A/N: I apologise for the horrendously long wait. I'm a senior in high school (Year 12?) which means I'm applying to uni and everything which is stressful enough to say the least, without worrying about updating writing. The only writing I'm really doing is college essays -_- But I did manage to find the time to churn out a chapter for you guys (it's Christmas themed!) so I hope you enjoy it! Think of it as my Christmas gift to you all. And to everyone who doesn't celebrate Christmas, happy non-denominational holiday! Please read and review! xx

Chapter 17

Draco strolled through Diagon Alley, as the twinkling faeries and enchanted glittering snow shone from above. What to get, what to get? He thought. Some Christmas gifts were easy—chocolates, books, and the like, but he couldn't find a suitable gift for Hermione…

Stopping at Scrivenshaft's, he walked in. Perhaps they would have something suitable.

Meanwhile, Hermione was in Muggle London, struggling just the same. Scorpius was with Maria, playing with Antonia, while Draco was "running errands." What do you get the man who has everything? She pondered aloud.

"I don't know, Mione, but we can try the ties."

Hermione jumped a foot in the air, her hand on her wand. Her red-haired best friend giggled.

"Merlin, Ginny!"

"Great minds think alike, aye? I was coming to do some Christmas shopping for Harry. Why don't we check out the chocolate shoppe?" After thoroughly sampling the chocolates, Ginny bought an assortment box for the family, as well as a small tin of Bailey's Irish Cream chocolates Hermione had been eying. Spotting a box of raspberry chocolates, Hermione quickly paid—raspberries were Draco's favourite!

The shoppe also had a display of other celebrations' desserts. "Look Mione!" Ginny pointed through the glass.

Hermione turned around and saw little chocolate figurines. Of course, Ginny was pointing to the rattle, bottle, and alphabet blocks.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Must you be so conspicuous, Ginny?"

"Yes, I must." Hermione snickered as she grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her out of the shoppe.

As luck would have it, a maternity store was across the street. Taking advantage of the fact that Hermione's hand was tightly clasped in her own, Ginny pulled her in.

"Hello dears! Happy Christmas! Is one of you expecting?" greeted the all-too-cheerful salesperson.

"No we're just looking—"

"—for some 'I'm going to be a Dad!' wear?" interrupted Ginny, a gleeful smile on her face.

"Oh! Of course! Follow me," said the saleswoman brightly, leading them towards a section of 'menswear.' The t-shirts screamed tacky, with phrases like "Daddy-to-be" and "I'm expecting a baby boy/girl!" and "Welcome to our newest addition to the family!" Hermione snorted. She couldn't picture Draco ever wearing a shirt like that.

"You plan on telling him during Christmas, right?" Ginny probed.

"I dunno. I was, but I don't want to ruin Christmas…"

"Darling, I don't think you will. I'd venture to say Draco might be pleased. After all, Narcissa supports you…"

Hermione bit her lip.

"Just buy it as a gag gift," suggested Ginny. Hermione giggled and grabbed a white shirt, not knowing the gender of the baby yet. She hoped Draco wouldn't react poorly to it. She should invite Narcissa over for Christmas. At least she'd have some support that way. Come to think of it, maybe she should invite Maria and Ginny as well.

After dropping by a few more stores in Muggle London and Diagon Alley, she and Ginny completed shopping. Hermione returned to the flat to take a nap.

She was awoken by a tapping at the window. A large brown eagle owl had flown to the window, a letter attached to its leg. Opening the window, she let the owl in and gave it a treat before it flew off. Hermione had just opened the letter when Draco entered the flat.

"What's that?"

"A letter from Narcissa," replied Hermione, eyes on the mail, while Draco surreptitiously shrunk the gifts and stuck them in his pocket.

"What's it say?"

"She's inviting us for a Christmas party."

"Do you want to go?"

"I don't mind – I was planning on hosting one of our own, but I guess Narcissa beat me to it! Should I confirm them?"

"Go ahead – I'm sure Mother will be pleased. Is it a big event? Formal dress or anything?"

"No – she said it's a small cosy get together."

"Small and cosy my arse," Draco scoffed. "That means at least 100 people."

"I dunno, your mum probably wouldn't be offering a place to sleep for that many people, would she?"

"What?" Draco looked at the invitation. In his mother's loopy handwriting, it read:

Feel free to stay the night so we may exchange gifts in the morning – or Father Nicholas can deliver them.

"Hmm, that's odd." Draco was slightly perturbed.

"Well, it made no mention of dressing up, so perhaps it really is just an intimate soirée." Hermione pulled out a piece of parchment and penned a reply before sending it off via owl.

Hermione checked the back of her closet for the presents she'd hidden, making sure Scorpius or Draco hadn't been snooping. Shrinking them and securing the in her handbag, Hermione exited the closet clad in a festive red and gold cashmere jumper, a homage to her Gryffindor roots.

Draco looked up from the dresser, tucking his presents in his pocket. His eyes narrowed as he saw Hermione's outfit. Granted, he was wearing a green and silver pullover, but did she have to rile his blood so? The jumper hugged her curves nicely – she appeared to have put on a few pounds around her waist and her breasts were fuller, not that he was complaining. Hermione pecked him on the lips before sauntering out the door, her bum swaying seductively.

Draco muttered a curse before following Hermione, who was currently engaged in levitating her Black Forest cake onto a cake stand and into a box. Scorpius stood to the side, licking the bowl, as Hermione had spent that afternoon finishing the cake. Draco grinned at the vision.

"Daddy, can we go now? I wanna see Grammy!" called Scorpius, noting his father's entrance. Draco looked at Hermione for affirmation, as she raised the finished cake in confirmation. The trio floo'ed over, to be greeted by Narcissa.

"Grammy!" Scorpius called, running to give Narcissa a hug, which she gladly returned.

"It's so lovely to see you all! Why don't you join the rest of the adults as I settle Scor with the other children?"

"There's really no need Narcissa – " Hermione tried to protest weakly.

"Nonsense! I insist!" said Narcissa, shooing the couple away. She wondered, was Draco going to pop the question tonight? He seemed awfully fidgety.

Narcissa settled Scorpius by the fire in the Grand Room with the other children, who were engaged in games of wizard's chess, exploding snap, and gobstones, before returning to the party. Hermione was engaged in small talk with Maria Zabini, while Draco stood by her side, with one hand around her waist and another holding a glass of champagne. She looked blissfully happy, Narcissa realised. Narcissa hadn't invited too many families to her modest cottage for the soirée – she decided that she wanted to get to know the friends of Draco and hopefully her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

The night passed quickly, a few work friends bidding them farewell around midnight, giddy with holiday merriment and eggnog. Draco noticed that Hermione had stayed away from the alcohol, like many of the women, but he was surprised when she declined a sip of the delectable eggnog and the champagne too. He thought it odd – but was quickly distracted from his thoughts by Scorpius pulling his hand excitedly.

"Daddy! It's time to cut the Yule Log!" Draco allowed himself to be pulled to the Grand Room, where the children were crowded excitedly around the Yule Log. He noticed Hermioen standing off to the side, with Ginny and Maria beside her. They were conversing softly, their words not reaching his ears.

After everyone had taken a slice of cake, Draco made his way over to where Hermione was laughing with Harry.

"Having fun, love?" he asked softly, snaking his arm around Hermione's waist. She turned her head and gave him a long kiss. "Mmm… chocolatey," he said with a grin, watching Harry's face contort into a grimace. "Gotta problem, Potter?"

Harry shot him a look and rolled his eyes before muttering and turning around to walk away from the couple.

"You and Harry have become a lot closer recently. Is there a particular reason why?" noted Hermione curiously.

Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "I suppose that's what happens when you're on a life-threatening mission with someone."

Hermione was shocked by Draco's boldness. "You never did tell me what happened on that assignment with Harry."

"Don't worry yourself. I'm here alive and well, aren't I?" Draco brushed it off. The man had seen some of his most vulnerable moments, and he wasn't sure whether he was ready to relive them yet, much less share them. "Speaking of closeness, you and Mother have become awfully close lately."

"We get along quite well, actually. We're going to hit up the Muggle stores for Boxing Day sales!"

"Am I missing something here?"

"I assure you not. I'm merely taking her up on her offer to go shopping sometime. Right, darling?" Narcissa replied smoothly, slipping into their conversation. Hermione nodded.

"What am I supposed to do?" bemoaned Draco, sounding quite like a petulant child.

"I dunno – go play Quidditch with Blaise or something."

Draco scoffed. "You make it sound like I'm 5 or something."

Hermione and Narcissa exchanged a look and smiled.

"Mummy, Daddy, wake up!" yelled Scorpius, bouncing on the bed. Draco aimed a pillow at the voice, easily missing in his half-asleep state. Hermione rubbed her eyes, sitting up, and was greeted by the same pillow to the face.

"Scor…" her voice warned.

"Sorry Mummy! I meant to hit Daddy!" Scorpius looked bashful, but none too sorry.

"Why don't you join Aunt Ginny downstairs?" suggested Hermione, hearing Ginny scolding James and Albus. "I'll be down soon." Scorpius nodded his consent and quickly bounded out the door. Hermione made move to leave the warm comforts of the bed, but Draco's hold on her only tightened.

"Don't go, Mione," he mumbled into the pillow.

"It's Christmas Day, love. You ought to get up." Hermione fiddled nervously with the hem of her pajamas. Today was the day… She managed to untangle herself from Draco's limbs, not before giving him a smack to the head with the fallen pillow.

Draco rubbed his eyes, feeling the loss of Hermione's body heat. He pulled on a robe over his pajamas – Hermione insisted upon him not sleeping in just boxers while he was at his mother's house – and made his way downstairs, not before grabbing a small box he'd hidden. Today was the day… he could feel it. He'd no plan, instead choosing to "go with the flow," as Potter put it, whatever the hell that meant. He padded down the staircase, seeing the three families grouped around the Christmas tree and the embers of the newly alight fire.

Narcissa looked up at her son. "How kind of you to join us, Draco," she quipped, a knowing look twinkling in her eye.

The children opened their presents first, with exclamations of surprise and job at what "Saint Nicholas" brought. Draco snorted at the gifts Scorpius received from Hermione – Quidditch Through the Ages, a Beginner's Guide to potions, and an interesting read on how to control elementary magic. Typical, he thought. He, on the other hand, purchased a broom care kit, a season's pass to all Falmouth Falcons games as well as a jersey with all the players' signatures. Being a VIF – Very Important Fan – had its perks, after all, and of course, Scorpius was expected to follow in his footsteps.

After the children had finished unwrapping their gifts and were busy admiring Albus' new broom – this came with a warning from Ginny to not ride it indoors – the adults settled down on the evacuated couches.

Harry presented Ginny with tickets to Bora Bora – a month long trip over Easter break in which the couple could renew their marriage vows and celebrate 15 years together. Ginny squealed like a teenage girl. After most of the gifts had been exchanged – Hermione had gotten a set of first-edition spellbooks from Draco – Draco looked at Hermione, who wore a golden, radiant smile, and rose off the couch. The room quickly became silent as Draco took out a small velvet box and bent on one knee.

"Hermione Jean Granger – we've known each other for so many years, both with good and bad memories, but it was only until recently that you fully opened your heart and home to Scorpius and myself. I'm forever grateful for this second change that you've given me – that Merlin's given me , and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Truly, Hermione Granger, you're something special and I didn't realise how much I needed you until now. Will you grant me the honour of marrying you?" Draco looked at Hermione, hopeful. Her face was frozen in an expression of astonishment, but she broke into a breathtaking smile as tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill over.

"Oh, yes, Draco! You've just made me the happiest woman!" she exclaimed, giving him a kiss after he slid the beautiful ring on her finger. They were rudely interrupted by the flash of the new camera Hermione had gifted Ginny and a chorus of "Eww!"s from Scorpius, James, and Albus. Hermione bit her lip, making eye contact with Narcissa.

"I'm afraid we haven't exchanged all the gifts yet."

Draco furrowed his brows in confused. Narcissa pulled out a white box wrapped in a simple gold bow from behind the couch and handed it to Draco. Pulled the tails of the bow in slight apprehension, he looked around, making eye contact with a nervous Hermione. Her peered inside, seeing a neatly folded t-shirt. Reaching inside, he picked up the plain white t-shirt and stared at the black words printed on the tee.

'PROUD DADDY-TO-BE' it proclaimed. The meaning dawned on him after a few more seconds. He turned to Hermione.

"You-you're pregnant?" he asked, jaw-dropped.

Hermione nodded. "…Are you…upset?" she asked tentatively.

"Upset?! Merlin no, I'm so happy! I'm going to be a proper daddy! I promise!" Draco pulled on the tacky t-shirt, much to everyone's amusement.

"Wait, Mummy, does that many I'm going to have a baby brother or sister?" asked Scorpius, bouncing over elatedly.

"Yes, Scor, darling!" Hermione gathered her little angel in her arms.

Draco realised that none of the women were reacting aside from the knowing grins.

"Wait…did you all know?" They nodded. "How long has this been going on?" Hermione indicate for him to look in the box again. Inside was a sonogram dates at seven weeks. "So you're almost two months along then?"

"You're not mad I kept it from you, right? I wanted to be sure and everything."

"No, no, though that explains the lack of drinking lately – I was wondering why our wine cabinet remained full," joked Draco, referring to Hermione's tendency to drink a glass of red wine after a stressful day at work to unwind.

"Hey!" Hermione hit Draco's arm playfully. "The liquor cabinet has been getting lots of action lately," she retorted knowingly.

By now, the rest of the company had dispersed to their own conversations, but Draco and Hermione were interrupted by little Scorpius.

"I can't wait to be a big brother!" he exclaimed excitedly. "This really has been the best Christmas ever!" Draco and Hermione exchanged a smile and couldn't help but agree.

A/N: What did you think? Please leave a review! Also, feel free to follow my fandom / Emma Watson instagram - accio_emma. I update daily, so you can talk to me on there! I promise I don't bite! xx