Here's my only second attempt at FanFiction (and unfortunately, I haven't written to finish my first one in a little less than a year!) This idea just came to me and I thought it would be an interesting new take on what could have happened between the 19 year-span from the last chapter of the Deathly Hallows until the Epilogue.

Synopsis: What if Ron and Hermione actually had a child before Harry and Ginny, but something went wrong with the pregnancy and the baby was lost? How would it change the family dynamics? And why would Rose's birth be so bittersweet? (Not a fluffy pregnancy story.)

Chapter One: Shocker

It's too soon. It's too soon, Hermione thought to herself as she looked down at the narrow plastic stick that would dictate her future. Not even six months since Ron and I have been married! We can't start a family now! I'm only 22! What will Mum think? Or Dad? Hermione's mind was running wild and she started to feel dizzy. She gripped the countertop so tightly her fingers were white and her face lost all color when she was able to lift her head to see herself in the mirror. Her stomach lurched and she whirled around so that she was facing the toilet before kneeling down and heaving into the porcelain bowl.

After 3 minutes, she lifted her head and sat solemnly on the floor, wiping her mouth with a tissue. She pulled her knees up to her chin and stared at the cabinets below the sink. She had been ill throughout the past month, especially during the early mornings and seemed to be tired all the time. Ron hadn't seemed to tell any difference in her behavior, but he was often too exhausted himself to wake up for her dashes to the loo.

He should be home within the next hour, Hermione mused. I should probably start dinner. She had Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays off since she started her job at the Ministry. She gathered herself together and padded down the stairs. When she got to the kitchen, she put a pot of water on the stovetop to boil and pulled a box of pasta out of the pantry.

When the water was up to a boil, she added the pasta and pulled out some lettuce to start the fixings for a salad. Setting the table, she ladled heaping amounts of pasta onto Ron's plate, knowing he would eat the same amount whether he got up to refill his plate six times, or if she gave it all to him at once.

She heard the door open, and her husband called out to her.

"In here," she responded.

"Hey baby," he said coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist as she poured water in their dinner glasses. "Something smells good."

She smiled as she turned around to face him sliding her arms around his neck and leaning back slightly to see his face. "It's pasta," she answered as she leaned into kiss him.

"Are you sure?" Ron questioned with a smile as they took a breath. "I'm thinking it's you."

She giggled and kissed him again longer before he broke away with an "I love you".

They took their seats opposite each other and Ron promptly dug in as Hermione started to ask him how his day was.

"Rather slow today," he replied after he swallowed. "It's actually quite a nice change of pace from just going all the time."

"I'm sure. It was pretty slow today as well," Hermione said evasively. She didn't want to elaborate on what a revelation she had today.

They finished dinner in quiet conversation before Ron stood to collect both of their plates.

"You don't have to do that, Ron. You've had a long day at work," she said half-heartedly. She truly didn't want to do the dishes, but Ron was sure to have had a more strenuous day that she.

"I don't mind," Ron said. "You work hard, too."

Relieved, Hermione wandered into the den and sat down on the sofa. She reached for the novel she was reading on the coffee table and began reading. Half an hour later, Ron came into join her and turned on the television quietly, so as not to disturb her reading – a skill he had perfected after much nagging from Hermione. Around 10, Hermione rose, announcing she was going to get ready for bed. Ron let her take her time in the bathroom, and when he heard the water shut off, he went up to prepare for bed as well. Ron had the weekends off too, and besides a meal with the rest of the Weasley clan on Sunday afternoon, they had two full days to themselves together.

He joined her in bed when he finished and they lay side by side for several moments before turning off the lights.

Tomorrow, Hermione thought as she felt Ron spoon behind her, I'll tell him tomorrow. And with that, she fell asleep.

I hope to post more soon. Let me know what you think. 3 Gilmoregeek13