FIC: Trials of Love (6/?) D/Hr
Title: Trials of Love ( 6/ ?)
Author: granger2malfoy
Pairing: D/Hr, B/G
Rating: Teen, unless so marked
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from HP verse.
Genres: Drama, RomanceA/N: Not HBP compliant. This is sequel to The Given Choices. Thanks to my beta, wafball.
*~*~*~*~ Chapter Six - Truths and Trust ~*~*~*~~*
Professor Meadows flicked her wand and a tea set came floating out of her office to where Draco, Hermione, and herself sat in the classroom. Then the sound of locking the door to the classroom happened behind her back as she began to pour their cups of hot tea and she asked, “ Does anyone else know you are expecting, Hermione?”
The Head Girl shook her head as she sat back in the chair and replied, “Well, my… I guess you can call them adoptive-parents know. During the beginning of the summer, we stayed there a couple days when our families thought we were still honeymooning in our manor. Dumbledore thought it would be a good idea for them to meet Draco and talk with me since we haven’t seen each other since the summer before that. And a lot has happened since then. Professor Snape helped us get there and is the only one to know we both stayed there.
“I found out during our stay there that I was pregnant. I was a bit emotional and told my mom for support. They were not exactly happy but offered to help us any way they could. Right now, they are just keeping it a secret for any one who may ask. So, they are the only ones to know besides you.”
“Someone needs to be told for health reasons. What if something should happen here? You need to tell someone at Hogwarts,” the professor commented with a heavy sigh as she handed Draco his cup and then sat back to drink her own.
“No…,” Hermione stated as she set her cup down and placed a protective hand on her mostly flat stomach. “Maybe you since you already know. I can come to you, if something should happen.”
Draco held her free hand in his own larger hands as he turned from facing his wife to the young professor and admitted; “We know this puts you in a tight spot if the Headmaster should ever find out. But we need to keep this child out of this war. If either side should learn of the child, they will most likely use it to their advantage. I refuse to let that happen. It is bad enough we are both now spies between them but my child shall be kept out of this.”
The professor appeared to be thinking as she sipped her drink. “Maybe Severus? Surely, he can be trusted to keep this secret as well.”
“No, we already thought of telling him. He does not need any more burden in this war.”
“Alright, I promise to keep your secret,” she relented but after a thought continued, “But if there are complications, I will have to tell him at least. I don’t like keeping it from the headmaster but I will respect your wishes.”
They sat in silence again as Draco and Hermione held hands as she commented, “Actually, we don’t understand how this happened. Severus gave me a potion before our first time and every month since then a supply has been in my bathroom on the first of day of the month. Of course, after I found out I was with child, I’ve been dumping them.”
“Odd, and have all the potions been made by Professor Snape?” Meadows asked and they both nodded their head. “He is one of the best in his field. Its hard to believe he made a mistake in brewing them.”
“We know but the fact remains. A new batch would be sent to me every month and when I saw him, he always reminded me take my potion the night before. Well, for whatever reason it’s happened.”
Professor Meadows said, “Hmm. Have to think on that. Just look as it as meant to be at this point. So, when do you believe you are due?”
Hermione smiled as replied, “March at least according to my calculations.”
“And what do you plan to do?” questioned the twenty-seven year old professor and she crossed her legs as she placed her hands folded in her lap.
Draco raised his eyebrow as he commented, “Raise it ourselves and tell them once the war is over.”
Meadows chuckled as she shook her head and rephrased the question. “What are your plans for the child once it is born? Like who will watch over it during the day while the both of you are in classes?”
“Well, we have been thinking about that,” Hermione remarked and bit her lip as she looked from her husband back to the professor. “We’d like to my mom over see the baby but we don’t know how she could either stay here without them knowing or transporting the baby daily between us. I think she would love to take care of the child but I didn’t want to ask her till we figured something out first.”
“Yes, she might be your only option but I will also give some thought on how to work that out without arousing unneeded suspicion.”
Hermione looked uncertain as she asked, “Will using magic or my natural ability affect the baby?”
“No, I wouldn’t think so. Some women’s natural magical ability intensifies, but it differs from woman to woman. I will want to keep eye on you and tell when anything odd should happen. I am worried about stress with your school load, your Head Girl duties, and your role as a spy.”
“Draco is willing to do all he can to help with my responsibilities of being Head Girl since he is Head Boy. As for my school load, I have already looked into dropping a couple classes to take as independent study, which Professor McGonagall offered when I got accepted as Snape’s apprentice during this year. I turned it down at the time before I knew I was expecting. Doing it during the school year would require two professors’ signatures but if we have to tell Snape at one point, then the two of you maybe can sign off for me. I am already starting my apprenticeship with Snape on a low level but that will intensify after I have taken my N.E.W.T’s.
“As for my role as spy, Voldemort met with Bellatrix and me at the end of the summer to inform us that he does not expect me to come to any rallies during the school year. But he does want me to train up to take my place as fulltime Death Eater under the tutelage of Snape and Bellatrix’s guidance.”
Professor Meadows nodded as she glanced over to the nervous young man, who remained a tight hold of his equally young wife’s hand. “What about you Draco? How are you handling all this?”
The blond gave a slight smile before he admitted, “Truthfully, I am more bloody scared now than I have ever been in my entire life. But I want this child and I’ll do whatever Hermione needs of me. I am very worried for her and the child, especially with all the dizzy spells she’s been having the last few days.”
Meadows nodded as she commented, “Well, that can be taken care of with rest, plenty of water, and not getting up so fast. Your body is changing, Hermione, and you have to be aware of that at all times.”
“I have been reading a lot about it from both the Muggle world and wizarding world to prepare for anything that could happen,” said Hermione.
“I have heard such wonderful things about you and if anyone can handle this, you can. If you should need me any thing from me at any time, all you have to do is ask. I’ll arrange it so my Floo will allow either of you to Floo me, in case of emergency.
“I was the small town’s mediwitch over the past nine years. I have handled many births. But first, lets just have a quick look at you, Hermione.” She stood up and transfigured her chair into a wooden examining table for Hermione. “Here, lie down, raise your top to just under your breast, and lower your skirt just a couple inches to rest at the bottom of your hips. Then I’ll run a few tests on you.”
Hermione did as she was instructed as Draco stood by the edge of the table to hold her hand in support and watched the professor’s wand move about over his wife’s bare stomach. Colors of red, blue, and yellow illuminated from the tip of the wooden wand and then moved the shirt back down again.
“Good. Everything seems to be going well and you’re right; the middle of March is when the baby should come to join us. I think you should cut back one class before Christmas holiday and then another before February. Or maybe both at the same time might be an option to consider.
“You will start to show around November but robes can be charmed to hide it. Yet, if someone were to touch your stomach, they would feel it. Need to keep that in mind as well. Also, at one point, you might start to waddle.”
“Waddle?” the Gryffindor witch asked as she righted her skirt and slipped off the table with Draco’s help.
Meadows summoned a scroll and began to write on it as she chuckled, “Yes, most pregnant women waddle at some point.”
Hermione shook her head as she looked over to her husband. “Draco, please tell me if I start to waddle.”
“Yes, my dear,” he smiled brightly as he kissed the tip of her nose before pulling back and trying to contain the laughter from rolling out of him.
His witch scowled at him but before she could say anything the professor spoke again. “Also, I would consider telling a trusted friend. Either Zabini or Miss Weasley would be a good choice. Actually, Blaise would be the best considering he is in your grade and your partner for my class. So, if Draco can’t be there and something happens, there will be someone who will have some idea what is going on.”
Draco nodded in agreement and Hermione gave an accepting sigh as she replied, “Okay, but not for a while yet.”
“Well, don’t wait too long. I’ll want to give you monthly checkups at the first of every month and then more frequent once you are closer to being due. Draco, have you been reading any of her books?” questioned Professor Meadows as she began putting the desks and chairs in their proper arrangement.
He shrugged his shoulder but stated, “No but I probably should, shouldn’t I?”
Meadows looked over to the young man and smiled gently as she admitted, “Yes and while you are at it write down some notes for Blaise. I don’t think he’ll need to read those books but should be aware of a few pointers though.”
“Like what?” the blond paled as his mind almost didn’t want to know about such womanly things.
“Read and you’ll find out. Make sure he reads those, Hermione. Okay, well the two of you best get back to your rooms before curfew. I’ll see you on Friday for class.”
“Good night, Professor Meadows,” the two head students replied as they gathered their things and walked to the door.
The professor leaned back against her desk and said, “Good night to you as well. When we are alone like this, call me Misty. All my friends do. Outside of this room, you can call me, Alex. I have always found Alexandria too formal.”
Hermione waived as they left the room, “Night, Misty.”
*~*~**~*~*~*~* To Be Continued *~*~**~*~~*
a/n2: A good amount of questions answered here and its good to get a lot of that out in the open. So, what you think so far. I know a lot of fics where they marry, they then get pregnant but a lot of different things will come about because of this knowledge. But I also hope a few questions entered your mind as you read this. All will answered … at some point. Lol…