Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione's train ride back to school had been mostly uneventful. There were a few students that stared at her or asked her questions but for the most part she'd stayed in her compartment with Luna, Blaise, Ginny, and Ron. The four of them seemed to box her in and made sure no one got past them. While she appreciated the sentiment, she could already tell that if they kept that up, she'd start to feel suffocated.

"You do realize you can't be glued to my side twenty-four seven, right?" she asked them as they neared their destination.

Blaise sighed as Ron said, "Well, we can sure try."

"It's not a big deal," she insisted, though a part of her knew that it was, "The article was my idea remember?"

"True," Blaise agreed, shifting in his seat, "but you may not have adequately gauged the reactions that our peers will have. Especially since we didn't anticipate the additional Chosen One paternity scandal."

Her stomach felt queasy as she thought about how that would get the rumor mill going. The next few weeks weren't going to be smooth sailing. "They will just have to get over it. I can't change what she wrote and Harry isn't here to defend himself. We'll just have to do that for him," Her anger died down a little and she sighed, "Besides the most important thing is that I love my baby." She looked down at the bump fondly, before snapping her head up to look back at him,"There's not a nasty word in existence that would make me regret this."

The wizard smiled and sat back, "Well, I'm glad to hear it."

Ron snorted. "I'd like to hear someone say a nasty word. They'd have to deal with me."

Hermione just rolled her eyes as Ginny piped up. "You say that like you didn't rip her to shreds when you found out."

He visibly winced. "I said I was sorry about all that, Gin. I apologized to Hermione and we're good now. It was just a big shock and it still kind of hurts." He folded his arms across his chest and stared out the window. "Besides, I had a reason to be upset, no one else at school has a leg to stand on."

She sighed. "I'm not sure the student body will see it that way."

He turned back to her and mustered up a small smile."Good thing we don't care what they think then, huh?"

Her mouth opened, "Yeah, good thing." but even as the words left her mouth she was still feeling a mix of emotions inside her as the Castle loomed ahead.

The moment she stepped off the train the whispering started anew, but this time the words rang loud and clear in her ears as she walked the distance to the school.

"Wow, it's true!" A witch exclaimed, not even trying to be quiet. "She is pregnant."

Another replied, "I bet it's Ron's."

"I wonder if they got married over break?"

"There's no ring."

A boy hissed, "Slag."

Someone else scoffed, "Some hero."

"Can you believe Hermione Granger is up the duff?!"

She grit her teeth and continued on, hands wrapped tightly around the handle of her bag as she passed more groups of gossiping teenage witches and wizards alike.

Blaise and Ron flanked her and moved a few students out of the way that had sped up their pace to openly gauk at her and ask questions. At least they were being up front about it and not hiding behind their hands.

Once they got into the Great Hall she stopped in her tracks. "You're doing well," Blaise told her. "Keep walking and don't listen to them."

When she didn't move from her spot Ginny grabbed her luggage out of her hand. "I'll take these to our room."

Hermione nodded. "Thanks, Ginny."

"Just listen to our Slytherin mascot and ignore the idiots. I'll be back soon."

They watched her in silence for a moment before Luna softly called to her, "Are you going to see the Headmistress first?"

"I can't very well ignore her missive can I?"

The blonde shook her head. "No."

She looked down the now ominous hallway, "Then, I guess it's time."

"I think you are working yourself up over nothing," Ron insisted. "McGonagall has always favored you, Hermione."

"I know, Ron. It's just...I'll be admitting a fault and not only a fault, but one that may impact the school and how others see the school," she replied in a rush. "I may have really messed things up for her.

"I don't think so." Luna smiled serenely, "I agree with Ron. I think it will all work out wonderfully."

"Well, I'm glad you all have faith, I'm just embarrassed that I'm going to have to have this conversation at all." she huffed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face.

Blaise laughed a bit at that and shoved her further down the hallway, "Go on, Granger. Time to face the music."

She was thinking of a good response when the hands at her back suddenly disappeared and her friends retreated back to the main hall, leaving her alone with her inevitable doom.

It took her a few more moments to gather enough courage to make her way to the Headmistresses Office. "You may enter," came the calm and familiar voice she'd been dreading to hear since she received the owl. Slowly she made her way to the large desk, which she noted looked much more tidy than it had when Dumbledore occupied it. "I see my owl was received."

"Yes," Hermione tried to stop the blush that was creeping up her neck. "And I know you're disappointed in me, Profes-" she paused, correcting herself, "Headmistress, but-"

McGonagall held up her hand, stopping what was about to become a long winded apology. "I'm not disappointed in you because of your predicament, Miss Granger. I'm am disappointed that you didn't think you could trust me with this information. I was rather upset to find out via The Daily Prophet. Surely you know me well enough by now to know I wouldn't be angry or dismiss you?"

"Of course not." She squeaked. "I was just afraid that you'd look at me…" her eyes drifted to the floor, "differently."

A sigh from her old professor caused her to lift her eyes once more. "This isn't the eighteenth century, my dear. Babies are born out of wedlock all the time. Why would I look at you differently?" She asked, looking over the rim of her glasses. "Is it because you fear I wouldn't approve of the paternity of the child?"

"Wha… What do you mean by that?"

"I'm no spring chicken, Miss Granger. I've seen many things in this life and I think I know you well enough to make my own assessment of this situation. If Mr. Weasley, or heaven forbid Mr. Potter, were truly the father of your child, it would have come out months ago. You would have no reason to hide it and there wouldn't be such fear on your face. Are my assumptions correct?"

She bit her lip before responding, "Yes."

McGonagall's focus returned to the paperwork in front of her and she scribbled her signature along the bottom of one before speaking again. "I won't pry into your affairs as it isn't my business to do so. You won't have to disclose who fathered your child to anyone as long as you're here." The quill made an audible noise as it was set aside once more. "This is a safe place and I will do what I can to help you. You will not feel any pressure from I or the other faculty members to release personal information, but if you ever need anything or find yourself in trouble, I hope you will find me this time, Hermione." The older witch spoke her name with a tenderness that made her chest ache and miss her parents deeply.

Wiping hot tears off of her cheeks she nodded, "Yes, of course, Thank you so much."

She was dismissed from the office with a swift gesture and a small smile but she felt another weight had been lifted as she closed the door behind her.

She had another ally.

Hermione held her head high as she walked the corridor toward the Great Hall. As much as she had prepared herself for the whispers and sniggers, and despite the relief she'd just managed to gain, the stare's were what got to her. She thought the hardest part would be talking with McGonagall, but she'd been wrong. As soon as she sat down at her normal spot with Luna and their new band of merry friends, she heard a cackle that could only come from Pansy Parkinson. Sure enough her eyes were on Hermione and laughing with her friends. A few of them turned around to stare too and she felt herself go numb.

It's fine, she chanted to herself, It's fine. You don't care what people think, especially not stuck up swots like Parkinson.

She startled when Luna placed a hand on her arm. "Are you alright?"

She forced herself to smile brightly, "Of course, I'm just tired." It wasn't a lie, she was tired, it was just she was more than just physically weary. Classes hadn't even started and she was already longing for the safety of her bed.

"We still have a bit of time before our first class. Would you like to lie down?" Ginny asked.

She shook her head. She could do this. She could do this. She felt movement inside of her and she cradled her rounded belly. "I can do this."

Blaise didn't miss the way her behavior had slightly shifted. "Yes, of course you can. You're Hermione Granger."

"I'm Hermione Granger." she agreed with determination. She couldn't allow herself to wallow in pity no matter what.

"Well, I've got to say, out of all the witches in our year, I never thought prudish Granger would be the one to get knocked up." Pansy's eyes trailed after the Gryffindor girl as she walked past them and sat down at a table across the room. Theo nodded in agreement but offered no comment of his own. "Do you think Skeeter's right about the brat being Potter's?"

"Who knows for sure," he replied, trying to keep himself from smirking. "It could belong to someone else entirely."

Her eyes widened at the implication. "You think she's slept around?"

"I didn't say that," he glanced between her and Granger, "I just said it wouldn't surprise me if it comes out that neither one of them are the father."

"You know don't you," She pouted, sticking out her bottom lip as she looked at him. "You can tell me. You don't have to be so cryptic, Theo."

"I may have an inkling, but I'm not ready to go public with that information. It has to come out at the right time."

This seemed to further spark her interest. "Oh?" She leaned into him, eyes twinkling with mischief. "What are you planning? I want in."

"You'd love for me to just spill it all wouldn't you?" he chuckled, patting her hand. "But I'm afraid you'll just have to wait."

She scowled and pulled away, pouting in true Pansy fashion. "Fine, play your little game, Theo."

"I'll let you in on the secret soon, Panse." He promised, "Just practice a little patience."

The Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Friday, January 8, 1999

"Malfoy, focus." Draco heard Potter call out to him. "What are you even looking at?"

"Wh-what?" he stuttered. He blinked and took in his sparring partners face. He hadn't even realized he'd been zoning out, which didn't bode well for his training, but he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. It wasn't the same kind of watchfulness that he experienced with Thomas after their altercation. No, that man's hostility was open and obvious, nor was it the kind of stares that he received from the others when he performed difficult spells without much thought. IT wasn't even the distrustful or fearful looks they shot him when they thought he wasn't looking. No, this was different.

For the first couple of days he tried to ignore it. It was easy at first, pretending it was his fellow cadets, but now he couldn't concentrate and whenever he'd chance a look he'd see Detective Dearborn's steely gaze on him. That in itself shouldn't come as a surprise as they were all being assessed on their dueling skills today, but the way he kept his eyes trained solely on Draco unsettled him. He didn't feel threatened exactly, but it made his skin crawl. "Sorry." He pulled his attention back to the task at hand, disarming your opponent silently. He could do that in his sleep.

Potter's wand flew into his hand quickly and he handed it back to him, eyes drifting back to their leader at the front of the room.

This time Potter didn't just stare at him and ask questions, he turned his head to see what Draco had been so interested in. When he turned back to him, a frown was planted on his face. "Have you met Dearborn?" he asked, eyebrows bowing. "I mean before now?."

Draco shook his head. "No, I don't recall seeing anyone like him before in my life. That's why it's so strange.I just...he keeps watching us. I thought it was because of who I was but now I'm not so sure. Something feels off."

Potter didn't add any more commentary and they both returned to their practice. He didn't allow his concentration to break again but the uncomfortable feeling remained the rest of the practice.

It was the end of the first week of training when Harry became aware that something was off. Draco had lost focus multiple times throughout the morning practice, which quite frankly wasn't like the wizard at all. He'd finally had enough and made an attempt to discover what had him so out of sorts. What he'd noticed was even more puzzling. Malfoy was right. Their instructor was watching him closely. He had thought the blond was being paranoid with their teachers attention at first, but he'd quickly changed his mind. While it wasn't strange for people to be watching Draco, he was an ex Death Eater after all, the way Dearborn looked at him was different. Like he was trying to figure out if Draco was the key to a puzzle he'd been working on.

It wasn't just the assessments either. Harry followed the man's line of sight and he never spent more than a few moments watching all the other cadets in the class. It was odd. He just hoped he was interested in the information Malfoy could probably provide and nothing else. He really didn't fancy defending the bastard any more than he had too, especially not from their main Instructor.

Harry was still pondering the reasons why when his thoughts were interrupted by a soft yet demanding voice. "As you know, we have been evaluating your skills this week to see who you are compatible with and whom we think you should be partnered with for the remainder of your training here." Auror Lexington started rambling off names and Harry didn't even bat an eyelash when he looked over at them. "Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."

"Looks like you're stuck with me again," Malfoy sighed, "try not to cry, Potter."

"Shut up, Malfoy," he replied, but he couldn't stop the tiny smile that formed on his face.

He didn't know if Malfoy was playing games, but the more time he spent with him, the more he felt like Malfoy was genuinely trying to change his life. Any verbal fights between their comrades were not started by him, and he didn't fight back after the Thomas debacle. He seemed to be holding himself back in his interactions with others but was painfully himself when in the presence of Harry, Neville, and Ernie. He was a good duelist and an excellent caster. He could perform silent spells without any mistakes, and despite today's focus mishaps, he was quick in his reactions and he knew he would be good in the field. He was a powerful wizard and anyone would be an idiot not to recognize that.

Their being partnered together yet again was just an obvious choice. He had worked with a few others over the course of the week but none had been able to gain much from the interaction. Draco Malfoy concerned people, scared some, and pissed off at least two others. It took more than just back and forth dueling to work with someone and learn something from the experience. It took at least a little bit of understanding and a bit of healthy competition and that was something they both had.

Besides, if anyone could handle Malfoy as a partner, it was Harry.

A/N: Surprise, Bitches! I'm back!

I'm so sorry for the long ass hiatus. But as you know, RL gets in the way. I know it's not a long chapter and it's probably not as great as you all wished and hoped it to be, but I had a sudden inspiration to write this chapter tonight and so I did it before I could talk myself out of it. So here it is. I hope you at least enjoy it a little bit and I hope to continue with updates as my inspiration flows.

ALSO! RL has given me another thing to add to the mix. I'm having a little girl in February! This is baby number 2 and my last one so I'm super excited and I am praying that my writing mojo holds on until she is born so I can crank out a few more chapters of this and my other WIP's.

Wish me luck!