Hermione glanced at the calendar on the wall. She was officially 9 weeks and she still hadn't heard anything from Draco. She wondered to herself how she could have been so wrong about him, how she allowed herself to trust him and even though she and Thomas were getting along great, she still missed him.
She sighed and stood from her bed to finish getting ready. Thomas was taking her to a charity event at St.Mungo's and with him being one of the speakers, she needed to look her best. She finished up her make up, making sure the circles under her eyes were completely covered before moving on to her hair and dress.
At exactly 7:30, Thomas showed up in an expensive looking pair of black silk robes and looked every bit the hansom doctor in the movies that all the girls swooned over.
"Wow, I feel under dressed compared to you." Hermione stated.
"Don't be silly, You will be the best looking witch there." he said with a grin, "Are you ready?"
"Yes I am, Just give me one minute to grab my purse and lock up."
Thomas gave her a nod and waited in the hall for her to finish. Hermione couldn't help but smile when she went back in to grab her purse, she noticed the pair of silver snakes pinned on his robes, "Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin." she thought to herself.
Hermione and Thomas arrived at the event ten minutes later and as soon as they walked in the door, all eyes turned to them, making Hermione clutch onto Thomas a little tighter.
"They wont bite you know." Thomas said with a chuckle.
Hermione swatted him arm playfully and grinned, "I know that – I'm just not used to being in the spot light now a days."
"Well there is nothing for you to worry about, I can tell that I am the envy of every male in the place."
Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes in a playful and allowed him to walk her over to a group of his colleagues.
"I want to introduce you to my parter. I will not be able to attend to your medical care as it goes against policy but I can assure you he is one of the best around."
"What's his name?"
"Joesph Hall. He has been an obstetrician for almost twenty years and has never had a complaint."
"Sounds like he knows what he's doing." She commented as they approached the short balding man.
"Joesph" Thomas greeted, "I would like to introduce you to Hermione Granger."
Joesph gave her a bright smile and lifted her hand to his mouth much like Thomas had done on their first date.
"Pleasure to meet you Ms. Granger."
"You as well." she replied
"Uhh, Joseph, Hermione was a patient of mine and due to policy – well you know the drill."
Joesph nodded, "How far along are you dear?"
"Nine weeks today."
"Good, good, still early then. I would like you to come in one day next weeks so I can have my initial look at you and we will take it from there."
Hermione nodded and thanked him before Thomas pulled her away to mingle. They talked to quite a few people and Hermione found that she was actually having a really nice time and was starting to loosen up a bit – until she saw him.
Hermione gripped onto Thomas arm a bit tighter, unaware that she was doing anything.
"Are you alright Hermione?" Thomas asked as he turned his attention completely towards her.
"I-I'm fine." she stated, "It's just, he's here and I didn't expect him to be."
"Who?"
"The father." she said quietly, "and he's coming over here."
Thomas put his arm around her shoulders to offer her more support just in case the father was really a bastard. He glanced around and noticed Draco walking towards them.
"The baby is a Malfoy?" Thomas asked
Hermione could do nothing but nod as he got closer.
"That explains a lot." he stated, "Don't worry I wont leave you to deal with him alone."
"Thanks" she said in a whisper.
The closer Draco got, the sicker Hermione started to feel, despite the potion. It felt like someone was sitting on her chest and spinning her in circles. She didn't know what was to happen or how he was going to act and she just hoped he could keep his composure in front of everyone.
He stopped right in front of her, Looked Thomas up and down like he was assessing the man before finally turning his attention towards Hermione.
"Hermione, do you mind if I have a word with you?" He asked politely, knowing that if he caused a scene his mother would probably hit him with something harder then a menu.
Thomas looked to Hermione to see what she wanted him to do and when she gave him a nod, he walked over to Joseph after telling her he would be watching out for her.
"Moved on I see." Draco said in a sarcastic voice. He knew he should be playing nice, but seeing her clutch another man sent his blood boiling.
"Like wise." She replied, "I noticed the little raven haired girl in the restaurant."
Draco nodded and still didn't explain the situation, after all, she was with another guy already.
"Well, I guess that fact that we've moved on is neither here nor there. What we do need to discuss is the baby."
"Agreed" she said shortly, she still wasn't over the fact that he had taken so long to approach her.
"How far along are you now?"
"nine weeks"
"and have you seen a healer yet?"
"I have and everything is fine so far."
"good" he said before pausing for a few seconds, "to answer your letter, I do want to be involved as well as my mother and father."
That statement shocked her a little. Lucius didn't accept their relationship and she was sure he would not lay claim to a half blood grandchild.
"Alright." she stated, not knowing where to go from there. Luckily Draco stepped in.
"I'd like to attend the appointments with you and be involved as much as possible.
"Thats fine." she replied, "Why don't you meet me sometime next week and we can try to work out the details."
"Why not now?" he asked confused.
Hermione sighed, " Because my date is getting ready to be called up to speak and as his date, I need to show my support for him."
Draco clinched his hand a bit, he was not use to being dismissed.
"I will owl you tonight to set up a date and time."
"Alright, I'll be expecting your letter." and with that she walked away and back over to Thomas where he was just being called to the podium.
Draco followed the pair with his eyes and once again couldn't help the growl that came from him as Thomas placed his hand on the small of her back and led her towards the front.
Draco listened as Thomas was announced and quickly filed the name away to reference later, after all, Thomas was his opposition and the name of the game was to know your challenger.
The benefit ended around three hours later. Thomas contributed a large amount of his own money towards the cause as it was to improve the maternity wing as well as purchasing some well needed supplies.
"You looked exhausted." Thomas stated while rubbing small circles on her back.
"I am and have been for a few weeks now... hormonal changes I believe." She answered, not even offended at his comment.
"And you would be correct, but don't worry, you should start leveling out in about three weeks or so."
"Thank Merlin" she said with a laugh.
"Would you like to come back to my place – nothing funny-" he added quickly, "Just to watch a movie or something... get you off your feet for a while."
Hermione smiled at him, They had been seeing each other for a week and he had yet to even kiss her. He was a gentleman on all respects and she knew she would be safe with him.
"Sounds good to me. It would be nice to actually sit down and watch a movie with someone."
Thomas took her by the arm and walked her away from the benefit, unaware of the blond that was watching and listening to them the entire time. He wasn't happy.
They appeared at his large apartment and once inside, she couldn't help but laugh. The place was decorated completely male... nice.. but male and once again the Slytherin colors prevailed.
"It's not that bad." he said with a laugh
"No, no, I think it's lovely. I just can help but laugh at the Slytherin colors."
Thomas smirked, "Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin – but some of us tend to grow out of some of the Slytherin traits after a while."
"The living room is through that hall. Go in, kick off you shoes and relax, I'll get us a snack and something to drink."
Hermione went the way he directed and quickly sat on the fluffy green couch, removing her shoes immediately.
It only took Thomas a few minutes to join her with two wine glasses full of milk and two ham sandwiches.
"Hope you like ham... it was all I had as I eat mostly hospital food."
"Ham is good and now that I'm looking at it, I'm absolutely starving."
Thomas handed her the bigger sandwich and wine glass full of milk before sitting himself beside her. With a flick of his wand, he turned on a movie that she had mentioned on the first date and flicked the lights down a bit.
"You remembered the movie?" She asked surprised
"My memory is like a steel trap. Once something goes in, it stays."
Hermione smiled and settled in closer to him. She couldn't understand but she felt completely comfortable around him and allowed herself to relax against him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and started the movie.
Around 45 minutes into the movie, He and Hermione both passed out on the couch and slept there for the entire night.
A/N: Draco will start getting more involved in the next couple chapters. I plan on taking this story somewhat slower then usual as I'm kind of tired of the normal she forgives him right away and everything is good