Chapter 12: Man in the Mirror
Author's Note: Thanks to anyone who reviewed the last chapter and I also want to say that I am sorry that chapter 11 had was more of a Harry and Hermione friendship chapter than Ron and Hermione. I know it was not the most exciting of chapters but I feel like it was something that I really needed to highlight before the end of the story – which is not for a while yet – and sooner or later, you will find out why as it does link in quite carefully so it will not mean anything at all to you right now. Also, I just want to say that this chapter will have more than a couple of scenarios in it if it pans out the way I expect. Anyway here is chapter 12!
Late July 2005
"Hermione? Hermione are you alright?" Ron asked as he heard coughing shatter the silence in the darkness. A few moments previously, he had been fast asleep and had assumed that his wife was there lying next to him, but obviously not. Usually they could tell when one another was out of bed, even if they were asleep. Overtime it had somewhat developed into a sixth senseThey had now been married just over four and a half years and yet he had never heard that happen so late in the night but so early in the morning. He could tell that no lights were on as a silhouette of the door frame would have been projected into their bedroom, making the soft light blue colour of the bedroom become so apparent. This was not the current case.
There was another noise, sort of like a sniffing and blowing of a nose before the house succumbed to silence once again. This time Ron decided to get up, reaching for his wand as he went along just in case. He crossed the hall and took a few steps before he arrived at the bathroom door, which appeared to be closed.
"I know that you are out there Ron." Hermione mumbled from inside of the bathroom. "Believe it or not, you are not as light on your feet as you think."
"Hermione please let me in." Ron pleaded. "Please?"
"By the way the door is unlocked, Sherlock." Hermione chuckled, "Come in." Ron opened the door slowly and popped his head around its corner to find Hermione sat on the slate tiled floor, her back resting against the side of the bath. She looked dismally pale and the little colour in her face was located under her eyes in dark, greyish circles, due to the frequent tiredness that had come hand in hand with being nearly four months pregnant. He remembered a very similar yet very different situation like this seven months ago, when the constant worry of maybe not ever having children was slowly tearing them apart. Except this time it was the complete opposite scenario but like the last time something like this had happened he carefully sat down and joined her on the cold tiled floor.
"Who on Earth is Sherlock?" He asked and Hermione rolled her eyes surprised.
"Are you honestly saying that I have never told you about Sherlock Holmes?" She questioned looking into his eyes wondrously and Ron shook his head. "Sherlock Holmes was a fictional muggle detective, a spy of sorts. It was sarcasm, Ron. Just sarcasm."
"You do not really look in a state for sarcasm. Are you okay?"Ron said scanning her with worry.
"I just really do not feel too great. I-"Hermione said pausing before suddenly turning white and leaning over into the toilet bowl to be heavily sick.
"Whoa!" Ron exclaimed with a panicked tone in his voice as he quickly reacted as she started to lean over and gathered her hair in his hands to keep it falling in front of her face. Hermione remained doubled over the toilet before slowly she sat back down against the bath tub, coughing and wiping her eyes. Calmingly rubbing her back, Ron conjured a glass of water for her and handed it to his wife gently.
"Thank you." Hermione croaked taking the glass gratefully as she rested her head on Ron's shoulder.
"Are you sure that that is normal? I thought you only got sick in the mornings?" Ron wondered and Hermione laughed
"Apparently not. Sorry that I woke you." She replied
"Hermione I would rather be awake and know if something is wrong, than be asleep and not know at all. As long as you are okay, that is all that matters." Ron whispered and she smiled.
"Can I ask you something?" Hermione asked and Ron nodded before she went on to continue with her inquisitive questions. "Are you sure you want to find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl tomorrow?"
Ron looked at her feeling puzzled and perplexed. This was the first time that Hermione had ever questioned whether they should find out the babies gender. It seemed to be that as time went on they were questioning even more and more about the baby, but he knew that was because they wanted to get it right after waiting so long.
"Are you sure that you want to?" Ron repeated but directed it back to her.
"I do, I think that following on from how long we have been talking about wanting to know and wanting to find out, we should. If you do not want to find out I understand though, I will just not find out or find it really hard not to tell you. Do you want to?" Hermione prompted
"Of course I do – why are you so uncertain about everything all of a sudden?" Ron asked and Hermione just sighed tiredly as she fiddled with her thumbs as she thought.
"I don't know, I suppose that I just want everything to go to plan so that maybe one day in the future, we can tell our son or daughter that in the run up to when they were born, everything was somewhat perfect. I know that is ridiculous and really taking a chance but isn't taking a chance often worth it?" Hermione told him and Ron looked at her searchingly.
"Hermione, nothing we ever do is perfect. That is why we somehow manifested that phrase years ago – imperfect perfect. Because even if things go wrong, that is the perfect way for us. If you do not want to find out tomorrow then that is fine of course. But finding out would save a hell of a lot of time when choosing a name sometime in the next few months." He replied
"We will then. Tomorrow we can find out, and then we can do everything rightly wrong." Hermione grinned before standing up as to leave the bath room. Ron started to get up when she abruptly stopped in her tracks and fell silent.
"What is wrong?" Ron questioned and Hermione stood scanning and looking up and down her reflection.
"Do you notice anything... different?" Hermione asked still looking into the mirror and not moving her gaze even slightly. Ron then looked more closely at her and understood what she was asking. As she remained side on in the mirror, he noticed the very, very slight curve of her stomach underneath her navy blue t- shirt. It was not that clear if you did not think about it but as he looked he realised it was incredibly obvious at the same time as well.
"Your stomach is growing. Only slightly but it is obvious." Ron said honestly.
"The baby is growing." Hermione smiled and Ron moved his hands so that they rested on her stomach.
"Our baby is growing." He repeated changing a word as he went before Hermione turned her head to kiss him softly.
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"Are you absolutely sure?" Ron said as they headed up the stairs of St Mungo's to the seventh and top floor – deciding to take the more conventional way as oppose to the Floo Network.
"Yes Ron. I am absolutely sure." Hermione informed her husband as he swung their entwined hands back and forth whilst reaching the final set of stairs. They were going somewhat quickly as they knew that if they did not they would be late for the appointment but not so fast that Hermione was tired out.
"One hundred percent positive?" Ron joked as they got to the top and headed along the corridor.
"RON!" Hermione chuckled "I thought we discussed this at three in the morning. Why are you sure?" She rounded on him.
"Of course I am sure. I was just checking." Ron smiled
"Great, then let's get in there." She replied and they headed over to the reception desk in the large, cool waiting room.
"Hi, sorry if we are a moment or two late – it is Hermione Weasley for Healer Moon." Ron said clearly out of breath and Hermione chuckled at his tiredness knowing that she was probably feeling the same way.
"Just go straight through." The receptionist healer grinned and they approached Healer Moon's door before knocking on it quietly.
"Come in." She called and slowly Hermione pushed the door open to find Lily Moon sat at her desk, quickly scribbling away with her ink, quill and parchment some notes. Her head darted up from the page and she beamed, getting up from the office chair to make the acquaintance of her patient/ old school friends.
"Sorry we are late." Hermione immediately said before Lily could even start to speak and Lily shook her head laughing ever so slightly – much to Hermione's confusion.
"Oh honestly do not worry about it. I ran a little over with my last patient so it was actually quite convenient. Besides – I know what you are like when it comes to punctuality and good timing Hermione. Trust me... everyone knows what you are like." Lily told her and Ron roared with laughter. "So shall we get on with it then?"
"Certainly." Hermione said as like the last time they had been in the same room not too long ago, she lay down and Healer Moon turned the computer on that had been used last time.
"Have you decided whether you want to find out if you have a son or a daughter or not?" Lily asked whilst bringing out the scanning device. Ron and Hermione quickly glanced at one another before Hermione nodded seemingly telepathically prompting him and Ron spoke from where he was sat, on a chair similar to the ones in the waiting room next to his wife.
"Yes, we have decided that we do want to find out the gender." Ron told Healer Moon and Lily nodded.
"Okay then, this might take a little longer than it did the other week, but it will still work." Lily reassured as she began to move the transducer over Hermione's now slightly more prominent stomach. Ron turned and saw the unexpected fear etched on Hermione's face as she watched Healer Moon try to find the position that the baby was currently situated in.
"Are you ok?" Ron whispered and Hermione glanced over to him very quickly and warmness then melted into her chocolate brown eyes.
"Yeah, just nervous."Hermione said and they fell silent until a few minutes later Healer Moon lifted her eyes away from the muggle computer screen and moved her gaze towards Ron and Hermione who were staring equally back at her. The four lost eyes, two chocolate brown, and two azure blue appeared to search her endlessly for answers. She could have said many things to them at that point; she could have left them hanging, waiting for an eternity. She could have also said it to them straight and unexpectedly out of the blue, but that would not have ever been right. It deserved to be different, to be better even, and so she simply decided to say one word to her two long lost fellow Gryffindor friends.
"Well." Lily said and Ron and Hermione's eyes whizzed back towards her own pair rather frighteningly in sequenced unison.
"Well?" Ron asked
"Well?" Hermione wondered a matter of moments after Ron had said exactly the same thing as they both knew what they were both about to hear.
"It is a girl." Lily smiled and Ron and Hermione immediately looked at one another speechlessly. Before Ron could say anything he could see tears streaming down Hermione's face and spilling onto his own cheeks as he gazed between her and the live photograph on the computer screen knowing very well that that was their very own daughter.
"A girl." Hermione whispered.
"A girl." Ron repeated, realising that they were establishing some sort of habit between one another and they embraced tightly, neither one willing to let go for a very long time as they held onto each other. As Hermione glanced over Ron's shoulder as they both cried with happiness she saw Lily beaming at them both. Hermione looked between the ultrasound scan and Lily and simply mouthed "Thank you." And Lily nodded, smiling in reply.
"Wow, we are having a daughter." Ron said just after they had broken away from one another and Hermione laughed as Ron brushed the tears that remained stationary underneath her eyelids with his thumb.
"We really are." Hermione replied as they hugged once again.
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"What do you want to do? We still have a few hours before dinner." Hermione said as they walked hand in hand, slowly down Diagon Alley. Today was an unusual day, and not just because what had previously happened to them was not exactly an ever day experience, but the old winding Wizarding Alley way was surprisingly quiet and peaceful with only the occasional person passing by and heading in and out of the shops. Every so often a passer by would look at them in something that could have been regarded as surprise but then dismissed it and carried on walking in the direction they were heading. This often had surprised both Ron and Hermione after the large amount of discussion that had taken place following them getting together little over seven years previously, and the same had happened with Harry and Ginny. Following on from their wedding they returned to a much quieter atmosphere which did not consist of any rumours about their relationship from the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly. It turned out that after both of them had mentioned that they did not want another Rita Skeeter scenario on their hands Harry had had a seemingly quiet word with the Wizarding journalists to back off from Harry Potter's two best friends who happened to have fallen in love with one another whilst at Hogwarts and on the run – as Witch Weekly had labelled them several times.
"Do you mind if we just quickly pop in a shop? There was something I wanted to get." Ron answered as they continued walking and Hermione pulled her jacket further around her, not realising how self conscious she had just suddenly become in spite of the fairly warm weather.
"Of course I do not mind, Ron. Which shop did you have in mind?" Hermione asked
"Oh... I was thinking Flourish and Blott's perhaps." Ron shrugged carelessly and dismissively and Hermione looked at him in shock, almost stopping in her tracks out of shear and pure surprise.
"Ron Weasley, willingly going into a bookshop? It is not even Christmas. Well, I never thought I would see the day." Hermione told him mockingly.
"Hey do not act so surprised. Marrying Hermione Granger meant some of your ways have worn off on me." Ron responded
"Hermione Weasley." Hermione corrected him almost instantly.
"I know, I have seen your signature. It just reminds me of when we were younger." Ron said sweetly and Hermione smiled as they entered Flourish and Blott's and almost instantly, the blissful smell of old and new books and paper wafted into their direction.
"Can you just wait here? I will not be long I just want it to be a surprise." Ron informed squeezing her hand and he turned away and left, leaving Hermione alone with countless amounts of books. From Hermione's eyes, he probably already knew that leaving Hermione with so many books was a bad idea and that she would happily spend an entire day in Flourish and Blott's whenever she had the opportunity to do - which turned out to be incredibly rarely. It was incredibly peaceful inside of the shop and all she could really hear was the sound of footsteps as someone crept around the shop – she could not help but wonder if that was her husband. As well as this, the occasional turn of a page, a book or two were being slid in and out of the shelves and the low humming of chatter. It was only when she turned her head slightly that a familiar person caught her eye and she slowly approached them. The figure was wearing long black robes and glasses concealed their eyes, but she knew the unsurprising stern expression of the person anywhere.
"Professor McGonagall?" Hermione said quietly and the person looked up and their expression instantly softened.
"Hermione Granger, what a pleasant surprise." Professor McGonagall smiled before embracing her former pupil, much to Hermione's shock and dismay. "Sorry, it is Hermione Weasley now isn't it? When you get to my age you start to forget the simple things – and please like I have always told you; call me Minerva."
"How are you?" Hermione enquired
"Very, very good as it happens. Hogwarts is still going well; Fillius, Pomona, Hagrid and Horace send their love. I assume you heard about Mr Longbottom's new position?" McGonagall questioned and Hermione nodded, recalling the last time they had met up with Neville and how he had informed them of the fact that he was now somewhat Professor Sprout's understudy and was training to become the next Herbology Professor, following on from Pomona Sprout's upcoming retirement at the end of the next school year. They had all been incredibly pleased for him as they knew that that was what he had wanted for a long time and had been holding out for the right job a lot longer than the rest of them had ever really had to do so.
"Yes, he told us a few months ago of his plans at dinner. He really deserves it though." Hermione answered
"And how about you? If I have heard correctly, a lot has changed since we last met a few months ago." McGonagall said a small smile playing on her lips as she looked at Hermione and Hermione grinned, realising that she did not know that she and Ron were having a baby.
"Yes, actually, I found out that I am pregnant a few months ago."She said and McGonagall's smile spread for what could be a mile as her eyes widened in surprise.
"Congratulations!" She practically beamed before continuing, "How far along are you?"
"Four months. We found out the gender earlier but we have decided to wait a while longer before we tell anyone." Hermione said and McGonagall nodded understandingly.
"Understandable. This is your moment before you tell everyone everything and you want to have it between yourselves. I best get going, do keep in touch though." McGonagall added
"Of course, are you going to Dean's wedding later in the year?" Hermione asked and her old professor nodded.
"Yes actually, well I will see you there then. Give my love to Ron." She said before smiling and heading away once again and within a matter of moments, Ron reappeared by her side. A large grin on his face as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his head gently on her shoulder.
"Did you get what you wanted?"Hermione wondered turning to face her husband, whilst his arms were still locked around her waist.
"Yes, I did. Was that Professor McGonagall that I saw?" Ron furrowed his eyebrows questioningly and Hermione nodded in response.
"It was, I spotted her and went over to say hello. Anyway I told her that we are having a baby and she told me to send you her love. Anyway what did you get?" Hermione enquired, desperately curious.
"For me to know and you to find out. All in good time." Ron raised an eyebrow before kissing her lips softly, to which Hermione gently responded. Minerva McGonagall watched on at her two previous pupils and smiled at the thought of how far they had come in the past thirteen nearly fourteen years.
Author's Note: Once again, I deeply apologise that this has taken me so long. As I said last time, we have a lot of homework given that it is the first of two GCSE years and we have a lot of controlled assessments coming up, meaning that I have had a lot less time to write. But on the positive side – I am one review away from 50 reviews, I am very thankful to everyone who has reviewed any of Red Rose's chapters so far and also thank you for such patience. PLEASE REVIEW!
