To Save the Life of a Mudblood

Chapter Nine

A Slight Change of Heart

Hermione met Draco in the library as promised. She could tell he was aggravated by the way he was pacing before the fireplace and muttering under his breath.

"Malfoy, are you sure you're okay," she asked, interrupting his fierce mutterings.

"Granger, I didn't see you there..."

"I noticed."

"What did my father have to say?"

"He told me his little plan, to deal with your lovely ex-wife."

Malfoy laughed at that.

"I bet your laughter put a dint in his pride," he muttered snidely.

"Actually, I think it's a good idea... at least it is the best we can come up with on such short notice and with the situation we are in."

"Are you being serious, Granger?"

"Yes. I only asked for time to tell my friends before he went to the Prophet."

Draco couldn't help but stare at the witch standing before him. He had never expected her to be willing to help him out of this mess... even though it was because of her he was in this in the first place.

As if she had read his thoughts, she began speaking.

"It's my fault that you ended up with this mess. If I hadn't been so... stupid as to have read an unknown spell out loud, then you wouldn't have had to come to my rescue and this entire mess would have been avoided. The least I can do is help you fix it with most of your reputation still intact.

"I don't know if I have said it, but thank you, Draco, for saving me that night," she ended in a near whisper.

"You're welcome, but... I... thank you, for helping us out," he mumbled, unsure of anything else to say.

"What are we going to do about Astoria?"

"I have no idea, Granger."

"You father said you might be able to convince her to postpone an outing until the Ministry Gala. What do you think?"

"I don't think she will agree to stay hidden away in the Manor until then. If I go with her, that might give her enough hope to keep quiet."

Draco sat down heavily in an armchair by the cold fireplace.

"She's on her way here now. I will try what you said. I will escort her to the ball, then we can deal with the baby issue tomorrow. I think she will be pleased enough that I am going with her to keep it quiet for now."

"Well, that's a start. Your father seems to think that she may not be pregnant... and if she is, that the baby isn't yours."

"There is a spell that we can use to tell for sure, which I intend to perform as soon as she arrives, but if she is, it probably is mine. She was a virgin on our wedding night, and I really doubt she would have had time to find a lover, we were hardly apart the time I was there and I haven't been back long enough for her to get pregnant, and actually know, so, if she is... I think there is a good chance it is mine. We didn't use any form of contraceptive... as much as I disliked her, I did want children," he admitted, blushing slightly at the information he had disclosed.

Hermione sighed.

"Well, then we will figure something out..."

She was interrupted by the appearance of Narcissa Malfoy.

"Oh, Hermione! Lucius just told me of your little plan! Wonderful! This will work out perfectly! Now, quickly, before Astoria arrives, we need to get you fitted for your gown for this evening! I wish we had time to pick out something new for you, but we will have to work with what we have! Come, we can have Kipsy tailor one of the gowns I haven't worn yet to fit you!"

Hermione was confused.

"What are you talking about? Why do I need a dress? Wait, this evening? But I'm not going. Draco is taking Astoria."

"Yes, and Lucius is taking you!" the older woman gushed.

Hermione just stared at her new mother-in-law.

"What?" she asked, sure she had heard Narcissa wrong.

"I'm not feeling up to a large party and it is unseemly for a married man to attend a party like this alone, so you shall go with him."

"Are you sure it wouldn't look wrong for a married man to attend a party with an unmarried witch?"

"Nonsense, everyone knows you have been working on our library and he is old enough to be your father. Everyone will assume he wanted to be seen in public with someone of such high standing... come now, it wouldn't be that hard to think that of my husband. Trust me, people will just think he is very wise to form such a well-to-do connection, then when we come out with your and Draco's relationship, they will understand that he was just escorting his daughter-in-law to insure that Astoria didn't pull anything. It is perfect! Now come along so we can find a dress for you!"

Hermione followed Narcissa numbly, completely unsure if this was such a good idea. As she passed Draco, she couldn't help but mutter, "Your mother has lost her mind."

She saw the blond man smirk before rolling his eyes and turning to the stack of books on the table.

"I'll see you this evening, Granger."

Malfoy only had a few moments before a house elf entered with a rather pale Astoria in tow.

"Master Draco, Miss Greengrass to see yous, sir."

Astoria aimed a glare at the house elf for the use of her maiden name then turned to Draco.

"Draco, thank you for reconsidering. I am so very sorry for by abysmal behavior the other morning. I was just shocked, and had just found out about our baby. I wasn't in the right state of mind. I do hope your father will forgive me for the hex."

Draco sighed.

"Honestly, I have no idea, but more than likely not, seeing how you are now blackmailing my entire family. I don't understand, Astoria, you should know I wouldn't abandon a child of mine, why do you have to use this as a bargaining chip?"

"Do you honestly think I want to deal with being pregnant, having a child, all of this and not be married? I would be the laughingstock of the wizarding world!"

"Are you really pregnant?"

Astoria gasped.

"How can you ask that? Even I have my limits!"

"I have yet to see them. Now answer the question."

She drew out her wand and cast a spell on herself. A pale blue light glowed around her midsection.

"It's a boy," he whispered.

"And yours, I swear on it."

Draco felt the whisp of a spell, signifying the Wizarding oath she had just taken. Well, that answered his other question.

He clenched his jaw as he stared at her stomach, watching the light fade away. He really was going to be a father.

"I will take you to the ball tonight, but please, wait to tell anyone. So many times, a pregnancy doesn't end well... I would rather be sure that we will actually have this baby before I announce it to all of my friends," he told her quietly, watching her face.

"I understand... of course I will wait. I knew you would do the right thing, Draco, darling," she cooed at him.

He couldn't help but think the right thing would be taking the baby out of her and putting it into another witch, any other witch... perhaps a witch with brown hair and chocolate colored eyes...

Draco snapped back to the present.

"Perhaps you should rest before this evening. Mother always said the early weeks of pregnancy are so tiring."

"She was very right, Draco. I'll see you later on, then."

With that she turned and exited the library, humming a lullaby.

~*~*~

Narcissa Malfoy was a woman on a mission. By late afternoon, she had turned Hermione into a sight to behold. The older woman had an assortment of beautiful gowns and dress robes. She ran through many before selecting the palest blue, long flowing gown that now adorned Hermione's body. It sunk just low enough to hint at a rather ample bosom, but was hardly indecent. She had silver strappy heels and a silver cloak. Kipsy had done wonders with her hair. It was sleek and shiny. She wore it pulled up on her head, curls cascading down her neck.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Hermione couldn't help but ask again.

"Of course! Now, let's hurry... we want you and Lucius to arrive before Astoria and Draco."

Hermione still had misgivings about this, but she had to admit, a part of her enjoyed dressing up and acting the part of a queen... something she knew she would do quite often if she remained Mrs. Malfoy.

Hermione and Narcissa made their way to the top of the grand staircase that lead to the entry way of the Manor. She noticed that Lucius, Draco and Marcus Flint were at the bottom, talking rather heatedly, but they all stopped when she began to descend the stairs.

Lucius Malfoy wore a look of shock on his face she had never seen before, though he quickly hid it behind his trademark smirk.

"So, you can tame that hair of yours, Miss Granger. I never would have believed it," he drawled.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at her escort.

"I see the same thing cannot be said for your tongue, Mister Malfoy."

"Oh, I assure you, my tongue is not what you should worry about," he murmered silkily.

Hermione caught herself blushing before turning her gaze on Draco. The younger Malfoy's eyes were burning with something she thought she recognized as desire, but she really couldn't be sure.

"You look... nice, Granger," he remarked.

Her heart sunk. Nice... lovely, what a comment. She pasted a smile on her face.

"Thank you, Malfoy."

"Nice? Mate, you need to work on your compliments. You, my dear, are breathtaking," Marcus told her, bending over her hand to brush the faintest of kisses against her knuckles.

Hermione nearly giggled at the prim and proper actions of the Pureblood wizard. She saw Draco's jaw clench at the action and had to wonder what was going through his mind.

"We really must be off before Astoria and Daphne emerge," Lucius told her, taking her hand and placing it in the crook of her arm. "We will see you later, Draco, Flint."

The older Malfoy led her to the Apparition point located in the massive gardens, then pulled her into nothingness.

They arrived in the immaculate foyer of the Parkinson's home. She recognized the pug face of Pansy as she looked on in shock at seeing the venerable Head of the Malfoy family with Hermione Granger on his arm. Hermione couldn't help but smirk at her old school mate.

"Careful, you are starting to act like a Malfoy, my dear," Lucius whispered in her ear.

"What can I say, you're a bad influence on me," she whispered back.

He just patted her hand and led her into the spacious ballroom.

Half an hour later, the Flints and Draco arrived with a rather smug looking Astoria permanently attached to the younger man's arm. The sun was just starting to set and the party was in full swing. Malfoy and the younger Greengrass made their way into the grand hall just as the sun sunk into the horizon. Hermione began to feel agitated.

"Are you quite alright, Miss Granger?" her date asked in an undertone.

"Yes, it's just a little warm in here," she replied, swaying slightly on the spot.

"Perhaps some fresh air will help."

Lucius led her towards the large French doors that led out to a grand balcony. Hermione nearly stumbled as the room began to spin. She could feel her pulse race. She realized this felt eerily like the other night, but there was no full moon tonight, so why...

Suddenly she felt a jolt go through her. She gasped and leaned heavily onto the man next to her as the moonlight hit her. She felt his arm go around her to steady her and she could hear him speaking but couldn't make out the words. She glanced up at the sky, the moon round and swollen, but not a true full moon, then all hell broke loose.

~*~*~

Draco entered the ballroom, wincing at the high pitched tone Astoria's voice had taken sometime during their entrance. It was as if she wanted the entire hall to notice them. He caught sight of his father and Hermione in the open doorway leading out onto the deserted balcony. He realized how beautiful she looked, silhoueted by the moonlight. His pulse started to quicken as he watched her. A surge of emotion welled up within him. She was his. Every inch of her was his to do with as he pleased. Without realizing it, he began walking towards her. He was brought up short when she leaned into his father. He watched as his father placed his arm around her and led her out into the night. His father leaned over to whisper something in the witch's ear and Draco Malfoy saw red.

A/N: Mwahaha!! Who loves cliffies??? lol... Sorry if this felt a bit rushed, I may go flesh it out a bit, but two of my kids are fighting (they need a nap) and I really wanted to get this finished before the baby woke up to eat again... I thought it got the important parts out... this was annoying and a filler more than anything, something that I needed to get me to the juicy parts.. lol.. who wants to see Draco hex his dear daddy? Or maybe something else... guess you'll just have to wait!! Thanks Kady and olgameisterfunk (did I get that right? lol) for your help! Good beta's are so hard to come by... I feel blessed!