Chapter 12: Secrets Found Out
Two more months later had passed and Hermione needed more and more time to get to her classes. While it was true that she wasn't "waddling" yet, as Ron so eloquently put it, the constant trekking up and down the countless flights of stairs was still starting to wear on her.
On one of these occasions she was walking to Transfiguration behind Lavender and Parvati when the world suddenly decided to tilt on her and she fell. Thankfully they were on a landing at that point.
The girls turned when they heard a thud then rushed over to her. "Hermione, are you okay?" Parvati asked as they helped her sit up.
"I'm fine," Hermione reassured them. "I just got dizzy, but I'm fine now."
"Are you sure?"
Hermione didn't get a chance to reply because suddenly her boyfriend was kneeling beside her with a worried expression on his face.
"Are you okay, love?"
She nodded, but inwardly she groaned. So much for keeping their relationship a secret. They thought it would make things easier for the time being not having to field all the questions. Now here they were in front of the school's biggest gossips, both of whom were currently doing rather remarkable impressions of fish. She almost laughed as she pictured what was going on in their heads. He just called her love and he's looking really worried about her. That means they're dating! And on and on and on, ad nauseum.
Draco's hand automatically found her stomach, which was a habit he'd gotten into when they were alone in their common room in the evenings, and searched her face. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Hermione mentally groaned again. Aaaand there goes secret number two. Oh well. They would've found out soon enough anyway. All she said though was, "Draco, I'm fine. I just got a little dizzy."
He didn't look convinced. "I'd still feel better if you went and saw Madam Pomfrey."
"Can I go after class?" she tried hopefully.
"No."
She sighed. "Okay, fine." Then she looked at her fellow Gryffindors again and couldn't help but laugh. Their jaws were dropped so far they were almost brushing the floor. Hermione decided to tell them what was going on so they wouldn't have any crazy rumors going around. "Yes, girls, I am dating Draco Malfoy and have been for several months now. And yes, I am pregnant. One baby, no scandal, and he's not a Death Eater."
She watched as their jaws fell all the way to the floor and couldn't help another giggle. "Will you please tell Professor McGonagall I won't be in class today?"
They nodded, still apparently speechless, and continued on up the stairs, shooting furtive glances back over their shoulders. Parvati managed to walk into a suit of armor in the process.
Hermione let Draco pull her to her feet and they made their way slowly down to the hospital wing. "Now the entire school will know within half an hour," she commented to him.
He shrugged. "It would've come out sooner or later, love."
"I know, but this isn't exactly the way I pictured everyone finding out."
"Neither did I, but it's too late now."
They reached the hospital wing just then and Draco held the door for her. Madam Pomfrey was there waiting for them. "It would appear your secret's out, Ms. Granger."
The teenagers shared a look. Apparently it took far less than half an hour for the news to travel the school. Madam Pomfrey directed Hermione over to the closest bed and began her examination. Ten minutes later she was finished.
Seeing the concern on their faces, she smiled. "Don't worry, the baby is doing fine."
They both breathed a sigh of relief.
"However, Ms. Granger, you are overtaxing yourself. You still need to walk around and get exercise, but the stairs appear to be too much for you right now. I would recommend keeping to the second floor and below and speaking to all of your professors whose classrooms are above that to see if you can get independent study for those classes."
Hermione nodded.
The nurse smiled again. "Would you like to know the sex of your baby?"
Draco and Hermione shared a look then shrugged. Up until now they'd just been calling the baby "him" or simply "baby." Finally Draco nodded. "Yes, I think I would."
Hermione nodded too and idly stroked her stomach.
"Very well then. Your baby is a boy, and a very healthy one at that."
Draco beamed at Hermione then gave her a tender kiss. She smiled at him lovingly then turned back to Madam Pomfrey. "Is it okay if I go back to my room now, ma'am?"
"Absolutely. Mr. Malfoy, I'll inform your professors that you won't be there for this class or the next so you can help Ms. Granger back."
He nodded in thanks. When they got into their common room Draco pulled her into another kiss. "I love you, Hermione."
Tears welled up in her eyes. "I love you too, Draco."
He smiled then leaned down and spoke to her stomach. "I love you too, little guy. I can't wait till you come and join us."
His hand stroked over the bulge in her tummy that was their son and he kissed it softly through the fabric of her shirt.
The tears that had been threatening spilled over onto Hermione's cheeks and she gave a watery smile, thinking again how very much she loved this man.
a/n: woo hoo! chapter 12 baby, yeah! AND I've gotten well over 100 reviews! 111 to be exact! This calls for a celebration. pops the top off of some sparkling cider yay! anyway, hope you all enjoy and thanks again to all you loverly people.
