Chapter 2: Flashback - A Nice Distraction?

17-year-old Harry Potter flipped the Quaffle to Bill Weasley, as he and the Weasley family played 4-person Quidditch in the apple orchard by the Burrow.

"Time out, time out!" Harry called, suddenly feeling winded. And besides, he needed to use the loo.

Arthur Weasley blew his whistle from down below and Harry steered his broom down the Earth. His new Firebolt over his shoulder (to replace the one he lost in the war), Harry sauntered past the broom shed and to the house. Just inside the kitchen, he found Hermione Granger, fixing some lunch. His best friend had never enjoyed flying, and readily professed that she was rubbish at it - a sentiment that bothered Ron Weasley, much to Harry's amusement. Ron would never admit that his new girlfriend was rubbish at anything.

She certainly was better at singing than she was at flying, the sunlight from outside glistening on her creamy skin as she flitted about the sink:

"Skip, skipped the ladies to the master's gate; sip, sipped the ladies while the master ate. Tiptoed the chambermaids and stole their pearls; Snip, snipped the gardener... Oh, hi, Harry!" as she spotted him leaning against the door frame, the broom over his shoulder.

Harry chuckled. "Don't let Ron catch you singing like that. Then he'll want a lullaby every night. Never mind that he's already sharing a room with me!" That wasn't entirely true, the roommate situation. In these first few months since the war, Ron had spent more time in Hermione's room than his own. And sometimes, the new couple had kicked Harry out of Ron's room, forcing the Chosen One to sleep on the sitting room couch. Harry didn't mind. His best mates were happy, happier than he had seen them in a long time. Aside from Hermione recently developing some kind of stomach bug, the Golden Trio had nothing to complain about. The crippling ache of Fred's loss was just beginning to dull. Slowly but surely, Molly - the family matriarch - was taking an active approach to life again, sharing the housework with Ginny, Hermione and Fleur.

Hermione just trilled out a laugh, as she transferred a pan of potatoes to the oven. "He wouldn't want me singing for him, believe me."

"Oh yes, he would. Two months after the war, we all have something to sing about. Don't mind me, I just gotta use the loo." He made to shuffle past her, but Hermione's hand on his arm stopped him.

"Harry, wait!"

He turned, so that they were both leaning against the sink, facing each other. Hermione all at once seemed nervous, wringing her hands so that she mangled a dish towel between her fingers. But when she raised her eyes to his, she was smiling. "I'm actually glad you came in. I have a surprise for you."

"Oh, do you now?" Harry chuckled. He and Hermione had their own version of teasing each other - certainly not the flirtatious kind of Ron and Hermione, but a brotherly-sisterly banter all their own. It was a special kind of love they shared - different, but special nonetheless.

Seemingly encouraged by this, Hermione took Harry's hand and looked up into his face. "I've been sick recently, and I did a spell this morning... I just found out..." She beamed. "I'm pregnant." The last came out in a whisper.

Watching from the present, Rose's jaw dropped. That wasn't possible... if this was only two months after the war, mid 1998... then her mummy couldn't be pregnant with her. Beside her, older Harry side-eyed his niece, watching her reaction, but said nothing.

Young Harry, on the other hand, looked entirely unreadable. Hermione's ecstatic smile dimmed slightly but did not disappear entirely, as she searched his eyes. "Say something!"

Harry was suddenly balling his hands into fists. His piercing green eyes flashed, and his jaw clenched. Finally:

"I'm going to murder him."

The loo entirely forgotten, Harry aimed to stalk back out of the house. Hermione danced around the table to intercept him. "Harry, don't!" she squeaked. "Ron doesn't know yet; I haven't figured out a way to tell him..."

Harry wheeled around, rage bubbling on every one of his features. "He told me... almost a year ago... not to mess around with his sister. Well, he better get the bloody hell ready for that to get thrown back in his face, to take his own advice! Because now, he's messing with my sister!"

Hermione gasped, just staring at him. Then her eyes filled with tears, and for the first time since her announcement, Harry's features softened. "Hermione? I'm sorry, I..."

"Oh, Harry!" Tears splashed down her front. "I love you too! You're such a sweetie!" And she flung herself, sobbing, into his arms. Harry just held her and let her cry; by now, it was old hat. There were nights - too many nights - where this had been his job, in the tent. But he didn't want to think about that time.

It took a few moments for Hermione's sobs to turn into hiccups and sniffles. She gave a watery smile against his jumper. "Sorry."

"Never apologize for something like that, little sister."

Harry felt her smile. "Keep calling me that."

"What, little sister?" Harry rumbled.

"Mm-hmm." She stepped out of his embrace and smoothed herself out. "Please don't be angry with Ron. And don't tell him, not yet. I'm going to tell him and the family tonight. But... I just couldn't keep it inside anymore, and I had to confide in someone."

Harry nodded. "You have my word." And he kissed her on the forehead. "And I'll bet you gnomes to Galleons that you'll be an amazing mother." He noted, but didn't comment on, the way that Hermione's hands were drumming over her abdomen.

Harry finally emerged from the Burrow in a daze. He was going to be an uncle.


The sun was setting over the apple orchard as from Ron's window, Harry and Hermione watched the Weasleys troop back towards the Burrow. Harry laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I'll give you some space when he gets here." A few minutes later, Ron came bounding in, sweaty and victorious.

"Evening, love!" And pulling Hermione to him, he gave her a deep kiss. Hermione smiled into his lips and kissed back. Harry watched with an easy grin. He was used to their public displays of affection by now. Breaking the kiss at last, Ron prattled, "Did you see me? Did you see this tosser get evicted from the game? Harry Potter fouling out of Quidditch! Never thought I'd see the day!"

Harry scowled without any malice. "That last strike was your fault."

"Not according to Dad," Ron sing-songed. He turned back around to see Harry backing out of the doorway, a grin on his face. "Oi! Where are you going?"

"Hermione has something to tell you," Harry smirked, closing the door behind him. He waited on the landing.

Five seconds passed. Then ten. At thirty-five seconds, Harry opened the door a crack to find Ron spinning Hermione around in his arms. And then he was kissing her, desperately, running his hands along her belly with wonder.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" And Ron sounded like a child himself, waiting for Christmas.

"Wait and see," Hermione giggled.

"It'll be bloody brilliant, just like you! I want it to look just like you! I... I love you."

Hermione beamed. "I love you back."


Molly Weasley looked utterly stricken when the fateful two words left her likely future daughter-in-law's lips.

"I... I forbid it!" she squeaked.

Everyone's jaws hit the floor, even as Arthur laid a calming hand over his wife's. "Molly..."

"They're... they're eighteen!" the Weasley matriarch whimpered, staggering out of her seat where the Weasley clan was hob knobbing around the dinner table. "Children themselves!"

"We're of age, Mum," Ron informed her quietly, one arm around his girlfriend, the other stroking her barely perceptible baby bump. "Here and in the Muggle world."

"But you're not married!" Molly wailed.

"No. But we will be," Ron promised. Beside him, Hermione spun to face him, eyes shining with her heart in them. Ron gave her a wink.

Molly scoffed. "I should think so! When you get pregnant, you get married! A child deserves a mother and a father! That's what I was taught, and what I thought I taught all of you!"

Ginny groaned as her head hit the table. "Uggh, yes, we know, Mum!"

Molly suddenly rounded on Harry. "Harry, dear, what do you think about this?"

Harry frowned, as he leaned back in his chair on two legs. "Why should it matter what I think? They're having a baby, they're having a baby. I get to be an uncle in the bargain!" Ron and Hermione beamed at him. Even as Molly huffed; evidently, she had been hoping for her likely future son-in-law to back her up. But Harry had to be proud of himself, how quickly he had come around to the idea of his best mates having a child.

Bill, who had always made the best peace, tried to steer the conversation in a more rational direction. "All right, let's just try and keep this in perspective..."

"Perspective?" batted away Charlie. "This news is perfect!" And he didn't sound sarcastic.

Harry wheeled around to the dragon-keeping Weasley in surprise. Of all the reactions he had expected to come from Ron and Hermione's happy news, he hadn't expected that one. But as much as Harry looked shocked by Charlie's apparently ringing endorsement, George looked downright murderous. Indeed, the surviving twin sprang to his full height and pointed between Ron and Hermione.

"I see how it is. You're trying to replace me with the little brat! Replace Fred!"

"Oi!" Ron leapt to his feet protectively and made a furious move towards his brother. Acting with more force than was strictly necessary, Harry too rushed out of his seat and pushed Ron up against the wall.

"Don't be bloody stupid. And George..." He swiveled his head to glare at the surviving twin, even as he kept Ron firmly pinned to the wall with one elbow. "No one is trying to replace you or Fred or anybody! Charlie didn't mean any such thing!"

George folded his arms. "He implied it."

"Did not! I'm just saying..." Charlie fished around. "A baby might be a nice... distraction."

If he hadn't been glued to Ron, Harry would have done a face palm. "Charlie, could you for once in your life shut up while you're ahead?" He repeated his earlier statement, more calmly. "George... Ron and Hermione are not trying to replace Fred with the baby. For all we can tell, the baby was conceived even before Fred died!"

Percy cocked his head inquisitively. "How do you figure that?"

Silence. And even though it was unintentionally unprompted by Harry, all eyes eventually looked to Ron. Harry held his best mate's gaze evenly. This was Ron and Hermione's story to tell, and Ron and Hermione's alone.

Ron awkwardly cleared his throat. "We were at Shell Cottage," he began. "I never left Hermione's room. After she woke up, we spent almost all of our time together. That... that was the first time I told her I loved her." He smiled at her in a lovesick way, and Hermione shyly grinned back. "The first time we kissed... I guess we both realized that we didn't want to waste time anymore, so one night, we..." He turned as red as his hair.

Hermione took his hand, rubbing his knuckles with her thumb. "I'm not sorry," she murmured.

A long pause.

"Did you hurt her?" Harry was as stunned as everyone to realize that the growling inquiry had come from him. He hadn't realized that this was the story Ron would tell. Regrettably, Harry hadn't been there when Hermione woke up from Malfoy Manor, and even after had rarely ventured into her room. He had been busy, digging Dobby's grave, talking to the goblin, and trying to plan his next move. Besides, he had trusted Ron to be there for her. Or at least, he thought he could.

"No!" Hermione squeaked, turning to her best friend. "He was very good to me, Harry, a perfect gentleman."

Harry snorted, rounding on his best mate and practically brother. "Don't you have any sense at all? Hermione's a lot smaller than you! She was still fragile and weak... you could have crushed her!"

"He didn't," Hermione whispered soothingly, taking Ron's hand. "I've never felt more loved in my life."

Harry's features softened and he nodded once to Hermione in understanding. All of the tension in the room seemed to dissipate in that moment, the final blow coming when Ginny circled the table to embrace her brother's girlfriend.

"Congratulations!" she squealed.

"Yes, congratulations," Harry smiled, pecking Hermione's cheek.


It was a few nights later when Hermione's screams woke the whole house.

Up alone in his and Ron's room, Harry went thundering down the stairs, meeting Ginny on the landing before they dashed to Hermione's bedroom. Hermione was sitting up in bed, wailing in pain, as Ron held her in a desperate attempt to soothe her. Harry skidded to a halt upon seeing all the sheets were covered in blood.

"What's wrong with her?" Ron moaned, barely keeping himself away from panic. "The baby!"

Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, George, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley soon crammed into the room.

"Ron, bring Hermione to the bathtub, quick!" Arthur ordered. "Harry and Ginny, the sheets!"

Harry and Ginny stripped the bed before charging for the bathroom. Hermione was laying in a drawn bath, weeping and wailing, Ron holding her. Arthur and the men were standing around the tub, while Molly and Fleur clung to one another in fear.

Ginny spotted the blood rapidly staining the bathwater and choked. "I think I'm gonna be sick..."

"Please don't be sick," Harry begged.

"Try and stop me!" she snarled.

Harry forced his girlfriend to her knees and flipped the toilet seat up. "Then you'd better go in this."

Ginny didn't need to be told twice. Hermione was wailing, "Save it! Save it! SAVE MY BABY!"

"All right, my boys, hold her steady..." Arthur coached his sons. "I can... see it crowning..."

The still-developing, dead fetus was expunged from Hermione's womb, a torrent of blood and gore right along with it.

Ginny raised her head from the rim of the toilet bowl, took one look at the contents of the tub, and promptly threw up again.

Harry couldn't bear to look in the tub. He couldn't bear to look at anybody. All he could see was Hermione's face, scrunched up in pain, tears streaming down her cheeks, and flash back to another horrible night like this.

No more. He wished to see no more! Just when everything was starting to feel good again! Would it ever be over? Turning, he sprang from the room, throwing open the door so hard, that it slammed into the opposite wall and swung itself closed again.

Harry tore down flight after flight of stairs before anyone could stop him, not even heeding the clatter of feet behind as someone pursued him. He dashed through the kitchen and threw himself into the yard, hurling into a full-blown pelt, the lights of the house at his back and Ginny's voice screaming at him. "Harry? HARRY!"

But he was running. Running...