Pictures

The room of the obstetrics healer in St. Mungo’s was covered in yellow wall paper with jumping bunnies and waddling ducks moving around it. Hermione thought to herself that the walls should have something more adult on them. She was having a baby, she wasn’t one herself. Shifting on the examination table, she waited for Healer Howard to make an entrance. You would think that the wizarding world would be able to come up with something more comfortable than the scratchy paper gown she was wearing, but apparently not. She passed the time by swinging her feet and looking at her toes whenever her legs were straight out. Since she was now six months pregnant, this was the only way she could look at her feet. Normally when she looked down all she could see was a large round bump.

“Good morning, Mrs. Malfoy!” Healer Howard was a dark skinned woman with long braids and an impossibly cheerful disposition. “And how is mummy today? Has everything been going well?”

“As well as it can,” Hermione replied. “I’m still not used to being this tired and it’s frustrating. I also can’t get enough of pistachios and peanuts.”

Healer Howard laughed. “Yes, well, that’s your little boys craving the extra protein. How is daddy? He seemed to be taking the news of triplets well the last time he was here.” The obstetrician was waving her wand over Hermione’s stomach and slowly three tiny beings that looked like they were made of smoke appeared.

“He actually took the news better than I thought he would. He’s been very excited and actually is talking about breeding his own quidditch team. He loves to shop so having to buy for three has been pure heaven for him.” In actuality, Draco had been very supportive of her during her pregnancy. He’d stayed with her during most of his free time and napped with her, holding onto her tightly. She didn’t mind because she felt very unsightly and was an emotional wreck so having someone to go through this with was a bonus. The only reason he wasn’t at this appointment was because Percy Weasley had called an emergency meeting. They weren’t going to be discovering anything new, so Hermione told him to skip it.

“And how would you feel about breeding a quidditch team?” the healer playfully asked Hermione.

“Honestly? The three boys were such a surprise that I can’t imagine having anymore children. At least not right away. I wouldn’t mind having a little girl later on,” she finished wistfully.

“Well, you had to know that multiple births were a possibility when you went on the fertility potion. It doesn’t always happen when couples who are having difficulty conceiving, but it isn’t uncommon.” Healer Howard was moving each of the baby forms around and checking them with what looked like a laser pointer for any birth defects.

“I wasn’t on the fertility potion. This just happened,” Hermione said.

“Yes, you were my dear. You can lie to your friends, but you don’t have to pretend with me. Lots of couples have a hard time conceiving, especially if they come from a family as pureblooded as the Malfoys. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, dear.”

“I’m not pretending, Healer Howard, I never took the fertility potion. I wasn’t trying to conceive, in fact, I was doing my best not to.” Why was it suddenly hot in the room?

“I have your chart right here, Mrs. Malfoy and right here, from your first two blood test results, you can see that you tested positive for the fertility potion.” Taking in the girl’s shocked face, the healer could see that she wasn’t lying. Maybe Hermione hadn’t been trying to conceive, but somebody had sure wanted her to do so.

“Could I have a copy of this?” Hermione asked in a strangely calm voice.

The rest of the visit was polite but strained. It wasn’t the healer’s prerogative to get involved in the marital affairs of her patients. Hermione on the other hand was suddenly feeling very stupid. So many things were starting to fall into place. His questioning at last Christmas with his mother and Pansy, the fact that he had suddenly become incredibly non-chalant about contraceptives and his sudden ability to take the surprising news of triplets calmly all suddenly made sense. The Draco Malfoy she had moved in with would not have taken marriage and being shackled with children that well unless it was exactly what he wanted.

Hermione was boiling by the time she got her clothes on and was out the door. She had been manipulated and tricked and by someone she cared very much for and was starting to love. He was some whom she thought cared for her as well. Apparently all he cared about was getting his own way. Well, he apparently wanted to be married to her, for better or worse. He was about to find out that his marriage (which if Hermione could help it wouldn’t be in existence much longer) was about to get far, far worse than he could ever imagine.


A/N- Sorry for the delay and sorry that it’s so short. I just started back to school and work and wanted to get this posted before I post the next chapter which should be very long. Thank you to everyone who reviews. I find all your comments extremely helpful and they keep me going, so please keep them coming! Thanks so much!
Cheers! G.C.