"Behind Closed Doors" By Kross
A/n: I don't own Harry Potter…I simply enjoy using the characters conjured up J.K. Rowling for my own sweet pleasure.
Pairing: Hermione/Ron and Hermione/Mystery man
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The two young lovers wandered from Dumbledore's office to the Great Hallway. The doors were open and the whole area smelled of roasts and delicious meats. From the kitchens, the smells of delicate desserts were wafting in. Hermione and Ron sat at the Gryffindor table, taking their usual place next to Harry and Ron's sister, Ginny. Somehow, Hermione suspected that the news of her pregnancy was not between Ron and Hermione alone.
"Hermione," Ginny tapped Hermione on the shoulder. "Is it true what their saying?"
"Who is 'they'?" Hermione asked back.
"The boys in your year. Seamus, Dean and Neville." She answered. "Are they lying?"
"What are they saying?" Ron asked, taking his proper place in defending Hermione.
"That Hermione's…pregnant." Ginny trailed off, her voice quieting.
"I am, Ginny." Hermione said, her tone was proud. "But, it's not just me. Ron and I are pregnant."
Ginny eyes lit up, the two could see the concern in her eyes. Concern was mixed with joy in every person who knew. Harry exhaled sharply, nearly choking on his food as he listened to Hermione's answer.
"Wow." He said after a moment to recover. He was the first to speak again. "Damn. Congratulations." He said, directly to Ron. He looked into Hermione's eyes. "You're going to be a great mother Hermione…"
"You're not going to keep it are you?" A third year girl called from a distance down the table. Hermione recognized her as Alycia Neelands. "You know you can get an abortion!" Suddenly, Hermione wondered if the entire room was listening. However, to noise of the next tables was blaring. Hermione didn't fear that too many people would know.
"We're going to keep our baby," Ron answered for her. "The baby is not an 'it'. The baby is a…"He paused. "Well, we don't know the sex yet."
"But, we do know that the baby is a Weasley." Hermione added. This statement gave Ron great pleasure and lit Ginny's face up.
"Oh, Ron!" Ginny whimpered. "How are you going to tell Mum and Dad?"
Gryffindor table ate very little during that lunch hour. The news was abuzz throughout Gryffindor, thanks to Neville's wandering eye and eavesdropping ear in the hospital wing. Hermione and Ron, however, made sure to correct any misconceptions that the students of Gryffindor had about the whole situation. For some odd reason, Hermione thought that having a pregnant couple would be valuable to these students. It would a good learning experience. Additionally, with all the baby-crazed young girls, Hermione was sure that she would have no trouble finding an abundance of help and babysitters for her child.
When the bell rang out for the return to class, Hermione and Ron were flooded with wishes of good luck and congratulations on their fertility. Even Harry, who lucked slightly hurt by the news (he knew it meant an end to any possible relationship between himself and Hermione in the future), made sure to give his blessing. "See you in potions!" He added as he left.
Hermione had forgotten that she had double potions at the end of this week. She had it first the day before, which meant her lovely scheduling placed her in potions last today, Friday. Professor Snape was the last person Hermione had wanted to see after the meeting with the faculty this morning. The look in his eyes was especially cruel. They burned into her like acid and bleach. However, there was nothing she could do. She couldn't miss yet another potions class.
The smell of the dungeons curdled in Hermione's stomach. The odor was far more offensive than it had ever been. She wondered if it truly was worse for everyone or only herself. She had read that smells could become more intense during pregnancy. The air smelled of sulfur and mold. She wondered if that was the exact smell of Hell.
Class proceeded as usual. Professor Snape ignored Hermione like he always did, even took 5 points away from Gryffindor because she answered something correctly. He had moved her seat all the way to the back of the classroom, saying it would provide the best ventilation for her and her child. He made sure to let everyone know that Hermione was pregnant and isolated her for that. Punishment, she assumed, for being promiscuous. What Hermione wanted most of all was to be near Ron. She wanted him to be there because he was stronger than her, he wouldn't let Snape walk over her like that.
He made the class write a 2 and a half parchment essay on the effects of love potions and the witches most famous for using them. She wondered if he assumed she'd used a love potion to lure Ron into sleeping with her. And perhaps he thought she had gotten pregnant to keep him with her. She could feel her anger bubbling deep with her, but she tried to calm her rage. Anger couldn't be good for her state, baby and all.
Hermione completed her essay, flawlessly of course, to spite Professor Snape. She was sure he had intended her to not complete the assignment because she needed "special" treatment. She was in fact the first student to turn hers in, angering him even more she hoped. As she waited for the other students to finish their essays, Hermione returned to her seat in the far back and sat down. She pulled out of her bag a small bottle of muggle prenatal vitamins, one Madam Pompfrey had given her. She had given her the vitamins with instructions to take them after her lunch.
Hermione pour two large, brown vitamins into her hand. She pulled a water bottle from her bag, and unscrewed the top. She tilted her head back and dropped the vitamins into her mouth. Right as she reached to take a sip of the water, Professor Snape boomed: "No food or drink in class, Ms. Granger. Five points from Gryffindor." This of course made all the Slytherin boys howl with laughter. Hermione had to dry swallow her vitamins.
Only moments later, the final bell of the day rang out. It was almost heavenly to Hermione; the sound of freedom. She grabbed up her things, and waited for Ron at the end of her row. As soon as their hands met, they were interrupted. "Ms. Granger…" Professor Snape began. "We need to discuss the alternate assignment you must complete. After all, you did miss my last lesson. You were in the hospital wing, as you recall." He had a smug smile on his face.
"I'll wait for you, Hermione." Ron said. "This should only take a moment."
"Mr. Weasley, this is between Ms. Granger and I." Snape snapped. "You may leave the classroom now." It sounded like a privilege the way her phrased it. Ron nodded to Hermione, who grinned a fake smile.
"I'll see you later then, Hermione." He said as he turned the corner, leaving the room.
"Ms. Granger, in my office." Professor Snape added, Hermione was watching Ron go.
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Okay, I didn't reveal the lover in this chapter. There was simply no opportunity. Next time, I hope, there will be one.
Oh, I won't be able to update for a while. The holiday will keep me away for a few days. That's why i've posted three chapters in one day. Please read and enjoy. I'll be back soon!
Please review! I love reviews!
Meg/Kross