Jean Dana smiled at her niece splashing around in the pool, as the Balaska II continued to cruise the Atlantic. Her sister and brother-in-law were giving their new daughter swimming lessons. Harriet was a great kid. Jean, like Louise and Rex, adored her.

All Jean was doing was lounging in a bikini, reading a book whilst catching the rays.

The family was together and happy. All was right with the world.

Now, to plan her date with Linda Craig. In a week, they would sail the yacht into a boathouse specially built for it in Culver Bay in Dorset, a short walk from Kirrin Cottage. After a night staying with George at the cottage, they would take a portal to the old Dana Place at Oak Falls back in the States, before taking another to the Craig siblings' California ranch, the Rancho del Sol. During that time, she was hoping to take Linda for a horse ride and ask her out for coffee. She smiled at the thought of being cuddled up on the lounger with the dark-haired, dark-eyed, olive-skinned beauty.

"It is good of the Potters to take Hugo for a few days," Hermione commented. "A week or so of just the two of us is just what we need."

"I agree, darling," her husband agreed, stooping to claim her lips with his. Suddenly a mirror vibrated in his pocket. "Harry, you had better have a good reason…"

"Sorry to interrupt you both," Harry Potter apologised. "We've had the results of your examination back from Saint Marie, Hermione."

"Read them out, Harry, please."

"Certainly. You tested negative for HIV, syphilis, thrush and all other venereal diseases…"

"Thank you, Lord!"

"But positive for something else. Pregnancy!"

"Are you sure, Harry?"

"Positive, Ron. The two of you could get a home pregnancy test if you wanted to check…?"

Hermione just sat back in horror. She and Ron had been careful, not that that prevented mistakes of course. No, it can't be…

"How long have I been carrying? Is it…?"

"I don't know, Hermione. You should arrange an appointment at St Mungo's on your return. I'm sure that Ron and Harriet Milligan would give DNA samples if you wanted to do a paternity test, plus they would be able to determine an approximate date of conception.

"Ginny and Pansy can write those Quidditch match reports from Potter Island. I can ask them to pop over for emotional support…" Potter Island was a small island off the coast of Themyscira given to Millie and Pansy by the Six Goddesses as a wedding present. The adult Potters had suggested Ron and Hermione stay there on what Harry called "passionate leave". Hermione assumed that he must have meant "compassionate leave". It was unlike Harry to get his words wrong, though…

"Not yet, Harry. Ron and I need time to process this. Can you all come over for the weekend, please?"

"Of course. This is all about the pair of you…"

It was an hour later. Hermione had cried in Ron's arms pretty much throughout. God, give us strength to get through this…

Once she had finally wept all the tears she could, she looked up at Ron. "I couldn't abort an embryo, Ron, not unless there was something seriously wrong with it. If this is Gallia's…"

"It shall be my son or daughter, love, even if that bastard was the biological father. I shall love him or her regardless, because I shall be the father in every way that counts!"

"Sweetheart, I love you more each day! Thank you. Now, to share our love madly and passionately right here on this beach. After all, we are on passionate leave!"

After that, Hermione was lost in the joys and thrills of making love with your True Love and not the parody of it she experienced chained to Mr Gallia's bed. She was with Ron and he loves her, and she loves him. Nothing else, she felt, mattered at all…