Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, brilliantly created by J.K.
Rowling. Most situations are based on those created by J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: Well, it's a question, really. A lot of you have asked me if Harry and Ginny are going to have another child. Now, in my original vision of the story, Ron and Hermione have four and Harry and Ginny have two (I can't explain it, it's just the way the story came to me). However, if it's in demand, I might be willing to make Harry and Ginny have another. So, let me know in reviews if that's what you want. I can't make any promises, but I'll think about it!
Chapter Five: The Arrival of Charlotte Elizabeth Weasley
The trip to Paris gave the two families many happy memories, and even by the following December it was still a topic of conversation that they returned to whenever they gathered together. However, once they were back, they quickly fell into the routines of everyday life again.
"See you next week, Mr. Habersham," Hermione said to the man that was walking out of her office. Ginny was in the lobby, talking to the receptionist, and she turned when she saw Hermione was free.
"No one for another half hour," she said.
"Thank goodness," said Hermione, and she stepped out into the lobby and sat down in one of the plush armchairs. She sighed.
"You okay?" Ginny asked, taking a seat next to her.
"Fine," said Hermione, with a yawn. "Just exhausted."
"More so than usual?" Ginny asked. She knew Hermione did not often complain about being tired. Hermione nodded.
"We've been busy," Hermione said. "The kids have been busy. Jack's more active than ever now, so we're always chasing him around the house, unless we can get Emma to do it for us."
"You want to take the rest of the day off?" Ginny asked.
"Of course not," said Hermione. "I may be tired, but I'm not incapacitated. I can certainly see the rest of my patients. Besides, we're going to dinner at your mum and dad's tonight, and the kids'll be occupied by their grandparents for most of the evening. Are you and Harry coming, by the way?"
"Not tonight," said Ginny. "Harry's coming home early, so we're going to try to actually sit down together and have a whole meal."
"Busy term?" Hermione asked.
"Isn't it always?" Ginny asked. She and Hermione smiled knowingly at each other, and the buzzer rang. The receptionist let in the next patient, and Hermione and Ginny returned to their respective offices.
Once behind the door of her office, Hermione smiled to herself. She felt a little guilty, keeping her secret from Ginny. However, she wanted to wait until she had spoken to someone about it. She needed advice from someone who could relate to her experience. Luckily, she would be seeing that person later in the day.
* * *
As Hermione had predicted, the children were immediately swept up by their grandparents once she and Ron arrived at the Burrow. "It's so quiet around here," Mrs. Weasley said. "You know we love it when you visit."
"And you know we love coming, mum," said Ron. "We're just busy."
"Nonsense!" said Mrs. Weasley. "I know you have things to do. I'd just like to see you more often, that's all." She hugged Ron, and then Hermione. "I miss having my children around. Now, go make yourselves comfortable. Arthur will keep the kids occupied in the living room."
Ron headed to the next room, then noticed Hermione was not behind him. "You coming?"
"Go ahead," said Hermione. "I'm going to stay and help your mum." Ron smiled and nodded, and headed out of the room.
Mrs. Weasley turned to Hermione. "Don't be ridiculous, dear," she said. "Relax. I never get to pamper anyone anymore."
"I thought I'd keep you company," said Hermione.
"Well, that's very nice of you dear," said Mrs. Weasley, and she handed Hermione a bowl. "We don't need to be on our feet for this project." The two women sat down at the kitchen table, and began rounding balls of dough to make biscuits. As they were working, Arthur lumbered through the living room, shortly followed by Emma, Olivia and Jack, who were in hysterics.
Hermione smiled as her children ran through the room, and then she turned to Mrs. Weasley. "How did you do it?" she asked.
"Do what, dear?"
"Have seven kids?"
"Oh," said Mrs. Weasley, "it was nothing." At the look on Hermione's face, she added. "Well, it's just that I learned very quickly that it was one thing to have one child, and then it was quite another to have more than one child. I mean, three was nearly the same as two, and five was nearly the same as three." Hermione laughed at the reference to the twins.
"I'm just impressed, I suppose," said Hermione. "That you managed to do everything, it seems."
"You're one to talk," said Mrs. Weasley. "Arthur and I are always saying how proud we are of you, working and taking care of the children." Hermione blushed, and thanked her for the compliment. "Mind you, you only have three."
"Well, actually," Hermione began, to which Mrs. Weasley looked up, interested. Hermione smiled at her. "Actually, I'm fairly certain I'm pregnant again."
Mrs. Weasley positively beamed, as she always did when the subject was another grandchild. "Have you told Ron yet?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Hermione shook her head. "You're the first to know," she said. "Besides me."
"I'm so honored," said Mrs. Weasley. "You know, I think you're the first of all my daughters-in-law to tell me about her pregnancy before anyone else." Hermione smiled, but Mrs. Weasley noticed something off in her eyes. "Is something wrong dear?"
"I'm a little scared, to tell you the truth," said Hermione.
"Whatever for?"
"I'm going to have FOUR children," said Hermione. "FOUR."
"It's not so different from having three," said Mrs. Weasley. "Believe me, you're talking to the right person. I was terrified each time I got pregnant, the most so with Ginny, since she and Ron were so close together. But I managed. And look what I got out of it. I have seven wonderful children, who in turn married seven wonderful people, and have given me wonderful grandchildren." Hermione smiled. Mrs. Weasley continued. "You and Ron are made to be parents. I see the way the two of you are with your children, and how much you adore them. How can you be scared of another one, when clearly there's so much room in your hearts?"
Hermione's smile was brighter now. "You really think I can handle four?" she asked.
"I think you can handle anything, dear," said Mrs. Weasley, and she smiled at her - and she wasn't afraid to admit this to anyone - favorite daughter- in-law.
"Thanks, Molly," said Hermione.
"You know," Mrs. Weasley said, "I always knew that you and Ron were meant for each other. Beneath your constant arguing, I always saw that spark. I was always afraid it would ignite too soon, but it seems as though my son kept himself clueless to it long enough, so you two were able to build your friendship. I believe that's why your love - and your marriage - are so strong."
Hermione smiled again, and stood. "I need to talk to Ron," she said. "Do you mind?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Of course not," she said. "And send the boy in here as soon as you tell him. I want to congratulate him."
"I will," said Hermione, and she hugged Mrs. Weasley. "Thank you. For your advice."
"My pleasure," said Mrs. Weasley, and she continued to work with the dough as Hermione went into the next room to find Ron.
* * *
Pulling on his coat, he asked her, "What are we doing out here?" She had taken him to the only place one could find real privacy at the Burrow - the backyard.
Hermione was beaming, excited now to tell him the news. He saw her face, and smiled back at her, though he didn't know why. All he knew was that her smile had always had that effect on him. "What's going on?" he asked.
"I have good news," she said. "Great news."
"What is it?" Ron asked eagerly.
"It seems as though you're going to be a father again," Hermione said, and she waited for his reaction. She expected it to be like the other times she had told him she was expecting their child, but she was surprised.
"Really?" he asked. He seemed to not believe her.
Her smile faltered a little. "Yes," she said, trying to sound enthusiastic. When Ron didn't jump up and hug her she started to get more than a little concerned. "Ron? Ron, what's the matter?" He still didn't answer. "Ron?" Hermione tried again. Her smile was completely gone, as was her feeling of elation. "You're not happy about this, are you?"
"What?" Ron asked, suddenly coming out of his reverie. "No, Hermione, of course I'm happy."
"Then why are you acting like I've told you someone's died?" Hermione asked.
Ron looked at her and took her hands. "Hermione, I will never think that our having a child is a bad idea. But, FOUR kids? Can we handle FOUR kids?"
Hermione let out a sigh of relief and laughed, knowing that he was just concerned as she had been a mere ten minutes earlier. "Is that all?" she asked. "You're worried about us not being able to handle this?" Ron nodded, and she noticed a slight blush creep to his cheeks. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Listen to this, Ron," she said, and she repeated what Mrs. Weasley had told her in the kitchen. When she was finished, Ron was smiling again.
"Really?" he asked. "My mum said that?" Hermione nodded. "I always knew she was a smart woman." He took Hermione by surprise and pulled her close to him.
"You amaze me, Hermione," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because you're you," he said. "And because you love me, and because you're about to have our child. Again. I love you, so much."
"I love you too, Ron," she said, and he kissed her. When they pulled apart, he said, "Now, are we telling the kids tonight?"
"Maybe," said Hermione. "But your mum has instructed me to send you in so she can congratulate you."
"Okay, then," said Ron. "It's getting cold out here anyway." Hermione smiled. Ron took her hand, and they headed back into the kitchen, where Mrs. Weasley greeted them both with hugs.
* * *
Ginny had a few things to say to Hermione when she found out that her mother had known about Hermione's pregnancy before she did. "I see you EVERYDAY!" Ginny exclaimed. They were back at work, enjoying their lunch break. Hermione had kept her secret all morning.
"I know," said Hermione, "but I needed to ask your mum some advice first."
"Freaked out?" Ginny asked, knowingly.
"I was," said Hermione, "but now I'm okay. Your mum gave me some really good advice."
"No wonder you're mum's favorite daughter-in-law. You're giving her the most grandchildren. So are you and Ron trying to break the Weasley record?" Ginny asked.
"Not a chance!" said Hermione with a laugh. "I think we've hit our limit." She turned the tables. "What about you and Harry?"
"I don't know," said Ginny. "I'm pretty happy with the two we have. Besides, coming from such a big family, I started to feel lost in the shuffle after a while, even if I was the only girl. I don't want James and Lily to feel like that."
"Gin, three's a lot different than seven," Hermione said to her.
Ginny shrugged. "I was happy with just James," she said. "Not that I wasn't thrilled when I found out I was pregnant with Lily."
"We didn't plan this one either," said Hermione. "But now that she's coming-"
"SHE?" Ginny asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, SHE," said Hermione, feeling very certain that this new baby would be another girl. "Now that she's coming, it seems to fit. I don't know. It seems as though all the puzzle pieces are in place."
"Are the kids excited?" Ginny asked.
"Emma and Olivia are," said Hermione. "I don't think Jack really understands. But then again, Emma didn't really understand when she was his age, and I told her she was going to be a big sister for the first time."
"Well, I'm sure Jack will figure out all too soon that he's not going to be the baby anymore," said Ginny, and she laughed and headed back to her work, for another patient had just come in the door.
* * *
The months passed. Emma turned eight years old, Olivia turned five and Jack turned three. The three Weasley siblings all anticipated the birth of their new baby brother or sister. The girls were in the same vote as their mother, however, and insisted that the new baby was going to be a girl. "I'm surrounded by girls!" Ron said, though it was only in mock complaint.
Ron and Hermione spent the last month of her pregnancy converting her home office into a baby's room. "Remind me again. Why didn't we make Emma and Olivia share?" Ron asked as he moved a changing table for the fourth time.
"I don't want them to share," said Hermione. "They get along well in separate rooms; I want to keep it that way. Besides, even with all the brothers and sister you had, you never had to share a bedroom with any of them. Why shouldn't are kids have the same? We'll just put my office in the attic."
"I suppose I'm going to have to move all that stuff up there too," Ron said.
"You know, you can just levitate it up there," said Hermione, "but you seem intent on showing me how strong you are by moving furniture without magic."
"Well," Ron said with a laugh. "How else can I impress you?" Hermione laughed with him, and punched him in the arm, after which he pulled out his wand and began moving the furniture around magically.
"You'll thank me later, when your back doesn't hurt," said Hermione.
"Always thinking of me," Ron said, and he kissed her before making a desk move out of the room and down the hall, on its way up the stairs to the attic. Hermione smiled and turned her attention to the baby's crib, which she was preparing with sheets.
That night at dinner, as the family celebrated Olivia's fifth birthday, Emma peppered her mother with questions. "Mum, when will we get to see the new baby?" she asked.
"Very soon," said Hermione. "Just another three weeks or so."
"I can't wait!" said Olivia. "Now I get to be the bigger girl!"
"Wait a minute," Ron interjected. "What make the three of you so sure that this new baby is a girl?"
"We just know," said Emma, and she fixed him a look that was so much like her mother's that he didn't say another word - for a few moments, that is.
"Well, what do you think we should call this new little girl?" Ron asked. He and Hermione had spent night after night discussing names, never coming up with something they could agree on. It seemed the logical next step to hand the task over to the children and see what they could come up with.
"Charlie," Jack said, obviously thinking of his uncle. Charlie and his wife Dawn had been visiting recently, and Charlie tales of dragons had made quite an impression on the three-year-old.
"Charlie is a BOY'S name," Emma said to her brother, with a hint of disgust in her voice. "We can't give a girl a BOY'S NAME."
"I think it has a nice ring to it," said Ron. "What do you think, Liv?"
Olivia shook her head. "I don't want the baby to have a boy's name."
"I like Charlie," Jack said again.
"Well, it seems we've reached a deadlocked vote. Looks like you're the tie breaker Hermione," Ron said, and he caught her eye and smiled at her. She had been watching the scene in front of her play out with an amused smile on her face. "What do you think of the name Charlie?"
"I think that it's fine name," Hermione said, and she saw Emma and Olivia immediately open their mouths to protest. She put up a hand to stop them. "However, I think that in the case of a baby girl, the name Charlotte might be even better."
"Charlotte," Ron repeated. "Charlotte Weasley." He smiled at Hermione again, and they both knew that they had finally settled up on a name for the newest member of their family. "I like the sound of that."
"Me too," said Hermione. Their eyes were still locked together, even though the children were now talking amongst themselves.
"I guess Charlotte is okay," said Olivia.
"I think it's pretty," said Emma. The girls turned to look at Jack. "What do you think?"
"Charlie," was all he said again.
"I think we've got it settled then," said Hermione, turning her attention back to the children. "The new baby will be called Charlotte. And to appease Jack, he can call her Charlie if he wants too. It's a nice nickname, even if it might be a little confusing when the whole family gathers at the Burrow."
That night, Hermione lay awake for quite a while. "Can't sleep?" Ron asked her when she turned over for the twelfth time.
"Just thinking about thins," Hermione said. "Nothing major, really."
"Everything'll be fine," said Ron. "We've managed with the three we've got. We'll manage with four. Just like mum said."
"I know," Hermione said with a yawn. "It's just different, thinking about it. It's going to be very different once the baby comes home."
"I know it will," said Ron. "But we've got each other."
"Yeah," said Hermione, with a sigh.
"Won't be long now, huh?" Ron asked.
"Nope," said Hermione. "Not long at all."
* * *
On August 6th, Charlotte Elizabeth Weasley arrived, a week ahead of schedule. As they looked down at the newest member of their family, Hermione whispered to Ron, "I told you it was a girl!"
Author's Note: Well, it's a question, really. A lot of you have asked me if Harry and Ginny are going to have another child. Now, in my original vision of the story, Ron and Hermione have four and Harry and Ginny have two (I can't explain it, it's just the way the story came to me). However, if it's in demand, I might be willing to make Harry and Ginny have another. So, let me know in reviews if that's what you want. I can't make any promises, but I'll think about it!
Chapter Five: The Arrival of Charlotte Elizabeth Weasley
The trip to Paris gave the two families many happy memories, and even by the following December it was still a topic of conversation that they returned to whenever they gathered together. However, once they were back, they quickly fell into the routines of everyday life again.
"See you next week, Mr. Habersham," Hermione said to the man that was walking out of her office. Ginny was in the lobby, talking to the receptionist, and she turned when she saw Hermione was free.
"No one for another half hour," she said.
"Thank goodness," said Hermione, and she stepped out into the lobby and sat down in one of the plush armchairs. She sighed.
"You okay?" Ginny asked, taking a seat next to her.
"Fine," said Hermione, with a yawn. "Just exhausted."
"More so than usual?" Ginny asked. She knew Hermione did not often complain about being tired. Hermione nodded.
"We've been busy," Hermione said. "The kids have been busy. Jack's more active than ever now, so we're always chasing him around the house, unless we can get Emma to do it for us."
"You want to take the rest of the day off?" Ginny asked.
"Of course not," said Hermione. "I may be tired, but I'm not incapacitated. I can certainly see the rest of my patients. Besides, we're going to dinner at your mum and dad's tonight, and the kids'll be occupied by their grandparents for most of the evening. Are you and Harry coming, by the way?"
"Not tonight," said Ginny. "Harry's coming home early, so we're going to try to actually sit down together and have a whole meal."
"Busy term?" Hermione asked.
"Isn't it always?" Ginny asked. She and Hermione smiled knowingly at each other, and the buzzer rang. The receptionist let in the next patient, and Hermione and Ginny returned to their respective offices.
Once behind the door of her office, Hermione smiled to herself. She felt a little guilty, keeping her secret from Ginny. However, she wanted to wait until she had spoken to someone about it. She needed advice from someone who could relate to her experience. Luckily, she would be seeing that person later in the day.
* * *
As Hermione had predicted, the children were immediately swept up by their grandparents once she and Ron arrived at the Burrow. "It's so quiet around here," Mrs. Weasley said. "You know we love it when you visit."
"And you know we love coming, mum," said Ron. "We're just busy."
"Nonsense!" said Mrs. Weasley. "I know you have things to do. I'd just like to see you more often, that's all." She hugged Ron, and then Hermione. "I miss having my children around. Now, go make yourselves comfortable. Arthur will keep the kids occupied in the living room."
Ron headed to the next room, then noticed Hermione was not behind him. "You coming?"
"Go ahead," said Hermione. "I'm going to stay and help your mum." Ron smiled and nodded, and headed out of the room.
Mrs. Weasley turned to Hermione. "Don't be ridiculous, dear," she said. "Relax. I never get to pamper anyone anymore."
"I thought I'd keep you company," said Hermione.
"Well, that's very nice of you dear," said Mrs. Weasley, and she handed Hermione a bowl. "We don't need to be on our feet for this project." The two women sat down at the kitchen table, and began rounding balls of dough to make biscuits. As they were working, Arthur lumbered through the living room, shortly followed by Emma, Olivia and Jack, who were in hysterics.
Hermione smiled as her children ran through the room, and then she turned to Mrs. Weasley. "How did you do it?" she asked.
"Do what, dear?"
"Have seven kids?"
"Oh," said Mrs. Weasley, "it was nothing." At the look on Hermione's face, she added. "Well, it's just that I learned very quickly that it was one thing to have one child, and then it was quite another to have more than one child. I mean, three was nearly the same as two, and five was nearly the same as three." Hermione laughed at the reference to the twins.
"I'm just impressed, I suppose," said Hermione. "That you managed to do everything, it seems."
"You're one to talk," said Mrs. Weasley. "Arthur and I are always saying how proud we are of you, working and taking care of the children." Hermione blushed, and thanked her for the compliment. "Mind you, you only have three."
"Well, actually," Hermione began, to which Mrs. Weasley looked up, interested. Hermione smiled at her. "Actually, I'm fairly certain I'm pregnant again."
Mrs. Weasley positively beamed, as she always did when the subject was another grandchild. "Have you told Ron yet?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Hermione shook her head. "You're the first to know," she said. "Besides me."
"I'm so honored," said Mrs. Weasley. "You know, I think you're the first of all my daughters-in-law to tell me about her pregnancy before anyone else." Hermione smiled, but Mrs. Weasley noticed something off in her eyes. "Is something wrong dear?"
"I'm a little scared, to tell you the truth," said Hermione.
"Whatever for?"
"I'm going to have FOUR children," said Hermione. "FOUR."
"It's not so different from having three," said Mrs. Weasley. "Believe me, you're talking to the right person. I was terrified each time I got pregnant, the most so with Ginny, since she and Ron were so close together. But I managed. And look what I got out of it. I have seven wonderful children, who in turn married seven wonderful people, and have given me wonderful grandchildren." Hermione smiled. Mrs. Weasley continued. "You and Ron are made to be parents. I see the way the two of you are with your children, and how much you adore them. How can you be scared of another one, when clearly there's so much room in your hearts?"
Hermione's smile was brighter now. "You really think I can handle four?" she asked.
"I think you can handle anything, dear," said Mrs. Weasley, and she smiled at her - and she wasn't afraid to admit this to anyone - favorite daughter- in-law.
"Thanks, Molly," said Hermione.
"You know," Mrs. Weasley said, "I always knew that you and Ron were meant for each other. Beneath your constant arguing, I always saw that spark. I was always afraid it would ignite too soon, but it seems as though my son kept himself clueless to it long enough, so you two were able to build your friendship. I believe that's why your love - and your marriage - are so strong."
Hermione smiled again, and stood. "I need to talk to Ron," she said. "Do you mind?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Of course not," she said. "And send the boy in here as soon as you tell him. I want to congratulate him."
"I will," said Hermione, and she hugged Mrs. Weasley. "Thank you. For your advice."
"My pleasure," said Mrs. Weasley, and she continued to work with the dough as Hermione went into the next room to find Ron.
* * *
Pulling on his coat, he asked her, "What are we doing out here?" She had taken him to the only place one could find real privacy at the Burrow - the backyard.
Hermione was beaming, excited now to tell him the news. He saw her face, and smiled back at her, though he didn't know why. All he knew was that her smile had always had that effect on him. "What's going on?" he asked.
"I have good news," she said. "Great news."
"What is it?" Ron asked eagerly.
"It seems as though you're going to be a father again," Hermione said, and she waited for his reaction. She expected it to be like the other times she had told him she was expecting their child, but she was surprised.
"Really?" he asked. He seemed to not believe her.
Her smile faltered a little. "Yes," she said, trying to sound enthusiastic. When Ron didn't jump up and hug her she started to get more than a little concerned. "Ron? Ron, what's the matter?" He still didn't answer. "Ron?" Hermione tried again. Her smile was completely gone, as was her feeling of elation. "You're not happy about this, are you?"
"What?" Ron asked, suddenly coming out of his reverie. "No, Hermione, of course I'm happy."
"Then why are you acting like I've told you someone's died?" Hermione asked.
Ron looked at her and took her hands. "Hermione, I will never think that our having a child is a bad idea. But, FOUR kids? Can we handle FOUR kids?"
Hermione let out a sigh of relief and laughed, knowing that he was just concerned as she had been a mere ten minutes earlier. "Is that all?" she asked. "You're worried about us not being able to handle this?" Ron nodded, and she noticed a slight blush creep to his cheeks. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Listen to this, Ron," she said, and she repeated what Mrs. Weasley had told her in the kitchen. When she was finished, Ron was smiling again.
"Really?" he asked. "My mum said that?" Hermione nodded. "I always knew she was a smart woman." He took Hermione by surprise and pulled her close to him.
"You amaze me, Hermione," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because you're you," he said. "And because you love me, and because you're about to have our child. Again. I love you, so much."
"I love you too, Ron," she said, and he kissed her. When they pulled apart, he said, "Now, are we telling the kids tonight?"
"Maybe," said Hermione. "But your mum has instructed me to send you in so she can congratulate you."
"Okay, then," said Ron. "It's getting cold out here anyway." Hermione smiled. Ron took her hand, and they headed back into the kitchen, where Mrs. Weasley greeted them both with hugs.
* * *
Ginny had a few things to say to Hermione when she found out that her mother had known about Hermione's pregnancy before she did. "I see you EVERYDAY!" Ginny exclaimed. They were back at work, enjoying their lunch break. Hermione had kept her secret all morning.
"I know," said Hermione, "but I needed to ask your mum some advice first."
"Freaked out?" Ginny asked, knowingly.
"I was," said Hermione, "but now I'm okay. Your mum gave me some really good advice."
"No wonder you're mum's favorite daughter-in-law. You're giving her the most grandchildren. So are you and Ron trying to break the Weasley record?" Ginny asked.
"Not a chance!" said Hermione with a laugh. "I think we've hit our limit." She turned the tables. "What about you and Harry?"
"I don't know," said Ginny. "I'm pretty happy with the two we have. Besides, coming from such a big family, I started to feel lost in the shuffle after a while, even if I was the only girl. I don't want James and Lily to feel like that."
"Gin, three's a lot different than seven," Hermione said to her.
Ginny shrugged. "I was happy with just James," she said. "Not that I wasn't thrilled when I found out I was pregnant with Lily."
"We didn't plan this one either," said Hermione. "But now that she's coming-"
"SHE?" Ginny asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, SHE," said Hermione, feeling very certain that this new baby would be another girl. "Now that she's coming, it seems to fit. I don't know. It seems as though all the puzzle pieces are in place."
"Are the kids excited?" Ginny asked.
"Emma and Olivia are," said Hermione. "I don't think Jack really understands. But then again, Emma didn't really understand when she was his age, and I told her she was going to be a big sister for the first time."
"Well, I'm sure Jack will figure out all too soon that he's not going to be the baby anymore," said Ginny, and she laughed and headed back to her work, for another patient had just come in the door.
* * *
The months passed. Emma turned eight years old, Olivia turned five and Jack turned three. The three Weasley siblings all anticipated the birth of their new baby brother or sister. The girls were in the same vote as their mother, however, and insisted that the new baby was going to be a girl. "I'm surrounded by girls!" Ron said, though it was only in mock complaint.
Ron and Hermione spent the last month of her pregnancy converting her home office into a baby's room. "Remind me again. Why didn't we make Emma and Olivia share?" Ron asked as he moved a changing table for the fourth time.
"I don't want them to share," said Hermione. "They get along well in separate rooms; I want to keep it that way. Besides, even with all the brothers and sister you had, you never had to share a bedroom with any of them. Why shouldn't are kids have the same? We'll just put my office in the attic."
"I suppose I'm going to have to move all that stuff up there too," Ron said.
"You know, you can just levitate it up there," said Hermione, "but you seem intent on showing me how strong you are by moving furniture without magic."
"Well," Ron said with a laugh. "How else can I impress you?" Hermione laughed with him, and punched him in the arm, after which he pulled out his wand and began moving the furniture around magically.
"You'll thank me later, when your back doesn't hurt," said Hermione.
"Always thinking of me," Ron said, and he kissed her before making a desk move out of the room and down the hall, on its way up the stairs to the attic. Hermione smiled and turned her attention to the baby's crib, which she was preparing with sheets.
That night at dinner, as the family celebrated Olivia's fifth birthday, Emma peppered her mother with questions. "Mum, when will we get to see the new baby?" she asked.
"Very soon," said Hermione. "Just another three weeks or so."
"I can't wait!" said Olivia. "Now I get to be the bigger girl!"
"Wait a minute," Ron interjected. "What make the three of you so sure that this new baby is a girl?"
"We just know," said Emma, and she fixed him a look that was so much like her mother's that he didn't say another word - for a few moments, that is.
"Well, what do you think we should call this new little girl?" Ron asked. He and Hermione had spent night after night discussing names, never coming up with something they could agree on. It seemed the logical next step to hand the task over to the children and see what they could come up with.
"Charlie," Jack said, obviously thinking of his uncle. Charlie and his wife Dawn had been visiting recently, and Charlie tales of dragons had made quite an impression on the three-year-old.
"Charlie is a BOY'S name," Emma said to her brother, with a hint of disgust in her voice. "We can't give a girl a BOY'S NAME."
"I think it has a nice ring to it," said Ron. "What do you think, Liv?"
Olivia shook her head. "I don't want the baby to have a boy's name."
"I like Charlie," Jack said again.
"Well, it seems we've reached a deadlocked vote. Looks like you're the tie breaker Hermione," Ron said, and he caught her eye and smiled at her. She had been watching the scene in front of her play out with an amused smile on her face. "What do you think of the name Charlie?"
"I think that it's fine name," Hermione said, and she saw Emma and Olivia immediately open their mouths to protest. She put up a hand to stop them. "However, I think that in the case of a baby girl, the name Charlotte might be even better."
"Charlotte," Ron repeated. "Charlotte Weasley." He smiled at Hermione again, and they both knew that they had finally settled up on a name for the newest member of their family. "I like the sound of that."
"Me too," said Hermione. Their eyes were still locked together, even though the children were now talking amongst themselves.
"I guess Charlotte is okay," said Olivia.
"I think it's pretty," said Emma. The girls turned to look at Jack. "What do you think?"
"Charlie," was all he said again.
"I think we've got it settled then," said Hermione, turning her attention back to the children. "The new baby will be called Charlotte. And to appease Jack, he can call her Charlie if he wants too. It's a nice nickname, even if it might be a little confusing when the whole family gathers at the Burrow."
That night, Hermione lay awake for quite a while. "Can't sleep?" Ron asked her when she turned over for the twelfth time.
"Just thinking about thins," Hermione said. "Nothing major, really."
"Everything'll be fine," said Ron. "We've managed with the three we've got. We'll manage with four. Just like mum said."
"I know," Hermione said with a yawn. "It's just different, thinking about it. It's going to be very different once the baby comes home."
"I know it will," said Ron. "But we've got each other."
"Yeah," said Hermione, with a sigh.
"Won't be long now, huh?" Ron asked.
"Nope," said Hermione. "Not long at all."
* * *
On August 6th, Charlotte Elizabeth Weasley arrived, a week ahead of schedule. As they looked down at the newest member of their family, Hermione whispered to Ron, "I told you it was a girl!"