Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. This writing is for pure entertainment only.

Summary: Set right after the Second Wizarding War. Harry and Ron have just become Auror's, and Harry has taken Teddy into his home. But when Harry goes missing, who is left to take care of Teddy? Ron, with the help of Hermione, is forced to pick up the broken pieces, bringing the new couple only closer together.

CHAPTER 36

Silence filled Grimmauld Place as Ron stood square to the kitchen table that contained his parents and Teddy. His jaw was set and there was only one emotion written on his face; Ron was angry.

"Ron…" Hermione started.

"Did you invite them?" Ron snapped at his wife, pointing to his parents.

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded. They needed to start this conversation somewhere and she knew she needed to calm Ron down. "I did…"

"Why?" Ron asked quickly.

"Ron, don't blame Hermione—" Mrs. Weasley started but stopped when Ron turned and glared back at her.

"Ron, I know you and you miss your family. I hated seeing you like that," Hermione said, walking up to Ron and gently pupping his cheek in her hand.

"This is something you and I could have discussed though," Ron said softly to Hermione. He was angry but it was impossible for him to stay angry with Hermione.

"Well, I did this instead. Please, just sit down…for me?" Hermione added the last part softly.

Ron sighed, knowing he could not turn down Hermione request. He reluctantly nodded and sat down at the table, next to Teddy, as far from his parents as possible.

"Da!" Teddy pointed at Ron and handed Ron a fistful of crackers that he was snacking on.

"Thank you," Ron took the smashed crackers gracefully.

"I good!" Teddy said proudly and pointed to himself.

Ron laughed, he had to, Teddy is too cute. He ruffled Teddy's hair, which was now the same color red as his own. "You certainly are."

Hermione brought the rest of dinner to the table and they all sat in a strained silence as they started to eat.

After a few moments, Mrs. Weasley put her fork down and it clanged loudly on the plate. "I need to say something."

Ron tensed up and Hermione reached out to take his hand.

"Molly—" Mr. Weasley spoke the first words he had all evening.

"No, Arthur, I do. I need to say this." Mrs. Weasley cut her husband off.

"No, I need to say something first," Ron said quickly and turned to both of his parents. "I don't care if you agree with what Hermione and I did. I don't care if you don't think we are what is best for Teddy. We know better…I know better, and I am happy…" Ron turned his attention back to Hermione as if asking her if she was happy as well.

"We both are happy," Hermione confirmed what Ron was silently asking.

It seemed Hermione's words gave Ron new strength and he turned back to his parents. "So, I don't care what you think. If you don't want to be part of our life then don't. You don't want to come to my wedding or visit us on Christmas then I—"

But Mrs. Weasley cut Ron off right there. "Ron, we are proud of you."

Ron looked at his mother, completely perplexed. "What?"

"We are," Mrs. Weasley turned to Mr. Weasley who nodded. "We took longer then we should have to realize what a good thing you have here, but I see it now, with Hermione and Teddy and you make us so proud. We're sorry it took us so long to come around."

"Some a little longer then others…" Mr. Weasley said under his breath.

His father's comment did cause Ron to smile a bit.

"Alright, well…some of us are trying to fix that," Mrs. Weasley swatted playfully at her husband.

"We're sorry we missed the wedding, Ron," Mr. Weasley spoke up. "We suppose we owe you at least a party with our side of the family."

Ron looked over at Hermione who smiled and nodded.

"We would like that," Hermione said.

"We owe you more then that, but we can at least start there," Mrs. Weasley added.

"Mum, lets just navigate through dinner first," Ron teased.

"Oh all right! It's settled though. A party to celebrate this new little piece of our family," Mrs. Weasley said and stood, moving toward Ron and Hermione and somehow managing to grab them both in for a hug and a kiss on each of their foreheads.

"And I guess that means I get step-grandma duties…" Mrs. Weasley spoke in a childish voice as she scooped up Teddy who seemed to giggle in her arms, as if he had known her his entire life.