Hermione felt very bad for Harry and Ginny. Part of her argued passionately that it wasn't enough that Harry was responsible for the lives and well being of millions upon millions of people, now he had a child to worry about too. This little one would become Voldemort's chief target before he or she was ever born. And Ginny...she was so young, and she still had nearly two years of school left. How was she to raise a child too? Her larger, more rational side told her that it had been highly irresponsible of them to get involved like that when they already had so many heavy burdens to carry. Harry, her best friend...he was going to be a father. In a strange way, though, despite all of the negative evidence, she was happy for them. They were one of those couples you just knew were destined to be together. They always had a fire that radiated from them when they were around each other. It had been evident from the start that there was no one else for either of them. Their childish ways of avoiding their feelings had subsided, though, rather quickly at that. Harry had done what ws possibly the most romantic thing any man had ever done to let a girl know how he felt. He scooped her up into a full-fledged Hollywood kiss, without a word or a sign. Hermione sighed. Her boys really had come a long way. They had both turned into such sensitive, caring, lovable young men. Well...at least when it mattered most they came through. It had proven to be quite a night for all of them. Ron had finally asked her the question she had been waiting to hear since she was twelve years old. He was her's, and only her's...for as long as he would have her. For all of Hermione's confidence and accomplishments, she was utterly terrified of the day when Ron would see her for what she was...a shy, unimportant little bookworm. Hermione Granger had spent her entire life hiding who she was. She didn't start out loving books, as a matter of fact, she had had a mild learning disability as a child. The other children always made fun of her, called her stupid. It was at the tender age of eight that Hermione made the oath. She remembered the day so vividly that it was as though it had only been a moment ago. She had run crying into the village chapel one afternoon, after a particularly traumatizing day. She had thrown herself on the floor in front of the altar and promised to dedicate her life to standing up for those in need if God would help her read and write, and do her schoolwork. Her little spirits had been rekindled in a way she had never thought possible. She had discovered a way of becoming impervious to the taunts and insults of others. She spent every moment of every day working on her studies. She moved from the bottom of her class to the top in one year's time. After that her books became her refuge, her best friends. Hermione had discovered the secret to guarding her heart. Books could never change their minds, they were always predictable, and always there. A book would never forsake you, and if you weren't satisfied with how things were going, you just closed it's pages. Books kept you in constant control of the situation at hand. Love wasn't like that. The moment she laid eyes on Ronald Weasley, she felt the very foundations of her sanctuary start to shake. This continued until, when the dust finally cleared, the gawky boy that had once stood before her was no more. In his stead was a man, a man who had stolen Hermione's fragile heart and brought her out of her shell.

Coming out of her nostalgia, Hermione decided to go see how Ginny was faring. She didn't think it was an easy thing to live with. Harry thought it was hard being the "Chosen One"...Hermione couldn't imagine the emotional stamina it would take to be carrying his child. Harry's child...it was still such a foreign concept. Ginny had always had a maternal air about her. She was more like her mother han she'd ever admit. It wasn't hard to see Ginny as a parent, she kind of always had been, what with all of those brothers that thought she was the one in need of protection. She worried and fretted and mothered everyone around her. Ginny was born for this, but not Harry. Harry had never gotten to be a child himself. Hermione hoped things would work out better than they had so far. She opened the door to the sixth year girls' dormitories. Ginny's bed was surrounded by her roomates. She had the curtains closed, and apparently had put up sealing and silencing charms around them. Hermione was in no mood for a strip of worn velvet to get in her way. With a wave of her wand, the curtains flew back violently. Satisfied, Hermione walked through the swarm of girls and perched next to Ginny on the bed. She then put the charms back up, with a few extras just to be on the safe side.

"Okay, Gin, let's talk. When did this happen?" Hermione asked assertively.

"Well, now, you don't waste any time, do you?" Ginny asked, almost laughing. "All right, if you must know, it was the night before Harry went off with Dumbledore. I had a feeling something was coming, so I went up to his dormitory to see him. He looked troubled. I tried to console him, and I guess I succeeded. One thing led to another...and...well, this happened." Ginny gestured to her stomach, which was just barely larger than normal. Hermione hadn't even noticed any change. Ginny smiled, tears in her eyes. "Don't feel bad, 'Mione. I'm rather glad of it actually, not that I planned it, but...I mean...we all hope that Harry comes out of this alive, me more than anyone...But, if...if something were to happen, it's like I'll always have a part of him with me. Hermione, I just...I've always wanted children, and I wouldn't have them by anyone else. I love him...I love Harry with every ounce of my soul. I have since I was ten years old. I saw him, and I just...I fell in love with him. I wanted to take care of him, to belong to him. And now I have that chance." Ginny was crying in earnest by now. Hermione felt herself losing control as well. She hugged her friend close.

"I know exactly how you feel." Hermione sniffed. Ginny pulled away. She laughed through her tears.

"I always wanted a sister, you know." Ginny chuckled, still in semi-hysterical sobs. Hermione raised one eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Oh please, you think Ron'll ever let you go now that he has you? I remember once he threw every last knut he had into the wishing well in Hogsmeade. You know what he said? He said "Give me Hermione, that's it, that's all I want." Harry and I saw him. He doesn't know, but we saw. He wants to marry you, I know it." Ginny's voice was getting steadier.

"So you're all right? Nothing I can do?" Hermione asked, smiling. Ginny nodded.

"I'm great, and...no, I can't think of anything, but thanks." Ginny was smiling broadly. Hermione nodded and left her to her thoughts. She decided that this was a good time to go check on Ron. With all that had happened, he might be in need of some consoling.