Baton Rouge

- 36 -

"Granger?"

Draco quickly wrapped his arms around Granger as she slumped to the floor.

He couldn't even blame her. Aside from being caught off guard that more people seemed to be involved in their schemes than he had thought, it was an even greater shock that Weasley had actually managed to get pregnant in such dark times.

Now, however, his attention was entirely on Granger, over whom he was hovering in concern.

"Get your fingers off her," Weasley shrieked, trying to pull him away from the brown-haired, unconscious witch.

"Ginny, calm down," Potter murmured, putting a hand on her shoulder soothingly. "He is not our enemy and Hermione trusts him."

Weasley didn't seem to care at all because her eyes were still sparkling with wild rage. Draco slowly let go of Granger, causing her head to sink to the carpet beneath her.

He would have liked to tell the Weaselette right in her face how much Granger loved having his fingers on her body, but he restrained himself. There was no point in starting an argument now. First of all, he needed to know what the hell was going on here.

Granger's eyelids fluttered and Weasley gently brushed her hair back from her forehead.

"Hermione, can you hear me? It's all right, you're fine."

Her voice had changed tone. Her eyebrows were drawn together in concern and a steep crease formed between them. Draco gave her a quick, appraising look. She looked good, even though the war and the Dark Lord's takeover had left marks on her face as well.

Draco hadn't paid much attention to Ginny Weasley when he had been at school - except maybe when she had gotten in his way on the Quidditch pitch. But he remembered her carefree manner. The honest laughter that had permanently adorned her sun freckled face. The woman who was now kneeling on the floor next to him was a completely different person. She had had to grow up far too quickly.

"Draco?" The whisper of Grangers voice made him wince as if she had yelled at him.

His first name. Again. Weasley paled and Potter raised his eyebrows as Draco bent over Granger. She blinked and without thinking, he reached out and gently cupped her chin.

"I'm right here. Sit up. Careful."

He put his arm around her once more and slowly helped her up. Slightly disoriented, she looked around until her eyes fell on Weasley again. She gasped softly and her arms reached out for her old friend. Draco reluctantly let go of her. The moment was over. His cheeks burned and he did his best not to look in Potter's direction, who had been watching the spectacle thoughtfully.

+.+.+

The small kitchen was suddenly quite full. There were only two chairs. Ginny had dropped straight onto one of them as soon as she had entered the room. Harry sat on the other, studying the current issue of the Daily Prophet she had brought with her.

Hermione, on the other hand, was leaning against the kitchen worktop. Her limbs were still shaking and her breathing was still slightly quickened. It really wasn't her style to burst into tears twice in such a short time, but the unexpected sight of her friend had caused her to stumble into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Malfoy was standing right next to her. She felt the warmth radiating from his body even though they weren't touching. She had a feeling he was worried that she would faint again, but Hermione was sure that wouldn't happen. At least for now - unless someone else showed up that she wasn't expecting.

Ginny's hand was on her baby bump, stroking it absently.

"He's late again," she cursed under her breath, glancing at her timepiece.