Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews everyone, and I hope everbody is having a wonderful summer.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my imagination and whatever else is in this story that doesn't make sense. I was inspired by another romance novel i read and J.K. Rowlings wonderful world. Enjoy!

Chapter 36

"Wrapped so Pretty"

Hermione smiled as she looked down the snowy mountains peaks and could see Narcissa's castle standing proudly beyond the clear waters. It was picture perfect, bold and powerful as if it had been there centuries and centuries ago blooming its roses and high orchard walls. Hermione spent nearly two hours apparating through these mountains. Her memory did not serve as well as she hoped, perhaps it was the fact that all the mountains tops appeared the same, and the fact that she was so unsure of what she was doing, or if it will prove to be a grave mistake on her part later where Draco was concerned.

Since her last visit, Narcissa had placed protective spells and enchantments around the land to keep Lucius from finding her. Hermione had been given the secret to its whereabouts, but it was dangerous trying to locate her without sending an owl first. Expecting witches simply should not apparate, and the castle often moved with the rising and setting of the sun. But she had to leave him, and she had to find herself again.

She was weak and far to tired to use magic to reach the castle now. Her little girl was getting so big and really taking an enormous toll on her body. Hermione took a deep breath. And placed a hand on the tiny movement in her side. Perhaps it was a little hand or tiny foot.

She decided she would rest and then prepare for the long climb down hill towards the castle, before the sun set and it moved again.

Nearly an hour or so later. . .

She appear over the grassing plains just beyond the round lake and stone walls. A house elves came running to her aid, shouting for his mistress to come, come see. He shouted that young Mrs. Malfoy has arrived without her escort! without her chaperon!

"Mistress Malfoy! Mistress..." he shouted, "where is Master Draco?"

Hermione begged him not to worry, and ordered him not to notify her husband of her arrival. The elf strongly disliked hiding such a thing from his master but with both Mistresses giving the order he could not refuse. Hermione forbid him to harm or to cause any personal injury to his self because of her request. Narcissa was hurt to see her take such a risky journey alone.

Hermione climb the stone steps with their help. She was so exhausted, that she slept in the upholstered chair by the fireside while Narcissa prepared her room. It wasn't long before another house elves informed her that her chamber was ready.

Later, she was awoken when there was a knock at her door. . . .

"I'm j-just not *hic*comfortable saying nasty things about *hic*him too you. . . he-he's your son and-and all." Hermione cried and blew her nose.

Mrs. Malfoy understood her pain better than anyone. There's something about the power a Malfoy could take over your heart; a type of devotion that was hard to release. She stretch out her arms and drew her daughter into a full embracing hug. . .rocking her. . .soothing away her tears. . . the way she wished a mother could have done for her years before.

"Yes, I'm his mother, but you're his wife. If that doesn't give us a right to talk about him, then I don't know what does. After all we both care about him even with his stubborn ways, and we both love him dearly."

Hermione tears only grew deeper as Narcissa talked on. Narcissa discussed hard times for her and Lucius and wonderful stories of how they had overcome them together. Times of darkness, that were the saddest for them; when she feared she had completely lost the man she thought to be her husband.

Hermione began to wonder, had Draco been right? Mrs. Malfoy had endured enough grief with her own life. She shouldn't have to bare the troubles of another doomed and failing marriage. Hermione's breathing and tears grew more rigid.

"Draco and I will never become those things, we'll never *hic* make it that far."

Narcissa's heart went out to her. although Hermione felt that she was behaving like a scare lovesick girl. Narcissa didn't see it as a sign of weakness, she knew Hermione was a strong, but young, and there were simply some things that were to much for one heart to endure in one day.

Hermione sat up properly once she felt dried of tears and exhausted from hours of heartache and regret. She regretted the pain she was causing her new mother, but she trusted Narcissa when she told her that in the end it would all work out for the best, no matter which way their lives went. Narcissa admitted that if she and Draco could not find a way to love one another equally, then it was true they would be destined for an end, but at least she could make the pain as short-lived and as peaceful as possible.

"Besides, we do have something or someone to celebrate after all. You're going to be a mother soon, instead of making yourself ill over a poor alliance, you should focus on the baby. I know I will, why don't we focus on a name for her. Do you know, you will be the mother of the first, true girl child to carry the Malfoy's name in over a century?" Narcissa continued to stroke Hermione's hair as she laid upon her lap.

Hermione's heart gave a leap at such a historical bit of news. She had no idea that her daughter would be the firstborn Malfoy witch in over a hundred years.

"The line of Malfoy's has always been strong for wizards, but any witch baring the Malfoy name has always earn it by way of marriage. So I suspect this little one shall create something of a stir in our lives, and she surely be a very important witch. She simply has to have a proper name." said Narcissa.

Hermione immediately realized her purpose from that moment on, because a spark of hope ignited in her mother-in-law's eyes. Hermione's own laugther began to resurface once again.

Now she understood why Draco felt so compelled to marry her. A Malfoy, was a Malfoy, and should never be left to battle the world alone. This also included the little one she carried. And this vow of honor would remain true for her for the rest of her life. In fact, she felt honored to bring forth such a change, to break a century-long dry spell. A true Malfoy witch!

Things were not as bad as they seem after all. . . .