Surprise

10 Weeks

In the cozy confines of their shared apartment Narcissa, now ten weeks pregnant, battled with the woes of morning sickness, finding herself confined to their bathroom more often than she would have liked. One particularly morning, Narcissa's pale complexion betrayed her discomfort as she hunched over the toilet, Hermione hovering nearby, concern showing on her face.

"Honey, are you alright?" Hermione's soothing voice filled the room, a tender hand rubbing circles on Narcissa's back.

Narcissa groaned in response, her stomach churning with each wave of nausea. "Just the usual," she managed between dry heaves.

Hermione fetched a damp cloth and gently wiped the sweat from Narcissa's brow, her heart aching at the sight of her beloved in distress. "I wish there was something I could do to help," she murmured.

Narcissa offered a weak smile, her fingers intertwining with Hermione's. "Your presence is more than enough," she whispered, finding comfort in Hermione's support.

Throughout the week they found out, that ginger ale seemed to be the only thing to lessen the constant nausea. Hermione placed a sixpack of them in the bathroom for moments like these.

“Here Darling, drink some. I’m going to make you some light breakfast okey? Just meet me at the table when you’re ready.” Narcissa smiled, took the bottle, and led it to her lips.

The relief was instant and after a couple of minutes the older Witch was steady enough to stand up and get ready for Breakfast.

Meanwhile Hermione finished preparing the food and was going though the Mail. She was ready a letter from Draco. He wants to come by this Wednesday afternoon for some tea.

“Narcissa your son wants to have tea together here on Wednesday. What do you think?”

Together, they made the decision to withhold the news from Draco, until the pregnancy reached its twelfth week.

“It should be manageable. As long as we stay here, we should be able keep our little secret hidden.”

Wednesday afternoon Draco arrives punctual as always. Narcissa seemed to be doing better than the days before.

As Draco animatedly recounted his recent exploits as an Auror, Narcissa's stomach churned uncomfortably, a surge of nausea overwhelming her. With a sinking feeling, she realized she couldn't hold it in any longer. Before she could excuse herself, her body betrayed her, and she rushed to the bathroom, the sounds of retching echoing through the apartment.

Draco's voice faltered as he watched his mother flee, concern etched into his features. "What's wrong with Mum?" he asked, turning to Hermione for answers.

Hermione hesitated, her mind racing as she grappled with the weight of their secret. But with Narcissa's condition laid bare before them, there was no turning back. Taking a deep breath, she met Draco's gaze, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

"Draco," she began, her words measured. "There's something we need to tell you. Narcissa is pregnant."

Hermione excused herself and followed with concern Narcissa. She found Narcissa hunched over the toilet, her breaths shallow and laboured, her complexion ashen.

"Honey, I’m coming in" Hermione’s voice was laced with concern as she knelt beside Narcissa, gently rubbing circles on her back.

Narcissa offered a weak smile, her fingers trembling as she reached for Hermione's hand. "Nothing new," she murmured, her voice strained with discomfort.

Hermione's brow furrowed with worry as she helped Narcissa to her feet, guiding her to the couch where she could rest.

As Draco absorbed Hermione's revelation, a mix of shock and disbelief flickered across his face. He struggled to process the news, his mind racing with questions and concerns. Slowly, he turned to face Narcissa, his expression a tumultuous blend of emotions.

"Mum, is this true?" Draco's voice wavered slightly as he sought confirmation from Narcissa.

Narcissa met her son's gaze with a mixture of apprehension and tenderness. She nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Yes, Draco. It's true," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Draco's features softened as he took in his mother's vulnerability. Despite the shock of the revelation, a wave of warmth washed over him, accompanied by a surge of protective instinct. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked, his tone gentle yet tinged with hurt.

Narcissa sighed, her shoulders sagging under the weight of guilt. "We wanted to wait until we were sure everything was okay," she explained, her voice tinged with regret. "We didn't want to worry you unnecessarily."

Draco nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. He reached out, enveloping his mother in a comforting embrace. "I understand, Mum," he murmured, his voice filled with reassurance. "I'm just glad you're okay."

As they held each other close, a sense of unity settled over them, their bond strengthened by the shared revelation. In that moment, they knew that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together as a family.

After the heartfelt conversation with his mother, Draco bid them farewell, his mind still swirling with the news of Narcissa's pregnancy. As he made his way home, a mix of emotions flooded his thoughts—surprise, concern, and a newfound sense of responsibility. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Draco felt a newfound determination to support his mother and her partner through this journey.

Meanwhile, back at their apartment, Narcissa and Hermione retreated to their bedroom, the weight of the day's events still heavy on their minds. As they prepared for bed, the air was tinged with a mix of exhaustion and relief.

Narcissa settled onto the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the floor as she wrestled with her thoughts. Sensing her unease, Hermione sat beside her, offering a comforting touch.

"Are you alright, love?" Hermione's voice was soft, filled with concern as she reached for Narcissa's hand.

Narcissa sighed, her fingers intertwining with Hermione's as she leaned into her embrace. "I'm just... overwhelmed," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Today was... a lot."

Hermione nodded in understanding, her heart heavy with empathy. "I know, darling," she murmured, her voice gentle yet reassuring. "But we'll get through this together, I promise."

As they lay together in the quiet of their bedroom, Narcissa and Hermione found solace in each other's presence and they drifted off to sleep.