Hold Me Close

Hermione awoke to the sound of the door opening. Ron had no doubt come back from his Quidditch game with his brothers. She opened her eyes and looked at him.

“Hey there,” he said, almost drinking her in.

“Hey,” she said, sitting up. Ron made his way over to the bed and proceeded to kiss her. She kissed him back, and he placed a hand under her t-shirt, slowly moving it up, touching the bottom of her breasts, round and firm as they were, and slightly damp from sweating in her sleep. Hermione broke away.

“What’s wrong?” he asked her, confused.

“It’s nothing, I just think I want to go and have a cup of tea,” she replied, pecking him on the lips. “And even though we are of age, I highly doubt your mother will approve of me sleeping in here with you,” she said to him, half grinning. Ron looked dejected.

“I’m actually rather tired, meself. I think I’ll just have a shower and then be off to bed,” Ron said, looking at her somewhat sadly.

Hermione pecked him on the lips again and then stood up, pulling her hair into a twist and securing it with her wand, like a chopstick in her hair. She proceeded toward the door.

“Night, Mione,” Ron said, to her back.

“Night. Remember I’m going back to my parent’s for a few days tomorrow. I want to say goodbye before I go, and I want to leave relatively early,” she said, looking back at him.

“Right, then, see you in the morning,” Ron replied, his expression softer, and more tired.

Hermione walked down the stairs, and into the kitchen. Only Mrs. Weasley was still awake.

“How are you feeling dear?” She asked her, with that ever motherly tone of hers.

“Better thank you. I was actually coming to get some tea,” Hermione said, looking around distractedly.

“Is your stomach still upset dear?”

“A little, but now it’s likely a lack of food,” Hermione half chuckled sheepishly.

“Try some of this,” Molly said, handing her a cup of tea that smelled heavily of ginger. “That might settle your stomach a little and then we can get you something proper to eat.”

“Thank you,” Hermione said, taking the cup from her. She inhaled the aroma, and already her stomach felt a little calmer. She took a few sips and marveled at how fast the ginger in the tea worked to settle her stomach.

“How about a bit of toast, dear? And some soup perhaps?”

“That actually sounds lovely,” Hermione replied, while Molly bustled to work, getting the food for her.

“That really was a beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, yes it was gorgeous,” Hermione replied distractedly.

“You know I had been wondering how long it would take for you and Ron to get together. I must confess I always thought you and Harry would get together, and I was surprised to see him with Ginny,” Molly continued. Hermione assumed she was just making conversation, but she could not help but wonder if the older witch suspected something of her condition.

“Well to say the least, I am just glad you are both happy,” Molly said, looking at Hermione as if she were staring through her.

Hermione cleared her throat and simply nodded. Just Hermione was beginning to regret having come downstairs, Molly set the bowl of soup and the plate of toast in front of her. Hermione immediately tucked into the food, hoping that it would give her cause not to reply to any uncomfortable questions. To her absolute horror, Molly walked over to the cupboard Hermione had raided that morning.

“Hmm,” Molly said, upon scanning the contents. “Didn’t realize I was low on raspberry leaf. Not a very common ingredient, raspberry leaf,” she muttered, mostly to herself.

Hermione froze, paralyzed with fear, thinking she had been caught.

“Ah well. It’s not surprising. What with all the women around here, as it is the main ingredient in the menstrual cramp alleviation serum; but you know that,” Molly chuckled. “You are the brightest witch of your age. So used to being the only one to use it, what with you lot off to school. But you, Ginny and Fleur have all been here for several days now, I don’t know why I didn’t think to buy more,” She chided herself. “At any rate, enjoy your soup dear,” She said to Hermione as she left the kitchen

Hermione let out the breath she’s only just now realized she’s been holding. She needed some answers and fast. She decided to go to a muggle clinic to be precautious. No one would know her there, and she really only needed to know one thing about it.

How long? That was the question that was burning within her. How long had she been pregnant? Was the father of the child beginning to grow in her belly Ron? Or—? No. She would not allow herself to think it. She quickly finished her soup, willing it to stay down, and crept back up to Ginny’s room. Just as she had expected, the room was empty. She removed her pants so that she was in her t-shirt and knickers, and climbed into the bed that was hers. She drifted off to sleep, hoping tomorrow would bring her good news.

The next morning, Hermione awoke to the sunlight pouring into the room. She looked at her watch, wondering how late she had slept. 9:30. That wasn’t too late, she thought as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. She looked at the bed next to hers. Ginny was crashed out in a heap. They must have been out rather late, Hermione thought, grinning to herself. Hermione grabbed some fresh clothing, pointedly muggle, and padded off to the bathroom across the hall, to take a shower before heading downstairs to say goodbye to everyone. She stood under the hot trickle and thought about her predicament. She could easily have an abortion while she was at the muggle clinic. It was logical, and made perfect sense to her. But then her thoughts floated to the tiny life inside her, and she just could not bear to think of throwing it away like a piece of rubbish. She was all about feminism and even took a very pro choice stance on the matter. But push had come to shove; and it was a choice Hermione was not willing to make.