Married by Law

Chapter Seventeen: Showers and... Showers?

"Ginny, I don't want to move." groaned Hermione, as she sat on the couch flipping through channels. The fiery redhead glared at her.

"Hermione, it's bad for the babies if you remain stationary!" snapped Ginny.

"Gin, I'm having one baby. And what the hell is bed rest then?" replied Hermione, averting her attention back to the television. It was the first week in August and it was hot. Hermione was 31 weeks pregnant and did not want to move, at all. She usually only moved to go to the office, her work. Contrary to the receptionists belief she did not start out as an intern, but as an assistant. She would have been a healer, but turned it down because of her pregnancy. Sadly her own healer had recommended she take off work when she got to 32 weeks.

"Hermione Jean Granger Malfoy." shouted Ginny.

"Gin, why is it so important that I move!" asked Hermione.

"Because of the-" she stopped short, leading Hermione to raise an eyebrow.

"Because of the what?"

Ginny faked guilt. "Fine. We're throwing Draco a belated birthday party, and we don't want either of you here. So it's my job to get your ass out of the house in, shit five minutes."

Hermione laughed. "Why didn't you just say so? I'm up. Just, let me change."

Hermione returned in two minutes, wearing a brightly colored, floral print sun dress and white flats.

"God, I'm a bloody whale." mumbled Hermione as they braced the heat. "Fuck it's hot out here."

"Here, Mum taught me this. I was always hot during my pregnancy, even in bloody April." Ginny waved her wand and Hermione felt a cooling sensation.

"This is marvelous!" gasped Hermione. Ginny laughed and nodded.

"So have you and Draco came up with any names yet?" asked Ginny. Hermione nodded.

"We've narrowed it down to three." replied Hermione as they walked into a nearby cafe.

"Which are?" asked Ginny excitedly. Hermione smiled, rubbing her belly.

"I love the name Audrey, Draco loves the name Gemma. My Mum also suggested Grace, from my late Grandmother." revealed Hermione.

"Oh! I love those names! They're so pretty!" giggled Ginny. "I really want a girl. But who the hell knows."

"Well Draco and I were both surprised when it was a girl. I mean, Malfoy lineage has been dominantly male."

"And pureblood. Marrying you rattled the entire cage!" snorted Ginny. "Speaking of, have you even told his parents yet!"

"They already knew." sighed Hermione. A waiter came by and took their orders.

"What? How?"

"I'm assuming the ceremony back in May. Draco and I took pictures together."

"Did they...flip shit?" whispered Ginny, her face shocked.

"Well...kind of. They went ape shit then Narcissa kind of thought the idea of a grandchild was brilliant. She quieted down and suddenly was very interested. Lucius is still not too happy. Well, I'm not entirely sure. I don't talk to them." sighed Hermione. The waiter returned with their lemonades. Hermione took a large gulp.

"Wow, did Draco go bananas right back?"

"Oh yes. All up in their faces, screaming and shouting about how they couldn't change it." said Hermione, taking a bite of her noodles. Ginny nodded. The girls chatted and ate for the next hour, before they dubbed it time to return.

"Act surprised." hissed Ginny as they walked up to Hermione's house. She laughed and opened the door. She walked into the house, grinning as the huge blast of air con hit her. Suddenly she yelped. People jumped out from everywhere. They screamed surprise, which scared Hermione to death.

"Ginny, you said this was for Draco." hissed Hermione, clutching her heart. She was laughing though. The redhead lifted up one of her sons from the playpen and shrugged.

"You wouldn't move your arse." The group laughed. Among the crowd Hermione noticed her parents. She walked over to them and hugged them tightly.

"Hello Mum! Dad!" grinned Hermione.

"Hello pumpkin. You look wonderful. Have you chosen names yet?" inquired Jean eagerly.

"Aba bababa!" tutted Ginny, running over. "No spilling. It's for a game later."

Hermione simply laughed. Suddenly she felt hands around her waist. "Hello love."

"Hi! Aw, did you plan this for me?" gushed Hermione, kissing Draco on the cheek.

"Actually, it was Harry. I guess him and Ginny never had a proper baby shower because they came so early. So he planned this! Two months before you're due, to be safe." explained Draco. Hermione smiled none the less.

"Well it's brilliant." said Hermione, kissing his cheek. She spotted a black haired man and careened over toward him. She kissed his cheek and hugged him.

"Thank you." whispered Hermione. Harry grinned and hugged her back.

"It's the least I can do." replied Harry. Hermione smiled brilliantly. She felt someone tap on her shoulder and turned around. Her face didn't fall but her mental barricades went up.

"Narcissa, Lucius." greeted Hermione. The older blonde woman smiled at her, kissing her cheek.

"Hello darling. How is the pregnancy going? Draco said it's a girl. A girl Malfoy." Narcissa laughed. Hermione smiled, rubbing her belly.

"Yeah. Only two months left until our little girl is here. I cannot wait."

"That's lovely darling. If you don't mind, I'm going to go talk to Draco." Narcissa kissed her cheek before scurrying away. Lucius didn't even cast her a spare glance.

"Was that who I think it was?" inquired Ginny, coming up behind her. Three month old James clung to her. Jonathan was, presumably, with Draco. They had became quite a pair.

"Yeah. He didn't even spare me a glance." muttered Hermione darkly. However, she continued her night with fun. Finally, just before gift opening, it was time to announce the possible names.

"Alright here goes. For names I like Audrey." started Hermione.

"And I love Gemma." interjected Draco. He grabbed her hand.

"But my Mum suggested Grace."

"So those are our three choices." concluded Draco. There were shouts of indignation and cheers of good guessing. Hermione took a seat on the couch, beside Ginny and Draco. They sorted presents and began opening. After opening the twenty or so gifts, the Malfoy's had a crib, car seat, literally tons of clothing, a highchair, a baby tub, and lots and lots and lots and lots of diapers.

"God, can we build a castle of diapers?" inquired Ginny as she stacked them in the soon to be nursery. Hermione simply laughed.

"That would be a riot." sniggered Draco, as he laid out the clothes. He held up a onesie and looked at Hermione.

"Mia, is she really going to be this tiny?" His voice was worried.

"Babies are typically small." replied Hermione, amusement in her voice. He shook his head at her sarcasm.

"We're gonna hit the road. Jonathan is dead weight and James in on his way." said Harry, poking his head into the room. Hermione nodded, walking him out.

"Thanks again Harry. Really, I mean it. Love you." bid Hermione. He kissed her cheek.

"It wasn't a problem. Oh, I meant to tell you this. Ron sends his love. He's sorry, he's currently in some tropical island. He'll be home next week to give you your gift." Harry left then, leaving the Malfoy's to their own devices.

WORD COUNT: 1216