Chapter Six: Hermione's POV
Hermione and Fred returned to the common room to wait for their parents' arrival in Hogsmeade. Fred helped Hermione through the portrait hole and accompanied her to the comfy armchairs by the fireplace. She sat down tucking her legs under her. It was crowded in the common room. Everyone was excitedly chatting. The Yule Ball was now just a few short days away.
Fred had walked over to join his brother and Lee Jordan. He seemed in much better spirits than when she had first exited the hospital wing. He had told her everything that had occurred since she last seen him. She could see Professor McGonagall's concern, but Professor McGonagall had not seen how quickly Fred had matured since learning he would be a father.
Hermione was lost in her thoughts, so she didn't hear her name called the first time. "Hermione?" She jerked at the voice closer to her ear this time.
"What? Oh, hi, Harry." She smiled warmly. "Did you find Ron?"
"Yeah, he's been down with Hagrid all day." Harry sighed. "He's not talking to me. I guess you told him everything." Harry asked sitting next to her.
"Yes, he didn't take it well. Not that I expected him to. It didn't help that he walked in on Fred and I snogging last night," Hermione blushed, looking toward the table where Fred, George, and Lee were talking animatedly. Fred looked over at her and smiled.
"I imagine not. I looked for you this morning, where were you?" I tried to ask Fred, but Lee and George were there. Fred was angry so I assumed Ron had read the riot act." Harry was absently picking his fingernails.
"Oh, he said many hurtful things last night, but he was angry. It was to be expected. No, Fred wasn't angry about that. And in answer to your question, I was in the hospital wing." Hermione wasn't sure how much she should tell Harry. She thought it would be best to wait until after the meeting with the Weasley's and her parent's.
"Are you okay?" Harry looked at her with concern. "Were you hurt?"
"No, nothing like that. Yes, harry I'm fine." Hermione decided to change the subject. "Have you figured out the golden egg yet?"
Harry huffed exasperatedly, "No, and I'm not sure I will."
"Harry you only have two months left to figure it out." Hermione wasn't sure harry was taking this seriously. "You need this clue to understand what you're meant to do."
"I know that Hermione." Harry rolled his eyes. "Sorry," he apologized, "I'm just a bit on edge. I want to understand who is trying to kill me this time."
"Hermione," she looked up and saw Lavender standing there with a note. "Professor McGonagall asked me to give you this." She handed Hermione the note. "Would it be weird if went to the dance with Ron?" He asked me a little while ago, but I assumed the two of you were going together?" she asked with a hopeful expression.
"Not at all," Hermione gave her a gentle smile. "If you like Ron, I say go for it."
"Oh, thanks," Lavender skipped happily away.
Hermione opened the note and read it. She rose to her feet. "Harry, I'm sorry but I must go. I'll see you this evening at dinner."
She looked over at Fred and caught his eye. Shed headed out the portrait hole. After she exited, she realized she had forgotten her scarf. As she turned to crawl back in, Fred exited the portrait hole and wrapped the scarf around her. "I think you forgot this," he smiled down at her. She blushed and smiled back up at him.
"So, are you ready to face our parents," he asked grinning.
"I think I'd rather face You-Know-Who," she laughed nervously.
They joined hands and headed down the staircase.
Outside, snow was falling on the grounds. The fresh powder gleamed like diamonds across the landscape. It was bitterly cold. She began to shiver so Fred tucked her into his arm. She was still amazed at how perfectly they fit together. Like two perfect pieces of a puzzle.
The walk didn't seem quite long enough. With every step, Hermione grew more anxious.
"You are shaking so hard MY teeth are rattling," Fred chuckled. "Are you terribly cold?"
"I'm cold, but I think this is more from my nerves. What do you think they'll say?" Hermione looked up at him.
"I'm not sure. I don't imagine it'll be a pleasant conversation. The only thing I know for certain is that if I have you and our little tykes, I could care less what they say. I love our little family." He stroked her stomach.
She felt warmth spread through her. She had to fight back tear. "Who knew you were so good with words?"
They arrived at The Three Broomsticks a short time later. It felt nice to be out of the cold. They both ordered a hot chocolate and made their way to a table to wait for their parents.
Too soon it seemed, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley entered. Fred held up a hand waving them over.
"Fancy meeting you here," Fred said with a grin.
Mrs. Weasley looked distraught, "Fred, what on earth did you and George do for us to be summoned. And why did we not just floo into the school? Hello, Hermione, dear."
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley." Hermione forced a smile onto her face. She was sure Mrs. Weasley wouldn't be so happy to see her soon.
"Hello, son, Hermione. Dear, I'm going to get us drinks." Mr. Weasley walked to the bar.
The door to The Three Broomsticks opened and Professor McGonagall entered with Hermione's parents. Her parents looked very out of place among the witches and wizards in the room. Professor McGonagall spotted Hermione, Fred, and Mrs. Weasley and made her way over with the Granger's.
"Hermione, sweetie." Her mother walked over and hugged her. Mr. Weasley had made his way over and was chatting excitedly with Hermione's father.
After pleasantries were exchanged, Professor McGonagall flagged Madam Rosmerta over. "Rosmerta, dear can we get a private room?"
Madam Rosmerta looked at the group with avid curiosity written on her face. "Of course, follow me."
She led them down a hallway to her personal quarters. "I'm sorry, Minerva, but we're booked up right now. This is the best I can do. Is there anything else I can get you?"
"No, Rosmerta, this will be all." After Rosmerta left the room, Professor McGonagall cast a privacy spell on the door.
"Minerva, what is going on?" Mrs. Weasley asked in concern. "What has happened?"
"I have gathered you all here to discuss a situation that has come to my attention involving young Miss Granger and young Mister Weasley here."
Hermione felt the eyes of all four parents on her. She was afraid to look up.
"Situation? What situation?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Well, this is a delicate matter, so we'll take this conversation slowly. And I ask that everyone keep their heads." Professor McGonagall replied. "I'm not sure of all the details so Hermione and Fred can fill in the parts of the story that I don't have."
Hermione felt the heat on her face. She knew her face must be the same color as her scarf. Fred's hand twitched in her periphery. She knew he wanted to take her hand.
"It seems that over the summer these two started a relationship and all that implies," Professor McGonagall began.
Hermione heard her mother gasp. Her father swore under her breath. Hermione raised her eyes and saw the horror on Mrs. Weasley and her mother's faces.
"When you say 'all that implies' surely you don't mean…" Mr. Weasley stammered.
"Oh, I certainly do, Arthur." Professor McGonagall continued. "They used a contraceptive potion that did not work."
"You've got to be kidding me," Hermione's father bellowed. "Hermione Jean Granger you stupid girl. What were you thinking?"
Hermione jumped. She tried to form words, but no sound came out.
"Don't yell at her!" Fred was on his feet in an instant. Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him down in the chair beside her.
"It's alright Fred,' she said quietly.
"It most certainly is not, young lady,' her mother exclaimed. "Isn't there a spell to remove it? We can't have a pregnant teenage daughter."
Hermione flinched at her mother's words.
"That might have been an option in other circumstances, but the pregnancy has progressed to the point where if we were to try to terminate, Hermione could be seriously injured." Professor McGonagall answered.
"Bloody well knew it was a bad idea sending her to this school. Should've kept her home so we could keep an eye on her. What will the other doctors at the practice say when they find out? This is going to ruin our business!" Mr. Granger boomed.
"Let's all calm down and discuss this rationally," Mrs. Weasley said in a choked voice. Hermione looked up and saw tears in her eyes.
"Rational would have been to keep your son away from our daughter but look who I'm talking to. You have a whole brood of children so why should we have thought your children would be able to control themselves when you and your husband obviously can't." Hermione's mother spat.
"NO!" Hermione was on her feet outraged, "You will not blame, Mrs. Weasley. It's not her fault."
"This conversation is out of control," Professor McGonagall raised her voice to be heard. "We need to come together and resolve this."
"No, we don't. The little slut got herself knocked up," Mrs. Granger said. Getting to her feet and walking to her husband who had made his way to the door.
Hermione felt Fred shaking with rage. She softly stroked his hand. Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks, but she thought it best to let her parents get their anger out.
"We'll have no part of this nonsense. We'll give her the trust fund that's in her name so no one can say we threw her out with nothing but from this moment forward we have no daughter. Bloody good riddance to all of you. Minerva, take us home." Hermione began to cry uncontrollably at her father's words. Hermione's father opened the door without looking back at her.
"Now, see hear," Mr. Weasley who had seemed to be in shock through this whole exchange, exclaimed. "How can you throw your child away like she means nothing. I'll not pretend this is acceptable behavior from these two, but they are our children. They need our support, and you're just going to walk out on them now. Hermione is a smart, wonderful young witch. They made a mistake." Mr. Weasley crossed the room to stand behind Hermione and Fred. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "I'm not proud of what they've done, but I'll always be proud of them."
Mrs. Weasley made her way over to her husband. She placed her hand comfortingly on Hermione's arm attempting to sooth her sobs. "They are having OUR grandchild. You would think the two of you would want to be a part of that. If not, good riddance to you. I've had all I can take of shitty muggle caregivers. Fine, she's not your daughter anymore. She'll be mine."
At her words Hermione began to cry harder. Fred rose from his seat. "I think it's best to get them out of here, Professor. I don't know how much longer I can control the urge to hex them into oblivion." Fred muttered.
Professor McGonagall led the Granger's away down the hall. Hermione could hear her parents yelling obscenities all the way to the door of the Three Broomsticks.
Fred pulled Hermione from the chair and wrapped her in his arms. He stroked her hair as she cried, soaking his robes. "It's alright, my angel. We don't need them. We have our little tykes to think of. We have each other. We will make it through this." He kissed the top of her head.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley wrapped their arms around the two of them and held them close. They were muttering soothing words to Hermione.
"Mrs. Weasley," She began, and her world went suddenly black.
