CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Summary: Hermione Granger, one of the brightest minds of her generation, makes a decision that will ultimately change her future plans. At twenty-three, she finds herself moving to a strange town that's a hell-mouth for supernatural beings, pregnant, and in way over her head. And the father of her unborn child? The tall, dark and handsome werewolf, Derek Hale. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: I do not own canon events and characters, they belong to J.K Rowling and the creators of Teen Wolf and MTV. This is purely for entertainment purposes and I am not making a profit from the posting of this. This is set after Season 3, and everything from season 4 onwards doesn't happen; so no deadpool, Beast, Dread Doctors, Wild Hunt or Hunters. Allison still died, Liam will still be appearing, and there is no Kira. Derek is 22 and Hermione is 23. I'm fudging the time line a bit, too
Page count: 10
Wednesday soon arrived and with it came the full moon. The weather that day had been bad with a rain storm so she and Derek were confined to the cottage, and Hermione had been very surprised with Derek's behaviour.
She knew how agitated and easy to provoke magical werewolves were on the day of the full moon. She knew their behaviour changed and that their senses became more sensitive and they tended to eat their meats raw and they were either really energetic or really lethargic, but nothing had prepared her for Derek's reaction.
He was fine, completely fine, as if it were just another day. She'd never seen someone so calm and she'd spent the majority of the day just watching him, amazed by the control he had over himself. He wasn't moody, he wasn't tired or full of energy, his appetite didn't increase and he'd pulled a face when she'd had her bacon a little undercooked that morning for breakfast. She'd never seen anything like it.
In fact, she was the moody one! She'd been easy to agitate that day, she'd snapped at Derek a few times for something as stupid as his turning of the pages in his book being too loud or the sound his fork had made on the plate when he was eating lunch. She'd even thumped him on the arm when he'd tried to kiss her and the smell of his minty toothpaste had invaded her nose. And bless the werewolf, he never once took it to heart. He wasn't frightened of her, or annoyed by her constant mutters and growls of irritation, or when she threw cushions at him. In fact, it was the exact opposite. He seemed to be enjoying himself!
"Don't even think about it," Hermione said, her eyes narrowed dangerously on him and she held her box of chocolates to her chest protectively when he reached out to pluck one from the tray.
Amusement flittered through his eyes and he sat back, holding his hands up in surrender. She watched him carefully as she popped another chocolate into her mouth and he chuckled at her. She huffed at him, picked up the cushion from beside her and she whacked him with it before settling it on her knee.
His mouth twitched at the corners and he shifted on the couch until his body was twisted and his back was pressed up against the arm rest so he could better face her, while she sat at the other end of the couch, her legs pulled up and tucked beneath her, a cushion in her lap and her box of chocolates sat on top of it.
"I don't understand it, why the hell am I more affected than you are? I'm not even a bloody werewolf!"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I was born a werewolf; I learned to control myself from a young age. I can still feel the pull of the moon and I've still got my instincts and urges, I just know how to contain them."
"But you're not even the slightest bit moody like I thought you'd be. I've never seen you so calm, and that's only annoying me further," she scowled and popped another chocolate into her mouth. He snorted at her. "I mean, I've always been a bit moodier around the full moon, but I've never been this bad before. Do you think it's the baby? Is it possible that I'm affected in such a way because it's using me as an outlet?"
"I honestly don't know," he answered.
"Oh, fat lot of good you are," she grouched, before lifting her box of chocolates, picking up the cushion from her lap and whacking him with it again, before returning it to her lap. He smirked at her. "You're supposed to have the knowledge I don't, my expertise is magical creatures, not the supernatural, that's where you come in, to know the things I don't."
"I'm just as in the dark as you are," he told her. "Sorry to say I've never gotten another woman pregnant, and I've never witnessed a pregnancy with either the parent or child being a werewolf. When my mom was pregnant with Cora I was three years old, I was too young to understand what was happening or to remember anything from that time. We're both figuring this out together, and we'll know for next time."
"Next time? We've only officially been together a couple of days and you're already thinking about putting another baby in me, despite this one not even being born yet?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Wolf thing," he said, as if that explained everything.
"Of course it is," she muttered. "Who's to even say we'll still be together that far down the line, and that I'll let you impregnate me again with your super sperm?"
He snorted at her. "I can be very convincing."
"If you say so," she rolled her eyes, looking down to choose a chocolate and frowning when she saw the box was empty.
"That was the last of them," Derek spoke. "You've eaten all three boxes."
"You'll have to go out and get me some then," she told him.
"Sorry, Witch, but I'm not going out in that," he replied, lifting his hand and gesturing towards the window with his thumb where the rain was pelting against the windows. "But I'll see what I can find as a substitute," he spoke, standing from the couch and going into the kitchen, Magic jumping up from in front of the fireplace and bounding after him. "You're not getting another treat, you'll get fat," she heard Derek say to her large puppy.
It wasn't long later when Derek came back into the room and he handed her a mug. She peered over the edge to see marshmallows and whipped cream.
"Hot chocolate?" She questioned.
"Best I can do," he shrugged, taking a sip from the can of soda in his hand.
"What's the plan for tonight? As you said, you're not going outside," she said.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Just staying here but I want you to lock yourself in your room and use magic, too."
"Why?" She frowned, "I know you won't hurt me."
"Not intentionally, but while I can force myself not to change it's going to be harder to control myself than usual because of you and the baby. My wolf's going to want to be with you and when he catches scent of you and the pup in your belly, his primal instincts will be to rut you and if I give in and let him do that, he's more than likely to rough you up a bit and we risk harming the baby, too. If we deny him access to you but we ensure that he knows you're nearby and safe, he'll hopefully be settled enough that it'll be an easy night. I won't sleep too much tonight so I'll sleep late tomorrow."
"I'm heading to The Ministry for nine o'clock, London's eight hours ahead of us."
"Once you lock yourself in your room I won't see you for a week," he said.
She nodded with a slight frown. "I suppose I'll have to stop whacking you with the cushions then." He snorted at her. "You're sure you don't mind watching the animals for me?"
"I live here now, who else is going to do it? No, I don't mind. But if your cat bites me..."
"Bite him back," she interrupted. "At least then he'll know not to mess with you," she shrugged. He shook his head at her. "You know, I'm in the mood for pizza, oh, and mash potato, too."
"Unless you have frozen pizzas in the freezer, you're not getting it. No one will deliver here, they won't even know the address, and I'm not going out in this weather."
"Well you better hope we do, otherwise you are going out there to get me what I want."
~000~000~000~
The next morning brought clear skies and rays of sunshine as Hermione double checked that she had everything she needed for her trip to Britain. After she slipped on her coat, grabbed her luggage and put it into her pocket, she dismantled the wards on her room and she stepped through the door, stopping in the hallway at the sight that met her.
Derek was half naked and asleep, slumped against the wall. Her eyes searched him for injuries but she couldn't see none, and she couldn't see any damage to the walls or her door, so maybe he really did have control over himself when it came to the full moon.
Shaking her head she gently levitated him from the ground and settled him down on to her bed, all without a single noise or twitch from him. She covered him with the blanket and then placed a kiss to his cheek before leaving the room and making her way through the cottage, her eyes surveying the damage done, but there was none.
The only room which seemed to have had activity the night before was the living room, but it looked as though Derek had struggled to get comfortable with the cushions either being on the floor, by the fireplace or on the couch, rather than it being done in a fit of rage. With a flick of her wand she had the minimal mess cleaned up and she prepared herself a quick breakfast, making sure to leave Derek's breakfast on the side and with the appropriate Stasis Charms over it.
After finishing her meal, she fed the animals, said a quick goodbye to Snowball and Magic, and then she left the cottage, apparated to The American Ministry to pick up her approved port key and she returned to England.
~000~000~000~
She landed smoothly on her feet but was hit by a wave of dizziness and she had to steady herself on a nearby tree. When the dizziness faded her eyes searched her surroundings before a smile pulled at her face when a familiar cottage came into view and she made her way over to it, feeling the wards accepting her as she crossed the grounding point.
By the time she neared the cottage the front door opened, the owner of the property having been alerted to her presence.
"Hermione?"
"Andy," Hermione beamed, before quickening her steps and she all but threw herself at the older woman when she was in reach, her arms wrapping around her tightly and she felt tears spring to her eyes; she'd really missed Andy.
"What are you doing here, Dear? Not that I'm not happy to see you, of course, we've missed you," Andromeda said, pulling back from Hermione to give her a kind smile.
"I've missed you, too. I'm back for a visit, this is the only chance I have as soon I'll be confined to the States," Hermione answered. Andromeda rose an eyebrow but looked as if she were about to say more until Hermione heard an exited squeal.
"AUNT 'MIONE!"
A wide smile appeared on Hermione's face, she was positively glowing and Andromeda chuckled and stepped aside to let Hermione into the cottage.
The moment she walked through the door she was tackled by an over excited five year old wizard that wrapped himself around her tightly.
"I missed you," he said.
"I've missed you, too, Teddy Bear," she said and he beamed at her. She'd been calling him that since she'd learned his name from Remus before his death.
"Teddy, let's let your Aunt get settled in shall we? I assume you wish to stay with us?"
"If you wouldn't mind," Hermione replied, prying Teddy off her so she could pick up the small child and settle him on her hip.
"Of course not, Dear, you're always welcome here, you know that. Your room is how you left it. We're about to sit for dinner, would you like to join us?" Andromeda said as they walked through the cottage together and towards Hermione's old room.
Hermione smiled. "I've not long since had breakfast, but I'll still sit with you."
"How long do you plan on staying?"
"Possibly a week, but then I must get back."
Andromeda nodded. "How's your new job?"
"Surprisingly quiet," she answered. "In the time I've been in Beacon Hills I've only dealt with a vampire and one hunter, but I'm not complaining, despite there having been a few rainstorms the weather's far better than it is here."
Andromeda chuckled at her. "Well, we'll let you settle in and we'll see you in the kitchen," she said, taking Teddy's hand once Hermione put him down and leading him back to the kitchen.
Hermione stepped into the room, seeing the beige carpet and cream coloured walls, the large bed and minimal furniture, and a smile pulled at her mouth.
~000~000~000~
Five days had passed since Hermione had returned to Britain and those five days had gone far too quickly for her liking. She didn't want anyone knowing she was back in Britain and so she'd spent her days with Andromeda and Teddy on their private patch of land.
Andromeda had even gone out for the day for some time alone whilst Hermione and Teddy played in the fields all day, trying to catch butterflies and looking for grasshoppers and worms, and building little dens and digging hiding holes for wild rabbits and hedgehogs. Andromeda had returned to a very filthy Hermione and Teddy, both of them being covered in mud and grass stains, and after laughing at them both and snapping a quick photograph on her camera –as she was unable to resist documenting the sight- she'd sent them both to get cleaned up while she prepared dinner.
Hermione's time with them had been peaceful and happy, but she knew she'd returned for a reason and she had every intention of letting Harry know about her pregnancy, after all, it was something she couldn't keep from him. The morning after she arrived she'd owled Harry letting her know she was visiting and asked if they could arrange a time and place to meet and catch up. She'd only been gone a few weeks but it felt much longer.
He'd owled back saying that he was happy she was visiting but that the time and place she suggested wasn't good for him. She'd understood, after all, she'd come back without any warning and she knew Harry's work life kept him busy. Every night and morning since, she'd owled him and each time he'd sent a reply stating that he was too busy, and by this point, five days later, she got the feeling he didn't want to see her and she didn't know why.
It was now two in the afternoon and Hermione was sat on the porch steps, looking out at the cloudy sky as she smoothed a hand over her swelling stomach. Hermione was almost thirteen weeks pregnant now, and her baby bump had sprouted from out of nowhere. When she left Beacon Hills she'd had the smallest bump possible and you could barely tell it was there, even when touching it, but five days later it'd grown massively, she'd even had to alter the size of her jeans so she could fit into them.
She was sure Andromeda had noticed something different about her. She'd commented on her happiness and the glow that seemed to surround her, she'd been suspicious when Hermione had pulled a face at the sight of the salmon on her plate –after remembering the incident with the fish tacos- despite salmon being one of her favourite dishes. She'd been excusing herself to use the bathroom more often than usual, she'd turned down elf wine in favour of pumpkin juice and her mood seemed to be either sullen or happy. Andromeda was a smart woman and after having a child herself, Hermione was sure she already suspected but didn't wish to overstep by asking her about it.
Hermione shook her head and let out a sigh, tipping her head to rest against the porch railing beside her and she pulled her robes around her tighter in the cold of the outdoors.
"What are you doing out here, you'll freeze?"
Hermione turned to look over her shoulder, seeing Andromeda stepping out of the cottage and slowly making her way over to her, her long black hair greying and pulled back into a tight bun, her dark eyes surrounded by darker lashes and her pale skin contrasting against the black robes she wore.
"Just thinking," Hermione replied, turning back to look up at the greying sky when Andromeda perched herself beside her on the steps.
"Dear, there's something I wish to speak to you about." She said and Hermione turned her head to look at the older woman she thought of as her own Grandmother. "And if you feel as though I'm prying into something you don't wish me to, please tell me. And you know I would never judge you, Dear, but there are some things I've noticed since your return..."
"I'm going to save you the time of asking," Hermione interrupted. "Yes, I know you've noticed the changes in me and yes, your assumptions are correct. I'm pregnant. I'm thirteen weeks along," Hermione said, her hand coming up to press against her stomach before dropping again.
Andromeda's eyes both widened and softened. "I know there are many in this world that will judge you for your circumstances, but you know I am not one of them. So, please, tell me everything, and I will listen."
~000~000~000~
"Merlin, that is quite a tale," Andromeda spoke softly and Hermione nodded.
"Yes, I Imagine Tonks and Sirius are having a field day with this one, while Remus is shaking his head and sighing," Hermione said and Andromeda chuckled at her.
"I believe you are right, My Dear. And this supernatural werewolf, Derek, he is kind to you?" She asked, a protective look flittering through her eyes and Hermione's mouth twitched at the sight.
"He is, he's very kind to me. I mean, he's a pain in the arse with how protective he is of me and he keeps following me around and nuzzling at my neck, but I've never been treated as he treats me, even before we began dating," she replied. Andromeda smiled softly. "He wants for us to both try and work together to see if we can make a relationship work between us and honestly, I hope it does. I really like him, and he's already the father of my baby. He's given me a pack again."
Andromeda reached out to place her hand over Hermione's when she heard her sad tone, being reminded of her previous pack and her losing them.
"We were both lost and without a pack until we met each other. As much as I tease him about getting me pregnant from a one night stand, this baby's a miracle. I didn't know what I needed until I discovered I was pregnant and now my life's changed but I know it's for the better. I don't know how but I know my future's with Derek and our baby. Regardless of the fact I haven't known him long, I feel I know him better than anyone I've ever met and he's so kind to me, so understanding. It was the full moon last week and he was the calm one and I was the moody one. It was so bad I kept throwing cushions at him and he just laughed." Andromeda chuckled at her and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I've got a family, a pack, and I know Derek won't let anything happen to us. I know he'll protect us," she said, bringing her other hand up to grip at the necklace he'd given her.
"I'm happy for you, Dear. I haven't seen you this happy in years," Andromeda said. Hermione gave her a teary smile and moved to rest her head against the older woman's shoulder. "So this is why you came back?"
Hermione nodded. "Once I reach my fourth month I won't be able visit, and not only did I want to see you and Teddy, I need to tell Harry. I feel bad keeping it from him. I've been trying to set up a meeting with him since I got here, but I think he's making excuses so he doesn't have to see me. He hasn't sent me a single owl since I moved to America."
Andromeda pursed her lips and frowned slightly. "Maybe you should go to his office and surprise him, then he'll have no choice but to see you. I know he hasn't been to see Teddy for a couple of weeks."
"Really?" Hermione frowned. Andromeda nodded. "Maybe he is busy," she said.
"There's only one way to find out," she said.
~000~000~000~
Hermione smoothed down her robes, pushed her hair back from her face and raised her hand to knock on the office door of one, Harry Potter.
She waited in silence before a call was heard from inside a few moments later and Hermione opened the door, stepped inside and put up a Silencing Charm so no one would be able to eaves drop. It had taken some effort to sneak into The Ministry and to Harry's door without being seen and she certainly didn't want anyone learning about her pregnancy.
Hermione walked over to Harry's desk and she took the chair opposite him, but he hadn't noticed her as he had his head bent over his desk, his eyes scanning the papers in front of him. She cleared her throat and he looked up with a smile on his face before it dropped when he saw it was her.
"Hermione?" He said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" He blinked dumbly, pushing his glasses further up his nose.
"Well, you seemed to find it hard to fit me into your schedule so I thought I'd come to you. Have you been avoiding me?"
"No, I'm just very busy," he denied.
Hermione raised an eyebrow and pointedly looked around his surprisingly tidy office, with not a single case file in sight. "Really, then why don't you have any reports or case files and why are you reading The Prophet instead of working?"
He sighed and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his shoulders in a defensive movement.
"If you didn't want to see me all you had to do was tell me the truth, Harry. You didn't have a problem with me before I took up my new post and moved to America, so what's happened in the few weeks that I've been gone to suddenly make me a pariah? It's Ron, isn't it? What lies has he told you about me?"
"He hasn't said anything," he denied.
"No? Ginny then? That wife of yours has never liked me and the moment Ron and I broke up she was only too happy to jump on the 'I hate Hermione' bandwagon."
"That's not true," he frowned.
"If I remember correctly, she thought we were having an affair because we were put on a case together that required us to work long hours and travel to Russia. You and I both know she used to spread rumours around Hogwarts about how I really got my good grades, and she made me wear that hideous gown at your wedding just to embarrass me. Face it, Harry, she hates me. You know it and I know it. She's never thought I was good enough for that idiot brother of hers."
"He's not an idiot."
"No, he's worse, much worse." Hermione crossed her own arms and steeled herself. "If you knew half of the things he did to me you wouldn't think he was such a great guy."
"He never did anything hurt you," he frowned.
"Physically, no, but psychologically and emotionally is another story entirely. Anyway, I don't care. I came back because I had some news I wanted to share with you and I couldn't hide it from you any longer."
"Go on then," he said, waving his hand as a gesture for her to get on with it.
"I'm pregnant." Harry's eyes widened and he spluttered in surprise. "I found out a few weeks before moving to America. I met the father when I went to have my final meeting with the RCMC Department Head. When I officially moved, I was able to track him down and it turns out he actually lives in the town I moved to. After revealing the news to him, he moved in with me so he could make sure both me and the baby were safe, and now we're together."
"How could you be so stupid, Hermione!" Harry raged, standing up from his chair and slamming his hands against his desk, leaning over it to look down at her.
Hermione never even flinched, she'd seen it coming.
"I'm not stupid, Harry, who here has twelve NEWTs at O Level?" She snarked with her eyes narrowed into slits. "Not only was I on the Contraception Potion, but we used condoms, too, and somehow I still ended up pregnant. He's not a muggle exactly, he's a supernatural being and I'm not going to tell which one or his name, because I don't trust you to keep that information from Ginny and she'll gladly tell it to Ron."
"Hermione, it's wrong!" He spluttered.
Hermione glared at him furiously and her hands moved to her stomach protectively. "No, it's not. Don't forget you've got muggle lineage in your blood, you were raised a muggle as was I before we discovered who we truly were. You and I both know the Wizarding World is outdated in its traditions and beliefs, especially when it comes to sex before marriage and if you want to argue that case, then you and Ginny are both guilty of that, as are most couples these days. And there's nothing wrong with having a child out of wedlock in the Muggle World, so don't you dare say there is. And if you ever refer to my baby as if it's an abomination, The Chosen One and Saviour or not, I'll make it so you never have little Potters running around," she growled at him, an actual wolf-like growl and he flinched back in surprise.
"I was struggling after the breakup and I just wanted to feel beautiful and desired, and I just wanted to forget for a little while. When I met the baby's father, he did all of that and since he came back into my life, these last few weeks I've never felt happier. He's very protective of me and I know he won't let anyone hurt us. I actually like him, Harry. He treats me far better than Ronald ever did."
"Ron was good to you, Hermione, you know he was," Harry argued.
"Do I? When was he good to me, Harry? Tell me. Every memory I have of him is negative. He psychologically and emotionally abused me for years, even when we were children in school and you can't say you don't remember because you do. You saw the way he treated me, the things he said. You know he cheated on me during our first year together, but I forgave him and I took him back. You know he wanted me to give up my career and be a baby making machine for him, popping out a baby as soon as possible so he could get me pregnant again. I didn't want that, I couldn't be Molly."
"No, but you're perfectly happy to get knocked up by a stranger," he snarked.
Hermione took a deep breath to calm herself, feeling her magic beginning to become unsettled.
"Do you want to know the real reason I broke up with Ron?" She spoke, her voice cold and her eyes the same. "It's because he broke my trust. He wanted children and I wasn't ready to have them. He tried to take that choice away from me. I caught him, you know? I caught him spiking my Contraception Potions so they would fail and I would get pregnant, but I never did and it turns out he'd been doing it for almost a year. You're an Auror, Harry, you should know that what he'd done was a crime, I believe it comes under sexual offenses."
She stood up from her chair and wrapped her robes around herself tightly, as if protecting her baby from him. "I should've known you'd take his side, you always do. And because of it, you've lost my friendship. I don't need it anymore. And if I find out you've told anyone about my pregnancy, especially Ron or Ginny, I'll make sure Ginny knows exactly what happened between us when we were alone in the tent all those years ago."
Harry's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
"It was nice knowing you, but now I've got to get home to my boyfriend."
She turned and left the room, slamming the door shut on the way out and storming down the corridors, no longer caring if someone saw her.