A/N: I'm horrible. I am a horrible, horrible person. Not only is this a bit rushed, but I left you all hanging! Of course, that's what happens when relatives come to town... But anywho! I do hope you all like this chapter. And I'm also a little sick right now, so this chapter is probably shit. But thank you all for your reviews on the last one. You are all awesome and way to good to me.

Chapter 24

April 25th, 1997

"Draco? Do you hear me? Make me forget, please."

He stared down into her wondrous brown eyes, watching her as she begged him and traced his face with the tips of her fingers. Enticing him, awakening his lower regions at just what she was implying. He didn't want to refuse her. Merlin, there had been so many times he had wanted her. So many times he wished to ravage her body and hear his name on her lips while he worshiped her.

But while his mind was screaming 'yes, go for it', his heart was telling him to say 'no' and he shook his head. "Hermione- I can't."

He watched as she stepped back from him, the hurt that washed over her face was like a knife through his heart. She clearly thought this was a rejection, and well, it sort of was.

"You don't want me," she whispered.

Immediately, Draco shook his head. "No, Hermione. It's not that I don't-" he ran a hand through his hair, frustrated and unsure how to go about this without sounding like a complete asshole. Which he usually was, he knew. "Hermione, I can't-"

"Is it because I'm pregnant?" she asked, and he watched while her eyes filled with tears and her hands ghosted over her belly. Any day now she would be giving birth to Ellery, any day... "Because I look like a-a freak?"

"What?" She flinched and Draco had to take a deep breath. Calming himself, before he could yell at her. "Fucking Merlin, Hermione... You're beautiful. How many time do I have to explain that to you? How many times do I have to tell you how much you effect me? Every time I look at you..."

"Then what's the problem?" she asked, wiping away stray tears.

Draco sighed and stepped up to her, resting his hands on her hips and looking down at her stomach between them. A smile slowly etched onto his mouth. "Ellery's going to be here any day now..." he said softly and glanced up to Hermione's face. "I don't want to do something wrong..." he continued, stopping her when she opened her mouth to speak. "And I don't think fucking you right now would make anything better. Not in the way that you think... I'll make you forget, but not today," he raised one hand to cup the side of her face. "Not when you're so emotional that you'll regret it afterward. Okay?"

She nodded slowly and leaned into his hand, making him smile. Brushing his thumb over her cheek and wiping away her tears, he leaned forward and pressed a slow kiss to her mouth. She sniffled, but soon he felt the pressure of her lips against his and they kissed slowly.

Sure Draco was scared that having sex would harm the baby, even when the books he read said that it actually helped, he still worried. But his biggest worry was causing more harm to her mentality by acceding to her request. He didn't want to damage her more than Dolohov already had.

Once Ellery was born, and once Hermione was completely sure she was ready to put herself into such an intimate position again... Only then would Draco jump on the chance and he would be sure to make her forget everything but his name.

When they pulled apart, he relished in the touch of her hand stroking the side of his face. Brown clashing with silver as he dazed into her eyes, now free of tears. She smiled up at him and he nearly jumped in relief, but of course he'd then have to kill himself for doing so. He hadn't seen such a smile grace her lips in weeks.

"Will you at least sleep with me in my bed?" she asked him gently. "I want you to hold me."

"What about McGonagall?" While he was more than willing to hold her all night long and throughout the morning, he really didn't want to face the wrath of Gryffindors head of house.

She smirked up at him. "Dumbledore said you had to stay with me at all times, didn't he?" Her gaze flickered and he watched the different emotions pass over her face. "And I think, considering, she would be all right with it..."

Considering the letter, she meant.

Draco nodded and took her hand in his while he led her to her bedroom. A room he hadn't ever been in before. When he opened the door, he wasn't surprised by the red and cream linens on the full bed. Or the plush maroon chair in the corner. He snickered inwardly at all the books scattered around the room, but other than that he found it rather plain.

He let her hand go only to pull back the covers and then he took his wand out and set it on the bedside table. Flicking the lamp on, as well, to give the room more light.

"I'm going to get my pajamas on," Hermione said and he followed her with his eyes as she gathered her night clothes from the trunk and then disappeared into the bathroom.

Draco looked around him and then down at himself, he pulled his school robes off and threw it over on the chair, his sweater vest following. He didn't really think about the situation until his shoes and socks were off and his hands were at the button of his pants. Well... He paused. Well, shit. Was he allowed the comfort of sleeping in his underwear? He could sleep with his shirt on, but he didn't think he could stand the starchy feel of his pants all night.

With a sigh, he unbuttoned the first few buttons on his shirt, leaving his pants on and crawling into the comfort of the warm sheets. For the first time he felt awkward and at a loss of what to do. He was in a bed, Hermione's bed, and all he could accomplish was twiddling his thumbs while he leaned back against the headboard and waited.

Fucking Nancy, that's what you are.

His head snapped up from his hands when he heard the bathroom door open. His eyes lighting up when he saw her shifting nervously in the door way. They weren't going to do anything, but it seemed she was just as anxious.

The sight of her in a nightgown nearly floored him. Of course, he was already in the bed. He swallowed thickly as she crossed to the bed and he watched as the fabric hugged her form, her belly protruding gloriously, her breast enlarged for the preparation of nursing in the future... The light blue cotton cloth hid everything, but he still couldn't help thinking how extremely beautiful she was.

She slipped into the bed beside him, he could feel the mattress dip lightly and he almost wondered if she had been eating enough, but his thoughts left him when she looked up at him with her big brown eyes. He slowly slipped further down the bed, resting his head on the palm of his hand as he looked down at her with a small smirk.

"I didn't take your spot, did I?" he asked her, waggling his eyebrows and his heart soared when he heard her laugh.

"No," she shook her head, her brown curls spreading out on the pillow beneath her.

Draco nodded and then leaned down to press a feather light kiss to her lips. He didn't expect her to deepen it or to feel her fingers grip the back of his head. But he enjoyed the kiss, only pulling back when they were both truly breathless, leaning his forehead against hers gently as he allowed air back into his lungs.

He shifted when she turned onto her side, and he moved closer until his chest was flush with her back, resting an arm over her waist and gently stroking her belly through her nightgown. He curled his other arm under his head and sighed contently while he closed his eyes.

"Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Draco."

/-/-/-/

April 28th, 1997

She had a week. One week, until Ellery would be in the world. One week until her life would change forever. Not that it already hadn't. But she was going to be a parent, a mother. Her daughter would be relying on her, and Draco too, of course. But she would be the one who nursed her and probably changed her, because she doubted Draco would ever change a dirty nappy. The thought alone made her crack up.

It was a bit weird. The first letter she had gotten from Dolohov had put her in such a bad funk. But that second one... Draco had talked her out of making a huge mistake, true. But, that second letter had done the absolute opposite of the first.

She was back.

Hermione Granger was back and talking to people and letting them touch her without cowering away. She was back to holding Draco's hand and greeting him with a kiss at lunch, because she was usually with him before breakfast and dinner.

Professor McGonagall had been furious when she found they had slept in the same bed. Apparently it was true- the portraits did tattle. Her and Draco had sat and listened in Dumbledore's office as the cat animagus got her point across at how inappropriate it was of them. It was a shock when Dumbledore interrupted her and made it clear that Hermione was already pregnant and that not much worse could happen. He actually pointed at her stomach and said 'she'll pop any day now, Minerva' with a twinkle in his eye and a knowing smile on his lips.

Aside from all the embarrassment from the meeting, it seemed Dumbledore accepted their sleeping arrangements and even asked if Draco would be moving his things in and if so, he thought Mr. Filch would be more than happy to help. Hermione, on the other hand, thought the caretaker would be less than happy about it. And instead, Blaise and Theo were put to the task.

While Hermione had been urged to stay in bed by Madam Pomfrey, Hermione didn't accept the medi-witch's advice. She walked the halls and went to classes, got herself lost in her studying while sitting in the library...

After all the classes that Monday had been over with Theo and Blaise were finally helping Draco move in, and so Hermione went about the castle looking for Pansy. She had sat across from the other girl at dinner, but now she couldn't find her anywhere. She got tired after a while and stopped in the middle of a staircase, when she heard the soft sounds of crying.

Hermione took the next few steps up the stairs before they could go and move on her. Walking along the corridor before she came across the prefects bathroom only realizing she was on the fifth floor of the castle as she passed the statue of Boris the Bewildered.

She gently passed the large swimming pool-like tub, hardly paying any mind to it at all as she crossed to the stalls. There was a lot of sniffling and hiccoughing coming from the second one, and the sobs were a lot more quiet then Moaning Myrtle so she knew she wasn't in for a long rant from the ghost.

Hermione lightly tapped her knuckled against the stall door and she heard the sobs stop rather suddenly. Through the crack in the door she saw jet black hair and she knew who it was without seeing her fully.

"Pansy?"

"Go away."

Her voice was full of despair and Hermione felt horrible for her friend.

"Pansy, you can't keep doing this to yourself, it's not good for you... Or the baby."

She heard the sniffles again and knew Pansy was trying very hard not to cry anymore. But Hermione knew first hand that the hormones won out every time.

"I'm your friend, aren't I?" Hermione asked, leaning against the frame of another stall. "Why won't you talk to me? Why are you ignoring me?"

She heard the struggle in the bathroom and then the sobs continued and the stall door flew open. "I'm so sorry, Hermione," Pansy cried and the bushy haired girl gathered her friend in her arms. "I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I haven't spoken to anyone... B-Blaise keeps asking me if it's him," she shook her head and Hermione ran her fingers through Pansy's inky black hair.

"You need to tell him, Pans," Hermione said softly.

"What if he hates me?" she asked, looking up at Hermione. Her face red, and her eyes puffy with tear tracks down her face. All those names her and Ginny had called her over the years, couldn't be farther from the truth. Pansy was beautiful, 'pug face' had really been a horrible insult. And only now as the Slytherin Princess stood there crying, did Hermione realize she had been jealous over Pansy's looks.

Hermione chuckled, she couldn't help it. "He loves you, Pansy," she said, shaking her head. "Blaise could never hate you. He might be shocked, but who wouldn't be? This is big life changing news."

Pansy nodded and soon enough her tears were gone and she was just trying to control her sniffling. Hermione held her the whole time, giving her the comfort she needed. When they parted they both laughed a little.

"I've been a complete arse," Pansy shook her head, running her hands through her hair. "I've ignored everyone- I think everyone, but Luna, might be a little cross with me..."

"If anyone's cross with you," Hermione started. "Don't worry, I'll give them hell, I've heard I've turned into a real bitch with these hormones," she offered a big smile when Pansy laughed and Hermione hugged her once again. "Just trust us, okay. We're all here for you."

And with that they both made their way to dinner.

/-/-/-/

May 4th, 1997

All day Hermione had been feeling odd. Her body just didn't feel normal and at certain parts of the day she almost felt like she was dazing off. She had gone to breakfast and lunch, but when dinner came around that Sunday, she just didn't feel up to going and stayed in her rooms. She had practically forced Draco out of the room and told him to get something to eat and that she would be fine.

He eventually relented. And, of course, left muttering about 'stubborn Gryffindors'.

But a few minuted later the portrait opened and Harry walked in with a tray of food. She nearly growled because she knew why he was there.

"Draco sent you," she practically seethed. "I can't believe that blithering idiot actually sent you hear to stay with me!" she muttered a few words that made Harry's eyebrows raise in surprise.

She was obviously around Draco way too much.

"He's just worried about you," Harry said, his nose scrunching up when he realized he had just stuck up for Draco Malfoy.

She shook her head, her hands resting over her very pregnant belly. "Yeah, well..." she was at a loss, not one good reply cooked up in her overly assertive brain.

Harry plopped down next to her and placed the tray of food on the coffee table, picking a green bean up and eating it. "Plus, you do need to eat and I wanted to see how you were. He was going to send Nott."

Hermione gave Harry a very pointed look. "Honestly, Harry... If your going to sit with them every once and a while during meals the least you could do is-" Hermione looked down abruptly, her eyes as wide as a pair of quaffles. "Oh no..." she said, feeling a warmth soak through her undies and pants. Her face turning a brilliant shade of red.

"Hermione?" her black haired friend asked and she could only shake her head as she looked up. "Hermione, what's wrong?"

Hermione felt her nerves over the situation soothe as she took in a couple deep breaths, trying to calm herself. "Okay, Harry... I need you to take me to Madam Pomfrey."

"What? Why?"

Hermione slowly got to her feet, Harry jumping up and helping her. "Well, because I either just peed my pants or my water broke."

TBC