The whole house was out of bed early the next morning. When Charlie woke, Hermione was already dressed. She sat in the window of their bedroom reading quietly and waiting for him to wake up. He took a moment to watch her before she realised he had woken up. She was wearing his Weasley jumper over her pyjama shorts and top; it absolutely swamped her and looked like she was wearing a baggy mini dress. Her hair was tousled from last night's activities and the sunlight shone in at the window behind her so that she looked as though she was glowing. But then perhaps that was just her. At that moment, she glanced across at him and saw he was awake, she smiled

"Hey, you're awake"

He nodded and continued to watch her

"What?" she smiled, obviously uncomfortable with this level of attention

He yawned and stretched lazily "I was just wondering why you're all the way over there when there's a space in a nice warm bed"

She giggled and came over to perch on the end of the bed "I wanted to be awake in time to meet my new nephew when he comes home for the first time"

"They won't be here for ages yet and you'll have billions of nephews and nieces" he pouted, running a hand up her bare thigh and making her shiver "meanwhile I'm being neglected"

"Well I was thinking I might go downstairs and make more cake" she said, picking at her sleeve, they both knew she wasn't really going anywhere

"Well you were thinking wrong" he grinned, seizing her wrist and tugging her back into the bed next to him.

She purred contentedly as she snuggled down into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Happy?" he whispered

She kissed his cheek "ecstatic"

When they had finally had breakfast and dressed, they joined everyone else downstairs in the sitting room, waiting for the others to return. There was a bizarre sense of déjà vu for both of them as they realised that once again only one chair was free. This time she didn't think twice about perching in his lap, in fact she rested her head against his shoulder and interlaced their fingers in her lap.

Ron raised an eyebrow at them "is something going on between you two?" he asked, as one the other occupants of the room turned their heads to stare too.

Charlie glanced at Hermione, if there was ever going to be a moment in which she was going to get scared and back away, this would be it. But she did nothing of the sort. Instead she beamed at Ron before turning to her husband and kissing him soundly.

"Finally!" Bill laughed "took the two of you long enough"

"Urgh, get a room will you?" Ron muttered, watching Hermione giggle at something Charlie had whispered in her ear.

"You can't talk" said Fred darkly

Ron looked puzzled

"It's not like you weren't taught how to use a silencing charm" George scowled.

Susan squeaked and buried her head in Ron's shoulder her face scarlet, Ron tried to not look embarrassed and failed miserably. Fortunately, at that point the hearth roared with bright green flames and Ginny emerged, followed by Harry who was holding a tiny bundle of blankets so gently that he looked afraid it may break.

The next hour or so flew by; Ginny disappeared inside a ring of people all asking her questions and little James was duly fussed over. Harry looked as though he might be about to burst with unrestrained pride. Hermione, never wanting anybody to feel that she was crowding them, made cups of tea which she handed round to everyone along with a few slices of cake she had managed to preserve from yesterday. When she came back Ginny was waiting for her in the doorway, baby sleeping peacefully in her arms.

"Hello" she grinned mischievously "Charlie's been catching me up on what's been happening between you two; I want to hear all the gossip"

"Yeah yeah" Hermione blushed "just give me my nephew"

She took James from Ginny and cradled him against her. "He's perfect" she breathed, taking in the silk-soft skin, downy black hair and rosy cheeks.

"Would you like to be his godmother?" Ginny whispered

"Of course I would" Hermione beamed, flinging her spare arm around Ginny, her eyes tearing up a little

"Far be it from me to interrupt this rather touching little scene" said Charlie "but mum wants the baby in here for photos and stuff"

"Just a second" said Ginny, "we're having a girly catch up" she waited until he disappeared back into the sitting room "there's something else isn't there?"

Hermione was startled "what are you talking about?"

Ginny rolled her eyes "I know you too well, you're keeping something secret aren't you?"

"I don't know what-"

"Yes you do, don't worry, I won't make you tell me. Not for a bit anyway"

Hermione sighed "Ok, there is something but I don't want to steal your thunder"

"Have my bloody thunder with my blessing" Ginny grumbled "I know everyone wants to see James and everything but right now I'd kill for a moment's peace just the three of us."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, "I'll think about it"

Mrs Weasley stuck her head out the doorway "Photo time!" she trilled, brandishing a camera.

The next morning was unseasonably warm and sunny and it was generally decided that a picnic would be ideal. Even little James was there in a Moses basket, occasionally gurgling up at the many strange faces that kept appearing above him.

Hermione turned to Harry "congratulations" she said earnestly, trying not to get all teary again "You so deserve to be this happy" Harry hugged her tightly

"So do you" he replied quietly

"I think I am" she smiled glancing at Charlie who was walking over to her from the house.

"What about me?" asked Ron, his mouth full of food

"You deserve to be happy too Ron" Hermione giggled, getting to her feet and turning to face her husband.

"I've been thinking" he said quickly "I've been offered a transfer to a different reserve"

She was stunned into silence so he carried on

"Felix is going to go too and I'm pretty sure Poppy will be following him wherever he ends up going. I think we should go too. It's a really nice place, up in the French Alps, I know you love France. It'll be easier to come home too and it's much safer for children too, the houses are a mile away from the actual reserve."

She still gawped at him "safer for children?"

"Yes" he nodded at the Moses basket next to Ginny "We should get one of those"

"Why didn't you mention any of this sooner?"

"I wanted to be sure that it was actually a possibility first, I got an owl a few minutes ago making me a formal offer. So" he took hold of both of her hands "do you fancy it?"

She flung her arms around his neck "absolutely"

"Talking of children and similar small beings" said Fred loudly "When are you two going to get going?"

"You'll have to get a move on" George joined in "or you'll get left behind"

"Maybe we're happy to wait a while" Charlie replied quickly, tightening his arm around her waist as though he was afraid their teasing was upsetting her.

"Maybe it won't be that long a wait" she said quietly "7 and a half months isn't very long in the general scheme of things"

Charlie froze and turned to stare at her wide-eyed, silence fell over the whole group as everybody listened. Apart from James, of course, who began crying but then few infants really appreciate the drama of moments such as these. "are you saying that you're…" he tailed off

She nodded

"Definitely, I took three tests last night; they all said the same thing. You are pleased aren't you?" she looked anxious suddenly.

There was a moment of complete silence before he let out a shout of pure joy and picked her up, spinning her around and kissing her without a thought. Then he stopped suddenly "you've known for 6 weeks?"

She nodded and then smiled "I wanted to be sure first" she giggled

"You know I love you don't you?"

"You may have mentioned it" she kissed him again "I love you too"

A/N: Nearly done! I'm going to write an epilogue but that may take a little longer given that I'm starting a new term on monday. Some people have been asking for me to write in that Charlie and Hermione have triplets but I'll leave that up to you. As always thanks to everybody who's reviewed and given me motivation despite the numerous hurdles that this story has hit on the way. I'll try and do a bit of a shout out to people in the epilogue but if I can't thank you very very much and I hope you enjoyed this very much.