Author's Note

No, I haven't died under a rock. In other words sorry for the late post! Although, I may have died under the loads of stress on my shoulders. SO MUCH STRESS. My posts may be less frequent now as my life has become more busy. I'm really sorry, for the inconvenience.

Anyways, here's a chapter for you all.

Draco watched skeptically as Valentina or Professor Simmons began walking between rows of desks and inspecting students work.

"No Mr Heffer. It is Wingardium Leviosaa. Not Wingardium LeviOsa." she chastised patting him hard on the head.

Draco rolled his eyes and stepped into the light, as some kids gasped and began whispering.

"That's the Mr Malfoy! He married Granger. He's the hot guy from the magazine!" a kid cried.

Draco smirked slightly before heading over to the little boy, Valentina just corrected. "Actually, it is LeviOsa." he drawled fixing the child's hand position a tad then demonstrating the swish and flick. The little boy looked awestruck at being touched by him. His grey eyes peered up in admiration and awe.

"Excuse me, but may I ask what you're doing in my classroom?" Valentina asked in an annoyed and high pitched voice.

"Just doing my job professor." he remarked eyeing a girl's work. "'The Darkest Wizards and What They've Accomplished?'" Draco asked snatching the paper from her desk in disgust. "This is what you're teaching?"

"Well Auror Malfoy, you have come to do your job, let me do mine." she said daringly as she wrenched the sheet back and placed it on the girl's desk.

Draco watched in disbelief as she strut to the front of the class and waved her wand, revealing a list of dark wizards.

"I expect detailed notes and a thorough reading on each of the following wizards before Wednesday." she called out meeting each wary child's eye. "Abbineaugh!" she screeched, causing half the class to jump in their seats. A hazel skinned boy with a terrified expression raised his head. "What did Bellatrix Lestrange do to Hermione Granger and where?"

Draco sucked in a breath as the child stood shakily and gulped. "She…..she tortured her-"

"With what spell?" Valentina crowed hovering over the boy's desk.

"The….the cruciatus curse." he breathed looking faint. "At…..Malfoy-" he said breaking off and eyeing Draco before collapsing in tears on his desk, his arms wrapped around his head sobbing. Draco had head enough of this rubbish. He strode over to where the child wept, and Valentina towered over scowling.

"You don't have to say anymore." he whispered to the crying child. "All of you are excused from your homework and dismissed." he said louder and the whole class quickly scarpered off, before Valentina could protest leaving an enraged professor with him.

"What in the name of Merlin are you doing, barging in here and overtaking my class?" she demanded glaring at him through her hateful eyes. He crossed his arms and glared right back.

"What do you think you're doing teaching first years about dark wizards and what they accomplished?" he retorted trying to keep his tone from rising.

"It's important. They need to know what's out there. They have to know what was done in the past, by who and how they accomplished such things." she said brushing off his scoff as she began erasing the board and sitting behind her desk.

"Accomplished?" Draco asked scornfully. "You think Voldemort starting two wizarding world wars, Grindelwald in power are things that someone has accomplished as if it were something to be proud of?"

"They did some disagreeable things," she snapped, her mouth pursed tightly. "But you can not deny they were great wizards."

"They're bloody first years, they shouldn't have to hear about this. Especially from the way you're teaching it." he scowled. If he could do anything, he would reverse time so these poor kids wouldn't have to hear about what dark wizards 'accomplished'. He wished someone had shielded him better as a child.

"You're never too young to be wise." she said airily.

Draco marched straight towards her, his anger boiling hot. She stood to meet him and glowered back just as fiercely. "Listen to me professor." he hissed. "You are still on high suspicion and on watch at the ministry. Your name may be cleared according to the law, but not with the people that you don't want watching. We know there's something off and I intend to find out what it is. You are banned from teaching this morbid rubbish and you will stick to the ministry approved curriculum. If I catch you straying from the expected curricular then I will see to it, that you not only leave Hogwarts, but leave Britain." he warned harshly before turning and storming out of the classroom.

"Is London here today?" Harry asked as he returned from his recent search out on the field for Thalia Gordon. She was Percy's co-worker at the Department of Transportation, the most recent disappearance.

Hermione shook her head as she filled out some files and glanced up at him. "Is she okay?"

"We haven't heard from her since last week when you talked to her about your letter and she didn't show up as backup." Harry answered sitting opposite. "Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" she asked curiously, dropping some documents into a drawer.

"What can you tell me about your team?" Harry asked tensely, as he wrung his hands together. Hermione raised her eyebrow and leaned back into her seat.

"Well, Susan and Ernie are seeing each other I believe. They share a loft in Diagon Alley and they have 2 dogs and a cat. They usually go out for date nights on Saturday and they are good workers. Dedicated and careful. Brianna went to Illvermony in the United States and transferred to work here. From what little she's told me, she had a nasty breakup with an American boy and now indulges herself into her work. Cho has a muggle fiance who knows about wizards and she is very smart and hard working. She and her fiance go watch her favorite quidditch team play often. Anthony is also single, he is a funny, lighthearted guy. He's kind and makes work easier when it's not. Terry is shy sometimes, but he's really nice and can cook. He doesn't talk much but he's very understanding." she finished watching as Harry listened intently.

"May I ask why the sudden question?" she asked sipping her tea.

"Kingsley thinks we should deduct some workers and he asked me to pick 50. I have the 15 that were clear goners, the other guys at the Burrow and I agreed on a while back. Just seeing who else." Harry shrugged standing to leave. "Easy on the caffeine." he smiled.

Hermione nodded and grinned. "Switched to tea. Better for the baby."

Later that evening, Hermione flooed home and headed upstairs where Draco was coming out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his hips. He smiled warmly at her and walked over to her. He rested his hands on her stomach and crouched down so he was level with her stomach.

"Hey there, baby. It's your daddy. Daddy and mummy are so excited to meet you. We can't wait till you're here with us. We love you." he murmured dropping a kiss.

He grasped Hermione's hands and stood up to press his lips to hers firmly. She leaned into him and sighed, inhaling his musky scent.

"Don't forget we have a meeting with the healer this Saturday." she reminded kicking off her heels and grabbing some loose maternity clothing. "And your mother invited us over for dinner Friday evening. She says she has something important to discuss with us."

"What the hell does that mean?" Draco asked dragging his hand through his damp hair.

"It means exactly what it sounds like. She has something important to talk to us about and we're going." she replied flopping onto bed. "How was work?"

"Utter rubbish. Hogwarts has a new psychotic professor." he mumbled pulling on sweats. "Professor Simmons has begun teaching her students about Dark Wizards and What They've Accomplished." he sneered.

"You're kidding." Hermione said her mouth agape. "That's totally ludicrous! It's not even in the curriculum!"

"I told her to go back to the curriculum and if she ever did something like that again, she would be in big trouble." he continued.

Hermione leaned against the headboard and stared at the ceiling. "I still can't believe she didn't admit to having any issues with Lestrange. I mean most people who are kidnapped come back in depression and tears. Not….that." she frowned.

"Well, I feel sorry for her fiance because he has to deal with that brat." he scoffed laying down next to her. Hermione laughed and ran her hand through his hair again, playing with the blond strands.

"Aren't you lucky you don't?" she grinned, moving to straddle him. He groaned and rested his hands on her hips. "Aren't you?" she murmured again, leaning closer. His eyes darkened and he reached up to pull her down and kiss her hard.

"The luckiest," he whispered, reaching up to kiss her again.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lara asked for the tenth time as she, Hermione and Ginny strolled through a muggle mall.

"Yes, Lara. I know I'm pregnant and all but I can walk just fine." she said growing irritated as they entered a child's clothing store.

"She says as she curses her sore feet." Ginny smirked as she plucked a onesie with stripes up for James.

Hermione rolled her eyes and moved towards the infant section. "I don't even think I need to buy that many clothes." she said flipping through some pant/shirt sets. "I mean between you guys and Narcissa, I highly doubt the child will need to repeat a set of clothing."

"Speaking of your little one, are you going to find out the sex of the baby?" Lara asked scanning through some small dresses.

"Probably. Draco doesn't do a wonderful job of hiding it, so I'm fairly certain he's too excited to wait and see. He's really enthusiastic about this baby." Hermione commented. "Let's leave. We can't buy clothes yet if we don't know the gender."

"What about you and Blaise?" Ginny asked conversationally. "Are you trying to become mummy and daddy?"

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, at her friend's outgoing question.

Lara smiled and shook her head. "We shag obviously as a husband and wife but I think we're going to stay sans child for a bit. Do a bit more before really settling down." she said as they entered a women's clothing store. "I don't think Blaise is ready either. But I want to have them in a year or so, otherwise our little one will have a big age difference with all yours."

"That's true." Ginny agreed before turning to face them and grinning. "Let's find some damn, sexy dresses to wear. We should go on a triple date next week."

"I'm way too big too pregnant to fit into any of these. I don't even think I could look sexy in any of these." Hermione smiled flipping through some dresses.

"You're never too pregnant to look sexy." Ginny replied flippantly leading them to the maternity section, Lara picking a few regular clothing on the way.

After Ginny's continuous and persuasive comments on each dress, Hermione and Lara bought 14 dresses between them, all three planning to meet next Tuesday.

Hermione flooed home, apparating usually making her nauseous and saw Draco, Harry and Blaise laughing on the couch, beer bottles in hand.

"Malfoy, you better not get any beer on my couch." she warned lightly dropping her bags on the side. "You too, Zabini and Potter."

"No worries, Mrs. M." Blaise said throwing a large gulp down. "We're wizards. You won't even know." he winked setting his bottle down and kicking his feet up.

Hermione rolled her eyes and moved to sit near Draco, who pulled her down onto him and pecked her lips.

"Am I bankrupt now?" he teased eyeing the bags still sitting on the side.

"If you're bankrupt, I need to sell my house." Harry chuckled rubbing his forehead. "How much did Ginny spend?"

"Do you really want to know?" Hermione asked laughing as Harry groaned.

"Lara can spend all my money, and as long as I have a bed and she's there, I'm good to go." Blaise smirked stretching out on the couch.

Harry gagged and Draco snorted into his bottle, while Hermione gave him a good whack on the upside of his head.

"Your a sick prat you know that?" she asked disgusted, as she eyed him warily.

"Ah, but that my dear is why so many women simply adore me." he replied wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Are you hitting on my wife?" Draco drawled his hand rubbing her now visible growing bump.

"Not at all Malfoy. You may be the Slytherin Sex god but I caught myself a hot one too." he said getting up and tossing his bottle out. Harry followed him, walking to the fireplace.

"By the way," Hermione called. "Mrs Ginerva Potter has insisted we all go on a triple date next Tuesday. A date." Hermione stressed. "Not a strippers club, so we're all expecting sober gentlemens."

Blaise saluted and apparated outside, Harry following probably wondering how long his wife's bill is.

As they left, Draco wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck, trailing kisses up to her jaw. "I can't wait to see you all dressed up again. You always put other women to shame but when you put effort…." he grinned.

He moved so he was hovering over her, Hermione feeling how hard he was.

"Although, I look even more forward, if that's possible, to seeing you without clothes. That my love, is your best look." he breathed sending tingles throughout her body. Hermione moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling her closer. Draco captured her lips in a searing kiss before sweeping her into his arms and racing up the stairs two at a time.

Hermione shrieked and held on tight, as Draco's hand inched up her body leaving a fiery passionate trail behind. "You better not drop me, or you won't have any more Malfoy reproduction abilities anymore." she warned.

He laughed as they burst into their room, Draco using his foot to kick the door shut. He lightly placed her on the bed before ridding her of her clothes as fast as he could.

"This won't hurt the baby right? Now that you're in the second trimester?" he paused positioned above her. "Remember? I read the pregnancy books you have." he said at her questioning look.

Hermione reached up and pulled him down. "Clearly you didn't read them properly." she panted as she guided their hips together, thrusting faster and faster. "They said sex doesn't harm the baby."

Draco grinned sheepishly and groaned as Hermione felt her walls clench, and his length hit her core. She arched her back calling his name as he sped up, pushing in and out.

"Nearly…...there." she breathed her nails scratching his back. Draco thrust harder and faster before she screamed his name, relishing in her climax. Draco followed shortly after, slowly pulling out of her.

He turned to face her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're so beautiful."

She snuggled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his torso, their little bump resting between them.

Hermione was looking forward to a light easy-going weekend as a break from her stressful and busy work life. She sat in her office, sorting some papers at 5:30 in the evening, pondering the missing people case and reappearance of Valentina Simmons.

She was supposed to go and check the Hogwarts security next week, and from hearing about it from Draco, had decided to give professor Simmons a visit too.

There came a knock on the door, before it creaked open with Harry's head poking inside.

"Hey there," Hermione said shoving her filing cabinet shut and swiveling in her seat to face him. "What's going on?" she asked crossing her legs.

Harry began pacing in front of her fireplace, his hands clasped behind his back. "When was the last time you saw London McCusker again?" he asked, the muscle in his jaw working furiously.

"Like I said, it was when I went to visit her to talk about my letter from Lestrange requesting a meeting when you were busy." Hermione recalled. "She had said she would come with backup, repeating a plan similar to Draco's…" she trailed off.

"When she didn't show." Harry finished. "She's one of our best aurors and she hadn't informed Ron, Kingsley or I of your letter or that you needed backup either. Then she didn't show up like she was supposed to for Draco nor you. And she's been missing from work for nearly a week, no word of her."

Hermione breathed in sharply and leaned into her seat squeezing her eyes shut before reopening them and sighing. "Should we go check?"

"Probably best," Harry muttered continuing his back and forth pacing. "It's not like her to miss work and after all that…..it seems all a bit fishy to me."

Hermione stood and walked with Harry to the outside of the ministry before grabbing his arms and letting him apparate away. They landed outside, Witchly Towers, where she and Ginny had stayed a few years ago. She felt a kick of nausea arise and hunched over breathing deeply before straightening again.

"You good?" he asked using his wand to check the wards on the apartment. She nodded, waiting for Harry to finish.

"The wards in all the rooms are fairly secure except for one." he said, his voice low and his eyes scanning the surrounding area.

Together, they headed into the building, showing the lobby man their ministry ID before heading up the lift to the floor where London lived. They cautiously crept down the quiet floor, taking in all their surroundings.

It was eerily quiet, no sounds of modern day lives. The lights in the hall flickered slightly making it harder to see. The floor seemed fairly empty, no sign of regular residents. Harry lead the way, his wand a lit ahead of him as they stopped at London's door.

"We'll go for a quiet search. Something about this doesn't feel right." Harry murmured as she wordlessly unlocked the door, pushing it open and slowly inching inside.

The door opened silently to a formal and clean flat that was well kept. The pair crept inside, the door shutting softly behind them. Harry motioned for them to split up and check each room. Hermione nodded diminishing her light as she slinked her way against the wall, into the kitchen. There was a creak of the floorboard she stepped on and she winced, pausing to wait if anyone came out. There was silence, so Hermione continued scanning through the kitchen opening a few good sized cupboards for hiding. Finding them all bare, Hermione tiptoed into the bathroom, the door swinging open slowly.

She slowly entered, her wand held out in front of her, peering into the empty bath and shower. She checked the room from top to bottom before something on the floor caught her eye. It was a toothbrush with paste already on it, drying slightly. There was more paste splattered in the area nearby, staining the pristine floors. Hermione crouched down to glance closer at the fallen toothbrush. It looked like it had been dropped, almost like she just…..suddenly dropped it…..like she was startled.

The door to the bathroom suddenly swung shut with a loud slam. Hermione screamed and turned to find the door locked. No alohomora, opened the door leaving her locked inside. Hermione screamed for Harry, pounding on the door in desperation feeling fear prickle her nerves. She turned, her back pressing against the wall breathing hard and felt horror fill her whole body as she caught sight of the large window across from the door.

It may have just been her imagination, or her hysteria creating silly illusions but Hermione highly doubted it. Hermione swore she had just seen London McCusker on the other side of the window. London's head had appeared on the outside just briefly, peeping into the bathroom. She had disappeared but in her place was a message behind on the window.

"I am coming."

Hermione awoke again in St. Mungos feeling dizzy and drowsy as she peeled her eyes open. Draco was pacing in front of her bed, Harry talking to him softly from the door. Hermione recalled the previous events- entering the bathroom, finding the toothpaste, suddenly fall and if she digged deeper back, there was a cup of water sitting waiting to be rinsed. Then there was London? At the window? And the message? A door locking…?

"Hermione?" Draco whispered coming up beside her and kneeling by her bed. "Are you alright love?"

Her hand drifted to her belly and gazed in fear back at Draco. Draco's eyes followed her hand and he kissed her forehead gently before facing her again.

"The baby is fine. You could have had a heart attack, but you were fine. A little hyperventilation and shock but you and the baby are stable." Draco breathed squeezing her hand. He hunched over exhaling hard. "Thank God, you're both okay."

Hermione leaned her head back and grasped Draco's hair. "What happened?"

"I heard you scream and came running to the bathroom and the door was wedged shut with a pipe. I removed the pipe from the outside, no alohomora could have removed the physical object and found you unconscious on the floor. I panicked and brought you to St. Mungos where they treated you. Draco and everyone all came rushing to the hospital." Harry explained his lips pressed together uncomfortably. "I guess I should be asking you, what happened?"

Hermione retold how she was locked in, then she couldn't get out then her sudden glimpse of what she thought was London at the window and finally the message. "And there was a toothbrush on the floor. Almost like it had fallen suddenly, and toothpaste was splattered around it. Like she had dropped it for some reason." Hermione said shivering in her thin hospital gown.

"There are aurors checking the apartment right now. But Hermione I highly doubt you saw London. London hasn't been in the apartment since 2 weeks ago. We talked to the lobby man." Harry said pinching the bridge of his nose. "The healers assume it's part of your shock, that your brain imagined London."

Harry then excused himself, leaving the pair alone. Draco had remained hunched over his face buried in her lap, his eyes squeezed shut tight. Hermione stroked his head and he finally glanced up, his eyes shining.

"I've talked to Kingsley and he supports the idea of you taking a leave of absence for health reasons." Draco said raising a hand before she could interrupt. "I know you think you're fine, but Hermione. The healers think you partly fainted because of the stress too. It's not good for the baby, and you always tend to push yourself for too long and too hard. It's time to take a break." Draco murmured softer his hand cradling her face.

Hermione felt a tear escape and gazed at Draco feeling at lost for words. "I just want to fix this all before our baby is born."

"I know you do, and you can return maybe a little later. But I'll go to work and bring you back the latest info and you can always give your input. But you need to slow down love, it's not good for you or the baby." he whispered wiping away the tears that began falling down her face.

She shifted over in the small hospital bed and Draco cautiously climbed in, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and hugging her to his chest.
After a few moments of silence, the door opened again and Ginny, Narcissa and her parents walked in quietly. Ginny didn't say anything and just smiled sadly at Hermione kissing her forehead promising to stop by later that weekend to keep her company. Her parents stayed a bit longer before excusing themselves too.
"I'm sorry about missing dinner tonight Narcissa." Hermione said looking up at the older woman.

"Don't worry about it dear, you and the baby are more important." she assured pecking Hermione on the head before hugging Draco and leaving too.

Draco and Hermione stayed the night at the hospital, and checked in for their healer appointment the next morning.

"You're very lucky the baby is alright." the healer said studying the projection of the baby. "Had you had a heart attack the baby could have suffered more severely. But everything seems to be fine, the baby is stable and I'll see you in a while for your next appointment." the healer assured.

Relieved, Hermione and Draco left the hospital flooing home, as to avoid apparating which wasn't ideal for the baby.

"I don't think I imagined London." Hermione said as she sat against the couch, her feet in Draco's lap. He paused rubbing them and looked up at her raising a brow.

"Hermione I-"

"No Draco, I really think I saw her. Or maybe I didn't, I don't know. But I swear I thought I saw her at the window." she said shaking her head in confusion.

"But that makes no sense. If she was there, she would have come in and helped you or asked why you were in her appartment." Draco reminded continuing to rub her feet.

"And the message 'I am coming' how can that not be Lestrange? He said the same thing to us during our meeting. And the door. How the hell did a bloody pipe lock me in if it was just Harry and I in the house?" she asked rubbing her belly slowly. "It makes no sense."

"Hermione, can we not talk about this? You need to rest and reliving that isn't going to help." he pleaded spinning her around so her head rested in his lap. "Sleep," he ordered after kissing her lightly on the lips.

"Yes sir," she yawned draping an arm around his stomach hugging him close.

The healer had said they were lucky that she and the baby were alright. Lucky, lucky, lucky lucky. What if one time they weren't as lucky?

They had spent the entire weekend taking it easy, Draco refusing to let Hermione do anything strenuous. He knew it annoyed her when she couldn't do anything and felt helpless but Draco would let her be annoyed with him forever if it meant she was safe.

Draco kissed his pregnant wife who was snoozing deeply into their bed before climbing out of bed on Monday morning. He changed quickly before heading downstairs quietly to not disturb his resting wife.

He found Ginny sitting cross-legged at the island flipping through a magazine. "Is she sleeping?" she asked setting the magazine down. He nodded and grabbed a mug to fill up to the brim with coffee. He turned his back to her, disliking her suspicious eyes. "And how are you?"

"I'm fine." Draco replied offering her coffee which she accepted but she didn't give up that easily. She hopped off the stool and crossed her arms stubbornly continuing to stare. "Did anyone ever teach you that staring is rude?"

She rolled her eyes and took her cup of coffee and setting it down behind her. "Really. How are you doing?" she asked gentler watching as he grabbed his stuff for work.

He sighed before turning to face her. "Not a word to Hermione. She doesn't need more to worry about." he warned eyeing her slightly smug face that nodded. "I suppose I feel angry towards whoever the hell did that to Hermione. It was clearly an intentional scaring. And though, there isn't much proof besides his or whoevers message, I know it's Lestrange. I feel grateful that Hermione and the baby are okay but we won't always be so lucky right? I mean luck can only get you so far."

"And this all sums up into you feeling fine?" she teased. He glared at her and she smiled wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "I'll take care of her."

He nodded his thanks before apparating to the ministry. He was immediately welcomed by Harry who motioned for him to follow him to his office.

"I want to talk about Friday." he said shutting the door. Draco nodded and sighed exhausted.

"Doesn't everyone?" he asked downing some coffee. "I know it was probably Lestrange. And I just want to find his fucking ass and make sure he never gets out of Azkaban."

"We think it's Lestrange too." Harry agreed. "As for London, there was a sighting of her just before Hermione claimed to have seen her."

"Where?" Draco asked bewildered leaning forward in his seat.

"At the ministry." Harry said warily. "At 2 the night before Hermione saw her. She wasn't even working though, she was in the Department of Transportation section. Our security shows her going in and coming out. But that's it."

"So she's not missing. She's just ditching work and being all shady." Draco sneered feeling annoyed at their lack of progress.

"I'll just give you a summary of the problem and what we know. Two missing people. Valentina and Thalia. Valentina was returned claiming she was unharmed and not with Lestrange when we are fairly certain it was Lestrange because of his dark mark in blood and muggle security. Then Percy is an eyewitness that Thalia was taken from her bedroom by Lestrange and is still missing. A dark mark in glass was left at the window. Then Lestrange sends a letter to the pair of you and meets with you giving us a warning that he is powerful and he is coming. And we suspect he gave Hermione that scare in the bathroom." Harry concluded pacing in front of Draco.

"That's hardly a problem, it's a bloody complication in our lives." Draco snarled.

"Well I just thought I'd give you an update and I wanted to tell you after today, you're welcome to take the rest of the week off." Harry said looking sympathetically at Draco. "You should take care of your wife."

Draco nodded his thanks before heading to his office to begin his day at work. Whoever gave Hermione that scare would pay. And Draco would make sure of it.

"Are we still on for the triple date tomorrow evening?" Hermione asked cleaning around the kitchen.

"If you're okay to go," Ginny said eyeing Hermione bustle around the kitchen with wary apprehension. "Just sit down and relax for a minute." she said moving to take over. "You should rest."

"Everyone is saying that and I'm tired of hearing it." Hermione exclaimed sitting down on the couch scowling. She rubbed her hand on her belly and took a deep breath. "It's just hard."

Ginny, who was 6 months pregnant now, sighed and sat next to her. "When has life ever been easy?"

"I thought we were done with all this dark crap after the war. I thought I fought and worked for a year to have freedom and live without fear. But it's returned, again and again. It's like it's impossible to escape, that it's constantly chasing us and like a looming shadow that never gives you a peace of mind. I want to finish it, and I thought I finished it after the war then after Rookwood was captured. Now Lestrange. Then who? Yaxley? It's never leaving us Gin. And I'm tired." Hermione cried, hugging her stomach, caressing her child. "Nothing will hurt this child, and whatever mastermind plan Lestrange has, whatever purpose he has to kidnap these two people, it has to end."

"It will." Ginny said a lone tear running down her face. "One day, we won't have to live in fear."

"I want that day to be today." Hermione murmured, hastily wiping her tears. "I don't want to wait. This baby will not wait for Lestrange to be caught. I don't want to bring this baby into this dark world! It's not fair and I can't….I can not subject anyone to this pain and constant fear. It's not fair!" Hermione sobbed feeling a flutter of her baby's movements, causing her to cry harder.

"Since when has life been fair to us?" Ginny said cracking a dry smile.

"I'm tired Ginny, I'm just so so tired. Of everything, fighting, working and running. I'm done with it and I'm tired." Hermione whispered hugging her bump.

Draco entered his office and found a letter laying crisp and nicely in the centre of his desk, along with the hoards of work scattered on his desk waiting for him. He warily picked up the envelope and sank into his seat tearing it open.

You should take Potter's advice and take care of your wife. Before I do.

Draco's face darkened and he dropped the letter in horror. He got up from his seat and began pacing back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back. It wasn't possible, for anyone to know what he and Harry had just talked about. Just like it wasn't possible for anyone to know anything that was going on their last year at Hogwarts, just like it was impossible for anyone to know what little James Potter had said to him that day….

Draco rubbed his face frustrated and his head snapped up at the sound of his office door cracking open. He cautiously made his way towards the door and peered outside. His eyes darted around the bustling daily routine of the ministry, paranoid as he searched for any eavesdroppers.

He shut the door firmly and placed a locking charm, only he could open. Back at Harry's office, he always had a muffliato charm permanently on his office so no one could overhear confidential ministry stuff, he always had a locked door so intruders couldn't enter and it was only the two of them in there.

So how could anyone know?

Draco spent the entire day in paranoia as he scanned the crowd everywhere he went, for watching eyes but found none. He had stuck his head in the fireplace several times to check in on the girls at home. On his 5th check in, Ginny got irritated and dumped water in the fire to extinguish it, splashing water all over his face.

"Oi!" He yelped leaping back, his face dripping with water. He wiped his face annoyed as he leaned against his chair massaging his temples.

He decided he wouldn't tell Hermione or anyone else of the recurrence of a letter. Hermione was under enough stress as it was and he could not add onto it.

He apparated home at 6 exhausted after clearing up for his week off, taking care of some last arrangements and placing over a dozen protection spells on his office.

Draco entered the kitchen to see his mother, Ginny and Hermione sitting around the island laughing at something they were looking at.

"...and oh Draco had the cutest little face he made each time I told him it was time to shower. He would scrunch his tiny face up, his nose crinkling, his lips pursed and his little chubby arms crossed. He was one of the most stubborn child I'd ever met!" his mother laughed pointing to an image in a large book.

Draco felt his cheeks redden as he cleared his throat. The three women turned to find his arms crossed as he glared at them. They burst out laughing, Ginny picking up the book and skipping next to him and holding it beside his head.

"That my dears, is the face he made then and now." his mother chuckled moving towards him to kiss his cheek.
"What in Merlin's beard are you showing them?" Draco asked shooting his mother an accusatory glance.

"Watch your tone young man." she said airily pouring him some of the tea they were drinking. "I was just showing them some of the scrapbooks I made for you as a child." she smiled fondly and innocently handing him the mug.

"I didn't know you enjoyed playing guitar." Hermione grinned pecking his lips. "A muggle instrument?"

Draco grinned sheepishly as Ginny handed him the album. There was a wizard picture of him about 7 or 8 holding a guitar and strumming it, plucking random strings. He remembered how that day had been and how free and amazing it felt to create this music on his own. "I found it in one of the old collection room, father had told me not to go through. But I was curious." Draco smiled reminiscing. "And I went into one of father's rooms that he collected muggle things he needed for bribing or selling, and I found that odd shaped object. I remember picking it up and finding mother who-"

"Locked the door and told her son to play. He asked 'momma what do I play?' and I said 'play'. Draco began pulling the strings laughing at the sound it made and they way it made him feel made me feel so happy. So I let him keep the muggle contraption and for years he researched how to play." his mother finished sniffing.

"Father never found out, which made it that much more exciting." he recalled grinning and tracing his thumb over the younger version of himself.

"You were so cute back then." Ginny snickered poking his cheek. "What happened?"

"Funny, Red. Really funny." Draco drawled watching as the Redhead collected her stuff hugging Hermione and his mother.

"I trust you can handle it from here Mr Guitar. I have a healer appointment." she said before hugging him too and flitted out of the house.

"I should get going too dears," his mother said hugging Hermione and himself.

"Thanks for visiting." Hermione said smiling warmly at his mother who returned the smile brightly.

"Of course dear. I'll see both of you soon." she said before flooing home.

"I'm going to document every moment of our child's life too." Hermione said flipping through the albums his mother left. "Then we'll remember every moment forever."

"How would we ever forget?" Draco asked removing his work robes and changing into a pair of sweats and an old white shirt. "We can do all that baby stuff this week. Harry let me take off."

"Why?" Hermione asked narrowing her eyes as she paused flipping through his childhood. Of course she thinks there's a why. "Well?" she asked again.

Draco thought of the letter left on his desk. You should take Potter's advice and take care of your wife. Before I do. "Just to make sure you're alright after that scare in London's bathroom."

Hermione opened her mouth to question him further, but Draco moved to kiss her lips softly trying to redirect her thoughts. "Can't I spend some time with my wife? Alone and take a break?" he murmured moving her hair so he could trail kisses along her neck. He felt her intake a sharp breath and her fingers drop the scrapbook as she gripped the blanket wrapped around her. He grinned to himself and continued his kisses along her neck, his fingers making their way down her legs. He could feel the heat and wetness between her legs as he moved to hover above her. He removed her loose shirt revealing her larger breasts and growing bump. He lowered to kiss her stomach, caressing it and pressing his cheek to it.

She gripped his hair and wrapped her legs around his waist, leaking all over him.

He shed his own clothes quickly and moved his lips lightly over her changing breasts and kissed them tenderly. She let out another moan pressing him closer. He playfully grazed his teeth along her breasts, kissing and licking them enjoying making her squirm.

"Draco!" she cried, arching her back with a moan. "I'm going….to cum…."

He moved his mouth up to hers and kissed her long and hard, sending spikes of charged energy pulse through him. He conceded, feeling his erection burn painfully as he positioned himself above her.

She gripped his shoulders as he thrust into her causing her to cry out in pleasure. Draco began thrusting in and out and not long after she had her release, Draco falling shortly after.

He pulled out and lay down next to her on the large couch, pulling the blanket to cover them both.
"I love you," she whispered kissing the underside of his jaw.

"I love you more,"

"Have you thought of any baby names?" Draco asked flipping scrambled eggs onto a plate and sliding it towards her.

"I have." she admitted spooning herself some eggs. "What about you?"

"I have a few in mind." he grinned pouring two cups of tea, as it was a better alternative to coffee.

"Well the healer said around next month, we can find out the sex of the baby." Hermione said sipping her tea. They had had their healer appointment, finding everything okay even after Hermione's scare. "Do you want to find out?"

"I sort of do," he shrugged sliding next to her. "I think I'm too excited." Hermione leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Me too." she said, rubbing a hand on her bud. "What names did you have in mind?" she asked watching as Draco dug into his eggs.

"Boy or girl, I want a strong, bold name." he answered moving a hand to cover Hermione's resting on her bump. "What did you think?"

"Well, your mother and your name are constellation names and I think that's a really beautiful tradition to follow. I was talking to your mother yesterday about constellation names and she said it's a Black family tradition." Hermione said.

She watched as Draco paused his spoon close to his mouth and he turned to face her. "I didn't say anything definite but I wanted to see what you thought about it."

Draco grabbed both her hands and held them in his. "You really want to follow an old pureblood Black family tradition?"

"Well, I think it's a very fascinating and beautiful tradition. Sirius is a constellation and a Black. Your mother is Narcissa Black which is also a constellation. And Draco is a beautiful name from a constellation too." Hermione smiled.

"But you really don't mind having a pureblooded child's name?" he asked his grey eye studying her.

"Constellations were actually discovered by muggles first so no, it's not necessarily a pureblood thing." she grinned, at his bewildered expression. "I did my research."

"Of course you did," Draco laughed tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "As long as you're okay, I think constellation names are beautiful too. Mother will be thrilled."

"Oh, you should have seen her yesterday," Hermione said laughing. "She was shocked at first and then she started crying and she called her house elf to bring her the Constellation Book and she gave it to me."

"Sounds like mother," Draco snorted. "That book, is huge, there must be over a thousand constellation names and their meanings in there. There's no way we'll find a suitable one by the time the baby is born."

"Oh I have some in mind, I didn't need the book for." she smiled brightly winking at him. She moved to magically set the dishes to wash. Draco followed her curious.

"What are they?" he asked his hands resting on her hips, his nose grazing her cheek.

"You'll see." she replied turning to smile up at him, her eyes twinkling.

"When?" he asked growing irritated and more curious. "Why can't you tell me now?"

"I'll show you after our next healer appointment." she promised, kissing his lips before heading upstairs.

That evening was their triple date, Draco had made reservations at their favorite place Lucia's, where they had gone together on a date their first Christmas together. They had always gone there often as it was practically tradition.

Hermione wore a white lace, capped sleeve dress that lead to below the breast before it fell down to her mid knee in grey. She found a pair of black wedges that she slipped on, making for a comfortable night for her feet. She magically straightened her hair, putting a slight wave on the fringe.

She made her way downstairs and found Draco in grey dress pants and a white collared shirt, he was pulling on his blazer as she made her way towards him.

"We should go out more," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him from behind. He laughed as he looked her up and down from the mirror they were facing.

"We should, if I get to see you all dressed up like that." he grinned kissing her gently. "You look amazing."

"You smell amazing," she said sniffing his neck. He laughed and spun her around so she had her back pressed to his chest.

"It's your favorite cologne." he murmured smiling at their reflection. He rested his hands on her growing bump and she placed her hands on top.

"We should get going." Hermione reminded, grabbing her blue handbag and slinging it across her body. She grabbed his hand and stepped into the floo. In a swish of green flame they stepped out at the Three Broomsticks.

"Hey Malfoy!" a man called from the center of the pub waving his hand, beckoning them over. Hermione glanced at Draco who lead them through the crowd. They found Cristiano, who was the owner of the restaurant Lucia's son. Wild, ambitious and outgoing Cristiano hadn't changed in all the years. He was drinking shots with some friends but grinned albeit a little tipsily at them.

"How are you Cristiano?" Draco asked shaking his head at how shaky he was when they shook hands.

"Good!" he boomed turning to face Hermione. "And signora Malfoy! Pleasure as always," he said kissing her a little sloppily on the cheek.

"The pleasure is mine." Hermione said eyeing the unfocused clumsy man. "We're heading to your parents restaurant,"

"Enjoy yourselves!" he called louder than necessary, bidding them goodbye as he picked up another shot.

Draco lead them out of them pub and onto the peaceful Hogsmeade street. They wandered down slowly, on their way to Lucia's, taking in the quiet.

As they winded the corner, Hermione's eyes widened at the pair of people along the alley.

"Remember what I said!" the man growled. "You know what to do." he snarled waving his wand over the cowering figure in the corner. By the scream, Hermione assumed it was a lady who shrieked as the spell surrounded her entire body, seeming to consume her, completely extinguishing her cry.

Draco and Hermione began making their way to the alley, Draco failing to get Hermione to stay behind. They watched in horror, as they neared the alley, when the man released his spell on the lady and she crumpled against the corner wall.

They both drew out their wands ready to attack the man, but it was too dark to aim correctly or see their faces.

The man dropped a glowing object onto the women and she disappeared from where she lay. The man turned sharply and spotted the pair watching him. Draco shouted a spell and Hermione sent binds but the man disappeared just like the lady did.

Author's Note

Again, I apologize for the long waits. Here is a longer chapter to make up for it.

Thanks for all the follows, reviews and favorites. And for sticking with the story!

Thoughts on anything? Comments? Likes/dislikes? Reviews?