Giving Into Temptation

Chapter Ten: From Bad to Worse

Draco didn't return to the house that night and Hermione felt sick to her stomach. She rushed to the bathroom, last night's dinner making its way back up her throat. She leaned against the wall, resting her head against the tile, which cooled her burning skin. All this stress is going to give me an ulcer. That's all I need. One more thing to make life even less bearable.

"Hermione?"

She perked up at the sound of Ginny's voice, and then almost immediately she was retching again. The door to the bathroom opened and Ginny stood in the doorway looking down at her, a worried expression on her face.

"Hermione, are you okay?"

"Define 'okay'," Hermione replied, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Ginny knelt down beside her, using a towel to dab away the sweat on her face.

"It's...it's this...this whole situation...it's making me physically ill...and everything...everything is broken beyond repair. I didn't mean for it all to happen, Ginny. I still love Ron so very much, but now he won't even look at me. I've hurt him...and betrayed him...and I can't take it back. I want to, but I can't."

"It's not all your fault, Hermione. Ron was never home. He neglected you because he thought he had some duty to fulfill at Fred and George's shop. If it weren't Malfoy it would've just been someone else. The blame is not all on you, so stop torturing yourself. You can't help whom you fall for; that's not how things go. And if you truly care about Malfoy, then you should follow your heart and be with him."

"But, Ginny-"

"No. No buts. Ron lost you, not the other way around. You were here for him when he needed you, but he was nowhere to be found when you needed him. I can't say as I think you made the best decision but sometimes love can't wait." Ginny shrugged, a knowing smile on her face.

"So you don't hate me?"

"Of course not. You're still the closest thing to a sister that I've go, and I'm not going to turn my back on you simply because my stupid brother couldn't see what he had till it was too late. I'm here for you, Hermione, not matter what."

Hermione smiled through her tears, but the nausea soon rose again. This time Ginny held Hermione's hair out of the way and patted her back, as she was sick for the third time. When she finally felt as if she had no more to throw up, she slumped against the wall again, breathing heavily.

"Hermione, I hate to tell you...but I think you may be pregnant."

Hermione stared up at Ginny, eyes wide and fearful.

"No...there's no way."

"Hermione, listen to me. I should know." Ginny pointed at her own slightly swollen abdomen. "I was up early in the morning for the entire first month. It happens to a lot of women. You should go see someone at St. Mungo's."

"I can't be pregnant. I just can't be."

~ ~ ~

"Well, Ms. Granger, you are indeed pregnant."

Hermione ogled the Healer, shaking her head fervently.

"No!"

"Yes."

"No..." Oh, bloody hell! I'm pregnant...

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