Chapter 17: Appointment

A couple days later Hermione was attempting to get dressed to leave for an appointment she had with the healer to check on the baby. Hermione was both excited and nervous about it. Draco was coming with her, which is what made her so nervous.

Their relationship had been growing and everything was great between them. Ever since her nightmare she had been comfortable with being in the same bed with him. Even if she didn't start out in their bed together somehow she always ended up there in the morning. It was just warm there and comforting, something she wasn't quite used to or remembered being used to anyways. She loved it. And of course there was that aspect that he was always shirtless… and he was one sexy man. There was no denying that!

And even though they were already married, Hermione was still afraid of getting too close and getting hurt. She wondered what Draco really thought about the baby… whether this was planned or an accident and whether he even wanted a baby. She didn't tell him before she lost her memory, which really worried her – and made this appointment nerve wracking. She watched too much TV where the man backed out. She didn't want that to happen with Draco. She was beginning to fall in love with him. She had all intentions in the beginning of this mess to get rid of him, and now she wasn't sure she could bear the thought of losing him. It was weird to her feeling like that.

Hermione sighed and threw her thoughts away when she reached for yet another pair of pants hoping they would fit. She wasn't that big, only being about 10 ish weeks, but she was starting to put on weight. Her pants had previously fit her absolutely perfectly, so adding even a few extra pounds was so not working out for her.

"Uhh!" said Hermione in frustration. This pair didn't fit either.

"Hermione? Are you ok?" asked Draco knocking at the door.

"No! I can't find anything that fits me! I'm getting fat!" said Hermione.

She heard Draco chuckle and she glared at the door.

"Hermione, I swear we've been through this before. You're not fat! You're pregnant and that's perfectly acceptable!" said Draco still talking through the door.

"It's not when I don't fit into anything! I'm not leaving the house in sweats which is all that fits right now," said Hermione.

"Umm… have you forgotten you're a witch? You can fix your pants to fit better I'm sure," said Draco.

"But if I do that then they will be ruined!" said Hermione, tears were starting to form in her eyes. This baby was really messing her up. She got teary all the time lately! It was ridiculous!

"Ok… do you mind if I come in? I'm sure I can find something for you," said Draco.

"Fine," said Hermione as she threw on her pajama pants again and opened the door.

Draco smiled at her when he saw her and kissed her on the forehead.

"I hope you know how cute you are right now," said Draco.

"Cute? Now? When I'm fat and teary and completely frustrated?" she asked.

"Absolutely," said Draco as he started going through her closet.

Hermione just rolled her eyes at him but inside she was smiling. He always made her feel better.

"Ah ha! Here," said Draco as he held out a dress.

"A dress? I'm going to an appointment, not a party," said Hermione.

"It's not a party dress or at least I don't think so. Ginny made you wear it one day when we were all out together. It was a regular day, nothing special so what's wrong with it now?" he asked.

Hermione surveyed it again and considered it. It was a light blue tube top dress and super cute. And it was stretchy and would fit and no one would even know she was fat. And that was that! This was so the outfit of choice… and maybe she should get more of them.

"Ok, get out so I can change. We're going to be late," said Hermione as she pushed him out the door.

She put the dress on to survey herself. Ginny always had the best style; she always knew what looked good and what didn't. How did she do it? She grabbed the matching cropped short-sleeve cardigan to go with it to cover her shoulders and walked out the door... straight into Draco.

"Oww," said Hermione as she collided into his rock solid chest. She stumbled a bit, but then Draco steadied her.

"Sorry," he said laughing at her.

"No you're not. You're laughing at me! It's your fault I ran into you! You're the one who was standing there," said Hermione frowning at him.

"You're right. Ok, I'm sorry I should have moved. I was just waiting for you," said Draco with a serious face this time, "You look great by the way."

Her frown melted from her face and she smiled at him.

"Thanks. And thanks for finding it," said Hermione, "Anyways let's go! We're so late!"

Draco took her arm and they apparated into St. Mungos. They were greeted by the receptionist and taken into an exam room. Hermione sat on the exam table and Draco sat in a chair off to the side.

Draco studied her face. Something was wrong. She looked stressed and worried and incredibly pale. That wasn't like her.

"Hermione?" asked Draco, "Are you ok?"

"What?" she asked coming out of her thoughts again.

"I asked if you were ok? You just look… I don't know, worried? Or something?" asked Draco.

Hermione bit her lip and looked at the wall. She didn't know what to say to him. But then again if his reaction was going to be to run from her maybe she should just get it over with.

Draco stood up and walked over to her taking both of her hands in his.

"You know you can talk to me," he said.

Hermione looked up at him and completely melted in his silvery eyes. He had a pleading look in his eyes and she caved.

"Umm, well… it's just… I'm afraid," said Hermione.

"Afraid of what?" asked Draco.

"You…" she said biting her lip again.

"Me? Hermione I'll never hurt you. I promise," he said with a pained look in his eyes.

"No… you didn't quite let me finish. I mean I'm afraid of what you think… about the baby," said Hermione so quiet he almost didn't hear.

Draco smiled, feeling relieved.

"That's it? That's what's bothering you? Hermione, you're my wife. I love you and even though you don't remember you and I made this baby and it only makes me love you more. And I'll love this baby the same. What made you think differently?" he asked looking down at her.

"I just heard I didn't tell you about the baby and you found out because I was hurt. I just didn't know why I hadn't told you. Was this baby planned at all?" asked Hermione.

"Well, no not exactly, but we had kind of been talking about it before after sending so much time with Lily and James. I don't know why you didn't tell me, and I wish I knew more. All I can say now is I'm not leaving you. I promise," said Draco.

"Are you sure? So many men run and get scared and sometimes it doesn't seem like you're so excited about this… I just… please don't leave me," said Hermione.

Draco pulled her to a stand and then pulled Hermione into his arms. He held her tight against him.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry if you thought I wasn't excited. I just didn't want to push you away at all before. I am excited; I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl and I can't wait to see them for the first time. I see Harry and Ginny and I get jealous. I just don't ever show it… I'm still a Malfoy. Some emotions are meant to stay hidden. I can't have Potter knowing I want what he has," said Draco.

Hermione laughed at that idea. She felt Draco let go a little and she looked up at him. He was looking down at her as well.

"Are you ok now? I'm not leaving you. Ever. I mean think about it, you hated me and I kept at it," said Draco smiling.

"I'm ok," said Hermione smiling back, "Thanks. You're the most amazing man that I know."

"I love you," said Draco as his smile widened. He leaned down and captured her lips with his in a soft but still completely exhilarating kiss.

The door opened interrupting their kiss. Hermione jumped back, embarrassed.

"It's ok for you to kiss your own husband, Hermione," said the healer smiling at them. Hermione blushed and sat back on the table. She looked over at Draco and he winked at her. He wasn't even bothered by this!

"So, how have you been feeling? Everything ok with the baby?" asked the healer.

"I think so," said Hermione, "I haven't felt anything weird."

"Any sickness?" asked the healer as she looked over Hermione's chart.

"A little sometimes, but not very much," said Hermione.

"That's great! Some women get sick and some don't. I'm glad this has been a good pregnancy so far. Now if you could lie back for me," said the healer.

Hermione did as she was told and then got nervous. She was in a dress… what if this was like the muggle doctor and the healer needed to see her stomach? And Draco was still here? She turned red at the thought. They were married sure, but Hermione hadn't taken their physical relationship very far just yet.

Draco noticed her nervousness and stood up, going over to her side. He took her hand and squeezed it. He noticed her visibly start to relax.

"Ok. So just to let you know what I'm doing, I just need to do a quick spell and everything will be projected for us to see. It's kind of like the muggle machines, only better," said the healer smiling.

The healer said her spell and with a flick of the wrist a picture was displayed on the wall. Hermione smiled at what she saw. It looked like a peanut, but it was her peanut. Her's and Draco's. She squeezed his hand tighter. He looked at her with a big smile on his face and then kissed her forehead.

"It looks like your baby is doing great! It's got a very strong heartbeat," said the healer, "There is something I wanted to know if you wanted to try? It's a new potion?"

"Yeah?" asked Hermione.

"What does it do?" asked Draco. He didn't like the idea of something 'new.' Not all magic worked great right off the start.

"Oh it's simple. It's just something to tell the sex of the baby early on. You can't visibly see, but the potion would allow us to know by analyzing DNA information. Like I said, it's new, but so far it's worked rather well," said the healer.

Hermione looked at Draco nervously.

"Do you want to?" she asked quietly.

"Do I? Of course I do! I just told you I wanted to know if it was a boy or girl," said Draco with an even bigger smile on his face

"Ok," said Hermione smiling and looking at the healer, "Yeah. I think we'd like that."

"Ok. Great! I'll be right back!" said the healer.

The healer left and Hermione sat up, hugging Draco.

"I love magic!" said Hermione.

Draco laughed.

"Me too," he said.

The healer came back quickly and handed the potion to Hermione. Hermione downed it quickly – most potions were disgusting.

"So, how long until it works?" asked Draco.

"Almost instantaneously. It's fast working," said the healer looking at Hermione.

"Well… what are we looking… oh Merlin," said Hermione as she immediately found out what she was looking for. Her entire body was now glowing a very vibrant pink.

"Congratulations! You're having a girl," said the healer.

Tears grew in Hermione's eyes. She looked at Draco again to see his reaction. She noticed he was looking at the floor trying very hard to control his emotions.

"A girl? Draco it's a girl!" said Hermione excitedly.

"I know! I hope she looks just like you," said Draco looking at her again. He kissed her on the forehead again and held her close.

Hermione looked back at the healer.

"Uh, so how long does this potion last?" asked Hermione noticing her skin was still pink. That could be embarrassing when she left.

"Oh, don't worry. Yeah after the first one was blue the entire day we modified the potion. It should only last a few more minutes," said the healer.

"Good," said Hermione relieved.

"So everything looks great! You're about 11 or so weeks and I think I'll see you back here in about two weeks then," said the healer.

"Thank you," said Hermione as the healer left the room.

Draco helped Hermione off the table and immediately brought her into his arms again. Hermione felt relieved. He was telling the truth. He wasn't going anywhere.

"I can't believe we're having a girl," said Draco excitedly, "I love you so much, Hermione."

Fluff 3 haha Thanks for reading!