Six months into the pregnancy Hermione and Ron sat together in the common room writing a transfiguration essay. She had not written more than a few words when she put down her quill and began sobbing.

"Have I made a mistake?" she cried. "Why did I ever think I would be able to continue on with my studies. I can't cope any longer. Stares and comments still follow me down the corridors, the teachers all look down at me, no one takes me seriously as a Prefect. It's all too much! "

Ron wrapped an arm around her, the other he rested on top of her large stomach.

"Don't be silly," he said soothingly. "You're doing fine. This is just your hormones talking. The essay isn't due in for another few days."

"It's not just the essay. It's all the other homework, the studying and the work in class. The other day in charms I was one of the few that struggled. I never struggle!" she sobbed.

"But that's normal," Ron told her. "I remember mum saying her spell work went to pot when she was pregnant."

"Really?"

"Look if it's really too much you could always leave. Go back home to your parents," Ron suggested. "No one would blame you. Everyone is struggling and no one else has the added bonus of being pregnant."

"Don't be ridiculous Ronald," Hermione snapped. "How could I miss out on the rest of the NEWT course and the exams?"

"But you just," Ron began, clearly confused by Hermione's behaviour. "You said you couldn't cope!"

"No I'll be fine," Hermione told him firmly. "I'm just having a bad day."

She was about to pick up her quill again when an owl flew in the open window with a package. Hermione undid the package and tore it open.

"It's a baby book from mum," she informed Ron. "We should read it before the baby arrives."

"If we have time with all of that lot," Ron mumbled, gesturing to a large pile of books they had been instructed to read.

...

Two months before the baby was due Hermione was sitting by the lake rubbing her swollen belly lovingly. She had been ordered by Madam Pomfrey to take the day off studying as she getting herself too stressed out which was not good for her and the baby. It took a lot of persuasion but eventually Hermione agreed and went for a walk alone.

"Hello Hermione," a dreamy voice called out to her.

"Oh hello Luna," Hermione replied.

"It's a nice day," she said.

"Yes, it's beautiful," Hermione agreed.

"How is the baby?" Luna enquired.

She sat down cross legged on the grass and put her hand gently over Hermione's stomach.

"The baby is fine," Hermione sighed.

"Well what is the matter then?" Luna asked in surprise.

"I'm just worried," Hermione admitted. "I'm worried about how good a mother I am going to be, I don't know how we are going to be able to provide for them, the Weasleys barely have enough money as it is and I don't like having to use mum and dads money although I think we will need to. We still have to buy clothes, a pram, a cot, everything that the baby will need."

"Oh but didn't I tell you!" Luna said. "I've been making you a cradle. A present for the baby."

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Yes it is made from leaves and petals from the forest," Luna said.

"Oh. Um is that hygienic for the baby?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Of course," Luna beamed at her. "Come on and I'll show you it, it's at Hagrid's right now."

Luna leaped to her feet and pulled Hermione up before skipping over to Hagrid's hut with Hermione following behind her.

"It's taken me days to make it. I thought here was the best place to make it as it is right next to the forest in case I ran out of leaves," Luna explained as she knocked on Hagrid's door.

Hagrid's face broke into a smile as he saw the two of them standing on the doorstep.

"Hello, hello," he said brightly. "Come in, come in. How are you Hermione? How's the little one?"

"We are both doing well," Hermione said. "Sorry Hagrid we have been so busy lately that there has been no time for us to come and visit."

"Don't worry about it," Hagrid said airily. "You three have your exams coming up soon, I understand."

He stepped to the side to let the two in to his house.

"Hello Hagrid," Luna said distantly as she stepped into the hut. "I'm just here to show Hermione her present."

"Oh good," Hagrid looked relived. "I thought you were here to search for those wrackspurts again," Hagrid rolled his eyes at Hermione.

Hermione was not paying attention however. Her eyes were fixed on the cradle in the corner of the hut.

"Luna is that?" she asked in hushed tones.

"Yes. Do you like it?" she asked.

"Luna it's beautiful," Hermione breathed.

The cradle was indeed made from leaves and brightly covered petals ranging from yellow to blue.

Luna picked it up and brought it over to Hermione.

"It doesn't have any legs or a stand but I thought you could just use a hover charm like this," Luna waved her wand at the cradle so that it floated at waist height.

"How did you manage to make it?" Hermione asked.

"Oh it was quite easy," Luna said. "I just used a sticking charm to attach all the leaves to each other one by one. It only took a few hours to do."

"It's so thoughtful of you," Hermione said.

Hagrid cleared his throat.

"Ahem. I uh made this to go inside. So it is comfy for the baby to sleep in."

He held up a white shawl which looked merely like a handkerchief for him.

Hermione reached out a hand to touch the blanket.

"Hagrid thank you. It is wonderful. Thank you both so much."