Chapter 4

Pregnancy Hormones

It was a strange concept that had made its way into the girl's head. Hermione didn't quite understand the foundation. Witches' robes, though not as billowing as wizards', were quite loose and spacious, so it wasn't as if Ginny's clothes no longer fit her now that she was three months pregnant. In fact, she was hardly showing thus far. But this didn't stop Ginny from coercing her closest female friend into a maternity shopping trip. Hermione suspected that Ginny's would-be insecurities were caused by Harry's treatment of her; he practically carried her all around the house, afraid that if she walked up too many stairs or sat down too quickly or tripped over something or did anything normal, the baby would be hurt. But Ginny didn't seem to have any problems with it. Hermione wasn't sure if Ginny was unaware that pregnant women weren't treated like this until much later in the pregnancy, or if she simply liked the attention. She wasn't about to ask. Ginny was enjoying herself and Harry insisted, so there didn't seem to be a problem.

Diagon Alley had plenty of robes shops, but Ginny had decided that shopping there wouldn't do. "Diagon Alley is too much of a marketplace," she had reasoned, "I need a better selection." It seemed that another side effect of this pregnancy was Ginny's new obsession with her appearance. She had never before insisted on wearing expensive clothes, given her upbringing, but suddenly she was dragging Hermione across London to the fashionable wizarding shopping district of Burnham Lane to find a whole new wardrobe. Ginny was not being greedy or shallow, she just wanted to make sure that as a very young mother, she didn't lose her youth. Hermione understood, but shopping had always been a tiresome activity for her and she wasn't sure how long she would be able to stand it. Burnham Lane was clothes shop after clothes shop after accessories and make up shop after clothes shop. The selection here was too wide. But Ginny was in her glory and Hermione knew better than to dampen her mood.

So now they were here, ducking into any and every maternity shop they could find. Ginny was being rather picky and Hermione was quickly losing her patience, but hid it behind an excited smile. They had been talking casually for most of the afternoon, and the conversation eventually turned to Ron.

"He might as well not have moved out, you know," Ginny said, picking through maternity robe after maternity robe, "He's always at our house complaining about Neville. I don't understand what his problem is. It's always stupid, insignificant stuff that he rants about."

"I don't know, either," Hermione said. "I think he's just being stubborn, as usual. He didn't want to move there in the first place, and now that he's there and realizes it's not so bad, he's got to find something to complain about just to prove how unbearable it is."

Ginny agreed, finding a nice, semi-expensive robe to try on, adding it to her pile of four or five. Hermione held most of them while Ginny searched, but now she was ready for the changing stalls. Ginny took about twenty minutes before emerging and only choosing to purchase one of the robes. Hermione would never understand girls' shopping habits.

She picked up their conversation where it had left off as they left the shop and continued on their journey, "I wish he'd be kinder to Neville. He opened his home to him and has done nothing but good things for him."

"Well, I don't think his anger is necessarily entirely directed at Neville," Ginny was thoughtful. "I think a lot of it is anger that's been building up towards you. Honestly, I think he still fancies you and he's angry that you seemed so desperate for him not to stay at your flat."

Hermione was not happy with this logic. She glared at Ginny in annoyance, "If Ron was really that upset about not being able to stay at my flat, then he's daft. We would both be miserable. My flat is tiny, and we don't live well together at all."

"Well, that seems to be number two on his list of things to complain about when he comes over," Ginny explained. "Right after how annoying Neville supposedly is comes how you go to visit him every other day and kiss him on the cheek and he turns red and trips over his own feet. That's an interesting development, huh? Not that I'm surprised, really. Neville liked you even back at Hogwarts."

This conversation was turning Hermione's face an interesting shade of pink. She was annoyed with Ginny for pressing the issue and was hoping she would drop it soon. "I don't think anything would ever work out with either of them," Hermione stated firmly. "I'm not interested in that kind of thing right now. I'm focusing on getting my career plans sorted out."

"Well, just so you know, not that I want to get involved, but Ron seems to think that he'd be a better boyfriend the second time around and he's ready to give it a shot," at the look on Hermione's face, she quickly added, "He didn't put me up to this! I swear! And to prove it, I'll have you know that I think Neville has become very attractive over the years and he's a great guy, so I'll support you no matter who you choose."

"I'm not choosing anybody!" Hermione burst out. Ginny was right, though. About Neville, at least; she wasn't so sure about Ron. Neville had lost much of his chubbiness and acquired a set of broad shoulders. He was still wide, but it was mostly muscle now. All his work in the garden and helping Professor Sprout with all of the physical labor required in the greenhouses when the plants were too sensitive to magic had really benefited his physique. Neville hadn't even seemed to realize it himself, but he had also grown more confident, at least around his friends. She figured when faced with the likes of Draco Malfoy, he'd still stutter a bit. She hoped they didn't run into each other too often at Hogwarts.

The conversation returned to more inconsequential things and the rest of the day passed by a bit more slowly due to Hermione's new feeling of slight discomfort. Did Ron and Neville really still have feelings for her? She realized how awkward that must be for them, living together. Neville had really made a sacrifice, letting Ron move in. Ron should be kissing his feet!

Before they left, Ginny turned to Hermione and said, "I'm sorry for bringing all that up earlier, but I thought you should know. I don't want to be involved and I'm not saying that you and Ron should get back together because I don't know the half of it. But I do wish you two would make up, and I thought this insight would help," she grinned tentatively, "And then he hopefully won't come around to annoy me and Harry with his complaining so much."

"It's okay, Ginny, I understand," Hermione half smiled.

xxxxx

When she returned to her flat, she found an owl patiently waiting on the kitchen windowsill. She took the letter attached to its leg and fed it some treats before sending it on its way. The letter was from Professor McGonagall. It contained all the details for the faculty orientation week and Hermione was surprised by how long it was. She felt her nerves return in a flash, twisting unpleasantly in her stomach.

Some of the things included in the letter were faculty dress code, new classes, responsibilities and duties, moving into offices and quarters, preparing classrooms, planning goals and lesson plans for each year level, meeting schedules for the faculty and the Head Boy and Girl and Prefects, nightwatch schedules, new event planning, and more.

Hermione couldn't wrap her head around so many responsibilities and felt panic rising like bile in her throat. She needed to talk it out with someone. She had already spent too much time with Ginny today and was still annoyed at her for all of that intuitiveness that Hermione had not appreciated. Harry didn't handle stress very well so he probably wouldn't be much help. Ron was still out of the question. And next on her list was Neville, who was always willing to help no matter what. She contemplated this for a moment. If Ginny was right, she could potentially be leading him on or taking advantage of him. But they were still friends, so what was the harm? She needed him right now. It didn't have anything to do with him having any feelings for her. It probably wasn't even true!

She was so overwhelmed, she felt tears coming to her eyes but she refused to cry over a little stress. Hermione Granger always conquered her fears and worries! But that didn't mean she was above asking for help. She grabbed a handful of floo powder and stuck her head through to Neville's cottage, praying that Ron wouldn't be there to make things uncomfortable. She was in luck. She called Neville's name, suddenly realizing he may not even be home. It was around dinner time… maybe he'd gone out to eat?

But he appeared with a surprised look on his face and rushed over to the fireplace, kneeling beside it so he was on the same level as her head. "Is everything okay?" he asked, worry palpable in his voice.

"No, no, everything's fine, Neville," Hermione said, sighing. She hadn't meant to worry him. "I'm sorry to just drop in like this."

"It's no problem at all," Neville said, smiling. "But really, what's wrong?"

Hermione felt guilt surging in her stomach. So far, it seemed like Ginny was entirely right. Of course, Neville was a nice guy to begin with, but the way he was looking into her eyes… Hermione could no longer deny it. She mentally kicked herself for desperately coming here. She could have dealt with it on her own.

"I'm just… nervous about the job," she admitted, trying to down-play her concerns. She didn't want to use him. "McGonagall sent me a whole list of things I need to be ready for and it really overwhelmed me. It's okay now. I just wanted someone to talk to."

"I'm always here," he gave her a warm smile. "Why don't you tell me what was on this list?"

She explained to him all of the responsibilities and duties that had been in the letter. Neville nodded between each one, really focusing on what she was saying. It was like there was nothing else in the world other than her floating head in the fireplace. She groaned inwardly, Stupid, stupid, stupid Hermione!

"Is there anything I can help you with?" he asked after she had rattled off the list. She shook her head, not wanting to pull him in deeper. Her new goal was to get out of this fireplace as soon as possible. Why did she always seem to walk her way into trouble? "How about I help you move all your stuff in when you get here?" he suggested.

"Oh, I can handle it," she said. "I can just levitate it all."

"And so can I!" Neville reasoned, "You'll be done in half the time! Don't try to talk me out of it; I'm coming no matter what."

She sighed in defeat, "Thanks, Neville."

"So anyway," he said, "Ron mentioned that something big happened yesterday at the Ministry. Obviously he couldn't give me details, but it sounded pretty serious. Is everything okay?"

Hermione's mood instantly darkened. She thought it probably showed on her face because it appeared that Neville bit the inside of his cheek after asking. "I don't know," she said flatly. "I was kicked out of the meeting and told to leave for good."

"I'm sorry, Hermione, I didn't realize…"

"It's fine. I have to go."

With that, she pulled out of the fireplace just as Neville said almost desperately, "Okay, well, I'll see you Monday!"

Getting up from the hearth and walking across the room to sink into the couch, she realized that Ginny must have been right. Hermione hated herself for being so oblivious. All this time she must have been leading Neville on, making him think that she was interested. She didn't even know if she could be! She was too distracted and frustrated lately. Focusing on that stuff would be irresponsible. It was really great of him to help her move in, but she resolved to stick to platonic hugs and avoid cheek kisses. And from then on, until she had time to really think about things, she would try to isolate herself from both him and Ron.

That weekend, she began packing. She had realized only the day before that if she was going to live at Hogwarts, her flat would remain empty while she was away but she'd still be paying her rent. Regretfully, she had come to the conclusion that it was time to say goodbye. She told the manager of her building that she'd be moving out. So she wasn't just packing for a few months, she was packing all of her stuff for good. She had spoken to Harry upon this revelation and he had offered to keep all the stuff she didn't need in storage at Grimmauld Place during the year. Then, during breaks, he said they'd let her have a room. It was really very kind of them. Hopefully she'd find her own flat for the summer, but it was good to know she'd have a place to come back to during the holidays. While Ron had been unable to tolerate living with Harry and Ginny, Hermione did not mind at all. Perhaps because neither one was her sibling.

As a result, Hermione now had two groups of boxes. One group was filled with things she'd be bringing with her to Hogwarts, the other filled with things she'd leave at Harry and Ginny's. She had rented all of her furniture and it was all getting picked up Sunday afternoon. The boxes destined for storage were shrunk and flooed to 12 Grimmauld Place. Hermione landed with a thud in the sitting room. Harry must've heard her arrival, because a minute later, he was helping her up and grabbing her boxes for her.

He brought her upstairs to her old room from back when they'd lived together. "Thought you'd be comfortable here," he grinned.

"This is great, Harry," she smiled, genuinely happy to have such a wonderful friend. "Thanks."

"No problem. And if you have any trouble at all finding a flat for the summer, you can stay here with us as long as you need to."

Hermione shook her head, "You'll need all the space you can get for that baby. You're already treating Ginny like she's on bed rest. I can only imagine how that baby is going to be treated!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry frowned slightly, not sure if that was meant to be a compliment or an insult.

"It means," she put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently, "that you are going to be a great father."

Harry smiled and gathered her into a hug. They stood like that for a few minutes until a cough interrupted their best friend bonding moment. Ginny stood in the doorway with an eyebrow raised, but she was grinning. They broke apart.

"Are you cheating on me?" she asked playfully, grabbing Harry's hand. "I know Hermione's got all the guys on her tail, but I thought you'd be a loyal fiancé, Harry."

"Ginnyyy," Hermione groaned in exasperation.

"What's this about?" Harry asked, raising a suspecting eyebrow.

"Nothing," Hermione insisted.

But Harry would not take no for an answer.

"Ron and Neville both fancy Hermione," Ginny finally told him, "but she refuses to believe it."

"I never said that!"

"I thought everyone knew that already," Harry said, shrugging.

Hermione let out an annoyed sigh and threw her hands into the air, "It doesn't matter! I don't have that kind of interest in either of them! And Ron needs to get over it. We broke up for a reason that he was perfectly agreeable to!"

"Or so you think…" Harry hinted.

"Whatever, I don't want to hear about it," Hermione said, turning towards the door, "I need to get back to my flat and finish packing, anyway." Of course, she had already finished packing, but she just wanted to get out of this conversation.

"Sorry for bringing it up, Hermione," Ginny said, concern written all over her face. "I didn't mean to! I think it's the pregnancy hormones!"

At this simple statement, Harry was suddenly at her side, fawning over her like a sick child.

"It's fine, Ginny," Hermione said on her way out. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Let us know if you need anything!' Ginny called. Harry was too wrapped up in his new task to wave goodbye.

Hermione sat among her boxes and fell asleep on the couch. The next night, she stayed at Harry and Ginny's once all her furniture had been taken away and she had nowhere to sleep. She went to bed early, nerves getting the best of her, to prepare for the next day. As she drifted off, images of babies, parchment cranes, restless students, and dragons swirled just beyond the darkness of her vision.