You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground

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Chapter 8

Two weeks have passed since her appointment at St. Mungo's, and Hermione still felt so… blah. Getting dressed, she went downstairs. After eating breakfast, which was now staying down thanks to a potion, Hermione got ready to Floo over to George's.

Stepping out of the fireplace, she let out a small cough, brushing the dust off her robes.

"You all right Hermione?" Angelina asked, quickly moving over towards her.

Hermione nodded. "The smell of the soot makes me nauseous."

Angelina nodded. "But you're all right other than that?"

Hermione nodded. "I've been a bit moody, and my boobs are really sore, but other than that, me and the pumpkin are doing great!"

Angelina hugged her tightly. "I'm so glad."

"Where's George, in the kitchen?" Hermione asked, moving towards the doorway.

"Hermione, wait! Don't go in there!" Angelina called after her.

But it was too late.

Hermione had pushed open the door to the kitchen.

Her heart stopped.

George was sitting at the table, papers scattered all around, with him. Percy.

"Hermione?" George asked worriedly, quickly getting to his feet. "You don't look okay."

Hermione felt like she was going to throw up. She hadn't seen Percy since she was fired, so it was easier to avoid thinking about him. But this… seeing Percy stare at her like he had just seen the sun for the first time in weeks, was heartbreaking.

She shook her head, stumbling backwards. "I'll just come back later," she mumbled.

Percy just stared at her, open mouthed. "Wait, Hermione!" he said as she rushed towards the fireplace. He followed her into the living room.

Hermione was almost at the fireplace when Angelina stepped in front of it. "You need to talk to him," she hissed.

"I can't, please, Angie, move," Hermione begged.

She shook her head. "Sorry Mione."

George squeezed her shoulder tightly. "We'll be back in an hour." Grabbing Angelina's hand, the two of them Flooed out, blocking the fireplace once they've left.

Closing her eyes, Hermione took a deep breath. She was alone with Percy. OH MERLIN.

"Hermione?" he asked from the doorway.

Turning around, she smiled weakly at him. "Hello Percy."

He opened his mouth to say something, but abruptly shut it. He didn't know what to say.

Hermione stared at her feet, different things running through her mind. What should she say to him? What could she say?

The two stood there awkwardly, neither of them moving.

Finally, Percy spoke up. "We might as well make ourselves comfortable." He sat down on the couch, patting the seat next to him.

Hermione sighed, knowing it was childish. She walked over, dragging her feet, plopping down onto the couch.

They were quiet once more.

Hermione's thoughts were racing. She could feel his body radiating heat, and images of their night together came flashing back. All the sweet words and gentle touches, all the memories swarmed around her mind.

"I don't know what to say," she admitted softly.

Percy sighed. "I'm not sure what to say either."

"I'm sorry for avoiding you," she said, finally looking up to meet his eyes. They were filled with emotion.

He shook his head. "Hermione, you had every reason to avoid me. I didn't like it, but I understood why."

"You understand? You figured it out?" she asked, her voice sounding so small.

Percy nodded once more. "Hermione, I just knew. I read that awful interview that Ron gave, and at first, I didn't think it could possibly be true. But after thinking about-"

"What? You realized he was right? That I was some sort of whore!" she said, hotly.

Percy's eyes widened. He held his hands up in defense. "Hermione, calm down. I wasn't going to say that at all."

Hermione pursed her lips. "Sorry," she said sheepishly, "the mood swings have been really bad lately."

"It's all right. But where was I… oh, right, I was going to say that I thought about us having sex, and realized that we didn't cast a contraception charm, and the timing fit… and I just figured it out."

Hermione stared at her hands in her lap. Her heart was beating erratically. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. She had ruined her life, and his. How could he ever forgive her?

Percy grabbed her chin, tilting it upwards so he could see her face. He saw her eyes swimming with tears and immediately felt terrible. "Don't be sorry, Hermione. I don't blame you. I'm not mad at you."

"You're not mad at me? How could you not be? I've ruined everything!" she cried hysterically.

Percy pulled her in for a hug. He held her to him closely, letting her cry. He gently whispered in her ear as she shook, running his hands through her tangled curls. Pulling away, he wiped away the tears. "You haven't ruined anything. Hermione, you're a wonderful witch, and well, to be blunt, I couldn't have picked a better woman to have a child with."

She blushed, shaking her head. "You don't mean that Percy, but thanks for trying to make me feel better."

"Of course I mean it," Percy protested, scooting close on the couch.

"Percy, if you don't want to be a part of this, I don't blame you. I just-" Hermione began, but he cut her off.

"Honestly Hermione, of course I want to be a part of this! I love you, and I've loved for years! But you were always Ron's girl, I couldn't ever gather up the courage to tell you. Our drunken night together was one of the best nights of my life and now I find out that you're pregnant, and that's its mine. Hermione, I'm the happiest man alive," Percy finished, panting at the end of his rant. Why couldn't she see that he really wanted this?

Hermione just stared at him, her mouth open in surprise. In every possible scenario, she had imagined herself raising the baby alone. But to find out he wanted it, and her? That was something she hadn't even considered.

Percy took her silence as a negative thing. "I mean, if you don't want me in the baby's life, of course I'll stay away. I just want you to be happy Hermione, really."

Hermione looked up at him, the tears welling in her eyes. "Do you really love me?"

Percy smiled sadly at her. "I have since I've met you! You're the only person who was like me, and we had the best conversations, and I just… you're it Hermione."

She nodded. "I want you in the baby's life."

Percy felt his heart swell. She was going to give him a chance! He was going to be a father! But then he caught onto her wording. "But not your life?" he asked sadly.

Hermione didn't say anything. Taking a deep breath, she spoke. "I'm not sure yet. Percy, I care about you, a lot. But after everything with Ron, I just… I'm so confused. I don't know if this is the right time for me to start a relationship, even if it's with the baby's father."

Percy nodded. "I understand."

"If you're willing to take it slow, I guess we could give it a try." She smiled at him, putting hope into his chest.

"I'd like that," he said, giving her a smile.

"Okay then." She reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. "Thank you for being so supportive."

"Of course Hermione." The two sat in silence before he spoke again. "I'm sorry about Ron."

She sighed, leaning back onto the couch. "I loved Ron, but as much as I loved him, I can't regret cheating on him. I hate myself for doing it, but I think its help me to be better off in the long run. I mean, I know he's upset and he really has every right to be, but going to Skeeter and telling her all that? That was completely uncalled for. I don't need someone like that in my life."

Percy nodded. "He's a prick."

Hermione chuckled. "Yeah, he is."

"Have you talked to anyone else?"

Hermione shook her head. "Not really. George and Angelina have known from the start, and my parents know now. And you."

Percy looked at her funny. "Harry and Ginny really haven't tried to contact you? Mum neither?"

Hermione shook her head. "I guess they all just believe baby Ronald."

Percy frowned. "Do you want them to know the truth?"

She shrugged. "They're going to find out sooner or later."

"We'll tell them at the next Sunday dinner, if that's okay."

Hermione nodded. She didn't want to tell them, but as she told Percy, it wouldn't stay a secret for forever. "That's fine."

"So what have you been doing?" Percy asked. "The office has been so quiet without you."

Hermione laughed. "Absolutely nothing Percy. Literally, I just lounge around all day. And I stuff my face with food. The little one has the weirdest cravings," she said, placing a hand on her still flat stomach.

Percy's eyes stared. Looking up, he smiled. "May I?"

Hermione nodded.

Percy reached out, placing his hand on her stomach. The baby wasn't visible yet, but he just knew it was there. "Our baby is in there," he whispered.

Hermione giggled when she took in his awestruck appearance. "Yes it is."

Percy beamed at her.

Maybe everything would be okay.