Chapter 1 – "Merlin's pants!"

"BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP"

Hermione Granger woke with a start, and realized that the noise was just her alarm clock. Turning it off, she slumped back into the comfort of her bed. Remembering the past day's events, Hermione decided she would just sleep for the rest of the day.

"Hey Lavender," she called out in a feeble voice across the dormitory, "I don't feel well. I think I'm going to stay in bed today."

"All right, Hermione," said Lavender. "But are you okay? I'll have Madam Pomfrey -"

"NO!" Hermione quickly responded. "That won't be necessary." She didn't want Madam Pomfrey to find out…

Her mind quickly wandered to what had happened yesterday. She and Ron had been at it in the Astronomy Tower while everyone else was in Hogsmeade. This wasn't their first, and with each time, Ron was getting better and better –

Well, never mind the gory details. They had needed a nice and private spot for their one-year anniversary, so Harry and Ginny had suggested the tower. Geniuses, those two, Hermione had thought to herself. As soon as they got changed and were headed towards the Gryffindor common room, Hermione felt something different inside of her. It was like a new weight to carry. But strangely, it came from her gut, from her lower abdomen, to be more exact. And that's when she realized it. She was pregnant…

Hermione shivered at the thought of it. What was to become of her schoolwork? Would she become an outcast? What would happen to her neatly planned-out life? But Hermione pressed on, forcing herself to recount the past day's occurrences, as if to force herself to believe it.

She didn't know how she knew, but she did. Maybe this was like the sixth sense of witches. Whatever the reason, she was positive, but she didn't tell Ron. Just not yet, she had thought. Wait for the opportune moment.

Groaning with pain, emotionally and physically, Hermione curled up in a ball on her side. This was the first time in her life that she didn't have control; she didn't have the remote; she wasn't wearing the pants; however you want to say it, Hermione Granger had lost control of her life.

"Hermione's not feeling well today," explained Lavender Brown, his ex-girlfriend. "She's going to sleep in."

"But-but…" stammered Ron, "doesn't she need to go see Madam Pomfrey? Should I call McGonagall?"

"I already asked her that," replied Lavender briskly, "but she said no. Flat-out refused."

"Oh." That was odd. It was unlike his girlfriend to skip classes for a whole day just to sleep, he thought. Since boys were not allowed in the girls' dormitory, Ron called up the spiral staircase. "'Mione? 'Mione, you okay? Hermione? Hermione?!"

A muffled groan escaped from one of the rooms.

"It's fine, Ron," Hermione's voice was weak. "G-go away."

But Ron wasn't so easily convinced. She had been acting weirdly ever since –

"Merlin's pants!" breathed Ron. Was Hermione – no, she couldn't be – but – "HERMIONE! Get down here!

"Harry!" Ron stopped his friend. "Something's wrong with 'Mione, and I can't get up there –"

"Accio Hermione," Harry pointed his wand towards the girls' dormitories.

Hermione came speeding down the stairs.

"Harry! Don't –" but her frightened eyes met Ron's concerned ones, and she began to cry. Harry, sensing that he need not be there, quietly slipped away.

"Er, 'Mione, ah, er…" Ron awkwardly patted his girlfriend's back. "What's wrong? C'mon, you can tell me."

Hermione's lips moved, but no words came out. She looked as if she were petrified.

"Didn't quite catch that, love."

"I'm – I'm," Hermione spoke, but once again was hindered. Smoothing her hair, Ron said,

"'Mione, whatever it is, you can tell me. You know that, don't you?"

A/N: This is my first fanfic, so please be kind. :D