December 20, 1998

Harry Potter

Magis Ziekenhuis, Netherlands

Harry steadied Hermione as the portkey brought them in front of the main hospital of the magical center of Amsterdam, Magis Ziekenhuis. She wanted to get the runes done as soon as possible once she made her decision. It differed quite a bit from St Mungo's, with a plan red brick exterior, and uniform square windows every so many feet.

When they entered, witches and wizards walked hurriedly through the main entry, while some, which were likely patients or relatives, sat anxiously waiting for loved ones. It was easy to spot the healers as like St Mungo's, they all wore the same color robes, although here light blue denoted the healers.

"Miss Granger!" an elderly wizard hailed, coming from their left.

"Healer Jansen! It's nice to meet you face to face." The healer then took him in at her side, a faintly disapproving expression on his face.

"And who might you be?"

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Hermione cut him off, laying her hand on his chest.

"Harry's my friend. He's going to be with me through the ritual."

The healer's black eyes flicked him a disapproving glance, but said nothing. "Of course. I already have the room prepared to keep with your timetable. Please follow me."

December 20, 1998

Harry Potter

Magis Ziekenhuis, Netherlands

Harry stood in a small room with a raised platform that had a ritual circle carved into the stone. Hermione was lying on the circle, dressed only in a black crop top and a pair of black underwear.

When Harry had thought about the idea of Hermione with a magical mark- a rune tattoo circling her waist, he had stupidly been preoccupied with how hot he thought she would look. Now holding her hand tightly, and watching as tears slipped between her tightly clenched eyes, he felt sick.

She lay on her stomach in a ritual circle while the Healer Liam Jansen carefully used a quill with a needle-sharp point to ink the runes into her skin with a specially prepared potion. Healer Jansen was a renown expert in rune protection and healing tattoos in the Netherlands, and Hermione had been really excited that he had agreed to place the runes on her body. The Healer stood to the side of her carefully, quickly, pushing the sharpened needle of the quill over and over into her skin.

Small rivulets of blood dripped down her hips from where the quill repeatedly pierced her skin, creating the runes. Healer Jansen had explained this was part of the sacrifice for healing magic and helped power the spell, so they weren't wiped away and instead dripped slowly down into the ritual circle.

Harry wanted to snatch her off the circle and punch the old man doing the tattooing. No wonder Britain stopped doing this shit. It looked horrific. He looked down, focusing on her hand, trying to block out the memories of her screams at Malfoy Manor while being unable to go help her, then seeing the cuts on her arm at the cottage.

She shifted so the healer could continue and her breath shuddered. He whispered lowly to her.

"You don't have to do this. We can stop it right now. Just tell me I'll stop it."

"I'm okay."

Time slowed, he felt like he could measure it by his heartbeats, each a dull hard thud in chest. Her soft gasps, the tears dripping, the ritual circle slowly turning red. The pressure built in his chest. He had to stop it; he had to stop it.

The healer finally threw aside the quill, muttering an incantation, and the runes on Hermione's skin flickered red.

"Oooh." She moaned.

"You did very well, Miss Granger! All done." The healer gave a knowing look at Harry.

Harry didn't care as he met his gaze. Bastard.

The healer reached for his wand and cast cleaning charms on Hermione and gave her a robe to put on, leaving the room so she could get dressed properly.

Hermione sat up gingerly in the circle. Harry grabbed the robe to help her into it, then helped her down from the raised circle.

Once she was standing in her robe, he pulled her carefully into his arms, making sure not to put pressure on her waist. She gave a small laugh, hugging him back. "It doesn't hurt all. It actually feels kind of good."

Harry swallowed convulsively, still trying to pull himself out of picturing the blood drip from her and hearing her screams. She looked up into his face and the smile fell off her face.

"Harry." She framed his face, staring into his tear glazed eyes.

"Please don't get any more of those Hermione."

"I won't. I promise." She stroked his face before her hands went higher, running through his hair. Petting him and trying to calm him down.

He shuddered, his chest still feeling like something was pressing on it, and closed his eyes. Harry felt Hermione shift against him and felt her lips press against his, her arms circling his neck.

He held her against him possessively, trying to have as much of his body pressed against hers as he took control of the kiss, pushing his tongue into her mouth, sliding it against hers. He wanted her so badly under him, to be inside her, the fear morphing into a completely unreasonable desire.

Hermione pulled back a little, and he had to force his hands to relax their grip on her.

"Let's go home."

Harry knew she didn't mean their home together, but more in a general sense of returning to Britain. But he hugged the word close to him, anyway.

December 23rd 1998

Hermione Granger

7 Weeks Pregnant

12 Grimmauld Place

Hermione lay stretched out on the couch with her feet on Harry's lap, both of them reading while the fire crackled softly in front of them. Neither had spoken to Ron since the beginning of the month after he had abruptly moved out of Grimmauld place.

When she thought of Ron, she still felt twinges of shame. Even though the circumstances were beyond her control she knew she had hurt him quite deeply. When she last talked to him, he had ranted about Harry betraying him and winning her back. But like a lot of his intentions, without a reminder, he lost interest quickly.

She couldn't help but compare, even though she knew it was unfair, how both had reacted to her month of silence after Halloween. Both Harry and Ron had written her dozens of letters, but the tone had been quite different. Harry's had been pleading. He wanted to know how she was, if she was mad at him, he wanted to know about the dreams. Ron had been angry and demanding, wanting a detailed explanation of what she had done with Harry. The letters from Ron reminded her of all the worst moments of his jealousy during their school years.

Her focus had narrowed in on her pregnancy and sorting things out with Harry. Placating and running after Ron so he could be persuaded to forgive them was just beyond her. Hermione stared at her textbook for D.A.D.A- arguably her weakest subject, but not really seeing the words. It was hard to study when her mind kept wanting to shove images of Harry holding a baby at her.

She looked at him from under her lashes. He was intently reading yet another child rearing book, his lips slightly moving occasionally. The past month had been a revelation to her. How different he was as a friend versus a… sort-of boyfriend. Neither of them had discussed their relationship since that first day, when Harry announced he wanted to get married after she told him about the baby. Harry behaved like her boyfriend, though, without the title.

Harry had always been her confidant and a comfort to her- but now there was an intimacy to his care that hadn't been there before. When she had her rune tattoo done, she had been shocked by the expression on his face. He looked like he couldn't decide if he was going to pass out, commit murder, or throw her over his shoulder and run away. The way his arms had flexed against her, and his mouth against hers, the intensity of it. She gave a little shiver, thinking about it, and his relaxed green gaze came up to meet hers. Silently asking, are you okay?

She gave him a smile and nodded, jerking her gaze back down to her text. How long had she been staring at him? She looked up again when he threw a light blanket over her, tucking it in on the sides of her legs before going back to his book, apparently deciding that she shivered because she was cold.

Hermione fought to keep her smile from widening. The little things he did for her gave her little butterflies in her stomach. Although she was glad he had calmed after a day or so from his reaction to the tattoo. The intensity of his focus on her had been a bit unnerving. Given his overreaction she was just a tiny bit worried about his reaction when she gave birth, but she tucked that away to worry on later.

Finally, she gave up on her book, letting it flop down and her head to relax back on the couch. She hadn't been able to concentrate, anyway.

"What's wrong?"

"I know we were planning to go to the Burrow for Christmas, but I don't really want to go."

"Hmm."

Hermione didn't know how much Molly or Arthur knew about what happened. How would they react to both children's exes showing up? Would Ron make a scene? Or Ginny?

"I'm supposed to see Teddy there. It's been really hard seeing him with my training schedule and Andromeda's commitments." Harry's voice was very neutral as he made the statement, not letting her know how he felt about her ambivalence about going to the Burrow.

Shoot, Hermione hadn't thought of that. Teddy was eight months now, and absolutely adorable. She hadn't seen him in quite a while either.

"We definitely need to go then." She stated firmly, and Harry gave her a pleased smile.

December 25, 1998

The Burrow

Hermione

7 Weeks Pregnant

Hermione put a smile on her face as they approached the Burrow, holding tightly to Harry's hand. The door was flung open as they neared it and Molly Weasley motioned them in happily.

"You two are late! Just about everyone else is here." She hugged them both in her motherly way. Then she grabbed their joined hands, pulling them apart, so that Molly had Hermione on one side of her and Harry on the other side as she pulled them into the house. After letting them take off their jackets in the entryway, she continued to pull them deeper into the house.

They waved to the familiar faces that turned around to face them, Hermione breathing a silent sigh of relief when she didn't spot Ginny amongst the other Weasleys. Molly let go of Hermione's hand once they entered the living room but kept hold of Harry's and dragged him off in the direction of Arthur Weasley. Hermione spotted Andromeda holding Teddy near the back of the room and made her way in that direction, knowing that Harry would eventually make his way there too.

Hermione hadn't seen Teddy since before she left back to Hogwarts in July, and the changes five months made were astonishing. Teddy was a chubby, inquisitive, teal haired baby that gurgled and reached out to her when she approached. Andromeda raised her eyes at Hermione, silently asking if she wanted to hold him. Hermione laughed and held out her hands for Teddy. Teddy's hands immediately reached for her curls and his hair briefly wavered from color to brown before settling back to teal.

Teddy laid his head on her shoulder staring up at her, making soft babbling noises as if he was having a serious conversation and she found herself replying softly to him as she rocked him.

"Mhmm. I wonder where he is, too."

"Bababa."

"I know I lost track of him when I got here, but I'm sure he'll be here soon."

"Who will?" She jumped at Harry's soft voice at her shoulder. She hadn't noticed him approach, she had been so focused on Teddy's soft brown eyes. Harry's arms came swiftly around them both to make sure they were steady.

She looked over her shoulder at him, catching his eyes unexpectedly. The soft tenderness as he gazed at them gave her a warm glow. Teddy's babble increased excitedly as he stared at Harry, his chubby little hands making grabbing motions.

Hermione gave a soft laugh. "I think he wants his godfather." She transferred the baby to Harry's arms.

Teddy reared back and clapped his hands on Harry's cheeks, babbling as he squished Harry's face slightly. "I'm sorry I haven't seen you as much. I promise I'm going to do better." Harry said seriously as he stared into the babbling baby's eyes.

Harry rubbed his back comfortingly and Teddy laid his head on his shoulder while Harry rocked slightly back and forth.

Hermione stared at Harry slowly rocking Teddy on his shoulder, unable to stop imagining him with their child. There was that feeling again in her stomach, little butterflies. He would be such a good father.

"Hey Hermione." She tried not to flinch like a little kid caught doing something bad, and turned around to face Ron.

"Hi Ron. Merry Christmas." Ron's gaze flicked briefly to Harry standing just beyond her with Teddy, but he didn't say anything to him.

"I didn't think you would come."

"I asked her to come with me." Harry interjected, stepping next to her.

Ron still didn't look in Harry's direction or acknowledge his statement. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Hermione looked up at Harry, and he subtly shook his head. He didn't think it would be a good idea. Teddy was passed out on his shoulder. Hermione took a deep breath; she was a bit worried if she didn't Ron might make a scene, and she wanted to avoid that at all costs, so she patted Harry's arm softly in reassurance.

"It's okay. I'm just going to chat with him a few minutes and I'll be right back." She walked off with Ron before Harry could object. Ron led her through the house to the outside, where they were alone. The snow and cold keeping everyone else inside at the moment, and she shivered without her jacket casting a warming charm.

They stopped about fifteen feet from the house in the middle of the clearing that surrounded the Burrow. Ron acted like they were taking a stroll in nice weather, looking down at his feet. Finally, she got impatient with him to speak. She was bloody cold even with the warming charm.

"Ron? You wanted to speak to me?"

"You never really liked me, did you?"

"What?"

"We're both over legal age and most of our friends had sex years ago. But even after you know who was defeated, you didn't want to."

"I'm not going to do something just because everyone else was doing it. I wasn't ready for the next step. I told you that."

He looked at her and she saw the anger flash again in his blue eyes and had the feeling this conversation was pointless.

"I just want you to admit the truth. I know Ginny cast that spell, but you were happy it was Harry- you both are. If you had something for each other, you should have admitted and not pretended. That was wrong of you."

She opened her mouth to deny it and then closed it. What if it had been Ron that she had slept with? Would she have been more upset? Less? The feelings were too tangled. She couldn't answer it honestly.

Harry, holding a sleeping Teddy, flashed into her mind. She shook her head, banishing that image and gathering her thoughts.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Ron. I know we thought this might go a different way for us, but I don't want to lose you as a friend. We've been through too much for that."

They both heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow and looked to see Harry approaching from the house, holding Hermione's jacket out to her.

"Thanks."

"No problem." She felt Harry's warming charm layer on top of hers and gave him another nod of thanks. They all stood there awkwardly for a minute, Harry standing next to Hermione and both of them facing Ron, as if they were the united front and Ron the outcast.

She became aware of how she and Harry looked and tried to slightly edge into the middle between the two men. She looked between them, both of them had set expressions. Left to their own devices, they were going to never patch things up between themselves.

"Ron, Harry and I were talking and we want you to be the baby's godfather." Both men looked at her in surprise, although Harry quickly schooled his expression. She hoped he didn't get upset with her.

"Really?" Ron looked shocked but pleased, glancing between the two of them. "Of course, I'll be a great godfather." He gave Hermione a hug, and then started walking back to the house, still not acknowledging Harry.

She felt a little trepidation about looking at Harry, that hadn't been well done of her to do that without asking him. She looked at him to find him already looking at her. She couldn't read his expression.

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm good. Between the charms and my coat, it's fine. Are you mad at me?"

Harry exhaled loudly, his breath fogging in the cold. "No, I just wish you had talked to me about it first. Ron's been acting a bit erratic lately. One day to the next, I don't know what his mind is going to come up with."

Hermione shrugged. "He asked me why I pretended to like him when I always liked you." She paused. "Well, he sort of said it like that."

"Did you ever like me? Before all this?"

"It's complicated." She avoided his gaze and stared out into where the forest met the Burrow clearing.

Harry tugged her to face him giving her a small smile. "Then make me understand?"

"I don't know. Maybe? No, wait that's wrong." Now she was the one flustered, and trying to explain herself. How do you explain that something that had always been known to her, but never acknowledged? How could she 'like' him when he was talking about Cho? Or going to the Yule Ball with Parvati? Or snogging Ginny? She wasn't allowed to like him.

He shoved his hands deep in his coat pockets, kicking a bit of snow to the side of them. "I liked you back then. I like you now."

"Why didn't you ever say something?"

"You always seemed to be focused on Ron, and vice versa. Why do you think it was always you I turned to?"

"I wish I had known that before."

"You know now."

October 31st 1998

Prefects Bathroom

Hermione Granger

Harry was holding her in the warm water, her back to his front, his hands running over her slick soap covered body. She shivered in pleasure as he continued his sensual massage, his hands spreading her legs wide for him.

"No, no love, keep your legs spread wide. The warm water will help." Harry's hands slid along the inside of her thighs, before sliding back up her pussy, softly petting her.

"I feel fine now. It only startled me."

"You were crying."

"I was not crying, my eyes watered- "She broke off with a moan, when his fingers dipped slightly into her pussy, the warm water and pressure against her clit sending pulses of pleasure through her.

"Let me take care of you."

Hermione made a frustrated sound at both his words and as his hands moved further away to continue petting her body. She pulled away and turned around, wrapping her legs around his waist easily with the buoyancy of the water and feeling his hard cock against her.

She could get him to make love to her here. She just had to push the right buttons. Hermione slid her hands up his wet chest, letting her finger nails drag along his skin. She saw the flare of lust in his green eyes and his jaw tightened.

"You can take care of me by making love to me."

"You're hurt."

She leaned forward to nip the tip of his ear, her lips close. "I'm hurting because I want you inside me."

His body tightened as he tried to keep himself under control. She dragged her mouth along his neck before stopping and biting him.

"Don't you want to make me happy?"

"Yes."

"I'm happy when I'm coming on your cock."

"Fuck."

"Yes, please." With a groan he gave in, his hands moving with more intent, softly spreading her and pushing in.

He watched her face carefully as he pushed two fingers inside her. Withdrawing them slowly, then pushing them just as slowly back in. Spreading her and getting her ready for his cock.

His eyes seemed brighter green in the hazy atmosphere of the bathing pool and she rocked herself against him, helping him move deeper with his fingers inside her.

"More, please."

Harry gave her a sly, lustful smile. "So polite, my little love, such a good girl."

"Mhmm." He reached down to guide his cock into her, slowly pushing her down until he was seated fully inside her. She wiggled a bit experimentally on him at the stretch she felt, but there wasn't any pain.

Harry whirled them around in the water so her back was braced against the edge of the bathing pool.

"Promise me you'll stop me if it starts to hurt."

"I promise." While the heat had helped her soreness, it only increased the intensity of the feelings as they started to make love. Harry tried to keep himself slow, and she pulled at him, trying to shake him loose from his control.

Hermione wanted him as wild for her as she was for him. She started whispering all the things she wanted him to do to her and he trembled against her moaning.

His hips started snapping wildly against hers, and she reached between them to rub her clit, knowing she had driven him to the edge of his control. She wanted to come with him.

Hermione reached back to brace herself with the edge of the tub as Harry stretched her out so he could see his cock sliding in to her while she rubbed her clit.

"That's my good girl, keep rubbing love." His hands tightened on her thighs where he held her open for his wild thrusts, and he grunted as he plunged deep, and she felt his hot come filling her.

The water felt almost too hot as she came, feeling submerged in pleasure. Harry lifted her against him again, his cock still inside her, to kiss her sweetly.

"You know I wanted to go slower."

Hermione gave a mischievous laugh, nuzzling him. "I know. But I didn't."