The Reason—By Hoobastank

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

Secrets

Chapter Seven:

The Reason

Author's Note: In the beginning, it's going back and forth between the present time, and what happened after Harry proposed.

He turned over so he could see the digital-read clock. It was two thirty in the morning. Somehow he doubted she was asleep

He got shot down. He was still on the floor, in total shock. Hermione jumped up, ran off in tears, and locked herself in the bedroom. Minutes passed before he stood, and walked to the bedroom door. He leaned his back against it, staring at the wall in front of him.

"Why?" he choked out. "Why?"

He heard sniffles, and then a hoarse voice said, "Please, Harry…"

"Why?"

"B-because…" she managed between sobs, "we're too y-young."

"Balderdash," he said quietly.

"W-what?"

"Balderdash," he said again, sinking to the floor. "Balderdash."

It was like he was back in Hogwarts, with the passwords for the portraits, because she tentatively opened the door.

He stood and enveloped her in an embrace, and she cried into his shoulder. He directed her toward the bed, and laid her down.

"Take a kip, love," he said gently. "We'll talk later."

He looked over to his side, deciding for sure that she wasn't asleep. Then he looked towards the direction of the living room, and wondered what secrets it held.

He knocked softly on the door and entered, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Brought you some tea," he said, handing her the mug.

Hermione took the mug, but gazed at it suspiciously.

"No truth serum," Harry said honestly, a smile tugging at his lips.

He waited until the tea was gone, and asked,

"Why? I'm not mad at you…honestly. Just sad…and shocked…"

Hermione looked away, tears welling up in her eyes.

She muttered something that Harry understood as "found."

"Found? Found what?" he asked, taking her hand in his.

"He…found…"

"He? Who is he? Found what?"

"He found us."

It took a split second for her words to register in his head, and his mouth fell open.

"What?"

"He found us," she said, starting to cry. "It happened yesterday…oh, Harry! I was going to tell you when we got home, but then you started saying all these wonderful things…and you proposed! To me! A pregnant, hormonal teenager! I want nothing more than to marry you, Harry, I really mean that! But I can't say 'yes!' If he finds out he might do something to you, or me, or the baby! Harry…I can't risk you or the baby!"

She completely broke down, and Harry was in shock, but gathered her into his arms. He couldn't imagine how he found them.

"Hermione…" he said, "how did he find us?"

"Owl post," she sobbed. "He sent us a howler through the post…said awful things! Said he knew who I really was with…and my alias…and that he'd…he'd…" she couldn't finish, but Harry knew.

Harry leaned closer to her and kissed her shoulder.

"Can't sleep?" he asked quietly.

"No," she said, her hand coming up into his hair.

He took his own and intertwined their fingers.

"What time is it in London?" he asked.

"Seven thirty in the morning," Hermione replied.

"What do you think about me going over for a chat with Neville? Just for a short while, love. I promise to be back by noon…do you think you'll be alright?"

Hermione nodded.

"Yes…I'll be fine…send him my love, won't you?"

"Of course…I'll be back before you know it," Harry said, tugging off his pajamas and pulling on clothes. "I love you," he said, kissing her soundly.

"I love you too…I'll see you in a bit, Harry."

By the time he was in the floo network, she was asleep.

Neville and Harry sat in a crowded pub off Diagon Alley, waiting for their toast and pancakes to be served.

"You woke me up, Harry," Neville said groggily, taking a gulp of his coffee.
Why so early? It couldn't wait?"

"No," Harry answered, stirring cream into his own mug. "I tried waiting…and it just bugged me more…Neville…you don't know what happened."

"No…I don't…care to fill me in?" Neville asked, smiling at the young waitress who brought out their breakfast.

"I proposed to her last night," Harry said quietly.

Neville choked on his toast, sputtering it everywhere.

"You what? You proposed to Hermione?"

Several people turned around at the young heroine's name, and Harry glared at Neville.

"No, not Hermione! Ashley," he said firmly, and loud enough for all those around them to hear.

Uninterested, the onlookers turned around.

"We use her alias in public," Harry hissed.

Neville nodded and smiled sheepishly.

"But yes…I did propose…and she shot me down."

Neville's jaw dropped.

"Ashley shot you down? But why? She's in love with you!"

"She told me the same thing," Harry said distractedly, "But there's more too it. Later I brought her tea…and it all came spilling out. Turns out that he sent her a howler through the mail threatening her about me, the baby, and her life. Either that…or he'd tell him."

Neville nodded.

"So…I did the only thing that I could do…comfort and support her."

"What do you think you're going to do now?"

Harry looked out the window.

"I think I'll have a little chat with Mr. Malfoy…before he goes and tells Ron."

A/N) Plot twisties! You gotta love 'em…really, you do. So it wasn't RON who sent the howler, but DRACO. So, how will Harry's confrontation go with dear old Mr. Malfoy? And most of all…what about Hermione's baby?