Yes, I know this has taken forever to get out; see the author's note at the end.

Friends and Lovers

"There are places I'll remember all my life…

In my life,

I'll love you more."

-- The Beatles, In My Life

Hermione couldn't have been more startled when Harry hurried over to hug her. Sure, they'd gone out for a few months in fifth year, and they'd remained close friends ever since, but still – this was unexpected. She'd just confessed to the most disgraceful thing she could think of, and yet, he was still her friend.

"It's Oliver's baby, I assume," he whispered to her, sitting now on the arm of her chair.

"Oh, yes! But—"

"But?"

"But no one else can know. I told him so, but he won't listen! Doesn't he know what could happen?"

"Hermione, dear, what would you do if you were him?"

"I would listen to reason and ignore me!"

"But don't you love him?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"And that, Harry Potter, is why I'm begging him to stay away."

"Oh."

"Yes," she said, shuddering in an attempt to keep her tears back.

"Well," he said, letting her out of his hug, "I think, that if I were you, I'd let him do as he wishes. He knows, Hermione, what could happen. And, you know what? I think you miss him."

Looking up at him, Hermione almost gasped at the wisdom in his eyes. Maybe he's right, she thought sadly. But, somehow, I'm not entirely sure… But what she said aloud was, "Maybe, Harry. I just… Oh, you know better than anyone that we're all in danger from You-Know-Who at every step! A child of a spy and Harry Potter's best friend? And how would his career be?"

Smiling ever-so-slightly, Harry merely gave Hermione's hand a squeeze and left for the Quidditch pitch.

°

Harry agreed to come with her to speak with Dumbledore, but even this comfort could not prepare her for the shock of having her parents present. How would they react to their only daughter carrying a child?

"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, please sit," Professor Dumbledore said kindly, his blue eyes twinkling. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I think we have some good news for you."

"Oh?" Marie Granger asked, a faint smile on her face.

"Yes, Mum, Dad, I'm going to have a baby," Hermione quickly said, blushing fiercely.

"What?" her parents gasped, almost in unison.

"Who is the father?" her father asked quickly, glaring at Harry.

"Dad, it's not Harry – he just agreed to come and give me moral support. The father, well, he's got a career, and it's really more of my fault about this baby, and he knows, but I'm not going to tell anyone, all right?" she replied, trying hard to keep tears from her eyes, therefore giving herself away.

"But Hermione, dear, hasn't he got a right to be a father?" her mother asked, gently, coming to put an arm around her daughter's shoulder.

"I suppose, but isn't it more logical this way; better for him?"

"Hermione, what about you?" Harry asked quietly, looking at his hands.

"Me? Happy? Debatable," she replied, smiling cynically.

"So, when is the baby due to arrive?" her mother asked lovingly.

"July first, Mum," Hermione replied, beginning to get uncomfortable. Seeing this Dumbledore quickly said, "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I'm quite sorry to keep this visit so short, but I assume that Hermione still has homework, and this is quite overwhelming for her as it is…"

And, with a flick of his wand, her parents vanished. Then, Dumbledore turned to her, "Miss Granger, I don't understand not telling your parents that Oliver is the father of your child. Mr. Weasley has told me that he will be back at Hogwarts tomorrow; from what I have heard, he loves you and will not leave you on a whim. Furthermore, Madame Pomfrey will be doing all she can to keep the child safe. Why, Hermione?"

Then, after all the horrid burden had been lifted from her sagging shoulders, then Hermione Granger wept.

°

Hermione- the owl's message said,

I'd like to talk with you, just for a moment or two. Please?

Oliver

P.S. Under the oak?

Noticing that Oliver wasn't at the staff table, she made a quick excuse to Harry and Ron, and ran to the oak.

Oliver stood there, fiddling with the leaves. When she arrived, panting, her hair like a bushy brown halo around her face, he opened his arms and there she clung, weeping and laughing. They twirled, hands tight around eachother. They were the wind; they were the dancing of sea-weed in the ocean. They, to any observer, were pure joy.

But then Hermione pulled away. "Oliver," she panted, "we – we can't do this… What if someone were to see?"

"Dammit, Hermione, do you think I care if someone sees? I love you!" he replied quickly, fiercely.

"Oh," she said quietly, not knowing what she should say.

"Hermione—"

"Yes?"

"Don't -- let's not do this anymore! I heard you that night; please, admit it."

"You egotist!" Hermione said, smiling slightly.

"Oh, I have an ego worth note, my dear. I pick the cleverest witch I know, don't I?" Oliver replied, laughing.

"You're something special, you are…"

"And don't I know it?"

"Are you trying to get me to say I love you out of annoyance?"

"Possibly."

"Would it make you shut up?"

"No."

"Then what's the use?"

"I'd kiss you."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

"Fine, then. I love you, Oliver Woo-" Of course, as Oliver kept his promise, she couldn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was still crystal clear.

"Hermione?" he asked, out of breath.

"Yes?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Debatable."

"What if I let you kiss me again?"

"Hmm… I guess that wouldn't be too bad a bargain…"

"Oh, I'll provide extra, don't worry."

"That, love, was naughty."

"But aren't naughty boys loveable?"

"Argh!"

"I see."

"I certainly hope you do see!"

"So, will you marry me?"

"You're not going to shut up until I say yes, are you?"

"It depends."

"On what?"

"Can we name the baby Olly?"

"Over my dead body!"

"All right. Then will you marry me?"

"Oliver Wood, I, Hermione Granger, do pledge to marry you. Happy?"

"Obviously!"

°

Author's Note: I am rather sad to say that here ends my fanfiction, Under the Stars. I'd planned to make it about 20 chapters and have Voldemort greatly involved and have the babies born… But I couldn't; my writing of this has been lousy beyond belief. I've actually switched to the penname azure, and have been writing angst that, in my opinion, is much better writing, including an unusual Molly Weasley fic...

If someone would like to take over finishing the story, please email me at ballena_chica@yahoo.com and I will happily let you continue it.

Again, thank you so much for your support, reviews, names, expectations, and everything. But this isn't the end of it all; there's still more fanfiction to write!