Author's Note

I thought I'd put in 'Previously' recaps since you all must forget what happened or key points as the updates are farther apart. :)

Previously on Hideaway: "Professor Simmons has begun teaching her students about Dark Wizards and What They've Accomplished."

Hermione swore she had just seen London McCusker on the other side of the window. She had disappeared but in her place was a message behind on the window. "I am coming."

"You're very lucky the baby is alright." the healer said studying the projection of the baby.

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. 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.

The dragons, the death eaters? Rookwood didn't know how any of that happened?

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

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.

Chapter Five

Draco raced ahead of Hermione and skidded to a stop at the entrance to the alley. His eyes darted around, scanning the area but it was clear that the man and women were gone. Hermione stopped behind him panting as she too surveyed the alley.

Draco cursed silently as he sent a patronus to Harry and the ministry. Within minutes, Harry and the others they were meeting for the triple date were there frantically gazing around.

"What the hell happened?" Harry asked them his wand out and ready.

Hermione had moved to greet the ministry, explaining the man and women in the alley. Draco turned to Harry and explained how they spotted a man threatening a women before placing spells on her and how she just disappeared.

"I want a hit team out on the search for Lestrange although he probably won't hang around. Then I want aurors to take in the crime scene." he barked motioning for Ginny to head home. The fiery redhead scowled and straight out refused as the couple began bickering.

Draco turned to find Hermione dispatching her team to get clues and intake. As Cho rushed off towards the corner where the man and women had stood, Draco moved towards Hermione and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Didn't we agree you were taking a leave of absence?" he asked studying her with disapproval. She rolled her eyes and turned to watch the ministry bustle around.

"We're witnesses Draco, they'll have to take many testimonies from us. So we might as well be useful while we're waiting." she huffed crossing her arms.

He sighed, she was stubborn as ever and if she was intending on staying there was no changing her mind.

"Draco, we need you to come with us back to the ministry to fill out some reports on this and such." Harry said as he lead a group of aurors towards the apparition point.

Draco nodded warily and gripped Hermione's arms tightly, getting her eyes to meet his. "I am very serious when I say you must be careful." he said almost pleadingly. "You know it's not safe so please, I beg you, don't be all gallant Gryffindor and gallivant off to do something reckless."

Hermione smiled lightly and hugged him close, her small frame pressing tight against him. Draco squeezed his eyes shut, burying his face in her hair. She pulled away and caressed his face, pressing their foreheads together.

"I'm always careful." she assured her hand resting atop his rapid heart.

He snorted and took a step back gazing at her one more time before kissing her cheek and joining Harry back at the ministry.

"Susan can you and Brianna stay behind and continue searching for evidence? Anthony and Cho I need the pair of you to take what samples of anything back the lab for investigation. Ernie and Terry join the hit team and consult with them to gather more intel." Hermione instructed, watching as they all scurried off.

Although there were large groups of people all searching thoroughly, there was no evidence left behind, frustrating everyone more.

She dismissed her team and was about to turn and find Draco when Anthony approached her slowly.

"What's up Anthony?" she asked taking off her wedges to rub her feet as they sat on a bench off the side of the alley. He sat down beside her and hesitated before turning to face her.

"Do you by any chance remember Viktor Krum?" he asked awkwardly. She stopped rubbing her feet and turned to glance at him.

"Viktor? Of course, who doesn't remember him?" she asked sliding her wedges on again and turning to face him. "Why?"

"I…..I saw him the other day at the Three Broomsticks. He's back and he didn't seem the same. He remembered me as he used to see me in the library. We talked for a bit and when I was about to leave, I spotted what he was reading. It was the Daily Prophet." Anthony said wringing his hands together uncomfortably.

"Okay. Why does that matter?" Hermione asked wondering where this was going.

"It was an old article about you and Draco getting married." Anthony paused before continuing. "And there was a big red X across Draco's face with curses written along the article."

"Why are you telling this to me now?" she asked feeling just as uncomfortable.

"Because what if it's Viktor doing all this to you? The letters, the man in the alley. What if it's been Viktor and not Lestrange?" Anthony burst out.

"That's ridiculous Anthony. He has no reason to do any of that. Besides, Percy saw Lestrange taking Thalia, we saw Lestrange at Malfoy Manor!" Hermione protested.

"But Hermione, just think about it. Viktor has every reason to want to go after you and Draco. He hates Draco! I told you he had a giant X on his face with curses! Curses! He's jealous Hermione, he probably still fancies you but you're married now. So he's making your marriage really difficult!" Anthony exclaimed, getting annoyed by her lack of comprehension.

Hermione was completely flabbergasted by his sudden accusation of Viktor. Yes, he was always a jealous type but that was years ago. And as jealous as he could get, he wasn't bad enough to resort to threat notes and placing terrible spells on women to get her. Was he?

"As jealous as he could get, we saw Lestrange commit these things and Percy saw him kidnap Thalia Gordon." Hermione reminded standing up.

Anthony stood too his fists clenched. "I realize this sounds crazy but you didn't see Viktor. He looked so different….changed. And that article was complete evidence! Even if those acts were committed by Lestrange, the threat notes from your last year of school! Some were signed by death eaters others anonymous. And that man in the alley! I'm betting it was Viktor!"

"Look Anthony it's late and we're all tired. As much as I appreciate you telling me about how Viktor is back I don't believe he's doing this." Hermione said tiredly moving to the floo inside Three Broomsticks. Anthony looked disappointed at her disbelief that Viktor did it. Hermione bid him goodnight before flooing home.

Draco wasn't home yet when Hermione changed into comfy clothes and clambered into bed.

Viktor Krum still coveting her and jealous of Draco. Jealous enough to send threat notes to them, scare her in the bathroom and threaten someone in an alley. The idea of Krum doing all that and more was ludicrous. There was no way he was capable enough to pull off a grand stunt like that.

But the more she thought about Anthony's desperate face as he told her about the changed Krum the more Hermione doubted her logical explanation.

Could Krum be the man behind the threat notes from their last year? Could Krum still be tormenting them with scares and threats…..now?

"Thanks for coming in today. I know you were supposed to take the rest of the week off." Harry said as he and Draco sorted through case files for Missing Persons.

"It's alright. I know Hermione is practically envious that I get to come in and she has to stay home but I think having Ginny and James there will distract her. Hopefully calm her." Draco said exhausted, rubbing his eyes.

"I know Ginny is insisting we make up for that triple date at our place tonight." Harry said tossing a file into the trash. "I could cover for you and Hermione if you feel you need to take a moment of peace."

"No, we really need to just forget some of our problems. This will certainly help."

"This and a few bottles of beer." Harry corrected standing up to stretch.

Draco laughed and nodded. "That couldn't make it worse." For a split second, Draco considered telling Harry about the threat letter he found on his desk the other day. The one that snarked about Harry giving Draco a week off. The one that no one should have known about except the two of them.

"Ron checked up on professor Simmons yesterday." Harry commented as he fished around in his desk for something.
Draco raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "And his findings?"

"I believe his exact words were 'What a complete nutter. Bloody mental! We should have her submitted to a mental ward.'" Harry quoted smirking as he resurfaced with a handful of photographs.

"For once the Weasel and I agree on something." he said watching as Harry handed him the photographs over the desk.

"Give this to Hermione. They'll hopefully help cheer her up." he said leaning back in his seat. "She deserves some peace at least once a day."

Draco flipped through the photographs of Hermione through the years with her friends, classmates and throughout her school life, some she didn't even know she was being photographed.

"Where'd you get all this?" he asked pocketing them.

"Let's just say Colin Creevy is still a big fan of mine." Harry grinned cheekily.

Draco laughed and moved towards the door. He exited the ministry for his lunch break where he was meeting Hermione for lunch at the Three Broomsticks, while Ginny took James for a healer appointment.

He apparated to a bustling street in Hogsmeade, shoving his hands in his pockets as he strolled down the path. He entered the busy pub and spotted his wife's crazy signature hair at the corner of the restaurant. He made his way towards her, sliding into the seat opposite her.

"Hey you," Hermione smiled lightly kissing him softly. He was fascinated that someone could still bring out the fire within him, sending spirals of pleasure everywhere and make him feel so free. The way he could spend hours with her and never get tired. How she could brighten his day and make him forget all his troubles. The mere thought of her could bring this feeling out.

He smiled a little sadly at her, wishing he could give her more. More than she had and what she deserved. Being locked to the side of danger at every instant wasn't that. She of course, being Hermione Granger/Malfoy caught on to his moment of sadness grasped his hand.

"How was work?" she asked softly tracing her thumb along his hand.

"Exhausting." he replied gazing at her beautiful face with admiration. How could someone so pure and good be tied down by his past mistakes and failures? Where the was the justice in that?

As recent events came into light, it really made him question whether he was dragging her down with him as the dangers continued to come firing at them. But he couldn't let her see his weakness. His fear of losing and letting her down.

He plastered a genuine smile onto his face and withdrew the pictures from this morning and handed them to her.

"Harry said these would cheer you up." he said dropping them into her hand.

Her big brown eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. "I think you need cheering up too."

"Just look at the pictures." Draco said encouraging her. She finally tore her eyes away from his and flipped through the images.

She laughed as she gazed at a moving picture of herself struggling to enter the Gryffindor common room, loaded with a tall stack of books. Hearing her laughter ring in the air through the loud clatter lifted his spirits instantly.

He watched as she moved from image to image smiling at the various scenes in her life. She explained each to him smiling fondly at the memory.

"This was when I first learned exams were cancelled in our second year. I was a bit put out because I'd been studying but the rest of the school was completely relieved! This was when I was made a prefect. I don't think I'd ever been that prideful." she explained laughing a bit. "And this was when Harry, Ron and I thought that Snape had stolen the Philosopher's Stone and we were running across the field. Merlin how did Colin Creevy get shots like these?"

They ate their lunch laughing and revisiting their past together. He traced a thumb over Hermione's face on their wedding day as she was getting ready. He remembered how lucky he felt seeing her walk down that aisle to meet him. How fortunate he felt to even have been accepted and forgiven let alone loved by someone like her.

"This was the Yule Ball with….Krum." she said her voice hitching slightly. "Choked," she quickly said flipping to the next picture.

Draco checked his watch seeing he was late for his next meeting with the Head auror from Scotland, payed the bill and kissed Hermione quickly before rushing out of the pub.

In his haste, he bumped into someone hard as he rounded the corner of a quiet street. His eyes fixed on Viktor Krum who looked just as abashed at bumping into him.

"Viktor," Draco greeted offering his hand which he gripped tightly in return nodding his head in jerky motions. "Er….you're back?"

He nodded once again his eyes averted. Draco felt a pang of pity for the man. He looked worn and slightly beaten down. "Uh, would you like you join my wife and I for dinner tomorrow evening?"

At that, Viktor raised his head and his eyes narrowed, his face becoming pinched before he gave one curt nod and turned to continue on his way.

That's what you get when you try to be nice, he thought bitterly as he apparated away back to the whirlwind of problems.

Hermione gnawed on her lip as she stopped at the entrance to Hog's Head. She couldn't see clearly inside due to the grime on the window. She mustered up her Gryffindor courage and pushed open the door and stepped into the cold murky bar. She was there first so she found a seat at the back of the bar accepting a butterbeer from Tom.

She anxiously sipped her butterbeer her eyes darting around for the first signs of arrival. The bar was the same as ever, quiet dark and musty. It always gave the sense of a dead end. Her eyes scanned the bar swiveling back to the black curtains draped by the window. A cloaked man in dark robes sat blending in with the curtains explaining why she didn't see him at first. She felt a chill prickle down her spine but just then, the door opened and in clomped Viktor Krum.

Hermione understood what Anthony was saying now.

Viktor had a sense of rugged, broken change about him. He looked so different and it was all written on his face. The dead look in his eyes and the lifeless way he moved. His face was sunken and his shoulders slouched.

"He-hey...Viktor." she stammered her mind reeling back to Anthony's sudden warning. "How….how are you?"

He nodded his head and sat down opposite her declining a drink. She waited for him to say something but he said nothing. She felt her hand drift to her stomach and his eyes followed widening in…..awe? Horror? Disgust?

"So….what have you been up to lately?" she asked unsure of what to say. He shrugged, his eyes never leaving her just about 5 month pregnant stomach.

"Are you still playing quidditch?" she asked trying to get an answer out of him.

He shook his head crossing his large arms on his chest. He cleared his throat in a guttural way before opening his mouth. "Vhot have you been up to Ermyonie?" his eyes still observing her pregnant stomach.

She felt awkward as she shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "Nothing much." she responded. She decided to test the waters with her next question. "I….graduated from Hogwarts, got a job at the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, I…..I got married and I got promoted to Head of the Department of Investigation. And….well I guess you can see, I am pregnant."

"The father?" he asked through his thick accent. Hermione felt her throat clog as she feared Anthony's warning was true.

"Draco Malfoy." she breathed waiting for his reaction. Viktor's eyes darkened and his face fell, burning slightly with anger. She looked away gripping her drink in her hands tightly.

"Vhy? Vhy him?" Viktor asked his voice sounding strained and cold.

"I love him." she said stronger. "He makes me happy." Viktor scoffed and clenched his fists gazing out the window.

"He is a death eater." Viktor snarled his eyes swiveling back to meet hers.

"No, my husband is not." Hermione said a bit more forcefully. "He is a good man."

"He has you fooled! He is evil and malicious!" he said loudly slapping the table causing Hermione to jump.

"If you are going to talk about my husband like that then I'm leaving." Hermione glared leaving her bill before storming out of the pub.

"Vait! Vait Ermyonie!" Viktor called chasing after her. Hermione sped up her pace and took shortcuts back to the main road but he was much faster than her. He caught up to her in no time with his long strides. He gripped her forearms tightly causing her to wince.

"Viktor you're hurting me." she breathed pushing on his chest to no avail. "Let me go."

"You don't understand! He's evil! He is a death eater Ermyonie!" Viktor insisted squeezing harder. Hermione felt bruises forming where his fingers were pressing against her arm.

"Don't you dare call my husband that! I know who he is, he knows who he is and it is none of your damn business. Now let me go!" she growled. Viktor only pressed harder and pushed her against the wall. She felt her breathing become heavier as there was really little space between her and Viktor. Just her baby in her stomach. And if Viktor was the one sending threats and scaring her then she had to get away now and talk to Anthony.

"Tell me you'll never see him again!" he said his face inches away from hers.

"Don't tell me what to do Viktor. Now get the hell away from me!" she cried as his fingers dug into her arm painfully.

"He's a motherfucking son of a bitch and Satan himself! You don't understand-" Viktor yelled. Hermione felt no remorse when she raised her knee to his groin painfully hitting her target as he doubled over yelping.

She tore away and back to the main crowds and bursting into the Three Broomsticks, shoving everyone out of the way to get to the fireplace. She flooed home panting heavily. She landed in her home before sighing in relief and collapsing onto the couch hugging her stomach to her chest.

Viktor really was jealous. He was completely mad and barbaric. How could he do that to her? Call Draco those names? She decided she would pay a visit to Anthony soon and discuss the possibility of Viktor being the one scaring her and sending those threats in her last year of school. It was completely absurd thinking that this wasn't Lestrange. Lestrange was obviously the man behind the kidnapping but could Viktor be the one behind the threat letters? Rookwood had just attempted to torture her and Draco also sending some threats but mainly attempting to rape her.

She also decided to keep this to herself instead of angering Draco. She would tell him once they confirmed it was Viktor.

For now, all she wanted was a bowl of ice cream topped with strawberries and a cup of cocoa.

Harry had asked Draco to stop by the Three Broomsticks and pick up a bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey. As Draco waited in line for the purchase, he heard Valentina Simmons bickering with someone in a booth off to the side in hushed whispers. Draco felt the memory of Valentina teaching resurface driving him to peek around the corner and see who she was arguing with. He was a bit shocked to see Marc Loss her fiance scowling at Valentina as the pair bickered.

"You've been blowing me off all week! I know you're a professor now and you're a lot busier. But you should at least make time to reply to owls and meet up with me once a week!" Marc exclaimed.

Valentina's face was unreadable as she calmly replied. "I don't have time for this Marc. I need to focus on the important things in my life." she said sharply.

Draco felt pity for Marc as the bite stung him harshly. He felt even more pity as he watched Valentina slide the engagement ring off her finger and slid it across the table towards Marc. His mouth was agape as he watched her promptly stand and leave the restaurant.

"Mr Malfoy? Your bottle of firewhiskey?" Rosmerta called pointing to the bottle that had been waiting for him on the counter. He shook his head, and thanked Rosmerta before exiting the Three Broomsticks too.

He checked that they had gotten the right one when his fingers grazed a piece of paper taped to the side of the bottle. He pulled it out and flipped it open.

The most unexpected people turn out to be your next enemy. Watch your back.

What the hell? Draco crumpled up the note into a ball before using his wand to set it on fire. He promptly apparated home and entered to find Hermione curled up into a ball hugging her stomach as she slept on the couch.

Draco felt his anger melt like it was nothing as he gazed at his wife. Her hair was an unruly mess around her and her face was relaxed into a peaceful expression.

He pulled a blanket over her, deciding to let her rest a bit before they headed to their makeup triple date at the Potters.

Besides the letter from Lestrange to him and Hermione forcing them both to meet with him in the evening, this was the second threat stalker note he'd received since his last year of Hogwarts. It's like old horrors were returning letter by letter.

He had tomorrow off again, so he and Hermione had decided to buy a stroller, a crib and bottles for the expected baby in 4 months. They had their healer appointment coming up as well. It was hard to believe that their little bundle of joy was only 4 short months away from becoming physically theirs. There was a time, he couldn't remember but he had decided he would not be anything like the father that his own was like. He believed it was around the time his father rejoined the Dark Lord's inner circle dragging him and his mother into it too. Draco had sworn to himself that he would never be anything like the selfish cowardly man his father had been. At the time, it was if he lived through everything that is.

"Draco?" Hermione asked groggily as she sat up yawning. "What time is it?"

"5:30 love," he responded moving to cradle her. "We can ditch dinner if you'd like. Harry offered to cover for us."

"No no, we really should go. It's rude to ditch on such short notice." she said sitting up. "I have to get changed, I'll meet you down here in 10 minutes." she pecked his lips before heading upstairs.

She returned in a white peasant's blouse and maternity jeans. Her hair was braided down her back and as usual, she looked stunning.

He kissed her softly, holding her close. She really was his only source of safety. She made him whole and she made him a better person.

"Let's get to this then," he said leading her to the floo where they disappeared in a swirl of green flames, reappearing at the Potters.

Blaise and Lara were already there, kissing quite heatedly on the couch in the living room. Blaise had hiked up Lara's black v-neck thin strapped dress to high on her thigh. Her hand was in Blaise's pants as their lips kissed each other passionately.

Draco coughed averting his eyes as he used his hand to cover Hermione's eyes.

Hermione chuckled but inwardly swallowed the awkwardness as she held Draco's hand in place waiting for the couple to stop.

"Bad timing mate," Blaise smirked. They reopened their eyes to see Blaise's arm wrapped around a blushing Lara.

"We had bad timing?" Draco asked skeptically. "I don't think Harry or the Red appreciates the pair of you going at it in their living room!" he said wandering towards the kitchen. He opened the door and yelped leaping back and scratching at his own eyes. "Oh come on!"

Blaise leaped off the couch and peeped into the kitchen, Lara and Hermione chancing a glance too. Harry and Ginny were naked behind the kitchen counter definitely going at it.

Blaise howled with laughter as he catcalled towards the couple who just noticed their guests. Lara blushed even deeper and retreated to where there was no live porn. Hermione on the other hand closed the door, saving all of their eyes.

"You better hope that James didn't wander into the kitchen for a snack while you two were at it!" she called squeezing her eyes shut and reopening them.

"Oh come on Granger, you and Draco have been caught on many occasions by us committing unspeakables too." Blaise chortled sitting back down beside Lara.

"Rubbish!" Hermione blushed crossing her arms defensively. Draco had the decency to look slightly embarrassed as Blaise smirked and began counting.

"The week you returned from your honeymoon, poor Lara and Ginny caught Draco here giving you a nice little hickey with only underwear on in the library behind a shelf of books. Then, a few weeks later, Harry caught the pair of you going at it in Draco's office on the desk. After, I had the misfortune to walk into your bedroom on your anniversary shagging in the shower." Blaise recalled.

"Who doesn't shag on their anniversary?" Draco retorted as Ginny and Harry joined them with drinks blushing a bit.

"Then, at Lara and my wedding, the best man and bridesmaid were making out in the bathroom when we were doing the bouquet and garter toss! Oh and there was the time when I walked into the pair of you shagging in the closest alongside your lovely variety of lingerie and multicoloured boxers." Blaise snickered.

"Alright! So we've all had the misfortune to wander in at the most inopportune moments." Hermione conceded, ignoring Blaise's triumphant smirk.

"Speaking of that, why were you coming into our closet?" Draco asked narrowing his eyes at Blaise.

"I needed to borrow a tie to match the colour smaragdine." Blaise said in self defense.

"What?" they asked leaning forward in their seats.

"I was proposing to Lara that night and I knew she was wearing that dress so when I asked her what color it was she said smaragdine. And I didn't have that color so I was going to ask you. But you weren't answering when I yelled so I assumed you were out. I knew where your closet was so I let myself in." Blaise explained downing a swig of firewhiskey.

"Who has a tie in the shade….. smaragdine?" Draco asked wrinkling his nose.

"It's my favorite color Malfoy." Lara huffed.

"Yeah, and when I found that out, I ordered forty five ties in different patterns in that color." Blaise drawled.

"Aw, Blaise what a romantic!" Ginny cooed causing the group to break into fits of laughter teasing Blaise.

"Hey, Draco what chapter of that pregnancy book are you on?" Blaise asked panicking to change the subject.

"Chapter 4 actually," he replied puffing out his chest slightly. "Did you know that muggle doctors slap the baby if they don't cry?"

Blaise rolled his eyes and snorted into his drink. "And that's why Lara and I are going to have the baby in the wizarding world."

"The choice isn't always yours mate," Harry said clapping his back as he called James down to say hello.

"James was 1 week early and we weren't expecting it, so he was born at the Burrow. Babies aren't predictable." Ginny said smiling as her first child wandered in grinning at them all. "What have you been up to?"

James' eyes twinkled as he clasped his hands behind his back shifting his feet slightly. "Nothing much,"

"That never ends well," Harry said warily ruffling his son's hair with affection. "We usually find out when one of us steps in something wet and sticky or when one of our things go missing then found again but in a different state."

"Come on, let's drop you off at Shell Cottage so you can spend some time with your cousins. Be good at Uncle Bill's and Aunt Fleur." Ginny warned leading James to the fireplace. He waved at the group before following his mother.

"How's pregnancy Hermione?" Lara asked playing with Blaise's fingers.

"Interesting," she responded rubbing circles on her stomach. "There's always little changes that just catch you by surprise. There's the exhausting and draining aspect of it all but the part that never leaves is the joy and anticipation you can feel within you. It's so undescribable." Hermione smiled. Draco smiled back at her and wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her against him.

"Wow, I feel like the third wheel." Harry said laughing. Harry didn't have to feel that way for long, for in a while Ginny returned and the three couples spent the night with bottles of firewhiskey and tea for the pregnant ladies, laughing at how far they'd come from where they started.

It was so hard to believe that less than 10 years ago, they were still fighting an impossible war in a world bigger than they pictured. Playing cards with fate and waiting on a chance or a mere splinter of hope. That world of despair and darkness had long left them, but part of it still burdened their shoulders.

Hermione and Draco had spent the entire day weighing out the differences in each different crib and stroller the observed. Since they planned on using the same one for any other children they had, they went for a neutral color.

After completely irritating the store clerk with their requests to inspect different versions of strollers and cribs, they settled on a red one with black handles, a shade pull over and convertible to sitting up and laying down. The crib they'd agreed on was one they had decided to reuse as well for all their children.

The crib was one that mimicked the one Hermione had as a child. It was cream colored with animal designs along the inside. The back had a lovely arch that replicated old Roman architecture.

"Oh I forgot to mention," Draco said as he levitated the box into the nursery. "I invited Viktor Krum over for dinner tonight."

Hermione felt her mouth fall as she registered what her husband had just said. "What? Why?" she asked feeling slightly panicked. She couldn't see him again in her own house after what he did to her and what he said about Draco.

"I ran into him yesterday in Hogsmeade and decided to invite him over," he shrugged turning to face her.

"Why didn't you consult me first?" she shrieked hysteria overwhelming her.

"Oh come on, Mya." Draco said kissing her temple. "It's dinner. He's not going to live with us."

With that Draco ambled off to make dinner that apparently, Viktor bloody Krum was attending. Oh crap, she thought leaning her forehead against the wall of the nursery. Seeing him after a few years would not be long enough to forget what he said and did. But seeing him the very next day in her own house? That was asking too much of her patience and tolerance. And Draco! He didn't even know about yesterday, otherwise why the bloody hell would he invite Viktor? Now, that just meant she had to keep calm and friendly towards Viktor as he sat in her house, talked to the man he so rudely insulted behind his back just yesterday and eat her food! She was so screwed.

If he was, like Anthony had said, the sender of those horrible letters their last year of school and the one who scared her in the bathroom because he was jealous of Draco then this would be one hell of an awkward dinner.

She headed down the stairs and found Draco pulling a delicious smelling casserole out and laying it on the table. "Can you take out the salad from the fridge?" he asked grabbing a bottle of sparkling cider. She numbly nodded and found the salad. "Is everything okay?" he asked quickly cutting the shortcake into small pieces.

"Yeah, of course." she said leaping out of her skin slightly when the doorbell rang. Draco raised an eyebrow and wiped his hands heading to greet in Viktor. She cautiously approached behind Draco who welcomed Viktor in.

She felt her pulse quicken as she watched Viktor lock eyes with her. He cocked his head to the side and opened his arms, his face splitting into an odd and twisted smile. "Ermyonie!" he boomed.

Hermione cringed as he enveloped her in a bone crushing hug. "Krum," she ground out through her gritted teeth. Draco shot her an odd look and ushered them into the kitchen.

Viktor wolfed down the food rather uncivilly, using his hands towards the end. Hermione felt her appetite fall as soon as he entered her home but now she felt it disappear as he sickeningly chowed through dinner.

Draco and Hermione shared an awkward glance as the watched Viktor devour the casserole and dessert. Draco cleared his throat and poured them more cider.

"Are you getting enough food?" he asked cracking a dry joke. Hermione winced and prayed that this would be a short dinner.

"No actually," Viktor said through mouthfuls of cake. "I have been living on the streets for a while now. My friend isn't back yet."

"Oh," Draco said uncomfortably sharing a glance with Hermione before popping the question she was mortified to hear. "Well, you're welcome to stay with us till you're friend is back."

"Purfect." Viktor grinned sending chills down Hermione's spine. "I'll….I'll show you to your room."

Hermione got up and lead Viktor up the staircase to the room the farthest away from theirs and the rest of the house. When they arrived there, she turned and glared at him. "What the hell are you doing coming to my home?"

"Your ever so kind husband offered and I accepted." he said gruffly, examining his room.

Hermione scowled and pointed a finger sharply on his chest. "Well you do one more thing to make be believe you are a threat to this family and I will crush you."

Viktor's lips quirked up strangely and he stepped closer to her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"And if you dare say a rude word to Draco, you will wish your cowardly ass was back in Bulgaria." she threatened before stomping downstairs.

Draco had just finished the dishes when she entered the kitchen in a heated mood. "What's wrong?" he asked grasping her hand.

"Nothing is wrong." she snapped taking her wand out and enforcing the wards, setting alarms on Viktor's room to alert her wand where he was at all times, especially when he left the room.

"Well, let's head to bed then." Draco murmured moving her hair to the side and pressing kisses on her neck. It was hard to stay angry when he did that but she couldn't help and think about Viktor's hateful look.

Draco lead her upstairs his fingers wandering as he kicked the door shut with his foot. He waved his wand placing a locking and silencing spell on their room. His deft fingers unzipped her dress in one smooth motion letting it drop to the floor. Her hand unbuckled his pants, pulling them down quickly as he tore off his shirt. He lay her down gently on their bed, showering her stomach with kisses, stroking it and peppering it with kisses. His other hand began rubbing slowly on her clit eliciting a moan. She gripped his hair and arched her back loving the way he made her feel. The fire and spark that he could bring out in her was undeniable and impossible to put into the right words. His hand began wandering up and down her sides as his nose grazed their child in her stomach, before his mouth latched onto her breasts sucking and pulling on them with his teeth. She cried out in pleasure as his hard length pressed against her inner thigh.

"Draco! Draco…..make love to me." she breathed as he bit the side of her neck lovingly, leaving a mark just where he wanted it.

"Tell me you want it…" he whispered seductively into her ear as his hips bucked with hers causing her to groan loudly. "Tell me what you want."

"I want you to make love to me!" she exclaimed gripping his shoulders tightly. His tongue grazed over his lover mark before he nipped her ear gently. She wrapped her legs around his hips turning them so she was on top. She positioned herself before throwing her neck back as she felt him enter her. He growled as he grasped her hips helping her move along with him as he pulled in and out. She watched as his eyes darkened, as he watched her breasts bounce above him and her mouth cry his name.

"I'm almost there!" she yelled brushing his length with her hand causing him to slam harder against her. She moaned loudly and felt her juices drown onto his length. He let her ride out her orgasm before he cummed too. He dropped his forehead onto her shoulder, pulling out smoothly.

"I love you so damn much." he breathed kissing her temple, running his hands down her arms. He paused and she felt him stiffen behind her.

She turned to face him and his eyes were lowered, his face dark. "What?"

"Did I do this?" he asked in revulsion, brushing his fingers over her arms. She looked down and saw the dark bruises Viktor had left behind on her arms. She felt horror overwhelm her, when she saw Draco's face fall.

"My God, no Draco." she said feeling her eyes prickle with tears. "No, no bloody hell no it wasn't you."

"Then what happened? These are fingerprints Hermione." he said his eyes widening to meet hers. "What the hell happened?"

Hermione felt a sob escape her, her hand flying to cover her mouth. Draco pulled her close against him and wiped away her free flowing tears. She told him everything from what Anthony warned her the night they saw that man and women in the alley to meeting Viktor and what he had done and said to her. "And God, Draco if it was him sending those threats…..what if he is the one that sent those letters and scared me? The things he said Draco, they were horrible."

Draco was silent as he listened to her sob out the truth. She sniffed and glanced up at his face. He was pale but there was an enraged look on his face. His jaw was clenched as he let loose a string of curse words.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded sitting up and throwing a pillow in anger against the door. "I invited him over into our fucking home! He's just a few doors down and he could be the one making our lives living hell? And he was the one who cornered you and left those bruises? I'm going to murder that jackass-"

"Draco!" she said gripping his arm. "Don't do something stupid." she begged, watching as his eyes shone with anger. "I didn't tell you because I knew this would anger you and I would have told you once I knew it was him for sure."

"If it is him we need to find out for sure now!" he shouted his fists closing around another pillow.

"We have no proof he's doing it besides Anthony's accusation. But Draco, this is a perfect chance! He doesn't know Anthony knows he's jealous, or that you and I know. We can wait it out and let him think he's still safe and find a way to catch him in the act." Hermione said the thought striking her.

Draco took several deep breaths to abade his seething anger. "Fine. But I want him out. He is not staying under the same roof as us."

"He'll know something's up if you kick him out." Hermione pointed out watching as Draco glared at the door as if his hate could be expressed to Viktor through the walls.

"Fine. We'll tell Harry and get some security here and you are not staying alone with him even for a second." Draco growled.

"You're going to have to put up an act too." she said quietly grasping his hand and rubbing her thumb on the inner side of his wrist. "He can't know we suspect anything."

"That will be the hardest thing to pull off." he muttered leaning back against the headboard. "But I guess I should tell you." he sighed.

Hermione felt sick as he confessed that he had been receiving more letters and threats that were creepily familiar to their last year at Hogwarts.

"But they're getting more specific. The first, he or she knew Harry had just given me time off and that was right after he told me. There was no way anyone could have known that. It was in the head auror's office, that has one of the highest security in the entire building." Draco said pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered watching his grey eyes meet hers again, laden with exhaustion.

"Because you would freak out and get stressed like last time. And I really didn't want to worry you more. It really isn't healthy for you or the baby." he said gently brushing the back of his hand against her cheek.

"And you decided to keep this all bottled up inside for you to bear alone?" she asked in disbelief crawling next to him and kissing the underside of his jaw.

"It was better than seeing you all stressed and worried." he mumbled pulling the blanket over them.

"No more secrets okay?" she asked closing her eyes, feeling at peace in his arms.

"No more secrets."

That morning, Draco had visited Harry and filled him in on what they had both confessed to last night. The look on Harry's face was reminiscent of when he first heard about the situation. It really did feel like unstitching old wounds and watching them bleed even worse than before.

Harry had completely agreed that Viktor could not be trusted. He had ever so courteously invited Viktor to spend some time volunteering at a quidditch pitch for maintenance during the day. Harry had been much better at hiding his suspicion than Draco who refused to even glance at Viktor.

After Harry escorted Viktor to the pitch, Draco felt his muscles release and his anger die down. Hermione had been watching him all morning and he turned to meet her eyes.

"Are you mad? That I met him?" she asked placing some dishes back on the shelf.

He paused before replying to her question. "No. I'm not mad but I wished I would have none before I invited that swine to stay with us."

She finished putting away the dishes and went to get her purse before meeting him at the fireplace for their healer appointment.

He rested his hand on her waist and pulled her against him. "I'm not mad at you love. I'm just worried for you and the baby." he murmured.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. "I love you, so much." she breathed.

"I love you too." he whispered before they stepped into the fireplace and reappeared at St. Mungos.

They waited a while before their healer was ready to examine them.

"Wow Malfoys, it's already month 5." the healer smiled bringing up a live projection of their child. Draco felt his heart warm at seeing their little love residing currently within Hermione.

"Everything's looking good guys. You gained 10 pounds at this stage, your appetite will probably increase, as well as fatigue and 'baby brain'." she said smiling at them. "At this moment in time, if you would like we can find out the sex of the baby."

Draco looked at Hermione who looked back at him. She nodded squeezing his hand in anticipation. He nodded to the healer who did a few spells before grinning and turning to face them.

"Mr and Mrs Malfoy I'm pleased to say that you are going to have a baby girl."

Draco felt all the world leave him as he thought. A baby girl. A baby Malfoy girl that was his and Hermione's, theirs. He felt his heart melt as he rested his hands lovingly on his wife's stomach.

"A baby girl." he breathed crouching to kiss her stomach. He peeked at Hermione who was silently crying with joy. She couldn't say anything and just nodded and placed her hands on top of his. A girl…..their baby girl.

That evening, Hermione and Draco sat on their balcony gazing at the beautiful sky.

"Do you remember when you first showed me your favorite constellations? In our common room you transfigured to be a beach?" Hermione asked turning to face him.

He nodded and watched as she pointed the expertly out in the sky. "Well, since we know it's a girl and that we decided to use constellation names as per tradition…..I was thinking we could name her one of our favorite constellations you first showed me."

"Which one?" he breathed feeling his heart love this women more than possible as a tear ran down her cheek.

"Ara. Ara Malfoy."

Author's Note

Worked all weekend to get this out for all of you! Hope you enjoyed!

Happy Family Day!

Thoughts on chapter?