A/N: Sorry this part took so long! I've had a) major writer's block, b) post-GoF depression, and c) I've been at camp. But now I'm home and grounded, so expect the next part out soon!
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked Ron the next morning over coffee.
"I don't know," he admitted. "Just out."
"Go back and apologize," Harry suggested.
"I can't!" Ron screamed. "I can't!"
Hermione smiled at his childish outburst. "Ron, just go. You know you want to and you'll feel so much better once you do."
"What will I do? What will I say?" Ron cried. "God, I feel so lost. I feel like a piece of me is missing."
"Just go," Harry snapped. "Go and get it over with so we can all get back to our lives."
"Harry!" Hermione cried. "That's so mean! What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" He barked. "I'm f****** perfect, thank you very much. I'm the goddamn picture of perfection."
"Harry, really. What's wrong?" Ron asked.
Harry glared at him, but wiped a tear away. "I just want you to shut up! All of you!" Tears started to cloud his vision.
Hermione's gaze softened and she cocked her head to get a better view of her husband. "Sweetheart, I know you didn't get much sleep last night-"
"Not a wink," Harry added.
"But really, what's wrong? You've not slept well before and I don't think I've ever seen you in this bad of a mood."
"Thanks Herm," Harry said. "Thanks a lot. Love you too." He went into their bedroom and slammed the door.
"What's up with him?" Ron asked incredulously.
"I haven't the slightest," Hermione stated.
"Have you made him mad or something?"
"No!" Hermione cried. "Well, perhaps."
"What did you do?" Ron asked.
"I didn't 'do' anything! Last night, we were just talking, and I think he was a bit upset," Hermione admitted.
"What were you talking about?" Ron questioned. "I mean, we've known Harry for fourteen years; few things make him this emotional. You, his parents, maybe me, but that's it."
"We talked about children," Hermione said slowly.
"Ah," Ron sighed. "That's a touchy subject."
"Yes, I know."
"What did you say?"
Hermione sighed and took a sip of her coffee. "He asked me if I wanted children."
"And?"
"I told him no. I told him that I really don't want children."
Ron grinned slyly. "No wonder he's in such a bad mood. Wrong answer, Herm. That was the wrong answer."
"Wrong answer?" Hermione exclaimed. "I told him the truth; I don't want children."
"Perhaps you're right," Ron admitted. "I mean, it would be better to be honest with him than lead him on. He'll only be more hurt in the end."
"Ron," Hermione sighed, exasperated with her best friend, with her husband, and with the entire situation. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Hermione, Harry wants kids. He always has. Maybe not now, but he wants a family. He wants kids to go out in the backyard and play Quidditch with him. He wants to help his kids with their homework. Settle down to family dinners and board games. He wants children."
Hermione snorted. "He wants us to turn into the typical suburban family."
"What's so wrong with that?" Ron asked gently.
"I don't want to be a f****** soccer mom! I grew up amidst suburbia and it's definitely not all it's cracked up to be."
"Hermione," he started. "Now what in the hell are YOU talking about?"
Hermione buried her face in her hands. "I don't want to be a soccer mom. My mother was one, and look at the mess she is now. I don't want that. I want my career. I want my husband. I want sex, for christsake! I don't want to give my life up for the sake of being normal."
Ron chuckled. "Herm, he's not asking you to turn into a soccer mom. He wants to be the soccer mom, not you. And what's so wrong with that?"
"I-"
"You don't want to turn into your mother, do you?" Ron asked carefully.
"No! I don't!" Hermione cried. "She was beautiful and brilliant, had a wonderful career; she could have been so happy! She could have been the boss, had her own dental practice; she could have been something. But I ruined that. She had me and became nothing better than a part time assistant. She drove me to school, ballet, and the library reading group. She joined the goddamned PTA. She gave up her life for me. I don't want to give up my life, or make my kids feel the guilt I feel."
"You shouldn't feel guilty! It's not your fault. She wanted a child, and she got one." Ron motioned to Hermione.
"I don't want to make the same mistake she made," Hermione whispered.
"What mistake did she make? Maybe she wasn't happy with her life before you were born. Would you prefer not to have been born?"
"If I could have saved my mother from being a goddamn soccer mom, then yes," Hermione admitted.
"What's wrong with you?" Ron cried. "I mean, do you not realize what a great person you are? Do you not realize that if it were not for you, Harry and I would not be here? We'd either be dead or- well, we'd most likely be dead."
"Would not," Hermione argued.
Ron hugged his friend. "Hermione, remember in our first year, when we got stuck in that vine stuff and you saved us?"
"Yes."
"And do you remember in our second year when you figured out about the basilisk long before any of us did?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yes."
"And do you remember in our third year when you saved Sirius with the time turner?"
"Yes, I do."
"And do you remember in our fourth year when-"
"I get the point."
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed. "That's just four examples of how you've saved our skin in the last fourteen years. If you hadn't been born, we'd all be dead."
Hermione grinned. "I did save your ass on more than one occasion, didn't I?"
"Hermione, your mother didn't make a mistake by having you. She wanted a daughter, and she got one. She was happy."
"I'm happy now! I don't want children to come and mess up my life!"
Ron sighed and shook his head. "Just keep it in mind, all right? For Harry."
"Ron, if I don't want children, I'm not having any. Simple as that," Hermione chuckled.
"Whatever Hermione," Ron shook his head. "Whatever. I never volunteered to play psychologist or love doctor."
"I never asked you to."
"Hermione?" Ron asked timidly.
"What?"
"Would you play psychologist?"
Hermione looked at him with a confused expression on her face. "What are you talking about?"
"Will you go and talk to Maggie for me?" Ron begged.
"Why?"
"Please!" Ron cried. "Please? I'll talk to Harry for you."
Hermione snorted. "I can talk to Harry myself."
Ron looked at his feet. "Well, I can't talk to Maggie. You have to help me. I mean, you have to! You're my best friend."
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes, but a smile played upon her lips. "You'll worship the ground I walk on forever?"
"Yes! I will! Please?"
Hermione grinned at Ron's helplessness. "Sure, I'll go and talk to her."
Ron hugged Hermione tightly. "Thank you, thank you!"
"What's this?" Harry asked from the doorway. His hair was messed up, his shirt was wrinkled, and his eyes were bloodshot and puffy.
"Hermione's going to go and talk to Maggie for me!" Ron exclaimed, ignoring Harry's physical state.
Harry eyes moved from Ron to Hermione. "That's sweet of you, Herm," he said in a monotone voice.
"Harry," Hermione said as she moved over to him. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," he whispered. Hermione placed her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I'm sorry," he told her as he put his arms around her waist.
"It's ok," Hermione said. "It's ok."
"Ahem," Ron cleared his throat. "Before you two get involved in a PDA session, Hermione, you promised you'd go."
"No one can get any until you do, right Ron?" Harry joked.
Ron laughed. "Now that sounds like the Harry we know and love!"
Hermione smiled. "I'm going to go now. I doubt I'll be gone too long." She pecked Harry on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight, all right?"
"Ok," Harry said. He gave Hermione one last squeeze, then released her from his embrace. "Bye Hermione."
"Bye love," she whispered as she walked out the door. Harry's eyes lingered in the doorway in which she had just went.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," Harry breathed.
"Why?" Ron inquired.
"I'm in love with a girl who doesn't want my kids because she's afraid of turning into a soccer mom." Harry shook his head. "She's afraid of the role I want to play myself."
"You heard that?" Ron asked.
"Every word."
"What do you think?"
"I have no clue."
***
When Maggie saw Hermione enter the apartment, the first words out of her mouth were, "I don't want to talk about Ron."
"Nice to see you too, Maggie," Hermione joked.
Maggie hit her forehead. "I'm sorry; I'm just a bit edgy."
"Just a bit," Ginny said with a smile. "I'd say you are VERY edgy."
"You just broke off an engagement; you have a right to be," Hannah said.
"I still think you both over-reacted, but that's just me," Ginny said.
"And I think you're a bit biased, Ginny," Maggie told her.
"No I'm not!" Ginny exclaimed. "I am so not! Look, no one is suffering as much as I am. I'm the monkey in the middle; he's my brother and you're my best friend!"
"How are you, anyway?" Hermione asked Maggie.
"Terrible," she admitted. "I'm forgetting things, I'm tripping, and I've got a terrible cold."
Hermione smiled. "Ron isn't doing well either, if it makes you feel any better."
"You've seen him?" Maggie asked.
"Yeah, he's staying with me and Harry. How else would I know about the breakup?"
Maggie glared. "I really thought that Ginny was calling everyone she knew to tell them."
"I did try you," Ginny admitted. "No one answered. I guessed you both were asleep, because it was around midnight."
"Oh, yeah, uh, we were asleep. Yeah," Hermione blushed.
"You're a horrible liar, Hermione," Ginny laughed. "You're a terrible liar. Never go back to Las Vegas to actually gamble; you'd lose all your money."
"Shut up," Hermione said and sat down on the couch.
"Hey, Hermione, do you want to take this quiz?" Maggie asked with an evil sparkle in her eyes, holding up her copy of Modern Witching Woman.
"What is it?"
"How Hot is Your Sex Life?" Maggie read, creating laughter from the other women. "Want to take it?"
"Sure," Hermione said smugly. "Where's a pen?"
Maggie laughed. "I can't wait to see this," she said as she handed Hermione a pen.
"Neither can I," chuckled Ginny. "Anyway, Maggie, what are you going to do?"
"About what?" Maggie asked innocently.
"About my brother, you idiot! Are you going to apologize, or wait until he comes back on broken knee, or just not forgive him at all?"
"Well," Maggie started. "The latter is too harsh; I do love him. The former is much too easy for him; I don't want him to consider me easy, if you please."
"So you're going to wait until he comes back begging for forgiveness," Hannah stated.
"Of course! Hermione, what would you do if you and Harry fought?" Maggie asked.
"Um, it would depend on how bad the fight was."
"You threatened divorce."
"Um," Hermione stuttered. "I think I'd first find out how sorry he was, then I'd confront him and apologize."
Maggie wrinkled her nose. "You'd be letting him off too easy!"
"Why would you want him to suffer?" Hermione questioned, causing silence to fall throughout the room.
"I, I, uh, I don't know," Maggie admitted. "Is Ron sorry?"
Hermione smiled sadly. "Maggie, he's absolutely devastated."
"Absolutely devastated. That sounds like a soap opera line!" Ginny chuckled.
Hermione ignored her and went on. "Maggie, last night, when he came to our flat, he was crying and shaking and, oh Maggie, he was so upset! Believe me, I've had enough experience with being shaken up myself to tell when someone else is."
"Do you?" Maggie asked. "I know the entire experience with David was awful-"
"It was," Hermione agreed. "I didn't tell you this, but I ran into him in South America."
"I hope that bastard went bald, bankrupt, and is really suffering," Ginny muttered.
"Sorry," Hermione said. "He's still handsome and rich as ever. But he's married."
"Married!" All three women gasped.
"He married a Brazilian lingerie model named Annamarie Linguini," Hermione chuckled. "Who is, I don't know, not even nineteen."
Ginny burst out with laughter. "God, am I sorry for her!"
"Don't we all," Hermione said, shifting her focus back to the quiz. "This quiz is long," she whined to herself.
"Do you guys think I should take him back?" Maggie asked softly.
"Yes," Ginny and Hannah said at the same time.
"Life is hard," Maggie groaned, burying her face in her hands.
"It's not that hard," Hannah pointed out. "You love the guy, right?" Maggie nodded. "Then forgive him. You know you want to."
"I should," Maggie admitted. "I will. I'll talk to him. I will."
"I'm done!" Hermione announced, putting her pen down. "Here." She handed Maggie the magazine.
"Let's see," Maggie said, looking at the magazine. Hermione you scored ninety points out of one hundred-." Maggie looked up from the magazine to grin at Hermione. "Hermione darling, according to this, you have a very hot sex life."
Hermione shrugged. Maggie continued. "It says: 'Congratulations! You are a woman in a loving relationship with a very hot sex life. You and your partner are one, whether it is in bed or out. Just make sure that the physical part of your relationship doesn't overpower the emotional part.' That sounds hot n' heavy, Herm."
Hermione grinned. "I just hope I get the grant to go to the Caribbean for a month on business."
"Why?" Hannah asked.
"Because, I'm going to be tromping through hot, beautiful rainforests, and I can take Harry with me." Hermione grinned. "Fun, huh?"
"Fun!" Ginny agreed.
"Ugh, I had to have a physical for it, and they did more tests on me than I can count." Hermione sighed. "The doctors have to make sure I'm in tip-top shape to go."
"When will you get the results?" Hannah asked.
"Soon, I think," Hermione told them. "The tests should all be back by now."
"Maybe they are!" Hannah exclaimed.
"I hope so," Hermione said, startled by Hannah's excitement.
"Hermione, will you tell Ron that I'll come by later tonight? Or no, tell him I'll call, or tell him- tell him nothing!" Maggie told Hermione. "Tell him absolutely nothing!"
"I have to tell him something," Hermione joked.
"Well, tell him that I was upset, that I felt bad, not that I'll come and see him. I have to surprise him, ok?"
Hermione laughed. "Whatever, Maggie. I'll tell him whatever you want."
***
It was almost sunset by the time that Hermione arrived at home. The evening was surprisingly clear compared to the storm they had experienced the night before. Hermione enjoyed her walk from her former apartment to her current one. The trees were starting to change colors, she noticed. She loved fall, the crispness of the air, the colorful palettes of trees, the temperature that was not too hot, not too cold, but just right. She regretted leaving the scenic outdoors, but her joy of telling Ron EVERYTHING Maggie had said and the need of seeing Harry brought her to the door of her small flat. Hermione fumbled with her keys; trying to fit the right one in the lock was bordering on impossible. "Almohora," Hermione whispered as she took her wand out of the pocket of her jacket. The door sprung open as soon as the words left her mouth. Hermione nervously looked around; surveying for muggles who had witnessed her small act of magic. Seeing no one, she sighed with relief and went inside.
Someone did see; someone who was lurking in the shadows. He gasped at Hermione's act; his eyes read a feeling of fear mixed with anger. A witch, the he thought. She's a witch. He thought of the Salem witch hunting trials that he had read about and had seen in movies such as The Crucible. Maybe the puritans had the right idea, he thought. Witches are bad, aren't they? Look at the Wizard of Oz, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White; they all featured evil witches, the kind who cackled instead of laughed, who cast spells to turn people into toads, who melted in the water. He grinned. He'd throw some water on this witch and put her out.
Hermione walked into her apartment. "I'm home!" she called.
"Hey!" Harry greeted her. He and Ron were sitting on the couch, watching the television that Harry had convinced her to buy. 'We don't need one," she had said. 'Hermione," Harry had whined. 'I've never had one. I was never allowed to watch Dudley's.' Hermione had smiled, shaken her head, and finally given in.
"What're you watching?" she asked.
"Basketball," Ron explained. "We're watching basketball. It's a muggle sport. It has a hoop, and a ball-"
"I know what basketball is," Hermione told him. "Have you been watching this all day?"
Harry shook his head. "Nope, we've watched some old movies too." He grinned. "You know what's a really good movie?"
"What?" Hermione asked with her hands on her hips. "What's a good movie?"
"All these James Bond movies!" Ron shouted. "James Bond is awesome!" Ron sat straight up. "Bond, James Bond," he said in his best impression of Pierce Bronson.
"That wasn't what I was going to say, but oh well," Harry stated.
Hermione walked over to the couch and sat between them. Harry automatically put his arms around her. "How was it?" he asked.
"What did Maggie say?" Ron questioned, tuning the television out. "Did you tell her I was sorry? Did you tell her that I'm really, really sorry? Did you tell her that I'll do anything to make it up to her? Did you tell her that I still want to marry her? Did you tell her that we can go where ever on our honeymoon?"
"Maggie's really upset too, and it looks like she may forgive you," Hermione told him. "She's really sorry about everything."
"Aren't we all?"
"She said that she'll come over tonight, but not to tell you because she wants it to be a surprise," Hermione admitted.
Ron threw his arms up. "Then why did you tell me!"
Hermione smirked. "Because I felt like it."
"Good excuse, Herm," Harry said as he leaned back against the couch. "Good excuse."
"I certainly thought so."
"Thanks, Hermione. I mean it, thanks," Ron stuttered.
"You're welcome," she smiled.
Ron placed his feet on the coffee table. "You're a great friend, you know that?"
"I've been informed, thanks." Hermione bit her lip in frustration. "Please get your feet off the furniture."
"God, you sound like my mother," Ron moaned.
Harry turned away and released Hermione from his embrace. He looked at the wall that they shared with the McGills. The sounds of children, of family, contrasted with the sudden, awkward silence that filled the room. His thoughts wandered as he pictured his family he wanted, a twist on the TV families that Harry had watched with the Dursleys. God, he wanted that. He wanted it so bad it made his heart ache with desire.
"Harry, are you ok?" Hermione asked, concerned.
Stupid bitch, he thought. Goddamn bitch doesn't want children. He mentally scolded himself for even thinking such a thing. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Hermione told him.
"I'm fine," Harry repeated, this time much more forcefully. Ron quickly stood up and headed for the door. "Where are you going?"
"To see Maggie," he answered.
"Ron," Hermione said. "She said she'll come over. Just wait."
"No!" Ron cried, startling his friends. "I mean, I really want to see her now." That, and I want to get out of here, he thought. Don't want to be here for a fight.
"Whatever," Harry muttered.
Hermione shot a dirty look in her husband's direction. "I'll walk you to the door," she suggested. She stood from the couch and walked to the door. Once out of Harry's earshot, she whispered, "I'm sorry. I have no clue what's wrong with him today."
Ron shrugged. "It's ok."
Hermione smiled. "Don't tell Maggie that I told you what she told me, all right?"
"Huh?"
She shook her head. "Never mind. Just say hi for me, okay?"
Ron nodded and agreement and left.
***
Dusk was settling in outside. The sun had mostly disappeared beyond the horizon, yet rays of soft, purplish glow filled the sky. It was too light to view the stars, but the moon could clearly be seen. Outside, on the streets of muggle London, music filled the air: classic music from fancy restaurants and more modern music from dance clubs. The aroma of the sidewalk smelled of everything from warm spaghetti to daiquiris to sweet biscuits. The street Ron was traveling down now to Maggie's apartment was one of culture. There were so many restaurants, small unique stores, and homes. Of course, destroying the quintessence of the street, these places were sided by bars, dance clubs, and strip joints. Ron wasn't distracted by all the advertising burlesque shows; the only thing he wanted in the entire world was Maggie.
He remembered the first time he had kissed Maggie. He and Maggie had been fighting, much like now, much like he had fought with Hermione during the majority of their schooling. She had been screaming at him, then he was screaming at her, and the next thing he remembered his lips were on hers. He didn't know how they had gotten that close, whether it had been one of them doing it subconsciously or by magic. All Ron remembered was how good their kiss felt, and how he had never wanted to stop.
After that they couldn't be separated. He had before always been jealous of Harry and Hermione's relationship, well, not the entire David thing, but the closeness they shared. He had always wanted that. He could always talk to Maggie about anything and she would always listen. He felt more comfortable with an arm around her than in any place in the world.
He recalled his family's reaction to their engagement. Bill and Charlie had given him a high-five and a pat on the back, Percy told him congratulations, Fred and George had wanted to play a prank on him before Mrs. Weasley told them off; they had gotten back into their idea of the joke shop after pulling the prank on Hermione at her and David's wedding. Ginny had screamed and thanked him. She and Maggie were best friends; she was ecstatic that she would be having a sister. The one that stood out the most was his mother's reaction. She had cried, and told him that his father would have been proud. Ron wished more than anything that his father was here now, to guide his family, to love them. That was one of the things he loved about Maggie; she made his heart not hurt as bad. With her, he could actually talk about his dad without crying.
A tear fell from Ron's eyes as he hurried up and walked faster. I have to get to her, he thought. I hate feeling this empty.
He had just reached a stop sign when he heard a scream. He stopped in his tracks, frozen still, unable to move, unable to breathe. He heard a scream. He heard screeching tires, the crunch of metal, the shattering of glass. He heard the honking of horns, the sudden thump as something hit. And, in the middle of it all, he heard a painful scream that made chills run up his spine and his stomach flop. He couldn't move. He couldn't do anything.
Finally recovering from his trance, he dashed toward the accident. There were two cars, totaled, and several others with minor damage. There, lying on the ground-
Ron started trembling. "Shit," he whispered.
A/N: Cliffhanger! Well, you can actually pretty much figure out what happened. I know this was pretty lame, except for the end, but next part will have a lot more action and less rambling. In other words, it won't suck like this one did. Okay? Okay! There's going to be two more parts after this; I've already planned it out. Unless my computer screws up, which I hope it doesn't.
Thanks to Someone the First, for telling me you liked Wedding March! After reading the Epilogue to "Digging the Hole" I went upstairs and finished this part. Oh, I loved "Digging the Hole, and then Climbing Out" so much! You rule!
Thoughts: Ok, I know that GoF really wasn't H/H, and the books will most likely turn out R/H, but oh well. I like H/H. Not that I hate R/H or anything, it's just not my favorite scenario. But, if Ron and Hermione end up together, I don't think that Harry should find anyone. It actually might end up clouding the theme of the books if Harry finds major romance, since he is the main character and it's told through his POV. I still like Harry/Hermione though. :-)
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Hannah Abbott, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Percy Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, and Quidditch belong to J.K. Rowling.
Maggie Chabert, David Mercenary, and Annemarie Linguini belong to me.
James Bond belongs to whoever he belongs to, and Pierce Bronson belongs to himself.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked Ron the next morning over coffee.
"I don't know," he admitted. "Just out."
"Go back and apologize," Harry suggested.
"I can't!" Ron screamed. "I can't!"
Hermione smiled at his childish outburst. "Ron, just go. You know you want to and you'll feel so much better once you do."
"What will I do? What will I say?" Ron cried. "God, I feel so lost. I feel like a piece of me is missing."
"Just go," Harry snapped. "Go and get it over with so we can all get back to our lives."
"Harry!" Hermione cried. "That's so mean! What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" He barked. "I'm f****** perfect, thank you very much. I'm the goddamn picture of perfection."
"Harry, really. What's wrong?" Ron asked.
Harry glared at him, but wiped a tear away. "I just want you to shut up! All of you!" Tears started to cloud his vision.
Hermione's gaze softened and she cocked her head to get a better view of her husband. "Sweetheart, I know you didn't get much sleep last night-"
"Not a wink," Harry added.
"But really, what's wrong? You've not slept well before and I don't think I've ever seen you in this bad of a mood."
"Thanks Herm," Harry said. "Thanks a lot. Love you too." He went into their bedroom and slammed the door.
"What's up with him?" Ron asked incredulously.
"I haven't the slightest," Hermione stated.
"Have you made him mad or something?"
"No!" Hermione cried. "Well, perhaps."
"What did you do?" Ron asked.
"I didn't 'do' anything! Last night, we were just talking, and I think he was a bit upset," Hermione admitted.
"What were you talking about?" Ron questioned. "I mean, we've known Harry for fourteen years; few things make him this emotional. You, his parents, maybe me, but that's it."
"We talked about children," Hermione said slowly.
"Ah," Ron sighed. "That's a touchy subject."
"Yes, I know."
"What did you say?"
Hermione sighed and took a sip of her coffee. "He asked me if I wanted children."
"And?"
"I told him no. I told him that I really don't want children."
Ron grinned slyly. "No wonder he's in such a bad mood. Wrong answer, Herm. That was the wrong answer."
"Wrong answer?" Hermione exclaimed. "I told him the truth; I don't want children."
"Perhaps you're right," Ron admitted. "I mean, it would be better to be honest with him than lead him on. He'll only be more hurt in the end."
"Ron," Hermione sighed, exasperated with her best friend, with her husband, and with the entire situation. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Hermione, Harry wants kids. He always has. Maybe not now, but he wants a family. He wants kids to go out in the backyard and play Quidditch with him. He wants to help his kids with their homework. Settle down to family dinners and board games. He wants children."
Hermione snorted. "He wants us to turn into the typical suburban family."
"What's so wrong with that?" Ron asked gently.
"I don't want to be a f****** soccer mom! I grew up amidst suburbia and it's definitely not all it's cracked up to be."
"Hermione," he started. "Now what in the hell are YOU talking about?"
Hermione buried her face in her hands. "I don't want to be a soccer mom. My mother was one, and look at the mess she is now. I don't want that. I want my career. I want my husband. I want sex, for christsake! I don't want to give my life up for the sake of being normal."
Ron chuckled. "Herm, he's not asking you to turn into a soccer mom. He wants to be the soccer mom, not you. And what's so wrong with that?"
"I-"
"You don't want to turn into your mother, do you?" Ron asked carefully.
"No! I don't!" Hermione cried. "She was beautiful and brilliant, had a wonderful career; she could have been so happy! She could have been the boss, had her own dental practice; she could have been something. But I ruined that. She had me and became nothing better than a part time assistant. She drove me to school, ballet, and the library reading group. She joined the goddamned PTA. She gave up her life for me. I don't want to give up my life, or make my kids feel the guilt I feel."
"You shouldn't feel guilty! It's not your fault. She wanted a child, and she got one." Ron motioned to Hermione.
"I don't want to make the same mistake she made," Hermione whispered.
"What mistake did she make? Maybe she wasn't happy with her life before you were born. Would you prefer not to have been born?"
"If I could have saved my mother from being a goddamn soccer mom, then yes," Hermione admitted.
"What's wrong with you?" Ron cried. "I mean, do you not realize what a great person you are? Do you not realize that if it were not for you, Harry and I would not be here? We'd either be dead or- well, we'd most likely be dead."
"Would not," Hermione argued.
Ron hugged his friend. "Hermione, remember in our first year, when we got stuck in that vine stuff and you saved us?"
"Yes."
"And do you remember in our second year when you figured out about the basilisk long before any of us did?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded. "Yes."
"And do you remember in our third year when you saved Sirius with the time turner?"
"Yes, I do."
"And do you remember in our fourth year when-"
"I get the point."
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed. "That's just four examples of how you've saved our skin in the last fourteen years. If you hadn't been born, we'd all be dead."
Hermione grinned. "I did save your ass on more than one occasion, didn't I?"
"Hermione, your mother didn't make a mistake by having you. She wanted a daughter, and she got one. She was happy."
"I'm happy now! I don't want children to come and mess up my life!"
Ron sighed and shook his head. "Just keep it in mind, all right? For Harry."
"Ron, if I don't want children, I'm not having any. Simple as that," Hermione chuckled.
"Whatever Hermione," Ron shook his head. "Whatever. I never volunteered to play psychologist or love doctor."
"I never asked you to."
"Hermione?" Ron asked timidly.
"What?"
"Would you play psychologist?"
Hermione looked at him with a confused expression on her face. "What are you talking about?"
"Will you go and talk to Maggie for me?" Ron begged.
"Why?"
"Please!" Ron cried. "Please? I'll talk to Harry for you."
Hermione snorted. "I can talk to Harry myself."
Ron looked at his feet. "Well, I can't talk to Maggie. You have to help me. I mean, you have to! You're my best friend."
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes, but a smile played upon her lips. "You'll worship the ground I walk on forever?"
"Yes! I will! Please?"
Hermione grinned at Ron's helplessness. "Sure, I'll go and talk to her."
Ron hugged Hermione tightly. "Thank you, thank you!"
"What's this?" Harry asked from the doorway. His hair was messed up, his shirt was wrinkled, and his eyes were bloodshot and puffy.
"Hermione's going to go and talk to Maggie for me!" Ron exclaimed, ignoring Harry's physical state.
Harry eyes moved from Ron to Hermione. "That's sweet of you, Herm," he said in a monotone voice.
"Harry," Hermione said as she moved over to him. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," he whispered. Hermione placed her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I'm sorry," he told her as he put his arms around her waist.
"It's ok," Hermione said. "It's ok."
"Ahem," Ron cleared his throat. "Before you two get involved in a PDA session, Hermione, you promised you'd go."
"No one can get any until you do, right Ron?" Harry joked.
Ron laughed. "Now that sounds like the Harry we know and love!"
Hermione smiled. "I'm going to go now. I doubt I'll be gone too long." She pecked Harry on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight, all right?"
"Ok," Harry said. He gave Hermione one last squeeze, then released her from his embrace. "Bye Hermione."
"Bye love," she whispered as she walked out the door. Harry's eyes lingered in the doorway in which she had just went.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," Harry breathed.
"Why?" Ron inquired.
"I'm in love with a girl who doesn't want my kids because she's afraid of turning into a soccer mom." Harry shook his head. "She's afraid of the role I want to play myself."
"You heard that?" Ron asked.
"Every word."
"What do you think?"
"I have no clue."
***
When Maggie saw Hermione enter the apartment, the first words out of her mouth were, "I don't want to talk about Ron."
"Nice to see you too, Maggie," Hermione joked.
Maggie hit her forehead. "I'm sorry; I'm just a bit edgy."
"Just a bit," Ginny said with a smile. "I'd say you are VERY edgy."
"You just broke off an engagement; you have a right to be," Hannah said.
"I still think you both over-reacted, but that's just me," Ginny said.
"And I think you're a bit biased, Ginny," Maggie told her.
"No I'm not!" Ginny exclaimed. "I am so not! Look, no one is suffering as much as I am. I'm the monkey in the middle; he's my brother and you're my best friend!"
"How are you, anyway?" Hermione asked Maggie.
"Terrible," she admitted. "I'm forgetting things, I'm tripping, and I've got a terrible cold."
Hermione smiled. "Ron isn't doing well either, if it makes you feel any better."
"You've seen him?" Maggie asked.
"Yeah, he's staying with me and Harry. How else would I know about the breakup?"
Maggie glared. "I really thought that Ginny was calling everyone she knew to tell them."
"I did try you," Ginny admitted. "No one answered. I guessed you both were asleep, because it was around midnight."
"Oh, yeah, uh, we were asleep. Yeah," Hermione blushed.
"You're a horrible liar, Hermione," Ginny laughed. "You're a terrible liar. Never go back to Las Vegas to actually gamble; you'd lose all your money."
"Shut up," Hermione said and sat down on the couch.
"Hey, Hermione, do you want to take this quiz?" Maggie asked with an evil sparkle in her eyes, holding up her copy of Modern Witching Woman.
"What is it?"
"How Hot is Your Sex Life?" Maggie read, creating laughter from the other women. "Want to take it?"
"Sure," Hermione said smugly. "Where's a pen?"
Maggie laughed. "I can't wait to see this," she said as she handed Hermione a pen.
"Neither can I," chuckled Ginny. "Anyway, Maggie, what are you going to do?"
"About what?" Maggie asked innocently.
"About my brother, you idiot! Are you going to apologize, or wait until he comes back on broken knee, or just not forgive him at all?"
"Well," Maggie started. "The latter is too harsh; I do love him. The former is much too easy for him; I don't want him to consider me easy, if you please."
"So you're going to wait until he comes back begging for forgiveness," Hannah stated.
"Of course! Hermione, what would you do if you and Harry fought?" Maggie asked.
"Um, it would depend on how bad the fight was."
"You threatened divorce."
"Um," Hermione stuttered. "I think I'd first find out how sorry he was, then I'd confront him and apologize."
Maggie wrinkled her nose. "You'd be letting him off too easy!"
"Why would you want him to suffer?" Hermione questioned, causing silence to fall throughout the room.
"I, I, uh, I don't know," Maggie admitted. "Is Ron sorry?"
Hermione smiled sadly. "Maggie, he's absolutely devastated."
"Absolutely devastated. That sounds like a soap opera line!" Ginny chuckled.
Hermione ignored her and went on. "Maggie, last night, when he came to our flat, he was crying and shaking and, oh Maggie, he was so upset! Believe me, I've had enough experience with being shaken up myself to tell when someone else is."
"Do you?" Maggie asked. "I know the entire experience with David was awful-"
"It was," Hermione agreed. "I didn't tell you this, but I ran into him in South America."
"I hope that bastard went bald, bankrupt, and is really suffering," Ginny muttered.
"Sorry," Hermione said. "He's still handsome and rich as ever. But he's married."
"Married!" All three women gasped.
"He married a Brazilian lingerie model named Annamarie Linguini," Hermione chuckled. "Who is, I don't know, not even nineteen."
Ginny burst out with laughter. "God, am I sorry for her!"
"Don't we all," Hermione said, shifting her focus back to the quiz. "This quiz is long," she whined to herself.
"Do you guys think I should take him back?" Maggie asked softly.
"Yes," Ginny and Hannah said at the same time.
"Life is hard," Maggie groaned, burying her face in her hands.
"It's not that hard," Hannah pointed out. "You love the guy, right?" Maggie nodded. "Then forgive him. You know you want to."
"I should," Maggie admitted. "I will. I'll talk to him. I will."
"I'm done!" Hermione announced, putting her pen down. "Here." She handed Maggie the magazine.
"Let's see," Maggie said, looking at the magazine. Hermione you scored ninety points out of one hundred-." Maggie looked up from the magazine to grin at Hermione. "Hermione darling, according to this, you have a very hot sex life."
Hermione shrugged. Maggie continued. "It says: 'Congratulations! You are a woman in a loving relationship with a very hot sex life. You and your partner are one, whether it is in bed or out. Just make sure that the physical part of your relationship doesn't overpower the emotional part.' That sounds hot n' heavy, Herm."
Hermione grinned. "I just hope I get the grant to go to the Caribbean for a month on business."
"Why?" Hannah asked.
"Because, I'm going to be tromping through hot, beautiful rainforests, and I can take Harry with me." Hermione grinned. "Fun, huh?"
"Fun!" Ginny agreed.
"Ugh, I had to have a physical for it, and they did more tests on me than I can count." Hermione sighed. "The doctors have to make sure I'm in tip-top shape to go."
"When will you get the results?" Hannah asked.
"Soon, I think," Hermione told them. "The tests should all be back by now."
"Maybe they are!" Hannah exclaimed.
"I hope so," Hermione said, startled by Hannah's excitement.
"Hermione, will you tell Ron that I'll come by later tonight? Or no, tell him I'll call, or tell him- tell him nothing!" Maggie told Hermione. "Tell him absolutely nothing!"
"I have to tell him something," Hermione joked.
"Well, tell him that I was upset, that I felt bad, not that I'll come and see him. I have to surprise him, ok?"
Hermione laughed. "Whatever, Maggie. I'll tell him whatever you want."
***
It was almost sunset by the time that Hermione arrived at home. The evening was surprisingly clear compared to the storm they had experienced the night before. Hermione enjoyed her walk from her former apartment to her current one. The trees were starting to change colors, she noticed. She loved fall, the crispness of the air, the colorful palettes of trees, the temperature that was not too hot, not too cold, but just right. She regretted leaving the scenic outdoors, but her joy of telling Ron EVERYTHING Maggie had said and the need of seeing Harry brought her to the door of her small flat. Hermione fumbled with her keys; trying to fit the right one in the lock was bordering on impossible. "Almohora," Hermione whispered as she took her wand out of the pocket of her jacket. The door sprung open as soon as the words left her mouth. Hermione nervously looked around; surveying for muggles who had witnessed her small act of magic. Seeing no one, she sighed with relief and went inside.
Someone did see; someone who was lurking in the shadows. He gasped at Hermione's act; his eyes read a feeling of fear mixed with anger. A witch, the he thought. She's a witch. He thought of the Salem witch hunting trials that he had read about and had seen in movies such as The Crucible. Maybe the puritans had the right idea, he thought. Witches are bad, aren't they? Look at the Wizard of Oz, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White; they all featured evil witches, the kind who cackled instead of laughed, who cast spells to turn people into toads, who melted in the water. He grinned. He'd throw some water on this witch and put her out.
Hermione walked into her apartment. "I'm home!" she called.
"Hey!" Harry greeted her. He and Ron were sitting on the couch, watching the television that Harry had convinced her to buy. 'We don't need one," she had said. 'Hermione," Harry had whined. 'I've never had one. I was never allowed to watch Dudley's.' Hermione had smiled, shaken her head, and finally given in.
"What're you watching?" she asked.
"Basketball," Ron explained. "We're watching basketball. It's a muggle sport. It has a hoop, and a ball-"
"I know what basketball is," Hermione told him. "Have you been watching this all day?"
Harry shook his head. "Nope, we've watched some old movies too." He grinned. "You know what's a really good movie?"
"What?" Hermione asked with her hands on her hips. "What's a good movie?"
"All these James Bond movies!" Ron shouted. "James Bond is awesome!" Ron sat straight up. "Bond, James Bond," he said in his best impression of Pierce Bronson.
"That wasn't what I was going to say, but oh well," Harry stated.
Hermione walked over to the couch and sat between them. Harry automatically put his arms around her. "How was it?" he asked.
"What did Maggie say?" Ron questioned, tuning the television out. "Did you tell her I was sorry? Did you tell her that I'm really, really sorry? Did you tell her that I'll do anything to make it up to her? Did you tell her that I still want to marry her? Did you tell her that we can go where ever on our honeymoon?"
"Maggie's really upset too, and it looks like she may forgive you," Hermione told him. "She's really sorry about everything."
"Aren't we all?"
"She said that she'll come over tonight, but not to tell you because she wants it to be a surprise," Hermione admitted.
Ron threw his arms up. "Then why did you tell me!"
Hermione smirked. "Because I felt like it."
"Good excuse, Herm," Harry said as he leaned back against the couch. "Good excuse."
"I certainly thought so."
"Thanks, Hermione. I mean it, thanks," Ron stuttered.
"You're welcome," she smiled.
Ron placed his feet on the coffee table. "You're a great friend, you know that?"
"I've been informed, thanks." Hermione bit her lip in frustration. "Please get your feet off the furniture."
"God, you sound like my mother," Ron moaned.
Harry turned away and released Hermione from his embrace. He looked at the wall that they shared with the McGills. The sounds of children, of family, contrasted with the sudden, awkward silence that filled the room. His thoughts wandered as he pictured his family he wanted, a twist on the TV families that Harry had watched with the Dursleys. God, he wanted that. He wanted it so bad it made his heart ache with desire.
"Harry, are you ok?" Hermione asked, concerned.
Stupid bitch, he thought. Goddamn bitch doesn't want children. He mentally scolded himself for even thinking such a thing. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Hermione told him.
"I'm fine," Harry repeated, this time much more forcefully. Ron quickly stood up and headed for the door. "Where are you going?"
"To see Maggie," he answered.
"Ron," Hermione said. "She said she'll come over. Just wait."
"No!" Ron cried, startling his friends. "I mean, I really want to see her now." That, and I want to get out of here, he thought. Don't want to be here for a fight.
"Whatever," Harry muttered.
Hermione shot a dirty look in her husband's direction. "I'll walk you to the door," she suggested. She stood from the couch and walked to the door. Once out of Harry's earshot, she whispered, "I'm sorry. I have no clue what's wrong with him today."
Ron shrugged. "It's ok."
Hermione smiled. "Don't tell Maggie that I told you what she told me, all right?"
"Huh?"
She shook her head. "Never mind. Just say hi for me, okay?"
Ron nodded and agreement and left.
***
Dusk was settling in outside. The sun had mostly disappeared beyond the horizon, yet rays of soft, purplish glow filled the sky. It was too light to view the stars, but the moon could clearly be seen. Outside, on the streets of muggle London, music filled the air: classic music from fancy restaurants and more modern music from dance clubs. The aroma of the sidewalk smelled of everything from warm spaghetti to daiquiris to sweet biscuits. The street Ron was traveling down now to Maggie's apartment was one of culture. There were so many restaurants, small unique stores, and homes. Of course, destroying the quintessence of the street, these places were sided by bars, dance clubs, and strip joints. Ron wasn't distracted by all the advertising burlesque shows; the only thing he wanted in the entire world was Maggie.
He remembered the first time he had kissed Maggie. He and Maggie had been fighting, much like now, much like he had fought with Hermione during the majority of their schooling. She had been screaming at him, then he was screaming at her, and the next thing he remembered his lips were on hers. He didn't know how they had gotten that close, whether it had been one of them doing it subconsciously or by magic. All Ron remembered was how good their kiss felt, and how he had never wanted to stop.
After that they couldn't be separated. He had before always been jealous of Harry and Hermione's relationship, well, not the entire David thing, but the closeness they shared. He had always wanted that. He could always talk to Maggie about anything and she would always listen. He felt more comfortable with an arm around her than in any place in the world.
He recalled his family's reaction to their engagement. Bill and Charlie had given him a high-five and a pat on the back, Percy told him congratulations, Fred and George had wanted to play a prank on him before Mrs. Weasley told them off; they had gotten back into their idea of the joke shop after pulling the prank on Hermione at her and David's wedding. Ginny had screamed and thanked him. She and Maggie were best friends; she was ecstatic that she would be having a sister. The one that stood out the most was his mother's reaction. She had cried, and told him that his father would have been proud. Ron wished more than anything that his father was here now, to guide his family, to love them. That was one of the things he loved about Maggie; she made his heart not hurt as bad. With her, he could actually talk about his dad without crying.
A tear fell from Ron's eyes as he hurried up and walked faster. I have to get to her, he thought. I hate feeling this empty.
He had just reached a stop sign when he heard a scream. He stopped in his tracks, frozen still, unable to move, unable to breathe. He heard a scream. He heard screeching tires, the crunch of metal, the shattering of glass. He heard the honking of horns, the sudden thump as something hit. And, in the middle of it all, he heard a painful scream that made chills run up his spine and his stomach flop. He couldn't move. He couldn't do anything.
Finally recovering from his trance, he dashed toward the accident. There were two cars, totaled, and several others with minor damage. There, lying on the ground-
Ron started trembling. "Shit," he whispered.
A/N: Cliffhanger! Well, you can actually pretty much figure out what happened. I know this was pretty lame, except for the end, but next part will have a lot more action and less rambling. In other words, it won't suck like this one did. Okay? Okay! There's going to be two more parts after this; I've already planned it out. Unless my computer screws up, which I hope it doesn't.
Thanks to Someone the First, for telling me you liked Wedding March! After reading the Epilogue to "Digging the Hole" I went upstairs and finished this part. Oh, I loved "Digging the Hole, and then Climbing Out" so much! You rule!
Thoughts: Ok, I know that GoF really wasn't H/H, and the books will most likely turn out R/H, but oh well. I like H/H. Not that I hate R/H or anything, it's just not my favorite scenario. But, if Ron and Hermione end up together, I don't think that Harry should find anyone. It actually might end up clouding the theme of the books if Harry finds major romance, since he is the main character and it's told through his POV. I still like Harry/Hermione though. :-)
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Hannah Abbott, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Percy Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, and Quidditch belong to J.K. Rowling.
Maggie Chabert, David Mercenary, and Annemarie Linguini belong to me.
James Bond belongs to whoever he belongs to, and Pierce Bronson belongs to himself.