A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Assignment #9 Journalism - Task #1 - Investigative: Investigative journalism aims to uncover the truth about a particular subject, person, or event. Write about someone unsuccessfully hiding the truth about something.

Writing Club April

Disney Challenge: 2. Don't Believe Everything You Hear - Write about someone spreading a false rumour.

Amber's Attic: 11 -"They can't control this angry mob. They'll have to call the Riot Squad."- "Riot Squad" by Bad Brains

Word Count: 770

"Is there something you'd like to tell me, Hermione?" Severus asked, taking the newspaper from the delivery owl. Hermione didn't even look up from her cup of coffee.

"The Prophet is full of lies and rumors and random gossip Rita's made up to keep herself entertained," Hermione answered, taking another long drink. Severus watched her face, watched how the steam rose from the Gryffindor colored mug. He hated that mug. Hermione often drank from it for the sole purpose of annoying him.

"So, you're not expecting a child with Ron Weasley?" Severus asked, reading the headline. Hermione spit out her coffee all over the paper and Severus.

"Sorry, but I'm what?" she asked. "I did not hear what I just thought I heard."

"According to this you and Mr. Weasley had a night of passion while I was at a conference out of town. You are now expecting his spawn as evident in the fact you told Miss Skeeter to sod off."

"I tell her that all the time. Merlin, she's an idiot," Hermione muttered, grabbing the paper and reading the article herself. It wasn't much of an article, and the entire thing was nothing more than a few insane theories and some extremely circumstacial evidence.

"I see. Now, why would Miss Skeeter's source see you sneaking into the window of a flat on Oldon Street?" Severus asked, having taken the paper back.

"Because Hannah's cat did. I was helping her get him back. It's not a love nest that Ron and I purchased with our Order of Merlin money," Hermione explained. "Ron's blown most of his on brooms anyway."

"Obviously it's not what she claims. Now, what about the fact you were spotted at St. Mungo's?"

"Ginny had an appointment and I went with her for moral support. Harry was out of country on a mission. She didn't want to go alone."

"And why would Miss Skeeter think you are having an affair to begin with?"

"Why does she think anything, Severus. I have never, and do not ever plan, on cheating on you. I love you, only you. I certainly do not love Ron and do not want to shag him."

"Good, because I do not like sharing," Severus stated. "Although, Skeeter does make an interesting point. You did switch to decaf coffee," he said, nodding at the cannistar on the counter. Hermione looked at it also.

"Would you believe the store was out of regular?" she asked.

"No," Severus answered, watching his wife. He knew she wasn't cheating on him, Rita Skeeter had been trying to break the pair apart since before their wedding.

"Well, um, there might be some truth to the article. A teensy tiny little bit of truth to some of the article," Hermione said after a moment.

"And would you like to elaborate?"

"Not yet? I'm a few weeks late. I have an appointment at the end of the week. It might be nothing more than stress."

"You don't believe that, Hermione."

"I don't, but the home test was negative and I didn't want to get your hopes up, and now that idiot publishes an article about me being pregnant, and..." Hermione started sobbing. Severus was immediately on her side of the table, arms wrapped around her.

"Home tests are not the most accurate, especially early on. Were you planning to tell me about the appointment?"

"No, I really didn't want to get your hopes up. I'm sorry. I messed up," Hermione sobbed, burying her face in Severus' cloak.

"Would you like me to come with you, now that I know?" he asked. She nodded, sniffling. Severus handed her a tissue.

"I will clear my calendar then," Severus stated as Hermione wiped her eyes and gave him a small smile.

"Thank you, Sev," she whispered.

"Hermione, never be afraid of telling me something, even if this turns out to be nothing, I want to be here for you, for the good and the bad, remember?" Severus asked, taking her hand in his. She nodded.

"I remember," she agreed, leaning against him. "I hope the test was wrong," she whispered. Severus kissed her forehead.

"I do too, Hermione. I do too," he whispered back, wondering if he should thank Miss Skeeter for the article that brought them to this conversation or hex her for implying his wonderful wife would ever cheat on him.