AN- No I don't own the characters

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Chapter 7

"Are you out of your bloody mind, Astoria?" Draco snapped, glaring at the girl with distaste.

Astoria gawked at him. "What, for wanting to invite the Potters, the Weasleys, and Granger to your birthday party? This would be a great way to thank them for saving you during the war –"

"Oh shut up already with the past shit, Greengrass. I've already thanked them," Draco spat, "it's starting to piss me off."

"What is wrong with you two?" They turned on their heels to see Narcissa glaring at them both, leaning against the doorframe. "Astoria, that is a splendid idea, dear. I shall get the invitations ready. And Draco, how many times have I told you to keep your temper intact?"

"Mother, how many times do I have to thank them?" Draco complained, throwing himself on the couch with a grunt. "It's as if you both want me to kiss their arse or something."

"Don't be so vulgar, Draco," Narcissa scolded. She turned to Astoria and nodded, "Go and send the invitations, Astoria. I'm sure they would really appreciate it."

Ignoring Draco's glares, Astoria fired a smirk at him as she advanced upstairs.

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"Wait, what?"

Hermione groaned in annoyance as she felt the throbbing in her head beginning to increase. "Ginny, I really don't like repeating myself."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "But seriously, I don't understand."

"What is it I said that you misunderstood?" Hermione asked incredulously. "I bumped into Malfoy at the bookstore again. We exchanged a few words as usual. I went to purchase a book, but found I couldn't because I'm running low on Galleons at the moment–"

"Then, out of nowhere, he came to your rescue and bought them for you," Ginny interrupted with a smirk.

"He did not come to my rescue!" Hermione hissed.

Ginny grinned. "I was only joking, Hermione."

"Well, that's what happened," Hermione told her, "so there."

"Well, thank you for telling me, Hermione," Ginny said sarcastically. "This happened weeks ago and I'm only hearing about this for the first time now!"

"Sorry," Hermione said, not sounding apologetic at all. "I just felt like sharing it with you now because I still find it weird, that's all."

Ginny nodded, biting her bottom lip thoughtfully. "Now, don't think I'm mad for thinking this, but what if he's… I don't know… changing?"

"Changing?" Hermione laughed. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Okay, maybe he hasn't changed yet," Ginny sighed, "I mean, what if the news of you being pregnant - with his child is finally getting in his head?"

Hermione scoffed. "Ridiculous," she repeated.

TAP TAP TAP

The girls whirled around at the sound and saw an owl perching on the window ledge.

"Whose owl is that?" Hermione asked curiously, getting up from the bed and walking towards the window. "He looks familiar."

"Doesn't that owl belong to the Malfoys, Hermione?" Ginny asked warily, as the owl hooted and flew inside the bedroom. "Merlin, what does that git want now?"

Hermione untied the parchment from the owl's leg and bit her bottom lip nervously.

Ginny was right. What was it now? Hadn't he bothered her enough already? Wasn't he the one who told her to 'get out of his life'?

"Well, let's see what it says," She replied, unrolling the parchment to glance at its contents. Her eyes widened at the fancy handwriting. "Draco didn't write this, Gin. It's Astoria."

Ginny let a loud groan as Hermione sat beside her. "Great. What does she want?"

Hermione was silent for a minute.

Or two.

Or three.

"Hermione?" Ginny asked, concerned. She gently placed a hand on her friend's tense shoulder and turned her slightly. "Is everything okay?"

She watched as Hermione's eyes darted back and forth as she read the letter. A thought popped inside Ginny's head, making her gasp and her eyes widen.

"You don't think – Did Malfoy tell her yet? About… you know." She nodded towards her friend's protruding belly.

Hermione shook her head and took a deep breath. "No. At least, I don't think so."

Ginny frowned. "Then, what?"

Hermione sighed and looked up from the letter. "It's Draco Malfoy's birthday this weekend and she wants us to come."

Ginny's expression dropped along with her jaw. "What the hell?"

"Actually, scratch that," Hermione laughed sarcastically as she glanced back at the letter. "She insists that we go. She won't take no for an answer."

"That's bollocks!" Ginny exclaimed angrily. How dare they? Does that idiot not know how much pain her fiancé has put her best friend into? Not just pain, but something life changing!

Hermione raised an eyebrow at her friend's words. "I'm speechless."

"What's there to be speechless about?" Ginny sighed, "it's quite simple. Don't go. Do you need my brother and Harry to come over to tell you that they agree with me? I'm sure they would."

"No," Hermione said, shaking her head. "It's just that –"

"Wait," Ginny interrupted suddenly.

Hermione looked at her friend and noticed the expression on her face. Ginny was staring at the wall and her eyebrows were furrowed together as if she was deep in thought.

"I think you should go," Ginny murmured.

"What?" Hermione laughed, shaking her head. She tossed the letter on the bed and adjusted herself to become face to face with the redhead. "You just told me I shouldn't go. Now you're taking it back?"

Ginny grabbed her arm and shushed her, a wicked grin on her face.

"I'm serious, think about it! You and that belly of yours – without you charming it, by the way – go to the party and most of the guests will question it. Malfoy will get very uncomfortable, and it would only be a matter of time before he explodes!"

"That doesn't make any sense, Ginny!" Hermione cried out, her hand unconsciously drifting on top of her stomach. It was a gesture Ginny did not miss.

"Trust me," Ginny said softly, smiling. "You must go. Harry, Ron, and I will be there with you. C'mon Hermione, don't you think it's time for everyone to know the truth?"

Hermione studied her, her mind telling her that this wasn't her friend in front of her, but an imposter. "No, Ginny."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm serious, Hermione. We're going. In fact, I'm going to go and inform Harry and Ron now."

Hours later, Hermione felt relieved to know that even her male best friends was questioning Ginny's motives.

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"What the fuck are they doing here?" Draco growled, his lips brushing against Astoria's ear to give the illusion that they were this so-called perfect couple. His fingers, however, was digging into her side, making her wince with discomfort. "Answer me!"

Astoria flashed a smile at one of their guests and pinched Draco's arm. "Don't you remember, dear? I invited them. Even your mother agreed."

"This is my birthday!" Draco snapped, his patience slipping away. "I was supposed to invite my friends not your fucking charitable –"

"Happy birthday, mate!"

They both glanced up to see Blaise striding towards them with a grin.

"Blaise," Draco said; his voice still rough from their disagreement. "Thank you for coming."

"My pleasure," Blaise grinned. "Although it was Astoria who invited me, technically." He took her right arm and bent down to land a soft kiss on the back of her hand. "So, thank you, Astoria."

Astoria blushed. "Draco wanted you to come, but I wrote the invitations. You should really thank him."

Draco made a face. "No thank you, Blaise. I understand you're grateful, so no need to kiss me."

"Feisty husband you're going to have," Blaise teased, wiggling his eyebrows at Astoria, causing her to blush even more.

Draco watched the both of them with an unreadable expression on his face. He hasn't seen Astoria blush and laugh like that since they first started dating, and he hadn't seen Blaise so carefree since Hogwarts.

"Would you look at that," Blaise suddenly murmured, interrupting Draco's thoughts. "What are Potter, Weasley, and Granger doing here?"

Draco glanced at the former Gryffindors. "You can thank Astoria for that," he spat.

Astoria glared at him. "I was just trying to make amends, Draco. Why can't you see that?"

"I hate them," Draco snapped, "why can't you see that? You're insisting we should all hold hands and be friends, like we got fucking rainbows flying out of our arses."

"Don't be so rude, Draco," Blaise snapped back, his playfulness disappearing. "She was just trying to do the right thing. It's probably time you put the past behind you and be civil with them. Turn over a new leaf is what the Muggles say, correct?"

"Speaking of Muggles, here's Hermione Granger," Astoria grinned, waving her hands. "Hermione! Over here!"

Draco let out a stifled groan.

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"Calm down, Hermione," Ginny whispered as they all headed towards the former Slytherins. "We're here with you."

"I still don't know why I agreed to come here," Hermione hissed angrily, "this is a mistake. Ouch. The baby's kicking which means he or she agrees with me! Ouch, Ginny slow down!"

"Sorry," Ginny whispered softly, "let's go."

"This is awkward," Ron mumbled to Hermione, staring down at his feet. "This is really, really awkward."

"We got it, thanks, Ron," Harry chuckled. "It isn't that bad actually." There were people looking at them in a mixture of shock and distaste, but he continued to flash them a smile. "Feels like old times."

"Look at you!" Astoria squealed, her eyes widening as she stared at Hermione's stomach. "When's the due date again?"

"We went to a healer yesterday and she said probably within a few weeks," Hermione grinned, her hands rubbing her stomach. She could feel the little one kicking again, making her wince in discomfort.

Blaise, Draco, and Astoria noticed the quick expression of pain on her face.

"Are you alright?" Blaise asked, taking a step closer to her. "Granger, you okay?"

Hermione glanced up, feeling weird about his concern. Nevertheless, she smiled politely. "I'm good, thank you."

"Is it the baby?" Astoria cooed. "I read somewhere that the baby can hear you talking now."

For no reason at all, Hermione's gaze landed on Draco. He was staring at her hard, and his lips were shut tightly shut into a thin line. She could feel the discomfort increasing with his glares and she looked back at Astoria and Blaise.

"Yes, the baby has been hearing me for a while now, actually." Hermione said kindly. She looked back at Draco and cleared her throat. "Happy birthday, Malfoy."

"Yeah, happy birthday," Harry sighed, handing him a present.

Draco lifted an eyebrow as he took the gift. "Thank you."

"I didn't have time to get you anything, so don't expect a gift from me," Ron said bluntly, shrugging.

Hermione fought the urge to giggle.

"No need, Weasley," Draco said curtly. It's not like you can afford them anyway.

Guests were still staring at the group, presumably wondering why the former enemies were talking together. It wouldn't do him good as a host if he picked a fight with the famous Harry Potter and his sidekicks.

Ron nodded, clearing his throat as he tried to remain civil for Hermione's sake. "Right, well, happy birthday."

Blaise raised an eyebrow as he glanced between him and Hermione. So she's still with Ron... But didn't I see him with another woman the other day?

"How are the two of you doing?" He asked suddenly, crossing his arms with a curious expression etched on his face.

Ron and Hermione exchanged looks of confusion.

"Good," Ron said slowly, "and yourself?"

"I'm doing rather well, Weasley," Blaise smirked, adding in a sarcastic tone, "Excited for the baby? I mean, not only do you have to take care of your girlfriend, but you have to take care of your baby as well, right?"

Ron frowned at the former Slytherin before looking at Hermione. "Er... What is he talking about?"

Ginny and Harry rolled their eyes the same time. Honestly, this man can be so thick at times.

"You don't know what I'm talking about?" Blaise accused slowly. "I'm talking about your girlfriend next to you. I mean, she is your one and only girlfriend right?"

Draco cleared his throat. "What is your point, Blaise?"

"Nothing," Blaise replied innocently, "I'm just curious."

"You two are together though, right?" Astoria asked, wanting to clear things up for Blaise. "Hermione, didn't you tell me you're together, and that the baby is Ron's?"

Hermione swallowed hard. "Ri – right. Of course."

Why was it getting warmer? Why were her palms becoming sweaty? For some reason it was getting harder and harder to lie. Especially when all of them were there surrounded with Draco's guests as eye-witnesses.

"I'm sorry, but can you please show me where the restroom is?" She asked breathlessly. She could feel her heart beating faster and her lower back beginning to ache. Merlin, she needed to sit down and get away from this mess.

"You should know, Granger," Draco smirked, reveling in the squirms of her embarrassment. "You've been there before."

Hermione flushed and glared at him before repeating, "Can you please show me your restroom?"

"Stop it," Astoria snapped at him, noticing how Harry, Ron, and Ginny were looking as if they wanted nothing more than to curse him. Now, that wouldn't do. Not in front of their entire guest list, anyway. "Can you show her where it is, Draco?"

Draco rolled his eyes and turned around, not bothering to look back to see if Hermione was following.

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Once they were out of earshot, Draco whirled around and snarled, "What the hell are you doing here, Mudblood?"

Hermione stiffened before gawking at him. "We got an invitation, Malfoy –"

"Oh, so if I invited you for another shag, would you come?" Draco laughed harshly. "Great way to ruin my birthday, Granger."

Hermione glared at him. "Fuck you, Malfoy! I didn't even want to be here in the first place! Just show me where the toilet is then I'll leave with my friends!"

"Good!" Draco raged, "I told you that I never wanted to see you again! You and that… thing inside you! Just because I got you a bloody book and some chocolate, you think we can be friends now? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Hermione couldn't reply back. Her chest had been overcome by a squeezing sensation and the pain in her back was doubling. What the hell?

Growing impatient, Draco grabbed her arm and ushered her inside the bathroom. "The toilet is in there. Hurry the hell up."

Without waiting for her reply, he closed the door shut and leaned his head against the wall with a groan.

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"What's taking them so long?" Harry asked, looking in the direction that Draco and Hermione had gone.

"She's pregnant, guys," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "What do you expect?"

"Let's go check what's going on," Ron sighed, putting his cup down on a table closest to him.

"We'll come with you," Astoria insisted, pulling Blaise with her. "It's almost time for Draco to make his Thank You speech, anyway."

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"Malfoy?"

"What, Granger?"

"Why do you hate me so much?"

Draco stopped walking and turned around to face her. "Is that a serious question?"

Hermione shot daggers at him before sighing. "I mean, why do you hate me at all? Why? Don't you feel at least something, knowing that it's your baby as well?"

Draco's eyes narrowed. "Shut up, Granger."

"No!" Hermione shouted suddenly, surprising Draco. "I'm tired of you treating me like that!"

"Granger, shut the –"

"This is your baby too!" It seemed that the greater the pain in her back, the more her anger poured out of her. Why was her back hurting so much? And why was her –

"I DON'T CARE, MUDBLOOD!" Draco roared, his pale face now painted red in anger.

Hermione's eyes widened with fear and she took a step back. He didn't look like the Draco Malfoy she was used to. This man in front of her reminded her of Draco Malfoy: Death Eater.

It took a few moments before Draco's breathing returned to normal.

"I hate you and your filthy spawn, Granger. Get that inside your head, all right? Even though it's mine by blood, I do not want to be any part of that thing that's contaminating my family line. Do you understand?"

Hermione suddenly felt a sharp tightening pain in her stomach, causing her to gasp. "Merlin –"

"Thank you, Malfoy," a voice said behind them.

They both whirled around in surprise to see Harry, Ron, Blaise, and Astoria staring at them with a shocked expression on their faces. Ginny was the only one looking satisfied.

"You made things simpler than I thought;" Ginny grinned, "now everyone knows the truth."

Hermione stared at her friend. She didn't know whether she should feel relieved that the truth was out, or angry at her friends for walking in at that exact moment.

"Draco?" Astoria gasped breathlessly, her eyes darting between him and Hermione.

Even Blaise was too stunned to say anything. Either that or he wanted to see everything play out.

Draco shook his head before looking back at Hermione. The look he was giving her caused her to take another step back. She could practically feel the hatred washing through her with just his gaze.

Another pain hit her, causing her to groan. "Please –"

"This is all your fault, you filthy –"

"Don't," Ron snarled threateningly.

"Actually, it was my idea," Ginny said, giving him a smirk. "I had a feeling something was going to happen –"

"HERMIONE!" Harry shouted in panic. He rushed towards his friend before her head hit the floor. "Hermione, are you okay?"

"Oh no," Ginny whimpered, noticing something wet running down Hermione's legs. "Oh no, quick! She's going to… Damn it, we're so stupid! Quick! Take her to St Mungo's. Hurry!"

To her surprise, Astoria rushed to help by opening the Floo network. "Wait… Will floo be too dangerous?"

"She can't apparate either!" Blaise panicked, finding his voice. "That's also way too dangerous!"

"What do we do?" Ron cried out, pulling his hair with his hands as he worriedly stared at Hermione.

"Shut up!" Draco shouted, "Everyone shut up! We have no choice!" He hesitated for a second before nodding to himself. He turned around and held out his arms. "Give her to me."

"Like hell," Harry snarled, clutching Hermione tightly to him, "She needs –"

"She needs help now, Potter!" Draco snapped, taking Hermione from him. He turned to Astoria. "Get a Healer quickly and take them to my bedroom!"

"Your bedroom?" Blaise asked, as they all quickly followed him. "Why –"

"It's the closest one!" Draco interrupted impatiently, kicking his door open and rushing towards his bed. Gently, he placed Hermione down on top of the covers.

"Ouch!" Hermione cried out, her eyes tightly shut as she clutched both her stomach and back. "Oh Merlin, it hurts!"

"It's okay, it's okay," Ginny shushed her, pushing Draco aside as she grabbed Hermione's hand, "we're here. We're all here."

Hermione's eyes flew open as a contraction came to an end. "Where's Draco?"

"The ferret is still here unfortunately," Ron sighed before glaring at the blond, "although I'm beginning to wonder why."

Draco ignored him. His eyes were glued to Hermione, making her feel even more uncomfortable.

"You don't have to watch, Malfoy," Hermione said breathlessly, after another sharp pain passed, "you don't have to be here and –"

"Stop talking, Granger," Draco snapped, "just stop."

Hermione groaned as another pain came and went, "Ugh! Sometimes I hate being a girl!"

Everyone laughed, except for Draco.

He continued to watch her, his fist clutching the armrest of the chair beside him. Hermione couldn't help but notice how Draco immediately made a move to get up towards her whenever she made a painful sound, before he stopped himself.

"The Healer's here!" Astoria shrieked, bursting into the room with a Healer in tow and a panicked-looking Narcissa behind her.

"Some birthday, right, mate?" Blaise joked, patting Draco's back, trying to lighten the mood.

Draco swallowed hard as he watched the Healer place a few spells on Hermione. "Yeah, some birthday."

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THANK YOU TO MAGICIS-MIGHT FROM TUMBLR FOR BETA-ING THIS CHAPTER! YOU'RE AWESOME!

AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO ARE FOLLOWING AND FAVORITING THIS STORY SO FAR! YOU'RE THE BEST!

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