I Promise

Chapter Ten: "Just The Beginning"

A/N: Here it is… the long awaited chapter ten of I Promise! First I want to say thanks to all of you that review =) They really make my day. I love reading each and every one of your reviews. They mean a lot to me, so I just wanted to say thanks.

Secondly, if you guys have time, do you think you could read my other two stories? They haven't been doing so well, and honestly, what's the point of writing if you don't get feedback?

Another story is coming soon… not sure exactly when, but it'll be coming soon so make sure all of you read that.

Thanks again and I hope you enjoy the story.

"Harry!" Cho exclaimed excitedly, "It's you! Oh Harry… we're going to have a baby. And it's a girl!"

Harry felt a weird sensation… it was almost like dread. He was relieved, of course, that the child was his and not Roger Davis', but he still didn't like the feeling of having a child with anyone other than Hermione.

Harry forced his voice to be cheerful. "Well then, congratulations, Cho! You're going to be a mom."

Cho laughed. Harry could tell that she was thrilled. "Well you're going to be a dad, Harry," she answered, "I can't believe we're going to have a girl! Can we please name her Capella, Harry? Please?"

Harry smiled slightly. It was nice to see Cho so excited about something. All she seemed to do recently was sleep and eat. "Anything you want, Cho," Harry promised, "If you want…" Harry took a deep breath. "If you want our little girl to be named Capella, her name will be Capella."

Harry could swear that Cho was smiling. She sounded sincerely happy, and Harry was glad.

"Harry, I have to go," she whispered, "I'm getting a little tired. I just want to tell you how happy I am. I really think this is going to work out."

Harry didn't answer. He remembered promising Hermione that everything was going to be okay and that everything was going to work out. Now he wasn't so sure of that promise. He wasn't sure of anything. "I think so too, Cho. Sweet dreams."

"I love you, Harry," Cho muttered, yawning.

Harry held the phone tightly, squeezing it. How was he going to break the news to Hermione? "I love you, too, Her-" Harry coughed loudly. He paused for a moment, and realized that Cho hadn't caught that. He sighed in relief. Cho didn't know he was about to call her Hermione. "I love you, too, Cho."

"'Night," Cho murmured.

A second later, there was a click on the line. Harry dropped the phone and laid down on his bed. Things were getting more complicated by the second. Cho would expect Harry to get married to her since they were having a daughter. Hermione was engaged to Ron. Was their relationship doomed?

Harry closed his eyes, wanting everything to go away. His life was so messed up. If only he hadn't listened to Ron that time Ron had told him to stay away from Hermione. If he had just gone to Hermione that night after defeating Voldemort and had fallen in her arms, things would be very different. Harry had a feeling that this was just the beginning of the problems he and Hermione would have to face.

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Hermione picked up her phone and dialed Harry's number. It had been a week since he had last called, and Hermione was wondering what had happened to him. The phone rang over and over again until finally Harry picked up on the seventh ring.

"Hey Hermione," he said nervously. Hermione could detect from his tone that he was hiding something.

"Hey," Hermione answered back, slightly weirded out by the situation. Why Harry suddenly acting as if he had something to hide?

"We haven't talked in a while," Harry said distractedly. He sounded distant, and either he wasn't in the mood to talk or had something else on his mind.

"Yeah," Hermione agreed, "But then again, Ron never leaves me alone. I think he suspects something."

There was a long pause on the line. Hermione could tell that Harry wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying.

"Oh," Harry answered vaguely.

Hermione was beginning to get irritated. If Harry wasn't in the mood to talk to her, he could just say so. "Is this a bad time, Harry? Because I could always call back later…"

Harry sighed. "Look, Hermione we have to talk."

Hermione straightened up on her bed. Maybe Harry had finally decided to break up with Cho. Maybe they could finally have a real relationship now. Hermione smiled just thinking about it. "I agree."

Harry paused. "I think we should stop seeing each other."

Hermione froze. She felt dizzy, and gripped the phone hard just to make sure it didn't fall. Why was Harry doing this?

Hermione took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. There was no point in getting worked up over this. Maybe there was a logical explanation for this. Maybe Harry was just being temporarily delusional. "Are you saying this because you have to, or are you saying this because it's what you want?" Hermione asked softly. She bit her lip, hoping she wouldn't burst out in tears.

Harry didn't answer. Hermione felt her spirits go up a bit. Harry didn't want to give up on their relationship! Something weird had probably just happened. Harry was probably overreacting about something.

"It's… it's for the best, Hermione," Harry answered finally. "And I want the best for both of us."

Hermione sighed, looking down. She put her wet cheek to her pillow and realized that she was crying. Tears were streaming down her face, and Hermione couldn't even answer Harry. She didn't want Harry to know that she was crying over him.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Harry whispered, "I'll see you sometime. Maybe."

Hermione nodded even though Harry couldn't see her nod. She was crying too hard to answer. Instead, Hermione just hung up the phone and cried until there were no more tears.

*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*

Ron knocked on Hermione's door again, but no answer came. He sighed with frustration, and banged a little louder. Ron looked through the window and saw light in the main room. He made a confused look and then knocked again. Ron pressed his ear against the door and heard sniffling.

"Hermione, open the door!" Ron hollered, banging on the door again. When nobody came to the door, he turned the knob of the door and surprisingly, realized it was unlocked. Ron walked slowly and cautiously into Hermione's flat. He heard more sniffling, and followed the sound of Hermione's sobs.

Ron entered Hermione's bedroom and saw her sobbing on the bed. Ron sat down next to her and tilted her face up. Her eyes were bloodshot and her hair was a frizzy mess. She bit her lip and wiped away her tears.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, wiping her eyes furiously. Ron shook his head and took a seat on her bed.

"So what happened?" Ron asked curiously. He had a feeling her crying had something to do with Harry.

Hermione shrugged, and waved him off. "I was just watching a sad movie and you know how emotional I get."

"Oh." Ron knew that Hermione was lying. What kind of excuse was that? Once again, Hermione was hiding her life from Ron. "What movie was it?"

Hermione shrugged, her eyes shifting. "The uh Notebook. Yeah, it's really sad. The two people die at the end."

"I wanted to see that," Ron lied, "Where is it? Do you think I can borrow it?"

Hermione shook her head. "No… I returned it, Ronald."

Ron decided not to press the argument farther. He shrugged put his arm around Hermione's neck. He felt her flinch slightly, so he pulled away his arm. Sighing, Ron stood up.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked softly.

"I just remembered something I have to do. I'll see you later, okay?" Ron asked her. Hermione shrugged, and Ron disapparated.

Hermione watched Ron vanish and then put her head back in her arms. She let the tears fall, knowing that nothing anyone said would make her feel better. Except for Harry Potter.

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Ginny dialed Draco's number for the hundredth time. Once again, nobody picked up. The phone rang until the answering machine came on. Ginny slammed the phone angrily. When Draco and Ginny had last parted, Draco had said, "I'll call you later." What was later? When was later?

Ginny crossed her arms. Suddenly, she shot up off the bed and ran out the door. Ginny snapped her fingers and apparated in front of Draco's apartment.

Ginny bit her lip nervously. Was it okay for her to come over to her maybe boyfriend's house? Or was that pushing it a little too far? Ginny shivered from the cold, and wrapped her arms around her body.

The light was on in Draco's apartment, and there was some movement. He was definitely home. Then why wasn't he picking up the phone? Ginny had to find out. Taking a deep breath, Ginny rang Draco's doorbell. Nobody came to the door. Frustrated, Ginny rang the doorbell over and over again.

Finally, Ginny heard footsteps and then she heard Draco swear loudly. A few moments later, the door swung open. Draco stood there, looking surprised. His hair was a mess, and he looked guilty of something.

"Draco?" Ginny asked, looking confused. What had gotten into Draco? Why was he looking so weird?

"Ginny, this isn't a good time. I'm kind of uh busy…" Draco mumbled, not looking into her eyes.

Ginny pushed past Draco to see a skinny blonde girl sitting on the couch. The girl's eyes were wide and playful as she stared back at Draco.

A/N: -sighs- I know you are all probably very angry with me for making the baby Harry's =( But you have to understand, it was the right thing to do. Hopefully, you'll still review. I love all of you, and don't worry; all the events are for the best.

So yup, looks like Draco was cheating on Ginny… how's all that going to turn out?
And Hermione and Harry called it quits. Let's see how that affects everyone.
THANKS FOR REVIEWING (IN ADVANCE) (:

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