What felt like hours later they arrived at St Mungos. Mr Granger abandoned the car on the pavement outside and half carried Hermione into the hospital where they were directed to a ward. They were so preoccupied by their screaming daughter that they barely flinched as they entered the magical building. Hermione was helped into a bed and given a potion for the pain.
"Oh where is Ron!" she cried out.
"I'm sure he will be here as soon as he can," Mrs Granger said.
"How about I go and wait out in the entrance for him?" Mr Granger suggested.
Before he got over to the door however it was thrown open and a pale faced Ron darted over to Hermione's side.
"What's happening? Is something wrong? Are you ok?" he asked all in a rush.
"You are about to become a dad," Mrs Granger filled in for Hermione as another contraction hit her.
A young looking healer came over to the bed and examined Hermione.
"We're about ready," she said cheerfully. "So feel free to start pushing any time you feel like it."
Hermione looked taken aback at the casualness of the healer.
"What now?! But doesn't it take hours?"
"It varies but the potion we gave you helps to speed up the process so get ready!" The healer replied enthusiastically.
"I don't think I can!" Hermione wailed.
"Of course you can," the healer told her encouragingly. "Now on the next contraction I want you to push as hard as you can ok?"
Mr Granger quickly excused himself and hurried outside the ward looking peaky. Mrs Granger reluctantly followed having previously agreed that only Ron would be present during the birth. Ron however looked ready to follow them out of the room but with a glare from Hermione he hesitantly stepped closer and gingerly took her hand.
"Ready? One Two Three!" the healer shouted.
Hermione screamed out as she pushed. Ron screamed with her as she squeezed his hand tightly.
"It's no good!" she cried.
"You're going to have to work to make this happen Miss Granger. Now just try and relax before the next contraction comes along then you can try again."
"Relax? Relax!" Hermione shrieked.
….
After several more attempts there was still no sign of the baby crowning.
"I can't take much more of this! Can't you just summon it out or something?" Ron asked. "I think I need to go for fresh air."
"Stay where you are," Hermione growled. "You can't take much more of this! You're just sitting there watching!"
The healer shot a nasty glance at Ron.
"She's right you know. Right Hermione just one final big push. Now! That's it the head is appearing! Good girl now keep going!"
Ron let go of Hermione's hand to see the baby.
"It's coming!" he bounced up and down on his feet while turning a green colour at the same time.
"There she is," the healer picked up the baby.
"She? It's a girl?" Hermione smiled.
"Yep," Ron beamed despite his nausea. "We have a daughter, a pretty disgusting looking one at the moment though."
The healer wrapped the baby in a blanket and handed her to Hermione.
"Oh look at her!" Hermione whispered. "She is beautiful."
Tears of joy sparkled in Hermione's eyes.
"She is… in a covered in slime sort of way" Ron agreed.
"Oh for heavens sake Ronald!" Hermione snapped.
"Sorry, I just wasn't expecting her to come out looking like - anyway we're so lucky!"
"We are," Hermione sighed.
The baby looked up at them through half closed blue eyes.
"I'm sorry I know I only gave her to you but I have to get her cleaned up," the healer interrupted. "I won't be more than five minutes."
Hermione grudgingly handed over her daughter to the healer who took her over to the side of the empty ward where a small basin had been built into the wall.
"So what shall we call her? Ron asked once the baby had been cleaned up and dressed up in one of the outfits Mrs Weasley had sent them.
Hermione looked down at the small baby in her arms.
"How about… Magnolia?" she asked. "Maggie for short."
Ron looked down at his daughter and grinned.
"Welcome to the world Maggie."
He leaned down and kissed Maggie's soft head, stroking her fair hair.
Hermione handed Maggie over to Ron who looked at her uncertainly, holding her away from him at arms length with panic showing in his eyes before slowly relaxing and holding her close to his chest with a look of pure love on his face.
"Shall I go and let your families in?" the healer asked. "I expect they are desperate for news."
"Thank you," Hermione said. "And thank you for helping me throughout the birth."
"It was my pleasure," the healer smiled.
"Ron do you think we will make good parents?" Hermione asked once the healer had left them alone.
"Of course we will," Ron told her looking uncertainly at Maggie.
Before Hermione could say anything in return the door to the ward opened and in filed Molly, Arthur, Mr and Mrs Granger, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George followed by the healer with a bemused look on her face.
"Oh look at her!" Mrs Weasley gushed. "Our granddaughter," she smiled proudly at Ron.
"Congratulations," Mrs Granger hugged her daughter and Ron.
"So?" Mr Granger asked. "Do you have a name?"
Ron gave the baby back to Hermione and sat down at the edge of the bed putting his arm protectively around them.
"Her name is Magnolia," Hermione announced.
"Maggie for short," Ron said.
"Charming," Mr Weasley beamed.
"Who would have thought it eh?" George smirked. "Little Ron a dad. I feel so sorry for Maggie."
Fred cackled. "It's such an emotional moment. I think I'm going to start crying. However will little Maggie cope having to grow up with him," he laughed.
"I think Ron will be a wonderful dad," Bill cut in.
"I was hoping it would be a girl," Fleur said. "That way you will be able to send her to Beauxbatons."
"She'll go to Hogwarts," Ron said loudly.
"Anyway we need to go," Bill said hurriedly as Fleur looked ready to fire up. "I have to get to work. We only popped in quickly to see the little one. Congratulations once again Ron and Hermione."
"We had best get going too," Fred said. "We left the new girl in charge of the shop."
"I'll just go now as well," Charlie joined in. "You need your rest Hermione. It was great to see you all. Congratulations you two on becoming parents."
"Would you like to hold her mum?" Hermione asked once the ward had cleared.
Mrs Granger's face lit up as she held her granddaughter in her arms.
"Hello Magnolia. I'm your granny," she told the sleepy baby.
Mrs Weasley looked on jealously until Mrs Granger grudgingly handed her over.
"Oh you're so beautiful Maggie, yes you are," Molly cooed at her grandchild.
The two grandpas got a quick shot of holding the baby before the healer ushered them out of the room.
Ron took Maggie over to the window to look out over the street below. Her face crumpled and she began to scream.
"Hermione!" he called uncertainly. "What do I do?" he asked in a state of panic as Maggie's screams got louder.
"I think she might be hungry," Hermione said just as uncertain as Ron.
Ron grabbed a bottle of milk and held it out to Maggie.
"Here you go. Now shhh stop crying and drink up."
"Ron you have to put the bottle in her mouth for her," Hermione said in exasperation. "Honestly, did you read any of the baby books my mum sent us?"
A few seconds later the ward fell silent. Ron looked at Hermione in disbelief.
"I did it!" he said proudly. "I got her to be quiet."
