Chapter 28
~~Friday in London~~
Hermione was having a bad week. Ron had reacted better than could be expected to her bombshell announcement last weekend. In fact, he had reacted so well, that he couldn't keep his mouth shut about it, and wouldn't stop asking her to marry him. Hermione had asked him to keep the news quiet, wanting to wait until the end of the first trimester for the big reveal.
At night, when it was dark and quiet, aside from Ron's steady snoring, she could admit to herself why. She was scared. Scared for so many reasons, reasons that made her hate parts of herself, hate Ron's blithe acceptance and joy. Hermione knew her line of work, even being in the judiciary, instead of officially part of the auror's office, was dangerous. Further, Hermione continued to find time to work on magical experiments, experiments that could have unintended consequences. Those, plus the normal odds of miscarriage would be enough for any one to be concerned about announcing her pregnancy. But, there was more, she was scared of being a mother. Hermione wasn't sure she had ever wanted to be one at all, let alone one at 19. She wanted to go to university, and move forward in her career. She wanted so many things for herself, things that wouldn't let her bring a baby along, things that people would say she was selfish to care about when she was responsible for a new life. She had wanted to talk to Ron about it, but couldn't, every time she tried to confess her conflict and the tumult inside, he was on about how he couldn't wait for the baby to get here, and how it was just the first in their own home grown quidditch team. No, she just couldn't talk to Ron, and with that, she felt her heartbreak a little.
Hermione slipped out of bed and quietly padded to the kitchen. "Like a bleeding afterschool special, that is what I am." She poured a glass of milk and stared into it. "I don't think I want a baby, not now" she whispered to the non-judgmental liquid feeling inexplicably ashamed as tears fell down her cheeks.
~~ Also in London ~~
Ron was overjoyed and having a great week. When Hermione had told him the news, it was both an explanation for her odd behavior, and a promise for the perfect future. He had asked her to marry him on the spot. Hermione's answer had been a curt, "don't be daft." Yet, he was still having the best week of his life. Not only was he going to be a daddy, Hermione was going to be with him forever.
That week, he was sure he could already see a glow around Hermione, and any of her strange behavior recently, was now forgiven and forgotten. She hadn't been distant, growing away from him, or beyond him, she was just experiencing pregnancy hormones. Ron had a bounce in his step on Monday when he went to work. His brother made some crude joke about Hermione getting back her latest work trip, and Ron didn't even blush. By tea time, he couldn't stand it anymore, he was going to burst. As he munched a lemon biscuit, Ron pulled out his cell phone and sent a group text.
The responses from his friends had buoyed and gratified him over the next few days. Even that dirty snake Malfoy and his American cousin had texted back their congratulations. Ron grinned at that. Somehow, he found it particularly satisfying that he got Hermione in a family way, and that Draco knew. He supposed it was his normal jealously, but he had a suspicion at times that Draco's interest in his girl friend over the years hadn't been as hateful as the blood slurs would make it seem. He found it gratifying that the prat was not only banished from England but that Ron was proving to be manlier as well.
By Thursday, Ron's sense of well-being had a new direction. He had emptied his bank account that morning and bought a ring. Of course, Hermione had told him off when he asked first. He had been unprepared. Ron let George know he wouldn't be coming into work for the day. Then he apparated to the coast, Fleur and Bill were at work, but he stopped by the house anyway to check in on the nanny and Teddy.
As he played with the little boy, Ron couldn't help but think this was exactly what he wanted. He imagined himself and Hermione several years from now, surrounded by babies, some with his family's blazing red hair, other with her beautiful curls. She would have to leave work, and focus on being a homemaker; she was going to be just brilliant at it, like she was at everything. As Ron watched Teddy suck on the ear of a floppy rabbit, he considered that he was going to have to find a better job. George hadn't really brought him on as a partner, although he was allowed to call himself that. Ron knew that he was not contributing to the booming business of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes beyond being another red-head behind the counter.
"Well, Teddy me boy, it seems, I have some arrangements to make. First, I have to convince Auntie 'Mione to marry me. No worries on that mate, once she sees the ring, and the little bit of romance I have planned for tonight, that will be a done deal. Second, I have to prove to her that I can be the breadwinner our family deserves."
Teddy looked at him askew, drool dripping down his chin. "Ba!"
Ron laughed, "Ba, indeed!"
He spent the rest of the afternoon on the leeside of a dune further down the beach from his brother's home. Ron carefully set up a tent, conjuring magical lights and flowers about it. With a surprising eye for style and design, he set a table with his mother's best china. She wouldn't know it was missing, considering that he had to spend over an hour searching for it at their new house. A feeling of irritation at the losses his family suffered during the war had swept over him then, but he pushed it back, considering what new joy was being brought into the world. He then popped over to Hermione's favorite bistro and picked up a light dinner and fresh sparkling pumpkin juice, putting both in the cooler for later. He paced the area, adjusting a drape here, and plumping a cushion there. It was the perfect picture seaside picnic. As the day waned, he was quite certain the setting was magical and she wouldn't say no again.
Ron went to the Department of Magic and surprised Hermione at her office. Her head was bent over a desk, curls tied into a messy bun. She was carefully studying a scroll, her wand tracing a route on a map. Ron shift his weight awkwardly, she wasn't looking up. He cleared his throat.
"Just a second," Hermione said curtly, without looking up. The tip of her wand continuing on its slow, methodical pattern, now a faint green glow illuminating the parchment. Her lips parted softly, and Ron thought he could hear the hiss of Parseltounge. He shook his head, that couldn't be right. He coughed again. "Hold on, almost done," if her voice had been curt before, it sounded down-right peeved now. The green light was intensifying and suddenly the map burst into flame and disappeared. "Blast it!" Hermione cursed, tossing her wand down in frustration, she looked up into Ron's startled face.
"Ron?" She sounded confused now, and Ron wasn't quite sure if she didn't sound a little angry too.
He smiled broadly, well, he was about to put her in a much better mood. "Unfortunate that?" he asked, waiving to indicate where the map had disappeared. Instead of waiting for her answer though, he continued, "I am sure that you will figure it out, you are the smartest witch there is after all. But tonight, forget about it, I have come to take you out to dinner." He walked fully into the office now, and bent down to kiss her.
She seemed distracted, but Ron tugged her from her seat. "Come on 'Mione," he wheedled, "even you have to eat." He laid a hand conspiratorially across her stomach, "especially now." Ron didn't notice how she glanced frantically to the open office door to see if any of her coworkers were paying attention.
"Right then," She grabbed her messenger bag, "let's go." The pair left the Ministry, and Hermione turned towards the row of restaurants and shops they normally frequented.
Ron smiled largely and placed his hand on hers. "Actually, I have a surprise, close your eyes."
Hermione looked pale, but smiled back at him and closed her eyes in submission. Ron apperated the pair to the tent on the beach. With a quick flick of his wand, the hundreds of fairy-lights he had strung came to life, sparkling blue, white and pink in the darkness. Another flick and soft music began to play, accented by the waves gently lapping the shore. He whispered in her ear, "Ok, luv, open your eyes."
He was gratified by her soft gasp, and spun her around to kiss her tenderly. "Do you like it?"
She nodded, "It's beautiful, you did this?"
Ron chuckled, "Still surprising you." Taking her hand, he gently tugged her to the tent and settled her among the pillows. Once he was sure she was comfortable, a flick of his wand and the dinner transferred from the cooler to the plates. For the next hour, it was as if all the strains of the past six months were gone between them. They laughed, and ate the delicate treats, making soft conversation about the beauty of the scene.
Only when the last morsel was cleared from their plates, did he move to sit in front of her. She was beautiful, curls escaping her workday bun, fairy-light twinkling in her eyes. Ron took her hand, "Hermione, it's no secret that you are too good for me. Too smart, too driven, too kind-hearted, but somehow, we don't get what we deserve, we get what we need. I need you Hermione, need your light in my darkness, need your strength beside me. Together, we have created something more magical than anything we have ever learned about in school. And now, it is time for me to be your rock, to support you, and to be the man you need and deserve. Will you do me the very great honor of being my wife?"
Ron wasn't sure what he had expected. A squeal of happiness, not that Hermione was the squealing type, but if there was ever a time for it, he thought this would qualify. Or maybe, he expected to be covered in kisses, or for her to shout out yes. He didn't expect her face to go so pale. Didn't expect the silence to seem to cancel out the soft music and ocean noise. And he certainly didn't expect her to say, "I'll think about it."
She apparated away then, leaving him alone in the beautiful tent by the sea. But one thing Ron had learned over their years together was persistence. It wasn't a no, and she didn't call him daft again. So, he patted the ring, secure in his pocket, and set to whisking away the beautiful setting that he had taken most of the day creating. When he got back to their tiny apartment, Ron was pleased, but unsurprised to find her already asleep. After all, becoming a mother must be exhausting.
The next morning, he served her breakfast in bed. Pleased that she seemed back in good spirits, before she left for work, he decided to ask again. "So, did you think about it?"
She rolled her eyes and looked at him with a certain amount of exasperation, or was it amusement, behind her eyes. "Honestly, Ronald…" Hermione gave him a quick kiss and then was out the door. Ron walked slowly to work whistling, he would wear her down, now to see about getting his brother to give him a raise.
George hadn't been keen on the idea of a raise, but when he explained that he had gotten Hermione in a family way, his brother had come around. Of course, Ron made him swear not to break the news to their parents, he wasn't sure how Hermione would react to that. George also asked him to start thinking about what he really wanted his role to be in the store, and started blathering something about training courses in management or marketing. Honestly, Ron had stopped paying attention after securing the raise. He spent the rest of the day serving customers poorly as he day dreamed about his perfect life, tickled that he was the one getting the happily ever after.
Friday night, Hermione surprised him with a text that they were meeting with Oliver Wood and Angelina Johnson at the pub. Both had recently joined Puddlemere United, and Ron had a great evening catching up and getting to hear quidditch stories from pros. He was a little irritated when George showed up later, concerned that he would let slip Hermione's condition. It was with relief, then, that he noted George spent the night chatting up Angelina. Maybe he would have something to tease his older brother about at work tomorrow.
He and Hermione walked back to their flat hand in hand that night. Things were just perfect, and when he went to sleep it was with a smile on his face. Sometime later in the night he rolled over to his side and reached sleepily across the bed. He didn't find Hermione's warm form and his eyes blinked sleepily. A faint light was coming from down the hall, she must be in the loo, Ron had read that pregnant women had to go a lot. He fell back asleep, completely unconcerned.
~~Down the Hall~~
Hermione washed her face in the kitchen sink and then her glass of milk. She looked down the hall and sighed. Tomorrow was Saturday and she didn't have to go into work, she look towards the library and thought maybe she would put in a couple hours on her Parseltounge, if her pronunciation had been correct that spell yesterday should have worked. Settled, she turned off the kitchen light and moved further from the bedroom. A small blue flashing light greeted her in the study, and she swiped her cell phone to life.
Wishing you were here, we are getting stomped at trivia tonight!
A photo followed the text and her cousin's face was squished next to a cute boy in a smiling laughing selfie. Hermione smiled wistfully, maybe there was someone she could talk to after all, Anne was American and far enough removed from the London scene and all the expectations that Hermione felt weighing on her, maybe she could help. The time stamp indicated the text only arrived 5 minutes ago, it was only half past eight in Austin.
Decisively, Hermione summoned a quill and scroll to her. First a quick note to her supervisor, begging off for the week. Next, a note to Ron, she couldn't bear the idea of waking him.
Ron, Anne had an emergency pop up in America. Nothing serious, but she needs a cousin around, and I fit the bill. You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake up you. I will be back next weekend, will have my cell phone, call me later. Take care of Crooks for me? xo, H.G.
With that, Hermione apparated to the transcontinental floo station to hop a ride to America. She figured things like clothes and toiletries could be handled on that end, and she was ready to get out of town.
a/n – Thank you Bludgerwombat and Andrea Kilburn-Hollibaugh for the new follows! 1-21-18
