Mistaken Love

Hermione entered the kitchen, a hand on her lower abdomen, and the other holding a piece of magical plastic that held the fate of she and George.

"Well?" Ginny said as she took a pot of tea off of the cooker.

Hermione looked up at her, knowing her face told the entire story.

"Oh, Hermione," Ginny said, giving her a hug. "It's going to be okay."

"No, it's not," Hermione whimpered, tears settling in her brown eyes.

Ginny pulled away and they sat down at the table. "What do you mean, it's not going to be okay?"

"Ginny, you don't get it, do you?"

"George won't be mad at you, Hermione," Ginny said, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "He'll be happy."

"And what about Ron?" Hermione asked angrily, wiping tears from her face. "What am I supposed to tell him?"

"Are you telling me that you've never had sex with Ron?" Ginny asked.

"Yes," Hermione said, nodding. "George was my first."

"Okay, so, here's what you do," Ginny said, obviously having this all planned out in her head. "You call him and tell him you're feeling much better. Tell him you want to celebrate your engagement. You, well, you know. And then a few weeks later tell him that you're pregnant."

"And what do I say when I have the baby an entire month earlier than expected?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione, please, don't tell me you're thinking of actually telling Ron what happened," Ginny begged. "He'll never forgive you!"

"Then tell me, Miss Know-it-all, what the bloody hell am I supposed to do?" Hermione yelled. "He'll find out sooner or later."

"Well, Hermione, just wait until after the wedding," Ginny pleaded.

"Oh my god!" Hermione gasped. "The wedding... what are we going to do? I can't walk down the aisle pregnant."

"Hermione, you have Ron wrapped around your little finger,' Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "Just tell him that you want to have the wedding early. You don't want to wait."

"Fine, I'll talk to Ron," Hermione agreed. "But I need to tell George."

"Do you want me to tell him?" Ginny asked. "I'll probably go down to the store later anyway."

"No, Ginny," Hermione said, shaking her head nervously. "This is something I have to do on my own."

* * * * *

Hermione headed inside the joke shop with Ginny. Behind the counter was George.

"Where's Fred?" Ginny asked casually.

"Down in the cellar, looking for the itching powder," George said, not even looking at Ginny, but at Hermione.

"How long do you think you'll need?" Ginny asked Hermione.

"Not too long," Hermione said quietly.

"I'll hold up the fort," Ginny said, jumping behind the counter. "You two go and talk."

George and Hermione left the store together, leaving Fred and Ginny to watch the shop.

"Sorry I had to take you away from work," Hermione said, making casual conversation.

"I'd rather be with you than anyone else," George whispered. "How are you feeling?"

"What?"

"Ron said something about the stomach flu," George said vaguely.

"Oh," Hermione said plainly. "That's sort of what I wanted to talk to you about..."

"I can't help but think that what you're about to tell me is bad," George said nervously.

Hermione nodded, not even looking him in the face.

"Hermione, what is it?" George asked.

Hermione merely took his hand and placed it on her stomach.

"No, Hermione," George said, shaking his head. "You're not..."

"Pregnant," Hermione said weakly.

"And I - I..."

"Congratulations," Hermione said, managing a helpless smile.

"I'm sorry," George told her, staring at her stomach.

"Don't be," Hermione said shaking her head. "You're the one I want to be the father of my child."