Hello lovelies!

I am back with another chapter as promised! I'm not 100% sure when I will next update, but expect sometime in January for sure. I'm going to try my best to post weekly until I finish the story. I also have ambitious goals of reaching chapter 40 in my second original novel by the end of January as well. Wish me luck lol.

Please leave a review and let me know what you think x

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Disclaimer: As always, Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the story line and any OC's belong to me

Saturday, October 2nd, 1999

Potter Manor

Harry James Potter gingerly entered the Foyer of Potter Manor, trying to make as little noise as possible. His hand was still clasping the doorknob as a raucous scene unfolded; Hermione's angry shouts affronted his ears. Harry was stunned. He didn't dare move, afraid that her ire might turn on him if he made any sudden movements.

Harry had gone over to the Greengrasses's last night for supper, and the meal was drawn out into the wee hours of the morning. Conversation easily flowed, as did the drink, and plenty of nibbles and small desserts were continuously served. Thus, Missus Greengrass insisted her future son-in-law stayed over for the night.

To be respectful, Harry borrowed a guest bedroom, although Daphne snuck into his room within minutes making his chivalrous gesture moot. Neither of them slept as well without the other nowadays. This morning, he'd taken a Pepperup potion, washed his face, pulled back on his clothes from the previous night and come home. Daphne had trudged back to her own room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

The sun had barely risen. Harry thought he was being considerate by not causing a commotion upon re-entering his home. However, it seemed the whole household was already awake, or they would be shortly.

Draco was at the bottom of the grand staircase, arms folded over his chest, hair rumpled, and looking incredibly displeased. Hermione was leaning over the railing, a chair overhead, hair undulating around her, and sparks of magic crackling in the air around her.

Harry wondered if it was possible to creep back outside unnoticed.

"Bloody hell, witch. It is seven in the morning. What could I have possibly done to warrant you throwing furniture at my head?" Draco scowled. He threw his arms outwards, pointing at the debris spread across the floor in front of him. He kicked the broken leg of another chair.

"You wanker! You know exactly what you did!"

"Fraid not, love, I have no idea," Draco yelled back. "Anytime you wish to regain the good sense that I know you have, so you can explain it to me, would be greatly appreciated!"

Harry took a step to his left, intent on retreating, but the floorboard underfoot creaked. Harry muttered a curse as Hermione turned her wrath-filled eyes on him. Awkwardly, he raised a hand in greeting. "Morning family. Don't mind me, pretend I'm not here."

"Where have you been?"

Harry's life flashed before his eyes. He chose to err on the side of truthfulness and caution because he wanted to save his hide, and not get skinned alive by Hermione's anger. Harry knew Hermione wouldn't actually harm him, but she looked ready to flay someone.

"Daphne's. I went over for dinner, and Missus Greengrass asked me to stay overnight—"

"Did you have sex?"

"What—"

"Harry James Potter, answer the question."

"Yes," Harry stammered.

"Did you use the contraception spell?" Hermione asked bluntly, her tone deceivingly pleasant. A sweet smile overtook her features and she lowered the chair to the ground beside her. Hermione braced her forearms on the railing.

"Yes," Harry responded, his face burning. He adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"At least someone around here did," Hermione said primly. Her gaze swung over to Draco, carefully regarding him.

Draco's brow furrowed. "The fuck is that supposed to mean, Hermione?"

"You tampered with my contraceptive potion, you prat!"

"I did no such thing," Draco snapped. "Why in Salazar's name—wait…"

Draco's eyes rounded and he stared at Hermione, mouth agape. All Draco's anger fled. He went as white as a ghost, and a greenish hue tinged his skin. "Are you—?"

"YES!" Hermione screeched shrilly. In an instant, a porcelain vase was in hand, and she hurled it at him. Draco ducked out of the way and wandlessly caught it before it hit the floor.

Internally, Harry was freaking out, outwardly he couldn't move a muscle. Shock had overtaken his system.

Hermione stormed away.

Draco straightened out, stiff as stone as he watched her leave.

Sirius appeared on their right, cautiously approaching with his wand at the ready. "Blimey. What is going on so early in the morning?" Riley was close on his heels and she placed her hands on Sirius's shoulders as she took in the field of broken furniture covering the Foyer.

"Hermione's pregnant," Draco deadpanned.

"Oh is that all—wait, fucking what?" Sirius asked.

"She must not have brewed the last batch of her potion right…I was distracting her…" Draco said in a daze.

Sirius shifted to stand in front of Draco, stepping over the detritus between them. Riley was rooted in place, jaw dropped.

"Hermione's pregnant?" Sirius asked. He snapped a finger in front of Draco's face, but his fellow pack member was wholly unresponsive.

Riley glanced from one wizard, to the next, to the next, and repeated the process several times before she rolled her eyes. "You lot are useless. I'm going to go check on her." Riley huffed out a sigh, rubbing her hands across her rounded belly. "Poor thing is probably freaking out." Riley made her way up the staircase—one hand braced on her lower back, the other on the railing—heading after Hermione.

"Poor thing?" Draco snorted, his astonishment thawing. "I would be wary of any flying, inanimate objects. I'd forgotten she likes to throw them when she's angry."

"I think that special treatment is reserved for you, mate," Sirius chuckled.

Draco gave him a droll look. "Very funny, Padfoot."

Footfalls echoed down the upstairs corridor and Remus appeared, eyes wide as he took in the state of the foyer. "What the fuck is going on?" Remus gestured at the mess encompassing them.

Harry swallowed thickly, his words gruff as they came out. "Hermione's pregnant."

Draco pushed open his bedroom door and found Hermione curled up in the middle of their bed facing away from him. Draco shut the door and quietly approached the bed. "Love?" Draco prompted as he crawled onto the bed. He gently laid down behind her, his body curving around hers. Hermione's hair was thrust upwards, her nape exposed. Draco placed a soft kiss to the back of her neck. Hermione scooted backwards, and Draco took that as permission to wrap her in his embrace. His hand interlaced with one of hers.

Several elongated moments passed. Hermione traced absent patterns on their sage green sheets.

"We're having a baby?" Draco asked, his voice hardly a whisper.

Hermione twisted in his arms to face him. The pair re-adjusted their positions so their legs were entangled, her hands were resting on his chest and Draco's arms were thrown over her waist, his fingers moving up and down her lower back.

"We're having a baby," Hermione said, eyes glistening. She drew in a shuddering breath. "I'm sorry for throwing a vase at you."

"Not the two chairs and the side table?" Draco asked.

"Nope," Hermione smiled feebly. She played with his jumper collar, casting her eyes downward. "I know we said we would start trying after the wedding…so, we're a bit ahead of schedule."

The initial shock had worn off, but it only sunk in at that moment. Hermione was pregnant.

Almost to himself, Draco repeated, "we're having a baby."

Hermione bit her lip. "Are you happy?"

"Indescribably so," Draco replied without a moment's hesitation. He kissed her forehead and reached up to tuck some of her untameable curls behind her ear. He cradled her face tenderly. Hermione Potter, the love of his life, the witch who set his magic ablaze, whose soul was in synchronised harmony with his, was carrying his child.

Neither of them voiced aloud that the timing wasn't great. Draco was meant to start performing his Wizengamot duties within the next couple weeks. They were opening an apothecary. Potter Manor had finally fallen into a comfortable rhythm.

Draco stroked Hermione's cheek. Drinking in the intoxicating scent of vanilla, chamomile and her. He could do anything as long as she remained by his side. "Screw the plan, Hermione. We'll figure it out. We always do."

A mischievous grin spread across Draco's face, a hint of smugness tugged at his lips. Hermione frowned. "What's wrong with you? Why are you smiling like the Cheshire cat?"

"We should push up the wedding. December sounds marvellous, doesn't it?"

Hermione groaned, jabbing him in the chest in annoyance. "I knew it. You wanted a winter wedding this entire time."

"Yes," Draco replied unabashedly. He nudged her nose with his, "you've uncovered my master plan."

Hermione scowled and pinched his side. "You are so hilarious, you know that, right?"

Draco laughed, euphoria filling him. They'd have to inform Cissa as soon as possible so she could adjust their timeline accordingly.

"You love me," Draco said.

Hermione's expression softened, her hazel eyes glowing with copper flecks. "I do. I really do."

Draco brushed his lips against hers. "You're going to be an amazing Mother, Hermione."

Hermione toyed with the hair curled at his nape, pressing closer to him. "We are going to do a brilliant job." Draco slipped his hand beneath her jumper and splayed it across the dragon inked on her back.

Silence lapsed between them. Hermione cleared her throat. "I did go a bit overboard with the furniture didn't I?"

"Don't worry, love. Remus and Sirius got it sorted. The Manor will be back to normal by the time Tonks wakes up. Oh, and Harry and Riley are making breakfast."

Hermione moaned. "Please tell me bacon is involved, bacon sounds amazing right now."

Draco shook his head in amusement. "I'm not sure, love. And if not, I'm sure some can be arranged."

"Sounds heavenly. We can go down shortly. I just—I want to stay here for a bit, I need to process the fact that we're going to be parents."

"And Riley's expecting…" Draco trailed off.

The unspoken sentiment drifted between them. Almost two decades after Harry was born, the rest of the Marauders were having kids of their own. It was bittersweet. Their children would never know James's laugh or Lily's tender touch. They would never feel Charlus's pride wash over them, or experience Dorea's wit firsthand. They would always be able to witness their memories, but it's not the same.

The unsealed bond between Draco and Hermione glowed brightly and warmed their chests. The couple pressed their foreheads together. They would never forget their past, and their departed loved ones were still with them. So, they would simply take it one day at a time and bravely stride forward into the future.

I have had this chapter written for MONTHS, but I was struggling to finish the last chapter, either way, HERMIONE'S PREGNANT! Exciting times. Selfishly, like Draco, I am keen to write about a winter wedding. So look forward to that soon!

I would also like to mention that the story has officially hit 4k reviews, and that is CRAZY, and utterly bizarre. I never thought I'd see the day when this story would have 4000 reviews on it. THANK you all so so much for continuing to read my works and have faith in me x

Hopefully, I will be able to publish at least my first novel sometime in Spring next year, at least that's the goal, but we'll see.

You are all the best, and again, stay safe my lovelies and happy new year! May 2024 be good to all of us!

Indie x