A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination. I do not profit from this and will not pay for any commissions for art about this story.
The time is passin' so slowly now.
Guess that's my life without you (guess that's my life without you).
And maybe I could change my everyday, yeah.
But, baby, I don't want to.
So I'll just hang around,
And find some things to do.
To take my mind off missing you (take my mind off missing you).
And I know in my heart,
You can't say that you don't love me, too.
Please say you do.
Yeah, heh, heh, yay, yeah
~ Gone by Nsync
~*~ 14th May 1998 ~*~
Healer Lemon's private office at St. Mungo's was less cold and sterile compared to the room she had been in in the maternity ward, which made her feel less uncomfortable as Ron sat with her, looking at the pamphlets, as Hermione sat with her hands on her belly. It seemed to have grown overnight. To her, it was now obvious that her body was changing. Her clothes, which she did have some of her own now, were tight. Fleur's clothes were impossible to wear.
She barely slept. Her body was growing heavier, and the pressure on her hips kept her awake at night. Tensions had been high at the Burrow, which didn't make things any easier. They had finally buried Percy, Charlie had gone back to the Dragon Reserve, and Molly was a mess.
There was a slight knock on the door. "Miss Granger?"
"Come in," Hermione said.
Healer Lemon walked into the room and smiled at them. "How are we doing?"
"I was obviously in denial," Hermione admitted, "All of a sudden, it's all real. I feel the baby moving sometimes. Especially in bed."
"That is normal. All right, how about you climb up here on my table and I'll examine you," Healer Lemon told her.
Ron looked at her, "Need any help?"
"I've got it," Hermione said as she climbed up onto it.
"So, how have you been feeling truly?" Healer Lemon asked, waving her wand over Hermione's belly.
Hermione hesitated. "Tired. Achy, even though I'm not doing anything, and I cried the other day over the gnomes getting confused."
Ron snorted, "It was hilarious."
Healer Lemon chuckled. "Sounds perfectly on track. You've gained three pounds since last week. That's great. Eating well?"
"Unfortunately, it seems like something is always being shoved in my hands," Hermione stated.
"Well, keep it up, you have some to catch up to," Healer Lemon told her.
Hermione rubbed her thumb over her bump. "May I ask you something a little… serious? It's been worrying me, and I haven't been sleeping well."
"Of course," Healer Lemon said, setting her wand aside and pulling up a chair.
Hermione took a breath as Ron took her hand. "When I didn't know I was pregnant, I thought the fluttering feeling I was having was from leftover nerve damage from the Cruciatus. That they were just spasms. I realize now it was the baby. What if… what if it harmed them?" Hermione whispered, "What if all the curses, the running, the stress… my magic burst out of me that day. I didn't even know what I was doing, and my magic was unleashed."
"Your body was protecting your child, even if you didn't know," Healer Lemon told her as she smiled. "But if it was that large of a magical burst, it's possible it wasn't solely your own. Sometimes, when a mother's life or her child's is threatened, the baby reacts too. Your child reacted to your magic. In sync. Protecting each other. It's rare, but extremely powerful."
"Is that a good thing?" Ron asked.
Healer Lemon smiled, "An extraordinary thing. Your child is not only healthy but thriving. They will be powerful."
Hermione sobbed, wiping her eyes, "See, crying over everything!"
"I think you are doing wonderfully considering," Healer Lemon told her, "If there were signs of magical instability in the baby, I would have seen it in my scans. Your baby is strong."
Ron produced a handkerchief and gave it to her.
"Thank you," Hermione whispered, wiping her eyes, "And thank you, Healer Lemon. I needed to hear that."
"I'll do another scan, just to reassure you, and then we will talk about a plan for the last trimester." Healer Lemon told her.
Hermione exhaled, her hand rubbing her bump, and felt the faintest feeling like a roll.
Healer Lemon moved her wand in a circle over Hermione's stomach, then did some wand work next to her, and suddenly it was the most vivid, clear ultrasound that Hermione had ever seen.
Hermione reached out to touch her baby, and her fingers went through it for a moment. She watched as the tiny heart was beating in the baby's chest, and it moved around.
"It's sucking its thumb," Ron said, amazed.
"It is," Healer Lemon said with a smile.
"Oh my Lord… I'm going to be a Mum," Hermione said, amazed.
~*~ 21st May 1998 ~*~
Hermione stood in front of the mirror in the sitting room, tugging at the hem of her blouse for the third time. No matter how she positioned it, how she turned, it was obvious now. There was a bump. Small but unmistakable.
Now, at twenty-seven estimated weeks in, it was visible enough that with the warming weather, Harry's Quidditch jumper was out, and flowy tops were in.
The Burrow smelled like Molly's pot roast, roasted carrots, and fresh bread, making her mouth water as she slipped into her seat beside Ron.
"You alright?" he asked quietly.
Hermione sighed, reaching for her napkin to cover her lap. "Had to use the loo again. That's the third time in an hour."
Ron chuckled. "We could always turn the bath into a bed, and you can move in there."
"I might as well," Hermione said with a groan, "I swear my bladder is the size of a Galleon."
Fred grinned from across the table. "I don't know, Granger… I think pregnancy looks good on you. Very hot."
Molly was bringing over a bowl of peas and smacked Fred on the back of the head with her wooden spoon. "Fred! That's enough."
Fred rubbed the spot but winked at Hermione. "It's the truth, though."
Hermione rolled her eyes and reached for her fork as Ron filled her plate, then his own. The aroma of the pot roast made her mouth water, and she didn't realize how hungry she was until that first bite.
She was on her second helping when a strange sensation rolled through her. Not pain, but a deep, stretching sensation. It came and went in a matter of seconds, but it was enough to startle her. Her fork clattered against her plate as she dropped it and pressed her hand against her bump.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked.
"I don't know," Hermione said, "Something just feels off. It got… tight, like a cramp, but not painful. It's stopped now."
Molly was beside her in a heartbeat, slipping into the seat next to Hermione. "Show me where, sweetheart."
Hermione placed her hand over the spot. "Right there. It's fine now, but it felt weird."
Molly stood and walked over to an old bookcase in the corner. "Where is it… Ah, yes, Healer O'Shea's Witches' Guide to Prenatal Magic. This hasn't been used since I was pregnant with Ginny." She blew off a cloud of dust and flipped through its worn pages. "Here it is," she said, tapping a page. "You are about the right time along for something Muggles call Braxton Hicks Contractions."
"Contractions?!" Ron half yelled, "That's not good! That's way too early!"
"Not labor contractions, dear," Molly said, smiling at Hermione, "These are just the body's way of practicing. Preparing your body and your magic for the real thing. Perfectly normal for a first-time Mum."
"Oh Lord," Hermione said.
"Drink more water, rest more," Molly continued, gently brushing Hermione's curls from her face. "They'll come and go. I had them constantly with the twins. Poor Arthur thought I was going into labor every other day."
Arthur looked up from the Prophet, "What was that, Dear?"
"Just go back to eating, honey," Molly said, patting his shoulder as she walked by.
Ron looked at her, "You sure you're okay?"
"I think so," Hermione said softly, her hand resting on her stomach.
~*~ 28th May 1998 ~*~
Hermione padded barefoot down the stairs, still sleepy from her nap, rubbing her eyes. The Burrow was unusually quiet. Only she and Molly were in the house at this hour. Ron had gone to help Fred and George as they tried to reopen the store. Arthur was back to work, and Ginny was still freezing her out by staying with Bill and Fleur.
When her feet set down on the floor, the sight that greeted her was surreal. Wool and yarn were everywhere. Multiple colors were everywhere across the floor, stacked in baskets and over the armchair like a green, magical ivy growing up it. Enchanted knitting needles hovered in midair, clicking furiously as they knitted what looked like a jumper. It stopped and clattered to the floor in surprise as Hermione gasped.
"What on Earth?!" Hermione blinked.
"Oh! Hermione!" Molly gasped, clutching a tiny lavender mitten in one hand. "What are you doing up?"
"I wasn't as tired as I thought," Hermione said, surveying the chaos. "What is all this?"
Molly's cheeks were red as she collected herself, waving her wand and catching a few balls of yarn before they rolled under the furniture. "Well… I haven't been able to sleep much lately," Molly admitted, setting down the tiny mitten, "And when I can't sleep, I knit. It keeps my hands busy and my mind calm, and then, well, this happened."
Hermione stared in disbelief as Molly lifted a pair of tiny baby booties, followed by a pastel hat with a pompom on top, a set of rainbow mittens, and a vest no bigger than her hand.
"I've made booties in every colour imaginable. Hats, shirts, trousers, even tried knitting… well…" she hesitated, "Diapers."
Hermione bit her lips together not to laugh. "Diapers?"
"I don't recommend them," Molly said, "They're a good idea in theory, but I doubt they'd hold anything. It seemed worth a try!"
The back door creaked open, and Mr. Weasley stepped into the room, removing his coat. "Molly, darling, I'm… oh Molly," he said with wide eyes, "What have you done?"
Molly huffed, crossing her arms, "If you had told me that you were coming home early. I would have hidden it all in the twins' room like usual!"
"Usual?" Arthur repeated.
Molly flicked her wand, and all the yarn, needles, and knitted creations came together in organized bundles, floating up the stairs. Molly was walking up the stairs behind it.
Hermione covered her mouth to hide her giggles, and Arthur let out a long breath.
"Well, I was going to wait, but I wanted to give this to you," Arthur said, reaching into his coat pocket and withdrawing a tiny object. With a tap of his wand, it expanded into a mobile for a baby. Silver stars and soft gray clouds were hanging from a wooden ring that slowly spun, sparkling when they caught the light.
"I saw this in a little shop off Diagon Alley," Arthur said, "I hope you don't mind. You don't have to use it, of course. I just thought…"
Tears came to Hermione's eyes as her fingers brushed over the tiny stars. "It's beautiful," she said softly. "Thank you, Arthur. I don't mind at all. It's… actually the first thing I have for the baby."
He smiled, "Well then, I'm honoured."
Hermione swallowed hard, looking at it.
"If you and Ron ever want to do some proper shopping, just say the word. The store in Diagon Alley takes special orders. I'd be happy to escort both of you."
Hermione smiled, "I'd like that."
~*~ 2 June 1998 ~*~
The sun had just risen when Hermione stirred beneath the quilt on Ron's bed. Her eyes opened, adjusting to the soft light coming through the orange curtains. She turned her head on the pillow, and for a moment, she expected to see messy black hair beside her.
Instead, she saw Ron. Still asleep, sprawled across the bed that Harry used to sleep in. The sight stole the air from her lungs. She rolled onto her back, one hand resting on the curve of her belly. The baby kicked, a soft movement that was beginning to feel familiar.
Her body was no longer just her own. In the last month, her waistline had grown between Molly's cooking and the relentless cycle of potions. There was no hiding it anymore. She was visibly pregnant.
Hermione's bottom lip quivered as she stared at the ceiling. In the quiet of the early morning, Harry's voice echoed in her mind. "Mommy"
A tear slid from the corner of her eye. Brushing it away, she took a breath and slowly pushed herself upright. Ron didn't stir as she quietly exited the room. Wrapping a knit blanket around her shoulders. The house was still and cool as she made her way down the stairs to the kitchen.
Molly stood at the window overlooking the garden, a cup of tea cradled in her hands.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Good morning."
Molly turned and smiled. "Good morning, Hermione. How are you feeling today?"
Hermione lowered herself slowly into a chair, and her hand automatically went to her bump. "I slept better last night. Ron only had to wake me once… another nightmare."
Molly sighed, her gaze going back to the window. "I don't know what the three of you…you both went through," she said softly. "I know neither of you is ready to tell completely. But I'm here. I hope you know that."
Hermione nodded, pressing her lips together, even though she knew Molly couldn't see.
"Ron mentioned…" Molly hesitated as she glanced at her. "Your parents, that they're… gone?"
Hermione shut her eyes tight. "I found a memory spell," she whispered. "I erased myself from their minds. Made them think they wanted to move to Australia. They sold the house and left England. That's all I know."
Molly crossed the room and rested a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Until we can bring them back," Molly said gently as footsteps creaked down the stairs behind them, "I can't wait to be Gran to this little one."
Hermione's eyes flew to the doorway to see Ron standing frozen in place.
"Um… morning?" he said awkwardly.
Hermione opened her mouth when a sharp scratching sound interrupted her. They all turned toward the window, where an owl sat and started tapping at the glass.
Molly frowned. "The Prophet already came this morning," she said, hurrying over and unfastening the latch.
The owl swooped in and landed on the counter, offering its leg. Molly untied the scroll from it, and the bird turned and took flight again through the open window.
"It's for you," Molly said as she handed it to Hermione.
Hermione stared at the parchment, her fingers trembling as she unwrapped the string and unrolled the parchment.
There were only two words.
I'm okay.
Her throat closed as she stared at the page, her vision blurring as the room's noise faded to a dull, distant ringing. Ron's hand was all she felt as he squeezed her shoulder and stepped away, muttering something to Molly that Hermione didn't hear.
Clutching the letter in her hand, she knew it was proof that he was out there somewhere. Alive. But not here. Still gone. Even though their child had just kicked her, she had never felt so completely alone.
~*~ 5th June 1998 ~*~
The morning turned out to be a dreary one as rain pelted the windows. Her teacup's steam danced around as the day started, just like any other that she had spent at the Burrow. Molly was at the stove, humming to the Wizarding Wireless, which had started playing music again two weeks before. Ron was buttering his toast beside her with one hand, rubbing his eyes with the other as Arthur read the Prophet.
Hermione slowly ate her bowl full of porridge with berries in it, her other hand resting on her stomach. The tiny flutters had recently become hard kicks or sharp elbow nudges. Ron had tried to feel them but had been unable. Hermione was secretly glad. In a way, she wished that by some miracle, Harry would floo in and their baby would miraculously kick for him first.
Arthur passed the first section of the paper to her as he finished it, and she thanked him as she accepted it.
The front page had the usual sensational headlines about recovering from the war. Occasionally, Harry would be mentioned, wondering where he was, but luckily, the press hadn't discovered he had left, if he had left England.
Below the fold, the headline read: "Left Behind: The Orphans of War"
Just the title had her emotional, but she had barely skimmed the first paragraph that listed the number of children affected by the war, when her eyes began to sting.
A black-and-white photo of a little girl with wild curls and dark hair, who was clinging to a Ministry worker's leg, was in the article. It detailed how many of the children had distant relatives, but many of them came from Pureblood families with no relatives. It spoke of temporary shelters, uncertain futures.
Which made her think of Teddy.
A sob ripped through her throat so suddenly, she startled not only herself but everyone else.
Ron dropped his knife, Molly turned away from the stove, and Arthur set his paper down.
Hermione covered her mouth, "I…" she started, but it was like her voice didn't work.
Ron turned to her, pulling her into his side. "Hey… hey…it's okay. Hermione, what's wrong?"
"It's not okay!" Hermione sobbed. "Teddy is never going to know them. He's just a baby, and he doesn't know that he's lost everything!"
Molly came over and sat down next to her, rubbing her back. "Oh, sweetheart, he has Andromeda. She will make sure that he is well cared for. She may have separated herself from the magical world, but that doesn't mean they have no one."
Arthur set the paper aside, and Ron tried to be sneaky about it by sending the remaining part of the paper to the fireplace. "Molly, I'll be late tonight," he said, kissing the side of her head before slipping out.
Ron's face was scrunched up with confusion, so much like Hermione remembered it when he was a kid.
"Ron, you two have your appointment at St. Mungo's today, correct? You should go get dressed." Molly suggested.
Ron jumped up, "Great idea!"
Molly turned back to Hermione, blotting her eyes, "As much as I love my children, I think Bill is the most sensitive out of the bunch. More than even Ginny."
Hermione sniffed as she finally calmed down.
"Feel better?" Molly asked.
Hermione just nodded, "Thank you, Molly."
Molly smiled, "I went through it before, sweetheart. No worries. Arthur and I were sweethearts at Hogwarts, but Arthur wanted to have his job solidified before we were married. He had asked me at graduation, but refused to marry me until he could support me." Her cheeks flushed, "Now, while unmarried pregnancies are frowned upon, they happen. I'm sure there wasn't any sexual education at Hogwarts."
Hermione chuckled, "Just don't do it."
"I figured. There are anticontraceptive charms, but by teaching them, there is an understanding that it could encourage students, so the board would rather pretend it didn't happen. When it very obviously does," Molly told her, "Bill wasn't a Hogwarts baby, but there were two very suspicious instances where girls in my class disappeared to study at home. We weren't ignorant. We knew why." Molly smiled, "What Bill did encourage was Arthur to marry me finally."
Hermione looked at her, "Do you mean…?"
Molly smiled, "Our anniversary, dear, is in April, and Bill was born in November." Molly folded her hands over her lap. "Arthur oversaw the mail and correspondence department at the Ministry before we found out about Bill. When we found out, he applied to every department in hopes someone would hire him. Muggle Relations did, looking back, as much as I cannot believe some of the crazy things my husband has done, I'm glad because he has enjoyed himself. It doesn't earn much compared to the other departments, but he's happy. I was instantly happy about it. Muggle culture has always intrigued him. We were happy. His parents gave us this house as a wedding gift. It was so small, just the kitchen, the bathroom at the time, the sitting room, and the first floor at the time. Ginny's room was Bill's room, and we stayed in Bill's room," Molly reminisced, "Bill was only one when we found out Charlie was coming. We knew we wanted a big family, but never expected to have two children by the time Bill was two." Molly's cheeks pinked again. "Then Percy came when Bill was five and Charlie was three. Until then, we figured the boys could share happily in Bill's room with bunk beds. So, Arthur and his father put the second floor on, with two bedrooms up there. Bill moved upstairs with Charlie, and Percy was down with us. Then Percy was turning one when we found out about the twins."
Molly looked at her, "I love my husband, but when I found out it was going to be twin boys, I grew up with twin brothers. Bill was turning seven, Charlie not yet five, and I was starting to be overwhelmed, but of course, I was the woman of a Pureblood family. Stiff upper lip, carry on." Molly sat back, glancing toward the stairs, "I cried when we found out about Ron, don't tell him that, please."
Hermione shook her head. "Of course not."
"When Ron was born, Bill was nine and Charlie was seven. Poor Percy was four, and the twins hadn't even had their second birthday, when suddenly I had six boys, not yet Hogwarts age," Molly told her. "After Arthur went to bed every night, I cried. I said I had to clean the kitchen, turned on the Wireless, and I cried. But we managed. Bill and Charlie bunked in the room we still call Bill's room. Ginny's room was Percy and Ron's, Fred and George's room became theirs, and Percy's room was our room until Ron was one, and we found out we were pregnant again with Ginny, during a war where people we loved were dying. We were struggling financially even then. In less than ten years of marriage, we went from basically fresh out of Hogwarts to a family of eight. It was overwhelming. I was tired, and Arthur was doing raids to make extra money to keep us afloat. So, honey, when you say you are emotional… I get it. I understand it. Pregnancy does something to our bodies that men do not understand."
"How did you make it work?" Hermione asked.
Molly sighed. "Well, we needed space for a lot of laundry, so the bathroom went upstairs to the third floor, then they put on a fourth floor for our bedroom, then we put Ronnie's room on, and we needed an attic, the garage used to be storage before Arthur's gadgets, and we needed to put the accumulated things."
Hermione smiled, "Like the ghoul?"
Molly laughed, "Like the ghoul, who my brothers brought in. I can't get rid of him because of it."
Hermione laughed, "When Ron first told me about it, I was scared of it. In Muggle superstitions, they are demonic beings that eat dead people."
Molly looked at her, surprised, "Definitely not true. He doesn't want to leave the attic and quite enjoys it because the kids bring him so many snacks. I would always know they weren't eating their food when they asked to use the bathroom during dinner. Their pockets were usually full of carrots."
Hermione giggled.
Molly rubbed her shoulder, "And that is what you now have to look forward to. Sticky fingers, sneaking dinner away."
Hermione rubbed her belly, "I'm starting to get used to the idea."
After her checkup at St. Mungo's, where she learned the baby was doing well, Hermione felt relieved. The baby was still small for the expected age, but she remembered how small Harry was in their first year and didn't expect their baby to be very big. Even her mother once told her she came out all hair compared to the rest of her. After the positive appointment, Ron asked if she wanted to get some ice cream, and she wasn't going to say no.
Hermione was people watching as she sat outside Fortescue's. Some storefronts remained boarded up, some even with evidence of being charred. Others had reopened for the returning customers. Bright and colourful banners in their windows announced their reopening. Families were wandering about, happy to have something close to normalcy returning. Smiling, she was glad to see many people coming in and out of W3's since it reopened earlier in the month.
"Here you go," Ron said, handing her favourite, classic mint chocolate chip to her.
"Thank you, I've been craving this for weeks," Hermione said as she took a big lick.
Ron sat down, leaning back in his chair with his legs stretched out, watching a wizard with an enchanted ladder float around outside his storefront, cleaning it. "So, have you thought about names?"
Hermione paused as the cold of the ice cream melted on her tongue, then licked her lips. "Honestly? No, but yes, too. Just toying with ideas, but nothing definite." She took another lick and frowned.
Ron grinned. "What about Gilderoy?"
Hermione inhaled the cream in her mouth, coughing, "After Lockhart? I think not."
"Alright… what about Bilius? Family tradition, you know, after a family member," Ron told her, grinning.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I'm not hormonal enough to hex you."
"Just saying Bilius James has a ring to it," Ron said. "What about James or Harry? It might be suspicious, but-"
Hermione stared at her ice cream as it just seemed off, "No. If it's a boy, well, we'll see, but I think it's a girl."
"A girl?" Ron asked, surprised.
"I just… feel like it is," She smiled as she looked at him, "Taste this. It tastes off."
Ron took it from her and took a bite, "Tastes like Mint Chocolate Chip to me."
Hermione frowned, rubbing her belly, "Off the top of my head, all I can think of are literary names for girls."
"Of course," Ron said, laughing.
Hermione looked at his cone and leaned forward, taking a big bite of it.
"Hey!" Ron said, pulling it away from her.
Hermione closed her eyes and moaned as the sugars hit her tongue. "Oh my God, what flavour was that?"
"Treacle toffee," Ron said as she stared at him after her eyes fluttered open, "Damnit, here."
Hermione grinned, taking the cone from him, "Thank you. The baby thanks you, too."
Ron pouted as he watched her eat it happily, "That baby is definitely half Harry, because you'd never eat something with that much sugar in it on your own."
"But it's so good," Hermione said around the ice cream.
~*~ 13th June 1998 ~*~
The sitting room was filled with sunlight as it shone through the open windows, which let a breeze kiss the warmth of the day. It was around 20 degrees outside, and Hermione had enjoyed it by sitting outside and reading most of the day in the orchard, the trees giving her shade when the sun was too hot. The wireless was going in the kitchen, and between the sun of the day, the crackling wireless, and the ticking clock, Hermione was struggling to keep her eyes open.
Sighing as she rested her head against Ron's shoulder, she was curled up with Ron's arm around her shoulders as he talked quietly to Arthur.
"Kingsley has had every department head reapply and interview. They are slowly working down through the upper levels of the ministry before being confident that things are turning in the right direction," Arthur told Ron, "Even I and some who have been there for decades had to reapply for our positions."
"That's bold of him," Ron commented, rubbing her shoulder slightly.
"It was necessary," Arthur told him, "Too many were complicit, even if it was quietly. The Ministry will need sweeping reform. You should apply to the Auror office now. I know Kingsley said you had a spot within it."
"I'm not sure if it's what I want to do without Harry," Ron said honestly.
The baby kicked hard and prodded her ribs, making her shift away from Ron.
Ron looked down at her, "What was that? Why did you poke me?"
Hermione blinked, looking up at him. "That wasn't me. It was the baby, it kicked."
Ron's eyes widened as he stared at her belly. "Wait… what? That was the baby?"
Hermione nodded, rubbing where the baby had kicked. "She's been more active the last few days."
Ron sat up straighter. "Merlin's blue balls, there's a baby in there!"
"Ronald!" Molly scolded from the kitchen.
"Sorry, Mum," Ron said, looking stunned. "I mean, I knew there was obviously a baby, but I felt her!"
Arthur chuckled as he stood and patted Ron's shoulder on his way past. "Welcome to adulthood, Ron."
Hermione stretched. "She kicks more when I'm relaxed. I'm afraid she is going to be as active as Harry and not calm like me."
Ron laughed, "You calm?"
Hermione took a pillow and hit him with it.
~*~ 14th June 1998 ~*~
For the first time since the war had ended and everyone had returned to their homes, every surviving member of the Weasley family, plus Hermione herself, had returned to the Burrow for dinner.
The roasting chicken in the oven was making Hermione's mouth water, as well as the smell of fresh rolls that she may have stolen at least one of.
Upstairs, the floorboards creaked under the weight of what began as Ron and George trying to put the baby's cot together. Fred joined in, and when Charlie and Bill had arrived, they made their way upstairs as well.
"Be careful!" She heard Ron yell on multiple occasions, only for one of his brothers to grumble at him.
Hermione rubbed her lower back, which had started to bother her as she left the kitchen.
George ran down the stairs and out the back door, only to return with a screwdriver as he ran up the stairs.
Hermione stared up at them as Fleur followed her into the sitting room, "They've been up there for at least 30 minutes, and they didn't have a screwdriver?" She looked at the older woman, "Is there a screwdriver spell?"
"No," She said with a smile.
"Be careful! That's the headboard, and it's upside down!" Ron shouted.
"It's a bloody crib, Ron. It can be turned around!" George yelled back.
Hermione sighed as she slowly sat down on the sofa, "Look what you have to look forward to."
Fleur sat down beside her with grace that made Hermione feel like a two-footed hippogriff, "'Ow are you feeling, cherie?"
Hermione rubbed her belly and gave her a tired smile. "I am about 30 weeks now, and I have to pee all the time. It's awful. My breasts ache, and the heartburn has been so bad this week that I've fallen asleep two days in a row in Arthur's chair."
Fleur winced. "Ze joys of growing life."
"I feel enormous," Hermione said as she put her feet up on the coffee table, "My ankles look like tree trunks."
"But you are so tiny. Do not stress," Fleur assured her.
"Healer Lemon says I'm measuring small, but still healthy," Hermione told her as Ron came down the stairs with his knuckles wrapped with toilet tissue and bleeding.
"Hermione, did you drink any water lately? You need to stay hydrated?" Ron asked as he went into the kitchen and grabbed her glass, "No, you didn't drink. Is your back hurting? Do you need pillows?"
"I'm fine, Ron," Hermione told him.
"Right," Ron nodded, "Just checking."
"Hey, Ronnie! Where are the instructions?"
"You baffoons, you lost them?!" Ron yelled, running back upstairs.
Fleur looked at her, "Ron seems stressed."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "He's driving me absolutely mad. He felt her kick yesterday, and I think it sent him into panic mode."
Molly walked over to the stairs and yelled upstairs. "Everyone! Dinner is ready! Ginny!"
Fleur stood and helped Hermione up. "Thanks," Hermione said as she followed Fleur into the kitchen.
Sitting down, everyone slowly filed in, even Ginny, who still refused to even look at Hermione.
Arthur looked at Ron as they all settled in to eat, "So how is the crib looking?"
"George broke it!" Charlie yelled.
"I did not!" George said, throwing a roll at him, "It was Fred!"
Bill rolled his eyes, "And I fixed it and finished it. Because I can read directions."
"They were in another language!" Fred defended.
"Not when you flipped them over," Charlie said, hitting him in the back of the head.
~*~ 21st June 1998 ~*~
The kitchen was filled with chatter and scraping of plates when Hermione returned from another trip to the loo, rubbing her belly gently as she went over to her chair. Fred spoke up, "Make way, make way, hormonal mother coming through," Fred announced.
"Oh, shut it," Hermione said, lowering herself back into her chair between Ron and George.
Adjusting the pillow that Ron had put on her chair, George looked at her. "Oi! Look at this!"
George reached over and gave her newly popped belly button a gentle poke with his index finger, "It's like an actual button now! Does it make a sound if I press it? Ding ding?"
Hermione elbowed him sharply in his stomach. "You two are menaces."
Molly waved her fork at them, "You two need to leave the poor girl alone."
"But it's fascinating," George stated, "I'm just making observations for future product purposes."
Hermione glared at him, "If you suggest a belly button buzzer, I'm hexing you." She said, settling back into dinner.
Molly was pulling out a pie and had set it down on the table when she looked at Hermione. "Oh, Hermione dear, have you given any thought to whether you'd like a baby shower?"
Hermione looked at her, surprised, "A baby shower? Do they even have those in the wizarding world?"
"Not typically," Molly admitted, "But they do in the Muggle world, don't they? Seems like a lovely thing to me. Presents, cakes, and games, right? I think it would be a fun way to see your old friends and welcome the little one."
Hermione's fork paused halfway to her mouth. "I mean… I hadn't really thought of it."
"I'd be happy to organize it for you. I'd just need a list of who you'd like to invite," Molly stated.
Hermione glanced at Ginny, who was still avoiding speaking with her, "I don't know who I'd invite. Luna, of course, and everyone here." She looked at Ron, "Beyond that… I don't know."
Molly smiled at her, "If you change your mind, let us know."
~*~ 28th June 1998 ~*~
Hermione was in the laundry room folding sheets, the smell of Molly's dinner drifting in as the late afternoon sun warmed her skin through the windows, when she heard the floo.
"Molly, dear, I have brought a visitor!"
"Minister!" Molly exclaimed, "You should have told me you were coming! I'd have made something special."
Hermione hurried out of the laundry room to see Kingsley remove his cloak. "Molly, please. I'm just Kingsley here, an old friend. No need for ceremony."
"Hello, Kingsley," Hermione said, "Do you come with word from Harry?"
Kingsley looked over at her, and his face softened. "No news yet, I'm afraid. But I know where he is. He is safe. You can trust me on that. He'll contact us soon."
Hermione lowered herself onto the sofa with a huff as Ron came down the stairs.
"Hey, Kingsley. Any word-" he started as Hermione cut him off.
"Nope!" Hermione said, feeling angry.
Ron looked at her, then at Kingsley, "Don't mind her. She hasn't been sleeping well."
"How are things for the two of you?" Kingsley asked, "I know when you two visited Diagon Alley a few weeks ago, Rita wrote that article. Have you gotten any backlash?"
"That pest," Hermione huffed. "Called me fat!"
"Well, they don't know you are pregnant, Hermione," Ron defended. "I've been helping Fred and George out at the shop, and people stop in and ask if we are really together. I try to avoid answering it."
"Ready to join us yet at the Ministry?" Kingsley asked him.
Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe after the baby is born. Fred and George still need an extra hand right now, getting the place back together. To be honest, it's nice not having to wear robes."
"Understandable," Kingsley said, seeing Molly's newest creation on the back of Arthur's chair. "A new blanket, Molly?"
"No, actually, that's a breastfeeding cloak for me to wear when I'm at Hogwarts," Hermione chimed in.
Kingsley pulled his hand back like it had burned him, and Ron snorted.
Hermione chucked a pillow at Ron, who caught it laughing.
"That was actually some good aim, Hermione," Ron laughed, "Impressive since you don't usually have it."
"Careful, Ron. You don't tease a pregnant woman this close to the end," Molly warned, returning to the kitchen.
Kingsley smiled, sitting down in Molly's chair. "It's good to see laughter in homes again."
~*~ 8th July 1998 ~*~
The stairs creaked beneath Hermione's feet as she made her way back down the stairs. One hand was on the banister while the other rested under her belly. At 31 weeks along, she felt like her weight was pressing on her bladder even though she was just in the loo.
Halfway down to the ground floor, a rush of dizziness swept over her. "Oh!" She gasped.
"Hermione!" Fred yelled as he was instantly at her side, catching her as her knees gave way. He swept her into his arms and carried her into the sitting room. "Mum! Ron! Something's wrong with Hermione!"
"I'm okay," Hermione murmured as they rushed into the room, "Just got lightheaded for a second."
"Here, drink this," Molly said, giving her a cold glass of water.
Hermione sipped it as Molly hovered, brushing her hair back.
"You're warm," Molly said, concerned, "Ron, floo Healer Lemon, now."
"Molly really-" Hermione stated.
"Humour me," Molly told her.
Within moments, Healer Lemon was stepping through the floor. "Good evening. I heard you had an episode. What happened?"
"I'm so sorry they bothered you," Hermione said, embarrassed, "I just got a bit dizzy, that's all."
"And nearly passed out on the stairs," Fred stated.
"Let's have a quick look," Healer Lemon stated, giving Hermione a quick exam. "You're fine, and so is the baby. But your blood pressure is a little high, and I can see the bags under your eyes. You are dehydrated. Get more rest, feet up more often, and drink your water."
Hermione couldn't help the yawn that escaped from her mouth. "I've just had a hard time sleeping. Before the heartburn and the baby moving."
"And your brain does not want to shut off. I have you figured out, Hermione Granger," Healer Lemon said, closing her case. "Hermione, you have less than two months to go. It's time to take it easy."
"I'll try," Hermione told her.
"You'll do more than try," Molly told her.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure that she does," Ron assured.
~*~ 10th July 1998 ~*~
The room was quiet. Molly had gone to Shell Cottage to help Fleur and Bill. Ron was at WW3s helping his brothers, and Arthur was at work. For the first time since she had been staying at the Burrow, she was completely by herself.
She lay curled up on the couch, a book propped open, resting against her legs and her bump. Softly reading to the baby.
The baby gave a gentle kick in response to the page, and she chuckled. "Oh, you liked that little one?"
Suddenly, the Floo lit up and Hermione sat up slightly as the green flames danced. Then out stepped a tall man coated in soot and dirt.
Harry.
His hair was shorter as if he'd attempted to cut it himself. They locked eyes and both froze.
"Harry?" she breathed.
He dropped his rucksack from his shoulder and crossed the room. Without a word, he sank to his knees next to her, cupping her face in his hands before kissing her.
"Harry," she whispered against his lips, "We missed you."
"We?" he asked, confused.
She took his hand and laid it against her stomach. The moment his fingers touched the curve of her bump, he tensed.
"Hermione?"
"Harry, she's yours."
Time stopped as Harry stared at her belly. Stumbling backwards, he stood up as if she had contaminated him. "No…No, I can't, Hermione, we can't," he said. He ran a hand over his hair. "I'm not even eighteen! I'm not… I don't even know who I am right now! I should have died!"
"I know it's a lot," She told him, trying to push herself to sit up, "I tried writing you-"
"I can't do this," he snapped, grabbing his bag. "I'm sorry. I just can't."
He turned to the fireplace, snatching a handful of Floo powder from the bowl.
"Harry, NO!" She cried, trying to stand.
He looked at her, his face pale through the soot. "I'm sorry." And then he was gone.
"HARRY!" she screamed, collapsing to her knees as the flames died.
"Hermione! Wake up! Hermione!"
Her eyes flew open in the darkened room, her chest heaving, and her face wet with tears. Ron was kneeling beside her, and she sat up, clinging to him.
"Shhh… it was just a dream. You're safe," Ron said, rubbing her back.
Hermione sobbed into his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt like a lifeline. "He doesn't want to come back," she whispered.
Ron's hand rubbed slow, circles on her back as he rested his chin on her head. "He will. He will come back. When he finds out, he'll come back. Trust me."
Hermione nodded even if her heart told her otherwise. "Stay with me?"
Ron, awkward with his long limbs, climbed into bed with her. "Is this okay?"
Hermione sighed, nodding as she drifted back into a restless sleep.
The sun had only begun to rise as she stirred again, her dream still weighing heavily on her mind. Ron laid on his back beside her, one arm over his face, snoring. She blinked at the dark ceiling, her chest feeling heavy as she carefully rolled out of bed.
The Burrow was quiet as she carefully walked down the stairs to use the loo. Washing her hands slowly, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and nearly didn't recognize herself.
There were shadows under her eyes, and her face was slightly swollen. Extinguishing the light, she couldn't bear to look at how old she saw herself.
Instead of returning to bed, she went to the sitting room. Curling up on the sofa, she reached for a small stack of books that Ron had purchased from Diagon Alley and grabbed the top one.
Preparing for Parenthood: The Witches Guide to a Magical Birth.
Thumbing through the pages, diagrams and advice filled the pages. Everything felt clinical, like she was reading a medical book. Predictable. She wanted to consider the worst-case scenarios and what could go wrong, because she felt like lately everything had been going wrong.
The shuffle of slippers on the stairs made her glance up to see Molly in her dressing gown. "Hermione, honey, why are you up?"
Hermione shut the book on her lap. "Can't sleep."
Molly walked over and sat down beside her. "What's on your mind?"
"I just… I feel so unprepared," Hermione confessed, "There is so much that I don't know. So much that I don't have… and I appreciate everything that you do for me, but I miss my Mum."
Molly picked up the book, "A Witches Guide to a Magical Birth. Honestly, these books are all written by people who've probably never even changed a nappy, let alone birthed a baby."
Hermione smiled.
"I know you've always relied on books. But no book will teach you everything, and as far as your Mum is concerned. I don't want to replace her. I want to step in for her until she can be here," Molly told her.
"Before Ron and Harry, all I had were my books. It's where I go when I feel lost. My safety net." Hermione admitted.
"No book is going to teach you how to trust yourself," Molly told her, squeezing her foot. "Your safety net is bigger. You have a lot of people who care. Me, Arthur, Ron, even Fred and George, in their own way. Bill and Fleur. And soon, you'll have that little one in your arms, and I'll admit, you'll feel lost all over again, but in a good way. She'll also help you find pieces of yourself you didn't know you were missing."
Hermione swallowed her tears back. "You said she. Do you think it's a girl, too?"
Molly grinned, "We need more females in our family. It will all work out the way it should, though. Books or no books."
Hermione swiped the tear from her face. "Thank you, Molly."
"Now, do you want to go back to sleep? I can make you a cup of warm milk. If not, rest here and I'll make breakfast," Molly told her, standing.
"I'm just going to rest here," Hermione told her.
Molly nodded as she headed toward the kitchen.
~*~ 18th July 1998 ~*~
Hermione laid back against the examination cot in Healer Lemon's office as Healer Lemon gently waved her wand over her.
"Still measuring small," Healer Lemon said, "But everything looks perfect. The baby is right on schedule."
Hermione nodded. "I've been so tired lately. I haven't been sleeping well. My back aches, everything aches. My ankles and feet are swelling no matter how much I keep them up."
Healer Lemon smiled at her. "Right on track for where you are in your pregnancy. Everything you mentioned is pretty normal unless it's in excess. You are carrying well. You are a small woman, so even if the baby is small, it takes up a lot of space." She patted Hermione's arm, "It's the final stretch. The baby is expected to arrive at any time within the next four to six weeks. Just keep resting, drink lots of water, and try to avoid stress."
Hermione gave her a weak smile and wanted to laugh. Avoiding stress.
Ron held her hand as they walked out of the lift and to the waiting area. "George wants us to stop by the shop before heading back. They took everything after the initial reopening sell-off and packed it up, and they are cleaning it from top to bottom, he said he has something for us."
Hermione groaned. "I love your brothers, but I swear if it's another prototype of the enchanted diaper again-"
Ron laughed. "They swore they'd stop that."
They took the Floo into the back of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Ron went through first, stepping out, and Hermione followed so that Ron could catch her if needed. Her balance had been off lately.
Stepping out of the packed stockroom, a loud chorus erupted around them.
"SURPRISE!"
Hermione would have stumbled if Ron hadn't caught her with his arm around her waist. Blinking, she took in the crowd of familiar faces.
"What the hell is this, George?" Ron asked.
Fred walked over to them with a wide grin and threw his arm around Hermione's shoulder. "It's your Pre-Labour party! You said you didn't want a baby shower, but you never said no to this!"
Hermione frowned. "I didn't realize that this was a thing."
"Well, it is now!" George said, walking over, a tray of pink and blue cupcakes floating behind him. "Pick one. It's how we are tallying who thinks the sex of the baby will be."
"Hermione, you looked shocked. Do you think we'd pass up a chance to celebrate Baby Granger?" Fred asked.
Luna skipped over, her hair woven with flowers like a crown. "Hermione! You look wonderful. The goddesses have blessed you. You're glowing like the fairies are dancing all around you."
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle as she looked around, realizing that the twins had invited most of the DA. Everyone from Neville to Seamus, even Lee Jordan, was sipping Butterbeer and nibbling on snacks.
"Congratulations, Hermione!"
"Wow, you are almost there!"
"You look amazing!"
Everyone stopped to say hello to her, giving her their best wishes. Ron stayed at her side, helping her balance and rubbing her lower back when she tensed, knowing that it was hurting her. He did everything for her that a partner should, and it reminded Hermione with every passing moment that Harry should be there with them.
After an hour, Hermione's head was throbbing in time with the music that Lee was blasting, and her feet ached. She had worn her softest slippers, not realizing how long she would be on them.
Tugging Ron's sleeve as he talked to Neville, she whispered in his ear. "Ron, I'm tired and my feet hurt. Can we go home?"
Ron looked up as another floating nappy zoomed at his head. Ducking, he swatted it away from him. "I think they are doing it on purpose," he grumbled, looking around, then spotting Fred. "We're heading out! Hermione needs her rest!"
George clapped, and everyone quieted. "Oi, everyone! Say goodbye to Mum and Dad!"
Everyone cheered, and Hermione shied away from the attention, giving a small wave. Hearing Ron being called Dad made her uneasy.
Luna skipped over and gently hugged her again. "I'll come visit soon, if that's okay?"
Hermione smiled at her. "I'd love that."
Luna turned and hugged Ron, whispering something about moonstones and temporary paternal blessings. "Um… thanks?"
Once back at the Burrow, Hermione collapsed on the sofa. The ticking of the clock was a welcome home from the chaos. Staring at the fire, she looked up at Ron, "I feel like we're lying to all of them."
Ron sat across from her on the coffee table, "Only until he gets back. Besides, we never said I was the dad. George said it, not us. It will probably get out there, but that might help with the cover story until we tell him."
Hermione rubbed her belly, tears coming to her eyes again. "I just miss him so much."
Ron took her hands. "Me too. We should try to write to him again. It's been nearly a week."
Hermione nodded. "I need to nap first."
Ron helped her lie down and smoothed her hair away from her face. "Rest. I've got you."
Preview of Chapter 17 – Never Grow Up
Hermione's voice trembled. "No, my water broke, Ginny!"
"Fuck!" Ginny yelled, running past the table and diving for the fireplace. "W3 Joke shop!"
Hermione waddled over to a chair and lowered herself down slowly.
"RON?! FRED?! GEORGE?! ANYBODY!?" Ginny yelled into the floo.
Ron's voice answered, "What's the matter, Gin?"
"Hermione's water broke! Mum and Dad aren't here!" Ginny yelled, panicked.
"Move!" Ron shouted, and seconds later, he stumbled through the fireplace. Running into the kitchen.
"Ron, stop!" Hermione and Ginny both yelled as he slipped in the puddle on the floor, crashing to the ground.
Ron groaned, "Why is the floor wet?"