You Raise Me Up

Yay! I love your reviews! They are the sugar in my over-sweetened and refrigerated tea! That's right! I'm American...I know...the McDonald's chapter didn't give such a good light on us Americans...I just couldn't risk throwing in a sterotype...I might put in others if you promise to take them in good faith...

I'm afraid there's just not that much action in this chapter, but you won't be disappointed.
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Lucius appeared in his bedroom in a black whirl of smoke. He practically threw his cane across the room, and sat down very hard in his chair by the large fireplace. Why was he so angry? He didn’t hate Hermione…he owed her his life. Was it Draco? Was he angry at Draco? No…

He was so very involved in his own thoughts that he missed the soft pop of Apparition. He did, however, jump slightly when cool hands touched his face.

“Lucius…” Narcissa cooed softly. He didn’t push her away when she walked around the chair and gently deposited herself on his lap, curling up against him.

“I did not mean to strike you…” he said softly, resting his chin on the top of her head.

“I know. Why are you so angry, my handsome husband?” she asked, her hands on his face again. “You know that you owe Hermione a great deal…we all do…” she said, running her fingers over his furrowed brow.

“I guess I’m angry because they would be so careless… I know that Draco knows the spell…and Severus would have brewed either of them the potions had they asked. Whether he likes it or not, both Bella and Hermione have him wrapped around their fingers…” he sighed. “They are both so very bright…why would they throw all that away?” he asked, his anger slowly coming back to him.

“Lucius…calm down…you got a free shot in that time, but if you make the mistake again I promise you’ll wake up with your man bits hacked off and resting beside you on the pillow….” She said, her voice completely calm. He chuckled slightly, and wrapped his arms around his wife. “Look…you and I both know that it’s very easy to get lost in the moment…smarter couples than they have gotten trapped in this exact situation. Sometimes feelings override common sense…” she said softly.

“I know….I just…oh….I don’t even know what to think anymore. I’ll apologize to them later.” He said. “Now, off my lap, kitten. I have something to do.” He said. She stood elegantly, and stepped out of his way so that he could stand. He walked over to his dresser, and gingerly opened his jewelry box. It was the place he kept cuff-links, amulets, rings, and other various items. He slid out a hidden drawer, and drew out a small ring. It was a tasteful silver ring, with an emerald-cut diamond. The stone was held in place by a simple pronged setting, and was flanked on either side by sparkling tapered baguette diamonds.

Narcissa stepped up behind Lucius, and looked at the ring. “It’s beautiful…” she said softly.

“He will wed her. I want him to engage her with this ring. It’s an heirloom that belonged to my Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother.” He said, his voice soft. “I regret that it has to be this way. A half-blood grandchild I can accept. Not a bastard grandchild. Never.” He said. Narcissa’s arms wrapped around his middle, and she laid her head against his back.

“You were righteously angry. But don’t take it out on them. Try to be calm next time, darling.” She said, and nuzzled her face against him.

He chuckled slightly. “Very well, kitten, very well. I shall have to face them sooner or later...would you care to help soothe my frazzled nerves?"

~~

Draco opened his eyes wearily, and looked around him. He sat up, and rubbed his head.

“Good morning, sleepy-head…” Fred and George chimed. Draco stood, and brushed off his robes. Hermione was sitting nearby on the sofa, looking at him nervously. Draco’s eyes were drawn to her, and then room went quiet again.

“Is it true? You’re really pregnant?” he asked, almost in awe. Hermione nodded.

“Are you okay with this, Draco?” she asked softly, her hands beginning to tremble. He noticed her nervous shaking, and was immediately by her side.

“Of course I’m okay with it!” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “I was just taken off guard…” he said softly, and kissed her nose.

“Ugh…I’m going to be sick…” Ron said, a look of complete disgust on his face.

Hermione stood, and walked to where Harry and Ron were standing. Ron’s lip curled ever-so-slightly, and his head tilted back, looking down on her. Hermione shrank under his glare.

“Don’t hate me…” she whispered. Harry looked at Ron, and punched him hard in the arm.

“We don’t hate you, Mione. I can’t pretend to understand what you’ve been thinking…but I trust you, Mione.” He said, and gently wrapped his arms around her. She burst into tears against him, and buried her face in his Auror robes.

While Hermione cried against Harry, Ron just watched. She pulled back from Harry after a few moments, and looked at Ron. He shook his head, and turned away, leaving the room silently. Hermione’s tears increased, and she shook violently with the sobs.

Fred and George were at her side almost immediately. “Come on, Mione. Don’t pay attention to our git of a brother…he doesn’t know what a fine friend he has.” George said.

“Yeah, Mione. Would you like for us to go sneak him a ton-tongue toffee? Maybe that will shut him up…” Fred quipped. She shook her head.

“I’ll go talk to him, Hermione dear…” Mr. Weasley said, and walked from the room. Molly stood by silently, and Ginny watched from her place on the floor.

Bellatrix looked around suspiciously to make sure no one was watching her. She shifted slightly to the side, and reached into her robes that she had worn over her jeans and shirt. She pulled out a candy bar, and gingerly pulled back the wrapper. She shifted back into her original position, and happily munched on the chocolate bar.

Snape shook his head, and chuckled softly. Bellatrix looked at him. “What?” she asked, and took another bite of her chocolate.

“Nothing, Blaireau…nothing.” He said. She growled softly at his choice of nickname. She had discovered that ‘blaireau’ meant ‘badger’ in French. She had then looked up a suitable nickname for her dark lover.

“Of course, moufette.” She cooed.

He scowled. “Skunk, indeed…” he ground out.

George bent down near Bellatrix’s face. “Um…sorry to interrupt this…beautiful and…er…romantic moment…but Draco wants to know why no one told him…” he said. Bellatrix turned her head, and glared darkly at him.

“She…he…want….” George faltered when faced with the dark witch’s glare. “I’ll just be over here…” he said, and walked back across the room. Snape chuckled again. Bellatrix rewrapped the candy bar, and replaced it in her pocket. She propelled herself out of the chair, and crossed the room where Draco, Hermione and Harry were standing. Harry started when he saw her actually standing up.

“Merlin’s beard! You’re pregnant!” he said, his green eyes wide. Bellatrix faked a look of surprise.

“Oh my god! Really? I didn’t know! Where would I have been without you, Potter? Oh, how could this have happened?!” she said, faking horror. Her face went deadpan, and she stared at him. “I know, Potter.” She said. Harry frowned.

“Sorry…” he murmured. Draco cleared his throat.

“Draco, we didn’t tell you because she wasn’t sure. We weren’t going to needlessly upset you in case it was a false alarm, you dolt. Stop bothering the girl…” she said. She started back to her chair, mumbling under her breath. She stopped, and gasped, putting her hand on her stomach.

“Ow, you little beast! That’s my spine!” she yelped.

“Anyway…” Harry said softly. “Mione…give Ron some time. He’ll be right with it soon…” he said. “I love you like a sister, Mione, and if there’s anything that you need…just ask me. I’ll do anything for you, Mione.” He said, and hugged her again. Harry turned to Draco.

“If I hear that you’ve hurt Mione, I will hunt you down and kill you….I have a license to do that, you know…” Harry said. Draco nodded.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less…” he said. “I plan to make this a legitimate child, and marry her…not that my father would allow me to do otherwise…or I’d want to….” he said. Hermione smiled softly.

“That’s good to hear.” Molly said. “How will you deal with your father?” she asked.

“I say put a little poison in his tea. I’m sure Snapey here can help…” George said. Snape growled.

“Call me that again and you’ll find poison in your tea…” he said.

“Okay, ladies, enough bickering…” Bellatrix said.

Hermione smiled. “He’ll warm up to it eventually.” She said, and rested a hand on her stomach. “You won’t let him rest until he does, will you?” she asked, rubbing her stomach. Hermione looked at Draco. “We should probably go talk to your father…” she said. “Hopefully your mum has softened him up…” she said.

Bellatrix grinned darkly.

“To calm down Lucius….softening won’t be what she needs to do…”
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