Chapter 1
Hermione sat across from Dumbledore in his office. "I'm not so sure about this Proffesor."
She squirmed a little in her seat.
"Miss Granger, you are one of the best students we've ever had. We cannot let you quit school so easily."
"I'm a year behind. I went to school for barley a month last year."
"But you've continued to study, and considering the results of the exam you took, you are well caught up with the other seventh years, even a bit ahead."
"Of course the other students will be talking about my sudden come back, and when they find out my...situation..." Hermione didn't exactly know what will happen, but she knew it's not going to be good.
"The other teachers and I have discussed this thoroughly, and we've come to the conclusion that, like any other news, something new will come along and take their mind of your situation."
"I don't know if I can handle this Professor."
"Miss Granger, you are strong-minded. It will be hard but I know you will get through this. In fact, it will make you even stronger."
"What about Harry, Ron, or Ginny?"
"Trust. They will surely be shocked at first, but in due time they will learn to accept."
"Hermione though about it for a moment, and took a deep breath. "Alright. I'll come back."
"Good, very good. Here, you're going to need this." Dumbledore handed her a small box.
"Hermione curiously looked at the box before opening it. She gasped and picked up the small badge. "Professor...I couldn't..."
"Miss Granger take it. You deserve it. I know how much you want to be Head Girl."
"Thank you." She breathed
Dumbledore nodded. "Now run along. The other students shall arrive soon, and also I believe she's waiting for you."
Hermione climbed the stairs to the Head tower. When she got to the top she saw three people standing in front of the portrait. She froze in place, scared to be seen. She felt tears fill her eyes. Oh god how she missed them, not seeing or communicating with them for a year. The raven haired boy suddenly looked at her in shock, and the two redheads quickly did the same. Next thing she knew the three were rushing towards her. She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist and lift her a couple inches off the ground. She wrapped her arms around him as the tears slid down her cheeks. "Mione" He whispered in her ear, and she held on tighter.
"I've missed you Harry." She whispered before letting go to give the two redheads the same attention. "Ron...Ginny."
Ron wiped away her tears. "Where have you been? We've been so worried about you."
"Especially since you never answered our letters. Why'd you suddenly disappear?" Ginny said, resting a hand on her arm.
"I...wait, what are you guys doing here? You should be on the Hogwarts express." Hermione said.
"Dumbledore had us come early. Something about solving an urgent matter." Harry replied 'Now are you going to tell us why you disappeared on us like that?"
"I..." Hermione took a deep breath. "Follow me" She entered the Heads common room, and saw Madame Pomfrey come out of a room.
"Miss Granger everything is all set in there. If you need anything, I'll be in the infirmary." She said before leaving.
Hermione looked at her best friends. "There's someone I want...well, need you to meet." She said before entering the room. She walked towards the crib and picked up the three-month-old baby girl. She turned around to show them, and saw their shocked and confused faces. "This is Aria Eve Granger...my daughter."
"What?" "How?" "Who's" Harry, Ron, Ginny all asked at the same time.
"She's the reason I left Hogwarts." Hermione said quietly. "As soon as I found out about her, I left without a second thought."
"Who's the father, Mione?" Harry asked. "Does he know?"
"No! He can not know."
"He should know." Ron interjected
"No!" Hermione yelled.
"He has the right. Aria can't grow up without a..."
"I was raped!" Hermione blurted out interrupting Ron. "He raped me and that was how Aria was conceived.
"Who Mione?" Harry yelled angrily. "Who is this arse?"
"I'm not going to tell you."
"Why not?" Ginny said sadly.
"You don't even know who he is and I can already see murder in your eyes." Hermione told to Ron and Harry.
"He deserves to be murdered." Ron yelled
"And have you and Harry sent to Azkaban? I don't think so!"
"She's right." Ginny said. "She doesn't need you two to be in Azkaban. She needs you here by her side and Aria's. We can't let her raise Aria alone."
Hermione smile gratefully at Ginny and mouthed her a thank you.
"I do wish you told us earlier. Being pregnant couldn't have been easy for you." Ginny continued.
"I know, I panicked." Hermione started to rock Aria as she squirmed. "I got scared."
"Mione, we would have never left you if that was what you were thinking." Harry put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, what he said." Ron copied Harry's action.
"I know that now." Hermione replied.
"Can I hold her?" Ginny asked holding out her arms.
"Of course." Hermione handed Aria to Ginny, showing her how to hold her right.
"Me next!" Ron said
"I don't think so. You two need to go down to the Great Hall. The Hogwarts Express probably already arrived. I'll stay here and keep these two company." Ginny exclaimed
"Come on, Ron. Let the girls have their girl time. Besides I know you're hungry and probably just complain later if you miss dinner." Harry pulled Ron out of the room.
Hermione saw Aria start to squirm some more, and indication she's about to cry. She took an already prepared bottle and handed it to Ginny. Ginny put it in the baby's mouth and studied her face. She felt her hand tighten around the bottle. "It's Malfoy isn't it?" She asked out loud
Hermione felt her heart stop at his name. "W-what?"
"She has blond hair just like Malfoy."
"Don't be silly. Plenty of people have that hair color."
"What about her eyes? They're exactly like his. I used to be crazy about those eyes, so I should know."
Hermione let out a sigh. "Yes, it's Malfoy. He's Aria's father."
"What do you mean Granger?" A cold voice said. Hermione looked at the door and saw Malfoy look at her in shock, and watched him move his eyes towards Aria.