12 September, Sunday, 1930 BST
Hermione had used the floo network to arrive at the Potter household for the usual Sunday dinner. She took a breath as Harry hugged her in greeting. They walked into the dining room. Hermione half-expected to see the platinum blonde sitting at the table but knew he wouldn't be there.
Ginny, being a married non-teaching staff member, was allowed to take some weekends off. She would be flooing back to Hogwarts in the morning. Ginny greeted her as she sat at the table.
"Let's tuck in, shall we," Mrs. Molly Weasley said as everyone sat.
o-o-o
12 September, Sunday, 2239 BST
Hermione sipped her tea as Ginny walked into the living room from putting the kids to bed. Ginny joined her husband on the loveseat. The elder Weasleys had left a half hour ago.
"Do you go in for a shift tomorrow, Hermione?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah," the Muggle-born answered, yawning. She looked at the two of them and blurted out, "I'm pregnant."
Harry spewed what tea was left in his mouth. Ginny looked at her gobsmacked. Hermione gulped as she looked up at them.
"Wow," Harry said. "Whose?"
"Please don't ask," she said, tears streaming down her face. Ginny came to sit next to Hermione and placed an arm around her shoulder.
"It was a one time thing," the Muggle-born told them.
"Did he hurt you?" Ginny asked.
Hermione shook her head, bending the truth a little. "No," she said looking down at her hands. "We decided we were better off just being friends."
"Does he know about the pregnancy?" Ginny asked.
Hermione hesitated for a split second. "He's out of the picture," she said softly.
"I'm sorry, Hermione," Harry said as he put his arm around her shoulder, too.
"You guys have to promise you won't tell anybody," Hermione said, gulping.
"It'll be pretty hard to cover that up once your stomach starts to stick out," Harry said.
"Harry!" Ginny said, looking sternly at her husband.
"Just promise me you won't tell anybody in the Wizarding World," Hermione said.
Harry studied his friend's face for a moment. He nodded, silently promising. Ginny did the same thing.
"Hey, everything is going to be alright, Hermione," Ginny said squeezing her shoulder reassuringly again.
o-o-o
20 October, Wednesday, 2350 BST
Draco leaned his back against one of the posts in the tall tower. The open window looked over the Hogwarts grounds, Black Lake and Forbidden Forest. He had just finished his rounds, making sure there were no students out of bed. He smiled as he opened the envelope and extracted the paper.
My dearest Draco,
I'm glad to hear that the first half of the first term has ended well and no major mishaps have occurred. I'm sure Ginny's happy about that. I'm sure the students are enjoying your instruction.
The colder autumn season has increased the number of ER visitors. I find it hard to find time to put pen to paper these days. Please forgive me for that.
As eleven year olds, would you have ever imagined us being pen pals? We're an unlikely pair, don't you think? Who would have thought a Gryffindor Lioness and a Slytherin Serpent could ever get along? I guess the years have made us both more open to that thought. Rather silly and sentimental, huh?
Thank you so much for being a friend, Draco. I guess one thing I regret is not being able to have said that sooner.
Look at me jabbering on. This letter's probably put you to sleep, by now. Good night, Draco.
Love always,
Hermione
Draco smiled to himself as he ran a finger over the closing of the letter; unbeknownst to him that this would be the last one he would be receiving from her. He stood up, folded the yellow memo pad paper, and placed it back into the envelope.
He looked over the lake and the treetops of the forest in front of him. He sighed as he headed back down the steps of Astronomy tower.
o-o-o
31 October, Sunday, 12:30 BST
Hermione had given notice to her landlady, Mrs. Thelma Thompson two weeks ago. Hermione was going to vacate her apartment.
It was a difficult decision for Hermione to make. Since deciding to keep the child over a month ago, medical bills for her cancer treatment and prenatal care mounted.
She told herself that it would be a temporary solution for her to stay at a women's shelter. Both Harry and Dr. Masterson had offered her a guest room. She declined.
Harry had helped her move most everything into a self-storage facility; all the while still trying to convince her to move in with him and Ginny. Hermione, as usual, wouldn't have anything to do with it.
Hermione had already moved her essential clothing and toiletries to the shelter about a kilometer from St. Augustine's Hospital. She looked around her now empty apartment for the last time as she placed her palm over her midsection. The baby had given a swift kick.
"We're going to be alright, Drew," she said rubbing her tummy.
She had settled on the unisex name quite a while ago before she had discovered she would be having a girl. It was a nice strong sounding, concise name that hopefully wouldn't get as butchered as her own. It did also pay homage to the baby's father; although Hermione hoped she would never have to tell him that anecdote.
She pulled her satchel onto her shoulder and sighed. 'No Halloween candy tonight,' she thought. She used her key for the last time before heading to Mrs. Thompson's apartment.
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