Author's Note: Hey guys! So if you've read my one shot "These Violent Delights", you have read some of my first chapter. If you are reading this, it is not necessary to go back and read the one-shot, but you are more than welcome to! Obviously, I removed some of the flashbacks in the story in order to fit my plan for this story. I got the inspiration to make the one-shot into an entire fic from a friend, so please read and review. I would love to hear what you think; it is my first time really writing a longer fic, so I would love to get some good feedback.

Chapter 1:

"You should come back home soon, it's getting pretty cold out," Harry said softly, coming up behind her. When she didn't respond, he lowered himself down next to her and grabbed her hand. Surprised that she didn't rip her arm back, he glanced over at Hermione. Shoulders slumping slightly at her blank stare, he glanced at the grave. He felt his chest tighten the same way it always did when he saw the grave, and confusion as to why Hermione was so sad.

"It's not the same without him; I feel so alone," she whispered, her voice scratchy from her tears. Harry felt a flash of anger, thinking that she didn't have a right to think that he wasn't here for her, that she was alone, but the anger went as quickly as it came. She's right, he thought, I obviously haven't been there enough. Hermione finally turned away from looking at his grave, and with her head resting on her knees, whispered, "How am I supposed to go on?" Harry's heart broke at the question and he wondered briefly, how she would.

"You never told me how you met," Harry said, tucking Hermione under his arm. She stiffened, and Harry feared that she would pull away, but she relaxed and curled into him. He smiled slightly at the action.

"Well I've known him as long as you have," she paused and, when Harry rolled his eyes and turned to look back at Draco's grave, she smirked slightly, "I met him on the train, before our second year,". At the look of shock and disbelief on Harry's face, Hermione giggled slightly. Even though it was at his expense, Harry was thrilled that she still could laugh, if only a little. "I was going out of my mind looking for the two of you. At first, I thought that the Weasleys didn't make it, which wouldn't have been so surprising if you had been with me. But then I wondered if something had happened," she said, frowning. She stopped for a moment, her eyes far away.

Harry waited a few minutes before nudging her slightly with his knee. She glanced up at him. "Sorry," she murmured, adjusting her scarf more tightly around her neck. "I literally ran into him looking for you guys".

"When I couldn't find you, I ended up sitting with them for the rest of the trip," she smiled softly before continuing, "We played exploding snaps and ate chocolate and laughed. Pansy became my best friend that day." She laughed bitterly at Harry's look of shock, and she cut off his protest before it began.

"We weren't dumb. We knew we couldn't be friends in public. Draco couldn't think I was cute," Hermione laughed, surprising Harry so much he jumped at the sharp sound. "Pansy told me that, a week later. I was so surprised and embarrassed. Of course, I didn't believe her, not until after I had been petrified."

"What do you mean, 'after you were petrified? I thought you couldn't hear anything while you were in that state?'" Harry asked.

"I could hear everything. I remember every second of being petrified." At Harry's look of shock, Hermione sent him a reassuring smile before continuing, "He visited me whenever they could. They all did," Hermione said.

"He came back the next night. And then the night after and the night after that," she smiled slightly, "sometimes he brought Pansy, sometimes he didn't," she glanced over to Harry, "sometimes he read to me."

"What did he read you?" Harry asked, not knowing what else to say. Hermione looked over at Draco's grave and smiled slightly at the engraving.

"Shakespeare, mostly," she said, softly. Harry glanced over, shocked that he would be willing to read her anything, let alone books written by muggles. Hermione, who caught his look, rolled her eyes and said, "I know, I know, it sounds a little crazy." Harry muttered under his breath,

"A little?" Hermione gave him a dark look, and Harry smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm in a little bit of shock, you know." Hermione smiled, rolling her eyes. "What did he read to you?" Harry asked after a moment, as a peace offering.

"Romeo and Juliet," she responded, smiling slightly, "and sometimes A Midsummer Night's Dream whenever he was feeling hopeful. It was his favorite; he never liked tragedy." She frowned, before laying her head down slightly on her knee. "At least Juliet never had to live long after Romeo died. And something good came out of their deaths."

"Something good did come out of his sacrifice."

They sat in silence for a while, listening to the wind and soaking in the darkness, pretending not to notice just how chilly it was getting.

"I just wish—" she cut herself off, fiddling with the ring chained around her neck. "I just wish we could've said goodbye," she finished, sniffling. Harry pulled her tighter against him.

"Tell me about your favorite memory,". She sat thoughtfully for a moment, before settling into a wistful smile.

"It was a perfect day," Hermione said, wistfully. "The snow was melting, so it wasn't too cold, but cold enough that I had an excuse to cuddle," she paused, smiling softly. "Not that I ever needed an excuse." Smirking, she elaborated, "He's the most touchy-feely person I've ever met." She laughed at the look on Harry's face.

"Malfoy? Touchy-feely?" Harry exclaimed in disbelief. Hermione smiled before repeating,

"The most I've ever met."

"Wait, when—?" Harry asked, before Hermione cut him off.

"That was fifth year," Hermione said, softly. "Once we started, we didn't stop. It's no wonder—" she cut herself off.

"It's no wonder what?" Harry asked, not letting her get off that easily. She was silent for a while, and Harry could feel her beginning to shake.

"I considered jumping, the day he died" she said softly, looking over at him, willing him to understand, "I was in the Astronomy tower and I was looking at all the death and the destruction and he was dead and I thought Pansy was gone and I just wanted it to end but—," she stopped and took a deep breathe, "but I'm pregnant. I found out a few days before the final battle, I was beginning to show. I was shocked a baby could survive Bellatrix, but I was so grateful and full of hope. But I was terrified. We met up one night while we were on the run. I know, I know it was dangerous; we knew we couldn't do it again. It was a fucked up goodbye, a 'just in case'. We thought we'd survive." She curled her knees in tighter, and Harry's heart crept into his throat at the tears that were streaming down her face. "How could he leave me?" Her breathing quickened, and the tears came faster. "We had a plan. A life. A child, a little girl. We were just going to go to—"

"You were just going to leave? Leave me?" Harry interjected, disbelief clouding his confusion. How didn't he know that his best friend was in love with the man he wanted dead for so long?

"What would you have done?" Before he could answer, she continued, "It doesn't matter. We knew we couldn't run away. We wouldn't have gotten away from Voldemort, or from the lives we had. We had to finish it out one way or the other." She laughed bitterly, tears running down her face. Harry didn't know what to say. He knew there wasn't anything to do to make her feel better or to make it hurt less, so he pulled her against his chest and stated silent. They gazed at the grave in front of them, wishing for a better ending. A. few minutes passed before Harry slowly got up and offered Hermione his hand. She smiled slightly, grabbed his hand and pulled herself off the snow. Brushing herself off, she and Harry apparated back to the Burrow.

As they were walking back up the path, Harry glanced over at her and asked, "Have you told your parents yet?" The small smile that Hermione had vanished. She looked down at her boots before responding.

"I'm a powerful witch, Harry," she said. At his questioning glance, she continued. "Too powerful. My charm was permanent. There's nothing they can do." Harry stopped walking and pulled her into a hug.

"You'll always have me and Ginny. And you know Molly will be so happy to have a grandchild. You said Pansy is still around? From what you said, it sounds like you'll have her as well." Harry said, pulling her tighter against him. Hermione pulled back and smiled.

"She promised she'd be the best auntie, ever, spoiling the girl and causing trouble. I think she wants to make sure that Draco and my daughter get the best life. The life we never got. The life Draco never got to have." Hermione said, before frowning. "I need to go see Narcissa and Lucius. I don't think they're holding up well. I think hearing that they have a grandchild on the way, that will cheer them up." Harry opened up his mouth to respond but closed it just as fast. Shaking his head, he says,

"How well did I really know you?" She smirked. His eyes widen slightly at the look she gave him. "Merlin, you look like Malfoy when you do that, no offense." Her smirk widened.

"I am a Malfoy, Harry." She laughed at his expression.

"Wait, what? When did you have the time to—?" Hermione cut him off.

"We were married the summer before our sixth year. We wanted all of our friends there, but we couldn't put you in danger. Pansy decided that she could be both the maid of honor and the best man. It was getting more and more dangerous and with the blessing of both of our parents we—" Harry interrupted her.

"Your parents knew him?" Hermione hit his arm. "Ow, Hermione!"

"Of course, they knew him, you don't think I'd get married without their blessing, do you?" Hermione gave Harry a look that he recognized instantly from his days at Hogwarts. He decided to change the subject as quickly he could.

"How long have you known Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy?" Hermione glared at him slightly but let the question pass.

"I spent part of my summer there after our second year." She smiled at the memory, before continuing, "He didn't want me out of his sight after I had been revived. "The other half was spent at my place."

"The Malfoys let Draco stay in a muggle household? Without a protest?" Harry asked in disbelief. Hermione nodded before explaining,

"As long as the Death Eaters or Voldemort never found out, the Malfoys wanted Dumbledore and you to win, they never supported Voldemort, not really. They supported him to protect their family and their son. They just wanted to be able to live the life they wanted to." She looked down at the path again, and whispered, "Wanted Draco to live the life he wanted." Hermione got quiet before she shook it off. She turned to look at Harry. "Let's go inside." Harry put his arm on her back and guided her through the front door.

By the time Hermione opened the front door, it seemed like the rest of the Weasley family had already arrived. As usually, Mrs. Weasley was cooking away in the kitchen and yelling at Ron and George when they came in to grab a bite. When Harry shut the door behind her, she heard a loud,

"Ow!" Ron ran out of the kitchen, holding the side of his head.

"Honestly, Ron! Dinner is just about finished." Mrs. Weasley said, coming out waving her wooden spoon. She smiled widely, seeing Harry and Hermione. "Come in, come in. It's freezing out! Oh, Hermione you look positively frozen; let me warm you a cup of tea." Before she could protest, Mrs. Weasley led her away. Harry didn't seem to bothered; he wandered away after a moment and presumably went to find Ginny.

She didn't look at Ron at all, wanting to have a peaceful start to the night before she shot it all to hell.

"How have you been, Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley asked, moving to the stove. "It's been ages since we've had you over." She shifted her feet, not wanting to tell Mrs. Weasley that she had been waking up screaming after seeing her husband die in front of her over and over again. Seemed like too much of a downer for this early in the evening. Hermione fiddled with her necklace, the familiar weight of the ring comforted her.

"I'm been doing well." Mrs. Weasley frowned, not believing her in the slightest, and pushed slightly.

"How are your nightmares?" Mrs. Weasley asked, making a guess. Hermione blinked in shock, not understanding how she could've known.

"How'd you—?"

"They've all been having them, Harry the worst of all. I don't allow silencing charms in this household, so I'm quite aware of just how often they get them." Mrs. Weasley grimaced. "I'm worried about George, but I'm even more worried that Ron hasn't had them, but I think he has found other means to distract himself." Hermione frowned in understanding. Hermione was saved from having to respond by the kettle whistle, and breathed a small sigh of relief. Mrs. Weasley busied herself in making Hermione's tea, so Hermione took the chance to slip out and went over to talk to Bill. She was glad to see that the war hadn't ruined more than his face: his spirits seemed where they were before the battle had happened. Hermione pretended that she saw a future where the battle didn't haunt her. She shook off the thought before it could really grab hold.

"Hermione, how are you?" He asked, giving her a small, but kind hug. She smiled, glad to see that he was well.

"I'm doing well, how about yourself?" She pulled back, smiling warmly at Mrs. Weasley, who had brought out her tea. "Thank you." She turned back to Bill, sipping her tea.

"I'm grand. Fleur is in France, at the moment. I'll be headed back to Paris at the end of the week to see her." He grinned broadly. "She's expecting. Due in a few months."

"Oh, that's wonderful! Congratulations." Hermione said, but before she could continue, Bill leaned in and whispered,

"Congratulations to you as well." She sputtered on her tea, and before she even had a moment to protest, or explain, he continued. "You don't have to explain. It's just it will be nice to have another kid for our son to play with."

"A little girl," she whispered, blushing slightly. He grinned brightly and Bill pulled her into a hug and she sniffled slightly.

"Dinner's ready!" Molly called from the kitchen, just as Ron came over to where Hermione and Bill were. Hermione stepped back from the hug and clutched her tea to her chest.

"Well ,well, well. Does Fleur have some competition?" Ron laughed as Hermione and Bill frowned. "Just a joke," he defended, laughing.

"My relationship isn't a joke, Ron," Bill said, crossing his arms. Ron's laughter quickly turned into a scowl. Hermione stepped back, realizing that the conversation was going to escalate quickly.

"Oh who's to say it isn't? Your perfect wife isn't even here. Perhaps she found someone else to warm her bed." He spit out, glaring back at his older brother. Bill took a step towards Ron, and Hermione swore she could hear a small growl escape his lips.

"Come on Ron, play nice." He whirled around and took a step towards her. Even knowing she was in no danger, her hand instinctively went to her stomach. Ron's eyes narrowed, and while he was not the smartest person on the block, he could put two and two together. Hermione looked over to Harry for support, which just made Ron angrier.

"Do you and Harry have something to tell us as well?" Ron sneered, glaring at her. Harry stood up and started over to where Hermione was standing. Ginny's voice came from the living room.

"What in Merlin's name is going on here? Harry?" She asked looking slightly upset, looking at her boyfriend. Harry looked over at Hermione, and she nodded, realizing there was nothing she could do but explain. She sighed deeply, and Bill looked at her in pity. Harry touched her arm in support, even knowing it would further agitate Ginny. Taking a deep breath, she started,

"I'm pregnant." The house seemed to explode, and Hermione winced at the noise and the argument to follow.

"With Harry's child?" Ginny asked, her face reddening, just as Ron screamed,

"I knew something happened in the tent! I knew it!" Harry attempted to get everyone to quiet down, but the entire Burrow seemed to be in an uproar.

"Everyone shut up!" George yelled. Everyone went silent at his voice. It had been weeks since they had heard a peep from him and the shock took the fight out from just about everyone. "Let her speak." Hermione looked at Ginny.

"It's not Harry's. It's my husbands." Everyone seemed ready to start screaming again, but George held up his hand. "I got married the summer before my sixth year." She took a deep breath, her hands shaking, but she gained some resolve touching the necklace around her neck.

"Draco Malfoy and I got married the summer before our sixth year." Even with George's shocking reemergence, nothing could stop Ron from reacting to Draco Malfoy's name.

"You WHAT?" He screeched, stomping towards her. Her hand landed on her stomach once more and she reached for her wand. Bill and Charlie stepped forward, but Mrs. Weasley beat them to it. She laid a hand on Hermione's shoulder, understand at once that Hermione was readying herself for a fight.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley, you will back up this instant." Mrs. Weasley said quietly. The room went silent, Ginny moving beside Harry and squeezed his hand in apology. Bill and Charlie moved to stand by Arthur. Ron, not one to be silenced easily, pressed on.

"But Mum she—" Mrs. Weasley cut her son off again, quietly still, but firm.

"You do not understand the lengths a woman will go to protect her child, now back up." Ron went quiet and white as a sheet. He understood he would not have fared well against an angry Hermione. Satisfied, Mrs. Weasley turned to her. "Now, dear. I assume this is quite the story. Perhaps we can continue over dinner?" Hermione seemed surprised that Mrs. Weasley was being so kind, but she still hesitated.

"I… I don't want to impose." She said, looking down at her feet. "I've caused enough trouble, tonight." Mrs. Weasley softened her gaze slightly. She guided Hermione to a chair.

"You're family, dear. Family is never an imposition." Hermione smiled slightly, before bursting into tears. All the men, save Arthur, seemed alarmed. Mrs. Weasley chuckled, despite the circumstances.

"I'm sorry!" Hermione exclaimed, trying to get a handle on her tears. Arthur came over from where he was standing by Bill and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"We've had our fair share of hormones in this house, I'd say you'll fit in nicely." Hermione felt relief roll off of her, understanding that it will be difficult to convince them that Draco Malfoy was the best for her, but that she was still family no matter what. Once they were all settled at the table and had finished passing around the vegetables and the roast, Mrs. Weasley turned to Hermione.

"Now, dear. Let's hear what happened." Hermione nodded, took a deep breath and soldiered through her grief.

"I met him on the train, before our second year." She was surprised how patient everyone was, including Ron—though she suspected that his rage was building steadily— and how easily they accepted her story. At the end, she was near tears. While it was getting easier to talk about, it was still an open wound. She was glad she left out most of the details she told Harry.

When she glanced around the table, she sensed some suspicion, but found mostly support and love. Well, not from Ron, but that was to be expected.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" she heard Ginny ask softly after a few moments of silence, as a peace offering. Hermione smiled, relieved that she had not lost a friend.

"A girl." Ginny smiled back, in apology.

"Do you have a name picked out?" Hermione's smile wobbled, and her eyes became glassy, but she nodded.

"Theodora Louise. Draco and I had picked out names for a girl or a boy." She felt the tears slide down her face. "He never got to know that we were having a girl. He wanted a little girl so bad." She stood up abruptly. "I'm sorry, I think I need to call it a night." Mrs. Weasley stood up and gave her a hug. Ginny stood up as well.

"I'll walk her out." Hermione nodded in thanks and waved to everyone else. They walked in silence until they were out of earshot. Ginny pulled her into a hug.

"I'm so sorry." Hermione nodded into the hug. "I shouldn't have—"

"Don't worry about it, it had to have been a little bit of a shock." Hermione laughed at the snort that came out of Ginny's mouth.

"A little bit?" Hermione laughed harder. At Ginny's questioning glance, she elaborated,

"That was Harry's exact reaction as well." Ginny smiled softly.

"You know we'll be here for you?" Hermione smiled gratefully, moving to put her scarf around her neck.

"Between you guys and the Malfoy's, Theodora will never be without a family."

"Just without a father." Ginny said softly, wiping the tears from Hermione's eyes. "I'm so sorry I never got to meet him. That he doesn't get to be here."

"Me too. You guys would have gotten along so well." Hermione smirked slightly. "And who knows, maybe our kids would've gotten married? Draco would've had an aneurism if he thought his little girl would've wanted to marry a Potter." Ginny blushed and then shivered.

"You look like Malfoy when you do that." Hermione grinned, the first smile to reach her eyes.

"Oh Ginny, I am a Malfoy." She hugged her one last time and said her final goodbyes, before apparating back to her flat. By the time she had taken off her shoes and sat down to watch a movie, she heard the doorbell ring. She frowned, looking at her clock, wondering why someone would be stopping by so late. She got up, grabbed her wand and walked over to the front door. She checked to see who it was, and her frown deepened. She opened the door and looked at the flustered man standing on her doorstep.

"What can I do for you this fine evening, Mr. Zabini?" He stepped into her foyer and smiled slightly.

"Mrs. Malfoy." Her frown slowly melted at his words, along with her suspicion. "How are you?"

"Please, come in." She stepped aside and led the snake into her kitchen. "Can I offer you some tea?"

"Actually, coffee sounds wonderful."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading. See you next week!

-Kat