A/N: Happy Christmas! There's smut at the end of this, just if that's not your thing! Things are going to start speeding up after this. The next chapter or two will be solely focused on Harry's pregnancy milestones. I'm dying to meet baby Mia. Enjoy and review!
Chapter Nine
King's Cross Station was filled to the brim with people boarding and exiting trains alike. If anyone paid any attention to the raven haired girl clutching her cardigan tightly around her waist just before passing through a supposedly solid barrier between platforms nine and ten, she was none the wiser.
Harry was nearly running late, having had a particularly bad bout of morning sickness right before she needed to leave. By the time she arrived on the other side of the barrier she could see the scarlet steam engine already being boarded by students. Hermione stood among them, Ron next to her as they peered around the crowd for their friend.
"I'm here!" Harry cried, running up to them. "I'm here! Sorry, sorry!"
"Where have you been?" Ron asked, laughing. He thumped her over the back as she doubled over to catch her breath.
"Ronald!" Hermione chided, tugging Harry to her side and away from Ron. "Don't hit her! For goodness sake, she's — you know!"
Harry rolled her eyes at Hermione's good natured dramatics. Ron hadn't actually hit her hard enough to do any damage, but Hermione had been concerned about Harry's knack for always getting hurt more so now that she was carrying a child.
Harry knew she likely wouldn't even have to baby-proof her own house when the time came. Hermione would probably do it the moment the baby was born.
"I didn't hit her that hard!" Ron argued. "It's not like I'm tossing her over my shoulder again and body slamming her like when we were kids."
"Only because I had to remind you not to do it!" Hermione said. Harry snorted. Honestly, it was like they were her parents sometimes. "You nearly dislocated her shoulder the last time you two were wrestling!"
"That was a year ago! Honestly, woman —"
"Don't call me that! You know I can't stand it!"
"Guys!" Harry cried, cutting them off. "If you two don't stop arguing we're going to miss our time to properly say goodbye!"
Harry was used to this level of bickering from Ron and Hermione. It was normal for them. Be that as it may, however, it didn't stop the train from having to leave on time.
And Ron and Hermione's disagreements normally lasted longer than the train would allow time for.
"Oh my goodness," Hermione said, looking stricken. "You're right! It's — it's time for me to go."
Silence fell between the three of them as the realization of Hermione's words lingered. For the first time since the war ended, the three of them were going to be separated. Ron would start his Auror training in a week, Harry was starting to get her life together before the baby came, and Hermione…
Hermione would be attending Hogwarts. Alone. For the first time since they were children, she was the only one boarding the train. Harry felt tears welling up in her eyes which she wasn't sure she could chalk up to pregnancy hormones this time. Who would Hermione sit with on the train? At the welcoming feast? Who would she be partners with in class? Who would make sure she wasn't drowning herself in study material in the library?
"You'll write," Ron said, the argument between them forgotten as it often went. "You'll write everyday, right?"
"Of course. I'll write to you every chance I get," Hermione told him. She looked at Harry. "To both of you. I'll write to you so much that you'll be sick of me."
Harry laughed. "Not possible."
"And you'll write back too, won't you?" Hermione asked, taking Harry's hand. "You'll keep me updated about the — you know…"
She trailed off, her eyes darting to Harry's slightly protruding stomach. No one would ever be able to tell there was a bump if they weren't looking.
"Of course. I'll write to you everyday about it if you want. I'll go into great detail about my morning sickness. It'll make you sick yourself."
Hermione scrunched her nose. "Oh, don't do that. Just let me know how things are going. Let me know if you need anything."
"And me," Ron cut in. "I want to hear everything too. Well, maybe not everything. But if there's something you need, you'll let me know too, right?"
Harry nodded. "Let's all three make a pact that we'll keep each other in the loop as much as possible. It's going to be hard on us, not being together like we're used to."
"Sounds good to me," Ron agreed.
"And me," Hermione added. "Maybe you two can meet me in Hogsmeade one day for lunch? Otherwise we'd have to wait until Christmas break and that's…"
"Too far away," Harry cut in. "Definitely too far away."
The train whistle blew, beckoning the last of the students lingering about. Harry looked around, noticing that Hermione was nearly one of the last ones left on the platform.
"I'd better go," Hermione said. The next moment she lept at them, wrapping her arms around both Harry and Ron. "Oh! I'm going to miss you both so much!"
Ron laughed, the sound of it being muffled by Hermione's hair.
"We're going to miss you too," he said, tightening his arms around both girls. "It won't be the same."
"Definitely not," Hermione laughed. She took a step back, swiping at her eyes. "Who will ask to copy my homework?"
"Who will keep you exasperated enough that you won't want to cave to letting them copy your homework?" Harry added.
The train whistle blew a second and final time, signaling that Hermione needed to go. They couldn't stall any longer.
"Go," Ron said, seemingly sensing that Hermione needed his courage. "You can do it. You'll be brilliant."
Hermione nodded before bounding up the steps to the train. A few seconds later a compartment window opened just as the train started to pull away, Hermione's bushy hair being carried away in the wind.
"Goodbye!" she called. "I'll write to you both every day!"
Ron ran after the train but Harry stayed in place, rooted to the ground and letting them have their moment. She stood there, waving until the train grew distant.
Until Hermione was off to Hogwarts alone.
"Pregnant?"
"Yes."
"Pregnant?"
"Yes, that's what I just said. Were you not listening?"
"You got her pregnant?"
Lee's fist connected not so good naturedly with George's shoulder, causing him to howl.
"Sweet Merlin!" George cried, rubbing his shoulder and staring back at Lee with wide eyes. "What the hell did you do that for?"
"That was never part of the plan!" Lee shouted, rounding on him. "You were supposed to charm her! Not knock her up!"
"I mean...technically you could argue that I did both."
"George!"
"It's fine, honestly! Everything is fine. Totally under control."
Telling Lee was not going as George had planned. Granted, George didn't really ease his friend into the subject. He had just casually mentioned it as they were unloading boxes together. It wasn't until Lee had dropped his box, spilling the contents of it across the floor, that George realized this was something he should have put a bit more thought into explaining.
"Under control — do you even hear yourself?" Lee snapped. He was slumped on the floor against a shelf, looking at George like he had sprouted a second head. "This isn't like the time in second year that you thought it would be cool to keep one of the gnomes from your garden as a pet, and then got bored with it. This is a child, George. And Harry! Are you taking care of her?"
"I am!" George protested. Lee quirked an eyebrow at him. "I've bought us a house, I moved her in with me. I've gone to a few of her midwitch appointments with her! I know this is a big responsibility. I understand that. I'm not planning on messing this up."
"You better not be. I swear to Merlin, George. I'll kill you for Harry if you do."
George held his hands up in mock surrender, trying extremely hard not to laugh. Lee was taking his threat very seriously, and he didn't want to risk getting punched in the arm again.
"There won't be any need for that. I'm… I'm mad about her, Lee," George said quietly. Mad didn't even begin to describe it. "You know that."
Lee glared at George for a moment longer, seemingly determining whether or not George was honestly taking this seriously, before shaking his head and sighing.
"I know you are. That's probably how you ended up in this mess."
"I'm not sure mess is the right term, per say. I mean, it seems like it would be messy. It sounds messy when you say it aloud, but it doesn't feel messy."
Lee made a face of disgust. "I don't really need to know what it feels like. All I care about is that you're going to take care of her, and the baby. That you're okay enough to do so."
"I'm fine. Well, okay. Not fine. I still — I still hurt sometimes you know," George rambled, shifting his eyes away from Lee. "But Harry and the baby...they don't feel as heavy as everything else does right now. I can't explain it very well, but the only thing that feels off about this is the timing. And even that doesn't feel crushing. It's just sudden."
"It really is," Lee commented with a snort. "You move fast. You know that?"
"So I've been told."
Lee and George fell into a comfortable silence after that, both lost in their own thoughts. George knew that Lee likely had more to say, but was still processing the shock of it all. Which was fine. George would entertain all his questions and probably insulting comments later. It made George feel better, having a friend who cared enough to tell him he was an idiot sometimes.
(More than sometimes.)
The bell to the store rang, signaling that the door had been opened, and George and Lee both turned to find Harry shuffling in, smiling at them both.
"Hello!"
"Harry," George greeted, feeling himself grow warm at the sight of her. As if he hadn't seen her earlier that morning when he had woken up in bed beside her. "What are you doing here?"
"I just thought I would come to see you," Harry said, her voice wavering slightly. George looked closer and saw that her eyes were red rimmed. She swiped at them furiously. "Hermione's gone."
"Oh dear. C'mere, Potter," George shushed, opening his arms to her. She stepped into them easily, burying her head in his chest. "It's alright."
"I've never been on the other side of it before," she said shakily. George saw Lee awkwardly wave to him before making his way to the back of the store. George nodded to him. "I've never had to watch anyone leave like that before."
"It's going to be a different year, that's for sure, but you'll get to see her at Christmas. Plus, I'm sure Minnie will let you visit sometimes. She adores you."
Harry laughed against his chest, watery and shaky. "I'm not sure adores is the right word."
"Oh, whatever. She loves you. I can tell."
"Maybe," Harry said, leaning back to look at George. Her bottom lip was quivering. "Ron is going away for Auror training too. We're all going to be separated for the first time ever."
George smiled softly, tucking some hair behind her ear.
"Just because you're separated, doesn't mean you guys aren't also together. This is just temporary. They may be living separately from you, but you'll still be seeing them all the time."
Harry sniffed. "You think so?"
"I know so," George said, smiling down at her. The pregnancy was making her more emotional. He had never seen her cry as much as he had these past few months, but he thought she was gorgeous when she did. "You guys have something special. You always have. A little bit of space isn't going to take away from that."
"I just feel so stupid," Harry wailed, her fingers tightening on the material of his shirt.
"You're not!"
"But I feel like I am."
George laughed, unable to help it. "Out of all the things you've done, I can guarantee crying over missing your friends isn't one of them."
Harry blinked up at him. "Thanks…. I think?"
"Now there was the time you —"
"George!"
"I'm only joking!" George said, grinning at Harry's narrowed eyes. "You've never done anything stupid in your life."
"Save for you, you mean."
"Harriet!"
Now it was Harry's turn to laugh as George's jaw went slack. Sometimes he was still shocked at how quick witted she was, and how often she was able to turn the tables around on him.
He had found himself feeling like she had him hanging by his ankles again with just a smart mouthed retort.
He was enamored with her snark.
Completely enamored.
"You walked right into that one," Harry said, wiping her eyes and taking a step back to look around. "You think you're ready for this weekend? The place looks great."
"Yeah, I think so." George shook his head, willing his lips not to twitch. "I still cannot believe you, calling me something stupid. You're not getting off that easily."
Harry grinned, taking him by the hand. "What can I do to make it up to you?"
George looked up at the ceiling. "I could think of a few things…"
"Dirty things?"
"Maybe."
"Things that involve me on my knees," Harry teased, grabbing him by the tie and jerking his head down to hers. "In your office?"
George blushed furiously. As if he hadn't had the same thought. As if he hadn't already done loads of things like that with her and to her. She was looking at him like she could devour him, and he almost wanted to see if she could. It only served to make his blush tint darker.
"Please," he whimpered. "If you're — if you're in the mood that is. Considering…"
Considering the fact that she had been crying just moments ago, George wanted to say, but was silenced by a look Harry gave him. He knew she wouldn't offer if she really didn't want to, and lately she had been wanting to a lot.
It was the pregnancy hormones, he wagered.
Else he would just consider himself incredibly fit.
"Do you have time?" she asked, leading him by the tie to his office like she didn't much care if he had the time or not. "I know you're incredibly busy with opening weekend."
George swallowed. "I have time."
Harry tugged him through the door, pushing him down in his desk chair with enough force that he made a small oof sound.
"Lee won't come looking?" Harry asked, settling herself down between his legs and already working on his belt. He was already achingly hard, practically springing out when she removed him from his boxers.
He bit back a groan as she rubbed her thumb across the tip of him. Every nerve felt on edge.
"Not if he knows what's good for — holy shit," George hissed, all thoughts coming to a halt as Harry licked at him before taking just the head in her mouth. It didn't matter how many times they did this, George was still caught off guard every time he found himself at her mercy.
He groaned, low and deep, as Harry worked herself up and down, taking him in deeper.
"Oh, that feels amazing," he praised, letting his head fall back and his eyes flutter shut. Harry moaned her own approval, the sound of it vibrating around him and making his hips buck.
He tried to keep them steady. Trying to not let his movements get out of control, but it was so hard with Harry working on him like she was. She didn't seem to mind, not expressing any sound of discomfort. George felt like he was coming apart, and his movements were becoming harder to control.
He was practically writhing in his seat.
"Holy shit. Fucking Merlin. Please don't stop. Please...please..."
He uttered the words a few more times, teetering on the edge of begging. He was becoming increasingly aware that he was slipping from reality. That he was losing his right mind. If she stopped, he would die. If she kept going, he would dissolve.
Harry wrapped her hand around the base of him, pumping along with the movements of her mouth as if to comfort him that she had no intention of stopping. As if to tell him she was planning on making him unravel around her completely.
The rhythm she set was steady. Fast enough that he felt like he would finish at any moment, slow enough that he felt as if he was being tortured.
Just when he felt like he would cross fully over into madness, his hips bucked and he came unexpectedly, cursing and shuddering.
It was as if everything had gone white around him, and when his vision cleared he was vaguely aware of the sounds he was making. Panting and whimpering.
She had wrecked him.
He tilted his head back down, his eyes drifting from the ceiling to her face to find her grinning at him.
"That… was…"
He was inarticulate. How unfortunate.
"Unexpected?" Harry offered.
"Well, yes," George said, still breathless. He grinned. "And no. The first time we had sex was after you cried. They're have been countless other times we've fooled around after you've been a bit emotional. It must be a bit cathartic for you, I'd wager."
Harry waved that off, still kneeling on the floor. She had zipped him back up at some point when everything had gone white. He wondered how long he was out of it.
He shrugged, not too concerned over being sucked off to the point that he had an out of body experience.
"I blame the hormones," Harry said. "They're getting worse. Eventually I won't be able to do this, you know. Be on the floor like this, I mean."
"Shame."
"Or be on top. Now that's the real shame."
George laughed, taking her by the hand and tugging her into his lap.
"It won't be forever. The baby will be here before we know it, and you'll be back on top again."
"Oh my god."
"Just saying."
Harry paused for a moment, looping her arms around George's neck and looking thoughtful.
"You think it'll really go by quickly?" she asked. "These next few months?"
"Maybe not as quickly as we'd like," George admitted, "but yeah. I think before we know it, we'll be parents."
Harry smiled. It reached her eyes.
"Us. Parents. That sounds a bit scary, don't you think?"
George grinned. "Completely insane."