TW: I wrote more smut in this chapter.

Chapter 7

"Huh… so you two finally banged. Congratulations, about ten years too late."

"Ginny!" Harry said, sounding slightly put off by her reaction to Ron and Hermione telling them about their situation. "Our son is in the room."

"He's two months old." Ginny waved him away. "He's fine." She looked back to Ron and Hermione. "I mean, considering you should have done that ten years back, I think it makes perfect sense that you're now having a baby. You just skipped all the dating shit and went straight to the being tied together for the rest of your life shit. I like it."

"Um… thank you for your support," Hermione replied hesitantly. "We just thought you should know. Officially, I mean. Because we know you already knew. Well, assumed."

Ginny nodded. "I mean, it didn't take too much thinking to put it together after what you both told me. But I do admit, Hermione, when I first heard your side of the story, I was picturing Justin or Neville or Seamus or someone else." She looked at Ron, eyes narrowing. "Never you."

Ron shrugged. "Well, what can I say?"

"Clearly not 'no'," Harry replied with a smirk.

Ron stuck out a leg to kick Harry playfully.

Ginny sat down at the dining table, a serious look crossing her face. "I just can't believe you're going to be having a baby together. In all seriousness, that's a really huge step and not conventional at the start of a relationship." She frowned. "Are you both up for it? I mean… you both work full time and are both really busy. And…" She hesitated, trying to find the right words, "neither of you really seem like the parental type, truthfully. Don't take that the wrong way, but I just mean… wow."

"Well, we definitely didn't plan it," Ron answered. "But…" He shrugged again.

"They're not easy. Kids," Harry remarked.

"We know," Hermione replied. "But we'll figure it out. We've talked about it a bit and we have kind of a plan. First steps, anyway."

"Are you going to live together?" Ginny asked.

"No," Ron and Hermione answered simultaneously — as quick as the other. That had come up the night before as they had dinner together and they had both agreed that at this point in time it wasn't something either of them wanted to do. As much as he loved spending nights with Hermione, that was not the definition of taking things slow. Besides, he was weirdly attached to his flat and wasn't quite ready to leave it, but acknowledged that Hermione's place was a much better environment to raise a baby in. She had a second bedroom and a little more space than he did.

For now, the plan was that the baby would obviously stay with Hermione and he'd be there as often as he could.

But he wasn't moving in.

Not yet.

"So…" Harry began, joining Ginny at the table, "you're together, right?"

"Yes," Ron and Hermione answered.

"And you're having a baby together?"

"Yes."

"But you're not going to share a house together?"

"No."

Harry looked at Ginny and Ron could tell that they didn't understand that decision. But they also hadn't been in Ron and Hermione's position, either.

"We will make it work," Hermione explained. "We've sorted that out. And maybe one day, we might, but for the moment it's a little too quick."

"But having a kid is slow?" Ginny questioned.

"That was an accident," Ron said. It was the word he'd agreed to use, for Hermione didn't like him saying it was a huge mess or a big mistake.

An… accident. That summed things up nicely, he thought, because sleeping together hadn't been an accident, but her getting pregnant had been. An accident. But maybe a happy one.

"We can't control this part, but we can control everything else… so we are." Hermione nodded as if convincing herself she actually had control of everything else. In all fairness, she did seem to be in control of everything else. It was impressive.

"Well… congratulations… I think?" Harry offered. "As long as you're happy."

"I'm thrilled," Ron said. "I mean, it's terrifying and I was a bit of a dick about it all at the start, but I've come round a bit now. It's starting to sink in and the idea of having a baby — although still terrifying — is kind of exciting too."

"Ever since we went for a scan," Hermione chimed in with an air of fondness in her tone, "he's been better."

"Just… don't tell Mum and Dad yet," Ron said to Ginny. "Mum's going to throw a whole bunch of questions at us that we are not ready to answer."

Ginny snorted. "Yes, I can't imagine she'd be thrilled with the truth."

"Yeah, so when we do tell her and if she asks if you knew, just say you were sworn to secrecy but we've actually been dating for six months and we didn't want anyone to know. That should keep her happy enough."

This time Ginny burst out laughing. "Yeah, alright," she chuckled. "How should I tell her you got together?"

"Just not how it really happened," Ron insisted.

Ginny was still sniggering when the conversation moved away from the topic of Ron and Hermione. The last week had been a bit crazy with trying to figure everything out. Hermione had seen a doctor for them to one hundred percent confirm her pregnancy, and then they'd spent all their spare time going over just how they were going to work their newfound lives.

Ron had already approached George about getting the new line of party products out sooner than planned, though when George asked why, he'd simply said he thought they were ready. It would bring in more income sooner and then they could start planning for the baby financially — something Hermione wanted to do.

So, they'd been budgeting a lot; figuring out how much things would cost before and after the baby was born and how much they'd need to set aside for their future. Hogwarts didn't cost anything and he assumed the kid would go there, so school was already sorted. But Hermione said something about how children needed an education before they turned eleven and both of them were far too busy to provide it themselves.

Ron had agreed, though he hadn't fully understood. He trusted Hermione to know what was best more than he trusted himself.

One thing he was pleased to know was that between them, the kid would be well-off, so that was something. No matter their situation, he wanted his own child to have everything they could possibly want. That would be something he'd insist on.

By the end of the week, he felt that most things had been sorted.

At least for the time being.

"We'll probably be telling the others next weekend," Hermione said, "so for the time being just —"

"Keep your mouth shut," Ron finished.

"Our lips are sealed," Harry assured them with a nod.

Hermione smiled. "Thank you. We appreciate it. It's just going to take some more time to figure it out."

"We understand," Ginny said, standing up again. She gave Hermione a hug. "And I meant what I said before, when I said we're here for you. If you need anything, we'll help, alright? If you need old baby things, clothes, anything like that, James probably will have grown out of it long before yours is born. So… just ask."

Ron didn't bother to say that his kid was getting their own things brand new. That would be an argument for another day.

"Thank you," Hermione said, smiling. "We'll keep that in mind."

…

It was silent when Hermione woke that night. She wasn't entirely sure what time it was, but probably the early hours of the morning. Her heart was pounding against her chest and small beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.

She turned to Ron beside her — he was sound asleep, sprawled out on his stomach and looked so peaceful. Undisturbed, and unbothered, by the nightmare she'd just had.

Someone had been chasing her. She was pregnant, and they wanted her baby. They wanted to eat her baby. No matter how fast she ran, no matter where she turned, they found her. The whole dream had consisted of her being chased, terrified that if they caught her, they'd get her baby and then they'd eat it.

It had felt so real, and the silence for a moment had convinced her she was still being chased.

But she wasn't. She was safe in her bed and it had just been a dream. And Ron was there, snoring beside her like a big giant comfort blanket that she could hold onto when frightened.

Heart still pounding, she laid back down and snuggled up against him. He remained asleep, but his arms subconsciously wrapped around her, drawing her close.

She eventually fell back to sleep.

When she woke again, the room was light and Ron was still lying beside her. He was awake, and she realised that he'd been watching her sleep — a weird feeling. He'd looked adorable when asleep, but she hated to think how she looked.

"Morning," Ron said. "How'd you sleep?"

Hermione blinked. It took a moment for the nightmare to come back to her, but when it did, she shook her head. "I had a nightmare," she said.

"Another one?" Ron questioned. It had been a regular occurrence the past week.

"The same one," Hermione said. "It's so real at the time and it's terrifying. I don't know how to stop them."

"Maybe you can't," Ron said. He pressed his lips to her forehead. "I'll be here, remember. If you need to snuggle with me." He grinned, and she felt a smile play at the corner of her own mouth. She had never explicitly said it, but one of the big reasons she'd asked him to stay every night with her was she liked having him there for comfort.

And, of course, she liked just having him there. She found that she missed waking up next to someone every day, missed feeling them beside her. Steven hadn't been the most affectionate of boyfriends, but he'd been someone. Ron was a lot more affectionate, though, and she surprisingly liked that.

She liked his kisses in the morning, the way he looked at her as if she was the most beautiful person he'd ever laid eyes on, no matter how horrible she thought she looked. She liked that he genuinely did seem to love her and he wasn't hanging around just because she was having his baby or felt that he had to.

He wanted to be there and… he didn't want to leave. He hadn't slept in his own place for over a week and she got the sense that it didn't bother him in the slightest.

For a moment, she just lied there watching him. Her feelings for him had grown over the years to the point that apparently her drunk self had been unable to keep it in any longer. But now that she could actually express those feelings properly, it made her feel a million times better. There was no barrier anymore.

He was just… perfect. That seemed like a good word. Perfect for her, at least. The one that she should be with.

"So… I do have to work today," Ron said. "I start at ten, so want to make plans?"

Hermione smiled. Yes, she did want to make plans. "To stay in bed," she said, and she kissed him. Not just a good morning kiss, but a kiss that suggested more. She knew that he was desperate to expand their physical relationship from just that one time, but until now, she'd been hesitant. He looked at her often as if he was extremely turned on by her, and she liked it, but her mind always kept trailing back to the only time they'd done anything.

She'd lost control of herself then, allowed him to do things to her and with her that she'd never let anyone do before. He'd made her feel things that her only other sexual partner, Steven, had never made her feel. And losing control had resulted in consequences that would change their lives forever.

Logically, she knew that she couldn't get pregnant again. For the next seven months or so they were free to do things without consequence, but every time she thought about giving into her own desire and want for him, she was clouded with doubt.

She wanted to feel everything again and again, but she didn't want to lose control.

The Firewhisky had been the cause that time, but she didn't think it had all been the drink. Part of it had been her, wanting to lose herself to him. Finally giving into years of want for him.

Her insinuation gave Ron pause. "Are you sure?" he asked. He'd been very patient, never pushing her, never doing anything other than asking her once or twice if she wanted to.

"Yes," she said quietly, kissing him again. "I'm more than sure." She deepened the kiss, and she felt his arms slide around her, running up and down her body. He pulled her close to him and she could already feel how much he wanted her.

She let him explore her body, let his hands slide under her shirt to run his thumbs along her breasts. He was so gentle and loving, and nothing like the roughness of last time. Before, it had been a desperate need to finally have one another, to feel each other. Now, they had each other.

His touch sent a spark through her entire body. It was as if she wanted him to touch every part of her all at once.

Slowly, methodically, he lifted her shirt and slid it over her head. He kissed down her neck, along her throat, leaving his mark on every inch of skin. When his mouth caught one of her nipples, she gasped.

He was so much more experienced at this than she was. He seemed to know what she liked without having to even ask. He knew better than she did.

Whenever she and Steven had reached this stage, he never talked. His main concern was himself most of the time, constantly telling her what he wanted her to do. When he did actually ask her what she wanted, she never had an answer because she didn't know. And if she was game enough to suggest something, he'd do it for a minute and then want it to be on his terms again.

Ron, though, had made her feel better about herself in just one night than Steven had in their whole two-year relationship. And she knew that was because he cared. Her pleasure was his pleasure.

His hands continued to explore, sinking further down to her waist, tugging at the elastic on her pants. With her help, he managed to slide them off her.

He trailed his mouth down her body, and it tingled all over. She knew what he wanted to do as he got further and further down, but she had panicked last time. The very thought seemed disgusting to her to the point she was almost embarrassed to let him anywhere past her hips. But he seemed determined and her whole body was so aroused from his touch that she… let him.

The kisses down her body became more intense, more frantic the closer he got. He'd reached her inner thigh, dragging his tongue along her skin. It was only then did he stop.

He looked up, eyes questioning — but hungry. Swallowing her paranoia, she nodded, telling him it was okay for him to continue. He wouldn't ask if he didn't want to.

The moment his lips found their way between her legs, she was overcome with a whole new wave of feelings that she hadn't ever experienced. He'd obviously done this before, but it had never been done to her before.

She trembled against him, her body shaking to the point that she reached for the head of the bed and gripped it with both hands to ground herself.

"Oh… God," she gasped. Everything was alive within her. She didn't want him to stop what he was doing — his lips, his tongue, everything working in unison. How did he make her feel so good? She'd never felt so many sensations all at once.

She was reaching her end. She could feel the pressure building within her the more Ron moved below. The moans coming from her were constant now — something she was unable to control.

She brought herself closer, pushing herself into him and begging him to finish her off. He seemed happy to oblige, happy that what he was doing was turning her into someone she had never been before. She'd lost control again, and found it impossible to contain the feelings, words, and sounds that fell out of her mouth.

Her climax came with a cry of euphoria; she let go completely, allowing the wave of pleasure to take over her body. Her breath caught in her throat and then she let out a heavy breath, panting.

Ron came back up to lie beside her. She couldn't ever remember feeling so high off desire and she didn't know what to say or do next. It was Ron who made the next move, bringing his lips back to hers and drawing her into a deep kiss. She responded, happy, elated, and desperate for him. She wanted him — over and over and over again. Forever.

"When you're ready," he murmured against her, nipping at her neck, her throat, the corner of her mouth, "we can keep going."

She was ready now and she told him as such. She held him close, drawing him toward her, and wanting him to be inside her. But he had taken his time with her and she thought that maybe she should do the same for him. But she wasn't sure how to ask. He knew what she wanted, though she couldn't return the sentiment. He stayed quiet, pressing kisses along her, moving his body over hers.

And then he was inside her, grinding slowly against her. It was the first sounds he'd made, subtle moans against her. But they were pleasurable and it made her feel happy… pleased that she could spark that reaction from him.

His deep blue eyes fell on hers. His lips crashed against hers once again, capturing them in a deep, passionate kiss that sent shivers all over her body. All at the same time, he continued to move against her.

She didn't want this moment to ever end. In the past, she'd always wanted it to be over and done with because it hadn't been that enjoyable. And it usually was after a few minutes. But this — with Ron — it could go on forever and maybe she wouldn't tire of it.

He seemed to be enjoying the experience too. He'd practically explored every part of her that she didn't think there was much left for his imagination. He wanted her so desperately — she could feel it in the way he touched her, held her… she'd never felt more loved than she had in the past weeks with Ron. All he seemed to want was… her. And he'd been so uncharacteristically patient with her too.

A low rumble sounded in the room, and it took Hermione a moment to realise it was coming from Ron. His pace had picked up and he stopped kissing her, instead burying his face into the hair stuck against her neck.

"Fuck," he breathed against her, "this is so good. I love you so much."

Hermione relaxed against him, moving with him to help bring herself to her end as Ron was reaching his. She wanted to feel the pleasure again, wanted to remember what it was like — sober — to be with him.

"Hermione," he moaned her name, sending sparks all through her. He'd moaned her name. No, not moaned, maybe more like a... it almost sounded like a cry, as if it was all too much for him to handle. His breath was heavy on her neck, his teeth biting down into her flesh. And then he cried out her name again, this time louder, more meaningful, while panting against her.

They stayed like that for some time, enjoying the closeness of one another. Hermione allowed her hands to roam his body, feeling as each spot she touched rose in goosebumps. It could have been seconds or minutes, she didn't know, but eventually, he rolled back onto his side of the bed. There was so much love on his face when he looked at her that warmed her whole body.

Without saying anything, he drew her towards him, stroking her hair, running his fingers down her sensitive body. She liked that he didn't say much. Ron seemed to say a lot more through his actions and not just words. He seemed to want all of her, not just the parts he deemed worthy.

She thought she'd known what a good relationship was. She'd thought Steven had been a good man, just not for her. And he hadn't been bad, but she was learning now that he hadn't really cared much about her.

She closed her eyes, willing herself for the moment to stop comparing. That relationship had long-ended. She had a new one now, a much better one.

They lied in silence for a long time, neither wanting to move. But eventually, it was Ron who pulled away, untangling himself from her arms. He sat up naked in the bed. And to think, just a few weeks ago, she'd been horribly embarrassed to see him like that, and for him to see her. Now, she rather liked it.

"I need to get ready for work," he said. "George will murder me if I'm late." He smiled at her, his eyes appreciating the view just as much as she was.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He chuckled. "Don't thank me for —"

Hermione shook her head. "Not that. For being patient. And for… for being there for me. I know this isn't the life you wanted."

Ron smiled again, leaning down to kiss her. "Yeah, well, it is what it is. I mean it when I say I've always loved you. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm living out my fantasies right now. Being with you is the life I always wanted."

The kiss turned into more kisses, and within moments, he was lying beside her in the bed again, his body pressed against hers, hands exploring once more.

After a moment, she pulled away.

"Right," Ron muttered. "Work…" He actually did get out of bed this time, searching for his clothes.

She laughed. "Maybe," she started, not at all confident that her next words would come out the way she hoped they would. With her luck, it'd turn him right off ever having sex with her again. "Maybe when you get home, we can… continue."

He tensed as he was half in his jeans. "Well…" he said, and she saw him visibly swallow. "Now you're just going to make the day be excruciatingly long."

Hermione's pregnancy dreams are real dreams I had when I was pregnant! They are not made up or extreme. Hormones do weird things.