A/N – Here is the first of the promised bonus chapters. Thanks for all the reviews, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Given the situation, Dumbledore felt he needed to mention what had happened with Draco to the entire school. Checking it was okay with Hermione, Dumbledore arranged for dinner to be taken earlier than normal that evening. Hermione herself wasn't present as she was still settling Lyra into the Head Dorms, not to mention she was coming to terms with everything herself. However, Hermione's friends and Draco's friends were present along with the rest of the students and all the staff, and Dumbledore was hoping they would ensure Hermione didn't face too much gossip when she was ready to get back to normal.
Without going into private details, Dumbledore informed everyone in the Great Hall what was going on. He confirmed that Draco and Hermione had a daughter together, and that Draco wouldn't be back at school for the foreseeable future. He explained that Voldemort had forced Draco into his services, but it was clear from the looks on a lot of the Slytherin faces that they didn't believe what he was saying. Obviously a lot of the Slytherins would prefer to believe that Draco had willingly joined Voldemort, rather than face up to the fact that The Dark Lord was a cruel, vindictive wizard who would do anything to get what he wanted.
Obviously Dumbledore's announcement led to widespread gossip, and throughout dinner Hermione, Draco and their secret love child was the main topic of conversation. Even at the Professors table, the situation was openly discussed as only Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Madam Pomfrey had been aware of the situation. Dumbledore was pleased that the staff were all supportive of Hermione, and they all offered any assistance in helping her cope with motherhood and her education. He just hoped the rest of the school was as understanding.
Unfortunately, the students weren't anywhere near as understanding as the staff. Even those students who didn't think badly of Hermione and Draco, were unable to resist the chance of gossiping about the pair. But of course there was a decent portion of the school only too willing to snipe about the pair and call Hermione names for ending up pregnant at such a young age.
"She's such a tart," Pansy Parkinson announced loudly as dinner ended as the students began to file out of the Great Hall. "I mean, you have to be to get pregnant at such a young age."
"I bet it isn't even Draco's," Daphne Greengrass added with a sneer. "As if Draco would go near that Mudblood."
"Yeah, she's probably got some sort of love spell on him, and that's why his father's taken him out of school," Pansy agreed. "Lucius will be trying to free Draco from that slapper's clutches."
As the two girls continued to gossip nastily, they failed to see Blaise and Theo coming up behind them. However, they soon became aware of Draco's best friends behind them when Blaise grabbed hold of the pair and pulled them to standstill in the middle of the front hallway.
"What the hell are you doing?" Daphne demanded, pulling out of Blaise's grasp and rubbing at her arm where he'd grabbed her. Looking around she was unimpressed to find Blaise's little stunt had grabbed the attention of the fellow students, and everyone had stopped to find out what was going on with the Slytherins.
"We're giving you a warning," Blaise answered, before looking around at the gathered students and raising his voice. "In fact, we'll give everyone a warning. If we hear anyone talking badly about Hermione, Draco, or their daughter, they'll regret it."
"You can't seriously be sticking up for that tart?" Pansy spat.
"She is not a tart," Theo hissed menacingly. "Hermione and Draco are a couple, and they love each other very much. They just so happen to have had a child at a young age, but that doesn't make them bad people."
"They're our friends, and we will not stand by and listen to anyone slagging them off," Blaise declared. "Spread the word around so everyone knows, Hermione and Lyra are off limits. We will protect them, and we will not look kindly on those who badmouth them. Trust us, you don't want to mess with us."
Blaise and Theo spent a moment making sure everyone watching knew they were serious, before they turned back to Pansy and Daphne. Warning the pair that next time they heard them insulting Hermione that they would end up hexed, they let the pair go. As Daphne and Pansy scurried of to the dungeons, the rest of the students began to also break off and return to the dorms. As the crowds parted, Blaise and Theo spotted Harry, Ron and Ginny standing nearby watching events.
"Wow, you three kept quiet," Theo remarked.
"What were we supposed to say?" Ron questioned.
"I don't know, how about something to stick up for your best friend," Blaise retorted. "You were right there, you must have heard what people were saying. Did it never occur to you to make a statement like that?"
"Threatening people isn't going to help matters," Harry replied.
"We weren't threatening people, we were letting them know Hermione had some support," Theo said with a disgusted shake of his head. "We know we won't be able to completely stop the gossiping, but we're trying to ensure the worst of it doesn't reach Hermione. We're letting people know she isn't alone, you might want to do the same. Unless of course, you're not planning on being there for her."
"Of course we're going to be there for her," Ginny protested before Harry or Ron had a chance to reply. "She's our best friend."
"Then start acting like it," Blaise snapped. "She's going to need you, so why don't you try sticking up for her."
Not giving the Gryffindors a chance to respond, Blaise and Theo turned on their heels and hurried off up the stairs. Instead of heading down to the dungeons, they were going to pay Hermione one more visit just to make sure she was okay for the evening. They'd already decided that if needs be one, or even both of them, could stay in the head dorms with her.
As it turned out, Hermione didn't need either of them to stay with her. While she was quite happy for the pair to keep her company for a couple of hours before bedtime, she didn't want them to stay overnight.
"As long as you're sure," Blaise said to his best friend's girlfriend. "We could sleep down here if you don't want to be alone."
"I really appreciate the offer, but it's not necessary," Hermione said. "Lyra and I will be fine on our own."
"If you change your mind just call and we'll be here," Theo said, giving Hermione a smile.
Hermione smiled back at the pair, amazed by how much support she'd received from them over the last few hours. Sure, her friends had been there while everything was going on that afternoon and they'd listened while she'd explained about her relationship with Draco. However, they'd gone off to have dinner without really letting her know what they thought of her relationship with Draco, and she hadn't seen them since. Obviously it had never occurred to her friends to come back and check up on her.
"Can I ask the pair of you something?" Hermione asked, praying she wasn't going to offend the two Slytherins.
"Sure," Blaise replied.
"Why have you been so supportive? I mean, you were right there offering to go with me when Dumbledore mentioned going into hiding, and you've been nothing but kind ever since. What have I ever done to warrant such loyalty?"
"You love Draco, and more importantly he loves you," Blaise answered. "I can't speak for Theo, but Draco is the best friend I've ever had. Before starting Hogwarts my mother and I moved around a lot, so I never got the chance to really make friends. But then I started Hogwarts, and met Draco. Granted, we weren't overly close in first year but as he began to drop his father's ideals, we got closer. He's like a brother to me, and I'll do anything I can to ensure the witch he loves and his daughter is safe."
"It's pretty much the same for me," Theo said with a nod. "I've known Draco since I was small, and we've always been friends. But like Blaise said, things changed when he stopped believing all the bullshit Lucius fed him. I've never believed in all that pureblood stuff, and I was lucky enough to have a father that didn't ram it down my throat."
"Isn't your father a Death Eater?" Hermione interrupted.
"He is, but he's a low ranking one and he doesn't really believe in all that stuff anymore," Theo answered. "Unlike Lucius who always rued The Dark Lord disappearing all those years ago, my father celebrated it. It meant he was free, and I know he wasn't at all happy when he returned and he was forced to retake his position as one of his followers. All my father has ever wanted is for me to choose my own path in life. I've chosen a path that doesn't involved The Dark Lord and Dark Arts, and I was thrilled when Draco also chose that path. I know Draco had to keep his father sweet and act like he still believes in the same things as Lucius, but I know it's all an act. Draco doesn't want a life like that, and that's why I'm supporting you. I want to help Draco get the life he deserves, and you and Lyra are a massive part of that life."
"I don't know what to say," Hermione whispered, feeling tears welling in her eyes. "You two are amazing friends to Draco."
"Not just to Draco," Blaise said. "We're going to be good friends to you as well. We'll be right by your side throughout all this. Believe me, you don't have to handle this alone Hermione. Theo and I are here for you, whatever you need just ask and we'll do what we can to help. You're not alone."
Hermione smiled softly as she took in what Blaise was saying. In some strange way she felt closer to Draco knowing his two best friends were going to be at her side. The next few months would probably by the hardest of her life, but at least she wasn't going to be alone. Even if her friends didn't quite manage to support her the way she needed, she would have Blaise and Theo. The pair were going to be invaluable to her, she could already tell that.
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"She's a little livewire," Blaise chuckled, watching from the sofa as Hermione wrangled her daughter into a clean outfit.
Blaise and Theo had arrived at the head dorms early that morning, and they'd been with Hermione ever since. Dumbledore had popped in a few minutes earlier and informed Hermione rather than having the order visit her, she could go to them. He'd then gone off to let Harry and Ron know the offer was also extended to them, leaving Hermione to get Lyra ready to go out for the afternoon.
"She is," Hermione agreed.
To be honest she was surprised that Lyra hadn't crashed out already as her daughter had spent most of the night awake and crying. When she hadn't been able to calm her after a few hours, she'd called for Madam Pomfrey and the medi-witch had arrived to help her. Madam Pomfrey had assured her that Lyra was fine, she was just stressed with all the changes. Hermione also suspected her daughter was missing Draco and Narcissa, just like she was.
"Finally," Hermione announced with a relieved sigh, when she got Lyra settled in her new outfit and nestled in her carry chair. The only reason she'd changed her was because her daughter had been sick all down herself just moments earlier.
"You might want to go and change yourself," Theo suggested, pointing to Hermione's shoulder with a small grimace. "She got you."
Hermione looked down at the patch of baby sick on her shoulder and shook her head. Knowing she would have to go and change before Harry and Ron arrived and they headed off to see the Order, Hermione bent down to pick up her daughter again.
"Leave her with us," Blaise offered, before Hermione disturbed her daughter.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked warily. It wasn't that she didn't trust Blaise and Theo, she was just wary of letting her daughter out of her sight given events of the previous day.
"We're sure," Blaise confirmed with a firm nod. "You'll only be two minutes, and you'll hear if she starts to cry."
"Which she won't," Theo added with confidence. "Trust us, she'll love spending time with her uncles."
"Okay Uncle Theo," Hermione said with a chuckle. "I'll be back as quick as I can."
Leaving Blaise and Theo to watch Lyra, Hermione headed upstairs to get changed. When she entered Draco's room she was suddenly catapulted back into worrying about her absent boyfriend. For a moment downstairs she'd been able to forget about Draco, but the second she was alone, he sprung right back to the front of her mind. Wondering what he was doing, and how he was coping, Hermione quickly changed her top and headed back downstairs.
Hermione arrived back in the common room just as there was a knock on the door. Quickly checking Blaise and Theo were fine with Lyra, Hermione went to answer the door. As expected, she opened the door to find Harry and Ron on the other side. Ginny was also with them, and as they entered Ginny explained that Dumbledore was allowing her to go with them as she'd also known Tonks and was grieving along with Harry and Ron.
"Dumbledore said he'd be here in a moment," Harry said.
"So we don't need you anymore," Ron added, glaring at the two Slytherins who were sitting on either side of Lyra in her carry chair.
"We're not going anywhere," Blaise replied. "In fact, we're hoping to go with Hermione."
"What?" Ron exploded. "But we're going to the Order. It may have escaped your attention, but neither of you are part of the Order."
"Not yet, but we could be," Theo said.
"You want to join the Order?" Hermione asked the pair in surprise.
"Yes," Blaise answered with a nod. "We spoke about it last night, and we want to help get rid of You-Know-Who. We want to help save Draco."
"Dumbledore will never allow it," Ron announced with an unimpressed snort at the very idea of Slytherins joining the Order.
Unfortunately for Ron he was wrong and when Dumbledore arrived at the head dorms, he agreed to let Blaise and Theo accompany Hermione, where he agreed to hear them out and make a decision on whether or not they could join the Order. Ron wasn't at all happy with the development, but there was nothing he could do as Dumbledore instructed everyone that they would be travelling to The Burrow, and from there they'd be heading to Order headquarters.
Using the floo connection in the head dorms, one by one the group headed to the Weasley house. When Hermione landed at The Burrow, she was immediately swept into a hug with Molly, who then turned her focus to Lyra. Allowing Molly to fuss over her daughter, Hermione lost herself in the gaggle of Weasleys, all of whom gave her a hug and offered her their support.
"Thanks guys," Hermione said, wiping away tears that threatened to fall as she was reminded how much support she had in the Weasleys.
"Think nothing of it," Molly said with a warm smile. "We love you Hermione, so of course we're going to support you."
"I still appreciate it," Hermione replied. "Now Draco and Narcissa aren't around, I've lost the people I've relied on the most these last few months. I do now have other people I can reply on," she added, giving Blaise and Theo a quick smile. "But I still want my family back."
"What about your parents?" Percy asked, earning himself a sharp elbow in the ribs from his mother who'd been informed of the situation with Hermione's parents. "Ow," he complained, glaring at his mother as he rubbed his side. "What was that for?"
"Don't pry, Percy," Molly ordered sternly.
"It's okay Molly, he wasn't to know," Hermione replied. "My parents disowned me when they found out I was pregnant and I refused to have a termination."
"Harsh," Fred remarked with a low whistle.
"Very," George agreed. "I'm sorry Hermione, it must have been terrible for you."
"It wasn't easy, but I had Draco and Narcissa," Hermione replied. "And don't forget, Remus and Tonks. How is Remus?"
"Not so good," Molly answered with a sigh. "To be honest, I think we're all still in shock."
"I understand that," Hermione said quietly as he looked at her daughter who'd fallen asleep in her chair. "I still can't believe what happened yesterday. But I would like to see Remus."
"Of course, let's move on to Grimmauld Place," Dumbledore said. "When we're there we can also discuss Blaise and Theo joining us."
Once again using the floor network, the group travelled to Order headquarters. Once at headquarters, Lyra was the centre of attention, and Hermione was overwhelmed by the support she received from the likes of Sirius. Trusting Molly with Lyra, Hermione headed off to speak to Remus while Blaise and Theo were settled in the kitchen to discuss joining the Order.
Hermione found Remus in a bedroom Sirius had directed her to. She hadn't been sure if he would be open to seeing her, but when he saw who was visiting him, he wrapped her in his arms.
"I'm so sorry, Remus," Hermione said quietly, feeling that the older wizard was sobbing quietly as they hugged.
"It's not your fault, Hermione," Remus replied, brushing away his tears as he let go of Hermione and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"But if she hadn't been protecting Lyra, she would still be with us," Hermione whispered.
"Don't think like that," Remus said sharply. "This isn't your fault, nor is it Draco's or Narcissa's. Tonks and I loved protecting you and Lyra, and what happened doesn't change that. The only people to blame here is Voldemort and Lucius."
"We'll get them, Remus," Hermione vowed. "I know we will."
"Yes we will," Remus agreed, grabbing hold of Hermione's hand and giving it a squeeze. "And we'll get Draco back, don't worry. He's strong, he'll cope until we can save him."
"I hope so," Hermione whispered.
She hated to think about how Draco would be suffering at Voldemort's hands and what he might be tasked with doing. She knew because of Lyra, her boyfriend was in a position where he wouldn't be able to refuse The Dark Lord. All she could hope was that whatever he was tasked with doing, it wouldn't be too terrible and it wouldn't have any lasting effects on him. She would hate for Draco to be broken by his experiences with Voldemort before they even had a chance to save him.