Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, making nothing off of this, etc.
A/N: You guys had wonderful comments again this time around! Thanks as always to my awesome reviewers: Lduena (we'll do driving lessons; gotta get past this bump in the road first); keyra89 (thanks! Narcissa has infinite patience); Draco Lover 91 (thank you - I can't wait to write more); peytonkmc (I didn't know if I was going to go that route either, but there's so much potential! Thanks, I thought the fainting was kind of cliché, so I wanted to do something different); chupeechan (read on); dutch potterfan (thanks, I love him too); Trelawney (thank you as always for your kind words. I'm trusting you to keep me on the straight & narrow if this goes too far off-course, k?); SerpentofDarkness (A station wagon? Interesting. I always wanted either a vintage 'vette, or an antique hearse); Ashley (thank you. Now you don't have to); SlytherinGurrl (I wasn't sure I wanted a baby either. I tell her regularly it took YEARS to get used to her LOL); (thanks! Playful Lucius is now my new fave to write); Beccarwen (thank you! Not sure about Scorp yet. Draco's initial reaction is below).
As many of you pointed out, a baby is a health risk for Hermione. Which is why there's going to be some heaviness coming up in this and the next chapter, maybe more, on and off. I promise the humor will reappear, so stick with me, OK?
"Pink! Cissy, she's-" The Malfoy patriarch was gleeful, then startled when his wife gently placed a finger over his mouth. He quickly surveyed the table: Draco was ghostly white, and his eyes had a distant, fearful cast. Richard and Jean weren't much better. The elder Malfoy turned back to his wife and she shook her head sadly. When she removed the digit from his lips, he looked silently from person to person, waiting for an explanation.
Draco arose from his seat, stating that he was going to "visit" Hermione, and he hurried up the stairs she had used moments ago. The adults understood: there was no sense worrying Scorpius. Thinking on his feet, Richard faked a grin at his grandson and said, "This is all well and good, but I could use some ice cream. How about you?" His ruse had the desired effect, and he had the child out of the house in minutes. Jean excused herself to the kitchen when Narcissa gestured her willingness to handle explanations.
The door had barely shut when Lucius began demanding answers. "What's wrong with pink? It's not like she has to have a son. Cissa, we're having another grandchild!" He was overjoyed at the idea that they would be able to be a part of the new life Hermione and Draco created. His imagination was already feverishly producing ways to spoil the little girl. Would she look like his son, his daughter-in-law, or a perfect blend? Whichever, he was certain she would be gorgeous...
Ever graceful, his lovely wife quietly regained his attention. "Lucius, dear...Hermione and I were talking one day when they came to visit us at the Manor." He was alarmed to see Cissa's eyes filling with tears. "She suffered two miscarriages, and the doctor advised her that a pregnancy after Scorpius could be hazardous to her well-being. Judging by her and Draco's reactions, I suspect the effect could be fatal." The glow left Lucius' face as she explained. He looked positively stricken. Narcissa took his hand in hers. "You remember what it was like for us, darling." He stared numbly at their joined hands, his lips pressed together tightly as he recalled each painful loss. He shook his head to clear it, and stood suddenly, his head swiveling as he looked at the direction in which Hermione had gone, and then back to where the girl's poor mother was in the kitchen. Cissa saw his back straighten as he gathered his resolve.
"There must be something that can be done about this. We're Malfoys; we have access to the best medical care the Wizarding world can offer."
"I don't know how much good magic or science can do. We should check on Jean." Narcissa headed toward the kitchen then turned back when she realized her husband wasn't following her. "Lucius, come. I know what you're thinking, and it isn't appropriate for us to be up there right now."
"But-"
"Darling, I love you for being so concerned. And I am certain we will see Draco and Hermione soon enough. Jean needs someone now. So please..." Her eyes implored him, and as always, Lucius was incapable of denying what his beloved wanted. He turned and accompanied her to comfort Hermione's mum. On the way, Cissa's heart broke just a bit more when she heard his whispered, "oh, Fiend."
Narcissa knocked lightly on the wall as the Malfoys entered the kitchen. "Jean?"
Sniffling sounds were issuing from a dark corner. Mrs. Granger leaned against the wall biting her fist as tears cascaded down her face. Lucius produced a handkerchief and passed it to the distraught woman as Narcissa tentatively embraced her.
Jean took her hand from her mouth, the backs of her fingers bitten bloody. "She can't- she can't go through this again. The doctor was clear. My baby!" The words degenerated into muffled whimpers against Cissa's shoulder.
Lucius ran a soothing hand up and down each woman's back. "Jean, I promise you: every medical method possible in either world will be an option. Cost is irrelevant." He swallowed against the lump in his throat. "Family comes first. All of this will be taken care of."
As she stroked Jean's hair, Narcissa mused, "We should think about how to handle Scorpius this evening. It would probably be best if the children have a chance to be alone tonight. Jean, can you contact Richard? If he will bring Scorpius back, we'll take him overnight."
Jean sniffled and worked to collect herself. "Will you be able to handle it?"
"Oh yes," Narcissa said with a note of melancholy. "The Malfoys are very good at hiding things."
Draco knocked at the entrance to Hermione's childhood bedroom. He could clearly hear his wife sobbing inside. The door was locked. Once again, he thanked Salazar he wasn't an uptight Gryffindor as he used Alohamora without hesitation.
She was curled on her old bed with her arms wrapped around her knees. Her slight shoulders shook wildly as she tried to keep the sound to a minimum.
He crossed the room in two long strides, and threw the pillows off the bed to make room to be able to sit behind her. It was a tight fit, so he lightly pushed at her back to get her to scoot forward just a tad. When she did, he wrapped himself around her.
"It'll be okay, love. Shh...shh...it'll be alright. We'll work this out." He rocked her against him gently until her cries subsided enough for her to communicate, albeit tearfully.
"How are we going to 'work this out,' Draco? I'm pregnant! How did this even happen?"
He had to bite back his initial smart-arse response (old habits die hard). "The detection spell can work within days of conception. As I recall, we were rather spontaneous on Halloween."
Hermione blushed. "And ardent."
"Yes," he chuckled, "and ardent. Which is saying something for us when it deserves special mention," he waggled his eyebrows at her playfully in an attempt to coerce a smile. The product was weak and watery, but better than nothing. "Granger-Malfoy, I promise. We'll get through this. I mean, I know you don't want to, er, have it removed, but-"
"Have it removed?" Hermione was horrified. "Draco, I will not abort this child!"
"If you don't, we could lose YOU! Woman, don't you understand that? I'm sorry, but that simply isn't an option." He didn't want to fight with her, but Merlin - the bint wasn't seeing reason!
"Believe me," she sniffed, "I don't want to die. But I just can't terminate the pregnancy. Draco, please. Try to understand."
"I do. I really, really do. I want to be thrilled that you're having another child of mine. But gods, the idea of what could go wrong scares me shitless. Hermione, I am begging you: don't risk yourself. We already have Scorpius. You have a child that needs you."
"I wish I could explain it to you. It's different for a mother, when you're the one who actually carries the baby."
Draco pulled back, hurt. "You think I don't care?"
"No! I didn't say that. I'm just saying it's different." She turned in his embrace so that she could hug him back. "Draco, I don't know what's going to happen or how this will end. We both know Divination was never my strong suit." They shared a wry smile. "We'll go to the Healer first thing tomorrow, okay? The pregnancy won't threaten me in any way just yet. Let's explore our options."
He nodded silently, not wanting to upset her further, and they sat entwined in her room for a long time.