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Once he had apparated home Draco immediately stood in the Malfoy gardens and tapped into the Manor's wards to allow Hermione access. It took precise hand waving and a few curse words later for Draco to finally be able to change the ancient magic to the Manor to allow a muggleborn into its protective barrier. He didn't want to know what dark magic would propel Hermione to keep her away from the Manor.
What was it she actually wanted anyhow? Since he's shift finished he couldn't get the Gryffindor know-it-all from his mind, He hadn't heard off of her for months and now she turns up out of the blue … at the hospital … requesting to see him. Merlin knew her presence was more accepted by him than his own Girlfriend. Draco groaned at the thought of Astoria being his actual girlfriend. 'It will do wonders for the family name Draco' 'She is a lovely polite young lady my son' 'Think of the beautiful children you can produce' His parents rambling words whirled around in his mind until the buzz of free flow magic ran through him, alerting Draco that Hermione had apparated to the Manors grounds.
Luckily for her safety she had warned Draco ahead of time of her arrival –giving him enough time to do something about the wards- otherwise she would probably be a pile of meat for Lord Malfoy's precious peacocks to eat and peck at.
Walking up the long drive her nerves began to kick in, could she destroy his future like this? Would he even want to know what she had to say? –her hand stroked her flat stomach protectively- Wouldn't it would be easier for him to just kick her out on her behind ... This was a Malfoy after all, Good job his estranged Aunt Bellatrix was murdered by Molly Weasley during the battle at Hogwarts. She wasn't quite sure she would be able to handle this knowing she was alive and kicking.
"Miss Granger" Hermione had just approached the porch stairs as an house elf opened the door.
"Master is awaiting your arrival in the drawing room, shall tipsy take your coat?" Hermione shook her head and followed the little elf through to what was supposedly the drawing room. Hermione's eyes carefully wondered around her surroundings at the expensive paintings and of past Generation of Malfoy's, their portraits hanging as regally as they could neatly on the walls
"Let's make this quick shall we Granger, Mother and Astoria do not like to be kept waiting on me" He wasn't facing her as she entered the room and didn't make any attempts to turn around. Fiddling with something from the Walnut coloured bar unit in the corner of the room. "I'm pregnant" She blurted out, Ok cut to the chase why don't you. Her sweaty palms automatically clamped over her mouth as soon as the words slipped from her lips.
"Shouldn't you be telling Weaslebee" Draco sneered as he faced the muggle born witch with Whiskey in hand. What a beauty she still is, Draco silently mused to himself.
"It's not Ronald's" She seethed dangerously through gritted teeth.
"Well tell the Scottish lad … erm … Seamus wasn't it?" Her eyes nearly bulged from her eye sockets, Seamus was betrothed to a guy in Hufflepuff and Draco damn well knew that. They had attended the engagement party in the a mutual circle of friends.
"Oh give over will you. You know full well I am trying to inform you that you are indeed the baby's Father" Draco's eyes rose to his hair line as he tried to digest what she was saying, him a father. Impossible … wasn't it?.
"Bu ... but we only did it once and it wasn't even that good" Draco proclaimed.
"You're telling me" Hermione whispered harshly as her eyes gazed at the expensive Persian rug beneath her feet.
"What are you expecting me to do? Take you in and look after your loot." Hermione's angry bubbled slightly at just the cruelty in his voice.
"I have a girlfriend and my mother in the next room discussing the possibility of my marriage and you're here telling me this … now of all times" Draco scoffed as he shot back a tumbler of his Father's finest whiskey. Hermione cackled as her anger over boiled.
"I didn't want this either nor did I want to be pregnant so young, but I have and I am dealing with it a lot more maturity than what you are. I only told you because I thought you had the right to know you were going to be a Father" Hermione shouted back with just as venom lacing her words.
"Who's pregnant Son?" A high pitched feminine voice enquired from the doorway. Hermione back bolted straight up at the sudden intrusion.
"What is with all this shouting" A shudder ran down Hermione's spine at the oh so familiar gruff voice of a certain Lord.
"Mother, Father" Draco nodded in greeting seeming slightly unfazed by their presence. Hermione inwardly groaned and swivelled on the balls of her feet.
"Lord and Lady Malfoy" Hermione greeted embarrassingly with a slight nod of her head, as blood quickly rushed to her cheeks, The room fell a few degrees as the older Malfoy's fully grasped the situation.
"Draco, how could you be so stupid" Lucius hissed as he stormed over to his progeny hitting him once on the head with his rolled up Daily Prophet making Draco frown as he rubbed the spot his Father clouted him on.
"How do you even know its Dray's? The mudblood could just be after his money" A bored tone voice asked from behind of Lady Malfoy.
"Oh and I suppose you got that idea from your older sister did you not Astoria?" Hermione sneered as the younger Witch came into view. Daphne Greengrass had fallen pregnant in school, not knowing who the actual father was she tried to pass it as any Male Slytherin she could. Eventually it turned out she had a few cosy nights in with a certain Theodore Nott.
"Show some respect, I will be the next Lady Malfoy one day soon" Astoria announced with every ounce of pride as she tried to look down her nose at Hermione.
"Please, I see no ring on your finger nor do I see Draco rushing to your defence." She smirked slightly as Lady Malfoy held Astoria's wrist down to prevent her sending hex's at Hermione.
"Draco I don't want your title nor do I want your money. I know how this works. You will marry this bint and forget about our child. But it wouldn't be right for me to know and not have told you in the first place. You are more than welcome to be involved in our child's life. I will not begrudge you that … just don't leave it too late that he or she won't want to know who you are"
Hermione gave Draco a soft sad smile before heading for the door. Lady Malfoy keeping Astoria firmly in place as she passed by.
"Leaving so soon Miss?" Tipsy met her at the doorway to open the double wooden doors for Hermione once again to brave the harsh snow.
"Miss Granger wait" Hermione turned on her heel to the sound of heels abruptly hitting the cold floor.
"You shouldn't be apparating in your delicate condition, come" Hermione smiled politely up at the Malfoy matriarch as she placed an arm around her shoulders and led her into another room.
"I am sure you are well adverse with Floo travel"
"I am thank you Lady Malfoy." Hermione grabbed a hand full of floo powder by the fireplace and announced her destination leaving a very confused Narcissa Malfoy behind.
"Dear Merlin Hermione. What has you here without an owl being sent ahead of time?" The owner of the Mansion asked.
"I am sorry for the intrusion Andy but I need help" Hermione broke down fully as the older witch engulfed Hermione into a hug.
"Andromeda I brought tea …" The lanky wizard stood at the doorway surveying the sight in front of him.
"Hermione, whatever is the matter?" Andy sat Hermione down on the sofa next to her as Severus handed her an handkerchief.
"I'm pregnant …. And Draco is the Father"
"Oh my, that is something to cry about my dear" Andy embraced her a little tighter whispering soothing words into her ear.
"Does Draco know?" Hermione nodded her head.
"And what has he said?" Hermione wiped her tears away with the borrowed handkerchief before steadying her nerves.
"Not a lot, his parents came into the room so I didn't really get to have a full conversation with him. Astoria was nothing but rude but then again when isn't she?" Hermione let out a small chuckle before looking down at the handkerchief in her hands.
Severus Snape stood up from being perched at the two witches feet and fled from the room.
"Sev, where are you going?" Andy called after him.
"I am going to have a chat with my dear godson." Before the witches could protest Severus apparated from sight and out of the wards.
"Come you can spend the evening here, but tomorrow we must get you sorted and checked out properly"
Andromeda Snape nee black showed Hermione up to her spare room and tucked her in.
Even though it was only nearing 6.00pm the younger witch looked dead on her feet and could do with the extra nap now she was carrying another being in her body.
Andy smiled fondly at the younger Witch before leaving the room, knowing too well what it was like carrying a child at a young age; her Nymphadora was born when Andy was at the tender age of 20 and with a muggle born Wizard for a Father no less. Andy remembered the day she was shunned by her family, not that she was bothered. No she was more hurt by the looks her younger sister Cissy gave her. Thick as thieves the two of them where as kids. And now someone she classed as family was carrying her nephew's child. What a mess it had become she only hoped this could be the miracle she has been praying for to be back in touch with Narcissa.
Sighing she sat on the loveseat eagerly awaiting Severus's return home. After their wedding Lucius and Narcissa cut ties with Severus for marrying a blood traitor, not that Severus noticed of course he was to head over heels in love and anybody trying to shun them could crawl under a rock and be a coward … or say it to his face and then try to say anything else on the subject once in St Mungos severely traumatised ward for Witches and Wizards. Oh yes Severus Snape could be quiet cruel in his ways when it came to those he loved.
The Malfoy Manor wards accepted Severus in straight away without thinking, Severus laughed silently to himself Fools for not even changing their wards as he marched up the garden path he couldn't help but shake his head in amusement at their stupidity. Not listening to the protest of the house elf Severus stormed into the drawing room with a face full of thunder and wand withdrawn.
"How could you be so bloody stupid Draco" He asked harshly, not taking heed of the horrendous looks the occupiers of the room where shooting at him.
"Severus, care for some tea … or perhaps something stronger?" Severus merely nodded at Narcissa being the perfect host, however his gaze never wavering from his scared Godson's face.
"What do you plan to do about it?" His anger finally calmed down for him to sit across from Draco.
"I don't know" Draco feebly replied. He wasn't sure what to do in all honestly. Was he meant to look after Hermione and their bastard child or was he meant to stay with Astoria? The thought made him shudder and wish Voldermort had killed him when he had the opportunity.
"Miss Greengrass I think it is time for you to take your leave" Lucius commanded as politely as he could, not that he cared.
"Fine" with a 'crack' sound of apparition Astoria had disappeared from sight.
"How do I know the child is even mine?" Draco asked but immediately cowered back into the chair occupied as Severus growled warningly at him.
"You know full well Hermione isn't the type of person to try and trap someone"
"Hermione is carrying your child son you have to do what is best, but take your own heart into consideration. I don't want you to be in a loveless marriage" His Mother cooed softly as she handed a large tumbler of fire whiskey over to Severus. In all honestly Narcissa Malfoy was rather excited at the prospect of being a Granny.
"But the marriage contract Cissy" Lucius hissed gently to his wife making Severus frown.
"You have trapped him, Oh dear Merlin Lucius you have trapped Draco into what you know will be a loveless marriage. You swore on your Fathers dying grave you would never do that" Severus's temper rose at the idiocy of his oldest friend.
"I'll stand by Hermione and be there for her. I can't promise we will be in together or in love … just don't make me marry Astoria"
"Merlin no" Cissy immediately spat out all too eagerly as she downed down her own stiff drink, ignoring the protests of her husband.
"But this is something you can't just back out on … I have put in weeks and months of preparations, the contracts have been bonded and signed …"
"No Lucius. I have stood by you through thick and thin, I have being the perfect pureblood wife and I have acted with grace and poise at any social event you seem fit to drag me off to, I have put up with all your crap for years Lucius. This I will not stand back and allow you to do" Narcissa narrowed her blue eyes at her husband awaiting his response.
Anyone to know Narcissa Malfoy would know just how much of a gentle soul she was … unless you messed with her Family. Lucius abruptly stood up and walked to the door, turning whilst his hand was on the doorknob he addressed his Son.
"I will dissolve the marriage contract if that is what you want, but if you stick with … a muggleborn then you are no son of mine" Lucius Malfoy stared disdainful at his son before slamming the parlour room door after his exit.
"Do what you think is best Draco, Just remember Hermione is a patient young woman but she won't wait forever" Severus nodded at his godson and kissed Cissy's hand before apparating back home to his family. All this drama was giving him one of his migraines and he so needed his Andy to make it all better.