"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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Ron and Hermione slept together that night, not as lovers but as best friends. Never could Ron bring himself to be sexual with Hermione. He was so overwhelmed by his feeling of love and happiness that he couldn't lay anything on Hermione aside from soft kisses. He held her all night, cradling her like the infant they would have before the year let out. When he drifted into slumber at last, he dreamed of Hermione, naked and so pregnant she was nearly ready to burst. He, too, was naked. He dreamt of proposing marriage to her.
He awoke in the dark of night, with only firelight to see her by. Asleep on her back, her knees touched. He found her to look like an angel. He nudged her shirt up, exposing her taught belly. She would not look pregnant for a few more weeks; however he could envision her radiant beauty as his pregnant wife. He kissed her stomach. He turned and pressed his ear to her belly, hoping to hear a tiny heart beat resounding inside of her. He knew, really, that his child was still only a cluster of cells. He wanted so bad to hear proof of his love for Hermione.
In the morning, Hermione was first to wake. She dressed silently, almost a memory of how she had done the night they had first slept together. She awoke him with a kiss, after having selected and laid out a warm outfit for him. The first chilling winds of October were drifting about the castle; she couldn't bear to think of him as feeling cold. After all, he had such a wonderful way of filling her with warmth.
"Hermione," this was the first word he had said. "I have something to ask you…"
"Yes?" She replied sweetly.
"Will we marry before the baby is born?" His tone told Hermione that she should answer positively.
"Well, Ron…" She began. "I think we should. It would be best for the baby… and it would soothe my parents' minds."
"Then we shall!" He smiled. "We should marry over Christmas. You will be my beautiful bride." He approached, kissed her and gave her a long hug. She would be Mrs. Ron Weasley.
As the meeting with the faculty neared, Hermione's heart flooded with fear. She could already see their judgmental eyes boring into her stomach, her chest and her face. Professors lined up, all staring at her and the baby's supposed father. The idea haunted her. Ron walked behind her as she found the distance between herself and Dumbledore's office decreasing. Ron's arm draped behind her back, meeting with her right hand. Their hands interlaced like their warm bodies had done in the past.
Madam Pompfrey was waiting for them at the tall doors. They had been given the password to Dumbledore's office, they were sworn to secrecy. She gave Hermione a gentle smile. She looked at Ron; this confirmed that he was the father in her mind.
"So, you are the child's father, Mr. Weasley?" she inquired.
"Yes," He smiled uneasily. "There could be no other."
"I thought as much, Ron. It would have either been yourself or Mr. Potter." She added. "I'm not sure if I am professionally allowed to say this…but, congratulations."
A tall, slender woman opened the door behind Madam Pompfrey. Her hair was drawn back into a long pony-tail. Hermione admired the smoky color it was, nearly silvery grey. She motioned for the three to enter. As Hermione and Ron entered the room, she could already feel the professors concern and disappointment that some radiated. This would be difficult, she had to admit, yet necessary.
Within the hour, the professors piled out of the room. It had been concluded that Hermione would be able to leave classrooms without notice in the event of morning sickness, although she would be required to make up any missed work. This applied to Ron to, seeing as the mother and father should have the same rights. He would be allowed to leave in order to comfort and care for Hermione. The two would be given their own dormitory in Gryffindor tower upon their return to Hogwarts if the planned marriage did take place. Either way, Hermione would be given her own in order to care for herself and her child properly. Madam Pompfrey also added that she was not qualified to attend to Hermione and child's prenatal needs. She would be referred each month to the OB/GYN in Hogsmeade.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore would like to have a word with you in private." The slender woman whispered to them at the conclusion of the meeting.
Madam Pompfrey had been whisked away again to attend to Neville. Hermione found herself suddenly feeling fairly naked. Madam Pompfrey had been her pillar of support for the last two days; suddenly without her, Hermione was not entirely convinced she could speak.
"Ms. Granger," Professor Dumbledore began, pacing in front of the pair of teenagers. His presence was looming, nearly frightening. "I would have expected more out of you. You have such a good head on your shoulders, it baffles me that you allow yourself to be so irresponsible."
He paused a long while. "And you, Mr. Weasley. I would have thought you would keep Hermione in line if she wandered from it!" He covered his face with his hands. Hermione and Ron could do nothing but feel ashamed and look at one another.
"However," The aging Dumbledore began again. "This doesn't change how I feel about you two. You are some of the best and brightest students we have at Hogwarts. I only plead with you to no appear too excited about this, I would like to keep a pregnancy-trend from appearing. You are Head Girl and Head Boy. You must remain dignified."
"We will, sir." Hermione said quietly but strongly.
"Good," Dumbledore responded. "I will take care of you two if you take care of yourselves."
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Please review! I think I will reveal the identity of the lover in the next chapter. I know you each have your suspicions. Please don't stop reading this after you find out who he is! There will be so much more to come.
Meg/Kross