The Dark Side (Unedited)

Chapter 22

"Hermione!" Her head whipped around as she entered the Great Hall with Draco, searching for the source of the screeching. She saw Ginny waving her over and hurried over. "I told him!"

"Oh my god, that's great Gin! What did he say?"

"You should have seen him! He was ecstatic and he even cried! He was a little worried about us financially but I'm sure we'll be fine. He even organised a celebration dinner! Oh, I'm so relieved." Hermione hugged her and also felt relief that Harry had acted like she thought he would. Both girls suddenly realised Draco's presence.

"Oh Gin, Draco kind of knows about you being pregnant, just letting you know. I'm sorry, but he wouldn't tell anyone and I couldn't find another explanation for running off like that."

"It's fine Hermione, the truth will come out eventually anyway." Hermione straightened up and motioned for Draco to come and sit next to her.

"Congratulations, Ginny." Draco murmured with a sense of genuine happiness.

"Thanks, Draco."

"So where is Harry? And Ron?" Hermione asked while picking at her toast.

"Oh erm... Harry decided it was best for Ron to be told what was happening so he went and told him this morning." Ginny rolled her eyes with fake annoyance, and Hermione could see that she was anxious for her brothers reaction. As if on cue, Harry came strolling in with Ron stomping behind him. "Looks like it went well." Ginny muttered, looking worried.

Harry stood behind Ginny and kissed her on the forehead, while murmuring something in her ear. She nodded, looking slightly crestfallen. He went to sit next to her, but was barged out of the way by Ron. Harry looked agitated as Ron plonked down next to his pregnant girlfriend, but still remained cheerful enough for Ginny's sake.

They began to eat in silence, and Draco could feel the awkwardness choking him. Thankfully Hermione and Ginny began talking about random baby preparations, and the three boys shoved the food down their throats, eager to be done with breakfast as soon as possible.

When it was time to go to class Draco and Hermione stood up, and Draco pulled her in for a swift goodbye kiss, his hands firm on the small of her back. She heard a thump and saw that Ron had punched the table and left in a fit of rage. Hermione bit her lip guiltily and saw Ginny with her head in her hands.

"I'm really sorry Gin, he'll come around. You're his sister. His little sister, and you're pregnant with his best friends baby while his ex-girlfriend is standing here making out with a guy he's hated all of his life. It's a lot to take in. He just needs some time." Ginny looked up at her gratefully and went to hug her. Hermione gave her an encouraging pat on the back and Ginny disappeared with Harry. "Sorry about that, there isn't usually this much drama."

"No, you guys actually care about each other. It's nice." Hermione interlocked her hand with his and they too vanished into the busy hustle and bustle of students.

---

She caught sight of Ron across the hallway and ran over to him, hoping for a chance to talk. When he turned around and saw her, he groaned and tried to escape her but he knew that there was no use.

"Hermione if you're here to tell me how to treat Ginny and Harry I'm not in the mood."

"No, I just wanted to see how you've been doing lately. I haven't had many chances to talk to you lately."

"Well I was feeling somewhat fine, until I found out that my tart of a sister got knocked up."

"Ronald! How dare you say something like that? Could you just stop being an arse for just one second of your life and listen to me? She's your sister, she's just fallen pregnant and she is stressing her mind away. Now her brother is acting like a prat and she really doesn't need that."

"When is somebody going to think about what I need?" She jumped as his voice rose considerably louder. "I need you, Hermione! But now you've left me for Draco and Harry's always busy with Ginny and you know what Hermione? You guys are basically all I have left. Do you know how pathetic that makes me? And none of you even care!" He stormed off and she leant against the wall for support, wishing that she had a Draco with her.

Her hands shook and she willed herself not to cry, she only had one more lesson until she could be with Draco again.