This is a story I've been working on for awhile. I wanted to finish For the Last Time before I posted this one. As always the characters and the wonderful world they inhabit belong to J.K. Rowling.

Tethered Hearts

The pretty little stone house at the end of the lane was situated in a beautiful little garden. There was a white picket fence surrounding the property along with huge old oak trees. It was what people would describe as quaint and charming. The village of Ottery St. Catchpole was only a fifteen minute walk south of the lane.

Inside the cozy house all was quiet until Hermione Granger Weasley awoke with a start. Her heart was pounding rapidly as she caught her breath. She placed a hand to her heart as she turned to face the clock. 4:21 a.m. She, in her state of grogginess, turned towards the other side of the bed and remembered instantly that her husband, Ron, wasn't there. He had been gone for the past fortnight on a secret mission for the Auror Department. He was coming home tomorrow, make that today.

She placed her hand on her large swollen stomach as the baby inside kicked. Was that what had woke her up at this ungodly hour? Then she thought about her nearly two year old daughter asleep down the hall. She listened intently for the smallest noise. It was completely silent. She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep until she checked on her. With great difficulty she rolled to her side and planting her feet on the floor she used her arms to push herself upright. She stood and the baby kicked again. He was definitely active tonight. Just like his father. She smiled and rubbed her stomach again.

"Only two and half more weeks little one." She whispered.

She picked her wand up from the bedside table and left the bedroom. The hallway was softly illuminated by the nightlight. Even though they were wizards their home was full of Muggle inventions including electricity. Hermione wanted her children to be comfortable in both worlds. Not to mention that she wanted her parents to be able to fit in when they came to visit which was quite often.

She padded to the end of the hall and pushed the slightly ajar door completely open. Her eyes scanned the pale pink room and then rested on her sleeping child in her crib. She crossed the room and looked down at Rose. Her thumb was in her mouth which was open just a bit. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. Hermione lowered the rail of the crib and reached a hand out to touch the auburn curls on the top of her head. She was so sweet.

When she had first realized she was pregnant again she had fears that she could never love another child like she loved her Rose. It was Molly Weasley who had reassured her that a mother's love had no limits and that she would love the next one just as much.

She smiled at her sleeping first born and very awkwardly leaned over to kiss her cheek. Rose didn't even stir, exactly like her father. As a matter of fact if she hadn't given birth to her herself she might have believed she had nothing to do with the creation of her daughter. Besides her curly hair and brown eyes she was all her father. Even her mannerisms, it was scary how much she was like Ron.

She lifted the rail locking it in place and turned to leave the room. At the door she took a last glance at her sleeping daughter and decided all was well. She closed the door just to again and headed back to her bedroom. She made a mental note to have Ron get her a big girl bed when he got back. They needed to get her in it for a bit before the baby arrived. She would tie it into her birthday which was in four days. Let her know that big sisters slept in big girl beds.

She went to the bathroom and got back into bed. She looked at the clock 4:37. Thank Merlin tomorrow was Saturday and she didn't have to go into the Ministry. She would be able to take a nap with Rose.

She laid her head back on the down filled pillow and her only thoughts were of Ron. This was his last mission until after the baby was born. She was excited to have time with him without work distractions. She herself was only going to go in two days next week to finish some work she was doing for Goblin rights before she started her maternity leave.

In the next couple of weeks it would just be the four of them. As she drifted off to sleep she was secure in thoughts of her perfect and soon to be complete family.

Hermione and Rose arrived at the Burrow at half past nine. They were all having dinner together tonight. Molly thought it might be the last time they could all be together before the new arrival. It was going to be a big crew and Hermione wanted to help her prepare. Everyone would be there with their families except Charlie who was still in Romania.

Upon entering the house Hermione could smell waffles. She didn't have much appetite lately but it smelt heavenly. Rose rushed into the kitchen. Even at this young age she knew exactly where to find her Grammy.

Hermione heard Molly squeal. "Oh my precious Rosie."

Hermione waddled into the kitchen and saw Rose wrapped in her grandmother's arms. Molly smiled at her. "Good morning dear. You look a little tired. Sit down."

Hermione did as she was told. "I didn't sleep very well last night."

Molly nodded. "It's hard this last month. I remember it well."

Hermione stretched her legs out. Molly had done this six times before. She didn't know how she had done it but she had.

Molly put a squirming Rose down and pulled out some pots and pans for her to play with. She handed her a wooden spoon and Rose was content. "What time do the boys arrive?" Harry was on the mission with Ron.

Hermione glanced at her watch. "I believe their Port key arrives at the Ministry at 1:30 and then they have a debriefing. So I expect they'll be here by 3:30."

Hermione watched as Molly flicked her wand and the waffle batter poured itself onto the hot iron. It had been nearly eleven years since the last battle and time had taken its toll on Molly. There were more wrinkles and more grey hair. Hermione knew it had been the stress of losing Fred that had changed her mother-in-law the most though.

Now that Hermione had a child of her own she could truly relate to what Molly had gone through. She, herself, would have probably crawled up and died. It gave her newfound respect for Molly. She was truly a strong woman and their relationship had grown much closer especially since the birth of Rose. Arthur and Molly took her everyday so Hermione and Ron could work with peace of mind that their daughter was safe and loved. The best part was Rose's relationship with her grandmother. They were very close.

"Is Ginny coming over this morning?"

Molly turned to look at the clock. "Yes she should be here shortly. She sent an owl saying she would be here by ten."

Hermione looked down at her daughter. "Did you hear that Rosie? Aunt Ginny is coming with James, Albus and baby Lily."

Rose clapped her hands. "I love baby Lily." She beamed up at her mother.

Hermione got up and tousled Rose's hair. She reached into the cupboard and pulled out plates to set the table. "Is Arthur eating with us?"

"If we can get him into the house he'll eat."

Hermione finished setting the table just as Ginny and the Potter clan came in. Rose got up and ran to Albus hugging him. Then she started jumping in front of Ginny singing "baby" over and over again.

Ginny laughed. "Rose you are your father's daughter. You have to let Aunt Ginny in and then you can see Lily."

Hermione took her daughter's hand and led her to the chair where she continued to hop in place. Hermione laughed. "Rosie you have to settle down if you want to see the baby. Remember what we talked about? You can't be wild near the little babies. You have to be calm."

Rose gave one last hop and sat down. "Now I see baby?"

Ginny brought a two month old Lily to her. "Now you can see the baby Rosie." She laid Lily in Rose's lap. Ginny kept her hands tightly on Lily. Rose leaned over and kissed the sleeping baby on the forehead.

Molly smiled. "Rose you are going to be a great big sister."

Everyone sat down to eat. The table was full of chatter and children's laughter. After breakfast they all went into the garden to let the children play. Hermione and Ginny sat in the shade of the trees and caught up on what was going on in their hectic lives.

By 12:30 they had put all the children down for naps. Hermione grabbed a few work papers and headed into the kitchen where she found Molly and Ginny. "I'm going to lay down for a bit and go over these."

Molly stood up. "Hermione don't you think you should rest. Work will be there later."

"I want to have these read before Ron gets home. I don't want to have to think about anything else except him the rest of the weekend. I'll be in his old room. Promise me you'll wake me if I fall asleep."

Molly hugged her. "We will."

Hermione put her hand on her stomach and smiled. "I can't wait to see him." She practically skipped out of the room.

Molly smiled at Ginny. "She really loves him."

Ginny handed Lily to her mother. "I still don't get that. Hermione is usually so smart."

Molly put Lily on her shoulder and looked sternly at her daughter. "You are so mean sometimes Ginevra."

Hermione was woken by the sound of crying. She was slightly disoriented as she pushed herself upright. It was definitely not Rose. She glanced at her watch. 4:21 why hadn't anyone gotten her up? There was no way Rose was still sleeping. If Hermione got two hours out of her she was lucky.

She took a deep breath and stood up. Ron and Harry should've been back by now. The debriefing must have taken longer. She opened the bedroom door and started carefully down the stairs. She had been on the third floor and as she came down the crying grew louder. It sounded like an adult. She started to hurry a bit more down the last flight of stairs. She didn't know what was wrong but someone was very upset.

She came off the last step and headed to the front room. As she entered she realized it was Molly that was crying. Ginny looked as if she had been crying too. Hermione stared at them from the door unnoticed. Where were the children?

Arthur had his arm around Molly trying to hold her up. Then Hermione noticed Harry putting Lily in the bassinet. "Harry?"

Everyone turned to face her. Molly began to cry even harder. Hermione was starting to feel really frightened. "What's wrong? Are the children alright?" She glanced around. "Harry is Ron with Rose?"

Harry shook his head as a tear slipped down his cheek. He started to cross the room towards her.

Hermione started breathing fast. "Harry where's Ron?" She felt tears sting her eyes. When he didn't respond she clutched at her sweater. "Oh God, he's hurt. What happened? Is he at St. Mungo's?"

Harry shook his head as he put a hand on her arm. "Hermione I think you should sit down."

"I don't want to sit down! I want to know where Ron is!" She was starting to panic. Something inside her already knew.

Harry took her hands in his. "Hermione we were given false information. We actually walked straight into a trap." He stopped to take a deep breath.

Hermione shook her head. "Oh God, no."

Harry swallowed hard. "Ron was caught in the crossfire. Hermione he's dead."

"No, no, no." She started sobbing. Harry went to put an arm around. She started panting again. "Oh God." She clutched at her stomach. "I can't breath."

Ginny rushed over. "Hermione take a deep breath. Please." She started to cry. "The baby."

Hermione shook her head. "I'm going to be sick." She ran as quickly as possible to the bathroom. Collapsing onto the floor she threw up.

Harry was right behind her. "Hermione let me help you."

She was sobbing hysterically now. "No one can help me now. Oh God Harry. He promised me he'd be back before the baby was born. He promised." She looked at him. "What happened?"

Harry sat on the floor next to her and cried. "I'm so sorry Hermione I wasn't with him. We got separated during the ambush. He rushed to help someone else. Just like that it was all over and he was gone."

She laid her head on his shoulder. "What am I going to do? He promised me. Oh God," she lifted her head, "Rose. Oh Harry, how am I going to explain this to her? I can't do this." She wiped her eyes.

He put his arm around her. "We'll do this together."

Just then the baby kicked. She gasped moving her hand to her stomach. Harry looked at her. "Is it the baby?"

She started crying again. "He'll never know his father. I can't do this Harry. He told me he'd always be here."

Harry pulled her head down. "I know Hermione." He rubbed her arm.

They sat there for a few minutes and then Harry helped her up. Taking her hand he led her back into the front room. Hermione went to Molly. "I'm so sorry." She started to cry again.

Molly touched her cheek. "For what darling?"

"I'm so selfish you've lost your child and all I can do is think of myself."

Molly pulled her into a hug. "Hermione Weasley don't you dare think like that. You loved him and your suffering is no less than mine." She cried as she pulled Hermione tighter to herself.

After a minute Hermione pulled away. "Where's Rose?"

"Fleur has her outside with the children. Bill's gone to tell the rest of the family."

Hermione nodded wiping her eyes. "I need to see her."

Ginny took Hermione's hand. "Why don't you wait a bit? You're still in shock."

"No I need to be with my daughter, his daughter."

Harry grabbed his cloak. "I'll come with you."

Hermione shook her head. "No I want to be alone with her for a little bit."

Arthur spoke for the first time tears in his eyes. "Be careful in the back garden it's still muddy in places and I don't want you to fall."

Hermione hugged him and walked out of the room. As she walked through the kitchen and into the backyard she could hear a crack. Someone had arrived out front. She didn't want to see any of them right now.

Fleur rushed to her side. "Hermione I am so sorry. What can I do?"

Hermione shook her head. "Nothing thank you." She squeezed Fleur's hand.

Rose saw her mother then and came running to her. "Mummy!" She yelled happily.

Hermione lifted her daughter up and Rose wrapped her arms around her mother's neck. Hermione buried her face in Rose's curls. They smelled of waffles, grass and sunshine. The tears started to flow again. "Oh my sweet Rosie. I love you so much my darling girl."

Rose pulled back sensing something was wrong with her mother. She wiped at her mother's tears. "Mummy why you crying?"

Hermione forced a smile. "Mummy just loves you so much."

"I love you mummy but I don't cry." She wrapped her arms back around her mother's neck.

Hermione was finally able to lure her daughter from her cousins by promising her they would pick some flowers for Grammy. The whole walk to the back garden Rose skipped and sang. It was so blissfully happy that Hermione could almost convince herself that the previous half hour had all been a bad dream. But it wasn't this was her life now. She was a widow with a two year old and a baby due anytime. How was she ever going to get through this?