Chapter 14

Life Without You

Hermione paced nervously back and forth in the waiting room of Berlin's Magical Hospital. Her heart was pounding. Mrs. Weasley sat with Ginny on the chairs across the room. Arianna slept in her grandma's arms.

Pop. Hermione heard the sound of someone apparating but didn't stop to see who it was. She didn't really care. She did however jump when someone's hand fell on her shoulder a little while later.

"Mione," Hermione knew that voice.

"Ron?" she slowly turned around to face the voice. Sure enough, Ron Weasley stood in front of her. "Ron," she threw her arms around his neck.

He stood frozen for a second, a little shocked, but finally wrapped his arms around her.

"How have you been?" he asked pulling away.

"Alright. I just want to see him again," Hermione tried to smile. "How about you? I haven't seen you in so long."

This was true. After Ron helped in the fight against Voldermort and Harry had defeated him Ron left London. He went off to join his brother in Romania and make a life for himself there. After George had gone missing and fighting alongside Hermione Ron couldn't stay there anymore. He would never stop loving Hermione but she had her own lifeone hewasn't part of. So he left her and everyone else to go make a life of his own. He did pretty well for himself. He got a job at the Gringott's branch in Romania and was currently falling in love again. When he heard they found George though, he knew he had to come back.

"I've been doing good. I had to come though. I know it must have been so hard for you," Ron nodded.

A smile came to Hermione's face now. It had been so long since she had seen him. Since they were able to talk. She missed her best friend. "Have you met Arianna?"

Ron smiled. "She's beautiful. Spiting image of George. Congratulations Hermione. I'm sorry I couldn't be here."

"Don't be. I understand why you needed to go. I'm just glad you're here now," Hermione said placing her arms around his neck again.

Ron held onto her tightly for a moment and then let go. "I'm going to go join mum, Ginny and that beautiful niece of mine. You coming?"

"No. I'll wait here," Ron nodded and left her standing in the middle of the room. Hermione's heart began to pound again. She started pacing.

A couple of minutes passed. Hermione stopped, back to the swinging doors and looked down at her wedding ring. "George," she sighed quietly.

"Hermione…" a voice Hermione had been longing to hear rang through the room.

-FLASHBACK-

After Harry and George left the Burrow Ginny picked Hermione up off the ground and hugged her. After a moment they apparated to the Ministry. The Minister sent out a dozen more people to the Burrow and gave instructions to the two Weasleys. They were to apparate to a safe place set up by the Ministry. They were to stay there until given word they could leave. They were to make no contact with anyone.

Hermione was lost in grief so Ginny had to help her get to the safe house. Once there she too fell apart. Hermione felt guilt welling up inside her. She left everyone to fight alone. She had abandoned them. Ginny soothed her. "Think of the baby. Think of the baby."

One day passed. Ginny receive word that she was able to apparate to the Burrow. They asked Hermione to wait back. With a nervous glance Ginny was gone. A few minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appeared in the room. Both their faces were tear stained.

They didn't have to say anything. Hermione knew. George wasn't waiting for her back at the Burrow.

It was hard for Hermione. She couldn't set foot in the Burrow again. Ron left soon after the war was over. Harry and Ginny were married. Hermione was alone and pregnant. Of course the Weasley's were all there to help her. What ever she needed would be done, but it didn't stop her grief, her loneliness.

Hermione immersed herself in work. Everyone got really worried about her. She insisted she was fine. At one point, when she was about 5 months along, Hermione fainted. The Healer had a serious discussion with her. She was over stressed, she still hadn't gotten over George and she was working too hard. All of these things were really bad for the baby. If she didn't slow down she had a great chance of losing the baby.

This was a wake up call to Hermione and she began to slow down, much to the relief of everyone.

At 6 months Hermione found out she was having a girl. When she heard this she burst into the tears. The young Healer who had told her the news got really worried.

"I'm sorry. I guess you really wanted a boy," she stuttered.

"No," Hermione said shaking her head, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry. This is the best news I've gotten in a long time." Which it truly was.

The last month of Hermione's pregnancy was rough. She wasn't able to walk around much. She got really sick. It wasn't good. Harry and Ginny stayed with her that last month, taking care of her, helping her prepare for the new baby

April 2 Hermione woke as she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. Scared Hermione scrambled off the bed and waddled into the living room. Harry was at work and she found a note from Ginny saying she had just gone out.

Hermione winced as the pain came back. Was she in labour? She was due in a week. Hermione tried to wait for Ginny but soon the pain was too strong. Not able to apparate Hermione hurried into the fireplace and flooed to St. Mungo's.

After 2 hours of intense labour Hermione heard the sounds of a baby's cry. She lay back against the pillow. "Congratulations Mrs. Weasley. It's a girl," the Healer gently placed the baby in Hermione's outstretched arms. Hermione looked down at her baby with a smile. "I'll leave you two alone a while," the Healer quietly left the room.

"Hi baby," Hermione whispered softly touching her baby's nose. "You are so beautiful, you know that?" Hermione's voice began to crack. "You look just like your father," which was entirely true. Her daughter's red hair poked out from under her little pink hat. Hermione noted that her green eyes sparkled exactly the way her father's did. Faint freckles dotted the baby's face. "Your father would have loved to meet you. He would have loved you a lot. I know he's watching us right now and smiling at his beautiful baby girl." Hermione finally couldn't hold it in and began to cry. "I love you my sweetheart, I love you Arianna."

Then looking up at the ceiling Hermione whispered, "I love you George."