Author's note: I LOVE YOU PEOPLE! I went to the movies today, and when I came back I had not one…not two… 12 but reviews waiting for me! Oh you guys are the best! –Hugs reviewers- I thought about Hermione having the baby now, and well…I wanted to write Hermione with mood swings! Oh well, read the chappy and find out what I finally decided. Oh and guess what? Alba Nera won't really come into play for….several chapters. Teehee. Aren't I evil?...don't' answer that.
Vasya's taking a nappy nap right now, so I guess I'm stuck doing the disclaimer. –Growls-
Disclaimer: I own nothing, NOTHING I SAY! I just own Vasya, who's sleeping. And of course my mistakes, considering I am my own beta. –Beams- I'm doing quite well for myself, I think.
Chapter Five: (will get a title when I think of one)
"Draco, what happened?" Blaise said as he skidded to a halt in front of Draco, who was still on the floor.
"I don't know, Blaise. We were talking and all of a sudden she… Blaise, did I do something wrong? What if I said something to cause this, and then she has the baby early, and what if it doesn't make it? Blaise what am I going to do? This is all my fault!" Draco said desperately as he put his head in his hands. It wasn't supposed to go like this.
"Mr. Malfoy?" a doctor asked as he interrupted them. "I'm sorry, we couldn't stop the contractions. The baby is dangerously early. We're trying everything we can. Technology has gotten so much more advanced over the years, so the chances are better."
"What about Hermione?" Blaise asked, considering Draco wasn't even looking up to acknowledge the doctor. "Is Hermione okay? Can we see her yet?" Blaise asked anxiously.
"We almost lost her," the doctor said gravely. Draco looked up abruptly, fear written across his fine features. "Not to worry though," he reassured them quickly, after noticing Draco. "She's not in the clear yet, but I'm sure she'll be just fine. You can go in and see her now, but it will be a while before you can see the baby," the doctor said before walking off.
Draco immediately jumped up and was about to run into Hermione's room, when Blaise grabbed him. "Drake, she's just had a baby, prematurely I might add. She's bound to be tired, and I doubt she's going to want you just blasting in there. At least walk, man," Blaise said, trying to be comforting but strict at the same time. No, that's not exactly easy.
"You're right," Draco sighed as he walked in. He walked over to Hermione's bed, and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, are you awake?" he asked quietly.
Hermione groaned. "Draco, what happened?" she asked weakly.
"Premature labor," Draco said soothingly. "You're going to be okay, though," he continued reassuringly.
"What about the baby?" She asked trying to sit up, but winced and quickly lay back down.
"You had the baby early. I'm sorry, I don't know much more than that. I was in too much of a shock to ask any details, and the doctor was in too much of a rush to tell any. So, needless to say, I don't know if we have a son or daughter. I feel like such an idiot," Draco said hanging his head.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy," Hermione said sternly. "You are anything but an idiot! There was so much going on that I'm not surprised you didn't ask. Not to mention you just found out I was even pregnant!" Hermione laughed, but quickly stopped due to the pain.
"That's no excuse," Draco said sadly.
Hermione frowned. "I tell you what," she said taking his hand. "You go find out about the baby, okay? I don't have any names picked out, so you can pick the name. On one condition," Hermione smiled. "I get to pick the name out for the next baby." Draco beamed. That means she wants more!
"I'm not leaving you alone, though!" Draco said quickly.
"Blaise, will you stay with me until Draco gets back?" Hermione asked sweetly, smiling at Blaise.
Blaise just laughed and shook his head. "Number one I don't think I have a choice in the matter, and number two, I'd love to stay with you Hermione," Blaise said as he began pushing Draco out the door. "Now you go find out about your baby, Mr. Malfoy!" Blaise laughed, literally kicking Draco out the door.
Draco shook his head, as he walked through the halls. After a few wrong turns, a few questioning looks, and a few "which way do I go"'s, Draco found himself just outside the room where his baby was. The nurse at the front desk had told him he could go in, but now he was getting cold feet.
"You must be Mr. Malfoy!" A young woman said as she came out of the room quickly, and shook his hand. "I'm so sorry we had to meet under these circumstances, but it really is an honor," she said as she ushered him in.
"Congratulations sir, you have a new baby boy. He's absolutely beautiful," she said quietly leading him over to a crib. The baby inside was attached to lots of wires and machines, and had a tube to help him breathe.
"His lungs aren't developed yet," she said reading his thoughts. "Give him a few weeks and he'll be able to breathe on his own, and you'll even be able to take him home!" She watched Draco as he stared down at his son for a few more moments, before "You know Mr. Malfoy, some believe that especially premature babies will grow faster if you touch them. Would you like to?"
Draco nodded, and quickly used the hand sanitizers on the wall, and then walked back over to the special crib. He slowly slid his hand through the soft-plastic-covered hole in the covering, and stroked the baby's arm gently with one finger. Draco shook his head in disbelief. This was his son.
"You know Mr. Malfoy," the girl started again. "I can tell by the look on your face I don't really need to say this, but I've found that if the parents spend lots of time with their baby while they're here, they'll grow faster and they'll attach to their parents better when they leave."
"Oh don't worry," Draco said quietly, as his finger moved from his son's arm to his stomach. "I think you'll have a hard time getting rid of me."
"Oh I'm not surprised," the girl said laughing quietly. "I can't imagine how you'll be when his mother comes in here," she continued.
"Oh I can only imagine," Draco said smiling. "I know she'll be a fantastic mom."
"Oh I'm sure," the girl smiled again. She then turned to Draco. "And I bet you'll make a fantastic dad." Draco snorted. The girl frowned. "I'm serious! I see the way you're looking at him. I've seen a lot of parents come through here, Mr. Malfoy. I can tell which ones are no good, and which ones are the great ones that every kid deserves. I'm sad to say I don't see that many parents looking at their kids with as much love as I see you looking at him with."
Draco shook his head. "I don't' even know how to be a father," Draco said.
The girl gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"My father was never really the father figure to me," Draco said. "He tried to control what I did, who I was with, what I thought, and none of it was good."
"Well let me tell you something Mr. Malfoy," the girl said, starting on another rant again. "You don't need an example from your own father to know how to be a good one. You just have to know how to love. And judging by the look you have in your eyes, I can say that's one thing you've got down pact for this little boy," she said.
"Thank you," Draco said smiling at her, before looking back down at his son. He was finding it hard to tear himself away, not that he wanted to.
"You know Mr. Malfoy, this beautiful boy is missing one thing," the girl said.
"Oh really? What would that be?" Draco asked, amused.
"A name, Mr. Malfoy, a name. Right now, all I have to go by is baby Malfoy!" She laughed.
"Hermione did say I could name him, as long as she could name our next one," Draco laughed.
"Well, what shall it be?" the girl asked.
"I think I'll name him…"
Author's note: Ack, this was sooooooo short! Forgive me! I've only been home a short while. I deeply apologize for not updating yesterday. So much for my "chapter a day" record... In addition, I have no clue what these things are actually called for premature babies. I just know what they look like (though they're poorly described) from what I've seen on television.
Vasya: Oh, is that where you got your entire education?
Oh not you again! I thought I was rid of you…
Vasya: You're never rid of me. You created me! Now you get to deal with me.
-Sigh- Yes, and I regret it. –Winks- Okay readers, now please make my day and press the purple button.