Yay! I'm not blocked anymore! Ok, for any of you who didn't read my bio, the stupid people here bocked me from downloading anything until Dec. 31. That's why I haven't been updating. I'm really sorry! I don't know why they did it. whatever. Well, here's the next chappy!

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Chapter 8: The Burrow

The summer passed without much ado. If Harry and Ron noticed Hermione gaining weight she simply laughed and said she needed more exercise.

They spent most of the summer practicing new spells Hermione found, practical ones for everyday life, and taking their Apparation exams. Hermione passes the first time, of course, and Harry did too. Ron passed the second time, the first time having Apparatedtwo miles south of his target.

One day, late in August, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were exploring the country around the Weaseleys' house on broomsticks. Harry and Ron were racing ahead, with Hermione following more leisurely behind.

They had to keep a constant lookout for Muggles, because it would seem kind of strange to see three teenagers flying through the sky. They stayed low and out in the country, where there weren't many people at all, Muggle or wizard.

Hermione watched as once again Ron challenged Harry to a race. He laughed and sped ahead. Ron yelled "Oi! You cheater!" and raced after him.

Hermione laughed and went a little faster to keep up. Suddenly she stopped dead. "Ron! Harry!" she screamed, but they couldn't hear her. She dropped very low, feet practically brushing the grass, and leaned flat on the broomstick. It shot forward. She stared up at Harry and Ron as they inched closer.

"Harry! Ron! COME DOWN!" They looked down at her and looked back up. A helicopter was headed stragiht for them, only a couple hundred feet away.

Harry quickly dove, but Ron stalled for a second, his mouth open and eyes popping. Hermione gasped. Her stomach dropped, and Ron did as well.

They quickly landed in a nearby grove of trees. "Do you think they saw us?" Ron was white.

Hermione collapsed on the ground at a pain in her stomach. "Ow!"

"Hermione, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Harry tried to help her up, but she gasped as another wave of pain hit her. Then she knew. Contractions. I'm having the baby! It's too early! It's not supposed to be here for two months!

"Hermione! What is wrong?" Harry looked at Ron. He shrugged.

"I need to get back to the house. Now!" she struggled up and Harry grabbed his broomstick.

"Here, hold on behind me." He and Ron mounted, and Harry helped Hermione on behind him. Nothing happened for over four minutes, and they were almost back to the house before it happened again. Hermione felt a squeeze in her stomach. This is SO BAD! How am I going to explain this to everyone? She groaned.

"Hang on, we're almost there," Ron called over to her. She nodded and smiled weakly.

They landed and Ron ran into the house. "Mum! Come quick! There's something wrong with Hermione!" Molly Weasley ran out the door. Harry was helping Hermione into the house.

"Hermione, what happened? Let's get you inside." She helped Hermione up the stairs to Ginny's room. Harry and Ron waited anxiously outside the door. Hermione lay down on Ginny's bed as another contraction came on. She knew it was no good. She'd have to tell.

"I'm pregnant." It came out as a squeak.

"What, dear? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you," Molly said cheerfully.

"I'm pregnant. I'm having a baby." Molly gasped.

"You're pregnant? How? Who?" Her face wore a shocked expression. Hermione shook her head. She couldn't tell her who. It would ruin her life. Molly's eyes softened. "It's okay. What's going to happen to the baby?"

"Adoption. It's going up for adoption. I need to get to a hospital. Where is the closest? I'll Apparate." Her breath caught with another contraction.

"I'll come with you. It's in town. Let's go." She helped Hermione up and they disappeared from the room.

They appeared in an alley behind a large building. Molly led her inside and told a nurse they had a woman in labor. Hermione was caught in a whirlwind of activity. Before she knew it she was in a hospital gown, in bed, and her contractions were quickening.

Harry and Ron knocked on the door after awile, since Mrs. Weasley hadn't come out. No one was in there when they peeked in. "They must had Apparated somewhere," Rin thoguht out loud.

"Where?"

"Hospital, probably. Let's go."

They entered the hospital waiting room. "Excuse me." Harry walked to the front desk. "We think our friend was afmitted a little while ago. Her name is Hermione Granger."

The receptionist consulted her computer after glancing at Harry's robes with a puzzled expression. "Yes, here's a Hermione Granger. Marternity wing. I'll have an orderly bring you there. She's already delivered." The woman smiled at them and rang a bell. A young man came up and escorted them down a corridor.

"Maternity? Hermione!?" that was all Ron could get out as he stared at Harry. All Harry could do was shrug.

They stopped at Ron 317, and the orderly opened the door. He smiled and walked off. The boys entered the room slowly. There Hermione lay, in her bed, her eyes closed. She looked exhausted. "Hermione?" Harry tentatively made his way to her bed, Ron following close behind.

Hermione opened her eyes and blushed. She lowered her eyes and looked extremely uncomfortable. "Hi, guys."

"Since when were you pregnant? And who, exactly, got you pregnant?" Ron looked upset.

Hermione turned away. "Since January. And I don't think I can tell you who." Ron opened his mouth, but with a glare from Harry he fell silent.

Harry spoke to cover the awkward silence. "Where's the baby?"

"She's with her new parents. I gave her up for adoption. I knew I couldn't handle a baby. And I didn't really want one, either. It wouldn't be worth it."

"So the father didn't want her either?"

"I don't think so. He couldn't take care of her anyway, with his job." Hermione carefully worded her statements. She never wanted them to know who he was.

"What job?" Ron asked before Harry could stop him.

Hermione glared at him. "I told you, I don't want to tell you. Please stop trying to surprise me into saying. This isn't like the Yule Ball, you know!" Harry gave Ron a 'now-you've-done-it' look as Hermione rolled over. "Go away please. I'm really tired."

They crept out of the room and walked back down the corridor. "Who do you think it is?" Ron asked Harry.

"I have my suspicions."

"Well, who?" Ron was very curious. He wondered how Hermione could have possibly kept this from them for…seven months? Were they really that dense?

"Remember that little fiasco in January or February with me following Hermione?"

Ron looked dead serious. "You don't mean…not Snape? God, that bastard!" and he went on to say a few words that made people around them stare.

"RON! Shut up! Yes, I think it was Snape. But I have no idea why. Why him? I mean, he's a teacher! He hates me, and you, and supposedly Hermione. So why her, as well? But remember that night where no one could find her?" Harry let this hand in the air, and Ron knew exactly what he meant.

"She wasn't missing. Remember, Snape said he found her? We know she's a good actress. They probably staged the whole thing! What's wrong with her?" Harry shook his head. He had no idea. He told Ron that maybe they were jumping to conclusions. It was too odd.

Hermione lay in bed, tired but unable to sleep. She was just wondering if she'd see Severus again when the door opened. "Hermione?" He walked swiftly over to her bedside.

"Severus, how did you know I was here?" Hermione was surprised.

"I have my ways. I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner."

She smiled up at him. "It's all right. I wasn't expecting you at all."

He brushed a stand of damp hair out of her face and sat down on the edge of the bed. "You didn't think I would come?" She shook her head. "You underestimate me." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. His hands framed her face as his mouth pressed on hers. She reached for his hands and pulled him down closer. He laughed.

"Oi! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" Ron charged into the room. Severus pulled away in surprise. "You! You! I can't believe you! It was you!" Ron's fists were clenched and his face was red. He whirled to face Harry "We were jumping to conclusions, eh? Here's the flesh and bone proof!"

Hermione had buried her face in her hands. Now the truth came out. She would never live this down. "Ron, you need to calm down." Harry walked over to him and gently laid a hand on his arm. He turned to Snape. "So, it's true?" his voice was dangerously calm, as if he was trying to hold back his anger. Severus nodded guiltily. "You bastard." Harry turned away and said no more to him.

"Hermione, are you all right? You look very pale." Harry looked concerned. She looked up at him with terror in her eyes.

"I'll be okay," she whispered. If Ron doesn´t kill me first.

¨Yeah, you will as soon as we get this-(something that made Hermione go "Ron!") out of here! Well, what are you waiting for? Leave!" he pushed Severus towards the door. The man looked at Hermione, and she looked back helplessly. He swept out of the room.

"How could he do this to you, Hermione?" Ron thoughtfully said. Hermione said nothing. Anazingly, the boys didn't seem mad at her, just Severus.

"You-aren't mad at me?" she asked incredulously.

"Well, we were. But it's his fault, we're sure," Ron replied.

Hermione thought. It was mostly his fault, but it was also hers. She knew she couldn't say that, however. So she smiled. "You two are the best. C'mre." She opened her arms and they gave her a big hug.

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yay! Ok, I'm gonna write an epilogue, but that's about it. it's done! Watch for the epilogue, but it'll be pretty short. I know what it's gonna say already. It'll be out in a couple days.