Chapter Twenty-Nine

Draco was looking down the hall when he heard the door click next to him, jumping to his feet he saw Ginny come out with a small bundle in her arms. Looking at Blaise intently, she nodded towards the door, "Hermione wants to talk to you," she said lightly. Sighing, Blaise got to his feet and trudged through the door. When he was gone, Ginny looked down at Draco and held the baby out to him, "Would you like to hold your kid?" she asked sweetly.

Draco felt his throat close up and his hands get clammy, "Sure…" he squeaked, reach out his arms. As she handed him the baby, she glanced at the door, unsure if Hermione was done. She was reaching towards the door when Draco looked up at her and opened his mouth, "Uhm, Wea-Ginny…I was wondering…" he started slowly, "Could I ask you something?"

Ginny frowned at him, but settled herself on the floor in Blaise's abandoned spot, "Sure Malfoy," she agreed calmly.

Clearing his throat, he briefly glanced up at the door, "I was wondering if you'd like to be the Godmother, I know it would make Hermione happy…"

Ginny's face broke out in a smile, "Of course!" she screeched, throwing her arms around his neck.

Hermione looked up as Blaise opened the door, "Hullo Hermione," he said cautiously, "What can I do you for?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes and sat up, "How are you Blaise?" she asked carefully.

"Probably doing better than you," he grinned, "How big was that baby?"

Hermione felt a smile spread across her face at the mention of her child, "Big enough," she joked, "But I actually wanted to ask you something."

Rubbing his head, Blaise glanced back at the door, "Look, I know you don't approve, but I-I think I love her," he started, "I'm not going to hurt her, if that's what you're worried about."

Hermione's eyes widened, "Oh, uhm…That's good," she mumbled awkwardly, "But that wasn't what I was going to ask," she said pausing. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Blaise and bit her lip, "I was wondering…would you uhm…would you like to be the Godfather?" she asked in a rush.

Ginny let go of Draco when she heard the baby start to whine, "Opps," she said, giggling, "I guess someone's hungry." Getting to her feet she took the baby back from Draco and opened the door, looking down at him, she frowned, 'Aren't you going to come in?" she asked hesitantly.

Draco looked up at her quickly, "Am I allowed?" he asked dumbly. Ginny smirked and nodded, as Draco rushed to his feet. He almost pushing the She-Weasel out of his way as he stepped into the room, he saw his friend grinning like a fool. Handing the baby back to Draco, Ginny walked up to him and took his hand, "Well, I think we'll be leaving now," she smiled with a quick wink in Hermione's direction, "Leave you two alone for a bit."

Draco turned and watched his friend leave, a dark look passed over Blaise's face as he looked back at Hermione. Shaking his head, Draco stepped over to Hermione, and sat down awkwardly, "Ginny said the baby was hungry."

Hermione smirked and took the baby back, "I wouldn't be surprised," she said lightly, tugging the front of her gown down.

Draco felt his throat go tight at the sight of her bare chest, "Uhm," he started, tugging at his collar, "Hermione? What are you doing?"

Hermione looked up at him confused, "Feeding the baby."

Draco looked at her incredulously, "You're going to do it?"

Hermione smirked, "Well yes, unless you'd like to."

Draco shook his head back and forth slowly, "But why isn't one of the nurses doing it?"

Hermione's eyes widened, "Why would they do that?"

Draco shifted uncomfortably, "I didn't think it was proper for women to breast-feed their own children."

Hermione cocked her head and looked at him through narrow eyes, "Really?"

Draco nodded and looked away, he didn't know how muggles did it, but every woman he knew never fed her own child like that. Reaching his arms out, he told her as much, "May I have the baby please? We'll just call for a nurse."

Hermione looked down at the bundle in her arms and sighed, clearly this was a Pureblood thing, "That's ridiculous Draco," she huffed incredulously, moving to change the subject, "Do you know what happened between Ginny and Harry?" she asked him, remembering how close he and Blaise had been while in school.

Seeing him nod, she stared at him expectantly, "Well you see," he started awkwardly, not to sure how he should continue, "Potter's sort of dead." He finished bluntly.

Hermione stared at Draco for a few moments before nodding, "Well Ginny seems to be okay." she mused with a grin, "Did you see her and Blaise?"

Draco rolled his eyes and got off the bed, taking a few steps away from the bed he paused for a moment before looking back over at her with a slight frown, processing what she'd just said, "You don't care that Potter is dead?" he asked, feeling rather shocked at her reaction.

Hermione frowned back at him deep in thought, Why didn't she care that Harry was dead?

Hermione felt the harsh rays of the sun hit her face as the doors of St. Mungo's opened before her. She felt herself being pushed forward again as Seamus continued their journey out to the apparation point just beyond the entrance way of the hospital. She felt her baby shift in her arms as she started to stir in the new warmth; jolting slightly in the wheelchair as it started to move again, Hermione saw her child's eyes crack open. Smiling down at her baby, she began to make cooing noises and ran a finger lightly down her nose.

As they made it to the apparation point, Hermione let Draco take the baby from her and got out of the wheelchair. Looping her arm through his, they apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts with a loud *POP*.

Hermione was still struggling to take in her surroundings after apparating when she felt someone crash into her and envelop her in a hug; blinking away the spots she grinned when she recognized the familiar shape of her favourite professor, "Hello Professor," she laughed, returning the hug.

"Oh, it's good to see you Hermione, dear," Professor McGonagall smiled warmly as she took a step back, "I really must apologize for having to leave you so shortly; it seems Mr. Gaunt has decided to leave us." Frowning in thought, she shook her head after a moment and before her smile returned to her face.

Hermione sparred a small look towards Draco and bit her lip, "Do you have any idea why he left?" she asked, furrowing her brow as she looked back over at the older woman.

"Not a clue no," McGonagall sighed, shaking her head, "I received an owl shortly after the arrival of your child that one of the other Professors had found his room empty and a note on his bed."

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but Draco cut her off, "We're all sorry to hear that and everything Professor, but I really think we should get Hermione up to her room." McGonagall nodded and watched as Draco helped walked Hermione back up to the castle.

Draco helped Hermione over to her bed and handed the baby back to her; throwing himself on the bed behind her, he stared up at the ceiling for a while letting the comfortable silence settle around them. Something was still bothering him though, Hermione seemed to be a completely different person than she had when they were in school; it was almost like she'd stopped caring what people thought, like she didn't feel the need to live up to everyone's expectations anymore.

Rolling over, Draco rested his head on his folded arms and looked at her, "So what did you finally decide to name her?" he asked, pushing his thoughts to the back of his head.

Hermione looked back at him and smiled, "Kaelyn," she replied simply, looking back down at their daughter, completely enthralled with her.