Thanks for all the reviews! I have to update on the weekends now do to school, but I won't take forever I promise.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but Rupert Grint is 18! Yummy...

October went by in a flash. The warm weather finally began to turn chilled and everyone was beginning to feel the gloom. However, no one was gloomier than Hermione. She was five months pregnant and it was finally beginning to catch up to her.

A screeching alarm went off and Hermione slammed her fist on it. "Oh shut up!" she moaned. Hermione dragged herself out of bed. After her shower, she looked herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were a bit chubby and so were her hands. "Oh hell!" she whined trying to put on her skirt. It did not fit over her plumped stomach so well. Even her shirt was a bit tight. Her breasts were bigger. Hermione was happy her robe still fit loosely on her. She did not need people finding out about her. It took her so long to get ready that she almost missed breakfast.

"Well, it's about time," Harry said as Hermione sat down.

"I had a little trouble getting ready. My clothes don't fit so much anymore," Hermione mumbled pouring juice. "I don't get it. I'm eating healthy. At least healthier than I was," she added.

"Well, you do have pie or some sort of cake at every meal, and besides you can't expect to not gain any weight," Ginny said. Hermione wasn't really listening. She was looking at Ron who was standing at the Hufflepuff table talking to Susan Bones.

"See something you want?" Harry asked.

Hermione turned to him. Harry was grinning at her. His bright green eyes glowing. Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, I'm just curious as to what they're talking about," she mumbled. Harry nodded.

"Well, she has the potions notes he slept through yesterday ," Harry explained. "Don't worry he's not interested in her," he added.

"Why would I care? He can like her if he wants to," Hermione said.

"Yeah I'm sure you wouldn't mind and anyway he doesn't. Look, its Friday and after school I'm taking you to get some sexy new clothes from Hogsmeade that will make Ron's bollocks tighten," Ginny said.

Hermione frowned at her vulgarity. "Ginny I just can't go-"

"Say it's an emergency or something and I'm coming with you. It will be okay. Take being pregnant to your advantage," Ginny cut in. Hermione stared at her.

"Ginny there is no advantage to being pregnant," Hermione said firmly.

Class was agonizing. Not only was Hermione boiling like a cauldron, but also her skirt was cutting off her circulation. "Can I be excused?" She blurted during potions class. Professor Slughorn gave her a look.

"What was that Miss Granger?" He asked annoyed. Hermione almost rolled her eyes but instead she sighed.

"May I be excused please? It's an emergency," she mumbled. Slughorn shook his head and exhaled.

"Yes Ms. Granger you can take another one of your many emergencies," he said. Hermione rolled her eyes that time.

In the bathroom, Hermione almost ripped off her cloak and un-buckled her skirt. It fell to the ground in a heap. "Oh now that's better," Hermione said rubbing her round stomach. A tiny push went against her fingers. "I know baby. I was getting rather hot too," she added to the kick.

"Oh my," someone said behind her. Hermione jumped and yanked up her skirt. Turning around she saw Luna Lovegood standing by the door. Hermione's heart began to race.

"Luna um I can explain you see um-"

"You're pregnant aren't you?" Luna asked walking closer to her. Hermione shook her head and put back on her cloak.

"No, um it's just I'm gaining a bit of weight that's all," Hermione said. Luna chuckled.

"Hermione, I'm in Ravenclaw for a reason. You don't have to lie to me," she said. Hermione's bottom lip trembled and she collapsed to the floor. Tears poured down her cheeks.

"Oh Luna please don't tell anyone," Hermione croaked. Luna walked over to her and sat on the stone floor next to her.

"Hermione, I don't know if you noticed but I'm not like everyone else. I don't care what you did. I'm not going to tell. I promise," Luna said rubbing her back. Hermione looked at her. She seemed sincere.

"You mean it?" Hermione asked. Luna nodded.

"You're going through so much stress right now and the last thing you need is more drama. It's not healthy for the baby," she said wisely. Hermione sniffed and wiped her nose.

"I know. Everything that happens to me happens to the baby. I'm so sensitive right now, and I don't think I can take anymore ridicule," Hermione confessed.

"Is it a girl or boy?" Luna asked.

"Well, I don't know. Ron and I find out this month," Hermione said.

"Ron is apart of this?" Luna asked. Hermione nodded making her smile. "I knew it," Luna said.

"You knew what?" Hermione asked. Luna shrugged.

"That you two were still destined," she said. Hermione snorted and stood up.

"No, he's just a good guy. He's in this for the baby that's all," Hermione said. Luna opened her mouth but Hermione cut in. "Look I better get back," she said walking to the door and walking out.

Ginny's plan was as easy as she said it would be. McGonagall gave her and Ginny permission to leave. They went to Hogsmeade and Ginny took her to a shop called Witch with Wizards.

"I didn't know there was a maternity shop here," Hermione said walking on.

"Well it's just not just for pregnant women to get clothes. It's got a lot of baby things too, and items for couples if you know what I mean," Ginny said excitedly. Hermione nodded seeing bottles of hot oil all around. "How about this?" she asked. Hermione looked at Ginny and gasped. Ginny had a pink and black two-piece lingerie gown.

"What on earth would I need this for?" Hermione asked taking the piece and putting it back on the rack.

"Oh I don't know. For when you get hot, and Ron-"

"Why would Ron see me in it?" Hermione cut in. Ginny looked at her.

"Oh come on. You know you two are back together," Ginny said.

"What is up with you, Harry, and Luna today? Ron doesn't want me. He's barely spoken to me in the last couple of weeks," Hermione said sadly.

Ginny frowned at her. "You talked to Luna?"

"Well more like she walked in on me and saw me pregnant. She said she won't tell," Hermione said looking at thin cotton robes.

"I told you she didn't hate you. How about this?" Ginny asked. Hermione looked at her. She held up a black skirt that had a fixed front so her stomach wouldn't get smashed.

"Now that's more like it," Hermione smiled. She and Ginny picked out a lot of shirts, jeans, and skirts. Hermione bought a new robe that wouldn't make her feel like she was roasting, and a few sports bras to support her growing chest.

When they got back to her room Hermione had to remove the Gryffindor symbol from her old robe and put in on her new one.

"You sure you know how to do that?" Ginny asked from behind her.

"Yes. It's not a problem-"

"Ewe, what the hell is that shit?" Ginny asked. Hermione frowned and turned around. Ginny was reading a baby book Hermione had checked out. She got up and walked over to her.

"Oh that's the umbilical cord," Hermione said.

"They have this smut in the library?" Ginny asked. Hermione laughed. It sounded like something Ron would say.

"This isn't smut. Its life. I must admit I felt the same way when I first saw it, and yes, it's in the library. In the restriction section that is. I got a curious look when I checked it out," Hermione said.

There was a knock on her door. When she opened it, she saw Harry and Ron outside. Hermione's insides automatically flipped. Every time she was in close distance to Ron she felt intense.

"We just came by to see our favorite girls," Harry said walking through. Ron didn't say anything only walked in.

"We went shopping. Hermione was both difficult and boring," Ginny said pointing to the clothes.

"Well I can't really strut around Hogwarts in a g-string and bottle caps can I?" Hermione asked.

"No, but I didn't know you could in this," Harry said pulling the pink and black lingerie from a bag. Ron's face went scarlet and so did Hermione's.

"Ginny, how could you?" Hermione snapped. Ginny burst into laughter.

"Oh my fault. I didn't mean to have that in here. It's not for you. It's for me," Ginny said taking it from Harry.

"Excuse me?" Ron said. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Well, it was cheap, I can fit it, and I thought Harry and I could use some spice in our relationship," she explained. Harry nodded at her licking his lips.

"Spice sounds good," he said rubbing his hands together. Ron slapped Harry's hands.

"No, spice is not good. Spice is bad. Spice gets you pregnant," Ron explained. Harry and Ginny laughed at him.

"Christ, you sound like Hermione," Ginny said getting up.

"Yeah, we're responsible," Harry said.

"That's what we thought!" Hermione and Ron yelled together. Harry and Ginny burst into laughter again and made their way out.

"Horny gits," Ron breathed as he closed the door. Hermione sat on her bed and rubbed her chest. Heartburn was an on going thing now. She looked up at Ron. He was glancing at the door. Hermione silently cursed herself. They were on the right track until she yelled at him. Ron turned to her. "What?" he asked. Hermione looked away feeling heat on her neck.

"Nothing, it's just...don't the two of them seem so much younger than us?" she asked. Ron chuckled walking over and sitting on her bed. He ran a hand through his hair. It fell back into his face gracefully. Hermione could not understand how he managed to look so stunning without trying.

"Yeah, but it's not just them. I feel older than everyone. When Dean or Seamus go on about a prank or something they have pulled I just think 'Is this how I was?' It's like there are so many more important things going on you know?" he asked looking at her.

Hermione continued to stare at him. His skin was so pale, and freckles so vivid. His lips were full and red. She had been having strange sex dreams lately about almost every guy she had ever met, and yet none of them was nearly as erotic as just being in the presence of Ron.

"When did you get so sexy?" she asked quietly. Ron's eyes went enormous.

"What?" he asked rubbing his neck. Hermione shook her head. She did not know she said it aloud.

"Oh...nothing...I mean...yes I understand," she said turning away. When she glanced back at Ron, he was smirking. Hermione couldn't help but smile back. "Look Ron can we talk about what happen a while back, and what I said," Hermione added. Ron's smirk faded.

"Actually I have to go. I have to meet someone for a study thing," he said getting up. Hermione frowned.

"Who?" she asked. Ron rubbed his neck again.

"Susan," he said. Hermione bit her lip and nodded. "I'll be here tomorrow though so we can go to Hogsmeade," Ron added. Hermione nodded again looking down.

She hated how she felt tears burn her eyes. She didn't let them fall until she heard the door close. Hermione climbed into bed and cried. Maybe it had to do with hormones or maybe because it had been two weeks since Ron had kissed her stomach or even touched her.

Hermione didn't get much sleep that night. The next morning she was a complete mess. The only upside was that she had clothes that would fit her. She put on some jeans and a t-shirt. They fit so no one could really tell she had a bump. Hermione sat on her bed and waited for Ron.

After almost an hour, she left. In the Great Hall, it was mostly empty. Mostly everyone had already left, but Ron was there. He was sitting on a table talking to Susan. She was twisting her red hair and looking rather intrigued by whatever Ron was saying. She laughed and touched his cheek. Ron licked his lips and smiled. Susan pulled away and waved bye to him.

Hermione almost ran back to her room. Her eyes were burning and her heart had dropped. She wanted to kill Susan and slap Ron, but she couldn't. "He's not doing anything wrong. He's not mine anymore." Hermione told herself before walking down and over to him. "Hey Ron," she said rather cheery. Ron smiled and took an apple from the table.

"Hey yourself. You look comfortable," he said chuckling. Hermione blushed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked. Ron's composer changed.

"Nothing, it's just you don't seem hot or pinched. I'm glad you found new clothes," he said. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Whatever, lets just go," she said.

Hermione was really regretting coming to the visit. All her classmates where running around and flirting with each other. She and Ron were walking around in almost complete silence.

"You want to go to Honeydukes?" Ron asked.

"No, I'll be tempted to buy everything in the store," Hermione said shaking her head.

"Well, you want to go The Three Broomsticks?" Ron offered.

"No, I saw Lavender and Parvati go in there. I don't need their words right now," Hermione snapped. Ron exhaled and grabbed her arm.

"Why don't you just tell me what you want? What is wrong?" He asked. Hermione looked at him. She snatched her arm back.

"Nothing is wrong with me," Hermione said. Ron frowned.

"Hey Ron wanna come to Honeydukes with me? They have a sale going on," Susan said walking up to them. Hermione scowled. Susan didn't even acknowledge her presence. Susan didn't taunt her but she didn't talk to her either. Hermione realized that being ignored was ten times worse than being made fun of.

"Um actually I was-"

"No Ron go. I'm sure it will be fun," Hermione choked walking away. She walked until her legs gave out. She collapsed under a tree. She wiped her eyes and took in her surroundings.

It gave a nice view of the village. Hermione had been there before. In third year she and Ron had came there. It was the first Hogsmeade visit they had been on. It was just the two of them, and Hermione loved it. Ron was the one who showed it to her.

"Hermione," someone said. Hermione jumped but didn't turn around. Ron sat next to her and picked up a stick.

"Why are you here? You should be with Susan," Hermione said wiping her eyes.

"No, I came here with you. I want to be here with you," Ron whispered.

"No, you don't. I know I'm fat and boring, and that Susan must be a whole lot more fun than me," Hermione cut in.

"What? Where is this coming from?" Ron asked. Hermione looked at him. In the chill wind, his cheeks were pink as his nose and ears. He looked so adorable.

"It's comes from the fact that lately you've been spending a lot of time with her," she snapped.

Ron frowned. "What? Susan is my friend. I'm allowed to spend time with my friends," he said.

"Yeah well not if it affects us and this baby," Hermione shot. Ron gaped at her.

"I can't believe this. You know I'm always here, but that's not what this is about. You just don't want me to hang out with anyone who isn't you," he snapped.

"Yeah you're exactly right. I want you all to myself," Hermione yelled without realizing what she was saying.

"Well...you lost that privilege a long time ago," he breathed. Hermione felt a pang in her heart.

"Oh that's right because I'm a school tramp. You don't want people to think you've been put under my spell again right?" Hermione asked.

Ron exhaled and shook his head. "No, because every time I'm around you I feel my heart breaking all over again," he said quietly. Hermione gawked at him. Ron was looking directly at her. His eyes were vacant and unreachable.

"Well, if I'm such a pain to you then why do you continue to be around me? I never ask you to," Hermione said.

Ron frowned again. "Because I miss you. I miss you okay? I…don't hate you. You may think I do, but I don't," he breathed.

Hermione bit her lip. Heat blanketed her entire body. "Then how do you feel about me?" she asked.

Ron licked his lips and looked down. He moved closer to Hermione. He was so close that she could smell him. He looked into her eyes and Hermione forgot how to breathe. He closed the gap between them and pressed his lips against hers.

Hermione jumped and her body went stiff, but it only took a second before her composer changed. She kissed him back. Ron's lips were incredibly soft and warm. She moaned as Ron ran his tongue across her mouth gently. Before Hermione could take it into her mouth, he pulled away.

He was out of breath and his face was red. Hermione's pleasure went away as she looked into his eyes. For the first time in months, she could read him. Ron was scared.

"I feel like I need to hate you, but I can't," Ron choked before getting up and leaving Hermione alone.

I know it's short but I think plenty of power was packed into it. Review lovely readers!

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