Submitted for The Houses Competition Forum - Round 7
House: Ravenclaw
Subject: Ancient Runes
Category: Drabble
Prompt: 1. [Action] Screaming in shock/surprise/fear
Extra prompt: [Sound] The ticking of a clock; [Speech] "Is 'No' a foreign word to you?"
Word count: 640
Warnings: AU Hermione in Marauders Era
Positive
Hermione's scream made James run to their bedroom, trying to fight the panic that coursed through him. Nothing had threatened their lives in months, but you never knew when a deranged person could invade your house.
"Mi? What happened? Who do I need to hex?" James asked breathlessly when he found Hermione crying in their bed. "Where are you hurt? Tell me, woman!"
Hermione looked at him and gave a smile, which only increased James' confusion.
"I'm not hurt. Why would you think that?" Hermione asked with a hiccup, smiling like a loon.
"Gee, I don't know." James pretended to be nonchalant. "My wife screams like she's being bloody murdered, and when I arrive into our room, she's crying her eyes out. Why wouldn't I think you're hurt?"
"I'm not hurt, I'm just happy," Hermione said, smiling wider. She stood up and came closer to James before wrapping her arms around his neck and beaming up at him. "Haven't you ever screamed because you were just so happy?"
James held her closer and looked her over, making sure she wasn't hurt before hugging her with all his might.
"And what made you so happy that you screamed like there was a Dementor here with you?" James whispered in her ear, smirking at the shiver that ran through her. "Want me to make you scream even louder?"
Hermione slapped James' shoulder, and he laughed, kissing her cheek, which was a little red.
"James! Stop it!" Hermione was trying to be stern, but James could see she was trying to not to laugh.
"Hm? Do you want to get frisky with me, Mi?" James asked, kissing Hermione's neck and nipping it.
"Is 'no' a foreign word to you?" Hermione asked, trying to stop smiling.
"I'm always ready to make you blush prettily like that," James replied, hugging her closer. "Now are you going to tell me why you screamed bloody murder?"
She bit her lip and walked away from James, which made him pout. Before he could complain, Hermione picked something up from the bed and placed it in James' hand before taking a step back and smiling at him.
The clock ticked, and the minutes passed slowly, but he couldn't move. Time came to an absolute standstill as the clock ticked on and on and on…
James knew what he was holding—Hermione had taken him to Muggle London too many times, claiming he needed to know about her heritage—but he couldn't wrap his mind around the fact.
"Say something, James, please," Hermione whispered, grabbing his hands and shaking them. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking…" James said with a lump in his throat. The clock's ticking still rang in his ears as he tried to form words that could express his feelings. "That this is one of the happiest days of my life."
"Really?" Hermione asked in a small voice, and tears glistened in her eyes. "You aren't mad?"
"Mad? Why would I be mad? Are you out of your mind, woman?" James wrapped his arms around Hermione and hugged the living daylights out of her. "Why would you think I would be mad when I can feel the need to shout from the roof of our house the fact we're pregnant?"
Hermione shrugged and James cradled her face, kissing her softly and sighing; he would never get tired of kissing his witch.
"I love you, James, sorry I scared you earlier." Hermione smiled sheepish at him. "I just got so excited and I wanted to tell you and—"
James kissed her, stopping her rambling. He loved when she started to ramble—she looked adorable when she was like that.
"I love you too, Mi, and I can't wait to tell everyone," James said, grabbing her hand and exiting the bedroom.
On top of the covers lay a positive Muggle pregnancy test.