"Mum." A faint whisper pierced the silent bedroom and then a sharp point was pushed into her side. "Mum." The voice spoke a little louder. Hermione cracked her eye to look down at her son. "Good you're alive."
This had been the fourth time in a row that Bruce had disturbed Hermione in the morning. Ever since his brilliant father decided the best way to break the news of his rabbit's death was that the bunny fell asleep and died.
Hermione sat up on her side of the bed realizing that Ron was still snoring away. She patted Bruce on the head, "Good morning sweetheart. How would you like some pancakes for breakfast?" She hurriedly rushed the boy out of the bedroom to avoid disturbing Ron so she grabbed her robe, a book and her wand then travelled downstairs to the lower portion of the house.
In twenty minutes she had successfully made breakfast, served her son and cleaned him up with a little help from magic and the two were ready to go for a stroll in the park. She was sitting on the park bench doing some work. Work her husband didn't know she was doing. It was just some editing for the newspaper.
It had helped make ends meet for the past couple of weeks since Ron had dropped his hours at the Family Store, to start training again. This would be the seventh or eighth cycle of trying out for the draft. It was a hard couple of months but a few months ago she ran into an old school friend. Parvati Patil and the two began chatting away. Parvati spoke of her travels and foundation she was creating and her current book and possibly a documentary. Her eyes were wild with excitement and then her old friend asked.
"So what have you been up too since school?" Parvati asked and Hermione frowned for the seventh time that day. She had gone out to the Alley after dropping her son off at the Weasley Compound to spend a day with his grandfather, but she had gone to the Alley to find some work she could do to make an extra bit of cash on the side. A few hours so she could keep food on the table and rent paid at the end of the month, but not enough for Ron to take notice.
"Um, well." Hermione stopped thinking about what to say of her post-Hogwarts accomplishments.
"The last I remember is you completing the Healer Fellowship in record time. There was an article right?" Parvati asked looking back down memory lane. Hermione smiled; yes there had been an article that Harry had set up. He had also thrown her a congratulations party.
It had also been the night that she finished that life.
"Yes finished the Fellowship." Hermione said remembering there was an extra two letters at the end of her already long hyphenated name. Granger-Weasley M.D.
"Well you must be saving lives every day, tell me has there been any favorite case?" Parvati asked and she was just starting to notice Hermione's lack of enthusiasm about talking about her life.
"I never actually got to practice." Hermione explained. "After I completed the course, I went on a short holiday to Australia to see my parents, and when I got back Ron proposed. Then we got married and had Bruce my son."
It had been the look in Parvati's eyes that nearly caused Hermione to burst into tears after she finished her statement of getting married and having Bruce. The look of disappointment was too much to bear. It brought back all the times of seeing Harry's eyes at the wedding. The few times she saw him during the "engagement" and the night after her congratulation party. That time she received the look from Ron.
It was the end of the evening and the guests were mingling in the enlarged living room to accommodate the members of the party. The majority of the room had red hair, but Harry had invited a few of Hermione's Fellowship friends and other Hogwarts attendees/professors. He changed his wand against the flute of champagne to call their attention to him.
"I just wanted to thank you all for coming." Harry said smiling down at the crowd. He perched himself onto an ottoman to be able to see everyone. "I also wanted to raise a toast to our Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of the age, defying yet another rule, and breaking the record of completing her Fellowship coursework a whole six months sooner than any other applicant." He raised his glass and everyone wassailed Hermione. She hurried to his side and hugged him for the toast.
The evening had been fun, reminiscing about their earlier years at Hogwarts and regaling about the golden time the Wizarding World had been experiencing. Ron had been quiet that evening, brooding about his lack of accomplishment of not making the draft pick but Hermione didn't allow his sour mood to ruin her night.
Harry smiled. "'Mione, I have another present for you."
"Oh Harry, the article and the party was present enough." She said blushing but Harry quieted her words by handing her an envelope. She quickly opened it and there were two round trip tickets to Australia. Tears started to fill her eyes.
"I just thought you would like to go visit your parents for a holiday." Harry said sweetly. "I know you have been feeling a little homesick since they didn't return." It had been a moot point for the trio and pretty much the entire world. The discussion of the final battle and Voldemort. But after the danger had been over, Hermione had reversed the effects of her spells but her parents had decided to remain on the island because they loved the weather and atmosphere.
It was his turn to silence him with a quick platonic kiss on the lips but when she pulled back she caught Mrs. Weasley whispering something into Ron's ear both staring hard on the friendly duo. Ron showed his anger by glaring daggers at the pair and Hermione extracted herself from Harry's side and made her way over to Ron kissing him soundly on the mouth reminding Ron of her love.
It was later after the party when she received the first pair of disappointed eyes. Ron had been rummaging around her flat. He was still living at the Burrow in his attic bedroom but on most occasions would stay at Grimmauld place but most recently they had been spending every night together at her place.
But he found the tickets. "Hermione what's this?' He asked holding up the envelope that contained the flight fares.
"A present from Harry." She said nonchalantly. "He got me a ticket to Australia to go see my parents."
"Of course he would." Ron spat. Hermione was shocked at the hatred resonating in his voice but also his eyes. She walked over to her boyfriend and swiftly plucked the envelope from his fingers. Then she took his hands trying to distract him from the anger.
"What's the matter Ron?" She said letting go of one of his hands to rest on her hip and to press her palm to his face.
"I just didn't know it was required for us to get you presents." Ron snapped.
"It wasn't." Hermione said kissing him softly on the cheek. "I didn't want any presents."
"I know that, but bloody Harry Potter knows all the right things to do." Ron said spitting the name of his best mate out like they were vile.
"What do you mean?"
"The tickets, the bloody party, god damn it he saved the fucking world." Ron said gently letting her go but glaring into her eyes.
"It doesn't matter Ron." Hermione said trying to dissuade his anger again for the second time that night.
"Of course it matters; I can see it in your eyes. You care for him-
"Well of course I care for Harry----
"Not in the friendly way Hermione." Ron cried. "I can tell you are started to doubt me, probably thinking you should have chosen the god damn chosen one."
"Ron this is ridiculous." Hermione yelled. "I think I remember that I chose you." She said not wanting to have an argument about a topic she didn't know the answers to herself. Sure she had been having second thoughts about her future with Ron. They had been stuck in a rut for the past eight months and continually having the same conversation about Ron's inadequacy was beginning to bore on Hermione's patience.
So she stepped closer to close the gap between their mouths and kissed him. Using his avoiding tactic against him and brought his attention to another part. The kissing led from the living room to her bedroom.
And it wasn't until five weeks later, while sitting at her parent's house in Australia did she come to the realization that they hadn't used protection that night. She had made the decision against inviting Ron or Harry on the trip. She just refunded the ticket and sent the money to Harry.
Now she was sitting looking down at the stupid test and its damn positive result confirming her suspicions. It took her three minutes to react and it was a whirlwind of emotions. Realizing that her long thoughts and talks with her mother for the past two weeks had been a complete waste of time.
Ending her relationship with Ron would never happen now that she was pregnant with his child. Her sobs were heard from outside in the garden and her mother rushed into the house.
"Hermione?" Her mother called sweeping her daughter into her arms. "You did it over the phone?" The cordless had been sitting next to her daughter but Hermione shook her head.
"No." It was the finality of her voice that caused her mother to go rigid.
"What's the matter love?" Hermione's mother asked pulling back from the embrace and catching a look at the pregnancy test.
It was the second time Hermione received those disappointed eyes that made her want to jump into the ocean and allow the blue water to swallow her up. So after a week of deliberation and the cold feeling every time her mother would gaze at her, Hermione decided she had to return to England to face the music.
It had delighted Ron. He proposed two days later with a small ring but she accepted because it was the right thing to do. He promised her a world of happiness and security. Kissing her soundly.
"Hermione have you told Harry about the baby?" Ron asked.
"No." Hermione replied looking at the silver band on her finger feeling alienation towards her left ring finger. She figured it was just a piece of jewelry she would have to get used too, like a new watch or necklace.
"I don't want you too." Ron whispered.
"What?" Hermione asked her head whipping to her fiancé.
"In fact don't go near him." Ron said pulling her into his lap. "Everything is perfect now. He will just ruin it. I don't want him to pull you from me." He said rubbing her belly. "You, me and the baby, we will be so happy." He kissed her cheek. "Please promise me."
"Ron. I can't stop being his friend." Hermione said shocked at his plea. His grip tightened slightly.
"I knew it." He said pushing her to the side. "You love him don't you?" He said standing up and pointing a finger at Hermione. "You will always put him over me."
"I never-
"Hermione, can't you see what he does to us." Ron said his voice quieting down to a whisper. She saw Ron's true form that day, a defeated individual that was always second best. "You owe me so sort of loyalty."
Hermione broke when he gave her the look. "You are right Ron." She said rushing to his arms. "I will stop, don't worry I promise."
So life went on. The wedding, the gate crashing of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter was swept under the carpet but Hermione stayed true to her word and avoided his owls, posts and any attempt he made to contact her.
Then one day it all stopped.
Like he disappeared and it remained that way, but she got so busy with planning for the baby and setting up a house with Ron. It was a wonderful five months, being newlyweds and then the birth of their son Bruce.
He was every bit Hermione except for his red hair. The only trait she received from the Weasley side, and silently Hermione thanked Merlin for the genetic combination. But it was three months after Bruce's birth is when Ron changed.
It was his second attempt at the draft and he did not receive a spot. She had been working a few hours at Saint Mungos and she was looking forward to returning full time but she came home one day to a screaming infant and her husband sitting in the kitchen reading the paper.
"Ron what the bloody hell." Hermione admonished her husband's lack of parenting. She picked up her son and soothed his screams. "How long has he been screaming like that?"
"Awhile." Ron said shrugging. "I'm sorry but I don't have breasts to feed him like he wants."
"I left you a few bottles in the cooling cupboard." She said rushing to warm and relieve her child's hunger pain.
"And you know how I feel about that." Ron said. "I don't think you should be selfish and neglecting our son so you can go back to work."
"Being selfish and neglecting." Hermione asked and watched as the babe quickly sucked the bottle down. She brought him to a vertical position and bounced him softly waiting for the small explosion of gas to pass his lips. "We talked about this. My maternity leave was only for three months. And the hospital has been patient and gave me four-
"I think you should quit." Ron said with a tone of finality.
"But I need to work." Hermione retaliated.
"No you don't." Ron said. "I talked to George to up my hours at the store in town and I will be managing it. There is no need for you to work if I can support us."
"But it's what I want-
"You want to neglect our son's upbringing, so you can be selfish and prove something?" Ron countered glaring at his wife. He knew using their son against her was the way to get his way. It worked before.
Hermione stood slowly swaying with her sleeping son and avoiding her husband's bland expression.
She quit the next day.
Then out of nowhere the articles of Harry Potter came to light. Pictures of his face and his foundation, going out with models, dating some actress named Twyla Goodwitch. It was daily reminders of the moot point of the Savior, and their former friend shoved in their faces. The constant publicity of Harry turned Ron into an even more spiteful person. Every winking face niggling his anger and the pictures of Draco and Harry together nearly caused Ron to blow apart the house.
A house they lost because they were not making the payments regularly because Ron cut his hours down at the store to start training again for the Quidditch draft.
So it was after a few years of the routine that Hermione decided she needed to do something for her family. Her and Bruce.
Which brought her to the Alley, and bumping into Parvati?
Hermione confessed her desire for some work she could do to Parvati. Parvati then enquired of her skills of proof-reading and editing. That was how Hermione became a silent editor at the newspaper that printed Parvati's column.
It was perfect because Parvati and Ron were no longer in touch, and she could use the income to keep their debt down while Ron was busy trying out for every team. Plus it gave her more use to her life. Bruce was becoming more independent each day and so she needed something to occupy her time.
*****************8
Back in the park
Hermione was finishing up the latest article when she saw Bruce walking towards her with Parvati. It was their secret meeting place where they could exchange the work load and paycheck.
"Hermione, good morning." Parvati called while holding the small hand of the young boy. "Bruce has quite the quick wit for a four year old."
"Miss Patil you know I'm five!" He laughed and let go of her hand ran over to his mother planted a quick kiss on her cheek then ran back to the play ground.
They exchanged a few pleasantries and Parvati placed herself on the bench beside Hermione. "Here are some new articles for you to edit." She said placing the folder on the bench. Hermione quickly picked up that manila folder.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked after perusing the few columns. They were all about Harry Potter.
Parvati blanched. "I'm sorry Mione. Those weren't meant for you." She said quickly pulling a different folder and handing it towards the quick witch.
"You've been keeping some articles from me?" Hermione asked a hurt tone flooding her voice.
"I was just protecting you." Parvati said. She was the one individual that knew about the situation with Harry, Ron and the Weasley family. "I thought I was making it easier for you."
The good intentions were there but Hermione could not stop from feeling hurt.
She didn't hand back the manila folder and read a quick few lines. "He's in America?" The he referring to Harry, but she couldn't bring herself to say his name. Parvati paled.
"That's an old column." Parvati sighed. "He was in America. I saw him just a few nights ago. At a gala the paper wanted me to cover."
Hermione nodded seeing a few pictures from the event.
"He seemed happy Hermione." Parvati said quietly answering the question Hermione wanted to ask. They both focused on Bruce playing on the playground, laughing, giggling and participating in the fun with the other children. "Bruce is a truly beautiful boy."
"I know." Hermione said wiping a tear from her face.
She looked up at Parvati.
Again with the disappointed eyes. The ultimate punishment, each tearing a little at her soul but none had the effect like Harry's the last time she saw him on her wedding day. The day she truly felt like she failed.
But the sound of laughter brought her back to reality.
"Well, I will get these don't right quick." Hermione said stilling her face and calling to Bruce. She thanked Parvati again and made her way out of the park.
*****************8
I thought you would enjoy a little chapter! I hope this isn't too confusing. I quickly wrote it down between classes and wanted to get it to you super quick. Well off to Political Science class!
HAVE A GREAT DAY and please review!