Ron sighed as another pillow hit him in the face. One of the downsides of sleeping in the living room was that there was no privacy. The children were playing about, throwing pillows at one another. A tired Hermione sat in a chair, doing her best to read the book in her lap. Ron suggested that she could go sleep upstairs, but she was determined to stay awake.
Charlie, who was a surprisingly big hit with the children, had helped Ron build a fort out of pillows, blankets and chairs. The four children were all playing in there own worlds, but somehow still managed to play together. Daniel pretended to be flying a spaceship, Teddy was out camping, James babbled something about a cave, and Victoire, contrary to her mother's belief that she was playing house, was busy mixing 'potions' in a lab.
The parents of these enthusiastic children looked weary when they realised that it was up to them to get the kids to sleep. "They don't look very tired" said Ron when Daniel came zooming past.
Harry let out an exhausted laugh. "You think we're putting them to bed because they're tired? They're going to bed because we're tired" he said.
Once all the children were asleep, Ron took Hermione on a tour through the fort before lying down on their mattress. The blanket ceiling twinkled with stars, for Charlie had charmed it to look like the night sky. Ron took his wife's hand and slowly stroked her knuckles. "I know you're tired, but do you have enough energy to come with me? It won't require much" he asked with a smile.
"Where did you have in mind?" she yawned. Ron sat up and reached into his rucksack. He took out a snow globe, grinning sheepishly as he held it out to her. Hermione recognised this one. She had bought it in a small bookstore near Hogsmeade during her fourth year. The contents were a big willow with an open book in the branches on top. The book seemed to be glowing, but other than that there was nothing special about it.
"I wanted to try one more snow globe before the baby comes" Ron said. "This one looked peaceful and simple, so we can explore the others when you're feeling better" he explained.
A few moments later the couple landed softly on the snow. Ron held Hermione's arm to stabilise her, smiling as the familiar feeling washed over him. He was standing in the water, but as usual it didn't touch him. Instead, he was enveloped by a bubble that smelled of Hermione. Each of his exhales formed bubbles of their own, which rose to the top of the glass dome.
Although they couldn't see the book, they could see the bright, golden light shining from it. As they approached the tree, the branches wove together to form a staircase which led to the top. Ron smiled as he stood on the small platform surrounding the book. He reached into his pocket and took out a radio.
"Undetectable Extension Charm" he said when Hermione frowned. He leaned over and put a song on, then bowed and offered his hand to the love of his life. She placed her small hand in his big one, and was led to the centre of the book.
There was a strong wind blowing from below. Hermione's hair was blown all over the place, making it more unruly than before. They both giggled at the sensation. Water and snowflakes were rushing past them at an incredible speed, but they stood peacefully in the middle of it all. Hermione waved her wand, and a stream of coloured bubbles appeared to join the snowflakes.
"I'm sorry I haven't been giving you enough attention these past few days" Ron started. "We've all been so preoccupied with the kids and the preparations that we haven't been spending enough time together. I also haven't told you how amazing, brilliant and beautiful you are lately. And I'm sorry that I haven't been doing enoug-"
His words were cut off as Hermione stood on her toes and kissed him. He instinctively snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. The moment felt amazing, for they felt as if they were falling and flying at the same time, but neither of them seemed to care where they might land. They pulled apart for air after a short eternity, both panting slightly. Hermione lowered herself so she wasn't standing on her toes anymore and rested her head on Ron's broad shoulder.
"You are too good for this world, Ronald Weasley" she said. "You spend every waking moment fulfilling every wish that I might have, despite it not being necessary. I know you love me almost more than I love you. I know that it's a love so deep that it hurts because there's nothing left to give, the love that keeps you up at night with fear of something happening to the receiver of that love" Ron tried to interrupt her, but she kept talking. "I also know that you're still trying to make up for leaving me during the war, but it won't change anything. You've already shown how sorry you are and that you'll never do it again, and to me, that's enough. People don't realise how lucky they are to have you, how much you help and how sincere your actions are"
At this point they were both crying. Ron used his wand to adjust the volume of the music. Hermione smiled as she realised Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic was playing. She pulled him closer and started slowly swaying to the music. They danced in silence, appreciating and savouring the moment. Ron had one hand on his wife's back, and the other was gently resting against the side of her small baby bump. "You're going to be a brilliant mother" he whispered, feeling her smile against his chest.
"And you're going to be an amazing father" she replied. The song came to an end, and so did their dance, but they knew that this moment would last forever.