Hello once again to you all!! Chapter four of The Unexpected Baby is finally here YAY! I'd like to thank all of my reviewers for all of their support and I hope you enjoy this chapter xxx

Disclaimer: I would be awesome to own HP but it shall never happen

The Unexpected Baby

Chapter Four: Not Now!

There was no need to be embarrassed, absolutely no need. This sort of thing could happen to any woman; she'd met quite a few in the hospital before so that was sufficient enough evidence. Even with this in mind Hermione's face glowed a spectacular shade of tomato red as everyone at the dinner table stared at her a Charlie.

"Blimey," said Harry who looked so dumbfounded that it should have made Hermione laugh, but didn't. Ginny chuckled silently at her husband and put her hand on his knee. The family members who didn't know about the situation had been invited over to a special family meal by Molly earlier on in the afternoon. She'd informed them that a unique announcement had to be made. Naturally Harry thought that it was going to be an engagement announcement as Ron had been speaking to him about popping the question to Lavender, but what he'd actually been told was something totally out of the blue.

"How'd you take the news?" Harry asked Charlie who was seated next to Hermione at the table. Charlie gave Harry a very sheepish grin and glanced at Hermione.

"I fainted," he muttered, he then turned to Hermione and said apologetically, "Sorry about that by the way."

"A baby? With him?" Ron stated in disbelief as he gawked from Hermione to Charlie and then back again. All Hermione could do was nod her head and feel the blush on her face deepen in colour. Charlie lapsed into silence with a rather happy look on his face which Ron had to admit was going to annoy him.

"How?"

"How do you think Ronald?" Hermione growled at him. That was the stupidest thing to ever say to a woman expecting a child, 'How'd that happen?' or something along those lines.

"This is unnatural," the youngest Weasley boy said in a voice which hinted at disgust. Hermione could feel her temper rising but before she could say anything Charlie spoke up.

"How is it unnatural? I a man and Hermione a woman are having a baby. Nothing in that sentence sounds unnatural."

"It does sound unnatural! You two barely know each other and now you're having a baby?" Ron sounded so mortified that it started to cause people at the table to blush in embarrassment for him. Charlie folded his arms across his chest and glared at his youngest brother.

"It's better her having the baby with someone she knows than with some complete jackass that won't support her and treat her right!" He made and fair point, if Hermione had gotten into this predicament with anyone else who knows what might have happened. She could have ended up with a man who she didn't know and who treated her badly by not supporting her or being there for her when she needed him the most. She looked at Charlie and felt a sudden rush of gratitude towards him. Even though they had both gotten into this mess, they were going to go through it together; she wasn't going to be alone.

"But...well...you're..." Ron stammered but when he failed to come up with a comeback to Charlie he shut his mouth and stared at the table.

"I think it's great!" Percy said suddenly. Hermione couldn't help but stare at the third Weasley brother in absolute shock. Usually he would have been the one to degrade a situation such as this and Hermione would have accepted that but this reaction was a total mind-boggler.

"You what?" she said disbelievingly.

"I think it's great. I can think no two better people to have a baby together." The silence which followed was so intense that Hermione could hear her own heartbeat.

"Well said son," Arthur piped in after a moment of dead quiet. Everyone turned to stare at Arthur who was now getting up from his chair to make his way round to Hermione and Charlie.

"Two better people I can't even think of. This baby is going to have some great traits don't you think? Intelligence from its mother and great sportsmanship from its father!" Arthur clapped his hands on both Hermione and Charlie's shoulder and beamed down at them. The essence of the jolly grandfather was strong within him and the prospect of having a third grandchild was just overwhelming to him.

"Not to mention that eet will be kind, friendly and loyal!" said Fleur happily as she too beamed at the expecting parents. Hermione's face shone an amazing shade of red as everyone started to get up from their chairs to go round to congratulate them. The only person who remained in his seat was Ron. As the family members congratulated them eagerly Hermione couldn't help but become confused. She was sure the reception to her news wouldn't have been welcomed so warmly. Images of cold shoulders and icy glares had appeared in her mind's eye but what was actually happening was totally different.

'This might just be the most understanding family in the whole world,' Hermione thought to herself as Molly hugged her tightly once again.


"What're you doing?" Hermione asked Charlie inquisitively as they both sat at the Burrow kitchen table. Charlie, who was writing furiously onto a piece of parchment, stopped and looked up at the woman who was slowly munching on a piece of plain bread.

"I have to write to the reserve to enquire about more time off. I saved up a bunch of holidays over the years and well I think I'm owed another two months. If I can get that I can be here with you until your 5 months!" he said cheerfully as he dipped his quill into an ink pot. Hermione stared at him casually and continued to munch on her bread.

"Are you really alright about all of this?" she asked suddenly after a moment of silence. Charlie stopped writing once again and without hesitation answered, "Of course I am."

"Honestly?"

"Yes I am. I helped create this...situation and I am going to be here for you." Hermione, although feeling grateful for his positive attitude couldn't help but also feel guilty. Potentially she was going to ruin his career in Romania. She was going to weigh him down in all of his dreams and ambitions, what sort of person did that make her?

"I hope you're not putting yourself down?" Charlie asked her seriously. She shivered slightly, had he read her mind or was her facial expression giving her away?

"I'm worried," she told him with a sigh. He smiled at her sympathetically, "Worried about what exactly?"

"About how I'm ruining your life," she answered miserably. Charlie felt his eyes widened slightly in mild shock. "Hermione you're not ruining my life. If anything you're making it more exciting!" Once again the look on her face must have given her away as Charlie started to chuckle.

"I'll explain what I mean later. Why are you eating plain bread?" he replied changing the subject. Hermione glanced at her half eaten slice and sighed heavily.

"It's the only thing my stomach is able to keep down at the moment."


Hermione emerged from her private bathroom in her office clutching her stomach. She sat down at her desk and brought out a piece of parchment from her handbag. On the parchment was a list of all the foods that were causing her to throw up and to it she added asparagus. With a glum look on her face she brought out a small bag of bread rolls from her handbag and started to eat the plain, dry and unexciting bread.

"You're going to keep it then?" asked Kelly who was sitting in the chair in front of Hermione's desk filling her nails unenthusiastically. Hermione stared at the women in astonishment; no one had asked her that question yet.

"Of course I'm keeping it, why wouldn't I?" she spluttered out, getting her head around her muddled thoughts. The day had been a particularly busy one. By lunch time she'd already saved seven human lives, diagnosed well over thirty patients and researched a pretty nasty potion which had to be given to a special care patient.

"I just thought that you wouldn't be the one for pregnancies out of wedlock," Kelly mused setting her nail file down and summoning a bottle of shocking blue nail polish from her bag back at reception.

"I used to be like that until this happened," Hermione told the receptionist as she broke a bit of roll. "The thought of termination did cross my mind for a fleeting second when I found out but I'm not that sort of person either. I honestly believe there is a better option than termination."

"Like what?"

"Adoption is a great example!" Hermione said enthusiastically. She'd met many young mothers who had opted for this and knew many happy couples who gained a child through this method. It brought a smile to her face to know that there were families out in the world for unfortunate or unwanted children.

"Wouldn't you do that?" Hermione stopped chewing for a second. She'd also thought about putting the child up for adoption however she knew that in the end she wouldn't be able to give up the child she'd carried for 9 months. Her medical and maternal nature told her that it would be impossible for her to give away her own baby.

"I thought about it but I decided against it."

"So you're going to be a single mother?" Kelly asked offhandedly as she painted her nails.

"I suppose I will be in a way. Charlie will have to go back to Romania eventually," Hermione said quietly, sipping on a glass of icy water. She'd never imagined herself to be a sort of single mother. She knew she'd have the Weasley and Potter family behind her but they couldn't help her all of the time. This was something she'd have to do by herself. Her long hours in the hospital would have to be reconsidered and she'd probably get a pay cut but she'd manage.

"Healer Granger," said a rumbling voice from the office door. Hermione looked up from her bread roll and locked eyes with Healer Kensington, another one of the senior consultants in the hospital.

"Yes Healer Kensington may I help you?" she asked politely. The bulbous and wizened old Healer looked at her through beady eyes and said in his rumbling voice, "You are needed on the third floor."

"What's wrong?" she asked, glancing at Kelly who was looking eagerly from her to Healer Kensington.

"One of your patients has started regurgitating his stomach lining," the elderly wizard stated importantly and then disappeared down the hallway. Hermione sighed and grabbed her wand but as soon as she stood up she felt a familiar and unwelcomed sensation in her stomach. She groaned and looked at Kelly.

"I don't think I threw up all of that asparagus, tell them I'll only be a moment," she said quickly as she grabbed her stomach and ran into her private bathroom where she proceeded to throw up the remainder of her lunch.


Hanging up her professional jacket Hermione sighed happily, she was finally back at home in her cosy flat. As she walked into the living area a familiar ball of black fur came racing up to meet her.

"Hey there Shadow," she said fondly as she bent down and scooped the tiny kitten up into her arms. Shadow meowed eagerly at her as if he were telling her all the fun she'd missed while she had been at work.

"Oh really...that's interesting," Hermione said with a laugh as the kitten continued to meow at her. Upon entering her kitchen she set Shadow on one of the kitchen chairs and went on to make herself some vegetable soup. Hopefully she'd be able to keep something like this down.

"Glad to see you're awake," Hermione said to the white cat, with grey paws that sauntered up to her as she poured her soup into a bowl. The cat meowed at her in a dignified sort of way and followed her as she made her way into her living area; she needed a softer seat than the ones at her kitchen table. Shadow excitedly jumped down from his chair and ran hurriedly after them. He jumped up onto the sofa beside Hermione and the other cat and settled down to watch his master eat.

"This feels great!" Hermione said aloud as she felt her tense muscles relax into the soft cushion and the hot soup heat the inside of her weary body. When she'd finished her soup she decided to get changed into her pyjamas. She didn't intend on going anywhere tonight and so she only thought that it was appropriate. Needless to say her cats followed her.

A little while later, as Hermione sat reading a novel an unexpected visitor knocked on her front door. Shadow immediately became animated, he was still young and became excited by everything, unlike the older cat that just couldn't have cared less.

"Who is it?" Hermione called out, marking her page.

"It's Charlie!" Hermione sighed in relief. She'd half expected it to be a message boy from the hospital bringing her some work to do at home. She got up from her comfy sofa and made her way to the door with Shadow at her heals. Upon opening the door Shadow ran out and started sniffing all around Charlie's trainers.

"Hey now who's this little fellow?" Charlie asked with a chuckle as he picked up the eager little kitten. Shadow sniffed his face once and then started to lick him.

"Oh that's just Shadow; he's a very energetic and curious little thing. Come in," she answered him with a light giggle at her little kitten. Charlie walked into her flat and entered into her living area. The mostly white cat merely looked at him for a second and then went back to relaxing on the sofa.

"Who's that?" Charlie asked as he tickled Shadow on the belly. Hermione glanced at the adult cat and sighed happily. "That's Socks don't mind her, she a very indifferent cat." She then motioned for Charlie to sit down and then went into the kitchen to make some refreshments.

"Wow Herms you're place is nice," Charlie called into her. She smiled as she poured herself a glass of apple juice and waited for the tea to brew.

"Thanks," she called back, "It's perfect for me really. It's got a big living area, fantastic master bedroom, cute little guestroom, lovely bathroom and a really cool kitchen." Once the tea was prepared she took the drinks and went to join Charlie.

"What's with the surprise visit then?" she asked politely as she scratched Socks on the head. Charlie who was still playing with Shadow took his eyes off the kitten and looked at Hermione.

"I got word back from the reserve," he told her, a flicker of excitement in his tone.

"What did they say?" she asked him, trying not to sound overly eager about the answer, she didn't want to be disappointed after all.

"I got the two extra months!" Charlie exclaimed joyfully. Hermione barely contained a squeak of elation as she said happily, "Oh Charlie that's wonderful!"

"I'll be able to be here for you right up until you're five months pregnant. How great is that? After that we'll just have to see what happens," the Dragon Keeper said proudly as he gave Hermione a hug. Just as she was about to say something back to him however a familiar and unwelcome sensation formed in her stomach.

'Not now,' she thought desperately to herself as she forcibly pushed Charlie away from her and stood up slowly. Charlie stared at her vacantly and then grimaced as he noted that her face had turned a light shade of green.

"Take your time," he yelled after her as she bolted into her bathroom. A second later all Charlie could hear was a fierce retching sound which caused him to grimace once again.


A/N: Well...what did you all think? Please review and tell me your thoughts :D xxxx