A/N: Thanks so much for those that reviewed! I'm really happy people like my story; it's a great feeling. I really didn't mean to make this story that long, but I'm sure it won't go on for too much longer.

Disclaimer: I forgot to put one last time. This one's gonna stand for the rest of the story. Characters aren't mine.

Chapter 5: Upside Down

Hermione sat in her seat, her stomach clenching in nervousness as she glanced at Narcissa sitting opposite her.

She was greeted warmly enough even though there was no invitation on the Malfoy's part for her being there for tea in the first place. It was true that she lied to Draco about the meeting, but his mother had accepted it and even granted her the use of Mr. Malfoy's car. The woman knew it was with good reason that Hermione would devise something like she did and the way in which she did it. She knew having Draco tell his mother about the tea invitation would get him to reveal other details about her that his parents knew nothing about. She hadn't, however, considered the possibility that Draco would have a date.

It had felt like all the air had left the room as she was momentarily shocked at Mrs. Malfoy's words. It was a good think Draco didn't notice anything since she was faced away from him, but she was sure his mother had. Hermione was much appreciative that Narcissa hurried her son away when the smile she had painfully given him was about to falter. It was bittersweet, though, since, on the one hand, she would have the privacy she needed to talk to Narcissa, but on the other Draco would be on his way to meet the mystery woman. He didn't seem to like the idea, which cheered her up some. She thought about how he had grabbed her hand and squeezed it in reassurance in the car and she felt tiny butterflies in her stomach for a brief moment. But now she was left alone with Mrs. Malfoy who no doubt was waiting for Hermione to start the conversation. She had no idea where to begin.

"I understand you are a patient of Draco's," Narcissa said after placing her tea cup down. "You're three months along now, yes? I offer my congratulations."

Hermione felt herself flush at her pregnancy being the beginning of the conversation and that it was Mrs. Malfoy who had started it. She supposed it would be a topic to come up first with an acquaintance you hadn't seen in a while.

"Thank you," Hermione said before pushing herself onwards. "I would not have had him as my Healer if I knew he would have been the person who was going to be taking my case. It was not my intention to see him again until he fully recovered his memories. Healer Alden and I are doing our best to figure out what spell Rodolphus hit him with. I would like your opinion on the matter."

She paused to take in Narcissa's reaction. Mrs. Malfoy was listening attentively, nodding in understanding and raising an eyebrow at Hermione's want of her opinion; but an opinion on what, exactly?

"Should I get a different Healer," Hermione asked. "I don't want my presence to trigger any flashbacks Draco may have. It was why we decided to not have me come around since I was there when he fought with his uncle, as you well know. He was adamant on staying as my Healer, if we go on what he told Healer Alden and me when we suggested it. Can you do anything to change his mind?"

Narcissa was still when she heard what Hermione had to say. She was expecting a different conversation to take place. It seemed Ms. Granger was not going to be forthcoming at the moment.

"Draco can be very stubborn, as I'm sure you know," Narcissa said. "I doubt I can do much to change his mind when it is set."

Hermione sighed. She was afraid of an answer like that.

"From my understanding," Narcissa went on, "Draco seems to be the only one who can do the procedure with the highest chance of success. He said he had only used it once before and that the previous Healer would have asked for his help in your case. I appreciate the concern you have for my son, Hermione, but surely you would want and need the best treatment for your babies."

Hermione squirmed a bit under Narcissa's gaze. The older woman was not one to be trifled with —not that Hermione would dare to do so.

"Of course," Hermione replied, "But Draco—

"Will be able to take care of himself, I am sure," Narcissa cut in.

"He's already had a flashback," Hermione said in a rush.

Narcissa's eyes widened a little in surprise. Draco had not told her about a flashback. He must have wanted to keep whatever it was he had remembered a secret. It had to be something close to his heart.

"Did you know, Ms. Granger, that Draco hates roses," Narcissa went on, ignoring Hermione's previous comment.

Hermione felt her face heat up and suddenly found the fire in the grate very interesting.

"He hadn't previously, which is rather odd," Mrs. Malfoy said. "He had me get rid of all the rose bushes in the garden. He doesn't remember, of course."

"Please Narcissa," Hermione pleaded, leaning forward in her seat, her face revealing everything the woman had suspected and now knew for sure, "Draco cannot stay as my Healer."

Narcissa sighed but after a while gave a nod. "I will do what I can to persuade Draco to relinquish his position as your Healer. He will, however, if he agrees with me in the end, want to monitor you progress even if he doesn't see you. I believe files are enough for him to see to be able to know how to deal with a case."

Hermione let out a breath of relief and gave a small smile.

"You will need Draco's medical file, I presume," Narcissa said, successfully freezing Hermione's smile on her face for a second before the young woman looked away before nodding. "My son is strange. He knows everyone else's file but his own. There will not be an issue of him recognizing it, I assure you."

"Thank you," Hermione said, not knowing what else to talk about. She trembled at what would next come out of Mrs. Malfoy's mouth.

"I'm curious, Ms. Granger," Narcissa began, unaware Hermione bracing herself for the worst, "as to why you felt it necessary to keep your engagement to Draco a secret."

Hermione's mouth fell open, caught off guard by Narcissa's inquiry. She had half expected condescension for daring to have a romantic relationship with the Pure-blood son of the aristocratic Malfoy family. To say the least, she was absolutely flabbergasted.

"He told you," Hermione asked in a whisper.

Mrs. Malfoy shook her head.

"No. But I know my son. Draco would not have put you in this condition if he did not intend to take you as his wife," Narcissa answered.

Hermione felt tears well up in her eyes at the statement.

"I wonder why you find his parents so disagreeable," Narcissa said, her eyes betraying the sadness she felt under her calm exterior.

Hermione's tears fell over now as she began to silently cry. She blamed her hyper emotional state on her pregnancy. She wouldn't have been openly crying otherwise.

She was sad that she had thought that Draco's parents did have a low opinion of her, but she had always assumed that their upbringing would always have them regard her as inferior. She didn't want to put a strain between them and their son because of her even if she and Draco were going to get married.

"I—I d-didn't mean to make you u-upset by not t-telling you," Hermione choked out through tears. "I j-just assumed…"

"It's okay, dear," Narcissa said, reaching over and patting Hermione's hand, "I understand."

The gesture made Hermione cry harder but before she could say anything the door to the sitting room burst open, making her and Narcissa jump. Draco rushed over to Hermione, looking like he was going to say something but stopped when he saw Hermione's crying face.

"Mother, what have you said to her," Draco asked angrily while he bent down, putting his hands on Hermione's arms and rubbing them up and down to comfort her.

"N-no, Draco, she h-hasn't done anything," Hermione said, trying to reign in her tears so she could try to come up with an excuse for her state. "It's j-just hormones."

Draco frowned, knowing she was lying about the hormones being the only reason for her tears. He turned to his mother and gave her a hurried apology before turning back to Hermione.

"What is it, love," Draco asked, effectively stopping Hermione's waterworks with his use of the endearment.

"You didn't have another flashback, did you," Hermione asked, fear of what could happen if he did.

"Another," Draco asked. He unconsciously started rubbing his right temple, his eyes squinting with suppressed pain.

Hermione silently cursed her stupidity for mentioning something she wasn't supposed to let know that she knew before she turned a concerned eye to Draco. He had a headache, that was clear, and it looked to be getting worse. Her heartbeat thudded against her chest in fear.

"Draco!" Hermione cried as he slumped to the floor unconscious, his face pale and his breathing shallow.

Draco heard someone frantically calling out his name in the dark. He grimaced at the killer headache he had but was glad it was receding. It was probably the person who was being so loud and panicked that had caused it in the first place.

His felt his face twist in confusion as to who could be calling him. He thought it was his mother at first, since she was the only woman who had cared for him to call out to him in such a manner, especially when he was a child and was in danger of getting hurt. The voice was different, though; higher and very familiar but also not.

He cracked his eyes open and blinked a little to clear his blurred vision. There was someone leaning over him, their warm tears falling on his face. He felt a shock go through his body and then his heart sped up when his vision cleared to show Hermione looking down at him, a few of her curls falling forward that had escaped her bun and tears streaming down her face.

He scrambled away and sat up, feeling his face warm up. He looked around and realized he was in the sitting room, his mother staring at him with concern standing behind Hermione.

"What are you doing here," he asked, quickly getting to his feet.

He saw Hermione's eyebrows knit together in confusion before it took on a look she often got in class when she was trying to figure out a particularly hard problem.

"What's the last thing you remember," she asked, still on the ground.

He felt his face form a familiar sneer, "What kind of stupid question is that?"

Hermione's face fell before she looked down, making Draco feel bad and confused as to why she reacted in such a way.

"Mother, what is she doing here," Draco asked, his eyes looking to his mother as he tried to not look at Hermione as she took her time getting up. Was she injured or something? What was taking her so long to stand up?

The answer became apparent when she finally stood up, her swollen belly obvious to every eye in the room.

"Quick work, Granger," Draco said, not believing his eyes and doing the only thing he knew how. "Whose is it? I refuse to believe Weasel has it in him. Did that Krum fellow really get to your goods that fast? Or," he paused, his eyes narrowing, "perhaps Potter had the honor. Lord knows you're playing every one of them."

SMACK

Draco held his stinging cheek, more astonished at the hurt face Hermione made than the fact that she had slapped him again in less than a year.

"What are you playing at," he growled at her, both confused and angry.

She looked surprised at herself, the hurt fading from her face to be replaced with panic. Before she could respond, Lucius' voice came from down the hall.

"Narcissa, what's this racket I hear," he called, his faint footsteps echoing on the ground.

Draco's eyes went wide before he grabbed Hermione by the arm and rushed over to his mother.

"He can't find out she's here, mother, you have to help me hide her," he whispered frantically to her, his eyes darting from the door to her face. "I don't know what he'll do, you know how he, I mean we, feel about Mudbloods."

"Draco, I don't think that's necessary," Narcissa said, not quite sure what to tell her son who clearly thought he was in the past.

"Are you out of your mind," he asked as his face lost more color and his grip on Hermione tightening. "You know what he and the others did at the world cup, who's to say he won't do worse now that she's in the house and pregnant."

Before anymore could be said, the door creaked open and Draco turned around making sure to shield Hermione from view.

"What's going on here," Lucius asked, looking at his son and wife in confusion. "Draco, what are you doing back so soon? Did your date slap you?" He pointed to his own face to indicate which side the pink hand print was on Draco's face.

"Uh," Draco hesitated, "yeah. I was very rude to her."

"I see," Mr. Malfoy said, frowning slightly. "Where's Ms. Granger? Did she not come today?"

Draco's mind was spinning. His father knew Granger was going to be here. Did that mean she was kidnapped? His heart pounded painfully against his chest.

"Why would she be here," he asked as calmly as possible, shifting a little to make sure Hermione was still hidden behind him.

Lucius only made a confused face.

"Dear, we have a problem," Narcissa said, stepping forward a little and giving her husband a pointed look.

"Be quiet, mother," Draco hissed, glaring at her.

"Good evening, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said, stepping from behind Draco's tall figure.

Draco looked at her as if she had gone completely insane and had a death wish.

"Ms. Granger," Mr. Malfoy addressed, "It's a pleasure to see you again."

Draco felt like the world was turned upside down and that he was having a very bad dream. What in the blazes was going on?

"Are we living in another dimension," Draco asked loudly. "What is going on? Since when have you two been all chummy with Granger? And you," Draco whipped around to face Hermione, his eyes accusing "when did you get bloody pregnant? We're not even fully finished with fourth year! I didn't peg you as a stupid girl who would give it up when she first got a boyfriend."

Hermione's mind was working quick, trying to stay calm at Draco's condition. They needed to get Healer Alden here and fast. For now, though, she needed Draco to see reason. He didn't fall into a coma, but she wasn't sure his present condition was anything to be thrilled about.

"Dra-Malfoy," Hermione switched names to make him more comfortable with how she would have addressed him in fourth year. "Despite being a Slytherin," her mouth twitched in an attempt not to smile at how they used to talk to one another but soon faltered into a serious line when her panic started bubbling up again, "I know you're very smart. Look at me closely. Is there anything different besides the obvious?"

Draco's eyes narrowed in suspicion. There was no way she was about to call him by his first name, right? And what the hell did she mean, "despite being a Slytherin?" His house was the best, obviously.

"Of course I'm smart, Granger," Draco said haughtily, "And I don't know how you expect me to not notice anything but that Quaffle protruding from you shirt."

Hermione's face burned with embarrassment at his reference to her stomach. She refused to feel bad, though; she was ecstatic to be having twins and knew she would get fairly big. Still, though, it was mortifying to have pointed out in so ruthless a manner and by the person who was the one who made her like that to begin with.

"Draco, hold your tongue," his mother chastised in a stern voice. "I will not have you be rude to our guest under this roof. Do as Ms. Granger said."

Draco gave his mother a glare but did as she said. He looked down at Granger, noticing she was much shorter than he remembered. But that couldn't be right, unless she was took some kind of shrink potion which didn't make sense. Ok, so that meant he got taller. She was pregnant, obviously, and some months along if he had to guess. He felt a pang of irritation and something else he didn't recognize when he thought about who the father was. He wrenched his eyes away quickly and instead looked at her face.

She was really pretty, he noticed. Like when he saw her at the Yule Ball, only different. Her face was more mature, the slight roundness of childhood having gone. Her hair was definitely tamer than he had ever seen it. And her eyes— she didn't look at him with annoyance or disregard. She was actually looking at him as a person, like she knew him and didn't mind what she saw. But his ideas about Muggle-borns shouldn't be agreeable to her at all. And what about Potter and Weasel? More than that, how the hell did she end up in the Manor?

He looked to his mother and then his father. They were calm and didn't seem to mind one bit that a Muggle-born was standing in their sitting room. But he did see a change in them. They looked older. Both his parents had grey hairs that definitely were not there the last time he saw them, which wasn't a long time ago at all. He looked back at Hermione. Yes, she was definitely older, too. He didn't know how he had missed it when he first looked at her. He blamed it on his being shocked seeing her pregnant and her crying face. If any guy can go against tears, he'd have to get tips.

"What year is this", Draco asked, feeling cold dread creep up from the pit of his stomach.

"I'm in my mid-twenties, Draco," Hermione said, looking at his face to see how he would react.

Draco took a step back. What?!