"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 found herself in front of the mirror, that night. She had waited until Ginny had run off to be with one of her many boyfriends. When, at long last, Ginny had been gone for a few moments, Hermione slid her clothes off. Her belly was round and high, growing larger, it seemed, with each moment she looked at it. Her hands could no longer span the width of her stomach, even with her fingers splayed wide. She couldn't believe that two tiny babies lay encased in her flesh.
She wondered, with awe, how her skin had not split around her growing children. It seemed that her skin would tear open at any time. However, Hermione's skin was taught and smooth. She let her hair down, let it drape over her shoulders and breasts like Eve in the Garden of Eden. No longer was Hermione going to be a girl. Now she was "woman". Now she was "mother". Soon, she would be "wife" as well.
The idea that she would not be allowed to wear white on her wedding day brought tears to her eyes. She had always hoped she could pretend that she was still a virgin, if she wasn't. She always hoped she would be able to hold her head up high as she walked down the aisle. Now, she wondered, if all her wedding guests would think of nothing but she and Ron making love to one another. Her fears were dispelled, however, because she knew that she would be surrounded by those who loved her at her wedding.
The entire Weasley family loved her, and she was sure that Molly and Arthur were not devastated by the news (she was yet to receive a Howler about being a 'tramp' or such). Her parents would still love her. Ron would still love her, and Harry would be proud. But, she would not wear white. She wasn't even sure if she could find a wedding dress large enough to accommodate her growing orb of a stomach. She feared that, like her school robes, she would not be able to wear much.
She amused herself, as she looked in the mirror, by thinking she should walk down the aisle in the nude. Ron could be nude as well. It would remind all of their guests what had brought them there, Hermione being naked. It was a sad fact that Ron was not the other half of the reason, in all reality. Guilt washed over Hermione. Perhaps, she thought, the wedding should be called off. This was in no way Ron's fault. He wasn't involved at all. She was dragging him down with her.
Fire light bounced off of his (beaming) photograph on the bed side table. He waved and blew kisses at her, and admired her bare, pregnant body. He was more excited about the babies than she was. He wanted the family he had always dreamed of having with Hermione. He wanted it whether it was sooner or later. This was his dream, and she had made it a reality for him. Hermione and a stranger had made his dreams come true.
"I can never tell him…" She whispered aloud. "It would break his heart."
Hermione let her fingers wander over her giant belly, now covered in goose bumps. Chills had overtaken her body when she'd thought of Ron's innocence. She crossed the room, to the bed. With a flick of her wand, the lights in the room went out, leaving only flames to dart across and paint the walls with light. Hermione sunk into bed. She drew her covers up to her neck to protect her skin from the cold. Hermione looked down at her blanketed form. She was all belly. The blanket merely grazed her other flesh as it hugged her belly. She found herself feeling like a circus tent filled with wiggle-worms. She could feel each child kick now, it was apparent that they were side to side. She thought of her sides, and decided to move onto one. She could feel the weight of her babies crushing her organs.
Hermione lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. She wondered when it would be best to tell Ron that they we're having twins. She wanted it to be special. She wanted to see that child like smile again, the one that had decorated his face when she told him that they were pregnant in the first place. She decided to sneak into his room in the morning and tell him when his eyes first opened. It would make his day.
Just then, a knock came at the door. It was quiet, like a secret knock. Hermione glanced at the clock next to Ron's picture. The face read 11:42. As she rose from the bed, she looked around for something to throw over her naked body. The door knob squeaked as it was slowing turned. 'Ron…' Hermione thought. She didn't worry about finding something to wear. She sat on the end of the bed.
"Come in." She yelled quietly to the door. The door opened slowly.
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Please Read and review. I know this was short. I'm trying to get to the identity as soon as possible. I start school again in 8 days…August 10th. I want to at least have that out of the way before I have a full year of school looming over the horizon…you know?
Meg