10. Back to normal

The mood at the breakfast table the next morning wasn't the best. Arthur had gone to the Grangers very early to retrieve Hermione's trunk and if possible speak with her parents, and now everyone was anxiously waiting for his return.

Molly kept telling Hermione that everything was going to be all right. "Arthur will talk some sense into them," she promised again and again. "He'll explain everything that has happened to them," she threw a dark look at Fred and George. "They simply can't be angry at you anymore, if they know about the potion."

Hermione only nodded, but knowing her parents, she somehow doubted that. So she continued to pick nervously at her food without actually eating anything.

Ron, who sat next to her, watched her worriedly. "You have to eat something," he eventually said quietly.

"I can't," she replied and threw her fork down. "I'm not hungry."

"But you have to eat, Hermione, it's not good for the b…," Ron broke off his retort as the door suddenly opened and not only his father entered the room but Hermione's as well. Instantly the room went silent as everyone looked expectantly at him.

x

Mr Granger scrutinised the red heads in front of him. He wasn't entirely sure which one of them was that Ron guy, as he hadn't seen him for a while now and they all looked so alike; and to be honest he had never really paid attention to him, but at least he knew it wasn't the black haired one, that had to be Harry. Just to be save he glared at all of them, including Harry.

"I'd like to speak to my daughter for a moment," he said through gritted teeth and fixed his gaze on Hermione.

For a moment she returned it unblinkingly, her face set. Then she reluctantly stood up.

"Alone," Mr Granger clarified when the boy right next to her got up as well as if he wanted to accompany her.

The boy starred at him challenging and Mr Granger was pretty sure now that this had to be Ron.

Hermione who had noticed the silence exchange put a reassuring hand on the boy's forearm and said quietly, "It is okay, I'll be fine."

x

Hermione showed her father to the sitting room so they could talk in private. She closed the door and waited for him to say something.

"I hope you realise that I had to cancel a very important appointment this morning to come here," he eventually said rather reproachfully as he looked around the room, taking in the organised chaos that was typically for the Burrow. Hermione could tell that he wasn't impressed with what he saw.

"I didn't ask you to do that," she said defiantly, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"It was him, wasn't it?" her father asked as he finally faced her. "The one that just stood up with you, it was him who put you in this … condition, didn't he?"

Hermione glared at him. "Yes, that was Ron but it's not entirely his fault, he ..."

Her father snorted disbelievingly. "That's what his father was trying to convince me of too."

"What do you want?" Hermione asked annoyed, seeing no point in discussing the situation any further, when he tried to blame Ron without even listening to her.

"I want you to come home with me of course," he said slightly irritated

"Home?" now it was Hermione who snorted, "And why should I do that?"

"You don't expect me to let you stay here, do you?" he said, giving the room another disapproving look.

"Why? What's wrong with it?" Hermione started to get really angry now. "It was fine for me to stay here before, like when you didn't have time for me earlier this summer, so why shouldn't it suffice now anymore?"

"You're our daughter, Hermione, and we're honestly trying to do the right thing here," her father said, completely ignoring her question. "But you also should know that we're really disappointed in you and your actions at the moment."

"Fair enough," Hermione choked, "I'm pretty disappointed in you and your behaviour too."

They stared a moment at each other and Hermione had more and more difficulty to not start crying.

"We care about you Hermione and just want to do what's best for you," her father eventually broke the silence, sounding more peaceable than before.

"That's not what mum said to me," Hermione whispered in a tearful voice.

"She is just afraid to lose you completely to this … magical world," he tried to explain.

"Afraid of losing me?" Hermione suddenly screeched. Incapable of holding the tears back any longer she simply let them flow down her cheeks. "Is that why she said, I shouldn't come back?"

"She didn't mean that, and you know it."

"Do I?" Hermione spat.

"Do you have any idea what it's like for us?" her father flared up again. "We send you to this school, this world, we don't know anything about, and think you are being taken care of, and then you come back pregnant at sixteen."

Hermione glared him. "She wants me to kill my baby."

"She only wants what's best for you, and so do I," he clarified.

Hermione huffed. "So you keep telling me. Do you honestly think killing my baby is what's best for me?"

Her father sighed. "I know this isn't an easy decision, but having a baby at your age isn't easy either. You'll thank us one day that we saved you from making the biggest mistake of your life."

Hermione opened her mouth to reply something nasty, but her father silenced her with a hand gesture. "Hermione, you don't have to feel obliged to that child. I know what happened, what those boys did to you. Do you honestly want to keep a constant reminder of that? One day you can have a baby with someone else, someone more appropriate for you."

Hermione stared at him icily. Who was this man? Where was her caring father? Truth is, she and her parents had never been very close, not like Ron's family anyway, her parents were both hard working people and at times Hermione had had the impression that their work was more important to them then their own daughter, but Hermione had never once doubted their love for her, until now.

"Maybe you don't have to abort it, if that's what concerns you," her father said more placable. "But in that case you really should think about adoption, Hermione. Maybe they want to keep it," he gestured wildly into the direction of the kitchen. "I don't know. And after all this is over, we could go away, start somewhere afresh without the magic, and forget about what has happened. I talked to your mother, it will be difficult, but we think we could manage to start anew somewhere else, and you could go to collage and do whatever you want to do," he almost sounded pleading at the end of his speech.

"So your solution is that I should leave everything behind that is import to me. The world I belong to, the person I love more than anything and my own child?"

She knew she had hurt him when she excluded him and her mother out of the list, but after their behaviour she figured they deserved it. "How can you even suggest something like that?"

x

Ron nervously paced the kitchen. What was taking them so long? Shouldn't they have finished their 'talk' by now?

Ron didn't know Mr Granger very well, having seen him only twice a year on the platform, but he'd never felt very comfortable in his presence and he most certainly didn't like Hermione facing him alone in her condition. Sure, he was her father and he clearly wouldn't hurt his own daughter …, or would he? Ron groaned and, running his hands through his hair in frustration, he turned about once again.

"Ron, sit down!" his mother said reprehensive, "you're making me even more nervous."

Ron ignored her and continued his pacing, while he kept his gaze locked onto the door Hermione had disappeared behind and strained his ears. At least he hadn't heard any loud shouting yet.

"Don't worry, Ron," Harry said reassuringly, "Hermione can look after herself."

Ron only nodded. He knew that of course, but it didn't make him feel much better right now, not after Mrs Granger's reaction just yesterday.

After what seemed like hours to Ron, they heard the front door open and close. He stopped in his tracks and strained his ears even more but couldn't hear anything else. For a moment he looked apprehensively at the others then dashed out of the room.

He wasn't sure where Hermione and her father had gone to talk in private, but checked the sitting room first; being nearest to the kitchen it was the obvious choice. But he found it empty. Frowning Ron climbed the stairs to search the first floor instead.

"Hermione?" Ron asked tentatively as he opened the door to Ginny's room which she shared with Hermione during her stay. She wasn't there either and a jolt of fear shot through Ron's body. Did her father take her with him? But certainly not without telling him.

He knocked at the bathroom door next, but again got no answer. So he continued to search the rest of the house. He even checked his parent's room on his way through the house, but couldn't find a trace of Hermione anywhere.

Eventually there was only one room left, his own. Although the possibility of her being there was fairly high, Ron was rather anxious when he opened the door. He peered inside and sighed relieved.

Hermione was curled up in his bed, hugging his pillow tightly to her chest. Although he couldn't see her face as her back was turned in his direction, had Ron no doubt that she had been crying, or even still was. Without a word Ron slipped fully into the room, went over and took his position behind her in the bed where he pulled her into his arms.

He was delighted when she not only let him do that, but snuggled a bit closer as well.

"What happened?" he asked softly.

"He told me how disappointed he is in me, and that I'm making the biggest mistake of my life keeping our baby," she whispered hoarsely. "He even wanted me to abandon you and the wizarding world and leave the country with him and my mother to start anew."

Ron tensed because that had been his exact fear a few minutes ago.

"I told him to get lost," Hermione continued and Ron instantly relaxed again.

"I'm sorry," Ron whispered, and although he was pretty angry right now at both her parents, he meant it. They were still her parents after all and he knew Hermione still loved them nonetheless.

"No, it's okay," Hermione said, brushing the last tears of her cheeks. "Before he left he said that although he thinks I'm making a mistake, he still loves me and if I ever need something I should come to him, that he and my mother will always be there for me no matter what. But they probably need some time to adjust to the new situation."

"Oh, well, that's good, isn't it?" Ron asked, unsure if he was saying the right thing.

"I suppose," Hermione said slowly and eventually turned around to face Ron, "but I don't want to go back to them any time soon, even if they throw me out of Hogwarts."

She gave him a small smile. "Do you think you can handle being stuck with me for a while longer?"

Ron smirked. "I'm not sure really, I have to think about it. After all, you can be quite bossy and annoying sometimes."

xxx

"I have to study, Ron," Hermione said annoyed and pushed him away.

About three days after the talk with her father Hermione had started to bury herself in schoolwork. Although she kept telling everyone she was doing it because of the upcoming hearing, to make a good impression in case they ask her any subject related questions, it wasn't the whole truth. The work also helped her to cope with her new situation with her parents. Hermione was determined to proof them wrong; she wanted to show them that she could have both, a baby and a good education and job respectively.

Of course Ron thought she was mental doing this as their teachers already knew how good she was and he didn't think they would ask something like that anyway, but knowing Hermione and because of their recent developed relationship, he hadn't argued with her about it and had kept his thoughts mostly to himself for the time being.

"I just wanted to give you a little kiss," Ron said resentful. It was the third time today that she had pushed him away when he attempted to kiss her, and he hated it.

"I know how your little kisses always turn into full grown snogging sessions, Ron, and I don't have time for that at the moment," Hermione countered without looking up from her book.

"That's not true," he defended himself, blushing furiously. "Not always. Besides, I thought you like it when I kiss you."

Hermione simply ignored him and continued reading. Ron watched her rather crossly, feeling rejected.

"What are you studying for anyway?" Ron asked grumpily after a few minutes of silence, although he could guess her answer already.

Hermione tore her eyes away from her book and gaped at him in disbelief. "I want to be prepared in case we are allowed to go back to Hogwarts," she snapped angrily.

Ron snorted, which made Hermione even angrier. "Just because you don't care about school, doesn't mean I haven't to either."

"I never said you shouldn't care about school, Hermione, and believe it or not, I do care too," Ron flared up. "All I meant is that you probably already know most of the stuff they're going to teach us next year, so relax a bit, will you? You're pregnant after all."

"Exactly, and that's why I have to study even harder. We don't just have to think about our future anymore, Ron, now we are responsible for a new life as well."

"Don't you think I know that?" Ron snapped heatedly.

x

Harry was sitting in the kitchen munching away on a sandwich when the door burst open with full force and Ron stormed in.

"I'm telling you, she is completely mental," Ron announced disgruntled and plopped into the seat next to him.

"What has happened now?" Harry asked, more out of duty than real interest.

"She is studying like crazy in there," Ron complained, pointing accusingly toward the sitting room.

"Why are you so surprised about that? Hermione always studies like crazy." Harry asked surprised.

"Yeah, I know," Ron cried out in frustration, "but that was before we, you know, got together."

Harry smirked at him. "Let me get this straight. So you really thought Hermione would change her whole being and abandon her studies just because the two of you got together?"

"What? No!" Ron burst out. "But I thought she would cut it a bit short at least. I mean we still have about three weeks till the start of term. She has plenty of time to study until then."

Harry snorted at that. "And since when has something like plenty of time ever stopped Hermione from studying?"

Ron scowled at him briefly and continued with his tirade about Hermione's unfairness. "And then she accused me of being a bad father too."

"She did not," Harry exclaimed rather shocked.

"Yes she did," Ron confirmed angrily, "she as good as said that if I'd care about our baby I would study just as hard as she does."

Harry frowned. That didn't sound like Hermione at all. Sure she was strict about her studying and wanted him and Ron to keep up with her, but he doubted that she thought that Ron would be a bad father if he didn't do that.

"Are you sure you didn't misunderstand her?" Harry asked tentatively, trying to find out what really had happened between them.

"Oh that's just great, Harry," Ron burst out displeased, springing to his feet. "Side with her as always. See if I care at all." And he left the room just as forceful as he entered it.

Harry watched after him in a state of shock and puzzlement. Then suddenly he started to grin and happily ate the rest of his sandwich. It was such a good feeling to have his best friends back.

xxx

Everything went its normal way again. It was two weeks before the start of term and Harry, Fred, George and Ginny were sitting in the kitchen of the Burrow, enjoying a belated breakfast while talking about the upcoming Quidditch season.

Occasionally, the peace in the kitchen was disrupted by Ron and Hermione. One of them would storm through the kitchen while the other followed close behind, breathing down the proceeding ones neck.

Hermione had eventually cut her study schedule a bit shorter and now they were celebrating their most favourite free time activity again: arguing. The only difference was this times choice of topic.

"No Hermione, there is no bloody way my child is going to a Muggle school." Ron's lovely voice sounded through the kitchen once more.

"That's a pity for your child Ron, but my child should learn about Muggles too."

"I didn't mean our child shouldn't learn about Muggles, I just don't want it to go to a Muggle school."

"That was a good one," Ginny said after Ron and Hermione left the kitchen again, "if they continue like that they turn their kid into some barmy git"

"Actually I liked it better when they were arguing whether their child should choose a job in the Ministry of Magic or not," Harry said smirking, "or the time they discussed if they should allow their child to have a broomstick before Hogwarts, or rather not." They all sniggered about that.

"So Harry, when are you going to hold the tryouts?" Ginny asked. "I want to be prepared."

"I'm not sure yet, soon I suppose, so we can get an early start to ..." Harry started, but was rudely interrupted by a shrill shriek.

"What?! Are you crazy? You are not taking my baby out for flying lessons."

"… as I was saying," Harry went on after the commotion had left the kitchen again. "I want the team to have an early start so we can get as much practise time as possible before the first match. Of course I hope most of last year's players will return, but there will be some new players as well so we'll need the extra time to get to know each other better and learn to work as a team."

"Hermione, it is okay for you to learn all the time, but you can't turn our son in some bloody know it all too. It's just not normal for a boy, they'll beat him up in school for that, trust me."

"He is never going learn it, is he?" George asked grinning. "He surly will regret that comment later on."

"Definitely," Harry said apprehensively, he had an inkling that he was going to suffer in some way or another as well because of that.

"We still don't know what went wrong with the potion by the way," Fred just said when Ron and Hermione made a new round through the kitchen. "We checked it over and over again and we never lost control about our actions."

"Well, I do," Hermione said, coming to an abrupt hold, which caused Ron to bump into her, his last nasty reply dying on his lips. Harry wondered in awe how she had been able to even hear what they were talking about, while arguing with Ron.

"You do?" George asked equally astounded.

"Yeah, it wasn't that difficult to figure out, was it?" Hermione said snappish.

"Will you enlighten us then?"

"Obviously the two of you, weren't truly in love, while taking the potion," Hermione explained in a rather didactic way. "I think, suppressed feelings can strengthen the potion and cause such unintended attitude."

Behind her, Ron went bright red from embarrassment, while on the same time bearing a smug grin on his face. Hermione, probably noticing this, pursued. "But I'm certain it wouldn't affect me whatsoever, if I'd take it nowadays."

That whipped the grin from Ron's now maroon face just to be replaced by a scowl.

xxx

Ron woke up on the morning of the 25th August, feeling awfully nervous before he fully remembered why. But then it came back to him full force. Their hearing was scheduled for today and instantly the sick feeling magnified. Today was the day that decided their future life.

All the time Ron had tried to assure Hermione that everything was going to be okay, that they would be allowed to go back to Hogwarts for sure. But the truth was he was terrified that they wouldn't.

What would he do with his life when he really was expelled? He had no doubt that Hermione would have any trouble finding a decent job even without graduation, and be brilliant at it nonetheless. Besides, she had to take care of their baby first and needn't to worry about that yet.

But Ron on the other hand had to support a family soon. He needed a good job and therefore a good education. He also was rather keen to show everyone that he could stand on his own feet, not only his parents and Hermione but her parents as well. He really wanted to have their approval, and for them to think that he was worth to be with their daughter.

Ron nervously ruffled up his hair and sighed deeply. Knowing Hermione, she was already awake and probably rather agitated by now. He didn't want to add to her anxiety by revealing his own fears and insecurities; he had to be strong and positive for her today.

x

Hermione was already neatly dressed in her school uniform and nervously kneading her hands as she waited for the rest of the Burrow to wake up.

Of course Molly and Arthur, who had taken the day off to be able to accompany them, were the first to come down.

Both gave Hermione a sympathetic smile and Molly hugged her shortly in a comforting way before she busied herself with the breakfast preparations.

About half an hour later a widely yawning Ginny staggered into the kitchen, soon followed by Harry who was clearly still half asleep. Both mumbled something that sounded like "morning" before they flopped down onto their chairs. Even Fred and George found their way out of bed before 8 am and joined the sleepy breakfast party.

Hermione suspected that a guilty conscience might have woken them all up in the wee hours of the day, and she really appreciated this little gesture of moral support.

The only person still missing was Ron. Hermione wondered where he was. Shouldn't he be here by now? She really wanted him by her side this morning. So what was taking him so long? Surely he wasn't still asleep, was he?

When Ron finally showed up Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. He was still in his pyjamas and his hair was messily pointing in every direction imaginable.

He smiled at her and sat down on his chair opposite of her. As soon as he had done that he loaded his plate with everything in vicinity and calmly started to eat as if he had all the time in the world and not a life-changing appointment ahead of him.

She watched disgusted as he gorged himself on his food. He hardly bothered to chew before he swallowed and immediately stuffed a new forkful of food in his still half-full mouth. Hermione who was feeling rather nauseated right now, which hadn't anything to do with her pregnancy for a change, said reproachfully, "Do you have to eat like that?"

Ron blinked at her in confusion. "I'm hungry," he simply said with his mouth full.

"You're eating like a cave man and you're not even dressed yet," Hermione said peevishly, "Maybe you don't remember but our hearing is today."

"Relax, will you?" Ron said irritated, "I'm aware of that, but it's not before 10 am and it isn't even 8 yet. I still have plenty of time to get ready."

"That's not the point," Hermione insisted, "I can't believe your lack of concern, Ron! Don't you care at all what's happening to us today?"

"What? How on earth did you come to that conclusion?" Ron asked indignantly. "Why is me being not properly dressed yet an indication of not caring?"

"It's not only that," Hermione emphasized, "you're always playing my worries down and can't take anything serious."

"That's not true," Ron defended himself. "I know it is serious, but there is nothing we could do about it anyway. What's done is done."

"Well, it's not like you've even tried," Hermione countered testily.

"If you're talking about your insane study sessions again …" Ron started angrily.

"At least I was trying to do something!" Hermione screeched.

"Oh yeah, like what?" Ron bellowed back. "Driving me mental? Is that what you were trying to do?"

"ENOUGH," Molly's deafening voice sounded through the kitchen, "I won't let you do that. You're not blaming each other for what is going to happen today. Understood?"

Ron and Hermione both instantly fell silent and remained that way for the rest of the breakfast, both sulking and occasionally scowling at each other. They still weren't speaking when it was finally time to go to Hogwarts.

x

The hearing was taking place in Dumbledore's office and when they entered the room, all the school governors, teachers and Professor Dumbledore were already waiting for them.

"Ah, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger have a seat," Dumbledore greeted them good-naturedly.

Ron felt his father's hand on his shoulder and was gently stirred further into the room. Nervously, Ron grasped Hermione's hand for support and squeezed it tightly. He felt her squeeze back just as tightly seconds later, and together they crossed the room to sit down on the two chairs in front of their tribunal.

Cautiously Ron looked around. Most of the governors were looking very stern, only Lucius Malfoy was watching them with a nasty sneer and a slightly disgusted look on his face.

Next Ron's gaze wandered to the teachers. And although he saw some stern faces among them too, was their overall attitude not as hostile as the governors', well, except Snape's maybe who made the impression of rather being anywhere else than here. Ron couldn't blame him. Who would have thought they were ever going to have something in common?

Lastly Ron's look landed on Professor McGonagall and almost couldn't believe when she was giving him a small but encouraging smile.

"Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, as you know we are gathered here today to discuss your future at Hogwarts ..." Dumbledore began his speech.

"I really don't know what there is to discuss anymore," Lucius Malfoy interrupted him rudely. "They broke the school rules. The only consequence for that can be expulsion."

Dumbledore calmly turned towards Malfoy, "Actually Lucius, there is no school rule that says a pregnant student isn't allowed at Hogwarts. As we never expected a pregnancy would ever occur with the existing spells to prevent them, such a rule was never established or even discussed. That means Miss Granger's pregnancy can't be counted as a reason for expelling her. We are only here today to decide what the best option is to deal with the situation."

Ron couldn't believe his ears. When there was indeed no school rule against pregnancies, he and Hermione actually stood a chance here. Briefly he wondered why Hermione hadn't known about that, she knew everything after all.

"She is underage and apparently her parents," Lucius Malfoy screwed up his nose, "don't want her to stay at Hogwarts any longer."

Ron frowned at him, taken aback. Was it true that her parents still wanted to take her out of Hogwarts? He had thought that her father in the end kind of accepted her decision to stay. Ron chanced a glance at Hermione, and noticed that she looked just as startled as he felt about this peace of information.

"Miss Granger will be of age next month, so I think we can turn a blind eye on that matter for the time being," McGonagall intervened and Ron felt the sudden urge to kiss her on the cheek for that. But he restrained himself and just settled on grinning at her furtively.

Lucius Malfoy on the other hand looked more like he would love to strangle her. Clearly struggling with his self-control he turned to Dumbledore instead. "So you actually want to tolerate such behaviour at your school and do nothing about it?"

Some of the governor's nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

"I think we should wait with the judgement until we heard Miss Granger's and Mr Weasley's side of the story," Dumbledore said and addressed to Ron and Hermione. "Would you please tell us how this pregnancy came to be?"

Ron's grin disappeared at once while his eyes widened in horror. Did Dumbledore actually expect them to tell everyone in the room how he got Hermione pregnant?

To his utter surprise Hermione nodded and started to share their story.

Telling your family and friends was one thing, and even then he hadn't been comfortable, but telling your teachers was something entirely different. Ron was sure he had never been so embarrassed like he was right now in his entire life, as he heard Hermione describe the effect the potion had on her.

After she had finished the room went awfully quiet and Ron realised that it probably was his turn now to tell what has happened, but just as he drew a breath to start Dumbledore began to speak again.

"I think it's obvious that Miss Granger and Mr Weasley both acted under the influence of the potion, which they didn't take willingly I'd like to add, and therefore I don't think they should be hold responsible for what has happened afterwards."

Ron gaped at Dumbledore in astonishment, was he really saying what Ron thought he was saying? That he and Hermione would actually get away with everything. He instantly felt immensely relieved and at the same time a bit guilty too, after all, he had never been under the influence of the potion, but of course he wasn't so stupid to mention that right now or anytime soon.

"He also attacked my son," Lucius Malfoy said angrily while pointing accusingly at Ron, probably realising that he was fighting a losing battle now. "He broke his nose."

"And he was punished for that," Dumbledore retorted, but still overly calm.

"So that's it?" Lucius Malfoy asked furious, "One little detention and everything is forgotten? That boy has an obvious violent nature and a tendency for breaking the rules and you still allow him to stay at Hogwarts?"

"When I remember correctly, Lucius," Dumbledore said a bit more forceful, making it clear that the issue was closed, "was Mr Weasley provoked by your son when it happened and also was outnumbered by one to seven."

Lucius Malfoy was livid by now. He shot out of his seat and was dangerously towering over Dumbledore.

"You're making a very big mistake here, Dumbledore," he said threateningly. "The ministry will hear about this." Then he stormed out of the room.

Most of the governors followed suit. "Scandalous!" Ron heard one of them mutter as they went past him.

x

Hermione sat rather dumbfounded as she tried to comprehend what just had happened. She and Ron were not only not expelled, but weren't even punished in any way. They actually were able to have their baby and still finish their education. Maybe everything was indeed going to be okay like Molly and Ron constantly were trying to tell her.

She felt Ron squeeze her hand and looked up into his smiling face. She could tell that he was equally relieved as she was and she happily smiled back.

"But Dumbledore, how is this supposed to work?" an elderly wizard asked, and Hermione turned her gaze away from Ron to focus on what he was talking about.

"Although it's been a while since I had little children myself, I seem to remember that they require a lot of attention, and I honestly hope you don't consider allowing them to take the baby to classes with them."

Instantly the relief Hermione had felt just moments ago was gone again and the apprehension was back. She suddenly realised that she had been so anxious about being expelled that she hadn't really had time to worry about this problem too yet.

She turned back to Ron to make out what he was thinking, but to her surprise Ron was trying very hard not to laugh, his face already dark red from the struggle.

Hermione couldn't see at all what was so funny about their situation. But then she noticed Ron chancing a glance at the teacher's table. She followed his gaze, and found it directed at Snape who had the most horrified expression she had ever seen on his face. His lips were so tightly pressed together that only a very thin, white line was visible and his eyes were bulging. Against her better judgement Hermione had to grin at the sight too.

"Arthur and I will look after the baby of course while they have classes," Molly said self-evidently.

"And after the classes?" the governor asked.

"Oh we thought about that too," Dumbledore said happily. "We think it would be best if Mr Weasley and Miss Granger only attend the classes here at Hogwarts and then return home afterwards. Professor McGonagall has agreed to connect the fireplace in her office with the Weasley's so they can come and go as they wish."

The elderly wizard processed the new information for a moment then said, "Very well, Dumbledore, it seems like you've thought everything through."

He turned toward the other remaining governors. "Anymore questions?" They only shook their heads no. "Well, I guess that means we are finished here."

The governors and the teachers, besides McGonagall and Dumbledore of course, gathered their things and left the office as well.

"So we really can come back to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked happily when they were gone. She still couldn't believe it was really happening and needed more assurance.

Dumbledore smiled kindly at her. "Of course I expect you two to stick by the rules more than ever now. We don't want to give anyone a reason to think you're receiving special treatment here and could turn that against you."

Hermione and Ron both nodded solemnly.

"Furthermore, Poppy agreed to supervise your pregnancy Miss Granger. I want you to visit her regularly and do everything she tells you!"

"I will Professor!" Hermione agreed promptly.

"Good, then I think we are done here for the time being and you two can go back home," Dumbledore dismissed them.

But before they had the chance to stand up, McGonagall said, "I have to admit, I'm still puzzled how all that could happen at all, the pregnancy I mean, with all the spells around to prevent it."

"To be honest I'm at a loss about this myself," Dumbledore admitted. "The spell should have worked for the Room of Requirement too. Unless," he turned curiously to Ron and Hermione, "Unless one of you wished for this to happen of course, I don't know how it was possible."

"But that's mental," Ron burst out before he could stop himself. "Who in their right mind would wish to have a baby at our age? I mean, I'm okay with it now, but if I had the choice, I'd rather not be a father so soon."

Everyone nodded in agreement to his statement, everyone but Hermione who had turned bright red and seemed to shrink into her chair. Ron frowned at her suspiciously.

"You didn't wish for a baby, did you?" he asked shocked. Now everyone else fixed their gazes on her too, and Hermione turned an even darker shade of red.

"Uhm …, no …, of course I haven't," she stammered and Ron sighed relieved. "But I kind of thought about it sometimes …, you know …, what it would be like …, having children with you," Hermione admitted sheepishly, avoiding his eyes and rather looked at her feet. "So maybe …, I don't know …, it could be possible …, maybe the room thought I wanted to have a baby now."

Ron gaped at her, too astounded to say something.

"Well, I guess that mystery is solved too," interrupted Dumbledore the stunned silence cheerfully.

x

Ron hadn't said a word since they've left the office and Hermione didn't blame him. So it was her fault after all that they were having a baby. She alone was responsible for 'ruining their life' as her parents so nicely phrased it, and she felt immensely guilty for that.

Of course Ron said he was happy about the baby, but was that really the truth? Maybe he just said that to reassure her. Hadn't he just admitted that he wouldn't want a baby if he had a choice? Did he hate her now for putting him in this situation?

"Ron, say something!" Hermione demanded as she couldn't stand his silence any longer. "Are you mad at me?"

Ron who was sitting on the sofa, deep in thoughts, looked briefly up at her. Then he quickly checked if they really were alone in the Burrow's sitting room before he licked his lips and leaned forward, his forearms resting on his legs. "Did you really imagine having children with me?" he whispered smirking.

Whatever response Hermione had expected, it hadn't been this one. "Yeah, well," Hermione blushed, "not right now of course, but … sometime later."

Ron's smile broadened. "When?" he asked huskily.

Hermione frowned, "What do you mean?"

Ron cleared his throat, "When did you imagine those things?"

Hermione blushed even more. "Mostly it happened when you and Harry were playing chess. You're always completely absorbed in your game, so you didn't notice me staring at you and I could undisturbed picture our life together while looking at you as much as I wanted."

"Blimey," Ron exclaimed in astonishment, leaning back against the sofa again. "And there was I, thinking you were studying all the time."

They both grinned at each other for a moment then Ron asked, "You know what that means don't you?"

Hermione only looked at him puzzled as she hadn't had a clue what he was talking about.

"It means that, in a way, our baby is a planned child after all," Ron explained happily, "I like that. It sounds way better than a bloody accident."

"So does that mean you're not angry with me?"

"No, of course not," he exclaimed puzzled, "it's not like you tricked me into having a baby or something, is it? And if I remember correctly there are always two people involved. Besides, it wouldn't change a thing, would it? In the end you're still pregnant with my child."

"Who are you, and what have you done with Ronald Weasley?" Hermione asked bewildered.

Ron smiled sheepishly, "Don't worry, he is still around and will probably pop up at the most inconvenient times."

"Good," Hermione said, sitting down on his lap and linking her arms around his neck, "because I would miss him terribly otherwise." Ron smirked and leaned forward to kiss her.

After a while he pulled back again. "So Hermione, tell me, what did you imagine our children will look like?"

Then he suddenly frowned at her suspiciously, "And of how many children are we talking here exactly?"