The Start of Our Lives
Summary: After a drunken one night stand, bushy-haired bookworm Hermione Granger finds out that she is pregnant to none other than Master of Apathy Draco Malfoy. They begin their lives as teenage parents and learn to live together and maybe even eventually fall in love? Read & Review.
A/N: THANX SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS GUYS! I REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE IT :)
Chapter Four: A Proposal
Pavati Patil and Lavender Brown watched their roommate struggle to do up the last buttons of her white school shirt and then strive and fail to zip up her black skirt. They knew the reason why. Hermione had confessed her pregnancy after Lavender had watched her make a peanut-butter and mash sandwich for lunch one day and then Pavarti had been unfortunate enough to witness the contents being thrown up in the middle of the night.
"Ugh!" Hermione cried. "How am I supposed to fix this?"
She turned around and faced the girls with her hands on her hips. The situation would have been funny if she hadn't been glowering at them as if this was their fault.
"Well, for one thing, you could try not wearing your school uniform on a Saturday," Pavarti snickered. Hermione glowered at her. Pavarti and Lavender exchanged glances.
"What?" Hermione snapped.
"Nothing!" Lavender replied. "It's just that... Hermione... you're gaining weight."
"You don't think I've noticed?" Hermione retorted as she unzipped her skirt and stepped out of it. Lavender smiled, stood up and hugged Hermione.
"You're supposed to put on weight, Hermione! You're pregnant." She ran her hand across Hermione's stomach as if it prove it.
"Yeah!" Pavarti chimed in. "You should embrace it."
Hermione stared at Pavarti as if she were a martian from outer space. "I don't want to embrace it, Pav! I'm sixteen for Christ sakes!"
She yanked off her shirt and threw it onto the floor. Lavender and Pavarti had always been comfortable in walking around the dormitory with nothing but their underwear and bra. Hermione had always refused to participate so they were surprised to see her do so then. Hermione turned and stared at herself in Lavender's full-length mirror. She examined the bump that had started to form between her hips. Pavarti and Lavender stood next to her and they both put their hands on Hermione's bare stomach.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Seriously, guys, haven't you had enough?"
"Enough of what?" Pavarti asked as she rubbed it in circular motions.
"Enough of rubbing my stomach? You both spent all last night talking to the baby, do you have to do it again?"
Lavender sighed and stepped back. "You're right, 'Mione, sorry."
Pavarti didn't seem to hear Hermione as she was now cooing to her stomach, "You're gonna have the greatest aunt in the world, little one, yes you are, yes you are-"
"Pav!" Hermione snapped.
"Sorry."
Hermione bent down and picked up her clothes and tossed them in the hamper by the door. Instead, she pulled on Muggle clothing consisting of ccomfortable track pants with elastic, a dark baggy jumper and her Gryffindor scarf. She flipped her hair over her shoulders and turned to the girls. "Okay, how do I look? Can you see anything."
Lavender adjusted the scarf so that it hung perfectly over the bump. "Now you can't."
Hermione ran a hand through her long hair. "Let's get this day over with."
xox
"Morning, 'Mione!" Ron called cheerfully as Hermione strolled across the grounds with Pavarti and Lavender. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Seamus, Dean and Neville were lounging under a leafy oak tree near the lake. The day was bright and sunny, most likely the last day of sunshine they would see for the rest of the year, so most of the students were outside making the most of it. Hermione tried to smile back but could only manage a grimace as she dropped down next to Ginny.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked hesitantly. Hermione had been so touchy lately that the boys tried not to speak to her if they could help it. As if proving this point, Hermione glared at him.
"Absolutely spiffy." She leaned against the tree that shaded her face from the sun and listened to Dean and Seamus talk about the upcoming Quidditch match.
Ron got up to sit next to Hermione. "Hey," he said quietly.
"Hi," she replied in a mumble. Ron sighed.
"Hermione, I'm sorry about what I did to Malfoy. I was just so angry that you were hurt." He hesistated and then continued. "I was also upset that you were pregnant."
Hermione fidgeted with the hem of her jumper and watched the giant squid propel itself across the black lake. Ron sighed again. "But I promise I'll never lose my temper like that again."
"I don't know if I can believe that Ron," Hermione said quietly. Ron nodded his head.
"Yeah, I don't blame you..." He folded his arms his chest. "So... how did it happen?"
Hermione blushed. As if she wanted to talk to Ron of all people about her and Draco Malfoy. "You mean, how did I get pregnant? The usual way. We were... making out and then... I don't know Ron, it just happened, it was a mistake."
Ron grimaced at the thought of Hermione being anywhere near Malfoy, let alone actually making out with him. "Yeah, if you wanna call it that."
"Ron, I'm sorry! What else do you want me to say?"
Ron looked at her, startled to see that she had tears in her eyes. "What are you crying for?"
"Sorry," she gasped as she wiped them away. "It's these stupid hormones."
Ron laughed weakly and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her head on his chest. "Thanks for being my friend," she said softly.
I wish I were more than that, he thought bitterly. Instead, he just simply kissed her sweet-smelling hair and watched her fall asleep in his arms.
"Ron," Harry whispered, trying not to wake up Hermione.
"Yeah?" Ron absentmindedly began twisting a lock of Hermione's hair around his index finger.
"Are you gonna do it?"
Ron looked up and met Harry's eyes then broke into a slow smile. "Yeah. I think I'll do it tonight."
Harry grinned. "You know that you two are perfect together, right?"
Ron laughed and looked down at Hermione sleeping peacefully against his chest. He hugged her closer to his body. "We are." He peeked up at Harry and leaned his head against the tree. "I really love her, Harry."
"Yeah, I know." Harry touched Hermione's shoulder lightly. "I just can't believe she's having his baby."
Ron's ears turned red. "I want to kill him, I really do. How could he do this to her? She's just so... perfect. There's no other way to describe her."
"Well," Harry sat down on the balls of his feet. "Just as long as you two don't forget about me, I'm happy for you. Besides, you'll make a much better father than Malfoy will."
"You think?" Ron raised a pale eyebrow. "I don't know, I don't really know much stuff about handling kids."
"How hard can it be?"
"You're right." Ron imagined himself kissing Hermione for the first time, cupping her delicate face in his hands and telling her that he loved her. She would be pregnant with his child, not Malfoy's. And then she would whisper that she loved him too and pull him into a long, passionate kiss.
"I'm gonna tell her tonight."
xox
"This is so stupid," Hermione whispered to herself in the common room that night. She was practising all the different types of water charms but she just couldn't get them to be perfect like she usually could. It was ridiculous. This baby was tampering with her concentration.
No, it must be the people. The common room was unusually full for some reason and it was nine o'clock. She threw her wand back in her bag and parked herself in an armchair, huffing angrily.
Harry and Ron entered the Common Room, both looking visibly nervous. Harry scanned the room for Hermione, spotted her and led Ron over to her, who felt as though his legs had been jellyfied.
"Hey, Hermione!" Harry yelled over the chatter. Hermione glanced up, frowning at being interrupted from her sulk. "C'mere."
She threw daggers at him and remained seated.
"Please!" Harry begged.
She scowled deeper and turned away.
Harry turned to Ron. "Looks like you're on your own."
Ron gulped and wiped off a bead of sweat that had formed on his upper lip. "Righto," he said shakily and made his way over to Hermione.
"Hey, Hermione. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"I suppose," she responded irritably.
Ron slid his hand in the pocket of his jeans and smiled. It was still there. "Can you come with me?" He held out a hand and waggled his fingers invitingly. She gave him one withering look before slipping her hand through his fingers and allowing him to guide her through the mass of legs and bags.
Ron stopped in the middle of the room where there was a small space cleared out. He didn't let go of her hand. He turned to face her, cleared his throat anxiously and forced himself to stare deep into her mesmerizing chocolate-coated eyes.
"Hermione, you've been my best friend for the past four years and you know that I would do anything for you-"
"Ron, where are you going with this?" Hermione interrupted.
"Please, Hermione, listen to me." She nodded and let him continue without interruption.
"I just want to let you know that I'm always gonna be there for you, through thick and thin. I promise that I will always stand by your side whenever you need me there. I swear it you Hermione, that I will always, always be there for you. So... I know that Malfoy isn't going to be a good father to your baby but I will be Hermione because I... I love you."
By now everyone in the common room had grown quiet and turned to watch.
"I love you too, Ron. But-"
She was distracted by Ron reaching into his pocket and withdrawing a small box. He got down on one knee and opened it. Gasps and "woos" were echoed throughout the room before it turned completely silent, everyone watching on keenly. Hermione was barely aware of it. All she could focus on was the ring nestled in the navy blue velvet box. Ron took it out and held it up to her.
"Hermione Granger, will you marry me?"
A/N: I left you with a cliffy! Ya, ya, I know. I'm evil but hey, that is what makes a story good. Well, there's an interesting twist for you! Will Hermione say yes? Find out in the next chapter and don't forget to review, review, review! I love hearing your opinions.