A/N: I would just like to take a moment to apologize for all these typos in my writing! You see, I went into the editor thing in my account deal, and I can't get it to work I don't know what I'm doing wrong, and for some reason I always get 2 disclaimers at the start of each chapter. So I'm not going to write it separately and I'll see if that works…. I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, the author J.K Rowling does.
Chapter 14: Trouble, With A Capitol 'T'
The rest of the dinner gathering was very uncomfortable for Hermione. She tried desperately to avoid making eye contact with Ron, and even though she didn't look at him she knew he was not doing the same.
At last, they finished dessert and acted to leave. After Hannah apologized again, they were gone. Hermione was so relieved; quickly she began cleaning up all the while her mind racing at what had just happened.
Why had Ron kissed her? It didn't make any sense. Just a few weeks ago he was saying that he loved Hannah. And earlier that night he was apologizing. So where did the sudden idea to kiss Hermione come from?
It was bewildering Hermione, but at least it was the weekend and she would have a lot of time to mull it over and try to figure things out for herself. She had made plans with Ginny the next day. They were going to go shopping for Ginny to pick up a few more items that she needed. Ginny told her that Harry was completely lost when it came to planning for a baby. He did not understand why everything had to be done so quickly, they had a whole nine months to plan everything out. When Harry said this, Ginny would grow very impatient and start telling him that they needed those nine months to get the nursery ready, and it would be easier if they already had the main things they needed.
The next morning, Hermione awoke at exactly eight in the morning, and got herself ready to meet Ginny. An hour later she appeared at Ginny and Harry's house.
Ginny was sitting at the table, drinking a glass of what looked to be cranberry juice. (This was saying something since Ginny had always despised cranberries.)
Hermione chuckled, "How are those cravings going Ginny?"
Ginny got up, "Oh very funny Hermione. Just you wait… your time will come!" She teased.
"Morning Harry." Hermione added, as Harry shuffled lazily into the kitchen, still in his pajamas, his hair messier than ever.
All Hermione heard was a low mumbling from Harry, anyone could tell he was not a morning person by any means.
Ginny huffed but decided not to say anything about Harry's appearance, "The cravings I can deal with Hermione, I'm just glad the mood swings haven't started yet!"
Hermione laughed again, Ginny had a bad enough temper before she got pregnant, what would she be like when the mood swings began. "Well Ginny I must say pregnancy does agree with you!" Hermione said.
Ginny was radiant with that 'pregnant woman glow'. Her skin was bright, and she looked adorable.
Harry who was now more awake since he had drank a cup of coffee suddenly spoke, "She's getting prettier everyday."
Ginny thought that the remark was very cliché, but was flattered all the same, "Yeah except for I'm getting fat!"
It was at this time that Hermione noticed for the first time Ginny was beginning to show slightly. There was a small 'baby' bump' forming nicely. "Oh Ginny you're not fat." Hermione said dismissively.
"I am too! Do you know that I have gained nearly 20 pounds?" Ginny said slightly angrily.
Harry came up behind his wife and kissed her hair, "You're eating for two now." He reminded her, in that expectant father voice.
Ginny smiled, "Harry likes to talk to the baby every night before we go to sleep."
Harry blushed, but did not say anything. Hermione just laughed.
Ginny continued, "Tomorrow I have another checkup, the doctor says that he will be able to tell us the sex if we want to know, but we haven't decided yet."
The conversation continued and Hermione ended up joining them for breakfast. Soon, they were finished and the two girls set out on their shopping trip. Four hours later, they returned, light on money, but heavy with supplies for the baby.
"Good, that's everything then!" Ginny declared setting the last bag onto the table. "Thanks for coming Hermione!"
Hermione smiled again, "Your welcome Ginny, I'm glad to help you." For a second Hermione thought about telling Ginny about Ron's kiss, but then decided that she didn't want to change the focus to her.
"Anyways, I'm hungry. I think I want… a double-bacon cheeseburger." Ginny drooled a bit.
"You're starting to act like Ron!" Hermione said through her laughter.
Ginny wiped her mouth. "Yes I suppose I am aren't I." She laughed, grabbing a yogurt from the fridge instead.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" She asked through a large mouthful.
"Uh, nothing. I wanted to read my book, but that's so terribly boring and there is only a few more weeks left of the nice fall weather." Hermione said.
"Excellent!" Ginny declared, "Then after my doctor's appointment, you should come by the Burrow. You know, just in case Harry and I decide to reveal the sex."
"That sounds great! What time?"
Ginny took a moment to think, "Well my appointment is at ten, so stop by around twelve or so. Mum is just dieing to know! I think she has invited Ron and Hannah for lunch too. So then everyone will know the news!" Ginny was smiling widely again.
"You're really excited aren't you?" Hermione asked when she saw the look on her face.
"I sure am! I still can't believe it… me a mum!" Ginny squealed.
Hermione did not stay for supper; instead she went back to her flat and began to think about Ron's kiss again. She had thought that it was an accident, and that he didn't really mean to do it. But she still couldn't be sure. Fed up with her thoughts, she decided to watch TV until she went to bed.
It was soon morning again. Hermione got up later today, took an extra long shower and dressed herself in a warm-gray turtleneck sweater, and blue jeans. She was feeling sluggish today, but she couldn't imagine why. She thought that it was because it looked rather gloomy outside, and was supposed to rain later on.
For the first half of the day, she did many errands such as laundry and buying groceries. She even cleaned her flat a bit. After that she went downtown and bought enough groceries to last her a very long time. Then when it was almost twelve, Hermione's spirits lifted as she remembered that she promised to go to the Burrow and hear Ginny's news about her checkup.
When she arrived at the Burrow, no one was in sight. She let herself in through the back door leading to the kitchen. No one was there either, so Hermione proceeded into the living room. There she saw Ginny, Mrs.Weasley, Mr.Weasley, and Harry all looking very glum.
Ginny was in the center of everyone, crying hysterically. Harry was standing next to her and looked equally distraught. Mrs.Weasley was sitting next to her only daughter, rubbing her back trying to comfort her, also in tears. Mr.Weasley was standing on the other side of Harry looking very concerned.
Hermione suddenly became very worried, "Ginny! What ever is the matter?" She cried out, kneeling in front of Ginny.
Her makeup was running, and her eyes were as red and puffy as her hair. She was crying so hard, it sounded like she could scarcely breathe, much less talk.
Hermione waited, but got no response from anyone. After a few more minutes, Mrs.Weasley managed to compose herself long enough to take Hermione into the kitchen and begin to tell her.
She dried her eyes, and blew her nose on a tissue Hermione offered and then began to speak in a shaky voice. "H-Hermione dear. Ginny's j-just c-come form the doctor and they've f-found that she's lost the baby." She said slowly and broke into another round of hard sobbing.
Hermione didn't believe it, her eyes watered with sympathy for Ginny and Harry. She hugged Mrs.Weasley tightly and together they walked back into the living room.
"Ginny, Harry, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how horrible this must be for you." She said through tears, trying to stay strong for her friends.
She watched Harry jerk the tears angrily away from his eyes, and then crinkle his nose to stop from crying more. Hermione reached out and hugged him also. "It'll all be fine Harry." She whispered, trying to find any means to comfort him.
After another ten minutes, Arthur took Molly from the room and went upstairs, leaving just Harry, Ginny, and Hermione. Ginny was still crying her heart out, and Harry was now hugging her tightly, rocking her back and forth. Hermione got up and went to the kitchen for some tissues.
Just as she entered the kitchen, Ron appeared. "H-Hey, Hermione."
"Hi" Hermione said, sniffing. "Where's Hannah."
"Oh, she had to stay back to finish an end table for some customer of hers. What's wrong, it looks like you've been crying?" Ron tried to reach out and hug her, but Hermione pulled away before he could.
She furrowed her brow and thought for a moment, before passing on the news. "Ginny miscarried."
Ron was taken by surprise, "No! That can't be. Where is she? can I talk to her?" He asked, growing very fearful. Even after all this time he still thought that it was his job to protect his little sister.
"She and Harry are in the living room." Hermione told him, walking off with the tissues.
She sat down and handed Harry and Ginny each a tissue, as Ron appeared in the living room.
Immediately, he darted forward and hugged Ginny, asking is she was all right. Ginny still didn't' speak, so Ron gave her a hug.
"Harry what about you? Are you okay?" Ron asked sympathetically.
Harry just shook his head, and continued to hug Ginny. They sat in silence for a full half an hour before Ginny stopped crying.
"Hermione, will you stay with me for a bit?" She sniffed, trying to get back her speech abilities.
"Of course I will." Hermione answered.
"Ginny, are you going to be all right with Hermione here?" Harry asked, he looked very angry now.
Ginny nodded, "I think I'm going to go for a walk with Ron then." He said kissing her hair again and telling her that he loved her.
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Ron's POV
Harry and Ron began walking down the long gravel road leading away from the Burrow. All the while Harry kicked small pebbles at his feet in anger.
Ron was the first to speak again, "Harry I'm really sorry. I know how excited you were about this."
Harry did not talk for a very long time. At last he began to speak, "It was just starting to seem real you know? I was going to be a dad. Every time I looked at Ginny's stomach I knew that I-I did that." Harry stammered, pausing occasionally to look up at Ron and wipe the tears from his eyes.
Ron let out a breath of air, "Harry, things will get better. You guys did everything you could do, it just didn't work out. But you'll be a dad Harry." He said trying to lift his spirits.
"Yeah your right. But, I'll always know, you know? I just don't understand why they didn't find anything sooner. All they said is that the baby had been dead for at least two days." Harry choked, before he began to sob again.
Ron looked over at his friend and patted him on the back, unsure of what to say. Harry recovered again, and stared down at his feet. " I just hope Ginny will be okay."
"She will. That girl can do anything, she's a Weasley woman remember." Ron encouraged.
"Yes but, she was so excited to be a Mum, I can't imagine what is going to happen when we go back home and she sees all the stuff we bought."
A small tear fell from Ron's eye. He knew that Ginny would take it hard. She had always wanted children, and now it was so unfairly snatched away from her in an instant.
The two friends continued down the road in silence for another twenty minutes. Harry breathed deeply on the left of Ron. "Can we talk about something else now. Please."
"Harry, are you sure, you need to talk about this."
"I'm sick of talking about it Ron!" Harry snapped, "Just please, change the subject."
Ron though for a full minute about what to say. There was only one thing on his mind, but didn't see it proper to discuss it. Still, Harry had asked him to change the subject, and this would undoubtedly take his mind off his own troubles.
"I kissed Hermione." Ron blurted out suddenly.
Harry stopped walking. He turned to face Ron and got a very confused look on his face. "You what?"
Ron examined his feet with interest, "I kissed her." He said again.
"Ron, you didn't" Harry said.
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because I think I still love her." Ron said after a long pause.
Harry became very stern; he let out a wisp of air and sighed heavily. "Ron, you can't do this again. You need to make up your mind, and stick with a choice. I stood back the first time and watched you hurt Hermione without a word. But I will not stand back and watch it a second time. You are engaged to Hannah, not Hermione."
Ron did not say anything.
"Do you have any idea what it was like after you left? Hermione was sick with grief, she wouldn't eat, and she wouldn't sleep. All she did was cry, and try to fathom why you left her." Harry lectured, "I have never seen our Hermione look like that, and I don't ever want to see it again. And what about Hannah? Do you love her or not?"
"Yes." Ron mumbled.
"And Hermione?"
"I love her too."
"God… Ron." Harry seemed very upset with Ron, frustrated even. "You need to decide who it is going to be, Hermione or Hannah. And I mean really be with them, forever. No more of this walking out or changing your mind."
"I never stopped loving her Harry!" Ron snapped, "Don't you get it? The only reason I left in the first place was because I loved her so much. And then I met Hannah and I forced myself to forget. But all this time my life has never been the same. Do you know when I stood there that night kissing Hermione, that that was the first time I felt like me in three years? I have loved her since I was eleven years old, and nothing has changed."
Harry sighed another great sigh, "What did Hermione do?"
"See that's the part that worries me." Ron said, his voice becoming softer, "She didn't do anything, she just looked at me, and walked right past. I don't think she feels the same way anymore. I don't think she wants me back anyway."
"Honestly Ron can you blame her? She went though hell when you were gone and again when you came back. And just as things were getting better, you told her you didn't want to be friends because of Hannah. Then you change your mind again and expect her to just come running back?"
"I though that she still loved me. I could tell when she was around. And by that look she had in her face when I was with Hannah."
"You really don't deserve her Ron. She has been more than patient and forgiving, and you've hurt her every time. Now you've gotten her so confused she doesn't know what she wants. " Harry explained.
Ron knew that Harry was right; he had made a lot of sense.
"So who is it going to be then? Hermione, or Hannah?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. I love them both."
Harry grew more frustrated, "Well who do you love more?" When Ron did not answer Harry pressed more, "Ron!"
"I don't know Harry. Hannah is amazing she loves me, and she wants to be with me. She's smart and funny, and she knows what she wants. Not to mention drop dead beautiful. But Hermione… Hermione is smart and funny, independent, and… the most amazing girl I have ever met."
Harry gave a weak smile, "Then it looks like we have a winner. Hermione."
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Hermione's POV
Back at the Burrow, the scene had changed. Mr. And Mrs.Weasley had returned to talk to Ginny. Ginny stopped crying long enough to tell them that after the doctor told her she had to have surgery to remove the baby. She would start crying on and off at certain parts in the story, and eventually told everyone that if the baby would have still been alive, it was going to be a boy.
She admitted to not telling Harry yet.
Mrs.Weasley and Hermione thought it best to get Ginny to bed since the surgery had taken so much out of her. They helped her up the stairs into her old bedroom and told her to get some rest.
Then Mrs.Weasley and Hermione came downstairs to talk more.
"Oh, I'm just so worried about her." Mrs.Weasley told her.
"Me too. But Ginny is strong and se will get through it. I know she will."
"Yes, yes quite right but she was so looking forward to it. She's so devastated. I don't know what is going to happen."
"Well, we are just going to have to wait and see." Hermione told her calmly, handing over another tissue for the weeping Molly.
"Thanks. You're right." She sniffed and her face brightened, "Oh come now, we mustn't dwell on the troubles now shall we? Tell me dear, did you and Ron and Hannah get things worked out?"
"Oh yes we did." Hermione said, still very gloomy.
"Well you don't sound too happy about it. Aren't you glad?"
"Yes, very. Mmm, but I just…" Hermione tried to fake a smile, "Am so happy they are getting married."
Mrs.Weasley saw right through this. "Hermione, I don't expect you to forgive Ron and be friends with him, much less Hannah. So you don't need to lie to me."
Hermione nodded. "Yes Ma'm."
Mrs.Weasley now had a sarcastic note in her voice, "Just between you and me, I still don't think Ron made the right choice all those years ago."
Hermione looked up.
"Hannah is not right for him. She's a sweet girl, but she isn't right for Ron. Much too forward with her emotions you know… well I don't think I need to tell you do it?" She laughed, as did Hermione, "and truthfully, I think it's a bit presumptuous of her to begin calling me Mum, so quickly."
Hermione laughed at Mrs.Weasley, usually she discouraged everyone from talking about other people, but Hermione could tell by her voice that she did not care much for Hannah. "How do you feel about Hannah?" She asked.
"Oh I…" Hermione searched for the right words, "like her actually."
Mrs.Weasley was taken by surprise, "Oh well, good for you then deary." She said, bringing the conversation to a close.
A/N: Hope you have enjoyed this chapter; I'll be starting the next one shortly. I would love to hear what everyone was thinking during the whole, Harry Ron heart to heart talk about Hermione… and also hear any suggestions you have for the rest of the story! REVIEW Please!