Note: Hi everyone. Sorry about not updating for a while. I've had a really busy week; I turned 20 last Thursday, so I've had a lot going on. Here's the next chappie. Hope you enjoy it. And thank you all for the lovely reviews. It certainly keeps me writing this story.swedegirl.
Chapter 4 – Yesterday's news
They walked in silence. The sound from their feet seemed to echo from the walls. All of them were asking the same question inside their heads; why did Dumbledore want to see them? Harry assumed it had something to do with Voldemort. What other reason could there be? He looked at Ron and Hermione and saw that they were both very pale. Ron appeared to be sweating. He wondered why, but thought no more of it, because they had finally reached Dumbledore's headquarters.
"Chocolate frogs" said Professor McGonagall and the magic gargoyle jumped out of the way, revealing the spiralled staircase. They went up it and Professor McGonagall knocked the door. It was opened by a smiling Dumbledore.
"Ah, Minerva… come on in."
They entered the office and, to their surprise found Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sitting in front of the headmaster's desk. Ron and Hermione exchanged worried glances. Of course they feared the worst. Ron almost freaked.
"Mum, dad, what are you doing here?"
"We were summoned here by Dumbledore. He said he had important news" Arthur Weasley said.
"And indeed I do" said Dumbledore. "Please, take a seat", he said to Harry, Ron and Hermione, and pointed at the remaining chairs in front of his desk. They obliged, while Professor McGonagall remained standing. He then retrieved a small paper bag from one of his pockets and held it out for them. "Lemon drop, anyone?" They all declined politely. "Pity, I do find them wonderful". He popped one into his mouth and then he moved around the desk and sat down in his chair. His face turned serious (even though the usual sparkle in his eyes never went away).
"I have sent for all of you, because I have received some news." He paused and looked at them. They looked back at him expectantly. "Two days ago I had the great fortune, or misfortune, it depends on how you choose to look at it, to witness yet another prophecy. A prophecy concerning the Boy-Who-Lived and his two closest friends."
Ron shifted in his seat and Hermione made a gasping sound, while Harry simply said: "And Voldemort, I presume?"
Ron jumped a little at the sound of the name. Even though he had finally started using the name, he still got the shivers hearing it. Dumbledore sighed.
"Yes, about Voldemort as well. I shall now recite the prophecy to you and I ask you to listen carefully"
It was now so quiet in the room; you could have heard a pin drop. Everyone had their full attention focused on the headmaster. He took a deep breath and began.
"Under the full moon, at the end of the fifth month, the Boy-Who-Lived shall bear his hand upon the darkest of powers, and with the aid of his beloved and betrothed two, he shall defeat the Dark Lord. And under the same full moon, when fifth month turns to sixth, the three shall become four."
The gathering in the room looked at Dumbledore with mixed emotions. Harry and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked utterly dumbfounded, while Hermione and Ron exchanged understanding glances. Harry saw Ron sneak his hand into Hermione's and he could have sworn he heard her mumble "I knew it was meant to be, I knew it". Did they know something?
Arthur Weasley was the first one who spoke.
"Does this mean that Harry for certain will beat You-Know-Who?" Dumbledore nodded. "And Ron and Hermione will be there to help him?" Once again, the Headmaster nodded.
"But I didn't quite understand that last part, about how the three shall become four. What does that mean?"
"I think Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger can give us the answer to that question." said Dumbledore and smiled at Ron and Hermione.
Hermione looked Dumbledore straight in the eyes. 'He knows', she thought. 'I know it's not even possible but he knows'. The Headmaster gave her a reassuring smile. She smiled back. 'It's all right, he's not angry' she thought.
"Now, wait just a minute here" Molly Weasley said. "What makes you think Ron and Hermione know anything about this?"
"I know they understood the meaning of the last part of the prophecy, because it is something that concerns only them."
Molly now turned to Ron and gave him a questioning, intimidating look. "Ron, what is he talking about?"
"Well…" Ron said, then turned red and stared at his feet. He didn't know what to say. He felt terrified to tell his mother the truth. 'She'll tear me to shreds, that's what she'll do. I can't tell her, I can't'. But then he felt Hermione squeezed his hand and he looked at her. She smiled and said: "It's all right Ron, it's meant to be, and they will understand. Besides, we had to tell them sooner or later anyway."
"Tell us what dear?" Molly asked.
Hermione looked at them all; Harry, Arthur, Molly. 'Let's get this over with' she thought. She took a deep breath and said: "I'm pregnant."
Note: Sorry about the cliff hanger. I couldn't resist. Chapter 5 will be up really soon though, so don't fret.