Chapter Two
"Come on Gin, we can't leave your mom alone with the kids all morning." Harry tried to get out o bed, but Ginny pulled him back.
"Oh Harry, she enjoys it; she had seven of her own didn't she? Anyway, she's already watching Percy's kids, what's a few more?" Ginny replied sweetly, though trying to wrestle Harry. He worried too much, they should enjoy this time alone.
"A few more brings the total from four to eight!" Harry pointed out truthfully. 'How did Ginny get this strong?' he thought as he finally gave up. He eyed his wife seriously.
"Well are you going to refuse an offer to increase that number?" Ginny asked, eyebrow raised in curiosity. The look on his face was adorable, she smiled widely and laughed a little to herself.
"When you put it that way . . ."
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"Pregnant! You forgot to tell him your pregnant? How does that work?" Molly demanded forcefully. The situation had been tough, even unbearable for Hermione, but that was no reason to not tell Ron that he was going to be a father.
"I obviously was upset, angry and," she paused. "Well pregnant. Ron didn't really make it easy." Hermione didn't say another word on the subject because Destin had finally managed to open the car door and come out. "Molly, this is your granddaughter, Destin," Hermione introduced as calmly as possible. Mrs. Weasley looked at Destin with an unbelieving look or a mere second.
The look vanished as she smiled warmly, "Destin, what a lovely name! It suites you perfectly dear," she welcomed. She reached down and gave Destin a big hug. Molly hid her surprise, her anger and everything she was feeling surprisingly well.
"Thank-you, I've always like it," Destin responded nervously as Molly pulled away.
Molly gave another large laugh, "How long did it take for you to get here?"
"About two and half hours, we live just outside of-" Hermione tried.
"Two and a half hours? Now Destin you must go inside and eat up. I just need to talk to your mum. You can ask Jordan to help, he's always willing to give a hand," Molly offered, then gave Destin a small shove of encouragement.
"Thank-you!" Destin smiled happily and ran inside before Hermione could refuse.
Hermione stared after her daughter. Desperate for a change of subject she queried, "Who's Jordan?"
"Ginny's oldest, he loves to help just like Harry. He's only a year younger than Destin." Suddenly Molly realized that this was not the topic of conversation. "Hermione, why did you bring her here now? You've had millions of chances before."
Hermione looked hard at the house as she answered, "Because she needed to know before the baby was born. Otherwise everything would be too hectic and I wouldn't have had enough time to explain before she received the owl for Hogwarts. And she's been doing magic more and more lately. She thought she was crazy or something; I felt the same way at that age. Destin always knew that Brent wasn't her father, but didn't say anything about it. I couldn't even explain this to Brent, he knew less then she did."
"You husband," Molly supplied a little roughly.
Still ignoring Molly's forceful stare, she did a small nod. Finally her eyes went back to the aging women. She looked tired and fed up of the situation.
"Quite a shocker you gave us," Molly smiled. Hermione laughed and nodded once again, her voice seemed to have failed her. Molly continued, "You seem to have a lot to work out. You need to talk to Brent, about both Destin and his abusive habits," Hermione looked away, "To Destin, about what happened eight years ago -"
"I already have, in the car," Hermione interrupted.
"Good, one less thing to do," Molly replied, ignoring that she was interrupted. "And finally your going have to sit and talk to Ron face to face. He deserves that much, and I'm expecting him soon enough. Now come in and -"
"No, not now; not today! Destin's here! You know Ron's anger and seeing me won't make him happy! What'll he do? How will he react?"
All of a sudden a bunch of yells came from the house. "Uncle Ron, Uncle Ron!"
"I'm expecting to soon find out. Come on dear, lets head over," Molly replied calmly. They both hurriedly headed towards the house. They reached about ten feet away when Hermione stopped dead at the sound of his voice.
"Why am I counting nine little red heads when there are only supposed to be eight?" Hermione looked around at Mrs. Weasley, who also stopped.
Hermione's heart stopped when she heard Destin's small excited voice, "Oh, my name's Destin. My mom is just outside talking to ..." she paused. "Talking to Molly."
Hermione closed her eyes, not daring to move. She tried to brace herself as she heard Ron's voice coming towards them, "Really? Well I must say Destin, which by the way is a beautiful name, I mistaken you for one o us Weasley's!" Ron came through the door, but it took him only a split second to recognize Hermione. "Hermione ... What the hell are you doing here?" his voice became louder with each word in anger. Seven small children followed him outside.
"Don't swear." Ron gave her a fierce look. She continued to simply keep him quiet, this was the first time Destin met Ron and it was going to be as pleasant as she could make it. "I don't want my daughter to hear such language. She hasn't for seven years and that's not going to change now."
Ron opened his mouth to retort, but then it seemed to hit him. He forced a smile on his face and turned to Destin. "Destin, how old are you?" he asked in a amazingly convincing sweet voice, though Hermione caught the nervousness and surprise present in his voice.
"Just turned seven in March," she announced proudly.
"Seven? Wow, you're pretty old!" Ron joked with her, though he obviously was doing the math in his head.
"Old?" Destin screwed up her face offended. 'You must be three times my age and I'm old?" she replied as she tilted her head in question.
Molly turned to Hermione with an amused look on her face. 'Are you sure she hasn't met Ron?" Hermione laughed at Molly's statement.
Hermione's laughter stopped as soon as she heard Destin, "Your Ron?"
Ron stared at her, with a puzzled look present on his face. Before he could answer Hermione stepped forward. "Destin, go back to car."
Destin turned angrily towards her mother. "But mum, I'm still hungry. And Jordan was going to show me-"
"Destin, don't argue with me. I need to talk to Ron alone, go sit in the car." Hermione directed to her daughter.
"Hermione, I'll take her and the rest inside to finish eating while you talk to Ron. Come on kids, lets go." Molly had amazing power over the children, as they all went willingly back into the house.
Ron stayed eerily calm, just stood and looked at her. Finally he spoke in an even tone, "You should sit down, must have been a long drive. Come on, there's a table around the corner."
How could he be so nice to her even at a time like this? She nodded and followed Ron around to the side o the house where she saw a patio. He pulled out a chair from a round table for her. "Thank-you," Hermione said quietly.
"No problem 'Moine," Ron replied. He decided to swallow his feelings of hate and anger and just talk to her as if she was a friendly stranger, though he knew he wouldn't be able to through the whole talk. Not when he was lied to for eight years, couldn't take responsibility for his child and especially not when Hermione was pregnant with someone's else's child. And that someone else had obviously abused her many times before. He took a seat opposite of her. "How far along are you?" he asked curiously.
Hermione realized how hard he was trying and knew she owed him the entire truth no matter what. "Six months, baby's due around late September."
Ron smiled as sincerely as possible. This was useless, it wasn't going to get them anywhere. "Is the baby healthy?"
"Brent is worried that I don't eat enough and that I don't get enough sleep," Hermione answered, trying to keep the eye contact between her and Ron.
"He advises more food and sleep, which is understandable, but continues to beat his pregnant wife? Well it surprises me that he would, considering how easy his beatings could make you loose your baby." The game was over, the truth was going to come out, whether willingly or not was up to Hermione.
Hermione closed her eyes; wincing, before she again made eye contact with Ron. She kept telling her self to be strong, to be honest. "He knows." At this she couldn't stand it, she looked away.
"What? Why are you still with him if he causes you such pain?" Ron banged the table and Hermione jumped back. Ron saw her eyes close in fear, as if she assumed that such anger led to a fist.
Slowly finding her voice she answered, "He hasn't hit me once I was pregnant again." Ron stared at her in disbelief. "Well this morning was different, he was upset what I was bringing Destin to meet you. He didn't hit me hard, it's just that he doesn't know anything about our past. He was threatened by me wanting Destin to meet you." She defended herself as best she could, but he wasn't making it any easier. "Damn it, I didn't come here to defend myself about my decisions Ron!" she roared at him. She placed her elbows on the table and rested her head in her hands.
"That's fine, but it doesn't change the purplish blue colour of your cheek. You should have put ice on it," he persisted. Hermione was about to tell him to shove it, but suddenly found a bag of ice in front of her.
She picked it up and held it to her cheek. "Thanks," she mumbled. Ron was angry, but was concerned for her all the same.
Ron decided to question her quickly and searched for only short answers. "What's her full name?"
Thankful for the interview-like conversation she followed Ron's lead. "Destin Alana Weasley on her birth certificate. She thinks it's Granger though."
Ron paused after the answer. "Birthday?"
"March twenty-second, officially at eleven thirteen P.M.."
Ron paused after each answer before asking another. "What are her favorites?"
"Her favorite colour is orange; movie is 'The Little Princess'; book is 'The Secret Garden', she must have read that ten times." Hermione laughed.
"Book worm, just like her mother." Ron smiled too. "What about sports?"
"Hasn't found one she's liked."
"What is she scared of?"
"The dark, spiders and heights." He continued to question her and she gave answers willingly for about ten minutes. Finally he seemed to be satisfied.
"Just one question left," he paused. Ron continued carefully, "Why did you leave without telling me? I know I was a prat and all, but why did you give up for the first time in your life?"
Hermione kept eye contact with Ron. Why did she leave and just give up? "It felt like there was no hope left." She stopped and swallowed, "I couldn't trust you anymore."
"I guess I could understand that. But 'Moine, he's hurt you more than just physically. You're not the same as before, it shows in your face. You could have done way better than him." They didn't say anything for a long while. "Why are you here?"
"You need to talk to her, to explain our world to her. Everything's very new for her here. Please, just talk to her before we go," Hermione pleaded.
"Before you go?"
"I have to be home to make Brent din-"
"No, you need sleep and food. Your staying for the night. You'll sleep for the day, then eat and catch up at dinner. Harry and Ginny are here and Percy will be here to pick up the kids before dinner. Destin will have her cousins to play with while you sleep. We have a dreamless sleeping draught for you if needed."
"I don't know Ron ..."
"'Moine, I'll talk to Destin either way, but one short visit won't do anything. You're not strong enough to drive home, answer Destin's questions and make Brent dinner. You can call Brent when you wake up. Then you'll stay the night here, you'll be tired after catching up with Gin and Harry and the dinner with nine kids," Ron smiled. "If not, you can have another glass of the dreamless sleeping draught. You have no choice in the matter, lets go inside."
Ron helped her up and into the house. Without a word from anyone he took her upstairs to his room. He gave her a glass of the potion and watched as she slowly fell into a deep sleep on his bed.
A/N: Okay, I think this is the final decision. Didn't explain much, but more than I had intended to. I think the complete mystery will remain until the last chapter. Oh, and though it doesn't seem like it right now, this fic is rated 'R' for a reason (future chapters) Our website is almost up, I just have some additions to it. When it's up I'll tell you, because it has a special spot for this fic with some clues on what's written .
"Come on Gin, we can't leave your mom alone with the kids all morning." Harry tried to get out o bed, but Ginny pulled him back.
"Oh Harry, she enjoys it; she had seven of her own didn't she? Anyway, she's already watching Percy's kids, what's a few more?" Ginny replied sweetly, though trying to wrestle Harry. He worried too much, they should enjoy this time alone.
"A few more brings the total from four to eight!" Harry pointed out truthfully. 'How did Ginny get this strong?' he thought as he finally gave up. He eyed his wife seriously.
"Well are you going to refuse an offer to increase that number?" Ginny asked, eyebrow raised in curiosity. The look on his face was adorable, she smiled widely and laughed a little to herself.
"When you put it that way . . ."
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"Pregnant! You forgot to tell him your pregnant? How does that work?" Molly demanded forcefully. The situation had been tough, even unbearable for Hermione, but that was no reason to not tell Ron that he was going to be a father.
"I obviously was upset, angry and," she paused. "Well pregnant. Ron didn't really make it easy." Hermione didn't say another word on the subject because Destin had finally managed to open the car door and come out. "Molly, this is your granddaughter, Destin," Hermione introduced as calmly as possible. Mrs. Weasley looked at Destin with an unbelieving look or a mere second.
The look vanished as she smiled warmly, "Destin, what a lovely name! It suites you perfectly dear," she welcomed. She reached down and gave Destin a big hug. Molly hid her surprise, her anger and everything she was feeling surprisingly well.
"Thank-you, I've always like it," Destin responded nervously as Molly pulled away.
Molly gave another large laugh, "How long did it take for you to get here?"
"About two and half hours, we live just outside of-" Hermione tried.
"Two and a half hours? Now Destin you must go inside and eat up. I just need to talk to your mum. You can ask Jordan to help, he's always willing to give a hand," Molly offered, then gave Destin a small shove of encouragement.
"Thank-you!" Destin smiled happily and ran inside before Hermione could refuse.
Hermione stared after her daughter. Desperate for a change of subject she queried, "Who's Jordan?"
"Ginny's oldest, he loves to help just like Harry. He's only a year younger than Destin." Suddenly Molly realized that this was not the topic of conversation. "Hermione, why did you bring her here now? You've had millions of chances before."
Hermione looked hard at the house as she answered, "Because she needed to know before the baby was born. Otherwise everything would be too hectic and I wouldn't have had enough time to explain before she received the owl for Hogwarts. And she's been doing magic more and more lately. She thought she was crazy or something; I felt the same way at that age. Destin always knew that Brent wasn't her father, but didn't say anything about it. I couldn't even explain this to Brent, he knew less then she did."
"You husband," Molly supplied a little roughly.
Still ignoring Molly's forceful stare, she did a small nod. Finally her eyes went back to the aging women. She looked tired and fed up of the situation.
"Quite a shocker you gave us," Molly smiled. Hermione laughed and nodded once again, her voice seemed to have failed her. Molly continued, "You seem to have a lot to work out. You need to talk to Brent, about both Destin and his abusive habits," Hermione looked away, "To Destin, about what happened eight years ago -"
"I already have, in the car," Hermione interrupted.
"Good, one less thing to do," Molly replied, ignoring that she was interrupted. "And finally your going have to sit and talk to Ron face to face. He deserves that much, and I'm expecting him soon enough. Now come in and -"
"No, not now; not today! Destin's here! You know Ron's anger and seeing me won't make him happy! What'll he do? How will he react?"
All of a sudden a bunch of yells came from the house. "Uncle Ron, Uncle Ron!"
"I'm expecting to soon find out. Come on dear, lets head over," Molly replied calmly. They both hurriedly headed towards the house. They reached about ten feet away when Hermione stopped dead at the sound of his voice.
"Why am I counting nine little red heads when there are only supposed to be eight?" Hermione looked around at Mrs. Weasley, who also stopped.
Hermione's heart stopped when she heard Destin's small excited voice, "Oh, my name's Destin. My mom is just outside talking to ..." she paused. "Talking to Molly."
Hermione closed her eyes, not daring to move. She tried to brace herself as she heard Ron's voice coming towards them, "Really? Well I must say Destin, which by the way is a beautiful name, I mistaken you for one o us Weasley's!" Ron came through the door, but it took him only a split second to recognize Hermione. "Hermione ... What the hell are you doing here?" his voice became louder with each word in anger. Seven small children followed him outside.
"Don't swear." Ron gave her a fierce look. She continued to simply keep him quiet, this was the first time Destin met Ron and it was going to be as pleasant as she could make it. "I don't want my daughter to hear such language. She hasn't for seven years and that's not going to change now."
Ron opened his mouth to retort, but then it seemed to hit him. He forced a smile on his face and turned to Destin. "Destin, how old are you?" he asked in a amazingly convincing sweet voice, though Hermione caught the nervousness and surprise present in his voice.
"Just turned seven in March," she announced proudly.
"Seven? Wow, you're pretty old!" Ron joked with her, though he obviously was doing the math in his head.
"Old?" Destin screwed up her face offended. 'You must be three times my age and I'm old?" she replied as she tilted her head in question.
Molly turned to Hermione with an amused look on her face. 'Are you sure she hasn't met Ron?" Hermione laughed at Molly's statement.
Hermione's laughter stopped as soon as she heard Destin, "Your Ron?"
Ron stared at her, with a puzzled look present on his face. Before he could answer Hermione stepped forward. "Destin, go back to car."
Destin turned angrily towards her mother. "But mum, I'm still hungry. And Jordan was going to show me-"
"Destin, don't argue with me. I need to talk to Ron alone, go sit in the car." Hermione directed to her daughter.
"Hermione, I'll take her and the rest inside to finish eating while you talk to Ron. Come on kids, lets go." Molly had amazing power over the children, as they all went willingly back into the house.
Ron stayed eerily calm, just stood and looked at her. Finally he spoke in an even tone, "You should sit down, must have been a long drive. Come on, there's a table around the corner."
How could he be so nice to her even at a time like this? She nodded and followed Ron around to the side o the house where she saw a patio. He pulled out a chair from a round table for her. "Thank-you," Hermione said quietly.
"No problem 'Moine," Ron replied. He decided to swallow his feelings of hate and anger and just talk to her as if she was a friendly stranger, though he knew he wouldn't be able to through the whole talk. Not when he was lied to for eight years, couldn't take responsibility for his child and especially not when Hermione was pregnant with someone's else's child. And that someone else had obviously abused her many times before. He took a seat opposite of her. "How far along are you?" he asked curiously.
Hermione realized how hard he was trying and knew she owed him the entire truth no matter what. "Six months, baby's due around late September."
Ron smiled as sincerely as possible. This was useless, it wasn't going to get them anywhere. "Is the baby healthy?"
"Brent is worried that I don't eat enough and that I don't get enough sleep," Hermione answered, trying to keep the eye contact between her and Ron.
"He advises more food and sleep, which is understandable, but continues to beat his pregnant wife? Well it surprises me that he would, considering how easy his beatings could make you loose your baby." The game was over, the truth was going to come out, whether willingly or not was up to Hermione.
Hermione closed her eyes; wincing, before she again made eye contact with Ron. She kept telling her self to be strong, to be honest. "He knows." At this she couldn't stand it, she looked away.
"What? Why are you still with him if he causes you such pain?" Ron banged the table and Hermione jumped back. Ron saw her eyes close in fear, as if she assumed that such anger led to a fist.
Slowly finding her voice she answered, "He hasn't hit me once I was pregnant again." Ron stared at her in disbelief. "Well this morning was different, he was upset what I was bringing Destin to meet you. He didn't hit me hard, it's just that he doesn't know anything about our past. He was threatened by me wanting Destin to meet you." She defended herself as best she could, but he wasn't making it any easier. "Damn it, I didn't come here to defend myself about my decisions Ron!" she roared at him. She placed her elbows on the table and rested her head in her hands.
"That's fine, but it doesn't change the purplish blue colour of your cheek. You should have put ice on it," he persisted. Hermione was about to tell him to shove it, but suddenly found a bag of ice in front of her.
She picked it up and held it to her cheek. "Thanks," she mumbled. Ron was angry, but was concerned for her all the same.
Ron decided to question her quickly and searched for only short answers. "What's her full name?"
Thankful for the interview-like conversation she followed Ron's lead. "Destin Alana Weasley on her birth certificate. She thinks it's Granger though."
Ron paused after the answer. "Birthday?"
"March twenty-second, officially at eleven thirteen P.M.."
Ron paused after each answer before asking another. "What are her favorites?"
"Her favorite colour is orange; movie is 'The Little Princess'; book is 'The Secret Garden', she must have read that ten times." Hermione laughed.
"Book worm, just like her mother." Ron smiled too. "What about sports?"
"Hasn't found one she's liked."
"What is she scared of?"
"The dark, spiders and heights." He continued to question her and she gave answers willingly for about ten minutes. Finally he seemed to be satisfied.
"Just one question left," he paused. Ron continued carefully, "Why did you leave without telling me? I know I was a prat and all, but why did you give up for the first time in your life?"
Hermione kept eye contact with Ron. Why did she leave and just give up? "It felt like there was no hope left." She stopped and swallowed, "I couldn't trust you anymore."
"I guess I could understand that. But 'Moine, he's hurt you more than just physically. You're not the same as before, it shows in your face. You could have done way better than him." They didn't say anything for a long while. "Why are you here?"
"You need to talk to her, to explain our world to her. Everything's very new for her here. Please, just talk to her before we go," Hermione pleaded.
"Before you go?"
"I have to be home to make Brent din-"
"No, you need sleep and food. Your staying for the night. You'll sleep for the day, then eat and catch up at dinner. Harry and Ginny are here and Percy will be here to pick up the kids before dinner. Destin will have her cousins to play with while you sleep. We have a dreamless sleeping draught for you if needed."
"I don't know Ron ..."
"'Moine, I'll talk to Destin either way, but one short visit won't do anything. You're not strong enough to drive home, answer Destin's questions and make Brent dinner. You can call Brent when you wake up. Then you'll stay the night here, you'll be tired after catching up with Gin and Harry and the dinner with nine kids," Ron smiled. "If not, you can have another glass of the dreamless sleeping draught. You have no choice in the matter, lets go inside."
Ron helped her up and into the house. Without a word from anyone he took her upstairs to his room. He gave her a glass of the potion and watched as she slowly fell into a deep sleep on his bed.
A/N: Okay, I think this is the final decision. Didn't explain much, but more than I had intended to. I think the complete mystery will remain until the last chapter. Oh, and though it doesn't seem like it right now, this fic is rated 'R' for a reason (future chapters) Our website is almost up, I just have some additions to it. When it's up I'll tell you, because it has a special spot for this fic with some clues on what's written .
