Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters, insignia and stuff are owned by J.K. Rowling and not by me.

"Imagine, Weasley – Percy Weasley, Minister of Magic, Bighead Boy of the family – snogging in his very own office at the Ministry!" Draco bellowed once inside their home. "Merlin, Ron! What kind of conduct was that?"

"I am not my brother's conduct-watcher, ok?" Ron replied as he drooped in the nearby sofa. "I myself was shocked, so I can't comment further."

"I can't believe I missed that!" Harry disbelievingly shook his head when he entered through the door. "Above all the things to miss! I should've been there to see Percy…"

Hermione cleared her throat. "While you worry about the eccentricities of other people, would you mind explaining to me what you guys meant this morning and why do you treat Chris in that way?"

Ron sputtered. "So he's Chris now, eh?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Don't even start it, Ronald."

"Vicky… Chris… Can't you pick any guy whose nickname doesn't sound like a girl's?"

"Watch it! Look, you were the one who called him 'Vicky', remember?"

Harry the peacemaker appeared once more. "Guys, drop it, please? It's the past – and take a seat, we'll have to talk, Hermione."

Hermione sighed as she made herself comfortable in another sofa. Facing the three men, she started to query. "Well? What's this all about anyway?"

Draco smirked. "You see, Hermione, we are concerned over your welfare."

"Wha-?"

"Don't interrupt us, please," Harry continued for Draco. "Questions later."

"Ok, I'll start from the top," Ron added. "Last night, we decided to take some responsibilities to our hands."

"Yes," Draco bowed his head slightly as he solemnly agreed. "Very grave and important responsibilities indeed."

Hermione stared, shocked. Harry, Ron and Draco were acting very serious; something must be that crucial to turn their attitude into something like that.

"Well, Hermione, we," Harry paused for emphasis. "Ron, Draco and I have agreed to look over you -."

"Watch over you -." Draco interrupted.

"Take care of you-." Ron included.

"As your surrogate brothers." They all concluded.

Hermione could just gape at them. "What – surrogate brothers?"

Harry suddenly found his feet interesting. "Um, you know, we can be like the brothers you never had, you know…"

She raised an eyebrow at the other two.

"Listen, Granger, if something happens to you, these lover boys would be dead with worry – I can't let that happen, can I? You three are practically my only true friends now." Draco explained.

"Hermione, I-." Ron started.

Draco interrupted. "Weasley here doesn't need to explain, now does he? It's so obvious he wants to protect you – he's been that obsessive overprotective prat since Krum came."

Before Ron can even reply back, Harry took over. "So, will it be ok?"

Hermione closed her eyes and thought for a while. As she opened them, three expectant faces were staring back at her.

"Sure."

The three breathed a relieved sigh.

"But -."

***

After one week since they moved in, Draco, Harry, Hermione and Ron were getting along fine with each other. They have grown accustomed to each other's routines until one Thursday night, Hermione came down from the stairs wearing dress robes.

"Guys, I'm leaving, there's food in the pantry if you get hungry. Bye!"

"Wait a minute!" Ron was immediately at her side, grasping her wrist. "And where do you think you're going at THIS time of the night?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, it's only eight o'clock. I'm going to a party, ok?"

Harry and Draco were at the living room too. "Who else is going?" Harry asked.

"My friends at the university, why?"

Draco queried. "Who is holding this gathering?"

"Gwen – hey, what's this? An inquisition? As far as I remember, I've been going to parties alone since I graduated from Hogwarts and entered the university."

"Hermione, it's different now," Harry calmly responded.

"Guys," Hermione inhaled. "I know you just want to protect me and all that, but I'm a big girl now, understand? I've survived three years in this crowd without you three." The men cringed. "So, that doesn't make any difference if I leave to party tonight, right?"

Ron reluctantly conceded. "You know, she does have a point. Take care."

Hermione hugged each of them in turn and went to the fireplace, clutching Floo powder.

"And don't stay out too late – be back by twelve!" Harry called after her as she vanished in the flames.

Draco smirked at Ron. "Ickle Ronniekins is now maturing, eh Harry?"

Harry grinned back. "Yup, sure he is."

Ron scowled. "Knock it off! I just thought that -."

"Gee whiz, golly wow!" Draco feigned surprise. "Ronniekins has a brain!"

"Stuff it Malfoy!"

This started an all-out Weasley Wands (a fake wand produced by the Weasley joke shop of Fred and George) brawl.

"Hey, I want to join!" Harry whined, pouting over the commotion as Ron sprouted pink tulips from his ears and Draco's hair turned into purple.

***

Hermione felt very dizzy and nauseous as the party has drawn to a close hours before. She glanced at her watch.

"3 AM – Go home now, your bodyguards are waiting for you."

Crud… I forgot – they're living with me.

Staggering, she stood up from the couch on which she was lying down.

"Hey, Hermione, want me to drop you off?" Christian offered gently as he let Hermione lean on him for support.

"Nah, am fine. 'Sides, they'll kill you if you go home with me at this time of the night." Hermione drowsily replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure." They have now reached the fireplace. "By the way, thanks." Hermione patted Christian's shoulder slightly as she groggily went in the fireplace. "Four Ministry Lane."

Hermione tottered out of the fireplace with blurry eyesight.

"Hermione Granger! Didn't we tell you to come home at twelve 'o clock? You're late by three hours!" Harry zoomed in and out of her focus.

"I'm home now, alright? Move it, I'm going to my room." Hermione pushed him aside as she tried to get through.

Ron took her by her shoulders. "Hermione! We've been waiting all night! We didn't sleep! Something could've happened to you out there!"

"I'm fine, Ron, see? I managed to get home in one piece." Hermione replied weakly as a wave of nausea came over her. "Move…"

"Hey, lover boys -."

"Malfoy, one more reference to Harry and I as lover boys and I'll kill you."

"Ok…" Draco started again. "Hey, Harry and Ron, Hermione's here – let's sleep now. I'm so tired…"

"Yeah, move it –." Hermione began and paused, closing her eyes. "I don't feel so good…"

With that, she toppled over to Ron who was still blocking her way and gracelessly threw up on his shirt then she promptly fainted.

"Bloody hell, Hermione! Give a hint will you?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "She did, idiot – she told you to move it and that she wasn't feeling so good. When will you ever learn to use those massive red ears of yours? In a play that you'll have a role as a troll?"

"Don't you," Ron moved Hermione's head upward so it would not be swimming in vomit. "Start it," He said the Scourgify charm to clean the mess on the floor. "Malfoy, I have my hands full without your senseless banter."

"Scourgify!" Harry said the same charm on Ron's shirt and Hermione's robes. "Listen, we have a more important dilemma here – what happened to Hermione?"

Ron gently levitated Hermione's fainted form. "I dunno… Do you think we should revive her?"

Draco moved closer to Hermione and glanced at her. "I don't think so, she needs the rest anyway. She's just fainted and currently sleeping."

Hermione's body was levitated to the second floor with the three men behind.

After Harry opened the door of Hermione's bedroom, Ron levitated her in while Draco unfolded the bedcovers. Ron then softly placed her sleeping form on it. Harry and Draco looked on at the person sleeping.

"Now what?" Ron stood beside the other two, scratching his head. "Why is she like that? What could've happened at the party to have her ending up like this?" He gestured towards the bed.

"I think she's just tired out. It's three in the morning after all." Harry reasoned out.

Draco scoffed. "Granger – tired out at 3 AM? I doubt it, she can work and study up to the wee hours in the morning and still have the energy to cook breakfast and wake you two up a few hours later."

"Well…"

"Frankly, I think she's done something wrong." Draco remarked.

Harry and Ron looked at him. "What?"

"You know… What happens at late night parties anyway? Was Christian present at the party? That's the question we need to answer."

Harry paled while Ron reddened.

"What are you implying?" Harry managed to mumble.

"What I mean is that-."

"Do-you-mean-she-is-pregnant?" Ron interrupted in one breath.

"Brilliant brother you are, Weasley. Glad you managed to think of that."

"BLOODY HELL!"

((A/N))

I'm done with my Math project and examinations! = By the way, thanks to yuii, theweasleytwins, Liz, Blue Rose4, and PinkTribeChick for reading and reviewing – it makes me feel good to know that someone besides me reads this fic. Thank you very much for liking it – I'm so ecstatic.

Sorry if this chapter was kind of boring… Or is it? Let me know, so I can improve my writing.

Thank you for reading… Do you like this chapter? Let me know by reviewing.

-=just-leaves=-