orokid: Hey! Wanted to get the next chapter out quick, before I leave on vacation- so don't stop reading this! Please? Please! ((Bows at your feet and grovels)) I beg of you! ((Shifts eyes, laughs nervously and gets up)) Uh… I didn't do that…

ANYWAY! Lol.

I was bored out of my mind really, and I just thought that maybe you guys would like another chapter or something. So… yeah. That's the whole real reason I began to write this. Lol.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything that has to do with him. I'd like to, but where in the name of Hell would that get me? And, besides, I would be Pumpkin Pie all the way, and not this whole "love-hate" relationship JK Rowling's trying to do… ((Grumble, grumble, growl)) Heh heh… back to what I was saying…

I should start writing now, huh?

Chapter Seven

The world seemed to go slower that usual for Harry and Hermione that following morning, and Harry, who seemed used to this, knew exactly what was occurring outside of the walls of Saint Mungo's. All around them, despite the fact that the blinds had been folded and closed around them, causing the outside world seem black and unknowing of what was within, he could hear cameras, clicking with hopes that the curtains would sway just a moment to see the couple who had, so obviously, graced the front page of the Daily Prophet.

And he had know that only because it had been delivered to his hospital door that morning, when the country of England was just getting out of their, excuse the American slang, 'jammies' and of bed. Of course he had been up, since he had become a man who fell asleep without him forcing himself to was less often than a phoenix would explode in flames, recreating itself into a new bird. And, considering that the occurrence of that happening every once in a blue moon, it was very often he found himself awake. Besides, the night before had been the first time he and his beloved- the girl who was pregnant with someone else's child (and to love that was amazing in itself, since people usually try not to fall in love with pregnant people)- fell asleep in his hospital bed together, her snuggling into him and quite possibly having the best sleep in her life, from what he figured since she didn't want to move off him when the paper had been scooted under the door. He had to use that 'accio' charm that she had taught him the year before, and to catch it without her waking had been a troublesome time in itself.

Somehow, he had accomplished his mission and she still lay fast asleep beside him, dreaming of dreams he was hopeful to be a part of. It didn't really matter, to tell the truth, but he would've liked to be a piece of her own dreams since she so often found her way in his own. It had been surprising just what he had found in the papers that morning, when he had fully opened up the magazine stylized newspaper, looking at the front page with wide eyes.

There he was, kissing Hermione so softly that any claim, no matter how wrong it was, seemed to be right. To the public, he was her child's father, and, to tell the truth, he wanted to be more than anything, but… there was that little fact where it had been Ron's violation, and that he was her baby's parent- not Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. Not Harry Potter, the man who wanted to be it's father.

Slowly, his eyes got to reading, his bottom lip bitten in frustration and nervousness.

THE TRUTH IS OUT!

By Rita Skeeter

The infamous Boy-Who-Lived, who hasn't publicly stated whether or not the child of his said best mate (possibly girlfriend, and I only say this because I do not wish to get into further trouble with the Potter boy), has now given away his secret. Although he has sworn not to say anything that should truly be told to the public of the wizarding world, it is more than truthfully shown in the picture above.

Harry personally did not want to look at the picture again, but it was there. He and his best mate (well, Rita was right in this case, since she had just become his girlfriend the night before), Hermione, were looking back towards the camera, looking towards the one who had taken the picture with shock. Now, they seemed to be covering their faces, although the damage seemed to be done. Their faces had already been seen, and the world had seen them kiss each other so sweetly that it seemed as if nothing mattered other than each other.

And, at the time, nothing else seemed to matter than the one he loved that had been in his arms.

Continuing to read, he readied himself for a worse outcome.

I know that you, the people of this fine world we had created separate from the muggle world, are probably wondering just why this secret has been kept from us. Well, I believe that Mister Potter, no matter how he is feeling, seemingly safe in his hospital bed, he will get visited by yours truly for the scoop of the century. It is my own promise.

But… why did the couple feel that they must keep this a secret from us? It is true that I, Rita, had seen them in the same home, possibly living together, but I do admit now (for insurance purposes) that I did not know for sure. But now I do, and I ask for answers, much like you people do. Is it because they're afraid for their child's welfare, due to the attacks You-Know-Who has planned on Harry since he was but a child himself? Is it because he feels that he does not want to publicly say that it is his own, when it so obviously is? Is it…

The article continued, but it seemed to be just a series of questions meant for him, and all of them he did not wish to answer. Why should he? It isn't the public's decision, even if the baby within Hermione's womb was of his blood as well, whether or not he should share it with the world. If it was his, then… then…

But… it wasn't his, so he shouldn't be saying those 'what if's that he seemed to have fallen in love with so easily, much like with the woman he indeed cared for so deeply. He had to focus, and he had to figure out how to get her out of the building without stressing her out enough that it would harm her child.

His one arm reached over after placing down the paper, rubbing her stomach gently, holding her closer. He loved them both, although only the one belonged to him- and that was only for the time being. She did not TRULY belong to him, and he doubted that she ever really would because she had such a free spirit- but that was why he loved her. Even if she decided that they really didn't work out, and that they needed to be apart more often because she didn't want her child thinking of him as someone who he or she needed in their life- like a father figure or something of the sort.

Still… if that was what she wanted him to be- a father figure towards her child- and wanted nothing of him other than to take care of her and her baby… well, he would be a heartbroken fool, sure, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't really do it. He would still be there, long after she had decided to hate him with all her worth and thought nothing about him. He'd still care for her.

He'd always love her.

Hermione stirred in his arms, mumbling something that he could barely understand, but he merely smiled and held her closer, gently pecking at her neck. She looked so beautiful… And she surely couldn't have been pretending that kiss, for he could taste her love for him, and he could see the love she felt for him in her eyes when she had smiled devilishly at the question of whether or not they'd still be together after the baby was born. And heart still couldn't help but pound at the remembrance of her words still, and how she had tapped his nose lightly before snuggling against him and sleeping.

"Forever."

With a smile, he leaned over slowly, once more placing a gently kiss upon the skin of her silky neck. She was so beautiful when she slept, and he felt more than lucky to have her in his arms like she was. Every moment that passed by them, he would only find yet another reason to love her.

"I love you", he whispered softly into her ear, settling in down next to her, breathing in the intoxicating scent she alone could have. His heart burned for her as she turned over onto her other side, her arm overlapping his chest and laying across him like nothing. Sure, her bulge sure complicated the holding method, but he did not wish to move her, since she seemed too breathtaking at that moment.

"I love you." The whisper once more came from his lips, and a larger grin found it's way upon his thin lips. "I'll always love you. And I'll always be here. Forever."

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orokid: yeah, yeah… I know. It's fluff and you hate me for writing it- but I don't care all THAT much. Lol. Hope you review! Thanks for reading, and it'll most likely be another month (or this week, if I'm lucky) that I post the chapter after this. Once again, thank you!