"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.
NOTE: There was some confusion in the last chapter for readers who had not gotten around to reading the fifth and sixth books. Kreacher is a house elf who Harry inherited from the Black family. Because Kreacher belongs to Harry, he has to obey his every command (like Dobby had to obey all of the Malfoys' demands). Additionally, Kreacher hates muggle-born or blood-traitor witches and wizards.
Pairing: Hermione/Ron and Hermione/Mystery man
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Hermione wandered from the castle, and down into the grounds beyond the lake. She pondered going to the three broomsticks like she'd suggested to Ginny and Harry. However, deep down in her core she felt that she would be better off going to the Hog's Head bar. She hoped that she might see Tonks there, Nymphadora often lingered in the dim corners of the bar, hoping to pick up any clues of trouble before they became trouble.
It was at this point that Hermione greatly appreciated being the Head girl of Hogwarts. Being in such a position of power, it allowed her certain perks such as free range of the entire campus area, including Hogsmeade. Unlike most of the other students of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hermione was allowed to go to Hogsmeade at any time, whereas other students must visit only on weekends or "Hogsmeade weekends" depending on their year.
Hermione could feel a growing chill in the air, like a cloud of cool breath settling over the village. It was nearly December and snow was only a short way away from blanketing the entire school. Hermione had wished she'd thought to bring a warm coat with her when she left the Gryffindor tower. She knew that if she was feeling the nip in the air that soon her unborn baby would feel it too. She let her hands drift over her growing belly, hoping that her hands might be able to provide some sort of heat for her tiny baby.
The streets of Hogsmeade were not full in the least; instead they were almost empty of the usual patrons of the shops and bars. Hermione walked past the Three Broomsticks where, inside, she could hear the booming and welcoming voice of Madam Rosemerta, the barmaid. She wanted the go in the doors of the warm bar and show Rosemerta her pregnant belly, however, she found herself continuing on down the sidewalk. Her feet crunched on fallen leaves as she passed Honeydukes and Zonkos, seeing the Hogshead in the distance.
The door bells chimed as Hermione entered the steaming hot bar. Normally, a student would receive odd looks from the bar-goers there and might often be told to leave. However, no one paid her any mind.
She scanned the room for any familiar faces; perhaps Tonk's bright pink hair or transfigured nose might catch her eye. Although she didn't see Tonks, she locked eyes with a pair of gentle grey eyes. Remus Lupin sat at the far table, alone, taking large gulps from his mug. Before Hermione joined him, she took a moment to think of the calendar. The full moon had been in the past week, therefore she had nothing to worry about regarding his wolf-ish tendencies.
He had a slight smile on his lips as she took the tall chair across from him. Hermione noticed that he didn't seem as worn as he usually did; he seemed to be in rather good health to her. His hair was tucked behind his ears, like he usually wore it. He'd let his beard grow long and shaggy. He had begun to look like an older man, with long, silvery strands of grey hair falling around his eyes. He looked kind and calm.
"Good evening, Hermione." He smiled.
"Wonderful evening, Remus…May I?" She asked as she sat down, facing him.
"What brings you here? The air has quite a bite to it tonight; I wouldn't suspect you to come down here on a night like this." He glanced at her hands, which were a pallid shade of blue. "Goodness, you need something hot to warm those mitts..."
He called on the barkeeper for something she could drink, either soup or a hot cocoa. He seemed to know that she couldn't have anything with a tinge of alcohol in it; he seemed to know the entire story, although she knew he really didn't know a word of it.
"There have been rumors floating about that regard you, Hermione." His eyes lingered on the area of the table that concealed her stomach.
"Have they reached the other Order members?" She said after a long moment, thinking of the Weasleys.
"What would you say if they had?" He asked kindly, looking her in the eye.
"I suppose…I would…be ashamed." She stuttered out.
"No shame, Hermione." He let a tiny smile break loose. "However, Arthur and Molly have been informed of the…delicate situation." The smile disappeared.
"Why haven't they written? Or visited?" She wondered aloud.
"It was suggested that you two are responsible enough to…handle it." His eyes lingered on her own for a long moment. "You are, aren't you? You can handle this, can't you?"
"Ron and I can…" She said, quietly.
"No, I don't really care whether or not Ron can handle this. You're the one who will ultimately have to raise this child. Ron may not be around forever, he may not be able to be your pillar of support." His voice sounded grim. "You can only count on yourself, Hermione."
She thought, looking deep into herself. She nodded. "I can do this. With or without Ron." She knew it to be true.
"How far along are you?" He asked after a moment spent in silence.
"About ten weeks, I suppose." She rubbed her eye, which had begun to tear at the thought of being without Ron, on whom she had really begun to depend.
"Do you have a doctor?" He looked at her, his eyes wildly intense. "Do you need a doctor?" She could hear the care and concern in his voice. It reminded her of her father.
"Yes, Madam Pompfrey has arranged for me to visit a woman in Hogsmeade…a midwife."
"Good." He stood, motioning for her to stand as well. "You should get going before it gets too cold, and dark."
"I guess I should." She said, and as she stood he draped his long coat over her. "Thank you." She said as he reached across her and buttoned her up, taking special care around her bulging belly.
"Why is it that you came to the Hogshead, Hermione?" He asked as they walked to the door.
"To see Tonks…to tell Tonks." She smiled. "I wondered if she might come with me to my doctor."
"I'll tell her you asked after her." He smiled. "I'll have her visit you, and I'm sure she'd be delighted to go with you."
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Please read and review. What sex do we want the baby to be? I've already got one planned, but I might be persuaded either way. Would you like the story to continue on in the child's POV after a handful (like 20) more chapters? This could go on forever…
Meg