Chapter 6: Ronald and Rhonda

Disclaimer Don't own it, won't ever own it (well, unless JK has a long lost son my age and we meet and marry and.. oh forget it!).. yeah, don't sue me please.

"Harry?" No answer. "Harry, are you awake?"

Of course he wasn't awake. It was late. Three o'clock in the morning, and our first class was at eight. But, I couldn't help it. My cravings for a peanut butter sandwich were overwhelming me, and I couldn't go down to the kitchens alone. I opened Harry's bedroom door a bit more, moving one foot and then the other inside. The crack in the burgundy drapes case a faint moonlight glow over Harry's sleeping form. I hated waking him. I knew that under that thick quilt Harry was getting his first night of a restful sleep. It had been two weeks since Ron's birthday when Voldemort's anger had channeled to Harry. Every night since then he had been awoken with terrible nightmares. I wasn't being very helpful by coming in here and disturbing him. I slowly made my way forward, arguing with myself the whole time as to whether I should wake him or not. Just as I was about to turn back, Harry stirred.

"What's wrong, 'Mione?" he replied, groggily.

"I'm really sorry, Harry," I said, edging closer to his bedside. "But, I'm really hungry --"

"It's ok," he yawned. He sat up, the quilt falling, exposing his bare chest. I couldn't understand how, even in the below freezing winter weather, he could sleep without a shirt. I, myself, was wearing three layers of clothing and I was still shivering slightly. He was very pale, I had never noticed it before. He threw the blanket completely off of himself and grabbed a t-shirt from the floor. After pulling it on, he sleepily climbed out of bed.

"Harry -- I'm serious. I am sorry."

"Hermione -- I'm serious. It's fine."

After pulling on a thick dressing gown, Harry came toward me and grabbed my hand. He squeezed it tightly and smiled at me reassuringly. We slowly made our way through the common room and the portrait hole. It was quiet for the most part. I studied Harry's face, trying to discern his feelings. For the first time, it was impossible. Harry's emotions were clear on his face, but they were swirled together and it would take hours to pick them apart. Finally, Harry turned his head and gave me a questioning look.

"What?"

"Nothing." I dropped his hand and turned away. Several seconds later I replied, "Harry, what do you think of me and Ron?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like --" What did I mean? "As a couple, I suppose."

"A couple.. Hmm.. Well, I would be lying if I said I didn't expect it."

It was my turn to be confused. "What do you mean?"

"All of those times that you and Ron would fight, I could tell it was deeper. Ron, in fact, admitted he provoked quite a few of them. And, if I am not mistaken, I have a feeling you have, too. I haven't thought of the two of you as a couple since fourth year, but when you told me Ron was the father of your baby -- in my heart, I knew what was coming. You and Ron are destined to be together. This baby proves it." He paused. "Why do you ask anyway?"

"Dunno. I was just thinking, really. School ends -- forever -- in a little less than four months. The baby will be born in August. What will come of me and Ron?"

"What are you now?"

"I don't know." I shook my head. "I honestly don't know. We hold hands, we steal a few kisses here and there.. but we never officially said we were dating. How would I know?"

"Hermione, please keep in mind who you are talking to." He chuckled.

We reached the picture of the fruit before I could retort. Harry reached out and tickled the pear. I shivered as the portrait swung open. It was quiet, the house elves were either asleep, or doing their cleaning duties. I followed Harry and then took a seat on the stool in front of the fire. I felt like Winky, sitting there, rocking back and forth, trying to keep warm. Harry set to work making me a sandwich. After only several seconds, I retrieved a jar of pickles and was able to eat six before Harry handed over a sloppy peanut butter sandwich. I looked at him funny, shrugged, and took a large bite.

"Not bad," I said, mouth sticky. "But you know what would be prefect with this?"

Harry's eyes narrowed. "What?"

"A slice of strawberry cheesecake."

"Really, now?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "Where do you suppose I get a cheesecake?"

"The ice box?" My voice was thick with sarcasm.

Harry made a beeline for the ice box located in the far end of the kitchen. He disappeared behind the large door and I could hear him whistling loudly. I finished my sandwich and waited while Harry searched. Finally, he brought out two plates and the cheesecake. He sat them down on a wooden table and cut two slices.

"Make my big," I replied.

Harry shook his head and handed me a very large slice of cheesecake. With my thumb and forefinger I ate the strawberry off the top. Harry sat cross-legged on the floor and began to eat his own piece of cheesecake. If possible, the cake tasted even better than it did at dinner. Harry seemed to enjoy it. He was down before I was and was yawning by the time I stood to leave. I was very sleepy by now, too. I considered skipping classes, but then I remember I had an appointment with Madam Pomfrey during breakfast. This pregnancy is definitely not working for me, I thought, as I followed Harry back up to bed.

The fourth month of my pregnancy came and went -- bringing with it some very interesting food combinations. Chocolate frogs and ketchup, for one. I tried it once and wondered why I craved it in the first place. The cornflakes with chocolate syrup was actually pretty good, and I had Ron eating it every morning. Corn, mashed potatoes, and green beans became my favorite dinner side dish. Something about the mixture satisfied my stomach. The perks about finishing my fourth month was that the weird food cravings ended slightly, and my morning sickness was reduced greatly. With each day that passed, the closer I was to giving birth. But, with each minute that passed, it seemed as if my stomach grew another inch. I was paranoid that at any second, someone would notice that I had a bloated stomach. Madam Pomfrey assured me that it was hidden behind my robes, and that my stomach wasn't all that large. This only made me think that something was wrong with my child. This, of course, changed my mood, and depression overtook me again, until Ginny dragged me to the hospital wing and made me tell the nurse my concerns.

"Nothing is wrong with the child, Miss Granger. Some women get very large, others don't. Consider yourself lucky." This relieved me, but only a little. "While your here, why don't we have another ultrasound -- and, we will determine the gender."

"I don't want to know," I protested.

I forgot Ginny was with me. Damn. "I do!"

"Ginny!" I stood. "I do not want to know what my baby is. If you tell me, so help me God--"

"Don't worry, Hermione, I won't tell you I promise."

"Fine," I replied following Madam Promfey to the back.

Four hours later I was sitting in the Head's common room with Harry and Ginny. We were studying. Ginny, for an upcoming History of Magic test, Harry and I, N.E.W.T.s preparation. Harry complained, but it was much easier to get him to sit and read then it was Ron. Ginny, I noticed, was getting distracted. I ignored her. I knew she was bursting to tell me what I did not know. She had already informed Harry. He had a smile on his face. Finally, Ginny sighed, and threw down her book.

"Aren't you just the least bit curious?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Ginny, I am very sure."

"Alright, then," she sighed again. Picking up her book, she lend back and read. That didn't last long. "What about names, Hermione? Have you thought about names?"

Names. No, I hadn't thought about names. It never crossed my mind. Thinking about it now, it seemed weird that I hadn't yet. We had Harry's attention now. His Charms Prep book was closed in his lap. Two to one, I'd lost another battle. Doesn't anyone care about studies anymore? No, I guess not.

"No.. not really."

"Wow."

"How about Harry?" Harry suggested. Ginny and I both turned to him and his smirk was wiped from his face and replaced with a 'What do you expect, I'm a guy' grin. "Guess not."

"What about if it's a girl?" I said.

"Harriet?" Harry shrugged meekly.

"Funny," Ginny said sarcastically. "Bridgett?"

"Nah."

"Corbett?"

"What's with the 'etts' all of a sudden?"

"Kendra?"

"Not really."

"Billy Bob?"

"Harry, what are you thinking?"

"Sorry," he answered, rolling his eyes. "Only trying to be a help."

"What about this one," Ginny interrupted. "Ethan?"

"I don't care for it."

"Well, don't you have any favorites?"

I thought. Tucked away in the far corners of my mind, I had two names picked out. One for a girl, and one for a boy.

"Yeah, I suppose. I've liked these names since I was little. For a girl, I like Carlee. For the boy I like Aiden. I dunno, though. Shouldn't I be talking to Ron about this?"

"Well, if he is anything like Harry," Ginny laughed, "You'll get Ronald and Rhonda."

I laughed along with Ginny as Harry glared. It was funny, but I did feel as if I should be talking to Ron about it. The baby wouldn't be here without him, and the father deserved some say in the naming of it. I sighed, and an image of me in St. Mungo's came to mind. I was laying in one of those damned hospital beds, my hair a mess, forehead covered in sweat. I was quite a sight. But, that didn't matter. By my side was Ron, a wide grin plastered on his face. He was bouncing around, swinging his arms, motioning from the many Weasleys to come closer. And, in my arms, was a baby. A beautiful little baby, with the slightest patch of red hair and sparkling blue eyes. Hair and eyes just like its father. I must have had a goofy smile playing on my lips, because Ginny's fit of laughter broke into my daydream.

"What?" I asked.

"What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing," I replied, picking up my Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7 book. Ginny and Harry exchanged a look and went back to their own studying, as I slipped back into my land of fantasies.

Before I knew it, the April showers brought the May flowers, and a very excessive amount of N.E.W.T. homework. It was nerve-racking, trying to keep up with everything. Each and every one of the Hogwarts teachers were giving nonstop class work and homework to prepare for the upcoming tests. The seventh years' Saturday mornings were ripped away, too. Career classes were from eight to eleven. My Head Girl duties become a burden. It seemed I was needed everywhere at once. And, then, there was the fact that I was now as big as Fluffy, the three-headed dog. I had gained a whooping twenty pounds, and although my stomach was hidden, my cheeks weren't. The Slytherins had taken to calling me the "Head Hamster" instead of the Head Girl. My back killed me if I stayed on my feet too long. My missed classes began to stack up, and if it wasn't for McGonagall's understanding, I would have fell behind. By now, all of my teachers knew. Some, like Professors Flitwick and Sprout, were very sympathetic and understanding. But, Professors Snape and Binns, were resentful and uncaring.

Ron and I had another fall out. We had seemed to be going so good, and then, I don't know what happened. We still weren't a 'couple,' but it gotten around Hogwarts that we were dating. I hadn't spoken to him for two days, and it wasn't doing either of us any good. When I tried to talk to him, I was lost for words and awkward silences always ensued. Ron and I had had rows all the time, but this time it was different. We shouldn't be fighting like this. I had read in my pregnancy book that a baby, even when inside the womb, could sense emotions. If the baby understood, by now it must have known that I was happiest when with Harry or Ginny, and the most distressed when with Ron. This wouldn't be good, especially when it was born. I had to do something, and I had to do something fast. I decided I would corner him after dinner, right before he left with Ginny to do patrols.

"Ron," I yelled, spotting him on the staircase. He turned. "I need to talk to you."

"Now?" he said, looking at his sister.

"Yeah, it's kinda important. Ginny, Harry can go with you."

"Alright," Ginny said, nodding.

Ron looked utterly confused. He slowly started down the stairs, as if he didn't really want to. Something was up with him. I needed to find out tonight. When he reached the bottom of the staircase, I took the lead and headed toward the doors. Usually, when Ron and I were together, he would grab my hand. This time he didn't, instead choosing to fall back, staring at his feet.

"Mind talking outside?" I asked. He didn't answer. I turned and repeated myself. He looked up and shook his head. I opened the door. Ron didn't start out ahead of me though. He motioned for me to go ahead while he held the door. He spent several seconds closing it, while I waited for him of the bottom step. Finally, he joined me and I made a move for his hand. He withdraw it.

"What is going on?" I asked, holding back my tears of hurt.

"Nothing."

"Don't give me that!" I half-shouted, half-pleaded.

"There is nothing going on between us!"

I froze. "What?" I choked, the tears wouldn't stay beneath my lids.

"I -- I didn't mean that," he defended.

I didn't believe him. "Are you sure?"

"Yes -- I mean, no, I'm not fine."

"What's wrong?"

We made the full length of the lake before he finally answer. He looked up at me, tears in his eyes. I was confused. He brought his hand to my cheek and wiped my tears away while his flowed. I grabbed his other hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Whatever it is, Ron, you can tell me."

"I know."

I nodded. "Why have you been acting -- different -- lately?"

"I realized that I love you." He looked so sincere when he said it. Never had I seen him look so serious. I knew he was telling the truth. I looked into his eyes. It was much easier to read them and they showed everything that I had ever wanted to see in a man's eyes -- love, friendship, caring, kindness, passion. I dropped his hand and wrapped my arms around his neck. His found their way around my waist. It started as an ordinary hug and ended as a passionate kiss. First, a few short pecks, and then his tongue slowly entered my mouth, exploring. A chill was sent through me when my tongue touched his. I played with the hair on the nape of his neck and Ron's hands found their way to my unruly mope. Wrapped up together, with the sun setting in the distance, there was no place I wanted to be.

"I love you, Hermione," he repeated.

Ron was waiting for a reply. Immediately, I began to give it, but the word love stuck in my throat. It was as if my heart was still holding onto the word. My innocence was already gone, my heart was all I had left. And, then I felt stupid. Ron had just given me his heart, and here I was, keeping mine to myself. There's not enough room for you to have two hearts, Hermione, a voice reminded me. I know, I know. I had one of two choices. Hand Ron back his love, or give him mine for a fair trade. The blissful look in Ron's eyes was slowly turning into hurt. Seeing him like this, my heart began to break. If I gave him back his, there would be two broken hearts. His and mine, even if it was in time. But, if I told Ron that I loved him -- and somewhere inside me, I knew I truly did -- we could be happy, and we could be happy together.

"I love you, too, Ron."

Ron leaned down for another kiss and I feel back into my fantasy land. And, as if the moment couldn't get more perfect, I felt something in my stomach. I obviously wasn't losing it when Ron broke the kiss and looked at me confused. I placed a hand on my stomach and felt it -- a bump in my stomach. The baby had kicked. Smiling broadly, I grabbed Ron's hand excitedly and placed it atop the center of my belly. His eyes brightened when the baby kicked again. I had been waiting patiently for this moment. The book had said it wouldn't happen til the seventh month. I was three quarters of the way through my six. But, that didn't matter to me. I was ecstatic that it had finally happened. And, it was a moment Ron and I had been able to share together. Ron, suddenly taking on the role of the proud father, grabbed my hand and told me quickly that we needed to find Harry and Ginny, and let them feel my stomach. He ignored me when I told him that maybe we should charge for the whole school to touch my pregnant belly. Nothing could bring him down from Cloud Nine, but it was good. He was happy. And, happiness was hard to come by at Hogwarts, especially in the last couple months of school.

Author's Note Ahhh! Finished. This was a -- challenge -- to write, I must said. Lots of fluff. Came out fluffier than I had intended. Oh, who am I kidding. I am going through an "I need a boyfriend like sweet little Ronnikins" phase. Sue me. I combined months 4-6 because there's not much going on. So, all last week (with the exception of Friday) I was out of school due to Hurricane Frances. Happy to say all is fine here, but I am worried about my friend in Southern Florida (Hope you're alrite!). Anyways, being that I had a whole week off, I should have had more written. Truth is, I rewrote this chapter about 100 times! Still not 100 happy with it, but this is as good as it gets, I'm afraid. Please review. (The reviews may help to keep Hurricane Ivan away from us!)