"So what's the plan for getting rid of that thing?"

Three heads shot up, looking in Harry and Draco's direction. Ron, Pansy, and Hermione all had eyes wide as saucers. Ron spoke first. "What do you mean 'get rid of it'? That's not possible…is it?"

Hermione looked at Pansy. "The muggles do have ways of terminating pregnancies. And that is an option for you. Is that something you'd be interested in?"

Pansy instinctively placed a hand on her middle. "I…I don't know. Up until now I didn't think I had a choice in the matter."

"What choice is there Pans? You're carrying the spawn of the darkest wizard of our time! You have to get rid of it!"

Hermione was stunned. She'd never heard Draco talk this way. And it infuriated her. "Now wait just a minute! That fetus is half of her too! Just because it exists doesn't mean it's evil! You two don't get to decide that for her!"

Harry took the opportunity to interject. "But mione! She can't even be trusted! She let him do this to her in the first place!"

"Can you lot stop talking about her as if she isn't here?! You're upsetting her!" Ron shouted.

The trio looked over to see Pansy with her knees to chest, crying.

"You're right Ron. Boys! Out!"

"What?Why?"

"I need to do some more exams that I don't think she would appreciate you being present for! Now out!"

All three boys faces turned red and they rushed down the stairs.

Pansy lifted her face "Granger, I'm really not in the mood for more exams. Especially the kind you're alluding to."

"Then it's a good thing I lied."

"What? The golden girl told a lie to the three most important people in her life? Pray tell."

"I wanted to talk to you, alone. Don't listen to Harry and Draco. This is your body, your pregnancy, your baby. Whether or not you decide to continue is up to you. Not anyone else."

Pansy let out a sigh. "Thanks for that. I guess I never thought I had a choice in the matter. When we found out I was pregnant I was immediately locked away 'for the safety of the heir'. When things took a turn for the worse for the dark lord, I'd actually started to hope. I had made a plan. I would run. Run as far as I possibly could. I have a large stash of money that'll last me a while. I came up with a backstory to get us by. I had resolved for it to be just me and this little one against the world. I had nothing to do but sit there and think. I actually came to terms with it. I even began to dream about the life I would make for myself and my…baby. Merlin that's weird to say."

"You can still have that, if that's what you really want.

"I'll think about it."

"Good, you still have time. And I know we've never gotten along or anything but I think we've both been through enough to put old school rivalries behind us yes?"

Pansy gave her a small smile and grabbed her hand. "Definitely. Honestly you're not bad for a mud-I mean muggleborn."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "And you're not bad for a blood supremacist."

"Hey I'm working on it! I realized that my views on things may have been a bit a extreme-"

"A bit?!"

"Watch it princess! But yes, they were extreme and rooted in my own issues more than issues with other people. Blaise taught me that."

"Do you miss him?"

"Yes, but not the way you think. He was always so light hearted and knew how to make me laugh. Draco, when we were together, always treated me like I was like precious treasure. I've always sought attention from boys to fill the void my father left. Long story short I have serious daddy issues. I don't know if I even know what love truly is."

"Well I'm sure you'll find someone. You've come a long way since I last met you. And whatever you decide, I'll support you. Don't let those boys push you around."

"When have you ever known me to do that??"

Both girls laughed. Ron came up the stairs and knocked on the doorframe. "I didn't hear any spells flying or objects being thrown, so I figured it was ok to come up?"

"Come on in Weasley! We're just having some girl talk."

"Do I even want to know?"

"I was just telling Pansy not to let Harry and Draco push her into making a decision she doesn't want. That I would support her either way."

"I will too."

Pansy looked at him, shocked. "Really?"

"Yeah I mean, it's a baby. The way those two talk they make it sound like some kind of parasite or disease. I'll help any way I can, no matter what you decide."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. That certainly wasn't like him.

"Well I'm going downstairs to give those boys a talking to. Make sure she has everything she needs, ok Ron?"

"Uh yeah sure."

Hermione marched downstairs to see Harry and Draco carrying out a hushed conversation at the small table. "What in the name of Merlin was that up there?! You two should be ashamed of yourselves! How dare you try to tell her what to do with her body and her fetus!"

Draco stood. "It's not a cute little baby or a fetus or whatever you want to call it, Hermione, it's evil reincarnated! Voldemort realized the horcruxes didn't work like he wanted them to so he did the next best thing!"

"The fetus didn't do anything wrong! And it's half Pansy too! She's a good person and would have a good influence on it if she chose to keep it. Voldemort isn't around to do that anymore."

"Is she really a good person though?"

"I can't believe you right now Draco! you're the one who told me to give her a chance. That she was shallow but a good person over all."

"That was before she said yes to being…impregnated by him!"

Hermione glanced down at his left arm. "You of all people should know how it feels to say yes to something you don't really want to do for the sake of others."

Draco felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He started to pace the floor and grab his hair with his hands. He couldn't be here anymore, he had to get out. Nothing was making sense right now.

"I need some air." He stormed out and slammed the rickety door behind him. With a crack she knew he was gone. Hermione sunk in the chair he had previously occupied and put her head in her hands.

After hearing the door slam, Ron and Pansy tip toed down the stairs.

"I'm sorry Granger, the last thing I wanted was for my…situation…to come between you and Draco."

She gave her a sad smile. "It's ok, the first fight had to happen sooner or later." She took the opportunity to look over at Harry. "You've been awfully quiet over there."

"I've just been thinking. I can't see how this could possibly be a good thing. Especially if you were coerced into this Pansy, why on earth would you want to move forward with this? Why not just get rid of it and start fresh?"

"Well first of all Potter I haven't really decided one way or another yet. Secondly, do you really think your order would let me? They plan to execute Draco and throw one of their own into Azkaban."

Hermione ran her hands through her hair and sighed. "I think we should all take a a day or two and just let things cool down a bit. I need to go find Draco. I really shouldn't have brought up the mark-"

Pansy took Hermiones hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "He's a big boy, he'll be ok Granger. I know you two will work it out."

"Thank you. And you." She pointed at Harry. "You behave yourself."

Harry chuckled. "Yes ma'am" he pulled her into a hug.

She went to hug Ron next and whispered in his ear. "I've seen the way you look at her. Be sure you know what you're getting into Ron, you can't run away when things get hard, not when there's potentially a baby involved. But if this is what you want then I hope it works out." He gave her a shocked look and then hugged her tighter. "Thanks Mione. That means a lot coming from you."

"My turn!" Pansy unexpectedly pulled Hermione in for a tight bear hug. "I can't believe I'm saying this but thanks for everything Granger."

Hermione chuckled. "If anyone can pull this off, it's you. Bye all!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Hermione got back to their room, she was greeted by the sound of water running. She guessed Draco had chosen to take a shower. She was exhausted. Glancing over at the clock, she saw that it was just after 2 am. She quickly changed into pajamas and sank into bed. She had meant to stay up so she could talk to Draco, but the sounds of the shower and shear exhaustion lulled her to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco had originally hoped taking a shower would help clear his head. It had done quite the opposite. He had too much time to think. He was alone. As soon as he'd come back he'd regretted leaving. He shouldn't have just left her standing there like that. He was no better than Weasley. All he could see in his minds eye was her face when he walked out that door. Heartbroken. And it was all his fault.

Once the hot water had finally run out, he decided to go back. He had to tell her how wrong he was, and that he should never have left. He got dressed and exited the bathroom to find she was already in bed sound asleep. He smiled. She couldn't have been here long but her hair was already sprigged out every which way. He changed into his pajamas and sank into the bed next to her. Whatever he had to say could wait until morning. He brushed a curl out of her face and kissed her forehead. He too, quickly fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

When he woke the next morning, the sun was high in the sky. He heard the shower running and glanced over to see Hermione gone. Looking over at the clock, it read 10 am. Check out was at 11, they needed to get packed.

He got up and dressed then proceeded to put on the kettle for tea. While he waited for that he began packing his things. He had made the bed and had just poured the tea when Hermione emerged from the bathroom. She stopped when she saw him.

He walked over to her and handed her the mug, cream with one sugar, just the way she liked it.

"I'm sorry."/"Im sorry."

They both smiled and Draco pulled her in for a hug. "I'm sorry love. I shouldn't have stormed out like that. I'm no better than Weasley. As soon I got here I knew I shouldn't have left. I won't leave you like that again."

"I'm sorry too Draco. No matter how much we disagreed I still shouldn't have brought up your past like that. That was a low blow and I'm sorry."

Draco sat down on the bed and rested his elbows on his knees. "Thank you. I did a lot of thinking last night too. About Pansy. You're right. I really shouldn't push her into something she may not want to do or make her feel bad. Though I don't think she should keep it."

"That's not your decision to make."

"I know it's just…the whole situation is just…wrong. I mean if she decides to keep it, what if history repeats itself? What if it becomes a dark wizard just like it's…father? Merlin that feels vile to say. And I'm worried for Pansy. I know she's my ex and all but I still care about her. Not romantically mind you but because of our old marriage contract we were practically raised together. I just don't want anything bad to happen to her. Or worse than what's happened already."

Hermione came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "I understand. I feel the same way about Ron and Harry, and now Pansy as well believe it or not. Speaking of Ron, I think he's sweet on her."

Draco bolted up, almost causing Hermione to fall. "WHAT?? You can't be serious?"

Hermione laughed out loud. "As the plague! You saw how he catered to her every whim last night, even more so after you left."

"Well if he hurts her then our little truce is completely off the table." Draco sat in the chair with his arms crossed.

Hermione chuckled as she got up and made her way over to him. She patted his head as she sat down in his lap. "You boys and your overprotective tendencies. It's so cute."

He furrowed his eyebrows at her "Don't patronize me Granger." His eyes darkened and he glanced down at her lips then back up at her with a grin. "You know, I've heard great things about make up sex."

Hermione laughed, "Have you now? Well you're going to have to wait until later to find out because check out is in 10 minutes."

"Ugh fine. But I'll hold you to that!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They met up with Harry that afternoon to begin placing wards on Malfoy Manor. The place was a wreck. It was decided that the would take today to ward the place and clean out as much of the living space as possible, then work from there in the days following.

"I'm not going to lie to you Potter, there may be some dark artifacts lying around. Who knows what all Voldemort kept here."

"Well the order came through and supposedly confiscated anything they deemed dark. So hopefully there won't be any of that left."

Once the wards were in place Draco got started on his bedroom, while Harry and Hermione tackled the kitchen.

"Harry? Where are the house elves? I know Dobby was the Malfoy head elf, but a huge property like this would take multiple elves to maintain."

Harry sighed. "Unfortunately when the order came through, the elves were still showing loyalty to the Malfoys and refused the aurors entry. Some spells were exchanged and none of the elves made it…"

"THEY KILLED THEM??? The order killed them without any trial or anything? Elves are magically bound to their families they have no choice but to be loyal to them and protect them!"

"They killed them because they thought by showing loyalties to the Malfoys, they were indirectly sympathetic to Voldemort's cause. At least that's what I was told."

"How dare they! Oh Harry we have to put a stop to this!"

"I agree."

"What?"

"After they were going to throw you in Azkaban, I began to see things with the order more clearly. Then instead of trying the death eaters they started killing them on sight. Shacklebolt was named interim minister without any vote. Then ransacking this place and almost killing Pansy. They're going about this all wrong."

"Harry, while I wholeheartedly agree with you, you have to be careful. You're a very high value player here. If they sense your allegiance has changed then they may come after you."

"Maybe. I'll be careful Hermione. Honestly they don't pay me much mind now that I've served my purpose. Oh! I also wanted to let you know that Ron is already on the outs with them because of what happened with pansy. Apparently all the Weasley are. After Ron told his parents what he was instructed to do his mother was outraged. Ron and Pansy are staying at the burrow now."

"That's great! Molly knows a lot more about pregnancy than I do! She'll be a great comfort to Pansy I'm sure."

"Yeah. She also invited you and Draco to dinner tomorrow night."

"What? Are you sure it's safe? If the order were to find out-"

"It'll be fine Hermione. The whole family is there and honestly the order has kind of put you and Draco in the back burner for now due to trying to reorganize the government. Molly and Ginny especially really miss you."

"I miss them too, all of them. Ok, well come."

"That's the spirit! Now, the kitchen seems to be in working order and I'm starved! Let's eat!"