Disclaimer: Do I always have to put this? JKR owns this, not me.

Chapter 7: Three's Company

Harry stared at him with surprise. "Are you serious?" He asked. "Why?"

"Well," Ron started, "it was-" He stopped as Hermione came into the room.

"Ron?" Hermione asked, entering the room. "Who are you talking to?"

Harry looked at Ron and back to Hermione. "Um, he's talking to me, Hermione."

A smile intruded on her face. "Harry? Is that you?"

"Sure is," he replied.

She held out her arms. "Well, come over here and give me a hug!"

Harry did as he was told, hugging her tighter than ever before. "I've missed you, Hermione."

"I've missed you too, Harry." She paused letting him go. "Well, Ron and I were going out to dinner, you want to come with us?"

Harry looked over to Ron who gave a nod of permission. "Sure that would be great."

The three reunited friends sat in the Three Broomsticks like they had done so many times in the old days.

"So, Harry," Hermione asked, "what are you doing here?"

Harry sighed. "I came to give you guys some interesting news."

"What kind of news?" Ron replied.

Harry took a deep breath. "Ginny's pregnant! I'm going to be a father!"

Hermione squealed with joy and locked the boy next to her in a hug. "Congrats!"

"Okay, it's cool that I'm going to be an uncle," Ron said. "But the fact that my best friend impregnated my sister, it's kind of awkward."

"I know, man," Harry replied. "But, can't you at least just be happy for us?"

"I am, dude. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Ron," Harry said sarcastically.

"I really mean it."

"Okay."

"Change of subject, please," Hermione said.

"Hermy," Harry started, "why did you leave?"

Ron kicked Harry from underneath the table.

"Ow!" Harry yelled at his best friend.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked.

"Ron kicked me!" Harry said.

"No, I didn't!" Ron shouted.

"You did!"

"I was trying to get you to shut up and not ask a stupid question!"

Hermione sighed. "Don't get mad, Harry. Ron just knows that I don't want to talk about why I left. As I've already explained to him, I was planning to tell you guys when I felt that it was safe and right."

Ron and Hermione said their goodbyes to Harry before heading back to Hogwarts. They entered the Gryffindor common room and sat at their usual spots. Ron glanced over to the mini trio's corner. "Geez," he said, "there's only one chair between them."

"I think the secret might come out soon," she replied.

"I think so too. I wonder what will happen."

"Whatever happens, it's better than hiding it all her life." Her voice was solemn, Ron knew that she was talking about herself more than Helen. "At least then Ricky will know how she feels and she won't spend her whole life wondering how her life would've been different ."

Ron sighed. "Maybe he likes her too. And maybe he won't spend his life wondering what would happen if he tells her. Maybe he won't wonder if she would be like she is today if he had told her."

He looked over his best girl friend as she sat silently. He kept thinking that he understood what she was talking about. That they knew secretly all along what the other was talking about.

"Um, I think I'm going to get to sleep," Hermione said. "I'm not feeling too well."

"Are you okay?" Ron asked, helping her up.

"I'm fine, I just think I ate too much. I'll see you tomorrow."

Ron stared at the ceiling as he tried to fall asleep. What was all that talk about earlier? He thought. Were we both trying to say the same thing? Was she saying that she regrets never telling me? Was she trying to tell me about why she left?

There was a creak as his bedroom door opened. He sat up and stared into the darkness. "Who's there?" He called.

Hermione approached his bed carefully. "It's just me," she said.

He held out an arm to her, grabbing hold of her and sitting her down next to him. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine…" She hesitated, sighing and hugging him. "It just hurts!"

He was taken aback. "I thought you said you weren't suffering."

"I'm not physically."

"Then what is it?"

"It hurts knowing that I'll never be able to see again."

His grip around her tightened. "You will."

"Oh please, Ron," she sighed. "There are too many curses to know which one they used. And we may never find it."

"You can't give up hope."

"Can I stay here tonight? I don't want to be alone."

"Sure thing." He paused thinking over his decision. "Um… Herms, I have to tell y9ou something…"

AN: Dun dun dun! Sorry, a moment of immaturity. Anyways, please R&R!