The author of this story thrived for originality. It didn't happen. The
characters don't belong to me, the plot eh.well; all I can ask is to please
not sue me.
Ch. 17 A New Beginning
Hermione and Draco stared up at Madame Pomfrey.
"Pregnant? Are you sure?" Hermione asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Ms. Granger, I am. Although, for as long as you were down in the water, I'm quite shocked to see that you already didn't have a miscarriage. While you were unconscious, your vital signs were normal, but I couldn't figure out as to why you had not woken up. I took a vial of blood from you to see if there was anything I could have missed-which I never have- and it came out positive. I still don't know why it took you so long to wake up, exhaustion perhaps? But that is beside the point. You aren't very far along at all really. 3 weeks perhaps? A month?"
Immediately Hermione thought of her and Draco's first time together, which had happened about 3 weeks ago. She knew Draco was thinking about it too judging by the look of his face. They hadn't used protection- nothing at all. And now they would have to deal with the consequences.
"I'll let you two alone to talk. Hermione, you will stay one more night to make sure you don't have any other problems from your horrid experience." Madame Pomfrey bustled off as Hermione and Draco looked at each other.
"A baby." Draco stuttered. "We're going to be parents." He was dumbfounded; all words were lost to describe how he felt.
"Are you sure this is what you want? There are ways-"
Draco didn't let her finish. "No! We won't even discuss our other options."
Hermione looked up at him a bit shocked. "Okay.then."
"Yea." was all Draco could manage.
They held each other for hours, both in a state of shock over their news. Hermione's mind was racing. How would she tell her parents? Could she even take care of a baby; she was only 17. Would Draco be around during her pregnancy? Can she hide it from everyone? Was it a boy or a girl?
After classes had ended, Harry went up to the hospital wing, still unaware that Hermione was awake. Ron caught up with him.
"Hey Harry! Let's go, come on, we need to go practice quidditch!" He said excitedly.
"Not now Ron, I'm going to visit Hermione."
Ron's face soured. "Why," he said sarcastically, "Malfoy's probably already up with her shagging her brains out with out her even knowing."
Ron had taken it one step too far. Without warning, he jumped at Ron, slugging him across the cheek and kicking him in the stomach.
"I dare you to say that again," Harry hissed. He looked down at Ron with such anger in his eyes that his best friend couldn't even recognize Harry.
"What's your problem, mate?" Ron rolled out from under Harry, his lip starting to bleed.
"Can you not deal with the fact that Hermione's dating Draco? You are the reason she almost drowned, you are the reason she's lying up in the hospital wing, unconscious and clinging for dear life and the only thing you can think of is quidditch and your hatred for Malfoy? Give it up Ron! She wouldn't have Ron off had you not been giving her such a hard time about her decision. You can't run her life as much as you wish you could!"
Harry's words echoed through the castle walls. Ron's face sunk and his ears turned red with shame. He was right: Hermione wouldn't be near death had it not been for him. Tears started to well up in Ron's eyes as the truth sunk into the pit of his stomach.
With out looking back, Harry picked himself up and began walking towards the hospital wing.
The room was very quiet. Too quiet. Harry's stomach flip flopped. "She can't be.." he muttered. He ran to her bed and swung the curtain back, only to find Hermione in Draco's arms, both looking very emotionless.
"Hermione! You're okay!" He opened his arms and hugged her tight, relief spread over him like a waterfall. His best friend was alive.
"Harry!" A smiled popped on Hermione's face as she graciously accepted his hug. They held one another for only a few seconds before Hermione whispered to him.
"I need to talk to you, but you can't tell anyone what I'm telling you."
A look of panic spread across Harry's face. "Is there something wrong? Did we not get you out of the water in time? Are you-"
"No, Harry, nothing like that. Harry, I'm-"
"Hermione?" A distraught Ron interrupted. His eyes were red and swollen and tears streamed down his face.
"Hermione, I am so sorry I hurt you. You almost died and it was because of me. And I didn't care."
Hermione's eyes began to swell up. "Ron."
"Let me finish. You are my best friend. You watch out for me and take care of me and made sure I did my homework. You never did anything to ever intentionally hurt me and all I cared about was my anger towards you and Draco and I caused you to nearly drown. I'm never going to forgive myself for hurting you."
By this time both Hermione and Ron's tears were free flowing. Hermione only opened up her arms and Ron ran to her and hugged her just as tightly as Harry had. Only the sound of their sniffles filled the room as Harry and Draco looked on with admiration and relief.
Ron continued. "Harry?"
"Don't worry about it. Had to knock some sense into you some how."
"Only too literal of a meaning." Both of the boys laughed as Draco took Hermione's hand.
"Now that you both are here, I can tell you what I have to say." Harry and Ron looked at her with intrigue. Hermione looked at Draco, who, to her surprise, cracked open a smile.
"Hermione's pregnant," Draco finished for her. Both of the boys' mouths dropped. They looked at Hermione, then at Draco, then at Hermione, then at Draco again.
"But.how.who.how?" Harry stammered.
Hermione let out a giggle. "Well, Harry, when two people love each other."
"I know how. Just, when?"
"Do we really need to go into the details?" she asked in smiles. "You both have been sworn to secrecy though. NO one can find out that I'm pregnant. Madame Pomfrey knows, but that's it. If either one of you tell a soul you'll be in the same place I am just in a lot worse shape. Got it?"
Ron and Harry nodded their heads. The four talked and shared stories and laughed for another few hours before Madame Pomfrey shooed everyone out.
"Ms. Granger, we need to talk about your options."
"No options, Madame Pomfrey. I'm going to have this baby."
"Very well. When you leave tomorrow I'll give you your pregnancy essentials. Hopefully there will not be any long term complications because of your near-death experience." She left the room, leaving Hermione all to herself. "I'm going to have a baby." she let sink in as sleep carried her away.
The next morning Hermione got up especially early so that she could walk around the castle with her vitamins and food regimen with out being seen. She arrived at her dorm room to find a myriad of flowers had attacked her quarters. Lilies, lilacs, orchids, roses, daisies, baby's breath, carnations, and tulips in an assortment of colors spread through out the room. Her eyes filled with tears as she walked over to her bed. Draco had covered her bed with stuffed animals like the one he had given her for Christmas.
She ran over to his dorm-where he was asleep- and jumped into his bed. He awoke with a start until he realized it was his girlfriend. She kissed him wildly as tears streamed down her face. "Oh Draco they're wonderful. It's all so wonderful." She kept saying.
"Do you think the baby will like the bears?" he smiled as she cuddled up next to him.
"She'll love them!" Hermione cried.
"She?" Draco asked in amusement.
"Yes, it'll be a girl. I'm going to be a mother, I know these things." Hermione smiled and kissed Draco on his cheek. "Let's go get breakfast. I'm starving!"
Draco teased. "Isn't it a little early for you to be having random food cravings?"
"Draco, I've been unconscious for two days, plus I didn't eat much before the accident. How could you expect me NOT to be hungry? Now get up! I have a craving for oranges and oatmeal and toast and yogurt and eggs and bacon and-"
"You perhaps wouldn't be hungry, would you?" he giggled.
"Oh you!" as Hermione kicked Draco out of bed. She got up and walked over to his dresser, throwing him his uniform.
Draco got dressed quickly, slicked back his hair and began heading for the door. Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her and gave him an explosive kiss. She rubbed his nose and whispered thank you.
"For what?" he asked.
"For loving me."
Ch. 17 A New Beginning
Hermione and Draco stared up at Madame Pomfrey.
"Pregnant? Are you sure?" Hermione asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Ms. Granger, I am. Although, for as long as you were down in the water, I'm quite shocked to see that you already didn't have a miscarriage. While you were unconscious, your vital signs were normal, but I couldn't figure out as to why you had not woken up. I took a vial of blood from you to see if there was anything I could have missed-which I never have- and it came out positive. I still don't know why it took you so long to wake up, exhaustion perhaps? But that is beside the point. You aren't very far along at all really. 3 weeks perhaps? A month?"
Immediately Hermione thought of her and Draco's first time together, which had happened about 3 weeks ago. She knew Draco was thinking about it too judging by the look of his face. They hadn't used protection- nothing at all. And now they would have to deal with the consequences.
"I'll let you two alone to talk. Hermione, you will stay one more night to make sure you don't have any other problems from your horrid experience." Madame Pomfrey bustled off as Hermione and Draco looked at each other.
"A baby." Draco stuttered. "We're going to be parents." He was dumbfounded; all words were lost to describe how he felt.
"Are you sure this is what you want? There are ways-"
Draco didn't let her finish. "No! We won't even discuss our other options."
Hermione looked up at him a bit shocked. "Okay.then."
"Yea." was all Draco could manage.
They held each other for hours, both in a state of shock over their news. Hermione's mind was racing. How would she tell her parents? Could she even take care of a baby; she was only 17. Would Draco be around during her pregnancy? Can she hide it from everyone? Was it a boy or a girl?
After classes had ended, Harry went up to the hospital wing, still unaware that Hermione was awake. Ron caught up with him.
"Hey Harry! Let's go, come on, we need to go practice quidditch!" He said excitedly.
"Not now Ron, I'm going to visit Hermione."
Ron's face soured. "Why," he said sarcastically, "Malfoy's probably already up with her shagging her brains out with out her even knowing."
Ron had taken it one step too far. Without warning, he jumped at Ron, slugging him across the cheek and kicking him in the stomach.
"I dare you to say that again," Harry hissed. He looked down at Ron with such anger in his eyes that his best friend couldn't even recognize Harry.
"What's your problem, mate?" Ron rolled out from under Harry, his lip starting to bleed.
"Can you not deal with the fact that Hermione's dating Draco? You are the reason she almost drowned, you are the reason she's lying up in the hospital wing, unconscious and clinging for dear life and the only thing you can think of is quidditch and your hatred for Malfoy? Give it up Ron! She wouldn't have Ron off had you not been giving her such a hard time about her decision. You can't run her life as much as you wish you could!"
Harry's words echoed through the castle walls. Ron's face sunk and his ears turned red with shame. He was right: Hermione wouldn't be near death had it not been for him. Tears started to well up in Ron's eyes as the truth sunk into the pit of his stomach.
With out looking back, Harry picked himself up and began walking towards the hospital wing.
The room was very quiet. Too quiet. Harry's stomach flip flopped. "She can't be.." he muttered. He ran to her bed and swung the curtain back, only to find Hermione in Draco's arms, both looking very emotionless.
"Hermione! You're okay!" He opened his arms and hugged her tight, relief spread over him like a waterfall. His best friend was alive.
"Harry!" A smiled popped on Hermione's face as she graciously accepted his hug. They held one another for only a few seconds before Hermione whispered to him.
"I need to talk to you, but you can't tell anyone what I'm telling you."
A look of panic spread across Harry's face. "Is there something wrong? Did we not get you out of the water in time? Are you-"
"No, Harry, nothing like that. Harry, I'm-"
"Hermione?" A distraught Ron interrupted. His eyes were red and swollen and tears streamed down his face.
"Hermione, I am so sorry I hurt you. You almost died and it was because of me. And I didn't care."
Hermione's eyes began to swell up. "Ron."
"Let me finish. You are my best friend. You watch out for me and take care of me and made sure I did my homework. You never did anything to ever intentionally hurt me and all I cared about was my anger towards you and Draco and I caused you to nearly drown. I'm never going to forgive myself for hurting you."
By this time both Hermione and Ron's tears were free flowing. Hermione only opened up her arms and Ron ran to her and hugged her just as tightly as Harry had. Only the sound of their sniffles filled the room as Harry and Draco looked on with admiration and relief.
Ron continued. "Harry?"
"Don't worry about it. Had to knock some sense into you some how."
"Only too literal of a meaning." Both of the boys laughed as Draco took Hermione's hand.
"Now that you both are here, I can tell you what I have to say." Harry and Ron looked at her with intrigue. Hermione looked at Draco, who, to her surprise, cracked open a smile.
"Hermione's pregnant," Draco finished for her. Both of the boys' mouths dropped. They looked at Hermione, then at Draco, then at Hermione, then at Draco again.
"But.how.who.how?" Harry stammered.
Hermione let out a giggle. "Well, Harry, when two people love each other."
"I know how. Just, when?"
"Do we really need to go into the details?" she asked in smiles. "You both have been sworn to secrecy though. NO one can find out that I'm pregnant. Madame Pomfrey knows, but that's it. If either one of you tell a soul you'll be in the same place I am just in a lot worse shape. Got it?"
Ron and Harry nodded their heads. The four talked and shared stories and laughed for another few hours before Madame Pomfrey shooed everyone out.
"Ms. Granger, we need to talk about your options."
"No options, Madame Pomfrey. I'm going to have this baby."
"Very well. When you leave tomorrow I'll give you your pregnancy essentials. Hopefully there will not be any long term complications because of your near-death experience." She left the room, leaving Hermione all to herself. "I'm going to have a baby." she let sink in as sleep carried her away.
The next morning Hermione got up especially early so that she could walk around the castle with her vitamins and food regimen with out being seen. She arrived at her dorm room to find a myriad of flowers had attacked her quarters. Lilies, lilacs, orchids, roses, daisies, baby's breath, carnations, and tulips in an assortment of colors spread through out the room. Her eyes filled with tears as she walked over to her bed. Draco had covered her bed with stuffed animals like the one he had given her for Christmas.
She ran over to his dorm-where he was asleep- and jumped into his bed. He awoke with a start until he realized it was his girlfriend. She kissed him wildly as tears streamed down her face. "Oh Draco they're wonderful. It's all so wonderful." She kept saying.
"Do you think the baby will like the bears?" he smiled as she cuddled up next to him.
"She'll love them!" Hermione cried.
"She?" Draco asked in amusement.
"Yes, it'll be a girl. I'm going to be a mother, I know these things." Hermione smiled and kissed Draco on his cheek. "Let's go get breakfast. I'm starving!"
Draco teased. "Isn't it a little early for you to be having random food cravings?"
"Draco, I've been unconscious for two days, plus I didn't eat much before the accident. How could you expect me NOT to be hungry? Now get up! I have a craving for oranges and oatmeal and toast and yogurt and eggs and bacon and-"
"You perhaps wouldn't be hungry, would you?" he giggled.
"Oh you!" as Hermione kicked Draco out of bed. She got up and walked over to his dresser, throwing him his uniform.
Draco got dressed quickly, slicked back his hair and began heading for the door. Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her and gave him an explosive kiss. She rubbed his nose and whispered thank you.
"For what?" he asked.
"For loving me."