Owls and explanations
Hermione lay in the infirmary. She felt depressed and sick. She looked on her watch. It was 6.30h. Too early to rise, too late to fall asleep again.
She had seen Harry and she had talked to him. She was glad that he still wanted to be her friend and that he would support her. She really didn't know if she was happy or angry at Harry for giving Draco a fist in the face. He hadn't even visited her. But she couldn't blame him, really. So much had happened to him these last months.
Hermione was ripped from her thoughts when the door to the infirmary opened. It was Draco. Strange, Hermione thought when she saw that he was wearing a travelling cloak. When he came to her bed, she pretended that she was asleep.
Hermione felt how Draco bend over her and how his lips touched her cheek. Before she could do something, Draco was gone again.
Hermione felt tears prickling behind her eyelids. He was going to leave her. She cried herself to sleep.
*-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-*
Harry entered the infirmary and saw that Hermione was sleeping. He softly pushed her to wake her up.
"Mmmm, what?" Hermione asked sleepy.
"Mione, come on, you have to get up, it's 8.30h.Go get some breakfast with me." Harry said.
"Alright." Hermione replied softly, getting out of bed.
"Mione, have you been crying?" Harry asked concerned, when he saw her red eyes.
"Yes, I have been crying if you really want know," Hermione said, irritated, "Because the father of my child is about to leave Hogwarts."
A big smile came on Harry's face.
"Malfoy's leaving Hogwarts? Yes!" he yelled.
Hermione shook her head, she could understand Harry's reaction, but it only hurted her more. When Harry saw her expression, he quickly let his smile fade.
"I'm sorry Hermione, but you're better off without him. I mean, fleeing is not something a father should do. Now you see what kind of person he really is. He is and stays a Malfoy. Evil blood."
"In case you don't know, I have a little Malfoy in my belly right now," Hermione said through gritted teeth.
"I didn't mean it that way!" Harry quickly said, "You're going to have a wonderful child, a Gryffindor!"
"Oh shut up, Harry!" Hermione said angrily, and she left the infirmary.
When they entered the Great Hall, a few people were still at breakfast. Hermione checked the Slytherin table, but Draco wasn't there. Hermione took a seat next to Harry and began to eat in silence. After a few minutes, owls came flying into the Great Hall. Hedwig landed perfectly between the bread and milk, with a letter attached. A big Eagle owl lost control, because of a big package that hung under it. The owl twirled around, trying to reach the Slytherin table, but it flew too low and the package slammed against Harry's head.
"Aw! Watch were you're flying!" Harry yelled angrily.
He ripped the package from the owl. He shouldn't have done that because the owl started to pick in his hand, trying to grab the package back.
"Aw! Stop that!" Harry yelled while he tried to hit the owl with the package. A small letter flew from the package and landed in Hermione's cereals. She took the letter out of the cereals and read the name on it: Draco Malfoy. She scared herself to death, when someone behind her suddenly said: "I'll take that."
It was Snape. He took the letter from Hermione and the package from Harry. He gave the owl a Sickle and chased it away. Then he left the Great Hall. Hermione frowned and finished her breakfast.
"Want to go for a walk?" she asked Harry, who was reading his letter.
"Sure Hermione. Look, it's a letter from Ron. He says that you can expect a special gift from him." Harry said.
"Oh Harry, have you told about..." Hermione asked concerned.
"Don't worry, I haven't," Harry replied, "Although I think you should tell him. He's going to find out sooner or later."
"Maybe not."
"What do you mean?"
"Harry, I was thinking...maybe it's best to...never let it be born." Hermione muttered.
"You mean abortion?!?" Harry asked bewildered, "Hermione, you can't do that. If the baby is older than two weeks, you can't do that anymore. It would be murder."
"How do you know that?" Hermione asked astound.
Harry became almost as red as Ron's hair. "Because I've read some books about it last evening."
"Ooow Harry!" Hermione said with a smile, "You know, you're going to make a great father some day."
"Thanks." Harry smiled.
They rose from their seats, left the Great Hall and went outside. But they stopped in the doorway when they saw Snape and Draco standing a few hundred metres away from them. Draco had ripped the paper from the package and was carrying his new broom.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Is that an Aquila 13? Unbelievable!"
Hermione didn't care what kind of broom it was. She saw Draco rising on his broom with a backpackage and shaking Snape's hand. Then he flew away. Hermione felt tears on her cheek again. He had really left her...
That was the last straw for Hermione, she turned on her heels and headed for Dumbledore's office. McGonagall and madam Pomfrey had helped her to get over the shock a bit, but they had no definite sollution for her. Where did she have to stay? At Hogwarts all her life?
And she was angry at Dumbledore, he hadn't even tried to talk to Draco, he just let him go. Did nobody care about her? She arrived at the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office. She tried some passwords, but the gargoyle didn't move.
"Professor Dumbledore is not at Hogwarts." A cold voice said.
Hermione turned around, it was Snape.
"He's off to London with Mr. Malfoy." Snape continued.
"But I saw Draco leaving alone." Hermione said, not believing Snape.
"Of course, Draco doesn't know how to apparate yet, they'll meet somewhere in London," Snape said, shaking his head, "Really Miss Granger, I thought there was more wisdom in your head."
Hermione ignored the remark. So Dumbledore was going to settle Draco in London. "When will professor Dumbledore return?" she asked.
"Somewhere in the afternoon." Snape replied.
"Could you give me a warning if he returns?" Hermione asked again.
"Do I look like an owl, Miss Granger?" Snape sneered.
"No, but it's important that I see him," Hermione retorted, challenging Snape by taking a step closer, "And you know it."
"Oh I see," Snape whispered, "It's about 'that'."
"Yes it is, Snape." Hermione answered angrily, and she turned around to leave.
"Oh Miss Granger, one more thing," Snape called her back. No student would leave him with such an answer.
Hermione stopped, but she didn't turn around.
"I hope Draco is the last one of my students who you get into trouble."
Hermione turned around, her hands shaking.
"You bastard." she said through gritted teeth.
"What did you say?" Snape whispered with a dangerous voice.
"You heard her!" McGonagall said, entering the corridor, "She called you a bastard."
Snape narrowed his eyes, then he made a small bow. "Minerva."
"Severus." McGonagall replied, only giving a short nod. Snape nodded too and turned around, leaving the corridor with billowing robes.
"Miss Granger, although I don't approve such behaviour," McGonagall said to Hermione, "I'm glad one of us finally told him the truth."
She took Hermione's shoulder and led her to the Gryffindor common room.
"I'll tell professor Dumbledore that you wanted to see him."
"Thank you professor." Hermione said.
When they reached the portret of the Fat Lady, McGonagall said: "Oh yes, Mr Weasley has returned earlier to Hogwarts too, and so have Miss Patil and Miss Brown."
Hermione said goodbye to McGonagall and stepped through the portret hole. Nobody was in the common room except for Harry, who was sitting near the fireplace with Ron.When he saw her, he beckoned her. Ron rose from his seat.
"Hey Hermione!" he said, hugging her, "Decided to come back to Hogwarts earlier too? If I had known, we could've travelled together."
Hermione looked at Harry over Ron's shoulder. 'I haven't told him' Harry mouthed. Ron let go of Hermione and gave her a present.
"I hope you like it and I definitely hope our friendship is getting a little closer with this again. I mean, that whole thing with Malfoy..."
Hermione said nothing and she opened her present. It was a silver ring with a small diamond.
"Oh Ron, it's really beautiful! Thanks." Hermione said and she gave Ron a hug.
"Is that all I get?" Ron laughed.
Hermione hesitated a bit, then she wanted to give Ron a kiss on the cheek, but Harry said : "Hermione, you really got to tell him. I don't want Ron to get his hopes up for nothing again."
"What?" Ron asked with a frown.
Hermione felt her heart beat faster. Harry was right, Ron thought he would make a chance again. She looked at Harry again, who took her hand for to give her some comfort.
Ron narrowed his eyes. "You two aren't a couple, are you?"
"No," Hermione quickly said, and she ripped her hand out of Harry's, "No Ron. It's a bit worse than that."
Hermione went silent again. This was going to be the end of their friendship. She just knew it. 'So be it' Hermione thought. She took a deep breath and said: "I'm pregnant."
To Hermione's surprise, Ron started to laugh out loud.
"You silly girl! Haha! You really fooled me this time!" Ron laughed, "Wow, I almost got a heart attack!"
"Stop laughing, Ron!" Harry said irritated, "It's true. She's pregnant of Malfoy."
Ron was petrified for a moment, then he burst out laughing again.
"Oh God! You two should play in the theater or something! Hahaha!" Ron said, tears in his eyes from laughing.
Hermione slapped Ron in the face in frustration. Ron staggered a bit and brought his hand to his cheek.
"God dammit, Ron!" Hermione said, "I'm really pregnant, ok? My parents threw me out of the house for it. If you want me to proove it, here!"
Hermione lifted up her robes, showing her leg. It was full of bruises.
"Hermione," Harry whispered with his eyes wide open, "Why didn't you tell me about that?"
"I didn't want your pity." Hermione muttered.
"Oh 'Mione." Harry said, carefully holding her. He looked angrily at Ron.
"Now you believe her?" he asked.
Ron just stared at her, he opened his mouth a couple of times before something decent came out. "So she's pregnant of...of Malfoy." he asked Harry, keeping his eyes on Hermione.
"Yes, M-a-l-f-o-y," Harry spelled annoyed , "Ferret boy, son of Lucius Malfoy, the one who we thougt was the heir of Slytherin, the one who helped me defeat Voldemort, the one who defeated me the last time with Quidditch, the one I lost ten years to....do I really have to go on or do I have to draw you a picture?"
"Okay," Ron slowly said, "I think I'm going to lie down for a couple of hours in my room now."
He rose from the floor and dragged himself up the stairs. The door didn't even slam shut.
"Well...that could've been worse." Harry said thoughtfully.
Hermione sighed and let herself fall into a seat. She was exhausted.
Author's note: Hey, I'm getting good at writing longer chapters! Ok, now you still don't know much more, this wasn't a real cliffie but the next chapter will be a little more ... euhm ... reveiling. :-) R&R!!! And thanks for all the reviews!!! Happy new year! *don't get too drunk!*
Dracoz-wun-gurl : Thank you for the hint! :-) And I'll read your story very soon.
Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's : Of course I'm cruel and heartless, that's why I became a writer ;-)
Vilmathien : About that fifth year stuff, I'll tell you in the following chapters, patience is a virtue :-)
Tracy3 : You hate cliffies? I don't ;-) *It's a way to satisfy my evil side!
Pyrope : Thank you for your review! I don't even know myself how I come up with this stuff!
BebopQueen : Thank you for the compliment! And to help you sort you thoughts: she didn't do it with Draco in Dumbledore's waiting room, they did it in his Slytherin room. That was two months ago.
Aileen_Malfoy : Wow, cool! I have a Polish reader!
AndinaOfRivendell : You crazy girl! Thank you for reviewing almost every chapter!
Hermione lay in the infirmary. She felt depressed and sick. She looked on her watch. It was 6.30h. Too early to rise, too late to fall asleep again.
She had seen Harry and she had talked to him. She was glad that he still wanted to be her friend and that he would support her. She really didn't know if she was happy or angry at Harry for giving Draco a fist in the face. He hadn't even visited her. But she couldn't blame him, really. So much had happened to him these last months.
Hermione was ripped from her thoughts when the door to the infirmary opened. It was Draco. Strange, Hermione thought when she saw that he was wearing a travelling cloak. When he came to her bed, she pretended that she was asleep.
Hermione felt how Draco bend over her and how his lips touched her cheek. Before she could do something, Draco was gone again.
Hermione felt tears prickling behind her eyelids. He was going to leave her. She cried herself to sleep.
*-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-* *-*
Harry entered the infirmary and saw that Hermione was sleeping. He softly pushed her to wake her up.
"Mmmm, what?" Hermione asked sleepy.
"Mione, come on, you have to get up, it's 8.30h.Go get some breakfast with me." Harry said.
"Alright." Hermione replied softly, getting out of bed.
"Mione, have you been crying?" Harry asked concerned, when he saw her red eyes.
"Yes, I have been crying if you really want know," Hermione said, irritated, "Because the father of my child is about to leave Hogwarts."
A big smile came on Harry's face.
"Malfoy's leaving Hogwarts? Yes!" he yelled.
Hermione shook her head, she could understand Harry's reaction, but it only hurted her more. When Harry saw her expression, he quickly let his smile fade.
"I'm sorry Hermione, but you're better off without him. I mean, fleeing is not something a father should do. Now you see what kind of person he really is. He is and stays a Malfoy. Evil blood."
"In case you don't know, I have a little Malfoy in my belly right now," Hermione said through gritted teeth.
"I didn't mean it that way!" Harry quickly said, "You're going to have a wonderful child, a Gryffindor!"
"Oh shut up, Harry!" Hermione said angrily, and she left the infirmary.
When they entered the Great Hall, a few people were still at breakfast. Hermione checked the Slytherin table, but Draco wasn't there. Hermione took a seat next to Harry and began to eat in silence. After a few minutes, owls came flying into the Great Hall. Hedwig landed perfectly between the bread and milk, with a letter attached. A big Eagle owl lost control, because of a big package that hung under it. The owl twirled around, trying to reach the Slytherin table, but it flew too low and the package slammed against Harry's head.
"Aw! Watch were you're flying!" Harry yelled angrily.
He ripped the package from the owl. He shouldn't have done that because the owl started to pick in his hand, trying to grab the package back.
"Aw! Stop that!" Harry yelled while he tried to hit the owl with the package. A small letter flew from the package and landed in Hermione's cereals. She took the letter out of the cereals and read the name on it: Draco Malfoy. She scared herself to death, when someone behind her suddenly said: "I'll take that."
It was Snape. He took the letter from Hermione and the package from Harry. He gave the owl a Sickle and chased it away. Then he left the Great Hall. Hermione frowned and finished her breakfast.
"Want to go for a walk?" she asked Harry, who was reading his letter.
"Sure Hermione. Look, it's a letter from Ron. He says that you can expect a special gift from him." Harry said.
"Oh Harry, have you told about..." Hermione asked concerned.
"Don't worry, I haven't," Harry replied, "Although I think you should tell him. He's going to find out sooner or later."
"Maybe not."
"What do you mean?"
"Harry, I was thinking...maybe it's best to...never let it be born." Hermione muttered.
"You mean abortion?!?" Harry asked bewildered, "Hermione, you can't do that. If the baby is older than two weeks, you can't do that anymore. It would be murder."
"How do you know that?" Hermione asked astound.
Harry became almost as red as Ron's hair. "Because I've read some books about it last evening."
"Ooow Harry!" Hermione said with a smile, "You know, you're going to make a great father some day."
"Thanks." Harry smiled.
They rose from their seats, left the Great Hall and went outside. But they stopped in the doorway when they saw Snape and Draco standing a few hundred metres away from them. Draco had ripped the paper from the package and was carrying his new broom.
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Is that an Aquila 13? Unbelievable!"
Hermione didn't care what kind of broom it was. She saw Draco rising on his broom with a backpackage and shaking Snape's hand. Then he flew away. Hermione felt tears on her cheek again. He had really left her...
That was the last straw for Hermione, she turned on her heels and headed for Dumbledore's office. McGonagall and madam Pomfrey had helped her to get over the shock a bit, but they had no definite sollution for her. Where did she have to stay? At Hogwarts all her life?
And she was angry at Dumbledore, he hadn't even tried to talk to Draco, he just let him go. Did nobody care about her? She arrived at the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office. She tried some passwords, but the gargoyle didn't move.
"Professor Dumbledore is not at Hogwarts." A cold voice said.
Hermione turned around, it was Snape.
"He's off to London with Mr. Malfoy." Snape continued.
"But I saw Draco leaving alone." Hermione said, not believing Snape.
"Of course, Draco doesn't know how to apparate yet, they'll meet somewhere in London," Snape said, shaking his head, "Really Miss Granger, I thought there was more wisdom in your head."
Hermione ignored the remark. So Dumbledore was going to settle Draco in London. "When will professor Dumbledore return?" she asked.
"Somewhere in the afternoon." Snape replied.
"Could you give me a warning if he returns?" Hermione asked again.
"Do I look like an owl, Miss Granger?" Snape sneered.
"No, but it's important that I see him," Hermione retorted, challenging Snape by taking a step closer, "And you know it."
"Oh I see," Snape whispered, "It's about 'that'."
"Yes it is, Snape." Hermione answered angrily, and she turned around to leave.
"Oh Miss Granger, one more thing," Snape called her back. No student would leave him with such an answer.
Hermione stopped, but she didn't turn around.
"I hope Draco is the last one of my students who you get into trouble."
Hermione turned around, her hands shaking.
"You bastard." she said through gritted teeth.
"What did you say?" Snape whispered with a dangerous voice.
"You heard her!" McGonagall said, entering the corridor, "She called you a bastard."
Snape narrowed his eyes, then he made a small bow. "Minerva."
"Severus." McGonagall replied, only giving a short nod. Snape nodded too and turned around, leaving the corridor with billowing robes.
"Miss Granger, although I don't approve such behaviour," McGonagall said to Hermione, "I'm glad one of us finally told him the truth."
She took Hermione's shoulder and led her to the Gryffindor common room.
"I'll tell professor Dumbledore that you wanted to see him."
"Thank you professor." Hermione said.
When they reached the portret of the Fat Lady, McGonagall said: "Oh yes, Mr Weasley has returned earlier to Hogwarts too, and so have Miss Patil and Miss Brown."
Hermione said goodbye to McGonagall and stepped through the portret hole. Nobody was in the common room except for Harry, who was sitting near the fireplace with Ron.When he saw her, he beckoned her. Ron rose from his seat.
"Hey Hermione!" he said, hugging her, "Decided to come back to Hogwarts earlier too? If I had known, we could've travelled together."
Hermione looked at Harry over Ron's shoulder. 'I haven't told him' Harry mouthed. Ron let go of Hermione and gave her a present.
"I hope you like it and I definitely hope our friendship is getting a little closer with this again. I mean, that whole thing with Malfoy..."
Hermione said nothing and she opened her present. It was a silver ring with a small diamond.
"Oh Ron, it's really beautiful! Thanks." Hermione said and she gave Ron a hug.
"Is that all I get?" Ron laughed.
Hermione hesitated a bit, then she wanted to give Ron a kiss on the cheek, but Harry said : "Hermione, you really got to tell him. I don't want Ron to get his hopes up for nothing again."
"What?" Ron asked with a frown.
Hermione felt her heart beat faster. Harry was right, Ron thought he would make a chance again. She looked at Harry again, who took her hand for to give her some comfort.
Ron narrowed his eyes. "You two aren't a couple, are you?"
"No," Hermione quickly said, and she ripped her hand out of Harry's, "No Ron. It's a bit worse than that."
Hermione went silent again. This was going to be the end of their friendship. She just knew it. 'So be it' Hermione thought. She took a deep breath and said: "I'm pregnant."
To Hermione's surprise, Ron started to laugh out loud.
"You silly girl! Haha! You really fooled me this time!" Ron laughed, "Wow, I almost got a heart attack!"
"Stop laughing, Ron!" Harry said irritated, "It's true. She's pregnant of Malfoy."
Ron was petrified for a moment, then he burst out laughing again.
"Oh God! You two should play in the theater or something! Hahaha!" Ron said, tears in his eyes from laughing.
Hermione slapped Ron in the face in frustration. Ron staggered a bit and brought his hand to his cheek.
"God dammit, Ron!" Hermione said, "I'm really pregnant, ok? My parents threw me out of the house for it. If you want me to proove it, here!"
Hermione lifted up her robes, showing her leg. It was full of bruises.
"Hermione," Harry whispered with his eyes wide open, "Why didn't you tell me about that?"
"I didn't want your pity." Hermione muttered.
"Oh 'Mione." Harry said, carefully holding her. He looked angrily at Ron.
"Now you believe her?" he asked.
Ron just stared at her, he opened his mouth a couple of times before something decent came out. "So she's pregnant of...of Malfoy." he asked Harry, keeping his eyes on Hermione.
"Yes, M-a-l-f-o-y," Harry spelled annoyed , "Ferret boy, son of Lucius Malfoy, the one who we thougt was the heir of Slytherin, the one who helped me defeat Voldemort, the one who defeated me the last time with Quidditch, the one I lost ten years to....do I really have to go on or do I have to draw you a picture?"
"Okay," Ron slowly said, "I think I'm going to lie down for a couple of hours in my room now."
He rose from the floor and dragged himself up the stairs. The door didn't even slam shut.
"Well...that could've been worse." Harry said thoughtfully.
Hermione sighed and let herself fall into a seat. She was exhausted.
Author's note: Hey, I'm getting good at writing longer chapters! Ok, now you still don't know much more, this wasn't a real cliffie but the next chapter will be a little more ... euhm ... reveiling. :-) R&R!!! And thanks for all the reviews!!! Happy new year! *don't get too drunk!*
Dracoz-wun-gurl : Thank you for the hint! :-) And I'll read your story very soon.
Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's : Of course I'm cruel and heartless, that's why I became a writer ;-)
Vilmathien : About that fifth year stuff, I'll tell you in the following chapters, patience is a virtue :-)
Tracy3 : You hate cliffies? I don't ;-) *It's a way to satisfy my evil side!
Pyrope : Thank you for your review! I don't even know myself how I come up with this stuff!
BebopQueen : Thank you for the compliment! And to help you sort you thoughts: she didn't do it with Draco in Dumbledore's waiting room, they did it in his Slytherin room. That was two months ago.
Aileen_Malfoy : Wow, cool! I have a Polish reader!
AndinaOfRivendell : You crazy girl! Thank you for reviewing almost every chapter!