A/N: Please read Author's Note at bottom of chapter!

Chapter 13: Preparations

Hermione clutched her stomach as she hurled what was left of her breakfast. Dear Merlin, why have I been feeling so sick lately? she pondered. Ginny walked in through the floo.

"Still feeling sick?" she asked, sympathetic.

"Yea, I don't know why though."

"I suppose you're not up for going out then," said Ginny, seeing the state Hermione was in.

Hermione shook her head. "I supposed not."

"S'alright, I'll get a few movies or something and we can just relax."

Hermione and Ginny were watching Fast and Furious 6 when Ginny looked over to see Hermione in tears. She raised an eyebrow.

"How could you be so heartless? She just died, sacrificing herself for the one she loved! It's so sad and romantic at the same time!" Pausing the movie, Ginny bit her lip.

"Mione, when was the last time you had your period?"

"Huh?"

"Your period. When did you just have it? Are you late?"

"Late…? Are you implying what I think you are?" Hermione furrowed her brow in concentration. Her eyes opened in realization. "I'm a week late, but it happens sometimes. My period is occasionally irregular, especially when I'm stressed out!"

"Hermione, love, you're rambling. My suspicions may be unfounded, but I have had three kids already, so you might want to listen to the veteran here." Hermione nodded, silent. "Let's get a spell test performed. Wait, let me get the book, I have it at home." Ginny floo'ed back to the Potter residence, as Hermione sat, restless, on the couch. Could I really be pregnant? We'd been completely safe! Hermione thoughts ran through her head. Shit. Except for that first night…after Scorpius' birthday. She gulped at the thought, as Ginny returned with the book in her hand.

"Okay, I'll just wave my wand, like this… praeseminatio revelio." Hermione's stomach glowed a pale green.

"What's green mean?" asked Hermione.

Ginny bit her lip. "It means you're positive."

Hermione's eyes grew wide. "I know it's Draco's, but….how do I tell him?"

"You plan on keeping it, then?"

"Of course! Do you know whether it's a boy or a girl?"

"Not yet; you can't really distinguish until after the 9th week visually, unless you get the amniotic fluid tested. It probably hasn't been long. We can go to a hospital to check, if you want."

Hermione nodded mutely. "Muggle hospital though."

"Of course," said Ginny, agreeing. When she'd gone to St. Mungo's, the paparazzi had followed her and immediately reported on her pregnancies. So much for patient confidentiality.

"Congratulations! You've a healthy baby! Would you like to know the gender?"

"No, please," replied Hermione. "I think I'd like the father to be here to know that." The nurse nodded in understanding. How the hell was she supposed to tell Draco she was pregnant?!

Meanwhile, at the Potter residence, a certain blond was engaged in a serious discussion the Boy Who Lived.

"I know Mione and I've only been properly dating for a month or so, but she's been such an integral part of my life for so long now- I just didn't realize it! You know, Scor's started calling her 'Mum'? She'd make the perfect mother. What I'm trying to say is…I want to marry her. Make it official. We already share the custody of a child so it won't be a huge change. I…I came here to ask for your approval?"

Harry grinned internally. It was refreshing to see the normally so cool and collected Draco Malfoy be so flustered. "I do, Malfoy."

Draco snorted. "We're not getting married, Potter. Not sure how Ginevra would feel about you breaking your nuptials."

Harry chuckled. "You know what I mean, Malfoy; I approve. Because Hermione deserved happiness and Scorpius brings that to her, so you do as well, inadvertently." Harry's voice trailed off. "You know what was hardest for Mione? She always wanted a kid, and she never got to have one, so you can see why she bonded so quickly with Scorpius. She's always been too selfless." This got the cogs in Draco's head turning: Hermione wanted a kid? She'd never mentioned it…hmm… Harry began speaking again. "Remember what I told you, Malfoy," he said, raising his eyebrows in warning. "She's like my sister, so…" Draco's mouth quirked up in a grin, throwing Harry off.

"Second time's the charm, right?"

Harry let out a laugh. "Third time's the charm is the saying, but that's the attitude!"

"Now…how do I propose?"

"Choose a rock first," advised Harry. "Then you can plan the proposal. Knowing Hermione, she won't want anything showy or extravagant."

Draco nodded. He had an idea of what to get Hermione.

"Mother?" Draco called out. A grey-haired Narcissa greeted him. The war had taken a toll on her, of course. Few were left unscathed by its events or aftermath.

"Draco dear, it's so good to see you! What brings you here?"

"I've come to ask for your assistance. In selecting an engagement ring, to be exact. I'm going to propose to Hermione, and you can't stop me—"

"Darling, do you think I would? All I ever wanted for you was to be happy," said Narcissa softly, a small smile on her face.

"So you're okay that it's Hermione?"

"Miss Granger? Of course! Blaise took the liberty of informing me of your…ah…situation regarding Scorpius. I think you two will make me lovely grandchildren." Narcissa winked. "Now, about that engagement ring…let's check the family vaults, yea?"

After perusing the collections, Draco decided on one ring design. He then floo'ed to France, where he went to their family jewelers in Paris. He placed two rings on the glass counter.

Monsieur Dumas eyed the rings. "Mais Monsieur Malfoy, une de ces bagues est Muggle, et l'autre c'est de manière magique ! » (But Mr. Malfoy, one of these rings are Muggle, and the other is magical !)

« Oui Monsieur. Mais la bague Muggle est une antiquité, une pièce de l'histoire. Je voudrais que vous pouvez utiliser cette bague pour recréer la bague Malfoy. » Monsieur Dumas nodded. (Yes, mister. But the muggle ring is an antique, a piece of history. I would like it if you could use this ring to recreate the Malfoy ring.)

« Bien sur, Monsieur…mais nous devons plus de bijoux. » (Of course, sir…but we need more jewels.)

« Ah oui, est-ce que je peux l'acheter ici ? » (Ah, yes, can I buy them here ?)

« Oui Monsieur. » Monsieur Dumas led Draco around the bijouterie, when a stunning ruby caught Draco's eye. (Yes, sir)

"Ah, vous avez les bonnes yeux. Le rubis, le feu, l'amour, la flamme. C'est un beau bijou, non ? » (Ah, you have good eyes. The ruby, the fire, love, the flame. It's a beautiful gem, no?)

Draco nodded. « Est-ce que vous pouvez l'utiliser pour le bijou centre ? Les diamants et les émeraudes peuvent devenir les bijoux extérieurs. » Monsieur Dumas nodded his agreement and left, promising to have the ring welded and finished in two weeks time. It would require much skill to successfully weld together the yellow gold and white gold, but what Malfoys want, Malfoys get, and Monsieur Dumas was certainly capable. Draco floo'ed back to London, satisfied. (Could you use it for the center gem? The diamonds and emeralds can become the exterior jewels.)

"So, did it go well?" Narcissa's face shone brightly with excitement; her life had been much too dull recently, what with Lucius in Azkaban and Cousin Éli managing Malfoy Enterprises.

"Yes, I think it will go well. I know Monsieur Dumas is capable."

"Why didn't you just use the Malfoy ring if you liked it so much?"

"I just felt that Hermione wouldn't appreciate it as much, it being pureblood legacy. Also, with the whole pureblood bigotry, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few curses on it. I think Hermione would appreciate a bit of muggle history—she'll be wearing one of Joséphine de Beauharnais' rings!"

Narcissa smiled in agreement. "Draco, do you think you would mind bringing her over for tea? It needn't be at the cottage or at the manor; we can go to Diagon Alley and have it there. I'd like to get to know the girl, if she is to be your future wife and all. If Scorpius adores her that much, I'm sure she's a wonderful person."

Draco smiled back. "I'll ask her; I don't think she'll have a problem with it, Mother."

"Thank you darling."

"What? You're asking me to meet your mother? Why?" Hermione was a bit shocked at Draco's request.

"It's just for tea in Diagon Alley—you'll have nothing to worry about," said Draco calmly, thinking she was worried about Hermione's terrible experience in the Manor during the war.

"Merlin, of course there's reason to worry! What if she doesn't like me? What if I—"

Scorpius walked into the living room.

"What if who doesn't like you, Mummy? How could someone not like you?" His eyes were wide with concern.

Draco answered Scorpius' question. "Your grandmother, Narcissa."

"Grammy? Of course she'll like you, Mummy! Grammy is very nice," Scorpius reassured Hermione with a big smile, proudly showing of a gaping hole where he'd just lost a tooth. Another one of his teeth was loose as well.

"Mione, what if we bring Scor too? Would that calm you?" Draco suggested.

"Oh alright. I'll go meet you mother," Hermione smiled, resigned.

"Great! I'll go reply back to her owl," and Draco left to go do just that.

A/N: Shoutouts to: DramioneAddiction! 3 Siriusly you're awesome for reviewing and replying to me ^^

Seriously guys, I was kind of disappointed by the response to the last chapter :'( They confessed their love for each other!:D I wanted to hit 100 reviews...but hopefully I can get that with this chapter? *hopeful smile*

Anyways, if you've read my profile, you'll know I'm a junior in high school, and it's no ordinary high school, mind you. l o l. Anyways, it translates to I have a sh*tton of work to do, and very little time to do it. I have a few chapters prewritten, so hopefully those will tide me over until Thanksgiving/Christmas, but I'm thinking of ending the story around 20 chapters (plus or minus 2 for the epilogue). Please head over to my profile! I have a poll up on what you think my next work should be, and I really want your guys' input, because I'm super indecisive l o l.

xoxo