A/N: Again, I apologize for how extremely long it's been!

"Loyalty." Hermione whispered to the monks in the painting, and the door to the Room of Requirement swung open for her. Immediately, Draco's hand reached out for her. She couldn't help but smile. "Draco, I told you not to wait up for me," she said.

"You knew I wouldn't listen. I'm not gonna go to bed when my pregnant girlfriend is wandering the school at night alone." He pulled her into his arms and hugged her gently. "Even if you weren't carrying my child, you're the most precious thing in the world to me. I can't help worrying about you whenever you're out of my sight." He sat down on the couch, pulling her down with him. Hermione leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You're sweet, love. But honestly, what's the worst that could happen to me? We're at Hogwarts, for Merlin's sake." She laughed, but his face stayed serious.

"That's my point exactly, though. Hogwarts isn't the safe haven it used to be. With Dumbledore dead it's just another school for magic filled with half-trained witches and wizards. There are still rogue Deatheaters out there that probably think killing Harry would bring back the Dark Lord." Draco trailed a finger up the inside of his left forearm, where the Dark Mark had faded to nothing. Hermione watched him for a moment, then covered his hand with her own.

"I know. But Draco, this is still the safest place to be. The Order…well, what's left of it anyway, they still have all their protections set on the school. And there's the centaurs, the thestrals, Grawp…hell, the acromantulas even help keep this place safe." She shuddered, remembering the week before when some unknown Deatheater had come screaming out of the Forbidden Forest with dozens of seven-foot spiders hot on his heels. They'd eaten him there on the grounds, and many first-years had been sent to the infirmary for shock. She hurriedly blocked the image from her mind. Draco sighed.

"I suppose you're right. Now, it's late, so let's get to bed, ok?" At Hermione's nod he stood and they walked hand in hand up the stairs to the single bedroom they now shared. As Hermione dressed for bed, Draco watched her face. She didn't know what he knew. He had gotten a letter from the Order while she was in Gryffindor Tower. His father had escaped from Azkaban. He wasn't worried about his mother; Narcissa was well hidden. It was himself, and therefore Hermione, he was worried about. He knew Lucius might try to come for him, and if he did, he would find Hermione. If anything happens to you because of me, I think I'll kill myself, he thought. Hermione crawled into bed and curled up at his side, head under his chin. He gazed at her for a moment, grey eyes pools of compassion and worry. I promise you I'll look after you and protect you. I won't let him touch you.