The sun had long dipped behind the horizon, casting a shadowy curtain along the room. It was still warm, but not as warm as it had been hours earlier. The covers were tossed aside, the form in the bed tossing restlessly. Soft murmurs of distress left parted lips, a light sheen of sweat covering ivory skin. Usually Hermione took the dreamless draught, but in the excitement of Harry's visit and their long talk, she had forgotten. And was paying for it by reliving Lucius Malfoy's brutal assault detail by detail. She couldn't leave, was somehow trapped. She felt dirty, even in the semi-reality of her dreams.

Lucius' face hovered above her, grey eyes icy with enjoyment and glee. A face-- a mask of hate, of long years of nurting his dislike of her, projecting his passion of dislike by taking something special from her. She shuddered, refusing to scream.

His features changed. Long blonde hair seemed to shrink, grow shorter up into his skull at a rapid rate as the color darkened to coal black. Pale skin darkened to a healthy tan. The expressions stayed the same, steel grey eyes morphing into emerald green.

Harry.

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Hermione jerked upright in bed, coated in sweat, a scream lodged in her tight throat. Lucius Malfoy-- Harry Potter. Had her insecurities somehow transcended into her nightmares? The feeling that she wasn't good enough for Harry had never left her, and were stronger than ever now. But to dream of him taking Lucius' place? She shuddered, pushing herself out of bed and shivering as the cool night air hit her wet skin.

It made sense that her mind would transform the image. Her fear of Harry hurting her was so strong, almost overruling her nature to forgive and move on. But to see him change like that? For him to take the shape of the person-- the man-- she feared above all else?

Turning on the shower, she held her wrist under the tap, needing it boiling hot. Her wild hair was stuck to her, her heart still racing. That couldn't be good for her baby, could it? She forced herself to take deep, calming breaths, counting to ten slowly before she stripped and climbed into the hot stream of water. She could analyze the occurance later. She didn't feel like it now. It was too fresh in her mind. Shivering even under the hot spray, Hermione quickly went through the motions of cleaning herself before climbing out.

Wrapped in a too large robe, Hermione took her seat near the window. Her hands settled over her growing stomach as she stared out the window, watching the night play over the grounds of Hogwarts. Slowly, she drifted back to sleep.

XXXXXXX

Draco Malfoy looked up from his desk as the small owl pecked the window. He'd never seen this owl before. Run down, old. Poor thing. With a sneer, he opened the window to allow it entry. It took a moment before it stuck its foot out toward him. A letter. Taking it, he dismissed the owl, opening the parchment and scanning the words inside.

"I can give you Hermione Granger."

Interesting. It seemed that Golden Boy had finally ditched the Weaslette for the Bookworm. He grinned. Perfect. If they got Granger, the Malfoy in her belly would be theirs. She was only a few months along, but they could lock her up until she gave birth. Or transfer the fetus to his mother. She would love that.

Reclaiming his seat, Draco leaned back, considering his options.

A slow triumphant smirk spread across his pale features. Oh yes. "MOTHER!" he yelled, standing to receive her when she entered. She entered with a scowl for his treatment of her, though it quickly faded into curiosity at his look.

"Yes, Draco?" she asked, smoothing her robes as she drifted to his seat and perched delicately on it. He held the parchment out to her, watching her slender brow raise as she took it. A devious smile spread across her features. "What are you planning, son?"

Draco laughed. "A transfer," he murmured, moving to the desk to scribble a reply to the Weaslette.

A bright smile lit Narcissa's face and she clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, Draco!" Another baby! She had always wanted more than just Draco, but Lucius had never touched her after Draco had been born. He hadn't hesitated to touch the Mudblood though. She scowled. That baby would be hers. Standing, she drifted quietly over to Draco and looked down at his reply.

"Meet me. Malfoy Manor. Floo if you can. If not, apparate. The gate will let you inside."

She smiled. Her son. Taking his face in her hands, she saw the bored, humoring look on his features. Oh yes, he was humoring her. He thought that she went through spouts of wanting to be an affectionate mother. That wasn't it at all. If she was truely as affectionate as she wished to be with her son, he would surely turn his back on her just as his father had. She couldn't help herself, he was hers. He was a part of her. Her child. Was it so wrong to love him, to want to show him that love? In the Malfoy house, it was. But this child, created by her husband in the Mudbloods body, would know love.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry walked through the halls of Hogwarts, his destination Hermione's room. There was a small boquet of flowers in his grip, a huge smile on his face. He wanted to ask her out, on an official date. He wanted her to be his, officially. Not just a crush. If she was ready. He prayed silently that she was. He could wait, sure, but really he had waited long enough to man up.

He knocked lightly on the door and stepped in, about to greet her when he saw her bundled up in a robe asleep in the chair. He smiled, setting the flowers down and moving to her side. "Hermione," he said softly, resting a hand on her arm and shaking. She jerked awake, her hand slamming into his nose and sending him sprawling on his back. A look of horror dawned on her face as she realized what had happened and she pushed up, rushing to his side.

"Harry! Oh Merlin.... I'm so sorry." She huffed, pushing her hair back and grabbing his wand from his pocket to heal his bleeding nose.

Harry chuckled slightly, taking her wrist in his hand when the bleeding stopped. "Its ok. I startled you. It happens." He shifted to stand, bringing her up as well. He caught her face, frowning as he noticed the circles under her eyes. "You didn't sleep."

It was a statement, standing between them and waiting to be discussed or brushed aside. Hermione shifted slightly.

"Restless," she lied, looking away and spotting the flowers. She swallowed. "Harry? Are those for me?" she asked softly, trying not to let the tremor into her voice.

"Yes. Flowers for the most beautiful woman I know." He shifted, waiting for her response. Would she like them? She wasn't really a flowers type of girl. Oh crap.

She turned to him with tears in her eyes, her hands clasped together. "Oh Harry!" she cried before launching at him and hugging him tightly around his neck. "Thank you. They're beautiful." She pulled away quickly, scooping the flowers up and holding them to her nose. They smelled sweet, fresh. Probably from a garden somewhere. She turned and busied herself looking for a vase.

Harry grinned, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. "I was wondering if you would like to go on a date some time. Just as. As a couple." He watched her closely, noticing the slight faulter in her step. She turned and smiled brightly.

"How about tonight?" she countered. Harry grinned. It was like it had been when they were young. Free. Boundless. Happy. Hermione's heart melted and she moved to hug him. He hugged her back.

"Works for me beautiful. How about we snuggle on the couch and get you some sleep?" he suggested, wanting nothing more than to just hold her right now. Fireworks exploded everytime they ventured into kissing, and that was not what he wanted this early. Okay, so he was a male, and that was on his mind. But he wouldn't ruin this. He felt the nod against his chest and drew her to the couch, taking his seat and pulling her down to cuddle against him. He smiled as she fit against him. He loved her.