Prove It Chapter Thirteen

Disclaimer-I do not own Harry Potter, I simply borrow the characters as my playthings and return them to J.K. Rowling in less than mint condition, albeit a satisfied condition, ha-ha.

Chapter 13 Grace from Rome

Draco sighed as he shrugged out of his door when he got home. He had only been working at the Ministry for a month, yet he felt he had been there for ages. Sometimes he considered just quitting and helping Hermione run the bookstore she was going to open in Hogsmeade. At first, Draco was surprised that she wanted to start the business, especially since he thought she’d want to get a job at the ministry too, but he supported her in her decision.

Hermione and he had only been married for nearly two months, and every day had been a new adventure. He however wasn’t excepting the new adventure that was waiting for him when he got home that Thursday evening. As he walked into their bedroom to change out of his work clothes and into some jeans and a jumper he found something strange waiting for him on the bed. Laying there were small pair of socks that looked like they could fit a doll.

“What the hell,” he wondered aloud, picking up the socks for closer inspection. Under the socks was a small square envelope that had his name written in Hermione’s neat handwriting. Tearing it open, he found a card that was bright yellow and green with little blocks on the front. He opened up the card and read the note. “Dear Draco, what would you like? A boy or a girl? Love from Hermione.”

Draco stood in shock before running through the house calling Hermione’s name, finding her in the study, curled up on the loveseat with a book on her lap. She looked up in surprise as he bounded in the room.

“Oh, you’re home. How was work?” She asked, trying to act nonchalant.

“We’re having a baby?” Draco asked breathlessly. His heart was beating faster than a hummingbird’s with a combination between excitement and fear. He wasn’t sure he was ready to be a father. Of course, he’d be a better father than his dad was, but what if he screwed up?

“Yes. I just found out today.” Hermione said, face lit up in joy. Draco picked her up and spun her around, chanting that they were going to have baby.

The next eight months were a roller coaster, with mood swings and cravings. Draco was amazed he was still alive; sometimes Hermione looked five seconds away from casting the killing curse on him. As her due date drew closer, they argued over names, they didn’t find out the sex as they wanted to be surprised. He wasn’t sure whether he wanted a boy or a girl. He would love a little girl that he could spoil senseless, but at the same time he would love to have a boy who he could play Quidditch with, although he could do that with a girl as well.

But then, finally, the big day arrived and their baby graced the world with its presence. At that moment, Draco didn’t have a care in the world. When he held his baby girl in his arms the first time, it was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

She had wisps of light brown hair at the top of her small head and eyes just like his. Her finger barely wrapped around his as she clasp onto with amazing strength and stared at him in small wonder.

“We still haven’t picked a name,” Hermione commented as she stroked the baby’s head lightly. She looked up at Draco in question. “What do you think?”

“Anita Roma Malfoy. Grace from Rome.” Draco said thoughtfully, mentally going over a list of names he had seen in the name book the other day.

“Anita Roma? It’s perfect, just like her.” Hermione said with a smile. She kissed the infant on the forehead. “Welcome to the world, Anita.”

There was a knock at the door before Ron, and the recently engaged Harry and Luna walked in. Luna cooed over the baby after she asked to hold it, exclaiming that she couldn’t wait to have one of her own.

“Can I hold her,” Ron asked, awkwardly holding his arms out to Harry, who was currently holding her. Harry passed Anita over carefully and he maneuvered his arms so he could properly support the head, a smile forming as she gazed up at him. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is.” Draco agreed, although he felt biased. “Ron, I’ve been thinking. Would you like to be her godfather?”

“Me? I, uh, really?” Ron stammered, face red with embarrassment. He quickly recovered. “I would be honored to.”