22

"What are you saying, Professor?" Hermione asked on the verge of hysterics. "You're not going to expel us, are you?"

"I'm really sorry," Minerva said sadly. "I really am fond of the both of you, and you are the top students in your year, but the rules are very clear in this matter."

Hermione stood up, tears in her eyes. "Please! You can't do this!" She collapsed back into her chair, sobbing, Draco holding her and kissing the top of her head.

"Minerva," Dumbledore said softly. "I believe there is a way around this."

"By all means, Albus, tell us! The last thing I want to do is expel them!"

"Technically, they did not have sexual intercourse on school grounds," Dumbledore said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. "I understand, as Miss Weasley said, that they did 'do things,' but that they never 'did it' while they were here at Hogwarts. She did not get pregnant here, so they cannot be expelled."

The two of them looked at Professor McGonagall hopefully. Draco could only think about how disappointed his mother would be if he never took his N.E.W.T.s, and he was afraid Hermione would kill herself if she had to leave school.

"This is true, Albus..." Minerva said, looking thoughtful. "But what about the pregnancy? It clearly states that if a girl is found to be with child, she must be expelled as well as the guilty boy. How would we explain? And more importantly, what would the other students say?"

"Professors," Draco said. "How about if Hermione and I take our N.E.W.T.s early? We're both more than ready for tests."

"That is a great idea, Mr. Malfoy!" Dumbledore said from his frame. "Take the N.E.W.T.s, and then you will be free to move on and prepare for the birth of your child. Do you have a place to go, somewhere to live?"

Draco hadn't thought about that; in fact, he hadn't given much thought to anything. He had no job, no house and no money. How the bloody hell was he supposed to take care of a wife and child? "I... I was hoping that my mother would let us stay with her..."

"Absolutely not, Draco!" Hermione said angrily. "Do you honestly think that when she finds out about us she's just going to welcome me with open arms into your Manor and we will become best friends forever?" She gave a disgusted snort. "Fat chance!"

"Granger, you don't know my mother. You have no idea what she has been through!" Draco said, trying to keep his emotions in check. "After Father was thrown into Azkaban, I was all she had left. When... when Voldemort," he shuddered, "gave me, my mission," he looked up at Dumbledore, "we both knew that I was going to die. When she learned that I made it through without injury, do you know what she told me?"

Hermione looked at him with huge, wide eyes. She had never once asked him about what had happened, about where he had gone with Snape that awful night. There were rumors, of course, but no one really knew what had happened to him. "What did she say?"

"She told me that family was the most important thing in the world. She never realized it until she almost lost everything. She said that the only thing she'd ever wanted was for me to be happy and that she and my father had failed miserably." Draco could feel the tears welling up and struggled to keep them from falling. "She was right, you know. I don't remember ever once being happy until you came into my life, Hermione." He caressed her cheek lovingly. "My mum loves me, and I believe with all my heart that once she sees how happy you make me she will love YOU as well."

Dumbledore blew his nose loudly, making everyone jump. "That was so romantic!"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Maybe Mr. Malfoy here could have given you lessons when you were alive; Merlin knows you could have used the help!"

"Why, Minerva!" Dumbledore said, placing his hand on his heart. "Are you saying that the time I took you on a picnic under the stars was not romantic?" He smiled at her, amused. "When I proposed to you that night, you said it was the most romantic thing that had ever happened to you."

Draco's jaw dropped. "Wait! Are you saying that you..." he nodded towards Dumbledore, "and Professor McGonagall are...I mean WERE married?"

Hermione was laughing. "I always thought there was something going on! The way you glanced at each other! That one time that Ron and I caught the two of you coming out of the Room of Requirement, looking all flushed and... satisfied!" She laughed even harder. "Ron and I were going there to...well, never mind what we were going to do. The point is that you and Dumbledore had been getting busy in there!"

Draco stopped smiling at the mention of Hermione 'doing something' with Weasley. "And what was it exactly that you and Weasel were going into that room to do?" He had bright spots on his cheeks, and his grey eyes flashed with anger. "You weren't going to..." He was getting physically ill thinking about it. "Damn it, Granger! Did you ever have sex with Weasley?"

Dumbledore and Hermione abruptly stopped laughing, and Minerva was looking shocked.

Hermione turned to Draco and, seeing he was an emotional wreck, put his fears to rest. She took his face in her warm, little hands and pulled him close to her. "I never did anything more than kiss Ron. You are my first and you are my only one." She kissed him and felt him relax.

"Well." Minerva cleared her throat. "Now that we've decided that you will take the tests as soon as I arrange for them, I have a few more things to discuss. The first one being your fellow classmates."

"We can handle them," Draco said matter-of-factly.

"Are you sure you don't want to keep this quiet until you both have left? Some of your friends might not take the news too well."

Draco crossed him arms defiantly. "We have no intentions of hiding anything. I really don't care what they think."

"Neither do I," Hermione said. "They're going to find out sooner or later, so why not sooner?" She could tell that Professor McGonagall disagreed.

Minerva looked to Dumbledore for advice, but he was nodding his head in agreement. "They're right. Why hide? Everything needs to be out in the open, and that brings us to the next problem, which is telling your parents."

Hermione's heart felt like it was going to burst in her chest. The thought of telling her mother and father that she was pregnant terrified her. They had such high hopes for her, and she was afraid that they would be disappointed in her. "Will you set up a meeting then? I would feel so much better if you were there to help us explain what happened."

"Yes, Miss Granger, I can do that. I shall owl them, as well as Draco's parents, as soon as we're finished here."

The color drained from Draco's face. "Did you say my PARENTS, as in both of them?"

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy. Even though your father is in Azkaban, I think he still deserves to know."

"Draco, he can't hurt you, he's locked up," Hermione said, trying to soothe him. "Why not write him yourself and tell him how in love you are and about the baby? Maybe he'll be happy for you. Stranger things HAVE happened."

Dumbledore agreed, "I think, Mr. Malfoy, that is an excellent idea. It might be less of a shock if it comes from you."

The fear of telling his father was like a heavy cement block sitting on his chest, suffocating him. What would he do? Would he break out and kill him, or worse, kill Hermione? No one understood just how much he hated Muggle-borns; it was a cancer that ate away at his very soul. "If you think it's best, then I'll send him an owl. Just promise me that if he comes after me or Hermione, that someone will kill him before he kills us."

Dumbledore smiled from his portrait. "Believe me, Mr. Malfoy, I happen to know for a fact that you have nothing to fear."

"That's settled," Minerva said. "I'll owl them, and I'll also set up the N.E.W.T.s." She took off her glasses and rubbed her tired eyes. "Now, off to bed the both of you. You've had a rough... er... day, and you need your rest."

"Do you mean that we have to go to our dorms? Our separate dorms?" Draco asked. "I haven't spent a night away from her in days, and what if she needs me?" He was almost in a panic. "What if something happens to the baby, and I'm not there?"

"Mr. Malfoy, I can assure you that nothing will happen to her or the baby."

"But I can't sleep without her!" Draco almost whined. "Isn't there something you can do? Set us up together in a room or something?"

Hermione pulled on his arm gently. "Draco, it'll be fine. I'll see you in the morning, or afternoon, whenever I wake up."

"But..."

Minerva gave him a stern look. "I have tried to accommodate this situation every way possible, but I draw the line at two unmarried students shacking up in my school, even if they happen to be having a child!"

Draco smirked. "Unmarried, hey? Maybe we'll just have to do something about that!" he said. "A wedding perhaps? You could get all dressed up and boogie until dawn. I would personally love to see you do the Macarena!" He gave her another smirk, took Hermione by the hand, and they left her office.

Minerva heard Dumbledore chuckle, and she turned around, a frown on her face. "And why are you laughing? I see nothing funny about this at all!"

"I just love that boy! Wonderful sense of humor! Macarena!" He danced around in his frame, and when he put his hands on his hips and shook them, Minerva cracked a smile...just a small one, but a smile nonetheless.

When they were almost to the Gryffindor Tower, Draco stopped her and pulled her into a corner. "I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"I'll see you tonight in my dreams," she said, kissing him gently on the lips.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too."

He watched her say the password and climb through the portrait hole, and then he made his way to his room where he was sure he would not be able to sleep.

Almost twelve hours later, Draco opened his eyes. He felt drugged and sluggish, and his tongue felt swollen from dehydration. "God, I feel like shit!" he mumbled, swinging his legs out of the bed. "So damn tired!" Every bone in his body hurt, and he winced as he stumbled to the bathroom.

Looking into the mirror was a frightening experience. His hair stuck up like he had recently been electrocuted, and his face was still raw from the sunburn. He thought about going down to the Prefects bathroom, but decided that he'd slum it for the day.

He took off his boxers and turned on the water in the bath, making sure it was very hot. He caught a glimpse of his naked body in the mirror and was stunned by what he saw as a gasp fell from his mouth. There were bruises everywhere, and he had a huge lump where his ribs had been broken. He examined his head where the sailboat boom had knocked him and groaned when he pressed his finger onto the almost healed wound. "I look and feel like I've been through a war!"

He decided to pay Madam Pomfrey a visit after he spent some time with Hermione. He couldn't wait to see her, and it was so damn weird! He couldn't stand the sight of her for years, and now he couldn't stay away from her. He wanted to touch her and make love to her.

He climbed into the bath, sighing in pleasure as the steaming water flowed over his tired, aching body. He was so relaxed that if Crabbe hadn't knocked on the door, he would have fallen asleep and drowned.

"Malfoy! Are you in there?"

"Who else would it be, you dumbass?" Draco hated Crabbe and Goyle; they were the epitome of retard. He had never met two people more brain dead in his whole life than Crabbe and Goyle! Still, they followed him and did everything he said, and that was the only reason he put up with them. He always dreamed of the day he would leave Hogwarts, telling them exactly what he thought of them and then walking away, laughing at their clueless, fat faces.

"Why are you sleeping all day? Are you sick or something?" came Crabbe's nasally voice. "I saw the Mudblood down by the lake, and me and Goyle wanted to tell you that she's all alone!" He cackled madly. "We hoped you were awake so that we could go down and harass her."

Draco paused, his fluffy, white towel in mid swipe across his wet backside. "Did you say Her... I mean Granger was down by the lake?"

"Yeah! It'll be fun to catch her alone without Potter or Weasley!" Crabbe jumped back as the bathroom door was wrenched open. He saw billows of steam wafting in the air, and a murderous Draco glaring at him. Suddenly, a strong hand was crushing his windpipe, and he couldn't breathe.

"Don't you EVER lay a finger on her, do you UNDERSTAND?"

Crabbe was confused. How did Malfoy expect him to answer when he couldn't talk or breathe? He waved his chubby hands in the air, his eyes bugging out dangerously. Draco let go of Crabbe before he blacked out, and he slid onto the floor where he lay, purple faced and gasping for air.

Goyle came sauntering in with a big grin on his face. "Did you tell Malfoy about the Mud..." That's all he was able to say before his two front teeth were knocked out by Draco's fist. He looked at him, stunned, blood running in rivulets down his chin.

"I'll tell you what I told him." He nodded towards Crabbe. "Don't ever fucking touch her again, or else I'll kill you." He pulled on his clothes and hurried out of the room, his so-called friends starring incredulously at his retreating back.

***

"Hey, Potter. Weasley," Draco said running up to them.

"Um... Hello, Malfoy?" Harry said. "Did you need something?"

Draco was totally feeling unsure of how to act or what to say. He had never had a real conversation with either of these people. "I was just wondering if you were heading down to the lake to see Hermione, and if so, could I walk with you?"

Ron lifted his brow so high that it almost disappeared into his hair. "YOU want to be seen in public, walking with US?" Ron grinned. "I don't know, Malfoy, maybe we don't want to be seen with a junior Death Eater; our reputations might get ruined."

"I am not a fucking Death Eater and never will be!"

"Okay!" Harry said, grabbing his arm and pulling him along. "Just shut up! You're causing a scene!"

Draco was pleased, and although he tried to hide it, he was actually happy. He knew that this was the beginning of a long friendship with these two.

Ron looked over at him. He had never seen anything but a sneer or a mocking smirk from this guy, and here he was smiling! Maybe he had gone loopy or something?

As they walked by, every single person stared after them, thinking that hell had suddenly frozen over. Here was Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, walking along with Draco Malfoy, and they were talking, not fighting nor trying to kill each other. Some people even followed them, hoping that a fight would break out and they'd have some excitement.

Hermione was sitting on the bench, looking out over the lake. Every once in a while, the Giant Squid would float to the surface and sun itself. She had slept for ten hours and was still very tired. After getting up and taking a shower, she dressed in her most comfortable clothes, grabbed her favorite book and headed to the lake. She looked around for Draco as she walked from the school, but didn't see him anywhere. She figured that he was probably still sleeping.

It was so strange to sleep without him last night, to be away from him that long. She never wanted to do it again, not ever. She smiled, thinking about him racing that horse down the road. They had so many memories already and still more years ahead of them. How strange it all was! Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think that Draco Malfoy would be the man that she would marry, and she bet no one else thought it either!

"Guess who?" A pair of strong hands covered her eyes.

"Um... Is it that sexy sixth year with the gorgeous black hair and the 'to die for' blue eyes?" She pulled his hands away and looked over her shoulder. "Damn! It's only you!"

"Only me, eh?" He smirked. "Are you disappointed?" He jumped over the bench and sat next to her.

"Only that you didn't come sooner." She leaned over and kissed him.

"What the hell..."

"She kissed him!"

"I think I've gone blind!"

"Tell me I'm hallucinating!"

Everyone around them was whispering and openly gawking. Draco and Hermione pretended they weren't even there. He picked up her legs and swung them over his so that she was sitting sideways.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Draco asked her, playing with the buckle to her Mary Jane shoe.

"It was difficult without you there, but I managed to get a few hours in." She smiled at him as he brushed the stray curls from her face. She ran a finger slowly down his face and over his lips. His hand was now making gentle circles on her bare thigh, and it was driving her mad. They could hear people talking and whispering, but right now, they only had eyes for each other, and no one else existed.

Ron looked around at the crowd that was forming and rolled his eyes. "Go on! Go away! What's the matter? Never seen two enemies fornicating before?" He shook his head in disgust and went back to watching.

Harry was looking everywhere but at the two lovers on the bench, but he noticed that Ron was blatantly ogling them. "Ron!" he whispered. "Should we go?"

"Why? I'm enjoying the show. It's very interesting. See the way she responds when he kisses her neck? I should try that."

Harry was in disbelief. "Why aren't you angry about this? Just the other day you were almost sobbing about how you missed her and wanted her back, and now..." He looked over at Draco and Hermione again and wished he hadn't. They were going at it like two wildcats in heat. "Hey!" he yelled to them.

Draco unglued his lips from Hermione's, and both suddenly realized that there were about forty people gathered around, staring with humungous, glazed eyes and slack jaws. "Oh! Sorry about that. Got a little carried away!" He sat up and smirked at the spectators. "It's just that she's so damn sexy. When I'm around her, I can't control myself; I want to kiss her lips, stroke her soft thighs, slip my tongue into her... mouth. Maybe that's what got us in trouble in the first place and the reason she's pregnant with my child."

"Did he just say..."

"Granger pregnant?"

"I still think I'm hallucinating!"

"I think...no, I KNOW I'm going to puke!"

"Ewww..."

Harry smacked himself in the forehead. "What a way to break the news, Malfoy! Such subtlety! Such pizzazz! Such a friggin' stupid thing to do! It's going to be all over the school now!"

People were now running and telling everyone what they had just heard. As they watched, a sixth year girl with legs like a chicken and teeth like a picket fence raced over to a group of Slytherins that happen to include Blaise Zabini and babbled out the whole story in one breath. Blaise looked over at Draco and Hermione, shoved the girl out of the way and stalked over to them.

"Oh, this is just fucking great! Just what we need – a confrontation with Blaise fucking Zabini!" Ron said, pulling out this wand. "I'm warning you, Zabini, go away before I..."

"Before you WHAT?" Blaise said, looking at Ron's wand, chuckling lightly. "Do us all a favor and put that away before you accidentally hurt yourself. I just want to have a little conversation with my good friend Draco."

Draco stood up and walked over to Blaise. "Something you need, Zabini?" His attitude was one almost of boredom.

"Yeah, I need for you to tell me that what I just heard about the Mudblood and you is not true." He cast a glace at Hermione and curled his upper lip in distaste.

Harry pulled out his wand, ready to hex the smug, racist bastard. How dare he insult Hermione!

Draco shrugged his shoulders and said in a polite, apologetic manner, "Sorry, mate, but it IS true." He suddenly lunged for him, catching him off guard. He grabbed the front of his robes and pulled him close. "If I ever hear you call her a Mudblood again, Zabini, I will cut out your tongue and feed it to Crabbe and Goyle!"

Draco pulled the boy even closer, and for a fleeting moment, Harry was sure Draco was going to kiss him.

"You need to get something straight, Zabini," Draco hissed into his stunned face. "Hermione and I are together whether you like it or not. I won't tolerate you calling her names or harassing her in any way, shape or form. If I catch you, you will get hurt. Do I make myself clear, Zabini?" He shoved the boy away and glared at him.

Blaise had seen the angry side of Draco before, but never the insanely crazy side he was now witnessing. He was literally scared shitless. "Whatever!" he said, brushing the wrinkles from his robes. "If that's what you want..." he said, looking over at Hermione, who was now standing behind Draco, his arm protectively holding her back. "It's your life, and you're free to fuck it up any way you want. Just don't expect me or any of the other Slytherins to accept this." He motioned towards Hermione. "Or them." He nodded at Harry and Ron.

"I really couldn't give a flying, flipping fuck what the lot of you think and could care less whether you accept this or not," Draco snapped. "Now, go the hell away or I'll sick Potter on you!"

Harry blinked when his name was mentioned. He realized what Draco had said and lifted his wand higher, aiming at Blaise's head. "You better do what he said, Zabini."

Blaise put up his hands in defeat. "Fine, I'm going!" He shot one last look of disgust at Hermione and turned and shoved his way through the crowd.

Harry lowered his wand, as did Ron.

"Thanks, Potter."

Harry did a double take. "Did you just thank me?"

"No, you're hearing things," Draco said with a smirk and a wink.

***

Dinner was eventful to say the least. Everyone stared openly when Draco sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione. Some people were angry that she would go out with Draco after everything that happened the year before, not to mention that he was an asshole of the highest degree. Most couldn't understand what she saw in him. Of course, he was quite good looking, rich and well dressed, but that didn't excuse the way he treated people like soggy shit.

"I, for one, am tired of everyone eyeballing us. How about you?" Ginny asked Harry. "You'd think they didn't see it coming! I mean I've always thought the two of them should hook up!"

"You did?" Ron asked, frowning. He watched Draco feed Hermione a strawberry from his cheesecake. He thought about it. "There was always this, I don't know, weird feeling in the air whenever they would fight."

"It's called sexual tension, Ron," Ginny said. "It was like at any moment you expected them to pounce and rip the clothes off each other."

"I think Weasley has the right idea, Granger. Let's rip each other's clothes off and shock the Hall even more by making hot, passionate love right here on the table."

"Ohhh! I could smear cheesecake and treacle tart all over you and take my time licking it off. Yumm!" She swiped her finger in the tart and stuck it in her mouth, pulling it out slowly, closing her eyes and moaning in pleasure.

Harry and Ron goggled at her, flushed with sudden desire, something awakening in their pants.

"I'll never be able to look at treacle tart the same way again," Harry said, grabbing a tart and Ginny's hand. "Let's go!" They quickly left the table and headed for a dark broom closet. Ron excused himself and fled for the nearest loo to relieve the throbbing in his crotch.

"Ahem."

Draco and Hermione looked up to see Professor McGonagall standing behind them, her mouth a thin line of disapproval. "Yes, Professor?" they said in unison.

"I just wanted to inform you that your N.E.W.T.s will take place next Saturday and that both of your parents will be here tomorrow morning." She looked directly at Draco. "Have you sent the owl to your father yet, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco wilted in his seat. "No, Professor, not yet."

"I suggest you get a move on, Mr. Malfoy, or I will send it!"

"Yes, Professor. I'll do that right now."

"See to it that you do!" she snapped. "And both of you be in my office tomorrow at eight a.m. sharp!"

"Yes, Professor."

***

Draco sat alone in the back of the library, sighing in annoyance. He crumpled up another parchment...his third...and tossed it into the bin next to his table. Why was he finding it so difficult to convey his feelings to his father? It wasn't like he was standing right in front of him, his cold, grey eyes boring holes into his brain. He was in Azkaban, safely locked away, maybe for the rest of his life. He had nothing to fear, so why was his hand shaking and his heart thumping?

"Just tell him, for Merlin's sake! Tell him how much you love her, how unbelievably happy she makes you. How when you see her it makes your pulse race and your hands sweaty. Tell him that you can't stand to be away from her for more than a few minutes and that the very thought of living without her makes your soul scream in protest! Tell him!" He picked up his quill, dipped it in the black ink and began to write.

He went alone to the owlery and sent off his letter. He watched his owl fly away into the night sky, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders and he was able to breathe once again. Whatever the response he received from his father, he was glad he was finally able to tell him his innermost thoughts and feelings. He had never been able to do that before, and it felt nice.

***

The next morning, Draco and Hermione made their way to the Headmistress's office. Both were feeling a little anxious.

"Please come in," Professor McGonagall said, and Draco opened the door for Hermione, following in after her. He shut the door and turned around to see his mother sitting there, looking beautiful in her best robes. She seemed in total control of the situation, poised and calm.

"Hello, Mother," Draco said. She stood and they embraced. She squeezed him perhaps a little too tightly, and he could sense some struggle in her eyes when she looked into his. This was not easy for her...not at all.

Hermione went straight over to her parents, who were standing next to Minerva's desk, looking uncomfortable. "Mum, Dad," she said, hugging each in turn. They smiled at her, a good sign. She motioned for Draco to come over. "This is Draco."

He was scared to death and did everything in his power to keep his outward appearance cool and collected. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger," he said, shaking their hands. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in more pleasant conditions." He recalled the last time in Flourish and Blotts when his father and Mr. Weasley had gotten into a fist fight in front of them. They smiled at him politely, and he suddenly felt ten times better. They sat down and waited for Professor McGonagall to begin.

Dumbledore looked on with keen interest at the situation playing out before him. He knew of course how it all turned out, but it was fun to watch it all happen again.

"I have taken the liberty of explaining the situation to your parents as best as I could. Even I don't understand everything that has happened." She cocked an eyebrow at Dumbledore's portrait. "I have told them of the clock, your time traveling and your return. I leave the rest for you to tell."

Gee, thanks! Draco said in his head sarcastically.

He and Hermione looked at one another, wondering where to start. The room was so quiet that they could hear their own hearts beating.

"Well, I suppose I should start by telling you that I'm in love with your daughter," Draco said to the Grangers.

Her father seemed surprised; after all, he had many times heard his daughter wishing for the boy to take a flying leap from something called the North Tower. Apparently, he was a bully who loved to torture her and her friends, and there was something about him being one of those Death Eating thingys.

Her mother was less shocked, but shocked nonetheless. She had held her distraught daughter many times while she cried about this boy calling her a Mudblood. She wondered what wonderful thing had happened to make him see what a beautiful girl her daughter was. In her eyes it was a miracle. There was no denying that he loved her; she could see it in the way he looked at her, the way he gently rubbed his finger over the back of her hand.

"You LOVE her?" Narcissa asked. "But you've told me many times that you hated her and wished she didn't exist! Now you suddenly LOVE her? I'm confused." Her grey eyes darted between Draco and Hermione. What she saw confused her even more. "There is something you're not telling us. Something very important. What is it?"

"Nothing gets past you, does it, Mother?" Draco said, amused. He had never been able to fool her for very long, and hiding things from her was damn near impossible. She was very observant. "As I said, I'm in love with her, and to my delight, she happens to love me back."

"Is this true?" Narcissa said. "You love my son?"

This woman scared Hermione. She was the type of woman who could walk into a room and all eyes would be on her. She was so sure of herself, graceful and well-spoken. She made Hermione feel small and insignificant for some reason. Feeling like this made her angry, and she was determined not to let this arrogant woman make her feel like she wasn't good enough for her son. "Yes, I love him with all my heart, and I never want to be without him." She stared right into Narcissa's pale eyes. "He asked me to marry him and I've accepted."

"We are to be married as soon as possible," Draco said.

There was a collective gasp from all three parents.

"But you're too young! You haven't graduated yet! Think of your futures!" Mr. Granger said, and Mrs. Granger nodded in agreement. "You have your whole lives ahead of you. Surely, you want to wait!"

"I agree. What is the big hurry?" Narcissa asked.

"Well, we want to get married before the baby is born," Draco said quickly. He cringed, thinking that his mother was going to crack him in the head. Looking up after a second, he saw that his mother was leaning back in her chair...something he had never seen her do before. Narcissa never let her back touch a chair; posture was very important to her. "Mother?" Draco said, concerned that she was about to faint or something. "Are you all right?"

Hermione's parents had gotten to their feet. Her mother was clinging to her father, who looked devastated. Hermione felt guilt and shame take over. "Please! I'm so sorry! Please don't hate me!" Tears were running down her face, and Draco was trying to calm her down. Her mother let go of her father and ran over to help him. She rocked her and wiped her tears, soothing her the way only a mother can.

"Hermione, you are my darling daughter, my precious little girl! I trust you understand that no matter what has happened, your father and I will always love you and support you."

Draco went over to see if his mother had died from a burst blood vessel in her brain. He had never seen her so upset, and he was worried that she would never recover.

Narcissa regulated her breathing back to normal and sat up straight once more. She looked as though she hadn't just had the shock of her life. "I'm not going to lie and say that I'm not disappointed in you, Draco, because I am. I thought I raised you better than this. What am I supposed to tell your father? He is not going to be as forgiving as I am!"

"Draco has sent a letter to Lucius, explaining the situation, and I hope he took the opportunity to tell him a few other things as well," Minerva said, looking at Draco from over the top of her glasses.

"Yes, well, I'm just glad Lucius is not here because I shudder to think of what he would say," Narcissa said, standing up and walking over to the window. "I won't make excuses for the way my husband has acted in the past. He had his reasons for doing what he did, and I'm sorry to say that all of my pleading and crying for him to change has fallen on deaf ears." She watched a tawny owl soar past the window and disappear into the bright morning sky until it was nothing but a speck. "He, Draco, will never accept this, but I will. I can see that this woman makes you happy. I see how much in love you are. Who am I to take that away from you? You have been through hell and back, and you deserve more than anyone to be happy."

Hermione was taken aback as Narcissa came towards her, her arms outstretched in a welcoming manner. "Let me be the first to welcome you to the family." She kissed Hermione on the cheek, making her blush.

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," she said, looking over at Draco, who was wearing a huge grin. He mouthed the words 'I told you so.'

Narcissa then held out her French manicured hand, and Hermione's mother took it. "It looks as if we are soon to be family," she said warmly. "I can't wait to have you both over to the Manor for tea."

Mrs. Granger was frightened at the very thought, but refused to show it. "Yes, that would be nice; perhaps we can discuss the wedding plans." Both the mothers' eyes lit up at the thought.

"I hate to tell you this, but we've already decided when and where the wedding will be," Draco said. "But you're more than welcome to take care of the details."

"Draco," Hermione said. "Don't you think we should ask Professor McGonagall first?"

Minerva had sat silently through most of the meeting, following the advice of her husband. He said to just let it unfold naturally, that it would all work out, and he was right, as always! "Yes?"

"Professor," Hermione said. "We would like to be married here at Hogwarts in the Great Hall."

"I don't know... This has never... This is unprecedented!" She looked to Dumbledore for advice, as she so often did. "Albus? What do you think?"

"I will agree to it on one condition," he said with amusement dancing in his eyes. "That you take down my portrait and hang it in the Great Hall so that I may watch the ceremony...oh, and that you play the Macarena during the reception!"

So it was decided that the Saturday after they took their N.E.W.T.s, the wedding would take place. Narcissa said she would take care of the decorations and the cake. Hermione's mother would plan the reception. They both agreed to work on the invitations together because they knew nothing about each other's families.

***

Draco stood up at dinner that evening and announced to the whole school that he and Hermione were getting married and that they were all invited. He promised to have a 'kick ass' reception with plenty of booze and music. Almost everyone cheered and congratulated them, except for the Slytherins. Draco made a special invitation for them, requesting that anyone with big enough balls to attend his wedding would be more than welcome. He didn't expect any of them to show up, and he was surprised when Blaise told him that he would be coming 'out of respect for his family.'

The days flew by as they studied for their exams and planned for their wedding. Draco found himself wondering if his father was ever going to write him back, and his heart jumped into his throat whenever his owl tapped on his window. It was always his mother asking whether Hermione preferred pink flowers or yellow on the cake, or whether or not some distant relative he had never heard of should be invited. He finally gave up and decided that his father had probably died from a massive heart attack at the thought of his only son marrying a Muggle-born and that's why he never received a response.

Hermione decided to wear her mother's old wedding dress, and with a few minor adjustments, it fit her perfectly. Narcissa gave Draco the wedding rings that belonged to grandmother and grandfather Malfoy. Ginny said yes to being the maid of honor, and Harry told Draco he'd be more than happy to be his best man, which surprised everyone.

"What?" Harry said. "I AM the best man around, you know." Ginny threw a book at his head, and he ducked.

They took the N.E.W.T.s with no problem and agreed that they were fairly easy. The hardest part was the Ancient Runes test, but they were sure they had passed with flying colors.

"The tests should have been easy with all the damn studying we did! I still can't see straight!" Draco joked. "Maybe I should borrow Potter's glasses?" Hermione made circles around his eyes with her fingers. "Not sexy at all. If there comes a time when you need glasses, I think I shall divorce you!" He chased her across the grounds, the crisp autumn leaves crunching under their feet.

The day of the wedding was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky, and unusually warm for October. Hermione was a nervous wreck, but not as nervous as Draco. He was so afraid of messing up and saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, but most of all, he was afraid he would throw up in front of everyone.

The Great Hall was filled with red roses and white lilies. The lights were dim as thousands of candles cast a soft romantic glow upon the guests.

Draco stood with Harry at his side, listening to the gentle music from the harp in the corner, waiting for the love of his life to walk down the aisle. "Potter, I just want to thank you for doing this, for being a friend when I needed one."

Harry clapped him on the back. "I never thought I would consider you a friend, but I do. You take care of Hermione. Never let anything happen to her."

Images of Hermione lying dead flashed through his head. He was almost sick thinking about it. "I promise, Potter, with all my heart that I will never let anyone harm her...never." The music came to a stop, and he knew it was time. He looked anxiously towards the back of the room.

The harp began playing, and everyone stood to watch Hermione walk gracefully down the red carpeted aisle behind a pale and shaking Ginny. She smiled as she passed her mother, who looked very proud of her beautiful daughter. She was already on the brink of crying, and seeing Narcissa dabbing her eyes with a silk handkerchief made the lump in her throat even bigger.

Draco couldn't help but smile as Hermione made her way slowly towards him, her arm linked around her father's. She looked stunning in her dress with her hair piled high on her head in pretty ringlets. She stopped, her father kissed her cheek, and then she was standing next to Draco, her tiny, warm hand in his. She smiled at him, and he felt that nothing could ruin this most perfect day.

Suddenly, the heavy doors to the Great Hall were thrown open, and everyone turned around to behold Lucius Malfoy standing there, his head held high, a smug look on his face...