Disclaimer: I don't own any of the plot, characters or content in the Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does. I am not affiliated with her in any way.
Flash Forward: 6 months later
"Miss Granger? Are you awake?"
I opened my eyes groggily, the blurry word slowly coming into focus. After a moment, I clearly made out the form of a medi-witch next to my bed. I licked my lips before attempting to speak; "Yes?" my voice was hoarse and cracked.
"I brought your baby girl, would you like to hold her?" she held out a pink bundle.
I gladly accepted my little girl. Her sleeping face peeked out at me from the folds of the blanket and I smiled to myself, thinking how innocent she looked.
"You know, it's a real miracle both of you survived. I've never seen such a difficult birth before in all my years at St Mungo's...and that's saying something" she explained thoughtfully. "She's a fighter though, the same as you. I'll leave the two of you alone." She walked away and out of the room.
I looked down at the beautiful face of my sleeping daughter. Her features were perfect, not too small and not too big. A light dusting of red hair was sprinkled on her forehead, a trademark from her father.
"Herms?"
I looked up to see Ginny at the doorway. My heart almost stopped when she stepped into the room and Harry entered.
"Ginny! He wasn't supposed to know!"
Ginny sighed and came over, perching on the end of the hospital bed. "Hermione, he's my husband! Did you really think that I would be able to hide this from him?" It seemed she was waiting for a response, something I didn't grant her with. When she realized I wasn't going to speak, she continued, "Besides, I made him promise not to tell Ron, because, if he did," she cast a meaningful glare at Harry, "he would be sleeping on the couch for the rest of his days."
I laughed at Ginny's threat. It wasn't as if she would actually follow through with it. "Alright then...as long as he doesn't find out."
"Stop worrying about it! Now, let me see that baby!" Ginny reached forward to take the baby from my arms.
I really didn't want to let her go, but I held her out for Ginny. Ginny carefully took her in her arms, making cooing noises as the baby's eyes slid open, peering around curiously.
Harry walked over to look at her. "Wow Herms...she's beautiful. What are you going to name her?"
I watched them all thoughtfully for a moment before replying. "Annabelle. Annabelle Ginny Granger."
Ginny looked up, shocked. "You're naming your little girl after me?"
"Well, partly."
Harry shifted slightly. "Um...Hermione? Annabelle's a Weasley...not a Granger."
I played with the sheets, blinking back tears and avoiding their eyes. "I know that...but I just don't want to admit it" I whispered.
Ginny reached forward and took my hand comfortingly. "It's alright Herms. Her last name doesn't matter. She's precious, and that's all you need to think about."
I smiled in gratitude before holding my arms out for my daughter. Ginny placed her gently in my arms. I cuddled her close to me, kissing her forehead lightly. "My baby. My little Anna." I looked up, meeting the gazes of Harry and Ginny again. I'd like to make you her godparents. You both mean a lot to me and I want you to be a big part in her life."
Harry put his arm around Ginny, squeezing her shoulder lightly. "That's a really big honor Hermione. Wait! If I'm her godfather, that means I can spoil her rotten..."
Ginny playfully smacked him on the arm. "You may be able to spoil her but under no circumstances will you be putting her on a broomstick at too young an age!"
"But Gin...there's these new little kid brooms out now..."
"Don't you 'Gin' me! No broom until at least four!"
I laughed at the couple bickering. I was so happy yet an odd emptiness gnawed away at that feeling. I wanted him to be with me. I wanted him to feel what I felt. I wanted him to see our beautiful daughter.
What will it feel like when you're in that hospital room with no one there with you? What will it feel like to welcome the precious bundle of joy...but not have anyone to share it with you? The words that Ginny had spoken months earlier came back to haunt me. I now knew what it felt like. It was a horror, a nightmare that I never wished to live. There was a hollow part in my being, as if someone had eaten my insides out. This precious child was mine, but it was also someone else's. And that someone would never know.
----
Flash Forward – 5 yearsI groaned as the annoying beep of my alarm clock stirred me from my deep slumber. I blinked open my eyes to sunlight beaming through the tiny window, trying to shower me with its messed up happiness. I glared at it before throwing my legs over the bed and pushing myself up.
I padded across the hall to the bathroom, turning on the tap and waiting for it warm. I pushed the heel of my hand into my eye, trying to force it to stay open. Leaning over, I pulled up the sleek metal, letting the water spray down from the shower nozzle.
Ridding myself of my pyjamas, I stepped into the shower, sighing as the warm water cascaded over me. The heat seemed to seep into my exhausted bones as I soaped up and shampooed my hair. I rinsed off and stepped out, grabbing a towel to dry off.
I wrapped it tightly around me and left the bathroom, returning to my room. I grabbed some clothes and lazily put them on, walking over to the mirror to fasten my hair into a hap-hazard ponytail.
"Cheer up deary! A bright beginning will make for a bright end!" The mirror burst out in a singsong voice.
"Oh shut up, will you?" I muttered, walking away from it and to the kitchen. I yawned tiredly as I reached up into a cupboard, pulling down a box of cereal. It was six o' clock in the morning. Even though I didn't need to go into the ministry today, I still woke up early. It had become a habit of mine, to have an early start to the day.
I sat down at the table and began to spoon the grain into my mouth. Like clockwork, the little minute owl I had purchased from the magical menagerie almost a year ago flew in through the open window and landed on the table. He hooted proudly and offered his leg, which had my subscription of the Daily Prophet tied to it. I smiled and gave him an affectionate pat before withdrawing the paper.
As I was unfolding it and reading the headline, Famous Auror Settles Down, another owl swooped in and promptly landed next to my cereal bowl. I frowned and set the paper down, reaching out towards the owl. He didn't look familiar, but that wasn't any surprise. Ginny always sent letters with different owls, as did Harry.
I untied the piece of parchment from its leg. He ruffled his feathers and flew off, in the same direction that my own owl had just disappeared. I unrolled the parchment and immediately recognized the neat handwriting that could only belong to Ginny.
Herms,
I know you've been busy lately, what with your work and caring for Annabelle, but don't you think you deserve a break? Mum is just dying for you to come up for a visit, considering she hasn't seen you since you left The Burrow after you...well, after that night. Harry and I miss you dearly, it seems we haven't seen you in forever.
I know that you have worries about Anna, but don't worry. I've already fixed it up with Wanda Pike and she would be glad to care for Anna during your visit. You remember her right? She works in the Improper Use of Magic at the Ministry; we met her at a luncheon last year. Anyways, she was delighted and will be expecting Anna at 10:00.
There's something I need to talk to you about but it would be best if it were in person.
Ginny P.
I looked around my kitchen, as if hoping that it would give me a clue as to what the big 'secret' was. Frowning, I turned my attention back to the letter. I had no idea what she was going on about, but I had to find out. The problem with that was I had to visit The Burrow. And the problem with The Burrow was the risk of seeing him.
I hadn't heard much about him since I left all those years ago. I forbid Ginny to speak about him when she came to visit. The absolute last thing I needed was for Anna to start asking questions about my old friend, who was unfortunately her father. I was positive that he was still with Evelyn, but if they got married, I never knew. It was probably for the best anyways. I didn't want all of those feelings that I had worked so hard to bury come rushing back.
I sighed, knowing that a visit to The Burrow was inevitable. If I didn't go, Mrs. Weasley was bound to show up at my flat. And that just wouldn't do if Anna were with me. It would raise questions, the kind of questions I really didn't want to answer.
"Mum?"
I turned to see my daughter standing in the kitchen doorway in her nightdress. Her bright blue eyes, ones so much like her dad's, peered up from beneath her curtain of vivid red hair.
"Good morning Anna," I replied calmly.
"What're you doing?" she asked innocently, looking curiously at the paper I still clutched in my hand.
I looked back at it, contemplating the contents. Forcing a smile, I returned my gaze to Anna. "I had to go on a little trip, so you're going to have to stay with Wanda. Do you remember her?"
Whereas most children would be depressed, Anna was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of staying with another person. She bounced up and down with excitement. "I remember her! She's that witch that gave me a chocolate frog." I genuinely smiled at my daughter's innocence. "When can I go?"
"As soon as your dressed and packed. Do you need any help?"
Anna shook her head, "Mum! I can do that by myself!" She bounded over, gave me a kiss on the cheek and raced to her room.
Once she was out of site, my smile vanished. I pulled a piece of paper towards me and wrote a scribbled note to the ministry, keeping it on the table. When my owl got back he would deliver it to its respectful recipient.
I got up slowly, and somewhat hesitantly, walking towards my bedroom. Unlike Anna, I wasn't excited about going on a 'trip'. I picked up my wand and began summoning things from around the room into a suitcase. I wasn't really paying attention to my actions and accidently smashed the mirror's face with my shoe.
"Well that's a nice way to pay me back for my advice!" it burst out in an irritable voice.
I stalked over and snatched up the shoe, brandishing it at the mirror. "Your advice is crap," I spat out before throwing my shoe into the suitcase.
"Well, you don't have to have a cow about it then!"
I whirled around. "I am not having a cow! I am just completely and utterly pissed off."
"Mum?" Anna stood in the doorway, her little bag on her back and her face holding an utterly confused expression.
I snapped my suitcase shut and picked it up. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes..."
I grasped Anna's hand in my own and led her towards the fireplace. She kept looking at me as though I was about to breathe fire any moment. I must admit, I wouldn't have put it past me. Instead, I used my wand to magic a fire into the heart, took a pinch of floo powder and threw it in.
There was a deafening roar as the orange flames faded to green. I stepped into it, dragging Anna with me. I felt the tingling sensation on my skin as the green flames danced around us.
"PIKE FLAT"
----
I stumbled from the fireplace out into the living room of Wanda's flat. It was immaculate, except for the slight trace of ash around the hearth. I pushed my hair back behind my ears as Wanda entered.She was not the type one would think of as a child lover. Her and I were complete opposites, yet she was one of the kindest people I knew. Her curly auburn hair was placed messily on top of her head, so as not to get caught in her overly large sapphire earrings.
"Anna!" Wanda exclaimed as she strode over to my daughter. She wound her bracelet-clad arms around Anna and pulled her in for a tight hug. "My, my, you've grown!" Wanda stood up and patted Anna's head before turning to look at me.
"Um...so, she has everything she needs in her bag. I'm not really sure how long I'll be away. If she's a problem or if something comes up, just send an owl to The Burrow and I'll come back straight away," I explained to Wanda.
She smiled brightly. "Of course Hermione! What's a friend for anyways? I don't think anything will come up, but never say never! I wouldn't be surprised if I was called out." She gave a high laugh.
I bent down and pulled Anna into my arms. "Well, I best be off. Don't get into any trouble and remember to listen to Wanda okay?"
Anna gave a nod and kissed my cheek. I smiled and stood up, tousling her hair. "I'll see you in a few days Anna."
Picking up my suitcase, I disaparated.
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