DISCLAIMER: I own the plot. Nothing else.
Chapter 12: The TruthNew Years came and went. Hermione and Draco invited Harry and Ginny down to their hut and welcomed the New Year with the hope that it would be better than the last. Those students who had gone home for Christmas came back and classes had started the next day.
Hermione knew now that she was pregnant with the most evil wizards child but she didn't think about it. Instead she busied herself with her schoolwork, homework and assignments. Hermione hadn't told Harry and Ginny what had happened the day she collapsed and they knew without asking that it was something horrible. They didn't pressure her into telling them either because they knew she would come to them eventually. Hermione was planning on telling them soon though because they had a right to know.
A week after school went back, Hermione was heading up to the school to have some breakfast when a wave of nausea swept over her. Being half way to the school and her hut she ran behind a bush and threw up. Once she had stopped, Hermione turned and headed back to her living quarters. She felt sick and she was sure as to why. Draco had just walked out of his room and he noticed a pale-faced Hermione walk into the hut. He ran over to her and led her to one of the sofas.
"Mione…what's wrong?" he asked as she sat down. She pushed him away and got back up running to the bathroom for another bout of sickness. Draco sat down on the green sofa and waited for her. 10 minutes passed before Hermione came out ofthe bathroom. She was still pale although a little colour had made its way back to her face. She lieddownonDraco and rested her head his lap. Draco ran his fingers through her hair.
"Feeling better?" he whispered.
"A little. I think I'm going to have to accept what he's done to me," she muttered as she closed her eyes
"Mione I'm here for you ok. I wont let that evil son of a bitch hurt you ever again," Draco told her.
"He can't hurt me anymore than what he has" she said, a single tear falling down her cheek. Draco wiped it away and Hermione opened her eyes to look at him. He smiled at her and she returned it.
"I might skip classes today. I want to go see Madam Pomfrey." Hermione told him as she sat up. Draco looked at his watch and realized that classes were about to start.
"Ok I'll let our teacher's know. See ya this afternoon" he gave her a quick kiss and left for class. Hermione ran her hand softly over her stomach.
"Your father may be evil but if Harry kills him in time you wont be" she whispered to the child sheknew wasgrowing inside her. She had told Draco she was going to see Madam Pomfrey. She was but she was also using it as an excuse to skip class. She thought people would know she was pregnant if she attended classes anymore and she didn't want to answer their questions. She also wanted to be absolutely positive about her pregnancy, another reason for going to see the nurse. She made her way up to the castle, this time without having to throw up and went to see the nurse. Here her worst fears were confirmed. She asked Madam Pomfrey if she could test her and the nurse had passed her a muggle home pregnancy test, told her to follow the instruction in the box and pointed her in the direction of the hospital wing's girls toilet. Hermione did what the instructions said, waited the required five minutes and, even though she knew it already, was quite shocked when two pink lines appeared on the test telling her she was in fact pregnant. Hermione had walked out of the bathroom and Madam Pomfrey had led her over to a bed where she placed the test on the bedside table. Hermione had asked for some time alone and had cried herself to sleep. Madam Pomfrey had come to check on her and seeing that she was asleep, the nurse had gone off to inform Dumbledore of the recent events. The Headmaster had requested that she go to him as soon as Hermione had come to her to find out whether or not she was pregnant. Madam Pomfrey's heart went out to Hermione. At 17, Hermione's life had been destroyed beyond even those who had family members killed in Voldemort's line of fire.
Hermione woke up some time later. She blinked a few times before taking in her surroundings. She noticed she was still in the hospital wing and for a moment she wondered what she was doing there. Then as quickly as memories could, the reason for her visit came back to her. She didn't start crying again though. Seeing that she was awake, Madam Pomfrey came bustling over to the bed where Hermione was sitting.
"Ah…Miss Granger your awake." She smiled warmly.
"How long was I asleep for?" Hermione asked yawning a little.
"Almost 3 hours. Professor Dumbledore came to see you a little while ago."
"Does he want me to go to his office?"
"Oh no. He was just checking on you that's all"
"How did he know I was here?"
Madam Pomfrey looked rather guilty as Hermione asked her this question.
"The Headmaster asked me to ah…inform him when you came to me to find out…well you know. He thought this way might be easier on you. I'm sorry Miss Granger"
"It's ok Madam Pomfrey. How long is it until lunch?"
"About 10 minutes or so. I would like it if you could come back to me in a month's time. Just to give you a check up."
Hermione nodded and left the hospital wing and headed for the Great Hall. She arrived just as the first few students started trickling in. Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table just as Harry, Ginny and Ron walked in. They took their seats next to her. Hermione had decided to tell Harry and Ginny about her pregnancy but because Ron was there it would have to wait. Hermione just couldn't bring herself to tell him. She didn't trust him. They talked about normal things instead like how school was going and all the homework they were getting now that Harry, Ron and Hermione were into their last year at Hogwarts. Ginny was worried about being at alone school next year but they all reassured her.
"We'll owl you heaps Gin, and if we can, if Dumbledore lets us, we'll even come visit you as often as we can." Harry told her.
"Yeah but I'll still be here on my own. I mean I have friends in my year but the girls are all immature. They bitch and gossip like the witch weekly."
"Sounds a bit like Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil." Ron said laughing. Ginny's mood lightened a little and she forgot about being alone next year. Hermione was wondering when she'd next get a chance to speak to Harry and Ginny alone when suddenly she got her wish. Professor McGonagall had come over to the Gryffindor table. She walked over to where the four friends were seated.
"Mr Weasley. May I have a word with you please? In regards to your last essay." She looked at him with a very piercing stare. She glanced at Hermione and her expression softened. Ron stood up muttering,
"See ya's later" and followed behind the Transfiguration Professor. Hermione turned to face Harry and Ginny.
"Wanna go for a walk?" she asked them, "Umm…I have something to tell you guys anyway." She told them rather glumly.
"Sure…lets go" The three headed out of the castle and went to their hideout near the quidditch pitch. It was a small section that had been blocked off by a heavy metal gate. Harry had found it in his 5th year and they used it whenever they wanted to be alone to talk. The entrance was concealed by ivory and the door was kept locked by a special charm that no one else knew except Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny.
Once they were safely inside, Hermione told them what happened the night she collapsed on the front steps. They looked at her in shock as she told them everything.
"And now…I had it confirmed today…I'm pregnant with the filthy bastards child."
"Mione…what can we say? This is…oh my god" Ginny said, feeling sorry for her friend.
"Nothing. Harry, I know this is going to put pressure on you but if you found a way to destroy him, I could raise this child on our side."
"Of course. With your help and Dumbledore's help, we will concur him for sure" Harry tried too sound convincing although he really didn't see how it was possible. Without obtaining all the Horcruxes, Voldemort's soul would continue to be out there. Just like it was before Harry's 4th year. Surely though, after another year, Dumbledore had found more of these Horcruxes. If he had found any, he hadn't told Harry.
They heard the distant sound of a bell ringing and realized it was time to get back to class. Hermione said goodbye to them saying she wasn't going to classes today but she would be there tomorrow. She headed for her hut and was pleased to see that Draco wasn't there. He had Herbology. Hermione had two assignments to do and set to work on her one for Transfiguration. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't even notice the sun going down. The only time she looked up was when Draco came back from the castle carrying, yet again, a tray of food for her. Hermione didn't even realize how hungry she was until that moment and ate her dinner rather quickly. Packing up her school things once she had finished eating, Hermione noticed there were ink spots on her clothes. Sighing she made them disappear with a clever little spell. After she had put her notes and books away, Hermione gave her boyfriend a big hug. When she pulled away, Draco stroked her face with one finger.
"God your beautiful" he murmured and putting two fingers under her chin he lifted her mouth towards his and they shared an extremely fiery kiss. Draco traced Hermione's lips with his tongue and she parted them slightly to allow entry. They pulled apart minutes later both rather breathless and sat down on the green sofa.
"How was your day?" Draco asked Hermione as she lay down in his lap.
"Well I went an saw Pomfrey. Its true…I'm pregnant." She grimaced at the thought.
"You mean I'm going to be a dad?" Draco asked her smiling.
"A dad? Draco I-" Draco put a single finger on her lips to silence her.
"Hermione he may be your baby's real father but I'm your boyfriend. If Harry defeats him before you have this child, that'll make me its dad. I want to be there for you. I want to be your support. I thought about it for a while and I want to do it ok?"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. I love you Hermione Leah Granger and I want to be your baby's father ok!"
"I…if you're sure. I mean this is a big responsibility. Can you cope with it?"
"For you Mione…I can cope with anything."
Hermione smiled and kissed him. They laughed and joked for a little longer; Draco occasionally ran his hand over Hermione's stomach. At first she had tensed up when he had done this but soon she relaxed and realised he was being serious about what he said to her.
Yawning, Hermione decided to go to bed.
"I'm so tired. I think I might go to bed. Would…would you be able to join me? I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up next to you" Hermione smiled nervously at him.
"Let me brush my teeth and I'll be right there." He replied
Soon Hermione and Draco were asleep in Hermione's bed. Their dreams were pleasant and they both slept peacefully.
A/N: Thanks all you wonderful people who like this story! God I go on about that alot don't I? Oh well just shows how much I appreciate you all reading this story. I hope you are all still likeing it because there is only 6 chapters left! Then when I have gone through the first couple of chapters for the sequel, which I am yet to name, I will post them. Thanks again.