Chapter 2: Bound Forever
The year 1995 had been rung in well and prosperously. The Yule Ball was gradually receding from everyone's minds.
It was close to the end of January, and Ron had still not spoken one word to Hermione about the magical evening they had shared.
Perhaps he was feeling as awkward about it as she was, not knowing how to bring it up. Yes, they had made love unexpectedly, but Hermione had always secretly wished that if someone ever took away her virginity, Ron might be the one to do the deed. And he had been so attentive, shy and sweet, in ravishing her. Their coupling had been better beyond her wildest dreams. Short, maybe, but then again, she had read most first times were. And she had known it was going to hurt; the first time always did for a girl.
However, it quickly became apparent that how to broach the subject of a possible romantic relationship with Ron was the least of Hermione's problems. She had begun to take more and more frequent trips to the girls' lavatory lately, sometimes to pee, but more often to throw up. It usually occurred at inopportune times, most often in the middle of class. Naturally, Harry and Ron were worried about her, taking it upon themselves to surreptitiously have one of them follow her to the bathroom, wait outside the door, and then escort her back, with the other spelling his friends on notes. With the exception of Snape, all of the professors tolerated this, knowing how close the three friends were.
Valentine's Day was just around the corner, and Hermione was beginning to plan something special for Ron, in hopes of forcing the issue that was on both of their minds when suddenly -
She missed her period. She hadn't even realized until she happened to check her bedpost calendar and noticed the marked day was more than a full week back, nearly two.
With shaking hands, Hermione waved her wand and muttered the Pregnancy Detection Charm.
When the tip of her wand turned green, she burst into tears.
She shouldn't have been so careless. Not that she for an instant regretted having sex with Ron, but she should at least have had the foresight to cast a contraceptive charm. But now it was too late. What was done was done. And Ron was going to be a father in roughly seven months. He deserved the right to know.
The morning of Valentine's Day was a Sunday, and Hermione requested of her best friends that they go for a stroll along the sunny grounds. The Trio took their usual place underneath their favorite beech tree. Hermione dared herself to lean her head on Ron's shoulder; to her encouragement, he did not brush her off.
"Ron," she murmured quietly, tracing her fingers lazily in the waters of the Lake. "I have something to tell you."
Harry peered at her with his emerald-green eyes, one eyebrow raised, obviously having picked up on the singular subject. Meeting the Boy Who Lived's gaze, Hermione made a split second decision. Harry was her oldest and dearest friend. "Harry, can you keep a secret?"
Harry nodded, brow furrowed. "Anything." Satisfied, Hermione turned back to Ron, who was gazing at her with such concern in his eyes - a brilliant blue - that her heart melted.
"I'm pregnant," she murmured.
His mouth dropped open, and from behind her, she heard Harry gasp.
"When the ruddy hell did this happen?" Harry demanded, but Ron's jaw was set in thought, as he held up one hand to silence his best mate.
"Are you certain?" Ron demanded, his voice so soothingly gentle.
Hermione nodded, just before Ron's lips closed over hers in a kiss.
"Will someone... please!" Harry's voice trailed off in shock. Ron and Hermione broke apart tenderly.
"Do you love me?" she dared to ask, searching his eyes. She drew in a sharp breath when she felt a calloused hand come to rest gently over her abdomen.
"I've... never loved you more in all my living life," Ron whispered.
Molly Weasley's one eye dangerously twitched, as she tried to process what her son, her surrogate son, and their friend had said. Behind her, at her desk, Minerva McGonagall's gaze was steely, though even she could not hide the shock.
"She... she must get an abortion! At once!" Molly squeaked. "She is but a baby herself!"
Standing awkwardly by the fireplace, Mr. and Mrs. Granger clung to each other's hands for support. Hermione's father cleared her throat.
"I quite agree." He approached his daughter. "Come, Hermione, I can take you to clinic in London right now."
But Hermione had sprung out of her seat and retreated across the office. "No... No, I won't let you take her!"
"Hermione..."
"She can't help being conceived! She didn't ask for this!" Somewhere to her right, she sensed Ron's surprise and elation, Harry's intrigue, and Molly's whimpers at the news that it was a girl she was carrying. Hermione's hands dropped instinctively to her abdomen, to cradle her womb. "I will have this baby... and I won't ever, ever let you take her." And she beamed with affection down at her tummy, for she had already grown to love the child.
Hermione's father sighed, knowing the battle against his headstrong daughter was lost. He now prowled towards Ron and wagged a finger in his face. "You had better do right by them, boy."
Ron met his gaze squarely. "I intend to."
"Oi! I'm helping!" Harry readily volunteered. Hermione beamed at him.
"Godfather?" she murmured to Harry.
"I should bloody well hope so!" Harry boomed in approval. She burst out laughing at Ron's flabbergasted response to Harry swearing.
It was September 1st, 1995. A very pregnant Hermione just managed to waddle onto the scarlet Hogwarts Express. Ron held her hand the entire time, as Harry ran ahead down the car length to find an empty compartment. Hermione caught sight of her best friend sticking his head out of one, jerking it back to signal the expecting parents forward.
"OI! Everyone shove off!" Ron bellowed, clearing a path to Harry and the compartment with his voice. Harry ushered them both in.
"Just a few more hours, Hermione, and then we can get you into the safety of Hogwarts, and Madame Pomfrey's all yours..." Harry was rambling. He looked more than a little frazzled, his anxiousness having increased with each passing day of summer at the Burrow, as he and Ron had watched Hermione go through more frequent contractions. "Don't let it come today... please, please, please, don't let it come today..."
Ron gently lowered Hermione onto the plush seat by the window. As she settled in, Hermione suddenly flew a hand to her swelling stomach. "Oooh... I feel strange..."
Then the entire seat was inundated.
"Her water's broken!" Ron yelped in panic. Harry swore fluidly and fluently.
"We can't deliver it! On a moving train!" he squeaked. "Can't we hold it in until we get to the castle?"
But Hermione, who was already doubled over on the seat with Ron's hand in a vice-like grip, sent Harry a withering look. Harry shut his mouth, opting instead to fling open the compartment door and sprint down the length of the train car, shrieking, "Is there a Healer anywhere?!"
With some luck, it turned out that the Trolley Lady had once been a Healer at St. Mungo's, and she surrendered the sweet cart to be looted by the other students in order to come and help Hermione. Ron held Hermione's hand, kissed her forehead. Harry stood guard outside the compartment, forcing gawking onlookers back.
At long last, the Trolley Lady instructed Hermione to push. Her face scrunching up in agony, Hermione cried out as she heaved with all she had. Through an almost sweet haze, Hermione watched the baby's head crowning as she felt something start to slide out of her. Outside the window beyond, the train passed over a gorgeous field of roses.
"It's a girl!" the Trolley Lady announced, holding a squirming, squalling red thing to the light. Unlike most babies when they are born, this baby's eyes were wide open, locked onto Hermione's, as if she was trying to memorize every detail of her mother's face.
In that moment, Hermione fell in love for the second time in her life. "Rose," she whispered, brushing a weak hand across the infant's forehead.
The baby was cleaned, and nestled into Hermione's arms. Overcome, Ron began kissing both of his girls everywhere he could reach, rambling "I love you!" almost nonsensically.
There was a clatter behind the new family as Harry backed his way into the compartment, repelling the horde of students clogging the hallway, trying to get a glimpse of the new baby. Quickly, he and Ron performed magic to heal Hermione as best they could, under the Trolley Lady's guidance.
Hogwarts Castle would have a new resident in a matter of hours.
