Well another Chapter… it's a little short I know BUT the other ones after it are quite long so…yes…I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Harry Potter! And I wish, I wish I hadn't killed that fish…*cough* Oh, right! I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY HARRY POTTER RELATED MATERIAL!

The Fine Line Between Love and Hate

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CHAPTER 3: THAT'S WHAT THAT IS

"That was lovely Ella." Hermione said politely, pushing away her empty plate. Harry rolled his eyes at her. Lunch wasn't lovely. It was some sort of vegetable thing Ella had thrown together at the last minute.
"You liked it?" Ella grinned, "I thought it was disgusting. I'm never improvising in the kitchen again."

"Here here." Harry agreed. Ella shot him a look but shrugged and took away the dirty dishes.

"How is Auror training going?" Hermione asked casually. She frowned at the stricken look Harry gave her.

"It's going good but," He lowered his voice, "Don't mention it in front of Ella. She hates it."

"But why on earth-" Hermione stopped as Ella entered the room again and coughed, "Yes, the University is quite nice. Americans are a little strange. They don't have much tea over there."

"Yes. That must be a pity." Harry's eyes worriedly strayed over to Ella but she was distracted.

"Yes, no tea. It is a pity." Hermione mumbled.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked Ella. She smiled weakly.

"Yes. It's just a cold. You know how I went to the Medi-Witch the other day? Well it's a cold that's going around. I'll be fine," Her hand went up to her mouth, "Excuse me, I'm going to lay down for a while."

Hermione watched her leave the room before turning back to Harry who was also watching her with concern.

"Really though. How is Auror training going?" She smiled.

"Alright. I like it and it's different," He paused, "Ron loves it."

"I'm sure he does."

"Can't you talk to-"

"No. I think that can wait. Tell me more about your training." She gave him a piercing look, warning him not to mention Ron.

"Well," His eyes lit up suddenly, "We're Animagus."

"What?" Hermione exclaimed, "Already? But that takes forever to learn! How on earth could you have become one?"

"Oh it's simple really with professional training and it's taken us nearly two months to get it." Harry assured her.

"What are you?" She wondered curiously. Her friend grinned.

"A phoenix."

"Wow," She shrugged nonchalantly, "And, what's Ron?"

"A Welsh Terrier. It's quite funny. But he likes it...you should probably be asking him these things yourself. He misses you." Harry told her. She felt a blush creeping across her cheeks and silently cursed. Ron was the only one that could ever make her blush so fiercely and she hated it almost as much as she loved it.

"I'll see him before I go," She said slowly, "But for now I just want to talk to you and catch up."

"Okay. If you see him, that'll make him happy."

"I miss him too Harry," Hermione said quietly, "I miss you too."

"Yeah. It's not the same." He sighed.

Suddenly Ella appeared out of the bedroom she had previously escaped to and smiled at them.

"Hello. I'm going out now." She told them, grabbing a coat.

"What?" Harry jumped up, "Are you sure you're alright? Where are you going?"

"I'm sure. Just back to the Hospital. Won't be long," She quickly kissed him, "You want something? Hermione, would you like something?"

"Oh, chocolate if its not too much trouble?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Of course not," Ella nodded, "Harry?"

"No. Just be back soon and get well." He kissed her twice and whispered something in her ear. She smiled and waved good-bye before Apparating out of the room.

"I'm sorry Harry," Hermione said, "But your girlfriend is rather strange."

* * * *

The Medi-Witch observed the girl in front of her pityingly. What the girl had was something that someone so young could not handle very well and the Medi-Witch doubted very much that young girl would handle it very well.

"I know I'm sick." The girl told her, distractedly picking at a thread on her robe. The Medi-Witch nodded sadly.

"Yes my dear, you are sick. Somewhat."

"Can...can you help me?" The girl asked after a moment.

"I can make sure you remain healthy, but in retrospect my dear only you can help yourself." The Medi-Witch pulled out an animated pamphlet from her desk and handed it to the girl. But the girl was ignoring her outstretched hand and frowning.

"I'm healthy? But you just said I was sick." She pointed out.

"Yes," The Medi-Witch sighed, "I said somewhat. You are healthy."

"Then what's the matter with me!" The girl demanded, "I feel awful and I know I'm not well!"

"My dear," The older witch replied, "You're pregnant."

"Oh," The girl said quietly to herself, "That's what that is. Well that would explain...a lot rather. How long?"

"About seven weeks. Er," The Medi-Witch smiled, "Congratulations."

"I suppose so," The girl took the pamphlet off the Medi-Witch and smiled, "Thank you. When do I come again?"

"You...you're keeping it?" The Medi-Witch asked, surprised. The younger girl frowned.

"Of course I am! When do I come again?"

"I suppose in a few weeks for another checkup would be fine."

"Alright then. Bye."

"Bye dear."

Ella stepped out of the small Hospital that she had been going to since she was young. It was called St Emit's and consisted of several rooms and several Medi-Doctors. The Medi-Witch that she had just seen was new and Ella hadn't appreciated the underpinned suggestion that she not keep her baby.

"I can't believe it." She whispered to herself, subconsciously allowing a hand to go up and rub her flat stomach. She looked down the street she was in thoughtfully before Apparating back to her and Harry's house. Hermione was sitting on the lounge, surrounded by dozens of papers and reading a thick book. She looked up startled at Ella's sudden appearance.

"Oh. Hello." She smiled and went back to reading.

"Hello. How long was I gone?" Ella thought that it seemed a lot later than when she had left after lunch.

"A few hours," Hermione's eyes remained glued on the book she was reading, "Oh! Harry said to tell you he's very sorry but he got called in for an Auror Mission and he'll be back for dinner."

"No surprise there," Ella mumbled, "Hermione, can I talk to you?"

"I'm kind of busy right now actually," Hermione smiled apologetically, "I have an essay due on the effects of Mellow Flower on Muggles and the reasons it should be applied to...what's the matter?"

Ella sighed and sat down across from the girl who she wished she could call a good friend.
"I've been eating a lot lately." Ella said quietly.

Hermione shrugged, "That's normal but. Is something wrong, what did they say at the Hospital?"

"And I've been having these strange cravings for strawberries and donuts all the time..." Ella continued, seemingly not hearing Hermione.

"We all get them."

"And I've been throwing up a lot too and I haven't had my monthly for a while..." Ella sighed.

"What did they say at the Hospital Ella?" Hermione demanded. The other girl smiled a little wistfully.

"I'm pregnant."

"What?" Hermione jumped up, scattering sheets of paper and parchment everywhere, "You can't be! You're too young! Is it Harry's? What happened? How long have you been?"

"Of course its Harry's," Ella snapped gently, "And you know how it happened. I know I'm young but believe me I am pregnant and I'm about seven weeks I was told."

Hermione wouldn't let it end there and following the news she erupted into a long speech about the importance of a career and education and how much more careful Ella should have been. It was a long series of moments later before Hermione collapsed on the couch, exhausted.

"Harry doesn't know yet does he?" Hermione murmured.

"No. And I intend to tell him soon. But...but can we keep it quiet just for now?"

"You want me to keep this from one of my best friends?" Hermione was incredulous but she sighed when Ella looked at her sullenly, "Alright. I suppose you'd probably want to work things out yourself first anyway wouldn't you?"

"Yes. I mean...with Harry...I don't know if he'd be happy to-" She was cut off suddenly as the person she was talking about immediately Apparated into the room.

"Harry!" Hermione and Ella both cried before turning to another figure, "Ron!"

Ron definitely looked worse for wear but Harry wasn't far off. They were covered in scratches and bruises and Harry was holding his leg and wincing. Ron seemed to be struggling to remain conscious.

"What happened?" Hermione demanded. Ella had left the room but returned shortly with a small kit of Muggle antidotes.

"Harry got them, he said that some of them work well. I don't know. What happened?" Ella echoed Hermione's question and looked between the two boys. She bent down next to Ron who had a gashing wound on his cheek while Hermione worked on Harry's leg with a spell she knew.

"We got attacked," Harry mumbled, "They killed nearly everyone and the boss told us to Apparate home and I told Ron to come with me here...Ow! Hermione that hurts!"

"You broke you're leg." She told him stiffly.

"Here Ron." Ella gently wiped the cut on Ron's cheek and he clenched his jaw from the pain. Harry sighed as Hermione fixed his leg and crawled up into a sitting position.

"Ron got stunned." He explained. Hermione's eyes widened and she became even more stricken.

"Too many things have happened today!" She exclaimed looking at Ella, "How do you handle this?"

"Just take Ron to a room and lay him down Hermione. He'll be fine once he gets some sleep. Harry's been stunned twice and he's always fine after a few hours."

Hermione nodded and helped Ron get to his feet. He put his arm around her and despite the situation Hermione blushed, causing Ella to smile. It was wiped off her face however as soon as she turned to observe Harry.

"Well. I'm home early." He said with a forced grin. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I know that you have just had a very hard time and so I'm going to leave the lecture for a while," She knelt down next to him and hugged him to her, "Are you alright?"

"Fine." Harry said, glad to be avoiding the lecture.

Ella opened her mouth to say something more but closed it again and looked away. She did this several times before Harry sighed.

"Say it. Just say it." He told her. She lowered her head so they were only inches apart.

"How long are you going to be doing this Harry?" She whispered.

"Doing what?" He mumbled, finding her lips a little too distracting.

"Going out and nearly getting killed," Ella closed her eyes, "I don't know how you handle it Harry but I don't think I can handle anymore with you going out all the time. I worry so much that-"

He put his lips to hers and guided his hands across her back.

"I won't always be doing this," He said gently, "Come on. Let's check on Ron."

* * * *

Hermione was halfway to the bed in Harry and Ella's spare room when she remembered that she was angry with Ron for trying to control her life. He dropped him on the bed a little roughly and he looked up at her startled.

"Hermione! Goddamn." He moaned and rubbed the back of his head.

"Oh sorry Ron. I didn't mean to." She smiled at him loftily. He scowled, knowing full well that she had intended to hurt him. She patted his arm and turned to leave him for a little while.

"Hermione."

Him calling out her name made her stop and turn around. Ron didn't really have anything to say to her but he hadn't heard from her in a few weeks, let alone see her, and he just wanted to take everything about her in. She was still beautiful.

"Did you want something Ron?" She mumbled, blushing under his intense gaze. Did he want something? If only she knew.

"How have you been?" He asked weakly.

"Alright. You?"

"Alright."

She stood silently for a moment before taking a few steps over to him and brushing her lips against his forehead, surprising even herself with her actions. She remained even more surprised that she allowed her face to linger a little above his.

Blushing furiously now Hermione pulled back to leave directly but in one smooth movement Ron grabbed her arms and pulled her back down to him. He pressed himself against her and before long Hermione kissed him back.

"Oh!" Ella's voice rang out from the entrance of the room before adding quickly; "I forgot something Harry! Quick! Come into the kitchen!"

"What?" Came Harry's confused voice.

"Something Harry! Come on!"

Hermione knew that Ella had seen them and silently thanked the girl for taking Harry away before he too witnessed the scene. Hermione and Ron pulled apart abruptly.

"Well," Hermione said flustered, "I see that you're alright then."

"What...what just," Ron shook his head, "What did you do?"

"Me do?" Hermione exclaimed, "What did you do?"

"Nothing. You were the one that came onto me!" Ron shot back. Hermione glared at him.

"I did not! How dare you insinuate such a thing!"

"What were you doing then? Hovering your face above me like some sort of...of...predator circling its prey?" He immediately realised his bad choice of expression. Her face darkened angrily.

"How dare you," Her hand swiftly shot out and made contact with his cheek, thankfully the unhurt one, "You were the one that pulled me down!"

"I wouldn't have if you hadn't-"

"And I wouldn't if you didn't-"

"You are such a-"

"Why do you always have to be so-"

"I hate you!"

Hermione stormed out of the room and grabbed her coat angrily of a hook near the kitchen. Ella was making some tea and Harry was distracting himself by talking loudly about how nice it was to be home. They had clearly both heard the argument. The house, after all, wasn't so big that raised voices didn't travel down the halls.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said quickly, waving her wand and packing her belongings that were still scattered around the floor into a small bag near the coat rack, "Thank you for having me. I'll owl you all right? Goodbye!"

"Wait Hermione-" Harry began but she was already gone.

* * * *

Dear God, thought Draco, could his day get any worse?

He'd been interviewing secretaries for hours now and still had not found one that might even minimally fit the requirements he needed. His next appointment entered and he inwardly groaned.

"Parkinson. What is the meaning of this?" He demanded. Pansy looked at him innocently.

"What on earth do you mean Draco? I'm here to apply for the job." She fluttered her eyes at him flirtatiously and he suppressed the urge to throw up.

"Sit down then." He told her.

"Alright." She wiggled herself into a seat and flashed him a smile.

"Now. What's your name?" He asked her. She frowned at him before giggling.

"Oh you know that."

"Name." He demanded.

"Pansy Parkinson." She told him. Draco sighed.

"Well it was nice meeting you. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like you have the qualifications necessary to fulfill this job...and such and such. Have a nice day." He waved her from him office. She gaped at him for a moment in shock before angrily storming out of the room.

"Another day, another-" He stopped as his next subject entered the room.

"Oh dear," The girl laughed, "I do hope my interview goes better than hers. That girl looked about ready to kill someone."

Draco smiled, "Does your name consist of either Pansy or Parkinson?"

"No."

"Then it's going to go better. Please, have a seat."

She did so elegantly and Draco tried to stop himself from staring at her. She looked a little familiar but he didn't know where he had seen her before. She was beautiful. Extremely beautiful. How could he forget her face?

She grinned at him; "This is very exciting. I'd love to work for you."

I'd like that too, thought Draco wryly.

"Do you have any experience?" He wondered, waiting for the usual 'no' because no one really did have experience in this line of work.

"No," She began, "But I'm a very good learner. It wouldn't take me long to get a hold of things and I am a very good people person. If that helps."

"It does." He eyed her again.

"Would you be willing to put in the significant effort? About six to eight hours of work a day?" He asked her.

"Oh yes," She nodded eagerly, "I'd work very hard. This is a job after all isn't it?"

It wasn't very funny but Draco laughed along with her anyway.

"And sometimes I might need you for an emergency. Would you be available if I needed you?" His eyes widened slightly when he realised he was flirting.

"Anytime you needed me." The girl insisted and he found himself smiling because she was flirting back.

"Do you have any letters of recommendation?"

"Oh yes," She opened her purse and rummaged around for a moment before withdrawing three letters, "One is from the person I used to work with on my school holidays and one is from an acquaintance and another is from a teacher from my school."

Draco immediately opened the one from her previous boss and smiled happily at all the good things the letter said about her. He muttered an authenticity spell under his breath and the letter proved to be real.

"How about certificates from school or something?" He was losing his formality now and knew that he had most likely found the person for the job.

"Oh, well. I got an NEWT in Muggle Studies and I'm pretty good at Charms and Potions." The girl told him.

"What school did you go too?"

"Hogwarts. I only just graduated this year. Nearly two months ago." She smiled and her beauty was enhanced. Draco studied her face still trying to remember her.

"I'd have to say," He said slowly, "That you have the job. You've made quite an impression."

Her eyes lit up, "Oh wonderful! When do I start?"

"Does tomorrow sound like too soon?"

She shook her head.

"Alright then. Tomorrow morning at ten."

"Thank you so much," She continued to smile and went to leave the room. Draco suddenly jumped out of his seat in alarm, realizing that he didn't know her name. He'd need to know it of course if they were going to be working together and it might help him recognize her better.

"Your name," He said loudly, "What's your name?"

"Oh," The girl blushed in embarrassment, "Its Geraldine. Geraldine Maple."

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A/N: HAHA! She's pregnant! I'm not even going to go into how unsurprising I bet that was! I don't really have much to say for the moment…

There will be some serious Hermione and Ron coming soon…

David Ken: Thanks heaps! I loved the story you wrote!

Lupin'sLuver: I'm really glad you like it! I really don't think Ella will go with Draco…you know…because Harry and her are so in love *ugh*

shortygurl521: Yeah, I was a little worried about how to begin the 'future one' but hmm…and don't worry, there is some Ron and Hermione not far ahead

Kagome: Lol! You! I recognize you! Thanks for all the reviews! And I'm sorry about the part in the Room of Requirement…I was just trying to get across the um…deepness of their relationship…

chanty: Yeah, I wouldn't really put Harry as anything else!

Ninkasi: Yay! I'm glad you liked the Staff of Vigor!!!

PLEASE KEEP THE REVIEWS COMING! REVIEWS ARE THE FUEL THAT DRIVES ME TO POST SOONER!