A Short Story Is A Love Affair

“You won’t tell anyone?” Padma asked nervously. Hermione shook her head and reached for her hands.

“Of course not.” She promised. Padma blew out a breath. 

“Thank you Mi. It’s such a weight off, finally saying something.” 

Hermione nodded. “Anything you need, I’m here. Day or night, ok?” 

“Ok. Gods, what would I do without you?” Padma dragged her into a hug before floo’ing home.

Hermione counted to ten before apparating to the familiar alley way. As she climbed on the bins in order to reach the fire escape, she wondered when she’d become so co-dependent. She used to be great at keeping secrets. Nowadays, she had the compulsion to share every piece of gossip with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend that was, in himself, a secret. Maybe that was why she told him everything, she mused, as she hopped in through his window. She rolled across the carpet with less grace that she would have liked, scowling as she saw his amused smirk.

“If you’re here to tie me up and have your wicked way with me, you should know I have an incredibly violent girlfriend who won’t be best pleased about the situation.” Draco drawled, not looking up from his book as he reclined on his bed. Hermione rolled her eyes as she stood up, waving her wand and casting a silencing spell so that his perpetually nosy roommate wouldn’t overhear them. 

“Padma’s pregnant.” She said, and he tossed the book onto his bedside table. 

“Seriously?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“She just told me. Nobody else knows yet.” Hermione explained as she climbed into the bed next to him. “She’s not sure who the father is.” 

“Oh, bloody hell. Who are the options? Weasley?” 

“Ron or Blaise.”

He blinked. “Blaise Zabini? My Blaise?” 

“Your Blaise?” She frowned at him. 

“Yes, my Blaise. Wait, was it at Theo’s birthday?” 

“Certainly was. A drunken tumble, apparently. She can’t remember either of them casting the charm.” Hermione said. “When she broke up with Ron, they had a…last hurrah, I suppose. So it could be either.”

“Blimey.” He muttered. “And she’s keeping it?” 

“Yeah. I explained her choices to her but she was fairly adamant. Even if it makes everything a hell of a lot more complicated.” 

“Now there’s an understatement and a half.” Draco replied, slinging his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “What’s she doing next? She’ll have to tell them to get a paternity test done. I mean, she’ll have to tell them anyway. Salazar knows the two of them don’t look similar. As soon as the kid comes out, we’ll know who it belongs to.” 

“She’s still coming to terms with the idea, I think. I said I’d be there for her, whatever she decides. And whether she knows it or not, by extension, that includes you.” Hermione looked up at him and he smiled. 

“I am a very competent paediatrician, you’re right.” 

“I hate you.” 

“No you don’t.” He replied, kissing her temple gently.