Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters from the books in the series are copyright JK Rowling, and are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.

Chapter 2 ~ "I'll be there"

(November)

Early one afternoon a few weeks later, Hermione answered a knock at her door only to find the friendly face of Remus Lupin smiling warmly at her. He had made a habit of dropping in over the weekends to spend time with her, but this was the first time he'd come by on a weekday afternoon, as he had resumed his teaching position at Hogwarts this year, and his afternoons were usually spent instructing his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes.

"Remus! What are you doing here?" she asked with a smile... the first real smile he had seen since their first meeting a few weeks ago.

"I have the rest of the day free of classes, and I thought I'd drop by and see if you would like an escort to your clinic in London. Of course, if that's too personal..."

"No, Remus. I'd be happy for an escort. I'm due for an ultrasound, and I'd be glad for some company."

"Ultrasound?"

"Yes, it is a procedure that allows you to see an image of the baby. To make sure that he or she is developing properly. I'm not anticipating any problems, I've already heard the baby's heartbeat and had the routine bloodwork done, and everything looks good but it will be nice to have someone there, just in case..."

"Of course, I'd be honored to be with you for the first glimpse of your little one..."

"We might even be able to find out if it is a boy or a girl! Though, I'm not sure I want to know yet," she laughed.

"Why not?" he asked with a lift of his eyebrow.

"I like surprises. I think I'd rather wait until the baby is born. Besides, what if they're wrong?" she laughed again.

Merlin, it was good to hear her laugh.

*****

They apparated into Diagon Alley and proceeded, relatively unnoticed, through the Leaky Cauldron and emerged onto the streets of Muggle London. Though there was a slight chill in the air, the weather was still quite warm for that time of year, and the sun shone brilliantly in the cloudless blue sky as they made their way to the Medical Clinic where Hermione was due for her pre-natal exam.

"Where to, Hermione?"

"Just this way. It's not far, and I prefer to walk... if you don't mind. The exercise will do me good," she smiled.

"That's fine. There's nothing I prefer more than a walk with a beautiful young girl on a lovely fall afternoon," he teased as she took his arm.

They walked in silence for a while, before Remus asked, "How's your Mum?"

She smiled at this, "Mum's doing much better. She is making such wonderful progress. Her physical therapist thinks that, in time, she will be able to walk again."

"That's wonderful news, Hermione!" he exclaimed and he squeezed her hand as she turned a corner and led him into the clinic.

Inside the clinic a short time later, Remus held Hermione's hand as the doctor pointed to the shadowy black and white image of the fetus, "There's the baby's head... that's the spine... hands... feet... lungs..." he continued as he pointed out other developing limbs and organs, "and right there," he pointed to a flickering shadow on the screen, "that is your baby's heart."

Hermione smiled as she watched the fluttering of her baby's heart, and the doctor asked with a grin, "Would you like to know the gender of your child?"

She hesitated only a moment before answering, "No, I don't think so. I'll find out soon enough, won't I?"

"Indeed, you will!", he laughed before pointing out, "look, the baby is sucking it's thumb! And, oh my, the little dear is tap dancing on your bladder."

Hermione laughed, "It's no wonder I've got to visit the loo every five minutes."

"Well, Miss Granger, everything appears to be just fine with your baby. I think we're done now, so if you'd like to get dressed and visit the facilities..." he pointed the way to the bathroom, and with a smile, he left the room.

"That was absolutely amazing, Hermione!" said Remus, his eyes full of wonder, "Thank you so much for letting me share the experience with you."

"No, Remus... Thank YOU. For everything," she replied with tears in her eyes. "Oh dear, there I go, getting all hormonal on you."

He laughed and gently squeezed her shoulder in response, before leaving her to get dressed.

*****

When they found themselves back on the streets of London after leaving the clinic that afternoon, Hermione turned to Remus and smiled, "Remus, if you don't mind, I would like to visit my mother before we leave London," she paused before continuing, "but if you don't have time, you can go on ahead without me, and I will see you later."

"It's fine, Hermione. I am free for the day, so I'd be glad to go with you," he assured her.

Hermione sighed in relief, "Thank you ever so much, Remus. Even though Mum is doing better, it is so emotionally draining for me to see her like that. I feel much better knowing that I won't have to walk home alone afterwards."

They continued their walk to the rehab facility where her mother would be staying for the duration of her recuperation, and upon their arrival Remus insisted on staying in the lobby while Hermione spent some time alone with her mother. He found an empty seat and took interest in the Muggle news report that was airing on the television, while Hermione made her way down the corridor.

"Mum?" she called as she opened the door to her mother's room.

"Hermione!" Her mother cried when she saw her daughter enter the room. "Darling, what a surprise! I miss you so much..." her eyes filled with tears as Hermione leaned over the bed and gently gathered her mother into in her arms.

"How are you doing, Mum?"

"I'm making progress, dear. I won't say it's easy. It's damn hard, going through this without your father by my side. But I'm getting there," she replied with a weak smile.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around more, Mum... it's just that..." Hermione broke off, unsure how to continue.

"I know, dear. You're studies are important. Just work hard, do well, and continue to make me proud!"

Hermione looked guiltily down to the floor. She still hadn't told her mother that she wasn't attending University, or the circumstances involved in her decision. She didn't want to burden her mother with any more worries. She was greatful that the long coat she was wearing covered her bulge, but she felt terrible about the deception.

"Did you come alone, dear? I worry about you wandering the city by yourself," her mother frowned in concern.

"No, mum. A friend escorted me. I had other business to attend to today, and he offered to accompany me."

"A friend? A... boyfriend?" her mother asked with a mischievous grin as she winked at Hermione.

"No, mum." Hermione blushed at the thought, "One of my old professors. He was a dear friend of Harry's father, sort of an uncle to Harry, and has become somewhat of a father figure to me recently," she replied quietly.

"And do you intend to introduce me to this 'old professor'?"

Hermione nodded and left the room, returning moments later with Remus trailing behind her.

"Dr. Granger. It's a pleasure to meet you," Remus smiled as he took her hand, "though, I am very sorry about the circumstances."

"Thank you, Professer. It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

"Please, call me Remus."

"Thank you, Remus. Please, call me Elizabeth. And thank you for watching out for Hermione. Make sure that she takes care of herself... she's all I have left," she continued tearfully.

"That, I will do," Remus replied with an encouraging smile as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "and now, I should be going. You look as though you could use some rest."

"I love you, Mum!" Hermione sobbed as she embraced her mother, "I must be on my way as well, but I promise to try to visit again soon."

"I love you too, dear. Study hard... make me proud..."

Hermione simply smiled in reply, as she followed Remus out of the room.

"You haven't told her, have you?" he inquired.

"Remus... how can I? Doesn't she have enough to deal with already?" Hermione sighed regretfully.

Remus didn't answer, frowning in concern as he took her arm and escorted her home.

*****

Remus stayed at Hermione's cottage for the remainder of the afternoon, sharing an early dinner with her before returning to the school.

"Hermione, I worry about you being alone. I know that your pregnancy is progressing fine, but if something were to happen..." he hesitated before he continued, "it's just that you're so far away from your clinic, and aren't in contact with anyone besides me."

He reached into his pocket, and withdrew a ring mounted with a small round crystal, which he place in the palm of her hand, holding a slightly larger crystal orb is his own hand.

"I charmed these crystals for you to use as a method of contacting me if there is an emergency."

She placed the ring on a finger of her right hand, and gasped in surprise when crystal in her ring swirled a misty yellow.

"Yellow indicates perfect health and happiness," Remus smiled.

"It reminds me of a cross between a Muggle mood ring and a remembrall!" she laughed, before she noticed that Remus' crystal also swirled with the same yellow mist.

"The changing color will range from shades of yellow to orange and then red if you need assistance, the deepest of reds indicating an emergency. I'll carry mine in my pocket at all times, and it will grow increasingly warmer depending on the color."

"I'll be there," he assured her, placing a kiss on her temple, "whenever you need me."

She embraced him fondly, before bidding him goodnight and settling down on the sofa before the fire, smiling as she watched the yellow mist swirling through the crystal on her finger.

Only a few short weeks ago she didn't think it possible, but now she was, for the first time in many months, perfectly happy.