Broken Smile

Broken Smile

There was only three day left in school before Christmas holidays, Hermione was worried about going home, it was hard enough hiding morning sickness from her roommates and Ginny but hiding it from Molly was going to be a job on its own.

Hermione hadn’t dreamt about the little boy since that day when she found out she was pregnant. Morning sickness was becoming a pain, most time she was late for class and some time woulwould throw up in the evening.

Hermione had to be careful in class because of harmful ingredients or spells being threw at her in DADA. She had become very protective of the little one growing in side of her. Hermione couldn’t put it into words, so many sad things had come from this war but now there is at least one blessing.

On Friday morning Hermione ran down to the dungeons, it was still hard for her to go down there after what happen. Dumbledore banished the lab that Lucius raped Hermione in but she still remembers where the door was.

Most teachers worried about Hermione, she no longer raises her hand when a teacher asks questions, she tried not to draw to much attention to herself she just wanted to be left alone.

Hermione reached Potions class a good ten minutes late, she opened the door quietly but the lesson had already started. She turned around now face to face with Snape. “Sorry I’m late, sir,” said Hermione. “Take your sit, Miss Granger”.

Hermione and Snape hadn’t spoken much since that night although Hermione wanted to thank him. They would stare at one another some time as if they had something to say. There was some sort of unspoken understanding between them.

Hermione walked to the back of the classroom where she used to sit with Ron and Harry. She got to work right away, reading through the ingredient’s list twice. As she stirred the potion anti-clock wise she felt someone watching her, looking up to catch a pair of gray eyes. Draco gave Hermione a big smile and turned his attention back to his own potion.

Over the last month Hermione found herself having long conversation with Draco, she never realized how intelligent or funny he is. Draco could never replace Ron and Harry but his friendship is what Hermione needs.

Potions lesson had finished, Hermione was still bottling her potion while ree rest of the class hurried to their next lesson. She cleaned up her desk and swung her bag over her shoulder then made her way to the door. “Bye Sir” said Hermione before closing the door behind her.

She saw a very scared line of first years waiting to enter Snape’s class; she walked pass them making her way to DADA class. When Hermione reached the stairs Draco was sitting on the bottom step “Hey” he said. “Hey, why did you wait?” asked Hermione. Draco shrugged his shoulders “Don’t know, just wanted to”. She smiled at him “We better get going,” said Hermione offering to help him up, Draco took her hand and got up from the cold steps.

“Haven’t you got charms next?” asked Hermione, “Yeah but I’ll walk you to your class first” said Draco laughing at Hermione expression “What?” “You’re never walked me to class before, why the sudden politeness?” asked Hermione suspiciously. Draco stopped walking and took a green rapped box from his bag “This is for you” said Draco holding the box out to her.

Hermione just stared at the box in Draco’s hand “What is it?” “A present, for you” said Draco placing it in Hermione’s hand. “Open it” he instructed. Hermione looked at him and then at the box, she pulled the ribbon loose and opened the box to find a golden snitch. She took it out of the box with a frown on her face “A snitch?” asked Hermione, “Not just a snitch, the first one I ever caught” said Draco watching her closely.

“Why are you giving it to me?” asked Hermione. “Its kind of a good luck charm, I thought…” Draco wasn’t sure what he wanted to say so he stopped talking. She smiled at him; a smile that reached her eyes “Thank you” said Hermione hugging him lightly.

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Hermione felt nauseous on the train ride home, she could feel the porridge she ate that morning churning. They arrived home around ten in the morning; Molly and the girls spent most of the day decorating the house for Christmas. “I’m going to start dinner, why don’t you girls go out side and build a snowman,” said Molly as she walked into the kitchen. “She still thinks I’m five” complained Ginny. “You enjoyed building one last year” Hermione reminded her. Ginny frowned “Well last year was different, I’m sixteen now, anyway I have to owl Dean” said Ginny before heading up stairs. Hermione rolled her eyes because Ginny had only seen Dean a few hours ago.

Hermione put on her coat, scarf and gloves before going out side. She sat on the swing chair at the front of the house looking out at the icy evening approaching. She always admired the Burrow especially in winter, the white hills, large trees and the smell of the snow.

Hermione tucked her legs beneath herself and relaxed back on the chair, her hands rested against her stomach. She tried to occupy herself as much as possible; her secret was one that she couldn’t keep for very long. What scared Hermione most was that maybe they wouldn’t understand, maybe they would think she was mad for wanted to keep this baby.

Lucius Malfoy may have taken everything from Hermione but he left her with the gift of life. How could she kill this baby, she would be just as cruel as he was. She watched the fading sunlight and could smell Molly’s shepherd pie cooking, which made her stomach rumble.

Arthur came through the gate at the front of the house, he looked very tired though he smiled and waved at Hermione all the same. She got up from the swing chair to greet him half way “What are you doing out here, its blistering” said Ar con concernedly. She stopped in front of him “I’ve missed you too” said Hermione giving him a big hug. Arthur chuckled “I didn’t mean it like that, you know how much I’ve missed you,” said Arthur placing his arm around her.

“So, where’s Ginny?” asked Arthur as they walk back to the house, “Writing a letter to Dean she hasn’t seen him in about six hours, so a four page letter should about do it” said Hermione sarcastically. “I don’t like that boy,” said Arthur with a frown. Hermione smiled “Dean’s okay, I mean he’s a lot better then Ginny’s other boyfri…never mind” said Hermione realizing who she was taking to.

The smell of shepherd pie lingered through the house as they walked in. Hermione enjoyed dinner with her family, they talked about school, Molly told them the twins and Bill would be over for Sunday dinner and that Charlie would be home next week.

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O
Once again Hermione sat on the floor by the toilet, her system felt as if she had been in a tumble dryer. She splashed some cold water on her face trying to wake herself up. Charlie was coming home today, she was a little excited, she had only saw him a month ago but he always makes her feel special.

Hermione had a bath and got dressed quickly, Molly kept on calling her for breakfast every two minute’s. “Hermione breakfast” Molly called again. Hermione open her door and shouted “I’M COMING” she closed the door and put on her jumper.

Hermione notice her hormones had be playing tricks on her; the littlest thing out of place was would drive her mad. She put her hair in a ponytail and made her way down stairs for breakfast. She entered the kitchen, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were sitting at the table eating eggs and bacon; they all looked at Hermione, scared to say the wrong thing.

“Morning, I’m sorry for shouting” said Hermione giving Molly a kiss on her cheek. “That’s okay dear, sit down and have some breakfast” said Molly getting up and filling a plate for Hermione. “Right, Charlie should be home by around three, so I want this house to be ship shape” said Molly placing eggs and bacon in front of Hermione.

Arthur left for work, which left Hermione and Ginny to help Molly clear the house. Around One thirty the girls had finished clearing the garden, they had a bit of time to get cleaned up before Charlie arrived home.

Hermione waited back while the others greeted Charlie, she studied him while he hugged his mum. Charlie pulled back from Molly, turning around and giving Hermione a big smile, “Don’t I get a hug?” asked Charlie holding out his arms. Hermione walked into his embrace, “I missed you” she whispered holding onto him, “I missed you too”.

Hermione enjoyed having Charlie home the house didn’t seem so quiet since he arrived. They played chess; made gingerbread men with Molly, they also just sat and talked. On Thursday afternoon a day before the other Weasley brothers came home for Christmas, Hermione and Charlie sat in the living room by a blazing fire.

Charlie had a pencil and a few sheets of paper in front of him; he was watching Hermione read her book. She could feel his eyes on her and then she saw him scribbling away on the paperharlharlie, you better not be drawing me,” warned Hermione looking up at him. Charlie smiled “I’m not, I happen to be drawing the clock behind you” said Charlie
Sounding very much like of Percy.

Charlie gave her a big cheesy smile, “Let me see” said Hermione closing her book. “There’s the thing, no” said Charlie continue to draw. Hermione stood up “Charlie let me see” she repeated with her hands on her hips. “I could show you but I don’t want to” said Charlie with a grin.

Hermione had enough; she walked over to where Charlie was sitting, stopping in front of him with her hand out for the drawing. He shakes his head “I don’t think so, Hermy,” said Charlie laughing and holding the drawing above his head. Hermione tried to take the drawing from his hands but Charlie pulled it back, “Charlie” moans Hermione sounding like a child.


Charlie looked at her face, their eyes locked, neither of them could move. He lowered the drawing and handed it to her, Hermione took the piece of paper from his hand. Charlie had captured her soft features, her wild hair, and the way she sat on the chair with her legs tucked beneath herself and one-hand places across her stomach. “Your really good at drawing but this picture is far to generous,” said Hermione looking up at him. “All in the eye of the beholder” said Charlie reaching up and touching her cheek.

“There is a lot you don’t know about me” Charlie began, “did you know I hold the record for eating the most chocolate frogs with out throwing up at Hogwarts” Hermione started laughing “Your mother must be so proud” said Hermione sitting down next to him. “Yes, I believe she is but Bill stole my thunder when he made Head Boy” “Well, we have some think in common,” said Hermione still laughing a little. “What, you can eat eight five chocolate frogs with out throwing up too?” Charlie joked. Hermione slapped his chest playfully “No, I didn’t make Head Girl,” said Hermione, she was about to continue but Charlie cut her off.

“I think mum would have been a bit shocked if I would had made Head Girl” said Charlie with a cheeky smile. “You’re in possible,” Hermione told him shaking her head but her eyes told a different story.

“I miss being here, Romania is great but some time I wish I lived a little closer to home” said Charlie after a short silence. “Me too, Hogwarts is so different with out…” Charlie took hold of Hermione hand “If you want to talk, I’m here for you” said Charlie giving her hand a squeeze.

Hermione looked at their hands and then looked into Charlie’s warm eyes, she wanted to tell him everything, how scared she felt when she awoke from nightmares crying or the way her soul comes to life when he’s near her and especially when he touches her. “I know you are, I just don’t think I’m ready,” said Hermione unable to keep eye contact any longer. “When you’re ready, I’ll be here” said Charlie raisin her chin gently so he can see her eyes.

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The Weasley house was full once again; Bill and the twin came to stay the day before Christmas Eve. Hermione liked when the house was full but it was nice to spend time with Charlie without the others around.

On Christmas Eve Hermione ran to the toilet, she thought she’d never stop being sick, when she felt her stomach empty she wiped her mouth with toilet tissue. She splashed some cold water on her face and made her way back to bed, when she opened the bathroom door Charlie stood there with a concerned look on his face. “Are you okay?” asked Charlie.

Hermione hesitated before answering “Yeah, I must have eating something bad” said Hermione not quite meeting Charlie’s eyes. “Do you want me to get mum?” “NO, honestly I’m fine,” said Hermione heading for the stairs, “I’m going to back to bed” she disappeared up the stairs leaving Charlie looking puzzled.

Charlie watched Hermione for the rest of the day; he wondered why she acted so weird that morning over being sick. Hermione tried to act normal, she got such a shock when Charlie caught her throwing up, all she had to do was get through one more week and half with out anyone finding out.

The twin where awake before sun raise on Christmas morning, when Charlie come to wake Hermione her bed was already empty, he smiled and figured she was down stairs opening presents. He closed her bedroom to see a pale looking Hermione coming down from the floor above. She didn’t have to say anything, from the look on Charlie face she could tell he knew that she was sick again. “Did you eat something bad again?” asked Charlie looking annoyed. “Its just a stomach bug, Charlie” said Hermione walking pass him and down the stairs. Charlie didn’t say anything more until after Christmas dinner when Hermione was sick again.

The whole family sat around the fire drinking hot chocolate and telling story. Fred and George told stories of Harry and Ron’s mischief at Hogwarts but they cleverly left out there own tales. Hermione wasn’t ready to talk about Harry and Ron just yet; she sat next to Arthur on the sofa now listen to stories of his youth again.

Hermione excused herself half way through Arthur’s story about his first ever battery find. She took her coat from the rack by the door and went out side for some air. Hermione barley had closed the door when it opened again; not surprisingly Charlie came out putting on his coat.

“Are you feeling better?” asked Charlie joining Hermione on the swing chair. She looked at him questionably, “You were sick after dinner….” Hermione cut Charlie off “What, are you following me around the house checking if I’m throwing up” asked Hermione angrily.

“And what if I am, maybe someone needs to, you seem to have trouble taking care of yourself” said Charlie irritated but his eyes soften when he saw her lip tremble, he tried to take her hand but Hermione pulled away.

“Why are you making such a big thing out of nothing?” asked Hermione standing up. “If it’s nothing, why are you getting so worked up?” Charlie shot back. Hermione opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again. She felt like Charlie could see right through her, read her thoughts, look deep into her soul, maybe he could?

“Talk to me, tell me what’s going on, don’t shut me out again” pleaded Charlie. Hermione turned her back on him, she looked out at the light snowfall as if searching for answers. Charlie stood up, walking over to Hermione and placing his hands on her shoulders. “Are you pregnant?”

Tears plucked at Hermione eyes, he knew, what did he think? Was he disgusted? “Please answer me,” said Charlie after a moment. “I’m scared,” said Hermione through tears. “There’s nothing to be scared of, I wouldn’t let anything happen to you” Charlie promised. Hermione built up the courage to say, “I’m two months pregnant” she held her breath waiting for Charlie to say something-anything.

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Lacey- Thanks for reviewing. I know the errors are a pain, I’ve said before I have dyslexia, so I’m sorry.

Jamie- Poor Hermione, things will get worst before better. I no longer have a beta.

Anyone who would be interested to beta for me please e-mail heartofcaroline@aol.com