Chapter 6: School, Pregnancy, and Harry

Soon after her complication Hermione returned to her old Hogwarts life. This year she had an apartment-like dorm at the top of Gryffindor Tower that had been sound-proofed for her use when the babies were born. The magical refrigerator in the corner was always full of food for her to eat if she were hungry. If she wanted something that wasn't in it, all she had to do was wish for it, which she found highly convenient. Best of all, Harry and Ron could come visit her from time to time without having to worry about the stairs and falling on their asses.

Sighing contentedly, Hermione soaked in a warm bubble bath with the light so low it was nearly dark in the warm, humid bathroom. She glanced down at her five-and-a-half-months-pregnant belly and nearly groaned out loud. She knew she wasn't as big as she thought she was, but it still wasn't helping matters. She was definitely showing a bit now, although most people had just decided she'd put on weight, which she had. She'd gone from 111 pounds to 116 already, which Pomfrey said was perfectly fine, that it was normal for women to gain weight during pregnancy.

Every Friday after school was out for the weekend she had to go get a check-up on her pregnancy with Madame Pomfrey. So far the scare on the train had been the only complication with her babies, for which she was grateful. The twinges in her abdomen hadn't entirely gone away, but Pomfrey instructed her to just take things easy and make sure she took her special potions at lunch everyday.

A knock on alerted her that someone was waiting for her to come to the door. She heaved an aggravated sigh and called, "Who is it?"

"Open up, Mione, it's me!" came Harry's response.

"Just come on in, Harry. I'm not getting out of my bubble bath, even for you," she told him jokingly.

"How're my three favourite girls?" Harry asked, leaning down to give her a gentle, chaste kiss. The first time he had said that, Hermione had been confused because she didn't understand that he was already including her two unborn girls.

"I dunno about them," she laughed, "but I feel as big as a boat."

"Ah, but you still look so gorgeous, Mione."

"I look like a pear on legs!" she protested weakly, grabbing a handful of soap bubbles and flinging them at him.

"Hm, I always did like pears," fibbed Harry as he kneeled on the floor next to the tub and began to give her a back massage.

"You liar!" she giggled, flicking some more soap bubbles on him. In return, Harry grinned evilly at her.

"That's it! You're in for it now!" he said. He picked up a big handful of bubbles and threw them on her.

"I'm already soapy and wet, mister, so fat lot of good that did!" she said triumphantly. Her hazel eyes sparkled and danced in the dim lighting.

"Alright! You asked for it!" came a muffled reply. A minute later Harry returned in nothing but a pair of swim trunks on. He leaped into the tub beside her, slipped, and nearly fell.

"I asked for it?!" she repeated incredulously.

"Well…give me a minute," Harry said, rubbing his hip slowly.

The entire time since Harry had walked in Hermione had stayed sunken well below the bubbles; only her head had been showing. Quietly she used a transfiguration spell to transfigure her wash cloth into a swimming suit since she wasn't entirely comfortable lying naked in front of Harry, even if there were bubbles covering her.

Without warning, Harry suddenly launched his attack against Hermione, tickling her ribs thoroughly until she screamed for mercy. Soapy water and bubbles flew everywhere, soaking the floor and making it inevitably slippery. The teens splashed and screamed, unaware of what they were doing. Finally the drenched couple staggered out of the tub and accio-ed a couple of large, fluffy towels.

Harry made it out the door and into the living room without incident. Hermione, following behind, didn't. He turned around to say something, but the words flew out the window as he watched what happened. Time seemed to be in slow motion as he watched Hermione take a misstep, slip, and fall. He was already slipping towards her before her first cry of terror of fear reached his ears.

"Shh, Mione, it'll be okay," he said, trying not to sound as panicked as he felt.

"Harry, what about the girls?" The words were barely out of her mouth before her eyes widened and she clutched her abdomen, whimpering in pain.

"Here, take my hand. That's it," said Harry as he helped her to stand. Then he gently picked her up.

"Harry!" she yelped in fright, "Put me down! I don't want to fall again!"

"Take it easy," he crooned at her, putting as much comfort into the words as he possibly could. "I'm not going to drop you or let you fall again."

By this time they had reached Hermione's bedroom, where he placed her gently on the bed before he turned on his heels and ran back the way he had come from.

"Harry!" she cried fearfully. "Don't leave me! Come back, I need you!" Her words only echoed on the stucco walls and ran hollowly in her ears. She was all alone; he had abandoned her in his own fright.