CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR- Rendezvous For the first time in months she had slept peacefully through the night and shocked when she woke up with Draco looming over her. "It is almost noon. You realize that, right?" Malfoy said irritated. "What do you want?" Hermione said pulling her sheets up to her chin. "Don't bother covering yourself. Nothing I haven't seen before, remember?" Draco said. The thought sent shivers up her spine and she knew he was only trying to get a rise out of her. "Get up now. We're going to spend a few weeks at our house in Plymouth," he said. Hermione panicked. She did not have a few weeks to spare. Her planning required all of her notes that were locked away in her desk as well as access to the vast library here at Black Landing. "You can go by yourself. I'm perfectly content here," she said trying to sound calm. "I don't want to either but once again we have no choice. If your bags aren't packed in twenty minuets I'll have Snape floo over here and sort you out," he threatened. Snape would be working directly under You-Know-Who's orders and Hermione knew that any resistance would mean trouble for her parents. All of her planning would have to be mental and she would gently ease some details out of Draco. Once Malfoy had packed their bags in the car and locked up the landing they started the drive to the coast. The drive should have only taken forty minuets but having to conceal charms and stop for bathroom breaks it took them well over an hour. "This is simply a cottage. We are going to be bumping elbows a lot," Malfoy warned as they pulled up to the house. Just like any other house on the shore it was quaint and painted white. "This belongs to your family?" Hermione asked. She never would have thought Draco's family would own something so simple. "The Malfoy's own this one. Like I've mentioned before, we own everything everywhere," Draco boasted. He could never resist a chance to show off. The house had only two bedrooms with a bathroom connecting between them. "Like I said, we'll be bumping elbows," Draco said disgusted. Once they were all unpacked Malfoy at once left. "Where are you going?" Hermione asked. "I have some business to attend to down the coastline," he said running off. She watched him through the window disappear past some rocks and she wondered what he was doing so far off into the rocks. It disappointed her to find that there were no books in the house or records of anything that could pertain to a property where her parents might be. There in fact was absolutely nothing to do at the house besides sit and enjoy the salty air. The first week they were there Draco left at dawn and came back at sunset always saying he was attending to business around the cliff. They ate dinner together silently every night and then went to their separate rooms. Two and a half weeks in Hermione was restless. She was about to ask Draco during their dinner when they would be leaving when she felt a little foot kick her stomach. She dropped her fork and gasped at the sensation. Malfoy shot up from his seat, worried that something was wrong. "What is it? What's the matter?!" Malfoy asked panicking. Hermione could not help but to smile ear to ear and she placed a hand on her belly. "The baby kicked me, that was the first time I felt it move," she said still smiling. Draco had no idea how to react and stood confused. "There! I felt it again!" Hermione said. "I have to go send an owl," Malfoy said sprinting out of the room. The baby seemed to be dancing inside her and she waited for every twist or turn. When Malfoy came back he was still unsure of how to react. "Would you like to feel the kicks?" Hermione asked gently. She was sure he would say no and be disgusted but she offered all the same. It did not seem fair after waiting this long that she should be the only one happy for her baby. Malfoy stood quiet for a few moments thinking on what to do. Slow and hesitant he went to Hermione and placed a hand on her round belly. "I don't feel anything. It doesn't like me?" Malfoy asked. It was the first time he had ever felt anyone's pregnant belly and it scared him how fragile it seemed. "Just wait for it," Hermione said. After a few moments the baby gave a hard kick into Malfoy's hand making him jump back in surprise. After the shock of it was over Draco said, "He's strong." Hermione was ready to correct him again that it could very well be a girl when their front door opened. Healer Tonnesen stormed in with his bag of healing supplies. "I hear we have some movement!" Tonnesen said thrilled. As quickly as their civil moment had begun it was over. Malfoy realized what he had felt and left to go out to the water again. Healer Tonnesen began to feel around himself and noticed the drastic change in Hermione and the baby. "Looks like the sea air has been doing you well! I knew it would. Professor Snape will be thrilled the idea has worked. We'll talk about keeping you both here until you're due," the Healer said. Hermione was taken aback at not returning to Black Landing to continue her plan. Now that her baby was healthy and she was so close to finding a way out any more time spent at Plymouth would be a waste. "No! Please, I want to go back to the landing!" Hermione said. She hoped she did not sound desperate and further explained how much more comfortable it was at Black Landing. "Another week here and we'll send you two back," Healer Tonnesen said with smiles as he left. A whole month would be wasted sitting here by the water, which made Hermione cry. Guilt crept over her because she knew for some reason the baby seemed to really enjoy this house and being so close to the sea. But she told herself the baby would be happier once they were both safely away from Malfoy and his ever changing temper and with her parents.