Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other recognizable works or characters.

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SOME TRIGGER-Y THINGS AGAIN NAMELY INFANT AND PREGNANCY LOSS. I KNOW THIS IS HARD ON SOME PEOPLE BUT I FELT IT IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE IN THE STORY. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THIS CHAPTER I DO NOT BLAME YOU ONE BIT AND FEEL FREE TO PM ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU A RUNDOWN ON WHAT HAPPENS IN IT. The last thing I ever want to do is upset someone or make them uncomfortable so please don't hesitate to drop me a line. I run a business and check my email frequently.

Okay, on to the rest of the A/N: Definitely not familiar with prenatal practices in England. If I messed anything up just...well, blame me. I did try my best and I watch a lot of Call the Midwife. Ha!
I love your reviews. Each and every one of them make my day. I only hope I can live up to everyone's expectations. I am trying to do this story to be a little lightness from the heavier story I published earlier and also one that I am working on that is also more morose. I have a lot written ahead and am writing every day but don't be alarmed if I go a day or so without updating. I am trying to pace myself. Also, I keep setting goals for number of reviews and you guys keep beating them. (definitely not complaining! Keep it up!)

Eight

"Thank you for coming Harry," Hermione said quietly as they sat down in the reception room of the muggle midwife.

"Of course," he smiled, "I've always wondered what one of these places was like… Is there a reason you've chosen to come here instead of…well somewhere else?"

Hermione nodded, "Midwife Clarke delivered me actually," she smiled, "I've always imagined coming here and well, she knows about my, well my health history-" she trailed off then and thumbed through the papers in her lap.

Harry gave a nod and picked up one of the magazines on the table between them, leafing through it absently.

They waited and Hermione's eyes glanced to the door. Of course Harry had agreed to come with her readily but she had still hoped- foolishly- that Malfoy might show. After all, he had been adamant that the child wasn't his but if they were to get answers they were going to need his involvement.

"So, do you reckon these things work the same…" Harry asked quietly, "You know since it's magical and everything?"

Hermione glanced up from her clipboard and shrugged, "I honestly don't know-"

Harry gaped at her, "You mean you haven't researched everything under the sun?"

She smirked, "Shut up-"

"Her- me-ohn Granger?" the nurse at the door called and Harry was still chuckling as they stood up, walking to the door.

"It's Hermione actually-" she said to the poor woman as Harry very nearly lost it again behind her and she shot him a glare.

"Right, I'll just make a note in your chart," the nurse offered as she showed them down the hall and pointed to a scale, "I'll just need to get your height and weight."

Hermione grimaced but handed her things to Harry as she stepped onto the scale. She almost wished she had had the forethought to bring her wand with her as the numbers climbed but finally she let out a sigh of relief as they fixed and she was allowed to step down.

"In right this way-"the nurse said as Harry handed Hermione back her things before she led them through to a room on the far side of the corridor.

"I- well, I invited someone else to the appointment. I gave them the time and location and told them to ask for me but-" Hermione started.

The nurse smiled, "I'll let the front desk know, if they show up we'll send them back."

"Thank you," Hermione breathed as she stepped into the room with Harry. "Do I need to do anything or-"

The nurse shook her head, "Today is just a routine visit, have there been any significant changes since your last visit?"

"No-" Hermione said.

"Good, then all should be well," the nurse said as she finished her initial exam and then put her things away, "The midwife should be in to see you shortly."

They were silent as they were left alone and Hermione picked at the paper underneath her where she sat on the examination table until finally, Harry cleared his throat. "Invited him?"

Hermione gave a small little shrug, "Ginny thought I was being too hard on him."

"Did he say he was coming?" Harry asked quietly.

"No," she shook her head, "He didn't say anything at all actually."

"Well," Harry began, "I'll try not to be too smug when I tell Ginny she was wrong then."

Hermione laughed at that just as a rap sounded on the door and it swung open to reveal Midwife Clarke, "Oh Hermione how wonderful to see you again and this must be the lucky dad?"

"Oh no!" Hermione said quickly just as Harry visibly blanched and Hermione snickered at the look of horror that crossed his face, "No, Harry is a dear old friend of mine from school, a brother really. His wife was going to come but their son has a touch of a cold so she thought it best not to bring him."

"Oh, I see," her midwife said kindly, "Well, shall we get right down to it then? If you'll just lie back?"

Hermione did as she was asked as the midwife raised her shirt to reveal her expanding midsection and used a tape measure before she pressed gently here and there.

"You're right on track it seems. Have you had any bleeding or any other indications of loss?" the midwife asked.

"No," Hermione nearly whispered and she closed her eyes tightly.

Midwife Clarke stopped then, reaching out to grasp Hermione's hand, "I know how hard those losses were on you Hermione but I feel confident in saying that this pregnancy is progressing well."

Hermione nodded at the midwife , ignoring Harry's questioning gaze on her. She hadn't told anyone really of the trouble she had faced before and judging by the feel of Harry's eyes boring into her, neither had Ronald.

"Have you felt any movement?" She asked.

"I have but not often, a few times here or there," she answered, thinking back to the night she had first seen Malfoy again.

"Try drinking something cold, a glass of orange juice perhaps, to see if it helps. This early however I wouldn't be surprised if there's movement and you just can't feel it yet." She explained and Hermione only nodded. "Would you like to have a little peek though?"

"Yes, please." Hermione answered readily.

"Alright, let me just go grab a machine and I'll be right back," she said giving Hermione's shoulder a squeeze before leaving the room.

She had only been gone but a moment before Harry spoke, "What did she mean? Trouble before?"

Hermione pinched her eyes closed, begging herself not to cry, before she took a deep breath. "This isn't my first pregnancy Harry, it's just… the first one that's stuck."

"'Mione-" Harry started but the knock on the door interrupted him and when it opened Hermione expected to see the midwife, wheeling in the ultrasound machine. Instead she saw the nurse looking at her sheepishly.

"I'm so sorry Ms. Granger but someone has shown up for you. Would you like them to be here?"

Hermione sat up on her elbows then, looking at Harry who merely shrugged. "Uh, sure," she finally answered.

The nurse smiled as she turned around to speak with someone and Hermione's heart was racing as the door swung open and Narcissa Malfoy walked through, followed closely by midwife Clarke wheeling in the machine.

"Oh, more people!" the midwife smiled, "How wonderful, will you be staying to see the baby?"

Narcissa merely nodded once, not saying another word as Dr. Clarke, seemingly sufficed with that answer, turned to set up the machine.

"Gather round," Dr. Clarke said as she hit the lights and turned to squirt something cold and jelly like on Hermione's round stomach.

Hermione watched with rapt attention, Harry on her side and Narcissa near her head as the screen lit up, the picture of the small infant inside of her lighting up the room. She watched as the feet kicked, the hands moved, and her heart soared just like the sound of the baby's through the monitor. She didn't know she was crying until the tears ran onto her lips and Harry reached out to grasp her hand, giving it a squeeze.

"It's beautiful 'Mione." He said quietly when she met his eyes.

Hermione merely smiled as she nodded and reached up with her free hand to wipe at her eyes, "I know."

She would never get enough, she realized as the midwife prodded around a bit with the little wand stopping to look at things here or there, she could look at her baby all day.

"Is it- is it healthy?" she jumped at the sound of Narcissa's voice and looked up at Harry who looked just as perplexed as she was.

"Very much so," the midwife said to the woman before she turned back to Hermione, "Would you like to know the sex?"

Hermione faltered. Of course she had thought of it. She was a planner, there wasn't very much she did without first having a plan in place- unless it had anything to do with Harry Potter of course. She had thought she would say yes instead she found herself shaking her head, "No, I think I want to be surprised."

The midwife smiled, "Those are my favorites."

She pressed a few buttons and finally removed the probe from Hermione's stomach, helping her to wipe the excess substance from her skin before she printed off a strip of pictures. She handed them to Hermione before her eyes flickered at the guests in the room and almost as an afterthought she printed off another strip and handed them to her.

"I'll set up your next appointment with Tina, don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions before then," Hermione nodded as the midwife patted her shoulder once more and nodded a goodbye at the other people in the room before she left.

"I'll just- uh- step outside," Harry said quietly and Hermione shot him a wide eyed look, "I'll just be in the hall."

Hermione breathed and stepped down from the table, readjusting her shirt as she noted it was yet again getting too tight. She would have to go shopping soon as there were only so many items she could borrow from Ginny that were ministry approved.

"Uh, thank you, for coming," she said to Narcissa as she grabbed the jumper she had taken to wearing to cover her bump.

"Draco wanted to be here but had to be away for work. I volunteered in the hopes that you wouldn't mind my intrusion."

Hermione shook her head, shouldering her bag, "No, of course not." Narcissa said nothing more and Hermione shifted slightly from side to side before she finally breathed, "Right, well could you please give these to Mal-Draco?" She asked, handing the strip of pictures of her baby-their baby- to the woman.

Narcissa said nothing as she accepted the pictures, her eyes drawn to the images and Hermione nodded, moving towards the door before the woman finally spoke, "Miss Granger, I wonder, would you please join me for lunch?"

Hermione stopped, turning to look at the woman hesitantly, "I don't-"

"You can bring Mister Potter if it would make you feel more comfortable. I feel there are things we need to discuss."

Hermione knew the matriarch had a point. She was about to bring a life into the world that, despite everything, would one day carry on the Malfoy blood line- they had plenty to discuss. The thought suddenly crossed her mind as to whether or not the Malfoy's would want her to give the child their last name and she barely suppressed the shudder that followed. She thought of Harry, of begging him to go with her but then she thought of James and of Ginny stuck at home without him. "That- that won't be necessary. Let me just tell him where I'm going."

Narcissa nodded and Hermione thought she almost looked relieved as Hermione opened the door and stepped out, letting the woman pass by her before she spoke with Harry.

"She's- I'm going to lunch with her…" she started quietly as she watched the witch's retreating back.

"you're going to lunch with Narcissa Malfoy?" Harry whispered incredulously.

"Yes,"

"Do you want me-" he started.

"No, just… if you don't hear from me by this evening, check the manor first-"

"That's not funny."

"I wasn't trying to be." She deadpanned before she turned on her heel to follow after Narcissa.

The two women ended up at a nearby muggle restaurant that, despite its separation from the magical world, was still far out of Hermione's comfort zone. They were quiet as they waited for the maître d and even still as they were seated at a table for two nestled in a small alcove away from the rest of the patrons.

Narcissa glanced around, her large gray eyes sharp as she gazed at each of the people close enough to hear them. It was only as she watched the woman carefully that she realized she was looking for someone who might recognize her. Hermione took a sip of water from the glass on the table and examined the salad plate carefully. Time stretched on and with every passing moment it felt like the air was becoming more and more stagnant, like the room itself is going to suffocate her as she waited for the witch across from her to speak. Her eyes perused the menu, not really seeing, as she ordered the first thing she saw when the waiter appeared and then turned to leave and still, the woman across from her remained silent.

Finally, and only after their food has arrived and the waiter has left, did Narcissa speak.

"Miss Granger," she said, her voice retaining that steel edge sword quality as Hermione met her gaze. "My son tells me that this little affair of yours happened only once."

Hermione clenched her jaw, "And he would be correct. However if you've come to question the authenticity of-"

"Nonsense, while I might have my reservations about your lot Miss Granger if there is one thing I know it is that the last thing any of you would want is to be in your…predicament. Which then leads me to my next question. How much is it that you're looking for?"

Hermione stilled, teeth cracking, "Excuse me?"

"Is there a number you had in mind or…"

Hermione scoffed, moving to grab the strap of her purse and settling it on her shoulder as she pushed away from the table. She almost stood then, leaving the woman without another word before she thought better of it, turning to look down on the witch. "You said yourself that the last thing any of us would want is to be in this situation. Well, you're right. I don't want anything from you or your family Missus Malfoy and as far as I'm concerned your whole blood purist lineage can rot in hell."

"Surely you had a reason for including my son in all of this-" she started.

"Yes," Hermione scathed, "I did. I did have a reason in that I know what it's like to not have your parents around and I didn't want my child to blame me for it. I can see how wrong I was."

The witch nodded, gracefully, and waved to the chair, "Please Miss Granger, sit down."

"Why the hell would I do something like that?"

The witch raised a brow, "Because you're causing a scene in a muggle restaurant,"

Hermione looked around self-consciously to see a few of the patrons looking at her curiously and she could feel the low thrum of magic in her palms and the blood rushing to her cheeks.

"And because I believe you."

"What?"

"I believe you Miss Granger, now please, have a seat."

She wanted to tell her to shove off or- better yet- she wanted to tell her where to shove her wand. Instead she slowly lowered herself back down into her chair.

"If you'll please forgive me Miss Granger, I had to be sure. You see, there were many things about the Malfoys damaged in the war but our Gringott's account was not one of them. I had to be sure this wasn't some ploy to-"

"To what? Take your dirty money?" Hermione snapped before she could stop herself.

She expected the woman to sneer, to scoff, and to ridicule her. Instead, Narcissa laughed, "Well, yes."

"And if I was?" She raised a challenging brow.

Narcissa's smile only grew larger at that as she leaned back in her chair, taking her wine glass with her as she tipped it in her direction, "You know Miss Granger, I think I could grow to like you."

Hermione shook her head, aware of the backhanded compliment, and looked down to her plate. It was only then as she took in the layers of pasta that she realized just how hungry she was and without caring about her company she tucked into her meal.

"Please, Miss Granger," the woman said, "Tell me about what it is you do?"

Hermione acquiesced, explaining the inner workings of the creature division she currently worked in in the ministry and how it related to the work that she did daily. By the time she had finished explaining one of her more recent- more publicized- cases, it seemed as if Narcissa Malfoy was almost impressed.

The bill arrived then and without batting an eye Narcissa picked it up and settled it as Hermione grabbed her purse, "Please, don't insult me Miss Granger," the witch said lowly as the waiter reappeared and took the bill before Hermione could so much as turn in her seat.

Hermione rolled her eyes then, etiquette be damned, and she was fairly certain the witch before her chuckled under her breath.

"May I ask one more question before you leave Miss Granger?" the woman asked and Hermione swallowed but nodded. "You said you knew what it was like to not have your parents around but I seem to recall them being with you on several occasions…"

Hermione paled. Of all the questions she was sure the woman would ask that hadn't been one of them. "My parents and I are- well we're no longer on good terms."

Narcissa looked like she wanted to say more but the thought of it sent a stab of pain through Hermione's chest and she quickly stood up, "I must be getting back to work but thank you, Missus Malfoy, for lunch."

Before she could talk herself out of it she turned on her heel and left. It was only as she got to the door that she turned her head, looking over her shoulder to see Narcissa smiling down at the string of ultrasound pictures in her hand.

She made it all the way back to her flat before she lost it. She blamed it on the hormones, the tears that fell as she leaned against her front door and the sobs that wracked her chest. She had come to terms long ago with the fact that her parents wouldn't forgive her. She had thought she would be fine, living her life without them in it. It was only now as she thought of Narcissa's face as she looked at her grandchild that Hermione realized just how much her parents were missing; and just how much she missed them.

And for the first time, she let herself grieve.