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 at end of HBP. As the ministry falls further under Voldemorts control a new law is passed, forcing Hermione into a life she wasn't ready for. How will it affect the horcrux hunt and the fight against Voldemort?

CHAPTER 54

Ron woke up feeling well rested as he felt the bare skin of Hermione's breast and pregnant stomach snuggle up to his bare chest. Despite the fact that their bed at Grimmauld Place was almost three times the size of his at the Burrow, they still had slept nearly on top of one another the night before, though Ron had a feeling that had to do with their activities the night before.

Ron grinned as he thought of the night before. He and Hermione had shared a rather long and intimate night, and he had to admit, even he was impressed with her flexibility and endurance, given her current state. Though, as he eyed her up and down in bed, he wondered how tired she really was, as she had barely stirred all night.

Ron was torn. He wanted to let her sleep. He hated the idea of waking her up, but he knew he had to. Her parents would be there in an hour, and he doubted she wanted her mom and dad to find her naked in bed with him, even if they were married. Furthermore, he didn't want to give the Granger's another reason to dislike him, since they finally seemed to be getting on well enough.

So with a sigh, Ron slipped his arm out from under Hermione and whispered softly, "Hermione?"

Hermione stirred, her eyes still closed, and mumbled, "Sleeping…"

Ron laughed softly. "No you aren't…"

"I was." Hermione said, opening one eye but still smiling at him. "This is like the fourth time this week you have woken me up."

"Well, this time its because I have to, not because I wanted to…" Ron told her, kissing her nose. "You're parents are coming over this morning, remember?"

Hermione sighed, flopping her head back into her pillow. "I wish we had invited them for lunch…"

"Well, we have nearly two and a half months left of waking up here before the baby comes…" Ron reminded her, wiggling his eyebrows.

Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes. "Let's take it one day at a time…"

"Fine…" Ron groaned sarcastically before rolling over and running his hand over Hermione's stomach, his fingers tracing a small amount of stretchmark's at her sides.

Hermione frowned, noticing where Ron's hand had stopped. "I don't think those will go away…"

"What?" Ron asked, lifting the sheet and exposing Hermione's naked body before she could object. He studied the stretch marks thoroughly. They were small, and very few. He smiled at them. "I like them."

Hermione laughed. "I am sure…"

Ron glanced up at her as she threw the sheet back over them both. "I do. Reminds me that you went through all this trouble to have my kid…"

Hermione was speechless, studying Ron's face for a long moment. She could see the honesty and love in his eyes, and it reminded her of how he had looked at her last night as they had made up for lost time. He had been just as attentive and amazing as the first time, and there was no doubt in her bones that he loved her. She smiled softly at him.

Ron grinned back. "Come on…let's get up and dressed for your parents…"

Hermione nodded, stealing a kiss from Ron and causing his grin to grow even wider before she slowly got out of bed, with Ron's help, and made her way into the bathroom, to get ready for her parents arrival.


Hermione stood over the stove, making some eggs as best she could with her stomach, though she was finding reaching the stove rather difficult and she was half tempted to just use magic to finish the food.

"You know…you are making little things very difficult for Mummy…" Hermione whispered to her stomach.

The baby kicked in response, and Hermione laughed, wondering if the baby actually understood her. The idea that her child could hear her, and was trying to communicate with her truly fascinated her.

Ron entered the kitchen, fresh from a shower, and laughed at the sight of Hermione, in his oversized shirt, at the stove.

Hermione instantly glared at him, putting the spatula down and a hand on her hip. "What's so funny?"

"You just look…very…wifely like that…" Ron grinned at her, moving and kissing her on the neck as she seemed to melt into him. "And…you should go get dressed. Let me finish this…"

"Ugh…I don't want to…none of my clothes really fit anymore…" Hermione mumbled as she leaned against Ron, her lips forming a small pout.

Ron laughed again, his hands resting on her pregnant stomach and rubbing gently circles around it. "I doubt your parents want to see you in underwear and my shirt…it definitely gives away what we were doing last night…"

Hermione grinned at him and sighed. "Fine, fine…I'll go force myself into something…"

Ron laughed as Hermione waddled out of the kitchen and he finished up the eggs, scooping them into a plate that he put a spell on to keep warm before moving to the window, where he saw Mr. and Mrs. Granger waiting across the street, clearing looking at 11 and 13 Grimmauld Place. Ron laughed, knowing they could not see him and then moved out into the hall.

"Hermione, I am going to get your parents! They are across the street!" Ron said, knowing the Granger's would never find 12 Grimmauld Place without help.

"Okay…" Hermione said, moving out of the bedroom as she put an earring in her hear.

Ron's jaw dropped as he saw her. She looked unbelievably radiant. She was in a simple yellow sundress that tied about her pregnant stomach, making her belly more prominent, but also making her small arms and legs apparent. Aside from her stomach, she really hadn't gained any weight. Her hair was pulled into a simple ponytail and she put a little make up on. Ron was impressed by how quickly she had gotten ready but also by how damn bloody amazing she looked.

"What?" Hermione stopped, looking at him with a concerned look as his mouth continue to hang open.

"Nothing you just…you look bloody amazing." Ron grinned at her, moving and pulling her close, kissing her passionately.

When they broke apart, Hermione's eyes were still closed for a moment. She opened them to see Ron staring intensely at her.

"Bloody beautiful." Ron whispered.

Hermione smiled softly at him, amazed at his reaction to her. She could tell, in that moment, he really did think she was beautiful, and although she couldn't see how given her present condition, she was grateful for it.

"Go get my parents before they decide to go home." Hermione whispered soflty back with a smile.

Ron nodded, though he did not move.

"Ron…go…" Hermione laughed, swatting his arm and moving away from him.

Ron seemed to realize he had not moved and laughed himself before moving toward the door. "Right, right…"


Hermione then moved into the kitchen, waiving her wand and setting the table before cooking up some bacon. By the time she was finished, she heard the front door open, and knew Ron was back with her parents.

"Hermione?" Mrs. Granger called out.

"In the kitchen." Hermione called out.

A second later, Mrs. Granger appeared in the kitchen, followed by Mr. Granger and Ron who were speaking adamantly about the charm hiding Grimmauld Place.

"Hermione, this place is lovely!" Mrs. Granger smiled widely, moving to hug and kiss her daughter before giving her a once over. "And you are glowing…"

"That's what I told her." Ron smiled.

Hermione rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile back at Ron. Silently, she wondered when he had gotten so good with words and compliments.

"Let's eat. I'm bloody starving." Ron said, motioning to the table.

Hermione laughed. That was the Ron she was used to.

Hermione, Ron, Mr. Granger, and Mrs. Granger took a seat, all enjoying their breakfast.

Ever since Ron had proposed to Hermione, both of her parents seemed to be trying a bit more with him, and Hermione was grateful for it.

"So this place is actually very decent. Have to admit…not what I expected when you said you were getting a place to live." Mr. Granger pointed his fork at Ron.

Ron just gave a small grin. He and Hermione had not told her parents that Harry had actually given them the place. They both felt that would not make Mr. Granger think highly of them, taking handouts from friends.

"Its beautiful. A great place to bring a baby home to…" Mrs. Granger said, glancing around.

Hermione nodded. She had made a point of pulling all the curtains down and trying her best to lighten the place up. "Still has a bit of work to do…"

"It will come along." Mr. Granger nodded. "Are you leaving that spell up? So that no one can see it from the street?"

Ron nodded. "I think so. Makes me feel better…if Hermione is ever here alone with the baby."

Hermione was surprised by that response. She knew Ron had wanted to leave the protective charm up, but she had no idea that was the main reason. She just assumed it was because he did not want to take the magic down that the Order had used for so long, or dishonor Harry's true claim to the house, in case he wanted to leave the charms up.

"Well, that's actually a good idea. Wish I had that when I used to leave them home alone…" Mr. Granger motioned to Hermione and Mrs. Granger.

"We managed just fine." Mrs. Granger reached out and squeezed Hermione's hand.

Hermione smiled back at her mother. The conversation seemed surreal. A few days ago, she was certain her parents had cut her out of their lives, now they ere all sitting around joking like nothing had happened.

"And also, I was thinking…have you had a baby shower yet, Hermione?" Mrs. Granger asked.

Hermione shook her head, surprised by her mother's, she quickly finished chewing her food. "No…haven't really had the time to think about that, given the war and getting you two back and everything else…"

"Good." Mrs. Granger smiled. "I wanted to give you one…"

"What's a baby shower?" Ron asked.

Hermione looked surprised at him. "Don't they have them in the Wizarding World? Its where you present a mother-to-be with presents for the baby…"

Ron thought hard for a moment. "I mean…they have a little party…right before the baby is born but…I mean, its more for the couple…they give the baby stuff too but…"

"Well, this is usually for the mother only." Mrs. Granger informed Ron.

"And trust me…you don't want to be there." Mr. Granger leaned across the table as if he were sharing an inside joke with Ron.

"Oh they are fun! Just a bunch of women hanging around…." Mrs. Granger said.

"Yeah, sounds brilliant." Ron said sarcastically, causing Mr. Granger to laugh and Hermione to smile.

"Well, that's why you aren't invited." Hermione reached out squeezing Ron's hand, before turning her attention back to her mother. "And if you want to do that, Mum, it would be great. We actually don't have a lot of stuff for the baby yet. The nursery is pretty empty…"

"Lovely! Yes, of course I want to! I just need the information to invite your girl friends…" Mrs. Granger said.

Hermione's smile faded at that comment. She had never shared it with her mother, but she had made very few girl friends during her time at Hogwarts, and that would be obvious now.

"Mum and Ginny will be so excited." Ron said, realizing what Hermione was thinking and not wanting to spoil the moment.

"Oh yes! I would love to have your mother, Ron." Mrs. Granger smiled widely.

Hermione turned to face Ron, giving his hand a tight squeeze and a smile. She was grateful he had helped her, so as to spare her from an awkward conversation with her mother over the fact that she had very few girls that she could truly call her friend besides Ginny and Luna.


Hermione's parents had spent a majority of the day at Grimmauld Place, Mr. Granger helping Ron move some things around and Mrs. Granger helping Hermione plan the baby's nursery. By the time they left, right before dinner, Hermione was exhausted and her feet were killing her.

Hermione quickly slumped into a chair in the sitting room just as Ron came back into Grimmauld Place, after walking her parents to the road.

"Hermione?" Ron called out.

"Sitting room." Hermione sighed, closing her eyes and leaning back as she rubbed circles on her stomach, trying to calm the baby that had been doing flips inside her for the better part of the afternoon.

"You look a little tired there…" Ron grinned, seeing Hermione on the couch.

Hermione opened her eyes and pouted. "I am…and so are my feet."

Ron smiled and sat down next to Hermione, pulling her feet into his lap and beginning to massage them. "I can take care of that."

"Since when did you become such a gentlemen?" Hermione cocked an eyebrow.

Ron shrugged. "Since I realized I've got a girl I'd like to keep 'round a bit…"

Hermione laughed. "Seriously, Ron. You have become quite the charmer…"

Ron laughed. "Maybe I just grew up a bit…"

"Maybe…" Hermione nodded, closing her eyes and enjoying the foot rub.

"Having your parents here was good, yeah?" Ron asked after a long moment.

Hermione opened her eyes again and sighed a little. "Yeah…"

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, instantly able to tell Hermione wanted to talk.

"Its just…the baby shower…" Hermione admitted, feeling like she wanted to talk to someone about it, and Ron was her best option.

"I thought you wanted one." Ron said, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"I do…I mean, it will be great to get some things for the baby I just…am a bit worried. You don't know my Mum, she is going to go all out for this, and well…who is really going to show up besides your Mum and Ginny…maybe Fleur…" Hermione sighed.

"What are you talking 'bout? There will be plenty of people there…" Ron said.

"Like who, Ron? Its girls only…and in case you forgot, I didn't have many girlfriends at Hogwarts." Hermione pointed out.

"Well, Luna…" Ron said, trying to wrack his brain for any other girls Hermione had hung out with, but he wasn't coming up with a list exactly.

"Besides Luna and your sister, Ron. Think about it, no girls really liked me. Even my roommates weren't exactly fond of me…" Hermione sighed. "I just spent all my time with you and Harry…"

"Well, is that a bad thing?" Ron was slightly offended.

"Of course not, Ron." Hermione tried to sit up the best she could, but her stomach was making that difficult.

"Hey, just relax a bit there…" Ron motioned for her to sit back down. "And don't stress out 'bout this baby shower thing…it will be brilliant and there will be plenty of people who care 'bout you there…"

Hermione just sighed.

"Hey, I mean it." Ron squeezed her feet for emphasis. "Stop worrying about this…seems silly…"

"Silly?" Hermione shot up as quickly as she could, glaring at Ron.

"Yeah, silly. You could defeat death eaters, be tortured, and handle being pregnant in the woods alone…yet you are scared of a baby shower?" Ron gave a small laugh.

"Oh, you!" Hermione grabbed the pillow that was behind her back and chucked it at Ron, but couldn't hide her smile as he deflected it.

"Well, now you lost your foot rub." Ron told her, getting up.

"Fine. I want to shower and lay down for a bit anyway." Hermione stuck her tongue out.

"Oh good." Ron leaned down as if he were going to help her but instead just gave her a kiss on the forehead and walked away.

"HEY! RONALD! Help me up!" Hermione struggled. "Its your fault my stomach's the size of a tent, and I can't sit up straight…"

Ron rolled his eyes, moving to help Hermione. "Oh, don't start blaming me again…"

Hermione smiled at Ron when he got her on her feet and leaned up to kiss him quickly. "Thanks."

Ron just nodded. "Go shower, love."

Hermione nodded and waddled out of the room and up the stairs.

Ron watched her, making her she did okay on the stairs. Once he heard the shower water go on he rushed to the fireplace, sticking his head through so that he could speak with his sister.


Harry and Ginny were busy snogging on the couch, since the rest of the Burrow was out for the day, when they heard Ron's voice roar and they both nearly jumped across the couch they were on.

"Oi! Keep your hands to yourself! You want to end up like me and Hermione?" Ron shouted through the fireplace.

"Bloody hell, Ron!" Ginny screamed, grabbing her chest as her brother's head appeared in the fireplace. "We aren't that stupid."

"Hey!" Ron yelled at his sister.

Harry chuckled a bit, always finding Ron and Ginny's rows a bit funny, especially when Ron's head was in a fireplace. "What's going on, Ron? Something wrong?"

"Well…not exactly…maybe…I need Ginny's help." Ron said.

"Well, the way this conversation is going, I really want to help." Ginny crossed her arms over her chest.

"Its not for me! It's for Hermione." Ron said quickly.

Ginny sighed. Hermione was one of her best friends. "What is it?"

"Hermione's mum wants to do this Muggle celebration, a baby shower?" Ron said, glancing at Harry.

"Oh, Ron, you idiot! That's not a Muggle celebration! We have them too! We just include the dads…" Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Well, recently in the Muggle world, sometimes guys attend too…" Harry offered.

"We do?" Ron was a bit surprised, but then he remembered he didn't spend a whole lot of time around pregnant people.

"Yes…" Ginny shook her head. "And I think that's a great idea."

"Well, yeah…except Hermione is worried. She said, and I've got to admit she is right, that she doesn't have a lot of friends that are girl, and she is worried her Mum is expecting people to come and they won't…" Ron said.

Ginny sighed and glanced at Harry who just shrugged.

"Well, Hermione's got a point. Didn't hang with a lot of girls but…I'll see what I can do. I'll get Luna to help me. I'll make sure people are there." Ginny said, understanding what Ron was asking without making him actually say it.

"Thanks, Ginny! I really owe you!" Ron said.

"Yeah, yeah…" Ginny laughed.

"Talk to you later!" Ron said and pulled himself out of the fireplace, positive he heard Hermione getting out of the shower upstairs. The last thing he wanted was for her to know what he had asked Ginny to do, because he was certain she would get upset with him for telling Ginny what she was worried about.