What did you write to the mother of the person who knocked you up when you
were seventeen?
Hermione pondered upon this for several long minutes. Her quill was being chewed on thoughtfully, a habit she'd formed when working on questions when answers didn't come to her immediately. The parchment in front of her was still blank.
"Dear . . . Molly? Or Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione wondered. She scribbled the dear down, happy to have at least a minor portion of the letter done. After a moment's contemplation, she decided on Molly. Things seemed to be less formal between Mrs. Weasley and her.
Now what? Hermione wondered to herself. She chewed on the quill some more. "I found out my skirt didn't fit this morning, and suddenly I realized that I'm pregnant. I went half mad, bombarded your daughter, and have settled down to request your advice?" Hermione said almost jokingly to herself. She chuckled and shook her head. Though true, she wasn't about to be that blunt with her soon-to-be-mother-in-law.
Hermione finally began to write hesitantly, saying the words aloud as she did so. "I know it seems silly, but today I fully realized my *situation*. I'm half blind in panic, and I need someone to console me. Someone who's been through this. My own mother and I have grown apart these past years, and I decided that coming to you was my obvious choice. If you could offer a bit of advice, I would be much obliged."
Hermione looked down at her words. It wasn't the best she could do, but her hands were trembling already. What if Mrs. Weasley didn't know what to say to her? She shook her head and signed the note. Mrs. Weasley would know what to say. Hermione was sure of it.
She let the ink dry, then rolled the paper up and fastened it with a string. A few seconds later, she was walking down the stairs of the common room and heading out of the portrait hole. A few straggling students, late risers, were rushing to get to the Great Hall in time for a quick bite to eat.
Hermione marched past the doors of the Great Hall on her way to the owlery, and it happened that at that moment Ron was walking out. He looked surprised to see her there.
"Are you all right, Mione? Hungry?"
Hermione shook her head.
Ron looked like he didn't know what to do. "Now I know you're not all right. You haven't denied food in months!"
"Are you implying that I'm fat?" Hermione asked quietly. She continued walking, and Ron rushed to walk beside her.
"Of course not," he said. "I think you're skinny and beautiful."
"Now you're lying to me!"
"How do you know if I'm lying to you or not?" Ron asked, annoyed.
"Because," Hermione said simply. She unfastened her robes and shrugged them halfway off. "LOOK at me, Ron!"
Ron looked at her midriff, studying the curve her belly had started to make. His eyes were bright when he met hers again. "That's fantastic, Mione!"
Hermione's eyes flashed as she put her robe back on. "Why does everyone think it's so great that I'm becoming fat," she grumbled.
"You never cared about that before."
"That's exactly what Crookshanks said." Hermione ignored Ron's look at that statement. "I know I never cared about that before, Ron. It's just . . ."
"What?" Ron asked softly, sounding as if he might be willing to be sensitive.
Hermione had reached the owlery by this time, and she stepped inside. Ron followed her. "It's a little bit of a shock, all right?" she said quickly. She held out her arm, and a flash of feathers came down to greet her.
"A shock?" Ron repeated in disbelief. "You knew this was coming."
"I knew," Hermione agreed quietly. "But . . . well . . . you wouldn't understand, all right?"
"Why don't you try me. Shut UP, Pig!" Ron snapped at the flash of feathers aforementioned.
"Ginny didn't understand either," Hermione said patiently as she tied the letter to Pig's leg. "Go to Ron's mum, all right?" Pig let out a hoot and flew away happily. Hermione turned back to Ron. "Do you realize that in four months time, we're going to have a baby on our hands? A living, breathing, little human that's going to need us to care for it and provide for it. Are you ready for that?"
Ron stood quietly for a minute and then drew himself up a little before he spoke. "I think I'm ready."
"So do I," Hermione said softly. "At least, I hope I'm ready. But I don't think I am, Ron." Her eyes turned pleading. "Why couldn't this have happened later?"
Ron closed the space between them and put his arms around her. He kissed her hair tenderly. "A few years wouldn't make any difference, Hermione. This is the first time you're venturing in to something that reading about won't prepare you for. Every first time mother has to deal with this."
Hermione laughed softly.
"What?" Ron asked defensively.
"I just didn't know you could be so comforting," Hermione murmured. "Words aren't exactly your strong point, you know."
Ron merely laughed. "Yes. Words have gotten me into more trouble than I care to mention. Don't see why anyone invented them in the first place."
Hermione looked up at Ron. "I love you," she said, blushing slightly.
Ron nodded. "I know," he whispered huskily. He closed the space between their lips, knowing that the only way to end their exchange was with a kiss. His lips brushed against hers softly, and they both closed their eyes reflexively.
Hermione hadn't been lying when she said that Ron was comforting. There was a sudden fluttering in her stomach. She smiled. Ron was still able to give her butterflies.
"What was that?" Ron asked quietly, pulling away from her.
"What was what?"
"That," Ron said, putting a hand on her stomach. The fluttering came again. A grin broke out on his face. "Is that . . .?"
Hermione put a hand next to Ron's, eager to feel the fluttering again. "I think it is," she said, her voice full of amazement. There was the fluttering again. She met Ron's eyes, and they shared a moment that was unlike any before. Wonder was conveyed on both of their faces.
Ron silently leaned down and kissed her. Her lips clung to his in the excitement of what they'd both just experienced.
* * * * *
At lunch, our four Hogwarts students met up again. Ron and Hermione, in a spirited mood, sat next to each other across from Ginny and Harry. The young engaged couple could barely contain their excitement all morning. After informing Harry of the kicking they'd felt, the three seventh years went to their morning classes. Hermione had been unable to pay attention. The teachers were ready to ask if anything was wrong, but the bright smile on her face kept them quiet.
Hermione's earlier anxiety seemed to turn to joy in moments. When she felt the butterfly kicks of her baby, it made it seem more real in a different light. Before she had only thought of responsibility, money, and all of the negatives in life. With the soft, gentle touch of her child, she remembered the joys she was about to face.
Ginny smiled encouragingly at Hermione when the older girl sat down across from her. "Did you send the owl to Mum yet?"
"Oh, yes," Hermione said, forgetting that she'd done so that morning.
"You seem happier than usual. Did you and Ron skip class again today?" Ginny teased.
"No." Hermione's grin widened. "It kicked."
"The baby?" Ginny gasped.
Hermione nodded proudly. "Today. In the owlery."
"Oh, Hermione!" Ginny breathed. "That's wonderful! Can I feel it?"
"She's not doing it anymore," Hermione said, shaking her head. She was careful to keep her words low, lest anyone decide to intrude on their conversation. "The next time I feel it, you can have a chance."
Ginny's eyes danced. "What does it feel like?"
Hermione smiled softly. "Like butterflies. Think of . . . one of those kisses that's gentle and sweet, but passionate at the same time." Hermione noticed Ginny glance instinctively at Harry, and she tried not to smirk. "It's a little bit like that. Only . . . it's in here too." She placed a hand over her heart and sighed. "I guess I could call it a thrill." She shrugged. "I don't know if it can be described in words though."
Ginny sighed wistfully. "That's terribly romantic."
Ron snorted.
Hermione rounded on him. "Do you have a better word to describe the situation?" she demanded, eyes flashing in warning.
Ron's mouth opened wide as he searched for something to say. "Er . . . er . . . magical? Enchanting? Breathtaking? Earth-shattering? The one moment in my life where everything comes together?"
"You could have stuck with magical," Hermione informed him. "That was a bit excessive."
"Ron?" Harry asked politely.
"Yes?"
"I have one word for you." Harry's eyes narrowed, defying the teasing look in his eyes. "Nancyboy."
Nobody said a word. Then Ron burst out: "Oh, come on, Mione. Why can't you use your hormone-charged anger on him once in awhile?"
"It's all saved especially for you," Hermione said sweetly, ignoring his reference to her situation.
"Gee, thanks," Ron said, rolling his eyes. Hermione was in too good of a mood to get mad and start another fight with him.
"How did things go today?" Ginny asked Harry.
Harry knew what she meant. "Much better than they've gone in weeks. Not a single parchment was thrown at me today."
"Have you had any classes with Malfoy yet?" Ginny continued, eyes twinkling in mirth.
"Right after lunch," Harry replied. "I'll give you play-by-play details of it."
"Serves the git right," Ginny muttered, looking over to the Slytherin table. Malfoy was isolated yet again. "Even Crabbe and Goyle aren't going near him."
Hermione turned around, sympathy enveloping her. "Do you think we should go over there and eat with him? Just to be nice?"
"No!" three horrified voices chimed in forcefully, eyes glaring towards Hermione.
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "It was just a suggestion," she huffed.
* * * * *
AN: The usual thanks are in order for Jo and Amy for beta-ing. Another thank you for all of the reviews you're so kind to give me! I'm glad you've been liking the new chapters.
Hermione pondered upon this for several long minutes. Her quill was being chewed on thoughtfully, a habit she'd formed when working on questions when answers didn't come to her immediately. The parchment in front of her was still blank.
"Dear . . . Molly? Or Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione wondered. She scribbled the dear down, happy to have at least a minor portion of the letter done. After a moment's contemplation, she decided on Molly. Things seemed to be less formal between Mrs. Weasley and her.
Now what? Hermione wondered to herself. She chewed on the quill some more. "I found out my skirt didn't fit this morning, and suddenly I realized that I'm pregnant. I went half mad, bombarded your daughter, and have settled down to request your advice?" Hermione said almost jokingly to herself. She chuckled and shook her head. Though true, she wasn't about to be that blunt with her soon-to-be-mother-in-law.
Hermione finally began to write hesitantly, saying the words aloud as she did so. "I know it seems silly, but today I fully realized my *situation*. I'm half blind in panic, and I need someone to console me. Someone who's been through this. My own mother and I have grown apart these past years, and I decided that coming to you was my obvious choice. If you could offer a bit of advice, I would be much obliged."
Hermione looked down at her words. It wasn't the best she could do, but her hands were trembling already. What if Mrs. Weasley didn't know what to say to her? She shook her head and signed the note. Mrs. Weasley would know what to say. Hermione was sure of it.
She let the ink dry, then rolled the paper up and fastened it with a string. A few seconds later, she was walking down the stairs of the common room and heading out of the portrait hole. A few straggling students, late risers, were rushing to get to the Great Hall in time for a quick bite to eat.
Hermione marched past the doors of the Great Hall on her way to the owlery, and it happened that at that moment Ron was walking out. He looked surprised to see her there.
"Are you all right, Mione? Hungry?"
Hermione shook her head.
Ron looked like he didn't know what to do. "Now I know you're not all right. You haven't denied food in months!"
"Are you implying that I'm fat?" Hermione asked quietly. She continued walking, and Ron rushed to walk beside her.
"Of course not," he said. "I think you're skinny and beautiful."
"Now you're lying to me!"
"How do you know if I'm lying to you or not?" Ron asked, annoyed.
"Because," Hermione said simply. She unfastened her robes and shrugged them halfway off. "LOOK at me, Ron!"
Ron looked at her midriff, studying the curve her belly had started to make. His eyes were bright when he met hers again. "That's fantastic, Mione!"
Hermione's eyes flashed as she put her robe back on. "Why does everyone think it's so great that I'm becoming fat," she grumbled.
"You never cared about that before."
"That's exactly what Crookshanks said." Hermione ignored Ron's look at that statement. "I know I never cared about that before, Ron. It's just . . ."
"What?" Ron asked softly, sounding as if he might be willing to be sensitive.
Hermione had reached the owlery by this time, and she stepped inside. Ron followed her. "It's a little bit of a shock, all right?" she said quickly. She held out her arm, and a flash of feathers came down to greet her.
"A shock?" Ron repeated in disbelief. "You knew this was coming."
"I knew," Hermione agreed quietly. "But . . . well . . . you wouldn't understand, all right?"
"Why don't you try me. Shut UP, Pig!" Ron snapped at the flash of feathers aforementioned.
"Ginny didn't understand either," Hermione said patiently as she tied the letter to Pig's leg. "Go to Ron's mum, all right?" Pig let out a hoot and flew away happily. Hermione turned back to Ron. "Do you realize that in four months time, we're going to have a baby on our hands? A living, breathing, little human that's going to need us to care for it and provide for it. Are you ready for that?"
Ron stood quietly for a minute and then drew himself up a little before he spoke. "I think I'm ready."
"So do I," Hermione said softly. "At least, I hope I'm ready. But I don't think I am, Ron." Her eyes turned pleading. "Why couldn't this have happened later?"
Ron closed the space between them and put his arms around her. He kissed her hair tenderly. "A few years wouldn't make any difference, Hermione. This is the first time you're venturing in to something that reading about won't prepare you for. Every first time mother has to deal with this."
Hermione laughed softly.
"What?" Ron asked defensively.
"I just didn't know you could be so comforting," Hermione murmured. "Words aren't exactly your strong point, you know."
Ron merely laughed. "Yes. Words have gotten me into more trouble than I care to mention. Don't see why anyone invented them in the first place."
Hermione looked up at Ron. "I love you," she said, blushing slightly.
Ron nodded. "I know," he whispered huskily. He closed the space between their lips, knowing that the only way to end their exchange was with a kiss. His lips brushed against hers softly, and they both closed their eyes reflexively.
Hermione hadn't been lying when she said that Ron was comforting. There was a sudden fluttering in her stomach. She smiled. Ron was still able to give her butterflies.
"What was that?" Ron asked quietly, pulling away from her.
"What was what?"
"That," Ron said, putting a hand on her stomach. The fluttering came again. A grin broke out on his face. "Is that . . .?"
Hermione put a hand next to Ron's, eager to feel the fluttering again. "I think it is," she said, her voice full of amazement. There was the fluttering again. She met Ron's eyes, and they shared a moment that was unlike any before. Wonder was conveyed on both of their faces.
Ron silently leaned down and kissed her. Her lips clung to his in the excitement of what they'd both just experienced.
* * * * *
At lunch, our four Hogwarts students met up again. Ron and Hermione, in a spirited mood, sat next to each other across from Ginny and Harry. The young engaged couple could barely contain their excitement all morning. After informing Harry of the kicking they'd felt, the three seventh years went to their morning classes. Hermione had been unable to pay attention. The teachers were ready to ask if anything was wrong, but the bright smile on her face kept them quiet.
Hermione's earlier anxiety seemed to turn to joy in moments. When she felt the butterfly kicks of her baby, it made it seem more real in a different light. Before she had only thought of responsibility, money, and all of the negatives in life. With the soft, gentle touch of her child, she remembered the joys she was about to face.
Ginny smiled encouragingly at Hermione when the older girl sat down across from her. "Did you send the owl to Mum yet?"
"Oh, yes," Hermione said, forgetting that she'd done so that morning.
"You seem happier than usual. Did you and Ron skip class again today?" Ginny teased.
"No." Hermione's grin widened. "It kicked."
"The baby?" Ginny gasped.
Hermione nodded proudly. "Today. In the owlery."
"Oh, Hermione!" Ginny breathed. "That's wonderful! Can I feel it?"
"She's not doing it anymore," Hermione said, shaking her head. She was careful to keep her words low, lest anyone decide to intrude on their conversation. "The next time I feel it, you can have a chance."
Ginny's eyes danced. "What does it feel like?"
Hermione smiled softly. "Like butterflies. Think of . . . one of those kisses that's gentle and sweet, but passionate at the same time." Hermione noticed Ginny glance instinctively at Harry, and she tried not to smirk. "It's a little bit like that. Only . . . it's in here too." She placed a hand over her heart and sighed. "I guess I could call it a thrill." She shrugged. "I don't know if it can be described in words though."
Ginny sighed wistfully. "That's terribly romantic."
Ron snorted.
Hermione rounded on him. "Do you have a better word to describe the situation?" she demanded, eyes flashing in warning.
Ron's mouth opened wide as he searched for something to say. "Er . . . er . . . magical? Enchanting? Breathtaking? Earth-shattering? The one moment in my life where everything comes together?"
"You could have stuck with magical," Hermione informed him. "That was a bit excessive."
"Ron?" Harry asked politely.
"Yes?"
"I have one word for you." Harry's eyes narrowed, defying the teasing look in his eyes. "Nancyboy."
Nobody said a word. Then Ron burst out: "Oh, come on, Mione. Why can't you use your hormone-charged anger on him once in awhile?"
"It's all saved especially for you," Hermione said sweetly, ignoring his reference to her situation.
"Gee, thanks," Ron said, rolling his eyes. Hermione was in too good of a mood to get mad and start another fight with him.
"How did things go today?" Ginny asked Harry.
Harry knew what she meant. "Much better than they've gone in weeks. Not a single parchment was thrown at me today."
"Have you had any classes with Malfoy yet?" Ginny continued, eyes twinkling in mirth.
"Right after lunch," Harry replied. "I'll give you play-by-play details of it."
"Serves the git right," Ginny muttered, looking over to the Slytherin table. Malfoy was isolated yet again. "Even Crabbe and Goyle aren't going near him."
Hermione turned around, sympathy enveloping her. "Do you think we should go over there and eat with him? Just to be nice?"
"No!" three horrified voices chimed in forcefully, eyes glaring towards Hermione.
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "It was just a suggestion," she huffed.
* * * * *
AN: The usual thanks are in order for Jo and Amy for beta-ing. Another thank you for all of the reviews you're so kind to give me! I'm glad you've been liking the new chapters.