A/N: So, you guys are still salivating for baby Potters. You're like pit bulls!! ;) I'm just kidding all of you. The babies are coming, I promise.
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So, after being at the wedding no one would ever see coming, it was time to head back to work.
It's Monday now and I feel like I'm dying. I've been sick since we got to work. Here I am, sitting in my office, trying to get a hold of my stomach. I don't know what the problem is. I mean, ever since the Weasley wedding, I haven't felt right. And Molly made the food, so I know it's not that. I've never gotten sick from her cooking before.
It's so weird that I'm so … sick … out of nowhere.
Bloody hell.
I couldn't be.
I bolt for the calendar. With the wedding and some changes to the library and our anniversary, well, I haven't been keeping track of my … oh dear.
Oh bloody hell.
I slam back into my chair. Sickness, no period, I have been a bit grumpy lately. Could I be pregnant?
I stand up quickly and fly out into the library. I tell Patty that I'm not feeling well and that I'm going home to lay down for a bit. If Harry comes in DON'T tell him!
She says ok and I quickly floo out, but I'm not going to sleep. I'm running to buy a pregnancy test. If I head to a small Muggle town, I won't be recognized. I can't have everyone talking about this.
And I can't tell Harry. What if it comes out negative? I can't break his heart like that. I need to know first so I can tell him.
I floo home and then Apparate to where Harry grew up. No one will know me there.
I run to buy the test, flying in and out. I can't Apparate home fast enough. I'm probably pretty lucky that I don't splinch myself doing it.
I make my way to the bathroom, lean against the sink and read the instructions.
Seems a bit messy, but ok. I do as I'm directed and I wait.
Just a couple of minutes, huh? Ok, I can do that. I sit and wait … and wait … and wait.
The first thirty seconds are excruciating. So, rather than wait out the rest of the time, I head to the bedroom and make the bed since I forgot to this morning. I neatly fold our pajamas. Brush my hair. Check the clock. Fifteen seconds to go.
I hurry back to the bathroom and before I look at the little stick, I lean against the doorway. This next moment can change my life. Harry's life as well. And the lives of those around us really.
What if it's positive? Of course, I want children. I've always wanted children of my own and I feared it would never happen since I figured that no one could love me. And now that moment could be here. Am I ready? I think I am, but am I really? Is Harry? He was so scared earlier. But, with a life growing within me, will that change? Will it get worse? What will happen if it's positive?
What if it's negative? I've already got it in my head now that I could be pregnant and as nervous as I am, I'm also excited with the prospect of becoming a mother. But if it's negative, that means I'm not a mother yet. I won't tell Harry if it's negative. He doesn't need that let down. What if it's negative?
I take the few steps toward the sink. I glance down. There it is. The answer that will change my life. There's no question about it. The answer is a clear … negative.
Well, ok then. That's good, right? I mean, what if we weren't ready?
But … well … Oh I don't know!
I fall to the floor and begin to cry. I don't even know why I'm crying. Why should I miss something I never had? Perhaps I just have a stomach bug. That can affect cycles. That must be it.
Suddenly, I remember that I probably should get back to work. But the familiar churning in my stomach returns. I lean over to the toilet and my stomach empties itself again. This really is getting ridiculous. I must have one strong bug.
The thought of the cause for my sickness comes back to me and I go back to the crying. Negative … not pregnant … is it good or bad? I don't know which right now. How can I act normal in front of Harry now?
He's what's important now. I have to pull myself together now. I sit on the tub edge and try to settle down.
Just because it's not happening right now doesn't mean that it never will. Harry and I will have plenty of chances to have babies.
Yes. That's right. No worries. Plenty of time.
I floo back to the library. Patty carefully looks over me.
"What?" I ask, quite annoyed.
"Nothing. You just looked awful when you left. Did your nap help?"
"Um, yeah. Helped a lot. Do you think you could put the returns away?"
"Sure, boss. No problem," she says as she pushes the cart away.
I can tell that she's not convinced. Well, too bad.
Just then, Harry walks in.
"Hi, Mione!"
"Hi, Harry," I say, barely able to conceal my disappointment.
"Everything ok?" he asks.
"Yeah, I just don't feel good today."
"You haven't felt right for a few days now. Do you think you should see Poppy?"
"Nah. I just think I caught a -" I'm suddenly interrupted by a smell of food. At least, I think it's food. Ugh, what is that? "Harry, what is that smell?"
He produces the bag in which he has snagged us some lunch.
"Today the chefs have made roast beef, mashed potatoes and green beans," he says.
It was the green beans that were getting to me.
"Harry, I'm sorry, but I can't eat that."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"I don't know, but the smell of the beans is awful."
I run for the toilet again. This is really getting old.
Harry is right behind me and catches up just in time to hold my hair back.
"Mione, what's wrong?"
"I think I've got a flu bug."
"But you've had this for a while." He pauses. "Do you think you're … you know?"
I cringe and don't turn around. What do I say to that?
"What, Harry?"
"You know, pregnant?"
"I doubt it. I mean, we just stopped using the spell. I think it's just a stomach flu or something."
I can see the disappointment in his eyes as I turn around to face him.
Yet he smiles. "Ok. Well, I still think you need to see Poppy."
"Listen, if I'm not better by tomorrow, I'll go see her. You can even come with me, ok?"
"That sounds fair. For now though, go home and rest. You need it. And I'll leave right after my last class to come home and pamper you."
I smile. "That sounds nice."
He kisses my forehead and helps me to stand.
"Now, no lollygagging, Madam Potter. Straight to bed!"
"Yes, sir. Yes, sir," I mumble.
Harry helps me to the fireplace and tosses in the powder.
"Harry, I can handle this part."
"Just part of the pampering," he says." He nudges me into the fireplace, kisses my forehead again and shouts, "Potter flat!"
And just like that, I'm gone. I could have done that on my own!
Now that I'm at home, I decide that crawling under the covers is a wonderful idea and I do just that. I'm asleep almost instantly.
I don't know how long I've been asleep before I hear Harry gently calling my name.
"Mione … Mione are you ok?"
"Harry?"
"Yeah, sweetie. It's me. How are you feeling?"
"I'm ok. What time is it?"
"It's 8."
"8?! How long have I been asleep?"
"Since I got home at 3 at least," he says.
"Wow, I guess I really needed the rest," I say groggily as I sit up. "What's that?"
"This is the chicken soup I made for you. I hope it doesn't set you off like the beans did."
I take a tentative sniff. "No, this seems safe. Smells pretty good, actually. Thank you so much, honey."
He takes a spoonful and holds it up to my mouth.
"I can feed myself, you know," I say.
"Yes, but this is part of the pampering I promised. You've been asleep for so long, I figured I had to get something in."
"I see. That's fine then," I say before opening my mouth wide. I feel like a little kid, but it's so nice to know that someone loves me this much to do it.
"So, are you feeling any better?" Harry asks.
"A little, I suppose. Hopefully, this soup will help."
After the soup is finished, Harry fluffs up my pillow, gets me some water, and helps me get a shower. However, while I'm in there, I hear Harry gasp.
"What? Harry, what is it? Are you ok?" I ask as I rinse my hair.
I get no answer, so I poke my head around the curtain.
"Harry?" But then I see what the problem is. He's spotted the test in the trash.
"Hermione?" seems to be all he can choke out.
"Harry …"
"What does it say?" he asks quietly.
I pause. How I didn't want to do this. "Negative."
He nods. "I see. Is this why you didn't want to talk to me in the library?"
"Yes. I wanted to avoid this moment so badly. I didn't want you to be disappointed."
"So you were just going to bear the burden … alone?"
"That was the plan, yes," I say.
"But, Hermione, we're a team."
"I know. But I wanted to spare you this."
"It's not like we'll never have children just because the first test said negative."
He makes a good point. "I guess you're right."
"I just feel bad that you've been going through this alone."
"Well, to be fair," I begin. "I have been unconscious for most of the day."
Harry laughs a bit. "That's true. Just promise me that you'll tell me next time you take a test?"
"Deal."
"Ok, now let's get you back to bed before I have to charm the water hot."
And then tells me a bedtime story about a prince trapped in a tower and the brave princess who rescued him. He's so funny.
And now, as I'm falling back to sleep in his arms, I realize how lucky I am and how lucky any child will be to have him in their life.
As I slowly wake, I feel Harry getting out of bed.
"Time to get up already?" I ask.
"Hermione! You are supposed to be asleep!"
"Not if it's time to get ready for work," I say as I try to get out of bed. But as my feet hit the floor, I'm overcome with nausea. I run for the bathroom and Harry's right behind me.
"That's it," he says as he rubs my back soothingly. "We're going to see Poppy first thing this morning. I'll have Severus take my first class."
"Harry, no! It's ok, really."
"Hermione Jane! Do you want me to get a pensieve out to show you our agreement?"
"No," I mumble, a bit irritated with the first and middle name treatment.
"Good. I'll help you get dressed and then we'll floo to the hospital wing."
I've got no choice, so I get dressed and we floo straight to Poppy.
Once we're there, she's very surprised to see us.
Harry takes a second to floo Severus and then explains the situation to the nurse and she eyes me curiously.
"Ok, well, Hermione, hop up on the table and we'll run some tests," she says.
"Poppy, honestly. I think I just need some Pepper-up potion and I'll be fine. Just a stomach flu," I say as I head towards the potions.
"Miss Granger!" she scolds. I guess old habits die hard.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey?" I ask with a slight snip in my voice.
"Look, Hermione, I'm sorry. But I really need you to just sit down."
"Fine," I say in protest and hop up on the table.
She shares a look with Harry and I scowl a bit. I am not a child!
Before I have a chance to protest again, she waves the wand all over, mutters some incantations and writes some things down.
"Well, Hermione, I think I've got it all figured out."
"And?" I ask impatiently.
"It's definitely not a stomach flu. And it's something quite normal."
"Yes?" Harry asks now.
"Hermione, you're pregnant!" Poppy says excitedly.
"I'm sorry. What?" I ask.
"Pregnant. You know, you're having a baby?"
"But … but … Poppy, I took the test and it said I wasn't pregnant," I stammer.
"Hermione, honestly. Did you use a Muggle test?" she asks.
"Yes."
"You can't do that. The magic tends to tamper with them. They'll almost always say negative," she explains.
"Oh. I see." I look to Harry. His jaw is just hanging open.
"Hey, Potter, you're going to catch flies over there," I tease.
"Is he ok?" Poppy asks.
"Yeah, he's in shock. Harry!" I call.
"Yes, what?"
"Harry, did you hear what Poppy said?"
"I believe so, yes."
"And what was that?" I ask patiently.
"She said you're pregnant."
"Yes …"
"After you said you weren't."
"Well, yes."
"But you definitely are?"
"Yes!"
Harry snaps to life, picks me up off the table and swings me around.
"Oh! Gentle with the pregnant lady!" I shout. And the second he puts me down, I'm heading for the toilet.
"Harry!" Poppy reprimands.
"Sorry! Mione? Are you ok?" he shouts as he follows after me.
Once I return, Poppy gives me some vitamins to take, and a potion to drink to settle the morning sickness a bit.
"It's not a cure, but it'll help," she says. "Now, do you have any questions?"
We both give her blank stares.
"Well, then. Ok, how about I tell you how far along you are and then we'll make an appointment for your next visit and then you can be on your merry way, yes?"
We nod.
"Super." She waves her wand again and smiles brightly. "Well, from what I can tell, you're about 2 and a half weeks along. I'll put date of conception at February 14th."
"Valentine's day?" I whisper.
"Our anniversary," Harry says, taking my hand.
"Well, if you have no other questions, I'll leave you two to celebrate. Contact me later this week to make an appointment," Poppy says.
We thank her and she heads into her office.
"Well, that settles it, I'm taking all my classes off today. And you're giving the library to Patty."
"With this short notice?"
"Of course! We're going to celebrate! Just let me tell Albus."
Harry calls Albus via floo and says that we'll be needing to take the day off since I'm not feeling well.
Albus nods with a wink and a smile towards me. "It's no problem Harry. Take care of your wife," he says before disappearing.
That man knows everything in this castle, I swear.
"Well, Mrs. Potter, shall we go home?" Harry asks.
"That would be nice. We've got a party to plan!" I reply as he leads me to the fireplace and joins me within to send us home.
There's a lot to do!
***
A/N: Ok, there you go! Hermione's gonna have a baby! I need your opinions. Do you think children are allowed to live at Hogwarts? I mean, if Harry and Hermione were planning on moving into Hogwarts, do you think their kids would be allowed to live there too? I haven't decided on that yet. But I'm thinking Albus would be ok with it.