Hermione felt so drained. She had been sitting by the fireplace for nearly an hour trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened already today. They had barely been back in England and she had already encountered the Malfoys. She knew there was no avoiding them, the wizarding community in Great Britain was small to begin with and running one of the most prominent book stores in the country would bring a lot of customers, which was wonderful, but it would also bring a lot of questions too. Hermione had steeled herself to prepare for the onslaught of who, what, where, why and how as soon as her old acquaintances saw her protruding belly, but she had hoped that she could avoid the Malfoys for as long as possible. She had also hoped that the word about the sale and the new owners would deter any of them from physically stepping foot in the store, but she had apparently underestimated how quickly gossip spread in Diagon Alley.

Hermione placed her hands over her face and rubbed away the weariness in the hopes that this whole mess would disappear when she was done, but alas, as she opened her eyes she was met with the contents of her store along with the pleasant smile of her partner and the offer of some tea.

'I thought you might want some refreshment.' Theo looked at Hermione questioningly. He knew this move would be risky, a fact he and Ron had pointed out many times over the past few months as she finalized the paperwork, but he supported her decision, and he honestly hoped she would allow Draco access to the child.

'That would be lovely, thank you Theo.' Hermione let out a huge sigh as she finished a big gulp of the beverage. Six months living with Theo and Ron made sure they knew exactly how she liked her tea. Hermione looked up a Theo and patted the seat beside her. 'Do you think this was a huge mistake already?'

'Of course not! Was I hoping we had longer than a few hours before a Malfoy showed up? Yes. Do I think it's a bad thing they know you are pregnant? No. I do wish you had told them Draco was the father though. Ron's been in a strop for the last hour over everyone thinking you and I are married. He's worried the gossipers with refer to him as the other woman.'

That earned a small chuckle from Hermione. 'If I was concerned every time Ron was in a strop, I'd barely ever think about anything else!'

'I can't argue with you there!'

Hermione let out another deep sigh. 'You saw them Theo. They didn't want to hear the truth. I haven't seen that look in Draco's eyes since we were children at Hogwarts.'

'Oh Mione.' Theo pulled Hermione into an embrace and stroked her hair.

'It's images like that one that make everyone who walks through that door think the two of you are married.' Ron appeared from the back looking a little sullen.

Ding! The door chimed again.

'Mione, Ron, Theo! I'm so excited to see...' Harry stopped mid-sentence as he entered the shop to see all of the downcast faces. He looked at Ron quizzically.

'We've already had a visit from Malfoy.' Ron gave Harry a pointed look, telling him not to go into too many questions.

'Oh dear! Which one?'

'Ah well, let's see, all of them except the matriarch.' Theo stood up to allow Harry to sit beside Hermione and embrace her.

'I suppose we did entertain that as a possibility on your return to England, didn't we?'

'Yes, I had just hoped that it wouldn't be in the first few hours of being in the shop.' Hermione hugged Harry a little tighter.

'How did Malfoy take the news?' Harry looked to both Theo and Ron.

'Yes, well, that is where it gets a little more complicated.' Theo proceeded to explain the morning's events to Harry.

Harry let out a low whistle as Theo finished. 'This complicated situation just got worse, didn't it?'

'Did it though? I mean, would it be so bad if we went our separate ways? He lived his life and I lived mine? I'm not sure my heart could handle Draco being around too much. I think it's better for everyone if he hates me.'

'That's all fine until that little bean in there comes out Hermione. Although I am sure that it will inherit some of your traits, it's probably also going to have some distinctive Malfoy traits too. If you want them to believe that Theo is the father, they might become suspicious if the baby has silver eyes or platinum hair.'

'Ugh! I didn't even think about that! Wizarding genetics are so much more complicated than Muggle.'

'It's how all Weasleys are ginger, Potters have unruly black hair and Malfoys are silver eyed blondes.' Theo mussed up Ron's hair as he spoke.

Hermione leant back on the sofa she was sitting on and rubbed her belly. There was no way out of having Malfoy in her life. Could she handle a platonic relationship with Draco? And what about Astoria, and the rest of the Malfoy family, they would also be part of this little one's life. How had this not crossed her mind in the months leading up to her move back and the takeover of the shop? Blasted baby brain!

'I think you should rest Hermione.' Harry stood and lifted Hermione's legs up to rest on the cushions. 'You've had a busy morning and I am sure you need to shut your eyes for a bit. I'll come back later with Gin and we'll take you out for dinner.'

Hermione reached up to grasp Harry's hand. 'Thank you Harry, and Ron and Theo. I don't know what I would have done in the last six months without you.'

'We'll leave you to rest Mione, Theo and I will just be in the office.' Ron saw Harry out while Theo picked up the teacup on his way to the back of the shop.

'I think you and I need to have a meeting with Malfoy.' Ron whispered to Harry as he flipped the sign on the door to say they were shut for lunch.

'I think you and I are thinking the same thing. I will owl him when I get back into the office and let you know the time and place.' With a quick embrace, Harry was headed back up Diagon Alley and Ron turned to go to the office with his husband, stopping quickly to pull a throw over Hermione's legs.