Chapter 23 - Headlines
A/N: Thank you to my beta Jacy, I couldn't do this without you.
Harry woke up with the sun shining in his eyes; he looked down at the angel who was sleeping on him.
He stroked her hair and enjoyed the moment. She slowly began to wake and looked at into her lover's eyes.
"Good morning luv," Harry said.
"Good morning," Hermione said softly. She sat up and gave him a sweet good morning kiss. He pulled her closer to him and gently stroked her hair.
"I love waking up next to you," Hermione said.
"I know; this is one of the things I'm looking forward to after we get out of Hogwarts, among other things," Harry said.
"What are the other things?" Hermione asked.
"Well, waking you up with you by my side, waking up to a crying baby, and mainly just spending my life with the person I love," Harry said.
"Ditto."
"Sweetheart, I hate to ruin the moment, but I really have to go to the loo." Harry said. Hermione giggled and let him up. After he was done with his business, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Hermione asked.
"It's me," Draco said.
"Hold on! Harry quick, give me your shirt and for Great Wizards put some boxers on," Hermione said in a hushed voice. Harry just quickly found his boxers and threw a shirt to Hermione. She quickly put it on and Harry joined her back on the bed. They quickly covered themselves.
"Come in," Hermione said.
"Oh good I thought you'd be here. Harry, I need to talk to you for a moment," Draco asked.
"Why don't we go outside for a run and you could tell me while we're running?" Harry said.
"Alright, I'll meet you outside in fifteen minutes," Draco said and left the room.
"Wonder what that was all about," Hermione said looking at Harry. He shrugged and started to put the rest of his clothes on.
"I'll see you at breakfast, pumpkin," Harry said and gave her one last peck on the lips and left for his room. He grabbed some clean running clothes and proceeded outside. Draco was already waiting for him outside the castle. They did their stretches and began their run.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Harry asked.
"Um… well…I…was," was Draco could say.
"You were planning to ask Blaise to marry you." Harry smiled.
"How did you know?" Draco asked in amazement.
"I was the same way Christmas day. I was a complete wreck," Harry said shaking his head. "I was so afraid that you wouldn't let me marry her or tell me that I was making a big mistake."
"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" Draco asked.
"Do you love her?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
"Is she the person that you see yourself with when you turn old and the girl you couldn't live a day
without?"
"Yes," Draco said softly.
"What bloody hell are you waiting for then?" Harry yelled.
"I was planning to ask her on our next Hogsmeade trip," Draco said, "I'm sorry but you and Hermione will have to find something else to do that day."
"Oh we will," Harry said with a grin. "Have you asked her dad yet for his blessing?"
"I haven't had the chance to owl him, I've been so busy," Draco said, "But I will this week." Draco shook his head. "Since that's out of the way, what are we going to do about Weasley? I really don't like the fact that he's threatening my sister and your fiancée like that."
"What do you think he'll do?" Harry asked.
"Don't know, but it can't be anything good," Draco said in a worried tone.
"Okay, here is what we're going to do. I'll ask him if I could have a word with him after afternoon classes today and we'll meet you in front of the Quidditch field," Harry explained.
"Right," Draco said. They came back to their starting point and did some more stretches along with sit-ups, push-up and a few crunches. They went their separate ways. Harry took a long and relaxing shower, shaved, brushed his teeth, tried to comb his hair, and got dressed, grabbed his school things and proceeded down to the Great Hall.
Hermione, Draco, Blaise, Kristle, Jacqui and her new fling for the month waited outside the Great Hall.
"There you are," Hermione said walking up to him. She wrapped her arms around him and looked at him.
"Sorry, I took a long shower," Harry said to her; she just looked at him.
"Are you going to kiss me or not?" Hermione said frustrated. Harry pressed his lips to her soft ones and they began to make-out in front of the Great Hall. Draco nudged Harry to tell him that everybody was staring and that Professor McGonagall was coming, Snape right beside her. They quickly separated and took each others hand and proceed in to the Great Hall. They took their usual seats, severed themselves and as usual Kristle would crack on everyone. Harry still thought it was mean of her to do that but couldn't help but laugh - the jokes were just too damn funny. After a few laughs, the girls started a conversation about Witch Weekly's cutest bachelor and Harry and Draco got to know Jacqui's new fling of the month.
"So how long have you and Jacqui been together?" Harry asked, "Sorry I didn't catch you name, what was it again?"
"Clayton, and about a week now."
"Jacqui is quite a girl isn't she?" Draco said looking at Clayton. The Law twins became little sisters to Draco and he became very protective of them even though they went through boys like clean undergarments.
"Yeah she is; I've had a crush on her for so long. I was surprised when she came up to me after Potion's class and started flirting with me," Clayton said with surprise.
"What year are you in again?" Draco asked again.
"I'm in my Sixth year now," Clayton said nervously.
"I see, now have there ever been any dark wizards in your family?" Draco asked again.
"Um…" Before Clayton could finish, Hermione went over to Draco and told him that Dumbledore needed to talk to them. He got up and narrowed his eyes at Clayton.
"This conversation isn't over," Draco said and went to the teacher's table.
"What's with the third degree?" Clayton said to Harry.
"Don't mind him; he's a little over-protective of Jacqui and Kristle. They're like little sisters to him. Don't worry, he was like that with me when I first started going out with Hermione. Just bear with him and don't make any smart arse comments," Harry warned.
"Thanks for the advice Harry," Clayton said. "So how long have you been going out with Hermione?"
"Since the beginning of this year," Harry said happily.
"Oh, hey are the rumors true?" Clayton whispered to Harry.
"What rumors?"
"That you and Hermione are getting married."
Harry was always surprised at how fast news went around before he realized it was a school full of teenagers. So naturally everyone knew.
"Yeah."
"Really, wow you're really lucky. I know blokes who would kill to be with Hermione."
"Don't I know it, but you're lucky too. I mean, I know a lot of people who want Jacqui as well," Harry said,
"Just think of it as being the chosen ones."
Hermione and Draco came back from talking to Dumbledore with serious looks on their faces. Harry looked at Hermione and she just smiled at him to let him know nothing horrible had happened. Draco sat back down and looked at Clayton.
"So, back to my question - have there ever been any dark wizards in your family?" Draco asked.
"Yes, but he's in Azkaban now. I never got along with him and I don't think I could ever forgive him for doing all those horrible things to people," Clayton said with head down, "I'm ashamed to have the last name Sinclair." Draco looked at him then at Harry. Harry shook his head telling Draco that he approved.
"Okay, I guess you'll be alright, but if you doing anything funny with her or you break her heart, I swear I will go to your bed and kill you while you're sleeping," Draco said seriously.
Clayton looked terrified and nodded. One of his friends was calling him and he rose quickly. Harry and Draco started laughing hysterically.
"You know, you didn't have to be that graphic," Harry said shaking his head.
"I know but I love to see their reaction when I say it." Draco laughed.
Just then, a storm of owls flew in dropping letters to the students from their loved ones. Harry had gotten a few from Sirius and Lupin even some from Mrs. Malfoy. Hermione got her new addition of Witch Weekly and looked terrified when she saw the front cover. She looked at Harry.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked. She showed him and his heart stopped. The entire room went quiet and eyes shifted to Harry and Hermione. Apparently, it had been in the Daily Prophet as well. They both looked at the magazine in complete shock.
Hogwarts Innocence Gone - Full Coverage on Hermione Malfoy's Pregnancy with Harry Potter's Baby
Hermione looked like she wanted to cry. Harry took her hand and quickly left the Great Hall. They walked out of the castle and to their secret spot. Harry muttered the password and led Hermione to the bench.
"How did they find out? The only people we've told are Draco, Blaise, Kristle, Jacqui, Sirius, My mum, and Dumbledore. No one else knows," Hermione said weakly, "And I know none of them told."
"I don't know but I will get to the bottom of this," Harry said comforting Hermione. He brought her closer to him. She leaned on his chest and began to cry. He gently stroked her hair and told her it would be all right.
"No it won't, everybody knows. This was supposed to be something secret. I didn't want my baby to grow up with all this fame," Hermione said tears coming down her cheeks. "People are going to think that it's some kind of scandal."
"It won't Hermione; I mean do they have any evidence of you being pregnant? All they have is rumors and as long as we deny that you're pregnant, everything will be fine," Harry said. Hermione laid her head on his lap and slowly stopped crying.
"You're right Harry- everything will be alright," she said. "Harry I think I know who told."
"Who?"
"Ron."
"But how - we didn't tell him. Did you tell him?"
"No, but somehow he found out and I think this is what he meant about public humiliation," Hermione said.
"That no good rotten asshole. I can't wait until we have our little chat," Harry said determined to kick
Ron's arse.
"I know what you're thinking and by all means do so. He needs a lesson taught and I think that's the only way," Hermione said. "Do you want to read what it says?" Hermione picked the magazine off the floor and opened it to the cover story.
Hogwarts Innocence Gone by Jennifer-April Villa
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is filled with hundreds of teenagers. Teenagers with hormones running through their veins, the thousand year old school has dozens of empty rooms to help their teenagers release their hormones and Harry Potter and his girlfriend Hermione Malfoy could be found in one of those rooms fooling around like every young couple but unlike every young couple, they have become very close, close enough to where they found themselves pregnant. This situation is not new to this school - after all, the parents of Harry Potter were in the same situation as their son. Now Hermione Malfoy now has been thrown into the world of motherhood. Few people think that she is ready to take on such a responsibility, and now parents are starting to wonder if Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a school of magic or local love shack.
"Harry, your mum was pregnant with you while she was at school?" Hermione asked.
"I guess, but can you believe the nerve of this lady?" Harry said annoyed, "Love shack."
"Oh Harry, how do you think people are going to react to this? I mean, teachers will be more cautious and watch out for any students that might be up to something."
"Well that just means I'll have to go to your room earlier then usual," Harry said with a grin.
"Honestly Harry, we have to be serious about this."
"Right, well there isn't much we can do. All we have to do is deny that you're pregnant and it will blow
over."
"I hope you're right."
*~**~*~*~*~*~****~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**
Harry and Hermione left their secret spot and went back to the school. On their way back they saw at least different reporters trying to get into Hogwarts. Dumbledore and Snape were blocking the door and telling them to go back to their offices because there wasn't any story to be told. Harry and Hermione decided take the back way to school. They managed to get to Potion's class without complication. They went through the rest of the day listening to whisperers and looks from the school's students.
"I knew that slut would become pregnant before she got out of Hogwarts," a Ravenclaw girl said when she passed by Hermione.
"Who are you calling a slut, because last I checked you slept with four guys after the Yule Ball, and you still didn't come out with a boyfriend, just a very sour pus…." Before Hermione could finish Harry interrupted.
"That's enough love," Harry said because the girl looked like she was about to slap the hell out of Hermione. Hermione looked at Harry and then the girl.
Hermione flipped her hair and said, "Come on Harry," and they walked back to the Head Girl and Head Boy's room. Hermione went up to her room to change into more comfortable clothes while Harry made himself comfortable on the couch. This was a very long day.
"Oh Harry, you wouldn't believe how hard this is," Hermione said coming down the stairs.
"I could imagine. I think I said 'Hermione is not pregnant' at least a thousand times today."
"I can't wait until this blows over. I don't think I can do this every day."
"Don't worry. The press will find someone new to write about eventually," Harry said and they cuddled on the couch together.
"GO AWAY, SHE IS NOT PREGNANT!" Blaise yelled at the cameras and reporters who were waiting outside of the room.
"Harry I need to go to the loo, I'll be right back," Hermione said and went up the stairs.
"You wouldn't believe how many people are out there," Blaise said sitting down on the couch.
"I can imagine," Harry said getting a magazine from the table in front of him. "So how has your day been?"
"Not one of greatest, but okay I guess."
"What ruined your day?"
"I got my period." Blaise said
"And is that bad?" Harry asked looking up from the magazine.
"Yes, first of all it means Draco isn't going to be a father and next - I hate getting my period," Blaise said frustrated.
"I see - did you want to be a mom?" Harry asked.
"Kind of - how has your day gone?" she asked changing the subject.
"Horrible - I got a low grade on my Potions essay, tons of homework from Transfiguration and then this
whole press thing is just outrageous."
"That's too bad. So did Draco mention anything today about me?" Blaise asked excitedly.
"No, as a matter of fact I haven't talked to him since Breakfast," Harry said, "That reminds me I have to meet him at the Quidditch Pitch." He quickly got up and gathered his things.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"I have to meet Draco. I'll see you at dinner," Harry said and ran up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Bye luv."
"Bye."
"So what do you want to do? It's been a long time since it's only been the two of us," Blaise asked.
"Oh we could try on some of the new clothes my mum sent yesterday. I think she bought some for you as
well," Hermione said excitedly.
"Okay," Blaise said and they both ran up the stairs.
~***~*~**~*~**~*~~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~**~*~**~*~*~****~*~*~~*
"Hey Ron, could I talk to you for a moment?" Harry asked.
"Um…sure," Ron said with a confused look on his face, "What's up?"
"Could we talk in the Quidditch pitch? It's more private."
"I guess."
They walked down to the Quidditch pitch without facing or talking to each other. When they got there, Draco was already waiting.
"Took you long enough," Draco said.
"Sorry mate, I completely forgot," Harry said.
"What is this all about? Harry you said we were going to talk," Ron said.
"We are, but we have to do something first," Harry said with a smirk.
WHAM
Draco's fist hit Ron's freckled face. He fell down on the floor clutching his cheek. Draco and Harry started
kicking and punching at Ron's helpless body. They stopped and Draco picked up Ron by his shirt.
"So you think harassing Hermione is funny?" Draco yelled. "Do you know how much trouble you've caused?"
"Why did you do it Ron?" Harry yelled, "Why did you say something so private to the Daily Prophet?"
"Go to hell!" Ron yelled.
WHAM
Harry punched Ron's stomach as hard as he could.
"You are never to talk to my fiancée ever again or even get close to her and that goes for Kristle, Jacqui and Blaise, do you understand me?"
"Fuck you," Ron said.
"Okay that's it," Draco said and dropped him on the floor.
WHAM, BANG, BAMM
"STAY AWAY FROM HERMIONE!" Harry yelled.
They left Ron on the floor with a broken nose and arm with bruises all over his face. They went back up to the Head Boy and Girl's room with grins on there faces.
"Hermione, where are you?" Harry yelled.
"I'm up here," Hermione yelled.
Harry and Draco ran up to Hermione's door and knocked.
"Come in."
"Hermione, what are you wearing?" Harry asked. Hermione was wearing a lavender silk dress pajama
that showed just a little bit of her bum.
"Oh, you like it? Mum bought it from a Muggle store called Victoria Secrets, it's really comfy," Hermione said looking at herself in the mirror. "Harry, when I tell you something, I'd like for you to be looking at my
face and not my bum."
"Sorry, but you look - you look sexy," Harry said walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. He whispered something dirty in her ear.
"Harry…"
"Excuse me, but there are other people in the room," Draco said irritably.
"Sorry mate, but you know what happens when I go near this girl," Harry said.
"I know - well sis, I don't think you have to worry about weasel bothering you again," Draco said with a
smile.
"Why, what you do?" Hermione asked.
"We beat the shit out of him and told him if he talked to you again that it would be even worse," Draco
said with glee.
"Hey what's today?" Blaise asked.
"Friday, why?" Draco asked.
"It's it Seventh Year night," Blaise said. "All Seventh Years get to go to Hogsmeade for dinner."
"Oh yeah, I completely forgot about that!" Hermione said, "Well what are we waiting for - let's go."
"Give me ten minutes to get dressed," Harry said and ran out of the room. The press must have given up because there wasn't any sign of them anywhere. Harry ran up to his trunk, took out a pair of skater shorts and an Independent shirt and put on his skater shoes and ran back out to meet Hermione. He caught up with them when they were going down the stairs.
"There you are," Hermione said. She was dressed in a pair of hip hugger jeans and a dark red spaghetti strap with new Nike tennis shoes.
They got into the carriages and left for Hogsmeade. They got off and went to the Maxwell's. Although Hermione wasn't pleased, she still went. They were seated and were given there menus.
"What will you have to drink ma'am?" the waiter asked.
"I will have pumpkin juice."
"Make that two," Blaise said.
"I'll have a butterbeer," Harry said.
"Me too," Draco added.
"I'll be back to take your order," the waiter said.
"Harry do you think I could have a moment with you?" Draco asked.
"Sure, we'll be right back," Harry told Hermione.
They went inside the boy's washroom.
"What's up?" Harry asked in concern.
"I'm going to do it," Draco said in a determined tone.
"Do what?" Harry asked.
"Propose - I'm going to propose, do you have any advice?"
"Yeah, um…don't stutter and say what's in your heart."
"Stutter, heart, got it."
"Nervous?" Harry asked.
"Yeah."
They left the washroom and went back to the girls.
"So, what did you need to tell Harry?" Blaise asked.
"Blaise how long have we known each other?" Draco asked.
"All our lives," Blaise said, "Why?"
"Then I regret not being with you sooner. Blaise, you are the most amazing girl in the entire world. I love every thing about you. I know I can't live without you and I don't want to live with you. So Blaise Zabini, will you marry me?" Draco said kneeling down on one knee.
"Yes, Yes Draco!" Blaise said in tears. He placed the diamond ring on her finger and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Her ring was a karat smaller than Hermione's
"Oh congratulations!" Hermione said.
The entire evening the girls talked about wedding dresses and the boys talked about the Quidditch Cup. They retreated back to Hogwarts, all stuffed and exhausted. Harry walked with all of them only to see a man waiting outside the Head Girl and Boy's portrait hole.
"Well I guess it's the rumors are true my daughter is going out with the famous Harry Potter."