Written for:

Hogwarts - Ancient Runes - Task 3: Write about someone taking on a great responsibility.

Hogwarts - Mother's Day Challenge - A woman learning she's pregnant

Hogwarts - Writing Club - Days of the Month - Get Over It Day - Write about someone getting over something.

So, I have a list of 15 prompts for the Mother's Day Challenge over on the Hogwarts Forum. This collection may be over 15 chapters as I want to do some from Remus' POV too, where possible. All the stories will relate to each other.

Misunderstandings

Thanks to Lizzy for betaing

"Food poisoning," Hermione muttered, stumbling out of the bathroom and past Harry. "I ate something that didn't agree with me."

Harry stared after her and Hermione risked glancing back. She knew there was more to it than that, but she didn't want to tell Harry. She didn't want to admit what had happened to her.

She didn't want to admit to anyone that she allowed herself to fall for someone who clearly didn't feel as strongly as she did: someone who broke her heart without a second thought. Someone who possibly left her with a little something unintentionally… though she didn't want to think about that until she had seen the healer.

"Hermione, I'm going away tomorrow," Harry said, following her. "I need to know you're okay. Let me take you to the healer before I go."

"Harry, I've got an appointment in two days. I promise I'll let you know if something is wrong," Hermione insisted. "I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself."

Harry nodded reluctantly. "If you say so," he replied. "But I want an owl the second you find out."

"An owl would give away your undercover status, wouldn't it?"

"Fine. I'll floo call you in two days," Harry decided. "You'll tell me if something is wrong, right?"

"I will," Hermione assured him, knowing that if something was wrong, Harry was one of the last people who would be told.

...oOo...

Hermione suspected what the healer was going to say before the woman even finished casting her spells to check Hermione over. So when the healer announced Hermione was pregnant, she wasn't surprised in the slightest. It only confirmed what she already thought. After all, the sickness had lasted almost a month, then there was the obvious clue: her monthly missing 'friend', aunt Flo, as her mother liked to refer to it as. Plus, the smell of oranges made her feel ill and had her rushing to the bathroom.

The healer was excited to share the news and expected Hermione to share the enthusiasm, but all Hermione could think about was what she was going to do now. It was one thing suspecting that she was pregnant. It was another to find out she actually was.

There was no doubt in her mind that she was going to keep the baby. A child that was both hers and… well, not that the father would want to know. He had made it very clear his thoughts on having children and marriage… and even telling people they were involved, preferring to treat what they had as a sordid affair rather than the amazing relationship Hermione viewed it as.

As the healer rambled on, Hermione tried to push the concerns from her mind. She didn't need to think about how she was going to manage this and who she'd tell. Instead she thought about a small girl or boy with her hair and his eyes. She thought about reading stories to her child when tucking them into bed at night. She pictured that child going away to Hogwarts.

A smile appeared on her face as she thought about teaching this child all she knew about magic and literature. Their child would love learning just as much as she did and would love reading books. How could they not, considering that their two parents shared those interests.

The more she thought about it, the more excited she became. Yes, it would be hard and she would have to make large sacrifices, but it would all be worth it.

She tuned back in as the healer explained the purpose of the potions she was being given, listening carefully to the instructions given to her. She didn't want to mess anything up and knew potions were a risky business when it came to pregnancy.

A parchment was pushed into her hand regarding safety in pregnancy and before she knew it, she was being led out of the room.

...oOo...

It took Hermione all of a few minutes to realise that she'd really be alone in her choice. She was famous unfortunately, and being famous and a single mother would cause stress were anyone to see her bump. Plus, there were still Death Eaters out there and she wasn't just looking to protect herself anymore. She was responsible for one other life now.

She would have to leave. Leave all her friends, leave Grimmauld Place. In fact, she'd have to leave the Wizarding World permanently. The muggle world would be the safest place for them both because she could start over.

And Harry… she couldn't tell him because if she did… well, the truth would come out and Harry would be at odds with one of the few people he had left that he considered family. Hermione didn't want to be the cause of destroying that relationship for him. No, she would stay silent on the matter. She would leave quietly and without a fuss. She'd let everyone forget about her.

As for the baby's father - well, he didn't want kids. He didn't want her. Therefore, there was no point in telling him anything.

She would just do it alone. Besides, she wouldn't be alone for long. Soon she'd have a baby and that baby growing inside of her was more important than anything.

...oOo...

"So, how are you?" Harry asked from the fire.

"The doctor has me down as fine. She thinks it's an allergy," Hermione lied. "I'm going back in for tests before I leave."

"Leave?" Harry repeated quickly. "Where are you going?"

"Yeah," Hermione said, nodding her head. "I'm going to find my parents in Australia."

"Hermione, Australia is a big place. Do you think… maybe you should wait until I'm back. I'll go with you. We can bring everyone. Ron will come. Sirius too and Remus would want to—"

"Harry, let me do this," Hermione snapped, quickly losing patience. "I'm not going to get hurt or lost. I'm fully capable of looking after myself."

Harry looked guilty at her words. "I know," he replied carefully. "But I can't help but worry about you. I'm just thinking that you could be searching for years and not find them and I'd like to help you because all you've done over the years is help me."

"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione murmured, feeling guilty about snapping and losing her patience with him. "Look, I'm going to Australia. Give me some time there. If I don't find them… well, I'll send word of where I am so you can come and help me."

Harry agreed and wished her luck before finishing up the firecall. Hermione got up from where she was sitting on the floor and took a deep breath, preparing herself.

The house was empty, both Sirius and Remus out on missions with Harry, so Hermione took the opportunity to take everything she would need from the house. She had already withdrawn her money from Gringotts and closed the account, putting everything into a muggle account instead. She had checked her parents' old house and quickly cleaned it all, ready for her to move in.

She had hired a private investigator to find her parents. The best she could find, and had already spoken to the Australian Ministry rep who had portkeyed over to meet with her.

Finally she headed into Remus' bedroom and glanced around, searching. He had given her a book when they had been together which she had returned to him when he had ended things with her.

But now… she wanted it. It was something she could give to her child. She didn't want to search through his stuff, so she quickly accio'ed the book, watching it fly from on top of Remus' dresser. In its place, she placed a charmed candle. It was lit, but the flame was charmed so nothing could catch alight.

It had been a gift she had planned to give to Remus when they were together, but there was never a perfect time for it. Once they were over, she considered throwing it in the bin.

But now, it could be a parting gift. Maybe he'd realise that her feelings for him were very much real. Maybe he'd think about her when she was gone.

Her eyes drifted one last time over the words inscribed in the candle, glistening as though light was shining through them.

'For as long as this flame burns, you'll have my heart.'

Hermione shook her head. She wasn't going to worry about Remus Lupin now. All she needed to think about was her transition back to the muggle world and her (and her baby's) health.

She clutched the magical copy of Alice in Wonderland in her hands and left the room. Her bag was already waiting by the front door.

She grabbed it and walked out of Grimmauld Place, knowing she wouldn't be returning anytime soon - if ever.