Chapter 4

The next morning I apparate to the address Granger had given me with the advice of my friends sitting firmly at the front of my mind and braced for just about anything, luckily a house elf is there to greet me taking my robes and leading me into a nicely lit kitchen, the familiarity of the routine making me relax just slightly.

Sadly that's where my luck runs out, Potter and his ginger haired girlfriend are relaxed on a bench, and really who has benches in their kitchen? Both of them are sipping on mugs of some kind of beverage and a plate of toast rests in the middle, a third place setting reveals a sloshed cup of tea and a triangle of toast with but a single bite taken out of it.

'Potter, Ginny' I nod at the two accordingly wondering where on earth Granger is and why she isn't here.

'She's just throwing up Malfoy, she'll be done soon.' the ginger one gives a reassuring glance waving a hand to invite me to sit.

I ignore it, baffled 'Where is she exactly?' and why is she sick and none of her friends seem to care?

'Third door on the right, it's just morning sickness, she won't let you in' she nods back to the hallway I've just exited.

'We thought it was flu for the last few days, we've tried sitting with her but she's adamant that she's okay' a frown from the man who doesn't seem to know the basics about hair maintenance.

I nod in thanks before heading off in search of my witch, she's locked the door but that's no matter a few simple spells later and I'm watching Granger lose her breakfast to the toilet bowl.

'Malfoy, what on earth are you doing here?' she visibly shudders with the effort of retching gasping when she comes up for air.

Careful not to step on her sprawled legs I manoeuvre, although with great difficulty in the tiny bathroom, until I'm seated on the bath behind her, casually leaning forward to gather up her riotous curls when she leans over once again.

'I assume this is one of the things that led you to deduce you were pregnant?' I ask when she sits back thinking about Potter's flu comment and using my wand to wet a towel so she can wipe the thin layer of sweat off her brow.

'It was a contributing factor -' she pants slightly, holding the cool towel to her head and leaning back '-you don't have to stay you know, it won't last much longer.'

'It's my child that is doing this to you, it makes sense for me to be the one to take care of you.' i ignore the part of my brain that's telling me that i'd do it anyway, she doesn't need to become even more confused.

After another round of hugging the toilet and then sitting quietly with the towel on her head, soon she declares that she feels well enough to go back to breakfast and without considering the ramifications I help her up with a hand under her elbow, becoming increasingly confused when she glares like I've just insulted that vile creature she calls a cat.

'I'm perfectly capable of getting up Malfoy, honestly' she huffs, exiting the cramped space and leaving me to follow along after her unable to understand what on earth she'd become so annoyed about.

'Feel better?' Potter rises as soon as she enters the room pulling her into a tight hug, bloody Potter doesn't he realise that you aren't supposed to squeeze her, i glare at him in rebuke.

She bats his hands away with an irritated groan and I just about fight a grin.

'It's just morning sickness honestly -' she downs the rest of her now cold tea before reaching out a hand for the ugliest bag i've ever seen to fly into it '-ready to go Malfoy?' a glance in my direction that has me nodding as she performs a couple of charms on her mouth.

Potter tells her he'll meet her at her appointment later and Ginny gives a reassuring grin before she waves her farewells all but dragging me out of the house.

I bid goodbye to the two who are making no effort to hide the fact they're examining us, as if wondering how we possibly could have slept together. I almost feel like explaining in graphic detail just how good Granger and me had been together but i force myself to show restraint, it would probably only end in me being hexed anyway.

We collect our coats and Granger agrees to let me side along her then we're gone.

I apparate us to a nice breakfast restaurant in wiltshire, it has the best full english i've ever tasted and after checking i'd realised they even serve the honey tea Granger is so fond of.

After being seated and ordering Granger turns to me as if to say, let me have it, let's crack on with the questions.

Never one to disappoint, I decide to start us off.

'Do you live with Potter?' it wasn't the question i wanted to ask but it seems fitting anyway.

'For now, he's been lovely enough to offer to let me stay when the baby is born but I haven't decided yet.' a nod for me to continue.

'If you don't live with Potter where will you live?' shouldn't i be a part of the conversation about where my future child will grow up?

'I was thinking of moving back to my family home, my parents aren't there and it's big enough that I could have a handful of children and not have to move. It's got some powerful wards surrounding it so protection isn't an issue, and i wouldn't have to worry about setting up payments because i already own it. Plus it's where i grew up, i have fond memories there.' She takes a sip of her tea, her eyes creasing slightly in displeasure as she says it. Odd.

'About money -' i don't even get to finish my sentence she's so busy interrupting.

'I don't need your money Malfoy, I have plenty of my own.' a scowl punctuates her words as if daring me to argue.

'I'd like to give you money for the baby, you'll need clothes and other baby type things?' it's more of a question than an answer but instead of being angry she giggles.

'Baby-type things?' another of those strange sounds i've never heard from Granger before that makes my own lips twitch.

'It's not exactly my realm of expertise.' i want to be self-conscious but i'm too delighted by this side to Granger, i couldn't help the grin that emerges on my face if i wanted too.

'What if we make a deal?' She thanks the server when they bring over a fresh pot, pretending not to stare in disgust as they top up my coffee, I nod for her to continue.

'What if instead of giving me money you come with me to get the baby stuff and i'll let you buy half, You said you wanted to be involved?' as if she thinks i could have possibly changed my mind.

'That's fair enough I suppose, what about school are you going back? Are you going to work?' she bites her lip stubbornly as she thinks about it and I almost congratulate myself at being able to stump her.

'Originally i was planning to go back for eighth year, i really want my newts not just some shiny certificate that exempts me from taking them because i fought in the war -' she gives a sad sigh '-but i don't even know if Mcgonogall would let me go back once she knows i'm pregnant, not only that but the baby is due right when exams are supposed to kick off.'

'This is Mcgonagall we're talking about, you're her favourite of course she'd let you come back maybe we could talk to her, work something out where you sit your newts early so that they don't overlap with the due date?' I take a mouthful of perfectly brewed coffee and watch her brow furrow as she thinks it through. Score 1 for Malfoy.

'I could always ask her, and Ginny is going back so it's not like i'd be alone?' she murmurs thinking out loud, probably thinking about the fact that Potter had very publicly been accepted into the auror programme last week.

I give a pointed cough 'I was planning on going back as well Granger, of course that will change if you decide not too and i'll have to balance it alongside managing the company but it was always on the cards.'

She has the grace to blush 'Of course you are. I'm sorry it didn't even occur to me, i don't want to pressure you that's all, make you feel as though you have to be there for me.' she ducks her head on the thought.

'I want to be there for you Granger, this is our baby. I want to be there for all of it.' I make sure I hide nothing, let her see everything I'm feeling in my eyes.

She accepts my declaration with a nod before going back to her pancakes 'What about your Mother have you told her yet?' the one question i'd been dreading.

'I've got dinner with her tonight where I plan to break the news, you should be prepared for an invitation to tea though?' I raise an eyebrow trying to read her face and assess whether she's okay with this.

She nods like it pains her 'I won't go back to Malfoy Manor...i can't…' the distress pouring off her is almost palpable.

'She lives in Cornwall now, in a property overlooking the sea.' I try to soothe her, feeling foolish for the mistake.

Granger gives a relieved nod before she seems to realise something 'Where do you live Malfoy?'

I grin surprised it took her this long to ask 'I have an apartment in wizarding London, you're more than welcome to come and see it.' she gives a curious nod and we move on.

'In the interest of you being involved i've got a muggle doctors appointment this afternoon, Harry was going to take me but you're more than welcome to come. We're going to the burrow afterwards to tell the Weasleys if you'd like to join us?' she mops up the last of her breakfast, no trace of that awful sickness present as the pancake slathered in syrup enters her mouth and she grins happily.

'Is Ginny okay with Potter going?' i can't help but ask the question, there's been so many rumours about the two of them together after all.

To my surprise Granger just laughs 'She'd be there too if she didn't have a try out for the holyhead harpies, she understands that me and Harry have only ever been friends, he's like the brother i never had.' a knowing glint in those stunning chocolate eyes.

'What will the muggle appointment tell you that Andromeda couldn't?' i'll be going of course but it's nice to know what she hopes to gain from the experience.

'They can show you ultrasounds of the baby, like little black and white pictures and in a few months they'll be able to tell whether it's a boy or a girl.' she gives a grin that has just an edge of excitement.

'Really?' i can't help but feel a tiny itch of excitement at the prospect of knowing what my baby looks like, of whether it's a little girl or a little boy.

She nods to confirm and I let her know of my plans to attend smirking at how shocked she looks.

'Do you want to floo round in about an hour and I can side along you?' she smiles brushing her stomach in a way i'm sure she doesn't realise.

'I'm not sure you're supposed to do side alongs while pregnant, it's a big draw on your magic.'I glower at the very idea of it.

'It's perfectly safe until I'm in the last trimester Andromeda herself said so.' she rebukes me with a glower, hands going to her hips as she waits for an answer.

'Fine i'll be there, are you sure you wouldn't like a lift home?' i offer my good arm customarily but she just laughs popping herself away in the blink of an eye.

Bloody Granger.

Theo's words from last night circle back to me, whatever makes her happy I tell myself glowering as I head to the shop we'd been to yesterday, with the delicious ginger cake.

Whatever makes her happy.

….

Thirty minutes later and I'm stepping through Granger's floo, prettily decorative cake box in hand.

Her and Potter are sitting on the sofa waiting, both of them standing excitedly when I step through the floo. I hold out the cake box.

'Ginger cake' i offer almost smiling when her eyes go wide in pleasure, Potter rolls his eyes at me but doesn't comment as she rushes off to put it in the kitchen.

'Malfoy' he greets.

'Potter'

'How's the whole going to be a father thing working out for you?' is he gloating, odd but I'm almost sure he's trying to aggravate me.

'So far so good Granger isn't exactly a difficult witch.' I offer vaguely, no need to give Potter all my secrets now after all.

'You haven't seen her when she's hormonal yet Malfoy, I actually pity you what's to come.' he smirks just as she rushes back into the room all joyful and happy.

Potter doesn't know what he's talking about.

She grabs one of our hands in each of hers before her magic grabs us, twisting us inside out and gently placing us on the grass outside of a building. The building itself looks old, the bricks well cared for but crumbling slightly in places.

'This is a muggle doctor?' I can't help but take in the fields surrounding it and the little statue in the middle of the pavement.

'This is a private muggle doctor -' Potter stresses the difference ignoring Granger's glare '-Hermione here is of the posh sort.' he smirks until she elbows him in the side.

'So all of those posh comments and in the muggle world you're basically me? A little hypocritical Granger.' that fiery glare whips around to me and i've never been gladder to be around muggles, at least she isn't allowed to hex me here.

'That's not at all true, just because you use something that costs money doesn't make you posh.' she pushes the door open without a backwards glance.

A cheerily dressed receptionist in an immaculately pressed skirt and blouse greets her on arrival.

'So lovely to see you Miss Granger, room 4 for you today, would you like any refreshments sent through?' a perfectly white smile no questions asked as the two of us follow her in.

I take in the decor and the greeting before I study Granger herself, I'd put a thousand galleons on her coming from money. Suddenly her explanation about her family home having enough room for a handful of children comes into a new light.

'Some water would be lovely, anything for you two?' she turns to look at us with an expectant glare.

'Water sounds good' Potter offers without hesitation and I quickly mimic him, trailing along after Granger until we come to a door with the number four on it.

Granger knocks before pulling the door open and letting herself in so that a plump woman can greet her, with her charcoal coloured hair pulled neatly back in a bun and her bright red lips and kind eyes she has an easy going feel to her, competent.

'Hermione darling it's so good to have you back with us.' they kiss on the cheek before Granger sinks into one of the chairs waiting for us, evidently she'd called ahead because two spare ones wait next to her.

With a glare at Potter I take the seat closest and he takes the last one.

'So I hear you're pregnant, have we come to get some pictures of the baby?' the woman scans her file as if to confirm before giving her a beaming smile.

'That would be lovely Nassi.' she answers a few questions before the water is brought in, cute dainty little glasses with slices of cucumber and lime.

I find I quite like this extravagant side of Granger, smirking slightly as i take a refreshing mouthful.

When she finishes her questions she finally decides to acknowledge Potter and me.

'So which one of you decided to get this girl pregnant out of wedlock?' her eyes seem to be assessing our potential as Father's as she speaks, a dark glare making her frown,

Potter all but chokes on his tongue, thumping his chest to try and dislodge the water he must have swallowed by mistake.

'It's not nice to play with them Nassi, Draco is the Father.' Granger gives an admonishing glare but the strange woman just chuckles turning from frowning to smirking in the blink of an eye.

'Tell me his face wasn't worth it?' she grins at the still red face man and i find myself grinning back when she gives me a wink. Muggles are weird.

'Come on then let's get you set up with Alice.' She leads us out of the room and down the hall until we get to another.

This room is dark when she opens the door and i almost don't want to step inside, there's some kind of muggle instrument sitting next to a bed and none of it looks comfortable.

'Are you sure about this?' I lean over to whisper the question, watching Potter's eyes narrow as he takes in the room through the same eyes.

She doesn't mock me, just reaches down to give my hand a quick squeeze in reassurance, when she goes to draw away I stop her linking our fingers. She smiles as Nassi tells her to get settled on the bed, apparently Alice will be with us shortly.

'Both of you need to stop looking so worried, from what I've read this is perfectly normal, she'll come in and put some jelly on my stomach to look for the baby. Nothing weird.' I take a seat next to her unwilling to let go in the dark strange room, Potter raises an eyebrow at our linked hands but doesn't say anything, just settles into the seat next to me.

The muggle Alice wanders in a short while later, clipboard in hand as her shoes clip clap over the floor.

'Are we excited to see the baby today?' a smile as she starts clicking and pushing things on the machine next to us.

'We're very excited.' It's Potter who answers as he starts studying the black square in front of us.

'What's the surname?' she pays no attention to the way me and Granger both freeze, we haven't discussed it.

'Can you put Granger-Malfoy?' She's answering the lady but she's looking at me. I let out a sigh of relief at her quick thinking, giving her a nod to let her know I approve.

The woman agrees with an easy smile 'Right we're all ready, if you could go ahead and lift up your shirt and then just push down your bottoms.' my eyes shoot to Potter telling him to get the hell out when Granger interrupts.

'She doesn't mean all the way down.' she whisper hisses, shuffling the pants down until they rest just underneath her hip bones, i glare at Potter but to his credit he's too busy looking at that screen he's not even paying attention to all the soft smooth skin Granger has on display.

Stupid wizard.

My eyes catch on the scar just underneath her bra and memories assault me, her eyes catch mine and she blushes darkly.

'This will be cold.' the woman warns a bare second before squirting some kind of clear potion onto her stomach, Granger shivers and her grip on my hand tightens the barest amount.

She starts moving a little wand over her belly rubbing it over the jelly until the black thing potter is so enamoured with starts blinking. White and grey blobs float around in the black and I honestly can't understand how anyone is seeing a baby.

A little more shuffling and prodding later and Alice turns the screen to us, it looks like a giant black egg with a little white egg inside it, almost as if there's another kind of oblong egg on it's side next to that.

'This is the head -' she points to the little white egg and suddenly it makes sense, the oblong egg wiggles a little and I realise it's the body, I can't help but gasp as she points to a little faded patch that's apparently an arm. That's me and Granger's egg shape! It's actually growing in there.

'Oh wow, he's definitely got Malfoy's big head' Potter teases but his eyes are looking surprisingly wet.

'Oh shut up Harry he's perfect.' she gives a slightly watery chuckle back.

'Would you like pictures?' Alice smiles at the picture the three of us make staring at the screen.

'Yes, I want lots of pictures' I give her a second of precious time so that she knows I'm serious before I look at the little wiggling blob again.

Granger laughs and I squeeze her hand delighted.

'I'll just get that sorted out for you.' she gives Granger a warm towel to wipe up, taking the wand off and making the image disappear before leaving the room.

'Who knew you and Malfoy could make such a cool looking baby!' Potter gives her a jubilant kiss on the forehead as she throws the towel to one side and whips out her wand for a quick scourgify.

'Look at the two of us Potter, it's a credit to your intelligence that you had doubts in the first place.' much to Potter's displeasure Granger laughs as she rearranges her clothes and sits up.

'When can we do this again?' I nod at the contraption behind her, I want to see the little egg shape wriggle around some more.

'If we come again in a few months they'll be able to give us an even clearer picture, and we'll be able to find out if it's a boy or a girl' she smiles rubbing her stomach that's only barely extended.

The woman comes back with two little files, handing one to me and Granger each. Apparently she'd figured out that Potter wasn't the Father, thank merlin!

I pull one out desperate to see the little blob again when something on the image catches my attention, the tiny little baby Granger-Malfoy in the top right hand corner.

Granger-Malfoy, I like the sound of that.

Alice leads us out and I'm so busy leafing through my photos that I almost miss the fact that suddenly we're in the field outside with the wonder duo giving me expectant looks.

'Are you coming to the burrow?' Granger gives a hopeful little smile.

I hope Granger never finds out how helpless I am to resist that bloody smile of hers, as I tuck my little pocket of photos in my inner suit pocket before holding out a hand 'I have dinner with my Mother at eight so i won't be able to stay long.' .

'That's fine, Molly will try to feed you but we'll just tell her you're full' Potter grabs my arm before Granger can offer to and the next minute, after feeling Potter's decidedly less delicate brand of magic, I'm outside a house that looks like a harsh wind could blow it over.

In the fading light there's something oddly charming about the layers upon layers of crooked floors and billowing curtains.

I'd met Mrs Weasley a number of times since the war had ended, she'd been around the ministry to drop in on Arthur or to help organise one war effort or another that we'd become unlikely acquaintances .She'd known enough about my involvement as a spy that by the end of my trial she'd started trying to mother me. Inviting me round for dinner and offering to feed me up, it had become increasingly alarming and with no idea what to make of all of it i'd started ducking down corridors to avoid her.

I know my mother loves me, even if her actions in the war hadn't proved it, I could feel it in my chest sometimes, like the beat of my own heartbeat doubled. Regardless she'd never been the type to cuddle or be improper, my father had broken her of the habit long ago and subsequently left me flinching away from the rather joyous Weasley Matriarch.

'Be on your guard Malfoy, Weasleys tend to act first and ask questions later.' Potter mutters, no doubt expecting me to be hexed upon entrance if the way he's casually leaning in front of me is any indication. Surprisingly touched, I'm about to warn him that it's unnecessary when Granger appears, the two of them stalking forwards through the doorway with matching grins.

Excited cheers go up when they enter, soon turning to curious murmurs when they spot me trailing along behind them.