All in all, the first week of the sixth year at Hogwarts was an efficient one. Potions was quickly becoming Harry's best subject, and Harry in turn became a symbol of pride for Slughorn. For a while, Potions class was even able to relieve him of some the stress he was going through with Hermione and the baby.
Fortunately for Hermione, Professor Slughorn was not one to judge her for her pregnancy.
Unfortunately, he was one of the few teachers that weren't somewhat disappointed with Hermione. Most of the others- most notably McGonagall and Snape- were a bit irritated, but she still managed to hold onto her reputation as the top academic student of her year.
Something Harry was really looking forward to was functioning as Quidditch Captain. He had not played a real game of Quidditch in over a year, as he had been banned for assaulting Malfoy on the Quidditch field. The thought of his suspension from participating in Quidditch made him all the more glad that Umbridge was dead. Upon her "departure" from Hogwarts, he had been reinstated into the Quidditch team.
The rest of the week was mostly uneventful, but Harry treasured every moment he spent with Hermione, as she treasured each moment with him.
Finally, Harry arrived at his meeting with Dumbledore just on time Saturday night. He, Ron, and Hermione had been theorizing the nature of the meeting all week, but until then the subject was still a mystery.
After greeting each other, Dumbledore went into briefing Harry about the nature of their meetings and their future meetings. As Harry had suspected, it had to do with stopping Voldemort once and for all. When the debriefing was over, they moved toward the Pensieve. There they viewed Bob Ogden's memory.
When the memory had completed its round, Harry had many questions, which Dumbledore was able to answer.
A look of sheer aversion came over Harry's face when Dumbledore told him that Tom Riddle senior had left Merope Gaunt when she was pregnant. This expression was easily noticed by Dumbledore. He remarked "A Sickle for your thoughts, Harry."
"I'm sorry, sir," said Harry, not realizing just how mad he was, "but the thought of a man abandoning a woman who is carrying his child… it disgusts me."
"I understand how you would feel that." said Dumbledore. "However, whatever the reason, some of the fault was with Merope."
"I see the logic in your statement, Professor," said Harry, "but still… I cannot help but think of Tom Riddle senior as a coward. He just ran off, leaving Merope alone and with child."
Dumbledore smiled kindly at Harry and said "I can imagine that you and Miss Granger will not be parting ways any time soon."
"Believe me, sir; I have no intention of leaving Hermione." Harry guaranteed the Headmaster, "If the situation with Voldemort gets much worse, I may have her temporarily go into hiding. But if not, then I will stand by her."
Dumbledore, always the first to identify someone's mood by the expression on his or her countenance, noticed that Harry now had a slight look of uncertainty. He asked him "Is anything troubling you?"
"Well, sir," Harry began nervously, "I'd like your opinion on something."
"Of course." said Dumbledore.
"Do you think I can be a good student and a good father at the same time?"inquired Harry.
The smile remained on Dumbledore's face. He answered with all honesty and integrity "Absolutely. I believe that you and Miss Granger will achieve some of the top grades in your year, and you will both make wonderful parents."
"Thank you, sir." Harry responded appreciatively. "I just hope to be a good parent to my daughter or my son."
"Between you and me, Harry," said Dumbledore, "I believe that had Voldemort's father not left him, you wouldn't have that scar on your forehead right now. If Voldemort had grown up in a house with two parents instead of an orphanage with a lot of strangers, he would not have become the world's most feared Dark Lord."
Harry saw the reason in Dumbledore's statement. But on the other hand, Harry himself would have preferred an orphanage to the Dursleys' house on Privet Drive.
Before Harry left Dumbledore's office, he wanted to ask the Headmaster a personal question. He asked him "Have you ever regretted not having children, sir?"
"Oh, yes, many times I have, Harry." Dumbledore replied. "But nevertheless I am proud of the work I have managed to accomplish in all my decades of working at this school, as well as the work I accomplished before that."
Harry nodded, bid Dumbledore good night, and left without another word.
As the next week went by, many of the sixth years were already starting to lose their heads. Hermione had predicted that even with certain class periods off, no one would really be able to relax. As usual, she was right.
Harry's order of Advanced Potion Making had come in sooner. But he was unwilling to part with it, so he merely switched the book covers on the new copy and the Half-Blood Prince's book. No one except Ron and Hermione could tell the difference.
Shortly after this, Hermione told Ron and Harry that she wanted to go down to see Hagrid sometime soon. All three of them had given up Care of Magical Creatures, and with their busy schedules, they barely had any time to visit him.
(Book excerpt)
"I hate not talking to Hagrid," said Hermione, looking upset.
"We'll go down after Quidditch," Harry assured her. He too was missing Hagrid, although like Ron he thought that they were better off without Grawp in their lives. "But trials might take all morning, the number of people who have applied." He felt slightly nervous at confronting the first hurdle of his Captaincy. "I dunno why the team's this popular all of a sudden."
"Oh, come on, Harry," said Hermione, suddenly impatient. "It's not Quidditch that's popular, it's you! You've never been more interesting, and frankly, you've never been more fanciable."
Ron gagged on a large piece of kipper. Hermione spared him one look of disdain before turning back to Harry.
(Now back to my story)
Hermione went on to pointing out all of the noticeably impressive parts of Harry's background and his frame. Near the end of it, she stroked the side of his head and added in "You also have to admit; it's a little hard to overlook your physique."
"I know I may be attractive, Hermione," Harry humorously admitted, "but the only girl I'm interested in is you. And it's not just because of… well, you know."
Naturally, Hermione did know. He didn't even have to gesture at her lower chest; she got the message all on her own.
The Quidditch trials were rather… interesting, yes, interesting. That was the only word Harry could think of to describe them. Most of the applicants barely even knew how to properly fly a broomstick. But amongst all the unfit applicants, Harry brought together a very capable team of Ron and five other players.
A few weeks later, near the beginning of October, the sixth-years were in Potions class. They were working on another potion from the book. Unsurprisingly, Harry was making the most significant progress out of the whole class. Anyway, about halfway through the class, Hermione fidgeted a little in her seat, clutching her front.
Harry leaned over and whispered "Is everything okay?"
Hermione slowly turned her head toward Harry and whispered in his ear "Harry, I think I just felt the baby kick."
A look that expressed a mixture of delight and surprise came over Harry's face. "Really?"
Hermione took his hand in hers and placed it over her lower chest. "Right there." she whispered. There was nothing at first, but then Harry could faintly feel a small nudge against his hand coming from inside Hermione's abdomen. That was indeed the feel of his child kicking.
Harry couldn't restrain himself any longer; he kissed Hermione full on the lips right there in the middle of class. Fortunately, the only two who noticed were Ron and Ernie.
Normally, Hermione would have pushed Harry away and said "Not in class, Harry" but she couldn't help herself this time; she just closed her eyes and affectionately kissed him in return.
Please provide an answer the following question (It will be a long time before this matter is discussed, but I think I should start working on it as soon as possible): Do you think I should make the baby a boy or a girl?