Draco sat in his study, absentmindedly reading the latest issue of Potions Monthly, with his wife's swollen feet in his lap. He paused in his reading every few pages or so to give Luna's feet a rub. At this stage in her pregnancy they were swollen, and he knew she was uncomfortable. Not that she ever complained, not his Luna. She rarely complained about anything, except maybe about how the Nargles infestation kept reappearing in their fireplace. As he rubbed her feet, he couldn't help but wonder at the nagging feeling that was currently ravaging his stomach. He had felt odd since he had gotten out of bed that morning, and the feeling had only increased as the day went on. This was, however, nothing new for him. Ever since his father had been shipped back to Azkaban he constantly had a feeling of unease that liked to settle in the pit of his stomach. He tried not to think about what his father had done as he couldn't believe Lucius had done those things to those girls, to him, to his family.

To Hermione.

He knew his father had lied to Hermione when he told her he never loved her. He knew his father better than anyone did, save his mother and Uncle Severus, and it was quite clear that his father held nothing but love for the fiery witch.

Which made his actions all the more unbelievable.

Draco worried constantly now, not liking the feeling at all. He worried about the effect the scandal had on his wife; although she was very good about brushing it off. He worried about the pressure he had put on Hermione when, in a fit of rage and knowing it was something she didn't want, he had made her the Head of House Malfoy,. His worries had only increased lately when he found out that the Weasel had been harassing her. She told him he had nothing to worry about, that the Weasel was harmless, but he didn't believe that for one second. He'd seen the look in the Weasel's eyes every time he looked at Hermione. He would almost call it calculating, if he was talking about anyone other than the Weasel. He didn't know, exactly, what the look meant, but he did know he didn't like it. He had spent last night trying to think of ways to convince Hermione that, perhaps, the Weasel didn't exactly have her best interests at heart.

He was so lost in his thoughts and worries that he didn't notice right away that his finger was on fire.

With a yelp, he jumped up, dislodging his wife's feet from his lap and sending the Potions magazine flying to the floor. He stared at his ring incredulously, trying to figure out why the hell it was burning his finger.

"Draco? Is something wrong?" Luna asked in her melodic voice, peering up at him with slightly narrowed eyes.

Wrong? Yes, something was certainly wrong, only he had no idea what it was. Then, suddenly, the conversation he had with his father the day he had given Hermione the family ring came flooding back to him.

"I've given Ms. Granger the family ring, Draco, and she has accepted."

"That's wonderful news, Father. Congratulations."

"I've added the standard protections to it, but I've linked it to both my ring and yours. Just in case."

"Of course, Father. But don't you think that's a bit excessive? Not that I mind, of course."

"One can never be too careful, Draco."

At the time, he had thought his father was being unnecessarily cautious, but now, as his ring was attempting to burn a hole in his finger, he realized his father had been correct.

"Luna! Send a Patronus to Potter telling him that Hermione is in trouble and to meet me at the Manor right away!" he yelled quickly to his surprised wife. "You stay here and put extra protections on the wards. Don't leave for any reason until either Potter or myself comes back."

In a flash he was gone, hoping he made it to Hermione in time because he knew she wouldn't have used the ring if she wasn't in serious trouble. He arrived at the Manor just in time to catch the Weasel, with Hermione thrown over his shoulder, making his way towards the front door. She was screaming at him to stop, kicking and punching at his back.

Oh hell no.


Hermione was starting to panic. Ron was almost to the front door and if he was able to leave the Manor and make it to the apparition point, she knew she was in deep, deep trouble.

Damn it, Draco, where are you?

She was mere inches from the front door was when she heard Draco arrive with a loud pop. The unexpected noise startled Ron, who turned quickly towards it, almost dropping her in the process.

"Put her down, Weasel. Or else."

"Or else, what? What are you going to do, Ferret? Kill me? I think we all know you are too much of a coward to do that."

Hermione could hear the sneer she was sure was currently on Ron's face in his voice as he mocked Draco.

"If I have to. Here's what's going to happen. You are going to put Hermione down, right this minute. I'll restrain you until the Aurors get here and no one gets hurt. That's the easy way. Or, you can pick the hard way and we can duel. But rest assured, Weasel, you will not win."

Ron laughed at Draco's words, a rather evil laugh that had Hermione wondering, again, just what happened to the boy that used to be her best friend. Before she knew it, she was being thrown aside rather harshly. She hit the floor relatively hard and cursed Ron in her head. She had no time to waste, however, as both men had their wands pointed at the other and curses were already flying. She rushed to her bedroom to retrieve her wand and by the time she returned, Harry had arrived and entered the fray. Ron, now outnumbered, was quickly starting to lose his ground (not that he had much to begin with). He was screaming at Harry now, calling him a traitor for siding with Draco, for not helping him 'get' Hermione. Wanting this to end, she shifted cautiously as to not catch Ron's attention. She prepared to cast a shield around Harry, Draco, and herself while also casting an incarcerous at Ron. Unfortunately, her movement did catch Ron's eyes and he turned towards her. It all happened so fast that she couldn't place what he threw at her; but before she knew it, she was lifted up off the ground and slammed into the wall with great force. She could hear the fighting continue for a minute or so before she heard Ron start yelling to let him go.

Good. She hoped he rotted once he got to Azkaban.

Her vision blurry now, she didn't see Draco approach her, asking worriedly if she was okay. She nodded her head, only to wince in pain at the movement. Her whole body hurt. She let Draco help her up and that was when she heard his sharp intake of breath.

"Hermione... " he trailed off, his voice shaky.

"What? What is it, Draco?"

"Hermione... you're bleeding."

"Well, that's not quite surprising, is it? I did just get thrown into a wall."

"No, Hermione. I mean, you're bleeding."

His meaning was clear as day then and she looked down, only to find the front of her pants stained with blood. Oh gods, no.

She lost consciousness.


AN: Thanks to erbkaiser for betaing. Also thanks to Liza and Raybe for their help.

I'd love to hear your ideas for what should happen to Ron and Ginny. :) We are coming close to the end now.

Please review!