Hello once again and welcome back to The Unexpected Baby. Sorry for the slight delay in the chapter updates but I've been a little busy with work recently. I have a lot of time in work to think about the story and currently I think I have three different paths that this story could go down. I think I may have finally settled on a path, but you know how it is...sometimes there are forks in the road. I hope you enjoy the latest chapter and thank you all for the reviews, the follows and the favorites. Your support is so wonderful!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
The Unexpected Baby
Chapter Twenty-Three: Rumour has it
Hermione tossed and turned in her sleep. She was dreaming, but she didn't know what she was seeing. It was like she was looking into a kaleidoscope; the colours were so vivid and swirling. She groaned out loud and then she felt a pressure on her shoulder. Her eyes snapped open and she groaned out loud once again. It felt like her head had just split open, and her mouth had filled with cotton.
"Water," she murmured as Charlie stroked her hair. She felt him leave the bed and exit the room.
Reaching over to her bedside table she fumbled around for her wand in the darkness. Once she touched the slim handle she snatched it up and summoned a piece of parchment. She then swooped her wand over her body, performing a wordless charm and then pointed her wand at the parchment. Words and figures started to appear, and as she lit her wand she started to read.
"What's that?" Charlie asked softly as he sat down beside her and handed her an icy glass of water and a cold compress for her face.
"A Vitals charm. These are the results," she informed him as he glanced over the figures. A look of confusion overcame him. Hermione sipped her water as she watched him.
"And?" he asked sleepily.
"I'm fine except for some fluctuating hormones. That is what is causing this splitting headache I'm feeling, along with some mild dehydration," she explained with a yawn. Seeing his startled look at the word dehydration she quickly added, "It's all completely normal."
"Healer Granger?" Hermione blinked, feeling dazed. Someone was calling her name.
She looked up from her parchment on the table and stared around the room. She was in a meeting with the Healing Consultants and she hadn't taken in a word they had just said. Her mind felt like mush. She was tired from a night of tossing and turning, and she was still suffering from a mild headache. She had taken the potion that morning, but it was returning with a vengeance. She took a deep breath in through her nose and blew it out through her mouth. It didn't help with her brain fog but it settled her nonetheless.
"Are we in agreement?" Healer Kensington asked sharply.
Hermione glanced at Healer Cummings who was sitting opposite her and he gave a subtle nod of his head. She thanked her lucky stars that he was always looking out for her and turned to face the senior Consultant again.
"Yes," she said confidently, which resulted in murmurs of approval all around her.
Once the meeting came to a close, Healer Cummings walked with Hermione back to her office. He had a noticeable spring in his step and this made her smile.
"Thank you for getting me out of that tight spot," she said gratefully to the older man. Healer Cummings winked at her and kept up his pace.
"Not a problem Hermione. You looked like you were struggling with a serious case of baby brain, so I thought I would lend a hand," he said cheerfully as a couple of trainees waved at him as they passed.
"You're not wrong there Sam. I've got it bad today. I feel like my brain has grown a leaky tap that is just letting information drip out," Hermione told him as she grabbed a folder from a Healer station that had her name on it. Healer Cummings nodded his head as she spoke and chuckled slightly.
"It's very common. You're what 26 weeks pregnant now? I remember my wife was the exact same. Couldn't retain information to save her life. If I'd asked her what her name was at the right moment, she wouldn't have been able to tell me." Hermione laughed and clutched the folder to her chest.
"How is Charlie's job hunt coming along?" Healer Cummings asked as they entered Hermione's office. A fresh stack of folders had been placed on her desk and the other Healer helped himself to the majority of them.
Hermione slumped down into her chair and let out a puffed breath. She was a fit and healthy woman but walking around the hospital was getting tiresome now. She rubbed her stomach and felt a slight bit of movement. It wasn't as hard as a kick or a punch, but it was something and it made her grin.
"To tell you the truth it isn't going well. The reserve in Romania were not happy to see Charlie leave, but they wouldn't give him any compensation for the accident. He's not the type to fight for it, so to save the stress he left without any further fuss. He's been in contact with a reserve up Scotland that he visited a couple of months ago, but they don't have any non-life-threatening positions for him," she explained as Healer Cummings took a seat opposite her. He leaned back in the chair as he listened to her.
"He wouldn't take on a life-threatening position again?" he asked. Hermione glared at him and he held his hands up in defence, laughing nervously. Hermione sighed and felt her shoulders slump.
"I did ask him if he wanted to, because then he could have taken a job in Scotland, but he has made up his mind. He wants something more low-key, so that nothing could happen to him that would take him away from me and the baby."
Healer Cummings paused for a moment and then leaned forward in the chair. He ushered for Hermione to do the same, as much as she could and then pointed his wand at the door so it shut tight.
"Well I did hear a rumour," he said in a hushed tone. Hermione felt her eyebrows disappear into her hair line. Sam Cummings was not one to deal in rumours so this must be something particularly juicy for him to open up to her.
"Go on," she urged him. He fidgeted in his chair and leaned in even closer to her.
"You didn't hear this from me, as it would be breaking every oath I've ever taken, but," he began and then stopped for dramatic effect. Hermione balled her fists in her lap, a small bead of sweat forming on her brow.
"Hogwarts."
Hermione's mind had been racing all day. Even in its fog like state, the information Sam had told her had kept her on edge. Excitement and fear bubbled within her. She couldn't wait to get home to tell Charlie. As she entered the flat a letter caught her attention on the table beside the sofa. It was from her mother, she recognised the handwriting. She would read it later, for now she had to find Charlie.
"Hey!" the wizard in question said merrily as he came out of the kitchen. Something smelled wonderful, he must have already started preparing dinner, and this momentarily stopped her in her tracks.
She sniffed the air with appreciation. She could smell minced beef, potatoes, cheese and all sorts of vegetables cooking in a rich sauce.
"I've made cottage pie!" Charlie said as he beamed at her. He was clearly proud of his cooking achievement.
Hermione kissed him lightly on the lips and then dragged him over to the sofa to sit down. As they sat she grabbed his hands in hers and felt her heart racing in anticipation. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself and looked him directly in the eye.
"I have news," she said quickly, the words tumbling out of her mouth.
"So do I as a matter of fact," Charlie told her as he gripped her hands a little tighter in his. She could feel his rough callouses rubbing against her smooth skin and she shivered lightly.
"You do? Tell me!" she asked eagerly.
"I got a job working for Fred and George!" Charlie said happily, bringing Hermione's hands up to his lips and kissing them.
Hermione stared at him blankly and when she didn't react, Charlie elaborated on his new job.
"It's only temporary until something better comes along. I'll be working in the shop helping to keep it running and managing their staff."
"That's…wonderful Charlie," Hermione finally replied as she let the news sink in. It was only a temporary job, so her news still had gravitas. Charlie asked her about her news, and this brought her out of her train of thought.
"I've heard a rumour about a potential job that I think will be of serious interest to you," she clarified. A light flickered on in Charlie's eye and she could tell she had his full attention.
"Hogwarts might be looking for a new Care of Magical Creatures professor in the New Year."
Charlie's hands went limp and the colour drained from his face. Startled, Hermione reached up to cup his face. He didn't blink, and he was barely breathing.
'Oh Merlin,' she thought, 'I've broken him!'
"Charlie?" she asked gently as she ran a hand over his forehead.
Charlie said nothing and stood up from the sofa. In a trance like state he moved into the middle of the room. Hermione was starting to get a little freaked out by his behaviour and she too stood up. He stood in the middle of the room, his arms hanging limp, his jaw loose and his eyes unfocused and staring. As Hermione made to approach him it was like a bomb went off inside him, and he erupted in the biggest, loudest, happiest cheer she'd ever heard.
"YES!" Charlie shouted grabbing Hermione by the hands again and swinging her around the room.
Hermione laughed as he swung her about and shrieked with glee as golden sparks came from his wand in his back pocket. He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her deeply, making her knees weak and her heart flutter.
"You should go to McGonagall now," Ron said firmly. Lavender nodded her head vigorously and looked from Hermione to Charlie.
"No," Hermione said swiftly as she cradled baby James who was sleeping soundly in her arms.
"Why not?" the youngest male Weasley sibling asked perplexedly.
"I'm not supposed to know that the current Care of Magical Creatures Professor is potentially going to leave due to bad health," Hermione hissed at him, trying not to startle the baby.
"She was told that in confidence by a Healer who knows the Healer who is dealing with the professor," Charlie said with a hint of a smile. He had been in the happiest of moods since Hermione had told him the news.
"And that Healer is not convinced that they are suitable for the job anymore," Hermione continued. James made a gurgling noise in his sleep and Hermione smiled down at him and rocked him gently.
The kitchen was silent and Ron watched Harry as he cleaned dishes at the sink. His best friend had been noticeably quiet during their talk, but Ron suspected that he was simply tired due to lack of sleep. Ginny was already in bed taking a nap. He asked Harry to do the same but he'd refused.
"I could pop in a see McGonagall," Harry finally said, turning from the sink and addressing the table of people.
Charlie stared at him, him eyes glimmering with joy and Harry rolled his eyes at him with a laugh. He pulled out a chair and sat down beside Hermione, who handed him his son.
"I'm due to go to Hogwarts this week to talk to their fifth years about Defence Against the Dark Arts, and their first years about History of Magic," Harry started to explain but was abruptly cut off by Ron.
"History of Magic? Why, is Binns not boring enough?" Ron asked with a sly chuckle. Harry cocked an eyebrow at him and continued on.
"I have to talk to them about the battle. It's something I promised McGonagall I'd do. Anyway, when I'm there I could mention how Charlie is now back in the country permanently and is trying hard to find a new job that utilises his skills."
"You'd do that for me?" Charlie asked in awe. Harry stared at him blankly for a moment and then grinned.
"Of course, you're family! I also think McGonagall would be rather interested to know that a Gryffindor Quidditch legend is back in the country."
"Could you imagine being back at Hogwarts?" Lavender asked dreamily as she placed a hand on Ron's knee.
The room was silent again as the people gathered started to reminisce about their time spent at the beloved castle. In her minds eye Hermione walked through the Library and was tracing her steps back to her cosy little nook. As she got to the nook there sat Charlie, waiting for her in his school robes. His hair was roguishly dishevelled, the top button of his shirt was undone and his tie was coming loose. He gave her one of his dazzling smiles and held out a hand to her. She took it and felt a warmth spread through her that tingled all the way down to her toes.
She hadn't realised she had her eyes closed and snapped them open as a flush started to creep up her cheeks. Ron, Harry and Lavender were now talking about particular Defence Against the Dark Arts class they'd had with Professor Lockhart, but Charlie was looking at her. His eyes were alight with mischief, which made her flush deepen.
"Were you thinking about the Library?" he asked coolly. Hermione could see a faint tinge on his own cheeks and grinned.
"I was, were you?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah, and some overly intelligent, Gryffindor witch had invaded my private hideaway," he whispered in her ear. The feel of his warm breath on her ear made her giggle like a little girl.
Hermione and Charlie arrived back at the flat after an evening spent at the Potter household. Once James had been given his dinner, he'd been passed off to Charlie who had sat peacefully in an armchair and nursed him until he fell asleep. This allowed Harry, Ron, Lavender, Hermione and Ginny to talk more about their time in Hogwarts. Hermione had almost forgotten how wild it had been. For all of her talk about abiding by the rules, she sure had broken her fair share. Ron had enjoyed retelling his greatest game of wizarding chess ever in their first year, when they had faced off against the large, enchanted, murderous chess pieces. This had wowed Lavender so much she'd had to taken a moment to recover her composure.
"You haven't opened your letter yet," Charlie said sleepily as he handed Hermione the letter from her mother. She'd forgotten all about it after Charlie had swung her around the flat in excitement.
She opened the letter and read through it. Her parents were currently abroad on an impromptu holiday in Spain. As it was December and only a few weeks away from Christmas, they'd been able to get a surprisingly good deal on a quaint little house by the beach.
"Mum is just updating us on their holiday. The weather is nice and warm and dad is enjoying swimming in the ocean," Hermione read aloud as Charlie played with Shadow on the floor. She scanned the rest of the letter and then came upon something that intrigued her.
"That's not a bad idea," Hermione muttered as she sat down on the floor next to Charlie and the playful kitten. The older cat came sauntering over to her and settled itself in her lap.
"Hmm?" Charlie questioned as Shadow playfully gnawed on his fingers.
"Mum is saying we should spend a couple of days in their house in Wales before Christmas. That sounds quite nice actually."
"It would give us time to unwind and make plans for the baby," Charlie agreed as he reached over and placed a hand on Hermione's stomach. Hermione placed her free hand over his and moved it around, to see if she could entice a kick. She had no such luck.
"Do you think Fred and George would give you the time off," Hermione questioned with a note of sarcasm.
"Well they are sticklers around the holidays, but I'm sure it will be no problem," Charlie laughed. He leaned over and placed his ear to Hermione's stomach.
Hermione looked down at Charlie and sighed happily. She knew she spent time alone with him all of the time, however being somewhere else, in a cosy little house, sitting by the fire sounded like heaven. She could catch up on her reading and they could continue to explore and get to know each other, even though she was pretty sure she knew an awful lot about him. It was hard not to know a person when you'd been through what they had been through already.
"This is amazing Hermione," Charlie said in awe as they walked through the front door of the Grangers holiday home in Wales.
Hermione looked around the converted barn and couldn't help but admire what her parents and bought. The cottage was in Aberaeron, so it had been relatively easy to get to the local wizarding pub via the floo network. From that pub it had been a five-minute walk to the barn cottage. It was situated on a hill and overlooked the seaside town. Inside the converted barn was modern décor that somehow felt cosy and comfortable at the same time.
"It's nice isn't it?" Hermione replied as she took out her wand and made their baggage fly off to the bedroom.
Charlie turned to look at the pregnant witch and smiled warmly at her. She was glowing and looked beautiful. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun, with elegant strand framing her face. She was wearing a large, fluffy hoodie and a pair of form fitting leggings, and she was kicking off her shoes and getting into a pair of slippers.
"Happy 27 weeks!" he said eagerly as he went up to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you," she said with a chuckle.
"You're coming to the end of your second trimester," Charlie stated confidently, catching Hermione completely off guard.
"Yes I am, how did you know that?" she asked with a laugh. Charlie tapped her lightly on the nose and tutted at her.
"I still have Dad and Baby you know. I'm not ignorant to what you're going through. I need to know these things," he told her firmly, as if he were scolding her. She quirked a brow at him and wrapped his arms around her a little tighter.
"Alright, impress me then," she challenged. Charlie cleared his throat and then kissed her on the neck causing her to squirm and chuckle.
"Well apparently it is best to compare babies to different vegetables as they are growing. It's the best way to get an idea of size. So now our baby is the size of a head of cauliflower," Charlie answered as he recalled what he had read in his book. Hermione made noises of confirmation that pleased him and he continued.
"Baby hiccups are a thing and you might start experiencing them as the baby's lungs develop. Most importantly, our baby can hear us, which means I am going to be talking a lot more, so pardon me if I'm talking more to your stomach than to your face," he finished as he reached down to place his two hands on her stomach. Hermione chuckled and placed her own hands over his and nodded at him approvingly.
"Brilliant. I don't mind if you talk to my stomach because it means you'll stop talking to my boobs," Hermione said in a cheeky, teasing tone. Charlie gaped at her then narrowed his eyes and smirked at her.
"You're not going to get away with that," he said as he quickly moved and started tickling her sides.
Hermione shrieked and started laughing and pushed him away. She ran to the middle of the living area and put the coffee table between the two of them. She felt giddy as he stalked her like a lion stalking its prey. A fleeting sensation passed over her and for a moment she had an almost out of body experience. Her life had taken a drastic turn in the past year. She was in a beautiful converted barn, with a handsome wizard, who just so happened to be the brother of one of her best friends, she was pregnant with his child and they were horsing around like a couple of love struck teenagers. Work and responsibilities were the last thing on her mind, and she couldn't have been happier if she had tried.
A/N: There you have it, another chapter down! Let me know what you think in a review! *Apologies for spelling and grammar errors.*