Hermione's fingers caressed the plastic object in her hand, and her back rested against the tub. The little window displayed a symbol and Ginny didn't dare move. They had been sitting there for ten minutes, and Hermione had yet to speak. It was as if her brain had shut off as she stared at the plus mark on the muggle item.

"How?" she finally whispered.

Ginny bit down on her grin as her hand ran over her friend's arm. "Well, I would think the usual way, Hermione."

"What are we going to do?" Hermione questioned as her thumb ran over the symbol.

"You didn't want this to happen?" Ginny responded with a frown.

Hermione cleared her throat and shook her head. "Of course I did, Gin, but now my life no longer belongs to my dragon. It belongs to the little being that's growing inside me."

"Hermione, you're going to have a baby," Ginny pressed as she shook the witch.

She glanced over to see Ginny's eyes were brimming with tears, that finally stirred a reaction from the older woman. Hermione's breath hitched in concession a couple of times before tears entered her vision. "Ginny, me and Charlie are having a baby," Hermione voiced as her free hand went to her mouth.

Ginny pulled her into a tight embrace as the women cried in jovial surprise together. "Oh, mum is going to flip," the redhead giggled through her sobs.

"Charlie is going," Hermione paused and cleared her throat. "Actually, I'm not sure how Charlie is going to feel," Hermione confessed as she distanced herself to stare at her sister and friend.

"Hermione! Charlie is going to run through Diagon Alley telling everyone he's going to be a father. I don't think anyone is more excited to be a father than he is. I never thought I'd say it, but he's going to be more elated than you are."

"What about our life back in Romania?" Hermione asked with a pout as she cleared her face.

Ginny shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I suppose it's something you need to talk to your husband about."

"I have to go see a healer," Hermione gasped as she nearly jumped from the floor.

Ginny laughed as she erected herself to meet the newly frantic woman. "Hold on a moment, Hermione. Breathe," she said.

"I have to plan a potion routine, and buy books. We'll need to convert the fitness room into a nursery," Hermione continued as she paced on the tile.

Ginny was just smirking as she watched her friend finally step into the realization that this was happening. "Again, another bit you will have to discuss with your husband."

Hermione breathed shallowly a few times and screamed, covering her cheeks. "Oh, Merlin's beard, I'm going to be a mother."

"And that was the reaction I was waiting for," Ginny chortled.

All of the excitement made Hermione's stomach turn. "Oh, for the love of magic, I'm going to be sick," she grumbled and pushed to the toilet.

Ginny grimaced as the older witch expelled what was left in her stomach. She patted Hermione's back as her body heaved over the seat. "Well, almost the exact reaction I was hoping for," Ginny corrected herself as she held Hermione's hair.

"Ginny, can you help me get to St. Mungo's?" Hermione asked as her face was still in the toilet.

"Yes, but under one condition," Ginny murmured, bending down next to her. "You tell Charlie you're going there so he can meet us."

Hermione bobbed her head in agreement. "Alright."

"Good," Ginny responded and offered Hermione a towel. "Get cleaned up; we'll leave when your stomach is less volatile."

Hermione was scowling as she bobbed her foot against her calf. They had been waiting for Charlie's response for nearly two hours before deciding to leave without him. What in the world was preventing him from answering?

"Hey there," Harry's voice interrupted her thoughts.

He collapsed in the chair next to her while they waited for Hippocrates to finish with another patient and Harry met them here. Hermione was gnawing at her lower lip as her stomach rumbled. She wasn't going to chance eating anything until after the appointment.

"Harry, have you heard from Charlie?" Hermione questioned.

Ginny was walking the waiting room with Albus as she hummed. "He could just be out patrolling, Hermione. You know better than us that when he's busy, he is all-consumingly so."

Hermione exhaled and rocked her head. "I know, but I still wish he would have made it here."

Harry's hand rubbed Hermione's shoulder as he spoke. "Don't worry; you'll have plenty of them coming up. This is just the first."

"Mrs. Weasley," a voice summoned everyone's attention.

Hermione glanced over at the teal dressed healer. "Yes?"

"He will see you now," the small witch affirmed with a nod.

Hermione's heart sped in her chest as she glanced over at Ginny. "I, well, it," Hermione stuttered as she stood.

Harry erected himself and waved his wife over. "I'll take Albus; you go with her."

Ginny motioned agreement before handing over the toddler to him. Hermione took Ginny's hand and squeezed it tightly as they began to follow the healer. The younger witch grounded Hermione in a way because she most certainly would not be able to do this herself. Charlie came to mind again, and she felt a sliver of pining.

"You know, he probably would have fainted if he came to this one," Ginny whispered as they walked the staircase.

Hermione choked on a laugh as she nodded. "You're probably right. I think I would have if you weren't here."

They landed on the floor and Ginny clasped Hermione's fingers tighter. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Hermione breathed as the healer turned to them.

"Just in his private examination room, he will be in momentarily," the witch announced as her arm extended to the right.

The two walked inside, and Hermione gulped before the door closed behind them. This was going to be the start of a significant life change. After they left this room, everything was going to be different.

They had dropped Albus off with George, still not saying exactly what had occurred today. The house was quiet when they returned after shopping for supplies. Hermione frowned and glanced over at the Potters as they set the bags down in the sitting room. It was well into the evening, and well past the time, Charlie would be due home. He may not have class in the morning, but they never went to bed without the other.

"Charles," Harry called out.

Nothing.

Hermione glowered and marched into the kitchen to see how they left it this morning. Paper on the table and a teapot on the counter. Where was he?

"Well, it doesn't look like he made it back yet," Ginny remarked as she entered the kitchen.

"That doesn't make any sense; he never would stay after feedings are over," Hermione responded as her hand ran over her face.

"There's no owl," Harry declared as he strolled into the room.

"Do you think he got held up?" Ginny asked as she grimaced.

Hermione exhaled and scratched her neck. "I don't know, but he'll be home soon. Why don't you both go home and I'll owl you when I've spoken to him. No need to wait around when he just might be having a drink with the others and tarried too long."

"You promise you'll let us know when you've told him so we can congratulate him?" Harry asked while smiling.

"I promise," Hermione responded.

They both kissed her cheeks and Ginny sighed. "I'm so happy for you both. You're going to be a great mother, Hermione."

"Thanks, Gin, I love you."

Harry ruffled Hermione's hair and chuckled. "Well, your children are going to be menacing to be certain. You both are stubborn, intelligent and incredibly kind. I love you," Harry mumbled and kissed her cheek.

The Potters soon left through the fireplace… leaving her alone. Not really alone now she reminded herself as she rubbed her abdomen. Hippocrates confirmed it for her. Hermione was going to have a baby, and now all she needed was her husband to be on board. The nerves of the day had worn on her, but she sifted through the bags, organizing the ingredients and setting aside much-needed items to care for herself.

It was so silent in the house without him. Where was he?

When she had gotten through a bulk of the books she had, the portkey sounded in the back garden. Hermione sighed with relief and licked her lips. How was she going to start the conversation? She walked into the kitchen, not to find her husband, but Hendrick was standing at the back door. Her heart dropped into the depths of her stomach.

Hermione rushed to the door and opened it to see he was covered in blood. "Hedrick," she gasped, all heat leaving her limbs.

The burly man reached over to stop the witch from collapsing. "Wait, don't panic. He's not dead," he started.

"Where is he?" Hermione cried as her legs wobbled even in his grip.

"Stand up, Weasley, take a breath," Hedrick ordered with a frown.

Hermione obeyed and squared off her shoulders. "Okay, what happened?"

"Char is wounded. He was helping one of the welsh bucks, and another caught him unawares. Tore open his leg and part of his torso, but Hilda managed to mend the serious injuries. I came here to get you," Hedrick responded with a nod.

Hermione's lips trembled, but she cleared her throat. "I, well, I can't use the portkey," she mumbled. "Healers orders."

Hedrick scowled cynically until it melted to surprise. "Oh," he said.

"Please don't say anything. Tell them I'm too ill to come through. I don't care how you make it seem, just don't say why," Hermione voiced before nipping at her lower lip.

His large hand went to her shoulder, and he nodded. "I will tell Char when he wakes up that you were in bed when I got here. That muggle illness is going around," he chuckled and patted her frame. "Congratulations, Hermione."

"Thank you, Hedrick. This is our secret until I get the chance to talk to him, alright?" Hermione asked with a small smile.

"Okay, and I expect you to put in a permanent leave? At least for the next two years?"

Hermione laughed with a breathy sigh. "Yes, I suppose this is my discreet way of saying that."

Hedrick kissed her hair and nodded. "I'll make sure he gets back first thing in the morning. We had him on pain draughts earlier."

"Thank you," Hermione said.

"I'll see you for the party," he responded with a bright grin.

"Party?"

Hedrick rocked his head as he released the witch. "The man promised us a party if you both were going to have a baby."

Hermione sneered and folded her arms over her chest. "He did, did he? Well, I suppose a party it is."

"Have a good night, Hermione. I promise I won't spoil the surprise," he teased and walked himself out.

Dragon Keepers were always wild and queer bunches, but full of heart. Even their quick conversation was full of everything she loved about them and her husband. Charlie was gone for the entire night, and she was so full of the good news, she didn't know what she was going to do with herself.

Deciding that a quick shower and some light reading would be a reasonable recourse, she cleaned up her shopping supplies, finished the dishes and shut the house down for the night. The whole time she was growing on the ideas of their future. Would he still work with dragons now? Of course, that was Charlie. How about their house? It was big enough, but was it convenient for his work? She kept playing out scenarios in her mind to the point where the book rested limply in her hands…

The witch fell asleep dreaming about their future ahead.