Three hours and a million special exceptions later, Lucius relieved Draco of his baby sitting duty and now stood over the still sleeping witch. The conversation with Dumbledore and Snape caused all three men to feel slightly uncomfortable. They all felt odd talking about her and her pregnancy but none were more uncomfortable the Lucius. Dumbledore gave him a cross look, which didn't happen often and the old man quickly told Lucius what he thought about her getting pregnant. The words were not the wisdom filled words of the normally calm and docile man, instead they were heated and accusing, making him feel like he had just ended the life of the supposed 'super witch' because of her condition.
Dumbledore quickly sent Severus into the heads dorms to investigate. He wanted to know how this lunatic was spying on the head girl and he wanted extra wards set up. Once Severus had left, Dumbledore had cornered Lucius and demanded what he wanted.
Lucius sat down on the bed next to the sleeping witch and sighed. He had planned to see how things went with her and if things were still going well once she graduated, he wanted to make their situation a bit more permanent. It took a lot of soul searching on his part and as much as he hated to admit it, Hermione had grown on him. He found he couldn't imagine not being with her, the thought of having a witch other then Hermione did not appeal to him in the least. He appreciated her honesty, her caring nature and most of all he liked the fact that she did not come after him for his name or money… He doubted he would find another witch like that.
Then there was a little matter of a child. He loved Draco despite his harsh parenting but he only did what he thought was right. Draco was the only thing that came out of his marriage with Narcissa that he was proud of and he had secretly wanted another child, even if it were with Narcissa. He had his son, the Malfoy heir, but the idea of having a daughter someday had always been stuck in the back of his mind and now he had that chance.
Hermione started to shift when he tried to adjust his weight. He froze, not wanting to wake her up but apparently she had noticed the extra pressure and opened her eyes anyway.
"Draco?" she asked, vision still slightly blurry and only noticing the hair.
"Close." Lucius replied.
His voice cause her head to clear immediately and she quickly sat up, wondering why Lucius had suddenly decided to show his face.
"Why are you here?" She asked in a snippy voice, she was miffed that he had stopped coming to see her without an explanation why.
"Because I now live here… at least until you graduate." He replied with a smirk
"Unless you have decided to repeat your education, I don't see how that is possible." She answered back with her arms crossed over her chest.
Lucius actually snorted, "According to your beloved headmaster, I am now your personal body guard and ultimate protector."
"Why?" she asked, not believing him.
"Because apparently you are being stalked by a mad man while carrying my child."
Hermione jumped from the bed and went for the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked in a bored tone, he really didn't feel like chasing her – he would, he just didn't want to.
"To kill Draco for opening his big mouth."
"Whoa there killer, come back so I can finish explaining things to you." He chuckled.
Hermione huffed but went back and sat down again.
"I assume you are angry for my sudden – disappearance?"
"Wow, you are the observant one, aren't you?" she replied grumpily
"Don't get cheeky." He warned, "The reason I avoided you was for your own good. You see, I had started to get letters just as you had. I chose not to concern you with it and started a little investigation of my own to find the guy – I planned on returning to you when things were safe."
"You should have told me." She huffed again
"I had my reasons just as you had yours. If not for Draco's concern for you and the fact that he was raised around people like the guy who is most likely writing these letters, there is no telling what could have happened to you."
"I could have taken care of myself you know."
"You really don't understand the way these people think. I do, I was one of them and Draco was smart enough to realize when the danger was real."
Hermione grew quiet, she had been concerned about the letters, especially since she hadn't told anyone about the baby other then Draco. She was confident that she could handle herself but the thought of the baby being harmed had caused her to stay around Draco a lot more than would be normal.
"Now that we have that cleared up, I am going to lay down some rules until we figure out who this guy is."
"Rules?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Lucius smirked, "Yes, Hermione, Rules. You are carrying my child and I want you to be protected. I will be with you most of the time, but when I am not available, you will either be with Draco or Snape."
Hermione let out a groan, she had no idea that by accepting one Slytherin, she accepted them all, but still, she felt a bit safer.
"When do you move in?" she asked with a sigh. She had to admit she was happy about having him around more.
"As soon as I go back to the manor and collect my clothing." He stated, "I am getting ready to head back to do so and while I am gone, you are to stay with Draco and Snape who are currently in the commons, trying to search out how this guy is spying on you."
Hermione nodded,
"And when we have some alone time tonight, we will be discussing our child."
000000000000000000
In a darkened room of a small house, Rockwood sat in a ratty looking chair, watching as Lucius talked to Hermione. He was aggravated that she would be under constant watch by the two Malfoy's and Snape, but he was not deterred – he would not allow a bloodline such as that of The Malfoys to be tainted by a Mudblood witch. He sat back and let his mind take over, He needed to find a way around this mess.