Hermione and Charlie sat side by side in the maternity ward waiting room of St Mungo's, neither of them speaking but holding each other's hand so tight it was as if their lives depended on it. After receiving the patronus about Ginny, Hermione hadn't felt as nauseous in her life. She was extremely happy for her sister-in-law, but getting that news after discovering that your baby wasn't going to survive was...well, it was a kick in the teeth. Charlie had offered to go alone, and that when the baby was born he would floo her but Hermione declined, knowing that despite what they were going through, she would need to be there for Ginny.
So now here they were, surrounded by their family who were all anxiously awaiting the new arrival. Both Angelina and Lavender looked like they were ready to pop any day, and Hermione just knew it wouldn't be long until another two Weasley babies made their appearance. She had never felt more envious of the three women.
The sound of a door opening and closing again brought Hermione out of her thoughts, she glanced up from the spot on the floor she was staring at to see Molly coming back to the waiting room, looking a tad flustered. Her eyes met Hermione's and for a moment, Hermione could see a flash of concern flicker in the Weasley matriarch's eyes but as quickly as it had came, it disappeared again.
"Hermione, dear" Molly smiled, taking a seat beside her daughter-in-law
"How is Ginny doing?" Hermione forced a smile on her face
Molly patted her hand gently, "Ginny's doing good, she's about 6cm along now so hopefully it won't be much longer. She's asking for you"
Hermione sucked in a sharp breath, of course she should have known that Ginny would want to see her and ask how the scan had went. She absent mindedly squeezed Charlie's hand, feeling grateful when she felt the pressure of his hand squeezing back, giving her that comfort and reassurance. "I'll go see her now" She went to stand, but Molly's grip on her hand tightened slightly, she glanced down at the woman she considered her second mother.
"Hermione, dear. Are you alright? You don't seem yourself" Molly asked quietly
Hermione gulped, guilt washing over her, she would need to put on a better happy face, she didn't want to take the attention away from Ginny and Seamus on one of the most special days of their lives. "I'm fine Molly, thank you" She gently pulled her hand away and made her way to Ginny's room, all the while feeling a pair of eyes watching her as she went.
Hermione knocked gently on the door and pushed it open, peeking in at first. "Ginny, it's me"
"Thank god Hermione! Get in here, now!"
Hermione let out a small but genuine laugh as she stepped into the room, Ginny was laying on her bed, looking flustered and drenched with sweat. It definitely seemed that the labour and waiting was taking it's toll on her, but even through it all Ginny still looked glowing and so happy. "How are you Gin?"
Ginny winced as she felt another contraction, her hand went to her stomach and she tried to smile apologetically to Hermione. "I'm f-fine"
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Really? Gin, you're in labour. You're allowed to not be 'fine', I'm sure you're in pain"
Ginny nodded, "It hurts so much" She cried. "I had to send Seamus out to find me some water, it was either that or hex his bits for doing this to me"
Hermione laughed, as hard as it was for her and Charlie right now to be here, she was still genuinely happy for Ginny, she was going to make a fantastic mother. "I think not hexing your husband's bits off would be best"
Ginny glowered at her for a moment before smiling, "I know, it's hard not to think about it though when you have a god know's what size of baby, coming out of your vagina"
"Fair point" Hermione agreed, taking a seat beside her bed
"Right, so let me know about your scan! I need something to try distract myself from this pain I'm in" Ginny smiled
Hermione bit her lip gently, if she could she wouldn't say anything about the subject, try and distract Ginny with anything else but she knew that wouldn't work. Ginny would sense her diversion and then try even harder to get information from her. She sighed, and put on her fake smile again. "It was great, everything turned out okay with the baby"
Ginny sighed in relief, "That's great Mione! I know how much you and Charlie were both worrying that something would be wrong. At least now you can both relax and enjoy the pregnancy again. You have so much to look forward too!"
Ginny proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes, in between contractions of course, describing in detail what Hermione had to look forward to in the next stages of her pregnancy. Meanwhile, Hermione sat like the good friend and sister she was, nodding and answering at certain parts, but the more Ginny went on, the harder it got for her to keep her facade up. She needed to get out of the room and fast before the tears began to fall.
In a stroke of luck, the door to Ginny's room flung open and an obviously flustered and stressed Seamus entered carrying a jug of water for Ginny. "Sorry love, it took me forever to find a Healer to give me a hand" He placed the jug on the side table and poured her a drink which Ginny happily expected. It was only then he noticed Hermione.
"Oh! Hey Hermione, we're glad you could make it" Seamus grinned, the excitemenT obvious in his eyes
Hermione smiled, "We wouldn't miss it Seamus, I'll give you two some alone time"
Before the couple could reply Hermione left the room quickly, shutting the door behind her before leaning against the wall, she took a few deep breaths to try help herself calm down. This was a mistake, maybe she shouldn't have come, this was going to be torture for her and Charlie to watch. Ginny and Seamus would soon be meeting their baby, something which Hermione and Charlie would get to do, but then they would have to watch their baby die. This wasn't fair! How come this had to happen to them? They had both been so excited to be having their first baby and now that was ripped away from them. Whatever god there was, it seemed that they didn't want Hermione and Charlie to be happy.
Hermione slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor and finally let her tears out, she wrapped her arms around her gently around her small bump. "I'm so sorry little one" She whispered. She allowed herself a few minutes to cry, to allow herself to be sad before she had to put her facade up once again. When she eventually managed to calm herself down, she performed a quick glamour charm to mask the evidence that she was crying before making her way back to her family and Charlie, once again taking her seat and enveloping her hand within Charlie's.
The Weasley family had been waiting for what seemed like hours before Ginny finally delivered the newest little addition. Molly had came running from the room, looking frantic and excited all at once. "Ginny's just delivered a beautiful baby boy! He has the most gorgeous set of red curls, it looks like the fiery Weasley hair lives on"
The group let out a chorus of whoops and hugged each other happily, Hermione and Charlie partook in the celebratory hugs and congratulations, albeit a lot quieter than their family. Finally, it was their turn to meet the new Weasley. They entered the room quietly and watched for a moment as the new parents cradled their new baby together, Seamus pressed a gentle kiss to Ginny's temple and she smiled adoringly up at him. It had felt like they had intruded on a private family moment.
As Hermione shuffled back towards the door, the noise of her shoes on the floor broke Ginny from her bubble, she grinned up at them, pure delight etched on her face. "Charlie, Hermione! Come meet your new little nephew"
Charlie gulped but walked forward, his eyes watering as he took in the sight of his nephew, his Mother had been right. He had a beautiful, thick set of red curls a top his head and for a moment a vision of their own unborn baby flashed through his mind but he forced that vision down for now and tried to focus on his sister's little one. "He's beautiful Gin. Congrulations" He smiled sweetly, giving his sister a quick one armed hug and giving Seamus a proper, brotherly hug.
"Has he a name yet?" Hermione asked
Ginny smiled and looked at Seamus, giving him a nod for him to break the news.
Seamus gave them a bright smile, his arm wrapping around Ginny and their son protectively. "We'd like to introduce you to our son, Rory Finnegan"
Hermione felt her heart melt at the beautiful sight of the newborn cradled in Ginny's arms, "It's perfect you guys"
"Thanks Mione" Ginny smiled before letting out a huge yawn. "Labour sure does take it out of you"
Charlie chuckled, "I'm sure it does Gin, we'll go now and let you get some rest. Congratulations again little sister, we're so proud of you"
They both gave Ginny and Seamus a quick hug before leaving the room, by the time they made it back to the waiting room the only people left were Molly and Arthur, who had just finished saying goodbye to Ron and Lavender. Molly beamed as the pair approached her, "He's just so handsome isn't he? I can't wait to get all of the cuddles"
Arthur chuckled and placed a calming hand on his Wife's shoulder. "Settle Molly, let Ginny and Seamus enjoy it first before you start coddling him"
Molly gasped and swatted his arm, "Arthur Weasley, I do not coddle!"
Hermione stifled a genuine laugh, she didn't want to face Molly's fury. "We're just about to head home ourselves, it's been a long day"
Molly nodded, "Of course dear!" She pulled the young girl in for a tight hug and squeezed her comfortingly before whispering in her ear. "Come over for some tea tomorrow, I can tell there's something on your mind. You know you can always talk to me"
Hermione sniffled slightly and nodded, "I know I can, thanks Molly" She smiled affectionately at the older woman before hugging Arthur goodbye.
Molly watched the couple disappear through the floo, pursing her lips slightly. Something wasn't right with the two of them and she just hoped that it would be okay in the end. She didn't want to see Hermione or her son getting hurt. Both of them deserved happiness for everything they've went through the years but she knew deep down they would get through it, they always did in the end.
