Pansy returned to Malfoy Manor, a little shaken up. No one had refused her up until now. Even Draco's father had fallen for her, why couldn't she get to his son.She entered the house and went up to her bedroom. She had to figure out a way to tell Lucius so he wouldn't be angry at her. But she knew he would be furious anyway. Maybe he would beat her before they went to bed. Lucius wasn't very predictable. She gave a little gasp as she entered her room. Lucius was on the bed, waiting for her.

"Where is Draco, Pansy? Where is my son?" Pansy stuttered.

"L-Lucius....I couldn't.....get to him. He loves that stupid mudblood!" Suddenly, she was talking fast. "I tried to seduce him, like you told me too, but he just wouldn't bite. He...he called me....a-" Before she could finish, Lucius slapped her across the face. She staggered, and suddenly Lucius was on top of her, hitting her and screaming at her.

"Pansy! I TOLD YOU TO GET THIS DONE! DIDN'T I TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO GET DRACO HERE!" Pansy screamed out for help, but Lucius put his hand over her mouth.

"If you scream for help, I'll do more than just torture you. You know what I'm capable of Pansy...DON'T drive me to do it." Pansy squirmed with memories, but she fell silent. Lucius got up off of her, and grabbed her by the arm.

"Now, Pansy, I need you to do something else for me. I need you to spy on Hermione. I have sources that say she's with child, but I can't know for sure unless you tell me. Do you understand? Can you do this?" Pansy nodded. Lucius smiled. "Good. Now, get into bed."

Pansy scrambled for the bed, eager to please her master. Lucius looked at her.

"Ahhh...my son. Soon you will realize...No One Messes With Lucius Malfoy."

******

Hermione moved slowly that morning, her stomach was hurting her that day. Draco promised to stay home and work the shop, and do little odd-jobs for Hermione. Hermione took the mending job, so she wouldn't be too strained. To help Hermione out with the shop, Harry sent over his daughter Sam to help. Sam was eager to please Aunt Hermione and Uncle Draco, so Hermione took Lily and gave Sam to her.

"Lily, let Sam help you with customers today. With the both of you working on that, Draco can keep a general eye out on the store. Please help her out Sam, and if you need help, just ask Draco, Lily, or myself. OK?"

"Yes Aunt Hermione." Sam was very eager to help with the shop. Hermione was even thinking about hiring Sam permenatly, if she did a good enough job.

The morning went very fast, without any disturbances. The only problem was, what was Pansy Parkinson doing hanging outside the shop? Hermione almost told Draco, but she deceided against worrying him further. He was already preoccupied about Cara, their baby. Hermione was glad they named her Cara. Cara in Italian means, Darling, or Dear.

Hermione hadn't told anyone, but word had spread through the employees that she was pregnant, courtisy of Sam. She meant no harm, but now the customers knew, which meant that Pansy knew to, as she was still out there, talking to departing customers. It was time to tell Draco.

"Draco?" Draco turned around. He had been restocking the racks.

"Yea?"

"Umm....I saw Pansy Parkinson outside the store a few hours ago." Draco's face darkened.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because I didn't want to worry you. But now I'm worried. Because....she knows I'm pregnant."

"How does she know?"

"Because my customers knew, and she talked to them. Naturally, they would want to spread good news about somebody."

Hermione immediatly regretted that she had said anything. Draco's look could kill people now, and he took Hermione by the shoulders.

"I don't want you out of my sight. From now on, you are to be on the lookout for anybody. I'm hiring security guards. But they'll be people I know, not strangers. I also don't want you talking to anyone you don't know. If it means you doing mending for awhile, so be it. But I won't lose you Hermione. I won't, and I'll make sure I don't."

Well? How was that?

Katie