"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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That evening, as Hermione crawled up into her warm bed, she thought of her parents. Even if the Weasleys knew of the pregnancy, she was sure that they had not informed her parents. She hoped that her mother and father would understand and not reject her. She hoped her father wouldn't disown her. She hoped her mother would be there to guide through the entire parenting experience. But, that was all she could do, she could only hope.

That morning, December first, Hermione broke out a parchment and quill. She scrawled a long letter home, one explaining how it hadn't been planned. She explained that she was ashamed, although she wasn't truly, and how she wished that her mother and father would still love her. She told them of the impending marriage, stressing that it would not be a traditional wedding. It would be a quiet ceremony, with no gifts or reception. There would be no cost to her parents, aside from travel to reach the Burrow, where Hermione and Ron had decided the wedding should take place.

She also wrote a letter to the Weasley's, with out Ron. She told them that she was sorry that this would change Ron's life entirely. She also told Molly that she wanted her to be present, if only just her, at the birth. She pleaded with them to allow for the wedding to take place at the Burrow, insisting that if it where to take place there that Molly do nothing special. There would only be a few people present at the wedding aside from Ron and Hermione. Hermione's parents would come and she had no siblings. Harry would be there and the Weasley family. She hoped that Remus and Tonks would join them. She expected that Sirius would join them as well, if only in spirit.

December first was an eventful day for Hermione. She owl-posted the letters off across to the corners of England. During breakfast, Hermione received a small tear of parchment from a Hufflepuff girl. She told her that Professor Lupin had given it to her, and she was to deliver it to "a Ms. Granger". Hermione smiled when the girl had said "Professor Lupin." She looked as though she must have had Remus as her defense against the dark arts teacher in her first year at Hogwarts, she couldn't have been much older than fourth year now.

Hermione was deeply saddened by Remus' news that Nymphadora Tonks would not be joining her at her appointment. She was instructed, by the Order, to go alone. This scared Hermione, she had wished that if Tonks was unable to go she might take Ron. She would be going to a strange female doctor, aptly named Dr. Childers, to see her baby for the first time on a machine that was in no way magical. Dr. Childers was the only muggle who owned a business in Hogsmeade, and this was only because she was partnered with the only other doctor in the area, despite his being a wizard.

This day was Saturday, on a Hogsmeade weekend. Hermione followed the wave of third years, enjoying their newfound freedom, out into the center of the tiny village. In her hand she bore directions to the office of Childers and Fitzmen, her doctors. She had cared earlier what the office would be like; however, she only cared about her child now. She prayed for his or her health. This was one of the first times Hermione had ever lowered her head in prayer.

The office was busy with witches and wizards. Old witches gathered in chairs, reading magazines with titles like "Witchery Today" and "Spell Book". One handsome young wizard sat, eyes on the door, with his arm wrapped in bewitched gauze from shoulder to fingers. There were no other pregnant patients. When Hermione approached the desk, to fill out any forms that might be necessary, she was shocked. She came face to face with a graceful looking young witch with a name tag that read "Nurse Pompfrey". Hermione was delighted to find out that this young girl, who would be tending to her along with Dr. Childers, was Madam Pompfrey's daughter. Hermione thought back (with a laugh) and realized that Madam Pompfrey had been very quick to recommend that Hermione visit this office.

Hermione was treated wonderfully by both Nurse Pompfrey and Dr. Childers, who, too, was a young witch who adorned Hermione and her tiny belly. Hermione wished Ron had been there, and her secret lover too, when Dr. Childers began the ultrasound of her stomach. As the wand of the ultrasound machine glided over her gel-slick belly, her body seemed to react. A warmth spread over her whole body like a wave of love.

On the screen of the ultrasound machine, she saw very little. She had trouble deciphering the "snow" that blanketed the screen like ash. She could only see forms of white amongst the black and grey speckles.

"Ms. Granger, you're very blessed." Dr. Childers.

"Why?" Hermione asked, somewhat unsure of what she meant by the comment.

"Look, on the screen…"She said, pointing to one white form. "This is one child."

She moved her finger to the other side, where another form was. "And this is another."

"Two?" Hermione asked, delightfully shocked. "I'm having twins?"

"Yes, two healthy babies, as far as I can see."

"Are they…identical?" She asked again.

"No, they're fraternal. See, you have two "sacs"." She pointed out the two. "That means that two separate eggs were fertilized at the same time. If they were identical, there would only be one sac with two babies inside."

Hermione's mouth was slightly agape. She was amazed that she was having a child at all, let alone two.

"It's a little too early to tell the babies' sexes, however, would you like me to attempt a guess? We won't be able to tell for sure for at least another four weeks." She asked after a moment of searching around.

"No." She smiled. "I'd like the father to be here with me if we decide we want to know."

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Please read and review. Okay, the votes have been tallied for the baby/babies sex. We'll find out soon.

Meg