Chapter Three: Facing changes

Harry held back the door to let her in. Hermione made her way straight to the couch where she dropped her suitcase and fell, crying, onto the floor. Harry ran to pick her up. Footsteps creaked on the landing.

"Harry, who is it?" asked a voice.

"It's Hermione. Go back to bed Carrie, I'll be there soon." Then he turned back to Hermione.

"What is wrong? You have to tell me so I can help you," he said softly to her.

"I can't tell you. Ouch, OUCH!" she cried, grabbing her stomach.

"Oh god, is something wrong with the baby?" he asked. When Hermione didn't reply he ran upstairs and returned with a coat and a set of keys. Harry carried Hermione out to the car.

"What-"

"We're going to the hospital," he told her.

When Hermione woke up she found herself in a hospital bed. A big machine floating to the left of her was beeping every few seconds. Then she turned her head to the right.

"Harry?" she asked. He lifted his head.

"Oh thank God you're awake. You've been asleep for two days," he looked relieved but a hint of worry still showed on his face.

"Two days? And you've been here the whole time?" she smiled as he nodded hi head.

"The whole time. I couldn't leave you. Mind you, you must have set a record for the most v isitors while unconscious," he laughed.

"Who came?" she asked, glad that people had stopped by to see her.

"Let's see. The whole Weasley family, even Bill and Charlie came! And Lavender and Parvati brought you those flowers. Neville stopped by and Dumbledore came..." he continued rattling off names but Hermione didn't hear him say Viktor. "...and, oh yeah, Professor McGonagall got all the teachers to sign this card for you," he finished.

"No one else?" she asked, just in case he had forgotten.

"Well, your Mum and Dad are in the lobby. Do you want me to go get them?" he offered.

"Not now. I just want to rest. You can go home, Harry," she said.

"Oh no, I'm staying until you get better and then I'm taking you home with me until Viktor gets back from that tournament. Bad timing, eh?" he told her. Hermione was sure she couldn't remember anything about a tournament this week. He usually asked her to go with him.

Just then the nurse walked in. She carried a tray of rattling medicine and a clipboard.

"Welcome back, Mrs. Krum!" she said as she changed Hermione's fluids. It was just then that Hermione realized how many tubes were stuck in her.

"I hope you're feeling better because we have some questions to ask you. Would you like your brother to stay in the room?" she asked. Harry flattened his bangs.

"Oh he's not-" she started. But then she saw the look on Harry's face. "Uhh, he can stay. He probably remembers more than me," she forced a laugh.

"Very well. On your chart we have noted several cuts and bruises. How did you get these and are they a result of why you are here?" she asked. Hermione swallowed hard.

"Uhh, yes. They are why I am here. I, I fell down the stairs. In my um, brother's house, I tripped on the landing and fell," she lied, saying the first thing that came to her mind.

"I see. Now, Mrs. Krum, are you aware of the delicate state you are in?" the nurse continued.

"Yes. I, oh God, is my baby ok?" Hermione asked, suddenly remembering Viktor kick her in the stomach.

"Everything looks pretty good but we still need to get the results back from our tests. We'll have that information for you tomorrow. Your parents are filling out your forms so you just rest up," the nurse smiled at Hermione and left the room.

"Why did you tell them that you're my brother?' she asked, her scolding tone setting in.

"It's the only way they would let me stay in the room. Why did you lie about falling down the stairs?" he asked, hitting her with a dark glare. Hermione then realized it was a bad idea to say to the accident had taken place at Harry's house. Of course he would know she was lying.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I fell in the apartment, I just said your house to try and keep up with your stupid lie. Now, thank-you for coming, Harry but can I please talk to my parents?" she asked maybe a little harsher than she meant.

"Yeah, of course," he said, sighing. Harry kissed her on of the forehead and left the room.

"Mrs. Krum, good morning!" called the nurse as she came into the room the next day. Hermione winced at the name. The nurse pulled back the shades causing Hermione to blink furiously as the light poured in.

"We have your results back," the nurse said. Hermione was suddenly wide-awake. She clutched her stomach instinctively.

"And...." She asked, holding her breath.

"And you and the baby are both going to be fine! The fall bruised the wall of your uterus slightly but it was not close enough to the fetus to damage any growth that was going on. Your very lucky," she was smiling.

"Oh thank God," Hermione said. "Thank-you! I can't tell you how grateful I am."

"It's my pleasure. And I have a something for you. We took pictures of the baby when we were just looking for very obvious problems. Would you like to see the photos?" she asked.

"Oh, yes. Of course," replied Hermione, resting against the headboard and holding out her hands.

The nurse handed her several pictures that were, of course, moving. Hermione watched as the barely formed child moved around. The doctors had already told her that it wouldn't really develop until the fifth month when she would start to get very large.

"Gosh, it's so active for just three months,"

"Yes, and her brain impulses are amazing. This one's going to be a bright child," the nurse replied, pointing to the baby's minute head. Hermione nodded.

"Wait a minute. Her?" Hermione asked. The nurse covered her mouth with her hand.

"I'm so sorry," she said, blushing furiously.

"No, it's fine. Now we can start planning," Hermione smiled at the nurse. "Thank-you," she said again.

"It's no problem. You can keep those. Now eat your breakfast. You'll need your strength if you're going home tonight!" the nurse said.

"Home. Right, thanks," Hermione replied quietly.

That night the nurse returned. She carried a pair of Hermione's clothes that someone had brought her. Once she was done changing, the nurse handed her a phone.

"Would you like to call someone to come and pick you up? You have no strength to apparate in your condition."

Hermione picked up the phone. She couldn't call Viktor and she didn't want to call Harry. Ron was away at a promotional thing, which left,

"Ginny? Hey, yeah it's me," Hermione said into the phone.

Pause.

"Yeah, we're both fine. Look, Ginny, can you come pick me up from the hospital? Room 212," pause. "Thanks, Gin. See you soon, bye," she hung up. A few minutes later Ginny walked into the room. She gave Hermione a hug.

"You ready?" she asked.

"Yep, everything's signed," she said good-bye to the nurse and followed Ginny down the stairs, through the lobby and out to the sidewalk. It was weird after being in the same room for so long to now be back outside with all these people running around. Ginny called a cab. When they got home Hermione dropped her stuff off in the guestroom.

"Hey! You hungry?" Ginny called up the stirs.

"Starved. I could eat a hippogriff!" Hermione replied as she walked into the kitchen.

"Good. You want take out? Or I could make some pasta or something," Ginny offered, opening a cabinet.

"Pizza's fine. They told me I should be feeling better for the next three months. No more puking or headaches!" Hermione giggled happily.

20 minutes later Hermione opened the box of pizza and breathed in the deep aroma wafting towards her nose.

"Yummm, ham and pineapple. Thanks, Gin," she said, pulling out a slice. She took a bite and then promptly spit it back out.

"Yuck!" she said, dropping her slice on top of the box.

"What?" asked Ginny, taking a bite.
"That was disgusting," Hermione said as she poured herself a glass of apple juice to try and get rid of the taste.

"I think it's good. Oh well, look in the fridge and see if there is anything you want," Ginny said, taking another slice. Hermione opened the fridge door and peered inside. She pulled out a can and opened it.

"Yummm, she said, sitting back down with her mouth full. Ginny looked at the can and wrinkled her nose.

"Beets? You hate beets!" she cried.

"Oh well, I like them now," Hermione replied, shrugging. "They said I may start to experience differences in appetite," she added.

"Well they were right," Ginny giggled, eyeing the beets.

Hermione called her boss the next day. He told her Harry had informed him of her accident and that it was fine if she took a little while off to recover. He sent his best wishes to both her and the baby. One day Ginny came to her with some bad news.

"Hermione, the magazine needs me to be away for a little bit to work on an article," she said over breakfast on Hermione's third day staying with her. Hermione looked up from the paper.

"Oh, where are you going?" she asked.

"America. For a month," she said sadly. Hermione looked at her and nodded her head slowly.

"I can't leave you here alone. Not for that long," Ginny said. She cleared her throat, "That's why I called Harry," she added.

"WHAT?" Hermione spat out her juice. She couldn't believe her ears.

"He said you could stay at their place for a while. As long as you need to get back on your feet. And Viktor comes home soon, right? Then you can move back in," she said cheerfully.

Hermione nodded. "When do you leave?" she asked in a hollow voice.

"Tonight," Ginny said quietly. "I'll bring you over before I leave. Hermione, I know you and Harry are having some fight right now but he's just trying to help. Please, just try to be happy," she said.

Hermione stood. "I have to go pack."

That night Ginny drove Hermione to Harry's house. They were silent for most of the trip. When Ginny pulled up outside of the house she turned off the engine and looked over at Hermione.

"Look, I know this pregnancy is really freaking you out and God knows I'm glad it not me having the baby!" Hermione allowed herself a smile. Ginny had never been too keen on the whole birth idea. She planned to adopt if she ever wanted kids. "But I want you to know that you are going to get though it and when you do, you're going to look back and be glad you had friends like Harry because he loved you. We all do," she squeezed Hermione's hands and got out to get Hermione's stuff from the boot. Hermione opened her door and turned to Ginny.

"Thanks, Gin. I know your right and I know you all care about me," she said.

"That's my job as a friend," Ginny replied. They hugged and Hermione let one tear fall onto Ginny's jumper.

"Like I said. Give him a chance because he means well, even if it doesn't always seem like it. And don't eat all his beets. You know he loves them," she joked. Hermione let herself laugh.

"Have a good time in the states," she said.

"I will. Harry's letting me leave the car here so you can use it if you need to," she checked her watch. "Oh, I have to get going. Take care of yourself, I'll see you soon."

"Bye," Hermione waved. Ginny picked up her luggage and with a slight pop she disappeared.

Hermione picked up her own suitcase and walked to the door.

Ok, so there is chapter three, hope you liked it.

Reviewer comments:

GothWiccan4: Glad you still like the story, lol.

yaminy-grint4eva: yep don't worry, everything gets sorted out ( obviously, lol) and I had to decide when I was writing this chapter whether or not to kill the baby and I just couldn't do it. I hope my doctor talk seemed real enough, lol.

Otakuprincess: well no more waiting for this chapter cuz it's up! I guess you gotta wait for the next one though, lol. Quickedit is an editing device they have on fanfiction. It let's you edit after you upload the word doccument to make any final changes. They are both good in their own ways.

Ok, more soon! Let's see those reviews!!

Jes