AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 30

Hermione was seated on one of the stools around the island in the center of the kitchen. She had her head hung in one hand, as she tried to ignore her nausea. Sure, it had faded somewhat after puking out everything in the toilet. Still, she felt terrible. She hated Harry and Sirius for acting so irrational like children. Yet, she wasn't surprised by their actions.

"Drink this… Princess" Tonks told her as she placed a cup of tea in front of her. She didn't know what to call her, but addressed her in a manner that was respectable. "It'll make you feel better."

"Don't call me that Tonks. We are not in a formal meeting, and I really don't like protocol all too well," Hermione groaned and looked at her. "Plus, we're friends."

Tonks smiled and urged her to drink. She watched Hermione drink as she rubbed the back of Hermione's neck, massaging it slightly. "Do you want me to call Severus and ask him to being a potion for you?"

Hermione shook her head. "I already drank a potion this morning. It didn't work all too well." She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Why do they have to be so difficult?"

"Remus will talk some sense into them. They'll come around eventually."

"What about you? Aren't you mad?"

"Not mad, but surprised. You don't have to explain things to me Hermione, I understand. Like Remus told me before, it's all for the war."

"Thanks," Hermione said softly. She was grateful that Tonks wasn't giving her such a difficult time. She had accepted the truth as it was. How she wished all her friends, and everyone else were not too difficult. Still, there were others that didn't know.

"Hi," Harry said as he took one step into the kitchen. He was calm now, with his temper gone. Now he wanted to talk to Hermione and hear everything that she had to say. Remus had talked some sense into him. Sirius on the other hand was obviously a very different and difficult subject. He was still with Remus, locked up in the study.

Hermione looked at him, but didn't say anything.

"Harry, don't you dare give Hermione a bloody hard time now," Tonks warned. "She still isn't feeling too well."

Harry shook his head. "I won't. I just want to talk, if you're up to it Hermione."

"It's okay Tonks," Hermione assured her.

"Just give a shout if you need anything," she told Hermione. She then left the kitchen, giving the two some privacy.

The both of them sat in front of each other. Eyes glanced at each other from time to time, as each of them waited for the other one to start. There was an uneasy silence between them both.

"Just say what you have to say Harry. Call me a liar, or a traitor if you want to," Hermione finally said. "I'm not going to stop you or blame you… I probably do deserve it after lying to you all these years."

"Why Hermione?" Harry asked. He didn't specify why, for he wanted to know the truth about everything. All the whys. Hermione was agitated, he could tell. It was he and Sirius that were to blame. It was all because of their reactions. This time, he promised to remain calm, or at least, try to. He was going to listen to her this time around.

"I had no choice Harry. My family did everything to protect me and the throne," Hermione started. She started explaining and telling the story from the beginning. Her grandmother being a seer, and some of the visions that she saw. Then, she told him that the Malfoys being close friends with her family for a long time. Sacrifices for them and everyone had to be made, and were made.

Harry listened intently. He continued to remain silent, as his face tried to remain impassive. A few times though, he did seem surprised. There was truly more to the war than he expected. There was more than just him being the Boy-That-Lived. Voldemort had more plans.

"So when my parents were murdered that was when my grandfather decided that it was time," she concluded.

"If you had to marry to get ready to be queen… why Snape?" Harry finally spoke. She didn't tell him how he fit in the picture. Marrying him, really, didn't make sense.

Hermione sighed. "My grandmother saw him in her visions Harry. He's my soulmate. If I married someone else, then everything would have fallen apart."

"So you knew? You and Ron not being together?"

She nodded. "I just gave him a chance because he was all annoying. You know how he can get. It was always Severus."

Hearing Hermione use his first name was a surprise for Harry, or perhaps not. They were married after all. "Hermione… do you love him? Do you love Snape?"

"I know it's hard to believe Harry, but I do," she answered.

With a nod, Harry accepted her answer.

Hermione expected Harry to say something, but he didn't. "Harry, if you're mad, and don't want to speak to me ever again, I understand," she said sadly. If Harry were never to trust her again, she couldn't blame him.

Harry slid off his chair and walked over to Hermione. He stood at her side, as she looked at him with some sadness in her eyes. "I understand. I'm can't be mad. We're still friends," he said with a smile.

A smile broke on Hermione's face. She threw her arms around Harry's neck and gave him a big hug. She instantly felt his arms wrap around her, in a friendly and brotherly embrace. "It means a lot to me—you mean a lot to me," she said as she pulled away.

"So do you Hermione," he said back.

"Does that mean you agree on taking Occulemency lessons with Lucius?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't have a choice. Like you said, it's all for the war."

"What about Draco?"

"I can't promise that I won't stop hating him," Harry answered. It also meant that he didn't deny the possibility of them becoming friends. He respected the fact that she and Draco were friends, and couldn't judge her by it. "But… Sirius is a little difficult to deal with, and so is Ron," he added.

"I understand Sirius, but what of Ron?"

"Do you plan to tell him?"

"I… actually… I don't think that it's a good idea. He defiantly will have the worst reaction over everything, and not take it all too well."

"He still likes you, maybe even loves you," Harry said. "And… he hates your grandfather."

"What?" Hermione asked in shock and confusion. What did her grandfather do to Ron?

"He said stuff like your grandfather was chicken, and that's why he went into hiding. You—I mean his heir being fake, and what not."

Hermione was shocked to hear what Harry said about Ron. Then again, the boy always had his own opinion about things, and saw things differently. "Then it's a good thing we're keeping him out of things."

"I agree with you," Harry said. He could just imagine how Ron would react over everything. It could possibly even worse than the way Sirius reacted. Sense could get kicked into Sirius, thanks to Remus. Ron though, it was hard to get sense into him, even if both Harry and Hermione tried.

Hermione closed her eyes, and massaged her temple. She was starting to get dizzy again.

"You okay?" Harry asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm just a little dizzy that's all. Stress," she replied when she opened her eyes.

"Well, maybe you should lie on the couch and rest a bit," Harry suggested. He helped Hermione off the stool, and walked with her to the living room.

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AN – Harry accepted things nicely. As for Sirius, Remus took care of him. Lastly, you are all so smart. Yes, Hermione is pregnant. However, I won't let them know yet. Maybe a few more chaps. Let's just go with the stress excuse now. Review!