A/N: Alrighty... one more chapter before I leave... supposed to be on the road in about 7 hours. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 12 - Rumors

"I'll bet he's slipping her a love potion."

"Nah, it's the Imperious curse."

"No, no, you're both wrong. She's just finally gone crazy."

Rumors were circulating the school and both Hermione and Draco knew where they had originated.

"I hear he's her boyfriend of the week."

"She's dating someone else behind his back."

Hermione stalked up to Ginny in the Gryffindor Common Room after classes.

"Report to my dorm after dinner. I have something to discuss with you."

"Sure thing, Death Eater's girlfriend."

"Miss Weasley, I suggest that you leave your attitude behind when we meet this evening."

Then Hermione walked away. She endured the afternoon in the library ignoring the rumors and insults directed at her. At dinner time, she headed to the kitchens to eat dinner with Draco. They both found it was better to avoid the rumors and insults that the rest of the school was throwing at them. Plus, eating with Draco was better than eating with the rest of the dunderheads in the first place.

The only people who weren't mean to them were Harry and Luna. Neville wasn't rude, but he didn't hang out with them because he was having a hard time getting used to Malfoy. Not that anyone really blamed him; he had been a victim of Malfoy's bullying from day one.

"Draco, I told the Weaselette to meet me in my rooms after dinner," Hermione said.

"I'll come. Then she won't get any ideas about hexing you."

"Probably a good idea. We should get going. As rude and inconsiderate as she is, I don't want to sink to that level."

"Okay, Granger, point taken," he took a final drink of pumpkin juice and stood up. "Let's go."

Hermione rose and took his hand and they walked back to her room. She sat down on the couch and Draco removed her glamour charm.

"Draco! She's going to be here any minute!"

"Relax. Weasels are known to be late. Too many immature mini-weasels."

"Oh, excuse me; am I walking in on something that's against the rules?" Ginny asked.

"Weaselette, ever hear of knocking?" Malfoy said, while Hermione recast her glamour. "No one here has done anything that is against the rules except you."

"Ah, yes, I see. Clearly the Head Students are exempt from the rule that forbids pregnant students from remaining at school."

"What do you mean Weasel? I don't see anything out of the ordinary here."

"Sure, sure, Malfoy. I'm pretty sure I know what I just saw, and I know that you've gotten your traitor girlfriend pregnant." Then Ginny stormed out of the dorm before Hermione could mention why she called Ginny to her room in the first place, and before Draco could correct her.

By breakfast the next morning, the entire school knew that Hermione Granger was pregnant and they all believed Ginny when she told them that it had been Malfoy who had done it. Harry, Luna and Neville at least had the decency to confront Hermione before believing the rumors. They were shocked to hear that she was in fact pregnant, but immediately became sympathetic when she told them that Ron was the father. Then she swore them to secrecy. She didn't want Ron to find out and try to take the child away, or hurt it in any way, before or after its birth.

Even the teachers heard the rumors, and they all approached McGonagall about the possibility that these rumors might be true, even though they knew they were talking about Hermione. They too were shocked to find out that the rumors were true; Hermione was pregnant. The majority of staff supported McGonagall's decision to allow Hermione to stay at school, as she had nowhere else to go.

Earlier that morning, Ginny had flown into the boys' dorm at the crack of dawn. After prodding Ron awake, she told him that Hermione was pregnant. He still thought of her as his, even though they hadn't been together in over half a year. Needless to say, he reacted badly, not even for a moment entertaining the possibility that the child might be partly his.

"Ginny, we need revenge."

"Wow Ron, you're finally grasped that concept all on your own. Great job."

"Ginny, I'm not kidding. I have to get revenge on that traitor. She's betrayed me. Sleeping with Malfoy, really?"