Chapter Twelve

Hermione was fairly tired when they returned to Gryffindor tower so she went straight to bed leaving Harry and Ginny together in the common room. The two of them played a few games of chess and discussed ideas for Hermione's party.

"I really think you should ask Dumbledore if there's a way for us to leave the castle to do something. I really think that Ron would like to come to her party but if we have it at the castle he won't be able to come. Could you just ask him for us? If he says no, I'll think of something else but that's what I really want to do."

"I'll ask him Gin but don't count on him saying yes. You really should start thinking about our other options. I'll go ask him right now so that we don't waste any time with our planning."

"Thanks Harry."

Harry got up and left Gryffindor tower. It was still early so he didn't have to worry about getting in trouble. He took his time getting to Dumbledore's office. He gave the gargoyle the password and slowly walked up the stairs. When he knocked at the door he received no response so he knocked louder. The second time he knocked Dumbledore answered but from behind him.

"How may I help you this evening Harry?" Dumbledore asked as he and Harry entered his office.

"Well next Saturday is Hermione's seventeenth birthday and we wanted to do something special for her. Ginny wanted to see if we could maybe get special permission to go into Hogsmeade or somewhere else so that Ron would be able to come as well."

"I see no reason why not. I just received word this morning that Misters Fred and George Weasley have just purchased a house in Hogsmeade village. I would have no objections to you going into the village to celebrate Miss Grangers birthday with them. They can be your 'chaperons'. Now who would you be inviting to this party? I figure it would be more than just you, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley and Ronald."

"Well I guess we'd also be inviting Neville and Hagrid and also maybe Malfoy if Ginny wanted him there."

"That is fine. If you wish to invite anyone else just tell me who and I'll sign off on it. I just need to know which of my students are out of the castle. Is that all you needed to speak to me about or is there something else troubling you?"

"I'm worried about Hermione. What's going to happen when she has the baby? Will she still be allowed to stay at Hogwarts? What's going to happen to the baby?"

"Please take a seat Harry. I figured you'd bring this up with me eventually. Miss Granger will have to decide in a few months what she wants to do after the baby is born. She will be sent home for at least a week after the baby is born so that she can rest and recover. After that she'll have to decide if she wants to return to Hogwarts with her child or leave the child with either her parents or the Weasleys. Has she told her family about the pregnancy yet?"

"Not yet. She was waiting until after her birthday to tell them. They were planning to come and see her during the first Hogsmeade visit."

"And I take it that Ronald hasn't told his parents." Harry shook his head. "He will have to tell them eventually."

"We know but we all agreed that we shouldn't tell them just yet. Hermione isn't ready to face the Weasleys."

"That is fine. She still has some time. I would suggest telling Molly and Arthur before the baby is born but it is your choice when you tell them. I don't want you to worry about what's going to happen once the baby comes. For now, you should just think about taking care of Miss Granger and yourself and your studies. It's getting late and I'm guessing that Miss Weasley is waiting for you to return with my answer so I suggest that you return to your tower."

"Thank you sir." Harry said then returned to Gryffindor tower.

When he returned he found Ginny asleep in her chair. He carefully lifted her into his arms and carried her up to her room. After taking her shoes off for her he placed her in bed and tucked her in. Then he went up to Hermione's room to check on her. She was lying in bed awake so he went and sat down on her bed.

"Harry I'm scared." She whispered, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"I know you are." Harry whispered back as he hugged her. "I'm scared too. Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" Hermione nodded. "Ok. Move over so I have some space to lie down. It's all going to be ok."

"How do you know that?"

"I just do so please trust me."

"I do trust you Harry but how can you be so sure everything will be ok?"

"Dumbledore said it will all be ok. I went to talk to him this evening and he told me it would be. I trust Dumbledore's judgment and if he says something will be ok then it will be. He also said that we shouldn't worry about it just yet. We need to focus on taking care of ourselves and on our studies. We can worry about the rest later." Harry whispered. "And right now we both need to get some sleep so just calm down and go to sleep. I'll be right here if you need me."

"Thanks Harry. You always know how to calm me down." She kissed him once then curled up against his chest and fell asleep. Harry watched her sleep for a few minutes before falling asleep himself.

Ginny went to find Harry the next morning. When she reached the common room she found Neville. "Hey Nev. Is Harry up yet?"

"I have no clue. He never came up to the dorm last night."

"What? He never came back?" She asked in shock then ran up to Hermione's room. When she entered she was extremely shocked by what she saw. Harry and Hermione were both asleep in Hermione's bed. "'Mione? Harry?" Ginny yelled. They both nearly jumped out of bed.

"Huh? Gin, what is it?" Hermione asked sleepily.

"I was looking for Harry and Neville told me he never returned to his dorm. I thought he left again without telling us. What are you doing here Harry?"

"Sorry Gin. Last night when I came back from Dumbledore's office you were asleep so I carried you up to your room then came to check on Hermione. She was upset and asked me to sit with her until she fell asleep and I guess I fell asleep as well." Harry responded with a yawn. "Did you need something?"

"Yes I wanted to talk to you about something. Also it's time for breakfast."

"Ok. We'll be down in a minute." Hermione said and Ginny left. "Why does she need to talk to you?"

"We're planning your party together and she had some ideas that we needed to get Dumbledore's permission to do. Don't worry we're not doing anything big but I can't tell you what we're doing. I'll let you get dressed and go talk to Ginny." Harry got out of bed and walked down to the common room.

"So what did Dumbledore say last night?" Ginny asked the minute he came into sight.

"He said yes and Fred and George will be our 'chaperons'. They apparently just bought a house in the village. Did you know anything about that?"

"Yeah. They've been looking for a place to live and use as their center of operation for Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes."

"So who do you want to invite? I've already told Dumbledore that we're planning on inviting Neville and Hagrid and if you'd like you can also invite Malfoy."

"I think that's all and thanks for thinking of Draco but I don't think it would be a good idea to put him in the same room as the twins and Ron. Also he's not well enough to do that much walking yet."

"Alright. I'll tell Neville and Hagrid about the party and talk to Dumbledore about how we're going to get Ron here for it."

"Oh before I forget again. I promised Snape that I would help Draco catch up in Potions before dinner all this week. I didn't want you or Hermione to worry about me. I'm going to head down to breakfast. You should probably go check on Hermione. She's been up there for a long time."

"Bye Gin." Harry called as he went back up to Hermione's room. When he walked in he found her collapsed on the floor. "'Mione?" He screamed shaking her gently. She didn't respond. He quickly lifted her into his arms and rushed down to the hospital wing.

"Madam Pomphrey!" He yelled as he burst through the doors.

"What is it Mr. Pot…" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Hermione. "Put her on the bed and tell me what happened."

Harry placed Hermione on the bed. "I don't know. I had left her to get dressed and went to talk to Ginny and when I went back to check on her she was collapsed on the floor. Is she going to be alright?"

"Yes Mr. Potter. I need to examine her and you need to go eat. You can come back after breakfast. I can't tell you anything until then." Madam Pomphrey shooed Harry out of the hospital wing.

Harry went down to breakfast but didn't eat anything. He was worried about Hermione. He had never seen her sick in his life. Ginny tried to get Harry to eat and talk to her but he was just too worried. Ginny finally gave up and left Harry alone. When she got up to head down to Potions she finally got a response from him.

"Harry it's time for Potions. Are you coming?" Ginny said, placing her hand gently on his shoulder.

"I've got to get my bag from upstairs then I'll be down. Save me a seat." Harry said as he left the great hall. Once Ginny had gone down the stairs to the dungeons he ran up to the hospital wing. "Madam Pomphrey is Hermione ok?"

"Yes I'm fine Harry." Hermione answered from the bed.

"What happened 'Mione?"

"Miss Granger took too much of the potion I gave her for her morning sickness and it caused her to faint. I gave her the antidote and she's free to return to classes now."

"Thank you Madam Pomphrey and I promise not to take more than a spoonful from now on." Hermione got off the bed and went to Harry's side. "I'm sorry I worried you Harry. I'm fine now and I promise I won't do it again. I was just feeling extra sick this morning and thought a little more potion wouldn't hurt."

"It's fine 'Mione just don't ever scare me like that again." Harry said as he kissed her forehead. "Let's get down to Potions before we're late. Ginny's saving us seats."