Chapter One
She couldn't sleep, dreams flooded her mind over and over again. Of the past; of that night. It had been, just as Ron said, perfect and unforgettable. But she couldn't think of Ron now. She looked at the clock; 12:13. She wishes she could take some dreamless sleep potion, all she had was sleeping pills.
Sleeping pills did nothing to cure her exhaustion, but gave Brent more reason to worry; to become upset; to beat her. She could easily brew up that potion, but it would be impossible to explain if she was caught. Brent already was suspicious about her because every time he beat Hermione uncontrollably he would suddenly, with no reasonable explanation, fly backwards to the other end of the room hitting the wall behind him hard. He would then realize what he was doing and would nurse her back to health.
A faint cry was heard from a couple doors down. Destin must have had a nightmare. A second and louder cry entered the room.
"Hermione, would you? I'm going in early tomorrow," Brent asked sleepily, but sweetly.
"No problem," Hermione gave him a soft kiss. "I'll stay in her room tonight so you can take the whole bed." She took off the covers and sat up. Brent wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Thank-you darlin'," he wrapped his arm around her, rubbing her belly. A new cry come from a distance.
Hermione reached back and rubbed his lower back. "Don't worry about it, just get your rest."
He responded with, "I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled softly and slowly stood up. She slipped on her slippers and a terry-cloth house coat. Quickly clicking off her alarm she closed the bedroom door behind her. Opening her only daughter's door she found Destin squeezing her stuffed lion. "What's wrong sweaty? Nightmare again?" Hermione soothed calmly.
Destin simply shook her head, then started up at her mom with scared bold blue eyes. "I woke up a-and it was really d-dark." Destin swallowed quickly. "I was afraid ... and wished the l-lamp to turn on." She swallowed again, and spoke bravely, "And it did."
"Oh sweety, that's no big deal," Hermione lied. "Sometimes when we're really scared, what we wish for happens."
"Really?" she asked happily. "You mean like magic?" her daughter looked at her curiously.
"No, of course not," Hermione replied, settling herself onto the bed, back against the wall. Destin was spoiled; at only seven years old she had a queen sized bed. It sat in the corner of a large room, though it had no head board. Destin curled herself to the right of Hermione.
"When's the baby comin' mum?" Destin asked resting her head on her stomach.
"Three months. Have you thought of any names?" Hermione asked stroking Destin's hair.
Destin nodded energetically, "If it's a boy, I like Ron."
Hermione stopped stroking her hair and stared down out her. Some how she managed to say, "Why Ron?"
Destin sighed. "It's more of a feeling really. Sounds familiar, like there was a person ... An important person that I've never met. Strange really, but I figure, the baby is an important person and someone I've never met, so obviously it means the baby." All of a sudden the baby kicked. Destin jumped up. "What was that?"
Hermione was also startled, but gave a reassuring smile. 'The baby knew you were talking about it so decided to say hello."
"Really? I can't wait to see him ... or her. But at the same time it feels like I never will."
Hermione didn't know how to react; Destin has been acting very weird. Unlike any child she knew Destin was interested in stars and talked almost as if she's had fifty years of experience. It amazed her, but she realized it was late. "Hunny, it's real late. You have school tomorrow." Hermione started stroking Destin's long, flaming red hair, trying to calm her.
"Okay, night mum." Destin gave a loud yawn and fell into a deep sleep quickly. Her snoring soon filled the air, Hermione could almost feel Ron's presence...
Hermione closed her eyes. Destin had t meet him, find out the truth. Brent was going to be angry, but there was no way around it; a visit to the Burrow was necessary.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brent woke early, just as planned. He had a hot shower and dressed for a day at the office. He walked downstairs and could smell bacon and eggs. He walked into the kitchen to find his wife slaving at the stove. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, once again rubbing her stomach ... as if he wanted to strengthen the charm. "Morning Darlin'. Why are you up at six?" He bent down and kissed her neck.
"What kind of wife would I be if I let my husband go off to work on an empty stomach? Coffee's ready too," she added. "Go sit down, I'll bring it to you."
Brent did as he was told, then seemed to remember that she was up with Destin late last night. "How is Destin?"
"She was scared again. We should buy her a small night light or something. She should be so afraid of the dark, it's not natural."
"Must do something about that," Brent mumbled in agreement.
"Baby kicked last night," Hermione informed him as she set down his food for him. Before she could straiten up he grabbed her, making her fall into his lap. He grinned and kissed her deeply. She massaged his tongue with hers, before sucking it gently. They pulled away and Hermione smiled, "Breakfast is getting cold."
"Thanks Darlin'." She stood up and he started eating.
"Brent," Hermione sat in the chair opposite of him. "We need to talk about Destin."
"Just buy her a nightlight today in town," he said between bights.
Hermione shook her head and swallowed. "Not that." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I know that we agreed to never talk about her father, but she really needs to meet him." She said this all very quick, hoping he'd just nod and not pay attention.
Brent suddenly slammed his fists down on the table. "Is that why you made me breakfast?" he demanded loudly. Hermione jumped and hoped he couldn't come after her again.
"No! I just knew you had a long day's work and needed a good start! And please keep your voice down, she'll hear you!" Hermione kissed to her husband.
"I won't keep my voice down! That girl doesn't need to know her real father, you must have left him for a reason. And we made that agreement eight years ago and we've been through so much to let it go now!" he yelled at her angrily.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. But you don't understand, s-"
"Don't understand? Bloody hell I don't understand!"
Hermione pressed her hand on her forehead, shaking her head in disapproval, "Don't swear Ron."
"Excuse me?" Brent pushed away from the table. He stormed around to her and punched her hard across the cheek. "You do what you please, but you'll have no help from me. I'm going to work." he headed for the door, grabbing his jacket. He stopped, and with out turning, commented, "Get some sleep, you look like crap." He slammed the door behind him.
A single tear escaped her eyes. She quickly wiped it away and started up to wake Destin. Today would be their trip to the Burrow, she had to do when she had the nerve. She went upstairs and packed some things, just in case. She was already dressed and ready for the day so she set her luggage at the top of the stairs and went into Destin's room.
"Destin, wake up," Hermione gently shook her daughter. "Com'on we're goin' for a trip."
Destin's eyes fluttered open. "Mum, it's to early. Let me sleep," she mumbled as she rolled over.
"That's exactly what Ron used to say," Hermione let slip purposely.
Destin looked up at Hermione at last. She had the beginning of a horrible bruise on her right cheek. She ignored it because nobody ever told her the truth anyway, though she knew Brent hit her. So instead she asked, "Ron? What do you mean?"
"I'll explain everything in full detail on the way there. Get dressed quickly and go down to eat; I'll pack your things." Hermione quickly packed few of Destin's belongings and packed the car.
Destin quickly jumped out of bed and dressed in jeans and a knitted jumper. She ate her breakfast in five minutes and before she knew it they were driving quickly along England's windy roads.
"Okay, I', going to explain, so listen and -"
"Don't interrupt. Okay, I won't; promise."
"You were too young to explain this before. I hope you won't be too angry, but you must learn the truth about your father." From there Hermione continued to explain to Destin about witches, wizards, Hogwarts and finally about Ron. It took two hours and twenty minutes to explain all of this. There were no pee breaks, but they stopped at some points when Destin became somewhat angry about never knowing any of this. But this left only ten minutes to prepare both Destin and herself about what was about to unfold at the Burrow. Luckily Hermione had left on pretty good terms with the rest of the Weasley's.
"Destin, we're going to the Burrow. You will stay in the car until I'm ready."
"In the car? Mum, you can't be serious! I want to meet everyone!" Destin pleaded. She took the news exceptionally well, so well in fact, Hermione couldn't help wonder how much Destin had already known.
"Well it's a possibility only Molly and Arthur are there when we arrive. I'll go in and talk to them. Remember, none of them know about you, I have even more explaining to do."
"Okay, fine. You'll have ten minutes, but after that I'm coming in."
"Right," Hermione replied as she turned down the Weasley's driveway. "Here we are," Hermione parked the car and stared at the house. It never looked so peaceful and undisturbed. Hermione took off her seat belt and opened the door. "Ten full minutes Destin." She closed the door and walked to the front door. She knocked softly, being as it was nine in the morning.
Hermione heard a quick shuffle before the door opened. Molly Weasley, quite unchanged in age, looked at Hermione, obviously trying to place her. Hermione was very different from the last time Molly saw her. She now had medium long hair that didn't show a trace of curl. Her hair was half back with hair coming down her back just past her shoulders. She was wearing a summer dress that cut in a slightly low v-neck and with thin straps; her stomach horribly noticeable.
"Hermione?" Molly asked in disbelief.
"Hello Molly, sorry to bother you so early."
"Nonsense. It's not early, though the kids are eating so I'll just come outside to chat for a bit. That's why it's so quite around here; brunch." Molly gave a quick smile before becoming serious. "What are you doing here?"
"I came for Ron's address, I desperately need to tell him something." Hermione managed to say.
"Now dear, I'm very fond of you, but you are not likely a person he'd want to talk to."
"But it's very important!"
"What could be that important?"
Hermione grabbed Molly's arm and rushed her to the car, explaining, "There was something that I was too angry to tell Ron eight years ago."
Molly looked at her bewildered, "What?" Hermione stopped at the car and Molly noticed somebody was hurrying to exit the car.
"I was pregnant."
She couldn't sleep, dreams flooded her mind over and over again. Of the past; of that night. It had been, just as Ron said, perfect and unforgettable. But she couldn't think of Ron now. She looked at the clock; 12:13. She wishes she could take some dreamless sleep potion, all she had was sleeping pills.
Sleeping pills did nothing to cure her exhaustion, but gave Brent more reason to worry; to become upset; to beat her. She could easily brew up that potion, but it would be impossible to explain if she was caught. Brent already was suspicious about her because every time he beat Hermione uncontrollably he would suddenly, with no reasonable explanation, fly backwards to the other end of the room hitting the wall behind him hard. He would then realize what he was doing and would nurse her back to health.
A faint cry was heard from a couple doors down. Destin must have had a nightmare. A second and louder cry entered the room.
"Hermione, would you? I'm going in early tomorrow," Brent asked sleepily, but sweetly.
"No problem," Hermione gave him a soft kiss. "I'll stay in her room tonight so you can take the whole bed." She took off the covers and sat up. Brent wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Thank-you darlin'," he wrapped his arm around her, rubbing her belly. A new cry come from a distance.
Hermione reached back and rubbed his lower back. "Don't worry about it, just get your rest."
He responded with, "I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled softly and slowly stood up. She slipped on her slippers and a terry-cloth house coat. Quickly clicking off her alarm she closed the bedroom door behind her. Opening her only daughter's door she found Destin squeezing her stuffed lion. "What's wrong sweaty? Nightmare again?" Hermione soothed calmly.
Destin simply shook her head, then started up at her mom with scared bold blue eyes. "I woke up a-and it was really d-dark." Destin swallowed quickly. "I was afraid ... and wished the l-lamp to turn on." She swallowed again, and spoke bravely, "And it did."
"Oh sweety, that's no big deal," Hermione lied. "Sometimes when we're really scared, what we wish for happens."
"Really?" she asked happily. "You mean like magic?" her daughter looked at her curiously.
"No, of course not," Hermione replied, settling herself onto the bed, back against the wall. Destin was spoiled; at only seven years old she had a queen sized bed. It sat in the corner of a large room, though it had no head board. Destin curled herself to the right of Hermione.
"When's the baby comin' mum?" Destin asked resting her head on her stomach.
"Three months. Have you thought of any names?" Hermione asked stroking Destin's hair.
Destin nodded energetically, "If it's a boy, I like Ron."
Hermione stopped stroking her hair and stared down out her. Some how she managed to say, "Why Ron?"
Destin sighed. "It's more of a feeling really. Sounds familiar, like there was a person ... An important person that I've never met. Strange really, but I figure, the baby is an important person and someone I've never met, so obviously it means the baby." All of a sudden the baby kicked. Destin jumped up. "What was that?"
Hermione was also startled, but gave a reassuring smile. 'The baby knew you were talking about it so decided to say hello."
"Really? I can't wait to see him ... or her. But at the same time it feels like I never will."
Hermione didn't know how to react; Destin has been acting very weird. Unlike any child she knew Destin was interested in stars and talked almost as if she's had fifty years of experience. It amazed her, but she realized it was late. "Hunny, it's real late. You have school tomorrow." Hermione started stroking Destin's long, flaming red hair, trying to calm her.
"Okay, night mum." Destin gave a loud yawn and fell into a deep sleep quickly. Her snoring soon filled the air, Hermione could almost feel Ron's presence...
Hermione closed her eyes. Destin had t meet him, find out the truth. Brent was going to be angry, but there was no way around it; a visit to the Burrow was necessary.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brent woke early, just as planned. He had a hot shower and dressed for a day at the office. He walked downstairs and could smell bacon and eggs. He walked into the kitchen to find his wife slaving at the stove. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, once again rubbing her stomach ... as if he wanted to strengthen the charm. "Morning Darlin'. Why are you up at six?" He bent down and kissed her neck.
"What kind of wife would I be if I let my husband go off to work on an empty stomach? Coffee's ready too," she added. "Go sit down, I'll bring it to you."
Brent did as he was told, then seemed to remember that she was up with Destin late last night. "How is Destin?"
"She was scared again. We should buy her a small night light or something. She should be so afraid of the dark, it's not natural."
"Must do something about that," Brent mumbled in agreement.
"Baby kicked last night," Hermione informed him as she set down his food for him. Before she could straiten up he grabbed her, making her fall into his lap. He grinned and kissed her deeply. She massaged his tongue with hers, before sucking it gently. They pulled away and Hermione smiled, "Breakfast is getting cold."
"Thanks Darlin'." She stood up and he started eating.
"Brent," Hermione sat in the chair opposite of him. "We need to talk about Destin."
"Just buy her a nightlight today in town," he said between bights.
Hermione shook her head and swallowed. "Not that." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I know that we agreed to never talk about her father, but she really needs to meet him." She said this all very quick, hoping he'd just nod and not pay attention.
Brent suddenly slammed his fists down on the table. "Is that why you made me breakfast?" he demanded loudly. Hermione jumped and hoped he couldn't come after her again.
"No! I just knew you had a long day's work and needed a good start! And please keep your voice down, she'll hear you!" Hermione kissed to her husband.
"I won't keep my voice down! That girl doesn't need to know her real father, you must have left him for a reason. And we made that agreement eight years ago and we've been through so much to let it go now!" he yelled at her angrily.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. But you don't understand, s-"
"Don't understand? Bloody hell I don't understand!"
Hermione pressed her hand on her forehead, shaking her head in disapproval, "Don't swear Ron."
"Excuse me?" Brent pushed away from the table. He stormed around to her and punched her hard across the cheek. "You do what you please, but you'll have no help from me. I'm going to work." he headed for the door, grabbing his jacket. He stopped, and with out turning, commented, "Get some sleep, you look like crap." He slammed the door behind him.
A single tear escaped her eyes. She quickly wiped it away and started up to wake Destin. Today would be their trip to the Burrow, she had to do when she had the nerve. She went upstairs and packed some things, just in case. She was already dressed and ready for the day so she set her luggage at the top of the stairs and went into Destin's room.
"Destin, wake up," Hermione gently shook her daughter. "Com'on we're goin' for a trip."
Destin's eyes fluttered open. "Mum, it's to early. Let me sleep," she mumbled as she rolled over.
"That's exactly what Ron used to say," Hermione let slip purposely.
Destin looked up at Hermione at last. She had the beginning of a horrible bruise on her right cheek. She ignored it because nobody ever told her the truth anyway, though she knew Brent hit her. So instead she asked, "Ron? What do you mean?"
"I'll explain everything in full detail on the way there. Get dressed quickly and go down to eat; I'll pack your things." Hermione quickly packed few of Destin's belongings and packed the car.
Destin quickly jumped out of bed and dressed in jeans and a knitted jumper. She ate her breakfast in five minutes and before she knew it they were driving quickly along England's windy roads.
"Okay, I', going to explain, so listen and -"
"Don't interrupt. Okay, I won't; promise."
"You were too young to explain this before. I hope you won't be too angry, but you must learn the truth about your father." From there Hermione continued to explain to Destin about witches, wizards, Hogwarts and finally about Ron. It took two hours and twenty minutes to explain all of this. There were no pee breaks, but they stopped at some points when Destin became somewhat angry about never knowing any of this. But this left only ten minutes to prepare both Destin and herself about what was about to unfold at the Burrow. Luckily Hermione had left on pretty good terms with the rest of the Weasley's.
"Destin, we're going to the Burrow. You will stay in the car until I'm ready."
"In the car? Mum, you can't be serious! I want to meet everyone!" Destin pleaded. She took the news exceptionally well, so well in fact, Hermione couldn't help wonder how much Destin had already known.
"Well it's a possibility only Molly and Arthur are there when we arrive. I'll go in and talk to them. Remember, none of them know about you, I have even more explaining to do."
"Okay, fine. You'll have ten minutes, but after that I'm coming in."
"Right," Hermione replied as she turned down the Weasley's driveway. "Here we are," Hermione parked the car and stared at the house. It never looked so peaceful and undisturbed. Hermione took off her seat belt and opened the door. "Ten full minutes Destin." She closed the door and walked to the front door. She knocked softly, being as it was nine in the morning.
Hermione heard a quick shuffle before the door opened. Molly Weasley, quite unchanged in age, looked at Hermione, obviously trying to place her. Hermione was very different from the last time Molly saw her. She now had medium long hair that didn't show a trace of curl. Her hair was half back with hair coming down her back just past her shoulders. She was wearing a summer dress that cut in a slightly low v-neck and with thin straps; her stomach horribly noticeable.
"Hermione?" Molly asked in disbelief.
"Hello Molly, sorry to bother you so early."
"Nonsense. It's not early, though the kids are eating so I'll just come outside to chat for a bit. That's why it's so quite around here; brunch." Molly gave a quick smile before becoming serious. "What are you doing here?"
"I came for Ron's address, I desperately need to tell him something." Hermione managed to say.
"Now dear, I'm very fond of you, but you are not likely a person he'd want to talk to."
"But it's very important!"
"What could be that important?"
Hermione grabbed Molly's arm and rushed her to the car, explaining, "There was something that I was too angry to tell Ron eight years ago."
Molly looked at her bewildered, "What?" Hermione stopped at the car and Molly noticed somebody was hurrying to exit the car.
"I was pregnant."
