Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following characters; they're all the property o J. K. R.
Note: This story has been posted as a one-off on , for a competition. Here is the originally intended version, and a better one, as things will be explained in a more detailed way.
Chapter 1- Gonna have to tell him tonight
September was coming to a close. The past few days had desperately been clinging to the remnants of the summer. The sun kept shining, while the trees were changing their seasonal colours. It was a time for enjoying what was left of the light, before darkness crept up upon the students and teachers at Hogwarts. But Hermione Granger had too much to think about to be enjoying anything. Sitting on her bed, watching the leaves falling outside her window, she was deeply troubled. She couldn't understand how it had happened. They had been so careful, especially she. She couldn't afford to risk anything like this happening, being made head girl and all. But there was no doubt about it, she had checked and double checked and the signs were all there.
Hermione had seen the first signs a few weeks ago. Every morning she was overcome with an awful nausea. At first she thought she was just ill and went to Madam Pomfrey to get something for it. But it didn't help, she was still sick and only in the mornings. Then it hit her, what was really going on, but she tried to deny it. There was no way it was possible. Using the Room of Requirement, she read all the books she could find on the subject. It was then she realised she was late, that she had put on a little weight and she could now link her sudden strange cravings for various foods. When it finally dawned on her, that this was in fact real, she became distraught. What was she going to do? What would her parents say? And how on earth would she tell Ron?
Ron… there was no way he'd be ready for something like this. He was too immature, too childish; he was definitely not ready for such a responsibility. Or maybe he was, maybe she was underestimating him? She didn't think he'd handle it well though, she was sure he was going to freak when he found out. She had to tell him, but how? And what about herself? Well, that was already decided, there was no way she was giving this baby up. She had already started loving this child, and even if her situation seemed desperate, she would find a way to solve it, she had to.
Ron had quidditch practise right now. He should be back soon. Hermione decided to go to the library for a while, to find something relaxing to read. And the next time she saw Ron, she would tell him.