Happy Halloween! I always look forward to the leftover candy that I don't give to trick-or-treaters mainly because after an hour I shut off my lights and ignore the doorbell. Is that selfish? This has always been my favorite time of year - Halloween, my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas. It all just lines up so nicely. Does anybody have a great costume?

Chapter 15
It was the middle of the night when her water broke. She'd been with the Weasleys for a month and was downright glad that the baby was finally on her way. As hospitable as they were, Molly frequently got on the young witch's last nerve with talk of reconciliation between Ron and herself. Ginny often stopped by while Harry was at work in hopes of sharing her own mothering experiences, which annoyed more than frightened the soon to be mother.

Tossing back the blankets, Hermione slid out of bed and slipped her feet into the nearest pair of shoes. After wrapping her robe around herself, she took the stairs from the second floor down to the kitchen and flooed to St. Mungo's alone.

"How far apart are the contractions?" the head mediwitch inquired as she settled Hermione into a room.

"About every seven minutes," she replied.

"Is there anyone you'd like us to contact?" she asked. "You came in alone."

Hermione was torn. She'd wanted Draco to be there, felt he deserved to be there after the many months he'd spent by her side. Healer Miller already believed him to be the father, and that was a lie Hermione couldn't correct now. But Ron was the father, and she knew how upset he would be if he missed the birth of his first child. And so she merely shook her head no. "Not now," she amended. "It's still a bit early after all."

Nodding, the witch left, promising she'd be back soon. When the door closed, Hermione reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a small gold coin. Holding it in the palm of her hand, she closed her eyes and channelled her energy into sending the message.

Draco awoke to the feel of hot metal against his skin. Leaping out of bed, he remembered the coin that hung from a chain around his neck. After turning on the bedroom light, he held it up to eye level and read, "In labor. Please come." He hadn't spoken to her in weeks, but it took only a minute for him to decide what he would do. Pulling a sweater over his head, he jammed his feet into slippers and ran from his room to Scorpius's room. The little boy slept peacefully, so Draco quietly tip-toed out and made his way downstairs. He placed a quick floo call to his mother who promised to be over right away to watch her grandson.

"What's the emergency, love?" she asked when she stepped into his living room.

"A friend is in hospital," he replied solemnly. Closing the distance between them, he kissed his mother's cheek and smiled. "Thank you for doing this. I'm sorry it's so late."

Narcissa Malfoy lovingly stroked her only son's cheek. "This friend must be very important to you. You're a good man, my sweet Draco."

"Thanks, Mum," he murmured before stepping into the hearth that would transport him to St. Mungo's. When he stepped out on the other side, he quickly found his way to the maternity ward and finally to Hermione. "Hi," he greeted her.

She seemed to release a deep sigh of relief at the sight of him. "I'm sorry," she whispered when he neared. Holding out her hand to him, she was elated when he accepted it and stood beside the bed. "I've missed you and Scorpius so much these past few weeks."

His free hand reached out to tuck an unruly curl behind her ear. "Where's Weasley?" he wondered. "I didn't see any of them in the waiting room."

A blush crept into her cheeks as she explained her midnight escape. "They'll figure it out soon enough," she added with a small laugh. "I'm not sure Ron will come though."

Furrowing his brow, Draco took a seat on the edge of the bed. He thought back to the day his own son had been born and how he hated Astoria for causing him to miss it. Why any father would choose to miss his child's birth baffled him. Giving her hand a comforting squeeze as a contraction hit, he waited until she could speak to ask for an explanation.

"Well, see, it kind of all started when I told him what I want to name her," she began. "I was reading a book with Scor one day, the kangaroo book he loved. When he told me I had a joey in my belly and that's what I should name the baby, it seemed like a sweet idea. Ron didn't quite agree or find the story as adorable as I did.

"Anyhow, we got into this huge fight, and he finally admitted that he didn't really have any intention of going to the Ministry to fight for custody," she continued. "He said it was the only thing he could think of to keep me away from you. It worked, too, didn't it. When I told him how I felt about you, he threw up his hands, said he wanted nothing to do with me, and walked out. That was a week ago. Even Molly's worried that he might not show up."

Leaning forward, he gingerly kissed her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere," he promised.

"Thank you," she replied, drawing him closer to kiss him for the first time in over a month. "How's Scor?"

Sighing, Draco pulled away. "He misses you," he replied, trying his hardest to not make her feel guilty. "He was upset that you left, and sometimes asks if you're coming back. You remember that picture of the two of you from his birthday? He's carried it around everywhere since you left. Greta told me he insists on taking his naps in your bed because you used to let him do that. He's been asking if he can see the baby yet, and hopefully his wish will come true soon."

As another contraction hit, Hermione muttered through gritted teeth, "Not soon enough." When it passed, she sighed and closed her eyes. She opened them again to see Draco smiling back at her. "I swear I don't know how Molly did this six times."

"Speaking of Molly, do you want me to call her?" he asked, wondering if the presence of the Weasleys would mean it was time for him to leave.

Hermione shook her head and held his hand tighter. "Not yet," she replied. "Right now I only want to see you."