September 1997—February 1998

It wasn't until early September while she was in hiding and on the run with Harry and Ron that Hermione realized she hadn't had her monthly cycle. She had read that missed cycles were common during stressful times and these were certainly stressful times for all of them. She also didn't think much of it when she became nauseous at random times during the day—they ate very little and the food they did eat wasn't filling or flavorful. It wasn't until her breasts started to become tender that she started questioning all of her symptoms and realized that they were all classic signs of pregnancy. When she thought back to the last time she was with Draco, with the rush of everything around them, neither of them had done the contraception spell.

Cursing herself, she told Harry and Ron that she was going to sneak into the nearby town to see if she heard anything and to also pick up some supplies. While at the grocery store she bought a pregnancy test and, in the stall of the bathroom of the nearest petrol station, she found out she was, indeed, pregnant.

She had hoped she was wrong—that something else was causing the missed cycles, tenderness, and nausea. The pregnancy test infront of her said otherwise.

Shock, disbelief, and sheer panic tore through her.

How could she have let this happen? There was no way she could bring a baby into this world, not when the magical community was at war. Her child would be a target—by not only having Hermione as a mother, but their father being a Death Eater—and heir to two pureblood houses. She knew she had options—ones that scared her—and she had little time to decide what she wanted to do. She couldn't tell Harry or Ron of course—they wouldn't understand and ask too many questions.

There was only one person she could talk to and as soon as she returned to the tent, she opened her journal and sent a message to Daphne.

I need to talk to you. Something has happened…

It was only a moment later when Daphne responded.

I'm here. Is everything alright? Do I need to come and get you? Just say the word.

No, nothing like that. I just out found that

Her hand shook as she hovered her pen over the journal and she had to take a few calming breaths before she continued her message.

I'm pregnant.

What?

Yes. I took a pregnancy test just a little bit ago and it was positive.

There was silence from her friend.

What am I going to do, Daphne? I can't have a baby! Especially Draco's! It would put him in danger if it was found out a Muggle-born was carrying his child at a time like this!

I know this sounds cliché, but maybe this was meant to happen?

What do you mean?

You know, to show that love conquers all.

I'm not sure about that. What I am sure of is that I'm pregnant, nearly two months along, and if I'm going to do something about it, I need to make a decision and fast.

You mean terminate the pregnancy?

Yes.

It was another moment before Daphne's message came through and Hermione wondered if abortion was something that was practiced in the Wizarding World or frowned upon….

I'll support whatever decision you make, but I think you should think about it some more. I really think this happened for a reason.

Thank you, Daph, that means a lot to me. I've never thought I'd be in this position so I'm really unsure of myself right now. If I did decide to keep the baby, how would I go about it? What do I tell Harry and Ron?

Boys don't really notice things like that right away, so you probably have time to come up with something. You can enlarge your clothes so that they lay baggy on you. Plus, I know of some pureblood witches who put charms on themselves so that they look skinny even while pregnant.

Really? Why would someone want to do that? Unless hiding a pregnancy is normal within the pureblood circles?

No, not really, but pureblood witches are rather vain in their appearance and have found ways to make them look perfect, at least outwardly.

Well, depending on what I decide, I'll have to get that spell from you.

You can always just tell Harry and Ron. I'm sure they'll understand. And it's not like you have to tell them that the baby is Draco's.

I'm afraid if I say anything, that they'll want me to leave.

That wouldn't be such a bad thing, you know. I can hide you here. No one would ever know.

I appreciate the offer but I can't help but feel like I need to be here, to help Harry.

Well, the offer stands nonetheless. Let me know what you decide to do about the baby. And remember, I'm here for you!

Thanks Daph, I'll write to you in a day or two.

"What are you writing?" Ron asked curiously as he stood behind Hermione.

Hermione jumped and closed her notebook quickly. "Oh, uh, nothing important. Just… a diary of sorts."

Ron frowned as he stuck his hands in his pockets. "I hope you're not putting anything in there that might let others know what we're doing. You know, in case it gets into the wrong hands or something."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "I know, Ronald. I'm not writing about our mission. I just need an outlet of sorts with all this stuff going on."

Ron nodded as he sat down across from her in one of the vacant chairs. "I get that, needing an outlet. And I'm not saying you were writing about our mission, just… be careful, yeah?"

Hermione sighed. "Yes, of course. Besides, even if I were, which I'm not, it's charmed so that the words won't appear for anyone but me, and even if someone were to read it while I was using it, it would just look like gibberish to them."

Ron gave her a lopsided grin. "That's brilliant! Did you add those charms yourself."

"Some, yes."

"You'll have to show me how you did it one of these days," he said as he stood. "I'm going to go outside and get some fresh air and maybe skip some rocks on the lake." He looked hopeful at her. "Would you like to join me?"

Hermione gave her friend a smile and nodded. "Sounds like fun. I've never gotten the hang of skipping rocks. Perhaps you can teach me?"

Hermione took Daphne's advice and took a few days to really think about what she was going to do with her pregnancy.

She knew the smart thing to do would be to terminate—she had no business bringing a baby into this world in the current state of things.

But, at the same time…

She rested her hand on top of her stomach, still flat due to the little food they'd been eating, and just knew she couldn't do it.

She and Draco made this child out of love…That had to account for something.

When she messaged Daphne her decision, her friend was fully supportive, even offering to copy down parenting books into their journal if need be. She also informed Hermione that while she and her sister weren't going to Hogwarts that year, that they were still learning at home and that she decided to study to be a Healer so when the time came to deliver the baby, she could help.

Hermione was incredibly touched that Daphne chose a profession so that she could help her in this time of her life. Hermione vowed to make it up to her friend some day.

With the falling out between Harry, Ron, and Hermione, which resulted in Ron leaving, it wasn't until another few weeks passed before Hermione finally went to her first obstetrician appointment under the name Mallory Hermon—a play of words for Malfoy and Hermione. After the obstetrician checked her vitals, and commented on how she needed to eat more to start gaining a healthy weight for the baby, he measured her stomach and guessed that she was about 12 weeks along, which calculated correctly with what Hermione had determined as well. He said everything else looked healthy and all that was needed was to check the heartbeat.

Hermione held her breath as the doctor placed the doppler on her stomach and was immediately overcome with emotion the moment she heard the heartbeat.

"There we go, a nice, steady heart rate of about 170bpm," the doctor said with a kind smile. "Now, I'm going to prescribe you some prenatal vitamins," he said as he wrote down the prescription on his notepad. "And when you head out, just stop by and speak with Judy at the front desk; she'll book your next appointment four weeks from now."

Hermione gave the doctor a smile and nodded. "Thank you, Doctor Miller. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice."

Doctor Miller regarded her for a moment. "May I ask you something, Miss Hermon?"

Hermione looked at him nervously and nodded.

"Are you in a safe living situation? Do you have food and shelter?"

"Oh, um, yes. I'm perfectly fine, thank you. I do need to get going though so I should probably—"

"Hold on a moment," he said and tore off the prescription from the pad of paper. "Don't forget to pick these up. And take them every day, alright?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, thank you. I will."

When the doctor's back was turned, she obliviated him then did the same with the receptionist on her way out—just in case.

Hermione did pick up the vitamins though and made sure to take them daily, per the doctors orders.

As weeks turned into months, Hermione noticed that she started getting bigger around the middle. She took Daphne's advice and enlarged some of her jumpers so that they lay baggy on her as well as charmed her pants to fit around her growing mid-section.

She felt guilty that she was keeping this secret from Harry, but she still maintained the fact that him not knowing would be better all around. With Ron being gone, she didn't want to risk Harry leaving to keep her and the baby safe, or then he'd surely be alone and without help.

When the months started to turn colder, Hermione looked at the calendar she created and realized that she was already nearing 20 weeks into her pregnancy–nearly halfway done.

She knew she ought to see an obstetrician again, just to make sure the baby was growing on the right track and healthy, but they were currently nowhere near a city or town.

They were due to move locations in a few days and Hermione requested that she pick the next spot—one that was closer to places with food they could gather and knick from stores.

Harry heartily agreed as he was tired of fish and mushrooms—and if Hermione were honest with herself, she was as well.

When they were settled in their new spot, Hermione made her way into town under the guise of getting supplies—which she planned on doing after her appointment.

She used Matilda Malloy at the new clinic and was glad to hear that she was measuring right on track for 22 weeks, even if she was underweight.

"Since you're over 20 weeks, we need to do an ultrasound to make sure the baby is growing properly," the obstetrician, Dr. Lipton said.

Hermione waited with bated breath as the ultrasound technician got the equipment ready.

When she saw her baby for the first time, tears threatened to spill. She wished Draco was with her to see this—he'd probably never seen an ultrasound before, and the little glimpse he would have of his child would surely make him smile.

"There's the head, chest, legs, arms," the technician said as she pointed to all the parts of the baby on the screen while she did some measurements as well. Hermione watched in wonder as the little baby inside of her wiggled around.

"Do you feel that? You have a feisty one," the tech said with a smile.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I do. I felt something similar before but I wasn't sure if that was the baby."

"Would you like to know the gender?" the technician asked.

Hermione nodded, scared that if she spoke her voice might just crack with all the emotion that was built up.

The tech moved the doppler around and after a moment smiled over at Hermione and said, "It's a girl."

A girl.

Hermione couldn't believe it.

She and Draco made a little girl….and he had no idea.

She was even more determined than ever to help Harry with his mission and finding the remaining Horcruxes.

When she returned from town, with fruits and vegetables she'd taken from a stand, as well as other supplies, she went to the area in the tent that she claimed for herself and messaged Daphne.

I'm back from my appointment.

How did it go? Is the baby doing alright?

Yes, the baby is fine. I found out the gender.

Well? Don't keep me in suspense!

It's a girl!

Awe! Congratulations! Have you thought of names yet?

No, not yet.

Well, I'm not sure if you know, but Draco's mothers side uses constellations and stars for their names.

Do you think he still wants to keep on with that tradition?

I would think so. It is tradition after all. He probably even has names picked out for whenever he has kids.

Well, we've obviously never talked of kid names in the brief time we were together. I'll have to see if I can find a list of constellations and stars and see if any stick out for me. Do you have any suggestions?

Not off the top of my head. I can probably get a list together for you of the names that have been used, in case you wanted to use one of those, or know which ones not to use if you wanted something new.

I'd appreciate that, thank you Daph.

Of course! Not much else going on around here.

Have you heard anything on Draco?

No, I haven't, sorry. He's probably at Hogwarts. I'm sure his mother sent him there so he didn't have to be at home with You-Know-Who. Oh, I did see you in the Prophet though!

Let me guess. I'm still the Number One Muggle-born wanted for interrogation?

Right on the first guess!

As Christmas approached, Hermione realized that she'll need to start gathering supplies for her daughter. She still had time though and decided to wait until after the holidays—she already felt guilty about knicking food and other supplies but now with the holidays coming up she felt even more so.

It wasn't until after the New Year—after the close-call of getting captured at Godric's Hollow as well as the Lovegood's—that Hermione started to prepare for her daughter.

Every time she went into a neighboring town to get supplies, she made sure to get something for the baby as well, whether it was a package of nappies, formula, bottles, or clothes. The pink suitcase she had brought along with her was now the case that carried all these items with the photos that had been inside now tucked in between books.

Her stomach grew more and more as time went on and she finally had to ask Daphne for the charm to make her stomach look skinny again.

It was odd at first, looking in the small mirror inside the tent and seeing her stomach look flat. It was only a visual charm though, as Hermione still felt the weight and strain of the growing baby inside of her.

As March approached, as well as her due date, Hermione made sure to have one more obstetrician appointment. The remarks were the same as the others—she was underweight but her baby was still growing and had a strong heartbeat.

That was all Hermione could ask for.

A/N: For this chapter, I decided to gloss over all the stuff that happened in the books and just focus on Hermione and her pregnancy...hope everyone was okay with that!
Also, I'm not sure if calculations are different between the states and everywhere else, but I used a pregnancy calculator to determine when Hermione would be 12 weeks along... according to the calculations, if the conception date was June 30th, then she would have been 12 weeks around September 22nd and 20 weeks would be around November 17th. Just one more flashback chapter to go then we're back to the present! See you all next week! xoxoHufflepuffMommy