DISCAIMER:: I don't own Harry Potter and it's universe. It all its property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. If I get sued, the only thing they can take from me is my phone, nothing else.
-Almas Veritas—
CHAPTER 7- Friday night at the Burrow
Ginny's and Hermione's lips finally stopped moving but they didn't pull away. The two girls simply stood like that, lips pressed together, fire cursing through their veins, for a whole minute before pulling away.
"You kissed me," Ginny said amazed.
Hermione bit her lip, not knowing what to say or do. It had been one of the most meaningful kisses ever (not that she had kissed a lot of people, really), passionate and raw, but meaningful. She had to ease the tension in her body...to forget how her body had reacted to the kiss...
"You better have enjoyed it because you won't be getting another any time soon," Hermione joked.
Ginny gave her a playful pout.
"Can I hold your hand, atleast?" Ginny asked playfully but Hermione noticed the serious undertone.
Hermione nodded and smiled when Ginny reached out and grabbed her hand.
"We better go, can't be late to your own party, right?" They started walking together, hand in hand.
"But I'm Apparating. There's no way I'm getting inside Harry's car again," Hermione stated.
"It's not that bad."
"This morning I almost threw up, so no way, Ginevra."
"Even if I promise to hold your hand during the whole trip?" Ginny grinned at her.
"I'm not getting in that car, Ginny."
Ginny used her hold on Hermione's hand to lean in and whisper in her ear.
"Even if I promise to kiss you during the whole trip?" Ginny whispered huskily. Hermione gulped and cleared her throat.
"Shut up, Ginevra."
"What?" Ginny shrugged and gave her an innocent look, as if she didn't know what she had said and how.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You're a pervert, Ginny."
"It was just an innocent offer, nothing else."
"Sure." Hermione rolled her eyes again.
Ginny smirked to heself and her shoulder bumped Hermione's playfully.
"I think it would be better if we floo, safer, don't you think?"
Hermione nodded and then noticed what Ginny had said.
"We?"
"Yeah, I'm going with you. Don't want you going alone. Where you go, I go, remember?"
"Where you go, I go. Alright." Hermione nodded again and smiled.
"I was thinking last night...Do you still want to tell the others about the baby?" Ginny asked carefully. She didn't want Hermione to feel like she didn't want to.
"We can wait, if you want to." She really wanted to tell the others but she could wait if Ginny wanted to.
"I want to, I do. But I don't mind waiting if you want to. It's your decision, love."
"They deserve to now, and I want to share with your family that we're going to have a baby," Hermione said and her brain didn't registered what Ginny had called her.
"They're your family too, you know. You've been part of the family for a long time," Ginny said.
Hermione simply nodded, not knowing what to say.
"I was thinking that we should talk to Ron first. He's your best friend after all and my brother, he's going to get mighty pissed if we don't tell him before the others."
Again, Hermione nodded.
"I was thinking the same thing, actually."
"Let's go, then. I'm sure McGonagall will let us use her fireplace."
-Almas Veritas—
"For Merlin's sake!"
Hermione put her hands on her knees and took a deep breath, fighting down the urge to throw up for the second time that day. Ginny stepped out of the fireplace and was instantly by Hermione's side, one hand on the brunette's back.
"Are you okay, Hermione?"
"Just a little dizzy, that's all. Luna said this could happen. I'm fine, I'm fine." Hermione straightened her back and took a deep breath.
"Better or worse than Harry's car?" Ginny couldn't help to tease.
"Still better than Harry's car," Hermione said and they both shared a laugh.
Ginny laughed and blushed when Hermione leaned in and placed a short but warm kiss on her cheek. Ginny simply grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together.
"Oh, Ginny! Hermione! I thought I've heard voices."
Molly entered the living room and smiled when she saw their linked hands. The older woman pulled both Hermione and Ginny into a warm hug.
"So nice to see you, dear," she told Hermione and gave her a special look.
"Mum, has anyone arrived yet?" Ginny asked.
"George and Angelina apparated a moment ago. George is outside helping your father to set up the table and Angelina is in the kitchen. The others haven't arrived yet. Ginny, dear, why don't you go help Angelina?" It was a subtle hint that she wanted to be alone with Hermione.
Ginny nodded and looked at Hermione.
"I'll have some cold pumpkin juice for you."
Ginny simply lifted Hermione's hand, kissed the back of the brunette's hand before leaving the room, closing the doors after her. Molly smiled at the exchange and sat down on the couch.
"Sit down, Hermione, dear."
Hermione sat awkwardly on the couch. She couldn't face Molly, she was going to get the 'don't-hurt-my-daughter-speech!' But Molly simply laughed at her frightened expression.
"Hermione, dear, please. I just want to talk to you, from a mother to a mother-to-be. Don't look so frightened."
Hermione sighed, relieved.
"How are you doin', dear? Had any nausea or anything yet?" Molly asked.
"Only got a little dizzy for a moment ago, but other than that, I feel completely okay."
"Are you excited?"
"I am. A part of me feels like this is a dream, like it isn't real, but I know that once I start showing and actually feeling the baby, it will become real. Does that make any sense?" Hermione looked unsure for a moment.
Molly gave her a knowing smile and patted her arm.
"Yes, it does. And how are you feeling about Ginny? I take it that things are going well?" Hermione looked scared again so Molly put her hand on top of Hermione's. "I'm not asking you as Ginny's mother, I'm asking you as a woman." Hermione visibly relaxed again.
"She's amazing," Hermione finally admitted. "I always knew she was but now, she's even more amazing. She's been so patient and...sweet and..." Hermione shook her head and looked at Molly. "She bought a stuffed owl for our baby, she said that it's a sort of tradition in your family."
Molly smiled brighter and nodded.
"It may be a little silly but it's one of the most important traditions we have. Some other day, I can show you the ones from the boys. Ginny is the only one of my children who kept hers."
"It's not silly, I loved it. And I'd love to see them sometime."
"I'm glad that things between you two are going well. You deserve to be happy, and to have somebody who loves you and makes you happy," Molly said. "And I don't mean to sound like a proud mother but Ginny is perfect for you," the older woman added.
Both women shared a laugh.
"That she is," Hermione finally admitted. "But don't tell her I said that."
"Why not?" Molly asked, confused.
"It's too soon. I know it's hard to understand my reluctance and insistence to go slow but...but I need to be sure that she's ready to commit. We can't just try to have a relationship, there's more now. We're going to have a baby, there's something bigger than us. If for some reason, we decide not to pursuit a relationship, I won't deny her to be part of the baby's life, but if we do then I need to be sure she's ready."
Molly nodded showing she understood.
"I understand, dear, I do. But you will see, Ginny will show you."
Hermione let out a small laugh.
"That's Ginny's mother speaking, isn't it?"
"Yes, and as Ginny's mother I tell you I can't be happier that she chose you as a partner."
Hermione blushed, embarrassed.
"But I don't want to speak as Ginny's mother, Hermione. I know I said it before but I know that you need support, and I'm offering myself for whenever and whatever you need. I know that in times like this you must miss your mother and I'm not her, but if you ever need to talk, to ask questions..."
Hermione's eyes filled with tears, she couldn't believe that Molly was offering...She used to see the older woman as a surrogate mother figure, but actually hearing her...
Molly pulled her into a warm hug and Hermione gasped, surprised at how much she had missed the maternal warm of the soft embrace. Hermione hugged Molly back and allowed herself to sob as Molly stroke her hair and hummed slightly a lullaby song.
After a minute, Hermione pulled away but Molly cupped her cheeks and placed a motherly kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you, Molly. You have no idea-"
Molly shook her head.
"You've always been part of this family, Hermione. There's no need to thank me."
Hermione wiped the tears with a handkerchief she had pulled out from her jacket.
"I'll go to the bathroom to wash up..."
Molly nodded.
"Of course. Go, dear."
Hermione excused herself again and walked upstairs. Molly stood up from the couch, sighed, pleased, and opened the living room doors. Ginny was by the table cutting some meat. The Weasley matriarch walked over and hugged her daughter.
"You couldn't have picked better, dear Ginny," Molly whispered before pulling away. Ginny smiled broadly.
"I know, mum, I know."
-Almas Veritas—
Harry, Luna and Ron arrived half an hour later. Ginny, who was cutting potatoes, looked at Hermione, who was preparing a pie. The two girls looked at each other and nodded.
As soon as Ron entered the house, Ginny spoke.
"Ron, could we...talk, upstairs?"
"Sure, Gin."
Ginny and Hermione walked upstairs and Ron followed them, confused. As they walked to Ginny's room, Ron thought that they probably wanted to tell them about their relationship.
Ginny closed the door behind her brother and the young man sat on the chair by the desk as Ginny and Hermione sat on the bed, facing him.
"We wanted to talk to you, Ron," Ginny began.
"If this is about you two, I already know. I admit it was kind of weird at first, my best friend and my baby sister into each other, but I'm happy for you. More now that you two decided to be together." Okay, he had surprised them both with that statement...Ron gave them a kind smile.
"Thank you for your support, Ron. But that isn't what we want to tell you," Hermione said, although she was more than grateful that they had Ron's support. As Ginny had pointed out, he was Ginny's brother and Hermione's best friend, after all...
"Alright. What is it, then?"
Hermione took a deep breath.
"You and Harry were the first two people I told about my pregnancy. What I didn't tell you was that..." Hermione bit her lower lip, nervous.
"The baby's mine!" Ginny blurted out before she could stop herself.
Ron's jaw hit the floor.
"You...and you...and..."
"Almas Veritas, Ron," Ginny said and saw realization hit her brother's eyes. Ron looked at Ginny.
"The baby's truly yours?" Ron asked his sister.
"Yes."
Ron fell silent, as if he was lost in thoughts.
"Please, say something?" Hermione whispered a few seconds later.
Ron suddenly sighed, relieved and let out an amused laugh. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other, confused.
"Atleast it wasn't some stupid bloke!" Ron joked and started laughing.
"So, you're okay with this?" Ginny asked, unsure of what to make of her brother's reaction.
"Okay? Before I was just joking about bein' 'uncle Ron' but now I find out I'm going to be an uncle for real! Of course I'm okay with this!"
Ron stood up and opened his arms to congratulate Ginny. He hugged his baby sister and kissed the side of her head.
"Congratulations, Gin," Ron said after pulling away.
"Thank you, Ron."
Ron looked at his best friend and opened his arms. Hermione gave him a small smile and stood up. She let him wrap his strong arms around her and felt him kiss the top of her head just like he did with Ginny. They had gone through so much together that although they still got on each other's nerves a lot, their brother-sister bound was big and unbreakable. Just like with Harry. They were the Golden Trio, after all...
"Congratulations, Hermione," Ron said after pulling away.
"Thank you, Ronald."
"I hope the others react as good as you did."
Ron looked surprised.
"You haven't told the others?"
"We decided to talk to you first. We're going to tell the others later in the party," Ginny answered.
"So I'm the first one you told?" Ron asked, surprised.
"Well, I told mum and dad first," Ginny replied.
"And Harry and Luna know because well I'm living with them now," Hermione added.
"But you're the first of the brothers."
Ron puffed out his chest and beamed with pride...
-Almas Veritas—
By the time the three of them came downstairs, Bill, Fleur and their one year old daughter Victoire were there already. The little baby girl had reached out with her pudgy hands as soon as she had seen Ginny. The redhead had taken her from Bill's arms and hugged her. Victoire was the living portrait of Fleur, although her blue eyes were the same shade as Bill's.
Bill greeted Hermione and then Fleur did. They never got along well, but atleast they were cordial to each other and had almost friendly discussions before about common topics of interest. The part-Veela eyed Hermione suspiciously. The brunette was glowing somehow, but she couldn't put her finger on it...
Percy and Audrey arrived a few minutes later and they already knew Charlie wasn't going to make it, that was why Ginny had sent him a letter earlier. And although she answered politely to the greetings and conversations of the people around her, Hermione couldn't stop looking at Ginny, who was playing with her niece, spinning her around slowly. Both girls were laughing and giggling without a care in the world and Hermione couldn't stop herself from picturing the same scene but with their boy or girl and it warmed her heart. A serene smile tugged on her lips and she honestly didn't care if the others noticed it or not.
Ginny stopped spinning and walked over Hermione, subtly putting her hand on Hermione's arm. Their eyes met and yes, they knew what the other was thinking. Hermione smiled and reached out to tickle the little girl, who squealed and squirmed in her aunt's arms.
A few feet from them, Harry, Luna and Ron were watching them amused while they drank some elf wine.
"They're going to be wonderful parents," Luna commented as they watched Victoire reach out and Hermione took her in her arms.
"They will be," both Harry and Ron answered before taking a sip of their goblets.
Fleur entered the kitchen, she was helping Molly to take everything outside, and saw that she was alone with her mother-in-law.
"Iz it just me orr Herrmiony iz glowing?" Fleur asked, bluntly.
Molly looked at her.
"Don't know, dear. I haven't noticed. Is she?" Molly asked, playing dumb.
"Well, she iz," was all Fleur said before going outside holding another tray with food.
They ate, laughed, joked, laughed some more and kept talking. It were those moments they were grateful for. After all they have been though, after the Second Wizarding War, after grieving for the ones they lost and celebrating for the one who lived...
After dessert had been eaten, they all were simply relaxing and chatting, some were drinking coffee, some were still drinking wine...Ginny's eyes met Hermione's. They both nodded and looked around.
"Umm..." Ginny cleared her throat. "Excuse me, everyone? Guys!" All the Weasleys looked at her. Harry, Luna and Ron sent encouraging smiles towards her and Hermione. The redhead stood up and pulled Hermione with her.
"Don't know if mum told you but this celebration is actually for us. For Hermione and I," Ginny began.
"Thought we were celebratin' that you two finally grew a pair and got together," Bill joked and shrugged as everybody laughed around the table, including Hermione and Ginny.
"Actually, no, there's something better to celebrate, Bill," Hermione said and grabbed Ginny's hand and smiled.
Ginny looked at Hermione and spoke, never taking her eyes off her.
"What would you guys think of having another little Weasley running around?"
Everyone's jaw hit the floor, including George's. Hermione looked around to their shocked faces.
"We're having a baby."
Fleur smiled and nodded. Of course, that was why Hermione was glowing. She could see it now.
"You used the Conceiving Spells?" Bill asked, still slightly shocked.
Ginny shook her head and looked at Hermione again.
"Almas Veritas, brother."
There was a silence before George jumped up and yelled "That's my baby sister!" before rounding the table and hugging Ginny. He even gave Hermione a small but warm hug and whispered in her ear a soft 'Welcome to the family, officially.'
Angelina followed next, giving them both a warm hug and congratulating them with a big smile. Percy gave them a shy 'Congratulations' and Audrey echoed her boyfriend's sentiments, although with more grace than him. It surprised both of them when Fleur gave them both a warm hug and a kiss on each cheek.
"Congrratioulassions, girrlz," was all Fleur said, giving them a stunning smile before walking back to the chair that was next to Bill's and the high chair Victoire was sitting on.
Bill was the last to step up. The tall man wrapped his arms around his little sister and Ginny hugged him back.
"Congratulations, Ginny," Bill said and hugged her again. "You're so grown up, kid," he whispered in Ginny's ear.
"We all are, Bill," Ginny whispered as she pulled away from her favourite brother.
"Hermione, congratulations for you too," Bill said before giving Hermione a warm hug. "Welcome to the family, officially," he whispered in her ear.
"Thank you, Bill."
In that moment, Harry and Ron managed to open the bottles of champagne they had brought from inside and everyone laughed when they hit each other in the chest with the corks, except Molly. Ginny and Hermione watched amused how the woman marched right to them and started lecturing them about still acting like silly boys. They laughed and looked at each other. Ginny looked down at their still entwined hands and grinned.
Ginny lifted Hermione's hand and kissed her knuckles...
-Almas Veritas—
A/N:: Thank you, Rima for helping me with the Fleur part! Dude, you rock!
Anyway, now onto the reviews...
SoulAstray:: I'm glad that you liked the kiss! And I'm truly, truly sorry for that mistake. Red is actually the Spanish word for net. Again, I'm truly sorry for the mistake. Thanks for the review.
Deka Lopez Granger:: And yes, there HAD to be something...But don't worry, their relationship will progress a tiny bit faster now...And you'll have to wait a little more to get the answer of why Ginny quitted, sorry. And I had NO idea that there was rivalry between Rio and Sao Pablo. LOL. Thanks for the review.
Saika Garner:: Thanks, dude! I'm glad you liked the Chapter! And yes, we ARE evil! *evil laugh* muahhahahaha! Thanks for the review.
Diddy-Icp:: I'm glad you liked it and I hope you liked this Chapter as well! Thanks for the review!
Laragh:: *smirks* you'll have to wait, dude, to see why Ginny quitted. LOL. And McGonagall is AWESOME! She ROCKS! I'm glad that you liked how things are going with Hermione and Ginny, and like I told you...there may not be a lot of "action" but there will be A LOT of "romantic and lovey-dovey" moments! LOL Thanks for the review, dude!
Ryanalone:: I'm glad that you're liking the story. Thanks for the review.
Tmonkey:: Glad to hear that you think Hermione and Ginny together are cute! And you will have to wait a while, we're still have A LOT ahead before the baby arrives, but I hope you like it. Thanks for the review!
Fanngirrl 1987:: I'm glad that you like the story so much. And thanks for the great writer comment. *blushes* And yes, I'm from Argentina. And I'm 18 (closer to 19), although I pretty much grew up around older people, so I'm...a bit more matured than the regular girls of my age. Why do you ask? Thanks for the review.