"One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered."

~Michael J. Fox

"You seem annoyed."

"Oh, it's nothing. Your mother is just being a witch."

I don't bother glancing at Draco, even though I can feel his curious eyes burning into my back. "She doesn't want me tarnishing the family line. She sounds just like your father."

"That does sound like something father would say," Draco mutters, and I hear someone sliding off the bed. I remain at his desk, trying without success again to read the first page of a random book I picked up. My head is just too boggled to follow the words in front of my eyes.

A chair is placed down next to me, and my lovely blond boyfriend slips in beside me. "I have to admit, she used to be much more relaxed. After the war and father's trip to Azkaban she stiffened up. I blame it on her desire to please him. Since he isn't motivated to be quite as cutthroat as he used to be mother stepped in."

I arch an eyebrow. "He isn't being cutthroat?"

"Honestly I expected him to try to kill you when you first arrived here."

Rolling my eyes, I turn back to the page again trying to focus. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

We grow silent then but Draco doesn't move. He's distracting me now. I'm about to turn and ask what else he wants to discuss when his hand suddenly slips between me and the desk, resting almost hesitantly on my stomach.

I freeze, my eyes moving to look up at his. But he isn't looking at mine, just at my belly.

"When will you start showing?"

Shrugging, I try to calculate that in my mind. I hadn't given that much thought.

"I don't know, a month I would suppose. Probably less. Honestly I don't remember exactly when I found out right now. The future is more on my mind than the past."

He nods, his hands not moving from my midsection as he speaks again. "We should try to figure that out. We can tell all the necessary people before then about the pregnancy and deal with everyone else when you start showing."

"My thoughts exactly. I suppose we should work on telling your parents next?"

He grunts. "Do your parents know?"

"My mother has speculated, I told you that before-oh!"

"What?"

"My parents, they owled me right before we came to the Manor. I don't think I ever responded."

"I see."

"I really should. They want to see us Draco."

"I think that's usually a parent's reaction when they discover that they will become grandparents."

"Yes, you're probably right. I wish I could remember where I stuck that letter now. I really do need to reply to them."

"You should've used that line on my mother," he muses as I begin searching the room. "She might be a little repulsed at first, but she always gushed about being a grandmother around the time I turned fifteen. I think she could grow to love the idea."

I glance over my shoulder, sending him a skeptical look. "Really now? We actually spoke of children when I went down to see her earlier. Only she didn't seem elated about the idea. I didn't tell her I actually was of course, but the very idea seemed to almost repulse her."

"Really?"

"Yes really."

"Curious. I thought mother would be more excited by the idea. But that was only in theory Hermione. Maybe if she knew that there really was a baby on the way she would be much more willing to accept it."

"I don't know if anyone in this house will ever accept me Draco."

He grows silent as I filter through some of my clothing, hoping that the jumper I placed the letter inside is within the belongings. After many moments of silence I hear the chair slide back again and glace up at him.

"I have some things to attend to," he sighs. "Mother still wants to discuss things with me, and I have to owl back to the Ministry-"

"The Ministry contacted you?" I ask, standing up. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He turns back, smiling softly at me. "It's nothing all that important. I have to go in and do an interview of Theo's character and background since I have known him a long time. Maybe I'll get close enough to the twat to beat his arse while I'm there."

"Are you going tonight?"

"No, early tomorrow morning. I just want it over with. Learning Nott's motives won't help anyone catch his escapee father. I'm much more worried about him coming after you."

"Well you shouldn't be," I reply, shaking my head. "You told me yourself that your home is protected, and people can't get in. I'll be perfectly fine, and even if he did somehow get in while you're away I know how to protect myself. I didn't survive an entire war to become a pansy now."

A smile flashes briefly across his lips, and I return the gesture. He should know there are very few people in the magical world who can best me. I can take any duel that comes my way.

"I'll be fine. Besides, you'll only be gone for a couple hours tomorrow."

"I know, but still. I can't help myself Hermione. I'm worried."

"And I'll be fine while you're gone," I reply, stepping up in front of him to plant a kiss across his lips. He returns the soft gesture quite powerfully.

I wrap my arms around his neck, temporarily forgetting my plans for the day. It's a nice relaxing moment, a little snippet of grace before he pulls back and kisses my forehead.

I love these moments of affection. They remind me that my life can still be moderately normal in this whirlwind I've been sucked into.

The following morning I respond to the letter from days before. My parents will probably worry that I didn't respond quicker, but I make sure to explain that I had to go and speak to Draco's parents and it preoccupied me. I leave out the unnecessary details like the danger I'm in and the fact that his parents are repulsed by me. After a chat with Draco last night we agreed that we would go visit my parents once more before the holiday was over. We'd visit the last five days before vacation was over, meaning that I thankfully only have to spend three more days here at the Manor. I've never been so excited about anything before.

Tomorrow night we're going to tell his parents the news. That leaves one final day for words to be said before we depart. I'm wondering how many spells will be thrown my way when the beans are spilt. Hopefully not too many at once.

I also have to explain everything to my friends, minus Ginny of course since she can't be trusted, but that will just have to wait until we return to school. It's the type of conversation that should be done in person anyway. Draco said he'll stand by my side if I so wish, but I'm not sure it's a good idea. That might only make Harry and Ron angrier. They are already perplexed enough.

Despite every distraction that I give myself I can't seem to get my mind off Theo's father Atticus. Honestly I just want the man captured. I'm not so worried about myself, but the child growing inside of me. Even if I was captured if anything happened to this baby I don't know what I would do with myself.

Atticus doesn't have a clean slate, that much I knew from the fact that he spent time in Azkaban. But Draco told me he's a tricky one, always slipping past the law to get what he wants. It has me a bit antsy, wondering if I should be more worried than I am.

No, I shouldn't be worried at all. Draco made it clear that the Manor won't let a soul past the wards unless they are permitted. And Atticus surely won't be permitted into this house.

Bored I decide to roam Draco's wing of the Manor. I could venture out past that but I'm sure I can find something interesting in the surplus of rooms to amuse myself. Besides if I hang out here then I won't have to bother with either of his parents.

The journey is rather boring. For quite some time I don't find anything amusing and begin wondering when Draco will return. There are so very many empty rooms in this place.

A scuffling sound down the hallway catches my attention and I peer ahead. It's not like Draco to drag his feet anywhere and risk ruining his overpriced shoes. Whoever is up ahead in the study area is certainly not Draco. I almost leave it be before glancing back a second time, frowning.

I don't think any of the Malfoy's would drag their feet like that. It's probably too improper for them. But from what I know there aren't supposed to be guests in the Manor until we leave.

Perhaps this person isn't welcome here. Drawing my wand I move forward, all my instincts on edge. No matter, I can best anyone with a wand. But I'm sure any sort of duel will send Draco's protective instincts through the roof, and that's the last thing I need right now.

Stay focused Hermione, don't get distracted. The person ahead could be dangerous.

I'm quite hesitant as I approach the open space, wondering who exactly is up ahead. Draco warned me once that his father can go into fits of rage and depression, and that during those times he really isn't himself. Maybe he journeyed over here.

Peering into the room I don't see a soul. Hesitant at first I step in, jumping around to make sure nothing can sneak-attack me. I'm probably being more than a bit paranoid, but I can't help myself. Something feels terribly off about this entire situation.

Footsteps behind me appear suddenly and I spin around, shouting out a freezing spell. The hex is blocked and the man running at me screeches to a halt only a few feet away, finally lifting his head so I can see exactly who's standing in this room.

It's not a face I'm familiar with. The eyes and jawline scream familiarity, but I know in my heart I've never met this man in person before. I've only ever met his likelihood.

"Atticus Nott," I say, taking a step back, keeping my wand level with his form. He seems unmoved by my stance, spending more time studying the surroundings than focusing on me. "How did you get in here?"

He appears less than surprised that I figured out who he was so quickly, considering that he does indeed look like an older version of Theo. A thin smile graces his lips, and I'm more alarmed by the expression than comforted.

"I'm more surprised that a Mudblood was brought past the wards and placed in a cushy room rather than a dungeon. It took longer than expected to find you."

I narrow my eyes. How long had he been in the Manor, really?

"I must say I'm a tad disappointed girl. Theo made you out to be such a heroic pain in the arse. Yet you looked so frightened when you entered this room."

He's bluffing, I'm sure of it. I learned a long time ago to not let my emotions show through in situations like this.

"How did you get in here?" I ask for the second time. I should just hex him, get him in a less controlled state than he is in right now before I bother asking questions, but I refrain from throwing out hexes just yet. Even if his wand is held in a lazy grip that doesn't mean his wits aren't about him. He did get in here and have time to look around before encountering me, after all.

"You really are pesky about the details aren't you? Theo warned me about that too when he first told me of his plan. He said you had a thing for talking."

"As if your son knew anything about me?" I ask, arching an eyebrow. If I can get him distracted I can easily take him down. I'd rather avoid getting hit by some dark, horrid curse if I have a child inside of me.

He shrugs, studying me. "Draco Malfoy learned a lot about you. Some of your habits were related back to a friend of his, during different sets of conversations that Theo overheard."

I just roll my eyes. I don't care about the details right now, not when I'm standing in a compromising and dangerous situation. Whether or not there are two very distinguished wizards in this house, it doesn't mean either will come to my aid if I make noise. Lucius may have actually let this man in.

But I can't let a dark spell hit me with a baby growing inside of me. Something like that could result in a miscarriage, and that alone would kill me. I don't think I could stand myself if something like that happened.

Why does Draco have to be gone when I need him most? I might be confident in my abilities, but I would be much more confident if someone else was there with me. Being hit by magic never seemed like something deadly until this moment. And I'm sure the death wouldn't be my own.

I guess I have one advantage in this situation; Atticus doesn't know about the child growing inside of me. There's no leverage for him there on that front, and I intend to keep it that way.

When I refuse to respond his lips twist into a grin. "You're a hard girl to find Miss Mudblood. My son almost had you, but in school it would be next to impossible to kidnap you with your trusted body guard watching out for anyone dangerous. Draco proved to be more of a problem than we first anticipated."

"You obviously haven't done your research thoroughly enough then," I snap. "Otherwise you'd know the basics of the situation."

"I know that he is your mate Mudblood, even if you are of such a low class of people. He will work to keep you safe at all costs, and I have no doubt that once you're even in the slightest bit of danger his mate traits are going to go off."

I don't know how he can possibly threaten me when he's blundering about things. Really, if he did his research he would know the proper terminology. This situation looks pretty dangerous to me. I have a feeling that if Draco could sense danger from afar he would already be here.

"I don't doubt that he'll be here soon," I reply, playing along. He doesn't have to know that I have no idea when Draco will return home. "Did his father let you in?"

"So many questions, so very many questions for a girl in your position. But we have plenty of time to discuss the details Mudblood, but not here, not now. I need you to myself, where people aren't going to disturb us."

There's a twisted underlying tone in his words, but I can't force myself to think about it as he suddenly shoots off a spell from his wand, a silently reinforced spell that I didn't calculate ahead of time. I jump out of the way- but only just barely. The spell brushes my leg and I can feel a burning pain there.

I retaliate quickly aiming some well-placed spells. They catch him off guard a moment before I send a third over, intending to render him motionless so I can turn him in to the authorities. The last thing I need is this man lying on the floor when Draco returns home.

My calculations miss, and he darts past the disembodying spell just barely. Unlike the spell that he shot in my direction, my magic doesn't brush against him at all. Before I can scream out another spell, before he has even completely straightened himself out another spell is shot my direction, one that I am not ready for.

The very same one I just shot towards him. In my surprise I don't jump out of the way in time, having never calculated this dirty, jittery man for a decent duelist. I hit the ground hard, landing on my side. My wand is still clutched tightly in my grip, but I can't move.

A shadow lingers over me a moment before he appears in my vision, his lips twisted back into the disturbed sneer of his.

"I outsmarted the great Hermione Granger," he laughs, easily snatching my wand away. I try some wandless magic, but even as I build up my spell he points his wand down at me. I immediately feel hazy, like sleep is coming for me.

This is not good, not good at all. I can't pass out while someone's trying to kidnap me!

But I can't fight off the magic, the strong sleeping spell seeping into my body. I wish more than ever that Draco would return home and know something was amiss. I never see a blond head appear, not once, even as he drags me towards the floo.

How the hell did this even happen? Who let this bastard in?

When I wake it's in a dark space. I didn't expect much else, seeing as my captor isn't the friendliest fellow. I'm groggy at first, sitting up slowly as I try to recall everything that happened.

Atticus. Damn it all, he took me somewhere! And he snatched up my wand. I begin to move around the room with arms outstretched, searching for a wall or some indication of light. I find the walls, but no light. There's also a single door in the small space that I cannot open. Figures.

I sit on the bed, trying to calm my rapid breathing. Both hands rest on my stomach hoping to Merlin that he didn't throw me down on my belly. If he did the damage could be severe. I might be in a horrible situation right now, but I can't imagine letting something awful happen to the child inside of me. What kind of mother would I be then?

"Where are you Draco?" I whisper, my head slumping to the side. My wand is nowhere to be found, and I haven't the slightest idea how anyone is going to find me. I don't even know where I am myself.

Draco might be my mate, but he's still a human, and humans aren't all powerful. Thinking back to the threatening doll that was thrown into my bedroom at Hogwarts months ago, I shudder. I know what will happen to me if I don't escape how I will die. I read that happy fact in a book.

I don't know how long I sit here in the dark pondering my situation, digging around in the room to find a way out. There are no windows, just the single door that has a slightly larger than usual crack at the bottom for air flow. There's a bed missing everything save for the mattress, which feels old and I'm too afraid of the possible diseases on it to even sit there. That's basically the entire room.

After what feels like an eternity the door opens, blinding me with light. It's minimal, but more than this room has to offer. And standing in the doorway is the last person I wanted to see.

A/n: Not really a cliff-hanger, but sort of I guess. I just wanted to get a chapter out to everyone since I've left this hanging for almost two months.

If anyone has questions about things that have not been cleared up by this point, let me know in a review! I don't want too many loose ends when the end does come, and it's only two or three chapters away…

Thanks to everyone who's stuck with the story this long. It's coming to an end soon! I thought about doing the sequel, I'm just not sure if people can handle my estranged update times…

Leave a review dearies. They help, and it's so close to the end now! I'm hoping to get the next chapter out in two weeks, max!