Taking a deep breath Hermione glanced at the time, "Merlin." Summoning her patronus she sent a quick message to Mrs. Weasley apologizing for being late and letting her know she'd be there shortly. Getting up from her desk and stretching for the first time since lunch she begun quickly sorting the stack of files on her desk so she'd know where to continue come Monday. Grabbing her cloak she heard a polite knock on her office door, turning slightly she is met by her assistant, Hogwarts graduate, Olivia Moore, holding a stack of parchment.
"I'm sorry Ms. Granger but these just came over for you from the Ministers office."
Taking the pile and scanning it she replied "That's alright Olivia, it's nothing that can't wait until Monday. Enjoy your weekend."
Within 5 minutes she was making her way to the floo system, her heels echoing through the empty halls. Unable to suppress a shiver down her spine, Hermione picked up her pace and absently touching her abdomen. Ever since Dolohov hit her with that curse in their 5th year she found she felt an unease whenever she was alone in the ministry, despite knowing that Voldemort was gone and Dolohov was locked safely away in Azkaban. Suppressing another shiver she grabbed a handful of floo powder, hurriedly throwing it down saying "The Burrow", painless green flames claiming her.
Gracelessly stumbling into the living room of the burrow a smile played at her lips as she wiped the soot off her cloak hearing the cloud of voices from the kitchen. Shedding her cloak and draping it on the couch, she maked a beeline toward the voices.
Molly smiled widely as soon as Hermione entered the kitchen. "Hermione! It's about time dear. I got your otter but I was beginning to worry!"
Hiding a grin as she walked into Mrs. Wesley's embrace, mumbling another quick apology before taking her seat between Harry and Ron, giving the latter a quick peck on the cheek even as he continued his conversation without noticing. Beginning to full her plate she took a mental note of everyone at the table. Ron was engaged in an intense conversation about quidditch with George and Bill. Arthur and Charlie were talking about Charlie's newest book on more practical uses for dragon hide. Molly, Tonks, Fleur and a very pregnant Ginny were all talking about the differences between their pregnancies. To her right Remus, Sirius, and Harry were laughing about some kind of prank the two Marauders had pulled with James in their years at Hogwarts.
"Aunt Mini!"
Briefly making eye contact with Tonk, Hermione's smile grew ear to ear as she turned to face the source of the screech. 4 year old Teddy came barreling into the kitchen from the stairs and immediately flung himself into her arms. Smothering his face with kisses she turned back to the table. To say she was shocked when Remus and Tonks asked her to be Teddy's godmother, along side Harry, would have been an understatement. She was unsure about her decision to accept until the moment she first held him. Teddy had been the light of her life ever since. In between kisses and giggles she watched in awe as his regular finger length turquoise hair grew out into shoulder length chestnut waves. Smiling wider at his display she knew she would never grow tired of watching him morph before her eyes.
"How's my favorite boy?"
"Uncle George took me with him to the Joke shop. We played pranks on everyone!" he exclaimed reaching for some of her potatoes.
"Did he, love? Sounds like you had a fun day."
As she continued to share her dinner with him the young boy animatedly talked about his day that seemed full of pranking unsuspecting customers with his Uncle George. Kissing his head and continuing to listen she began eating again. All the while taking no notice to the set of eyes trained on her as she doted on her godson, giggling at the recount of his day.
Following dinner everyone retired to the garden for a game of quidditch while Fleur and Molly cleaned up. Hermione attempted to help but was quickly pushed from the kitchen and told to go relax. Despite the order from the Weasley matriarch Hermione continued to entertain a young rambunctious Teddy until his eyes started to droop. Picking him up she walked over to sit in the lawn chair next to Ginny, who was still sporting a sour look watching the game before her.
"Gin, you can't stay mad at him forever. You know he's only thinking of you and the baby."
"I know but it's still so aggravating. I was with the Harpies from 4 years! I know how to play safe."
"You played professionally for 4 years, you know there is no safe way to play quidditch," Hermione laughed.
"Yes, yes, fine." Ginny huffed, turning her attention to Hermione, "Now tell me, what's going on with you and Ron? Oh don't give me that look Mione, he barely spoke to you at dinner."
"I don't know Gin", she sighed, "he's becoming distant. Things have come to a complete halt and when I try to talk to him about it he just shuts down. He'll come to me when he's ready to talk."
Ron and Hermione had begun their relationship shortly after the war. At the time it felt safe, it felt right, but over the years it lost something. As much as she tried, Ron never returned her attempts to reignite things. He'd continue to say they were fine and just busy with their careers. Yet here they were 5 years after the war and despite sharing a flat, they barely saw one another outside of the weekend and dinners at the Burrow.
"I'm sure things with work out." Ginny turned to face the game once more with half a shrug, "On a lighter note, would you like to go to Diagon Alley with me tomorrow? We can have some lunch and you can help me pick out a new gown for this upcoming gala? So far I can't find anything that will fit without making me look like a hippogriff."
"Of course" she chuckled, knowing full well that despite her complaints Ginny adored being pregnant.
Their conversation stalled from there as they began to watch the family quidditch match in front of them. Looking down at Teddy hugging tight to her chest as he slept Hermione smiled and closed her eyes for a brief moment.
"Kitten."
Opening her eyes she is meet by a sea of molten grey staring at her. "Sirius?" Looking around she noticing that Ginny was gone from her side, the game was over, and dust had come. Herself and Teddy were covered with a blanket while Remus, Tonks, Molly, Arthur, and Bill sat at the benches near the house. "What time is it? Where is everyone?"
"Late. Harry took Ginny home shortly after the game. Ron left already, said something about letting you sleep." Sivering at the thought Hermione couldn't help but feel hurt. Not only because Ron had left without her but also because he was beginning to speak to freely about her sleeping patterns lately.
"Kitten?"
"Yes, " she shook herself lightly, "sorry. Thank you for waking me. I should probably be getting home." Lifting Teddy in her arms, she snuggled the blanket around the boy to keep him warm and made her way over to the table with Sirius. Passing Teddy to his mother she said her goodbyes quickly before making her way back inside and into the floo.
"I feel like a whale," Ginny pouted.
"Stop it. You're pregnant and glowing! You are going to look beautiful, you just need the right dress."
"I hate this. Why does Kingsley insist on having this gala each year?" Stifling a giggle at Ginny's huffs and curses, Hermione began browsing the stacks absently. "What about you Mione? Are you going to indulge and get a new dress?"
"No, I have that blue gown that I was going to wear. No use buying another when I'll only wear it once."
"Honestly woman, you should spoil yourself a bit!" Ginny huffed. Picking up a dress she thrust it at Hermione, "Try this one, it is stunning! No don't argue with the pregnant lady, in you go."
Having been shut in the dressing room Hermione gave in knowing Ginny wouldn't let her go without seeing her in the dress. Silently she slipped it on and glanced in the mirror making herself pause on her way out of the dressing room. The dress was simply beautiful, more so than the blue number she was planning on wearing. It clung to her curves and had a sweetheart neckline that met a beautiful lace that stretched over her shoulders and down her arms three fourths of the way. Twisting she couldn't help but smile at the way the fabric clung to her hips all while the hemline itself plunged to her lower back, showing off plenty of skin. Walking out she couldn't help but smile at Ginny's reaction.
"Hermione! You look breathtaking! You have to get it!"
"I think I will" she said with a smile as she looked at herself once again, her hands smoothing down the sides of the dress. Ginny watched her a bit enviously before Hermione walked back into the dressing room.
After taking their purchases to the counter, they paid and quickly said their goodbyes with promises to meet before the gala next Friday to get ready together. Going their own ways, Hermione apparated directly into the flat she shared with Ron, still smiling as she clutched the garment bag she held. Her smile quickly fell as she heard a feminine moan that had her stomach dropping into her toes. Knowing what she was going to find, she continued toward the noise coming from her bedroom. With a deep breath she attempted to stop her hand from shaking as she opened the door. Taking in the sight before her, her heart shattered. Between their sheets, Ron was with Lavender Brown, who squeaked and tried to hide under Ron when she notice Hermione in the doorway.
"Hermione!" said Ron, finally noticing her.
Ignoring his call she summoned her bags as her belongings were shrinking and fitting themselves neatly into her luggage. Ron scrabbled from the bed and attempted to make his way to her while Lavender tried to sink into the bed and hide. "Hermione, think about this-"
"No Ron, I'm done. I'm not blind, I knew there were problems but Merlin at least I was trying! If you weren't happy you should have just said so. Merlin knows I tried to talk about it enough! This...this is it." Grabbing her now packed bags she fled the room knowing Ron wouldn't follow in his state of undress.
"Mione wait!"
Reaching the fireplace she grabbed a pinch of floo powder and called out Harry's address. The last thing she saw as the green flame enveloped her was Ron running into the room calling her name.
