Chapter forty four: Happy Mother's day!

The next three days that passed were some of the most awkward and tense of Hermione's entire existence. Ron decided it wise to keep out of the girl's way as Hermione unpacked her stuff and he kept his word on not touching her books. Hermione and Ron had several painfully awkward encounters where it seemed like they were married but they were really angry at one another so it seemed like they weren't. She and Ron had figured out a way to communicate and say where they wanted to put packed objects whilst avoiding eye contact and not having to be in each other's presence for more than five minutes at a time. Ron did what he pleased, although he was still unpacking his stuff. He made sure to unpack his stuff in he and Hermione's room but obviously he kept away from everything that she owned so she couldn't accuse him of anything whatsoever.

It was May 13th today. When Hermione realized this, she felt odd, like she was missing something and when she glanced at her calendar, she realized it was Mother's day today. As soon as she saw this, she felt that familiar pain in her chest. Of course, Mrs. Weasley had planned to come over with the entire family today to see them all. Also, Fleur and Bill had had their baby now, so they'd be coming over. Hermione began to feel the pain grow when she thought about her mother, but she pushed it aside, not wanting to dwell on it. What Hermione didn't realize that Ginny knew it was mother's day until she came up to collect the laundry hamper from the guest room and saw Ginny lying in bed, looking quite distraught indeed.

"Ginny?" Hermione said as she peaked at her with the hamper on one hip. "Ginny, are you okay?"

There was no answer. Hermione blinked for a moment before she set the basket down and sat on the bed beside Ginny. She put a light hand on her shoulder.

"Ginny?" she repeated. Ginny didn't stir, but she was awake.

"I never imagined it'd happen like this," Ginny said, breaking the silence. Hermione looked at her with curious eyes. "I never thought I'd be spending Mother's day alone."

Hermione finally realized why she was upset and looked around at her.

"You're not alone, Ginny. Your mum is coming, and so is the whole family." Hermione stated. Ginny didn't look at Hermione as she stared at the opposite wall tiredly.

"You know that's not what I mean, Hermione," Ginny said quietly. Hermione fidgeted uncomfortably as she continued. "It just seems like he's never coming back. He said he needed time to think, to understand what was going on but I can't believe that. What if he doesn't come back, Hermione? What if I have to do this all by myself?" The hysteria in her voice was rising. Hermione shushed her gently as her hand began to shake with Ginny's trembling shoulders.

"You won't have to," Hermione assured her truthfully. "You've known Harry for as long as I have, Ginny, and everyone knows that Harry Potter isn't a quitter. He's not just going to leave you; this is his child and he loves you. He's scared, everyone is. We just want the best for you, okay? Harry will come back," Hermione forced her to look into her eyes. The grip tightened on her shoulder for emphasis. "I promise you that."

Ginny stared at Hermione for a moment but the pep talk didn't seem to work as Hermione planned because right after she said that, Ginny simply turned away again and curled back into her blankets. Hermione watched her turn away and felt sadness leak into her again. She took a deep breath and got up again, picking up the basket of laundry. Hermione quietly left and shut the door behind her.

Traveling down the stairs, Hermione went back to doing the laundry. The clock seemed to be moving so fast now and Hermione had to get the house ready for the family to come over but as she cleaned, all Hermione could think about was Ginny and Harry. Much of the questions she had running around in her head were impossible to answer by herself. She tried to just focus on the cleaning but soon enough, Ron came downstairs. Hermione turned around when she heard footsteps coming close to her. She caught Ron's eyes briefly and swallowed, then looked away again. Ron hesitated but he stepped towards her tentatively. When he did, Hermione ignored him.

"Is there something you need?" Hermione asked him, busy folding a blanket. Ron shrugged, his hands in his pocket.

"No, not really. I was just wondering what I could help with." Ron said quietly. Hermione paused, her arms up in midair as she folded the blanket. After a moment of shocked silence, she continued folding it. He wanted to help?

"You want to help clean the house?" Hermione asked, her eyes glued to the blanket. Ron nodded silently.

"Yeah, I do."

"What brought this on?" Hermione questioned him. Ron shrugged again and sat on the couch where she was folding laundry. He fiddled with the wicker basket.

"I dunno. I just didn't think you should do it all by yourself. It is my family coming over, after all." Ron said.

"Our family," Hermione mumbled, still folding. She picked up another piece of clothing as she spoke. "Besides, don't you have to unpack still?"

"No, I just finished."

"Well, then, why don't you go and play Quidditch or something." Hermione suggested in a slightly crabby tone.

"I don't want to play Quidditch, Hermione. I want to help clean the house." Ron told her honestly. Hermione looked around at him but didn't meet his eyes.

"Okay then," she gave in. "Help me fold the clothes." She ordered. Immediately, Ron began folding clothes. The silence cut like sharp knives into Hermione. All she wanted to do was kiss him, hug him. This wasn't worth the silence, but even though she wanted to, Ron spoke first.

"Hermione," he began. "Can we just talk about this?"

There was a pause before she spoke.

"That depends – what is there left to say?" she said at last.

"Everything," Ron said softly. "Look, I want to make things right, but every time I think about it, it's like someone lights a fire inside my chest and I can't force the words out."

"Well, then, find a way to put out that fire, Ronald, because the rules I set still stand and they'll continue to stand as long as you don't fix this." Hermione said forcefully. However, before Ron could answer, the doorbell rang. Hermione glanced up the stairs as though she'd see who it was and then sighed and handed him the half empty wicker basket. "Here. If you want to be helpful, fold these and put them in the drawers." She said. Hermione stood and made her way upstairs where she glanced up to the second level to see if Ginny had heard the doorbell. When she saw nobody, she went over to the door and opened it to reveal a very worn and tired individual who was carrying an abnormally large amount of plastic bags. It took Hermione less than a second to realize who this was: Harry was standing at her front door.

A weighted silence filled the air as the two friends met each other's eyes. Hermione felt so many emotions at once, her head was spinning. Finally, Harry made the first move.

"Hullo Hermione." He said quietly. Hermione listened to his voice – it was as though he'd never left.

Hermione cleared her throat and swallowed, trying to find her voice.

"Hey," she said faintly. "Come on in." she stepped aside so that Harry could enter the foyer. As soon as he did, she shut the door again and Harry put down the bags.

"Hermione," he started. "I'm-,"

Before he could finish his sentence, Hermione had flung her arms around his neck and pulled him into an embrace.

"Thank you for coming back today." she whispered. Harry blinked, but hugged her back.

"Er…you're welcome?" he said questioningly. Hermione pulled back, practically beaming.

"You do realize what day it is today, right?" she asked. Harry shook his head.

"No. What day is it?"

"Mother's day, Harry. It's Mother's day." Hermione said ecstatically. Harry thought about that for a moment before it dawned on him. He smiled and bent down to pick something out of the many bags he had.

"That works out perfectly." He said, showing Hermione a stuffed bunny rabbit that was obviously meant for an infant. Hermione beamed down at it.

"You don't realize how much this'll mean to Ginny. She's been miserable ever since you left."

"So have I," said Harry, bending down to put the bunny back in the bag. "I felt horrible for leaving right after I left but I had to think about things. It kind of freaked me out, you know? It still does. I don't know how to be a father – I was never taught or shown by anyone. I guess I just didn't want to be a disappointment to Ginny." Harry admitted. Hermione gave him the biggest smile ever.

"Oh, Harry, you could never be a disappointment to her! Besides, nobody knows how to be a parent until they are. So, don't worry – we'll all help you along the way." Hermione said as he smiled.

"Thanks, Hermione. It means a lot. And thanks for looking after Ginny while I was gone. I owe you one." Harry said with a grin. Hermione rolled her eyes and kissed Harry's cheek.

"Oh, honestly! The only thing you owe me is a good conversation with your life. Now, get your arse up those stairs, Harry Potter! She's in the room at the very end of the hall." Hermione shoved the bags into his arms and nudged him to the staircase. Harry grinned and went up the stairs as Hermione stopped at the bottom. Once he was faced with the space between himself and the room Ginny was in, his smile vanished. He swallowed and made his way forwards. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

Ginny was lying in the same position she'd been in when Hermione had come to check on her. She heard the door open and she stirred out of her stillness. Sitting up, she looked over to see Harry standing there, his arms full of bags. Her entire body froze in shock as their eyes met and she felt herself go warm and then cold very fast. She couldn't speak. They just stared at one another for a long time, speaking through their eyes.

Then Harry finally moved. He stepped forward, his gaze only on her.

"Ginny," he said quietly. "I'm sorry…I made a mistake by leaving you like that. I didn't know what to do – I wasn't expecting it and it scared me."

When Ginny didn't respond in any way, other than blinking, Harry began to feel worry climb his throat. His head quickly scrambled to try and find something to do.

"Look, here-," he rushed forwards and put the multiple bags on the bed at her feet, opening them to expose loads of baby clothes, baby toys and diapers and everything. His hands grabbed whatever they came across and he showed it to her, putting it on the bed. Ginny sat up straighter, looking at all the baby stuff. "I went and bought a whole bunch of stuff for the baby. I didn't really know what to buy, so I asked the saleslady on her opinion," he held up a pink and a blue baby jumper "I didn't know whether it was a boy or a girl so I just got one of every color but I'm sure I can exchange it. I wanted to make sure I got almost everything that we need but I wasn't sure how much that would be. I-I just wanted to help." Harry said quietly, watching Ginny's face as she took in all the clothes and baby supplies. He caught her eye finally. "I'm sorry for leaving, Ginny. I was scared. I was honestly too scared – all of these questions kept popping into my head. I don't even know whether I'm going to be a good father, Ginny. I've never been taught by anyone and I didn't want to disappoint you, but one thing is for certain: I want to be there, and I'm willing to learn because I love you so much." Harry said quickly.

Ginny stared at the clothes and then up at him for a long period of time. She stared into his green eyes and then grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulled him in, and gave him the most fiery, passionate kiss she could muster. Harry was slightly taken aback, but then he melted into the kiss, closing his eyes and pulling Ginny close in his arms. Ginny ran her hands through his already messy black hair, working her lips against his skillfully. When the two of them pulled apart, both of them were slightly breathless. Ginny rested her forehead against Harry's, staring into his eyes.

"I love you," she muttered quietly through her quick breaths. "Thank you for coming back." she said, her voice filled with relief and joy. Harry smiled and stroked her cheek before he kissed her lips softly again. Ginny smiled against the kiss and then she pulled back. "Oh, and by the way, we won't be needing that pink jumper," Ginny's smile grew brighter. "It's a boy."

Harry felt himself go warm inside as he stared at his wife. He looked into her eyes as the word 'boy' bounced off his skull. He felt scared and unprepared, but somehow excited and happy at the same time and, as he kissed Ginny and held her close again, he realized that even if he didn't know how to be a father, he'd learn and that this was exactly where he was meant to be.