Chapter 11 - Telling McGonagall
A few days later on a Saturday, Draco appeared at the door of Hermione's rooms before she had applied her glamour charms and dressed in her robes. She opened the door to find Draco standing there, already dressed in his uniform.
"Geez, Granger, one would think you'd have already been awake for hours." She sighed.
"Come in, if you must." She stepped aside to let him come in and he sat down on her sofa. She sat next to him.
"Hermione I know this is going to be hard, but you need to talk to McGonagall soon."
"I know, but…"
"Today, after you get dressed."
"But I'm not ready."
"You've been saying that since you found out Hermione. You only have two months left, and you can't expect people not to notice even with the glamour charms."
Hermione sighed. She knew Draco was right; she just didn't want to face the Headmistress.
"Fine. But you're coming. Wait here until I get dressed," Hermione ordered.
With that she entered her bedroom, donned her robes, applied her glamour charms and brushed her hair. She grabbed her wand and tucked it into her robes and returned to her sitting room.
"Ready?"
"No."
"Breakfast first?" Draco offered.
"No, let's get it over with," Hermione said.
Draco held her hand as they walked to McGonagall's office.
"This is too familiar," Draco commented as they approached the gargoyle. It was true that they had visited the Headmistress's office quite a bit over the course of the school year.
Before Hermione knew it she was seated next to Draco in front of McGonagall's desk holding a cup of tea.
"Professor, there's something Hermione needs to tell you," Malfoy said.
With those words, all doubt was removed from McGonagall's mind. She knew where this was going and she also knew she was going to have to break the news to the girl. Mr. Malfoy could do with a telling off as well. After all, there was no ring on Miss Granger's finger and even if there was, they should have known better. They should have waited.
"Go on, Miss Granger. I'm sure you don't want to miss the trip to Hogsmeade because of this meeting."
"You see, Professor, well, last June, well, um, I'm not exactly sure how to say this."
"Get on with it, Granger," Malfoy said.
"I'm pregnant," she blurted out. Hermione found herself unable to meet her professor's eyes.
"As you know, Miss Granger, technically you are not allowed to remain at school."
"I know. I'll get packing then."
"However, since you have nowhere to left to go, I shall… look the other way."
"You mean I can stay?"
"Yes, Miss Granger. I'm sure the house elves would be more than happy to help you care for your child while you are in class. When will this young one be coming into the world?"
"Two months," Malfoy supplied helpfully. Little did he know that he was digging himself into a hole.
"Alright, Miss Granger. That is all? I wish you had come to me sooner, but you may go." They rose to leave.
"Not you, Mr. Malfoy, you will remain here."
"I'll wait for you," Hermione told him and she stepped out of the office.
"Sit down Mr. Malfoy." Draco sat.
"You do realize that the Board of Governors does not allow students who are with child to remain at school."
"Yes ma'am."
"Did you know this last, June, I believe Miss Granger said?"
"No, Professor, I did not."
"Mr. Malfoy, you have…"
"Professor, please hear me out. While I did not know of this policy last June, it is hardly relevant as Granger and I were not speaking in June."
"Mr. Malfoy, as I'm sure you know, you did not have to be speaking to do what you did…"
"What I'm saying Professor, is that I had nothing to do with Hermione's child. I have merely been helping her manage her work over the course of the year."
"Mr. Malfoy, have you or have you not engaged in such, activities, with Miss Granger while under the care of this institution?"
"No, Professor, I have not."
"And did you, or did you not engage in sexual activities with Miss Granger over the summer?" Was it just him, or did she seem incredibly uncomfortable discussing this with him?
"I honestly can't see how this is any of your business."
"Malfoy," she warned.
"However, I have not."
"Is that your final answer, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes, it is. I believe I would know if I was the one to get Granger pregnant. I do know something about biology, Professor, and since I have done nothing more than kiss Hermione, it is impossible that I am the father of her child."
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy, I apologize. Do you know who the father is?"
"Think about it Professor. Who's been harassing us? Who does Granger avoid?"
"Ah, I see, I believe I will be speaking to Mr. Weasley about this."
"NO! Professor, you can't. He doesn't know. He doesn't deserve to know."
"Alright, Mr. Malfoy. You may go."
…
"The nerve of her. Accusing me of…"
"Keep your voice down, Draco. I don't need any more reporters following me."
"Sorry. I just can't understand how she didn't realize that had we been alone long enough to…"
"Draco," Hermione hissed.
"In June, we would have been hexing each other, not…"
"Draco Malfoy, shut up before I make you." With that, Hermione dragged him off to Gladrags Wizardwear in search of maternity robes.
A/N: Please review!
