The four arrived at a nice restaurant about an hour later and were quickly seated. Draco and Hermione were both anxious as they weren't sure if this was a serious dinner or a prank in the making. Lucius was aware of their hesitance to the second he and Narcissa walked into their dorm.
Flash back
"So when do you want to find out if we are having a boy or a girl?" Draco asked as he rubbed her lower back. She wasn't showing yet but she was always complaining about being achy.
"We could probably go to Poppy tomorrow if you are sure you want to know." She answered
Draco nodded, "I do want to know so we can prepare properly. I want to make sure we have everything when this baby is born."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at him. He had come along way over the last few weeks. He went from freaking out to accepting the child and now seemed to be a little excited about it – which made her excited as well.
"Then we will make a visit to Poppy after breakfast." She agreed and leaned back into him.
They tried to keep their affection between them and didn't like to flaunt it in the halls. The other students were finally starting to stop the gossip about them and they didn't want to add to the mix. Hermione enjoyed the time they spent in their dorm. They managed to spend time with each other, study together and still make time to arrange everything needed from the heads. It wasn't always easy but they managed.
"Switching subjects, Have you thought of a theme for the dance?" Draco asked
"Umm, I've had a few ideas… but nothing seems to fit." She replied with a sigh, "I've tried to think of something that will work well for everyone but I seem to be hitting a dead end."
"I know what you mean. I did however think of something that may be a little different then ever before but I'm worried that the purebloods and a few others wont have a clue."
"Is it muggle?"
"Guilty" he said with a laugh, "I just wanted to do something that as far as I know has never been done before at Hogwarts."
Her curiosity was peaked, "Go on"
"Well, What about a sock hop? You know, Muggle fifties dance?"
Her mouth dropped, she didn't know he knew what a sock hop was.
"That's brilliant!" she said excitedly, "That is so different that I think it might actually work."
Draco then grinned, he had a feeling she would like it.
He started to tell her a few ideas when a knock came at the portrait.
"Come in" he answered, flicking his wand at the door so it would open.
Lucius and Narcissa walked through and smiled, making Hermione and Draco instantly drop to the floor in fear of a prank. They crawled as quickly as they could into the kitchen, baffling Lucius more then he had ever been before.
Lucius raised en eyebrow, "What in the world is wrong with you two?"
They didn't answer but he could hear the clanking of pots and pans coming from the kitchen.
"I think they've gone mad, Darling." Lucius said to Narcissa, who was looking towards the kitchen with concern.
"State your business." Draco finally stated, standing up from behind the counter with a pot on his head to cover his hair, a cookie sheet in his hand to deflect hexes and a spatula in his hand waving it madly.
Hermione popped up next with a strainer on her head, a pot lid in her hand like a shield and a baster in her hand.
"We haven't done anything to warrant revenge" she squeaked. She wasn't scared, just prepared.
Lucius rolled his eyes, "You two look completely ridiculous. Please remove the cooking equipment and come here."
"Not until we have your word that you are here in peace." Draco replied, hopping back and forth to make himself a harder target to hit.
Narcissa couldn't help but laugh, to think that these two were due to be parents in the near future – her poor grandchild..
"We are actually here to take the two of you to dinner. We have some news we would like to share with you."
"So you've come in peace?" Hermione asked, wanting to make sure before she removed her helmet and shield.
"Yes, yes, now restore your kitchen and come over here."
Hermione and Draco looked to each other to see what the other one thought. They nodded in unison and started to remove their armor. Draco removed the pot first, then sat the cookie sheet down, he did not however, release the spatula just yet.
Hermione slowly removed the strainer, placed the pot lid and baster down before removing the large skillet from under her shirt.
"Oh sweet Merlin, you two are Mental." Lucius stated
"Not mental, just cautious." Draco replied, finally placing the spatula down.
The two walked side by side, slowly, until they reached his parents.
"Come, we have reservations" Narcissa stated and ushered them through the door.
End flash back
"You two need to stop worrying, I would not prank you in a quiet restaurant." Lucius said with a sigh, "Now I want you both to listen to your mother as she has news for the two of you."
Both teens nodded and looked to Narcissa.
"Well, You both know Lucius and I have decided to have another child."
Hermione nodded and Draco shivered, he didn't want to think about anything involving his parents and anything that would lead to a baby – he wanted to actually eat his meal, not hack it up.
"Well, I found out this morning that I am pregnant."
Hermione eyes lit up and despite the looks she was gaining from the other guests, she got up from her seat and gave Narcissa a huge hug.
"I'm so excited for you.' She said as she jumped around.
Narcissa smiled and hugged the anxious girl back, maybe her grandchild would be alright after all.
"Congratulations, mother, father." Draco said with sincerity. He was happy his mum was finally getting what she wanted more then anything.
"And the best part is the healer told me with certainty that I m having a girl! I'm finally getting my daughter."
Hermione's face fell slightly at her words and she took her seat. She continued to act happy and excited but inside she was hurting a bit.
She wanted Narcissa to be happy, Lucius too, but would this daughter effect the relationship she had with Narcissa? She didn't want it to as Narcissa had told her on more then one occasion that she considered Hermione her daughter. She didn't want to lose that closeness.
The four ordered their meals and Narcissa bounced ideas around the table about the new baby's theme for her room. Hermione answered and gave suggestion but one person at the table noticed she was putting up a front.
"I need to use the little girls room." Hermione said discretely, "I'll be back in a few."
Draco and Lucius both stood as Hermione left the table and sat back down once she was gone. Lucius continued to watch her and when she walked part the hall that led to the bathroom and out the front door, he knew for sure that something was bugging her.
"Narcissa, Draco, If you'll excuse me I need to take Hermiones lead."
Both blondes nodded and continued the conversation about why fairies would disturb the new Malfoy for life.
Lucius also walked part the bathroom and out the door. It only took him a second to spot Hermione, leaning against the wall and looking into the sky.
"You missed the bathroom." Lucius said as he walked over to her.
"I just needed some air, morning sickness was acting up."
"No it wasn't." he said firmly, "I noticed the happiness leave you as soon as Narcissa mentioned a daughter."
Hermione sighed, Was he always so observant?
"Mind telling me what that was about?" he asked
"I just – I guess I'm just worried." She finally said while she continued to look up.
"About?"
"Well, Narcissa is finally getting her daughter – a real daughter at that… I'm just worried that she won't view me the same way once the baby is born."
Lucius wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "You know that wont happen. You and Draco may be royal pains to Severus and I, but Narcissa thinks the world of you. She always talks about you and the baby, saying she misses having the two of you at the manor… the baby won't change that for her."
Hermione nodded, he was right, she knew that, but that didn't ease her fear.
"Now lets get back inside before they come searching for us."
Hermione sighed and walked back inside with Lucius right behind her. He would tell Narcissa about Hermione's little problem once they got back to the manor.