Ron kept trying to see her, but Hermione dodged every attempt. She couldn't look at him. She may be the 'other' woman, but it still hurt to learn that he could cheat on her.

Or, if he hadn't cheated on her, – she had yet to talk to Lavender – that he believed he could.

Christmas may be only a week away, but Hermione was already sick of the holidays.

She had invited Lavender over, using wedding planning as an excuse. They sat at her kitchen table, gluing together centerpieces for a wedding that Hermione could still admit she didn't want taking place, no matter how angry she was at Ron.

"So is Ron excited for the baby?" Hermione slid a glance at Lavender, who was waving her wand with a concentrated look on her face.

"He seemed pretty shocked, but I think he's getting used to the idea." Lavender brushed hair back from her face. "He's just a little old-fashioned when it comes to the whole marriage before kids thing. I keep telling him that we'll be married before the baby's born, so that's all that matters."

Hermione frowned at the flowers and frills surrounding her. "Sure. That's all that matters."

Lavender glanced up at Hermione. "I'm actually really glad this happened, honestly. I hate admitting it, because sometimes I think it's just in my head, but Ron's seemed a little…distant… in the past few months.

Hermione set her wand down, surprised Lavender was acknowledging it. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know. Part of me wonders if he knows about Seamus. One of the girls at work wrote an article about how a significant other can just…tell….when they're spouse or girlfriend hasn't remained kept faithful."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. Lavender hadn't brought up Seamus since she had confessed the affair. "Well if he hasn't said anything by now, I doubt he's going to find out. That was way back at the end of September." Lavender dropped her want and put her head in her hands, elbows resting on the table. Hermione cocked her head questioningly. "…Right?"

Hermione then sat back in her chair, in shock, as she watched her best friend fall apart.

"It was in Paris."

"What was in Paris?"

Lavender sat up, tears running down her face. "Seamus showed up in Paris. You remember, when I got sent there for that article? I don't know how, but he found out that Ron couldn't go. He showed up with this big romantic gesture, and stayed the whole weekend."

Hermione leaned her head back, mouth open. She hoped the words would come to her, but Lavender spoke before she could think of something.

"Paris was a little more than a month ago."

"A month ago from wh…Lavender." Hermione shook her head. "You are not telling me that Seamus…"

"Seamus is my child's father. Oh, God, Hermione, what am I going to do?"

"Are…are you sure?"

Lavender grabbed a napkin and started wiping her eyes. "Yes. Ron hasn't touched me since before September."

"But not since then?" Hermione felt warmth blossom in her chest.

"Yes!" Lavender snapped. "Do you think I'm some kind of slag who wouldn't remember?"

"No, that's not what I meant, I'm sorry. I'm just surprised…you two are engaged." Realization hit her. "Lavender, you told Ron it was his baby!"

"I didn't know what to do! So I told him he had come home drunk one night and that's why he doesn't remember."

Hermione stood and paced around her kitchen. "Lavender, I cannot believe you. That is such a despicable thing to do. Were you really not planning on telling Ron?"

"That's why I'm telling you! I started thinking, and then I realized how different Ron and Seamus look. What if this baby has brown hair? I mean, every single person in Ron's family, practically, has red hair, and most of my family is blonde!"

"That's the reason you're telling me? You're worried about getting caught?" Hermione angrily ran a hand through her hair, realizing she was mimicking Ron when he was upset. "Lavender, at least answer me this. Do you love him?"

"Yes." She seemed sure of her answer.

"But you aren't going to tell him this baby isn't his?"

Lavender frowned. "It is his."

"But you just said… wait, who are you talking about?"

"Who are you talking about?"

Hermione's frustration grew. "Ron!"

"Oh."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I love Ron."

Hermione leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. "So what are you planning on doing, Lavender? Are you going to tell him?"

"Yes. I was thinking that once we're married I could sit him down – "

"Once you're married?" Hermione felt like she was going to have a heart attack. "Lavender you cannot marry him without telling him. You say he's been distant for a while."

"Yes, but…"

Hermione ignored the interruption. "This is tricking him in the worst way, Lavender. I am not saying you have to break up with him." She felt her heart pinch as she said the words. "But you can't take that choice away from him. He needs to know the truth. Besides, what about Seamus?"

"What about Seamus?"

"You've lead me to believe that you're currently in a relationship with him."

"I don't know if I'd call it a relationship…"

"Are you sleeping with him?"

Lavender remained silent.

"Okay, try this. Why do you want to stay with Ron?"

Again, Lavender said nothing.

"Lavender, I'm sorry, but, right now, you have to get out of my flat, and think about that question. When you have an answer, you can come and talk to me, but not until then."

Lavender quietly collected her purse and coat, and left.

Hermione was practically in a rage. She had all the information she needed to get Ron to break off the wedding and be with her, completely, but she didn't want to use it. She wanted Ron to pick her, to consciously choose her, and she felt that telling Ron the truth would be cheating. Yes, he would immediately break it off with Lavender, but that wouldn't be Ron making a decision, it would be him doing what any man in his situation would do. And she would just be a consolation prize, or even worse, a rebound.

Hermione wanted to be Ron's first choice.

So she wouldn't tell him. But she did want to see him. She decided to wait a few hours, in case Lavender's revelation didn't take long, but by the end of the day, Hermione would owl him. It was settled.

Darkness fell, and Hermione still had not seen or heard from Lavender. Just as she was writing a note to Ron, asking to see him, an owl appeared at her window. She grabbed the letter and sat down.

Hermione-

I know you don't want to hear from me, but I felt I had to tell you. Lavender came home today and surprised me with a Christmas vacation. I feel I should go on it. We'll be gone until the New Year. Hopefully we can talk then.

I love you.

–Ron

Hermione was floored. When Lavender had left her apartment, Hermione had every belief that she would come to the same conclusion that Hermione had: that Lavender couldn't marry Ron. Hermione wasn't sure where Lavender had gone to make her think that an extended vacation would help things. Just as Hermione picked up a quill to write back to Ron, another owl appeared.

Hermione-

Ron and I are going on vacation. I hope this is answer enough for you. Do not contact us while we're gone. What I told you was said in confidence, and I expect you to keep it that way. I'll see you when we get back.

-Lavender

Hermione couldn't believe it- Lavender had chosen wrong. There was no way that she was in love with Ron. Hermione had caught Lavender's slip up. She had confessed to loving Seamus, not Ron, and she had meant it. So why was she doing this to herself?

Hermione threw the letter down. The only thing she could do was wait.

Author's Note: I know, you all saw it coming. Seamus is the baby daddy. Kind of a short chapter, but the next one should be longer – I'm seeing about two or three more chapters total.