Lucius stared blankly at Draco for a few moments as he watched a number of emotions flit across his face.

'Wait, what?'

'There you go. I think you can figure out exactly what.'

'So you are telling me that your ring reacted to a member of the Malfoy bloodline?'

'I am.'

'And that member of the Malfoy bloodline is in Hermione?'

'Yes.'

A huge smile spread across Draco's face as he stood to look his father in the eye, but it soon fell as he started to pace the floor again. 'What have I done? I need to go to her now and fix what I said!'

As Draco rushed towards to door Lucius stopped him.

'I know there is a great deal going on in your head right now, son, but if there was ever a good time to bring out the Malfoy demeanour, now is it.'

Draco stopped and looked at Lucius in confusion. 'I don't think I follow, Father.'

'Take a moment to think what your mother and that chit did to keep you and Miss Granger apart. Do not think for a second that your mother will hesitate to remove any other 'obstacles' she might see standing in the way of carrying on her pure blooded line.' Lucius winced as he thought of what Narcissa might do to the poor witch and the unborn Malfoy if she found out about the child's lineage before they were ready.

'You don't think...?' Draco was appalled to think that his mother could hurt the unborn child, half-blood or not, it was still a Malfoy.

'Do you want to find out for sure?'

'No!' Draco knew his mother could be cruel if it were in her benefit and did not want to risk Hermione or the unborn child, his unborn child. The smile returned to his face.

'I must apologize for my ridiculous behaviour earlier, sooner rather than later. But why didn't she correct you, or Astoria, or even me for that matter?'

'I was curious about that, but my guess is that in a bid to protect herself and the baby, she would rather you loathe her than spend pointless time hanging around, hurting her, you and your child.'

'Pointless? The love of my life is carrying my child, why would she think me knowing would be pointless?' Draco was getting upset, this whole situation was ridiculous and draining. All he wanted to do was run back to Flourish and Blotts, embrace Hermione and never let her go again.

'Pointless because of your marriage contract and the curse. There are a number of, clauses shall we call them, in your contract that would make contact with Miss Granger difficult to say the lease, but...'

'But what?'

'As I said, I completed a lot of research into this marriage contract and curse that you and I have both been stricken with.'

'Yes?'

'There might be a way for us to break your curse, a way for you to have the life you were meant to have started 6 months ago when this nightmare began.'

'I thought you couldn't find a way out?'

'Not for me, I am afraid, but there may be hope for you son.'

'What is it, what can break the curse and end this hell?' Draco stared into his father's eyes, waiting, hoping that this misery could end and that he might be reunited with his soul mate.

Lucius looked Draco in the eye with what Draco could only describe as hope and spoke one word.

'Love.'