Chapter Eleven - Christmas Confession
The scorching hot summer days were drawing to a close, as the crisp autumn month of September was now upon them. Harry had done his week's training and loved his job as Deputy Head Auror. As expected Harry was an excellent Deputy leader, and he and Tonks were working brilliantly running the Auror Department. As a result of that, the Ministry now had one of the strongest team of Aurors in the Ministry's history. This of course had delighted Mr. Weasley.
Hermione was now working for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She had discussed with Mr. Weasley about her S.P.E.W idea and he seemed to back it, after much convincing from Hermione. So she was now fronting a huge campaign for the house elves. Harry really admired her courage and sheer determination to stick with it, while Ron just thought she was plain crazy to still be carrying on with the idea that had never succeeded in Hogwarts.
Ron himself was working for the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He was thoroughly enjoying it, helping to organise quidditch matches and even managing to get free tickets to see teams play, and Ron being the son of the Minister for Magic was a great advantage for him, as he never got any hassle off his co-workers.
Today was September 19th, Hermione's 19th birthday. She woke up to find Harry not in his usual place in their bed next to her.
"Harry?" she called, assuming he was just in the bathroom, but she received no answer. Confused, she got out of bed and put her dressing gown on and went into the kitchen. She found Harry had cooked breakfast, there was champagne on the table and also a massive bouquet of flowers.
"Happy Birthday sweetheart!" Harry said, as he went up and kissed her.
"Thank you … oh you didn't have to cook me anything, toast would've done and these flowers are gorgeous!"
Harry laughed "You're welcome and here is your present" he handed her a long black velvet box, she opened it carefully. Inside was a silver bracelet made of hearts all joined together "Oh it's beautiful! Thank you" she hugged him then took the bracelet out and put it on her wrist.
"It looks great!" Harry said "So where would the birthday girl like to go today?"
Hermione sipped some champagne before answering "Well I don't know … I mean you are going to work - actually shouldn't you be in work now?" she asked as she noticed the clock on the wall showed 9:30am.
"I booked the day off. Couldn't have you spending the day on your own, so I'm taking you out somewhere, just need to know where?" Harry said with a grin.
"You took the day off just to be with me on my birthday! That is so sweet, thank you" she kissed him "Ooo right okay where shall we go" she gave a thoughtful pause "How about the cinema? Haven't gone to see a film for ages! Then I don't mind what we do, we could just chill out here before my party."
"That sounds good to me, but I have to go out for about thirty minutes, you go have a nice bath or something and I'll be back with another surprise."
Hermione smiled "Another surprise? Oh Harry, what is it?"
"I'm not telling you" he chuckled and gave her a kiss "be back a.s.a.p."
Exactly thirty minutes later, Hermione had had a quick bath and was now dried and changed, reading a book in the living-room. Harry appeared in the room holding a largish brown box.
"What's in there Harry?" Hermione asked him as she put down the book and stood next to him.
"Have a look for yourself" Harry said with a bright smile.
Hermione knelt down where Harry had put the box and opened it carefully.
Hermione gave a cry of pure delight, inside was a beautiful ginger and white kitten.
"Oh Harry, you got me a kitten!" she lifted it out carefully and held it gently.
"Well I know Crookshanks passing away two weeks ago really upset you, so I thought let's get a new kitten" he smiled fondly at the kitten and stroked its little head.
"She's only 8 weeks old; she doesn't have a name yet. I thought you would like to name her."
"Aww thank-you" Hermione studied the kitten carefully for a minute and decided on a name "Maize."
"Maize?" Harry smiled "Lovely name."
Hermione cuddled Maize happily in her arms "Oh she is so gorgeous! Thank-you for getting her for me Harry."
"You're welcome. She has had all her injections, she's micro-chipped and she's litter trained. I'll just go and get the rest of the things."
Harry came back into the house carrying a box of cat food and a new cat bed in beige, brown and light pink in colour. Along with a load of new cat toys, including a ball with a bell in it, and a pink stick with a pink toy mouse dangling from the end.
Harry and Hermione had a lot of fun playing with the new kitten, she was a very inquisitive kitten, who was very playful yet she was so friendly and was very happy to be cuddled for long periods of time.
After Harry and Hermione had spent the day together with their new kitten, they left Maize sleeping as they went out to the cinema, and by the time they got home it was almost time for Hermione's birthday party at 5:30pm.
Hermione opened her presents and everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' as Harry brought out her birthday cake from the kitchen.
"Ooo come here sweetie pie!" Hermione said happily as Tonks handed Teddy to Hermione and she bounced the six month old whilst he was balanced on her hip.
"Now, Auntie Hermione has some new toys for you to play with, you want to go and see them yeah?" she cooed to Teddy who was smiling.
"Can Uncle Harry come too?" Harry asked with a grin.
Hermione smiled and said to Teddy "What d'ya reckon, shall we let Uncle Harry come along too?" she glanced at Harry who was pretending to look sad.
Hermione giggled "Yeah Uncle Harry can come too" she took his hand and the three of them left the room.
Leaving a few of the party guests, those who were in the living-room, with smiles on their faces. Ron on the other hand looked bewildered.
"I thought it was supposed to be Hermione's birthday, not Teddy's?" Ron said with a bemused look. They all chuckled.
"So what do you guys reckon … a couple of months?" George asked.
"Nah I reckon Christmas" piped up his twin brother.
"No, no more likely April" Luna interjected as she cuddled the new kitten.
"Well I think at least by their first wedding anniversary" Tonks added.
Ron was looking utterly confused "What on earth are you all on about?"
Luna rolled her eyes "Oh Ronald you are so transparent! Isn't it obvious?" After Ron shook his head, Luna sighed before explaining it to him.
"How long do you reckon it will be until Harry and Hermione are going to be like that, just with their own baby?"
Ron's eyes widened "What you all think? …" they all nodded "Just by the way they?…" They all nodded again. "Nah I don't think so, not for years yet."
"Well you must be the only one who thinks that then Ron, because to the rest of us it's so blatantly obvious that those two are dying to have children. They spoil Teddy and Victoire rotten! They would make such amazing parents. I'm definitely convinced" Luna said to them all, who nodded in agreement.
To Ron's complete surprise, Hermione's parents did not look at all unnerved or concerned over the fact that their daughter could be on the verge of becoming pregnant even before she's twenty.
"But don't you guys think Harry and Hermione; especially Hermione, would want to have good careers and work hard and stuff before having kids?" Ron asked to the people in the room.
"Well that's what we would've thought" replied Joanna as the kitten came over to her, and Joanna stroked Maize happily "I think Hermione hides it well. She loves to study and work well on things but she absolutely loves being around children, she adores them! And as we have all witnessed, she and Harry are great with them, so I would not be at all surprised if they told us very soon, that they are expecting their first baby."
"And you would be alright with that?" Lupin inquired.
David gave a slight smile "Joanna and I discussed this a while ago, and of course we want the best for our Hermione and now that she has Harry, I think we wouldn't at all mind if Hermione puts having a family before her work. Knowing Hermione she would find some way to juggle both. So yeah we would be fine with it."
Luckily, Harry and Hermione did not hear a word of this conversation from their friends and family. By the time they returned to the living-room, everyone, as a joke, had picked dates for when they think Hermione will announce that she is pregnant. Everyone was looking at the couple with smiles on their faces.
"What you all grinning at?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing" a lot of them answered together.
Hermione raised her eyebrows but decided to question no further.
Later that night, while Hermione was stroking Maize who had curled up in a ball at the end of their bed, Harry joined her in bed and she turned to him. "Harry?"
"Hmm" he replied half listening as he got comfy.
"What do you think all that strange stuff was about earlier, during the party?"
"What strange stuff?" he asked.
"Y'know they were all grinning at us and it's like they had been discussing something about us."
Harry gave a small laugh "I don't know darling, they might have been, then again they might not have but anyway it doesn't matter, come on lets get to sleep I've got a really early start tomorrow."
Hermione moaned "Yeah me too, alright night Harry" he reached over and kissed her "Night love."
"Night, Maize!" Hermione said happily as she stroked the kitten for the last time and switched off the bedside light.
"Can't believe that cat is asleep on our bed, if I'd have known she would be taking over our bed at night, I wouldn't have got her."
"Harry, don't be cruel. She's a sweetie pie, she can't do any harm. Just go to sleep, you won't even know she is there."
The months continued on, the bitter cold wind drove across the country signalling the start of winter, it was now December and the festive celebration of Christmas was nearly upon them. Harry and Hermione enjoyed buying their first Christmas tree, decorating it and putting lights around the windows.
Just five days before Christmas day itself, Harry and Hermione woke up ready to get up and go to work, but all of a sudden Hermione threw back the duvet covers, ran straight into the bathroom and started being very sick. Harry hastily got out of bed, ran to kneel by her side and rubbed her back gently. When she finished she laid her head against Harry's shoulder.
"Oh sweetheart, do you still feel like you're going to be sick again?" he asked in concern.
Hermione shook her head.
Harry carefully lifted her up in his arms and carried her back into the bedroom and placed her on the bed.
"You look so pale Hermione" he said as he put the covers back over her.
"Ever the charmer" Hermione said as she managed a small smile. Harry returned her smile and sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked her hair "Trust you to get ill just before Christmas."
Hermione showed a small smile again but didn't say anything.
"I'm going to call Sally and tell her you won't be in today" Harry told her.
"No, no I'll be fine. I have to go in, I've got a lot to do" Hermione stressed.
"I'm sure your assistant can handle things for the day Hermione, now you just lie there and rest."
Hermione sighed "Fine. Fine I'll stay off today, but I still want you to go in. I'll be fine, there is no need for you to stay off and look after me."
Harry smiled "Thought you'd say that. Okay I'll go into work, but if you need me at all, for anything, or if you feel worse then please call me or get a message to me somehow, and I'm definitely coming home at lunch to check on you." Hermione rolled her eyes, but knew Harry was only doing this because he cared "Okay if you want to, now go on get ready for work" she ordered and Harry soon got changed and left the room.
Hermione didn't seem to get any better as the days progressed. Harry was becoming very concerned for his wife and Hermione never even returned to work before everyone began their few days off for the holidays. As Christmas Eve dawned, Hermione was once again being sick. At lunchtime Hermione had managed to stomach the first proper meal she had eaten for days.
"Harry I'm just going to go for a little walk outside for a bit, maybe go see Jane in the shop or something" she said as she put boots, hat, scarf and gloves on along with her coat, as it was extremely cold outside.
"Would you like me to come with you?" Harry asked.
"Umm, do you mind if I go on my own? I won't be very long; maybe the fresh air will do me good."
Harry really did not want Hermione to go out by herself, but he didn't pester her as he knew she liked her independence.
"Okay if you're sure" he kissed her "Just be careful. I love you."
"Love you too, see you in a bit" she left the house and closed the door behind her.
Hermione walked carefully down the icy front path and down the country lane until she reached the heart of the village. She had no intention of visiting her good friend Jane, who ran the local shop, Hermione just wanted to be on her own so she could collect her thoughts. This morning she had finally figured out what could be the real source of her illness. Hermione believed she was pregnant. It would certainly explain all the sickness that she had been experiencing, which was considerably heightened in the mornings more than the afternoons. She also came to a startling realisation that she hadn't had a period since October, which really started the alarm bells ringing. She knew what Harry would think if she told him she was pregnant. He would be ecstatic. They had discussed having children together but Hermione never thought it would happen this soon. However, that still did not dampen the feelings of joy and excitement at the prospect of being pregnant with Harry's baby. Hermione came to the decision that it was best to know if her suspicions were true for certain, and so apparated to the nearest chemist and then headed straight back home.
Harry came directly up to her in the hallway when she came back in.
"Hey, are you alright?" he asked in concern, she nodded and she took off her coat, hat, gloves and scarf. Harry then noticed she had taken a bag out of her pocket.
"What you got there?"
Hermione bit her bottom lip slightly and with total anxiety in her voice she answered, "Harry, I think I know what's wrong with me."
Harry didn't know how he should react to this certain piece of information. He just stared at her and gulped, preparing himself for bad news, but nothing could quite prepare Harry for what Hermione was about to tell him.
Hermione reached into the bag and held up a box and at the same time she said, "I think I'm pregnant."
Harry's eyes went wide in stunned shock, his eyes darted between looking at Hermione's worried face and the pregnancy test box in her hand, and then he said with a hopeful smile "Are you sure?"
Hermione nodded slightly "It would explain all this sickness and I haven't had a period for months, I mean I'm not always on time. I just put my lateness down to the stress from my job ... also my cycle can be quite irregular but I've never gone this long …" she seemed to pause just to stop herself from babbling "I just think this is the only explanation" she looked at Harry with all seriousness "but please Harry don't get your hopes up, it could just all be a false alarm and I could just have a normal stomach bug. I'll go do the test now and then we'll know for sure."
Harry nodded and tried his hardest to keep the calmest expression he could on his face.
"Alright" Harry went up and kissed her forehead "Remember whatever the outcome, I'll be here for you and I'll support you, okay?" she nodded happily "Good luck sweetheart, I'll wait just outside by here" he told her, she smiled at him again but beneath that smile Harry could tell Hermione was extremely nervous as she entered the downstairs toilet and closed the door.
Hermione took the test and had to wait a couple of minutes for the result. She couldn't explain the amount of emotions that were coursing through her body at this very moment. The prospect of finding out if your whole life will change forever, just by looking at a little screen on a white stick, did freak Hermione out slightly.
Harry, who was pacing the floor just outside the bathroom door, was becoming incredibly anxious and impatient. It felt to him like Hermione had been in there for hours, when it had not even been five minutes.
He didn't know how to prepare himself. Hermione had just dropped this huge bombshell on him. In a matter of minutes he could find out that he was going to be a father, but on the other hand he could find out that it had all been a false alarm and life would return to normal. Would it ever be normal again? The answer to that question was just about to become clear as Hermione opened the door and she came out with a blank expression on her face, looking directly at Harry who was staring back at her.
"And?" he asked eagerly, and then came what felt like the longest silence he had ever endured but it actually lasted milliseconds.
Hermione held up the pregnancy test stick in her hand and she exclaimed; "I'm pregnant!"
The biggest smile developed across her face, she gave a joyous cry and Harry smiled, laughing along with her. Harry rushed the few steps towards Hermione and wrapped her in a huge hug, lifted her up and swung her around. They both laughed with joy.
Harry placed Hermione down onto her feet again, and grinned "We're having a baby? Oh my god, we are going to have a baby! I can't believe it!" Harry exclaimed.
Hermione beamed "Well see the proof for yourself" she showed him the pregnancy test stick and on the small screen was the word 'Pregnant'.
"You're going to be a daddy!" she said joyously with a smile.
Harry's eyes nearly filled with tears "I'm going to be a dad?" he paused as he let this news thoroughly sink in, before turning his attention quickly back to his wife "And you're going to be a mum! Aww come here!" and he hugged her tightly again, before letting go and kissing her deeply "I love you so much! And thank you."
"For what, getting pregnant?" Hermione asked with a chuckle.
"Well … yeah" Harry laughed too.
"Well I'm so thrilled to be carrying our child, I'm so excited!" she grinned.
Harry beamed and they kissed again.
Harry suddenly grabbed their coats off the hooks and handed Hermione's to her.
"Come on" he said as he put some shoes on.
"What, where are we going?" asked a quite startled Hermione as she put down the pregnancy test and put on her coat.
"St. Mungo's" he said simply "I'm taking you to see a Healer, got to make sure everything's okay."
Hermione smiled at his strong concern for her and took his hand before apparating to the hospital and wandered into the maternity area.
"Hello I would like to see a Healer as soon as possible please" Hermione said to the receptionist.
"Of course, what's the name please?"
"Hermione Potter" Hermione replied.
The receptionist looked between Hermione and Harry and smiled "Well, as it's you Mrs. Potter I'll get you to see our Head Healer, she's with someone at the moment but if you could please take a seat over there" she pointed to the waiting room "and she'll call you in."
"Thank you" Hermione said simply, Harry smiled at the receptionist and led Hermione to the waiting room.
They did not have to wait long, only about ten minutes, before a woman with blonde hair appeared out of a room, and said goodbye to heavily pregnant woman before looking at some notes she had in her hand, and smiled over at Harry and Hermione.
"Hermione Potter, if you'd like to come with me" she said to them.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded fervently "Please" she took his hand and they went into the room with the Healer who closed the door.
"Hi, Mrs. Potter. I'm Sarah, pleased to meet you" she shook her hand before turning to Harry "and Harry Potter, what an honour it is" she shook his hand. "Thank you, and thanks for seeing us so quickly" Harry said kindly.
"Oh not at all, so what can I do for you both?" Sarah asked politely.
"I've just found out that I'm pregnant" Hermione grinned along with Harry "And just wanted to have it checked out really."
Sarah smiled "Well that is wonderful news, congratulations! Yeah sure, just hop onto the bed there and I'll do some checks."
Hermione did so and Harry sat on a chair next to the bed and held Hermione's hand. Sarah sat on a stool on the other side of the bed and lifted Hermione's top up slightly and started using the ultrasound scanner over her lower stomach.
"So how have you been feeling Mrs. Potter? Or can I call you Hermione?"
Hermione smiled "Yeah course you can. Well I've been feeling awfully sick for a number of days now; I just thought it could be a stomach bug or something but then I finally realised it could be morning sickness and my last period was in October."
Sarah nodded and stopped the scanning device in one place on Hermione's stomach. "Okay that sounds about right. Alright yeah here we are" she said and turned the screen so Harry and Hermione could see and they both gasped. Hermione covered her mouth with her hand.
"That's our baby!" she said and turned to glance at Harry with almost tears in her eyes.
"Wow!" was all Harry could say.
There was an obvious shape of a baby on the monitor, it was quite small but all the obvious body parts were already formed.
"You've got a very healthy looking baby here, and the size and everything corresponds with what you've said Hermione. You are by my calculations, eleven weeks pregnant."
Hermione looked pretty surprised "Really? Nearly three months already and I didn't realise?"
Sarah smiled "It's alright, quite a few of the women I see don't realise till around the time when morning sickness starts to kick in. So it's reasonably normal."
Harry and Hermione kept watching their baby on the monitor while Sarah did some more checks and details and asked Hermione a few more questions.
"Okay you two, your baby's due date is June 23rd" Harry and Hermione looked at eachother and smiled "I would like you to come for check-ups every four to six weeks. Hermione try not to drink much alcohol if you can, although I think its best to stay off it all together" Hermione was nodding in agreement.
Sarah continued "You must not do anything too stressful and try and rest and relax as much as you can, don't do anything too strenuous.
Eat the normal three meals a day and make sure they are well balanced with different foods, you're definitely going to feel more hungry now and start craving things as the baby develops, you've just got to generally take very good care of yourself."
Hermione nodded "Okay I will."
"I'll be taking good care of her Sarah, don't you worry" Harry added.
Sarah smiled "Nice to see you have a very supportive husband, Hermione."
Hermione smiled "Oh yes he is indeed."
Sarah grinned "I'm personally appointing myself as your healer for the duration of your pregnancy, so if you have any problems or concerns over anything then just call me or somehow get a message to me. I'll soon send you details of when to come for your next scan."
"Okay thank you" Hermione said to her.
They stayed there for a few more minutes as Sarah answered some more of their questions.
"So all in all the baby is okay yeah?" Harry asked finally.
Sarah smiled "You two have nothing to worry about, yeah its healthy and the right size for a baby of eleven weeks, so I'm very happy. Oh and here" she handed them a picture of the ultrasound scan.
"Thank you!" Hermione said happily as she clutched it in her hand and glanced down at the picture.
Hermione got up off the bed and put her coat back on.
"I'll see you soon, have a fantastic Christmas! To find out you're pregnant on Christmas Eve! It's so lovely" Sarah said.
Harry and Hermione smiled "Yeah it's brilliant! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too" Harry said.
"Bye!" they all chorused and Harry and Hermione left the hospital, with extremely high spirits.
Harry and Hermione returned home and cuddled on the sofa, very happily looking at the picture of their baby.
"I still can't believe that this is our baby!" Hermione said excitedly "It's got little arms and legs and everything already!"
Harry placed his hand over Hermione's currently flat stomach "Our little baby is growing inside you. That still amazes me."
Hermione grinned and placed her hand over where Harry's was situated on her stomach "When do you think we should tell everyone?"
Harry answered her almost immediately "Well considering everyone is going to The Burrow tomorrow, we should tell them all then, what do you think?"
Hermione nodded "Yes I agree, alright lets do it tomorrow" then she paused "Wait a minute, what about my parents?"
Harry pondered for a second "Well how about now?"
Hermione raised her eyebrows "What right this minute?"
"Yeah why not, we can just go over there now and tell them."
Hermione was rather apprehensive about telling her parents of the news but Harry managed to persuade her and the two of them apparated outside the Granger house and knocked on the front door.
"God I am so nervous!" Hermione said anxiously as she rubbed her hands from the bitter cold.
"I am too, but I'm sure they will take the news well" Harry responded just before David opened the door "Hey you two, what you doing here? Come on in you look freezing!"
"Hey dad, yeah it's really cold! I'm surprised it hasn't snowed yet. Where is mum?"
"In the kitchen preparing dinner, you're both welcome to join us seeing as though you're here."
"Oh yeah we'd love too thanks" Harry said as he took off his coat and Hermione did the same.
They walked into the kitchen and Joanna stopped stirring something in a pot and went over to them.
"Hello darlings!" she hugged them "how are you both? It's nice to see you."
"Hiya mum, we are both alright. Thought we'd pop round. We have something we want to talk to you about."
Joanna raised her eyebrows "Oh yes? This sounds ominous."
"Well umm" Hermione started to say "I suppose it can wait till after dinner."
"Oh okay" her mother said "Well dinner should be ready in a few minutes."
Harry gently pulled Hermione away from her parents.
"Why didn't you just tell them?" he asked.
Hermione lent in and whispered to Harry "Because I'm scared. I don't know how they are going to react, especially dad, they could totally lose it."
Harry hugged her gently "Hey sweetheart, its going to be fine. There is no need to be scared" he took her hand "They should be delighted, after all it's their first grandchild you're carrying. They'll be fine with it, you just see."
So the four of them ate dinner and afterwards sat down in the living room.
"So come on then, what is it you wanted to tell us? You've kept us in suspense long enough" David said.
Hermione stood up very nervously and Harry joined her and took her hand.
"Well the real reason why we came over is, we found out something today and we thought its only right that you should be the first to know" Harry said and he squeezed Hermione's hand gently to encourage her.
Hermione breathed a sigh and smiled before saying "Mum, Dad. I'm pregnant."
David and Joanna sat their in shock for a matter of seconds before Hermione's mum spoke up "Your … your pregnant?" she asked incredulity. Harry at this point could tell Hermione was becoming very scared and he let go of her hand to put an arm around her waist, this simple action seemed to make Hermione relax considerably.
Harry knew Hermione couldn't find the courage to carry on talking so he decided to do it for her; "Yes Hermione is indeed pregnant, and we are both so, so pleased about it."
Joanna put her hand to her mouth and looked almost in tears "Aww come here you two!" she rushed over and hugged them both tightly "this is fantastic news! Congratulations, I'm so happy for you both!"
Harry and Hermione smiled, and then Hermione spotted the look of her father's face and became worried again "Dad, what do you think?"
David stopped staring off into nowhere and looked at them "I think" he said as he stood up "its brilliant news! Come here!" Hermione let out the biggest sigh of relief and hugged her father "I'm so glad you're pleased, I was so worried!"
David gave a small chuckle "You're going to have our first grandchild! How could you think we wouldn't be delighted?!" he then turned to Harry, "Son, I'm so happy for you, congratulations!" and he hugged Harry.
"Thank you" Harry said with a grin.
"So go on then tell us everything! How far gone are you? When's the baby due?" Mrs. Granger asked very eagerly and they all sat down on one sofa and Harry took Hermione's hand.
"Well" Hermione began "I've been feeling really sick this past week or so, I just assumed I had a bad stomach bug or something, then I finally realised it could be morning sickness, so I took the test a few hours ago and it showed I was definitely pregnant" she beamed, then she remembered something.
"So we went to the hospital to get it all checked out and we got this" she took the ultrasound scan picture out her pocket and showed it to her parents.
"Oh it's beautiful!" Joanna exclaimed with almost tears in her eyes.
"I'm eleven weeks pregnant" Hermione continued "and the baby's due on June 23rd" she grinned and Harry put his arm around her.
"That's great!" David said with a grin.
His wife was beaming at them "Wow, nearly three months already. Your bump will start to show soon!" she said excitedly "Ooo I better get knitting!"
Harry and Hermione couldn't stop smiling and were finding it hard to contain their excitement.
"This is brilliant! Christmas day tomorrow and finding out we are going to be grandparents, ooo I'm so excited!" Joanna said elatedly.
Hermione smiled and leaned into Harry who kissed the top of her head softly, so perfectly content.
The family spent a few hours still discussing the baby news, then just before Harry and Hermione were about to leave, Hermione saw something that made her gasp.
"Oh my goodness! Look it's snowing!" she shouted and they all came rushing to the window to look outside. The snow was coming down thick and fast, it was certainly settling on the ground and the snow didn't seem like it was going to stop anytime soon.
"Oh it's gorgeous!" Joanna said "it looks like it's going to be a white Christmas after all" they all smiled and soon said their goodbyes and Harry and Hermione disapparated home.
"Come on you, lets go to bed" Harry said.
"But it's still quite early" Hermione stated.
"I just want to snuggle up to my beautiful, pregnant wife in bed on Christmas Eve, is that not allowed?" He pulled her close towards him and she smiled "Of course it's allowed" she kissed him and he lifted her up in his arms and carried her to bed.
Christmas morning dawned, Hermione was the first to wake, and she moved her head slightly to look at Harry who was still fast asleep with a smile on his face. She felt a warm sensation over her stomach and she then realised that Harry had his hand placed very delicately over the place on her stomach where their baby was growing inside her.
She felt like she wanted to cry, whether that being out of pure happiness or her pregnancy hormones were starting to kick in, she didn't quite know which. Hermione moved so she was now lying on her back and became too excited to lie there in silence anymore.
"Harry! Harry!" she said in a whisper, Harry murmured before his eyes opened and locked with hers "Morning. Merry Christmas Mrs. Potter" he smiled at her.
"Merry Christmas, Harry" Hermione replied happily and he lent over and kissed her.
"Harry do you realise where your hand has been resting all night?" she showed him and Harry beamed "Must be instinct now, got to protect you and the baby" and to Hermione's total surprise, Harry lifted her pyjama top slightly and kissed the spot where his hand had been resting "Merry Christmas little one, mummy and daddy are so happy you're here."
Hermione let out a small sob, Harry looked at his wife "Don't cry, can't have that on today of all days."
Hermione giggled slightly "Yeah I know, its just that was so beautiful what you just did, I …." She stopped abruptly, clapped a hand over her mouth and shot out of bed and into the bathroom.
"Morning sickness again, sweetheart?" Harry asked as he went to her side in the bathroom, she stopped pretty quickly "Yeah well, at least I know why I'm being sick now, and however much I hate it I've still got to go through with it. All part of the experience I suppose" she brushed her teeth and went back into the bedroom and joined Harry.
"Hermione come and have a look at this" he said, Harry had just opened some curtains and was looking out of a window. Hermione came on over to him and gasped.
All they could see out of the window was the entire back-garden and the fields and trees in the distance, completely smothered in a thick white blanket of snow, Hermione shocked Harry by suddenly flinging her arms around him.
Harry laughed as she let go "And the reason for that … was?"
Hermione beamed "This is the best Christmas ever! I not only live in the most beautiful house, I have a great job, amazing family and friends, I'm married to the most fantastic man in the world! I'm nearly three months pregnant with our first baby and now it's snowing on Christmas day!" she looked like she was going to burst with happiness.
Harry chuckled and grinned "Yeah you're right, that is one heck of list."
She grabbed his hand "Come on! I want to go open the presents!" she led him downstairs and into the living-room and Hermione ran straight over to the Christmas tree, with Harry sitting very closely next to her.
They both enjoyed opening their presents; Maize had a lot of fun playing with all the wrapping paper scattered across the floor, before she went off to eat some food. Hermione snuggled up to Harry as they stayed sitting on the floor and Harry kissed the top of her head.
"Just think Hermione, there will be another Potter around this tree this time next year" he said with great happiness.
Hermione felt like she wanted to cry again.
"What do you reckon we'll have" she placed her hand over her stomach "a boy or girl?" she smiled at him.
"Boy of course!" Harry said.
Hermione chuckled "How can you be so sure? It could just as well be a girl."
"Father's instinct" he replied.
Hermione laughed "Well mother's instinct and I say it's a girl."
Harry smiled and placed his hand over hers "Well I honestly don't mind which. Sure I would love a son with my hair and your eyes who I can teach quidditch too, but on the other hand, I would adore a daughter who has the brains and beauty of her mum."
Hermione did now have tears in her eyes and she kissed him.
"Well I know one thing for sure, regardless if it's a boy or girl. He or she will be loved and that's all that matters."
"I wonder how everyone's going to react when we tell them" Hermione asked Harry as they made their way upstairs to get dressed.
"They will go mad with excitement I suspect" Harry smiled "I'll tell you one thing though."
"Yeah?" Hermione asked curiously.
"There is going to be a race on between your mum and Mrs. Weasley to see who can knit the most clothes for the baby."
Hermione began laughing and hit him playfully "Ooo you're cheeky!"
Harry laughed along with her and grinned.
They got dressed, Harry in shirt, trousers and shoes. Hermione in jeans, red top and her favourite fur lined plum colour boots. Hermione was still being sick during the morning but managed to eat some toast for breakfast.
Hermione's parents arrived at the house a few minutes before they were all due to leave for The Burrow.
"Hiya Mum, Dad! Merry Christmas" Hermione greeted excitedly.
"Hey. Merry Christmas!" Harry also said as he joined Hermione in the hallway.
"Merry Christmas darlings" Joanna said and the four of them exchanged hugs. "How you feeling this morning Hermione?" her mother asked her.
"Still getting a bit of morning sickness but I'm feeling a bit better now."
"Aww that's good, here you go" she handed them presents and Harry gave them their presents.
A while later all four of them left the house and arrived at The Burrow.
They were greeted by Ron "Heya you two" he hugged Harry and Hermione, "Hiya Mr and Mrs. Granger."
"Merry Christmas Ron" Harry said.
"Yeah Merry Christmas to you too, word of advice don't go into the kitchen, mum is going mad in there with all the cooking."
They entered the living-room and greeted everyone else that was already there. Harry and Hermione spotted Luna sitting on one of the sofas, she was now seven months pregnant and her bump was huge. Harry whispered in Hermione's ear "That'll be you in about four months time."
Hermione grinned happily "Remember don't tell anyone till after we have all eaten."
Harry nodded "Got it."
While Mr and Mrs. Granger went to chat to Mr. Weasley, Hermione and Harry made their way over to Luna.
"Merry Christmas Luna, how are you doing?" Hermione asked her, Luna looked up at them.
"Merry Christmas, I'm not too bad thank you. How are you guys, you feeling better Hermione?"
"Yeah a bit, thankfully, don't want to miss out on Mrs. Weasley's amazing Christmas dinner" Hermione smiled.
"Is there anything I can get you Luna? A drink or …" Harry asked politely.
Luna looked at Harry with her usual dreamy expression "That's very nice of you to ask Harry, but I'm okay for now thank you."
Harry nodded "No problem, if there is anything you do need then just ask, can't have you doing anything too strenuous in your condition."
Luna smiled as did Hermione "You're very sweet Harry, thank-you! Hermione you're a very lucky girl."
Hermione just looked at Harry lovingly "Yeah I am aren't I."
At 1:00pm everyone settled down to a fabulous Christmas dinner and once they were all truly full up, they all gathered into the living-room to start exchanging presents which lasted quite a while, after all the wrapping paper had been cleared away, Mrs. Weasley asked;
"Right so who's up for playing charades?"
"Actually Mrs. Weasley, can Hermione and I say something before we start?"
She smiled "Of course Harry."
"Thank you" Harry stood up along with Hermione and they held hands, as Harry began to speak "Well I'm sure you're all eager to beat Ron at charades" this caused giggles from everyone and Ron raised his eyebrows in amusement, but Harry continued "so I'll try and keep this short. First off thanks for cooking us all a fantastic Christmas dinner Mrs. Weasley, I swear they get better every year!" everyone chuckled and Mrs. Weasley looked very pleased "but the thing I really wanted to say is, both Hermione and I have an announcement to make. Well actually I think its best if it came from Hermione." Harry stopped to let Hermione talk, she grinned at him and he wrapped his arm around her waist. Hermione looked at everyone very happily and said with a huge smile "I'm pregnant!"
The whole room cheered with delight and happiness, the girls especially got very excited. "Harry and I went to St. Mungo's yesterday and had it confirmed by one of the Healer's, the baby's due on the 23rd June" and subconsciously, she placed her hand over her stomach.
Everyone seemed to now forget about charades, as all everyone could talk about was Harry and Hermione's baby news.
"I told you it would be by Christmas!" Fred started.
"No, I said it would be by Christmas!" George said to his twin.
"No you didn't, I did! Tonks, tell George it was me."
"Yes Fred was the one who said it was Christmas, you said November George" Tonks told him.
"Damn it!" George moaned.
"What you guys arguing about?" Harry asked.
Quite a few people, including the twins and Tonks, looked a bit apprehensive, "Umm please don't get mad Harry, but some of us kind of made bets on when you and Hermione would announce that you're expecting."
George readied himself for Harry to go completely ballistic, but was surprised when Harry burst into laughter.
"I'm not mad, the only question I have is why?"
"You two just looked like you were so ready to have kids by the way you were acting with Teddy and Victoire, so we thought we would have a bit of a game to see who got the closest date."
"And who won?" Harry asked with a cheeky grin on his face.
"Fred" George admitted with a sullen face.
Harry laughed "Nice one Fred. Hey guys I'm seriously not mad at you for what you did, but please don't mention it to Hermione as I suspect she will be angry."
They nodded "Understood Harry, understood, but hey congratulations anyway!"
Harry smiled "Cheers guys."
As Harry moved away back to Hermione, Tonks following him and Remus came up to them "Hey, hey! Here are the proud parents to be!" Lupin said joyously and he hugged Harry and kissed Hermione on the cheek, "Congratulations I'm so thrilled for you both, a baby Potter on the way, its fantastic news!"
Tonks hugged them both "Yeah it really is brilliant news. We are going to put you down for babysitting Teddy now, get some practice."
Harry laughed "Thank you. Yeah we'd be happy to. I suspect Bill and Fleur are going to do the same to us, as will Ron and Luna when their baby is born."
Lupin chuckled "Well you best get prepared. How did your parents take the news Hermione?"
Hermione smiled "Yeah very well. I was really worried about telling them at first but they said they were delighted, so I'm happy. We thought they should be the first to know that's why we told them yesterday, instead of letting them find out with everyone today."
Tonks and Lupin nodded "That's fair enough. Oh you said you went to the hospital, did you get an ultrasound scan picture?" Tonks asked nicely.
Harry and Hermione grinned "Yeah we did" Hermione got it out of her pocket "Here, have a look" and handed it to Tonks.
"Oh it's so adorable!" Tonks said sweetly.
Remus also smiled as he glanced down at the picture "Well what do you guys reckon, boy or girl?" he asked as he looked back at them with a grin.
Hermione answered immediately "Well I reckon it's a girl, Harry thinks it will be a boy." Harry nodded vigorously. Hermione rolled her eyes and Tonks and Lupin laughed "but we honestly don't mind which, as long as the baby is healthy and happy" she said with a smile.
"Yeah" Harry agreed as he put his arm around her waist.
Lupin and Tonks smiled "Well if you need any advice on anything Hermione, you can always come to me" Tonks offered.
"Thank you Tonks, I will indeed" Hermione replied.
They all heard a baby cry from behind them, poor Ron was trying to comfort Teddy but with no luck, he came rushing over to them.
"I swear this kid doesn't like me."
Harry, Lupin and Tonks tried not to laugh, while Hermione shook her head "Oh pass him here, honestly Ronald all he needs is some love and caring attention."
Ron gladly handed Teddy to Hermione and within seconds Teddy calmed down and stopped crying as he began sucking his thumb.
"See?" Hermione said to Ron with a smile on her face.
Harry, Tonks and Lupin laughed when they saw Ron's shocked face.
"How … how did you…?" Ron stuttered.
"She's a natural" Lupin said admiringly "Don't know how you do it Hermione, takes me and Dora ages to settle him, but if you're holding him he goes quiet in seconds!"
Hermione was blushing.
"Well whenever my kid starts crying we are calling you, Hermione."
Hermione laughed "Oh I'm sure you'll be fine, just don't go calling us at 4:00am d'ya hear me!" she warned him.
Ron nodded.
"What's Ronald done now?" Luna asked as she came over to them.
Harry laughed "Oh nothing Luna."
"Why is it always me who gets picked on huh?" Ron moaned.
Luna kissed his cheek "Because it's fun."
They all burst out laughing and Luna rushed off quickly without giving Ron a chance to respond.
Ron rolled his eyes "Women honestly! Good luck Harry mate, coping with a pregnant woman is hard work. Are you prepared for the cravings, the emotional outbursts, the constant moaning about everything?"
Hermione was glaring daggers at him "Ronald Weasley! How on earth Luna puts up with you I do not know! Would you rather have to carry a baby for nine months?"
Ron was looking quite scared and shook his head.
"Well then there you go" Hermione said.
Harry at this point put his arm around her waist "And to answer your question Ron, yes I am prepared. I don't care if Hermione shouts at me and cries for no apparent reason and I don't mind getting up at 2:00am to get her something she wants, because I love her and she's going through all of this just so we can have a baby and I think that's incredible."
Hermione looked so happy at Harry's words and lent up and kissed him.
Ron looked quite astonished "You're nuts! Where has the old Harry gone?"
Harry laughed.
"Ronald, come here please" Luna called from across the room.
"Coming!" he called back and walked away.
Lupin laughed "What's he like honestly."
Teddy was now fast asleep, his little head lying on Hermione's shoulder, Hermione smiled "All this excitement must have worn him out."
Tonks smiled "Best go put him down for a nap."
"Would you guys mind if I did that?" Hermione offered.
"You sure?" Tonks asked nicely.
Hermione smiled "Yeah I'd really like to."
"Alright, thanks Hermione" Lupin said honestly and the three watched with smiles as Hermione walked off while stroking the little boy's hair gently.
The rest of the day went by quickly. Harry, Ron, Ginny (who had returned home from Hogwarts for Christmas) Neville, Fred and George had a snowball fight out in the back-garden. Hermione refused to join in and even if she had wanted to, Harry wouldn't have let her, not now that he knew she was carrying his baby. So instead Hermione kept Luna company.
It was now just turning dark outside and everyone was very relaxed. Hermione was in the Weasley's kitchen getting a drink, when Harry came in from outside.
"Heya Hermione" Harry came up and gave her a kiss.
"God Harry, you're soaking wet!" Hermione said.
"Yeah I got severely pelted with snowballs" Harry laughed "but me, Ron and Neville won! Ha-ha" he grinned.
Hermione laughed "Glad you had fun, here let me get you dry" she took out her wand and in a matter of seconds Harry's clothes were bone dry.
"Thanks, I can greet you properly now" he grabbed Hermione into a hug and was attempting to kiss her, Hermione was giggling madly "Harry!" she laughed.
"Now, now that's enough of that" David said with a grin as he came into the kitchen. "Sorry" Hermione blushed.
"Darling I was wondering if you could possibly take us back to your house, your mum isn't feeling very well; she's got a migraine coming on."
"Oh poor mum, yeah course we'll take you back home" Hermione said, so after Harry and Hermione got Hermione's parents back to their house and watched them drive away, they returned back to The Burrow. They chatted to everyone and played games and generally had a great time, before then deciding to head home themselves.
"Goodbye darlings" Mrs. Weasley said as she gave them hugs "Now you look after her, won't you Harry dear."
Harry smiled "I certainly will Mrs. Weasley."
"See you soon, thanks for a great day!" Hermione said.
"You're welcome darlings, have a good night."
Harry and Hermione held hands and disapparated back to their home.
They spent the rest of the night watching TV and cuddling together on the sofa with the log fire burning away, keeping them nice and warm. Maize was curled up in a ball in front of the fire, fast asleep. Hermione eventually fell asleep too, with her head in Harry's lap. Harry turned off the TV with the remote, and picked Hermione up in his arms, awakening her.
"Mmm Harry? What are you doing?"
"Taking you to bed, sweetheart. Shh go back to sleep."
Hermione closed her eyes again, with a smile, allowing Harry to take her up to their bed. He settled her comfortably, and gently, on the bed and put the covers around her. Before snuggling into bed next to her and he held her protectively in his arms.
"G'night sweetheart, Merry Christmas" he placed a kiss on the side of her head and Harry drifted off into a peaceful sleep.