Unplanned

October 8, 2003

The first few months were rocky at best.

Their time spent together typically ended in arguments. About names, about cribs, or about family traditions the child would follow as they grew up.

A wrong look from Draco would send Hermione off on a tangent, screaming about how much hated having him father her child. He would yell back, claiming she was less than ideal.

Accusations of blood purity were often thrown around, leaving Draco to scramble to defend himself while she burst into tears. He learned early on that her mood swings were worse than when they were teenagers with hormones running rampant on their bodies.

Their coworkers hated them, turning the other way or throwing up personal silencing spells when they saw one of them coming.

But on the morning of her eighteen-week appointment, they were a picture of agreement and healthy co-parenting.

They had both been waiting for this day since Granger dropped the bomb that she was pregnant with his child. His mother was convinced it was a boy like every Malfoy had been for centuries. Hermione argued that their child could be a girl, breaking traditions of blood purity and gender norms for the family.

Speaking of his family, both of his parents had taken the news of him stupidly knocking up a muggle-born better than expected. After the war, Narcissa had reconnected with her sister and was thrilled to have a grandchild she could dote on like she did her great-nephew. Lucius was less than thrilled, but offered his congratulations and promised to throw his galleons wherever needed to protect his grandson.

Their friends on the other hand were a different story. Potter and Weasel had threatened to hex him when Hermione broke the news, which left her scrambling to defend their drunken actions. Ginny and Pansy had both cried and then laughed at the fact that the "two smartest people they knew" had gotten pregnant by accident. The pair had then taken on an unspoken competition to see who could spoil the unborn child more. Blaise had just shaken his head and slapped him on the back before he wrapped both of them in hugs.

Theo was more insufferable than they had imagined. At first, he was shocked, amused they had even taken that part of his suggestion seriously. Then he practically gloated for weeks, as he claimed that he was the reason there was going to be another Malfoy heir. He offered multiple suggestions on how to thank him for guaranteeing the family line would pass on, but his personal favorite was that they should name the child after him.

However, out of all their family and friend's reactions, none of them covered how Draco felt.

Draco Malfoy was terrified at the thought of having a child. He was terrified by the fact that he didn't know if he could love a child. Terrified about raising a child to turn out different than he did. Either gender, he couldn't care less. He just wasn't sure being involved would be the way to give the child the best upbringing possible.

His anxieties about becoming a father were only amplified through the ultrasound. He swore if they put the doppler to his chest his heartbeat would be faster than the baby's.

"So, do we want to know the gender?" The healer asked, waiting on their confirmation.

They both nodded in agreement. Draco felt Hermione's hand reach down to intertwine their fingers. The more time they spent together, the more hands-on she got. He noticed her doing the same with her friends. A kiss on the cheek for Potter, a hug for Theo, stroking Weaslette's hair. He wasn't sure how he felt about the added attention. They had agreed to just be co-parents.

"Congratulations," the healer announced, the words breaking Draco from his thoughts. "It's a healthy baby boy."

Hermione groaned over dramatically as she leaned back to rest her head against his arm, a happy smile on her face. "Your mother will be insufferable when she learns she's right."

Draco nodded, shell shocked. It was a boy.

Hermione was pregnant with a boy.

A son.

His son.

Someone he could ruin like his father tried to ruin him.

He couldn't. He wouldn't ruin this baby as his father ruined him. He swore not to raise this child like he was. This baby, their baby, deserved better.