Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: Wow - such varied responses to last chapter. I hope that Marcus redeems himself in your eyes. I promise that it will get better. Here is chapter ten - be on the lookout for chapter eleven tomorrow!

January 27th, 2002

As if having your date leave you for another woman at the bar wasn't humiliating enough for Hermione, she woke up to some awful news. She'd been pulled from slumber by an owl tapping at her window, which was from Marcus. She hadn't read it yet, not wanting to put up with whatever excuse it was this time.

Hermione decided to head out to a nearby patisserie to get a croissant for breakfast. On the way back to her flat, she passed a newsstand and had been horrified to see her face gracing the cover of one of those awful tabloids. She bought one, trying not to make eye contact with the man selling them, and brought it home to read in the privacy of her own living room.

On the cover was a photo of her and Teddy at the Quidditch match.

Hermione Granger tries to pin love child on Marcus Flint.

Hermione Granger was spotted yesterday at an Appleby Arrows match, dragging along her love child, and seen wearing a Flint jersey. Granger has recently been seen in the company of Flint, though not much is known about the young boy that was with her. Was a secret pregnancy the cause of her reclusiveness from wizarding society for the past few years since the war was ended?

Further, this reporter finds the timing of the outing highly suspicious. Flint has just signed a new contract for a substantial amount of money, which would be able to support Granger and her child for many years. A woman who sat nearby Granger at the game has told Witch's Weekly that Granger was entirely focused on Flint, even encouraging the child to cheer for him and only him. Is Granger hoping to guilt Flint into raising the child as his own?

Witch's Weekly spoke to one of Granger's former friends, who suggests that this is a common pattern of behavior for Granger. "Hermione has always been obsessed with Quidditch players. She dated Viktor Krum when she was only fourteen, and she only went after my brother once he made Keeper for Gryffindor house." Miss Ginerva Weasley commented. "I guess I am not surprised that she would go after another one."

However, it seems that Granger's plans might not be working as well as she thought. When Flint and Granger were out celebrating last night, Flint was spotted in the arms of his ex-girlfriend, Gemma Farley. Granger was seen leaving the club, in tears. We will keep you updated on this developing story.

Hermione felt a surge of embarrassment at the article. Of course, Teddy matching her hair hadn't helped matters at all. This is why she didn't go out into public that often, and this was especially why she didn't date. She hated seeing her business splashed about in public.

Just as she was about to take a bite of her croissant, she heard her floo going off in the other room. Harry walked purposefully into the kitchen, only to frown, seeing her reading the magazine. "Shite, I hoped you hadn't seen that yet." He told her.

Hermione just gave him a sad smile. "It's no use anyways. Everyone will be talking about it at work on Monday." She let her head hang down, unwilling to meet Harry's eyes. "I am so humiliated."

Harry sat down in the chair across from her. "Hey, now. Everyone who matters knows that this is just absolute rubbish. I mean, honestly? A love child? Anyone with eyes knows that that is Teddy."

Hermione sniffed. "I understand if you don't want me to be seen with Teddy in the future. What an awful thing to do to Remus and Tonks." She felt horrid that their memory had been erased by her being seen with Teddy. She wanted him to grow up with wonderful memories of the parents that he would never know.

"Hey! Teddy loves his Aunt Hermione and I certainly don't mind. I am sure that Andromeda won't mind either." Harry patted Hermione on the hand. "I am really sorry about what Ginny said too. I can't believe that I dated her sometimes." Harry said, with a roll of his eyes. He quickly learned that Ginny was just in love with the idea of dating the chosen one.

"Oh, Harry, you don't have to apologize for the words of others. I know that she doesn't speak for you." Hermione tried to assuage some of Harry's guilt. "Spreading horrible rumors about me seems par for the course with the Weasleys at this point." Hermione never forgot how Mrs. Weasley had treated Hermione poorly during the Triwizards' Tournament.

"And...and Marcus, is what they wrote about him true?" Harry asked tentatively, not wanting to cause his friend unnecessary pain.

Hermione frowned solemnly, before nodding. "It's true. He left to go to the loo, and it seemed like he was taking forever...that's when I saw him with Farley. He told me that she was his ex, but...I don't know what to think." She admitted. Her brain was full of emotions. "He sent me a note this morning, but I haven't been able to read it yet."

"How come?" Harry asked her. Hermione always seemed to want to know everything, so an explanation would certainly be something she'd want, right?

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I just don't want anymore excuses. Look, I obviously like Marcus a lot more than he likes me. And, now I just wonder if maybe he is more trouble than he is worth." Hermione did have so much fun with Marcus, but it was sporadic, and peppered by things that hurt and embarrassed her.

"I suppose...that makes sense." Harry told her, even though he didn't really understand her rationale. Just the other day, he'd seen Hermione happier than he had in a long time, years even. He wasn't sure she should give that up so quickly, but he wanted to support her. "Should we burn the letter?"

Hermione giggled at her friend. "You and your dramatics Harry!" She faux-scolded him. "No, I don't think I am quite ready to do that yet. Not knowing the specifics might get to me." She admitted.

"Well then, would you like to go to visit Hannah and Neville at the Leaky and get pissed instead?" Harry offered. It had been a while since they'd seen their friends, and it would be good to get Hermione's mind off of things for a while.

"That, Mr. Potter, sounds like an excellent idea."