A/N: Thank you for your responses!

CheshireCat23- You're onto me... I'm rather frightened! But thank you for your review, it's interesting to see what my reviewers think will/won't happen.

BeneHime1124: Here is the next chapter: thank you for your review! And yes, I'm afraid so!

Jade2099: Oh dear, I didn't know it was doing that. Thank you! And here it is, enjoy

nature love 95: Ah, read on to find out. And yes it is, but I'll consider what my readers want sometimes! Thank you for your review

ebm56: Don't worry, I won't get upset. I actually liked your review, I see your point, but I always planned chapter 4 to be that heavy. It's supposed to shock everyone, supposed to upset people a bit because they've been used to light romantic stuff. And I'm not entirely sure about my writing changing, but perhaps it's just that chapter 4 wasn't your favorite. I hope you didn't get too confused; I do intend to use italics for flashbacks but I understand how you did. I also understand a lot of drama can be too heavy, so don't worry. Thank you, as ever, for your reviews!

mdirt09: Good point! I'm glad it clicked after a while. Again, I understand how you got confused at first. Hopefully people will get used to how I write things. Thank you for your review (by the way, I love Maury!)

Amusant: Ah, glad to hear! And yes it is pretty sad when you put it like that, I enjoyed reading your analysis. Thank you for your review!

sarah: ahhh! I hate her too! Let's all hate her! Here's your update, thank you for your review!

Epixie: Aw, thank you! You've always left the sweetest reviews. Thank you again and enjoy!

BellasBeingBad: Thank you for understanding! And thank you again, your review was lovely. And indeed, no one likes plotting pansy's... (the alliteration was particularly effective there, by the way!) Thank you for your review!

Enjoy my lovelies. Sorry it's a tiny bit late as usual!

Chapter 5

"Hermione, will you please just talk to me? This isn't exactly the wedding dress experience I dreamt of."

Hermione sighed, putting the magazine down next to her as she looked up, her thoughtful brown eyes apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ginny. Look, let me help." She stood up and walked over to her, smoothing the sides of Ginnys' white dress down as they both looked into the full-length mirror before them.

"You look beautiful," Hermione told her fondly, smiling when Ginny took her hand and squeezed it. "But then you always do."

Ginny turned towards her, her radiant smile pushing the apples of her cheeks up so they shone. Wordlessly, she opened her arms and Hermione stepped into them to hug her tightly, but careful not to crease her long dress. The lace at the neckline scratched at her fingers when they rested on her shoulders and Hermione pulled away, only to find Ginny's smile now looked rather sad.

"What?" Hermione asked, a little worried. "Gin?"

"Is it Malfoy?" Ginny asked softly with sigh. "It must be, because ever since you told me about what happened between you two you've not been yourself."

"No," Hermione replied- perhaps a little too quickly. "No, of course not. I just… have a little headache, that's all."

"For a week?"

"Ginny," She sighed, moving away to sit down on the sofa, her fingers massaging at her temples. "Please just drop it. Besides, this isn't even about me. This is about you."

"I want to know what's wrong when my best friend is upset, which you clearly are." Ginny gathered her dress so she could walk forwards, sitting beside her. "Has he contacted you?"

"A little… Well. He's sent letters."

"And?"

"And I haven't replied to them... yet."

"Hermione, why not?"

"I don't know. I just feel awful. He's right. He's still married. What am I doing?"

"But he's getting a divorce-

"-Well he hasn't got it yet," Hermione pointed out, retrieving the magazine again to flick through it and pretend to be immersed in its contents. "So until he has, I can't consider where it's going to go."

"But you like him," Ginny almost whined, spotting Hermione's small smile at her insistence. "I know you do!"

"Ginny, drop it." She raised her head and patted Ginny's hand. "It doesn't matter. Not more than your shoes anyway. Come on."

"And she hasn't replied?"

"I just bloody said that, didn't I? How many more times Blaise?"

"Alright, alright, calm down… But why?"

"I don't know," Malfoy sighed as they walked along the large fountain to their left in the large park, surrounded by a mass of happy, laughing faces. He straightened the back of his collar as he sighed again. "I've tried to catch her at work but I can't."

Blaise raised an eyebrow at him before a smirk was starting to rise in his lips. "Which work? She has two jobs: remember?"

Malfoy stopped before turning to Blaise with a thoughtful gaze. They both looked at each other before finally, it clicked and they grinned widely at each other.

"Did I ever tell you that you're a genius?" Malfoy threw his arm around Blaise's neck, bringing his head down to ruffle his black tuft of hair, eliciting a burst of deep laughter from his companion. "What would I be without you?"

"Less hot, my friend. Less hot."

"Hello," Harry kissed Ginny pleasantly on the cheek as she smiled at him, wrapping her arms around him to give him a hug. "Had fun?" He eyed the large cluster of bags she clutched anxiously, causing her to chuckle at him.

"Oh yes. Now I'm going to go and put these away. Be right back."

He nodded at her, letting her go, before walking towards Hermione and hugging her and kissing her head. "You alright, Hermione?"

"Sure," She answered, giving him a too-big smile. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He didn't answer her, only returning her smile a little. He knew something was wrong: He could sense it. It was not nothing to have been best friends with her for so many years; they were as intimate as siblings. Harry was protective towards her in a way he was with nobody else, not even Ginny. It was a fierce brotherly love that Hermione had enjoyed from him and now he felt it his duty to ask her what was plaguing her mind so much so that the warmth had drained from her eyes and was instead replaced by numbing tiredness.

"Hermione, please don't be angry at me. Ron heard me talking about it to Ginny and you told her when you told me-

"-Oh Harry. I'm not angry at you." She held him tighter; feeling comforted by his familiar, warm, broad shoulder. "I'm fine."

"Malfoy asked for you."

She sighed, pulling away from him and looking up to spot his sympathetic gaze. "So?" She asked as if it was indifferent to her, but he looked through it easily.

"So, why haven't you replied to his letters?"

"He told you?" Hermione was shocked, but Harry chuckled.

"Yes. He's obviously desperate to try to get a hold of you."

"Well, I've been busy."

"As always," Harry kissed her cheek before taking her hand and pulling her gently towards the kitchen. There she was greeted by cries of "Hermione!" from a knot of grinning redheads. Mrs Weasley enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug, kissing her forehead before cupping her face and remarking how she was doing too much for her own good and oh goodness, how exhausted she seemed! And how she really must sit down and... The remarks went on. George Weasley rolled his eyes at his mother before pulling Hermione into a hug as well, saving her.

"How you doing, my dear?" George smiled at her, squeezing her hand gently. "Ignore my mother, you look beautiful. As always."

She returned his smile appreciatively, "Oh George, I haven't seen you for so long! How's Angelina?"

"Pregnant," Angelina walked forwards to George's side just as Hermione's eyes widened. Angelina smiled at her, her hand resting gently on her slightly rounded stomach, George's arm wrapped around her waist. They looked radiant together and Hermione couldn't help but grin at them and offer her congratulations.

"I was actually wondering if I could pop down to St Mungo's to get an examination from you." Angelina commented, a little shyly. She and Hermione had never been close, but she felt she could trust her. George squeezed Angelina's waist gently.

"She's a bit nervous of hospitals," George explained at Hermione's mute look of appeal at him. "I've been trying to persuade her to visit for ages."

"Ah, of course. Don't worry Angelina," Hermione smiled at her, as assuring as ever. "I'll do a check up on you. If you haven't seen a Healer yet I suggest you visit as soon as possible."

"When are you working next?

"Tonight: so tonight it is." She confirmed, before spotting Ron glaring at her over Angelina's shoulder. Excusing herself, she squeezed past to walk over to him, her eyebrow raised.

"Ronald, I'm not here to fight." She told him quietly as he opened his mouth. "So give it a rest."

He only shrugged his shoulders. "I wasn't planning to bother," He replied before moving away. Hermione sighed as he left, feeling utterly helpless. A hand rested gently on her shoulder and she turned to find it was Ginny. A tear rolled down her face before she could help it and she quickly wiped it away before turning around to the rest of the group, putting on a big, fake smile for them whilst Ginny watched her, unbearably sad for her friend.

"Everything is in order," Hermione announced happily, removing her gloves as she walked to the side of her bed to pick up her clipboard and start writing her notes. "You'll need to come in for check ups and if it makes it easier for you, I'll take charge of you for the duration of your pregnancy."

"Can we know the sex yet?" George asked eagerly, but Angelina elbowed him in the ribs. Hermione grinned.

"Well, you can. But it seems Angelina doesn't want to know."

"No I don't," Angelina confirmed, turning to glare at George. "We're not finding out until the baby is born."

George sniffed, causing Hermione to laugh. "I see this all the time with couples," She informed them, finishing her notes. "One wants to know, one doesn't."

"Do you know?" George asked curiously. Hermione only looked up to smirk at him in reply.

"Maybe."

George sniffed again.

"Don't you understand, I need to talk to you!"

"Pansy, move out of my way, I have to go."

"Where are you going? Draco!"

"For fuck's sake, what?" Malfoy growled, swinging around furiously- only to find Pansy bump into him. Her eyes softened and he heard her purr at the back off her throat before stepping closer to him, her hand reaching up to rest against his chest, stroking it with her long fingers.

"Oh I've missed you Drake," She breathed, trying to lean up to kiss him, only to find he turned his head and pushed her away roughly, walking backwards.

"Don't touch me," Malfoy snarled at her cruelly, causing her to gasp. "Just don't touch me."

"I forgot," Pansy spoke softly, her eyes narrowing. "You only want to be touched by mudbloods now-

Malfoy's head whipped around so quickly he could have snapped his neck. She couldn't help but feel a little scared and her eyes only widened as he walked towards her, making her take steps backwards.

"This is exactly why I feel repulsed every time I'm around you," Malfoy said quietly as he moved towards her still, his wand clutched in his pale hand. "And why I have to force vomit back down my throat when I see your face. Because you're a stupid, ignorant little bitch."

She gasped, her eyes wide. "Y-You dare-

"-Yes I dare," He interrupted. "Because I can and it's true. Nothing you can do or say would make me want to be with you any longer, Pansy. Now move, I'm going to the hospital to see Hermione whether you like it or not."

And with that he walked by her swiftly, not knowing what he had just revealed would be used against him in the cruellest manner.

"Alright, Sister Brown, who's next?"

"A Draco Malfoy, Healer Granger."

Hermione looked up, her mouth open slightly. "What? Draco Malfoy?"

Healer Brown only looked at her in confusion. "Yes, Healer Granger. Is that a problem?"

"No- no, of course not. Is he… is he seriously injured?"

"Oh, no, Healer Granger. Just complaining of a chest pain. Healer Pratt offered to see him, but he requested you."

Hermione's eyes narrowed; you could almost hear the wheels in her brain ticking away, deep in thought. "Very well. I'll see him now."

"Ow!"

"Oh, sorry. Did that hurt?"

"You know bloody well it did, Granger."

"So sorry," Hermione said coolly as she carried on prodding his chest with her wand, trying not to think of the beautifully soft, flawless skin in front of her with well-defined, rock- chiselled abs. She wanted to badly to run her hands over it, to grasp the shirt he wore so it could be properly pulled off of his muscled arms. She sighed a little to herself as she bent her head and massaged a small bit of skin with her warm fingers, not noticing how his eyes fluttered to a close with pleasure. Her fingers felt so different to Pansy's: he felt so alive, so aroused. He growled a little in appreciation which she heard, but tried to pretend she hadn't.

"It seems to be fine," She murmured as she stood up straight, taking her wand to run it down his chest again, a brilliant red light protruding from it to examine it. She bit her lip in concentration and he watched her, appreciative of the time he had to look over her: Her top button of her blouse was undone, allowing him a glimpse of her. He cleared his throat a little and glanced away when she looked up at him in suspicion.

"Everything's fine, Malfoy. So why are you here?" She crossed her arms, waiting for his reply. His grey eyes turned up towards her accusingly.

"You haven't replied to my letters."

"So you come here to waste my time when I could be spending it with someone who's actually sick?"

"I didn't know what else to do," He grabbed her wrist, pulling it so she stumbled towards him, her long hair tickling his shoulders as she was forced to lean over him, her lips close to his. "Hermione, I'm sorry."

"Draco," She tried to struggle, but his arm was now around her waist as he kept her close, trying to tilt his head up to peck her lips. "Draco, no: stop, please. I'm at work."

"I didn't mean to push you away that night," He ignored her, carrying on in his sexy droll of a murmur that she loved so much. The hand that was around her wrist was now moving up her arm until it stroked the side of her neck. "I never meant to. Please don't move away." He added as she tried to. "Please stay here."

"Draco…"

"Healer Granger?"

Draco's arms moved away from her immediately just as Hermione stepped backwards, both trying to look as nonchalant as possible. Soon enough, a head of one of the Sisters popped around the curtain.

"Healer Granger, I'm sorry, but another patient has requested to see you. I'm on my way home now, so thought I should tell you."

"Of course." Hermione said smoothly, picking up her clipboard and looking at Malfoy in a warning manner. "I was just finished. I'll see this patient- who is it?"

"A Pansy Malfoy, Healer Granger."

Hermione and Draco looked at each other: shocked, confused and strongly curious.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Draco thundered down the hall towards Pansy, who only blinked at him indifferently. "Leave Hermione alone."

"Touché," Pansy snorted, standing her ground. "It's none of your business why I'm here, Draco. Remember?"

"It is when you're up to something," He was fuming, his fists curling as he tried to control himself. "Leave. Her. Alone."

"Really, Draco, you're working yourself into a fuss. I heard she was good so requested her. I don't intend to do anything, I'm merely here as I am a patient and she happens to be a Healer. Now kindly step out of my way."

"I'm coming with you," He followed her as she walked down the hallway, his footsteps loud and quick as he did so. She tutted at him.

"No you're not."

"As your husband, I request the right."

"You can't just-

"-Yes I can. Now get in."

Pansy glared at him before pushing the curtain aside just as Malfoy followed her and roughly pulled the curtain to conceal them again. Hermione, always the professional, greeted Pansy politely before turning in surprise to Draco.

"Draco, leave." Pansy told him pointedly before sitting on the bed. Before Malfoy could argue, Hermione intervened.

"Mr Malfoy, you can wait outside."

Malfoy gave Pansy a scathing look before obeying Hermione and leaving. Hermione turned to Pansy, keeping her eyes on her clipboard.

"Well, Miss Parkinson-

"-Mrs Malfoy," Pansy corrected her, smiling sweetly. Hermione's hand itched to slap the smug look off of her face, but she only returned her smile.

"Of course. Mrs Malfoy, it doesn't tell me what you've requested to see me for. What's the problem?"

Pansy only looked at her wide-eyed and innocently as she leant forward. "There's... Not a problem."

"Oh," Hermione was confused. "Well, what is it?"

"A blessing," Pansy told her before moving her hand over her stomach and looking up to smile at Hermione. Hermione's mouth fell open in horror as she finally comprehended. "I'm pregnant with my husband's baby. I want you to take charge of me."

A/N: ...I'm SORRY! Don't shoot me! But please do review!