One bright morning, a few weeks ago, Hermione Granger had gone to Madame Pomfrey seeking…well…medical advice, as one shall call it. And it was at that time that Hermione had discovered that she was indeed with child. In their hushed discussion that followed the discovery, what the two witches had failed to notice was an occupied bed, all the way down the row of cots, the last one on the left by the window. And that is where Draco Malfoy lie.
He had come to Madame Pomfrey not moments before, complaining of a terrible headache and upset stomach. Normally, she would immediately turn him away and scold him for missing class, but Draco Malfoy was not looking his best these days. No, Draco had changed…and not for the better. For since he had joined the Death Eaters, Draco had become very thin, developed gaunt-like features, and, well, managed to look dreadfully awful. So when he did approach Madame Pomfrey and ask her if he could lie down, she guided him without word to the last cot on the left hand side, and as soon as he settled, she placed some privacy sheaths around the bed. But even though young Malfoy was not feeling up to par, this did not necessarily mean that his hearing was not perfectly intact. Malfoy managed to hear every last bit of the conversation between Madame Pomfrey and Hermione, and it was this information that he fed to the Dark Lord himself.
And in the Great Hall that very morning, Draco was soaking in every last bit of the Trio's reaction to the gift from the Dark Lord. Suddenly, he saw Professor McGonagle approach the three, and Draco quickly decided that it would be in his better interest to exit the area. He did, after all, have other things to attend to.
'Ms. Granger, are you alright?' the Headmistress asked Hermione in a hushed tone, looking down at the poor girl. Professor McGonagle looked down towards the table and carefully picked up the silver rattle to examine it.
'Yes, Professor, I'm…well…a bit surprised, that's all…' said Hermione, obviously still shaken.
'This came with it,' said Harry, offering up the parchment to the Headmistress. Her eyes scanned the writing.
'Well, this is…this is most disturbing… perhaps Professor Snape ought to have a look at it…' said Professor McGonagle, her eyes still scanning the paper.
'That's quite alright with me,' said Hermione. Freely offering up the rattle and note, she spoke to the Headmistress: '…you can have it all…every last bit of it.' And with a solemn look on the Headmistress' face, a taught toothless smile, she gathered Hermione's gifts and approached Severus Snape, who was already waiting at the entrance of the Great Hall. The two hastily exited their way through the giant doors of the Hall, and continued their conversation in the dungeons.
After moments of silence, it was Ron who spoke first.
'You alright, 'Mione…' Ron said quietly, looking at Hermione.
And all of a sudden, it was as if her Gryffindor bravery kicked in all at once. She looked at Ron with conviction, and spoke to him.
'You know, they can watch me all they want…they, him…whoever it is…' she said, a most determined look on her face.
'Let them try…let them try to get to me…us…' she said, looking at Harry.
Harry looked at her and smiled a grim smile. She was brave, no doubt. Braver than most. And once Hermione Granger was determined, nothing in the world could stop her.
Minutes later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione placed the morning's events in the back of their minds, and the exited the Great Hall and made their way to their classes. Harry, Ron, and Hermione mostly took the same classes in their final year at Hogwarts, with a few exceptions here and there - after all, they were in fact being prepared for their future careers.
Harry and Ron selected classes that would prepare them to become Aurors, while Hermione chose classes that would help prepare her to continue her education and become a Healer. The last year of their schooling was indeed proving to be quite trying. Classes were demanding, professors were eager to give loads of assignments, and to add on top of all of this, Voldemort was still on the loose and growing stronger and stronger.
However, the bitter January days did indeed pass, as did the cold, snow-filled month of February. By the end of March, the air had become warmer, the days just a bit longer, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the spring-like atmosphere.
Hermione had received no other suspicious packages or hideous notes in the mail. Actually, things were going rather well for Hermione. She had gained a bit of weight thus far. Her abdomen was ever so slightly protruding, yet easily concealed beneath her school uniform, and with frequent checkups, she was progressing quite nicely. Much to Harry's relief, Hermione was in much higher spirits. And though her focus was of course on her school work and classes, Hermione also spent some time here and there trying to plan a much more detailed aspect of her life – her wedding.
Harry and Hermione decided that it was best to get married after they had graduated. It would be easier this way. Since the baby would be due sometime in early fall, they had figured that a late June wedding would suit them both. The Headmistress had offered to let them reside at the Castle after graduation, for as long as they needed. They were both humbled by her offering, and were seriously considering her decision. It was Harry, who appreciated her offer most. For he had always felt like Hogwarts was his home – the one place where he truly belonged.
Amidst the warm weather, Harry, Ron, and Hermione decided one afternoon to venture outside for a bit of fresh air. They walked down by the lake, and each chose a rock to sit on. The sun was so warm, so inviting. Hermione closed her eyes, and with a genuine smile across her face, inhaled and exhaled deeply, breathing in the spring air. She grasped her book sack, and took out a bit of parchment.
'What's that you got there?' asked Ron, as he took out a shiny red apple from his book sack to snack on.
'Oh, just a list…' said Hermione, not bothering to look up at Ron. With quill in hand, she wrote, and then stopped, and then would write again, and then stop. The continuous scratching and stopping lasted for a few moments before Harry spoke.
He turned to look at Hermione. 'Is it that list?' he asked her, a smile on his face.
She picked up her eyes from the parchment and looked at him. With an unmistakable grin, she spoke to him. 'Yes, it's that list,' she said, chuckling a bit after her statement.
Harry nodded, and continued staring out onto the serene lake, the grin never leaving his face.
'What list? What are you guys talking about?' asked Ron, who was obviously becoming annoyed that he was not in the loop.
'It's a guest list, Ronald. For the wedding? I need to know who would want to be invited. Well, more like who we would like to come to our wedding…' she added, her quill scratching on the paper.
'Ah, I see…,' said Ron. 'Well, you just…you just keep working on that Hermione. I'm sure you're doing an excellent job,' he said, grinning at her.
Hermione laughed at his remark, showing her beautiful white teeth.
Just then, Dean Thomas and Neville came up to the Trio.
'Hey Ron,' said Neville, approaching the red head, '…did you start your Charms homework yet? I know that Professor Flitwick gave us the same topic this morning, and I had a few questions about-' and before Neville could finish, a miracle occurred.
Ronald Weasley pulled out his finished Charms assignment.
'Ah, here it is…wanna take a look at what I wrote?' asked Ron, placing the apple in his mouth, and taking his homework out of his book sack, obviously proud at his accomplishment.
Hermione extended her arm out to intercept the parchment. 'I don't believe it…,' she muttered to herself, scanning the paper.
'Wow Ron - good job!' said Harry looking at his friend, a grin spreading across his face from ear to ear.
Hermione handed the paper to Neville. 'Well Ron, I must say…I am impressed,' said Hermione.
'Ah, a compliment from you, 'Mione? What could be better?' he said, smiling at the young witch.
Just then Harry stood up. 'Well if you guys wouldn't mind, Hermione and I are going to have a walk around the lake,' Harry said.
'Are we now?' asked Hermione slyly, a grin on her face.
'Yes. We are.' And he extended his arms to Hermione. 'Come on – up. Let's go for a walk.' And Hermione obliged, holding Harry's hand for support as she stood up. The two stepped off of their individual rocks, and landed on solid ground. Hand in hand they walked together along the shore, slowly, taking in the beauty that surrounded them.
They had travelled more than halfway across the lake, where upon they climbed upon some rocks to get a better view of their surroundings. And by all means, the surroundings were absolutely beautiful. The lake was without a ripple, the sky blue as the sea, and a gentle warm breeze blew around them. The water was deep around this particular portion of the lake, but it was worth the sacrifice of the view. In any case, Harry was a phenomenal swimmer, should something happen, but what would ever happen on such a serene, peaceful spring afternoon?
They sat for awhile on the smooth rocks, and then stood up, for Hermione had gotten a cramp in one of her legs and stood up to stretch. They continued standing, chit chatting about little things here and there. About wedding planning. About Harry's desire to become an Auror. About Ron's snoring that wakes up half the dormitory on some nights. And then, Harry spoke about their child.
'Mione, do you…do you want to find out if it's a boy or a girl?' he stammered, obviously nervous, running a hand through his hair. 'I mean, we don't have to, you know…but…but if you could, if you wanted to…would you?' he continued to ask her.
Still standing there, hand in hand, she looked at the ground, and then up at him, and smiled. 'I think that would be lovely,' she said to Harry, her hair blowing around in the soft wind. 'I think I'd like to know…you know me – I always like to be prepared…' she said with a laugh, and Harry joined in her amusement.
'I could talk to Madame Pomfrey about it tomorrow, and see what she has to say,' said Hermione.
They were silent for a moment before Harry spoke.
'I hope it's a boy,' said Harry softly, looking straight in front of him.
'Oh really…' Hermione said with a smile, looking at Harry.
'Really. I want to teach him about Quidditch, and teach him all the good hiding places in Hogwarts, and…well, stuff like that,' said Harry, still not looking at Hermione.
'Hmm…well, what if it's a girl? You can still teach her Quidditch and other things too, you know…' Hermione said.
Harry looked at the beautiful girl standing beside him and turned towards Hermione. He gathered her in his arms, and she tucked into his body like a puzzle piece. He spoke to her: 'You know, 'Mione…it doesn't matter, not really, if it is a boy or a girl…it just matters that it's healthy…' said Harry, looking off towards the lake.
Hermione, still nestled in his arms, spoke to him:
'You still want to find out, don't you…' she said, with a hidden smile.
Harry grinned, and spoke to her:
'Yea, I do.'
Hermione started to laugh, as did Harry. She picked up her head to look at him.
'I do love you Harry,' she said softly to him.
'I love you too, 'Mione…always,' he said to her, looking into her deep brown eyes.
They embraced, and broke apart only to remain in each other's arms, staring at the vast lake that lie before them...
...And all of a sudden, without word or warning, they heard a sinister voice behind them:
'Say Granger – do you know how to swim?'