Chapter 20 - Two Years Later

Harry Potter entered the apartment he and his wife Hermione Granger-Potter had been sharing for the last year thoroughly exhausted from the days work.

"Hermione," Harry called out. "Where are you?" He made his way through their apartment in search of her, shedding clothes along the way. First went the shoes, followed by his tie and jacket.

He stopped suddenly thinking he had heard a noise from their bedroom. "Hermione?" He entered their room to see the beautiful full form of his pregnant bride sitting on their bed and just stared at her. He hadn't thought it was possible for Hermione to look more beautiful to him then that first day when he had kissed her, but every day of her pregnancy she just became so much more. Perhaps it was because she was carrying his child and giving him the one thing he had been denied and the only thing he had wanted since his own parents were torn from him eighteen years ago.

He approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her breathing in her smell. "Mmm, I've been waiting for this moment all day," he said kissing her neck.

"Harry," she said unsteadily and he could hear that she'd been crying.

"You haven't been crying again," he asked, half amused. Hermione had been more than a little prone to bouts of crying since her first month. "What was it this time," he teased. "That flower commercial or that book I told you to stop reading."

She turned to face him and he could instantly see that whatever was bothering her was more than a commercial or a book.

"What happened," he said seriously. "Are you ok? Is it the baby?" He asked placing his hand lightly on her abdomen.

She shook her head and handed him the piece of parchment she had been holding.

He took it looking questioningly into her eyes. After he had read the letter he looked up at her. "When did this get here," he asked.

"About an hour ago," she replied taking a deep breath. "Oh Harry," she sobbed and buried her face in his chest crying.

He held her tight against him and stroked her hair. "Shh, it's ok." As he held her, Harry glanced around the room. Their usual tidy living space was strewn with clothes. Immediately he got an uneasy feeling. "What were you doing before I came home," he asked slowly.

She pulled away from him, wiping her tears with the back of his hand. "Packing," she said matter-of-factly. "I booked us a flight for Heathrow tonight at nine."

Harry got off the bed and began pacing. "Why would you do that without asking me?"

Hermione looked at him in confusion. "I thought we should leave as soon as possible."

"You can't possibly be considering going back," said Harry incredulously.

"Of course I am," said Hermione, shocked. "Didn't you just read Ginny's letter. The Weasley's need us. They just lost their son. You can't possibly be suggesting that we stay here."

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting."

"Harry, you're being ridiculous."

"Honey, you can't travel to England this close to your due date."

Hermione glared at him. "Don't you dare. Don't use my pregnancy as an excuse. I called the doctor and she said that I can travel for a couple more weeks."

"So you can make it there, but you probably won't be able to come back," he said.

Hermione looked away. "Would that be so bad?"

Harry turned away angrily. "I can't believe you just asked me that."

"Harry," said Hermione approaching him slowly. "I know you're scared about going home, but you knew we had to eventually. We can't run for the rest of our lives."

"No. I didn't know that," he said angrily. "I told you two years ago I was never going back. Did you honestly think I would change my mind?"

"Yes," she said quietly.

"Well, I'm sorry. But I haven't changed my mind and I won't."

"I'm sorry too."

They stared at each other, neither sure of what to say. Finally Harry spoke up. "You can't take my son to England."

Hermione's eyes clouded over with anger. "He's my son too. And in case you've forgotten, I'm the one carrying him and I am going home."

"No, you're not," said Harry forcefully. "You're not taking my son into the middle of a war zone."

"What's the matter with you? How can you just stand there when our friends and family are suffering? How can you not want to help after everything everyone's done for you? The Weasley's made you a part of their family when you had no one. You owe them."

Harry shook his head and left the room.

Hermione stared at him until he left and then went back to packing.

About a half hour later, Hermione was standing in the middle of their living room, her suitcase in hand. Harry stared at her from the couch.

"So you're really going through with this," he said quietly.

"I've packed your suitcase. You can still come."

"Hermione, please don't go back. Don't put yourself and our baby in danger."

"I'm sorry," she said sadly approaching him and kissing him gently on the cheek. She picked up her suitcase and left, closing the door quietly behind her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione struggled with her bag as she exited the plane at Heathrow. The plane was definitely not made for her physique and she had spent most of the flight cramped into a too small seat and now she was trying to make her way down a too small aisle. When she finally got into the open air of the airport terminal she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Not for the first time, she wished that she could just apparate to the Burrow, but apparation was impossible now that she was pregnant. It was just too dangerous for the baby.

Thanks to the time difference, it was only about three in the morning. She hoped that would make it easier to get a cab.

She walked slowly to the pick up area and was relieved to see three sitting there. She got into the closest one and gave the directions. Once the driver was underway she sat back and closed her eyes. She had cried on and off through the whole flight.

Her pregnancy had been the most joyous time of their lives and it had brought them closer than she had thought possible. Leaving the way she had felt wrong and knowing that there was a possibility that they weren't going to be together for the birth terrified her. Even so, she knew that she couldn't stay away. She could feel Ginny's distress through the letter and she knew that Ron would need her as well.

Hermione lost track of the time and before she knew it the cab was pulling up the lane that led to the Burrow. Hermione leaned forward. "Here," she said handing the cabbie a few quid.

"Thanks miss. Can I help you inside with your bag?"

"No, I'll be fine. Thank you." Hermione got out of the cab clumsily and made her way to the front door. She knocked lightly and waited. After a few minutes, Hermione heard the sounds of footsteps approaching the door. She waited nervously.

"Who is it," came an impatient voice and the door swung open.

Hermione smiled softly at the face of the best friend she hadn't seen in almost two years. He looked so different from what she remembered. Instead of a tall, lanky boy, before her stood a mature, muscular man.

"Hermione," he breathed, throwing open the door and wrapping his arms around her. She felt his tears on her neck and embraced him tightly. He stepped away from her holding her by the shoulders and examining her. "I can't believe you're here." His eyes darted around her. "Where's Harry?"

She looked down uncomfortably. "He couldn't come."

Ron's face set. "Couldn't or wouldn't?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'm sorry," she muttered.

Ron waved his hand impatiently. "Forget it. I'm just so glad you came," he said putting an arm around her and grabbing her suitcase. "Come on in. Ginny will be so happy to see you. And mom," he said trailing off. He ushered Hermione into the house and put her suitcase down.

"How did you get here?" He whispered.

"Plane in at Heathrow."

"Why didn't you call me? I would have come to get you."

Hermione smiled. "How? With your car? Or were you just going to fly me here on your broomstick?"

Ron smirked. "The broom wouldn't have got ten feet off the ground."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

Ron laughed. "Let me go get Ginny," he said walking toward the stair.

"No," said Hermione quickly. "Don't wake her."

"She's not asleep," said Ron quietly. "She hasn't slept since it happened."

He and Hermione shared a solemn look, before he walked slowly up the stairs. Meanwhile, Hermione shrugged off her coat and walked around the Weasley's living room.

Her eyes landed on the family clock and she smiled when she saw that there were two additional hands on the face. She was pleased to see that her own hand was pointing to home and with sadness she noticed that Harry's hand was pointed to away. Her hand traced the clock and fell on each Weasley's individual hand. Ginny, Ron, Fred, George, Bill, and Mr. And Mrs. Weasley's were all pointed home. Charlie's hand was pointed toward traveling. Hermione's eyes filled with tears when she noticed that Percy's hand was missing.

Suddenly from behind, Hermione heard a squeaky cry and turned just in time to see Ginny rushing to her. Ginny collapsed into Hermione's arms crying and holding onto her tightly. "I knew you'd come," she said over and over again.

Hermione looked pleadingly at Ron, who moved forward and helped both the girls to the couch. Hermione stroked Ginny's hair and whispered soothingly to her. "Shh, it's ok. Don't cry."

After Ginny had had her cry out she pulled away and Hermione was surprised by how tired she looked. "Oh my God! How long has it been since you've slept?" Hermione asked Ginny, her voice full of concern.

Ginny shrugged dispiritedly. "I just can't seem to get my eyes closed."

"Mom's a mess," interjected Ron. "Ginny's been trying to make arrangements. And I just got here this evening, so I haven't been much help."

"No, you've been great, Ron," insisted Ginny.

Ron shook his head. "It's just so unreal to me," he said, his voice catching.

"Well, I'm here now. I'll help in any way I can."

"Where's Harry," asked Ginny, just realizing that he was missing. Hermione looked away and Ron shook his head. Ginny didn't push the issue and rested her head on Hermione's shoulder.

They were silent for several minutes before Ron blurted out. "God Hermione, you're huge."

"Ron," Ginny hissed, but Hermione couldn't keep the bubble of laughter from popping out. Immediately she clapped her hand over her mouth. The laughter seemed so out of place.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She could feel Ginny shaking next to her and she looked down. Ginny had her hand over her mouth, but Hermione could see the mirth in her eyes. She glanced up at Ron who was trying to control his own laughter. "You're impossible," she hissed at him.

He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. "So, when are you due?"

"End of August."

"Given any more thought to naming that kid after me?"

Hermione smiled. "I've missed you, Ron."

"Yeah, me too."

They all sat chatting quietly until one by one they each succumbed to sleep.

Just after sunset, Hermione was not too gently prodded awake by the firm repetitive kicking of her baby. She groaned and placed her hand on her abdomen massaging the area the baby was pummeling.

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked up sleepily to see Arthur Weasley sitting in a chair next to her.

"Mr. Weasley," she said smiling.

"Hello sweetheart," he said gently, smiling down on her. "How long have you been home?"

"Since a little before four."

"I've put an extra bed in Ginny's room. You should go up and try to get a little sleep."

"No, I'm ok." Hermione looked next to her. "Where's Ginny?"

"Ron just took her upstairs. I'm hoping she'll sleep for a few more hours."

Hermione nodded.

"My goodness you look beautiful," said Mr. Weasley affectionately. "I hope that husband of yours tells you that often. I always thought Molly was at her loveliest when she was carrying one of the children."

She smiled. "He does."

"Molly will be so glad you're here." Mr. Weasley hesitated. "Do you think you could... That is, would you mind going up and sitting with her?"

"Of course I will," she said trying to lift herself off the couch. Mr. Weasley extended his hand and helped her to her feet. Before he released her hand, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'm so happy you've come. It means the world to all of us."

Hermione smiled sadly and proceeded up the stairs. She knocked gently on the door of the Weasley's bedroom, but there was no response. She didn't want to knock any harder in case Mrs. Weasley was sleeping so she slowly opened the door.

Mrs. Weasley was laying down with her back to Hermione. Her shoulders were shaking slightly and Hermione could tell that she was crying. Slowly, Hermione crept around the bed until she was in Mrs. Weasley's sightline.

"Hermione, dear," exclaimed Mrs. Weasley through her tears. She pulled herself up and opened her arms. Immediately Hermione fell into them. "Oh dear, I'm so happy you've come."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else."

Mrs. Weasley pulled away and surveyed Hermione. "Look at you," she said softly. "Having a baby."

Hermione smiled as Mrs. Weasley patted her belly. She had a far off look in her eyes and then suddenly dissolved into tears. Hermione's heart broke for her. She couldn't imagine what the woman must have been going through.

"My boy," she sobbed. "My boy. They killed my boy."

Hermione held Mrs. Weasley and let her have her cry. After a few minutes, Hermione asked quietly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Mrs. Weasley wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I can't," she choked out.

"That's ok," said Hermione quickly. Mrs. Weasley lay back down tucking her hands under her head. Hermione sat close to her, just trying to be a comforting presence.

After a few minutes, Mr. Weasley pushed the door open. He was carrying a tray with some toast and juice on it. "Molly, you need to eat something."

"No," moaned Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes," said Mr. Weasley firmly, setting the tray on her bedside table.

"I have to make breakfast for the children," she said pulling herself up. "Charlie will be here soon. He'll be hungry," she said stifling a sob.

"The children will be fine, Molly," insisted Mr. Weasley. "But you won't unless you eat something."

"I'll cook breakfast," volunteered Hermione.

"No," said Mrs. Weasley.

"That would be great," said Mr. Weasley simultaneously.

Immediately Hermione got up and left the room before Mrs. Weasley could stop her.

Once downstairs, she began gathering the things she needed for breakfast. Harry had often teased her that if she spent as much time in the kitchen as she did in the library, she would be a master chef. The stray thought of Harry made her smile, but she quickly pushed the thought away. There would be plenty of time to think of Harry later. Right now, she had a family to help, her family.

One by one the boys came down as they smelled the breakfast. Ron was the first and Hermione immediately put him to work setting the table. He was followed by both Fred and George, who greeted Hermione warmly, but without the usual joviality that seemed to always accompany them. After a while, Hermione sent Ron up to check on Ginny and see if Bill was hungry. He returned with Bill, telling her that Ginny was still sleeping.

The five of them all sat, eating but not talking. Hermione couldn't seem to keep her seat. She kept jumping up to refill glasses with juice and plates with eggs. When they had all finished, Hermione gathered a few dishes and took them to the sink.

As she was watching, Ginny appeared in the kitchen. They could all see that she'd been crying and Bill immediately got up and put his arm around his little sister. Hermione looked around the room and realized that Ginny's tears had ignited everyone else's. George got up from the table and pounded the wall angrily. Fred immediately got up to comfort his brother who seemed inconsolable.

Hermione looked to Ron, but his head was buried in his hands and she could see tears slipping through his fingers. She went over to him and he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on top of her belly.

They remained lost in their grief, holding each other for comfort for a long time, Hermione couldn't see that there would have been an end to their sorrow had the doorbell not rung.

"Charlie's here," she said quietly, stroking Ron's hair gently. "Let me go let him in." He pulled away from her and wiped his face with the back of his sleeve. Hermione made her way quietly to the front door and opened it slowly.