"Behind Closed Doors" By Kross

A/n: I don't own Harry Potter…I simply enjoy using the characters conjured up J.K. Rowling for my own sweet pleasure.

Pairing: Hermione/Ron and Hermione/Mystery man

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Hermione worried about telling Ron. Despite his love for her, she wasn't sure if her pregnancy would be as joyous for him as it was for her. She could already feel how natural it was for her to be pregnant, she reflected on the last few days. Her body had already been giving her clues as to her pregnancy. Engorged, aching breasts were the first sign. Need for excessive sleep was another. She hadn't been nauseated yet, or had strange food cravings. She only assumed they would be on their way.

She decided that she would tell Ron that night, not to wait even another day. She wanted him to be there when she faced the faculty tomorrow with Madam Pompfrey. Despite her elation, she wasn't sure if she could handle the hard stares of her teachers and Dumbledore alone. She wondered intently whether or not she would feel ashamed by this whole experience. Embarrassment was a definite. The sheer idea of her teachers knowing she had had sex and was fertile enough to conceive was enough to make her blush. However, Hermione didn't quite know is she could feel ashamed of something so natural. After all, her body had done what it was designed to do.

The more she thought about the more proud she grew of herself. Not proud that she had let someone sneak into her room and get her pregnant. Not proud that she would have to lie to Ron and drag him into the situation in order to keep all of the shame from being directed on her. Not proud that her life was forever changed, possibly in a very negative way. But, proud that she was a woman. Proud that she was capable of bringing new life into the world.

When Hermione finally arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, Hermione was not worried about the meeting with the faculty at all. She had pushed the idea of telling her parents out of her mind for the time being. This problem, she would face another night. Perhaps she would have Ron there to support her as well. She told the Fat Lady the password ("shoe strap"). When the portrait swung open, Ron was the first person Hermione's eyes landed on.

She almost began to cry then, so overcome by the wonders of the human body. She walked straight towards Ron, looking him dead in the eye. He greeted her sweetly, like she knew he would. She could hardly wait to hear what he would say in response to the news. A child. A child he would believe was his. This would seal their fate. They would marry young and be happy together. Hermione could only hope that her secret would never be exposed.

"Ron, we must speak in private." She whispered to him, reaching down to him, extending a hand to help him up. "It is very important."

"You are well?" He asked. "Madam Pompfrey has given you the antidote?"

"She has given me so much more, Ron…" She mused. "Come with me, to your dormitory."

He took her hand and they walked up the spiral staircase, towards his and Harry's dorm. He felt her fingers trembling and could see it in her face. He wondered if she was dying, the news could have been the "so much more" Hermione spoke of. He decided then that he would hold her all night.

With the door shut, locked tight, Hermione sat on the bed. She rubbed the space next to her, motioning that Ron should sit next to her. She took up his hands, kissing his fingers between two sets of knuckles. She breathed her warm breath on his hands, sighing with tears on the horizon. "Hug me, Hermione." He said. "Whatever it is, we can work through it."

She nodded, letting him wrap his long, strong arms around her shoulders. She was pulled close to his chest, enveloped in his apparent love. He kissed the top of her forehead after brushing aside a few strands of her wavy, brown hair. He looked her in the eyes, tilting them up to meet his; me mouthed 'I love you' and placed a sweet kiss on her lips.

"I hope you can still say that after I tell you this, Ron." She began. He eyed her carefully.

"Ron, I was supposed to get my period yesterday." She lied, though without showing it. Her period was due in three days, yet he wouldn't notice.

"Supposed to?" He asked, beginning to understand.

"Yes, supposed to. I didn't get it." She exhaled deeply. "When Madam Pompfrey tested me today to confirm that all the toxins had been eliminated she discovered that I am…" She paused. "Pregnant."

He exhaled sharply. "Pregnant?" He asked. "Really?"

She nodded, his arms loosened from around her shoulders. They did not leave her, but she could feel the stun he was experiencing. It was all over his body. His arms were limp, his jaw was slack, his eyes looked glazed. Suddenly she could feel the sobs emerge from his chest, deep and low. Worry shot through her as he turned his face away. He closed his eyes tightly.

"Ron…" she pleaded. "Don't be angry with me…"

Slowly, he turned back to meet her. His eyes were laced with tears, making them shine like polished jade. His long lashes were fringed with tears as well, like dew on leaves in the early morning. "I could never be mad at you Hermione, not over something like this."

"Will you…stay with me?" She asked. "I want to keep this baby."

"Yes, how could I not?" He sounded surprised by her question. "This is our baby. It's earlier than I planned on starting a family, but we can do this." He smiled and nodded. The word 'our' stung at Hermione. He was so happy; he would be heartbroken to know it wasn't his.

"Madam Pompfrey is telling the faculty tomorrow." She stated. "I have to be there. Will you…come with me? I don't know if I can do it alone."

He nodded his head sharply. "Of course." He smiled through tears. "We'll tell our parents together too, I won't let you go anything alone, Hermione." She smiled back. "Oh, I love you…"

"I love you too, Ron." She said for the first time, that night.

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I know it's a wee bit sappy, but I love it! Please review. Now, I want a baby…tear

Meg/Kross