Under a Nameless God

It had been three days since the Incident. Hermione had put it behind her and moved forward rather diligently. Hermione had seen worse, been through worse—even if it felt personal at the time. No one else knew. No one else needed to know.

Hermione was more annoyed at Hank Mulberry. He was known for taking his godless time getting to his shifts, how he became a prefect Hermione had no idea. He had good grades, but very little pride in his work. He was charismatic and most people liked him. That is a good reason, I suppose, if people will listen to him.

The library was now empty, the candles dimmed.

Checking her watch, Hermione sighed. She could just go without him.

Rule 34—You must travel in groups.

Hermione contemplated sending a patronus to wake up Harry. He would walk with her. It counted. He was a backup Prefect; an idea Hermione had come up with. Things happened, students got sick, and sometimes needed a break. Having back up was needed. Always good. Especially when humans were so fucking fragile to begin with.

Taking out her wand, Hermione was about to utter the spell when she heard her name being called.

"Granger."

Hermione frowned when she saw Draco. She didn't want to walk around with him. Anger bubbled in her belly.

"Hank got detention again?" Hermione said. Her tone was neutral.

"No, he has to help Prof Newton with something tonight," Draco said. He watched her with keen grey eyes.

"Then let's go."

She turned on her heel and started walking down the hallway.

"Can we talk?" Draco asked after a moment.

"Second floor," Hermione said. "I can't hear with you chatting."

Draco nodded. They headed up the staircases, checking classrooms and closets as they went. Nothing moved, not even the portraits.

They arrived at the tutoring rooms. They were private, sound proof, and inconspicuous. Hermione opened the door, checking under the tables. No one was there.

"What really happened to Hank?" Hermione asked.

"He asked to switch." Draco sat down on the end of the table.

"I doubt that."

"He broke up with Malinda. He wanted to walk with James."

"Why would it matter if he walked with me?" Hermione asked. She ran a finger through the chalk dust on the board, muttering a spell to clean off the dirty limericks.

"Porker thinks he likes you."

"He is dating Chelsea Parker?" Hermione wasn't surprised. Chelsea had been after Hank for several years now.

"Yes. I saw no reason not to be nice. Porker tried so hard to win the little lad."

"Sure." Hermione sighed. "Can we go now, then?"

He looked at her from the corner of his eye. His angular face had deep shadows in the dim torchlight.

Hermione tried to ignore how bloody normal Draco seemed.

"I want to talk to you about what happened."

"Okay. Two minutes." Hermione leaned against the wall.

"Did you take a pregnancy test?" Draco asked after a moment.

"Should I have?" Hermione asked. "I am on several spells. I made sure to learn them all before I ever slept with you or anyone else." She kept her face even, bored and clear.

"They can," Draco began.

"Ron and I never had to worry about it and his family could start their own country," Hermione said. "I don't see the use. I feel fine. Nothing that screams pregnant."

"Oh. You should—" Draco began. "Just to be certain."

"If I think I am pregnant, I will take a test," Hermione said. "But I don't think I am."

"Yeah… maybe you're right," Draco said, sounding nervous. "But you could still see."

"I will check when I get back to the room and let you know. I don't see the point, though. I am not a first year."

"Okay."

The rest of the night was spent in silence.