AN: I appologize for some of the confusion in the end of the last chapter. I was sick, and had too much cold medicine and not enough sleep. Special thanks to for holding all the information one could possibly need on Harry Potter.

The Meaning of Love

The Kiss

Winds of Autumn

To say that Molly was surprised to see Minerva was an understatement. To say she was taken aback by the look on the woman's face... It was disconcerting how the recently appointed Headmistress could so easilly read her prior students. Minerva offered the plump, red haired woman a half smile, hoping to calm her somewhat before she delivered the news. Entering the kitchen, filled with the delicious smells of Molly's cooking, Minerva glanced about.

"Hermione?" she asked softly, hoping that the girl was elsewhere at the moment.

"Upstairs. Why--"

"Shh, Molly. I have important news for you." Glancing around, the older woman cast a silencing charm on the kitchen. She took a seat, waiting until Molly had taken one also. She leaned forward, determination in her aging gaze. "The Malfoy's know, Molly. I don't want to alarm Hermione just yet, but you and Arthur should know. And possibly Potter and George. She'll need constant protection." Her mind whirled, searching for some way to keep a constant watch on Hermione without locking her up or putting an Auror on her tail.

Sighing, she shook her head. She would have to consult Albus over this. Perhaps something she should have done before she left. He would offer round-about logic, but offer hints that would stimulate her brain.

Molly patted her hand, smiling slightly. "We'll think of something," she murmured. "Stay for dinner. I can't send you back that long way without putting something in your stomach."

Minerva nodded, settling in to watch Molly putter around the kitchen making final preparations for dinner, her mind a messy jumble as she tried to figure out a solution. Poor Hermione.

Andromeda and Ted arrived as the sun set, craddling little Teddy and grinning widely. He had recently shown signs of his mothers ability, a metamorphmagus, and was constantly changing his appearance. At present, he sported Andromeda's black hair and dark eyes, alight with good humor as he gurgled and slobered on his fist. When they entered the Burrow's wide yard, Teddy squealed as he saw Harry, his arms flailing as he made his demand known.

Harry grinned, setting down the stack of plates on the table and loping forward to scoop his Godson out of Andromeda's arms. "Hey Teddy!" he greeted, kissing his rosey cheek noisilly. Teddy giggled, grabbing Harry's hair. For a split second, a look of rabid concentration came over his young face, then disappeared as black, messy hair and green eyes became his new appearance. Harry chuckled, shaking his head as he held Teddy. "Come on then, I want you to meet Hermione."

Hermione, who had taken over setting the table when Harry had gone to Teddy, looked up as she heard her name. Her chocolate brown eyes widened as she saw the little Harry look-alike, but she smiled shyly as Harry drew nearer. Her gaze never left the little boy.

"Teddy, this is Hermione," Harry said, grinning at Hermione.

"Myknee," Teddy pronounced, grinning widely. He reached his arms out toward Hermione. She gasped, shaking her head and taking a step back. The action seemed to confuse Teddy, who tilted his head and frowned at her. "Mymy," he repeated, choosing a shortened version in his own language. Hermione's heart melted, and she stepped forward. Harry made it seem so natural to be holding him. Would she know what to do?

"All right," she murmured, hesitantly reaching out. Awkwardly lifting Teddy out of Harry's arms, she settled the young toddler on her hip, her gaze riveted to his face as he stared back at her. He grinned, a tumble of brown curls sprouting from his skull.

"Mymy!" he repeated joyously, smacking his hand to her cheek and holding it there. Hermione grinned, kissing his forehead. It was natural, afterall. With the child growing steadilly in her womb, it was a gift to hold a child in her arms, giving her something real to look forward to. It would be worth it all, she realized in awe, drifting to the garden with Teddy.

Shaking his head, Harry grinned. He assured Andromeda that Teddy would be fine with Hermione-- afterall, she was the brightest witch of the age. He knew no one who knew more spells. As he finished setting the table, his gaze drifted to Hermione and Teddy, his heart warming as he watched them play. She would be a wonderful mother.

"Harry, be a dear and go tell Hermione that dinner is ready?" Molly asked, her voice cutting through his thoughts. Harry nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets and heading toward the garden. He could hear Hermione's laugh, mixed with the innocent, childish sound of Teddy's. It felt good to hear her laugh again. Better than it should feel. He cleared his throat, leaning against a tree a few feet away as he watched. Hermione was on her knees, bent over Teddy and pressing kisses to his face and tickling his sides.

Teddy screamed with laughter, his green eyes sparkling with tears of joy as he wriggled in Hermione's grasp. Harry smiled, then froze. Teddy had his green eyes and Hermione's hair. The sight lodged itself into his brain, evolving and growing until he saw a whole scene; Hermione was standing in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place, cooking breakfast with a toddler on her hip. He entered slowly, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. Smiling brilliantly, Hermione turned and bid him good morning, setting the spatula down and caressing the enormous buldge of her stomach. The toddler on her hip cried 'Daddy' and reached for him, Hermione's eyes staring back at him from a face that resembled his, beneath a mop of messy black hair.

Harry jerked, feeling guilty. But not that guilty. He should be imagining Ginny, not Hermione. He shook his head, shoving a hand through his hair. "Dinner's ready," he forced out, turning on his heel and nearly running away. It was wrong. All wrong.

Hermione frowned, lifting her head to watch Harry walk away. Her attention was pulled back to Teddy as he grabbed a handful of her hair, tugging. She grinned, lifting his shirt and giving him a raspberry that got him squealing again. She moved to her feet, bending to swing him up again and settle him in her arms. Teddy grinned, watching her as her feet walked them back to the others.

Minerva smiled upon seeing them, deciding that maybe things would be all right afterall.

Dinner went well, with Hermione joining in the conversation again. Teddy wasn't willing to be parted from her, so he sat on her lap as she ate and fed him. Harry was torn by the sight, knowing now that Ginny would never live up to Hermione in his dreams. His best friend, beautiful and perfect, innocent and brilliant-- who'd always been there for him and had suffered for her loyalty. Ginny was a crush, something that would last because everyone expected it to. But who would be there for Hermione? Who would be there to hold her hand when her pregnancy was so far along that she couldn't see her feet? Who would be there to coach her through labor and help her care for her baby?

He would.

He would be there for her until she no longer wanted him, until their skin wrinkled and they needed help to get from place to place. He would be there for her when they were on their death beds. He stared at her, at the healthy flush that was under her peaches and cream skin, at the obvious happiness in her gaze that had been absent for so long. He had missed it, he realized. He had missed the excited sparkle in her brown eyes.

He swallowed thickly, dropping his gaze to his plate. Somehow, even in the trance that he'd been in, he'd managed to eat every bite of food on his plate. He grinned slightly, refilling his plate. No one could pass up Molly's cooking, not paying attention or otherwise. He dug in, determined to push Hermione from his mind. It worked, for about two minutes.

The conversation around him went in one ear and out the other, not really registering as he shot glances at Hermione and Teddy. She was a natural, glowing with the love she already felt for the boy. Harry was happy for her.

Molly saw the change in Harry, as did Minerva. Neither commented on it-- it was a change that Harry would have to deal with in his own time. Molly lamented for the pain it would cause Ginny, though, even as she rejoiced for the happiness she knew Hermione would find. The girl deserved it, and more.

"More potatoes, Hermione?" Molly inquired, smiling. Teddy was covered in them, and had transfered some into Hermione's curls. She laughed as Hermione's eyes widened and she shook her head frantically, trying to wipe the potatoes from Teddy's hands and face. Molly chuckled, watching fondly.

"I'm sorry, Molly, but we really have to be going now. We'll have to do this again sometime. I had a wonderful time. And I can see Teddy did too," Andromeda said, smiling softly at the scene before her. She shook her head, knowing Teddy would need a bath.

"Oh, no problem Andromeda. You're welcome any time. And Teddy too. He's a joy," Molly beamed, turning her gaze to Teddy as he eyed his grandmother, snuggling into Hermione's breast.

"Mymy!" he cried, fisting his hands in her shirt.

"Teddy, you have to go with your Grandma," Harry started patiently. Teddy shook his head, hiding his face in Hermione's chest. Hemrione smiled, rubbing a hand gently down his back.

"How about I come see you? Hmm? Would you like that, Teddy?" she asked softly, brushing a kiss against his temple.

Teddy lifted his head, his eyes studying her face before he reluctantly nodded.

"There we go. Come on, you need a bath before you go to sleep," Hermione continued, kissing his forehead as she stood and carried him around the table to Andromeda. The older woman smiled, taking Teddy into her arms. "You have a natural gift, Hermione. You'll be a wonderful mother. Feel free to come by and see Teddy any time." Kissing Hermione's forehead, her and Ted started up the hill with Teddy.

Hermione smiled, hugging her waist and watching Teddy disappear into the night with his grandparents. As Molly and Minerva retired to the kitchen to continue their earlier conversation, Harry approached Hermione nervously. He didn't remember ever being so nervous in his life. He cleared his throat, shoving his hands into his pockets and waiting until Hermione turned her attention to him. He nearly swallowed his tongue. The light from the house played upon her face, her soft smile and the loving look in her eyes making her the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen.

He moved, falling back into the trance he'd been in earlier. Her trance. He reached for her, gripping her arms gently as he drew her toward him. He could feel the gently sloping curve of her growing belly, barely noticeable to anyone who wasn't knowledgeable. He cupped her cheek, his thumb feathering along the line of her cheek bone as he leaned forward. Her eyes widened slightly, though not in alarm, as she watched him. Their eyes locked, a mutual awareness of what was going to happen before it happened.

Their lips met, softly at first. Then, again, more desperate. Harry slid a hand into Hermione's hair, tilting her head back as his tongue slid between her lips, finding hers, luring it into a dance. Hermione's eyes darkened, fluttered closed as she melted against him. Her arms went around him, clinging to him as he devoured her mouth. She had never felt like this. Had never felt this sense of connection, of wholeness.

She was the first to pull away, her chest heaving as she drew breath in. They stood, staring at each other, locked in the treacherous embrace that was destroying the bounds of friendship that had been their relationship for seven years. Slowly, Hermione drew away, keeping his gaze until she was a good distance away. Then she turned, waving her wand to send the dishes and the food into the kitchen. She followed, bidding Molly and Minerva good night as she hurried up to George's room to hide.

What had Harry done? He'd awakened her to the old heartache, the feelings that she had burried when she'd realized there would never be a chance. She curled up on George's bed, hugging his pillow close. She had just started to put it behind her, to welcome the drastic change in her life, and Harry had ruined it all. He had confused her, made her wonder if there was a chance after all.