A/N: Thanks again to all of you who took the time to review. It's been a hectic couple of days for both of us but rest assured, your reviews will be answered this time around.
And our prayers and thoughts go out to all of you in the path of Hurricane Francis! Good luck to all you guys! Stay safe!!!
Hermione knew the exam results wouldn't be given back to them until the next day but she absolutely could not wait so after her last class she doubled back and headed towards her transfiguration classroom and pleaded with her professor for her results.
"You did quite well Ms. Granger," the professor said, turning through a few pages. "You only missed a question or two."
"I missed a few?" Hermione felt her stomach plummet. She grabbed the exam paper away and leafed through it.
"Only a few," the professor nodded. "I do believe Gordon Devereaux was the only person to get full marks on this one."
"Thank you sir," Hermione left the classroom and angrily stuffed the exam in her bag. "Damn it damn it damn it!" she cursed. She was still ticked off as she got home, slamming the front door behind her, startling Cho, who was sitting in the kitchen with some juice.
"Rough day?" Cho asked.
"You have no bloody idea." Hermione snapped. "Is Harry home?"
Cho gave her a friend a concerned look. "Um, yeah… They had an early day today. He went upstairs a few minutes ago and said something about taking a shower."
Hermione sighed as she sat down hard in a chair. "I did horribly on an exam." she said.
Cho sighed in relief. "The way you were carrying on I thought it was something serious."
"This IS serious," Hermione said. "I've never done horribly on an exam in my life!"
Cho stared at her. "Never?"
"Never," Hermione affirmed. "And if Harry had set the bloody alarm then I would have done perfectly on it!" she pulled the test from her bag for Cho to see.
Cho leafed through the exam and couldn't help laughing. "Hermione, you didn't do horribly! You missed two questions!"
"I know that's exactly it!" Hermione snatched it back.
"Most people would kill to miss only two questions," Cho said. She knew of course that Hermione was smart, but she had no idea she took it this seriously. "Are you telling me that you always get top marks?"
"Always," Hermione stressed her answer. Harry chose that unfortunate moment to walk in the kitchen and Cho excused herself, not wanting to be around when the fireworks went off.
Harry couldn't remember when he'd last seen Cho walk so fast to get out of a room. This was saying quite a bit as she'd taken to waddling lately wherever she went. He walked over to Hermione and kissed her on the forehead. He didn't notice the angry expression on her face as he breezed past her and set about pulling out a bag of crisps from the pantry.
"I hope you're satisfied," she finally said tightly as he sat down with his food.
He looked properly at her and for the first time saw that she wasn't too happy and the way she was staring at him, he had to be the cause. He suddenly remembered her exam. "Hermione, I-" he began.
"I missed TWO questions!" she interrupted. "I never miss two questions on ANYTHING!"
"Was it a three question test or something?" he asked, wondering why she was getting so worked up over this.
"That is NOT the point!" Hermione sat back down in a huff.
He leaned back in the chair. "Could you tell me what is the point?"
"The point is, I got distracted and failed to wake up in time to study properly..." she must have looked like she was going to cry because he moved his chair over and put his arm around her. "And now I'm not number one in the class anymore!"
"Just because you missed two questions?" he asked. "That doesn't sound very fair." He'd meant to try and make her laugh, but she obviously wasn't in the mood for humour. "Hermione," He said calmly. "This isn't so bad. You'll just study really hard for the next one and then you'll be number one again."
"No..." Hermione shook her head. "I'm going to have to get a tutor."
"Why would you have to do that?" he asked her. "I think you're blowing this way out of proportion. You did poorly on ONE test."
"And one test can make or break your grade!" Hermione replied. "Harry you wouldn't understand. Cho told me how you never took your schoolwork seriously until you found out the requirements for the Auror program!"
"How did I get dragged into this?" he asked her, thinking her reasoning was a little unfair. "I understand this is important to you, but you're really not thinking clearly, Hermione. How about I take you upstairs and run you a bath and you can just---what?"
"I don't have time for something so frivolous," Hermione replied. "I have to go talk to Gordon."
"Gordon?" Harry asked. "Why do you need to go see him?"
"Because he's the best person to arrange to be my tutor," Hermione explained.
Before he could stop himself, Harry blurted out, "I don't think that's a good idea."
"What?" Hermione stopped stuffing her books back in her bag. "Why not?"
Harry debated whether he should tell her his theory about the true intentions of Gordon Devereaux. He didn't want to make her any angrier than she obviously already was. Deciding to try another tact, he arose from his chair and walked over to her. "Come on upstairs with me?" he asked her playfully. "Let me at least try and take your mind off of this."
"Harry," Hermione stood firm. "I can't. I really need to get my marks back up."
The smile on his face fell. "Okay, I'll wait up for you then. When you get back from meeting with Gordon..."
Hermione nodded and tossed her bag back over her shoulder. It wasn't until she got to the doorway of the kitchen that she finally saw the look on her boyfriend's face. "Look... Harry... it's not that I'm trying to push you away here. It's just that my marks are so important to me, and I'll never be Minister for Magic unless I'm the absolute best."
"Hermione," he said. "You missed two questions on a test. I hate to see you beating yourself up over something that in the long run isn't going to mean much."
"It means a lot to me," Hermione answered. "This is just until the next test. I have to be absolutely prepared for it."
"What's just until the next test?" he asked confused. "Wait a minute...are you saying that we can't..."
"Harry I need all my time and concentration for my studies right now." Hermione said.
Harry wanted to laugh. She had to be joking.
"I'm glad you find this so funny. I'd be supportive of you if it was the other way around." Hermione said crossly.
"I don't think this is funny," Harry said quickly. "You...you just do what you have to do. Whatever you decide, I'll support you. I might not like your methods, but I'll support you."
Hermione softened as she looked at him, slumped over slightly at the table. "I'm sorry," she said. "I do tend to get a little fanatical over my studies. It used to drive Lavender crazy."
If this was a little fanatical he'd hate to see what she was like in full-blown fanatical mode. He, of course, didn't say this. Instead, he got up from his chair and crossed the room. Standing in front of her, he gave her his most charming smile. "Would it be within the boundaries to give you a kiss goodbye at least?" he asked. "I promise not to overstep my bounds."
Hermione couldn't help but grin. "You may," she answered.
"Alright," he said, promptly kissing her chastely on each cheek. "How's that?"
"Horribly lame, Potter." Hermione replied.
"You're right," he said, running a hand up and down her arm. "I can do much better than that. I was just testing you, Granger."
She opened her mouth to respond, but didn't get a chance as he leaned in and kissed her hard and deep, his tongue searching and sensual. He felt a sense of triumph as he felt her arms encircle his waist.
"Better?" he asked a moment later when they broke apart.
"Uh..." Hermione was stunned. "Yes." she managed.
"Don't be too late," he said softly.
"I won't stay out long," Hermione said dazedly. She turned towards the door. "Why am I leaving again?"
"Exam...two questions wrong...tutor," Harry answered, trying not to laugh. "Ringing any bells?"
"Oh yes," Hermione turned away again but then looked at him. "You're a horrid influence Potter."
"I try," he said, winking at her. "I try."
"You've succeeded." Hermione said, still standing in the doorway.
When he didn't hear the door closing behind her, he poked his head out from the kitchen. "Not having second thoughts, are you? Because if you were thinking of ditching this Gordon, I'd be happy to exert my horrid influence on you again."
Hermione had to quite literally force herself to leave the house. "Damn rotting bugger he is," she said with a smile.
*** *** ***
Cho nervously straightened a lock of her hair. "Are you sure I look all right? Maybe I should have put that concealment charm back on my stomach." she rubbed her protruding belly. "I look a mess with this pregnancy."
"You look beautiful," Neville said, feeling a little nervous himself. He'd never brought a girl home to meet her before and he honestly didn't know how well this would go over. But, seeing as Cho was a part of his life now and hopefully would be for quite some time, there was no way around it. "Ready?" he asked, leading her slowly up the front steps to the house.
"As ready as I can be," Neville gave her another reassuring look as he rang the doorbell. "Kiss me for luck?" she asked.
He bent his head and kissed her softly. "You'll be great, Cho."
"Okay," she let her lips linger on his a moment but pulled away when the door opened in front of them.
"What on earth are you doing ringing the doorbell of your own home?" Mrs. Longbottom said snappishly to her grandson.
"Gran, I'd like you to meet Cho Chang," Neville said, ignoring his Gran's opening words. "Cho, this is my Gran."
"Lovely to meet you," Cho said, holding out the bunch of flowers they'd picked up at a corner market along the way.
Mrs. Longbottom stared at Cho as if she'd offered her a handful of slugs instead of a bouquet of flowers. Reluctantly, she took the flowers. "Thank you," she said. "Please come inside."
Neville and Cho stepped inside the house; he took the cloak off his girlfriend's shoulders. "What's for dinner tonight Gran?" he asked.
Mrs. Longbottom didn't hear Neville's question as she was looking squarely at Cho's bulging stomach.
"I... I'm pregnant," Cho burst out before she could stop herself. "But Mrs. Longbottom, it wasn't Neville so--"
"Forgive me for looking surprised, Miss Chang," Mrs. Longbottom said mustering a smile. "My grandson didn't tell me you were with child."
"Yes, since this summer," Cho murmured, looking to Neville for help.
"And the father of this child?" Mrs. Longbottom asked probingly. "He's not in the picture?" Neville stared in disbelief at his grandmother. This wasn't going at all like he'd hoped. He saw the helpless look Cho was shooting him, but he honestly didn't know what to say.
"No, he's not." Cho replied. "He... left me as soon as he found out I was pregnant."
"I see," she replied, her forced smile still on her face. An uncomfortable silence followed. "I'll just go and put these in water," Mrs. Longbottom finally said. "Why don't you show your...friend...to the dining room, Neville?"
Cho finally let out a breath as Mrs. Longbottom left them. "That didn't go over very well did it?" she asked.
"It's my fault," Neville said dejectedly. "I should have told her about the pregnancy before..."
"But she probably would have thought you were the father and then what would she be thinking of me?" Cho seemed close to tears.
"Shhhh," Neville said, kissing her forehead. "Come on, now. It's going to be fine. She just needs to get the chance to know you, Cho. Trust me; she's going to love you nearly as much as I do."
"Okay," Cho leaned against him as he helped her sit down as Mrs. Longbottom came back in, setting the flowers in the middle of the table.
"Neville tells me you are a dancer," Mrs. Longbottom said as she sat down.
"Oh well, yes... normally I am." Cho replied. "My partner is Harry Potter."
Mrs. Longbottom smiled at this. Neville and Cho exchanged hopeful glances. "Harry's a good man," Mrs. Longbottom said. "I don't expect there's much that boy can't do."
"No there's not," Cho said. "He's currently in the Auror training program. He and his girlfriend are also letting me stay at their house while I look for a job. It's not easy with a large stomach like mine." Neville smiled at her encouragingly
"So you have no job and no home of your own?" Mrs. Longbottom said, nodding. "Interesting." Another long, uncomfortable silence followed broken only by Mrs. Longbottom excusing herself to check on the food.
"I said the wrong thing again," Cho put her face in her hands.
"No you didn't," Neville said soothingly. "It's okay, really."
"How is it okay?" Cho asked.
Neville looked thoughtful. "Okay, maybe it's not going great yet, but there's still hope. I'll try and get her talking about her charity work; she always likes to talk about that."
"All right," Cho said. She knew nothing of charity work or what Neville's Gran did.
Mrs. Longbottom came back into the room followed by two house elves. "I hope you like veal," she said, sitting down again. "It's Neville's favourite."
"Sure," Cho forced a smile, wondering how she was going to eat that. She was a vegetarian but knew she couldn't tell that to Mrs. Longbottom. Unfortunately, Neville decided he would.
"Oh, Cho doesn't eat meat Gran. Do you have a nice salad or anything like that?" he asked.
"Yet another thing you should have brought to my attention before this evening," Mrs. Longbottom said pointedly to her grandson.
"I'm sorry," Neville apologised. "I've been very busy with Auror training and--"
"Quit babbling," Mrs. Longbottom said dismissively. "You always have an excuse, Neville. How many times have I told you that you should just accept the consequences of your actions? I'm sure Miss Chang could tell you a thing or two about that."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Neville asked his grandmother.
Mrs. Longbottom exhaled. "She's obviously gotten herself into a spot of trouble and she now finds herself with no home and no job. I'm sure she could tell you that the choices you make, good or bad, have consequences. That's all that I meant, Neville."
Cho felt herself growing a bit angry. "These consequences were beyond my control, Mrs. Longbottom." she said tightly. "I decided against getting an abortion because I wouldn't be able to face myself if I had killed my own child."
"And she does have a home," Neville added. "Or she will as soon as I get us a flat or a cottage."
"What are you talking about?" Mrs. Longbottom asked. "You live here, Neville. I will not have you disgrace our family by bringing some girl and her bastard child into my home."
Neville stood up. "This child will NOT be a bastard." he said angrily. "And by the time it's born, I WON'T be living here!"
"You can't be serious," Mrs. Longbottom retorted with a cold laugh. "Well, don't come crying to me when she finally figures out that you don't have any money. Because I give you my word on this, Neville. If you walk out that door, I'll cut you off completely."
Neville grabbed Cho's hand. "Then cut me off. I can make my own way without any of your money!" he said.
Mrs. Longbottom pushed back from her chair and followed her grandson and his girlfriend toward the door. She watched as Neville helped Cho with her cloak. "I mean it, Neville. You walk out that door and you are no longer a member of my family," Mrs. Longbottom said frostily. "Is that what you want?"
"Cho and her baby are my family." Neville said coldly. "And sooner or later you'll realise that."
"As you wish," Mrs. Longbottom said. "Goodbye, Neville." She gave them both a cold, hard look before walking back toward the dining room.
Cho began to sob as Neville slammed the front door to the house behind them. "Don't cry Cho," he said softly. "It'll be all right."
"How the hell is it going to be all right?" she asked. "You've just been kicked out, I don't have a real home either..." she sat down on the front steps.
"You will have a home soon," he said, sitting down beside her. He put an arm around and pulled her close. "It's not as bad as it seems. I can probably crash with Seamus until I've saved up enough for our place. Harry and Hermione love having you around."
"I know," Cho replied. "But I'm just so scared Neville. I'm scared of what I'm bringing my baby into. Maybe I should have just let that doctor give me the abortion."
At her words, he changed positions so he was kneeling right in front of her. "You don't mean that."
"No," Cho sniffled. "I don't. But I'm still scared. I have absolutely nothing telling me that things will turn out all right."
"You have me," he offered.
Cho gave him a tiny smile. "I do have you," she said.
He kissed her then and let his fingers linger on her cheek. "Now then, how about we go and get some real food?"
"Sounds good to me." Cho felt a little better as he helped her up. "Where to?"
"Your choice," he said, allowing himself one last look at the house where he'd lived the majority of his life.
"Anywhere but The Succubus Stop," she shook back her hair.
"Okay," he said chuckling. "How about pizza?"
"Wonderful," she leaned against him. "Hey Neville?"
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Thanks," she said, squeezing his hand.
"For what?"
"For being you. For being the man I've fallen head over heels in love with. For wanting to help me take care of my baby." Cho felt her eyes tear up again. "I really don't know what I'd do without you."
He squeezed her hand. "You'll never have to find out because I don't intend on going anywhere." It was at that point an idea occurred to Neville that made him grin.
"Okay," she said, locking their fingers together as they walked away.
*** *** ***
"What are you planning on doing?" Harry asked. They were on their way to their training session that weekend that would take them out of town. Harry was already in an especially bad mood because Hermione had spent most of the past week with Gordon doing their tutoring sessions. He was positive that bloke had other tendencies in mind and had made Cho promise to be around when Gordon was at their house on Sunday.
"I'm going to propose." Neville said. "My Gran brought up one good point, and I don't want her child being born out of wedlock."
"Wow…" Harry ran his hand back through his hair. "That's… that's a huge step Neville."
"Well wouldn't you do it if the roles were reversed?" Neville asked. "If this was Hermione?"
"I'd do it in a second." Harry replied.
"Well then you know how I feel." Neville replied. "I've got to find a ring for her… I don't think we'll have enough time for a big wedding, I hope she won't mind… that is if she wants to do this."
"Of course she will," Harry replied. "And just remember that my offer still stands for a loan. If you need help finding a place I'm here."
Neville nodded. "I appreciate that Harry. And I will keep that in mind." He was not a fool enough to push away money especially now that he figured he'd probably need it since he was staying at Seamus's. Harry and Hermione had offered to let him stay at their house along with Cho but he declined as he didn't want to take advantage of their situation.
"Ugh I really don't want to be here," Harry grumbled as they came upon their classroom. He dumped his bag on his desk and sat down, glowering at anyone who dared look at him. Neville just shook his head mildly and sat down next to him.
"Don't look now but your fan club of one has just arrived as well. Ten Galleons said she followed us down the corridor just so she could look at your arse."
"Sod off," Harry snapped, even more irritable as Megan smiled brightly at him.
"Good morning Harry!" she squeaked.
"Hi," Harry muttered.
"Can I get you anything? Coffee or some tea?" she chirped.
"No," Harry stared at his desk. "Thanks…"
"Aren't you excited about this trip?" Megan asked, sitting down and moving her desk by his. "We'll be in Florence in less than an hour! The most romantic city in the world…" she sighed dramatically.
"Yeah, I really wish my girlfriend could be there." Harry said sarcastically.
Megan blinked and Neville turned so she wouldn't see him start laughing. "Your girlfriend?" she asked brightly.
"Yeah, the one I talk about constantly?" Harry scuffed his feet along the floor. "The one I carry multiple pictures of and show them to you nearly every time you talk to me?"
"Oh that one," Megan's tone finally dropped.
"That one," Harry looked at Neville crossly.
Luckily for them, their instructor arrived and they all grabbed their bags and separated in pairs for their portkey. Harry, much to Megan's dismay, grabbed onto Neville's and they were whisked away.