"Hermione... Earth to Hermione!" Ginny waved her hand in front of Hermione's face while they sat in the kitchen at the Burrow for Sunday dinner. Ginny and Harry were in the middle of wedding planning and Hermione was the maid of honor. Ginny had been a little bit of a bridezilla, but Hermione had taken it in stride... at least so far.
"Er, what? Oh, sorry, Gin."
"What's gotten into you? You've been checked out since you got here."
Hermione shook her head, reaching for her goblet of water to take a sip. "Just got some things I'm trying to work out in my head. I'll figure it out."
"You know it's not healthy to be in work mode 24/7. You need to learn to put it on a mental shelf to pick up later."
Hermione knew that Ginny was trying to help, but it always irked her when people told her what she needed to do. Sometimes, she just wanted to retort that what she needed was to be left alone, but she knew it was rude.
"Yea, I know." She sighed and rolled her shoulders, trying to ease her nerves. Her hormones had felt like they quadrupled since she found out she was pregnant a few weeks ago and she found herself wound tight most of the time. Her hormones combined with Ginny's dramatic attitude about all things wedding had her spiraling and she didn't want to make a scene in front of the others. She had to get her shit together.
"So, what do you think?" Ginny asked, grinning.
"About what?"
George and Fred, who were sitting across from them, snorted out laughs, which they tried to hide with a fake coughs. It was obvious that Hermione had no interest in anything wedding related and the look on Ginny's face was priceless.
"About what? My HEN party, Hermione! You know, the one you are supposed to plan!"
"Oh, right! Yes, your hen party. I'm sorry, Ginny. I promise to start working on that. When is it again?"
With a huff, Ginny shoved her chair away from the table and stomped out, slamming the kitchen door behind her.
"Ginevra! We haven't even eaten, yet!" Mrs. Weasley ran out after her daughter while the rest of the family sat in silence, staring at Hermione. She found herself sliding low in her seat.
Harry sat there, scratching his chin stubble as he stared at his best friend, but she did her best not to meet his green eyes. "Hermione..."
"I've just had a hard couple weeks, Harry."
"Maybe we should go for a walk."
"I'm fine. Really. Once I get this issue straightened out, I'll be back to normal. Promise." Her eyes swept around the table and saw everyone looking at her intently. "You all can stop staring at me now. I'm not going to burst into a cloud of smoke or anything!"
Fred gave her a grin. "Ah, spontaneous human combustion. Never seen it myself, but I wouldn't recommend it."
"Especially on Mum's good dining chairs." George added, making Hermione roll her eyes.
"I need a drink." Hermione rested her head in her hands, her index fingers rubbing her temples.
"Now, that, I can get behind! I'll get the fire whiskey!" Fred hops up to grab the alcohol out of the freezer.
Realizing her mistake, she backtracked. "No, no. I shouldn't. I have work to do when I get home."
"Buzzkill." Fred gave her a wink as he poured himself one, making her blush. Alcohol or not, that man always managed to get under her skin.
XxXxXx
Flooing home after talking and smoothing things over with Ginny, Hermione hung her handbag on the hook by the fireplace and relaxed back on her couch. The evening really made her realize just how much she was obsessing over her situation. It was starting to engulf her and affect the relationships she had. She knew she had to stop dragging her feet about telling the father, but she didn't know how to go about it. Face-to-face was the only option, but she felt like a coward. She'd much rather fight a row of death eaters again than have to break the news that their lives were going to change drastically.
The floo came to life, crystal blue flames licking the fireplace as someone stepped out. Hermione was a little startled by the sound, but she knew the wards would only allow a small few to enter, so she didn't bother to move when Harry appeared in front of her.
"Okay, Hermione. It's time to talk."
"Harry..." She groaned, sitting up on the couch so he could sit next to her.
"I know that whatever is on your mind isn't work. You forget we work together. I see you everyday. You would have told me if something was going on." He sat beside her and took her hand. "I'm your best friend. We've been through everything together. I know something's up. You can tell me."
She chewed her lip, wondering if she should really tell Harry. It might make her feel better and she might be able to wrap her head around it a little easier. Harry knew to be patient with her, so he sat and held her hand in silence, letting her compile her thoughts.
Finally, she sighed and turned toward him, tucking her feet under herself. "Well, do you remember the party the twins had about five weeks ago?"
He nodded. "Yea... well, vaguely." There had been a lot of alcohol and things got a little hazy. "Why?"
"Well, during the party... I kind of... well, I sort of found... I took home... oh, for Merlin's sake." Why was it so hard to admit that she had a one night stand? Sort of... it sort of rolled into a weekend stand.
Harry cocked an eyebrow at her. "Are you telling me you found a bloke to take home and have some fun with?"
Her cheeks colored, but she nodded.
"Anyone I know?"
She shrugged, not wanting to admit who it was. She didn't want to throw him under the bus if he didn't want anyone knowing that they hooked up.
"Are you two still seeing each other?"
"No. Not exactly."
"Did he do something to you?" Harry was confused.
She snorted out a laugh. "You could say that."
"What the fuck does that mean, Hermione? Who is this asshole?"
"Harry..." She laughed. "Calm down. It isn't what you think."
"Then what is it?"
"I'm pregnant."
Harry stared, unmoving.
"Harry, breathe."
Realizing he was holding his breath, he let out a long heavy sigh.
"How?"
Squeezing her eyes shut, she shook her head. "I don't know. There was a lot of liquor and sex involved and we must have missed a spell or said it wrong or something."
"Does he know?"
"No."
Harry rubbed his face, trying to comprehend everything she was saying. "Who is it?"
"I think it'd be best if I told him first."
"You need to tell him. Soon. It isn't fair to keep this from him."
She knew Harry was right. "I know."
"How long have you known?" Harry's mind was now working in overdrive and Hermione felt like she was about to get chastised.
"Er... a few weeks?"
"Hermione! You've known for weeks and you haven't bothered to tell the father?!"
"It's not that easy, Harry! This information could change his life completely! How do you just go up to someone and say 'oh hey, by the way, you knocked me up. Let me know what you think!'"
"So you're giving him an option?!" Harry seemed angry and the ridiculousness of it made her laugh out loud.
"I can't make him do anything! It isn't fair to any of us."
"And this baby... you want this?"
Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she mulled it over again. "I've thought long and hard about my options, Harry. At first, I was devastated. Life has been so wonderful lately... but when I really thought about it, I realized that maybe... maybe it's a good thing. I can do this! I don't need a man in my life to raise a baby. I am smart, financially stable, and own my own flat. I can be a single mom. It's not like I'm actively looking for a significant other, so who knows! This might be my one chance to have a child. You know I've never been one to need a partner."
"Damn, Hermione. I don't know what I was expecting... but this wasn't it."
"Are you disappointed in me? I should have known better."
"Don't be ridiculous. You're more than capable of raising a child... hell, you raised Ron and me while you still were one!"
His comment made her laugh.
"Just know that you don't have to do this alone. You've got loads of people who love you who would love to help."
Giving her best friend a smile, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, Harry. I'm sure my baby is going to love their Uncle Harry."
"So... if you were to give the baby the father's name... what would that be?"
Laughing, Hermione pulled away from him. "You're not getting the information that easy."
Grinning, he shrugged. "Had to try...Wait. You do know his last name, don't you?"
"Harry!" She smacked his chest. "Of course, I do!"
"Just checking."
A/N: Hoping you all like it so far. I'm going to do what I did with my other fanfic and offer a teaser to my reviewers via inbox for the next chapter. If you are wanting a teaser while I finish the next chapter, let me know!
