Disclaimer: I own nothing dealing with Harry Potter or anything else.
A/N: Wow, everyone has been so generous with their reviews. In fact, you've all been a lot more generous than I've been with my updates. Forgive me?
Lenora: You called me short-stack Stevens, didn't you? Sheesh, I'm not a dirty hoe! How rude!
Emutet: At first, I took you seriously when you said March 23rd was your birthday and I felt so bad. It isn't, is it? Because if it is, then I am so sorry, but this chapter shows what happens on it. And don't worry, I sometimes leave huge reviews as well.
Bigkihap: I'm sorry, especially since you are begging on your knees. Please don't hurt me if I write something you don't like!
Lady Henrietta: I'm glad that you're hooked. And of course there is a sense of impending doom. There always is.
Quill of Minerva: Yes, that note was really sad. I felt really bad about writing it, and of course I felt sick just imagining about the doom that is to come!
TartanLioness: Yeah, the quilt was my favorite part of this chapter. And I'm sorry you cried during this note. Well, here is this update that you wanted! I so hope that you like it because if you don't, I don't know what I'd do!
Girl from Iceland: Don't worry, the baby is going to be fine… Or, will it? Dun dun dun! You'll just have to keep on reading! And I'm glad that you think I'm a good writer. And yes, I love the stories where Min is pregnant, because they're just so much fun!
Aurinko: I'm so glad that you are reading this story, even if you don't usually read stories that are sad. And you'll just have to wait and see if the baby is alright or not!
Questionablelight: Yeah, I thought that would be a very thoughtful present from Minerva. I thought it was so sweet for her to give it to her husband, since it has so many pictures of them being together.
Chapter Sixteen: Here We Go…
The day of March twenty-third dawned as any other day at Hogwarts castle. The students were all enjoying the fact that it was a Saturday, simply by going to the lake or sitting under trees in an attempt to find some shade. Several of the teachers were had left the breakfast table, thinking of all the things they needed to get done, regardless of the fact that it was a weekend day.
When Minerva woke that morning, she quickly went about her day. Albus was at the Ministry and was sure to be there for the better part of the day. So, Minerva decided that she would take the time she had to herself to grade some first year essays and then perhaps go for a walk around the castle. By now, her belly was protruding quite a bit, and she knew students would be watching her. The more bold students would come up to her and ask her how hard it was to walk with a baby on the way. She didn't mind, for she knew that many girls were curious about things of that sort.
Sitting at her desk, grading her papers, she looked up when she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in," she called. The door opened and Hermione walked in, a smile on her face.
"Hello," she smiled. Minerva stood up and hugged her former student.
"Hello, dear," she smiled. "What brings you here?" Hermione sighed.
"Well, I just thought I would come and see you." Minerva eyed her warily.
"I somehow find that that is not all you wanted to say to me," she said. Hermione looked down at her hands and began to fiddle with the end of her shirt. She shifted her feet back and forth. "Hermione?" Minerva placed her hand under Hermione's chin and lifted her face up so their eyes were locked. Hermione's eyes were glassy with unshed tears. "Come on, you can tell me." Hermione finally buckled and fell against her former teacher. Well, as well as she could, considering Minerva's condition.
"I'm sorry, Minerva," she said. It was the first time she had been able to call her by her first name without hesitating. "I am so sorry."
"Ssshh," whispered Minerva, stroking the younger woman's hair. "Tell me what happened." Hermione pulled back and furiously wiped away her tears.
"Do you remember when I told you three months ago that I was to get married to my friend?"
"The one you have been friends with since you were three?" questioned Minerva. Hermione nodded.
"Well, he cheated on me," Hermione breathed, falling once again into Minerva's arms. Minerva became choked. She was so mad that someone would betray the girl in front of her. She was beautiful and kind and sweet and anyone who would do such a thing had to be absolutely crazy. "I think I am done with all men. Never again will I believe the lies they tell me. After all, everything they tell me is just going to be a lie, isn't it? After all, everything he told me was a lie!"
"Oh, Hermione," whispered Minerva, hugging the girl as best she could. She pulled back, wiped the tears away from her face, and motioned for her to sit down. The young woman obeyed and kept her gaze downward, not wanting to look at Minerva. "Now, you listen to me, Hermione. Love is a fickle thing, and not all men are the crème de la crème. A lot of men turn out to be huge pigs, some of which are the scum of the earth. Now, the man you were about to marry just happened to be a bad apple. Let's just be glad that you found out what a no good beatnik was before you were legally bound to him. Am I right?" Hermione nodded solemnly. "It is very hard to find that one special person that makes our life complete. The relationship that finds those lucky couples are very rare indeed and once found should be held onto as tightly as possible. But if it is a bad relationship, it should be dropped just as quickly. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't," sighed Hermione. Minerva smiled.
"Let me be blunt, then, shall I? Yes, bad relationships happen. I know this, Hermione. But that does not mean that you should just give up men completely. Don't let one spoiled apple ruin the barrel. Do you think you it is easy for anyone to find their true love?" Hermione hesitated a moment.
"You found yours," she whispered. Minerva stiffened slightly, then relaxed. She realized that Hermione was just upset.
"Yes, I found mine, but I never said it was easy. Albus and I went through a lot, and are still going through quite a bit. Yes, we were lucky enough to find one another, and knowing you, you will too." Hermione smiled and threw her arms around Minerva once again.
"Thank you so much, Minerva," she said. "I knew coming to you was a good idea."
"That's my job, is to help guide young men and women, such as yourself," Minerva replied. "I've always seen you as a daughter, and always will. I-," Minerva stopped abruptly. Hermione pulled back and looked into Minerva's screwed up face.
"What is it? What's wrong?" she asked. Hermione could see an instant paling in her former professors face.
"I-I-I-," Minerva could not seem to get a sentence out. Her breathing became very laboured. Then, "Hermione, I think… I think I'm going into labor!"
A/N2: Well, I promised you drama, and here it is. Wait until you get a load of what happens in the next chapter! Talk about tear jerker! I don't think I'll be able to get through the next chapter without reaching for the tissue box at least once or twice. Love you all lots! Always Hopeful
