Author's Note: PLEASE READ! IMPORTANT! Okay, I just want to clear up some things to avoid confusion. The last three chapters (Harry's Training) and Cho's visits with Cedric started just a couple of days after Harry and Cho arrived at France. Now, this chapter is about Hermione and Cho's conversation which happened two months later, just a week after Hermione found out about her pregnancy. We skipped two months people. So, now that that's cleared up, let's start. Read on!

Disclaimer: I do not own HP. J.K. still isn't accepting my baked cakes for her so… HP is still J.K.'s.

Chapter 21

Hermione's POV

I was flipping a card in my fingers as I sat in the living room of the Burrow. I was alone this time. Mr. Weasley went to work as usual and Mrs. Weasley went to Diagon Alley with Ginny in tow. Ron's not present either because he's at the twins' shop, helping them with some adjustments before re-opening. So technically, the whole house was mine.

Not more than a week ago, I met the possibility of being pregnant. Just a day after Ginny and I found out about the effects of the twins' potion, we went to St. Mungo's and checked our theory. It was fortunate that not a single mediwitch recognized me because it would be trouble if anybody else found out that Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of the age got knocked up by some wizard. Yes, our hunch was, in fact, correct. I was really bearing a child.

Last night, before I went to sleep, Ginny talked to me and asked when I planned to talk to Harry about my situation and I answered…

FLASHBACK!

I was lying in my bed, getting ready to sleep when Ginny suddenly sat up in her cot and asked me the very same question I was asking myself.

"Hermione, when are you planning to tell Harry about the baby?" Ginny asked with concern in her eyes. "You are going to tell him, right?"

I sat up in my bed and hugged my knees to my chest. "Of course, Ginny. I'm not going to take away Harry's rights of knowing about our baby." I said as I fiddled with my toenails. "It's just that… Ginny, I'm scared. What if Harry denied the baby? What if he doesn't want to have a baby with me?"

"What kind of question is that, Hermione Jean Granger?" Ginny exasperatedly answered. She stood up from her bed and sat beside me. "He will not deny the baby. And why will he sleep with you if he doesn't want to have a baby? What? For pleasure?"

"You don't have to say it like that, Ginny!" I answered. My cheeks reddened. "I think he was drunk that night."

"Drunk? Oh, about the whole Cho thing? But I thought you said he kept saying that he's not drunk?" Ginny asked.

"No intoxicated person admits to being drunk, Ginny." I answered softly. I remember that night; he kept denying that he's drunk. But what will he say when I tell him that that single night bore something? What will I do?

"Whether he knew what he was doing that night or not, you have to tell him." Ginny advised. She put an arm around me and pulled my head to lean in her shoulder. "You have to take the risk. It's the child's future at stake here, Hermione. And I'm sure Harry won't let the baby grow up without the guidance of a father. He won't let the baby be like him."

"The baby won't be an orphan. I will take care of my baby no matter what. Whether he recognizes the baby or not." I said.

"That's good to know but you really should tell him. Remember the last time I told you to talk to him?" Ginny asked. I nodded and she continued. "Well, back then, it was only for the two of you. But now, you're not just doing this for yourselves. This is for the baby."

"You're right but…what about his girlfriend? What about Cho?" I asked. I sat straight and she was forced to let go of me. I faced her. "They were okay again, that's why they pursued their planned trip."

"The choice is his. At least you did your part. It will be Cho or you and the baby…" Ginny answered.

END OF FLASHBACK!

The scented card felt cold between my fingers. If there was a right time to contact him, this would be it. I'm alone in the house and I have the most urgent reason to talk to him more than ever. Besides, I can always tell him first about the offer at Hogwarts before I tell him about my pregnancy. I can also tell him about the N.E.W.T.s examination and that I passed and I will be going to Hogwarts in a few weeks before I get to the 'topic'. It's going to be okay. I glanced at the card in my hand and read the address. I wonder… Was he staying there with Cho? Are they sharing the same flat, the same room? I'm about to find out.

I took a deep breath and stood up from the couch. I went to the fireplace and kneeled in front of the grate. I got myself ready as I took a fistful of floo powder from the pot and took another look at the address to make sure I won't appear in someone else's grate.

"Number 17 Monsieur Francesco Demeure Paris, France!" I shouted at the grate as I threw the floo powder. Green flame blazed in the grate in an instant. I braced myself for what I will see and finally, I enclosed my face in the green blaze.

The room I saw in front of me was huge. It was elegantly decorated and can pass as a royal palace. The room was brightly lit because of the late morning light streaming through the window. The furnishing of the flat suggested that this was something extraordinary

After marveling at the beauty of the place, I looked around for some sign of a person in the place. It took a few moments of looking around before I caught sight of a person coming out of a room.

It was a girl with a very familiar mane of long black hair. She was wearing nothing but a pink bath robe and was currently drying her hair with a towel. She threw a glance at the fireplace and immediately saw my face. She went instantly at the grate and talked to me.

"Hermione? What are you doing? Why are you flooing?" Cho asked. Her face was a mirror of surprise and curiosity.

I didn't know what to say. This was what I was talking about. Apparently, they really live together. Now, what? I asked myself. What am I going to do? I can't tell her that I'm pregnant with Harry's baby. What am I supposed to do?

"Errr. Cho. Where's Harry? C-can I talk to him?" I stammered. I was lost for words. I was panicking and I don't know what I should do.

Confusion flashed in her face and then it turned to…is that panic? But nevertheless, she answered "He's still in the bathroom. Taking a bath, I mean. I-I'm kinda faster in taking a bath than him. What do you need? Maybe I can pass the message?" She asked.

Wait, bathroom? Were they taking a bath together? I thought. It was then that I heard the sound of flowing water from the other side of the floo connection. Well, it seems normal for two people who love each other to do that. My heart thumped loudly and I was once again lost for words. The familiar searing pain returned to my heart.

I imagined the two of them living happily together and where did that leave me? I will be a relationship wrecker. They truly love each other. For Harry to go through the trouble of providing such special place for them to stay, it's something that a man does only for his love. It isn't even impossible if Harry was planning to propose to her right in that very place.

As I thought of that, an image of Harry kneeling in front of me flashed through my mind. Yes, how happy I would be when that time came. But it will never ever happen. The image changed and instead of me, it was Cho, Harry was proposing to. I felt my eyes well up with tears but I tried to chase it away. I can't cry. I shouldn't cry.

"Errr. N-nothing, Cho. I was just dropping by to see if he was doing okay. T-that's all." I lied. I averted my eyes from her and pretended to fiddle with something on my clothing to hide the tears threatening to build up in my eyes.

"Well. If that's all, He's doing okay. He's perfectly enjoying himself here in France." She answered.

"Oh. I see. T-that's…err… good to hear." I tried my best to avoid her gaze and just went on with fiddling with a stitch in my shirt. But Cho cleared her throat so I was forced to look at her. Her face was as beautiful as a princess' and so I was left wondering… was she really the princess meant to live happily ever after with Harry? And what am I? The wicked witch who kept pulling them away from each other?

"Errrm. Hermione, I-I know that your intentions are good. I know that you're just worried about him. But… Everything's fine now and I think it's time to loosen your grip on him. Harry's a responsible man. He won't do something that he will regret someday. I know that you know that…" Cho started. Her voice was trembling and her head was bowed. "I just think it's the right time to let him be himself. Let him go…"

Cho's words echoed in my head and I was left agape. My eyes were unfocused and glassy. My heart was panicking in my chest and my palms were sweating. I didn't know what to say next. Here she was… the girl that my baby's father loved, asking me to let him go.

"Please, Hermione. Promise me, this will be the last time you'll ever contact him. He will come back. But for the time being, let him enjoy life without you or Ron." Cho pleaded.

I bowed my head slightly and hid my tearing eyes behind my bangs. I remembered my promise to Ginny that I'll tell Harry about our baby. I'm not planning on breaking it. Harry will know…just not now…

I had nothing more to say. I didn't imagine it to be like this. I thought I'd be able to talk to Harry personally but it didn't happen. Is it really true? Did Harry really want breathing space? Did he want us to leave him alone? I don't know anymore.

I nodded my head without looking at Cho and said my farewell. "I understand, Cho. Don't worry. I won't intervene anymore. Just please…take care of him as best as you can. And… y-you don't have to mention that I flooed. B-bye."

I pulled my head away from the fire as soon as I can. I didn't even wait for Cho's response. All I knew is that I want to be alone as soon as possible. I stood up from the floor and ran to the bedroom. I sat on the bed and pulled my knees up to my chest. At that moment, I didn't hold back the tears anymore. I let them freely wet my cheeks.

The searing pain in my chest continued and by the minute, it turns even more painful. It felt heavy as if I was lifting the whole universe and putting all the weight in my chest. I kept crying and sobbing. Was that really it? Did Harry really want us out of his life?

Years ago, he wanted to do everything alone but Ron and I were always with him. We were always there to help him whenever he needs us. I was always there to tell him what to do. Whenever he's lost, I was always the one telling him which path he should take. Can he really live without us, me? No, the question is…Can I really live without him? It seems that…I have to…

Back when Ginny and I visited St. Mungo's, the mediwitch said I was two months along and it's only a matter of time before my belly swells up. In a few weeks' time, I'll be going to Hogwarts. I'll be going away and leaving all the problems about Harry. Once I get in that train to Hogwarts, There won't be any hesitations anymore. Once I close my doors, he can never get in no matter what. If now's really the right time to let go of him, I will. I will…even if it hurts. It must be for the best. Looks like I have to face this alone… No, I'm not alone. Ginny's here and so as Ron. Oh, and the matter about Ron? I will tell him about all of this. At least before I go to Hogwarts.

I caressed my tummy and my sobs turned to minimum. As I think about the people around me who are ready to support me, the heaviness vanished. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander to the future. A picture of me cradling a baby swarmed my mind. Seven months from now, I will have a baby. A cute little baby of my own. I will never ever be alone. I can truly do this. I smiled to myself and opened my eyes. I wiped the tears in my cheeks and took a deep breath.

I can do this. I'm not alone. Ginny and Ron are both here for me…and of course…my baby. I'll make sure he or she will be happy even without a father. I will be his or her mother and at the same time, father…

AN: So… that's the first part of the conversation. I know, I know you have so many questions. Like… Why's Harry taking a bath with Cho? Why is Cho at Brenn and Harry's flat? Well, everything has a reason. Just read and tell me what you think. Give me feedback.

Character's blabbing:

CHO-rrible – What am I doing at Brenn's flat? Was that my whole evil scheme? Or something more is coming? Hmmmm.

Harry – Why did I bathe with Cho? Wait, did I? o_O

Cedric – All questions will be answered next chapter. So...wait patiently, people. See ya next time *wink*.