A/N: Here you go lovelies! I'm actually pretty happy with this chapter, because I'm a little evil in it. I had wanted it to come earlier, but it didn't come along as quickly as I had hoped. First of all, I rewrote it numerous times. Well, that's an exaggeration. I rewrote it once. The one before this was going to have the whole school finding about what happened with the bed incident, a fight between Draco, Harry, and Ron (with Harry defending Draco); and a bit of Snape acting snarky to a bleeding Ronald Weasley in need of medical attention (to which Snape purposely ignored Ron's bleeding nose and gave him detention).

Now as it was all great when I was writing it, I went back to proofread and it just didn't mix well with where this story is going. I will possibly put it up as a deleted scene or something later, but it's more likely not to be put up at all

Now onto a bit of better news. I am deeply in love with Charlie Weasley. Anyone else. He's of course made it to my 'Who I Ship Hermione With..' list. I find it so hilarious, how Luna Lovegood is my favorite character, yet I can't stop shipping Hermione with practically everyone... Well, you know aside from Harry and Ron, because... Ew. Yuck. Gag me with a fucking spoon here! haha..

Anyway... I hope you all enjoy this. I should probably warn you that there's a bit of a cliffy... And you might all hate me... Nah, I know you love me! Just enjoy! (Wow... This is the longest Author's Note I've ever written and most is a bit of ranting...yeesh.)

Ellery Pronunciation: EH-le-ree

Chapter 27

Hermione woke up slowly, stretching her body as she raised her hands above her head with a large yawn. She didn't open her eyes immediately. Ellery wasn't crying, but when her daughter came to mind she did peek over at the crib and found her baby girl still fast asleep.

She caught a bit of movement out of the corner of her eye and her head turned swiftly to find a pair of large gray orbs looking at her with the utmost incredulity on his face. It was shock and disappointment all in one.

"Theo?"

"You had a slumber party and you didn't invite me?" He said, his bottom lip poking out in a pout.

Hermione rolled her eyes when she saw that twinkle in his eye and he let out a laugh, as he walked over to the foot of the bed.

"Reckon we should wake them up?" he asked her, as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

Hermione looked to one side of her, where Draco lay. On his side with one arm covering his face and the other under the pillow. When she turned to Harry, she nearly laughed. He was on his back, spread eagle and nearly falling off the bed with his mouth open and snoring lightly.

"Go ahead," she told him, almost regretting it when she saw him smirk mischievously.

But first, she slipped out of the bed and went over to the crib to get a good look at Ellery, then put a charm over the bed so anything Theo did wouldn't wake her.

She turned just in time to see Theo land on his knees on the mattress, jumping up and down and making the bed creak. "Wake up, you ugly gits! Rise and shine for this beautiful morning!"

Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth when Harry fell off the bed startled and Draco jumped up with wide eyes, grabbing his wand from the bedside table. It took him a moment to realize it was just Theo. Harry slowly peeked up over the side of the bed and Draco laid back with a groan.

"So..." Theo said, his tone filled with mirth. "Have fun last night, did you? Hermione tells me you two were rather nice to watch."

"Theodore Nott!" Hermione yelled, her eyes as wide as saucers as she took a menacing step towards him.

"What?" Theo asked, pouting and pointing at Draco accusingly. "He makes fun of me every chance he gets."

"That's true," Draco mumbled.

"Not helping, Draco..." Hermione rolled her eyes and then she looked over at Harry who was still sitting on the floor, leaning his head against the bed and looking at her, sadly. "You okay, Harry?" she asked him gently. Hoping that he wasn't still blaming himself. She loved him. She forgave him. She just wished he could forgive himself. And maybe it wouldn't happen today. Nor tomorrow. But she didn't want him to be condemned. She didn't want him to do something rash, because of what she told him last night.

The look on her face must have expressed this, because the sorrow on his face was soon replaced with a smile. One that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I'm fine," he said, pulling himself up to his feet. "By the way, Nott... Malfoy was wonderful last night" he stated and plopped back down on the bed. The sarcasm was so thick and the words so sweet it had her doubling over in laughter (as well as Theo). So much so she nearly missed Draco's response that came some moments later.

"You are very talented yourself, my dear Potter."

It took quite some time before Hermione and Theo could calm themselves. And when they did Hermione was almost thrown into another fit.

Theo looked between Draco and Harry, curiously, with a huge smile on his face though, that told he was completely having them on. "You know... I could almost see it. You two fight a lot. More then the norm...Obviously you two are head over heals in lust and just want to have a nice long shag."

Hermione snorted. Harry grimaced. And Draco, well, Draco rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah?" Draco asked. "There's just one problem with all that, Theo."

"And what's that?" the sandy haired boy asked.

"Potter and I are completely and sincerely heterosexual," Draco drawled. "And to prove my point," he continued when Theo opened his mouth. "I'm 'head over heals', as you put, for Hermione. And if I'm correct... Potter fancy's Daphne Greengrass."

"What?" Hermione shouted, rounding on one of her best friends. "How do I not know this?"

"Well, Hermione.. You see-" The argument that followed wasn't pretty. Harry Potter had his ass chewed quite thoroughly, and then handed back to him.

/-/-/-/

May 28th, 1997

It was quite amazing that morning hadn't gotten around the school. Of course, it was also a bit of a relief. Hermione had already dealt with enough of the schools ridicule. She'd been harassed on both a verbal and physical front. She had been teased beyond measure and ostracized by even her best of friends.

Of course, her friendship with Harry Potter was no longer being pondered. Harry had finally righted his wrong. And while he desperately wanted to go after Dolohov, Hermione had also talked him out of it. Reminding him there were more important things to focus on. Like whatever it was he was doing with Dumbledore. She never asked whenever it came up, but the way he left it always made her worry it was dangerous.

So, naturally, it had to do with Voldemort.

Hermione tried hard not to worry over her friends. What with Harry and his missions, and the coming attack that could scar Draco and Theo... But she always had the perfect distraction. The most beautiful distraction she'd ever laid eyes on, and it wasn't a book.

"Hello, my darling," Hermione picked Ellery up out of the crib and cradled her against her chest. She had just woken from her afternoon nap.

Ellery hadn't been outside the hospital wing since the day she was born, so no one aside from her friends, the professors, and a few ghosts had laid eyes on her. And it would stay that way until she was one hundred percent better. Hermione, while usually rational, was completely paranoid about Ellery getting worse. But Madam Pomfrey and Healer Goodwinn agreed with her, so she didn't feel like a complete loon whenever she went off on Theo and Blaise about taking Ellery out for some fresh air.

And with Ellery's seclusion came the whispers from the school. Everyone wondered over the 'mystery of Ellery Malfoy'. And much to the disappointment of Lavender, Nearly Headless Nick had boisterously claimed on many occasions how wonderful it was to have a baby in the castle again.

Peeves had even made up a song for the baby, one that was surprisingly free of any insults. Towards the baby anyway, Peeves had become very protective over Ellery. Something that surprised everyone, and anyone who dared insult her had to endure his most horrendous of pranks. But just because Peeves was fond of the baby and his fondness stretched to include Hermione. Draco was excluded...

Many times Draco had woken Ellery from her nap, slamming the door to their room. Or startling her when he would get worked up and yell. 'FUCKING PEEVES'. But the moment Ellery wailed he would take her in his arms and apologize. It was by far the cutest thing Hermione had ever seen.

It was rare for Hermione to ever be alone with her daughter. Draco was usually always there with her. Or a couple of her friends were around. Theo made it his life mission to become the best uncle the world had to offer. And Pansy and Ginny were both trying to win the spot as godmother. Both Draco and Hermione had lacked in choosing godparents and still couldn't pick if their lives depended on it. Looking over all the pros and cons, all of their friends were perfect to look after Ellery if anything ever happened to them. All of them had their strength and perks for taking care of Ellery and teaching her all the necessary things in life.

But they had to choose someday.

Just not any day soon.

"Daddy's birthday is in a week," Hermione said quietly, having sat down on the bed to lay Ellery on her stomach for a bit of tummy time. Casting a shielding charm around the bed, just in case. "What should we get him, hm?" she asked, gently brushing her fingers through her daughters feathery brown hair, while Ellery tried to raise her head up.

It was amazing how quickly she was growing already. Even only three weeks old and she was so alert. Hermione fiercely tried not to think of her growing up and becoming a teenager or meeting some boy and getting married. It made her want to cry, because she wanted Ellery to be her baby always. But she knew. She knew that someday, her baby would grow up. Someday, she would meet a boy at school, maybe date a few.. And then she would meet the one and get married and have babies of her own.

Someday...

But not today.

No, Hermione was going to cherish every moment she had with her daughter. The day would come when Ellery would grow and leave the nest, but it wasn't today and it definitely wasn't tomorrow. She just hoped time would treat her well.

Hermione looked up when the door opened and she saw Pansy standing there. "Hey, what are you doing here?" she asked with a bright smile on her face, something that was so uncommon some months ago.

Pansy shrugged her shoulders. "I had an appointment with Madam Pomfrey."

"And?"

"My due date is October 31st," she laughed and shook her head. "I'm nearly four months along now..."

Hermione scoffed. "You don't look like your almost four months," she said, remembering when that time had come around for her and her belly had popped. "Where's Blaise?"

Pansy smiled and rolled her eyes. "Theo dragged him off to the library. Apparently they both still have their Transfiguration work to do..."

"You have got to be kidding," Hermione said, picking Ellery up when she began to fuss. "They don't have much time the way they go about their work, there's only a couple hours until curfew." she stated, absolutely appalled, while Ellery calmed once cradled.

So, that was why Theo had wanted to take a peak at her homework. That little snot!

Pansy sat down on the edge of the bed and Hermione caught her looking at Ellery curiously.

"Do you want to hold her?" she asked.

Pansy looked up in surprise. "Um- I don't know..."

"You're going to have to get used to holding a baby, Pans," Hermione told her gently and then she too looked down at her daughter, smiling as she stared back up at her with her curious, big blue eyes. "Here," before Pansy could argue, Hermione placed Ellery in her arms. "You have to hold her hea- there you go," she said cheerfully, as Pansy supported Elle's head.

When Hermione sat back, she noticed just how awkward Pansy's posture was. She contemplated taking Ellery back, but then saw as Pansy's fear slowly ebbed away when she curiously looked at Ellery's tiny fingers.

"Do you think I'll be a good mum, Hermione?"

Hermione didn't hesitate, she didn't even have to think before answering. "Of course, you will be."

/-/-/-/

June 5th, 1997

Hermione woke up first, her eyes opening slowly. She smiled at the first thing she saw. A pale face turned toward her and his silver-blonde hair nearly falling in his eyes. The birthday boy. She briefly wondered on giving him a haircut, but as she really went over it and remembered the days when he slicked it back... She nearly shivered in revulsion. No. He was more than nice looking with his hair growing all shaggy. He was beyond handsome.

Over the past week, she had exhausted herself trying to find him a birthday present. While she wasn't allowed in Hogsmeade since the letters came, she'd looked through over a million catalogs for that special something. Brooms, robes, books, school supplies, candy, she even thought about getting him a damn owl!

She knew for a fact, that while Draco wasn't a bookworm like her, he read and enjoyed reading a good book. But when she asked him about the kind of books he'd already finished... She found that he had read every book she considered getting him.

He had alluded to not wanting another broom, that his worked fine. Also stating that he was no longer on the Quidditch team, so it was useless to boot.

In fact, he had told her he didn't want anything for his birthday. That if anything at all... He wanted a day with just Hermione and Ellery. But of course, his birthday had to fall on a school day.

With a glance at the clock, Hermione was glad they still had a couple hours until classes started. She had finally gotten him a little something, but she had also decided on another gift. Something she had known he wanted, but had never taken. Something that she wasn't exactly too sure on giving... But had decided on it anyway.

Very slowly, Hermione sat up in the bed. Glancing over at the crib briefly. It was still so early that even Ellery wasn't up and around, yet. And to make sure Ellery wouldn't be woken up from any noise, Hermione grabbed her wand from the nightstand, and muttered a silencing charm around the bed.

She looked down at Draco, still sleeping with his mouth gently open, small exhales drifting out. Hermione laid back down and reached out, placing her palm against his cheek. Her thumb running back and forth across his smooth skin.

"Draco?" she spoke quietly, scooting closer to him when he inhaled deeply and his eyebrows rose. "Draco, wake up..." she said again, smiling when he grunted in protest and wrapped his arm around her middle.

"Mm-wha?" he asked tiredly. Hermione didn't answer, knowing that he would open his eyes at her lack of a response. After a couple seconds, he did. "'Mione- What is it? What's wro-"

Hermione didn't let him finish. Unlike that time after Slughorn's party when she tried shutting him up, this time she managed not to attack him. This time, she eased in and gently settled her lips against his. Reveling in the softness of his lips, once again. While they kissed a lot, Hermione never lost this feeling. As if she was kissing him for the first time.

Hermione didn't pull away, expecting Draco to respond and deepen it. It took a couple awkward moments of her lips pressed against his with him unmoving, before he caught on that it would be a good idea to kiss her back.

She moaned softly when his tongue swept against hers and she moved her hand up into his hair. Noticing that it wasn't just shaggy, but was so thick she wasn't afraid to give it a little pull. His reaction, his groan, hit her like a lightening bolt and spread throughout her entire body. Even her toes were tingling.

She was in a state of shock, when her body moved out of her accord and she was soon straddling him, with her hands on his chest and looking down into his wide silver eyes. It seemed she hadn't only surprised herself. Leaning down she took his mouth again, she hadn't ever felt this way. Any and all fears took a backseat for the moment as she delighted in the way his finger skimmed along her back before he took a strong grip on her hips.

By the way he held her, she could tell he was holding back and once again she pulled back to look at them. "Happy birthday, Draco." She told him, her voice almost unrecognizable and breathy. She sounded exactly like those fifth years she caught snogging in a corner of the second floor just the other day.

Very gently she moved her hips against him, gasping when she felt something against her thigh... She looked down, gulping slightly. Okay, now... now she was apprehensive on just what she was doing. She wanted Draco's birthday to be special, but she was so unsure... She didn't want to think about that night, when she finally gave herself to him... She really didn't want to. That hardness against her thigh, wasn't giving her any other choice though.

She heard the hitch in his breath, but she dare not look at him now. "What are you doing, Hermione?" he asked, his fingers still pressing hard into her hips.

She was quiet for a long moment, a large battle taking place inside her head. "Trying to give you your b-birthday present..." she clamped her mouth shut as she stumbled over her words. Knowing that even as she was being put through her past turmoil once again, she wasn't going to stop this.

"Oh, 'Mione..." Draco sighed and she felt his arms wrap around her before he sat up. Situating her on his thighs, almost on his knees to which she was most grateful. "As much as that sounds like one splendid birthday present... No."

"What?" Hermione looked up, her eyes wide. But, at least her brain registered his face, and the one she had nightmares over for months, faded. "What? Why?"

He actually smiled. He was rejecting her for the second time and he had the nerve, the moxie, the very gall to smile? Her jaw locked tightly when he raised his hand to touch her cheek, his caress so gently and soft that her muscles relaxed instantly. The traitorous tendons!

"Hermione... Not only am I completely uncomfortable with the fact Ellery is just a couple feet away..." he informed her with a raised eyebrow. She couldn't help looking utterly sheepish, that had been a bit of a worry. What if something happened, Ellery had woken up, and turned her little head to see through the rods of her crib... What if they had scarred her for life? Not only that, but it was completely indecent. His expression then lightened, relaxed until his smile looked almost lazy and sad. Only the sad bit was a little more prominent. "But, love- You aren't ready. And I'm not going to take advantage of you like that and ruin what we got..."

Hermione almost felt close to tears. Draco Malfoy was usually a complete ass. Anyone could tell you that, but only with her did he ever manage to be actually sweet. Completely sweet in fact. He could be nice, but he was never sweet with anyone but her. And Ellery, too, of course!

"And I fucking love what we got," he added, kissing the tip of her nose.

Hermione laughed and wiped away the stray tear that managed to escape. "You're really okay with just snogging?"

He smirked. "Of course, I am. I'm not exactly ready for sex either," Hermione's eyes almost popped out of her head, remembering what he had told her abut Greyback... What he could anyway, since most of it was obliviated.

"I'm sorry-" she started, stopping when he looked at her disapprovingly.

"I know you have a present stashed away somewhere," he told her, offhandedly, switching the topic of conversation. And she knew he was probably a little annoyed that she had, in fact, bought him something. "Why don't you go get it?"

Hermione smiled, leaning down and placing a lingering kiss on his lips, before she hopped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. Kneeling down in the corner beside the bathtub she removed a piece of stone from the wall, revealing a small hole, but big enough to fit a humble sized box.

Hermione stepped out of the bathroom to see Draco up and gathering a crying Ellery from her crib. Their daughter's wails ceasing the moment she was snuggled in her fathers embrace. Hermione grinned and settled back on the bed, while Draco made his way over. He set Ellery down on her tummy lightly between them, both of them watching as she pushed her head up and looked at them with a small wobble on her lips.

Before handing Draco his small present (wrapped in a light blue wrapping paper with bright red present all over it), she leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of Ellery's head.

"Time to give daddy his present," she said, her voice naturally adopting a baby friendly tone.

She matched Draco's laugh, as Ellery made some unintelligible sound and then ruffled her face against the sheets.

"I think that was a laugh," Hermione stated, her voice a jingle of laughter and astonishment. She picked Ellery up and blew a raspberry on her cheek. "Was that a laugh, sweetheart?" she cooed, looking to Draco, only to find him gazing at them both with a smile that nearly surprised her as much as Ellery's near-laugh.

She had never seen him look so blissfully and unmistakably happy. It was a different happiness that shined in his eyes. A different bliss. It was beatific and rapturous. Something a normal person outside of their family would never associate with Draco Malfoy. And possibly something Draco would never show the others.

"I love you," he told her.

Hermione smiled dreamily and very Luna-like. She would never tire of that little declaration. "I love you too," she told him. "Now open your present!" she laughed when Ellery squealed in agreement. As if she knew what was going on around her.

Draco rolled his eyes, but the smile still played on his lips. She knew he was trying like hell to get rid of it. He surveyed the box as if it was a bomb or a Weasley product, that could be much more disastrous. When he finally tore the wrapping off and was left with only a rather plain and ordinary jewelry box, she bit her lip nervously.

He looked at her curiously, but she could only await anxiously while he slowly lifted the top. She almost closed her eyes, but discovered that his reaction was too good to miss.

Draco's eyes widened, his smile gone and his lips in a tight line. She was almost scared for a moment, as he took out the piece.

Inside the box had been a watch. Hermione had found this watch in a catalog inside Ginny's book bag when the redhead had asked her to grab a quill one day. It was, in truth, rather simple. Although goblin-made. The band was black dragon hide, the case silver... It was the face of the watch that stuck out. A picture of her and Ellery, brought to life by magical means. Hermione was beaming and waving, as Ellery yawned in her arms, ready for sleep. The picture had only been taken yesterday when Remus and Tonks had come to visit and her arms were free to wrap it up.

Draco stared at the watch for a long time. She noticed his eyes glistening, but not one drop fell. "Draco? If you don't like it-"

"What?" his head snapped up. "Are you mental? I love it..." he said, glancing back to the watch with a fond smile. "No one's ever given me something like this before," he told her and she noticed how he shook his head to deliberately make his bangs fall into his eyes. "I love it," he repeated once again. "Thank you, the both of you."

Hermione smiled when he wrapped his arm about her shoulders, kissing her lips before he bent low to kiss Ellery's forehead.

"Happy Birthday, Draco."

/-/-/-/

As the day progressed; classes passed and dinner was finally over. Hermione was left to return to her room in the hospital wing with only the girls. Apparently the boys had some birthday traditions (ones they decided to start now) and if Hermione knew the boys as she did... It most definitely involved firewhiskey. She tsked disapprovingly, but was glad that Blaise and Theo had included Neville and Harry in the celebrations.

It was quite odd how good Draco and Harry were getting along. They weren't best friends, that was for sure. Nor was Hermione naive enough to think they would ever be. But while they insulted each other heartily every chance they got, Hermione was aware that they were bordering friendly lines and remained relatively civil. That morning, roughly a month ago, had clearly broken a large piece of the ice.

It was getting quite late when Pansy, Ginny, and Luna left. Midnight having passed. Ellery was now asleep and Hermione was sitting up in bed perilously trying to keep her eyes open. It was of no use though, because she fell asleep the moment her eyes shut on the thought she was just going to rest them for a little while.

Hermione's brow crinkled when she heard murmuring. Soft, but happy murmuring. "Draco?" she murmured, looking to the clock briefly and having to squint to make out the numerals, her vision too blurry at just waking. She about rolled her eyes and turned around to go back to sleep. She had been asleep for only an hour. It was now two-ten in the bloody morning. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

She asked him, sitting up in bed. But it wasn't Draco who she thought was talking so quietly animated. It wasn't Draco who was hovering over the crib. It was not Draco who was now smiling at her wretchedly, as if Christmas morning had come. Hermione couldn't scream, she couldn't move. She was completely frozen with terror.

"Hello, lover."

TBC