by Flourish and Blotts and saw a bunch of books on parental care."

I stared at him, wondering if this was his idea of a joke. When I saw my roommate was completely serious, I laughed. "Bloody hell, Mate! I barely know it's mother. I think that's a little more important than worrying about bottle and blankets just yet."

"You're going to be having a lot of sex. You two will be fine." The black man told him, pulling out his wand and making the a nice pile with all the material he'd bought. "Draco, you have nine months to prepare for this kid and have to balance work and social callings while doing it. Have you even thought about what your parent's are going to say? Astoria's? Schwinger? And don't even get me started on what it cost to raise a child these days!"

"Hold that thought." I told him as I walked over to the coat rack to grab my cloak. Bloody Merlin, this was worse than the financial talk Father gave me when he told me about sex. "I have a meeting with Potter on the Bulstrode Case, and then I have dinner with Astoria. I will discuss all this with her then since, oh yes, she and I are the parent's of this child! Not you."

He crossed his arms, shaking his head. "The second you get back tomorrow morning from her flat, you are to start reading three chapters a day, nothing less!"

I hated my life right now. Why in the bloody hell didn't I stop long enough to cast a spell? It would have taken three bloody seconds! The whole 'nine-months-until-my-life-ends' line wasn't giving me anymore self-confidence either. I could claim Astoria was lying in a last attempt to save my social status, but I doubt it would work. She was as lousy at lying as her sister and everyone knew that. Not that I could tell. Hell, I opened the door the other night and my strength seemed to drop me like a bad habit when it came to the woman. Somehow, they way the Greengrass had spoken so strongly to me turned off all of my defenses. Merlin couldn't keep my hands off her and Blaise was almost hexed into oblivion for interrupting us.

"Good morning, Mister Malfoy." Norman stated. "Muggle route today?"

"It's nice out." I told the Romanian.

Father wanted to kill me for following the route of living I did. My neighborhood is quiet nice and has a large number of wizarding shops, but it has a fair Muggle population as well. Another downfall is that apparition had to be more enclosed at home and work. Since Sebastien has both a wizarding and Muggle law firm, I have to act like a non-magical persona there too. Luckily, I only took the BAR for the wizarding part or I would have been disowned. Father eventually allowed himself to stay open minded with my life. Though he still believes that Sebastien's decision to work for both worlds is unwise and makes him look bad in Pureblood society.

Mother usually hushes him on it. I think she still feels inclined to 'change her ways' after Potter helped her during the Final Battle. He stated he technically owes his life to her and sends the family annual Christmas cards despite the fact we're not personally friendly. Mother has always been a more modest person than anyone in our family, Father included, so she always argues it. I went to turn the corner towards the subways when a woman with a stroller was moving down the stairs to the tunnel slowly, trying not to wake her twins children.

"Can I help, Miss?" I asked, seeing I would be late for my train if she continued her pace.

She smiled and I grabbed the lower half of the contraption and she the upper. Her children slept quietly, oblivious to the movement. I noticed one had brown hair similar to Astoria's. When we finished, she smiled thankfully.

"I thought I was going to be late for the train. My, that's an interesting tattoo."

I covered up my left wrist hastily, shrugging. "Peer pressure can be very convincing at sixteen."

"You're talking to a twenty-one year old mother."

I entered the subway, noticing a familiar face. Granger- well, now Weasley-inclined her head. I noticed she was next to the last empty seat of any wizards on here and sighed. I sucked up my pride and sat down next to her.

"Weasley."

"Malfoy." She looked back at her Muggle newspaper, slipping the page. "How's work?"

"Lovely. Bloody hell." I noticed her rounded stomach. "You and Weasley, well Potter, are both carrying?"

Granger, which is how I will always know her as, nodded smugly. "Only about two months and showing early. Perhaps you should have some to increase the competition when ours enter school."

If she only knew... "I think I'll pass, thanks. I'm enjoying my career very much right now."

The train stopped to let a small group of people off and then continued. Granger shrugged, closing her paper. "I heard about your... lucky chance with Astoria Greengrass. I'm guessing that the statement of her 'seducing you' is inaccurate?"

"Not entirely, but maybe a little dramatized." I told her stiffly. When did she start caring about gossip? I swear, she's more insufferable now than in school. "We've both agreed to let it go and move on."

"Good." The frizzy haired woman snorted. "She's to good for you."

She did not go there. "Excuse me? Says the woman that married a bloke that cursed himself into vomiting slugs our second year?"

She shushed me, inclining her head to the the woman watching us a few seats down. The frizzy haired witch dropped her voice to a low whispered as she replied. "May I remind you that he was attempting to defend me from your verbal harassment. The fact that a man would be courageous towards me is very endearing, even at an age where chivalry is dead."

"So that's when you two starting hiding in broom closets?" I snorted. "That explains a lot."

"Four words, Malfoy." Granger glared at me as we arrived to our stop. "You and Pansy Parkinson."

She apparated while I chose to take the Muggle entrance. I grabbed my visitor's badge and exited the telephone booth as it opened, muttering about how fat she was getting.

"Hello Draco." Audrie Taylor-Goyle nodded, smiling as she walked towards the Department of Health and Security. If nothing else, my mate dominated life by claiming that piece. "Coming for dinner next week?"

Man, could that woman make a pot roast. "I'll try my damnedest."

I walked to the elevator, greeting people as they passed me. I noticed that the fliers were heavier today than normal. When we were on the fourth floor, I raised a hand as Father came on.

"Draco, you remember Alicea Forester?" A sickly skinned, black haired witch with dark make-up and a large wedding ring nodded to me. "Her father, Thadeus, is on the board."

"How is he doing after the heart attack?"

"Laying off the liquor." She replied simply. "I was just telling your father how much I admired your work on the Genovera Case, truly brilliant. Everyone is outraged how Greengrass tried to sabotage you. The girl is becoming like her sister, I swear. The Greengrass family has surely gone down hill since the Dark Lord fell, filthy blood traitors."

"I agree. Narcissa has broken off all ties with Amethyst. The woman tried to tell her that it was Draco's fault." Father said, quietly outraged. "Filthy whores are becoming just like their mother. Crider married Amethyst when she conceived Daphne, not even knowing if it was his or not."

I clenched my knuckles, making many people who had been trying to ignore us stare. Forester glanced at me. "You okay, Young Malfoy?"

"Father, can I meet you for brunch tomorrow?" I asked, my blood boiling. Why was I so protective of a woman I was suppose to hate? "There's been a change of plans on the status I stand with my charges again Greengrass."

"Sure Draco, though be careful. Andrew Wathen is threatening to blackmail Sebastien and I." My father ran a hand threw his hair. "I swear, that man's set on keeping both sister's in that family open to himself. This is our floor. I'll see you tomorrow, Son."

"It was nice seeing you again." Forester told me, smiling darkly as they left.

Two stops later, I was finally able to head into the Department of Mystery's. I walked to the receptions desk and she spoke before I could tell her who I was.

"He's waiting, Malfoy." She stated darkly, her bottle cap earrings bobbing as she moved her wand across a row of schedules, instantly putting dates on all of them. Loony Lovegood's niece... of course.

Potter was sitting in his chair, reading the Prophet when I entered. My eyes caught sigh of a photo of his wife on the wall, laughing while pregnant. Why was everyone I went to school expecting right now? The 'Golden Boy' smirked at my expression.

"Hey Malfoy. Having a good day I see?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Can we get started?"

"Sure." He threw the prophet down, his face bright. "We've decided to drop treason as long as Bulstrode fills out the form of buyers for illegal dragon traders."

"That sounds reasonable." I nodded, pulling out a paper from my briefcase."Milicent has stated she will plead guilty if in turn her sentence is cut in half."

Potter smirked, shaking his head. His bangs shifted and his scar caught my eyes. I subconsciously pulled down the sleeve on my left arm once more. "No-bloody-way, Malfoy. We're not cutting a four year sentence into two. I pity her position as a single mother, but come on. If it were Greengrass, I might let her off since she's on good terms with my wife. Hell, maybe you too if she put in a good word."

"That's none of your business." I spat sternly, throwing the papers on his desk."Bloody hell, is there anyone that doesn't know about that?"

His green eyes widened, laughing as he sat back in his chair. "Malfoy, you shagged one of the most unusual yet prettiest girls that ever entered Slytherin, after her older sister. Everyone will know about it, especially after you claimed she seduced you." Potter waved his wand and a butter beer appeared. "Hell, Ron and I are waging on what grade you made in her book."

"I'm can see our meeting is over. Good-day, Potter." I rose, preparing to leave before he stopped me.

"I'm joking, Malfoy! Jeez, don't get your knickers in a not!"

I sat back down and stared at him. "Pleading guilty will shorten your time in court and save a few trees. She is also willing to stay on probation for nine months. That's our last offer, take it or leave it."

The black haired git bit his lip, nodding."We'll consider it. I need to ask you about something else."

I glanced at my watch and nodded. "Hurry up, I have a dinner meeting in an hour and I still need to get ready."

"A Muggle family was murdered in Wilshire, San Francisco, California, USA yesterday. The States contacted us because of a new development we've been making here and the fact the Dark Mark was on the wall."

I stared at him, shrugging. "Armatures have been doing that since the Dark Lord fell. So what?"

"Are you aware of the term Fără A umbla? It's Romanian for 'without wands'."

"My doorman's from Romania. That's as close to the cultural as I'll probably ever be." I admitted.

"You're wrong about that." Potter sighed. "In the times of the Founders of Hogwarts, a woman of fairy and wizard descent had nine children with a incubus. The Latin term that earlier men used for the offspring was Vacuus Virga. At first we thought it was just a tale, like the Chamber of Secrets once was. But we've changed our minds." He rose and pulled a file from his desk, throwing it at me. I opened it, looking at photo's of a man with no eyes and skin that looked like dust. I winced, wrinkling my nose. "Gregory Wallenstein was found murdered during the war by Voldemort himself. His Muggle wife told Aurors that his blood coming from his nose shinned silver in the light after they killed him, though no other wizards could see it. It is assumed only Muggles can see the difference."

"What does this crap have to do with me, Potter." I told him with disbelief. Was this his idea or a warped joke? "I don't buy this for one minute."

"Fără A umbla are said to be very powerful but are rare. They skip generations due to the mix of Muggle blood coming into the wizarding blood line." The 'Boy Who Lived' told me. "The only live ones alive are currently in Pure blood lines. They have a gift for the native language of the incubus that fathered the originals, Romanian, and are experts in wandless magic."

"Cut to the chase or I'm leaving." I threatened, annoyed. I had to pull strings to get reservations for dinner with Astoria tonight.

"Malfoy, I'm not stupid." Potter snapped, annoyed but my impatience. "Zabini and Greengrass's sister have already told people that you knocked her up and, by tomorrow, your Dad and Mum will know. The victims in the Wilshire case were found like Wallenstein, who was a Pure Blood and a revealed Fără A umbla. The daughter, a Muggle witch, had a knack for levitation without a wand and was mistaken as one. The Ministry thinks that Fără A umbla are being targeted and their magic stolen using spells, like Raptor Animus, which was used on Wallenstein. We believe the people doing this are old followers of Voldemort."

"What are you accusing me of?" I demanded, wincing at the Dark Lords name. "And what does this have to do with Astoria?"

"We're making a log of the know witches and wizards with the gene. She will be called in tomorrow from an 'interview' I have scheduled and a Blood Comparison Test done will be done by a Muggle doctor. If her blood appears metallic through the Muggle eye, Astoria Greengrass is a Fără A umbla. She will be asked to enter protective custody. Malfoy, we're telling you this because of her pregnancy and the fact the attackers may be in your family. "

This wasn't happening. I just found out yesterday that a woman I had a love-hate relationship with was pregnant with my child. Now this git was telling me she was a possible victim in a storyline I think they were rockers for believing.

"By law, wizard and Muggle, you can only take her blood by warrant. You have no cause for one." I told him matter-of-factly. "Also, there is no way this is true! She may be a Pure-blood and"-

"McGonagall says that she was able to use wandless magic expertly by her sixth year." The wizard told me."She received all 'O's in Charms, Transfiguration and D.A. but failed Potions and barely passed History of Magic. She is also claiming she absorbed Romanian from a summer trip she took with her Dad. Crider Greengrass says that it shocks him because they were only there for three days!"

"You're wrong, Potter." I told him.

"Funny, first you want to sue Astoria for turning you into a fool, and now you're her lawyer?" Potter spat. "Malfoy, I understand this may be a lot to take in but I'm trying to help the woman carrying your unborn child. If she's in danger"-

"I'll see to it she's protected." I told him coldly, rising. "This won't hold up in court, therefore it won't hold up with me. Cancel your appointment with Astoria and stay away from her, Potter."

*HarryPotter!*HarryPotter*!HarryPotter*

Astoria sat at our table, reading Witch Weekly as she sipped wine.

"You shouldn't be drinking." I told her as I sat down.

"It's apple juice."She told me, putting her magazine down. "With how much your room mate drinks, I would think you could spot the difference."

A waiter walked up, nodding to her. "What can I get your for appetizers?"

"The Fondue Bowl with Crab sounds good. What about you, Draco?"

"Wine and fruit salad."

"Hypocrite." Astoria accused as the waiter left.

"Trust me, you don't want to deal with me tonight if I don't have a drink." I told her, staring as two men behind her glanced at her with interest. Truthfully, I couldn't blame them. How any woman dressed a plain, maroon robes and silver heels look so dashing was beyond me. "How have you been doing?"

"Fatigue, nausea, cravings, weight gain, scatter-brain... everything's happening like it's suppose to." She smiled, her eyes twinkling. "My editor threatened to call my Mum on me today. Or worse, my sister."

I smirked, shaking my head as my wine arrived. "How is Daphne? I haven't seen her for years."

"Wasting our Dad's money and enjoying life." Astoria told me as I sipped it, enjoying the cold beverage. "She plans to join the socialites after her wedding in January."

I stared, putting my glass down. "Daphne Greengrass, the woman who once gave me a lap dance in front of my girlfriend, is settling down? That's one for the Prophet. Who's the lucky bloke?"

"My editor, Andrew Wathen." The witch told me as my jaw dropped. "I know. I paired them up to go to my Aunt Flora's fourth wedding and they claimed each other after that. Two red heads at the alter that plan on having kids? They are going to drive their grandmothers nuts."

"As long as they love each other." I commented, noticing that her front seemed bigger than I remembered. Lactation and water retention had it's benefits.

"I guess." Astoria told me as our appetizers came. "I always saw Daphne with someone different. Hell, even you before Andy. My Mum would have liked that much better."

"I guess she'll be a little more excepting of our situation with me as the father." I assumed as the waiter came to refill my glass."

She snorted, making the man raise a brow. "My Mum hates me right now, actually. She and my Dad have been on bad terms with me for a few years now."

I shook my head in disbelief. Mother said that Amethyst bragged about Astoria's credibility in the Prophet non-stop. "Why?"

"I dropped out of law school." I choked on a grape and she laughed. "Hard to imagine we could have actually had an argument in court, huh? Dad was set on me working for his old firm. He was so happy one of his daughters wasn't going to waste an education on sitting around and gossiping. Then I decided to do journalism and he hasn't spoken to me since. Mum forces me to come to monthly dinners and we always end up in an argument. If Daphne didn't depend on me to figure Andy out, she would probably have deserted me too."

Dinner went on with me asking Astoria questions and she answered them easily. She told me her favorite color's red and favorite animal a peacock. She's fluent in Romanian and thinks my doorman is charming. The brunette has a belly button ring and a tattoo of a yellow serpent around her naval, which I was recently intoduced to. She grew up titled the 'fat girl' of our House while Daphne was always the strutting goddess. How Astoria had avoided my torture was beyond me. As she continued talking, I couldn't help but notice how the light gleamed with her eyes. It was warm and inviting, not the usual extravagant glow I was use to seeing in the eyes of other women. We were arguing whether Madame Prince and Filch the caretaker were having an ongoing affair when the waiter came to take our orders for desert.

"Any chance you can switch out the chocolate ice cream on the Chocoholic Explosion for sherbet?" She asked the waiter, smiling persuasively. "Keep the syrup and brownie."

He smiled, laughing. "Are you Astoria Greengrass, the writer from the Prophet?"

"Yes, I am." She raised a brow at the random course the conversation had taken.

"My brother and I were arguing about it and I think I just won nine galleons." The waiter smiled. "My daughter is majoring in political analysis and journalism and she idolizes you. Could you give me an autograph for her?"

Astoria looked shocked, this obviously being a first. After she wrote on the waiter's order book, she turned back to me. "Well, at least my reader's still think I'm a decent person."

We finished eating and I ended walking her flat. We arrived at the door of her London home and she turned to me, smiling.

"I suppose we should try to avoid shagging each other tonight?"

I nodded, feeling myself blush at her shy smile. "Probably.

"We should do this again." Astoria told me, crossing her arms over her chest. Merlin... "Next time you have to tell me your life story."

I nodded, smirking at her pun. Somehow we had spent the entire evening avoiding the subject of our first night together. Without that, I kept asking myself what was pushing me away from her. Our eyes caught each others briefly as her lips moved as if to say something but my look stopped her. I walked up to her and tilted my head and kissed her, the taste of apple juice still on her breath. After that, our agreement failed as pathetically as the doubled stitched buttons that Astoria ripped off my shirt as soon as we made it to her bedroom. If nothing else, no one can say we didn't try.