Disclaimer: I do not own HP or any of the characters, I just have a sick mind and like to play with them once in a while.

Hermione had been gone for three days. Ron did not know where she went or why she left. She said she had to go to Diagon Alley to pick up a new box of quills for Hugo because he was on his last quill at school. She did not return that evening. Ron thought that maybe he had just misheard her. He thought that maybe she said she was going to take him the quills instead of sending them by owl, but the next day Ron got a letter from Hugo asking if his mother had picked up his quills yet. Ron was starting to get worried. He made a trip to Harry's house to see if she was there but he hadn't seen her in a month. Then he went to Diagon Alley and no one had seen her there since before school started. Ron picked up a box of quills and sent them to Hugo so he didn't start to worry when he didn't hear from anyone. He was such a worrywart. Ron went to every other place in the area that he could think of where she might be, but his search left him even more depressed and worried.

He was worried maybe she was really done with him. They had had a rough year together. They just could not agree on anything and they were beginning to fight constantly, even with the children around. Harry pulled Ron aside a month before, asked if things were all right, and asked if he wanted to talk. Ron said that it was not a big deal and they would be fine. And for a month, things seemed to be fixing themselves. It was not until Hermione left that Ron wondered if she had found someone else and that was why she had been friendlier with him.

He was sitting on their porch trying to think of whom she might be with when he saw an owl flying in from the distance. The large barn owl landed on the arm of the chair and stuck out his leg that had the letter tied to it. Ron hastily untied the letter and ripped it open, startling the bird. He read quickly as the bird flew away.

Dear Ron,

I'm sorry I left the way I did, but something came up with my mom and dad. I couldn't write until now. I hope you aren't upset with me. I wish I could tell you more but I won't in a letter. I need to tell you something. If you could find the time to come out here, I will explain everything. I know you are going to find it hard to grasp, but I hope that you and I can work it out. Miss you and hope to see you soon.

Your love,
Hermione

Ron tucked the letter in his wallet and went to change. He did not know what she could have to say that would turn out well in his head. Apparently from the letter, she still loves him, but if she thinks he will take whatever she has to tell him hard, he probably will. She knows him very well.

After a quick shave and shower, he put on jeans and the polo shirt the Hermione bought him last Christmas. She loves the way it matches his eyes. He sprayed on a little cologne and disapparated. He appeared in the alley behind Hermione's parents' home. He brushed off a little dust, walked around the house to the front door, and rang the doorbell.

Hermione answered within seconds. She apparently was sitting by the door. "Hi baby. I missed you." Hermione hugged Ron tightly and kissed him before he could say anything.

"I missed you too. I was worried." Ron replied and hugged her again.

Hermione's smile fell, "I know. I'm sorry. I left some stuff here when we got married and I forgot about a few potions ingredients that I left in vials. Most of the stuff was powdered. Well, I never bothered to label stuff like that. I could tell them apart by their characteristics. I've always be..."

Ron put a hand up, "Honey. I know you are brainy but before you get carried away, will you finish the story?"

Hermione grinned, "Sorry. Old habits die hard. Anyway, my parents wanted to clean out this room to put in a study. They are getting close to retirement and want a better place to read. When I was young, I used to study dirt. So when my parents came in here and found vials full of mostly brown powder, they assumed it was dirt. They went out into the backyard and dumped the contents of all the vials on the lawn. Most of them, strengthened with age, should not be combined. Well, it was a mess. I got an owl from my mother minutes after my father started growing scales and she had actual little flames on her toes and water made it worse. They are at St. Mungo's now. I have been here trying to clean up the backyard. It looks like a meteor hit. I told them I'd clean the rest of my room out before they got back so nothing like this would happen again."

By the time Hermione finished her story, Ron was rolling with laughter, "Hermione, I would have paid to see your dad with scales. Shame you couldn't take any pictures."

"Ron, you do know that when someone is admitted to St. Mungo's, they have pictures taken of the ailment, so if it ever shows up again, the hospital will know what to do." Hermione pointed out.
Ron grinned, "Blimey. I wonder if they have pictures of dad's snakebite. Anyway, in your letter you said you wanted to tell me something."

Hermione nodded and stared at the floor, "Ron, I'm pregnant."

Ron smiled even bigger, making his face look almost cut in half, "Hermione that's wonderful news. Why did you think...?" Ron was cut off by Hermione's whispers. "What did you say love?"

Hermione looked at Ron, "The baby isn't yours."

"WHAT?! What do you mean it's not my baby? You are my wife! You have been screwing around on me! I cannot believe it Mione! Why didn't you just tell me you wanted to be with someone else? I thought we were adults!" Ron was on his feet, huffing and puffing in anger.

Hermione looked down again, "I didn't cheat on you."

Ron roared again, "Oh what? You just up and got pregnant by yourself, did you?"

"Sort of," replied Hermione, not looking away from Ron's feet.

Ron cocked his head to the side, "Huh?"

Hermione looked up again, "Well it's a Muggle technique. They take the man's sperm and the women's eggs out of the bodies and, in a laboratory, they insert the sperm into the egg. Then they put the egg back in the women's body. Voila! Prego!"

Ron shook his head, "Why did you go and get someone else's sperm? I have some of my own you know. If you wanted another baby, why didn't you say so?"

"Someone asked me if I would have their baby. As a last wish so they would have a child, even if they'd never meet." Hermione explained as she lowered her gaze once more.

Ron caught on, "So whose baby is it?"

Hermione caught Ron's eye, "Snape's."

A/N: I know it's a short chapter, but they get longer! Please R&R!