Oh I'm so sorry if anyone got offended by the last chapter, I myself think abortion is totally immoral but I needed to make it an option to move the plot along the way I wanted…please bear with me!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter!

You're going places, Hermione

~~!!!~~

Chapter Eight: The solution

Christmas had come and gone quickly enough but Hermione hadn't enjoyed it at all. She was nearly three months pregnant now and that meant that she had to do the spell soon before it was ineffective and she wasn't looking forward to it.

Ron had disappeared from her side again, just like he had when she had tried to talk to him about what she was planning to do about the baby, and to Hermione it felt like their relationship had transgressed even further than that of platonic friendship.

She was currently sitting in a corner in the Gryffindor common room playing a game of Exploding Snap with Ginny. Well, Ginny was playing. Hermione was staring at the entrance as she waited for Ron to walk through.

"You know," Ginny piped up, "If it's so difficult for you, don't go through with it."

Ginny hadn't been as accepting of Hermione's decision as Ron had. She had yelled and stamped her foot and sulked in an attempt to get Hermione to change her mind but it hadn't worked.

"Don't Ginny. I'm going through with it."

"But why do it if you're finding it so difficult?" Ginny demanded, "And why the hell do you keep staring at the door?"

"I'm waiting for your brother. I need to do the spell either tonight or tomorrow night or it won't work." Hermione replied, ignoring her friends nagging.

"Hermione please don't do it! Please don't. I'll do anything if you don't. I'll be your slave for life." Ginny pleaded. Hermione shook her head and looked down.

"You're going to make me cry Gin."

"Well, good! You cannot go through with this, you know that."

"No, I know that if I don't go through with this then I'm not going to have a future."

Ginny was already fuming, "So you're that selfish are you? You're going to put some stupid scholarship over the life of your own child!"

"It is not a stupid scholarship," Hermione snapped, "It's Sister Salem! You know how big of a deal it is to me. I'm never going to get a chance like that again. But I'll be able to have kids again. It will be a better decision in the long run."

Ginny scowled and Hermione chose to ignore her.

They played quietly for a few more hours before Hermione stood up and sighed heavily.

"I'm going now," She said, "I'm going to go and do it now and get it out of the way."

"Where?" Ginny wondered icily, not meeting her gaze.

"I couldn't do it in my dorm room, someone might walk in and that's all I need," She bit her bottom lip, "I'm going to go to the Room of Requirement. If Ron comes looking for me, tell him I'll be back soon."

Ginny nodded and Hermione set off immediately. She had really wanted Ron to be with her, but his increasing disappearances were sure signs that he had changed his mind and didn't want to be a witness. It made her mad because he had said that he would and now she would have to do it all alone. It made it harder.

"Miss Granger, I was just coming up to see you."

Hermione snapped out of her reverie and smiled at her teacher forcefully.

Minerva McGonagall had noticed that something had been plaguing the mind of her best student of late and she hopped that the arrival of a package that morning would cheer her up.

"Here," McGonagall held out her hand, "I was owled this early this morning."

Hermione took the package carefully, "What is it Professor?"

"How about you open it and find out for yourself," The teacher's eyes twinkled, "I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Hermione nodded slightly in reply and proceeded to make her way to the Room of Requirement, opening the package as she went. As soon as she saw the words Sister Salem printed boldly at the top of some parchment her heartbeat quickened and she tore the package open with refreshed vigor.

Inside she found all sorts of things in relation to her scholarship. There were pictures of the school and information sheets on available classes and clubs she could join. It caused her to smile faintly.

When Hermione reached the Room of Requirement she forgot entirely about her scholarship as she focused on the type of room she would need. It didn't surprise her to see a small wooden oak door materialize before her, nor did it surprise her when she walked through it.

Behind the door was a small area that reminded her of her dormitory room, except that there was only one single bed. A fireplace was submitting large bursts of warmth and Hermione felt comforted by it as she sat on the end of the bed, placing the opened package and its contents beside her.

She didn't know how long she sat staring straight ahead at the wall in front of her. All she knew was that she was quickly brought back to reality when the door to the room swung open.

"What on earth-" She began but stopped when Ron came into view. His face was as red as his hair and he was panting heavily.

"No!" He shouted.

"No what?" Hermione questioned, wishing she could give him a drink. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted some chilled water and glasses and hurried over to get a drink for him. Ron snatched it off of her and drank it greedily.

"No." He said again.

"No what?" Hermione said in irritation.

"Don't do the spell," Ron said bluntly, "Don't go through with it."

"Oh Ron."

She sighed and sat back down on the bed. Hermione had feared that he might change his mind like this and try to debate her out of the decision she had made. Ron stood where he was for a moment before he slowly made his way over to her.

"You can't," He said, "It isn't right."

"You didn't think that when I first told you what I was going to do." She pointed out.

"I was still getting over the fact that you were…you know…that thing you are…"

"Pregnant?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, that."

"Well I'm saying no to you Ronald Weasley because I have made up my mind and nothing is going to change it!" She snapped.

"I think what I say accounts for something though doesn't it!" Ron demanded.

She couldn't help it when she snorted, "Hardly. You're not the one who's pregnant!"

Ron remained silent and shifted a bit. Hermione could see that he was now focusing on the package contents from Sister Salem on the bed beside her. He bent down and picked up a photo of the university grounds.

"It's pretty grand." Ron said quietly. Hermione nodded. Sister Salem was a grand university. He should understand why she couldn't give up her opportunity to attend it.

"I can't raise a child now Ron." Hermione told him.

He paused for a moment, "Then don't. I will."

She looked at him shortly and a smile slowly spread across her face before it turned into a chuckle and eventually a laugh.

"What?" Ron frowned, "What is so funny?"

"You…looking…after someone!" Hermione giggled, "It's funny."

"I don't think so. I can do it." He said stubbornly.

"No you can't."

"Yes I can!"

"Ron, you can't even look after yourself!"

"I can learn."

"No, I don't think so." She shook her head.

Ron scowled and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I can. I worked it all out. I'll get a job when I finish school and raise the baby that way. Mum'll help me and it'll all work out." He explained.

"While that is a very thoroughly thought out plan," Hermione said sarcastically, "It wouldn't work."

"It would!" Ron was adamant, "Listen, I know when I say things that they always sound stupid but I really think I could make it work out. You know I could. And with my mum helping and everything…"

"But…but that would mean you wouldn't be able to go to university and your future would be-" She began.

"University? No, I don't think so. That was always going to be you Hermione. Please," He sat down next to her and took her hands in his, "Let me do this."

"But why would you want too?" She shook her head; "It's such a big responsibility and everything."

Ron shrugged and simply said, "It's my kid."

Hermione didn't know why those three words would make her change her mind about what she was going to do, but they did. Even though it would mean quite a bit of contribution on her part too. She'd have to cope with all of the effects of the pregnancy and actually go through with the birth.

"The spell I put on myself," Hermione said suddenly, "The Disattachment Spell. Do you know what that means?"

"What?"

"That you would be doing it alone. I don't feel anything for this baby. And after it is born…when it grows up it won't feel anything for me either."

Ron seemed to consider this but in the end he was still determined.

"I still want to do it. Please don't go through with it."

Hermione nodded and felt like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She pushed the irrationality of what she was agreeing to out of her mind. Who knew, maybe it would all work out in the end?

She wouldn't have to go through with her abortion, she could still go to Sister Salem and Ron didn't seem to mind that he was going to be raising his own child in about six months time.

All Hermione could hope was that she would handle the pregnancy with as much maturity and calmness as she could muster.

~~!!!~~

A/N: Did anyone see that coming? Ron offering to take care of the kid I mean?

I've tried this before but I really suck at surprises…oh well…

As always, thanks for the reviews!