A/N: Sorry it took so long to update, I guess I enjoyed my vacation too much.

To my reviewers, what else can I say but THANKS!!!!!!!!!

Mrs.HarryPotter12: Thanks for your offer, but I'm fine. I wouldn't want to take up your time. J

Granger-gurl-rox: You'll just have to wait and see. J

freespirit65: I think they did a good job too, though Lily didn't really get all the details…

the-power-of-love: Thanks for the defense, I really appreciate it. J

A Sailors Girl: This chapter's longer, hope it satisfies your 'hunger'.

HarryandHermioneForever: Sorry, they won't be stuck there that long. If they did, this story would probably never end. J

Serindipity9: Harry won't have an affair with Amanda, don't worry. By the way, where I come from, saying you're dense means you're thick-skulled. Anyway, thanks for the science lesson!

MysticalSpirits: I'm trying! I'm trying! (pant pant) J

ronnieeharry: Check my response to MysticalSpirits.

Queen of Harry Potter: I don't know if you're just being sarcastic here or not. So, yes, the thing the parents have to do first is sex, and yes, there are other ways to get pregnant. But you must remember that in the story, Lily is THREE years old. I don't think Harry and Hermione would go into the process of explaining artificial insemination to their daughter when explaining reproduction and copulation is hard enough.

icicle7: Don't worry, things will get better. J

shaz124: I think so too! That's why I try to put in as much awkwardness as possible.

wockygal: Aww… don't do that. I can tell you that I won't be able to update everyday.

CrazyGirl47: blue3ski's actually my real life best friend! You should check out her stories, they're good.

Starlight-Heart: Harry won't be playing Quidditch, but he'll be riding his broom really soon. Hermione won't walk in on Harry and Amanda kissing, you can be sure of that. As for Remus and Draco making an appearance… I'm not so sure about Remus, but watch out for Draco. J

jenn: Begging isn't necessary! Here's the next chapter. J

Thanks also to Angel of Ravenclaw, Ken, FairyWings101, Ashley Potter13, PruePotter, Meaka, Emma Laraliean, Gabwr, creepy susie, alexian-goddess, HHRLVR, blue3ski, Lunatic Pandora1, HPgirl7, sally, starla17, maddie, Admiral Lily, Book Lover990, Krystallia, indiangal, HarryNDracosDarlin, SilverSilhouette6, AJ the Ass Slayer, Jennifer, HGrace004, xinlingluvxiezhi, ZumZumZoo, starla9.

Now let's see what's going on…

Chapter 8

A few minutes later, Harry and Hermione were both lying on the queen-sized bed, facing opposite directions. Hermione was already thinking about taking back what she said about being comfortable in the same bed as Harry. The two of them were lying so far apart, it would have been possible for the giant squid to sleep between them. Pretty soon though, the softness of the pillow cushioning her head, plus the stress of finding out she was married and having a baby, all in one day, sent Hermione drifting off…

Harry had a harder time sleeping. On the other side of the bed, he could hear Hermione's even breathing and knew that he was probably the only one still awake in the house. He turned and lay down on his back, staring at the ceiling. Now that everything was so quiet, he started imagining what it would be like if they never got back to their own time. What would they do? Could they possibly lead a normal life with seven years' worth of memories missing? What about Lily and…, Harry thought with a pang, the baby that was on the way? Could he and Hermione be good parents to them? Well, he was sure Hermione would be a great mother, but how about him?

Harry's musings were cut short, however, when Hermione rolled around in her sleep and whacked him in the chest with her arm. It wasn't a gentle smack either.

"Oof!" Harry grunted. Hermione's arm had knocked the wind out of him. He lay there coughing and gasping for a few seconds, then turned his head slowly to look at Hermione. She was still asleep, hair strewn on her pillow in waves. There was a slight smile on her face as she dozed on. For some inexplicable reason, as Harry stared at her, he felt a slight twinge in his chest he knew had nothing to do with the wallop Hermione had given him earlier. As carefully and gently as he could, he tried lifting Hermione's arm from his chest. He had just succeeded in replacing her arm on the bed when Hermione shifted again, this time grabbing Harry's other arm and clinging on like a barnacle. Harry stiffened, but then relaxed. Stay calm now, Potter. Deep breaths.

"Er… Hermione?" he whispered, gently shaking her.

"Mmgrrf!" Hermione muttered in her sleep, and clung on tighter.

"Herm…" Harry tried again, shaking just a bit harder.

Hermione muttered something incoherent and suddenly kicked Harry on the leg. Harry bit back the yell that threatened to escape his mouth. He grumbled, then lay back down on the bed, giving up. He tried ignoring the way Hermione snuggled against his arm but found it a tad hard to do. He could feel her warm breath on his shoulder, and the proximity of their bodies was a little distracting. He must admit though, that it felt kind of nice. Grinning slightly, he closed his eyes.

Hermione opened her eyes; wintry sunlight was streaming in through the windows. She could tell it was still early though, so she hugged the pillow closer and prepared to go back to sleep.

Wait a minute, what pillow?! Hermione suddenly realized.

She stared at her 'pillow' and realized that it was Harry's arm. Good Lord! She fell asleep hugging Harry's arm! Slowly, she extricated her arms from Harry's and sat up on the bed.

Harry was still sleeping soundly, his chest rising and falling slowly. Hermione peered at him, taking in his hopelessly messy hair and his features.

He really should shave off that stubble. Hermione thought with a smile. Harry would look so much better clean-shaven.

Ever since Harry got back from summer holiday and entered 7th year, a lot of girls had started giggling as he passed by. Harry was extremely embarrassed by it and Hermione annoyed. What was Harry, she thought indignantly, an animal at the zoo to be gawked at? While she wasn't blind to the fact that her best friend had grown more attractive, her feelings toward him had always been platonic. Now though…

Harry stirred, and opened his eyes, locking them with Hermione's. Hermione started blushing again, now that he had caught her staring at him. Why was she always blushing around Harry recently?! She probably looked like she had perpetual sunburn.

"Morning, 'Mione." Harry said thickly, still lying down. "What time is it?"

Apparently, he hadn't been bothered by Hermione's ogling him. Or maybe he was just too sleepy to notice. Was that what she was doing though, ogling Harry?! Hermione left that question unanswered in her head.

"6:35" Hermione said, quickly glancing at the clock hanging on the wall opposite their bed.

"Ugh." Harry muttered, "Too early." He turned on his side and closed his eyes again. Hermione hugged her knees to her chest, mulling over her thoughts. Specifically, her thoughts on Harry. She was interrupted though, when Harry suddenly sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Aren't you going back to sleep?" he asked her.

"I'm not sleepy." Hermione muttered, turning to look at him. His bright green eyes were still slightly unfocused, but he shook his head as though clearing it and peered at her closely.

"I'm sorry about the… you know…" Hermione gestured toward the bed and Harry. Harry grinned. Hermione managed a small smile in return. That was one of the things she liked about Harry, he usually understood what she was trying to say without her actually saying it.

"Don't worry about it; I just didn't know you were so violent when you're asleep." Harry chuckled.

"I didn't kick you or anything, did I?" Hermione asked, brows furrowed in concern.

"Once." Harry replied, but then added, upon seeing Hermione's horrified look, "It didn't hurt."

Hermione gave him a look.

"Alright, maybe a bit." Harry conceded.

"I'm sorry." Hermione apologized again.

"It's alright, really." Harry said.

"And well, me, holding on to your arm…" Hermione trailed off. Cue the blushing again.

"It was fine." Harry said, remembering the feel of her arms. "Nothing to worry about."

"Er… well, now that that's all cleared up… I think I'll go down for breakfast now." Hermione said, getting up from the bed. "You just go back to sleep." She told Harry.

"Nah. I'll keep you company. Besides, I'm already famished." Harry replied, getting up as well.

They found Dottie already awake when they reached the kitchen.

"Why is Mr. and Mrs. awake so early?" Dottie asked confused.

"We couldn't sleep." Hermione said. Beside her, Harry yawned.

"Oh, I will go make some breakfast!" Dottie said cheerfully, and bustled off.

Just then, a hooting came from the window.

"Hedwig!" Harry said hopefully, opening the window. It wasn't Hedwig though, but a brown barn owl. It dropped a letter in front of Harry and flew off.

Puzzled, Harry opened the cream-colored envelope with 'Mr. & Mrs. Harry Potter' embossed on it in fancy calligraphy.

You are cordially invited to attend Mr. and Mrs. Boris Wickly's pre-Christmas celebration, to be held on Saturday night at their estate. Drinks will be served at 7:00, to be followed by a sumptuous feast at 7:30. Attire is formal.

"It's an invitation." Harry told Hermione.

Hermione read the invite over Harry's shoulder. "Is there such a thing as a 'pre-Christmas celebration'?" she asked, brow furrowed.

"Apparently there is. Who are these people?" Harry frowned. Who was Boris Wickly?

"He's your coach." Hermione said promptly.

"How'd you know that?" Harry asked bewildered.

"I saw his name on some framed-up newspaper clippings in the drawing room while we were decorating yesterday." Hermione said.

"Oh." Harry said. "Do you think we should go?"

"Saturday's two days away. If Hedwig doesn't come back with a response by then, I suppose we're going to have to." Hermione sighed.

"Right." Harry muttered, as Dottie walked in with breakfast.

Ginny had dropped by after breakfast to go shopping with Hermione.

"We're going to have to buy you some new dress robes for the occasion." she announced, when Hermione told her about the party.

"Don't you have to go to work?" Hermione asked.

"I'm already on holiday, remember?" Ginny responded. "Now let's go."

Hermione hesitated. "How're we getting there?" she asked.

"The usual way, Apparating." Ginny replied. "Why, is anything wrong?"

"Oh! It's just…" Hermione began. The truth was, she didn't have any practice in Apparating. She hadn't even taken her Apparition test yet, as she had been at school when she turned seventeen. Sure, she'd studied the concept and the theory, but actual Apparition? You couldn't exactly practice Apparating inside Hogwarts.

"What?" Ginny asked.

"Well, I don't think I should… uh, I'm not really feeling up to Apparating at the moment, probably because of the baby." Hermione said, hoping that Ginny would believe her excuse. She had heard about expectant mothers feeling sick all the time.

"I didn't know that being pregnant affects your ability to Apparate… oh, you're probably right. You might end up splinched if you're not up to it. We could use Floo powder if you want, or do you feel too sick to go anywhere?" Ginny asked concerned.

"Oh, Floo powder would do fine." Hermione said, relieved. Besides, she really wanted to go out, even for just a bit. Staying cooped up inside a house wasn't something she liked. She was beginning to understand how Harry must have felt trapped inside the Dursleys' house every summer.

After asking Harry if he wanted to go with them, and after Harry declined their invitation, they went to the fireplace and threw in some Floo powder.

"Let's find you some robes here." Ginny declared, leading Hermione into a shop in Diagon Alley a few minutes later.

Hermione glanced at the shop's sign and her jaw dropped. They were walking into a shop called Parvati and Lavender's.

Sure enough, inside they were greeted by none other than Hermione's old school mates. Both girls squealed at the sight of Hermione.

"Hermione Granger! Or should I say Potter now?" Parvati exclaimed with a giggle. "I haven't seen you since graduation!"

Her dark brown hair cascading down her back, Parvati was still as pretty as she was at seventeen. Lavender, who had been behind the counter, stepped forward wearing a big smile.

"Hermione! It's wonderful to see you again!" she said cheerfully.

"Lavender! You're so… big!" Hermione managed to say.

Lavender beamed and put a hand on her stomach, which was roughly the size of a watermelon. "Thank you!" she said.

"What a coincidence! Hermione here's expecting as well." Ginny piped up.

"Well you certainly don't show it yet." Parvati commented.

"I'm not that far along yet…" Hermione said. Thank goodness, she added in her head.

"I'm at six months already. Seamus is starting to get really excited." Lavender informed them.

"That's…er, nice." Hermione said.

"Well what can we do for you ladies? Are you looking for anything in particular?" Parvati asked Hermione and Ginny.

"Hermione here needs some new dress robes for a party on Saturday." Ginny said.

"Oooh… we have just the thing!" Parvati squealed, as she pulled Hermione toward a rack of robes.

"Voila!" she said, picking out a robe and presenting it to Hermione with a flourish. When Hermione just stood there, Parvati sighed. "What are you waiting for? Try it on!" And with that, she thrust the robes in Hermione's arms and pointed her in the direction of the changing rooms.

"Oh, alright." Hermione said in an exasperated voice, as two women walked into the shop. Parvati excused herself and went to attend her new customers.

Hermione went to the back of the shop and entered a stall, closing the door behind her. She quickly changed and looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror inside the stall.

"Let me see!" Ginny cried from outside the dressing room stall.

Hermione opened the door and let Ginny in.

"Herm, you look hot!" Ginny exclaimed.

The robes were extremely form-fitting, and not like anything Hermione had ever worn before. "I don't like it." she muttered, in case Parvati was within earshot.

"Why not, you look great!" Ginny asked, surprised.

"I don't feel comfortable in it." Hermione said primly. Also, it was kind of hard to move in the tight robes.

Ginny looked Hermione over and frowned. "Hmm… you're right. You shouldn't wear anything you're not comfortable in…but the robes do look very flattering on you."

"Can you find me something else?" Hermione asked her.

"Be right back." Ginny said, and dashed off.

Hermione took the red robes off and waited for Ginny to return. Soon, Ginny knocked and Hermione opened the door a crack.

"Here, try this one. I think it suits you." Ginny said, handing Hermione a robe.

Hermione pulled on the robes. It was made of some soft material and was the color of warm butterbeer. The robes hugged her figure comfortably and even showed off some curves. Somehow, it even made her eyes seem brighter. Hermione opened the stall door to let Ginny see.

"Oh, Herm. This one looks so much better on you!" Ginny breathed out.

"I like it." Hermione murmured. "Do you think I should buy it?"

"Absolutely." Ginny said with conviction. "Now hurry up and take it off so you can pay for it. The day is still young and there are still so many shops to visit!"

Grinning, Hermione did as she was told. But she couldn't help wondering… what would Harry's reaction be when he saw her in these amazing robes?

A/N: Might take a month or more to update. Vacation's over… bummer…