The Dragon of Hogwarts

The Dragon of Hogwarts

Chapter 12: Time to Relax

Hermione told Ginny everything.

She tried to hide it, but Hermione could tell that her friend was hurt at being kept in the dark.

"It all happened so fast," she tried to explain.

The redhead crossed her arms. "You told Ron and Harry everything," she pointed out.

Hermione sighed. "I know, but I've always told them everything. Look Ginny, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I'm glad you know because there is something I want to ask you," she said.

Ginny's eyes narrowed, suspiciously, but she looked interested.

"Will you be my maid of honor?"

This had apparently been the right thing to say, as Ginny immediately hugged her and began prattling on about wedding plans; colors, flowers, and all kinds of things that Hermione hadn't even thought of yet.

"Ginny? Before we start planning, I need you to promise not to tell anyone," she said, firmly.

"About the wedding? It's a little late for that. The whole school knows that the two of you are engaged."

"No, I meant about Blaise's, uh, condition," Hermione said.

"Oh, don't worry. I won't tell a soul," she promised with a smile.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The weeks passed by quickly as Hermione and Blaise developed a routine. They'd awaken in the morning, wrapped in each other's arms, and then Hermione would jump in the shower. Sometimes he'd join her, depending on how much time they had. They'd share his bathroom as they got ready in the morning and she couldn't believe how easy it was to adjust to his presence.

Once dressed, they'd head, arm in arm, to the Great Hall for breakfast at the Gryffindor table. They'd go to their morning classes and meet back for lunch. Then it was afternoon class time. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday's, Hermione would head straight to the library by herself to get in some quality NEWT study time. Blaise would meet Harry for some type of training or something. Harry had approached her fiancée and asked for help with some defense things that he apparently believed Blaise knew a lot about. The two had never told her anything specific about what it was they did, but she was just relieved they were getting along.

On Tuesday's and Thursday's Blaise would accompany her to the library, and after a few weeks, even managed to get Harry and Ron to come too. Something they never did for Hermione, no matter how much she begged.

After studying, they'd have dinner in the Great Hall, then return to their room.

Blaise had explained to her that until she conceived, they'd both feel an almost constant urgency to have sex. So they did almost every night.

However, the second week of every month, like clockwork, she got her period. It would be April soon and Hermione still wasn't pregnant.

Professor Snape and Poppy could often be seen together discussing the latest findings in fertility potion studies. Professor McGonagall kept trying to give her helpful advice concerning positions that Hermione was doing her absolute best to forget. And even Professor Flitwick had handed her a book of special charms to help her out, blushing the whole time.

But the worst part of not getting pregnant was Blaise's disappointment. She really felt like she was letting him down, and because of their link, he was unable to hide his feelings from her.

One evening, Hermione and Blaise returned to their room to find the Headmaster waiting for them. Hermione hoped that he hadn't come by with any special baby-making advice.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Zabini, I'd like to have a word with you please," Dumbledore said indicating that they should sit down.

They made themselves comfortable, and the old wizard just silently studied them for a while.

"Headmaster, is everything alright?" Hermione asked, unable to stand the silence any longer.

Dumbledore seemed to snap out of whatever daze he'd been in.

"That's actually what I came here to ask you," he answered.

Hermione was taken aback. "I-I'm fine, Headmaster," she stuttered, not meeting his eyes.

"No, my dear, I don't think you are..." Dumbledore started.

Hermione interrupted him by jumping to her feet angrily. "It can take several years for some people to get pregnant! Just because it hasn't happened in three months doesn't mean that there's something wrong with me," she yelled in frustration.

"Miss Granger, please calm yourself," he said sternly, though he looked quite amused.

Hermione had the decency to blush.

"I'm sorry, Headmaster," she apologized meekly, and sat back down.

A wave of warm comfort swept over her when Blaise grabbed her hand and she was able to relax.

"I didn't mean to imply that something was wrong with you, physically, Miss Granger. It has come to my attention that some of my colleagues, though well intentioned, have been adding to your stress and frustration during this challenging time. I merely came by to inform you that I would be excusing the both of you from classes for the first two weeks of April. It would be wise to use this time to visit your families, and then perhaps a nice resort stay? I hear that the Bahamas are lovely this time of year," he said, blue eyes twinkling.

"But Sir, the NEWTs..." Hermione began.

"... will still be here when you return," Dumbledore finished, and then stood. "It is entirely your decision, of course. Just let me know what you'd like to do, and I'll help arrange it," he said and bid them goodnight.

Hermione turned to Blaise who had been silent through the whole thing.

"What do you think?" she asked.

He sighed, and laced his fingers through hers.

"I think it's a good idea. It would probably be better if you introduced me to your parents before you got pregnant anyway," he said, carefully.

"Should we tell them that we're engaged?" she asked, biting her lip.

He pulled her into his arms, his gaze transfixed on her lower lip.

"That's up to you. If you wanted, we could just say that we're dating, and wait 'til graduation to tell them about the engagement. Maybe that way it won't be so much of a shock. Especially when you announce that you're pregnant."

Hermione thought about that for a moment, and then nodded. "I just hate not being completely honest with them, you know?"

He kissed her, softly. "Hermione, you can tell them anything you want. I'll follow your lead."

Hermione kissed him and smiled. "Have I told you how much I love you?" she asked.

"Not today," he grinned.

She kissed him again and then pulled away before things got too intense.

"What are we going to tell your parents?" she asked, leaning away before he could kiss her again.

He sighed, slightly frustrated. "They already know everything," he said, and tried to kiss her again, swirls of green and gold entering his eyes.

She put a hand on his chest.

"You told them everything?" she demanded.

He blinked and the colors receded a little. She was relieved to see he was in much better control tonight than normal.

"I didn't have to. They went through same thing, remember?" he asked, and lowered his mouth to her neck.

"While they were in school?" she asked, biting back a moan when he swirled his tongue in the hallow of her throat.

He pulled back.

"No, but they weren't much older than we are now. They'll be happy about this. My whole family has been dying to meet you since they learned about you," he said.

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Just how big is your family?"

He grinned.

"Well, there's mum and dad, two sets of Grandparents, Aunt Lillian, and my cousin Dorothy," he said, holding up a finger as he named each one.

"All of them live at your house?"

"It's a very large house."

"Oh."

He went back to her neck, as she thought over all he had said.

"But what..."

He silenced her with his mouth, burning her slightly.

She gasped and looked up at him, her eyes widening.

They both knew his control was slipping, and so she didn't put up a fuss when he picked her up and carried her to bed. Their lovemaking was hurried, yet gentle that night. And later, as Hermione began to drift off to sleep in Blaise's arms, she had to admit that she had never felt more content than she did in that moment..

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Are you ready love?" Blaise called out as he entered their bedroom a week later.

Hermione looked up from her trunk, which she had just sealed shut.

"I am now. Remind me to grab my bathing suit before we leave my parent's house, okay?" she asked, absently as she went over her packing list one more time.

He nodded, and levitated her trunk.

"The carriage is waiting," he said.

Luckily, none of the teachers had come to see them off. She hugged Harry, Ron, and Ginny.

"I'll see you in two weeks," she said, and was surprised to feel tears stinging her eyes.

"You have fun and enjoy your vacation Hermione, because we you get back, its wedding planning time," Ginny said, seriously.

Hermione gave her a strained smile. "I can hardly wait."

Blaise shook Harry and Ron's hands and then helped her into the carriage that would take them to Hogsmeade Station.

They took the almost empty train to London, where her parents were waiting for them.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger had been very curious about the young man their daughter had brought home to them. Blaise turned on the charm, thick, and Hermione's parents couldn't help but like him. Even little Jason Granger, who at ten months had just learned to walk, constantly toddled after the blue-eyed Slytherin wanting to play.

Hermione's heart had warmed at the sight of Blaise playing with her brother, and the fact that she and he might actually be parents by this time next year really hit home.

It was almost as if her mother had read her thoughts. "A baby is a huge responsibility, you know," Mrs. Granger commented, handing Hermione a cup of tea.

She gave her mother a 'deer-in-headlights' look, then calmed herself.

"I know," she replied a bit sullenly as she sipped the tea.

Mrs. Granger smiled. "You've never been one to shy away from responsibility though."

Hermione smiled.

"Are you pregnant?"

She spit out her tea.

"N-no," she answered, trying not to sound too defensive.

Mrs. Granger gave her a calculating look. "Then what is going on?"

Hermione took a deep breath.

"I'm in love," she said simply, and turned her gaze back to Blaise and Jason who were playing blocks in the next room.

All in all, it had been a nice weekend. Hermione knew that her mother knew something else was going on, but Mrs. Granger hadn't pressed any further, and for that, she was grateful.

Soon, the Grangers were escorting them back to the station. She had told her parents that they'd been allowed a weekend visit, but had refrained from telling them of their two-week vacation. They'd be even more suspicious than they were already.

They boarded the Hogwarts Express and settled into their compartment. Hermione leaned her head on Blaise's shoulder, and was asleep before the train left the station.

He had to wake her up when the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station.

They departed the train, and Hermione looked at the empty platform.

"How are we getting to your parent's house?" she asked, confused.

He smirked at her.

"I thought we'd fly," he said, shrinking their trunks down so that they were small enough to fit in her pocket.

"Oh, I hate broomsticks!" she whined.

He gave her a look, and started dragging her toward a large open area on the other side of the train station.

"Who said anything about broomsticks?" he asked, slyly.

Hermione's heart skipped a beat. He was actually going to change in front of her. When he said they'd fly, he meant he'd fly as a dragon, and she'd ride on his back. He grinned at her obvious excitement and motioned for her to wait at the edge of the clearing.

"Don't come 'till I call you," he said, and started walking out into the evening sunset.

Hermione watched him as he stopped about a hundred and fifty yards away. He hunched over and was suddenly surround by huge swirls of blinding golden light. Hermione had to look away, it was so bright.

When she looked back, Blaise was gone. And in his place stood the largest, most ferocious looking dragon that she'd ever seen.

Come to me, Hermione.

Without thought, her feet carried her toward his monstrous form. As she got closer she realized that the only feature that she recognized as Blaise, were the eyes, The green and gold eyes were the same as his, when he made love to her.

Charlie Weasley would have a field day.

End Chapter 12