After Hermione had received the shock of her life – albeit an exciting and not entirely unwelcome one – her and her mother returned to her home.
"What am I supposed to do with three babies on my own mum? I mean one baby on my own seems mildly less debilitating than being a single mother of three children of the same age. I don't know how I am going to do that. I just –" Hermione began before her mother cut her off.
"Hermione, dear, you know I will support you through this entire thing. Husband or not, I would be there with you every step of the way. Throughout this pregnancy I planned on being there for you anyways, now just with a little more support. Your father and I are so excited at the idea of finally getting to hold grandbabies, and there isn't a thing we wouldn't do for you. So stop your fretting and don't think about the future – think about now and what a blessing this will be for our family and for you. Take this day-by-day love, and it will all work out the way the fates have planned for you, but I have no doubt you will find your confidence, because I already know you'll be an amazing mum – you were taught by the best," Jane said, winking conspiratorially at Hermione, who giggled a little at the comment.
"That I was," Hermione smiled despite being a little teary-eyed when she said it. "I love you so much, mum." She pulled her in for a hug and the two women stood there, arms wrapped tightly around one another with tears of joy, excitement, and anxiety mingling together.
Finally they broke apart, and Hermione, trying to make light of the situation, told her mother she didn't need to stay, as she was sure her father was waiting for dinner and also needed to hear the exciting news. Jane parted with Hermione after finally ensuring, mostly for herself, that Hermione was okay to be left alone, and finally gave her a kiss and wave goodbye as she stepped into the floo that Hermione had hooked up to their house.
Once she departed, Hermione sank down on the couch, finally letting the events and news of the day catch up with her. What a day. Oh my gods. I can't even believe it. What am I supposed to do with three babies? Love them, of course, that's a given. But three babies to raise on my own is a tough situation, despite the help from my mum, and I don't want to burden her all the time. She sighed. I guess I just have to trust that fate has some sort of plan for me, and that things will end up with a happy ending.
She finally worked up the energy to cook herself some dinner, which she might say she finished like a voracious cow, but who really cares when you're living alone and eating for four. She finally dragged herself upstairs, changed into a long t-shirt just before she collapsed into bed.
Throughout the next week, Hermione began to obsessively check her bump in the mirror the moment she awoke in the mornings. She had her month four check up was approaching more quickly than she ever could have imagined, and now that her belly was getting so large, she was getting more accustomed to the idea of triplets as well as more prepared. She couldn't be happier, although sometimes when she sat by herself in her empty home she couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret that she didn't have anyone to share this happiness with her.