"Pregnant? Six weeks? Are you sure?" Grace asked, quickly moving to sit next to her daughter. Ian was silent, regarding the couple carefully.

Hermione nodded. "Confirmed this morning."

"We had planned to wait until after we married," Harry said and Hermione nodded in agreement. "We wanted to avoid the whole cart before the horse speech."

"But if there's anything I've learned in my life, it's that sometimes life doesn't go as planned," Hermione said and took the morning's paper from her satchel and gave it to them. "Note the alarming yet interesting article, top of page two."

They read the bit of news and Grace chortled. "Let me guess, you take this...Not Yet stuff? What an absurd name."

"So, should we be congratulating you? How do you feel about it?" Ian asked.

"Appalled, to be honest." She squeezed Harry's hand, still clutched in hers. "Now I find that I'm happy about it. I don't have to be insanely jealous of Ginny anymore, and I get another exciting new adventure. I was starting to wonder if this would ever happen for me. Love, marriage, kids, and finally it's happening."

They looked at Harry. "I feel like the luckiest man in the world. All my dreams are coming true, a family of my own, all because of your daughter."

"That's what we like to hear," Ian said and shook Harry's hand. "Congratulations you two."

"My sweet girl! Making me a grandmother!" Grace exclaimed and hugged her daughter.

"It's a good thing you moved in with Harry, you've got someone to look after you," Ian said.

Over breakfast, they chuckled over the front page headlines of The Daily Prophet.

"I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT"

That was the quote of Henry McTavish, Sr. Healer-In-Charge of St. Mungo's Hospital. According to historical records researched by this very paper, yesterday's confirmed total of 157 expectant witches stands as the largest baby boom in Magical Britain history.

"It even surpasses the increased pregnancy numbers in Russia after the death of Rasputin!" one excited researcher exclaimed.

Hermione set the paper down. "Someone is going really wonky with their cause and effect scenarios. Honestly, drawing a parallel between Rasputin and a faulty potion formula? I'd like to talk to this researcher," she said disdainfully.

"I hope this kid gets your smarts," he said and fed her another apple slice.

Even more amazing, that was only the first day count. St. Mungo's expects more witches to respond today and in the coming days, based on sales estimates of the faulty Not Yet line of anti-conception elixirs.

In response to the increased obstetrical requirement, many Healers will be temporarily transferred to the expanded and renamed Witch Care Annex, in addition to an expanded Little Wizard and Witch Annex, which is already in construction. Accelerated training of both Healers and Medi-witches has been initiated to deal with the increased staffing necessity. Geoffrey Stanwick, CEW of Every Witch Corporation, has pledged that the corporation will take on the bulk of the cost of hospital expansion, and will also contribute to the cost of care for witches affected by the faulty elixir.

"This unexpected spike in pregnancies also offers unexpected but welcome boons, both socially and economically," says Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt. "The birth rate for our society, until now, has been stagnant. Stagnancy in any society leads to decline, as history as shown us time and time again. Think of how many of our young started Hogwarts this term, and then think of how many will start 11 years from now. The totals will be astounding. Think of the increased need for services, education, and commerce, and the jobs that will result from this increased need. We may just require another Diagon Alley."

Among the notable witches seen entering St. Mungo's yesterday were: Susan Bones, celebrated Botanist hailing from the prestigious Bones family; Rachel "Blue Streak" Standish, star Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies; Hermione Granger, Office of Magical Law Advocate, and Order of Merlin heroine of the Voldemort War (who is reportedly carrying the child of Harry Potter); and Lisa Turpin-Towers, who left modeling for a Runes Professorship at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

"What an extraordinary generation this is going to be," said Minerva McGonagall, current Headmistress of Hogwarts.

We at The Daily Prophet certainly agree with that assumption. There will be more on the story as it develops.

"This is ridiculous, I can't read anymore. I have to get to work, the trial is six days from now," Hermione said.

"You know you're really somebody when they italicize your name in the paper," he teased.

Clarice met her at the Law Office doors with a handful of letters. "You've been getting so many letters!"

"I can imagine," she replied.

"Congratulations, really," Clarice said.

"Thanks, that's sweet."

Her mobile rang from her handbag, the ring tone she assigned to Ginny.

"What's that music?" Clarice asked.

"Hot Stuff," Hermione replied and went to her office.

"What's hot stuff? And good morning, by the way. How are you? Any morning sickness?"

"I think I've been lucky on that front, no real morning sickness as of yet."

"Lucky hag! I threw my guts up! If I could walk, I'd come and see you. Wayne has me on bed rest, this baby is due any day."

"Well, the healer knows best, and that healer happens to be your darling husband. No worries, I'll come and see you."

"Great! I need to see someone besides mum. She's driving me batty, acting like this is the first baby I've ever had. Speaking of which, have you told your parents yet?"

"Yes, last night. They were surprised at first, but they're happy for me and Harry."

"You want to know what mum said about all these pregnancies? She said it was a fiasco and an irresponsible out-of-wedlock generation."

Indignant, Hermione was silent and tight-lipped on the other end.

"Hermione? Are you still there? Hello?"

"Yes."

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that."

"Don't worry about it, Gin. Your mum's outspoken, I know that. She just never better say that around me or Harry, we're kind of emotional about the whole thing right now. We didn't plan for things to happen this way, but it did and we're dealing with it the best we can. In fact, we're thinking about moving up the wedding date. I don't fancy wearing a maternity gown in my wedding pictures."

"You're too nice. Must go, Wayne's back. And for the record, I can't wait to see if you're this serene eight months from now."

"Serene my arse," she said to an empty room.

When she met Harry for lunch, she knew that they were the topic of the hushed chat around the canteen.

"Well, you are reportedly carrying my child," he said in mocking haughtiness, quoting the paper.

"."

"How are things around the office?" he asked.

"I've received loads of letters and a call from Ginny. We're not visiting Molly anytime soon."

"Are you serious or is this a moody pregnant thing?"

"Both. Ginny said Molly read the paper and called the whole thing a fiasco and an irresponsible out-of-wedlock generation."

"First off, my child is not a fiasco. Secondly, I'm sure none of you who bought that elixir planned this. That's insulting to all the witches, a lot of who we know, who are now facing unplanned motherhood. For her to call you of all people irresponsible is senseless. She needs to keep her opinions to herself and not sound like some tabloid. You know how she is, there's no telling who might be standing there to hear it."

The canteen erupted in applause.

January 13, breakfast

"Look at this!" Hermione said, pointing at a spot on the newspaper. The bottom left of the front page had a blinking box entitled:

St. Mungo's Pregnancy Tally

Day 1: 157

Day 2: 100

"This sounds like wagering at the races or something," Harry said. "Only The Daily Prophet is being so..."

"Crass? Tacky?" she offered.

"Skeeterish," he said.

"That too."

At lunch, Harry's mobile rang. Hermione shook her head at the "Doctor, Doctor" ring tone.

"Harry here."

A smile graced his face.

"Hey, that's great! I'll let her know!"

He closed the mobile and grinned at her. "Ginny's in labor, it started this morning. I'm going there now."

"Damn it, I can't. I'm going over my case brief with Allbright."

He rose and pecked her on the cheek. "I'm sure she'll understand."

"Give her my best."

Late that afternoon, a crowd of Ginny's family and friends stood at the nursery window and admired a five hour-old baby girl. Wayne was behind the glass, cuddling her close, proudly displaying the sleeping baby. Harry drew Hermione into an embrace.

"What a pretty baby," Hermione said.

"Just think, months from now, people will be standing here cooing at our baby," he said.

"Our baby, that's a nice thought," she said, snuggling closer to him.

Wayne came closer to the window and stood in front of Hermione. He pointed to the baby and mouthed Hermione.

"That's sweet," Molly commented.

Harry and Hermione looked pointedly at each other. Just days ago weren't they part of an irresponsible fiasco? Seconds later, everyone looked curiously at the famous couple, where Harry was talking to her in soothing tones while she wiped tears from her face.

"Not this weepy shite again," she said, "that poor, innocent child has to go around introducing herself as Hermione Hopkins."

Wayne was asking "Is she all right?" through the glass.

Hermione had her first fainting episode on the evening of January 15th, at her parent's flat after supper. She was helping her mum in the kitchen when the sound of breaking glass was heard.

"Ian, Harry!" Grace shouted from the kitchen. Both hurried in at the panicked sound of her voice.

"She just fainted with no warning while we were talking!" Grace exclaimed, holding Hermione's cut, bleeding arm above some broken glass.

Harry took her in his arms and brought her to the lounge. "I'm going to try and find her Healer and bring him here."

Ian took her pulse while Grace moved the hair from her peacefully sleeping face, and held a cloth on the cut to stave off the blood coming from her arm. Twenty minutes later, Harry and Luke Fletcher appeared in the foyer.

"In here," Ian called out.

"May I?" Luke asked, gesturing at a chair.

"Of course," Ian said and brought a chair next to the couch. Luke sat and began an examination, starting with healing the cuts on her arm. After a few minutes, he sat back and patted his patient's hand.

"To be on the safe side, I'd feel better to have her in hospital. She's in no danger, but her blood pressure is a tick high. I'd also like to run a couple of tests, because I'm fairly certain the fainting episode was brought on by a nutritional deficiency or dehydration."

Hermione woke to find herself in a fairly comfortable bed in a pleasant looking room with five other beds. One of the beds was occupied by a sleeping woman. She sat up, but lay down again just as quickly due to dizziness. From the corridor, Harry was talking with someone, who nodded when he saw Hermione awake. Harry shook the man's hand and went to her bedside.

"How are you feeling? You gave us a scare," he asked, brushing hair from her forehead.

"Dizzy and tired. Is this St. Mungo's? It looks too nice to be St. Mungo's, it's actually pleasant."

"It is. It's part of the Witch Annex expansion. Remodeled rooms to help the incoming number of witches feel more comfortable," he said.

Healer Fletcher walked in with a clipboard. "We really are going to name a ward after you. How are you feeling?"

She shrugged. "Tired mainly."

"Your blood tests came back. You're slightly dehydrated and bit anemic, hence the fainting spell. It's an easy fix. I'll adjust your prenatal script, but you need to stay hydrated."

"But-" she started.

Luke held up his hand. "I know, you think you've been drinking plenty. However, your body says different. You should drink even if you don't feel thirsty. The further along you get, the more important it becomes. The fetus will require it."

Over the course of the weekend, Harry brought the telly, food, and a stack of books to their room so she could stay in bed entertained and fed. She admitted that it was kind of nice to be pampered, and Harry was more than happy to lay with her in bed all weekend.

"I know you're not one for pampering, but you need rest for the trial. It's bound to be stressful."

"I was medically excused from community service this weekend as well, but I'll have to make it up. As for the trial, I just want the whole thing over with."

"I hope that piece of rat shit goes away for a good, long while."

She nodded. "Allbright's confident about that."

Monday morning, Allbright exuded calm, quiet confidence that years of successful law practice brought. "I want to see this to its conclusion," he said.

The pending trial even took up a small part of the front page.

Granger-Crittendon Trial Today

How will the wheels of justice turn today? In a trial that is expected to last most of the day, Milton Crittendon, former reporter for Wizarding World Weekly, will stand trial before the Wizengamot for charges of stalking and libel. For those who aren't familiar with the events that led up to this point, here is a brief synopsis:

On November 27, 2009, Milton Crittendon and Hermione Granger, war heroine and Department of Magical Law Enforcement Legal Advocate, were involved in an altercation in Diagon Alley and both were charged with public dueling, disturbing the peace, and assault. On December 10, 2009, both stood trial and were found guilty of all charges, and were sentenced to seven days incarceration to be followed by ten days of community service.

Master Advocate Wilford Allbright, who previously served as Miss Granger's defense advocate, will once again stand before with Wizengamot on her behalf, this time as a prosecutor. "I am constrained from discussing the particulars of the case; however, I am confident of justice being served today on my client's behalf."

Clarice, whose indignation at Hermione's sentencing rivaled only Harry's, worked with him at Hermione's first trial, so Allbright decided to have her assist him at Crittendon's trial. "I want to see justice done, for her sake," Clarice said.