Disclaimer: I own nothing! Sadly :(
Author's Note: As to not give anything away, I'll write a note at the bottom, explaining some things! But I really really would love some reviews on this chapter!
Chapter Fourteen
Months and months had passed since Draco and Hermione had moved to 17 Brooks Drive. Winter had turned into spring, spring had turned into summer, and now it was late fall. Hermione and Draco had celebrated their 18th birthdays, claiming their same birthdays when they spoke with the new people in their lives.
They'd both grown quite close with Sophie, as well as Lilian, the girl who'd been at Hermione's work when they'd first gone in. Hermione and Draco had taken to watching Ella occasionally when Sophie had other things to do. They both loved it.
According to Dumbledore, two more Horcruxes had been found and destroyed, meaning they were coming closer and closer to destroying Voldemort. But it was taking it's time. Finding the rest would be extremely challenging.
Hermione slowly sat up in bed, feeling groggy. She heard the sound of sizzling food outside her door and knew that Draco was up and cooking breakfast. He'd taken to cooking a few things without magic, though it had been reluctantly.
Hermione groaned quietly. She had woken up feeling nauseous for the last four days, and today was no change.
Maybe she was fighting off a bug?
She didn't know. But, it was getting annoying. She knew by later on that she'd feel perfectly fine.
She pulled herself out of bed and walked into the kitchen to see Draco cooking bacon and eggs. He turned to her and smiled.
"Good morning, sleepy." he laughed.
Hermione rubbed her eyes, feeling exhausted. "Morning." she mumbled.
"How are you feeling this morning?" he asked, kissing her forehead before turning back and tending to the food.
She sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. She just wanted to go back to sleep. But, she had to be at work in less than two hours.
"That great?" Draco said, sarcastically.
"Yeah. You feel fine though, right?" Hermione asked.
Draco nodded. "Yeah, I feel fine. Maybe you should call in sick. Take a day to rest."
Hermione shook her head. "I'll probably be fine later."
Hermione rested her chin in her hands and sighed. She wished that she could go to Madam Pomfrey. She'd fix her up immediately.
"Okay..." Draco said uncertainly.
He placed a plate of food in front of her, along with a cup of tea. He then sat across from her, placing in front of him the same things.
"But, promise me you'll come home if you feel really bad?" he pressed.
Hermione nodded, taking a small sip of her tea. "I will."
"Thank you." Draco smiled.
They ate with one another until she watched his eyes travel to the clock behind her. She watched them widen.
"Bloody hell. I'm gonna be late." Draco groaned.
Hermione watched as he pulled out his wand, casting his plate to the sink. Draco was still working at his same job. She knew he didn't really like it, but he was doing it for the sake of them.
"Hermione, I know it was my turn, but can you tend to the potion this morning?" Draco called from the bathroom with a mouth full of toothpaste.
"Of course." Hermione answered.
She poked a little at her bacon and took a bite. Instantly, she felt worse. She booked it to their bathroom, making it just in time to puke in the toilet.
She groaned and wiped her mouth, sitting on the floor.
"Merlin, Hermione. Please call in sick today. Please." Draco pleaded, kneeling on the floor in front of her.
Hermione nodded reluctantly. She really didn't want to, but she knew it would be best.
"Would you like me to stay with you today?" he asked, standing back up.
She heard him murmur something and into the bathroom flew a cup full of water. He kneeled back down and passed it to her.
"No, no. Go to work, Draco. I'll be fine." she said, her voice wobbling.
He looked at her, looking beyond conflicted.
"Please, Draco. Go to work."
He sighed. "On two conditions."
"Which are?"
"You call me if you need anything. And you write to Dumbledore and see if we could go see a doctor or something. Because, obviously, we can't go to St. Mungo's, and I don't know if medication or something that they have here would mess up the Polyjuice Potion." he said.
Hermione nodded. "Okay, I will."
She strangely felt a little better, but still definitely not normal. Draco dashed out of the bathroom and into their bedroom.
"You're gonna be late." Hermione called out, taunting him.
"Shut it!" he yelled back, laughter in his voice.
Hermione smiled feebly and stood up carefully. She felt woozy. She flushed the toilet and started brushing her teeth to get rid of the disgusting taste in her mouth. Once she was done, she walked slowly out into the living room, Draco entering at the same time.
"Now, please be careful today. Call your work, and stay home. If you throw up after taking Polyjuice Potion, you'll probably turn back into yourself. And please, please call me if you need anything. I'll call later to check up on you." Draco ordered.
"Draco, I'll be okay. I promise. Go to work." Hermione said softly.
He kissed her lips but she pulled away fast.
"What if I'm contagious?" she shouted.
He shook his head and kissed her again. When they pulled away, he had a smile on her face.
"Worth it." he said, heading for the door. "I love you, Hermione Granger. Please feel better."
"I love you, too, Draco Malfoy."
He went out the door leaving Hermione to herself. She tended to the Polyjuice Potion quickly before she went into their bedroom and pulled out the Communication book between them and Professor Dumbledore. They had been corresponding every so often, only when the other needed to know something. He did occasionally check up on them, as well.
Professor Dumbledore, it's Hermione. I think I'm falling ill, and Draco and I were wondering what I should do. He wants me to get checked out by a Doctor, but I really don't know what Muggle medication would do interacting with Polyjuice Potion. I don't think it's too serious, but I really don't know what to do.
She closed the book and walked back into the living room, carrying it with her. She picked up the phone and dialed Lilian's number, one she now knew by heart.
"Hello?" Lilian mumbled on the end of the line.
"Lilian, it's Rhiannon."
"This better be good, Rhi. I was sleeping." she mumbled.
Lilian was the grumpy sort, but Hermione loved her all the same because she was an amazing person.
"I was wondering if you could cover me at work today. I'm supposed to be there at 9:30, but I'm sick and Thomas is insisting that I stay home." Hermione explained.
She heard Lilian sigh. "Okay, of course I'll cover for you. Just get better, okay?"
"Thanks, Lilian."
"Bye, Rhi."
"Bye."
Hermione hung up and then called Alison at the shop, explaining that Lilian would cover her shift for her. She wished Hermione well and then hung up.
She opened the Communication book and found a new message from Professor Dumbledore.
Hermione, I am very sorry to hear that you are ill. You are right with not going to a Muggle doctor, as obviously the effects of mixing Polyjuice Potion with Muggle medication have never been explored. I have figured a solution. If you so agree, I will apparate into your apartment and then bring you back to Hogwarts with me - as yourself. Mr. Potter will be waiting in my office with his Invisibility Cloak, and then we shall escort you to Madam Pomfrey and an empty hospital wing. After, as much as I would not like to, I shall wipe her memory so she has no memory of you ever being there. Please kindly respond now if you agree.
Hermione almost squealed in delight. Just the thought of getting to see Harry made her excited. She missed him desperately. Even if it was only for a short while, she'd love to see him.
Yes please. That would be lovely.
A few moments later, Hermione heard a crack behind her. She stood from the couch and twirled around to see Professor Dumbledore clad in purple robes smiling at her.
"Hello, Miss. Granger."
"Hi, Professor!" she exclaimed.
"Please, dress yourself and then I shall take you back to Hogwarts with me, okay?" he said kindly.
Hermione looked down at herself. She was still in her plaid pajama bottoms and t-shirt. Her eyes fluttered self-consciously to her scarred arm. She crossed her arms and nodded at him, hurrying into her bedroom.
A few moments later, she came back into the living room, dressed in simple, comfortable Muggle clothes, to find Professor Dumbledore sitting on her couch looking through a magazine about cooking that Hermione had brought home for Draco one day.
"Professor?" she called out hesitantly, still feeling a little woozy.
He stood up and placed the magazine down. "Ah, my apologies, Miss. Granger. I love Muggle magazines."
"It's quite alright."
Hermione found a scrap piece of paper and scribbled a note to Draco, explaining where she was in case he returned before she did.
"Now, l'm hoping that you are well enough to Apparate." Dumbledore said.
"Let's hope." Hermione said quietly.
"Now, if you would please take my arm." he instructed.
Hermione took his arm and was immediately swirled into the familiar sensation of Apparition. Once they'd arrived, Hermione felt quite ill. She stood with her eyes closed and collected herself until she felt a little better. She opened her eyes and looked around Professor Dumbledore's office. She smiled immediately.
"Professor, is -"
"Yes, Harry is on his way. He's bringing Mr. Weasley with him." Dumbledore explained with a smile.
"Hermione!" two voices shouted.
She looked to the entrance of the Headmaster's Office and instantly grinned as two boys came speeding towards her. They both threw their arms around her, almost knocking her over.
"Harry! Ron!" she cried.
They took a step back from her and she hugged them each individually.
"How are you?" she squealed.
"Fine! But, you're sick! What's going on?" Harry demanded.
"Oh, it's probably nothing. Draco just got really worried and wanted me to see a Doctor." Hermione explained.
She watched as both of their excited and worried expressions changed at her mention of Draco.
"And... how is Malfoy? How's your life, wherever you are?" Harry asked.
She looked at Ron, who was standing with his arms crossed and his eyes averted. She instantly flashed back to when he had called her a Mudblood. Her heart stung, but she shook the thoughts away.
"Draco is wonderful. And my life is... it's good. It's better than expected." she explained.
"And is the ferret being good to you?" Ron spat.
Hermione glared at him. "Draco is being amazing to me."
"Now, Miss. Granger, I know you want to catch up with your friends, but we do need to get you to Madam Pomfrey. Afterwards, I shall leave you three, and Miss. Weasley alone up here for an hour or so before I escort you back to you-know-where, okay?" Professor Dumbledore instructed.
"Of course."
Harry passed Hermione his Invisibility Cloak and she smiled at him. "Thank you. I'll see you two in a bit."
Professor Dumbledore and Hermione made their way the Hospital Wing, Hermione hidden underneath Harry's cloak. Hermione took sight around her, and could barely contain herself as she passed Luna and Neville in the hallway. Her nausea had faded a lot, and she almost felt okay.
Once they arrived at the empty Hospital Wing, Dumbledore instructed Hermione to pull off the cloak.
"Ah, Miss. Granger. Welcome back." Madam Pomfrey said, rounding the corner to them.
"Now, Poppy, you remember our agreement?" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course. You'll wipe my memory after. I understand." she answered.
Dumbledore smiled and said he'd be back soon, leaving them alone.
"Alright, Miss. Granger, can you tell me what's been happening? Why are you here?" she asked, motioning for Hermione to sit on a bed.
"Well, all week, I've been waking up feeling nauseous and dizzy and today I even threw up, and I don't know what's going on. I feel better as the day goes on. It's just weird." Hermione explained
Madam Pomfrey nodded at her, explaining that she'd cast a few charms over her. They were tests to see if there was any virus or anything in her system.
She had her drink a few potions, and see what her reactions were.
After a half an hour, Madam Pomfrey was still puzzled.
"How old are you again, dear? Have you turned 18 yet?" she asked.
Hermione nodded.
"And, are you sexually active?"
Hermione felt her face flush as she nodded stiffly. Madam Pomfrey nodded, her face displaying no emotion. She waved her wand over Hermione once more and she noticed a glow come from around her. She felt a strange sensation pass through her as she looked at Madam Pomfrey.
"Oh dear." Madam Pomfrey said.
"What? What is it?" Hermione asked frantically.
"Miss. Granger... I'm afraid you're pregnant."
Author's Note: Now, please tell me what you think of this plot twist! Also, as for the tests that Madam Pomfrey is running over Hermione... I really have no idea how any of that would work.. I'm just making it up as I go along. Reviews please! xx