`)`)`)`)`)`)`) Chapter Two (`(`(`(`(`(`(`
Soon it was lunchtime and so Harry, Ron and Parvati fixed lunch for themselves and Hermione, as Mr and Mrs. Patil were at work and Padma was out for the day at the stable where she took riding lessons.
They brought out the light lunch to Hermione, who hadn't moved all morning. They set up a picnic beside Hermione, who gave them a small smile and accepted the food Harry passed to her. When Harry's hand brushed hers, she felt a familiar tingle go through her arm. It sometimes made Hermione laugh that Harry was completely oblivious to the affect he had on her.
Harry looked into her eyes, as though he was thinking the same thing she was. He gave her the special smile that made her insides melt and she would have kissed him right then and there if not for Ron and Parvati's presence.
Hermione turned from Harry's piercing gaze to sip the glass of lemonade he had handed to her. As she sipped the tart liquid, Hermione wished that Voldemort were gone. Life would be much simpler. For one thing, they wouldn't have to be in hiding, as they were now.
Hermione knew the real reason they were staying here. It was because it was one of the few places in the wizarding world that Voldemort would look. He was after Harry, which meant that because they were Harry's friends, Hermione and Ron were in danger too. That was the true reason that the three were spending the summer on this small farm in secluded countryside. It was so that they wouldn't be in danger of being attacked by Voldemort, who was currently scouring all of Britain for their whereabouts.
Hermione winced at the thought of Voldemort and the horrible things that would be done to them if they were caught. She had suddenly lost her appetite, and waved away the salad Harry offered her.
Ron looked at her oddly, one eyebrow raised.
"Trying to lose a few pounds there? You've hardly eaten anything." Ron remarked, eyeing Hermione's slightly rounded belly.
"I see you've grown slightly around the middle."
Hermione paled gripped her glass so hard it cracked. Parvati shot Ron a dirty look and Harry looked as though he was going to strangle Ron. Hermione, with tear filled eyes, turned away from the three, refusing to speak.
* * *
After that, no one really felt like eating much, so they started to clean up. Harry gripped the dishes tightly and gestured for Ron to meet him in the kitchen. Ron, narrowing his eyes at Harry's glare, followed him into the house. Only Parvati remained.
"Hermione?" she asked softly. Hermione didn't answer, choosing to keep her back turned. "Is something bothering you? You can tell me, I'm good at keeping secrets, and you look like you need another girl to talk to."
Hermione turned around, a tear rolling down her cheek. She could barely look up.
"Oh Hermione. What's wrong? You look terribly upset by something. C'mon, you can tell me," coaxed Parvati. Several tears fell from Hermione's eyes.
In the background, you could hear the crash of pans and male voices shouting at each other. Hermione's self control finally dissolved.
"Parvati, it's just so horrible! You have to promise you won't tell Harry, or, or anybody! sobbed Hermione. "I promise," swore Parvati solemnly. Sniffling, Hermione began.
"Do you remember, in April, when everyone went away except us and the guys, and a few first years?" Parvati nodded.
"Well.remember that night when, uh, I slept in the boys' dorm and Ron slept in ours?" Parvati chuckled, obviously recalling the night's events. "Oh, I remember all right. Continue." Hermione turned red.
"Well, I. I forgot to take the potion... you know, the potion that stops us from.from."
"From getting pregnant? You mean the prophylaxis potion?" interrupted Parvati. A terrified look crossed Parvati's face. Eyes wide, she whispered "You mean- "
"Yeah.." said Hermione, reading Parvati's open-mouthed stares.
"I'm going to have a baby."
* * *
Breathing heavily, Harry gripped the dishes tightly as he made his way into the kitchen. Stomping up the wooden steps of the porch, the door burst magically open and Harry stormed inside. How could Ron be so cruel? Hermione had insecurities about her looks and weight, ever since that nasty Rita Skeeter had written an article about Harry's latest relationship with Hermione Granger, his "smart but unsightly" schoolmate at Hogwarts. She hadn't had many girl friends at school after that, thanks to that article. Ron stomped in after Harry, practically throwing the dishes in the sink. Harry turned to Ron. 'What was that all about?! You know Hermione's been extra-sensitive lately, yet you insulted her right to her face! You're horrible to her and you know it!" bellowed Harry, fists balled. Ron's face turned red with anger. "All I did was state the truth! You can bloody well see the same thing! I only said she was getting bigger 'round her middle, because she IS." This only fuelled Harry's anger. "SHE IS NOT! You only WISH she were less than perfect, but she's just fine the way she is! You're always rubbing some nasty fact in her face, whether it about her hair or her so called bossiness. You only WISH she weren't as good as she were, so she'd be perfect enough for you!" Harry pulled away from Ron, glaring. Somewhere inside him, his logic was screaming for him to shut up and say sorry. That he didn't really mean any of this and neither did Ron. But he brushed that part aside. "WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" screamed Ron. "That I'm not good enough for Hermione? That the only bloody one, only the great HARRY POTTER, is the only one GOOD enough for her?" "That's exactly what I mean," said Harry coldly. Ron's shoulders stiffened.
Shaking his head bitterly, Ron muttered to himself, looking down at Harry. " I always knew you thought you were better than everyone else. Maybe Malfoy's not so wrong after all." That was the last straw for Harry. Taking a big swing, Harry punched Ron in the gut. He crumpled, but reacted instantly. Grabbing Harry's arm, he twisted it. Harry grunted and kicked Ron in the shins. Yelping, Ron let Harry's arm go. Continuing to glare at each other, they were just about to go at it again when Mrs. Patil walked in the door, obviously home from work early. "Boys!" she screeched, running to stand in between them. "What in the world is all of this? You always seem to get along just fine, so there's no reason for all of this brawling!" Harry, disgusted, spoke first. "Ron was insulting Hermione," "Harry's acting all high and mighty and," interrupted Ron angrily. They were just about to reach for their wands when Mrs. Patil screeched again. "Stop, the two of you! Ron, go to the living room, Harry go take a walk. Both of you come back when you're ready to act civil to each other. Go on now!" she said, pushing them away from each other. Ron sulkily walked out of the kitchen and Harry strode briskly through the back door. He almost walked to Hermione and Parvati, but changed his mind and walked to the barn instead. He didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, much less explaining what had happened in the kitchen.
* * *
Parvati patted Hermione's arms reassuringly and cleared her throat, trying to distract Hermione from the sight of her furious boyfriend storming away towards the barn.
"So now that that's all cleared up, don't you think Harry should know? After all, he is the father, am I right?"
"Oh, dear god no!" gasped Hermione, almost falling out of the hammock. "He'd be furious! He'd be,"
"What?" interrupted Parvati. (She had a habit of doing this)
"He'd be completely supportive of you? He'd take care of you and provide for you and the baby? C'mon, Hermione! Everyone knows how crazy he is about you! Remember at graduation, when he stood up and clapped the loudest when you were receiving all of your awards? Remember when he thanked you for being such a great friend when he got the valedictorian award? If that isn't sufficient, then I don't know, maybe the hundreds of times he's proven himself to you will be enough evidence!"
Hermione's brow furrowed.
"You really think he loves me that much?" asked Hermione in a small voice.
"Of course I do," smiled Parvati, standing up and sitting on the hammock with Hermione.
" And maybe he'll be so happy about this baby, he'll want more!"
Hermione giggled and pushed Parvati off of the hammock.
* * *
Gnawing on a piece of sweet-smelling straw, Harry lay on a makeshift bed of hay-bales. The horses beneath him whickered, munching on their food. Breathing deep, Harry tried to let the anger flow out of him. He hadn't really meant to say or do any of those things to Ron. How could he, anyways? Sure, they sometimes disagreed, but Ron and Harry were best friends. He guessed that all of the stress was building up on him. He hoped Hermione would lighten up soon, Harry didn't think he could take all of the stress. He heard Hermione's voice calling him in the distance. "Harry. Harry.. Where are you?" she called, sounding happier than she had been in a while. He heard her footsteps approaching the barn. "I'm here in the loft, Hermione," he called back, jumping down from the hayloft and narrowly missing landing on top of her. Smiling at Harry's messy, straw-filled hair, Hermione grasped his hand gently and pulled him close to her. Giving him a quick, unexpected kiss, Hermione whispered in his ear. "What do you say we go for a nice trail ride? Hmm?" her lips tickled his ear.
Harry nodded and they went to go saddle their favourite horses. Harry thought happily, maybe she'll tell me what's been bothering her.
When they were done saddling the horses and mounting up, they steered the horses into a light walk towards the woods. It was just beginning to get dusky, and Harry could see that the sky looked slightly more golden then brilliant blue. He slowed his horse, a strong chestnut named Impish, so that he wouldn't be too far ahead of Hermione's, a placid mare named Dreamer.
Just as Harry was beginning to wonder when she would start talking, they slipped into the cool, darker region of the forest. Sunlight flickered through the leaves of the trees, dappling the horses' coats. Biting his lip, Harry spoke up.
"Hermione?" he questioned. Hermione glanced at him briefly, and then turned her attention to manoeuvring Dreamer around a jutting log. "Hmm." she said, still not looking at Harry.
"What's wrong Hermione?" asked Harry. She sighed deeply, playing with her reins.
"Harry, there's something I have to tell you. You have a right to know, although I'll understand if you hate me for the rest of my life. Harry, I- AHHHH!" cried Hermione as Dreamer bolted forwards, throwing Hermione forward in the saddle.
Twigs snapped and scratched Hermione, branches tearing at her hair. Hermione desperately reached for the reins, but they were looped around and impossible to grab. Harry nudged his horse into action, racing through the woods after Hermione and Dreamer. Spurring Impish on faster, Harry searched his pockets for his wand with one hand. They thundered into a small clearing.
Just then, Harry's scar burned like fire, and a figure in black appeared out of nowhere. Dreamer reared up on two legs, sending Hermione tumbling out of the saddle completely and onto the hard ground. Luckily, Dreamer didn't trample her in her attempt to gallop back home. Harry pulled Impish to a halt, rubbing his scar to keep it from driving him mad.
He jumped off of Impish and ran to Hermione, where she was just starting to sit up. The figure walked towards them and pointed a wand at Harry. The pain in his scar only intensified, until it seared into his very brain.
A/N: For some reason, on my computer I couldn't access chapter three from chapter two, so I've decided to add links to all of them to all of the chapters. Sound good?
Chapter One: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1145348 Chapter Three: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1145348&chapter=3
Soon it was lunchtime and so Harry, Ron and Parvati fixed lunch for themselves and Hermione, as Mr and Mrs. Patil were at work and Padma was out for the day at the stable where she took riding lessons.
They brought out the light lunch to Hermione, who hadn't moved all morning. They set up a picnic beside Hermione, who gave them a small smile and accepted the food Harry passed to her. When Harry's hand brushed hers, she felt a familiar tingle go through her arm. It sometimes made Hermione laugh that Harry was completely oblivious to the affect he had on her.
Harry looked into her eyes, as though he was thinking the same thing she was. He gave her the special smile that made her insides melt and she would have kissed him right then and there if not for Ron and Parvati's presence.
Hermione turned from Harry's piercing gaze to sip the glass of lemonade he had handed to her. As she sipped the tart liquid, Hermione wished that Voldemort were gone. Life would be much simpler. For one thing, they wouldn't have to be in hiding, as they were now.
Hermione knew the real reason they were staying here. It was because it was one of the few places in the wizarding world that Voldemort would look. He was after Harry, which meant that because they were Harry's friends, Hermione and Ron were in danger too. That was the true reason that the three were spending the summer on this small farm in secluded countryside. It was so that they wouldn't be in danger of being attacked by Voldemort, who was currently scouring all of Britain for their whereabouts.
Hermione winced at the thought of Voldemort and the horrible things that would be done to them if they were caught. She had suddenly lost her appetite, and waved away the salad Harry offered her.
Ron looked at her oddly, one eyebrow raised.
"Trying to lose a few pounds there? You've hardly eaten anything." Ron remarked, eyeing Hermione's slightly rounded belly.
"I see you've grown slightly around the middle."
Hermione paled gripped her glass so hard it cracked. Parvati shot Ron a dirty look and Harry looked as though he was going to strangle Ron. Hermione, with tear filled eyes, turned away from the three, refusing to speak.
* * *
After that, no one really felt like eating much, so they started to clean up. Harry gripped the dishes tightly and gestured for Ron to meet him in the kitchen. Ron, narrowing his eyes at Harry's glare, followed him into the house. Only Parvati remained.
"Hermione?" she asked softly. Hermione didn't answer, choosing to keep her back turned. "Is something bothering you? You can tell me, I'm good at keeping secrets, and you look like you need another girl to talk to."
Hermione turned around, a tear rolling down her cheek. She could barely look up.
"Oh Hermione. What's wrong? You look terribly upset by something. C'mon, you can tell me," coaxed Parvati. Several tears fell from Hermione's eyes.
In the background, you could hear the crash of pans and male voices shouting at each other. Hermione's self control finally dissolved.
"Parvati, it's just so horrible! You have to promise you won't tell Harry, or, or anybody! sobbed Hermione. "I promise," swore Parvati solemnly. Sniffling, Hermione began.
"Do you remember, in April, when everyone went away except us and the guys, and a few first years?" Parvati nodded.
"Well.remember that night when, uh, I slept in the boys' dorm and Ron slept in ours?" Parvati chuckled, obviously recalling the night's events. "Oh, I remember all right. Continue." Hermione turned red.
"Well, I. I forgot to take the potion... you know, the potion that stops us from.from."
"From getting pregnant? You mean the prophylaxis potion?" interrupted Parvati. A terrified look crossed Parvati's face. Eyes wide, she whispered "You mean- "
"Yeah.." said Hermione, reading Parvati's open-mouthed stares.
"I'm going to have a baby."
* * *
Breathing heavily, Harry gripped the dishes tightly as he made his way into the kitchen. Stomping up the wooden steps of the porch, the door burst magically open and Harry stormed inside. How could Ron be so cruel? Hermione had insecurities about her looks and weight, ever since that nasty Rita Skeeter had written an article about Harry's latest relationship with Hermione Granger, his "smart but unsightly" schoolmate at Hogwarts. She hadn't had many girl friends at school after that, thanks to that article. Ron stomped in after Harry, practically throwing the dishes in the sink. Harry turned to Ron. 'What was that all about?! You know Hermione's been extra-sensitive lately, yet you insulted her right to her face! You're horrible to her and you know it!" bellowed Harry, fists balled. Ron's face turned red with anger. "All I did was state the truth! You can bloody well see the same thing! I only said she was getting bigger 'round her middle, because she IS." This only fuelled Harry's anger. "SHE IS NOT! You only WISH she were less than perfect, but she's just fine the way she is! You're always rubbing some nasty fact in her face, whether it about her hair or her so called bossiness. You only WISH she weren't as good as she were, so she'd be perfect enough for you!" Harry pulled away from Ron, glaring. Somewhere inside him, his logic was screaming for him to shut up and say sorry. That he didn't really mean any of this and neither did Ron. But he brushed that part aside. "WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" screamed Ron. "That I'm not good enough for Hermione? That the only bloody one, only the great HARRY POTTER, is the only one GOOD enough for her?" "That's exactly what I mean," said Harry coldly. Ron's shoulders stiffened.
Shaking his head bitterly, Ron muttered to himself, looking down at Harry. " I always knew you thought you were better than everyone else. Maybe Malfoy's not so wrong after all." That was the last straw for Harry. Taking a big swing, Harry punched Ron in the gut. He crumpled, but reacted instantly. Grabbing Harry's arm, he twisted it. Harry grunted and kicked Ron in the shins. Yelping, Ron let Harry's arm go. Continuing to glare at each other, they were just about to go at it again when Mrs. Patil walked in the door, obviously home from work early. "Boys!" she screeched, running to stand in between them. "What in the world is all of this? You always seem to get along just fine, so there's no reason for all of this brawling!" Harry, disgusted, spoke first. "Ron was insulting Hermione," "Harry's acting all high and mighty and," interrupted Ron angrily. They were just about to reach for their wands when Mrs. Patil screeched again. "Stop, the two of you! Ron, go to the living room, Harry go take a walk. Both of you come back when you're ready to act civil to each other. Go on now!" she said, pushing them away from each other. Ron sulkily walked out of the kitchen and Harry strode briskly through the back door. He almost walked to Hermione and Parvati, but changed his mind and walked to the barn instead. He didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, much less explaining what had happened in the kitchen.
* * *
Parvati patted Hermione's arms reassuringly and cleared her throat, trying to distract Hermione from the sight of her furious boyfriend storming away towards the barn.
"So now that that's all cleared up, don't you think Harry should know? After all, he is the father, am I right?"
"Oh, dear god no!" gasped Hermione, almost falling out of the hammock. "He'd be furious! He'd be,"
"What?" interrupted Parvati. (She had a habit of doing this)
"He'd be completely supportive of you? He'd take care of you and provide for you and the baby? C'mon, Hermione! Everyone knows how crazy he is about you! Remember at graduation, when he stood up and clapped the loudest when you were receiving all of your awards? Remember when he thanked you for being such a great friend when he got the valedictorian award? If that isn't sufficient, then I don't know, maybe the hundreds of times he's proven himself to you will be enough evidence!"
Hermione's brow furrowed.
"You really think he loves me that much?" asked Hermione in a small voice.
"Of course I do," smiled Parvati, standing up and sitting on the hammock with Hermione.
" And maybe he'll be so happy about this baby, he'll want more!"
Hermione giggled and pushed Parvati off of the hammock.
* * *
Gnawing on a piece of sweet-smelling straw, Harry lay on a makeshift bed of hay-bales. The horses beneath him whickered, munching on their food. Breathing deep, Harry tried to let the anger flow out of him. He hadn't really meant to say or do any of those things to Ron. How could he, anyways? Sure, they sometimes disagreed, but Ron and Harry were best friends. He guessed that all of the stress was building up on him. He hoped Hermione would lighten up soon, Harry didn't think he could take all of the stress. He heard Hermione's voice calling him in the distance. "Harry. Harry.. Where are you?" she called, sounding happier than she had been in a while. He heard her footsteps approaching the barn. "I'm here in the loft, Hermione," he called back, jumping down from the hayloft and narrowly missing landing on top of her. Smiling at Harry's messy, straw-filled hair, Hermione grasped his hand gently and pulled him close to her. Giving him a quick, unexpected kiss, Hermione whispered in his ear. "What do you say we go for a nice trail ride? Hmm?" her lips tickled his ear.
Harry nodded and they went to go saddle their favourite horses. Harry thought happily, maybe she'll tell me what's been bothering her.
When they were done saddling the horses and mounting up, they steered the horses into a light walk towards the woods. It was just beginning to get dusky, and Harry could see that the sky looked slightly more golden then brilliant blue. He slowed his horse, a strong chestnut named Impish, so that he wouldn't be too far ahead of Hermione's, a placid mare named Dreamer.
Just as Harry was beginning to wonder when she would start talking, they slipped into the cool, darker region of the forest. Sunlight flickered through the leaves of the trees, dappling the horses' coats. Biting his lip, Harry spoke up.
"Hermione?" he questioned. Hermione glanced at him briefly, and then turned her attention to manoeuvring Dreamer around a jutting log. "Hmm." she said, still not looking at Harry.
"What's wrong Hermione?" asked Harry. She sighed deeply, playing with her reins.
"Harry, there's something I have to tell you. You have a right to know, although I'll understand if you hate me for the rest of my life. Harry, I- AHHHH!" cried Hermione as Dreamer bolted forwards, throwing Hermione forward in the saddle.
Twigs snapped and scratched Hermione, branches tearing at her hair. Hermione desperately reached for the reins, but they were looped around and impossible to grab. Harry nudged his horse into action, racing through the woods after Hermione and Dreamer. Spurring Impish on faster, Harry searched his pockets for his wand with one hand. They thundered into a small clearing.
Just then, Harry's scar burned like fire, and a figure in black appeared out of nowhere. Dreamer reared up on two legs, sending Hermione tumbling out of the saddle completely and onto the hard ground. Luckily, Dreamer didn't trample her in her attempt to gallop back home. Harry pulled Impish to a halt, rubbing his scar to keep it from driving him mad.
He jumped off of Impish and ran to Hermione, where she was just starting to sit up. The figure walked towards them and pointed a wand at Harry. The pain in his scar only intensified, until it seared into his very brain.
A/N: For some reason, on my computer I couldn't access chapter three from chapter two, so I've decided to add links to all of them to all of the chapters. Sound good?
Chapter One: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1145348 Chapter Three: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1145348&chapter=3