Disclaimer: I do not own any of the plot, characters or content in the Harry Potter series. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. I am not affiliated with her in any way.

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Flash Forward: 3 months later

"Ah...Miss Granger, what a pleasant surprise."

The wise headmaster smiled at me kindly from where he sat behind his desk. Dumbldore had grown older since my years at Hogwarts, and it sadly showed in the lines of his face. Despite this, he was still the kind and brave soul that Hogwarts had always known, and I had no doubts that he would last until even my own child went to school.

I closed my eyes briefly, willing myself to think straight and push that thought from my head. I really, really didn't want to think about my own children. Especially not at such a crucial time. I moved forward so that I stood in front of Dumbledore's desk, wringing my hands.

"Obviously you have something to tell me," Dumbledore prodded gently.

"Yes, I do. But, if I tell you then it might cost me my teaching position. And that's really important to me...but, you really need to know."

"Ah...fear is a very hard thing to overcome my dear. But, I assure you, whatever you tell me, your teaching position will still remain yours until you so wish as to resign."

I smiled slightly, glad that Dumbledore had reassured me. What am I thinking? This is Dumbledore. He let Hagrid be Care of Magical Creatures Professor when he plainly knew how Hagrid had a fascination with dragons. He hired Lupin, a werewolf. He would never fire me just because of...well, of my predicament.

I sighed, realizing that whatever I told him, Dumbledore wouldn't judge me. He was wise, and knew that such...small be overcome. "Before summer, I made a mistake. And...and the mistake had consequences. And...the result of my...uh...mistake, was the beginning of life. I'm pregnant, and due in about six months. It's really not a mistake I make regular practice of, because I'm smarter than that but..."

Dumbledore held up his hand. "For whatever reason you decided to become intimate with the child's father, it is none of my concern. I will make sure that we can have a substitute teacher come in to teach when you are close to your due date and of course, after the baby is born."

I stood quickly. "Thank you Professor Dumbledore." I turned and began to walk away.

"Miss Granger?"

I turned back to face him. "Yes?"

"Who is the father?"

My mouth went dry before I choked out an answer, "it is a man whom does not need to be weighed down with such a burden."

Dumbledore stood and walked over to me. He peered over his half moon spectacles, watching me closely. "Some men would, indeed, think a child is a burden. But this man you speak of would probably think it is a gift."

There was a twinkle in his clear blue eyes. I tensed, suddenly having the unnerving feeling that he knew who I was talking about. I nodded curtly and left, thoughts swirling in my head.

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Even though I loved teaching, I was glad when the last class arrived. They were third year Gryfindors and by the looks of it, were as tired as I felt. I smiled warmly as they entered, even though saying the same thing over and over was starting to get to me.

When they were seated, and had finally quieted down, I picked up a piece of parchment and began the roll call. I didn't recognize any of the names until I came to the end of the list. I stared at the parchment for a moment before calling out the name.

"Weasley, Sara."

I searched the sea of faces for the noticeable Weasley trademark, their flaming red hair. A petite girl with a mane of sleek ginger locks raised her hand high.

"Here Professor Granger" she called out.

I nodded, just like I had with all the other students. She was undoubtedly Charlie or Bill's child, but just the fact that she was related to him was almost unbearable.

Soon my own child will be a Weasley. And she'll be just like Sara. She won't let all those foul wizards beat her down, she'll be proud to bear the Weasley name...

"Uh...Professor?"

I was jerked from my thoughts, my cheeks flushing as I saw that the whole class was looking at me expectantly.

My child won't be a Weasley, I thought firmly, she'll be a Granger because no one will ever know the truth.

I took a deep breath before flicking my wand, conjuring chalk markings on the board.

"Please take notes." I paused as the students quickly scrambled for parchment and quills. "Arithmancy is an early form of numerology. It is a form of divination that is based on facts and mathematical calculations. Can anyone tell me why wizards and witches would use Arithmancy?"

I wasn't surprised to see Sara Weasley's hand shoot up. "Yes, Miss Weasley?"

She straightened up in her chair and flipped a stray strand of hair behind her shoulder. A few boys looked at her with annoyance, obviously ruffled.

"Well...many witches and wizards use this form of numerology to determine their future paths. Or it can be used to develop strengths and talents or overcome obstacles."

"Correct. Five points to Gryffindor." I watched as a bright smile lit up Sara's face. "Now class, how can we figure such things out..."

----

A knock roused me from my comfortable resting spot on the bed. I padded over to the door of my chambers, unbolting it and turning the knob. Pulling back on the heavy door, I revealed the red-haired wonder of Ginny Potter. A grin spread across her freckled face as she flung her arms around me, hugging me tight.

"Ginny! What a in" I exclaimed and ushered her into my chamber. I closed the door behind us, re-bolted it and went back to my spot on the bed.

Ginny took a spot in an overstuffed chair near the fire, curling her knees up to her chest. "The ministry sent me to Hogsmeade on business, and I couldn't very well pass up an opportunity to see you." She eyed the books that littered the bedspread. "Of course, I can see why you wouldn't be able to visit..."

I felt guilty at the statement. After leaving The Burrow that morning, I hadn't been in contact with any of the Weasleys, or Harry for that matter. It was true that I was busy with teaching and all that, but I had deliberately hid from the Weasley clan and Harry since that morning. "About that..."

She waved her hand, giving a display that my excuses were not important. "You gave mum quite a scare though! She went up around dinner or so to check on you and ran down the stairs like a banshee, screaming that you were gone. Thought Ron had something to do with it, she did. Sure she was going to box his ears! Not that I would have minded on the regular occasion but Ron...he just looked god awful. Said something about you having to go to school early. Jabbered about you needing some early course setting or some other nonsense. Mum laid off of course, but I have an inkling he wasn't telling the truth, and she was still fuming..." she stopped rambling and squinted at me in concern. "Herms? Are you okay?"

I quickly wiped away the few salty tears that had escaped. "Me? Oh yeah. I'm fine."

She moved over onto the bed with me, peering up at my face closely. "What happened between my brother and you? What made you leave Hermione?"

I didn't want to tell her. Heck, I didn't want anyone to know. Was it possible that after I told her she would be so appalled she would walk out on me forever? No...Ginny wasn't like that. She would never do anything of the sort. She would probably track her brother down and murder him, though. Ugh, this was something I didn't want to do.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, willing myself to be controlled. "I slept with Ron the night before I left...and it wasn't all that innocent."

When I opened my eyes, I found Ginny with her hands clapped over her mouth, an astonished look on her face. Before she could say anything, I continued. "It was wonderful, really. But...the next day, Evelyn came to The Burrow and was yelling for him. He sprang up and ran from that room as if some dark wizard were after him. He didn't take one look back. I couldn't stay, so I put on some clothes, grabbed my bags and left."

Ginny had to return to normal state. Well, if you could call a death glare in her eyes normal. "That bloody ignorant prat! Of all the low things he has ever done, I never, in my wildest dreams, thought that he could be such a stupid git. When I get my hands on him will he ever pay..."

"Ginny! Stop it! It was just as much my decision as it was his."

"He walked out on you!"

"He's getting married!"

"So? He's not supposed to sleep with you and then go gallivanting around with another woman!"

"I was the other woman. Don't you see, Ginny? It wasn't his fault, he didn't think of the consequences. And he can never know."

It was my time to clap my hands over my mouth. We hadn't been talking about it. We had been talking about Ron and the fact that he slept with me. She gave me a questioning look, before realization dawned on her features.

"Oh bloody hell! Are you pregnant Hermione?"

I looked at her, willing the tears not to spill over. "Yes," I whispered.

"OH NOW IS HE EVER GOING TO GET IT! HE'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT'S COMING BECAUSE HE IS GOING TO GO DOWN! THE LITTLE GIT IS GOING TO..."

"Ginny! It's not like that! It was never like that!"

"Then what was it like?"

I paused. I didn't actually have an answer to the question. "It wasn't his fault. He didn't know what would happen, and he will never know what did happen."

"He's going to find out."

"No, he won't. Not unless you tell him or Dumbledore figures it out and decides to go all righteous on me."

Ginny sighed. "Hermione...he hurt you. I know that, but don't you...well...I mean..." she took my hands in hers. "Don't you want him there? Have you wondered what will it feel like when you're in that hospital room with no one there with you? What will it feel like to welcome the precious bundle of joy...but not have anyone to share it with you?"

"Ginny...Ron cannot know about this. I'm not about to ruin the life he's made for himself."

"I won't be the one to tell him then. All I'm asking is for you to think about this before you actually make a decision. He's going to be the father of this baby, whether you like it or not. Maybe you don't want him, but your child probably will want a father."

I choked back a sob and buried my face in my hands, "I just can't! H- he...can never know."

She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight. "It's okay Herms. You don't have to tell him until you think the time is right. Maybe it will be tomorrow, or maybe not for another five years. You'll do it when you want to, but remember that this child deserves a father, and always will."

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