Hermione shut her eyes tight and felt her heart beat increase. She placed a hand on her heart to slow it down but she knew she was too nervous. She felt her hands tingle as she rolled the parchment so that it opened in her hands. Hermione, slowly and nervously, opened her eyes but she avoided the parchment by looking around the room at random objects, looking anywhere but the thing that she really needed to know. She didn’t have it in her to read through it but she had to... she had to know for sure even though she thought she was pregnant.

‘Please...’ she whispered to no one in particular and her voice sounded weird and really distant as if someone else had said it but she was alone. Alone and so scared of the parchment in her hands. She was sure that she wouldn’t be able to take the news if it was... positive. She winced as she though it.

Hermione felt the pressure building on her neck, hot and bothering her, as she looked down at the parchment. She massaged her neck with one hand and held the parchment with another hand. She knew she was just avoiding reading her fate. She took a deep breath and-

*CRACK*

Hermione jumped up, her feet hitting the floor and the parchment slipping out of her hands and floating like a balloon onto the floor. Her eyes were trained on the person who had apparated straight into her living room. The person who had red hair and... She relaxed as she saw that it was only Fred. Fred was holding an envelope and apology was in his eyes as she took deep breaths in order to calm her fumbling heart. His eyes dropped to the parchment on the floor and Hermione’s eyes opened in horror as he leaned down to pick it up for her.

‘NO!’ shouted Hermione, feeling stupid as she shouted but it didn’t bother her how stupid she sounded. She could not let Fred know before her.

She quickly retrieved it off of the ground before Fred could reach it and probably read over it. Fred and Hermione stood up and looked at each other. Fred’s eyes were calculating her as she shoved the parchment in her back pocket. Hermione’s eyes seemed to be scared for more than one reason. Fred had been so close to picking up the parchment and reading it... She could not have let that happen.

‘Um...’ Fred coughed, covering his mouth and he looked away, ‘I’m sorry for frightening you. I should have apparated outside but I... didn’t.’

‘No...’ muttered Hermione and a weird, short laugh came out of her mouth. A sound that she would probably never make, ‘No, it’s okay. I just got a little scared since I wasn’t expecting anyone so soon.’

‘Oh well... I... just wanted to give you the money I owe you,’ Fred said and handed her the envelope. Hermione’s eyebrows drew together and she was about to deny it but Fred spoke first, ‘I want you to have it, okay? What happened was... it was my fault not yours. You only did this because I needed help and I... I shouldn’t have... Juts take the money.’

‘If it makes you feel any better... I’ll take it,’ sighed Hermione even though she really didn’t want any money from him, ‘Thanks.’

‘Okay, that’s all I wanted to give you. Take care,’ muttered Fred and Hermione thought he winced slightly as he disapparated, quite quickly.

She heaved a sigh as he left and felt like she should just read the parchment and know for sure if she was pregnant or not before someone else interrupted her. Hermione took the parchment from her pocket and straightened it out. She sat down, placing the money on the table in front of her, and took a deep breath, calming herself. She suddenly felt very hot but she ignored the feeling, thinking she had put reading the parchment off too long. She dropped her eyes and read:

“Dear Miss Granger,

                                 You have been to the St Mungo’s hospital on May the 22nd. The reason was to identify if you were really pregnant or not. Tests have been done and the results are in. We have given you this letter in order to inform you that the result is POSITIVE. You are pregnant and will need to see a Healer or a Doctor soon for a scan.

Sincerely Miss Elizabeth.”

Hermione felt herself have hot flushes. Blood rushed around in her body but Hermione sat still. She felt the parchment slide out of her trembling hands and hit the floor. She watched it for a second. Tears streaming down her face, feeling very hot and having no one to bare this news with her made her feel miserable. She wished more than ever that she hadn’t made this stupid... stupid mistake!

She withdrew her large wand from her pocket and pointed it to the letter, the word POSITIVE screamed out at her and seemed to echo in her head but she knew she was starting to have a headache. She couldn’t believe that she was going to have a baby. How was she going to take care of it? Feed it? Love it?! Maybe some other time she would be happy but right now all she really wanted to do was to give this problem – this baby – to someone else so that they could bare the problem. She didn’t want the baby and her trembling hands and rage in her eyes made that quite evident.

She shouted a spell and the parchment caught on fire, burning before her eyes. Hermione sat on the sofa and held her face in her hands. Tears streamed out of her brown eyes like there was no tomorrow. Hermione curled up onto the sofa and a hand went to her stomach. She felt nothing but didn’t suppose she would... not yet, anyway. She looked up at her ceiling and stayed like that for who knows how long while tears streamed out of the side of her eyes.  

She heard banging on her front door but was to upset to get up. Now there was shouting but she didn’t care who it was. She didn’t want to talk to anyone but she also didn’t want to go through this alone. She realised that the only person she did want to talk to was... Fred. She wanted to tell him everything. Maybe... No, not maybe. She was SURE he would do something to help her through this even if it meant holding her hand as she went through this adventure in her life. This unexpected adventure.

The cracking sound, made when someone apparated, didn’t make her open her eyes. She still sobbed into her hands. She didn’t care who saw her like this and she also didn’t care who was in her house. A hand went on her shoulder and another hand went onto her hands, pulling them away from her wet face. She was pulled side ways until she saw Harry and Ginny, looking down at her worriedly. Harry pulled Hermione up so that she was sitting and Ginny sat on one side of Hermione while Harry sat on the other side. Ginny took her hand and Harry awkwardly placed an arm around her shoulder. Hermione lay her head on Harry’s shoulder and wrapped two arms around him, letting Ginny’s hand go.

‘Harry,’ sobbed Hermione, feeling his hand try to soothe her.

Harry avoided Ginny’s eyes as he stroked Hermione’s hair and muttered what he hoped was soothing words. Ginny stood up, muttering something about tea, making sure Hermione was okay and to calm her down. She left the room and Harry let Hermione cry. A long time passed, Ginny didn’t come back but Harry didn’t think twice about her as Hermione was sobbing her heart out. Hermione finally stopped crying and Harry handed her a tissue but she declined the tissue and went to the bathroom instead, passing the kitchen she saw that Ginny was rooting through her drawers but she was past caring about small things like that.

Hermione avoided the mirror, knowing she looked a mess. She washed her face, blew her nose and sighed as she held onto the edge of the sink. Her face flushed red as she thought of how she had gripped onto Harry. His shirt was probably wet from the tears. Hermione took deep breaths and made sure she was calm as she left the room. She went back to the sitting room and saw that Ginny was handing Harry a plate of biscuits (some she had probably found in the drawer) and she didn’t look very happy as she avoided Harry and sat opposite him instead.

‘Here, Hermione,’ said Harry as he saw her coming in, he moved to the side and patted the seat beside him, ‘sit here.’

‘Harry, I’m sorry...’ whispered Hermione as she took a seat next to him.

She saw how wet his shirt was because of her incessant crying. She blushed red, embarrassed now that she was in her senses. Hermione got her wand, even though Harry was shaking his head. She pointed at his shirt and soon it was dried, all signs of tears were wiped from his shirt. Harry thanked her and gave her a cup of tea which she was thankful for. She looked down at the brown liquid and knew she would feel better as she drank it. Hermione sipped her tea and felt the warmness heat her, now, very cold body.

‘Hermione,’ started Ginny, sipping her tea, she looked up at them and took a deep breath, ‘If you were crying about the pregnancy thing... I don’t think you should be too upset about it. You know muggle pregnancy tests aren’t accurate and...’

‘No, Ginny...’ Hermione stopped her and felt her eyes prick but she didn’t want to start crying again. If she started, she wouldn’t be able to stop. Hermione looked down at the burned parchment on the ground and wished she could just show that to them but of course she couldn’t. She looked to Ginny, ‘no... I... I’m pregnant...’

‘Maybe you aren’t since-’

‘No... I went to see a Healer in St. Mungo’s and she did some tests and... they were positive. Ginny! I'm pregnant and I don’t know what to do!’ yelled Hermione, burying her face in her hands, ‘I know everyone gets scared in my position but I’ve become what I can’t be... A mother.’

‘Hermione... you went alone?’ asked Harry angrily, his eyebrows furrowing together, but he placed an arm around her shoulders all the same.

‘I... I had to go alone,’ muttered Hermione although she was sure her voice was muffled by her hands. She took her hands way from her face and looked at Ginny who was staring at Harry, who seemed not to notice, ‘I should’ve went with someone but I had to know...’

‘What are you going to do?’ asked Ginny.

Anger suddenly surged through Hermione for some reason. She looked up to Ginny who was just sipping at her tea. It was a simple question but Hermione felt angry that Ginny had to ask her. She needed time to think and time to reason with herself. Hermione just shrugged, not trusting herself to speak.

‘How are you going to afford a child? You’ll need to find work and money . You’ll need to feed the child and-’

‘I know I need to do that but how in Merlin’s name am I going to manage? I need to sell this house so I can get money and I can buy an apartment. This house is too big for me,’ muttered Hermione, her eyes stayed on the burnt parchment on the ground which was sizzling.

Hermione did want to sell the house but not because she though it was too big for her. The truth was, she missed her parents a lot. She knew her mother would get her through this stage in her life. She didn’t want to stay somewhere where she was constantly depressed because of memories of her parents and her whole life basically.

‘I agree. You should buy a smaller, more affordable house,’ said Harry, squeezing Hermione’s shoulders as a sign of support and Hermione was so glad that she had Harry.

‘What about Fred?’ Ginny whispered and Hermione clutched her cup of tea tighter, her teeth clenching, ‘he needs to know.’

‘Ginny, we have been over this,’ Hermione said, struggling to keep her voice in tact, ‘I need time to figure things out.’

‘He won’t be happy if you keep this from him. You’ve already made one mistake and don’t need to make another,’ stated Ginny, her voice changing to a harsh tone which made Hermione look up at her.

‘I said I need time to think, Ginny. This is a big issue and I need to consider every side,’ murmured Hermione, her eyes locked on Ginny’s.

‘Yes, it is a big issue. It’s your issue and it’s also Fred’s. I think you should tell him,’ said Ginny.

Hermione and Ginny stared each other down and Hermione felt angry as Ginny kept on speaking. This was her life and her decision to do whatever she wanted. Ginny should not interfere. She felt as though she should say something but Hermione kept her mouth shut. The last thing she needed was to make an enemy.

‘I’ll see,’ Hermione said simply.

They lapsed into a silence that was more awkward than anything. Harry and Ginny both finished their tea but Hermione didn’t want any. She noticed that it was nearly seven pm. It was getting late and Hermione only wanted to curl up in bed and maybe in the morning she would be able to sleep.

‘Will you be okay here alone?’ asked Harry.

‘Yeah, I’m just going to sleep soon. I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me,’ said Hermione and she started to gather the cups and plates.

‘We should be going now,’ Ginny said and she stood up, straightening out her clothes, she awkwardly walked over to Hermione and hugged her, ‘I only want what’s best for you, I hope you understand.’

‘I do understand and I appreciate it. Juts give me some space and time,’ muttered Hermione and she felt herself get emotional as she hugged Ginny.

Ginny nodded and let go. Harry hugged Hermione, patted her arm, awkwardly and then took Ginny’s hand. Both waved and then disapparated with a crack. Hermione cleaned the dishes, changed her clothes and slid into her bed falling into a deep sleep.

---

*Harry’s POV*

Ginny let go of Harry’s hand instantly as they got to their apartment. She fumbled with the key for a second as she couldn’t get it in the lock. Harry covered her hand with his and finally the door opened so they could get in. Ginny sighed and started to walk away from Harry but he caught her hand, sighing and turned her around.

‘Ginny, what’s wrong?’ asked Harry, keeping his worry off of his face even though he could sense that she was not happy... more like she was frustrated.

‘Everything. She doesn’t realise that what she is doing is wrong! She’s pregnant and she isn’t even going to tell Fred?! She has to tell Fred! It’s his child unless she’s slept with some other man that we don’t know about which is possible since she is such a-’ Ginny’s hand went to her head as she paced the room while saying all this but finally Harry grabbed her hand and turned her around so that they were looking at each other. The green eyes bore into her brown ones.

‘Don’t say that. She made a mistake and you’re taking it way too far,’ said Harry harshly letting go of Ginny as he didn’t want to hurt her, ‘If you had made that mistake, I'm sure you wouldn’t want her to talk about you like that.’

‘Oh! So you’ll defend her over me? I’m your girlfriend, Harry, I think you’re forgetting that,’ shouted Ginny and Harry turned to face her, getting angrier now.

‘Of course I know that but she is my friend... I can’t choose sides and I don’t want to hurt either of you,’ Harry explained and he closed the door behind him, locking it, just for something to do and to avoid Ginny’s angry eyes.

‘I don’t like this, Harry. I love you and you... you were comforting her! She made a mistake and should pay the consequences and you were comforting her!’ Ginny yelled as if this was something that friends didn’t do.

Harry turned to face her, looking angrier than Ginny, ‘Of course I bloody comforted her! She is my best friend! What was I going to do? Just leave her there so she can cry her heart out and wish she had a friend to help her through this? You aren’t exactly helping her so she only has me! She is paying the consequences by having the burden of a baby!’

‘I need to tell Fred,’ Ginny said and made for the door but Harry caught her arm and Ginny cried out in pain, ‘You’re hurting me, Harry.’

‘You will not tell Fred. This is Hermione’s business and her choice!’ said Harry in a quiet but firm voice.

‘Harry...’ whispered Ginny and Harry loosened his grip on her arms.

They stared at each other for a second and the fight in Ginny died out. Harry felt bad about hurting Ginny but he had to in order to save Hermione. He felt a need to protect her and care for her, especially in this time. He didn’t want to go against Ginny though...

‘Fine I won’t...’ muttered Ginny and she made for the bedroom.

Harry paused for a second and then went into the fridge. He got a drink of water before going into the bedroom and saw that Ginny was putting her travelling cloak on. Harry shook his head angrily, thinking she was off to see Fred but Ginny looked up.

‘I’m not going to see Fred... I’m just going home. I can’t stay here for the night,’ she muttered and fastened her cloak.

Ginny walked past Harry, brushing his arm slightly and Harry closed his eyes at the touch. He grabbed Ginny’s hand and turned her around. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her’s for a second.

‘I love you,’ he whispered, ‘more than anything.’

‘I love you too,’ muttered Ginny.

Ginny left his arms and Harry heard a crack as she disapparated. He sighed, feeling himself lose Ginny but he ignored the feeling. He wouldn’t lose Ginny; he couldn’t imagine himself without her. Harry got ready to sleep while his thoughts stayed on Hermione, who needed him more at this time, than Ginny, who he loved but didn’t know how to express his love. He would do anything for Ginny. Anything.