From Venice with Love

“It’s not Ernie, is it?” Ron asked, making a face.

“No, Ronald."

"Justin Finch-Fletchley?"

"No!This will not become a guessing game. You’ll find out soon enough. Just promise you’ll forgive me.” Hermione pleaded.

“Hermione, there isn’t anything you can do to make us stop being your friends.” Harry said. “I mean, we’re hurt you felt you had to lie to us, but-“ He trailed off as Draco walked in with Professor Snape, who was looking very unhappy.

“Can I help you, sir?” Madame Pomfrey asked.

“Apparently it’s too late for that,” Snape said dully.

Hermione cringed as Harry and Ginny both did a double take. “Hermione, no!”

“No what?” Ron said, still not understanding.

“I take it, Ms. Granger, that Mr. Malfoy is the father of this child?” Dumbledore said.

“Yes,” Hermione whispered, looking over at Draco, who was still looking at the floor, his hands in his pockets.

“What? Hermione, are you mental?” Ron gasped.

“Mr. Weasley-“ Professor McGonagall began.

“You!” Ron yelled. “I’m going to kill you!” Harry and Ginny held Ron back as Draco backed away a little.

“Control yourself, Mr. Weasley, or you will leave,” Dumbledore said. Ron stopped trying to get to Draco, but he glared at him hatefully.Professor Dumbledore looked over at Draco.

“You are willing to marry her?”

“Yes, sir,” Draco said in a hoarse voice, finally looking up to meet his eyes. ”We would’ve done it sooner, but we were worried about anyone finding out.”

“So this whole time there was no Alessandro?” Ginny said. “It was always Malfoy?”

Hermione nodded. ”I’m sorry, Gin. I didn’t think you’d understand.”

“Well, I sure don’t,” Ron snapped. “I mean, really Hermione-why him?”

“I love him, Ron,” she said. “I’m sorry,”

“When Lucius finds out-“ Snape began, talking to Dumbledore and McGonagall. “He’ll try to kill them both.”

“Precisely, Severus,” Dumbledore said. “We’ll marry them as soon as possible. Ms. Granger will explain that she and Alessandro, was it? They married over Christmas break. She won’t begin to show for a few months at least and by then everyone will know she is married. When the child is born though, Hermione, it will be obvious who its’ father truly is. Therefore, you will need to be sent into hiding until we defeat Voldemort. Hopefully by then it will be safe.”

“You mean my father will be dead,” Draco said dully.

“Maybe. If not, he’ll most certainly be in prison,” Snape said. “Draco will need to go with her. We can’t take a chance of Voldemort sensing his wife and child.”

“Of course,” Dumbledore said. “We’ll have to make arrangements to have them disappear. Separately, of course.” He turned back to Hermione. ”We’ll leave you now to rest. Professor McGonagall will let you know when we are ready to perform the ceremony.”

“How soon will that be?” Harry asked.

“Hopefully tomorrow or the next day,” Dumbledore said. “As soon as possible.”

He left, flanked with Snape and McGonagall.

“Why is it so important that it happen soon?” Harry asked no one in particular.

“So when the baby’s born, it won’t be quite so obvious what happened,” Ginny said.

“When the parents are bound, the protection for the child is stronger, in case my father does find out,” Draco said quietly.

“Are you still here?” Ron snapped.

“Ron, stop it. This is not his fault.” Hermione admonished.

“It sure as hell is!” Ron said, glaring at him. “Of all people, you’d think he’d remember a contraceptive charm.”

“Oh, sod off, Weasley. Just because I’m actually having sex, you think-“

“Stop it, both of you!” Hermione cut through the arguing. “Ron, Draco is going to be my husband and the father of my child. You need to get used to him. And Draco-“ She went on seeing the smugness in Draco’s face. “Harry, Ron and Ginny are my friends. You need to get used to them as well.”

“Do your parents know?” Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. “They know. They weren’t thrilled, obviously, but they are fond of Draco.”

“Well, I wish you could have trusted me, Hermione, but I can understand why you kept it a secret,” Ginny said. “I’m glad you’re okay. We'll talk later when you're feeling better.I hope you invite me to the wedding.”

“I’m sure it will just be Professor Dumbledore, not a real wedding, but you’re all welcome to come,” Hermione said. She looked at Harry and Ron. Harry nodded slowly, but Ron was still glaring at Draco. Harry elbowed him.

“What? Oh, sure, Hermione. Whatever you want.” Hermione was sure he had no idea what he had agreed to.

“I guess we should let you sleep,” Ginny said, patting her arm. She left with Ron and Harry, leaving Draco and Hermione alone

“I’m sorry,” she said.” It seemed too important to lie to him and we do need his help.”

“It’s okay,” he said, sitting down on the bed. “I was planning on telling Professor Snape anyway, so he could marry us and help me hide you. If my father sees the baby-“ he stopped there.

“He won’t,” Hermione said, and changed the subject. ”They took it better than I thought.”

“Only because they had to,” Draco said. “Potter might be a little clueless, but the Weasley’s know how important it is that we marry. Plus, the damage has already been done,” he patted her belly, smiling. “They can’t really yell at you in your condition.”

“I suppose,” she said, smiling back. “I’d watch out for hexes though, if I were you.” She frowned. “They didn’t say if I can still be Head Girl.”

“Why not? Since you’ll be married, no one can say anything when you announce that you’re pregnant,” Draco said. “And the baby isn’t due until July. You won’t be able to work though,” he said. “I know you wanted to.”

“You mean because we’ll be married?” Hermione frowned.

“No, because you’ll have to hide with the baby, “ he said. “For awhile at least,”

“That’s silly,” she said. “I just won’t let anyone see the baby.”

“Do you want to take that risk?” Draco asked seriously.

Hermione shrugged. “We’ll see what Dumbledore decides would be best,” she said, yawning.

Draco got up immediately. “I’ll let you sleep,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Good night,”

“Good night,” she said, smiling after him.