HERMIONE

Hermione sat on the bed in Ron's guest bedroom and the tears started to fall. She hadn't expected Ron to be so perceptive. He had known something was up right from the start. She would have to explain what was happening tomorrow and she wasn't quite sure if she was ready. She was exhausted, so she quickly opened her bag and pulled out a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank top. She dressed and got into bed. Her heart was more broken than ever and she didn't know what was going to happen she cried as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Hermione was jerked out of her sleep by a voice.

"HERMIONE!" Ron called loudly. She sat up quickly looking around the room she found Ron's horrified face and looked at him surprised and confused. He was just staring at her. He looked down at her body and she did the same. Her arms were covered in bruises and her shoulders ached. She lifted the blanket trying to cover her injured body.

RON

"Hermione, what happened to you?" Ron asked horrified. Tears grew in Hermione's eyes and they soon spilled over rushing down her face. "Hermione?" Ron asked stepping closer. "What happened? Did…did someone hurt you?"

Hermione couldn't really speak so she just nodded.

"Who Hermione?! I'll kill them I swear! Wait! Was it Eli?! Hermione does Eli hurt you?!" He asked sitting on the bed. Hermione started to sob harder. Ron reached forward to touch her but was afraid to hurt her. He rested his hand on hers and looked at her questioningly. She cried for a little while before pulling herself together. "Hermione? Can you tell me what happened." Ron asked in a whisper.

Hermione nodded. "Ron. I…I'm… I'm pregnant." Hermione replied letting out a sob. Ron's face grew from worried to surprise to anger and then back to worried again.

"Hermione? Are you sure?" Ron asked quickly.

"Yes, I'm positive." She said wiping at her tears.

"But…but…why are you all bruised." He asked looking at her shoulder that wasn't being covered by the blanket. He saw the distinct marks of fingers like someone had grabbed her.

"Eli. He doesn't want children. He never did. I shouldn't have let this happen!" she said glancing at her stomach.

"Hermione! This isn't your fault! It's not like you ask your husband to… beat you!" Ron said loudly anger filling his body. He was about to get up and go find Eli and kill him when Hermione whimpered. His body stiffed and he looked back at her. She had buried her face in her hands and was sobbing again uncontrollably.

"It…is my fault! I…made him…angry. I…can't do anything…right! She said in between sobs.

"Hermione look at yourself!" He said and pulled the blanket down so she could see. "You're covered in bruises caused by the man who is supposed to love you more than…life! I would say that it's his bloody fault! Not yours!" She was looking at him now with fear and doubt and pain in her eyes. How many times had he done this to her? Was this the worst he's ever done? WHY WAS SHE STILL WITH HIM?! She is too wonderful to deserve this! She deserves to raise her baby in a happy place with people who loved her. Not with this bloody prat who…who… abuses her! When she's pregnant with his child no less! Ron's mind was working a mile a minute and all he could think about is how he wanted to kill Eli! Hermione was still looking at him then she did something he didn't expect she flung her arms around his neck and sobbed on his shoulder. Ron rubbed her back softly fearing that their may be further bruising. When she finally pulled back her face inches from his, her eyes red and puffy and her face wet from her tears. He saw a faint blue tinting around the outside of her right eye socket. This made his anger flare higher. He reached his hand up and softly traced the bruised area with his thumb.

"How often does he do this Hermione?" Ron's voiced asked in a whisper.

She sighed and hung her head. "A lot" she said finally.

"Why didn't you tell someone?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"Because he's my husband and I knew that he was punishing me for doing wrong." Hermione said quietly.

"Hermione. You don't beat your wife when she does wrong. You might yell if the occasion really calls for it but if you really love someone you'd never be able to hurt them like this." Ron said trying to make her see that this wasn't her fault.

"But…I'm always messing up. Doing something wrong. Burning dinner, running late, being to loud, and now getting pregnant." Hermione's voice said shakily.

"Hermione. You're a witch! Fixing those issues with magic would be simple. Except the pregnancy." Ron added.

"Oh. He…he…took my wand." Hermione said softly.

"HE WHAT!?" Ron roared and Hermione jumped then cringed as the loudness of his voice frightened her. "Sorry." He said quickly realizing that he probably sounded like Eli. "He took your wand?" Ron asked more calmly.

"Yeah he, he said I wasn't worthy of my magic." She said sadly.

"That's a bloody lie." Ron said angrily but still staying rather calm. "You are the brightest witch of your age! You helped defeat Voldemort!" Ron no longer shuddered at the name.

"Yeah. But he thought I should do things by hand. He said using my magic made me lazy. He also said that I wasn't allowed to use magic to heal myself because then I wouldn't learn my lesson." Hermione said this all quickly she was hugging Ron again and talking into his neck.

"Hermione? Have you left him?" Ron asked hoping that the answer was yes.

"I don't know. I can't live like that. I'm afraid for my life. For my baby's life. What am I going to do? He made me quit my job. I don't have anywhere to go." She said sobbing again.

"Hermione you'll stay here, with me." Ron said quickly. "You'll never have to go back to him."

"Ron. I can't let you do that." Hermione sobbed.

"Hermione. I'm not letting you go back to him. He's going to hurt you again." Ron said just thinking about it made his heart hurt.

"Ron? I-I'm going to have a baby! I can't stay here." She said as she pulled back to look at him.

"Yes you can! I'll take care of you! I'll never hurt you! Hermione I-I love you." Ron choked out. He had wanted to tell her that for so long and now he had.

Hermione stared at him. Then she started to sob again but harder. "Why…why couldn't I have just never married him?!" She sobbed. "Why couldn't I have been with you all this time?" She asked sobbing still she had laid down on the bed and hugged herself into a ball. Ron scooted closer to her and ran his fingers through her bushy brown hair.

"Hermione, I promise I'll care for you forever. I've loved you for so long! I don't know why I never told you. But I promise I'll take care of you and the baby! I'll love you both for the rest of our lives." Ron said softly and she looked at him.

"Ron? Why? Why would you do that?" She asked she wasn't crying anymore but her face was still streaked with tears.

"Because I love you. Because you deserve to be loved. And I can do that for you." He said softly.

"Ron. You're…you're amazing. I-I love you, too." She said sitting up.

"You do?" Ron asked surprised.

"I've loved you for a long time, but I didn't think you felt the same way, so I just tried to move on." She said scooting closer to him.

"Really?" He asked in disbelief.

"Really, Ron. I love you." she said and she wiped at her tears. Ron pulled out his wand and conjured up a box of Kleenex. He pulled one out and cleaned her up. She gave him a small smile before she scooted closer to him. She leaned in and looked right into Ron's eyes. He stared into her big brown eyes. He was engulfed in emotion. She had said she loved him he felt as if his heart was going to explode. He leaned in closer and she did the same soon their lips finally met. She had reached up put her arms around his neck she kissed him passionately. He had waited so long for this and now it had finally happened. He brought his arms around her tightly, but she suddenly winced and pulled back.

"I'm sorry!" Ron said a horrified look on his face.

"No. It's okay really." She said tying to look over her shoulder to see why it hurt so badly. When she turned Ron had caught a look at what it was. Her shoulder blades were all bruise. The purple and blue contrasting drastically with her light skin. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He scooted over so he could see better. He ran his fingers over her back softly Hermione shivered. He leaned in and kissed her back.

"Hermione. Do you want me to heal these for you?" Ron whispered. He hated to see her like this all black and blue and in constant pain. Hermione turned around and looked at him.

"Please." She said simply. Ron pickup up his wand and very swiftly healed all of Hermione's injuries. When he was done she looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you." she said sweetly. "I don't know why you're so good to me."

"I'm only treating you the way you deserve to be treated by the person who loves you." Ron said brushing some stray hair away from her face. He leaned in and kissed her again. This kiss was a gentle yet full of emotion. After they pulled apart Ron leaned down and kissed her non existent belly. Hermione's eyes filled with tears, not from sadness or from fear, but from happiness. Ron sat up and saw that Hermione was crying again, he was worried at first until she gave him a huge smile. "Hermione, I'm going to love this baby as if it were my own." Ron said softly putting his hand on her tummy.

"Ron. In a way this is your baby, because I am yours and this baby is part of me." She said putting her hand on his.

Ron couldn't help but smile. He loved Hermione so much and now he was going to be able to spend the rest of his life with her and her baby. He was extremely excited. He leaned in and kissed her again. "Your mine and I'm yours." Ron whispered in her ear. Hermione smiled at him and she leaned her head against his chest he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

"RON! Don't you have to go to work?" Hermione asked a moment later.

"Oh. Yeah that's why I came in here in the first place to tell you that I had to go and that we'd talk later." Ron said with a small laugh. "I guess that plan changed."

"Well! You better go!" Hermione said starting to get out of the bed.

"I'm not leaving you here alone." Ron said quickly.

"Ron you have to. You have to go to work. I'm not going to make you put your life on hold because of me!" Hermione said loudly.

"Okay 'Mione calm down." Ron said with a small smile.

"'Mione. You haven't called me that in ages." She said with a smile.

"It's okay, right?" He asked quickly.

"Oh yes! I like it when you call me that." She said beaming.

"Good." Ron said smiling back.

"You really have to go to work now." Hermione said calmer this time.

"Alright but I'm only going in for about an hour." Ron said seriously.

"Ron I don't want to…" She started but Ron cut her off.

"Hermione. You're not making me put my life on hold, I promise." Ron said hugging her.

"Alright, if you're sure." She said hugging him.

"I am. Hey you know later I'm supposed to go to the burrow. Would you like to come?" Ron asked excited.

"YEAH! I haven't seen anyone in so long!" she said happily.

"Well now you can see them whenever you want." Ron said kissing the top of her head. "I'll be back really soon."

"Okay. Bye." she replied and kissed his cheek.

With that Ron dissaperated right from that spot.

HERMIONE

Hermione was down stairs in the kitchen. All the emotion had made her quite hungry after all she was eating for two. She was only about 2 months along but she suddenly couldn't wait to be a mother. She did however fear what Eli would do.

Hermione met Eli about a year after the war ended. They started dating for a year and then they got engaged and then married. They'd been married a little over 3 years now. Hermione knew she was in love with Ron but she didn't think he loved her back, so she married Eli. It wasn't like she didn't love Eli, she did. It just wasn't the same as her love for Ron.

Hermione ate her food and then went to take a shower and get dressed. She no longer had to hide her bruises so she was able to dress like she would normally in the summer. Hermione headed back down the stairs, Ron should be back soon. As Hermione entered the sitting room she grabbed a book off one of the shelves and sat on the couch reading.

"HERMIONE!" She heard someone call and much to her horror she looked up and saw Eli's head floating in Ron's fireplace. She jumped up from the couch not knowing what to do. "HERMIONE! YOU NEED TO COME HOME NOW!" Eli yelled angrily. Hermione didn't move or speak she just stared. Suddenly Eli removed his head from the fireplace. Hermione was confused but also a little relieved, but then as suddenly as he had disappeared bright green flames erupted in the fireplace and out popped Eli. He had come to get her. Hermione looked at him horrified.

"Let's go Hermione." Eli said angrily but he wasn't yelling. Hermione backed away slowly. "Hermione. Now."

"I'm not…" she started her voice broke with fear.

"You're coming back with me and we're going to fix your little problem." he said glaring at her stomach.

"I'm not going back with you." She said confidently but her whole body was shaking.

"YES YOU ARE!" Eli yelled stepping towards her. Hermione stumbled back and landed on the couch.

"No." Hermione replied sternly.

"HERMIONE GET IN THE FUCKING FIREPLACE NOW!" Eli yelled walking closer to her. Hermione couldn't help but cringe when he got close enough to hit her.

"No Eli. I'm not coming with you." she said quickly.

"YES YOU ARE! YOU BITCH!" Eli said and he raised his hand in order to strike her Hermione cringed and closed her eyes awaiting the blow, but it didn't come. She opened her eyes but Eli wasn't even standing in front of her. She looked around and finally spotted him up against a wall Ron had his hand around his throat holding him there. Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing. Ron had just saved her. Hermione had never seen anger like that in Eli's eyes. She really thought this was going to be the time that he killed her. She hopped up from the couch staring at the two men, Ron had his back to her.

"If you ever come near her again I swear I'll kill you!" Ron spat out angrily.

"She's my wife and I'll do with her as I please." Eli said shakily since Ron's large hand was against his throat. Ron didn't like that answer he drew back his fist and slammed it into Eli's jaw. Hermione shrieked and covered her mouth with her hands.

"Now get out of my house and stay away from Hermione!" Ron shouted.

"Fine! I want nothing more to do with the mudblood!" Eli spat and then disapparated. Hermione was staring wide eyed at Ron. He turned around and looked at her.

"'Mione? Are you okay?" Ron asked walking up to her.

"Ron. You hit him." Hermione said shocked.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry…" he started but was interrupted when Hermione threw herself into his arms and kissed him passionately. She had never loved him more than she did right now. Her hands found his hair and she ran her fingers through it while she felt his arms wrap around her waist. She ran her tongue against his bottom lip and he parted his lips and let her in. She gripped him tighter. He had stopped Eli from hurting her just like he'd promised he'd do. He had protected her and her baby. Hermione moved to sit back down on the couch pulling Ron with her. She separated their lips for a moment.

"I love you, Ron." she said and pulled his lips back to hers. He moved and kissed her neck.

"I love you too 'Mione." he said in between kisses.

They stopped snogging after a while and Hermione laid down on the couch. Ron laid down next to her holding her tightly.

"Ron. Thank you. For saving me." Hermione said quietly.

"I'm just sorry he came and found you here." Ron said tightening his arm that was around her waist protectively.

"I don't mean just now I mean in general. I know that if I didn't have you, I'd still be with him and I think eventually he would kill me." she said snuggling into his chest. She felt his body stiffen and then he pulled her closer.

"I'm not letting him near you, again." He whispered.

"He was going to make me get rid of the baby." Hermione said softly.

"He won't come near the baby either unless you say it's okay." Ron said kissing her forehead and moving his hand to her belly where he moved his finger in circles.

"Ron?" she started but chickened out.

"Hmm?"

"Never mind." she said quickly.

"What is it 'Mione?" Ron asked worried.

"Nothing." She whispered.

"Hermione?" Ron looked at her his eyes full of questions and worry.

"I don't want to scare you." She said breaking their eye contact.

"You won't scare me. What is it?" he asked anxiously.

"Well…I was wondering if…you would like it if or would mind if…the baby called you it's daddy? I mean if you don't want it to then we don't have to." she whispered still not looking him in the eyes. Hermione would tell the baby about Eli but he wouldn't have a big part if any in its life. Hermione wanted Ron to be the father more than anything.