"Oh Ginny! I can't believe I've just done that!" Hermione exclaimed, a few hours later, trying in vain to stop tears rolling down her cheeks.

"If it's any consolation, I don't blame you. They were hardly very nice to you, even if you did lie." Ginny soothed her friend. "But please, Herm, please tell Harry. He's going to be a father! And not just that, it's with the woman he loves – he loves you Herm!"

Hermione shook her head. "He doesn't love me Gin. He just thought he did. For a few months –"

Ginny spluttered indignantly. "A few months? More like a year and a few months!"

"Whatever. For a few months he thought he loved me, we had a great time, that I do thank him for. He made me so happy Gin, it was like life suddenly became a million times richer just for being able to say he's mine! That Harry was mine and I was his. When he held my hand… oh Ginny how could he?"

"How could he what?" Ginny was slightly perplexed.

"How could he do that to me? Make me fall in love with him just to leave me!"

"Hermione listen to me! Harry did not leave you. You left him. Harry did not cheat on you."

"But-"

"Harry did not cheat on you."

"He-"

"Harry did NOT cheat on you."

"Gin-"

"Harry James Potter has NEVER cheated on you."

"Then what was he doing with Lavender then?" Hermione shrieked, trying to get a word in.

"He was comforting her!" Ginny yelled back in exasperation.

"And that makes it ok does it?" Hermione challenged, tears flowing freely. The two witches were standing opposite each other now, sending menacing looks at each other.

"Honestly! Will you just listen to me for one minute? Harry was not cheat-"

"Yes yes I know! You've told me about 4 million times! Whatever. Get a new phrase!" Hermione was angry and her hands shook.

Ginny blinked, shocked at the direction Hermione's anger had taken. "That's it Hermione. I'm not listening to this. It's not me you're angry it, it's Harry. But you have to tell him about the baby. If you don't, then I will."

Instantly all the anger flew out of Hermione and she sank to the floor in a panic. "No, please Gin, no – you can't – oh please don't!" Her sobs increased as her mind propelled her into a new frenzy. Ginny watched uncomfortably, a face a grimace of confusion. She didn't know what to do. Her sadness and regret at seeing one of her best friends caught in a panic of worry and fright and sobbing openly, made her feel guilty.

Desperately, she called to Hermione. "Herm please stop! Think of the baby! You mustn't get too stressed in your condition. Herm?" Ginny stopped, not knowing what to say. Her words seemed to have little effect as Hermione's crying continued, in heart-wrenching sobs that made her whole body shudder. Awkwardly Ginny crouched beside Hermione and put a quivering hand on her shoulder. Opening her mouth to speak more quietly she tried again to soothe her friend. "Hermione. It's all right. Please stop though, this won't do the baby any good." Still no response. Ginny took a deep breath and sighed. There was only one thing she could do. "I…" She started and gulped, the words that were forming in her head were choking her mouth. But she had to say it. "I won't tell Harry." The words left Ginny's lips quickly, as if she was pushing them out before she stopped herself saying them.

She had no time to regret her pledge to Hermione, as suddenly her sobs grew quieter and fewer and she sat up. Wiping her eyes roughly with one hand as the other rested naturally on her stomach she turned to face Ginny. "Really?" she whispered, then hiccoughed.

Ginny just nodded. She couldn't bear to betray Harry in this way, and at that moment she felt as though saying it a second time would make the betrayal worse.

Visibly relaxing, the older girl let out a breath. "Thank you."