If you're reading this, thank you for coming back after so many years. Life has a funny way of distracting you. A lot has changed for me since I last updated TUB. I'm now married, and I'm planning a baby shower for my best friend. I'm hoping that my years away from this story have provided me with some life experience that I can impart into the plot. I just hope I can write the way I used to.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything affiliated with it. Sadly.

The Unexpected Baby

Chapter Fifteen: The Engagement Party

Were her eyes open? No, the answer was no. Hermione snapped them open and shook her head subtly as she tried to refocus her attention on the meeting. The senior Healing Consultants had gathered their staff together for an annual review of the hospital's performance. For some reason she hadn't slept well the night before and was finding this particular meeting tediously dull.

"Hermione, here take this!" Healer Cummings whispered to her as he discretely passed a snack bar her way.

"Thanks Sam," she muttered, opening the snack bar and inhaling the sweet smell of granola and cranberries. The sugar hit from this snack would hopefully help her make it to the end of this. Healer Marks was currently addressing the room, and his usual wind-bag tone was grating on Hermione's nerves.

As she finished eating, the senior Healer droned on. Looking at her watch told her that she had been in the meeting for close to two hours. Surely it couldn't get any worse. Healer Marks continued talking and she glanced at Healer Cummings, who winked at her and gave her a small thumbs up. He had a peculiar glint in his eye, and from Hermione's experience with the man, she knew that this meant he was planning something.

Suddenly the conference room door smashed open and a trainee Healer flew into the room. He blanched as the senior members of staff looked at him but turned his head to Healer Cummings. Sam sat up straighter in his chair and ushered Hermione to do the same.

"Healer Cummings, Healer Granger, we're having an emergency," the trainee said breathily.

"Excuse me boy, can't you see there is an important meeting happening here," Healer Marks said haughtily. He'd turned a light shade of plum and Hermione could tell his blood pressure was shooting through the roof.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir, but we need their expertise." Hermione had to applaud the trainee for his bravery. Not many people spoke to the senior Healing Consultants in that manner.

Healer Cummings stood, as did Hermione and they made their way quickly out of the room, apologising as they went. Once the door closed behind them and they had walked a few paces away from the room, Healer Cummings laughed out loud and clapped the trainee on the back.

"Excellent Owen, truly excellent! I will definitely give you the best review. You've not only saved my life but the life of Healer Granger and her unborn baby. If we'd stayed in that room any longer, we would have been done for!"

The trainee, Owen, smiled and shook hands with his mentor. He also shook hands with Hermione, then excused himself and headed off in a different direction. Hermione eyed Healer Cummings and then chuckled.

"Wow, I didn't know you owned a brass set," she commented as they walked down the corridor. Healer Cummings wagged his finger at her.

"My dear, young Hermione. You do not need balls to get out of a meeting like that, just brains and a willing trainee. This is my life lesson to you," he stated firmly. He stopped her with a light hand on her shoulder and then looked her in the eye.

"What?" Hermione asked as she tried to stifle a yawn.

"Go home." Hermione blinked and then poked a finger in her ear. The older man laughed at her and patted her shoulder gently.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you. Did you just tell me to go home?" she enquired lightly.

"You heard me right Granger, go home and rest. You can't fool a Healer. I know you didn't sleep well last night. It's written all over your haggard fa-Hey!" Hermione swatted the Healer on the arm and gave him as mean a look as she could muster.

"Watch who you're calling haggard Sam. Normally, I would try and stick it out, but today I just can't. You don't mind covering for me?"

"Go home before I change my mind." Hermione chuckled and gave Sam a one-armed hug. He really had her best interests at heart, unlike those senior Consultants who, she was convinced, were trying to kill her with boring meetings and mountains of paper work.

A gentle knock on the door woke Hermione from her peaceful sleep on the sofa. Shadow raced towards the front door and Socks looked up from her position on her climbing tree. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stretched and then called for the person to come in.

"Hey I can't believe you're home! I dropped by your office and a guy called Sam told me you were here," exclaimed Ginny as she entered the flat. Hermione gave her a sleepy smile and immediately conjured up a plate of fresh fruit and two glasses of orange juice. Ginny plonked herself down beside her and shook her head.

"No time for that. We have been summoned by Mum, she needs to see the pair of us. It's about the wedding," Ginny explained, watching as Hermione's face went from pleasantly puzzled, to dark and foreboding. It had been three weeks since the fated evening in 'The Hogwarts View,' and Ginny knew that neither Hermione, or Charlie, had been in the presence of the newly engaged couple since. A heavy sigh emitted from Hermione and her shoulders slumped.

"Do I have to?" she asked finally, already knowing the answer. Ginny shook her head and vanished the fruit platter and drinks from the table.

"Yes, you do, now come on and don't forget your coat."

"Hold on, hold on, let me feed the cats first! Charlie is visiting with a reserve in Scotland so he won't be back for a while to do this."

Hermione munched glumly on a piece of cucumber. At 16 weeks pregnant she had noticed that her sickness had almost completely disappeared. She was so glad as she could now pretty much eat whatever she wanted, as long as she stayed away from salmon. She couldn't even look or think about the fish since the restaurant.

"Right ladies, now we're all here, we have things to discuss," Molly said brightly as she set a huge jug of fresh orange juice in the middle of the table. It was late afternoon and Audrey and Fluer had just arrived from their places of work. Percy and Bill were in the garden enjoying the last rays of the sun before the temperature cooled and were playing a game of exploding snap.

"About the wedding?" Ginny asked as she dipped a carrot stick into a pot of Molly's homemade dip.

"Yes. Now that we have had time to settle in to the fact that Ron and Lavender are getting married," at this her eyes flitted towards Hermione, who continued to chew on the cucumber, "we have an engagement party to plan."

Hermione felt her stomach sink down to her feet. She knew something like this was bound to happen. An engagement party was fine, but after what had happened she just didn't feel like celebrating Ron's happy news. Audrey cleared her throat.

"Sure Molly we'd be happy to help. What can we do for you?" she asked demurely, all the while trying not to look at Hermione. Molly smiled warmly and nodded her head slightly.

"Well naturally it will be held here, and I would so appreciate help with the cooking and decorating. As the weather gets colder my arthritis starts kicking up a fuss again."

Hermione's ears pricked up and her Healer mind kicked into gear. Her eyes snapped to Molly's hands and wrists and she analysed what she could see. Molly spotted this immediately and tugged the sleeves of her jumper so that her wrists and hands were concealed.

"It's nothing Hermione dear just the weather, you know how it affects it," Molly explained softly.

"I know Molly but still, I have to worry," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. Molly smiled sweetly at her and folded her arms so Hermione could not see a single part of her hands.

"When is the party?" Ginny chimed in. Molly looked at her daughter and gave her a grin that could rival even the Cheshire cat.

"Tomorrow evening."

The Burrow was buzzing with activity. It was a Friday afternoon and the house was being prepared for Ron and Lavender's engagement party. Hermione found herself in the kitchen, sitting at the table with Ginny. The only daughter in the Weasley family was now 32 weeks pregnant and getting rather big. Her face had plumped out and she now resembled her mother more than ever. The two witches were given the task of preparing the snack foods while other, more able-bodied people, were tasked with the heavier, trickier jobs. Hermione flicked her wand and twelve carrots started to peel themselves.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked as she flicked her own wand at a bowl that was mixing itself. Hermione looked away from the peeling vegetables and shrugged.

"Yeah I'm fine, why?" she asked, grabbing for an already chopped celery stick to munch on. Ginny flicked her wand again. The bowl stopped mixing for a moment and a barrage of sugar flew into it.

"You've been very quiet. Tonight will be fine!" Hermione let her shoulders slump ever so slightly. Ginny could read her like a book.

"I know. It will be a great night, but I can't help but have this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I would just like to completely forget what happened and just move on. I'm hoping Ron will see things that way, but I doubt it," she explained as the peeled carrots started to break up into party sized pieces. They arranged themselves neatly into a tray and Hermione flicked her wand at another pile of snack food.

"You ladies doing alright in here?" Charlie asked as he came sauntering through the kitchen. He directed his wand at a stack of chairs and made them float out into the garden. Hermione smiled sweetly at him, feeling a little flutter in her stomach.

"We're doing good, what's happening now?" Hermione asked as he placed a hand gently on top of her head. Ginny grinned slyly in Hermione's direction.

"We're just about finished I think. Harry is just putting the finishing touches on to the marque, and Audrey and Percy are making sure the gnomes stay out of the way for the evening," Charlie started to explain, but he was then cut off by the sound of a loud crack in the kitchen. Fred and George appeared in front of them with a large sack at their feet.

"Fairy lights have arrived!" they both exclaimed happily. They waved at the women at the kitchen table and then made their way into the garden. Charlie shook his head and laughed at his brothers.

"Bill has just finished rearranging the living area and Fluer is still at Shell Cottage with Victoire. Apparently her thirty-minute nap has turned into a two-hour snooze fest," Charlie finished as he moved away from the table to peer out the kitchen door. He could see Fred and George setting up the fairy lights, and Harry was arranging the chairs he had just levitated out. He could see his mum and dad fussing over something and smiled. It was going to be a big party, and the guests hadn't even arrived yet.

"Charlie m'lad! Good to see you!" boomed Rubeus Hagrid as he clasped Charlie's hand in his own, shovel sized one. Charlie winced slightly at the crushing nature that was a handshake from Hagrid, but he was glad to see the half-giant again.

"Hagrid, great to see you. I brought you something from the reserve," Charlie said as he reached into the pocket of his trousers. Hagrid beamed red with excitement, his bushy hair and beard only revealing his eyes and nose. Hagrid held out his shovel sized, calloused palm and waited. Charlie finally pulled out a small black, drawstring pouch and gave it to the Gamekeeper. The bag started to grow in his hand and was soon the side of a rucksack. Hagrid's look of confusion was enough to prompt Charlie to explain a little further.

"It's a tooth from Norberta. It fell out naturally when she was eating a few month ago and I just had to get it for you. She's such a great dragon!"

Hagrid was silent for a few moments, and tears brimmed in his eyes. He gripped the large pouch and then held it tenderly to his chest. With a huge sniff he said, "Thank you Charlie. Norberta was the sweetest creature I ever had the pleasure of meeting."

Charlie smiled widely at the half-giant as he thanked him again and then headed off to the bar area in the tent to get a stiff drink. He shoved his hands in his pockets and then turned around to find Hermione standing just behind him.

"Hey Herms how are you feeling?" he asked softly, worry prickling in his nerves.

Hermione was smiling at him, a little tear in her eye. She had just watched what he had done for Hagrid and her emotions were now in a free fall. Charlie Weasley was by far, the most considerate human being she had ever had the pleasure of knowing.

"That was really sweet what you did for Hagrid," she said as she reached out and ran a hand quickly down his strong, lean arm. Charlie felt a shiver race down his spine and gave her a rather cheesy grin.

"What can I say? Hagrid deserves it. He really did care for that dragon, and if it hadn't been so dangerous, I think he would have been the perfect carer for her."

"Hermione, Charlie!" said a dreamy, floaty voice to their left. Luna Lovegood had just entered into the tent and had gravitated straight to them.

"Hi Luna, long time no see, how are you?" Hermione asked as she hugged the blonde haired former Ravenclaw girl. When they broke the hug Luna immediately placed a hand on Hermione's growing stomach. Hermione startled and Charlie was simply stunned.

"I heard about your pregnancy. Is the father really him?" she asked airily as she motioned her head towards the stunned Dragon Keeper. Hermione open and closed her mouth like a fish out of water for a number of seconds before she found her voice.

"Yes Luna, Charlie is the father. How did you know?" she asked, still aghast.

"Ginny," Luna said simply and then wandered away to go and find the Weasley sister. Hermione loved Luna, but she still couldn't quite comprehend her oddities.

"Shall we sit down?" Charlie asked, still trying to process what had just happened. He didn't really know Luna that well so he wasn't sure how he felt about her just putting her hands on Hermione's bump. Hermione nodded and let him lead her to the nearest table with seats. The table was occupied by Dean Thomas and his girlfriend Eve, Neville Longbottom and his new wife Hannah, and the Patil twins with their respective partners.

"Hi Hermione!" Neville greeted her cheerfully as he reached for the snacks in the centre of the table.

"Hi everyone, it's so good to see you all again," she said happily. Charlie asked her quietly if she would like a drink. She nodded and he left to go to the bar.

"Hermione you look wonderful, I hear congratulations are in order," Parvati Patil said brightly as she took a sip from her wine glass. A chorus of congratulations echoed around the table and Hermione felt heat rise up in her neck.

"Thank you, yes it's a brilliant time at the moment," she said in a fluster.

"If you don't mind us asking, who is the father?" asked Hannah politely. She and Neville had that look of a newly married couple. They were tanned from being on honeymoon and the glow of the wedding day was still about them. Their wedding had been very small, only for family but Hermione knew it would have been a spectacular day for them. She remembered when they had first started dating, just after finishing Hogwarts. Neville had been smitten from the beginning. She was so pleased that it had worked out the way it had.

"It's Charlie actually," Hermione answered as she absentmindedly placed a hand on her stomach. She rubbed her hand in a circle and took comfort in the feeling. She'd been doing that a lot more recently.

Both Patil twins leans forward with equal grins on their faces. Eve and Hannah were blushing slightly. The men seemed to take no notice of this, they were in a deep conversation about how Quidditch had been progressing at Hogwarts this year.

"Can I be the first to say that wow Hermione, you picked a hot one!" Padma said enthusiastically as Parvati nodded along.

"He's a Dragon Keeper, can you get any sexier than that?" asked Eve.

"Sexier than what?" asked Charlie as he returned to the table with two drinks, an orange juice for Hermione and a fire whiskey for him.

"Oh nothing," Hannah said a little too high pitched. Charlie frowned slightly, but then shrugged it off and sipped his drink.

The conversation flowed easily at the table. Harry and Ginny joined them for a while before moving off to chat with some of the extended Weasley clan. Luna floated in an out of conversation when she joined the table, but she was soon lured away by the promise of free fairies from Fred and George. Laughter echoed all around and Hermione felt herself relaxing more and more. It was great to finally be able to catch up with old friends. After another hour of chatting a light, but sharp clinking sound could be heard from the front of the tent. The crowd quitted and Ron and Lavender stood up. Hermione watched intently. Ron started into a speech.

"Thank you everyone so much for coming to the party tonight. My fiancée and I-," at this he was momentarily cut off by a loud cheer from the gathered people.

"My fiancée and I couldn't be happier. Lavender and I have been together for a number of years now and I just had to make her mine." Lavender tittered by his side and flaunted off her engagement ring again for all to see.

"I want to thank my family for making this all happen tonight. You can agree that only Weasley's really know how to throw a party. Mum and Dad, you've been an inspiration to not only me but our entire family. Bill, Percy, Fred, George, and Ginny, you're the best siblings a guy could ask for and you have beautiful families of your own."

Hermione felt Charlie stiffen in the seat next to her, and she could see several pairs of eyes seeking him out around the room. Hermione clenched her jaw and balled her fists in her lap. The night had been going so well.

"Harry, you're the best mate a guy could have and I'm proud to say you'll be my best man. I can't wait to see you all again at our wedding, which will be sooner, rather than later," Ron stated with a flourish. The gathered crowd cheered, clinked glasses and drank a toast. As the noise picked up again, Charlie got up from his seat, and left the tent with Hermione hot on his heels.

A/N: I hope this was able to scrape the standard of the previous chapters. Apologies for any spelling and grammar mistakes. Let me know what you thought in a review :)