Welcome to Mystery of Marriage! For those of you joining us fresh, welcome! Please take a look at our profile for a little background and history on James and Marina! For our faithful readers, we thank you so much for sticking with us and we want to let you know that this fic is outside of the Power of Love universe (so it does not fit in with the events in Power of Love or Something to Believe in).

Now, on to the show! Er...story! Please, take the time to review! It just takes a minute and it really helps James and I get motivated and get creative!

James & Marina

It was the first time in a very long time that Harry could remember, or rather not remember, having had any nightmares in the course of a night. He had a very good dream about falling in love and getting married, which gave him hope that he was meant for something more than fighting dark lords and their sadistic followers. In fact it gave him hope that there was a girl out there for him after all. All his friends were going out and getting married, starting lives after the war, now that they knew they'd live long enough to enjoy it. Ron was happily married to Luna Lovegood; Ginny was seriously dating Oliver Wood. Even the twins had found significant others in Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson. In fact, the only person Harry knew that hadn't found someone was Hermione. She'd had an on again off again relationship with Ron until she couldn't take his almost nonexistent emotional capabilities anymore and broke it off.

Since that day, Harry and Hermione had decided to start a new tradition. When Valentine's Day rolled around, if they were both without a Valentine, they'd spend the day together and wax poetry about the lack of love in their lives. This year was going to be the first one they spent together and Harry had admittedly been excited. He'd even been planning on pulling out all the stops; if they had to mourn the lack of love together, they'd at least do it in style.

A wrench was thrown into that plan, however, as Harry slowly awoke from the good dream he'd been having. He got the distinct impression, as he tried to rouse his sleep addled mind, that he wasn't alone in bed today. He felt something warm and soft curled up quite nicely against the front of his body. He could tell that one arm was draped over this luscious object and the other was curled under it. Giving a soft squeeze of his hand Harry found that he was holding onto something soft. In fact, as the sleep left his mind more and more, Harry could remember a few night at Hogwarts where he'd found a broom closet with his girlfriend at the time and they'd have a serious snog session that included some heavy petting. If that memory served him correctly, then he was currently grasping onto someone's breast. Opening his eyes slowly, Harry found his already blurry vision further obstructed by a brown mass.

He blinked a few times to clear his vision as best he could without his glasses. It was then he realized this brown mass was bushy brown hair. And it looked startlingly like the hair of his best friend, Hermione. "Oh, bloody hell!" He tried to keep as quiet as possible, for fear of waking up whoever this person was. He needed his glasses so he could see them more clearly. Therein lay the problem. If he moved to find his glasses, with the position his arms were in, he would most assuredly wake his sleeping partner. Seeing as how this person reminded him of Hermione, it could potentially be a bad thing.

Hermione wondered briefly if she had slept the entire day away. Instead of the normal aches and pains associated with waking up, she felt refreshed and renewed for once. Currently her job as a researcher for a potions firm based out of central London known as Ars Alchima had sapped the life out of her; she would get up and go to work for six in the morning and slog home at night well after midnight. Ah, but it was a small price to pay for cures to Lycanthropy and the Dragon Pox, right? Still, the job not only exhausted her, but it had completely trampled her so-called love life. Ron and she had broken it off last year after almost five years of serious dating when he told her, in no uncertain terms, that they were either going to get married immediately or forget it. And with deadlines calling, sick people in need...once again, Ron had taken second place. At first she felt terrible...but as he moved on with Luna Lovegood and started his family, she really stopped lamenting over it.

But the potions lab practically shut down for Valentine's Day. The researchers knew it was one of their only opportunities to make up the lost hours with their significant others and loved ones. And the first year after her breakup with Ron left Hermione all alone on Valentine's Day. That was, of course, until Harry—who had just ended another parasitic relationship with an American bimbo named Cherry—called her and they got to talking. And so the tradition began, they'd spend Valentine's Day together so neither felt lonely. So, that's how she planned to spend it this year...and truly, there was no other man she'd rather spend it with.

That's why her current predicament was so striking...Hermione yawned softly and stretched. She stiffened as soon as her leg bumped against someone else's leg and she noticed that there was an odd warmth building in her thighs. Another gentle squeeze of her breast alerted her as to why that was happening; apparently someone wanted to get a good feel. All of a sudden the languidness she had been feeling exploded and she sat bolt upright, turning to stare down at the man who had been fondling her. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out but a bloodcurdling scream.

Harry should have tried to get out of the bed when he had the chance. Really, looking back on it now, it was foolish to stay there and pray that the girl with him didn't notice. With them pressed so closely together, and one of his hands on her breast, it would mean this person was a half-wit if they couldn't tell something was up. As soon as the girl sat up, apparently as surprised about it all as Harry was, he realized it could be no other person than Hermione…especially when she screamed. He'd heard her scream like that, mostly when being tortured by one of Voldemort's followers; he'd recognize it anywhere.

He covered his ears against the sound of her scream and almost rolled out of bed. He was teetering on the edge but managed to stay on the mattress just barely. "Merlin, Hermione! Did you have to scream that loudly?" Slowly Harry reached out a hand to the bedside table…that was odd, his room wasn't supposed to have a bedside table. Maybe they were in Hermione's room. In moments Harry's hand found his glasses and he slipped them on. Now getting a good look Harry noticed that the blankets had flung off Hermione's chest when she sat up and her breasts were very much exposed to his view. Harry slowly pointed and found his voice not wanting to cooperate, "H-Hermione...not that I don't enjoy the view b-but you might want to cover up."

In her haste to scramble away from him, Hermione didn't realize that her breasts were completely exposed. Gasping, she grabbed for the sheets and tugged them up over her body. But it didn't seem to help any, "If you didn't notice, Harry, you seem to be naked as well." At least from the waist up he was exposed. Deciding to be bold, she quickly lifted up the blanket and then pulled it back down just as fast. "Harry, did we…?" She let her voice trail off, her eyes widening with a mixture of fear and confusion. What the hell had happened?

Harry had indeed noticed that he was exposed from the waist up. Not like it was a big deal, they were both raised in the Muggle world where a guy going without a shirt was commonplace, even if it wasn't in the Wizarding world. But Harry could deduce facts as well as Hermione could, especially since he felt a tiny draft when she lifted the blanket. If they were both completely naked and in bed together… then it was probably safe to assume that they had done… that.

Deciding to see for himself, Harry grabbed the covers and lifted them up. He was indeed naked. Looking over while he had the chance, Harry discovered that Hermione was indeed naked as well. What shocked him was that she was in remarkable shape except for a small bit of weight around her middle. He quickly pushed the covers down as a blush crept over his cheeks, "Sorry, 'Mione…couldn't help myself." He looked down at the mattress between them, trying to avoid her eyes as much as possible. Could it be that Harry had shagged his best friend and didn't remember? It certainly seemed that way. "Umm...I think we did, 'Mione." Pathetic, the farthest he'd ever been with a girl, and Harry couldn't even remember it. So much for the Boy-Who-Lived; they should have changed his name to the Boy-Who-Lived-To-Shag-His-Best-Friend-And-Not-Remember-A-Bloody-Thing!

Blushing deeply, she nodded. They must've had sex...there was no other explanation as to why her thighs were sore or for why she felt so sated. Had she really lost her virginity and not known it? When Harry lifted up the blankets, she frowned, "I'll have you know that I didn't look at you when I checked." But turnabout was fair play, she lifted up the blanket again but this time there was enough light in the room to illuminate something she never thought she'd see. Scrambling out from under the covers, she stalked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. "Harry...we have a problem."

Harry nodded his head. After realizing that she couldn't see the motion from in the bathroom, he spoke up. "Yeah…I'd say so." He got up and found a white cotton bathrobe on the nearby chair with a hotel logo on it. Over the breast it had the words 'Mr. Potter' embroidered in fancy lettering. Slipping it on, Harry looked around and noticed that the room looked like a very fancy hotel room, certainly expensive. "We have two problems, 'Mione. One, I have no clue where we are but it looks like a very nice hotel…" Noticing another bathrobe which must have been for Hermione, Harry grabbed it only to go wide eyed with shock. He walked to the bathroom and held it out for her, "Two problems."

Grabbing the robe from him, she rolled her eyes when she read the emblem on it, "Mrs. Potter...why in the name of Merlin would I have a Mrs. Potter robe?" She snarled, but then it hit...it crashed over her, sending her reeling back. Unthinkingly, she hand connected with her abdomen and she let it rest there for a moment. Turning back toward the mirror, she looked down, poking the swell there for a moment before she turned back to him. "We've got a hell of a lot more than two problems, Harry. One I want to know how we got here," She allowed him to help her put the robe on, "Two, I'd like to know what the hell day it is...and maybe that'll explain why I'm pregnant enough to be showing."

Harry nodded his head as Hermione examined the evidence. This is what she did best, solving problems. Harry wasn't stupid, but he was better equipped for fighting than detective work. It was one of the reasons he'd decided not to go into the Auror Department, too much problem solving. No, instead he worked as an Unspeakable in their combat branch; although, that was a well guarded secret that not even Harry's closest friends knew about. "Before we figure out how we got here...we need to figure out where here is." He did agree with her on the other points though. Walking over to the curtains back in the sleeping room, Harry pulled them aside and sighed. "Well that explains that." He motioned toward a view of a giant stone Colosseum. "You always said you wanted to visit Rome, right?"

Bundling herself tighter in the robe, Hermione tried to think about what had happened. She remembered coming home from work and flooing Harry...after that, nothing. But this wasn't like an obliviate where chunks were missing and she had no idea they were gone; this was a giant blur...she didn't know where the time went but she knew that it was missing. This wasn't a spell they were dealing with. As Harry pulled back the curtains she found herself gob stopped. Rome? They were in Italy...Merlin's balls, something odd was going on around here. "I did want to visit Rome but...I'd like to how I got here." She threw an accusatory glare at Harry, "Didn't you hear me? I'm pregnant!"

"Merlin, Hermione!" Harry shied away for a bit when she yelled at him. "I'm sorry… I guess it's just starting to register. I was actually hoping you'd say that you had been slacking on your workouts and gorging on chocolate frogs." Harry walked up to her and uncomfortably wrapped her in a hug. Normally a hug between friends in a highly emotional state was common for them; they were best friends after all. But seeing as they'd apparently slept together, gotten married (if the robes were any indication), were having a baby together, and remembered not one bit of it...well it was a little weird to hug her. But he felt this situation warranted a hug and Harry always trusted what he felt was the proper course of action. "We'll figure this out."

Pulling away, she shook her head, her heart pounding. "No, no this is not going to be okay. We're married, I'm pregnant, we somehow ended up in Rome and this doesn't make any sense!" She began to pace back and forth, one hand resting on her belly, the other jammed through the mess of curls on the top of her head. "We're obviously not hung over...and seeing as I've got a baby inside me, I don't think I'd be that stupid." Turning to him, she threw up both her hands in resignation. "What do we do? This could be some elaborate hoax! Who even knows if this is your baby?"

Harry sat down heavily on the bed and ran his hands over his face. "I don't know, 'Mione. I'm as lost as you are. I can't remember anything between when I was getting ready to prepare things to spend Valentine's Day with you, and when we just woke up. And seeing as we don't know what day it is...that could be any stretch of months." It had to be in terms of months. He remembered some of his basic healing classes for the Unspeakables; girls took several weeks to start showing, usually between eight and twelve. "Don't take this the wrong way but... I hope that is my baby. That's at least better than wondering who else could've done it."

For one split second, Hermione almost felt like Harry cared about her. He wanted her to be carrying his child? She nearly smiled...but of course, he was being practical as usual. Instead of taking out her hurt on him, she sighed heavily and sat down next to him on the bed. "I remember coming home from work and flooing you...after that, I don't know what happened. But if this is anything to go by," She motioned to her belly again, "I'd say that something happened that set all this in motion. It has to be at least April by now...maybe even May. How could we lose two or three months of our lives?" Dark brown eyes met green as she turned to him, "Someone has done this to us, Harry…and I want to know who it is."

Harry nodded, "I know, I do too. Besides, we're Harry Potter and Hermione Granger…err…Potter. You're the smartest witch of our generation and I'm arguably the most powerful wizard. I doubt someone could cast this powerful a spell on me and then you, or the other way around, without one of us fighting back. I mean, you helped me defeat Voldemort...and as far as I know, not even he could have pulled something like this off." Harry shook his head and absently wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "I want to know who did this too, 'Mione. We just need to do like you always told me when we were back in school. Take it one step at a time and work through the problems as they arise."

The things he did to her...and he didn't even know. Hearing his last name tacked on to hers, his arm around her, his child within her womb...it was sort of like every fantasy she'd ever had come true. But taking advantage of this situation was not right. They had a mystery to solve. "If you told me six months ago if I'd one day wake up in Rome, married to my best friend and pregnant...I'd have had you committed."

Harry chuckled at that, nodding his head in agreement. "I'd have supplied you with a list of places I'd like to stay during my time in the penitentiary." Harry gave her shoulders a squeeze and got up. He couldn't be too close to her like this for too long. He'd liked Hermione as more than a friend for a long time. At least since that day in fourth year when she'd come to the first task of the tournament to make sure he was holding up alright. He'd given up quickly when he learned that Ron had the hots for Hermione. That was part of being Harry Potter, sacrificing his dreams and wants for his best friends...for the good of the Wizarding world. Hell, back then it would have been unfair to any girl to be with him; he never knew if he would live through the war, especially after fifth year when he'd learned of the prophecy. Being with her like this, seemingly married to Hermione, her possibly having his baby, and being in Rome alone with her...it was everything he'd ever wanted. If only he could remember how'd they'd gotten here. He did not like the circumstances that found him in his dream predicament.

Leaning forward, she sighed heavily and let her hands cover her face. "What are we going to do, Harry? Why would anyone do this to us? What could possibly have possessed them...?" What could the reason possibly be? Surely it wasn't malice; this wasn't the kind of situation that two wizards nearing thirty would crumble under. And it surely wasn't making any sense...Hermione decided then to just accept it. "Well, dear husband, let's go get some breakfast...then I'd like to try and get to the bottom of this."

Harry slowly turned to look at Hermione. He's felt a swell in his chest when she'd called him husband. "I like how that sounds, wife." He hadn't realized he'd spoken out loud. Well, now he realized it, but he hadn't when his mouth took on a life of its own. "Sorry, speaking without thinking again." He looked around the room again, his eyes settling on one of the in-room dressers and the closet. Clothes must be in there. Harry pulled open the top drawer of the dresser and almost immediately closed it again. "That must be your drawer." He was blushing furiously now, although he didn't know why. Considering they'd obviously been sleeping together and had obviously just seen each other naked, Harry didn't understand why knickers made him blush. Must have been the whole not remembering anything part of the deal. He quickly pulled out some of his boxers from the next drawer down, and slid them on under the bathrobe.

Hermione marveled at him for a moment. He liked being called husband? It was true wasn't it? They were married...when she stood up to look for clothes she found that there was a single piece of paper on the nightstand. "This proves it. We got married at the ministry...February fifteenth at seven forty-seven in the morning. Presiding was Wizengamot council member Amelia Bones...she might be a good person to contact." It was a start. They didn't have rings or anything but they were legally married. When she turned, she saw Harry changing and she quickly walked over to the closet and pulled out a dress. Well, someone had packed her spring wardrobe...and her winter woolies too. Either someone was a bad at packing or they had planned on keeping them here for a long time. When she moved to pull it on over her head, she let out a sigh...it didn't fit. Next she reached over and pulled a pair of robes; much to her dismay those didn't fit either. "Harry, we have another problem...I'm too big for my robes."

Harry sighed and nodded. "No problem. Robes are robes right?" He walked over to the closet and pulled out a plain black pair of robes. "Here, make sure this fits, and if it does, I'll transfigure it to be a dress or something." Harry had learned a lot about using charms and transfiguration in combat thanks to the Unspeakables. Well, he wasn't fighting, but the principle was the same. All he had to do was keep a clear picture of what he wanted it to look like. "Have a specific dress in mind?"

For a brilliant witch, Hermione knew surprisingly little about feminizing charms and fashion spells. She didn't wear makeup and she did her hair the muggle way except on very special occasions. Harry, though, he was a little bit more culture savvy. He handed her a set of his own robes and she blushed when she took them, "Thanks, Harry." Pulling them on over her head, she breathed a sigh of relief when they came down over the bump in her belly with only minimal tugging. Witches' robes were made so tight and revealing...men's were looser and better fitting. "I don't care," She said and then chuckled, "I'm married now, anyway. Why should I bother trying to impress?"

Harry gave her his classic lopsided grin and teased a little. "What, don't want to look nice for your husband? I'm hurt!" He gave her a mock pained expression before chuckling and waving his hand over her. A shot of white beam of light hit her just above the stomach and the robes shifted to a red dress that came down to just above the knees, with a little dip in the neck line to reveal a little cleavage. "There we are." He leaned in gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "Now my wife looks likes she trying to keep a spark in the relationship." He tried to be straight faced when speaking about it, but he couldn't help but grin. Harry quickly pulled out a pair of robes that hugged his muscled chest. He quickly changed and struck a runway pose. "So, this is Rome, think I have a shot at modeling?"

"Well I'm already pregnant, what's the use?" She fired back, the smile still playing on her face. Harry and she always got on well, even after school when things with her and Ron were shaky. He'd always stuck by her side...much like now when she stood before him not knowing what was happening or why. He easily could've walked away from her and the baby, not knowing for sure it was his or not. But he didn't, he loaned her some of his own robes to accommodate the swell in her belly and transfigured the black robes into a red dress that made her look like some kind of model. She braided her hair to keep it under control and chuckled as he posed before her, "Sorry Harry, male models with visible scars aren't in high demand. Besides, you get ogled enough as it is; modeling would only make it worse!"

Harry chuckled and dropped the pose. "Yeah, you're right. I don't need more publicity." A thought occurred to him then, and Harry couldn't help looking around the room. "Don't take this the wrong way, 'Mione, you know I'd do anything for you. But… until we figure all this out, can we try to keep our marriage under wraps? After fourth year when Rita Skeeter started that rumor about you and I...well, I loathe to think what she'd write about us if she found out about all this." He placed a hand on her shoulder and rubbed it gently, "At least until we get some answers that could lead us to finding out who did this to us."

For several moments Hermione was quiet as she looked over at him. She understood why he wanted to keep it quiet; there would be a media circus when anyone found out. "I won't say anything..." She said softly and then moved toward the door. "But this," She motioned to her belly, "I can't really keep it quiet and people will notice. It's pretty noticeable now..." Looking down again, she just shrugged, "But I wasn't planning on making an official statements or calling Rita for the 'inside scoop'."

Harry chuckled and ran to catch up with after grabbing his coin purse and the watch Mrs. Weasley had given him for his seventeenth birthday. "Thanks, 'Mione. After this is over and we figure out what to do...then we can talk all we want about everything." It was more instinct, maybe muscle memory, when Harry reached out for her hand to hold it as they walked. Perhaps they had done this many times during the period they couldn't remember. "Besides, I wasn't expecting you to hide...that," He motioned toward her belly. "It's a little late to be trying to hide it, I think."

Usually Hermione wasn't very hungry in the morning but maybe it was a combination of being pregnant and not knowing if she'd eaten lately, she was ravenous. Deciding that now was not the time to be arguing over nonsense, she had moved to reach into her pocket when she felt Harry's hand brush against her and then move to grasp it. "Don't you think that holding hands with the pregnant woman is a little incriminating?" She asked softly only moments before a bellman walked over and smiled broadly, addressing them as Mr. and Mrs. Potter as he led them to a table. Looking over at her 'husband' she bit her lip, "Maybe being in Rome will help keep our cover from being blown."

Harry nodded and blushed slightly. "I didn't mean to grab your hand like that. It was more a reflex action. Almost like my hand is used to doing that," Again he wondered if that wasn't the first time. "I think it stands to reason, with everything else we've found out so far, that we've probably held hands in public before." After the bellman made sure they were seated and sent for the waiter, Harry smiled. "Besides, I think they expect that of us here. They did check us in as Mr. and Mrs. Potter. If we suddenly didn't act like what they've seen...which I suppose is how married couples act, then they might wonder if everything is alright."

It was still early and only a few people were up, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. Most of them were couples although there seemed to be several businessmen loitering around. "I didn't mind..." She answered, "Men and women hold hands all the time without any huge ulterior motive." Although with her being noticeably pregnant, the staff calling them Mr. and Mrs. Potter, she knew that someone was bound to say something. "Now I'm starving, let's order."

Harry chuckled and asked the waiter for an egg, some sausage, white toast with butter and jam, and a glass of pumpkin juice. The man nodded as he scribbled on his little note pad before turning to Hermione. The waiter had long dark hair and was probably a waited just between modeling jobs. Harry didn't like the way the guy was looking Hermione up and down. Maybe it was the whole being married to her bit but Harry suddenly felt like this guy was encroaching on his territory. Deciding to intervene and subtly let this ass know just who he was dealing with, Harry leaned forward and took Hermione's hand gently. He shot her a loving look and smiled. "What would my lovely wife like to eat?" That wiped the smile off Fabio's face.

Everything looked delicious on the menu, but Hermione was craving eggs, ham, and pancakes. She was going to enjoy her pregnancy and that was that. As she looked up, she found herself staring into the startling blue eyes of a very attractive man. And he seemed very interested. When she smiled, though, Harry went on the defensive as he called her wife. She thanked the waiter, ordering her large meal with some pumpkin juice before she turned back to Harry, "What is the matter with you? One minute you don't want anyone to know we are married...and the next you're telling the waiter and there are people within earshot."

Harry watched the waiter go before turning back to Hermione. "Sorry…I know, I kind of screwed up there." He looked down at the table and slowly let go of her hand. "It's just...well, I didn't like the way he was looking at you. And we're married, even if we don't remember the whole act of getting married." Harry shut up then. The Potter temper was well known around Hogwarts. When Harry got upset, he made sure people knew about it, and he always got revenge. In this case, that had involved shutting down the waiter's hopes of doing with Hermione that involved anything other than bringing her the meal she ordered.

"Come on Harry, he was just being friendly! Men in Italy have their pick of beautiful women. I don't even make the list." She grasped his hand across the table and met his eyes. "And if you don't trust him, trust me. I'm not going to be embarking on any relationships while we're married or I'm pregnant. Once we figure this out and dissolve the marriage, maybe. But not now, that'd just be wrong."

"Hermione in case you didn't notice...and I think earlier you did, I'm a guy. I know what those little looks we give mean. And that guy," He pointed off in the direction the waiter had gone, "Would have been on you the minute you so much as breathed in his general direction. Besides, you shouldn't say things like that. I've said it for years, you are beautiful." Her next statement hurt him though. Dissolve the marriage? "You want to annul our marriage?" He pulled his hand away slowly and ran it through his wild hair. So she didn't feel the same way he felt about her. Further proof that Harry Potter was destined to die alone somewhere, probably fighting a dark wizard like the good little scapegoat the wizarding world wanted him to be. "I know that this just kind of...happened and we didn't exactly plan any of it...that we can remember anyway. But," He looked up at her, meeting her eyes, "Well...is it so bad to be married to me? I won't force you to stay in this marriage if you don't want to be. I just want you to be happy, 'Mione. Oh, never mind." He looked away and sipped from the complimentary glass of water on the table.

It felt like a crushing blow had been dealt to her heart. He looked so...hurt. But at the same time, she was just saying what she thought he wanted to hear. It didn't make sense to stay in a marriage he didn't want; it would be cruel, he'd end up hating her. And Hermione couldn't handle Harry hating her. "Come on Harry, our marriage is a sham. I don't even remember what happened that night, neither do you. I think it'd just be better off if we parted on good terms." The waiter brought over her pumpkin juice and she thanked him quietly before taking a drink. "You're my best friend; I just want you to be happy."

Harry set down the water and sighed. "Maybe it is a sham but I kind of like the idea." He still refused to look at her. "I mean, yes, I could pretty much have my pick of girls just because of who I am. But all my relationships fail because none of those women understand me. They all think I like fighting dark wizards to the death and that I bless the day my parents died because it made me who I am today." Slowly Harry looked over at Hermione. "But you understand what it's like. You've been with me through the thick of it, seen me at my best and at my worst. Honestly, I think you're the best person for me Hermione." Jeez, it was like a floodgates had opened and everything inside him came pouring out. Weren't pregnant women supposed to be the ones with emotional instability not the fathers? "Truth is, 'Mione...I've liked you since fourth year. If you want to end the marriage then we can. But…I'd like to give it a try."

Of all he things he that she was expecting him to say, this wasn't one of them. He wanted their marriage to work? He wanted to be with her? For several moments she stared at him, her expression unreadable. Yes, he'd gone through a lot of bad relationships and hard times with women; she'd had the same problems with dating. She needed someone intellectual and strong, personable...Harry was all of those things. Taking a sip of her pumpkin juice, she nodded silently, "We can give it a try." Sitting back in her seat, she let out a soft sigh, "For the baby, at the very least."

Harry gave her a small smile. That was better than 'let's end it right now'. At least they'd give it their very best try, "Yeah…for the baby." The somber mood was interrupted when the waiter brought them their food. Harry ate in silence, thinking things through. They needed to figure out the date and the best chance for that was the day's newspaper. "We need a paper. Then we can see what day it is and what's been going on that we've missed."

The food smelled delicious and Hermione dug in without another word. She had finished her ham and was halfway done with her pancakes when Harry finally spoke up. "A newspaper would be a good idea. I want to know what has happened...I've probably been fired from my job, expulsed from the potions community." She sighed heavily, and looked around, "It looks like there's a stack of free Daily Prophets over there."

Harry chuckled, "Yeah, no kidding. I'm in ever hotter water than you are." He couldn't tell her specifics, but it was a safe bet the Unspeakables were looking for Harry as a deserter. He'd probably be brought up on charges and sentenced to Azkaban once he made it back to England. "I'll go grab one." He got up and walked over to the stand of papers. He was slightly amazed that the Prophet was in circulation out here. Normally, each Ministry had their own paper and he was almost certain the Italians would favor a local paper. But, here it was. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw something in the potted plants. And then there was the telltale click of a camera. "Shit," He muttered under his breath. Harry turned slowly back towards Hermione, getting a better look at the photographer as he turned. When he sat back down at their table Harry handed 'Mione the paper and spoke under his breath. "There's a cameraman in the bushes over by the front desk. He was taking my picture." He shot a quick look over and then back at Hermione. "It looked like Colin."

Dabbing at the syrup that had dribbled onto her chin, Hermione watched as Harry hurried back over to the table and leaned in to inform her that someone who looked like Colin Creevey was snapping photos. Turning around, she frowned when she saw the rustling of leaves behind a thick shrub right by the lobby door. Standing up—albeit awkwardly in her newly pregnant state—she stalked over and reached into the bushes; she grabbed for Colin and ending up with his camera in hand. "Colin Creevey, what, in Merlin's name, are you doing here?"

Harry stormed over after Hermione and frowned at the younger man. He looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "You know, Colin, we were friends back in school. And I like to think we're friends still to this day." He crossed his arms over his chest and gave Colin a look that clearly said this wasn't a friendly gesture. "You could have just asked for a picture like you used to in school. No need to hide in the bushes."

Colin smiled shyly and nodded. He composed himself for a moment before gathering his strength to say what needed to be said. "I'm here on business, Harry, nothing personal." He snatched the camera back from Hermione and started taking photos again. "I'll thank you to be gentler with the Prophet's equipment." He was brave behind the camera, a typical paper photographer. "So, the world wants to know why you two got married without a lavish ceremony and why you took off without a word. You're the hottest news right now." He lowered the camera and fixed them with an accusatory glare. "And your friends would like to know why they weren't invited and had to find out from Rita Skeeter. She was showing copies of the marriage license in the Prophet the day after Valentine's Day."

Hermione frowned markedly, "It's always personal when you're dealing with your friends, Colin. Stop taking pictures of us like we're celebrities...I'm sure you have enough film to make your point." She frowned harder when he mentioned that everyone in the wizarding world knew they were married. "So you're telling me that everyone knows already?" She folded her arms over her burgeoning belly and shook her head, "Something very strange is going on here..." And how did Colin know where they were anyway? "And Rita Skeeter is involved too?" Yes, there was something going on. Grabbing another paper, she groaned, "May twenty-first...that means we've been married for over three months. It's no wonder I'm showing." Damn it, she hadn't meant to let that slip out...

Colin lit up like a kid at Christmas when Hermione let that bit about her pregnancy slip. "And you're pregnant? Oh, I'm definitely getting that staff photographer job now." He started taking pictures immediately, this time making sure to include shot of her stomach. "Of course everyone knows! Death, births, and marriages are all public record. When you two disappeared, Rita decided to find out where you went and that meant finding your last known sighting. As it happens, Director Bones was very forthcoming in an interview about how she played witness for the ceremony."

Harry could feel his anger rising when Colin started snapping off pictures again. They had just asked him to stop. Hermione was only considered a minor celebrity, mostly by association with him and the last battle. But Harry was a major celebrity. He's saved the Wizarding World twice now; once as a baby and once in the second war. Still, he hated it and didn't want his wife exposed to this kind of thing. "We asked you to stop taking pictures." This caused Colin to turn the camera right to Harry to get a shot of his face. Harry's magic lanced out and shattered the device in Colin's hands. "Next time stop when we ask you to." He turned to walk away and shot over his shoulder, "Bill me for it, but if any pictures show up in the paper, I'll sue your department for everything it has and shut it down."

At first Hermione felt bad for Colin...but he had gone too far. "We asked nicely, Colin...the second time we don't ask as nicely." Her hand had unthinkingly come to entwine with Harry's as she stepped back. Colin's face turned a nasty shade of purple and he reeled back, running for the door as if he were eleven years old again. Hermione looked over at Harry again, "So we know the papers are involved in this...and I think now more than ever we need to talk to Director Bones. But first...maybe we ought to find out who is paying for this expensive hotel."

Harry nodded his agreement to Hermione's observations. "Yeah, Madame Bones should definitely be on top of our list." He was already headed toward the front desk when she had caught up to him. "I'm way ahead of you there, dear." The front desk clerk smiled and greeted the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Potter and asked if he could help them. Harry would give it to them; the place definitely cared about their guests at least enough to remember their names. "Yes, just out of curiosity. I was partying last night," Harry lied through his teeth. "You know how it is, I'm in Rome. Anyway, I seem to have drunk away the bit that remembers how much I'm paying for the room. Can you refresh my memory?"

The front desk clerk nodded. He understood; the two had been acting like crazy lovebirds since the moment they arrived (it was no wonder they didn't remember anything, they had barely left the room!). "But of course, sir." He pulled out a ledger and started to flip through it. "Ah yes, here it is. You aren't paying anything for the room, sir." He gave them a warm smile. "It was paid in full before your arrival and is paid through tomorrow. Your three months here is almost up. And I speak for the entire staff when I say it will be sad to see you both leave."

Feeling fully sated and slightly tired, Hermione tucked the paper under her arm to read at her leisure as Harry led her over to the front desk. Harry was careful as he went about asking for the information but the front desk clerk's words were shocking. She could feel Harry stiffen and her own mouth dropped slightly. This place was pricey...who had done all of this for them? "Who do we have to thank for the room? I'd like to send a thank you note."

The clerk chuckled a bit as if she'd asked the funniest question in the world. "I'm sorry ma'am. I can not tell you that." He closed the book and placed it back in its secured drawer. "There are specific instructions that the person paying for this has left. I'm sorry Mr. Potter; the person who paid for this room wished not to be identified under any circumstances...even by you."

In the bushes, a silent figure stared at the young couple, posture hunched. Tomorrow they would reenter society and the real trouble would begin. Here at the hotel they were malleable, controllable...but not in the real world. Slinking back into a shadow, the figure expelled a soft sigh before disappearing from sight again. For now all that could be done was watch and wait...