|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Author: TheGov Story: Defining Moments Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: Completed Reviews: 12 Words: 55,960
A/N: Standard disclaimer present in Chapter 1. Don't sue me, I really, really, really have no money. Just ask the people who want me to pay my bills. Of course, many thanks go out to the ever patient beta, Daily Prophet Reporting, who tolerates my often times terrible and egregious errors. You can all thank him, because without him, this would never see the light of day. This was the hardest chapter to write so far. I remember the initial concept for it made the whole thing out as a comedy of errors, but sometime around the time I laid out the entire timeline of my own personal Post-OOTP universe, I realized I was leaving some gaping back-story holes. This chapter then took a left turn and ended up more serious than I had planned. What became difficult was giving voice to Hermione's thoughts, not having anything to go on. Research was conducted, and I am indebted to friends who will be (and prefer to be) forever nameless, but thanked anyway. The remainder of the story is already written and will certainly not take a month per chapter to publish. (I should hope!) Questions and comments can be directed to AdmDavis@aol.com -- -- -- -- February 12 Hermione Granger prided herself on being a clever witch. She was at the top of her seventh-year class. She could count to 28. Except, for the third time, she wasn't getting 28. She counted again. Twenty-nine. She swore softly, and hidden by her bed curtains and the darkness of another winter night at Hogwarts, tried to quell her rising panic. She forced herself to breathe deeply in and out. This might not mean anything. This kind of thing happened sometimes. Except you're as regular as a metronome. It could be caused by stress or a trauma in life. And the N.E.W.T.s were coming up. It didn't happen when your parents died. It may have even happened before, she couldn't really remember. You weren't counting the days back then because you weren't sleeping with your fiancé back then. Hermione groaned and threw herself back on her pillow. She was good at charms, there was no doubt about that, and it was unlikely that she could have made a mistake. Was the charm 100 percent effective? She couldn't remember. She used it every time she and Ron were together. She couldn't remember not performing the charm. She'd even remembered it that one time, that mad, reckless lunch hour in the broom cupboard near the Gryffindor portrait hole. She blushed at how wanton and dangerous that had been…. She shook her head. Focus! she told herself. Twenty-nine days: she was a day late. This could be nothing, she told herself. She'd wake up in the morning and feel miserable, and everything would be fine. And if she didn't? Well, she thought, I'm getting a hands-on education on what the consequences could be…. -- -- -- -- January 9 "I'm sure they'll be along any moment, practice just ended," Ron heard Professor McGonagall's voice say from around the corner. He, Harry, and Ginny were walking back to the common room from Quidditch practice. Ron was exhausted – the workouts had been grueling. He hated having to push everyone so hard, but if they wanted a chance to win the cup, they needed the practice. Hufflepuff had a killer team this year, and they were far ahead in the standings. On top of that, Potions had been abysmal, and he was still occasionally fuming about it. He was tired and sore, and he wanted a hug from Hermione, who most likely was busy with her homework by the common room fire. They'd become more physically demonstrative since Christmas, and Seamus had dubbed them the "Mum" and "Dad" of Gryffindor Tower, given their closeness and their positions as Head Girl and Boy. The nickname had shown no signs of disappearing yet, and in fact, its use was actually increasing, much to their dismay. Ron sighed and turned the corner by the Fat Lady. There, standing with Professor McGonagall, was the last person Ron expected, or wanted, to see waiting for them. "Percy!" Ginny exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" Ron's brother swiveled his owl-like glasses toward Ron. "I came to talk to Ron, actually. Hi Ginny," he said, giving her a light hug. "Hi Harry," Percy said, extending his hand. Harry shook it. Percy had swallowed his pride after the battle at the Ministry and had arrived at the Burrow one night, contrite and prepared to face the consequences of his actions. Arthur had been very pleased at Percy's humbleness and had absolved him. Molly had cried on his shoulder. However, Ginny, the twins, and the others had waited on Ron. Ron had been the person most hurt by Percy's betrayal of the family. Percy's distrust of Harry had shook him to the core. But when Harry pronounced that all was forgiven, and that it wasn't right to turn away anyone who was willing to see the light and fight Voldemort, Ron had grudgingly given his acceptance. This had allowed the rest of the family to welcome Percy back. Ron hadn't talked to Percy all that much, however, preferring to let the others make their peace and stay as far away from him as possible. And now Percy wanted to talk to him. Great. "Uh, sure Perce, just let me go get cleaned up a little, all right? You can come on in if you want." Percy shook his head. "I'll wait here. Professor McGonagall said we could use her classroom." Ron nodded. "Okay, then. I'll be right back." He, Harry and Ginny went through the portrait hole, and Ron heard it click shut behind him. "I wonder what he wants?" Ginny queried. "I don't know," Ron admitted. "I mean, it's not like he and I are close, or ever were." "Only one way to find out," Harry said. "Find out what?" Hermione asked, coming over to give Ron a kiss on the cheek. "Look everyone!" Dean shouted. "Dad's home." "Hi Dad!" everyone in the common room chorused. Ron and Hermione ignored them. "Percy's here," Ron explained. "He wants to talk to me. Alone, I guess." Hermione looked puzzled. "I wonder what that could be about?" she pondered out loud. "I wonder if...well, now..." She trailed off. "What?" Ron asked. "I don't know. But you should go get cleaned up and find out instead of listening to me theorize. Go on, scat." "Yes, dear." He smiled as he rolled his eyes. Ron went up to the boys' dormitory, showered, and threw on a pair of old trousers and the jumper Mum had made him for Christmas. He came back down and gave Hermione a kiss on the top of her head before heading out the portrait hole. Percy was waiting, looking nervous and shifting his feet. "I hope I'm not interrupting any plans. How is your work coming?" "I have an essay due for Potions," Ron admitted. "Maybe another time, then," Percy said quickly, starting to turn. Ron furrowed his brow in confusion. "Percy, you came all the way up here, waited for me to get out of Quidditch practice, and now you're going to leave just because I have an essay for Snape? I don't think so. Let's go to McGonagall's classroom and find out what's bothering you." Ron grabbed Percy's arm. They froze. It was the first time Ron had touched Percy since shaking his hand a year and a half ago. Ron cleared his throat. "C'mon, Perce, let's go. If it's important enough to get you up here, it's important enough to put off the essay. Besides, Hermione will help me with it." A flicker of something crossed Percy's face when Ron mentioned Hermione, and then it passed. Percy nodded curtly and began to stride in the direction of McGonagall's classroom, looking a little more like the confident prefect he'd once been rather than the nervous shuffler that Ron had seen only a moment ago. Something weird is going on here. They arrived at McGonagall's classroom a few moments later. It was empty, and Ron pulled a chair for himself from one of the desks. Percy began pacing. "Perce!" Ron barked. "Sit down." Uncomfortably, Percy sat down. "What's going on?" "Well," Percy began, and then trailed off. He shook his head. "Where are my manners?" he asked himself suddenly. "How's Hermione?" "Doing all right. You heard about the wedding date?" Percy nodded, suddenly turning his head away. "Yeah, I heard about it from Mum." "Percy, what is this all about? What's going on?" "Ron," Percy began slowly, "I know that you and I have had some problems. And I know you're probably still mad, or not sure you want to be speaking to me yet. I just wanted to let you know personally that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I said about Harry and not trusting your judgment." "We've been through this, Perce," Ron said, but he wasn't sure that was true. This was somehow different. "I forgive you. It was a different time, and we all make mistakes." Percy nodded. "I appreciate that Ron, because you're the only one who can really help me." "Me?" Ron was shocked. "Why me? What do you need help with?" Percy sighed and reached into the pocket of his robes. He withdrew a small black velvet box – a very familiar black velvet box. Ron sucked in a breath. "Percy..." Ron began, "you're sure you want to come to me for advice? I mean, Dad…" "Is busy, and rightfully so. Besides, Ron," Percy said, "did you talk to Dad? Would you have felt comfortable doing that?" Ron sighed and shifted in his chair. "No, I suppose you're right. I mean, I wanted to, but I never got there. I didn't talk to anyone before I proposed to Hermione." "So I'm coming to you. I think I'm ready to ask Penny to marry me." "Think?" Ron asked. "Percy, I won't lie to you, I'm your brother. I'm not going to pull any punches. If you only think you're ready to ask Penny to marry you then you have no business even buying a ring." Percy stood up to pace. "I know," he sighed. "I thought you might say that." He paused. "What was it like for you, Ron? How did you know?" Ron sighed. "Percy, how am I supposed to explain something like that? It's love, for crying out loud!" Ron shook his head, but Percy looked at him expectantly. "Well, I guess," Ron conceded. "It was like…It got to the point where I couldn't even imagine life without Hermione anymore. Every morning I would wake up and wonder how she'd slept, what she was doing that day, whether or not we would be able to see each other very much. She was the last thing I thought of before I fell asleep. Hell, she still is all of that. She's the person my dreams revolve around, both my happiest dreams and my worst nightmares. In my dreams, we're happy together; in my nightmares, something has happened to her and I'll never see her again. My world revolves around her now, but not in an obsessive way, just a normal way. Like," Ron said, shrugging, at a loss for words, "like an extra arm or leg. You don't think about it all the time, but it's always there." He paused. "Am I making any sense?" "I suppose you are." Percy exhaled deeply and settled himself back into a chair. "You're saying the things I hoped I would hear." "Oh?" "You're confirming my own feelings," Percy admitted. "I guess I just needed reassurance that, yes, this is love, this is what it's supposed to be. Ron, you know me – I was never a very emotional person. I didn't do feelings. I preferred books and facts. But Penny…she makes me feel, feel alive like I never did before. And now, I want to tell her how much that means to me and show her, but…" "But what?" "Everything is so complicated now." "What do you mean?" Percy shook his head. "Maybe I'd better start at the beginning. You remember back at the beginning of December when Heathcliff Traylor died?" "Yeah," Ron replied. "You and he were on that mission together, weren't you?" "Yes," Percy affirmed. "I was shaken up pretty badly when I got finally home. Penny was waiting," he continued, launching into an account of that night. "Are you sure you're okay?" Penny asked, holding on to him tightly. Percy closed his eyes and saw Heathcliff's face once again – his mouth open in shock, his eyes wide in realization just before the curse hit him. Percy shook his head. "Yeah, I'm fine," he lied. "I just need a drink. Settle my nerves." "I'll get you something," Penny said immediately, and disappeared into the kitchen of his flat. She returned a moment later with two glasses. "I didn't know I had any firewhiskey," he said, blinking at the amber liquid in the glasses. "Your brother Bill brought it by this morning. He said you might need it after what happened." Trust Bill to think of something like that – Bill, who had seen enough death in the tombs to fill a dozen lifetimes. Percy took the glass and took a sip. Penny laughed. "Have you never had firewhiskey before?" "Of course I have," Percy protested. Penny took her glass and tossed it back, downing it in one gulp. "That's how you drink firewhiskey. Accio bottle." She held out her hand and the bottle came flying to it. She refilled her glass. "Now, do it properly this time." She held up her glass. "To Heathcliff." Percy touched his glass to hers, and with a grimace, downed the shot. It burned all the way down. Percy had never had much of a stomach for liquor. "Did you know that my grandfather put this on my gums when I was teething?" Penny asked. "What?" Percy was astounded. He'd never heard of such a thing. Giving alcohol to a baby? he thought. What was he thinking? "Apparently, it's a tactic that goes back generations. Numbs the gums right up." Penny took another, smaller, shot. "Don't you think that you've had enough?" Percy asked. "What do you think I am, Percy, a light weight?" She grinned at him, and he felt his stomach drop out. Despite everything that had happened, he felt himself grinning back at her. Penny, usually so staid and predictable, could still surprise him when they were alone like this. And it was that private unpredictability that really attracted him to her. It was like…trying to chart the behavior of a Golden Snitch. It just couldn't be done. Suddenly, Penny turned serious again. "I'm sorry Percy, I shouldn't be making jokes at a time like this." Percy realized that, for the first time, he hadn't been thinking about Heathcliff. "No," he replied, "it's all right." He sighed. "I shouldn't blame myself for what happened. I couldn't have stopped it. I couldn't have saved him. I wasn't even close to him when it happened. I have to mourn, yes," Percy replied. "But that doesn't mean I have to close off joy all together." Percy felt himself getting a little lightheaded. "Especially when I'm with someone as beautiful and as joyous as you." Penny blushed. "Thank you Percy." Percy took the bottle from her. He poured them both new drinks. "To Heathcliff: May your sacrifice not have been in vain, and may wherever you ended up be 1000 times better than where you left." They downed their drinks. Percy coughed a little. He sighed and closed his eyes. Again the images flashed across his vision, and his eyes shot open. "Percy?" Penny asked, concerned. "Are you all right?" He paused for a long moment. "I can see his face," he said softly. "What?" "I can see his face, as he was hit. His eyes were wide, surprised. And I keep thinking, what was he thinking in that last moment? Was he ready for it? Hell, Penny, I didn't even know him that well, I don't even know if he had a family. Did he have a wife? A sweetheart? Someone to come home to? Someone," he said, hesitating, "someone like you? Someone who is mourning his loss, brokenhearted and shattered?" Penny put a finger to his lips. "Shhh…Percy, no." "But I can't stop thinking about it, Penny. What if it had been me?" He was starting to feel a little fuzzy. He grabbed the firewhiskey and took a swig straight from the bottle. Penny was sniffing a little. "Percy I don't want to think about if it had been you," she said. "It's too hard. I can't imagine…." She grabbed his face in both her hands. "Don't you ever leave me, Percy Weasley," she ordered. Percy looked into her eyes, her perfect blue eyes. He nodded slowly, and then leaned into her and gently kissed her lips. "Good," she said. "Now, give me that bottle before you drink me under the table. I'm not losing to you." Percy laughed, and she took a swig. He took it back from her and had another drink. Things were starting to get strange and fuzzy…. "…and when I woke up the next morning, I had a hell of a hangover." "I'll bet," Ron chuckled. "And," Percy continued, ignoring Ron's interruption, "Penny was in bed with me." Ron stopped laughing and blinked at his older brother. "You mean…?" "Yes." "Oh." Ron furrowed his brow in confusion. "But I don't get it, what's the complicated part? Seems pretty simple to me." "The complicated part is that I bought this ring three days ago with the hope of asking her to marry me. This morning, she came by my apartment to tell me she's pregnant." In the silence that followed, Ron could have sworn he could hear mice running in the walls. "Oh," Ron finally managed. "I guess that is the complicated part." Percy nodded. "I wished I'd asked her sooner. I don't want her to think that I'm only asking because of the baby," Percy confessed. "Right." Ron shook his head a little and exhaled. "Wow…umm…congratulations?" Ron offered. "Thanks." Percy beamed proudly. "I take it I'm the first one to know, besides you and Penny and whoever her healer is?" "Yeah," Percy said, nodding, "you are. So, what should I do?" he asked desperately. "Well," Ron said, swallowing, "what do you think you should do?" "I don't know!" Percy exploded, jumping up. "I mean, what am I supposed to do? Just walk up to her and tell her, Penny, I love you, I want you to marry me?" "Well, that kind of approach generally works," Ron said, "though I only have one experience to go on." "But what if she thinks it's just because of the baby? I don't want her to think it's just because of the baby! I want her to know that it's because I love her and I can't live without her, and I'm very happy about the baby, thank you very much, but this really had nothing to do with it – I was going to ask her to marry me before she told me about the baby! How do I tell her that?" As he was speaking, the classroom door creaked open. "Well, mate," Ron said, eyes on the door, "I think you just did." Penny was standing in the doorway with red eyes and a shocked expression on her face. "Penny," Percy said weakly. "Did you mean that?" she asked softly. Percy nodded. "Yes, I did." He held out the box. "Marry me?" She strode over, a determined expression set on her jaw. She took the box, and then slapped Percy hard across the face. "Where the hell have you been all day?" she shrieked. "First Remus owls because you never made it to headquarters this morning and no one saw you at work and no one at the Burrow knew where your were and the twins hadn't seen you –do you have any idea how worried I've been? Finally, I get a hold of Bill, who says he thinks you might have come here, and I…I thought you were captured, or dead, or worse, or…" Penny broke down sobbing, clutching Percy's robes for dear life. She sniffed. "And yes, I'll marry you." Ron stood. "I think I'm going to just head back to the dormitory now," Ron said to no one in particular as Percy and Penny ignored him. Hermione was knitting socks for House-elves by the fireplace when he returned, indicating to him that she was finished with her homework for at least the next week, while he still had to finish the stuff that was due tomorrow. He kissed the top of her head as he went by, and she smiled at him, prompting a first year to say, "Goodnight Mum, Dad," before heading up the stairs to his dormitory. Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm going to murder Seamus in his sleep," Ron muttered softly through a smile. "Can I help?" Hermione asked with the same teeth-clenched smile. Ron sighed. "I'm going to work on my essay for Potions," he said. "I'll be over at the table, if you need me." She nodded. "I left some notes for you in your bag." "Thanks love." He smiled. "Anytime." She paused. "What did Percy want, anyway?" "Umm…" Ron hesitated, and then leaned down and whispered for a few moments in Hermione's ear. Her eyes grew wider by the moment. "You're kidding," Hermione whispered back, careful not to let their voices carry to where several other Gryffindors were still studying. "Nope." Ron shook his head. "Wow," Hermione said, shaking her head. "I'm surprised.…I mean, I'm not surprised they're getting married, but I'm surprised they weren't careful." "Hermione," Ron was smirking at her, "there were large quantities of firewhiskey involved. No one can be that responsible." Hermione shook her head. "Makes you think though, doesn't it?" "Don't worry, love," Ron assured her, whispering. "I have full faith in your ability to perform a simple Contraceptive Charm." Hermione nodded at him, staring into the fire. "Speaking of which…" Ron leaned down and began to whisper directly into her ear, which soon had Hermione blushing furiously. -- -- -- -- "Kind of odd for Percy to get married so soon after getting engaged," Harry commented a few weeks later. Penny and Percy had moved quickly, and were having a quiet ceremony on the Hogwarts grounds in two weeks on Valentines Day. "And why did he askyou, of all people, to be his best man?" he asked. Ron shrugged noncommittally. He had only shared the contents of his conversation with Percy with Hermione, leaving Harry and Ginny, and the rest of the family, in the dark as to the reasoning behind the haste. Of course, Mum probably knew. She knows everything, Ron thought. "Percy and I patched things up," Ron replied, drawing a skeptical glance from Harry as they entered the portrait hole. Hermione was waiting for them, smiling. "Hey Harry, Ron." "Hey love." Ron smiled back at her before giving her a quick kiss. "Hey, Dad's home!" Dean called without looking up. "Hey Dad," the room chorused. Ron and Hermione rolled their eyes, but Hermione never lost her smile. "What's up?" Harry asked, sensing that Hermione had something to tell them. "Your dress robes came," she told them excitedly. "The owl from Madam Malkin's came just a little while ago." Ron had needed to purchase new robes for the wedding as his old ones didn't match anything anyone was going to be wearing, and Harry had gone with him for the fitting and found robes in a nice shade of blue he had liked and decided to buy for himself. "Oh?" Ron said. "Go try them on!" she urged. "Make sure they fit." "Good idea," Ron said, smirking. "Make sure they fit, then put them away, right Harry?" "Sounds good to me," he agreed. Hermione had not yet seen the dress robes and was dying to see how they looked on Ron. "Oooooh, you!" She stomped her foot. "Uh oh," someone said. "Mum and Dad are having a spat again." "Let's hope it doesn't turn into a row like the ones they had before they got married." Hermione glared in the direction of the voice. "Oh, stop," Ron chuckled. "I'll be right down." -- -- -- -- "Thank you for your help, Professor. I'm really finding this all very fascinating," Hermione said as she packed her books to leave. She'd met with Professor McGonagall concerning a difficult Transfiguration question. Her visits with Professor McGonagall had become more frequent as Hermione had delved deeper into the subject. Despite her best efforts, she had not yet been able to master self-Transfiguration, and McGonagall had warned her that she might lack a certain natural talent necessary but also advised that it could come with time. Hermione had felt better when McGonagall said that it had taken her years before she mastered her Animagus form. Which made Prongs, Wormtail and Padfoot pretty remarkable, Hermione thought. As Hermione packed, McGonagall poured tea. This had become routine for the student and the professor. Hermione would come in with a difficult question, and they would work it out, then have a cup of tea and discuss life. It was a tradition that dated back to the terrible summer Hermione had spent at Gimmauld Place, as desperate and lonely for conversation as Sirius had once been. "And how are the rest of your classes going?" McGonagall asked Hermione. "Well enough," she said. "Potions is...well, trying," she admitted. McGonagall smiled thinly. "Professor Snape can be a bit...trying...at times, I'm sure," she said. "Biscuit?" she offered, holding out the box from the desk. "No, thank you," Hermione declined politely, accepting her cup from McGonagall. "How are things really going, Hermione?" McGonagall asked. Minerva had made it her special mission to watch out for Hermione Granger. Just as Albus had made his recent career specialty "Harry Potter Watching", Minerva had followed Hermione with special interest. Hermione had all the signs of a very powerful witch, and she had a special gift for sharing her knowledge, as evidenced by young Mr. Potter's and Mr. Weasley's grades. Minerva had feared that losing her parents in such a tragic fashion might scar Hermione permanently, but the girl had held herself together, and that was due in no small part to the deep emotional connection she had with Ron, and to a much lesser extent, Harry. Minerva had been pleased to see Ron and Hermione become engaged, and she did not doubt that they would have a long and happy marriage. She was aware of the nickname her other young Gryffindors had hung on Ron and Hermione, and she admired them for not responding to it, rather hoping for it to die a natural death. "Things are going okay," Hermione said softly. "I can't really believe it's nearly been a year, but I'm getting by. Planning the wedding keeps me busy when I'm not doing school work." McGonagall nodded. "And how is Ron handling his end of the planning?" "Oh, he's fine. He's as anxious as I am," she admitted. "I think he's more nervous about Percy's wedding than our own." "I'm not surprised. There's something very odd going on there," McGonagall admitted. "I was under the impression that Percy and Ron were not on speaking terms." "They weren't," Hermione said, "until recently." "Oh? What happened?" "Well, you recall that Percy came here to speak to Ron?" Hermione said. "Something…happened then. Percy told Ron something that changed things. I don't know what." McGonagall knew that there was something Hermione wasn't telling her. She could tell because Hermione's eyes shifted nervously whenever she wasn't telling the full truth. She'd seen it a dozen times before, usually when her young protégé was covering for the transgressions of her fiancé and their best mate. "So many things are changing, and so fast, too," McGonagall commented. "I never thought young Percy would condone such hasty action." McGonagall watched Hermione's eyes dart around the room again. "I'm sure they have their reasons," she said, "whatever they are." Minerva blinked and pursed her lips. She had her own suspicions now, and Hermione was only confirming them. Well, she thought, if we live long enough, a little simple arithmetic will tell all. Hermione glanced at her watch. "I should really be going, Professor. I'm supposed to meet Ron to study." "Hurry along then," McGonagall said. "Far be it from me to keep you from your fiancé. Come back if you need anything else." "You know I will, Professor." Hermione smiled. "Have a good night." -- -- -- -- "Do you think she knows?" Ron asked Hermione later. So far, they hadn't managed to get much studying done during their study session. The Room of Requirement had taken on the appearance of a comfortable living room, complete with a wide, cushy couch, and they were lying on it together in their disheveled clothing, holding each other and chatting about their day. "I'm pretty sure she's guessed," Hermione admitted. "She's pretty sharp." Ron nodded. "Mum's probably figured it out too," Ron said, and Hermione could feel his shoulders moving as he shrugged. "It's the only thing that would cause Percy to move this quickly, really. I suppose they can pass off the 'uncertain times' excuse with most people, but Mum's probably seen right through it." Hermione shook her head. "Well, at least they love each other. They're not doing it just because of the baby." "Right. It can get ugly fast when people do that." Ron paused. "Still, it's awkward. And besides, I'm not sure I'd want to be having children before Voldemort goes down. I worry enough about just you. I think I'd be sick if I had to worry about a baby as well." Hermione gave a little shiver. "But we don't have to worry about that, because I have the most responsible witch in the world for a fiancée. And on top of that, she's first rate at charms, right love?" "You are incorrigible, Ronald Weasley." -- -- -- -- Present Ron's words were echoing in Hermione's head as she took another deep breath and tried to calm herself. She needed to sleep or she wouldn't be able to concentrate in class. This will all sort itself out tomorrow, she told herself. She closed her eyes and drifted off. She had troubled dreams. -- -- -- -- Ron lay awake, staring at the ceiling of his dormitory, lost in his thoughts. Percy's wedding was only a few days away. It also happened to be Valentines Day. He'd remembered to get Hermione a gift, having picked out a nice quill-shaped pendant suspended on a fine gold chain. He smirked a little as he thought of the appropriateness of the gift Ron's thoughts returned to Percy and the wedding. His family had certainly been surprised when Percy announced that he would serve as best man. The internecine cold war that had developed between them was legendary, and no one could fathom what had caused it to be so totally and utterly swept aside. He knew that Percy had let him into his deepest confidence – he could only guess at why. Maybe Percy felt that, if he had proven himself as the confidant and best mate to The Boy Who Lived, he could be trusted with something as trivial as Penny's pregnancy. Maybe Percy had sought him out because he thought his engagement to Hermione somehow made him an expert on girls. That caused Ron to snort a little. It didn't seem to him that being with Hermione made him an expert on girls because it was…well…Hermione. Hermione wasn't 'girls'. Hermione was Hermione, and somehow, through it all, Ron realized that it was meant to be. There wasn't any other way about it. Ron somehow had the feeling that their coming together would have happened even if he had done nothing. It was as if it were ordained by fate, or whatever other higher power was out there. It was as if it had been written down somewhere, scripted somehow. He chuckled at this last thought, imagining some powerful being somewhere scratching out his life story on parchment. It was an amusing thought, anyway. His thoughts drifted back to Percy's wedding and the secret. His brother was going to be a dad. There was a time when he would have been disgusted by that idea. But Percy was a decent enough bloke, and he'd probably make a fine father. Not for the first time, Ron wondered what kind of father he would be. The images arose unbidden. He and Hermione had talked often about the future in the time since that day during the Christmas holidays. He saw the house that they had sketched out in their minds, a cozy little haven with trees and a garden. He saw small red- and brown-haired children careening through the yard, chasing each other with small twigs and branches. He saw Hermione sitting on the porch, rocking a small bundle. He was coming up the walk, children tackling his knees, Hermione smiling…. Ron shook his head to chase the vision away. Not yet, he told himself. After Voldemort is gone…when I can raise my children in peace. Ron sighed and closed his eyes. He really needed some sleep. -- -- -- -- Hermione woke up the next morning and realized she felt fine. None of the usual side effects were present. She fought with the rising panic in her mind as she started to get ready for the day.
What would Ron say? she thought. He'll probably do what Percy did and get all noble and marry me right off. She shook her head. She couldn't let him short-circuit his life. What will I do? she asked herself. She couldn't finish Hogwarts…too difficult, too embarrassing. Molly will kill me. My mum would have killed me. Her cheeks burned as she remembered some of the lectures she'd received from her mother, and then later from Molly Weasley. It was bad enough that Molly had already once accused her of being a scarlet woman. What would she say now? Hermione wondered, fumbling with her schoolbooks. She was so absorbed in her preparations for class that she walked past Ron in the common room without even looking. He stared after her, puzzled, then turned to look at Harry. "What did you do this time?" Harry asked. "I have no idea," Ron said. Hermione realized she'd forgotten her fiancé and her best friend, and turned back. "Are you boys coming?" she called out. "Right behind you luv," Ron laughed. "Distracted this morning?" "A little," Hermione admitted timidly. She tried to forget it as she linked her hand with Ron's. It's nothing, just a day or so late…. It's nothing…. Hermione's mood deteriorated over the course of the day. She snapped at Ron twice and even yelled at Harry, who mainly looked grateful that someone had finally decided not to treat him like he was made of glass. What am I going to do? Hermione asked herself. She had excused herself from the common room, with the excuse that she was going to study, and found herself huddled in the stacks. She couldn't tell anyone. Ron would want to know, but she couldn't tell him. She didn't know how he'd react. Would he run away? He'd hate her forever for ruining his life, she was now sure. A small part of her tried to tell herself how absurd that was. Another small part of her wanted to blame Ron for all of this. It was his fault anyway…. He's too damn handsome and too persuasive…. We should have waited. Hermione chose for the moment to ignore the fact that she, in fact, had "started it". But she couldn't let anyone know, so she returned to the common room and apologized to Ron and Harry. They shrugged it off, and Harry offered to play chess with her, but she told them that she really hadn't been feeling well and that she was going to bed. "I hope you're okay for the wedding tomorrow, honey," Ron said concernedly as he kissed her goodnight. "There's going to be dancing at the reception, and I'd be lost without my favorite dance partner." The wedding! She'd forgotten all about it. Images flashed into her mind of her and Ron getting married by a backyard friar in Hogsmeade on a weekend with only Harry and Ginny as witnesses, all because she messed up…. She couldn't look at Ron any longer, and she practically fled up the stairs to the girls' dormitory after stammering goodnight. "What do you make of it Harry?" Ron asked after his fiancée had retreated up the stairs. "No idea, Ron. Girls are your specialty, at least at the moment. Come play chess with me." "Okay, mate." -- -- -- -- The sun was bright in the window when Hermione woke up the next morning, Valentines Day, Percy and Penny's wedding day. It was also day 31. She was really starting to panic now. You should really tell someone, Hermione thought. But she couldn't tell Ron…yet. Who to tell? Harry? He'd be no use, he'd tell me to tell Ron. Ginny? Ginny was great with secrets, but Hermione had a feeling family ties might trump her wishes for secrecy in this particular case. She might not tell Ron outright, but she would probably give Ron an indication that something was wrong, and then he'd pester until he found out. And Hermione couldn't talk with her roommates because she didn't even want them to know she was sleeping with Ron. If they knew, the whole school would know in an hour. Who can I turn to? She looked at her clock. The boys would be having a lie in, since wedding wasn't until late afternoon. She needed food; her stomach was growling loudly. If she went down to breakfast now, she could return to her dormitory before the boys were even awake. She didn't want to deal with Ron right this moment. She dressed quickly and then headed for the Great Hall. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't see Professor McGonagall. "Professor!" Hermione exclaimed after she bumped into her. "I'm terribly sorry!" "It's quite all right, Hermione," McGonagall replied. She paused and looked at Hermione, furrowing her brow. "Are you quite all right?" "What? Oh yes, of course, I'm fine," Hermione said quickly. "Lots of work to do, busy day." She tried smiling brightly for the professor. McGonagall watched Hermione's eyes dart around the hallway, but she nodded anyway. "Of course, a busy day indeed." "I'm off to get some breakfast, I'll see you later, Professor," Hermione said, beating a hasty retreat toward the Great Hall. McGonagall stared after her for a moment, shaking her head. -- -- -- -- Sometime later, Ron and Harry were playing chess in the common room. They watched Hermione storm through the room on her way out the portrait hole. Ron looked thoughtful as he followed her with his eyes. "Still trying to figure out what's up with Hermione, Ron?" Harry asked. Ron didn't seem to hear Harry and finally snapped his fingers. He pulled out the planner that Hermione had given him for Christmas during fifth year and flipped it open to the calendar. Concentrating hard, Ron scanned the dates. He finally closed the calendar and sighed. "Figures," he muttered. "What's that Ron?" Harry asked. "Bad time." Ron shrugged. "What?" "Of the month," Ron said very quietly. The light finally came on in Harry's head. "Oh," Harry said, a blush creeping up his cheeks. Ron shrugged again. "Well, at least I know what's wrong. Bad timing, that's all." Harry shook his head sympathetically at his friend and prepared to make his move on the chessboard. "Well, there's nothing you can do, I guess. C'mon, last game, and then it's time to get ready." -- -- -- -- Hermione had taken refuge in the library again, after having had her fill of Parvati and Lavender gossiping in the dormitory. She was trying to look inconspicuous as she browsed through the stacks of books. Finally, she found the one she was looking for: So You're Going to Be a Mum: A Complete Witch's Guide to Pregnancy and Babies. Hermione pulled it off the shelf quickly and held it with her hands over the title. She knew she would have to check it out, and that thought mortified her. She finally plucked herself up to hand it to Madam Pince, who took it without a word and stamped it. "It's for a school project," Hermione blurted out. Oh sure…just draw attention to it. Madam Pince nodded. "You know when books are due, Hermione." And she handed the book back to her. Hermione swallowed and rushed out. She skidded around the corner and pulled out her wand. She glanced up and down the hallway quickly, making sure she was alone. Seeing no one, she quickly transfigured the lettering off the cover and stuffed the book in her bag. Then she glanced at her watch and realized that she should be getting ready for the wedding. She hurried back to the dormitory. -- -- -- -- Knowing she was going to be late, Hermione was flipping through her book with her bed curtains drawn. She knew that she should get ready, she wanted to look nice for Ron, but she was getting angrier with him for putting her in this position by the hour. She put the book away and put on her dress robes. Ron always said he liked her hair down, so she left it that way. Ron was waiting for her when she finally made it to the common room. Harry had already left with Ginny. "What took so long, love?" Ron asked curiously. "I'm probably risking a hexing by hanging around here – you know how Percy is." "I'm sorry," she snapped. "I can't get ready in just a few seconds like you." If Ron was fazed at all by her display of anger, he didn't show it. "Here, love," he said softly. "I got you something for Valentines Day." Gently he pulled a gold chain out of his pocket and carefully clasped it around her neck. Hermione look down at the quill pendant dangling from the chain and couldn't help but smile. "It's lovely, Ron," she told him. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Not as lovely as you," he said, grinning. "I've got to go, I'll see you after the service." He took off out the portrait hole and Hermione made her way behind him at a somewhat more dignified pace. -- -- -- -- Hermione would later remember the service as being lovely. Percy had arranged for one of the unused classrooms to be transformed into a lovely garden setting, given the fact that it was still winter outside. The reception would follow in the Great Hall. Ron looked nervous, yet proud to be the best man, and he looked smashing in his new dress robes. Hermione barely noticed any of this at the time, however. She was too busy alternating between silent panic and silent fuming. She clapped and oohed and ahhed in all the appropriate places, but she couldn't stop thinking…what if that's me next? Getting married because I'm expecting. When the service was over, everyone headed to the Great Hall for the reception. Ron came over to her. "Can I get you something to drink?" Ron offered kindly. He was being so sweet. The idiot, he got me into this mess. "Sure, I'll have some punch," you great big oversexed git. He had just retrieved the punch for her when Percy, standing at the head table with Penny, cleared his throat. "Penny and I, uh, we want to thank you all for coming, and we uh…" He turned to Penny, and she nodded to him confidently. "We uh…um…have an addition announcement to make…. We, uh…we're expecting a baby." All at once, the guests began chattering excitedly in surprise. Fred and George were whooping at the top of their lungs and slapping Percy on the back, much to his discomfort. "Well, I'm happy for them," Ron declared. "But I'm just as glad we don't have to worry about that kind of thing." Hermione froze. Oh God…what have I done? He's going to hate me. She started to turn. "Where are you going love?" Ron asked. "Uh…ladies room," she stammered. "I don't feel too good." "Are you all right?" "I'm fine, okay!" she snapped. Several people turned to look, but with all the hubbub it was lost in the crowd. She fled down the corridor. Ron stood staring after her before Bill grabbed him and dragged him back toward the party. -- -- -- -- Hermione didn't make it very far before she was crying. She slumped down against the wall in the in hallway. She tried to hide when she heard footsteps. "Miss Granger?" Oh great, Professor McGonagall, Hermione thought. "Is everything all right?" McGonagall was shocked to see her curled up behind a suit of armor. "I'm sorry, Professor, I'll go to the common room," she sniffed. "No, I don't think so," McGonagall said, taking her arm and guiding her to sit down in an empty classroom. "What's wrong, Hermione? Where's your fiancé? Did he do something?" McGonagall looked angry. "No!" Hermione wailed. "He's fine; he's back at the reception. I just…" If she wasn't going to tell Ron, or anyone in her year, she certainly wasn't going to tell McGonagall. She'd probably expel them both. "This wouldn't have anything to do with a book that you checked out of the library today, would it?" McGonagall asked. Hermione's eyes widened to as big as dinner plates. "How did you know?" she whispered. "Madam Pince keeps an eye on books like that. She doesn't normally share such information with teachers, but she told me because your behavior in the last several days has been quite out of the ordinary. And she's not the only one who's noticed," McGonagall said pointedly. "Was it that noticeable?" "Perhaps not to the male teachers or even your classmates, but for two women with the experience that Madam Pince and I have, it was rather disconcerting," McGonagall said. She paused. "Hermione, for just a moment, try to forget I'm the deputy headmistress; I'm only looking out for you. I won't punish you or Mr. Weasley for anything you tell me here. Is there anything you need to tell me, Hermione?" Hermione sobbed, and realized that she had to tell someone or she was going to explode. And McGonagall already knew about the book. "I….I'm late, Professor. I don't know what to do. I don't even know if it means anything or not…. I'm just…I didn't want to tell Ron, because he'd go do something noble like Percy did. And then, just now, he said he was glad we didn't have to worry about a baby like Penny and Percy, and now I don't know what to think. I'm afraid he might hate me or something, and I'm just…I'm…" "Scared?" McGonagall offered. Hermione nodded. "I mean, I do so well in Charms, you'd think I could manage…." Hermione sniffed. This was surreal. "You must think I'm terrible," she said finally. McGonagall shook her head. "Hermione, I've been teaching here at Hogwarts for much longer than you've been alive. Do you really think you're the first young woman I've had this conversation with? And you won't be the last." "But I was always so practical. And now look at me…." "Hermione, I can't say I'm exactly pleased, but I can't say I'm exactly surprised either. You are generally very practical and down to earth, except where Mr. Weasley is concerned. He seems to bring out your more impulsive tendencies. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as one does need impulsiveness to bring variety to life. And, of course, you're right. Given your skill in Charms, you should not be concerned with negative consequences of your actions. It could be that this problem is entirely unrelated to your activities with Mr. Weasley," McGonagall pointed out. Hermione sniffed. "I know…but how do I know?" "There is one other person at Hogwarts who has a modicum of discretion. Come with me, Hermione." McGonagall took her gently by the hand and led her through the hallways. They arrived at the Hospital Wing a few moments later. "I'll wait out here," McGonagall said, "in case you still need someone to talk to." Hermione swallowed and walked in. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk reading Witch Weekly. "Miss Granger, are you not feeling well?" she asked, looking up. "Shouldn't you be at the wedding reception? And where is that red-headed fiancé of yours?" "Madam Pomfrey, I need your help." "What is it, child?" the nurse asked kindly, standing up and waving Hermione into a chair. "I…I…IthinkImightbepregnant," Hermione said in a rush. Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips and nodded. "Come lie down, Hermione. What makes you think so? Do you feel sick in the mornings?" the nurse asked as she guided Hermione to a cot. "No…I'm late," she said. "How many days?" "Just three…but I've always been so…regular," Hermione said. "Well, we'll know in a moment. How long have you thought this?" Madam Pomfrey asked. "A couple days," Hermione admitted. Madam Pomfrey waved her wand, and nothing happened. She did it again – still nothing. "You should have come to me sooner. I might have been able to save you a couple of sleepless nights. You're not pregnant, Hermione." "I'm not?" Hermione was shocked. Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "Really?" Three days of tension flowed out of Hermione in a rush. She felt like she was going to cry again, but she didn't want to inflict that on Madam Pomfrey. "Thank you," she said, getting off the bed to give the nurse a hug. Madam Pomfrey looked at her sternly. "This little episode might give you pause to consider your activities," the nurse warned. Hermione hung her head and nodded. Truth be told, she just wanted to find Ron and snog his brains out to make up for the bitch she'd been the past couple of days. "Now scat. There's a redhead running around somewhere missing something important. And on Valentines Day, no less." "Yes, Madam Pomfrey." McGonagall was waiting and took in Hermione's smile. Hermione caught her eye, bit her lip and hung her head. "Feeling a bit better now?" "Yes, Professor. I'm sorry." "For what? As far as I know, no rules have been broken. You were on holiday recently." Hermione nodded at the unspoken message. If rules had been broken, she didn't want to hear it. Dad would have called that plausible deniability. Her father had been fascinated with political novels. "I just feel bad about disappointing people. I mean, everyone has this opinion of me of being the perfect prefect and Head Girl. What kind of example have I set?" "Given the fact that this is the first time I've ever heard anything about an intimate relationship between you and your fiancé, you've exercised remarkable discretion so far, and I have nothing to complain about. I am impressed with your self-assessment, though I wish you'd thought of that beforehand." Hermione blushed. "But believe me, you're not the first Head Girl to find herself in a potentially compromising situation. I can think of two previous ones from my house, one by the name of Prewett and another named Lily Evans…" McGonagall trailed off. "Ron's mum and Harry's mum were head girls?" McGonagall nodded. "And Miss Evans was once discovered sleeping on the front steps of the castle, waiting for a certain young man to return from a moonlight romp in the forest." Hermione caught McGonagall's drift. "Among other things…" McGonagall muttered. "But I should warn you, Miss Granger, I won't deal with you lightly if you're ever discovered in a compromising situation with Mr. Weasley here at Hogwarts. The rules are very clear on that matter," McGonagall said sternly. "Yes, Professor." McGonagall's expression softened. "You shouldn't have thought you were alone, Hermione. Ron would have helped you, he loves you very much. He admitted that much to me the night he proposed to you. I hardly think that he would have had any cause to hate you." "I know, but I didn't want him to flip out or be mad." "I don't really think he would have felt that way," McGonagall pointed out. "I suppose you're right." "Now, I'm quite positive your fiancé is searching franticly for you, and you should go find him," McGonagall ordered. "Yes, Professor." Hermione was walking back down toward the Great Hall when she heard a voice. "Hermione!" Ginny called out, running towards her. "Ginny?" Hermione looked at her in confusion. "Where have you been? Ron's in a complete panic. He's been looking all over for you! Where did you go? Was my brother a prat?" "No, Ginny…no…. I…I had to go to the Hospital Wing." "Is everything all right?" Ginny asked immediately. "It is now," she sighed. "I was just feeling poorly. You know how it is…bad timing." Hermione figured it was close enough to the truth, and it would certainly explain her erratic behavior in the past several days. "Oh," Ginny said, comprehending. "Yeah, sometimes I end up there too. That tea Madam Pomfrey makes is great." Hermione nodded, and she and Ginny continued to walk back down the corridor toward the Great Hall. Harry spotted them "Hey, Hermione, where did you run off to?" Harry said. "Ron's flipping out." "It's a girl thing, Harry," Ginny assured him, and Harry turned a little green. "Where's Ron now?" Hermione asked. "He went up to the common room looking for you when you didn't come back," Harry said. "I'm pretty sure he's wearing a hole in the floor." "I'll go see him now," Hermione said, and walked up to the Gryffindor common room. The portrait hole opened, and she entered the room. In flash, Ron was on his knees in front of her. "Whatever it is, I'm sorry. A thousand times. I didn't mean it. Please don't leave me," he begged. "Oh, Ron," she sighed, and pulled him up off the floor into a hug. She clung to him tightly. He was slightly shocked, but recovered nicely and wrapped his arms around her. "You haven't done anything. I'm the one who should be sorry. I haven't been myself lately. But I'd never leave you. You're the most important thing in the world to me. And I was a prat at the reception, and the necklace you gave me is beautiful, and I love it, and I don't know what was wrong with me," she half-sobbed. "I just... It's…" "A girl thing?" Ron offered. "Yeah," she sniffed. "How did you know?" She laughed. He shrugged. "I can count four weeks." She closed her eyes as she leaned against his chest. You have no idea…. "You're so cute, Ron. I love you." "I love you too." She pulled him over to the couch. "Just hold me." "That, I can do." She snuggled up against him on the couch and kissed his cheek. "I'm really sorry, Ron – I really mucked up Valentines Day." He shrugged. "There'll be others," he said philosophically. "That's my Ron." She smiled. Someday, I'll have his children. Just not right now, thankfully. She sighed. "Happy Valentines Day, Ron." "Happy Valentines Day, Hermione."
Ron sighed. "I should really get back to the reception, though. Best man, and all of that." Hermione nodded. "And there's dancing." "And there's dancing," Ron agreed, smiling. "But maybe we can sneak off a little early?" she suggested. "Once you've fulfilled your duties as best man?" "I think that can be arranged." -- -- -- -- When Harry and Ginny finally returned to the common room that evening, Ginny was laughing at something Harry had said, but Seamus shushed them. "Shhh!" He put a finger to his lips. "Mum and Dad are asleep," he said, grinning. "Mum was really looking knackered when they came in." Ron and Hermione were fast asleep on the common room couch. Hermione had her head curled up on his chest, and Ron, who was snoring lightly, had his head lolled back on the couch. "They're so sweet," Lavender sighed from the chair across from Seamus. "They came back early from the reception just so they could be alone together for a while, just sitting. Nothing's ever sordid about them." "It's so innocent, it's disgusting," Seamus agreed. Lavender hit him. Harry and Ginny just shook their heads and smiled at each other before parting ways to their dormitories. They would take their knowledge to the grave.
|