-1Chapter 1:
Nine Months is an Awfully Long Time
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.
Hermione placed her head in her hands and stared at the cup of coffee on the table. She was sitting in a local muggle coffee shop opposite of Harry. It was one of those rare days that Ron was working late, so she and Harry went out for coffee to keep each other company. Today, Hermione had a very large dilemma with which she needed Harry's advice.
"Harry, I don't know how this could have happened. We're always so careful."
"Hermione, I don't understand what the problem is. You and Ron have been married for three months now. Surely you two have discussed having children."
"Yes, but I didn't expect this to happen so soon. I thought that we'd have moved out of the Burrow and had good, stable careers before we had any children. What's Ron going to say about this?"
"If I know Ron at all- and after nearly eleven years, I'd say that I do- he'll be thrilled that you're having his children. That's all he's ever really wanted."
"Harry please. Singular. I am having Ron's CHILD. Let's get through the first one before we talk about children."
Yes, Hermione Granger Weasley was pregnant. She'd found out the day before and was now contemplating the best way to tell her husband the news. Hermione was really nervous about how well Ron was going to take the shock. They'd only been married for 3 months! Hermione was 21 and Ron wasn't even that old yet. What were they doing having children already?
"Harry, I just need some time to think this over. I've never been irresponsible in my life, and I don't plan on starting now. Thank you for all your help, but it's time to face the magic and tell Ron that, strange as it seems, he's going to be a father."
Hermione pushed back her chair and stood up. She put down a galleon on the table. Then, she walked around the table and Harry stood up and hugged Hermione.
"Don't worry about telling Ron- he loves you no matter what happens. This isn't your fault" Harry whispered in her ear. Hermione pulled away from Harry and nodded her head. She put on her scarf and hat and walked out the door into the brisk winter day. She set up the street arguing with herself as to what the best choice of words to use were. Soon, she saw the Burrow looming in the distance. Hermione had sold her flat to start saving money for her and Ron's first house. Currently, they were holed up in Ron's old room until they came up with enough money for the house of their own.
Hermione reached the door and walked inside. Molly called a greeting from the kitchen where a delightful smell was wafting through the door. Hermione walked up the stairs and into her and Ron's room. She threw her coat on the bed and drew the curtains. She quickly looked out the window and saw a tall red-headed figure heading up the walk. She took a deep breath as he climbed the stairs and then threw on a smile as Ron entered the room.
"Hello Darling" he said as he walked over and kissed Hermione on the cheek. "I had a lovely day at work, we got a lot accomplished and I think I can get us good tickets for the World Cup in Ireland this year. How was your day?"
"Oh, that's wonderful darling, Harry and Ginny will be so excited. Um, dear, I have a piece of news for you."
"Oh yeah? Good or Bad?"
"I think that you'd better sit down."
Ron looked over at Hermione with a puzzled expression on his face. "Um, okay Hermione." He sat down on the bed and stared at her with an expectant look on his face.
"Ron, I know that this is unexpected and completely and utterly a surprise, but- I just found out yesterday- Ron, you and I aren't going to be you and I for much longer."
"Um, what do you mean?"
"Ron, I'm pregnant."
"Wait, WHAT?"
"Ron, you, me, Parents. 7 more months."
"Oh my!" Ron got up from his seat and ran at her. He hugged her and picked her up so that her feet didn't touch the ground. They stood that way for a long time. Then, Ron finally put her back on the ground and stepped back. He held her at arm's length.
"Hermione, I can't believe it! So how did this happen? No, never mind, I know how this happened. I was there. But- I'm so excited. Me- A father. You-YOU the mother of my child. I-this is the happiest day of my life. I've got my girl and-"
"Ron, I know I'm thrilled too, but aren't you worried about our- ah- current situation?"
"No! We've got 9 months to worry about that, and now that I know, 9 months is long enough to wait."
"Seven, actually" Hermione said and Ron kissed her long and hard before pulling her by the hand out the door and down the stairs to tell everyone else their good news.
"That went relatively well" Hermione thought to herself as she was pulled along in Ron's wake, smiling all the way.