Chapter 9 - Rose
Two months and four days later Hermione was in her and Ron's new flat in Diagon Alley when the first pain hit. She was stunned at first and then realized what was happening. She sat down on the couch and began timing the contractions. When the contractions reached four minutes apart, Hermione decided to contact Ron and sent her patronus to the shop to deliver the news. Five minutes later, Ron burst through the door in a panic.
"Mione, it's time? How far apart? Are you alright? How bad do you hurt? We need to get to St. Mungo's."
"I'm fine Ron, the contractions aren't horrible ye…"
As she spoke, another contraction hit and Hermione doubled over. Ron was beside himself as he tried to take her in his arms and she pushed him back. Then the contraction eased and Hermione turned to her husband.
"I think it's time to go to St. Mungo's."
Ron took her arm and they floo'd to the hospital. As they emerged from the fire, Hermione stopped and grabbed Ron.
"Ron, our families. They need to know. You need to go tell them."
Ron chuckled and took her hands in his.
"Easy Hermione. When the patronus arrived at the shop, George heard as well and he left to spread the word. And when George gets hold of Harry at Grimmauld Place, he's going to have Harry call your parents since Harry is the best with those strange muggle telephones."
Then Ron led his wife to the reception desk and a healer's assistant quickly escorted them to a room. Four hours later, the Weasleys and Grangers were all gathered in the waiting area outside Hermione's room when they heard a loud infant's scream. Everyone darted for the door and tried to all push their way in. Eventually a healer's assistant had to line them up single file and commanded them to remain orderly and quiet if they wished to remain. Everyone calmed down and slowly filed into the room. Hermione was laying back on the bed, with her hair disheveled and looking exhausted. Ron sat on the edge of her bed, holding a small bundle in his arms. He looked up at their families and broke into a silly grin as he turned the bundle around for everyone to see.
"Meet our daughter, Rose Elizabeth Weasley."
The following day Hermione was recovering well and sat nursing her infant daughter while the proud new father watched them. Rose was a perfect mix of the two of them. She had a pert little nose, long fingers and the trademark red Weasley hair, despite the fact that hers was a bit darker than her father's. As Hermione stared at her daughter, she noticed something unusual. Something was wrong.
"Ron, get a healer. NOW."
Ron jumped up, looked at his panicked wife and ran to the hall, shouting for help. A healer arrived quickly.
"Mrs. Weasley, what is wrong?"
Hermione was beginning to cry.
"Look, her face, no her hair, I don't know! What's wrong? What's happening?"
The healer took the baby and examined her.
"Well, it doesn't look too serious, but let me take her for a quick examination. Now, don't worry, everything will be fine. She is a good size and has been suckling well. I'll be back shortly."
As the healer with their daughter, Ron wrapped his arms around his wife and they began to cry. Twenty minutes later, a different healer appeared, but did not have Rose with him. The tabs on his robes showed he was a senior healer and he looked quite serious. Hermione and Ron clung to each other as he looked at them.
"Mrs. Weasley, you are muggleborn, correct?"
Hermione nodded.
"Do you have any history in your family of magic? Anything unexplained? Any strange relatives from the past that your family refuses to discuss?"
Hermione shook her head. Next, the senior healer turned to Ron.
"Mr. Weasley, you are pureblood?"
Ron nodded.
"Any history in your family of unusual magic? Any rumors that can't be explained?"
Ron shook his head as the healer grew quiet and seemed to be thinking hard. Finally, Ron had enough.
"Sir, what is going on with our daughter? Where is she?"
The healer took a deep breath.
"Your daughter is fine, but we are perplexed. With no family history there is no explanation. You see, your daughter is a metamorphmagus."
Ron was shocked and dropped back down to sit on his wife's bed. They looked at each other in wonder. A metamorphmagus? Finally Hermione found her voice.
"Sir, if my daughter is fine then when are you bringing her back?"
The senior healer shrugged his shoulders, leaned out the door, and called another healer into the room. The second healer was carrying Rose and brought her to Hermione, who quickly snatched her daughter. She and Ron look down in puzzled amazement. Rose was sleeping and looked as perfect as ever except for the pink streak in her hair down the right side of her head. They spent the next hour talking occasionally, but mainly just staring at their daughter. Finally Ron broke the tension.
"Well, at least we know she's not a squib."
Later in the day a steady stream of family and friends began to arrive. Hermione and Ron took turns giving the news about their daughter. Everyone was shocked at first, but once they looked at the beautiful baby, no one seemed to much care what color her hair was. Late in the day, several professors from Hogwarts arrived, including McGonagall, Flitwick and Babbling. Ron gave them the usual quick explanation on what they had discovered about Rose. This time though, he received an unexpected response. Professor Babbling became pale and would have passed out if McGonagall hadn't grabbed her and pushed her into a chair.
Professor Babbling seemed unable to speak for the first five minutes. Ron had brought Rose over to her to assure the professor that the baby was fine, but the professor just kept mumbling. Finally, she broke down.
"Minerva, you know don't you? My fear. It must be. I had so hoped to be wrong. What have I done?"
Minerva McGonagall regarded her colleague.
"Bath, get a hold on yourself. You may be right, but you had no way of knowing and after all being a metamorphmagus is not a death sentence. Rose may be a bit different, but her unique ability should not hinder her in any way."
Hermione watched the exchange, puzzled.
"Can someone please explain what all this is about?"
Professor Babbling sighed and began.
"Hermione, you remember the night you helped me with the runes? How everything was going well and then something happened that caused a ripple and a disturbance in our work? I was unsure then what it was, but the following week I received the news that you were pregnant. If I had known before, I never would have let you near the runes. The effect of runework on the unborn is not well documented. I feared that our work had somehow hurt your child. I confided my fears in Minerva and Poppy and they tried to calm me down. That's why Poppy was always so thorough in your exams. We watched for any sign of a problem, but she found none. Now I know I was wrong. Do you remember the runes? 'Anh' for change and 'rhio' for form. It seems obvious now what effect those particular runes had on Rose. I am so sorry."
Hermione and Ron took a minute to absorb what the professor had said. Then Ron spoke first.
"Professor, you are not responsible for this. It was an accident that no one could have predicted. My daughter is healthy with an unusual talent. She will grow up unique in her ability, but normal otherwise."
"I agree completely with my husband professor. This is not your fault. I forbid you to blame yourself. Now, if you are done crying, would you like to hold her?"
Professor Babbling uttered a quiet 'thank you' and reached to take Rose in her arms.
The next day Hermione was due to be released from the hospital and she was more than ready. None of the family was there, as requested. Everyone would be welcome to visit later, once they were home. As Ron cradled his baby daughter and took his wife by the hand, they stepped into the fire and floo'd home. When they arrived, Hermione heaved a deep sigh, happy to be home. They sat down on their couch together and stared at their daughter in awe. Today, for her homecoming, the small baby had hair of deep purple.
