AN- No I don't own the characters
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Chapter 4
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Hermione glared at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but let out a helpless, dry sob.
"What on earth are you doing?" Ginny laughed as she continued to watch her friend in amusement. "You've been staring at the mirror for ages."
"I really am fat," Hermione mumbled, rubbing her hand on her slightly swollen stomach.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You're not fat, you're pregnant."
"Malfoy said I'm fat," Hermione spouted, accidentally.
Ginny rushed towards her side, frowning. "Wait, what? When the hell did you meet up with Malfoy?"
"I didn't." Hermione groaned inwardly at her slip and sighed before turning away from her reflection. She sat on the edge of Ginny's bed and shrugged. "I bumped into him weeks ago and we exchanged a few … pleasantries."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "And you believed him when he called you fat?"
"I am," Hermione growled.
Ginny tsked with annoyance. "You're being incredibly stupid. I'm blaming the hormones." Before Hermione could retort back, Ginny grabbed her wand from the table and muttered a concealment charm over Hermione's stomach. "There! Now you look normal."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "So what's the plan for today?"
"Well Harry and Ron said they were going to stop by for a bit tonight. Don't you think it's time to tell your best mates the news?" Ginny asked, crossing her arms as she leaned on the wall, watching for her friend's reaction.
Hermione groaned. "I know it is, but I just don't know what to tell them!"
"Tell them the truth!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Oh, that would be lovely!" Hermione said sarcastically, her pregnancy hormones getting the best of her. "I'll just tell them 'Why, hello, Harry and Ron. I just thought I'd let you know that Draco Malfoy, Astoria Greengrass' husband-to-be and our long-time childhood nemesis basically - to put in a nice way - took advantage of me in an intimate way! Oh, and that's not the best part, he even left me a gift!' And when either Ron or Harry asks what kind of gift, I'll say something like 'Oh, well, you know...a child! Yup, that's right boys, I'm pregnant!'"
Ginny stared at Hermione with wide eyes, clearly shocked at her outburst. "Merlin, if pregnancy causes you to act this insane, then I'm having second thoughts about having a child of my own."
"I'm serious, Ginny!" Hermione snapped.
"Calm down, Hermione," Ginny rolled her eyes, though she seemed slightly amused. "Those are your hormones talking right now. I've read that pregnancy can do that to you."
Before Hermione could retort back, Ron burst through the door.
"Who's pregnant?" he asked, attacking Hermione with a hug. "I win Harry! You owe three Galleons!"
"Ron," Harry sighed, appearing after him and giving his wife an affectionate greeting."I told you we would see who's faster, you were being unfair; you apparated first and just ran with a head start."
"Excuses, excuses," Ron scoffed before turning to the girls with a curious expression. "So, who's pregnant?"
Ginny cleared her throat and shrugged innocently. "Pregnant? I don't know." She turned to Hermione with a knowing gaze. "Hermione, do you know anyone who is pregnant?"
Hermione wanted nothing more than to just melt right then and there.
How did Ginny expect her to just confess her news before she was ready? And she wasn't confessing to just anyone, but to Harry and Ron, who both really disliked Draco.
Just the thought of what their reaction would be made Hermione nervous. "I...um...well you see I-Oh, Merlin-"
"Hermione?" Harry asked in concern, walking towards her. "You alright?"
She gave Harry a forced smile and nodded. "Yes. Harry, I think you and Ron need to sit down for this one."
Harry and Ron shot each other looks of concern before obeying.
"Right," Hermione sighed, looking at Ginny for some help. Ginny just nodded for her to continue. "I'm going to tell you both something. But please, do not interrupt me unless I'm done, alright?"
"That means you Ron," Ginny interrupted.
Ron frowned at her. "Um, okay."
"Okay." Hermione felt the palms of her hands beginning to moisten with sweat.
"Go on," Ginny said comfortingly.
Hermione closed her eyes for only a second to gather her thoughts before she finally told her two best friends the news.
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"Astoria, this is getting ridiculous," Draco sighed impatiently as he watched the woman pick out a few more wedding dresses. "We've been at this for weeks. Weeks, and you still haven't found a bloody dress?"
"You would never understand, Draco, because you're a man," Astoria sighed.
"You're only going to be wearing the stupid dress for one day," Draco scoffed. "And let me remind you that the only reason we're getting married is because of that stupid arrangement our fam-"
"Why are you being so cruel?" Astoria asked suddenly, glaring at him. "I'm just-"
"I'm tired!" Draco barked impatiently.
"Then go back to the manor!" she cried out. "Go! I'll just have Narcissa join me tomorrow."
"Thank Merlin," Draco said sarcastically, apparating back to Malfoy Manor without waiting for Astoria.
Astoria glared at the spot from which Draco disappeared and groaned. "Useless git."
"Now, that wasn't very nice."
She whirled around to face a young man with a kind face wearing an amused smirk.
"Pardon?" Astoria snapped, how dare he listen to their conversation!
The man shrugged, "I work here, Miss. It's kind of hard not to hear customers."
"Oh," Astoria scoffed as she dumped her choices into the man's arms. "Here. I would like to try these on, please."
"The fitting room is right there," the man nodded towards the corner. "I don't work here to hold your dresses."
Astoria stared at the man and frowned. "Fine then. Give them back so I can carry the heavy load all the way to the dressing room. Then if your boss sees me struggling, I'll tell her you refused to help me."
The man chuckled. "Merlin! Poor Draco, having to put up with you."
Astoria's eyes widened. "What?"
He knew her fiancé? Now that she thought about it, this man did look a bit familiar...
The man shook his head, smiling. "Never mind. Here, I'll help you, just this once."
Before she could say anything back, the man had walked towards the dressing room, making sure the dresses weren't touching the floor.
"Thanks," Astoria said awkwardly, as he hung the dresses on the wall. "You know Draco?"
"Yeah. We went to school together,'' he said, smiling kindly at her.
Draco has never smiled at me like that before, Astoria suddenly thought, sadly. This guy was much more of a gentleman than her future husband.
"Well, is there anything else I can help you with?" he asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"No, thank you," Astoria said. "But may I ask what your name is?"
The man smiled at her again and shook his head. "I don't think that would be a good idea."
"Why not?" Astoria asked.
The guy gave a nervous chuckle. "I really need to get back to work, Miss. Let me know if there's anything else you need."
"That doesn't mean I can't have your name." Astoria snapped.
Why was it so hard for him to give her a name? She only wanted to know his name because he looked extremely familiar. Maybe they went to Hogwarts together.
He studied her for a few moments, before nodding. "It's me, Astoria. Blaise Zabini."
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Of course they were angry.
Well. Not really angry with her, but very angry with the man who did this to her. They knew this was something she would never do to herself.
Hermione sighed and kicked a nearby rock. It took all of Ginny's and Hermione's combined charms and multiple promises to ensure that Harry and Ron would stay put and not go out to try and murder Draco.
Not that she would mind.
She found a bench nearby and sat down. Even though the glamor charm was giving her a flat stomach, she could still feel the heaviness when she walked. It was there and it was making her more tired than ever.
She wanted the baby to come out already. She wished, for once, that she was just a muggle so she would know the approximate month she will deliver. According to her books, it varies on witches because of just their magic being off balance. Sometimes the baby would come months sooner, sometimes months later.
Maybe that's why some muggle-borns were born way early than how they were supposed to! Hermione sighed as her mind began to wander. She was just tired, upset, moody, hungry, and in pain.
She wanted to punch Draco for doing this to her. Wait, no, not just punch; she wanted to punish and hurt him until he realized how much pain he had caused her. She wished she had never made the mistake of trusting him in the first place.
But at least something good came out of this.
She placed a hand on her charmed-flat stomach and whispered, "I can't wait to see you, baby."
"What the fuck?"
Hermione gasped in shock before whipping around to face her intruder. Her expression darkened at the sight of him standing there, watching her as if she had lost her mind.
"What the hell are you doing, mudblood?" Draco asked, giving her an appraising look. "Did I just see you talking to your stomach?"
"Piss off, Malfoy," Hermione snapped, getting up to walk away from him.
Draco smirked and followed her. "Where are you going?"
"Somewhere you aren't."
"Good one, Granger,'' he said, sarcastically.
Hermione had had enough.
"Look," she said in a low, angry voice, walking towards him until she could see how striking his gray eyes were up close, "Leave me alone, please. I have had enough of you harassing me-"
"Harassing you?'' Draco barked a laugh, "Last time I saw you, you were the one who slapped me in the face? Which you still need to be punished for-"
"Shut up!" Hermione snapped angrily, "Why must you bother me all the time? What do you want from me, huh?"
"You obviously need another shag, Granger," Draco smirked. "Too uptight and bitchy."
Hermione took a step back, afraid she might do something drastic, like smack him again.
"Tell me, Granger," Draco whispered quietly, taking a step closer to her and ignoring the looks of those around them, "When was the last time you had a good fuck?"
"Stop," Hermione whispered. What was wrong with her? It was as if a heavy weight was being pushed down upon her chest. "Please leave me alone."
But Draco wouldn't have it, as he continued to stalk towards her until she hit the back of a bench. He was standing so close that he could feel her breath on his chin.
He was too close. She couldn't stand it. She wanted to shove him away from her, but she was afraid of what he would do once she touched him.
Should she scream for help? There were people around them! Surely they would see there was a distressed young woman in need of help!
"Was it me last time, Granger?" he asked slowly, lifting his fingers to touch her cheeks. "You liked it didn't you, huh? Just waiting for me aren't you, you filthy mudblood."
Hermione felt as if her heartbeat was rapidly increasing, and she tried to calm herself down by taking a few deep breaths. Draco raised an eyebrow, watching her the whole time.
"Leave," she said, trying to give him a small shove.
Draco laughed, "Poor pathetic mudblood."
Before she realized what she was doing, she had lifted her hand and slapped him in the face. It wasn't until she felt the stinging in her hand that she realized what she'd done.
Oh no. Oh no no no, she'd done it again.
Draco lifted his face and glared at her. The glint in his eyes transforming to something that frightened her. But before he could do anything, she shoved him hard again and stormed away.
He was about to follow her and give her a piece of his mind when she bent down and threw up in the nearest trash bin. Draco stopped and stared.
What the hell?
She continued to throw up in the garbage until, finally, a few ladies stopped jogging and ran towards them.
"Is she okay?"
"Are you alright dear?"
One of the ladies looked at Draco, "Is your girlfriend okay?"
Draco glared at the woman in front of him.
Was this witch stupid? Did she not know who he was?
''No-I'm fine," Hermione cried out as she tried to prevent further vomiting.
Draco took a step back from the scene and gave Hermione a dirty glare. "Granger!"
Hermione weakly lifted her head up to look at Draco, but suddenly felt the concerned people around her and him slipping away.
"She's fainted!" one of the women called out.
Without thinking, Draco immediately ran to Hermione's side. He scooped her up in his arms, ignoring the foul smell of sickness, and apparated to his Manor.
There was no way he would let himself be seen carrying a mudblood into St Mungo's. Astoria or his mother or even his house elves would figure out what was wrong with this filth in his arms.
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"Draco where have you-is that Hermione Granger?" Astoria cried out, following Draco to the guest room. "What's wrong with her? Is she-"
"Shut up, Astoria!" Draco shouted in annoyance. "Call for my mother!"
He summoned his house elves and waited until his mother came to the room.
"What's all this?" Narcissa asked, staring at the pale Muggle-born on the guest bed. "Is that Granger? Potter's best friend?"
"She fainted," Draco said. "We were just talking, and then out of nowhere she started barfing her guts out and fainted."
Narcissa frowned, but Astoria spoke first. "Why didn't you take her to St Mungo's, Draco? She might need help."
"And risk them seeing me with a mudblood?" Draco sneered. "Use your head."
"Draco!" Narcissa snapped. "Take your fiancé and yourself to the sitting room while I see what's wrong with Miss Granger."
Draco nodded and grabbed Astoria's arm as they left his mother and the house elves to do what they could.
"Give me a cold wet cloth, please," Narcissa asked Binky the house elf.
Binky nodded and conjured a bowl filled with water and a small rag. Narcissa squeezed the water out of the rag and folded it up to place it on Hermione's forehead.
Hermione began to whimper, but her eyes were still closed.
"Binky please perform the basics on Miss Granger and tell me what has caused the sickness," Narcissa sighed.
While the house elf was seeing to that, Narcissa continued wiping the Muggle-born's face.
It has been awhile since the war had ended, but Narcissa had always felt grateful towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione. If it wasn't for them, her family and her would probably have been thrown in Azkaban right away. She might have held onto some of her prejudices, but she still respected them for what they had done for her family.
"Lady Malfoy?"
"Yes Binky?" Narcissa asked, looking at the elf.
"Binky knows why the girl is sick."
"Go on, what is it?"
Binky undid the glamor charm Hermione had applied earlier so Narcissa could see for herself. Narcissa gasped as she stared at the young witch's round stomach.
"Call Draco."
Once Binky left, Narcissa reapplied the glamor charm and stared at the girl. How could she have been so irresponsible? Wasn't she supposed to be a bright student?
"Mother?" Draco walked in and glared at Hermione. "So, what's wrong with her?"
Narcissa looked at her son. "Does she have a boyfriend?"
Draco frowned at his mother in confusion. What the hell?
"Is she married?" Narcissa continued, watching Draco's expression.
"No. What does that have to do with anything?" Draco snapped impatiently. He rounded on Hermione and began to shake her, as he shouted, "Oi! Mudblood! Wake up you bloody-"
"Stop it, Draco!" Astoria called out from the door, "She's pregnant!"
Immediately, Draco recoiled and let Hermione go. He stared at Hermione in shock as her eyes began to flutter open.
He whirled around to face Astoria. The expression on his face caused her to take a step back.
"What the fuck did you just say?" Draco asked in a low, harsh whisper, ignoring the whimpers coming from a waking Hermione.
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THANKS TO MAEGHAN AKA OCCUPYMALFOYSBED ON TUMBLR WHO IS JUST SO AMAZING ON HELPING ME WITH FIXING THIS CHAPTER UP!
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