their 7th year

5 WEEKS LATER

10:00 A.M.

Harry sat on a bench in the locker room cleaning his broom. He and everyone else in the locker room were in high spirits. They had just won their first game of the year against Hufflepuff. The score was 240-62. Ron came and sat down next to him. “That was amazing! Did you see Ginny score while doing a sloth roll?” Ron was the happiest of them all, he was sure he’d cause the team to fail this year. Harry put his broom away and walked outside with Ron. As they walked down by the lake, Ron stopped Harry and said, “I’ve been wanting to ask you something for a few days now. I-I ah, I’ve been doing some thinking. I don’t know how you’ll feel about this so I thought I’d ask you first.” He paused and nervously kicked a stone into the water. “I think I’m going to ask Hermione out.” Harry couldn’t believe his ears.
“What?” He did not bother to hide the anger in his voice. “Why??” he said dumbly. Ron was afraid this would happen.
“Well, you know…” he said awkwardly, “I really like her.” Harry was getting angrier with each passing moment.
“So do I, but that doesn’t mean I have to go and ask her out. We’re friends. All of us.” Harry had controlled his temper. He said this calmly as if he was just giving his advice about something he had no feelings for. “I don’t think it’s such a good idea Ron. Why ruin a perfectly good friendship?” Ron sighed and said,
“I don’t know…I’ll think about what you said, but, I still want to do this.”

11:30 A.M.

Harry sat on the floor of his room brooding over Ron. He knew Hermione would never agree to date Ron, but he was still angry that Ron would even ask her. It would just make everything even more complicated than it already was. He didn’t even know where Hermione was at; he hadn’t seen her at the game. Harry stood up, grabbed his black cloak and went searching for Hermione.

11:30 A.M.

“This is disgusting!” Hermione thought as she leaned over the toilet puking. “Almost lunch time.” Hermione thought as she stood up and took a swig of cure all cold potion. She left the bathroom on the second floor feeling not much better, but she didn’t want Harry looking for her, he always worried when she disappeared for more than an hour or two. She entered the great hall and sat down across from Harry and next to Ron. Ron was talking to Seamus about Quidditch and Harry was staring into space. “Hi handsome.” She said. Nobody paid attention to this; she teased Harry like that all the time, and he did the same to her. They were good friends. When he didn’t reply she said, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” Harry snapped.
“That’s why you’re so grumpy then.” She said sarcastically, “I’ll just leave you alone then.” Harry was greatful; he just didn’t want to talk right then. Hermione was surveying the food for lunch, and realized that she was suddenly feeling quite well. “The potion must have kicked in.” she thought. Grabbing a plate, she said, “Ginny could you please pass me one of those giant pickles.”
“I thought you didn’t like pickles, Hermione.” Ginny said as she grabbed the bowl of them.
“I do once in a while.” Hermione replied.
“Oh…” Ginny said, “I usually crave chocolate at that time.” Hermione set the pickle down on her plate. She didn’t feel very hungry anymore. Her face turned ashen white.
“Oh my god…how long has it been…” she silently tried to remember the last time she had had her period. All she could remember was that it had been a long time ago. She excused her self from the table and hurried to her rooms. She entered the common room and began to cry. She was very afraid. what if she was pregnant…Harry wouldn’t want to be a father! What would people think? She walked into Harry’s room and fell on his bed crying.” She knew what she had to do. She composed herself, sat up, and raised her wand. She performed the simple charm every girl learned in their fourth year. A cloud of blue smoke emanated out of her wand. She sobbed. Her life with Harry was over! He would hate her for this. She knew he would.

7:00 P.M.

Ron strolled across the covered bridge with Hermione. The water of the lake reflected the beautiful autumn leaves of the trees. The sun was setting in the west causing the water shimmer and sparkle. It was the best time to be outside. They walked, and talked like friends do. When they reached the other side of the bridge Ron stopped and said, “Hermione have you thought about who you’re going with to the Halloween dance yet??” Hermione had managed to stay well composed all evening, however this subject broke her. Harry had been planning to ask her out formally at the Halloween dance. All of that was ruined now. She began to weep. Ron looked very dismayed. “Was it something I said??” He hugged her and said,
“It’s ok Hermione. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
7:00 P.M.

Harry walked around the perimeter of the lake in very melancholy mood. He was reflecting on the past five weeks at Hogwarts. He and Hermione were so close. She didn’t know it, but he was already planning to propose to her at Halloween. He had talked with Hermione’s parents and received their blessing. Her parents were not surprised; they suspected he’d pay them a visit as soon as Hermione informed them that she was seeing Harry. They told him that they’d been expecting the relationship to be strong since the two of them had been close for so many years. He was supposed to go into London with Remus next weekend to pick out a ring. Now all of this was being compromised by Ron. Harry scowled and kicked a rock into the lake. When he looked up, he saw something that made his blood boil. “I thought I said NO!!” he growled to himself as he sprinted toward Ron. He pulled his wand out as he ran and yelled, “IMEDIMENTA!!!” Ron was blasted across the bridge as Harry’s spell hit him dead on. Harry ran across the bridge and jumped on Ron punching him in the face. Hermione screamed in fear as Harry flew past her to jump on Ron.
“Harry! Harry stop!!” she cried as he wrestled with Ron, trying to beat his face in. Harry never saw it coming. One moment he was battling Ron on the ground, the next moment he and Ron were hanging upside down staring at a very frightened Hermione, and an even angrier Madame Hooch.
“What is the meaning of all this!?” she demanded. “I go for a what was supposed to be a relaxing stroll on my evening off and I come across two boys fighting?? You two are both supposed to be setting the example around here!! I will not have this in my house! IN MY HOUSE!!” she roared, she was seething. “You will report to my office immediately.” She released her levicorpus spell, dropping them unceremoniously on their backs. Turning to Hermione she said, “Hermione dear, kindly go fetch Headmistress McGonagall and inform her of the situation please.” With that she stormed off to the castle. Hermione who was still somewhat shocked followed close behind her. Harry’s voice wavered, he was on the verge of tears.
“We talked about this Ron. I thought we had an agreement!”
“Harry, I wasn’t gonna ask her out!!” he said gently tapping his swollen eye.
“That’s why I saw the two of you hugging each other for no reason at all…” Harry accused. Ron looked outraged.
“You two are completely mental!” he said walking off leaving Harry alone.
10:49 P.M.

Harry sat in his bed holding Hermione. She lay with her head on his shoulder. She had not slept in her own bed since her arrival. “Hermione I am really sorry, sweetheart. I don’t know what I was thinking…” He said this for the hundredth time. Once again she forgave him. What really made him feel guilty however was McGonagall. She took him into what Harry would always refer to as Dumbledore’s office and talked with him. There was no house points deducted, no detentions, nothing to suggest she was angry.
“ I’m disappointed Harry. I thought so much better of you…” These words echoed throughout his head all the time. They hurt, too. Harry and McGonagall had always been close. She looked down on him as fondly as a grandmother looks upon her grandchildren. Harry leaned down and kissed Hermione’s lips. She immediately deepened the kiss, exploring Harry’s mouth with her tongue. She was beginning to get very excited, however when Harry climbed on top of her, she stopped abruptly.
“Harry, I can’t.” she said breathlessly. He kissed her neck and said,
“Don’t be silly. Of course you can.” As tears threatened to over take her, she replied,
“Not tonight, I…don’t want to.” Harry could see that she was upset. He held her close to him rubbing her back comfortingly.
“What’s wrong Mione?? It’ll be ok. I love you.” At this she burst into tears.
“You’re going to hate me!! I’m so sorry…” she moaned into his tee shirt. Harry gently lifted her face up and gazed deep into her eyes.
“Hermione Jane Granger I love you. I will always love you. No matter what. Understand??” Her crying had abated, she nodded her head. “Tell me what’s bothering you so I can help.” He said soothingly. Hermione looked petrified.
“Harry I-I-I’m p-pregnant.” She cried, “Oh Harry, I’m having your baby!” Tears rolled down her cheeks; she was certain Harry would leave her. It took a moment for Harry to register what he was hearing. When he did, he just smiled, but he was scared to death.
"How am I gonna have a kid when I'm just a kid myself??" HE thought. Harry knew he had to be brave for Hermione's sake.“Hermione this is excellent!! Why would I hate you?? You know I wanted you to have my children someday. This is just a bit…sooner than I’d expected. We’ll get through this year together, and then we can settle down and raise a family.” Hermione looked up at Harry and laughed. He was grinning from ear to ear. “What’s so funny?” He asked, glad to see Hermione happy again.
“You!” she said laughing, “You look happier than I’ve seen you in my whole life.” Hermione was relieved to have the burden of telling him off of her shoulders. No matter what happened after this, she’d have Harry at her side.
“Miss Granger, I happen to know that it is perfectly safe to have sex during a pregnancy…” Harry said as he moved on top of her, pinning her beneath him. She smiled mischievously and said,
“Oh really…” as she waved the lights out with her wand.