Chapter 21 - Discussions
A/N: Thank you to my beta Jacy
Harry laid there in Hermione's bed. She already went to bed about an hour before. He needed to go outside and think some more. He gently removed Hermione from his chest and placed a pillow under head. He got dressed and left. He looked at his watch. It was midnight; he walked down out of the castle and went to their secret spot. On his way, a familiar snowy white owl landed on his left shoulder.
"Hey Hedwig," he said and gently stroked her neck. "It's been an awful day." Harry explained everything to Hedwig. Even through she couldn't talk back, he knew that she understood him. "In my heart, I believe her but my head doesn't."
The thought of Ron putting his hands all over Hermione made his blood boil. He slammed his fit into the grass and screamed in anger. He hated this so much; Ron shared something he held so deep in his heart with Harry. Hermione was something special that Harry was to have to himself.
"What should I do Hedwig? Should I believe her or not?" Harry asked.
"Hoot," Hedwig said excitedly.
"You're right Hedwig, Hermione would never lie to me. I don't why I doubted her in the first place," Harry said and got up off the ground. "We should really be getting inside."
Harry walked out of their secret spot, whispered a closing spell and headed back to the castle. He walked through the portrait hole and saw Ron sitting in front of the fire. Harry didn't feel like arguing and headed for the stairs.
"Harry, we need to talk."
"Not now Ron, I'm really tired."
"This can't wait." Ron said in a determined tone
"Alright but make it quick," Harry said sitting down on the couch across from him.
"Look Harry, I think you're making a big mistake by marrying Hermione," Ron said. Harry rolled his eyes and got up. He didn't want to hear any more of Ron's bullshit about Hermione.
"Harry, hear me out," Ron said.
"No. Look Ron, everybody has given me reason after reason about why I'm making a big mistake by dating her. I really don't want to hear it right now. It's been a long day and I just want to go to bed."
"Dark magic runs in her family. What make you think she won't do it as well and persuade you go into the Dark Arts?!" Ron yelled.
"You're wrong Ron. You don't even know her or her family. I was wrong to judge them on my first impression. Their dad may have been a death eater but that doesn't mean that they are."
"Look Harry, once Hermione get what she wants from you, she'll leave you like all the others," Ron said.
"I really don't want to hear this right now."
"Trust me on this one. We may not be friends anymore but I'm just looking out for you."
"I appreciate what you're doing for me but I don't need advice from you about my fiancée."
"Harry, you have only know Hermione for a few months. I mean, do your really know the girl?" Ron asked, "Do you even remember all the horrible stuff she did to people? The way she made fun of people because they weren't as fortunate as she was? All the cruel jokes and pranks she pulled on Neville and other people. Do you remember?"
"I remember, but that's just how she was raised. You can't blame her for that. If people stop stereotyping her, then they would see what I see."
"What more is there to see in that snob?" Ron asked.
"There is a caring, loving, beautiful, honest, smart, funny girl behind it all. That's why I marrying her.I fell in love with that Hermione, Harry said.
"Look, this may not be the best time, but there is something about your precious Hermione that you need to know, Ron said in a worried voice.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Back in the end Fifth Year, do you remember when I came in late with a huge smile on my face and you asked what was with me and I didn't answer?"
"Yeah."
"Well before that, I had run into Hermione. She had just broken up with Todd and she was down. So I asked her if she wanted to talk, we went to an empty classroom and we started talking and we ended up having sex. Yes Harry, your fiancée slept with me," Ron said. Ron knew Harry would want to break up with Hermione for sure.
"I already knew that. Hermione told me that she was completely out of it and she said that she could have sex with anyone, luckily it happened to be you," Harry said and started to go up the stairs
"And you are still marrying her? After what she told you?" Harry stepped back down and looked at Ron.
"Yes. We've all made mistakes and we just have to learn from them."
"She's a slut Harry!" Ron yelled. Harry narrowed his eyes at Ron; he tried so hard not to beat the crap out of him again.
"I warned you about that. That 'slut' happens to be my fiancée and she is not a slut."
"Sleeping with the entire male population of the school qualifies her as a slut!" Ron yelled. Harry was about to lose his temper, but he remembered that he promised Hermione that he wouldn't get into any more fights, no matter how mad he got.
"Answer me this - when you were with her, did you tell her that you loved her?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, what's that got to do with it?" Ron asked in a confused tone.
"Did she say anything back?" Harry asked again.
'No, she just got up and got dressed."
"And that is all I needed to know," Harry said with a smile and went to his room.
"Fine Harry, when you catch her with another guy, don't come running to me!" Ron yelled. Harry just rolled his eyes and closed the door.
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It was 2:00 am and he was still awake. He kept fumbling around in his sheets. He tried to think of something to dream of. It was no use; he knew what he had to do if he wanted to get some sleep. He got out of his bed, threw his robe over him, slipped his slippers on and went for the door. He left the Gryffindor tower and walked through the castle. He whispered a password, went up the stairs, and opened the door. He saw that Hermione was still sound asleep. He loved watching her sleep; he just couldn't get over how beautiful she was. He never understood why she wore so much make up - she was still beautiful without it. His best times were seeing Hermione was without makeup. Her natural beauty was also what he fell in love with and that smile - he turned into mush when she smiled at him. It didn't matter what mood he was in. She could always cheer him up just by smiling at him.
He didn't want to wake his angel so he went over to the bed, gave her a kiss on the forehead and whispered, "Good night Hermione." He went back downstairs; he really didn't feel like going all the way back to the Gryffindor tower so he made himself comfortable on the couch. He put his hands behind his head and started thinking back to his first year at Hogwarts.
The first time he saw Hermione Malfoy, he was on the train looking at the scenery pass by when he heard two girls laughing furiously. He turned his curious head and saw the most beautiful thing in the world standing outside of his compartment. She had long brown curls with dark brown eyes, and was wearing a very fashionable assemble and a smile that could light up an entire room. Hermione noticed that Harry was goggling over her like she was some kind of veela; she flipped her long curls, gave him a half smile and left. Harry was hooked. About ten minutes later, he met Ron. Even through he acted like he was paying attention to Ron talking about the different wizarding cards, he had his mind on the girl who just passed by. They got off and Harry desperately tried to find the girl from the train. It was no use, so he just followed Ron onto the boats. He finally saw her again when they waited outside of the Great Hall. She was talking to the very pretty blond head girl who she was laughing with on the train and two other girls who happened to be very pretty blonde twins; Harry was about to talk to her when Draco introduced himself and insulted Ron about his old cloak. From the corner of his eye, he saw the girl from the train and her friends giggly after Draco's comment. When they entered the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall announced the girl from the train first. Hermione Malfoy. Boys in First Year, Second even Third Year stared at the girl who walked up to the Sorting Hat, secretly hoping that she would join their house.
"Slytherin!" the sorting hat announced.
"Too bad that she's a Malfoy," Ron whispered.
"What's the problem?" Harry asked watching Hermione take her seat.
"The Malfoys are dark wizards."
Harry couldn't imagine something so beautiful doing dark magic or having a single evil bone in her body. Up into Sixth Year, he always found a way to steal glances at Hermione or find a way to bump into her during passing periods. Even though he never acted like it, he would feel jealousy over the guys who went out with her. They were all a bunch of assholes to her and he wanted to beat the crap out them when ever they said bad comments in the locker room or in the hallways. When he saw her flirting with or kissing another guy, he secretly wished that it was him she was flirting with and kissing. For the longest time he wanted to ask her out and it wasn't like he didn't have a chance. Heck, those chances came along at the end of every month, but it was the school humiliation that he feared when she rejected him. He has come a long way from there. Now, she was his forever and he was going to have a family with her. Harry's life couldn't get anymore perfect and he drifted to sleep with the thought.
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"Harry wake up! Harry!" a voice said. Draco had woken up early to get a quick jog before he started the day. When he went downstairs, he was surprised that Harry was sleeping on the couch instead of in Hermione's bed.
"Harry!" Draco said, shaking Harry.
"Huh?" Harry said still half asleep.
"What are you still doing here, and why aren't you sleeping in Hermione's room?" Draco asked.
"What time is it?" Harry said yawning.
"7:00," Draco said looking at his watch. "You guys didn't get into a fight did you?"
"Mate, if I got in a fight with Hermione, I wouldn't be here. I would be in my own bed."
"So why are you here?"
"I couldn't sleep. I had to see Hermione. So I came back and I was too tired to go back," Harry said stretching his legs.
"Geese Potter, you have it bad," Draco said in shock. He didn't know if he could do the same with Blaise.
"Tell me about it!" Harry said shaking his head. "Why are you up?"
"Oh…I was going for a morning jog. You want to come?" Draco asked.
"Sure, I haven't done that in a long time."
"Okay, I'll meet you outside in ten minutes," Draco said.
"I'll be right back."
Harry ran out of the room and went to Gryffindor Tower. Harry got some comfortable running clothes and got dressed. When he went outside, he saw Draco stretching.
"Hey that was fast. Let's do some stretches and then we could run."
"Alright with me."
"You didn't patrol last night. You may be my best friend but I am the Head Boy and it's my job to see that all of the perfects are keeping up with their responsibilities."
"Sorry Draco, Hermione and I had a long talk and I guess I lost track of time. Don't worry it won't happen again," Harry said stretching his hamstring.
"Oh - so what did you and Hermione talk about?" Draco asked.
"Just stuff," Harry said. He knew if he told Draco, he would go insane.
"Oh…well, ready then?"
"Lets go."
They ran about two miles, which to Harry it didn't seem long enough. He had too much fun talking and playing around with Draco. They talked about the Quidditch Cup and how Bulgaria got in the lead all of a sudden. Then they started to doing impressions of teachers and students. Draco's impression of Percy was especially funny.
"Stop Draco, you're going to make me piss my pants," Harry said holding his side.
"Hi my name is Percy Weasley but you might know me as Fudge's bitch. I broke up with my girlfriend Penelope Clearwater because my lover Fudge said that he would stop sticking his dick up my ass," Draco said and began to laugh with Harry. They both stopped and fell down on the grass laughing their brains out.
~**~*~*~*~*~*~****~*~*~*~
"Ron? Hey Ron. Did you hear me?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, um…. What's the question again?" Ron asked. He too went for a morning jog with Dean and he was distracted at the sight of Harry and Draco laughing.
"Are you going to the World Quidditch Cup this year?" Dean asked.
"Um…I don't know," Ron said staring back at Dean.
"When you do find out, give me an owl so we could go together."
"Yeah… hey I think I'm going to run another mile. I'll catch up with you later alright."
"Okay but don't work out to hard," Dean said to Ron and patted him on the back.
"I wont."
Dean ran inside and Ron ran up closer to see what Harry and Draco were laughing about. He hid behind a large bush and heard their conversation.
"Here mate," Harry said helping Draco up.
"Thanks, hey Mum was thinking about throwing us a graduation party the night of graduation," Draco said.
"Cool, I hope it's as fun as the Christmas Party." Harry laughed remembering how drunk Draco and he got.
"We did have a fun time didn't we?" Draco chuckled.
"Draco, I wanted to ask you something really important," Harry said in a serious tone.
"What?" Draco asked
"I know it's a long time from now, but I was wondering if you would like to be my best man?" Harry asked nervously.
"Are you serious? You want to be me to be your best man?" Draco said in shock.
"Why wouldn't I?" Harry asked.
"Well I just thought you would ask Weasley since you knew him longer," Draco said.
"It's true, Ron and I were the best of friends but if he was best friend like he said, then he would have been happy for me when I first went out with Hermione. Sadly, he didn't and you befriended me when my friends abandoned me. I'm glad I found out you weren't a slimy git after all, but turned out to be a great friend," Harry said. "Besides, why wouldn't I want my brother in-law to be my best mate. I mean, we are practically family."
"I would be honored to be your best man," Draco said sincerely.
"Seriously, you'll to do it?"
"Yeah, besides I would want to tell my nephew or niece that I was part of your wedding," Draco said with a smile.
"Great! We should be heading back then," Harry said.
"Okay, you go ahead of me. I have to tie my shoe," Draco said bending down to his tie shoelace as Harry walked back to the castle
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Ron couldn't take it anymore; jealously took over his body. He ran of out of the bushes and tackled Draco and beat him down. Draco tried to shove Ron off but he was too heavy and he took every hit. Harry turned back to tell Draco something and saw Ron on top of him. Harry ran to help Draco; it was a good thing that he kept his wand in his pocket. He took out his wand and hexed Ron, who landed about twenty feet away. It gave Harry enough time to help Draco.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, I was tying my shoes and the next thing I see is Weasley coming after me."
"I wonder what's gotten to him. You better let Madame Pomfrey check out that cut," Harry said pointing at the gash on Draco forehead.
"Yeah," Draco said and they walked back to the castle.
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Ron got back up and saw Harry and Draco heading back into the castle. He rubbed his head and dusted himself off. As he was walking back, he remembered something that Draco had said.
"What did he mean 'I want to tell my nephew or niece something about the wedding'," Ron started thinking aloud about what Draco meant by that. "Could Hermione be pregnant?"
Ron went back to the castle and took a long shower still thinking about it. "She is pregnant, I mean why would Harry propose to her when they've only been going out for a few month. You can't fall in love that fast," Ron said to himself while he got dressed. He made a quick note to himself and went down to the Great Hall
~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*
"I'm going to get dressed. Catch you later," Harry said to Draco as they left the Hospital Wing.
"Okay, later."
Harry ran up to his room and plopped down on his bed. He was exhausted; he laid there for a couple of minutes and went to his dresser, got a clean uniform and headed for to the shower stalls. He let the water pour down on his head and adjusted his neck. Hermione's couch was great to sit in but sleeping, on the other hand, wasn't too great. He washed his hair and body, stepped out and got his towel. He wrapped it around him and went for the mirror to shave, brush his teeth, and comb his hair to the side. He got dressed and went back to his room. He got his school things and went for Hermione.
Harry whispered the password and went through the portrait hole. He put his things down and knocked on Hermione's door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me," Harry said opening the door.
"Hi Harry, I just got out of the shower so it's going to be a while," she said from her closet.
"I could wait," Harry said while stroking Crookshanks.
"Mum said that she wanted us to meet her at Hogsmeade next weekend so we could talk more about the wedding," Hermione said getting out of the closet still in her towel. Harry did nothing but stare in amazement. He wished Hermione could wear towel everyday. Hermione just rolled her eyes and let out a huge sigh.
"Honestly Harry, you've seen me wear less than a towel. Harry? Harry!" Hermione shouted.
"Yeah?" Harry said still in a trance.
"Can you get out of that sex fantasy that you are in and look at me?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head. "Sorry Hermione, you were saying?"
"Mum said to meet her for lunch at Hogsmeade next weekend."
"Okay," Harry said pulling Hermione closer to him. "I didn't get my good morning kiss."
"Oh," Hermione said and gave him a peck on the lips. "You got your kiss, now get out," Hermione said with a smile.
"Okay, one more please?" Harry asked and gave her another kiss on the lips. "See you in a little bit!" Harry said and pitched her bottom.
"Harry!" Hermione said in a surprised tone. Harry just turned to her and gave her a mischievous smile and left.
"I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with him," Hermione said to herself. She got dressed, styled her hair, put on her make-up, put her locket on and rings, looked at her self in the mirror and said to herself. "God, I look good." She got her school things and went downstairs.
She heard Harry and Draco laughing downstairs. She saw Blaise on Harry's lap and quickly commented, "What's going on?"
"Blaise is doing an impression of Jacqui." Harry chuckled. Blaise got off of Harry and looked at Hermione who look like she wanted to kill her best friend.
"You don't have to look so serious, we were just playing around. Besides Harry isn't exactly my type."
"I know, you and Kristle wouldn't do that to me. Jacqui I'm not to sure about," Hermione said getting more at ease.
"We better go," Draco said standing up.
"Yeah," Harry said going towards Hermione. "Ready?" Harry asked and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah," Hermione said and grabbed Harry's hand.
They sat themselves down and served themselves the delicious breakfast in front of them. Kristle and Jacqui came about five minutes later. Harry and Draco excused themselves from the conversation the girls were having and went to go talk to some of the guys.
"So you're saying that Bulgaria bought their way up," Harry said.
"It's possible but what about all of the other teams, it wouldn't be fair," Dan, a fellow Slytherin student said.
"No, it wouldn't be fair," Draco added.
"Maybe -" Before Harry could finish, Snape came up to Harry and told him that Dumbledore wanted a word with Hermione and him. Harry nodded and went to go and get Hermione.
"Sorry girls, but Hermione and I have to talk to Dumbledore," Harry said politely.
"Oh no…do you think it's about you-know-what?" Blaise said worriedly.
"Don't know," Harry said. Hermione got out of her seat and followed Harry out of the Great Hall. Harry noticed the look of worry on Hermione's face. "Don't worry Herm, it won't be that bad."
"What if we get expelled? I don't think my mum could handle that," Hermione said worriedly. "What if -" Before she could finish, Harry placed his finger on her lips.
"We're not going to get expelled."
They got to the phoenix statue and whispered the password. "Chocolate Frog". The stairwell began to move and led them to his office.
"Sirius, what in hell, are you doing here?" Harry is excitedly and went to give his godfather a hug.
"It's good to see you Harry," Sirius said "And who is this stunning young woman?"
"Sirius I would like you to meet Hermione Malfoy," Harry said proudly "She's my fiancée."
"Nice to meet you," Sirius said sticking his hand out to Hermione. "Wait what? You two are getting married," Sirius said
"Yeah that what a fiancée means," Harry said.
"But you've just started seeing each other this year, right?"
"We know it's kind of sudden, but I've been in love with her since First Year. It just took me a long time to ask her out," Harry said. Hermione looked at Harry with a puzzled face. She didn't know that Harry had been in love with her that long. She always thought that he was cute but didn't think of it much until Fifth Year.
"Well congratulations, you know it's not easy to find love, especially at your age," Sirius said " Heck I'm still looking. I mean there were guys in Azkaban who had a crush on me but they weren't exactly what I was looking for."
"So what are you doing here?" Harry asked pulling up a chair for Hermione.
"Dumbledore owled me yesterday saying he wanted to talk to me about something important," Sirius said getting a seat for himself. "What about you?"
"The same," Harry said at the second Dumbledore appeared.
"I see that we are all here."
"What is this about Albus?" Sirius asked in a serious tone.
"Maybe we should ask Mr. Potter and Ms. Malfoy that question," Dumbledore said looking at Harry and Hermione with a serious face.
"Harry?" Sirius asked he was obviously clueless about the situation.
"Well…. I…. we…Hermione…well…um…" Harry stuttered.
"I'm pregnant," Hermione blurted out. Harry and Hermione both put their heads down and looked like they were going to be sick.
"I see," Dumbledore said. "Sirius, are you alright?"
Sirius' mouth hung open and it looked like he too was going to be sick. He closed his mouth and just stared at the young couple. He then looked at Dumbledore who had a small smile on his face.
"Hermione, did you say that you were pregnant?" Sirius asked. He wanted know if he was just hearing things. Hermione quickly nodded her head still looking down at the ground.
"But how could this have happened?" Sirius asked still shocked with the news.
"Well Sirius when two people -" Harry started explaining.
"I know that, but didn't you guys use, you know?"
"I guess we forgot that one time," Harry said. He looked at Hermione. It looked like she was about to cry. "You're not going to expel us, are you professor?"
"Well by rule I should expel you without question, but since we are so close to the end of your year at Hogwarts, I have the option to stop your education here or allow you to finish."
"So what are you going to do Albus?" Sirius asked. Dumbledore looked at the young couple in front of them and just smiled
"How could I expel our Head Girl and the best Quidditch Seeker Hogwarts has ever seen," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Harry and Hermione both lifted their head with a sigh of relief.
"Thank you Professor!" Hermione said.
"But I have to ask what you were planning to use to hide your pregnancy," Dumbledore said.
"I was planning to use a ancient covering spell, why do you ask?" Hermione said with a confused look on her face.
"I want you to continue with that plan," Dumbledore instructed.
"Why Albus?" Sirius asked.
"If this news got out then the Daily Prophet would be all over it like it was some kind of dirty scandal," Dumbledore said, "I could see the headline right now Harry Potter and Secrets Love Child. No, I can't have that happening," he said shaking his head.
"If I'm correct, the baby is due in August?" Dumbledore asked. Hermione quickly nodded. "Just to be safe, use the covering spell until you are out of Hogwarts. Also Madame Pomfrey has informed me that she has given you a potion to help with your pregnancy sickness. Keep using it. I will inform your other professors about your situation so you will be able to be excused from your classes every now and then," Dumbledore explained. "Your last year at Hogwarts can be overwhelming with all of the different tests that have to be taken. If you feel to overwhelmed with something, take a day off to relax. I would hate to see something happen to the baby," Dumbledore instructed.
"Thank you Professor," Hermione said with a smile on her face.
"If there are no questions or comments, I will let you two go back to class," Dumbledore said getting up from his desk.
"Thank you again Professors" Harry said shaking Dumbledore's hand.
"Don't mention it," Dumbledore said.
"Bye Sirius, I'll try to owl you more," Harry said giving his godfather a hug. "Ready Hermione?"
"Yes. It was nice meeting you Sirius," Hermione said shaking his hand.
"Ditto," Sirius said. "Harry, I since you were with the Malfoys for Christmas I didn't get a chance to give you my gift." Sirius took a small box out of his cloak. He handed it to Harry. Harry quickly unwrapped the box. Inside was a small gold pocket watch.
"It belonged to your dad," Sirius said. "Turn it around."
"Property of James Potter," Harry read out loud. "Thanks Sirius."
"We better get going," Hermione said and took Harry's hand, "Bye."
They went on the moving stairwell and headed to class.
"Those two remind me of another young couple about eighteen years ago with the same dilemma seeking my help," Dumbledore told Sirius.
"Two names come up in my head." Sirius said with a smile, "Lily and James. Do you think it will be as bad as last time?" Sirius asked worriedly.
"Let's hope not," Dumbledore said with a worried face.