Story: War
Chapter: 6
Rating of Chapter: R
Thanks: Thanks to Cheryl and Muirnin for their continuous support and help with this fic.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things I own are the plot, any characters, spells etc that you do not recognize.
Author Notes: Thanks for reviewing. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 6: Butterbeer: Extra Strong
Hermione wasn't in the main part of the room so he approached the bathroom. As he was about to open the door it swung open in front of him. Harry looked ahead at Hermione, whose eyes were red; she looked as pale as a ghost. "Hermione, what is it?" he asked, full of concern. He walked over to her and wrapped her in a tight hug.
"Harry…I'm…I'm pregnant."
*
Harry pulled away from Hermione and stared at her in shock. "What do you mean you're pregnant?"
"I mean I'm having a baby, WE are having a baby." Hermione answered, the worry stricken on her face. Harry looked disbelievingly around the room; suddenly it felt as though the whole world had come crashing down around him.
"I can't believe this," he muttered, pacing around the room.
"We should have been more careful," said Hermione, who was standing watching her nervous boyfriend. Harry quickly turned to face her.
"Are you saying this is my fault?" he questioned.
"No, I'm just saying that we should have been more careful, one minute we were talking and the next minute we were in bed. The next morning I had a feeling that we had made a mistake." She looked up at Harry, who's face had softened a little.
"And that's why you were unsure that night?" he added. Hermione nodded, and looked into the eyes of Harry. "You were right…I'm sorry."
"Don't blame yourself Harry, if I had wanted, I could have stopped it that night, but I didn't want to."
"Well we should have done, but its too late now isn't it?" answered Harry firmly.
"Please don't shout Harry," asked Hermione.
"Well what do you want me to do? Start singing and dancing?" Harry snapped sarcastically.
Hermione swallowed hard, she was desperately trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to burst from her eyes. She was determined to stay strong, and help both herself and Harry deal with this. "You could try being supportive," she suggested. Harry glanced at her and then quickly shook his head.
"I need some air," he said.
"I'll come with you," answered Hermione, following him to the door.
"When I mean air, I mean not with you…at least not right now."
Harry turned away and let the door close behind him. The tears couldn't be held back any longer, and they burst through Hermione's eyelashes. She walked over to the sofa and perched on the end of it, rubbing fiercely at her eyes. 'How could Harry be so selfish?' She had only just discovered the news herself, and the last thing she needed was to lose Harry.
She moved her hand into a pocket on her robe and pulled out the broach of her mum and dad. She trailed her thumb over it and kissed it gently. "Where are you? I need you so badly," she murmured aloud.
*
Harry walked out of the Gryffindor common room and towards the one room he was looking for. It was the room where he could get something that wouldn't fix his current 'situation,' but would make him feel better nonetheless. He approached the painting in one of the corridors, and tickled the bowl of fruit relentlessly, before it gave in and granted him access to the kitchens. He walked down a few steps and was met by Dobby the house elf. There were many house elves cooking and cleaning in the background.
"Hello, Harry Potter sir," said Dobby, beginning a gracious bow.
"Hi Dobby, how are you? And Winky?"
"Well sir, Dobby is ok, and Winky is doing much better sir, so we are ok. Now, would Harry Potter like some chocolate cake? How about some pumpkin pie?" Harry shook his head.
"No thanks Dobby, I was just wondering if you had some butterbeer? Extra strong."
"Yes, yes, we do sir. But why would Harry Potter want extra strong butterbeer? It can make wizards feel a little…numb." Harry smiled.
"That'll be perfect." Dobby returned in no time with three bottles of butterbeer for Harry. "Thanks, oh, before I forget." Harry pulled off his shoe and removed a sock, before handing it to Dobby. "That's for all your hard work." Dobby's eyes widened, and he beamed at Harry.
"Dobby is most grateful sir."
*
Harry had made himself comfortable underneath the Whomping Willow, in the room once used by his godfather Sirius Black. He pulled the cap off one of the bottles and stared at the fizz on the surface. He knew he was doing the wrong thing, but for now it seemed like the best option. He brought the bottle to his lips and the sensation whizzed throughout his body, making his skin tingle.
Harry heard a bang from behind him and saw Draco walking in. "What are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"I came to see what you were up to." Draco replied, taking a seat opposite Harry. "So, what are you up to?"
"What's it to you?" Harry questioned.
"I'm just curious."
"Ok, I'm just having a drink, getting away from my problems."
"Drinking won't solve anything."
"I know."
"Well then why are you drinking it?"
"Because I just found out that Hermione's pregnant." Draco looked disbelievingly at Harry.
"Been busy up in that common room then?" he asked. Harry frowned at him.
"No, it happened during the summer…anyway, I don't want to talk about that. Do you want a drink?" Draco considered for a moment.
"Maybe a bit, your not the only one with woman troubles." He took a bottle of butterbeer and clonked it against Harry's. "Cheers!" They both took a huge swallow of drink and both felt the tingling in their bodies. Draco spat a little out in disgust. "Yuck, it tastes like horse piss, or at least I imagine so…"
"It tastes great," argued Harry. He then swallowed the rest of the bottle in one, followed by the remaining bottle.
"Maybe you should slow down?" Draco suggested, getting up from his seat.
Harry laughed lightly. "I'm fine." He staggered up from his seat and stumbled towards the door, before crashing to the ground.
"Very funny Potter." Draco said sarcastically. He waited for a few moments, but there was still no sign of movement. He walked over to him, he could see that he was breathing, but he appeared unconscious. Although the thought of leaving one of his old archenemies unconscious under the Whomping Willow seemed appealing, he decided to take the sensible option and fetch Madam Pomfrey.
*
The room was dark and foggy. A small corridor with arched in walls, a woman wandered the walls with a small child in her arms. She ran her hands up and down the walls as if looking for some sort of exit. "Harry where are you?" she muttered. Behind them, a cloaked Dark Lord held out his wand, the familiar pale, moulding face laughing fiercely. A whiff of green light erupted from the wand towards the woman and baby. "Harry!" she screamed.
"HERMIONE!" Harry sat up quickly, his breathing heavy, and his head pounding. He looked around himself in the dark, to eventually see that he was in the Hospital Wing. A dim light was turned on in the corner of the room, and there she was. He could see Hermione sitting in a large armchair, Hogwarts: A History lying flat against her chest as she slept peacefully. Even after what Harry had said to her earlier that day, she was still there by his side, as she always was. Finally now he understood, the woman he looked at was the woman he loved, the woman he wanted to start a family with. He rubbed his eye a little with his thumb, as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
Author Notes: I actually felt quite emotional writing that chapter, and that's something I don't usually do. I hope it had some effect on you, as I do all my chapters. Keep up the reviews and feel free to ask me any questions you may have regarding anything to do with my stories…I think that's about it really.