Snow Storm - D.M , H.G

34. The baby shower

The month of May was moving quickly for the expecting teens. Now that Hermione had begun to show her stomach seemed to grow more voluminous by the day, which became twice as difficult to hide as the weather turned warm, making it harder to keep her school robes in place to mask her growth. Naturally, it was a secret not meant to last, and pretty soon it was common knowledge that Ginny was not the only pregnant student of authority.

The scandal didn't last long. There had been too many similar discoveries this year, and Hermione's coming so late meant that the novelty had all but worn off. Post-war baby booms were being noticed all across the UK. Even the Daily Prophet had recently reported on the increase in maternity cases that St Mungos was faced with since last May.

After the announcement in the Prophet about their engagement, it was all too easy for Draco to locate a wedding planner to manage the affair. They spent one entire weekend interviewing potential planners, because Draco knew that Hermione was hesitant about having the wedding so soon, and he wanted her to feel like she was getting her dream wedding. She needed to trust that they would respect her wishes. It took some time, but they'd settled on a two-witch team who promised to make the affair exactly what she wanted it to be. Plans were officially underway.

Come the final weekend in May Hermione was already twenty-five weeks pregnant, which seemed like nothing compared to Ginny's thirty-six, but Draco would not recommend telling Hermione that. While Ginny was strutting around the castle as though being the size of a house had no effect on her, being the poster-witch for pregnancy, Hermione had come to realize that morning sickness was nothing compared to the last few months of expectancy. While she and the baby were stronger than ever, she'd never suffered so many unpleasant symptoms, and while many of them had easy fixes due to magic and potions, some were burdens she'd be forced to bear.

Draco did his best to be a loyal and doting spouse, which he figured he could use practice at. There was a slight slow in her sex drive, due to her sometimes not feeling up to the task, but he tried to keep her satisfied on those nights anyway. He had known that the pace they'd set at the beginning of the year couldn't last, but that didn't make him miss it any less. So instead he focused on their wedding and (mostly) their home, which still sat empty and lacking in any furnishings. He just hoped she would appreciate the surprise and not be mad at being excluded from the process.

The final Friday evening in May they sat with all the school Prefects in yet another meeting. Final exams were just two weeks away, and they'd all be going home, many for the last time, a week later. Last week they'd begun discussing an end of year party for the graduating students. For the first time in a long time their year hadn't been plagued by tragedy, and it truly was something to celebrate.

"I can't believe I'm probably going to have to miss it," Ginny said with a pout, holding her bulging stomach. She sat on the couch next to the Heads, her back against the arm and one foot tucked underneath her, which had fallen asleep several minutes ago from the weight. "James might be here by then."

Draco didn't fail to notice the brag in her tone. "Yes, yes, we all get it, you're very pregnant," he dismissed her teasingly. She shoved his shoulder, knocking him towards Hermione briefly. "As I was saying," Draco continued. "We've been approved to use the courtyard for the party from five to ten, the school elves will provide snacks, but this means nothing stronger than butterbeer can be served."

"Could we have the party in Hogsmeade instead?" A Ravenclaw seventh year suggested.

"We could, but that means someone has to secure a venue, which won't be free, nor would the food and drink, and it also means that whatever depravity you lot get up to will probably be in the morning paper," he answered her in warning. The Ravenclaw pursed her lips, not thrilled with the answer, but unable to look past the logic. "Listen, everyone taking their N.E.W.T.s this year is going to be perfectly of age to drink whatever they like. I for one don't plan on babysitting. Just don't spike any communal drinks. Alcohol consumption must be a choice."