REQUEST: MoonNightLover requested a chapter involving a pregnant Hermione

Episode 14

The News

Summary: In which Hermione is pregnant

Remus had known many wonders in his life, and he'd dealt with many frightening situations. However, nothing could ever have prepared him for a day like today.

It started off as any other, with him eating his sugar-coated cereal (chocolate of course) and drinking coffee. The only real difference had been Hermione's absence, but she told him the night before she had a Healer's appointment. He didn't question why she was getting checked up when she seemed perfectly fine, knowing it was just one of those things that was strictly Hermione.

Only when his lovely wife entered their home, looking like she'd just been told she was a distant cousin to the Malfoy's, did Remus begin to worry that today wasn't exactly normal. Hermione sat across from him, gazing into nothingness for what felt like years to the werewolf. He didn't push though, knowing she needed time to get through the shock of whatever she'd been told at the Healers.

When Hermione finally did come back to the real world, she had looked at him with the most beautiful gaze he'd ever seen. He wasn't sure if she looked more nervous or blissful, but either way he thought she had to be the absolute most beautiful woman in the world in that moment. Not that he'd doubted her beauty before.

Then, she'd uttered those words, the words that changed everything.

"Remus, I'm pregnant."

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Hermione loved her husband, she really did. She knew he'd be excited to hear about her – their – children. He wanted kids long before she did, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be shocked. He might say or do something stupid, and in her still-stunned state, Hermione didn't doubt she would retaliate. The last thing either of them needed, or wanted, was a fallout over something both had desired for a while now.

The nervousness still ate away at her, despite her self-pep talks and reminders that Remus loved her dearly. The news hadn't fully sunk into her mind yet, but by the time she apparated to the front door of their small cottage, Hermione realized just what being pregnant entailed. The shock hit her full force then, and she didn't remember anything until she came too and saw Remus sitting across from her, obviously concerned.

He gave her space and time, waiting patiently for her to tell him what had her so nervous yet excited at the same time. She thought it was rather obvious, as she'd never been one to hide her true emotions before. That had always been Sirius' forte, not hers.

Finally, when satisfied she had worked up all the Gryffindor courage she possessed, Hermione uttered those fateful words. The words that would make their future permanent.

"Remus, I'm pregnant."

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Remus plopped into the seat across from his wife. He stared at her, gaping in disbelief. Pregnant? But Hermione was on the charm! Despite their previous talks about babies of their own, Hermione wanted to start her own bookstore first and Remus still needed to find a stable, steady job. Even with his good grades, it wasn't easy to find employment as a werewolf.

Now, it seemed she was pregnant. Inside Hermione's belly dwelled a zygote, and one day it would become his son or daughter. How odd to think, to know he was going to be a father. He wondered if James felt the same as he did now when Lily first told him she was pregnant with their son.

"Are you sure?"

Remus inwardly cringed at the way that had come out. His voice hadn't been harsh or disbelieving, but soft and questioning, truly curious. Still, he knew it wasn't the right thing to say at a time like this. He needed to shout ecstatically and run around the house like a madman, proclaiming to every inanimate object present that he was going to be a father.

Hermione flinched at the question, but she couldn't blame Remus. She bit her tongue, which had already sharpened itself with a retort to his innocent question. Now was not the time, she reminded herself. Remus was only shocked.

"Very," she said. "The Healer says I've been pregnant for a few weeks now. Long enough to know for certain."

"I see..." Remus mulled on that thought for a moment. He slowly looked at Hermione, turning red when he realized she was scrutinizing him, waiting with bated breath for his reaction. Remus felt secure that Hermione knew he'd accept her pregnancy full-heartedly, but he saw the glint of uncertainty in her eyes. The guilt that came from having such distrust in her husband, and he understood her fear.

To calm Hermione, Remus forced a smile onto his face. Not to say he wasn't happy, but the shock hadn't completely left yet. He wondered how Hermione came out of it so fast, and wondered idly if she was even truly out of shock yet. Remus certainly couldn't imagine learning such important news so suddenly during an innocent checkup.

"Wait...What was this checkup even for?" Remus asked suspiciously. Hermione was a clever girl, one of the many reasons he loved her so dearly. He wouldn't – couldn't – put it past her to set up this appointment to check on possibilities of pregnancy. Hermione knew the signs, and Remus figured she would have grown suspicious after a while.

Hermione blushed. She knew, could see it in Remus' eyes, he'd already figured out the truth. She hadn't had a period at all this month, and as it was nearing the end, she worried something bad had happened to her. The checkup hadn't been to check on pregnancy, but she had known the possibility was there.

"Thought so," Remus sighed. He sat back in his chair, eyes perusing his wife calmly. Hermione fidgeted slightly but forced herself to calm.

"Are you terribly upset?" she finally asked, unable to keep the question to herself. It had been nagging at the back of her mind, the true cause for her worry.

"What?" Remus didn't seem to have understood the question. He thought over what she'd said, eyes widening in realization. "No! Oh, heavens no, Hermione! You know I've always wanted children, and I'm excited that I'm a father-to-be. This is all just a little sudden."

"Believe me," Hermione stated dryly, "I know."

Remus' eyes softened, and he moved across the table to sit beside Hermione. His arms wrapped around his wife, who no doubt was dealing with more than him at the moment. She was the one carrying the unborn infant.

"I'm sorry, 'Mione," he apologized. "You've more to deal with than I, no doubt about that. I love you, and I love this child."

Hermione smiled slightly, relaxing under his soothing touch. She loved Remus, and it was moments like these that strengthened her feelings all the more. He was so sweet and understanding, how many women could say that about their husbands after six years?

"I'm glad you accept," Hermione said slowly. She turned her gaze to the table again, only imagining the reaction she was about to receive. "I'm especially glad because..."

"Because what?" Remus encouraged, rubbing soothing circles on her lower back. Hermione sighed and leaned against him.

"Because...we're having twins."

"Oh."

Remus dealt with many things in life, but nothing could have possibly prepared him for news such as this on a seemingly normal day. So, he did the only thing he could think of. He fainted.

END