Chapter Four: Realizations, and Master Plans
***Friday Evening***
"You're pregnant?" Hermione asked shocked.
"Yes, I am." She stated matter-of-factly.
"Wow," Harry started, "I don't know what to say. What are you guys going to do about the tour?" Ron shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"I might have to take a leave of absence." He told them.
"What are you going to do about living conditions?" Hermione butted in.
"We don't know yet. Harry, we might have to stay in your flat for more than two weeks." Ron informed him.
"What? Why?" Harry asked.
"Luna can't travel until sometime after the baby is born. Is that okay?" he asked timidly.
"How far along is she?" Hermione interjected.
"Four months." Luna said.
"Um, Yah. If Hermione doesn't mind because I'll need to stay with her for a little longer." Harry answered.
Hmmm, a few extra months with Harry? Not a bad thing, right?
"I don't mind." She blurted out. Harry looked at her, confused. He had believed that she was as shocked as he, but obviously he was wrong.
In truth, Hermione was just as shocked as Harry, but when the opportunity for her to try and win him over arises, she's gonna jump and maul it.
"Really, Harry. It's alright you can stay here as long as you need," then she added, "that is, until Luna and Ron leave."
Hermione had tried to hide the fact that she was absolutely thrilled about Harry's staying with her for a few months, and she believed she had done a damn fine job at it. What she didn't notice was the smirk on Ron's face, but Harry did.
"What's so amusing, Ron?" Harry asked curiously.
"Oh, nothing in particular…" his eyes strayed over to Hermione's face. She finally realized that she had been caught. As quick as a light switch being flicked, Hermione's face turned a brilliant shade of scarlet.
Harry was confused, but very excited at the prospect of living with Hermione for a lot longer than intended. He couldn't let her know that, though. Ron couldn't know either. Not yet anyways. Harry also turned to look at Hermione, who was blushing quite fiercely.
What's wrong with her? She seems embarrassed, but by what??
Oh great, now Harry's staring at me. Hermione quickly covered her face with a napkin and excused herself into the kitchen.
"I wonder what her problem is?" Harry voiced.
"I'll go find out." Ron got up and followed Hermione into the kitchen, while Harry and Luna struck up a conversation about Ron's Quidditch tour.
**********
"So, what's going on?" Ron asked her, smiling.
"Um………nothing, why?" she strayed.
"Come on Hermione! I've known you for over 14 years now! I'll find out one way or another, you know I can and I will. I would just rather hear it from you first." He told her.
"Okay. I'll tell you, Ron."
**********
Hermione and Ron had been in the kitchen for a while now. Harry was starting to get worried, and was ready to get up and walk in. Luna reached the door first.
"Harry, wait here for a minute, okay?" she said sweetly.
"Yah, alright." She left him to himself as she entered the kitchen.
**********
"That's why I jumped at the opportunity." Hermione had finished.
"Now, I understand." Ron stated.
"What's going on?" Luna asked perplexed.
"I'll tell you in a minute, Honey. Hermione, why don't you go and join Harry for a little bit, okay? We'll join you shortly." Ron said pushing her out of the door.
"So? Was I right?" Luna asked her tall husband.
"Yes, dear. You were right. She's in love." Ron kissed his wife on the cheek.
"That's wonderful. You owe me two galleons, babe." She said patting him on the back and leaving him in the kitchen dumbfounded.
**********
After dinner all of them retreated to the sitting room, and Harry lit a warm fire.
"So, Harry. It's really okay that we use your place for a few months until we can find one of our own?" Ron asked.
"Yah. Like I said before. If Hermione says it's okay that I stay with her, than I don't mind at all. Really, it's okay." Harry replied reassuringly.
"I don't mind, Harry. It's alright." She told him smiling.
Oh, I love that smile. Harry thought. He flashed her a quick smile in return.
Oh, I love his smile! She screamed in her head. For a moment, they both just sat there, smiling. Ron cleared his throat to bring them both back to their senses.
"So, how's life as teachers going?" he asked nonchalantly. Harry didn't even have to think about his answer,
"It's really great. I love to do it, the kids are so amusing." He said.
"Amusing, Harry?" Luna asked him.
"Yah, you'd have to be there to know it. It's just something I love to see everyday." He finished.
"How about you, Hermione?" Luna questioned.
"I absolutely love it. I can't imagine doing anything else now. It's really a great job, and like Harry said, the kids are great." Luna started to say something, but Ron interrupted.
"Harry said the kids are amusing, not great." He told her.
"I know what he said, Ron. I also know for a fact that he thinks so to. That's all." She shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"She's right. I do feel that way." Harry agreed. Ron and Luna looked at each other signaling that they needed to talk alone.
**********
After a few more hours of catching up and informing, Ron and Luna left.
"Goodnight, you two." Hermione waved.
"G'night Mione." Ron waved back.
"Night Luna." Harry yelled.
"Night Harry." She said back. Then they were left to themselves.
"So, where do I get to sleep?" Harry asked.
Oh, no! I forgot about that little fact! Wonderful. Well, he can't sleep on the couch that wouldn't be very kind of me. But then again he has slept on it many times before…As Hermione went off into her thoughts, Harry stared at her.
She noticed his eyes boring into the side of her head.
"What?" she asked.
"Huh?" he questioned, realizing he had been caught. "Nothing. Hermione, it's okay if I just sleep on the cou……"
Hermione interrupted, "No, Harry. That wouldn't be very king of me. You can sleep with me." She said. Harry looked shocked, and after a few minutes of realizing what she had said, Hermione turned a bright red.
**********
Meanwhile, on the street on the way to Harry's flat Ron and Luna are having an interesting conversation (without us!).
"Harry was acting like she was." Luna stated.
"Uh huh." Ron agreed.
"Do you think he might feel the same as she does?" Luna inquired.
"No question."
This truly is going to be a very interesting few months……………………
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