Wow, thanks for the reviews guys, I HAVE NARROWED DOWN THE NAMES LIST, PLEASE VOTE FOR YOUR TOP THREE: (The remaining names will be middle names :D)

1. Elektra

2. Seraphina

3. Magdalena

4. Meredith

5. Celeste

6. Savannah

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Description - The return to Hogwarts, the final Ron encounter of the fic!

Disclaimer - I own nothing sozzz ;)

Chapter 13

Hermione packed her trunk as she took deep breaths and tried to stay calm. She was 12 weeks pregnant with Draco Malfoy's triplets, engaged and returning to school.

Although a lot of strange things had happened to various people that year, she was pretty sure she was winning the award.

"It'll be ok y'know. McGonagal said there were several pregnant girls in our year, and even the year below now, and even more married or engaged." Draco said from the doorway, quickly going to help her stand up.

She shot him a look.

"I bet none of them already look six months pregnant at three." She scowled as Draco took her face in his hands and kissed her softly.

"You look beautiful."

"Fuck you." She muttered, tears springing to her eyes suddenly, causing Draco to release her and look anxiously into her eyes.

"Hermione? What's wrong? Are you ok?!"

She sniffled, before wiping her eyes.

"I just remembered I forgot to pack my slippers."

Draco sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Good to see the hormones aren't affecting you at all." He muttered sarcastically as Hermione whipped round.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing dear, I was just going to make us some tea." He replied, before hastily exiting and heading for the kitchens.

Hermione sighed, she knew she wouldn't be the only girl expecting at Hogwarts, and was especially glad she certainly wouldn't be the only one returning for day school in the summer.

Draco had tried to persuade her not to go, as he'd assured her that with him about to set up his own business, not to mention the Malfoy fortune, she'd never need to work a day in her life.

But Hermione wasn't one to depend on other people's money.

She'd always wanted a career, wanted to work her way to the status she deserved. Not just accept the first job offer that came along because she was a war hero.

She thought wistfully of her parents.

Telling them about the triplets, about her engagement, about how she still planned to go to school.

She knew things probably wouldn't ever change between them, and in all seriousness she wasn't sure she was ready to forgive and forget just yet.

They'd hurt her, hurt her more than anyone, maybe even Ron had ever before.

After she'd found them in Australia and returned their memories, she explained what she'd done and what happened.

She expected a tearful, joyous reunion, maybe even a thank you.

But instead she was met with fury and disappointment.

She remembered her father losing it, the way he'd screamed at her.

"We always knew you were different, knew that you could do things we couldn't. But I never thought my own daughter would use her own curse on her parents. How dare you? You're not my daughter. You're nothing but a freak."

The words echoed in her mind as she felt the tears pooling in her eyes.

After that they'd stayed apart for a while. She'd stayed with Ron at the Burrow, but even then she knew things were different.

She knew now that really the only reason she'd stayed with Ron in the first place was that she had nothing else.

Her parents had tried to get in touch after they'd cooled down, tried to speak to her by owl at school, but she'd never had the heart to reply.

Maybe because part of her thought what her father had said was true.

She'd only alerted them about the pregnancy formally, and had rejected all her mother's attempted calls.

She didn't want to speak with them, and certainly didn't want to see them.

Mostly, she was furious. But a part of her kept thinking that they were too good for their freak of a daughter.

The train station was packed, as usual, and it seemed to Hermione that nearly all of the crowd was staring at her.

Word had somehow (although Hermione highly suspected Ginny, her friend assured her she hadn't told a soul.) got out about Hermione and Draco, and of course there had been rumours about Ron, none of which Hermione had confirmed or denied.

"Crap. And I thought it was bad before." Muttered Hermione, remembering the crowds and paparazzi after the war.

Draco chuckled and helped her haul her things onto the back of the train as they headed to the far pillar of platform 9 and ¾'s.

"There you guys are!" Ginny called out over the crowd, rushing over and pushing through a few first years as she went.

"Oh it's great to see you! The paps are going crazy, huh? I heard McGonagal had to cast special charms to keep them off the platform!" Hermione nodded.

"I wouldn't be surprised! Gosh this makes me feel so sorry for Harry, is it like this for him all the time?!" Ginny nodded and gestured to her fiancé who was lying low with a muggle hoodie pulled up to cover most of his face.

"I actually can't wait to get back now, the staring can't get any worse." Hermione complained as they boarded the train.

Hermione re-read the note Professor McGonagal had left for her after her dinner plate was cleared.

As the rest of the students left for their dormitories, Hermione stayed seated as well as four other girls and their male counterparts.

When the hall was emptied except for the ten students McGonagal had obviously left notes for.

Hermione made a quick scan of the obviously pregnant students.

She was surprised to see a few familiar faces, including Luna.

She noted that Romilda Vane, the girl who'd had an insane crush on Harry during their sixth year was also still seated.

Professor McGonagal stood and smiled, as the students paired off in their various couples.

Hermione noticed Draco and Blaise talking hastily in hushed, slightly agitated tones. It was obvious Draco was irritated his friend had not confided in him the fact that his wife was pregnant.

"Draco leave it, come on." Hermione hissed, grabbing his arm and pulling him over as he shot Blaise one last look before begrudgingly sitting down next to her.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, I'm sure you're all aware why you're here, and as always, Hogwarts is more than willing to accommodate you during this very important time in your lives." She nodded towards the ladies.

"As it would be sensible to keep you separate from your usual dormitories, we have set up a small community of five rooms for you ladies. There is a common room for you to share, a bathroom for each of you as well, also many things you may need at this particular stage. On your notes I've written the corridor where your statue is located. Merely speak the password to the statue and enter your rooms.
Gentlemen, you will be residing in your dormitories as usual.

That will be all." She gestured for the various couples to leave, and the girls immediately began quizzing each other as they bid their partners farewell and made their way towards their rooms.

Within a few minutes, Hermione had discovered that the two other girls were Maya Hooper, and Tia Phillips.

As expected, she was the only one carrying multiples, and Luna and Tia were just a few weeks along.

Romilda was almost five months, and Maya was nearly six.

That put Hermione quite nicely in the middle, which she had no problem with at all.

"So what did you do over New Year's Hermione? I hope you and Draco had a nice time." Luna said idly as they split off into their own conversation whilst the other girls jabbered on.

Hermione shrugged.

"Draco and I just had a quiet one, didn't do much really just stayed at home together." Luna smiled.

"That's nice. Blaise and I hardly ever have a quiet night, we normally just spend a lot of time having wild animal sex whilst"

"Ok Luna, thanks for sharing." Hermione quickly interrupted, holding up a hand to signify she'd heard quite enough.

"Wow, this is actually pretty nice!"

Hermione mused, admiring the four different house banners that were hung by the windows in the girls' common room.

It was slightly smaller than the house ones, but had the same homely fireplace and a delightful mismatch of green, blue, red and yellow furnishings that somehow just worked.

"I'm guessing our rooms are just down there?" Romilda waved towards a small hallway as the other girls entered and had a brief glance around.

"I rather like this actually." Luna mused, as she noted the calendar in one corner of the room.

"Oh look, it's got everyone's due dates!" Maya grinned, flipping through as she looked at the bookmarked dates on the calendar.

"We've got me, in March, Romilda's April, Tia and Luna's are both in September!"

The other girls looked questioningly at Hermione as she shrugged.

"There wasn't much point in writing mine, I asked the doctors when we last visited St. Mungos, my due date is May 29th, but I should be ready from early April."

After a brief discussion about various names, fathers and the summer school most people would be taking, the girls went their separate ways and headed to their rooms.

Hermione smiled as she opened her wardrobe and admired the various maternity wear mixed with her magically altered school robes.

The year was going to be tough, but she was ready.

She was always ready.

Surprisingly the first few weeks back went smoothly, and attention was even moderately drawn away from Hermione when Harry came to visit his fiancé.

Word had pretty soon got out about Hermione and Draco, and soon after news of Luna and Blaise's secret marriage and relationship had gotten out.

The Slytherin boys weren't exactly welcomed with open arms by the rest of their girlfriend's houses, but the hexing had stopped pretty quickly.

No one had wanted to irritate the girl who was best friends with Harry Potter.

And so it was later, around early March that an owl arrived, and turned the world upside down.

Hermione thanked the unfamiliar owl by feeding it a small treat, and ripped into the letter whilst Draco looked at her in confusion.

"Were you expecting an owl from anyone?" He enquired as Hermione shook her head, before resting the envelope on her stomach.

At six months pregnant, Hermione was pleasantly surprised. Sure, she now resembled a nine month pregnant woman instead of six, she felt uncomfortable pretty much all the time and was constantly being pummelled from the inside by her children, but she felt pretty good considering.

She scanned the letter, and dropped her glass of pumpkin juice Draco had brought her from the kitchens.

"What? What is it?!" He grabbed her shoulder as Hermione shook her head in shock.

"He wants me to meet him. Oh my gosh, this weekend in Hogsmeade, he wants me to meet me." She gasped as Draco grabbed her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Hermione? Hermione who wants to meet you?"

"It's Ron."

"Hermione I'm not letting you meet him." Draco snapped as Hermione pulled a loose fitting white top over her head and glared at him as he lounged on her bed.

"You do know McGonagal would throw a fit if she knew you were in here?"

He shrugged.

"You're already pregnant, what else could we do? And besides you're avoiding the subject."

Hermione sighed as she ran a hand over her rounded stomach, feeling the small response of a kick from one of the little ones.

She smiled slightly before grabbing her Gryffindor house scarf.

"I'll be fine Draco, he's been through a lot, I owe him this much." She had to admit she had a huge soft spot for the boy who had once been her best friend.

Maybe it was because she knew he'd been hurt permanently, and it was partly her fault, or maybe it was just because she didn't want to lose anyone else.

But Hermione was determined to meet with Ron.

Draco stood up and wound the scarf carefully around her neck before kissing her cheek and placing his hand over hers on her stomach.

"Then I'm coming with you. You can argue all you want, I'm not letting you go alone."

The three broomsticks wasn't too busy for a Hogsmeade weekend, most people were out enjoying the first relatively warm day in months.

"It'll be ok, I'm not an idiot." Hermione muttered, but Draco didn't let go of her hand.

"He's over there." He said, emotionless as he helped Hermione through the crowds.

"Hi Mione," Ron smiled, and it pained Hermione to see the sorrow in his eyes.

"Hello Ron." She gave Draco a look, and he begrudgingly sat down in a separate booth nearby along with Blaise and Luna, but didn't take his eyes off Hermione as she took a seat opposite Ron.

"So, um, how's, what are you"

"Hermione I'm just going to say what I need to say. After you left that day in the hospital, Ginny talked to me and told me what had been happening. Honestly? Over the last few months I haven't been sober long enough to take in what's really going on. The Medi Witches were convinced I was just a violent drunk, and once I was done with my basic rehab, I was going to my trial in London.

"That was the night I tried to take my own life. My prescription pills were by my bedside, and I just couldn't see the point anymore.

After they revived me, I was diagnosed with severe depression. Hermione I don't know who I was when I hurt you, pushed you away. But it wasn't who I am, not really.

I'm not here to ask for you back, I'm not even here to ask for forgiveness. I just thought I'd let you know that I'm going away for a while. My therapist thought I might benefit from a bit of a gap year while I get used to my leg, and my flight leaves tomorrow.

I'm sorry for everything Hermione, and I really hope everything works out ok." He smiled sadly as Hermione looked at him in open mouthed shock.

"Ron I, I'm so"

"Don't, please don't apologise, Hermione I don't deserve it. I just thought I'd let you know I'm going off the map for a while, just so I can kick my depression and get used to my leg." Hermione smiled and touched Ron's hand gently as he looked away.

"I wish you the best of luck, I really do." She smiled sadly, and placed down some galleons for their drinks before heading over and joining Draco, as Ron headed out of the café, limping slightly on his prosthetic leg.

"So what did he want?" Draco sniffed, putting an arm around Hermione as he ordered her another butterbeer.

She smiled and felt the joy of settling things with Ron warm her up inside.

"He just wanted to settle a few differences, that's all."

Awh so Ronnie's gone to get better :)

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