In a review for the previous chapter, I was asked if I'm a Parks & Rec fan because of the "I love you and I like you" line. The answer is absolutely, 100% I am! My nickname is actually Leslie Knope because of my undying love for Joe Biden. My coworker once asked if I thought that One Direction guy was hot, and my reply was "He's no Joe Biden." I still don't know what guy I was asked about.


Chapter 13

"It wasn't you, right?" Pansy asked as she and Ron strolled through Hogsmeade. "Because I know Draco isn't your favorite person in the world, but I can't imagine you'd do that to Hermione."

Frowning, Ron shook his head. "I'd never do that to her," he said. "Just because we broke up doesn't mean I stopped loving her completely. I'd never want to hurt her though, and this...this is just awful. Even if she could have a kid and decided she didn't want to, I don't think that's a bad thing."

"Ron Weasley - Champion of Women's Rights," Pansy joked. "You're right though. It should be her choice. I just wish it actually were a choice for her. I also wish I knew who talked to the Prophet. Has Hermione said anything to you about the story?"

He hadn't spoken to the couple in days, but Ginny had attempted to contact Hermione when the story broke. She spoke to no one and had called in sick to work. "Malfoy's staying at her flat," he reported. "The floo's been cut off temporarily. Of all the things that have been written about her, I think this one hurts the most."

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Hermione stared at the newspaper as she lay in bed. Groaning, Draco rolled over and opened his eyes. "How can someone be so cruel?" she wondered. Sitting up, he took the paper from her hands. "Letters to the editor, suggesting you leave me because I refuse to give you children. Apparently, I'm as horrible as Voldemort for hindering your chances of having the family you want."

Draco tossed aside The Daily Prophet in a fit of anger. "Why does this matter?" he demanded. "What does it matter what strangers think of us? I'm not mad at you. I don't hate you. I won't leave you, Hermione. What these people who don't know us think means nothing."

She stared at him, wide eyed and a bit fearful of his outburst. "It's not that," she murmured. "I do feel bad, and no amount of you saying that it's alright really makes it alright. I know you're trying to be supportive, and I love you for that. Knowing I can't have something I want hurts though, and being criticized by the wizarding world because I can't have a baby hurts even more."

His anger dissipated as he held her. "I'm sorry," he whispered, kissing her temple. "It's not fair to you. They don't know the reasons, and they don't have to, but to say what's been said is downright cruel. You don't deserve this."

"What if I did talk to the papers?" she wondered. "Get my side of the story out there. Maybe it would garner some sympathy, and people will leave us alone."

"Or Rita Skeeter twists it around to make it sound like an excuse for not doing your 'womanly duties'," he replied, playing devil's advocate. "I think there are enough people in our world who would support you, but that won't prevent backlash."

Though she knew he was right, it was a chance she was willing to take. Getting out of bed, she contacted an old friend who worked for The Daily Prophet. Padma Patil, a former Ravenclaw, agreed to meet at Hermione's flat the next day at noon for the exclusive.

"Am I doing the right thing?" she asked Draco. "And feel free to lie to me."

Laughing, he nodded. "I think so," he replied. "You've never been one to care what others think of you, but this is too personal and too serious to allow others to slander you."

The next day, Padma entered Hermione's flat with a warm, friendly smile and a hug. "Thank you so much for this," she said as Hermione offered her tea. "I want you to know that you'll have final approval on the article. After everything you've done for our world, it seems only fair. I want you to have your say without journalistic bias. We can start whenever you're ready."

Taking a deep breath, Hermione recounted for the first time the torture she suffered at the hands and wand of Bellatrix Lestrange. She shared her post-war medical check ups and the time spent in therapy. With tears in her eyes, she told Padma about the day she learned she would never have a baby.

"How does Draco feel?" Padma asked when she finished.

Dabbing away the tears that clouded her vision, Hermione smiled. "I'm lucky," she said. "He's loving and supportive. He's never once made me feel unwhole or defective."

"Did Ron make you feel that way?"

"It was different," she explained. "We were ready to get married by the time I found out. Draco found out before our relationship really progressed. I think it was easier for Draco to accept than it was for Ron, especially since we had discussed having a family of our own."

Padma nodded solemnly as she wrote. Ron and Hermione seemed like the picture perfect couple despite the rocky start to their friendship. It had saddened her to read that their engagement had been called off only months earlier. Knowing the truth, she felt bad for the pair. "Do you mind if I ask about the rumors that Ron is now dating Pansy Parkinson?" she inquired.

"Pansy's become a good friend," Hermione told her. There was no hint of jealousy or anger as she spoke of the budding relationship. "Gryffindors and Slytherins are notorious for their rivalry, but I feel as if we've all managed to overcome that. It's an amazing thing to witness, and hopefully future Hogwarts students learn from our example. I wish Draco and Pansy had been our friends back then because they are two of the nicest, giving people I've known."

Setting aside her notepad and quill, Padma leaned forward as if she had a secret. "You know the rumor that Rita Skeeter is an illegal Animagus, right?" she asked. Hermione nodded. She had discovered that as a fourth year. "She's been using that to bug - pardon the pun - various places where your friends might be. For instance, the 1998 Foundation offices."

Hermione's eyes widened. "You're sure about this?" she asked.

Padma nodded. "Her unnamed sources are usually her," she replied. "Or she makes a friend and uses their hair for a Polyjuice transformation. She's had a hard time making friends lately, so my guess is she's using her Animagus ability to get the scoops she needs."

"I knew I should have reported her back then," Hermione muttered. "Any ideas for how to stop her?"

Sadly, the reporter shook her head. "She's the top writer the Prophet has," she said. "The powers that be will never get rid of her. Although, you've got connections with the Minister of Magic. Perhaps if he knew what was going on, he could do something."

Hermione grinned. "Padma, I like the way you think."