Don't hate me for this chapter. I have a method to the madness, promise. Spoilers and trigger warnings are clearly marked later on in the chapter.
December 16th
It was standard procedure in the magical world for pregnant witches to receive a 12-week check up. Hermione had managed to schedule one for bright and early in the morning, so that Percy could join her before heading to work. They arrived at one of St. Mungo's satellite clinics, in Hogsmeade, where most prenatal visits had been scheduled of late.
They sat in the small waiting room. Hermione filled out a patient questionnaire while Percy looked on.
'Have you been petrified within the last 2 years?'
'Have you taken any potions or muggle substances containing the compounds: ethyl alcohol, tobacco or nicotine, …'
'Have you undergone the cruciatus curse for more than 2 minutes at one time, or more than 5 minutes combined within the last year?'
Percy watched Hermione hesitate briefly over the question. It was easy to forget that she'd been a victim of torture. Aside from occasional aches and pains that got worse whenever a storm front rolled in.
Hermione checked the 'No' box for that question, and Percy didn't question. They were called back shortly after she finished filling out the paperwork. And a mediwitch escorted them to a small exam room to wait for the healer.
It was a quick appointment. A few potions and tests, and the Healer allowed them to listen to the heartbeat. Percy's own heart had rushed at the sound. Hermione squeezed his hand tight in response.
"You've got a healthy little baby in there. Your next appointment should be around 18 weeks. That puts you right near the end of February. You can schedule the appointment at the desk, alright?
"Thank you," Percy offered his arm to Hermione as she climbed down off the table, adjusting her oversized jumper over her stomach.
Percy treated Hermione to a cup of tea and a scone at Madam Puddifoot's before he saw her home and headed into work. They sat across from each other in the quiet shop, savoring the pastries.
"Does it bother you that I don't have a job?" Hermione asked him.
"No," It was an honest answer. "You worked very hard all your time at Hogwarts, and then you were on the run, and then in Australia helping your parents. You deserve a bit of a break. And besides," He caught her eye, "You're plenty busy,"
It was true. Hermione spent at least one morning per week watching Teddy for Remus and Tonks. She had tea with Fleur and Molly regularly, met up with Luna and other Hogwarts friends on occasion, and had recently begun volunteering in the new Hogwarts library, which was in the process of being opened to the Wizarding public. Plus, there were always projects to be done around the house. Hermione had found Auntie Muriel's holiday decorations in the attic, and Percy had come home to find them displayed around the house.
"I know I am. I just wish I was contributing more. We don't have much savings built up right now, and babies are expensive,"
"I'm not worried about it. I'm due for a performance review in February, and those usually come with a discussion about salary. And Tonks and I went over the department's finances with Anthony on Tuesday. We've got enough discretionary funding that everyone gets a bit of a holiday bonus. We're going to be okay. If you want to find a job, then I want it to be a job that you love,"
Her smile at his words carried him through his work day. He was grateful for a quiet morning alone to work on projects so that he wouldn't need to explain his happy mood to others.
It was quite the adjustment, knowing he was going to be a dad. They planned to wait until Christmas, the next big family gathering, to make the announcement.
Hermione's nausea had abated, finally, as she got closer to the end of her first trimester. She was much more tired than usual, and had been much hungrier than usual. Her stomach and breasts were softer and rounder, the first hints of baby weight beginning to show on her body, but both were easily hidden under the bulky winter jumpers she'd taken to wearing.
It was hard to hide the way that she'd been glowing lately. Her hair had been curlier than usual, her skin was clearer, her face rounder and rosier. Percy didn't mind that at all. Hermione was always beautiful, but there was just something about her right now. He admired her at every opportunity.
Hermione had been spending more time at the muggle library in the nearest town lately. She'd been reading everything she could get her hands on about babies and pregnancy. There weren't a whole lot of resources available for magical pregnancies, so she'd turned to the muggle world. Percy couldn't say she had the wrong idea; he'd been reading the books she brought home with vigor, learning more than he thought there ever was to know about the female body.
Though Hermione had considered telling her parents, who were well-settled into their new home near the University, they'd decided to wait until Christmas as well. Percy liked having it as a secret, just between the two of them.
Content warning, trigger warning, and spoiler alert, for those who are more comfortable knowing ahead of time what they may be reading. Proceed at your own comfort level. If you choose, you can skip to the beginning of the next chapter and you will be able to infer what happens from context.
TW: Non-gory descriptions of blood, bodily fluids, reproductive medical issues, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, grief.
December 24th
"Percy. Percy, wake up," Hermione nudged Percy out of a restful sleep.
"What is it?" He grumbled, rolling towards her, "We can sleep in all day. It's Christmas Eve."
"I'm bleeding," That got him to open his eyes. Hermione was sitting up, leaning against the headboard with the blankets shoved off her lap.
"Bleeding?" He saw the bloodstain on the bed beneath her bottom, scarlet smears on her thighs, "Oh, my gosh, what's wrong?"
"I don't know. I'm cramping, and I just woke up to all this blood," Hermione's forehead was shiny with sweat, "I don't feel well," Percy reached to feel her forehead, which was warm.
"Should I take you to St. Mungo's?" Percy reached for his wand.
"Could you call Penny? She'll know what I need to do," Hermione stood, shakily, and made her way to the bathroom.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll call her right now," Pulling on a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a jumper, Percy hurried downstairs. He tossed a handful of floo powder into the fireplace.
"Penny?"
Alicia and Penny were eating breakfast. They turned toward the floo.
"Happy Christmas Eve, Percy, what's up?"
"It's Hermione. Can you come? Please?" Penny exchanged a glance with Alicia, and nodded.
"I'll be there in a moment. Can you tell me what's wrong?"
"She…" Percy faltered, "She's pregnant. About 13 weeks. We were going to tell you soon. But this morning, she woke up and she's bleeding a lot. She says she doesn't feel well and that she's cramping. I think she has a fever,"
"I see," Penny nodded, all business. "Give me two minutes, just let me grab my bag and I'll come straight over to check her out, okay?"
"Thank you so much," Percy ducked his head back through to his own fireplace. He didn't stop to dust the soot off of his shoulders and knees as he took the stairs two at a time back up to Hermione. She was in the bathroom with the door closed. He knocked.
"Hermione, Penny's on her way. Can I come in?"
"Just give me a minute," Hermione responded, softly, "Could you get me something to wear? The blue nightshirt, and a pair of underwear?"
Percy fetched the two items she requested, and passed them through the mostly closed door into Hermione's trembling hand.
"Percy? Are you up there? Is Hermione with you?" Penny called out from the main floor.
"Yeah, up the stairs and take a right," He called back. He heard footsteps, and then Penny appeared in the doorway with Alicia on her heels.
"She's in the bathroom," Percy supplied. Penny stepped up to the door and knocked.
"Hermione, it's Penny. Could I come in?"
"Yes. Could you…" Hermione paused, "Could you come in by yourself?"
"Of course. It'll just be me," Penny gave a meaningful glance to Alicia, who turned to Percy.
"Percy, I'll make you a cup of tea and we can wait downstairs," Alicia beckoned. Percy followed her.
Alicia made her way around Percy's kitchen, making tea and setting a cup in front of him, along with a piece of toast smeared with jam.
"It's going to be okay, Percy," She said, sitting across from him.
"We don't know that. She was…" Percy swallowed, feeling ill, "There was a lot of blood, Alicia,"
"I know, I saw," Alicia reached out and took Percy's hand, "But Penny's got her, and I've got you, and it's going to be okay,"
Percy took a small nibble of toast, then a sip of tea. He could barely taste it.
"So, when did you find out she was pregnant?" Alicia asked.
"A couple of weeks ago, at the beginning of December. Hermione was pretty freaked out, but I did the spell on her, and there it was."
"That must have been a special moment, when the test was positive," Alicia mused.
"It was. It wasn't...it wasn't planned, at all," Percy said, and Alicia nodded, "But we just...she made an appointment with a midwife the next week, and the baby was just fine and healthy. We were going to announce it to the family tomorrow, on Christmas," Percy couldn't keep his voice from catching in his throat, "And then tell you and Penny and our friends on New Years. But now..."
"We don't know what's happening yet. Penny is very good at her job. Let's not worry too much until we need to," Alicia soothed.
Percy finished the slice of toast and the cup of tea as they waited. Finally, Penny appeared.
"You can come upstairs, Percy, and I'll talk to you about what's happening," Penny turned to Alicia, "Could you get Hermione a glass of water, and some ginger or mint tea? Maybe a few plain biscuits or some toast as well,"
"Sure, love, I'll bring it up in a few minutes," Alicia squeezed Percy's hand, and he followed Penny back up the stairs.
Hermione was seated by the window, wearing the nightshirt she'd requested from Percy. She sat on a dark-colored towel, and the sheets had been stripped from the bed, waiting to be washed. Percy joined her in the oversized armchair, and she embraced him, holding him tight.
"So, Percy," Penny said as she knelt on the floor in front of them, "I gave Hermione an exam and ran the standard diagnostic spells. All of my findings point to a miscarriage."
"So...she's not pregnant anymore?" Percy asked, already knowing the answer.
"No, Percy, Hermione, I'm so sorry," It was Penny's turn to get choked up, "There was no heartbeat. The baby is gone,"
"Why did this happen?" Hermione asked.
"It's hard to say. Witches don't tend to miscarry as often as muggle pregnancies do. The only real cause that I've been seeing lately has been related to neuromyelitis traumatica; nerve damage caused by the cruciatus curse that causes some weakness of internal muscles like the ones that help the uterus expand and contract. It used to be extremely rare, but I've seen a few cases this year,"
Hermione went from pale to paler, which did not escape Penny's notice.
"Is there anything that could have prevented this?"
"No, there is not. And there is nothing you did to cause this, Hermione. It was not your fault,"
Alicia appeared then, with a cup of tea and a small plate of toast. She set it down on the nightstand table, and joined Penny on the floor. Hermione was already crying, and Percy didn't even try to stop the tears from flowing down his cheeks. Alicia and Penny cried too, the four of them together.
After a while, Penny and Alicia found new sheets for the bed while Percy started a load of laundry to clean the ones that were stained. When he came back up, the three girls were sitting on the newly made bed, talking quietly. Alicia sounded like she was telling a joke, and the three of them giggled. It was nice to hear Hermione laugh.
"Alicia and I are going to head back home. I'll come back tomorrow morning to check in on you, okay?"
"Thank you so much, Penny," Hermione said, "I appreciate you coming,"
"Any time, Hermione," Penny gave her a gentle hug, as did Alicia.
"I'll walk you downstairs," Percy offered. He walked the two women down to the living room.
"She's really okay?" He asked Penny.
"She is," Penny said, "I already told Hermione all of this and it's written down on a parchment by your bed, but I'll tell you too: I gave her some pain potions; she took one a bit ago, and she can have another one every 6 hours as she needs it. I've also given her something to help her stop bleeding and keep her iron levels up. That one is a 10-day potion regimen. One swallow each morning, taken with food, and she can't drink alcohol while she's on it. It might make her a bit nauseated, as well. She can also take muggle paracetamol, if she wants. She's got a slight fever, which should resolve in a day or so,"
"Okay,"
"She might feel dizzy for the next few days. Just make sure she's plenty hydrated and eats something small every couple of hours. The bleeding might be fairly heavy for the next day or so, but it shouldn't be more than enough to soak a pad every 2-3 hours. If she," Penny paused only slightly, "If she starts bleeding more heavily than that, if she develops a high fever, bad headache, a rash, has any trouble breathing, or if she's suddenly in a lot more pain than she is right now, you take her straight to St. Mungo's, okay?"
"Of course," Penny and Alicia embraced Percy, and then stepped into the floo and vanished.
Percy trudged back up the stairs. Hermione was settled in bed, holding a book but not reading it.
"Can I sit with you?" He asked, and she nodded.
They didn't say anything for a long while. Percy had a headache, the kind he only got after crying.
"I feel so stupid," Hermione finally said, "I panicked so much about being pregnant. I was so worried. And…" She sighed, "Penny said there's nothing I could have done. But...it still feels like its my fault,"
Percy reached for her hand, at a loss for anything to say.
"Before you did the spell, I just so wanted it to be negative, I so, so very much didn't want to be pregnant. And then it was positive. And I was terrified. But then I was excited. Everything was going to be okay, and we were going to have a baby together. And now…" She led Percy's hand to her abdomen, which was slightly round; the beginnings of a baby bump that would not get any bigger. "And now the baby is gone,"
They lay in bed for most of the morning, just reading or talking quietly. Percy got up to make them some lunch, soup and sandwiches, and they ate in bed together. After that, Hermione made her way downstairs to sit on the sofa. They turned on the radio and let soaring classical music fill their quiet living room. It was raining, matching the dreary numbness that had settled in Percy's heart.