"Mum, They're here," shouted George from the top of the staircase.
Mrs Weasley busied herself in the kitchen, trying to keep her anger and frustration levels down on the missing trio. Since the war, her protectiveness over her children was on a record high even though they were of age and considered adults. Ron, Harry nor Ginny told her where they were going and she deemed this to be unacceptable under her roof. No note, no patronus, no nothing. She knew punishment was in order on the three when they returned.
"Molly."
Her husband brought her out of her chain of worrying thoughts as she scrubbed the metal cooking pot furiously without realising and making water spill onto the wooden floor. Mr Weasley gazed over his paper to watch his wife perform her mother dominating role within the house, which at times entertained him from the huffing and puffing. She loudly sighed, throwing the pot into the sink and gripped the sides. No tears escaped her eyes today, she had no supply since Fred's funeral. At times like these, she thought she was far too emotional, but after giving birth to seven children and being a mother seven times, she felt she was allowed to be emotional. Soon, a pair of manly arms dangerously slithered their way around her waist as she closed her eyes, waiting for the romantic gesture to progress from her husband, but a loving careless whisper of "Molly is having another one of her wobbles again." In result, caused her to furiously snap her eyes open and run the hot water tap, dragging the hands under the mini water fall.
"Merlins beard! Molly dear, okay I'm sorry…come on love, they're good kids-adults even…just don't shout at them, they are still…fragile," spoke Mr Weasley as he released a cooling spell over his scorching hand.
Mrs Weasley turned to face her husband on the spot and grabbed the newspaper in his grip and hit his body with it. At times, Arthur infuriated her.
"I love those kids Arthur, including Harry and Hermione. I just don't want to lose another, my heart can't take much more," sadly replied Mrs Weasley, watching three figures slowly walking closer through the window.
The trio, who were approaching, were walking too slowly for her liking…painfully slow. That's when she caught a glimpse of Hermione's tear stained face and arms gripped around Harry's and Ginny's shoulders that she realised something was wrong.
"Arthur, something bad has happened."
Arthur glanced over her shoulder and squinted through the windows. Whilst, a worried voice made the couple jump.
"Mum, have you seen Hermione?" spoke George, breathlessly as he ran into the kitchen.
"Yes dear, let's see what's happened," replied Mrs Weasley, smoothing down her apron.
"Come on Hermione, a few more steps," encouraged Harry gently whilst watching her footing across the long grass and puddles of water.
Hermione let tears streak down her cheeks as the walking had taken its toll on her abused and weak body. The pain had caused agonising cramps in her stomach and sore thighs to rub against each other. She glanced weakly over to Ginny, hoping Ginny would understand what she was going through being a female. Only Ginny knew what physical state she was in.
"Harry, do you think you could get Mum? We both know Hermione is in unbearable pain and I don't think its suitable for her to walk any longer," commented Ginny, whilst silently giving Hermione reassurance of her privacy being maintained.
Harry quickly rushed off to seek help whilst leaving Ginny and Hermione to sit on the spot amongst the grass. Hermione suddenly remembered the positive visions, she had in her bedroom with Ron, of returning back to the Burrow. However, she knew they were all loved up as there was no beating sunshine or smiling faces. All she felt was pain and upset. Her demons and nightmares would forever be imprinted in her memory and this is what Hermione realised whilst amongst the grass with her best friend. Hermione soon began to break down again, which Ginny immediately cuddled her friend.
"Hermione, there's a deeper pain, isn't there? Tell me, what's going on please?" whispered Ginny.
Hermione quickly looked into Ginny's eyes and suddenly found understanding and sympathy. Hermione knew this was going to be the moment where the discovery was about to be discovered and the painful truth to recovery was about to begin for the would-be mother. She stuttered for a bit, but then managed to find the right words to fit the bill as she nodded to herself in confidence.
"I was pregnant, Ginny."
Ginny's eyes slowly widened and mouth opened, which was soon out of sight as a hand was smacked over it.
"Was it- I mean Merlin-was it," Ginny muffled.
"Yes Ginny, it was Ron's baby," sobbed Hermione.
The two girls instantly broke into a chorus of piercing cries and shared the pain together. This caused grey skies to cover the grand bright sky and rain to soon pelt the crumbled couple. Ginny placed all the pieces together, the reason for the bloody mess on Hermione's lower half. She couldn't believe it! She couldn't imagine the physical and mental torture of her best friend. Her soon-to-be nephew or niece was ripped from a mother's body. Her brother was going to be father. She was going to be Auntie. She furiously shook her head from these loving and nasty thoughts as this wonderful dream was demolished by Hermione's parents.
"Girls, what on earth is-" Mrs Weasley demanded, but came to a halt as she was horrified by the sight that she had witnessed before at her son's funeral. She knelt down in front of the pair and placed her hands on both of her children's shoulders.
"Dears, tell me-"
They fell into her embrace, wanting a strong protector to help them in their united grief. Mrs Weasley felt she was obliged to hush their fears away and tell them everything was going to be okay if she found out what the matter was.
"Mum…Hermione…I was so stupid…I had no idea what she went through," cried Ginny, cuddling Hermione strongly.
"There there Ginvera, there's no problem we can't sort," sweetly ushered Mrs Weasley, pushing the damp hair off of Ginny's face. She returned her gaze at distressed Hermione and her eyes caught sight of fresh blood seeping through Hermione's skirt, but before she could voice her concern…
"Mrs Weasley, I-I…was-preg-pregnant," sobbed Hermione. "It-it…was your son's-Ron's baby…I'm…so so so…sorry."
Mrs Weasley was in total shell shock and immediately looked up towards Arthur, Harry and George, who also approached at the right time to hear the news.
There was nothing, but a deathly silence.
Mr Weasley suddenly looked around the garden in concern.
"Where's Ronald?" asked Mr Weasley, seriously. "Why isn't he with you?"
"He…He…umm well he is still at Hermione's home in London, but he…he doesn't know that…that Hermione was…well…pregnant," replied Harry guilty.