Just Around the Riverbend

Okay, for those of you who responded, I got the idea that you were quite enjoying the way that Daisy and Phelan interacted. ANd you're curious about Tom. He is quite the intriguing fellow, isn't he? Ah, but his role will have to remain UNSEEN! - Exclamation point for emphasis. Anyway, this chapter is dedicated totally to Hermione and Lucius (With a little Sev, Cole, Draco, and Harry thrown in at the end.)

*hugs and kisses* and I hope you all leave nice long reviews in response to my nice long chapter, which was nearly nine pages in word. Come on now, that's at least worth about four or five lines of review. Come on. You know you like to review, me hearties. *sigh* Hope to hear from youse.

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Hermione awoke with a headache that threatened her sanity. She’d managed to avoid Lucius for the remainder of the previous day, and then to get to bed before him as to avoid any blanket conversations. She was awake enough, however, to remember him lifting the covers around her gently, and bringing her close to him to sleep. She’d had to leave their bed that night with a bout of nausea, but thankfully Lucius hadn’t woken. Or, if he had, that he hadn’t said anything to her.

Lucius was already up for the morning, leaving Hermione a bit of time to herself to think. She was…she’d just found out that she was…

“I’m pr-…I’m going to have a ba-…” she couldn’t say it. She couldn’t get the words out without choking. What a stupid mistake they’d made. She should have known that her patch would fail if she used strong magic. She should have checked weekly to make sure it was still working, especially since she was having regular, mind-blowing sex with Lucius. For the brightest witch of her age, she was a particular dumb arse.

And what to tell her family? Her mother and father were still on the road to forgiving her after she modified their memory and sent them to Australia. Their meetings had been lukewarm at best. And she had mentioned Lucius Malfoy to them before, and it hadn’t been in very flattering words.

Lucius…he hadn’t been angry as she’d suspected. He didn’t appear regretful that a Mudblood was pregnant with what would be a halfblood Malfoy. Perhaps he hadn’t really thought of that. Everything had happened so quickly. She just wanted to go get a Time Turner, go back to the night of the Ball, and tell herself not to be an idiot and replace her patch. But she couldn’t.

She didn’t feel like doing anything. She didn’t feel like getting up for her morning shower. She didn’t feel like going to the library to discover all those books just waiting to be read. She didn’t feel like eat- okay, that was a lie….she was ravenous, but she didn’t feel like getting up.

As if her thoughts could summon, a small elf appeared with a pop by her bed, a tray in its hands. The tray was loaded with fruits on one side, and a small plate with some fluffy scrambled eggs, some plain toast, and juice on the other.

“The Elves’ know abouts the Missus and the Little One. The Missus must eats well!” the elf said, before depositing the tray on the bedside table and winking out. Hermione thought for only a few moments about being stubborn and not eating, but then an immediate wave of guilt threatened to consume her. She wasn’t just eating for herself anymore. She was eating to sustain the health and growth of a child that she and Lucius had created together.

Hermione reached over and brought the tray to her lap. She didn’t even bother with the fork sitting there. She picked up chunks of the egg and ate them directly. She cleaned off the eggs and toast first, before tackling the large pile of fruit. There were grapes, and strawberries, and little chunks of melon. She was still a bit peaky, despite the eggs, so she ate willingly.

And this was how Lucius found her: ravenously devouring the fruit she’d been sent up for breakfast.

“Ah, good.” He said. The sound of his voice startled her a bit, and she paused after she swallowed a grape. “I told the elves to make sure you had a good supply of healthy food.” He added. Hermione said nothing, but plucked up a plump strawberry. “I got you an appointment with an Obstetrician today.”

Hermione looked up at him, and he noticed her eyes seemed a bit dulled today. “Is it…the same one you took…Narcissa to?” Hermione asked. She didn’t know why it mattered, but something made her ask.

“No, Hermione. I didn’t figure you wanted the same one. I did, however, make sure the one I’m taking you to had as many references, though. She’s quite good, I’m told.” He said, looking pleased.

“I’m glad one of us is thinking things out.” Hermione said weakly. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

“I’m here to help take care of you, Hermione. Let me do what I can for you.” He said. Hermione didn’t say anything, but she did nibble on her strawberry.

~~

Hermione sat on the table in one of those horrible little gowns, and Lucius sat in the chair across the little room, looking quite out of place amongst the ducklets and kittens dancing on the wall.

The Obstetrician was a woman with a soft face and friendly eyes. She had thick, curly hair like Hermione’s, but hers was kept very short. She held a bright blue clipboard in her arm, and had a pink quill stuck behind her ear.

“Miss Granger, is it?” she asked. Hermione nodded, sitting nervously on the padded surface of the table.

“I’m Delilah Sprout.” She said. Hermione tilted her head curiously.

“Are you related to Professor Sprout at Hogwarts?” she asked. Delilah smiled.

“She’s my Aunt.” She replied. Hermione gave a small smile. “Now, I hear that there’s a little witch or wizard going to join us soon.” Delilah spoke, the sentence being more of a question than a statement. Hermione nodded. “Wonderful! First off, let’s find out how far along you are. Then we can start planning.” Delilah cast several complicated Charms along Hermione’s stomach, several of which flared lovely colors.

Lucius watched from his perch, slightly disheartened to watch Hermione. Were she in top form, she would be questioning the Healer about every spell being cast, what it was for, and if it could be modified to do anything else. As it was, she was just sitting there like a little lump on a log.

“Well, my dear, luckily you’re only about five weeks along. Have you experienced any tenderness in the breast area?” Delilah asked. Hermione flushed a little.

“Not really.” She said.

“Well, every woman is different, as well as every pregnancy. You’ll probably start to feel it soon, though. The tenderness is from blood coming to the breasts. Any fatigue?” Here Hermione nodded. “That’s perfectly normal. I suggest scheduling a nap in the middle of the day for now. When you enter your second trimester, some of the fatigue will abate, but it will be right back for the third. Naps will be your best friend for now. Have you been nauseous lately?”

“Yes, but usually only at night. I did get sick yesterday after Lucius Apparated us home. I was dizzy, and feeling like I was being squeezed through a drain pipe didn’t help me feel better.” Hermione said. Delilah laughed pleasantly.

“All perfectly normal. ‘Morning sickness’ is quite the misnomer. It can come at any time, as well as that pesky dizziness. Well, according to my scans, mommy and baby are fine so far. Now is the best time to start with those oh-so-yummy vitamin potions. And this is also a good time to change what’s going into your body to best give nutrition to you and the baby. Growing a baby inside you is exhausting work.

I have a few lists to give you. One is a list of foods and things to stay away from. The next is a list of things you should eat and do in moderation. A common misconception is that you have to stop eating all of the good foods and just eat boring health food. Not true, so long as those things are eaten in moderation. And the last is a list of food and activities you should eat lots of, and consider working into your schedule. I know that exercise is practically a dirty word to most people, but it’s a wonderful tool to keep you and baby in good health. Do you have any questions, dear?” She said.

There was a few moments of awkward silence, before Hermione looked up.

“What about sex?” she asked.

“Hermione!” Lucius scolded. Really…

“You’re not getting out of it that easy, Lucius!” Hermione almost snarled, before she flushed red, and looked down.

Delilah laughed pleasantly. “Sex is perfectly safe in an uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy, and I hove no reason to think that yours is anything other than that. You’ll probably find that during the first trimester, that you’re not quite up to it. What with the nausea and fatigue. But the second trimester is much more enjoyable. You won’t be quite as big then, and your body will be much more accepting of it. You’ll be safe up until probably the last few weeks of pregnancy. Any more questions? Feel free to ask me anything, dear. No? Does daddy have any questions?” she asked, looking at Lucius.

“Are there any books that might be useful?” he asked. Delilah reached into her robe pocket, and pulled out a pamphlet.

“This pamphlet is chock full of useful and insightful books on anything from what’s going on in mommy’s body during each week, to what daddy should expect, and how he can help mommy.” She said, and handed him the pamphlet. “Now, I’ll need to see you once a month up until about six months along. Then we’ll start some fortnightly scheduling, and go from there.” She said. “If you have any questions or concerns in between our visits, you are more than welcome to owl or floo. I never ignore a patient’s concerns, no matter how trivial you might think. If you even have heartburn that you think it too strong, I want you to call me. Kay?” When Hermione nodded, she released the two. “Get a new appointment from my receptionist, and I’ll see you next month!”

~~

Since Floo travelling was on the list of Things Hermione would have to limit, Lucius Apparated her back to Malfoy Manor. As expected, she had a small bout of sickness, before she succumbed to exhaustion and curled up on the sofa in the library to sleep. Lucius tried to get her to take her repose in the bedroom, but she was adamant about a change of scenery.

Not wanting this to turn into an argument, Lucius simply covered her with his cloak, and she was out a few minutes later. He sat at his desk, and began to sort through the mail the elves had left on the surface. His attention was caught by an envelope addressed to him with Daisy’s messy scrawl. He had wondered how her Sorting went. He opened the envelope, and unfolded the parchment within.

Dear cousin Lucius,

Yesterday was so exciting! Phelan and I got to cross the Black Lake with the First years. They’re so cute! Then we got to enter the Great Hall when the enchantments were in full swing. The night sky looks really pretty on the ceiling.

I’m rambling! I just wanted to let you know that I got Sorted into Slytherin! Surprising, I know. But I was talking to one of my year-mates (funny British terms) about it, and he said it made sense. I come from a serpent’s den with you as my cousin, and the Gryffindors, for all of their chivalry, are very mistrusting of Slytherins. So I wouldn’t have belonged there. And I told the hat to put me somewhere I’d belong.

Well, I’ll cut my letter short. I had to wake up early just to get this written so it could go with the morning post. Thanks for sending Agtni along, and I hope you and Hermione aren’t having too much fun without me and Phelan there to chaperon. Here she had drawn a little smiling face with its tongue sticking out.

Well, Phelan says morning to you too, and I gotta go to class. Lots of Love!

Daisy & Phelan

Lucius put down the letter, a small smile on his face. Slytherin, eh? Hermione wouldn’t be pleased, but he certainly was.

He was brought out of his reverie when the Floo roared to life, and Severus stepped out, with Cole ensconced in a large Floo cloak, and sitting in his arms.

“Severus? Is something the matter?” Lucius asked, seeing a cold look on Severus’ face.

“I need a favor of you, Lucius.” Severus said, pulling the cloak from Cole’s head. Cole looked around dazedly as his father unclasped his oversized cloak. Lucius allowed himself a small smile when he saw that Cole was clutching his little giraffe beneath the cloak. His smile faded as Cole’s cloak was pulled aside, and he saw the clasps on Severus’ robes. There were seven intertwining silver snakes.

Lucius’ arctic eyes darted up to Severus’ face.

“Why are you in those robes?” Lucius asked, keeping his voice low. The seven serpent robes were Death Eater robes.

“I have some business to attend to.” Severus said, and put Cole down.

“What kind of business, Severus? Because that boy deserves more than an orphanage if his father gets himself Kissed.” Lucius said coldly. A strange sort of smile stretched across Snape’s face, fairly creeping Lucius out. He’d only seen that smile a few times, and it never ended well for some people.

“It’s nothing illegal, you great blonde prat. I’m only going to, how should I say it, put the fear of God into someone.” He said. Lucius narrowed his eyes.

“Those robes have naught to do with God. I think the entity you’re looking for is a little further south.” Lucius said wryly.

“Same difference. I’ll be right back. I just need you to watch him for a bit.” Severus said. Lucius looked down at Cole, who was chewing on his giraffe’s nose while staring at him with wide black eyes. Lucius crouched down in front of the lad so he could get a better look at him.

“Well, it seems you and I are going to get to know each other better. What do you say, Cole?” he asked. Cole reached out a free hand and touched Lucius’ long blonde hair.

“Pre’y.” he cooed. Severus gave a half-choked snort, tried to cover it up with a cough, and ended up sounding as if he’d breathed in chimney soot as he tried not to snicker helplessly. Lucius tilted his head.

“What did he say?” he asked, as it had been years since he’d tried to translate toddler.

“He said ‘pretty.’” Snape snorted. Lucius narrowed his eyes at the toddler, suddenly aware just how like his father he was. “Don’t blame him, Lucius, you are very pretty…” Snape teased. Lucius stood suddenly, startling Cole a bit.

“Do your business, you snarky black bat.” Lucius griped. Severus grinned, and knelt down in front of his son, who turned to him curiously.

“You be good for Uncle Lucius, now. He’s quite nice as long as you don’t call him pretty again.” Cole watched as his father disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. Lucius frowned. Severus was serious about whatever this was. He’d never been a fan of Death Eater Apparition. But it was Untraceable and silent...

“Well, Cole, my boy, it seems someone is in for a rough afternoon. What shall we do in the meantime, hmm? I think I have some of Draco’s old books on a shelf around here somewhere. Do you like to read?” Lucius asked aloud, looking down at the little boy. Cole tilted his head slightly. He seemed to have a look on his face that said I’m, like, one. “Oh great, a sarcastic toddler. Flippin’ fantastic.” Lucius grumbled.

Cole looked around the room again. It was such a large room. Nothing like his nice small house, with his kind father. This pretty man seemed nice enough, but his father always had nice soft words to say to him, and didn’t make sudden movements anymore. But his father had gone away for a bit. He hoped he came back. He hoped he didn’t go away like mummy.

Well, at least ‘raffe was here with him. ‘Raffe tasted good and was soft and warm and slept with him at night, and when he had to take naps. Hmm…he hadn’t had his nap today. Daddy had put on those funny black robes, and he hadn’t gotten a chance to. He didn’t like those black robes Daddy had put on. They didn’t feel like his other black robes. They didn’t feel nice at all.

He heard a soft snore, and began to walk towards the noise. The pretty man was walking along behind him. He saw a lady sleeping on the sofa, covered in a long cape like his daddy wore sometimes. She looked very comfortable there. He wondered if she would mind if he joined her? Daddy sometimes let him sleep on him. And this lady looked soft like mummy had been. He started to climb up onto the sofa, only to have hands under his armpits, and be lifted away from the sleeping lady.

“No, no, lad. Miss Hermione isn’t feeling well. She doesn’t want to play right now.” Lucius said softly. Cole whimpered. The pretty man had just messed up his chance for a nap!

“Na!” Cole squeaked, and reached for the lady. Maybe if he cried a little like he did at home this pretty man would let him nap like daddy did.

Lucius looked horrified when Cole started to sniffle pitifully. Severus would kill him if he came home to a crying toddler. Which was worse: a pissed off Severus, or a hormonal Hermione? Gods, the fates wanted to see him die, apparently.

He put Cole down again, and to his relief, the toddler merely climbed up onto the sofa in front of Hermione, and curled up against her, holding his giraffe close. The boy was out like a light a few moments later.

“My, my. Best babysitting job ever.” Lucius mused. Hermione grunted slightly, and opened her eyes, looking down at the new addition to her front.

“When did I get a passenger?” she asked sleepily. “Not that I mind…he’s like a little furnace.” She said, and snuggled closer to the little boy. She was back asleep a few seconds later.

And it was a good thing, too, because Draco entered the room a few minutes later, and stopped when he saw the unlikely couple on the sofa. But he paused, and took a closer look at Cole.

“Is that Severus’ son?” he asked. Lucius nodded, and Draco peered a bit closer at the little bundle snuggled up to Hermione. But Cole had planted himself face-first into Hermione, so Draco couldn’t see much.

“Almost makes you wish you had a little brother or sister, doesn’t it, Draco?” Lucius asked off-handedly. Draco snorted.

“No, then I’d have to share my inheritance. What makes you ask such a stupid-” but then Draco paused, and he whirled towards his father, horror written on his face. “You didn’t. Tell me you didn’t.” he said, his head flicking back towards the sleeping Hermione, and then again to his father.

“Didn’t what, Draco?” Lucius asked with boredom.

“Tell me you didn’t knock the Mudblood up?” Draco asked. Lucius narrowed his eyes at Draco. The boy chose such inopportune moments to be clever. “You did.” Draco whispered. “A halfblood, father. That’s what she’s carrying…” Draco said, spitting the word as if it were the most heinous expletive.

“I know that, Draco. Listen to me: I care for her. This wasn’t…this wasn’t planned, but I’m not going to turn her out on the street with my child growing inside her.” Draco actually dry heaved at the thought. Lucius stepped forward, and was going to put a hand on Draco’s shoulder, but the young man pulled away.

The floo flared to life for a second time that day, and who but Harry Potter should stumble through, flicking the soot off of a new floo cloak.

Draco looked over at the fireplace.

“What in all of the seven sodding levels of hell is he doing here? Merlin’s fucking boots, father! Have you adopted the whole gaddamned world?” Draco hissed. He advanced on Harry in a rage, desperate for someone to take his anger out on. His wand was in his hand before Lucius could grab him, and he tried to hex Harry before he could even open his mouth.

But Harry had his own wand out, and put Draco on his arse with surprising speed, and a spell Lucius hadn’t even heard of. Draco recovered quickly, and was on his feet in a few moments. Harry disarmed the blonde with a non-verbal spell.

“What’s your problem, ferret-face?” Harry snapped. Draco glared at Harry for several tense moments, and something unfamiliar sparked in Harry’s green eyes, and Draco looked away. Harry threw his wand back at him, and he caught it with ease, before stalking angrily out of the room. Harry turned to Lucius.

“I apologize. He advanced on me first.” Harry said. Lucius dismissed Harry’s apology with a wave of his hand. “I came to see how Hermione’s doing. She hasn’t sent an owl as of late.” He said, unclasping his traveling cloak. Lucius appraised the young man.

“New robes, Mr. Potter?” he asked. Harry looked down at the sharp new green robes, and grinned.

“Yes, Mr. Malfoy. I’ve decided to embrace being a wizard. The muggles never did anything for me.” Harry replied. He was walking with an aura of confidence and grace that he hadn’t had previously, and it made Lucius suspicious.

“You’re speaking differently. Much more formally.” Lucius added.

“I found a few books on etiquette and speech in my godfather’s library. I was utterly bored.” Harry replied, looking quite pleased with himself.

“Hmm.” Lucius said, looking the young man over again. He shrugged off the suspicious feeling, and sighed. “Hermione is asleep right now, Mr. Potter. But I was just about to have a bit of a nosh, if you’d like to join me?” Lucius asked politely. Harry inclined his head towards his host.

“I’d be delighted.” He replied.

And so the blonde and the newly remade Harry Potter walked towards the tearoom, leaving Hermione and Cole asleep on the couch.

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*Steeples fingers* Weeeeeeelllllll, what have we here? Such intrestingess from all of the charries. I sees some plot off the starboard. Wellz, I do hope I sees some reviews froms my peeps. The plot bunniez iz so hungry, and they needs the review carrotz. LUVZ!!!