A/N: Hmm…okay guys it might be a while until I update again. I'm leaving the 27th to go to the lake and won't be back until the 4th so that'll be a whole week without writing…and possibly another week since I'm going to see Les Miserables on the 6th and Tim and Faith on the 9th so July is gonna be packed! Don't give up on me though, I'm not quite done yet.

Chapter 21

Names

Once inside, Ginny immediately asked her brother how he was feeling. He told her he was fine, but only because Harry was worried about Ginny's health. The truth was he wasn't fine. He still loved Hermione, but it was a different love…like the love of a divorced spouse. But still, he sat on the couch and talked to Harry and Ginny until Hermione came back. She entered the room looking tired and worn.

"Hermione," Ginny got up to guide her shell shocked friend to a chair, "how'd it go?"

"They…" Hermione cleared her throat, "they disowned me. I sat down and told them I was having a baby and they just went wild. Dad started ranting about wizards and magic and Mum was crying…and finally they told me to get out."

Harry's jaw dropped.

"But surely they just need to calm down." He said.

Hermione shook her head.

"No, they were serious. They said that they'd put up with all the weirdness and murdering lunatics that ran around me but this was too far."

"You don't seem too upset." Ginny said shrewdly.

"Well, if they don't want to see the baby, then I'd rather not see them." Hermione shrugged.

Ron had an odd expression on his face.

Harry seemed to be reading his mind.

"Your parents won't disown you, Ron…it's not even your baby."

Ron seemed satisfied, but now Hermione looked worried.

"Oh, will they be upset with me?" She asked Ginny worriedly.

"Of course." Ron said, glaring at her. "They seem to be under the impression that they're going to be having a grandchild…..or…two grandchildren rather. They're not going to be happy."

For a moment Ron simply glowered at Hermione and she looked like she wanted to cry.

"Ronald Weasley you are about the most insensitive git I have ever met. I've been trying to apologize for what I've put you through but you can't seem to forgive me!"

Ron gaped at her.

"Forgive you! Would you forgive you? My God 'Mione I love you!" He shouted. "I love you, okay? My heart breaks into about a million pieces every time I even look at you now d'you know how much that kills me? I used to get so bloody happy that I felt like a fool when I looked at you and now I feel miserable! I don't want to feel miserable, 'Mione, but you're making it kind of hard not to, flaunting yourself about, having another man's baby!"

As Ron struggled to catch his breath, Ginny and Harry looked on with horror as Hermione turned red.

"I don't want you to feel miserable." She choked out. "I'm the one that should feel miserable, and I do, because I keep reminding myself that my one mistake is ripping us apart and I can't stand myself. I just….I don't want you to be my boyfriend or anything anymore Ron because that would just be a farce. All I'm asking is that you be my friend."

"Okay. I'll be your friend, 'Mione. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go and get Mum and Dad so we can break the horrible news."

Ginny and Harry told him goodbye.

Just as he was about to Apparate, Hermione stopped him.

"I don't mean to flaunt it you know." She said softly, tears running down her face.

Ron simply nodded before he Apparated.

Ginny and Harry stood up and hugged Hermione.

"We're going to go home now, okay 'Mione? It's been a long day and we need to get some sleep." Harry said his arm around his tired wife.

"Come by the house when you finish talking to Mum and Dad. I want to know how it goes." Ginny added, as Harry threw powder into the fireplace for them to leave.

After they left, Hermione sat down by herself and cried.

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Harry made Ginny lay down the minute they Apparated into their house. Her protests fell on deaf ears, and she found herself on the couch talking to Harry.

"What do you think of James?" Ginny asked suddenly.

"I—what?" Harry asked confusedly.

"For the baby." Ginny said slowly.

"Oh!" Harry grinned. "I love it, Gin."

Ginny smiled.

"Good. Now, I've picked the first name, you can pick the middle name."

Harry sighed.

"Sirius."

"Perfect. James Sirius Potter. I like it. What will we call him? James or Sirius?"

"I dunno…James…I think Dad would've liked that." Harry said softly.

Ginny grinned.

"I wonder what name 'Mione and Ron will—"

POP.

Harry and Ginny jumped and grabbed their wands as Hermione popped into their living room.

"He hated it!" Hermione said.

"Hated what?" Harry asked.

"My name! For the baby! I told him I wanted to name her Muriel Edith and he hated it."

Ginny raised her eyebrows.

"Well it isn't his baby," she began but looked at Harry's face and hastily corrected her mistake, "but I think you owe it to him to let him help name her."

Hermione grumbled an agreement.

"So how'd the big argument go?" Harry asked, sitting Hermione down.

"Well…they were sort of shocked and Mrs. Weasley thinks I'm a scarlet woman but…they were pretty understanding. Oh, and they kicked me out. D'you know of any good hotels?" Hermione asked brightly.

"They kicked you out? That's insane!" Ginny said.

Hermione shrugged.

"Well, I can't say that I really blame them. I think they did it for Ron and me more than anything. They seem to think that we just need space."

"Space? You don't need space! You need to be together so that you can finally come to your senses and—"

"Ginny, darling," Harry said quickly, "I don't think this is what Hermione wants to hear right now."

"I'm sorry, 'Mione, I really am…I just hate seeing you and Ron the way you are. I only want you to be happy; you do know that, don't you?" Ginny said.

Hermione smiled.

"Of course I do, and I am happy. I just have to find a place to live, go back to Hogwarts to get an education, and find a job." Hermione said, her face falling.

"Well that doesn't sound too difficult." Harry said thoughtfully.

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him.

"Well it doesn't! Look, you can stay here with us; we've got an extra room. And as far as Hogwarts goes, the teachers will do back flips to have you there."

"Oh, no, really I can't impose." Hermione said hastily.

"Oh yes you can! I'll need another girl around to keep me company when Harry's out doing his Auror stuff."

Harry paled.

"Oh my god, Gin…Moody! I was supposed to meet with Moody, like," Harry looked at his watch, "three hours ago! I've got to go, I'll see you later."

He flung powder into the fireplace and disappeared with a flash of green flames.

Ginny sighed.

"He's always doing that."

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Harry arrived at Auror headquarters panting and out of breath. He sat down in a chair outside Moody's cubicle and waited until the last interviewee left.

"Potter what are you doing here?" Moody growled. "Your interview time was three hours ago."

"I know Professor, I'm sorry, I—it was the whole thing with Hermione and Ron and—" Harry trailed off and hung his head.

"I screwed up didn't I? I guess I'll be back next year." He turned to leave.

"Come back here Potter! Don't ever walk out on a superior Auror like that!" Moody barked.

"Superior Auror?" Harry turned around quickly. "Does that mean I've got the job?"

Moody surveyed him for a moment then smiled.

"Do you think I'd let the best man for the job walk out of here? Whatever that piece of scum might've taught you when you were fourteen, the smartest thing he said to you was you'd make a fine Auror. There's no need to interview you, I know why you want the job, and I know how you'll do. You passed all your tests with some of the highest marks we've seen, and I know I speak for everyone when I say welcome to the Ministry, son."

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A/N: Hmm…yea this one was kinda short….I don't know how happy I am with it, but some important things happened. Review please and thank you!