A/N: I'm inserting this at the start just so you guys know how very unhappy you've made me. I've clearly underestimated you and have spent the whole week cursing your intelligence! Anyway on with the chapter…

27th September

'Twenty past ten, Harry will be back soon.' Ron announced to the deserted flat.

The last week without Harry had been miserable. Every day was the same. Work until 5 then back home to do nothing but sit and mope. Without Harry there he had no distraction from all that was bothering him and he hated it.

He hadn't wanted to stay behind when Harry went to Hogwarts. Until that letter, he'd been quite looking forward to it. Until that letter he'd been sure of how he felt. Until that letter he hadn't had to worry about the things he was forced to now. Until that letter he hadn't had to be an adult, not just yet.

It was quite the understatement to say that Ron had been thinking a lot about that letter. Previously, he'd kept it hidden away inside the pages of one his old school books. Since Harry had left, however, he'd taken to carrying it with him at all times. Reaching into the pocket of his jeans he pulled it out and re-read the words that had been echoing around his head since he first read them, weeks ago.

Please don't be angry, but I'm pregnant.

Ron laughed humourlessly at the memory. Of course he was angry. How could he not be? Now he thought about it, it was a good thing no one was around at the time he first read it.

They were eighteen.

How could he be a father?

How had he let this all get so out of hand?

He had spent years longing for Hermione. Telling himself how much better he was for her than Victor Krum.

"Maybe she'd have been better off with him. He wouldn't have ruined her life like this," said a rather annoying little voice in his head, "You couldn't even work up the courage to go and visit her."

It was true and he felt awful about it. It wasn't that he didn't love Hermione anymore, which he was terrified to think she thought. It was more that he didn't know what to do that would be best for her. There was no way he could be a dad! He didn't know the first thing about parenting or pregnancy or any of that stuff. True, they might've had the money to afford a child now. But was money really enough? A baby would need much more than financial security.

When Ron thought about his own father, he felt even more scared. His father had been a source of great support, love and knowledge for as long as he could remember. He couldn't be all that! It was ludicrous to think he was capable of being half as good as his dad in any of those areas!

He couldn't go to Hogwarts and see Hermione because she deserved so much more than him. And he wasn't ready to let all that go just yet. He knew that it would be unfair to stay with her, attach her to him for the rest of his life, when he knew he was capable of doing this to her.

Ron had wanted to tell Harry, but Hermione had specifically asked him not to. And the least he could do was respect her wishes. She hadn't been resentful or rude in her letter, in the slightest. This simple fact pained Ron even more.

He wished she'd told him she hated him, held him solely responsible and never wanted to see him again. It would've been much easier for him then. Instead she had told him that she was sorry. His heart broke a little bit to think that she believed, even for a moment, that her apology was necessary.

She had told him that she was going to keep the baby, he hadn't expected anything else. She had told him she understood if he didn't want anything to do with her but she'd asked him to think of the baby.

Again, he wished she hadn't.

Thinking of the baby made it all so much harder. He knew there was nothing he could do for it. No way could he give it all he or she deserved and it killed him to think of it. He knew he needed to speak to Hermione, but he wasn't sure how or what he was supposed to say. He knew she'd take it the wrong way or try to convince him to stick with her and he knew he would want nothing more than to give in. But he also knew that staying was unfair on her and the baby, no matter how much he wanted to.

X X X

25th October

Harry,

I'm really missing you and all that but that's not why I'm writing. It's about Hermione.

She's been, if it's actually possible, worse. After you left I came back up to our dormitory to find her crying her eyes out because you hadn't said goodbye to her and in the time it took me to go to the toilet she was completely fine again, reading her new book and asking me about our sex life!? I know you find it hard to recognise what's unusual and what's not when it comes to girls so I'll clarify that this behaviour is not, under any circumstances, normal.

This kind of thing kept happening and I was managing. Though admittedly I was getting nowhere with what was going on between her and Ron. I (foolishly) told her of my plans for my letter to him and she made me promise I wouldn't send anything of the sort. I thought that was good because it meant she wasn't all that upset with him but when I asked her about it she refused to tell me anything and carried on insisting nothing was wrong.

Again, I could manage with this. What I couldn't manage with was her hysterics yesterday morning. I had woken up early and gone down to breakfast with some of the girls in my dorm, minus Hermione. None of us are jumping at the chance to spend more time with her at the moment so we left her sleeping. She didn't arrive at breakfast. Like I said, she was sick once or twice when you were here but after I suggested she went to Madam Pomfrey she said she was feeling much better and I didn't notice her being ill again after that. I thought that she might have been feeling sick again so I went to check on her. She was curled up in a ball in the bathroom, sobbing and, though I will spare you the detail, covered in blood. I would struggle to believe it too if I hadn't seen it. I tried speaking to her but she wasn't making any sense and she was obviously in a lot of pain. I tried to get her to come with me to the hospital wing because I was really worried. She wouldn't stand up so I left her and ran for help.

After they took her down to the hospital wing I was kicked out. I didn't want to be and believe me I put up quite a fight but they made me wait outside while they sorted her. I waited for an hour and had heard nothing so I went back in. To my annoyance, Hermione was fast asleep and Madam Pomfrey was sat in her office. I couldn't believe she hadn't come to update me and I told her so. She then told me that what was wrong with Hermione was none of my business and that she neither could nor would tell me a thing. Naturally, I was livid. I wasn't allowed to wake her and was told to go back to my lessons. I did, albeit reluctantly.

At the end of the day I went back down to see her, hoping she was awake and who should I see but Ron. I'm really hoping you know something I don't, because this confused me more than I care to admit and my so called "friend" is refusing to see me. I'm assuming Ron is still there now, he was this morning but I haven't spoken to him either.

What, in the name of Merlin, is happening? Like I say, I really hope you know because I'm struggling to put in to words how frustrated with my own stupidity I am, right now.

Love,

Ginny.

P.S. I really am missing you. Have you found out when you're next here?

X X X

25th October

Ginny,

I know about as much as you do. In fact, I know less.

Even that Hermione's in the hospital wing is news to me. All I know is that we were halfway through a potions class when Ron was called out and I haven't seen him since. He sent me a letter telling me he wouldn't be back last night and he sent me and identical one today. I've asked him what's wrong and had as much of a response as you have.

I was at your parents' house when I got your letter and your mum's very worried about Hermione. She should expect a letter. I tried asking her if she knew what was up and she insists she doesn't. Though, she admitted she had theories. But as is the fashion lately, she refused to share her ideas with me.

I'm frustrated too, and you're not stupid Ginny. Its times like these we need Hermione to put the pieces together. I'm not ashamed to admit I have absolutely no clue what's happening. I know you don't want to hear this Gin, but I think she should just let it be. We might as well face it, we won't know before they tell us and they're obviously going to do that on their own time.

I miss you too, so much. It's been a bit mental here but I'll meet you for your next Hogsmeade visit? I believe it's the 9th of November?

Love, Harry.

X X X

25th October

A soft sniffling sound was coming from behind the curtain again but Poppy turned away, back to her office. There wasn't much she could do for them now but give them space and time.

Time.

They definitely needed time.

"After all they've endured," she thought to herself, "they have to go through this."

She knew it wasn't right to keep their family and friends in the dark but Minerva knew, and that was something. Minerva had reminded her that the two of them were of age, and if they didn't want anyone to know then that was their decision. Poppy thought differently, she'd seen the look on the young man's face, the terror and despair in his eyes.

'It doesn't matter what age they are! Anyone in their position needs familiar support!' Was Poppy's response.

She stood by that, but she also knew she had to respect the young couple's wishes.

It really was tragic to see. Miss Granger had told her all about the pregnancy as soon as she was brought in. Fighting hard to contain her shock, Poppy had listened intently, though it was hard to distinguish actual words in her frenzied state.

One calming draught later and her uncontrollable weeping had lessened enough for her to understand. As soon as Hermione had explained everything Poppy knew there was little she could do. The sheer amount of blood was proof in itself. She tried, as best she could. When she did the spell, though, there was no baby there. It had gone, and the look of devastation on the young woman's face would haunt her forever.

Deciding to check on them before going to bed, Poppy walked out of her office. She gently pulled back the curtain and disappeared behind it with the young, grieving couple. Ron had climbed on the bed and had his arms wrapped protectively around Hermione, she was sleeping but he was not. The dark circles under his eyes said he'd been losing sleep for some time.

'Do you need anything, dear? A sleeping potion, perhaps?' She whispered.

'No, she might wake up.' He protested.

Shaking her head, she attempted to reason with him, 'You can't not sleep. You look awful and you'll be no good to her in this state.'

'No. I can't.' Ron replied simply.

'I'll cast a monitoring charm. If Miss Granger wakes up I'll know and administer her with the potion as well.' She said decisively and bustled back to her supplies to get the potion in question.

Reluctantly, Ron took the potion and grimaced at the foul taste.

'I'll see you in the morning.' Poppy said and Ron slurred out a sleepy, 'Night' in response before his head dropped onto the pillow with a soft thud.

Poppy observed the two of them together, they looked so peaceful now. They could've been any two teenagers hopelessly besotted and giddy but she knew, as did they, things had never really been that simple for them and right now it was looking as though they never would.

X X X

26th October

Harsh winds attacked every side of the block of flats. Leaves of multiple colours were being thrown around in all directions, sticking to and completely obscuring car windscreens. The fierce gale was only trumped by the brutal rain accompanying it. The colossal drops hammered against Harry's bedroom window, muffling the sound of the beak that was tapping the very same window insistently. The owl spread its powerful, black wings and beat them against the window hoping to rouse the slumbering boy.

Harry, sensing a disturbance, turned around on his side and drowsily opened an eye. Noticing the incredibly wet and incredibly miffed looking owl he hurriedly put on his glasses and jumped out of bed. Prying the window open, Harry let the owl in and began to untie the scroll from his leg. Once the scroll was detached the owl shot Harry a displeased look and, ruffling his feathers importantly, flew out the window again.

Stretching his arms above his head and yawning widely, Harry sat back down on his bed. Uncurling the scroll he read its contents,

Harry,

I'm staying the weekend at Hogwarts. Don't know when I'll be back, let you know soon.

Ron.

Letting out an agitated sigh Harry ran his hands through his hair. He had no idea what was going on and, though he knew there was no point in pushing them for details, he was beginning to get desperate. He stood up from the bed and, still staring at the scrap of parchment in his hands, made his way to the kitchen.

After making himself a cup of tea, Harry plonked himself down on the sofa. Resting his head on the back and kicking his feet up he switched the TV on hoping it would take his mind off things. Relaxing back into the sofa, Harry felt something sharp against his lower back. He reached his hand around the back of him and pulled out a quill. Bemused he sat up and turned round to see where it had come from. Stuffed down the back of the sofa were several bits of parchment. The first had a few words written and scribbled out on it, the second, third and fourth were identical. The fifth bit of parchment Harry smoothed out was rather different.

Hermione,

I've been thinking a lot about your last letter. I'm so sorry Hermione, I really am. I never meant for this to happen, I always thought we were careful but it's not the point. You don't need to apologise, ever.

I know I haven't replied in so long but I've been confused. I'm sorry I didn't come and see you, I know I should've but I wasn't thinking straight. I know now what's important. You and the baby are my priority and I'll make sure it stays that way.

I'm scared, don't get me wrong. I'm flipping terrified but I've decided that the baby, our baby, needs a father. I don't know how, but we'll do it. I know we will. I hope you can forgive me and we can move forward. I'll come and see you soon and we'll talk and we can work out what-

The rest of the words had been crossed out making deciphering them impossible. Harry didn't need to read anymore, though. The creased bit of parchment in his hands held all the answers.

He dimly registered that his mouth was open but he didn't really care. The shock of what he'd read made him feel numb. His first thought was to tell Ginny, but he soon thought better of it. They hadn't told them, they didn't want them to know. Harry would respect that, he would just have to wait until they were ready to confess. It wouldn't help in the slightest if he ran off and blabbed to Ginny.

Once the shock wore off a new emotion replaced it.

Worry.

Something was wrong with Hermione, Ginny had mentioned blood.

Was something wrong with the baby?

A wave of panic shot through him and he sprang up from his place on the sofa, feeling the need for action.

"She's in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey is looking after her, she'll be fine. They'll be fine." He reassured himself and he slowly slumped back down on the sofa, trying to take in all that the letter had told.

A/N: I'm really worried about posting this chapter. I hate it when I think I know where a story is going and the tone of it when something big and dramatic happens and ruins the dynamic. I'm sorry if you hate it and I want you to know I will be covering lots of different story lines that are less depressing and will vary massively.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, I didn't expect you all to work out Hermione was pregnant. I realise now how stupid I am. I apologise profusely for doubting your intellect and promise it won't happen again.

A few of you had concerns that Hermione wouldn't have really let herself get into that kind of situation and I will discuss it more in the next chapter. I would like to point out though that some of my cleverest and most sensible friends have found themselves in similar positions so it does happen. My mum is a consultant neurologist and had me when she was 17…

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your love. I'm so thrilled when I see a new review or follower or favourite. I especially want to thanks the people who review every chapter, it means a lot to me.

Once again I have not read through this chapter. I know I'm a bad author but hear me out. I will tomorrow and update it to get rid of the mistakes but I really want to update now after I've spent so long worrying about this chapter. I don't doubt there are several moments I talk complete crap, just like I am now.

I don't own Harry Potter because someone up there just doesn't like me and wants me to be miserable. J.K Rowling, however, does. And I'm glad of that because I love her. So much. I'm talking crap again, I know.

These author notes get longer each time don't they folks? Lucky for you. For all those you wished me luck in exams, thank you! I got an A in English, an A* in Physics and C's in Chemistry and Biology. I will have to re-sit the Chemistry and Biology but I thought they'd gone worse so it's all good.

So long my beautiful reader, until the next update!