CHAPTER FORTY
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August 4th 2006
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No matter how many times she looked at it, or how long she spent staring at it, the ring on Hermione's hand never failed to leave her speechless with it's beautiful design. The single cushion cut diamond in the center was surrounded by smaller, round diamonds that travelled halfway around the rose gold band, catching the light no matter which direction it came from. Hermione was so amazed by the brilliance and clarity of the stone, she wondered whether it had been produced magically as it was far too perfect to be natural. Either way, it was stunning and when she learned of it's significance within the Weasley family, she was absolutely floored.
She could once again be found gazing at the ring, spinning it with her thumb as she and Charlie sat in the waiting room of the Maternity ward, both incredibly excited and anxious to find out whether they would be having a girl or another boy. Hermione knew that a lot of people said that they didn't mind, but if she were being truthful, she really was hoping for another boy. Not only for Arty's sake, though it would be wonderful for him to have a younger brother, but because she knew how to cope with boys, having coped with almost nothing but boys since she was 11.
"What's your gut telling you?" Charlie asked suddenly, his voice quiet so as not to disturb the slumbering newborn cradled in his mother's arm, as she sat in the chair next to Charlie.
"Boy," Hermione nodded, smiling over at him, "what are you hoping for? And don't give me the 'I don't mind either way' line, what do you really want?"
"I'd love either," Charlie sighed, the corners of his lips twitching upwards as she groaned, "but I think I'd prefer another boy."
"I quite like the idea of a troop of little boys," Hermione said thoughtfully, head tilting to one side, "I guess I'm just so used to being around boys all the time, you know? First Harry, Ron and Neville, then all of you Weasley boys and now Arty."
"I know what you mean," Charlie said, smiling as he laid his arm across the back of her chair, "I remember how much fun it was growing up in a house full of boys. I'd like to see Arty with something like that."
"Let's get this one out of me first," Hermione chuckled, nodding as healer Stanwick called them in, "let's go."
"Hello Hermione, Charlie," the woman smiled as they stepped into her office, shaking their hands in turn, "how are things?"
"The pregnancy seems near identical to the last," Hermione shrugged, "same disgusting cravings, at least if you ask Charlie."
"That's normal," the healer laughed as Charlie gagged mockingly, "you're here to find out the sex of the baby, correct?"
"That's the plan," Hermione nodded, frowning, "although I remember that Arty was very awkward and it took quite a lot of poking and jumping in order for him to uncross his legs."
"Some babies are like that," Healer Stanwick nodded, indicating for Hermione to move to the bed, "we'll just do the regular checks and then I'll see if this little one is any more cooperative than his brother."
Hermione nodded as she laid down, grinning at Charlie as he sat down on the chair that was placed next to her head. They didn't speak as the older witch began to wave her wand above Hermione abdomen, firstly amplifying the sound of the baby's heartbeat which put a huge smile on Charlie's face as it filled the room. After a few moments and many more intricate wand movements, there appeared a moving image of their baby above Hermiones stomach and they both frowned as Healer Stanwick burst out laughing.
"Sorry," she chuckled, clearing her throat and shaking her head, "while I admit that was very unprofessional of me, your baby seems quite intent on making his sex as obvious as physically possible."
"It's a boy?" Hermione gasped, turning to Charlie and finding him chuckling as he tilted his head to one side and looked at the moving image, gesturing for Hermione to look too, "I don't understand whats- Oh! Are those his legs?!"
"Your little boy appears to be attempting the splits, Hermione," Healer Stanwick chuckled, shaking her head as she noted down her information, "where as his brother was very shy, this one appears to be quite the exhibitionist."
"Oh dear," Hermione chuckled, grinning at the image, "it would appear so."
"Arty is going to be so happy," Charlie grinned, kissing Hermione's temple as the image disappeared, "could we have a copy of the images please, Healer Stanwick?"
"Please, call me Beverley," she smiled, "it only feels right after I have effectively laughed at your unborn child. And yes, of course, I'll go and get you a copy now."
"Another boy," Hermione grinned, nudging Charlie's shoulder with her own as they walked back to the chairs facing Beverley's desk, "at least we don't need to buy all new clothes, I still have most of Arty's."
"You're always so practical," Charlie snorted, shaking his head and wrapping an arm around her as they sat down, "I can't wait to tell everyone."
"Me either," Hermione grinned, "we have to tell Arty first, though."
"Obviously," he sighed, rolling his eyes, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
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After discussing their next appointment, which for Hermione would be at 30 weeks, they left St Mungo's and paid a brief visit to Diagon Alley in order to buy something very obviously meant for a baby boy that Arty could give his little brother as a gift when he was born. At least, that was the intention. What actually ended up happening was Hermione and Charlie spent two hours in the baby shop, leaving with one of almost everything that came in blue, mainly because everything was so cute that Hermione and, to a lesser extent, Charlie couldn't resist. Too many galleons and four bags full of baby items later, they fell out of the floo into the living room at the Burrow.
"Mummy! Daddy!" Arty cried, jumping down from where he had been sat at the chess table, playing against Ron, "I'm beating Uncle Ron!"
"Really?" Hermione asked Ron over Arty's shoulder as she hugged him, stunned that Ron was losing and Ron nodded, frowning.
"I really don't understand what happened," he grumbled, "I never lose at wizards chess."
"You appear to have met your match, brother," Charlie chuckled, patting Ron on the shoulder as he passed by with all of the bags, dropping them as he collapsed onto the sofa with a sigh, "I had no idea that shopping could be so exhausting."
"I thought you were finding out the sex of the baby?" Ron frowned and Hermione snorted.
"We did," she nodded, grinning and turning to Arty, "have a look in the bags, my little love."
She watched as Arty frowned, but crossed the room to where Charlie had dropped the bags and peered inside confusedly. He turned to look at his dad, who nodded and gestured for him to look inside and Hermione smiled as she heard him gasp, sitting on the edge of the sofa next to Charlie as the living room quickly became covered in random items of light blue clothing, Ron ending up with a bottle being thrown at his head.
"It's all blue!" Arty exclaimed, looking around the room, "does that mean that it's a boy, like me?"
"It does, buddy," Charlie chuckled, pulling Arty into a hug, "you're going to have a little brother."
"Really?!" Arty shrieked, his eyes wide as he pulled away and a massive grin on his face when Hermione nodded.
"I'm having a brother!" Arty screamed, hugging Hermione, then Charlie, then Ron, before he ran from the room screaming about the new addition to the family.
"I don't think you need to make an announcement in the daily prophet, guys," Ron muttered, rubbing his ear with a wince, "oh, congratulations by the way."
"Thanks," Hermione grinned, standing up and beginning to gather up the littered pieces of baby clothing and Charlie made a quick exit, making her roll her eyes when he used the excuse of 'finding Arty' and telling Ron to help her tidy up, which he dtarted to do despite moaning about it, "what are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn't you be at the shop?"
"I was until lunch time," he shrugged, laughing as he pulled a tiny pair of shoes from on top of the fireplace, "I was supposed to have a date."
"Supposed to?" Hermione frowned, turning to him as she heard him sigh.
"I met a girl a while back, well, I re-met her," he shrugged, handing her his pile of stuff as he sat down and Hermione began to repack them as she listened, "she came into work, we got talking and we've been on a few dates."
"So what happened today?" Hermione asked and Ron groaned.
"I don't really know," he sighed, frowning, "she came to meet me at the shop like we planned, but when I went to get my coat, she must have run off because she wasn't there when I got back. I think George might have said something, but I don't know."
"Why would George say anything to this girl?" She asked, frowning confusedly and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Because he thinks it's funny?" Ron suggested bitterly and Hermione sighed, nodding, remembering that George's sense of humour could sometimes be very blunt, "Lav is quite sensitive so-"
"Lav?!" Hermione gasped, gawping at Ron as he blushed, "as in Lavender Brown?"
"That's the one," Ron sighed, covering his face, "please don't laugh, she's not as clingy or high pitched as she used to-"
"Ron, I think it's brilliant!" Hermione said, grinning now, "why on earth would I laugh?"
At that moment, Charlie came back into the living room followed by an excited Arty and a happy set of grandparents, who hugged Hermione and told her how pleased they were for them both. Hermione eyed Ron carefully, wondering how she might be able to find out what had happened to Lavender earlier and why she would have bailed out of their date. Resolving to write to the girl, asking if she wanted to meet and have a chat. Although they hadn't spoken in a few years, after the war they had become friendly with one another so she saw no reason why Lavender would turn down her offer.
After staying for a cup of tea and a slice of cake, Hermione, Charlie and Arty left the Burrow and began the walk back to their cottage, both parents listening patiently as Arty very loudly described all of the things he was looking forward to teaching his little brother, though they did have to remind him at times that a newborn definitely wouldn't be able to play chess or fly a broom. As soon as they entered their home, Charlie took the bags and took them upstairs to what would be their second son's room, Arty following him up to play in his own bedroom as Hermione remained downstairs, penning a letter to Lavender.