All the color drained from Malfoy's face at the few simple words that Dumbledore had uttered. Thinking he should probably not cause any more trouble, he followed faithfully after Dumbledore. Ron and I kneeled down next to Harry, forgetting completely about Malfoy.
"Harry! Are you ok?" I asked, a painful tone to my voice. Harry just groaned in response. Then he fainted.
"Do you think we should take him to the hospital wing, Hermione?" Ron asked me. Such a stupid question.
"OF COURSE WE SHOULD!"
So the two of us together dragged Harry to the Hospital Wing. Once we got there, our arms ached like crazy.
"Blimey, he's heavier than I expected!" Ron exclaimed.
Madam Pomfrey walked in and helped us heave Harry onto the bed. "I heard about what happened in the Great Hall," She said, concerned. "Harry endured excruciating pain, but he will be all right. As for Malfoy, he's on the verge of expulsion."
"WELL HE BLOODY WELL SHOULD BE!" Ron yelled, causing Madam Pomfrey to grimace and step back a bit.
"Calm down, Ron. He'll be find. You heard the woman." I said, which did calm him down.
"Well, I suggest you students get off to your dormitories." Madam Pomfrey said, clearly annoyed with Ron for shouting like that.
"Yeah, let's go, Ron." I agreed with Madam Pomfrey. It would probably be best for us to just go.
When we got to the dormitories, Ron and I flopped down on the couch and started talking about what would happen to Malfoy.
"He's going to get expelled, I just know it! Isn't it wonderful?"
"Hermione, I don't think I've ever heard you talk like that before! Now THAT'S wonderful!"
I just laughed, and we walked off to potions. We figured that maybe there we would find out what happened to Draco. I was sure that there would be some buzz about what was going to happen.
As we got to the potions room, it smelled foul. Maybe because there was a rotting rat sitting on the table at the front of the class. But nobody seemed to mind it. They were too busy talking about what had happened at the great hall. Neville came up to Ron and me and started talking to us.
"D'ya think Malfoy is going to get expelled?" He said, a happy gleam in his eyes.
"Well, in Ron's words, 'HE BLOODY WELL SHOULD BE!'" I said, also happy.
"Quiet down, everyone. Class is starting." Came the drawling, mysterious voice of the greasy-haired teacher, Snape, who we all know and despised. We all took our seats, and Snape started his lecture. But he wasn't talking about the dead rat.
"I know that all of you are...excited over what happened at the Great Hall today," He started, "I know that what Mr. Malfoy did to Mr. Potter was wrong, but I will not permit you to speak of it in my classroom. Is that understood?" There was a murmer of assent. "Good. Now, let's begin today's lesson. I have this rat here because..."
I didn't pay attention to what he was saying about the rat. I was too busy exchanging surprised looks with Ron about how he had actually kind of supported Harry. That was a historical moment, for sure.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, class was over. Ron and I walked back up to our common room, which took a very long time. I had to stop and rest every once in a while. Being pregnant really got me out of breath. Finally, we got up there, and I flopped on the couch, breathing heavily.
"This pregnancy of yours if really taking a toll on you, isn't it?" Ron asked, concerned.
"Yes, of course. And I'm already starting to get a bulge. I still haven't told my parents yet though. I was thinking about just not telling them, but..."
"HERMIONE, YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM! THEY'RE YOUR PARENTS!" Ron exclaimed angrily. "Anyway, I've already sent an owl to my mum."
"I guess you're right. You're actually totally right. I need to get started on that letter now. And I need to tell them that we're getting married, too." I looked down at the ring again, smiling, then at my stomach. I guess it wasn't so bad being pregnant, Ron and I were going to get married and start a family.
I went up to my dorm to get some parchment, then sat back down with Ron and started writing.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I'm sorry if this comes as a shock, but I figured that I had to tell you some time. I know you probably won't be happy with this, and that you expected better of me than this, but I hope that you will still support me and love me, since I am your daughter.
I'm pregnant. Yes, it's a shock, I know, but it's true. I promise you that I love the father with all my heart and soul. And there's another shock coming for you, along with that.
I'm getting married to the father of my baby. It's hard to accept, I know, since I'm so young, but it has to happen. And I think you should be proud of me for making a mature choice, at least in this. And I've gone through this whole letter without telling you who the father is. I'm sure you would like to know.
The father is Ron Weasley. Yes, that Ron, the one I always said was so obnoxious sometimes, and that I always argue with. We've fallen in love now, deeply, and we are going to spend the rest of our lives together and raise the family that we've already started, whether you like it or not. So please support us, it would be the best thing for you, and for me.
With much love,
Hermione
I handed the letter to Ron and let him read it. I knew that it sounded awkward, and he let me know it, but how can you admit to your parents that you're pregnant and have it not sound awkward?
Ron and I walked down to the owl shed, and I picked out an owl to send my letter with. My parents had an owl of their own, so I knew that they would have no trouble responding. I realeased the owl, then suddenly burst into tears.
Immediately Ron grabbed me from behind and held me in a tight embrace. He knew what was wrong, he didn't even have to ask. Then he kissed me passionately on the lips and hushed me.
"It's ok, Hermione. They will support us. And at least they know that we love each other and we'll stay together, right?"
I just nodded, I didn't have to say anything. Then we walked back to the dorms, holding hands. Ron always made me feel better. There was just something about him.
We went through a few other classes after that, and finally it was lunch time. We all sat down and started eating and talking, when suddenly Dumbledore called for silence.
"Students of Hogwarts. As you may have noticed. Mr. Draco Malfoy is not here. After performing the Cruciatis Curse on Mr. Harry Potter, he was expelled immediately. He is in his dormitory packing his bags right now. He should be coming up soon to say his farewells."
There was a huge buzz in the Great Hall then, and Malfoy walked in. Everyone was immediately silent, and he spoke.
"You know, I don't really care that I'm expelled! I know that some of you might, but I'm just going to go on to be the best Dark Wizard EVER! But there are a few people that I would like to say goodbye to personally. Crabbe, Goyle, Sarah, please come up here."
"Who's Sarah?" I whispered in Ron's ear.
"Sarah Waugh? She's Draco's girlfriend. Didn't you know that?"
I looked up just in time to see Sarah and Draco share a long kiss. I could tell there was some tongue in it. I grimaced.
"Well, now it's pretty clear to me." Ron and I laughed heartily.
"DRACO! TAKE ME WITH YOU!" Sarah cried from the front of the great hall. So Draco swept her up on his broomstick, and, just like that, they were gone.
"Probably off to get jiggy at his mansion," Ron whispered in my ear. I laughed.
Suddenly, we heard applause coming from down the table. Two girls that I recognized as Suad Jama and Kelsey Gunderson were cheering and clapping, saying "NO MORE DRACO!" I smiled at that and decided to go talk to them.
"Hey, you guys. I guess you're happy about Draco leaving."
"Yeah!" Suad said.
"But we're not happy about Sarah leaving," Kelsey finished for her.
"Oh. Well, that's too bad. I know she was your friend. You guys have to make sure to keep in touch."
"Yeah, we will." They both said.
"We should get going, Ron," I said, "We'll see you guys later!"
"Yeah, see ya!"
The rest of the day went by like normal. Well, maybe it was a little more boring that usual.
Ron and I went off to the common room and sat down on the couch, sighing. The day always ended like that. We were so happy to just be done with it.
"So, Ron, I guess we should start planning our wedding now. It's never too early to start."
"Yeah, you're right, Hermione. What kind of wedding do you want?"
"We'll, I'd like something traditional, you know the long white gown, veil, everything. But I think it would also be nice to throw a little of the magical world into it, too. After all, the magical world is what we've known for so long. You longer than I."
"Yeah. I think I would like that, too. But we should wait for some other time, so we can discuss this privately," Ron said as the other Gryffindor students flooded in and started sitting around the common room. "How about we meet in the Room of Requirement again tonight?" He winked at me.
"Sure."
Midnight. Time to go to the Room of Requirement to meet Ron. I was tingling all over again with new-found feelings for him. I had an idea what he was thinking of doing, and it wasn't really talking about marriage.
Again, when I entered, the bed was there that had been there the night I became pregnant. Ron was laying on it, and he beckoned me closer. I jumped onto the bed beside him and kissed him, long and tenderly, putting my tongue in his mouth. We rolled around on the bed for a while longer, kissing. Then it turned into a little more than just kissing. Weird, this was just like the night I got pregnant. But it wouldn't happen again. After all, I was already pregnant. What harm could it do?
After a while, Ron and I were rolling around under the covers, naked. Again. He slid himself into me, and I gasped in pleasure. I had forgotten how great this was.
And, for the second time, Ron and I fell asleep together, in each other's arms. I wished secretly that we could do this more often.
When we woke up, we laid there for what seemed like forever. Then Ron said, "So much for planning our wedding."
I laughed. "Yeah. But we can still plan it now, can't we?"
"I guess. So you were saying that you wanted it traditional, but with some magic in it."
"Yeah. I was thinking birds fluttering around the cathedral and a singing cake, or something like that."
"Maybe the birds, but a singing cake? That would be just crazy."
I laughed loudly at that, and Ron shushed me. "Nobody's supposed to know we're in here. Remember?"
"Right," I responded, kind of worried now. Unfortunately, my worries were about to be confirmed. The door opened, and Professor McGonagall walked in. She stared open-mouthed at us. Neither of us was covered by the sheet, and we were still naked. We quickly dove under the sheets.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF WIZARDRY ARE YOU DOING?" She yelled, her face turning bright red.
"Well...I think you can kind of figure that out for yourself, Professor," Ron said, his face turning red, too, but brighter than hers.
"You are NOT supposed to be doing that at school, you two! 100 points from Gryffindor...for each of you. And a trip to see Dumbledore, immediately after you get dressed!"
Ron and I both stared at her, open-mouthed. 200 points lost, and everyone would know why soon enough!
"I'll leave now," Professor McGonagall continued, "And you two had better be dressed and out here right away! No wasting my time, or else I'll deduct more points from Gryffindor!"
Ron and I then hustled to get dressed. We knew Professor McGonagall well enough to know that she ALWAYS kept her promises. Once we were fully dressed, we stepped out into the corridor. Professor McGonagall didn't even speak to us, she just walked. Ron and I looked at each other. He shrugged at me, and we decided to follow her. We knew pretty well where she was going. But we were glad that we were going to see Dumbledore. He was always easier on his students.
Once we got to Dumbledore's office, McGonagall said the password (lemon drop) and we walked up the stairs that came down. McGonagall strolled right into his office, and then began talking to him.
"Professor Dumbledore," she started, "Mr. Weasly and Ms. Granger decided to get, well, naughty in the Room of Requirement last night, and I think that you should speak to them. And I would suggest considering expulsion."
Ron and I both gulped and turned to face Dumbledore.
"If I may, I would like to speak to them privately, Professor." Dumbledore said, in his quiet, majestic voice.
McGonagall just walked out of the room. She was clearly angry about be ushered out like a student, but she knew better than to doubt Dumbledore.
When she had gone, Dumbledore sat down at the chair in front of his desk. He folded his hands together and looked at us sternly over his half-moon spectacles.
"If I'm not mistaken," he began, "This is the second time you have come to see me about this type of case."
"Yes, sir, it is." I responded politely.
"Usually, this kind of case results in expulsion. But since it is your 7th year, and you are both almost adults and you're so near to finishing wizarding school, I'll make an exception."
"Thank you SO much, Professor!" I exclaimed happily. Somehow I had known that Dumbledore would come through for us. After all, he was so wise.
"You're welcome, Ms. Granger. Now, off you go. You don't want to be late for class."
After classes were over (No excitement whatsoever, I might add), Ron and I went back to the dormitories and flopped down on the couch, like usual. I always enjoyed my evenings with Ron. They were never that exciting, but being with him was all I needed. We curled up on the couch together, and Ron held me in his arms. There were other people in the common room, but they all knew we were a couple by now, so it didn't matter to them. Harry came over and sat next to us. He had been let out of the hospital wing that day.
"Hey, you guys. How were your classes?" He asked.
"Pretty good, but boring as usual." Ron replied. "Yours?"
Harry wasn't in any of our classes any more, which was a bummer. It was always fun when all 3 of us were in a class together.
"They were all right. But I almost got my arm bitten off in Care of Magical Creatures."
"Well, that doesn't surprise me." I said, laughing a little. Hagrid was like our best friend now, but he never was very careful with the creatures. Suddenly, thinking about Hagrid, a thought struck me. "We should go to see Hagrid right now, you guys! I'm sure he wants some company! And I kind of think I should tell him about this..." I rubbed my stomach.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Harry said. "Let's go now."
When we got to Hagrid's, there was a nice warm fire in the hearth.
"Hello 'Arry, Ron, 'Ermione. Nice ter see yeh."
"It's nice to see you too, Hagrid," I said, "Listen, there's something I need to tell you. Can you close the door and sit down? This may come as a shock."
Hagrid looked confused, but he sat down. "What is it, 'Ermione?"
I took a deep breath, then finally said, "Hagrid, I'm pregnant."
"Wha'? Preg'nt? Why didn't ya tell me sooner?"
"Well, I just thought of it today."
"Well, who's the papa?" Hagrid asked.
"Well...I was getting to that, Hagrid. It's Ron."
Hagrid's eyes widened, and he was speechless. So I decided I'd just continue speaking.
"Ron and I are getting married after school is over, Hagrid. We just thought you should know. And we want you to come to the wedding."
I looked over at Ron, and he nodded, accepting it.
"Well, I'd love ter come to th' weddin'," Hagrid said happily, "But I'm still stunned that you two're havin' a kiddo."
"Well, it's true." I smiled. "And I'm happy about it."
That was the first time Ron had heard me say that, and he smiled at me. That was also the first time that I had thought of that. And really I was happy to be having a baby. I couldn't be happier.
"Well, we're gonna get going, Hagrid," Harry said.
I agreed with Harry, and we got up and left.
"Well, it was nice ter see all of yeh," Hagrid said as we were leaving. "An' Ron an' 'Ermione...congrats."
"Thanks, Hagrid. It was nice seeing you, too." I said back. And we walked back up to the castle together, happy to have talked to Hagrid. It had been a good day.
-
Well? How did you like it? If you don't know me, you wouldn't have realized that this chapter had my friends in it, by their request. The 3 friends of mine that were in this chapter were Sarah, Kelsey, and Suad. Thanks for being so supportive of my story you guys, and also everyone else that's reading it, thanks a bunch. Stay tuned for Chapter 5!