Chapter 3

Hermione could feel the color draining from her face, but she still tried to deny her condition. "What would give you that idea, Professor?"

"Having had five children of my own, I began to recognize signs in your behavior. I have suspected it for the past few weeks. I knew that you were hiding something as I can tell that you have cast a charm on yourself, but I did not know for what purpose until I saw you walk out of class today. You're rather far along, are you not?"

Hermione could see that Harry looked mortified. She couldn't believe that she had not considered McGonagall noticing that she was using a charm, and she had not considered the fact that her professor was also a mother. Panic started rising and negative outcomes raced through her mind. "You aren't going to expel me, are you?" At the thought of losing everything she started crying.

"Hermione!" hissed Harry.

She looked down and saw that she had lost control of her Veiling Charm. Professor McGonagall could now see that she was very heavy with child, and Hermione saw a momentary look of shock on the older witch's face.

McGonagall came around her desk and offered Hermione a handkerchief. "When is the baby due?"

Hermione took the handkerchief. "O-o-over Easter," she sniffled.

McGonagall looked at Harry and saw the young man was now intently staring at his fingers. "I am incredibly disappointed in the two of you. I would have expected you to know better. Especially now." She sat on the edge of her desk. "Who knows?"

"Just the three of us," said Harry soberly.

"Well, there is about to be one more. We're going up to the hospital wing. Potter, help her." They started to walk out of the classroom. "Miss Granger, your charm?" she prompted.

Hermione was quite embarrassed that she had nearly walked into the corridor without recasting her charm. She found the walk to the hospital wing quite uncomfortable. It almost felt as though the baby was about to fall out, but she knew that wasn't possible. Harry had hold of her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

When they entered the hospital wing, McGonagall said, "Poppy, could you screen off a bed for privacy?"

"Of course. What's wrong?" the nurse asked.

"Not yet."

Poppy quickly screened off a bed, and once the four of them were in the enclosure, she cast a Silencing Charm. She watched Harry help Hermione onto the bed. "Now, Miss Granger, what seems to be ailing you?"

Hermione took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let go of the Veiling Charm.

"My goodness," Poppy said softly. Once she regained her composure, she said, "Lie back, my dear." As she began her examination, she said, "You should have come to me sooner."

Hermione asked in a panic-stricken voice, "Is something wrong with the baby?" She could feel Harry's firm grip on her hand.

"I haven't finished my exam yet. I was merely stating that it is good to be under proper medical supervision throughout a pregnancy, especially the first time."

Hermione watched nervously as the matron cast several diagnostic spells and physically examined her belly. She dreaded hearing that something was wrong with her child.

Finally, Poppy finished and smiled. "Both you and the child are perfectly healthy. You're due in a few weeks, aren't you?"

Hermione nodded. "Middle of April."

"That's about right. The baby has dropped recently, hasn't it?"

"Just a little while ago. Does that mean I'm going to give birth soon?"

Poppy patted her hand reassuringly. "It's hard to tell. It could be days, or it could be weeks."

"Weeks?" asked an incredibly disheartened Hermione. She felt like she was getting ready to burst, and the prospect of being pregnant for weeks more was not something she was looking forward to, even though the rational part of her mind knew that her due date was still two weeks away. She had hoped that since the baby had dropped, it meant that

she was nearly done.

"I know it's difficult, dear, but it's really for the best. The baby will come when it's ready and not before. Now, I want you to take it easy, make sure you are getting plenty of rest. You look quite tired. I assume you will be staying here to give birth?"

Hermione looked at Harry for several seconds. Finally, he nodded. "I will," she replied.

"Then I'll set up a private room for you. When you think you are going into labor, come see me."

McGonagall interrupted, "I think it would be best if Miss Granger were to move into that room now. And you will be excused from classes."

"But, Professor…"

McGonagall raised a hand to quell further argument. "I will see that you are given your assignments. I can see that the charm you have been using to conceal your condition has taken a lot out of you. I won't have you doing that anymore. You are to take care of yourself, is that understood?"

"Yes, Professor," she replied meekly.

"I'll have your things sent to your new room." She turned to leave and paused. "One more thing. That will be ten points from Gryffindor for each of you and a detention. Miss Granger, you will serve yours once you return to class."

"Yes, Professor," they replied in unison.

"I'll come study with you," Harry said once they were alone.

"What are they going to tell everyone?"

"I don't know. Hopefully, they'll let me come up with something. I'll make it something contagious to keep the visitors away." He kissed her softly.

"I think we need to tell Ron and Ginny. It isn't fair to keep this from them anymore." She didn't really want to, but they had a right to know, and she had been putting it off for far too long. Odds were, this would ruin the friendships she and Harry had with the two of them. That was why she had waited this long, she knew that Harry needed Ron to help with the Horcrux hunt, which was, thankfully, almost over.

He held her tightly. "I know. Let's wait until after the weekend. I think that Ron and I are closing in on a Horcrux."

"I suppose a few more days won't matter, will it?" She still couldn't help feeling guilty, but this was bigger than her and Harry. It was important to the wizarding world that the Horcruxes be found, she rationalized.

"No…"

Pomfrey entered the enclosure. "I have your room ready, dear." She and Harry helped Hermione to her feet. "If you need anything, just ask. The house-elves will bring you anything you need, or they'll fetch me. Don't be afraid to call me, even in the middle of the night."

"I won't." She cast the Veiling Charm for what she hoped would be the last time before they walked out of the enclosure and down the hall. When they entered the room, she was surprised at how light and airy it was. There was a large bed with bright yellow bedding, and next to it was a bassinet. The dresser, changing table and rocking chair were all painted white. Next to the fireplace was a cozy sitting area, and through a doorway she could see what looked like a garden. Overcome with emotion, she could feel the tears streaming down her cheeks. "It's—it's lovely."

Harry wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace.

Pomfrey said, "We want you to be comfortable. That veranda is screened so that no one will be able to see you if you sit outside. When the weather is warm, I encourage you to go out and walk. Moving will make you feel better. I'll check back on you later this evening."

Harry led Hermione to the sofa. "Are you okay?"

She wiped the tears from her face, ashamed by her display of emotion. "I'm fine. This is just so wonderful."

"Other than the fact we have detention."

She laughed at his glib comment and leaned into his chest. "That's true. And you'll bring my assignments by?"

"I'll spend as much time here as I can. Did you want me to stay with you now?" He held her tightly.

She knew that he had class and that it might look suspicious if they were both absent. "No. I'll be all right. I think I'll lie down and get some rest."

After giving her a lingering kiss, he said softly, "I'll come by after class."

Once Harry was gone, she rubbed her stomach. "Well, little one, we have a nice new home." Looking into the dresser drawers, she found that they were filled with baby clothes and could feel the tears forming in her eyes. She had ordered a few by owl post, but that was the sort of package that she had feared would draw too much attention. She had intended on having Harry sneak out of the castle to purchase more things, but now that would no longer be necessary.

Harry and Ron returned to Hogwarts' gates battered, bruised, tired, and in Harry's case, singed, but they had with them a Horcrux to be destroyed.

"Thanks, Ron. I don't think I could have done it without you."

"No worries. You know I'll always be there for you. Anything you need, just ask."

Harry felt incredibly guilty for what he was doing to Ron. For his own selfish reasons, he had not yet told Ron that Hermione was forever out of his reach. He looked at the ugly burn on his arm. "I think I'm going to stop by the hospital wing." Ordinarily, he wouldn't have bothered, but he was eager to see Hermione and let her know there was only one more Horcrux left.

Once in the castle, he and Ron parted ways. Entering the hospital wing, he was surprised that Madam Pomfrey did not come out of her office to see who was there. He walked back to her office and found it deserted. It was still early enough that she should have been there. Suddenly, he thought of Hermione. What if something was wrong with her?

He rushed out of the room, down the hall and burst into Hermione's room to hear her screaming out in pain. Rushing to her side, he placed his hand on hers, noticing that her bed had been transformed into what he assumed was a birthing bed. "Is she all right?" he asked McGonagall.

McGonagall wiped Hermione's brow. "She's fine; she's just in labor."

"Labor? You mean she's going to give birth?" He couldn't believe that this day was here, and that he had nearly missed it. "How soon?"

"Not soon enough," Hermione grunted. "How much longer?"

"It's hard to say, dear. First children can be stubborn," Pomfrey said.

"I got the Horcrux," he said softly, hoping to distract her from the agony she was in.

"That's good," she panted.

"How are you doing?" He took the damp cloth from McGonagall and tenderly patted the beads of perspiration from her forehead.

"I've been better."

He handed her a glass of water for her to sip. "It'll be over soon."

"I hope so." She gripped his hand tightly as she had another contraction.

It was his burnt right hand that she was holding, and he was reminded of how painful it was, but for her sake, he clenched his jaw shut and refused to cry out in pain. Whatever pain he was feeling was minimal compared to what she was going through.

"When did it start?" he asked once she loosened her grip.

"She started pushing about twenty minutes ago, but started feeling contractions about sixteen hours ago," McGonagall replied.

"You can do this," he said to her in an encouraging voice.