Hermione had wanted to believe Ron so badly when he said things were going to change. He had promised he would be by to visit before she came home for break. But he hadn't been by at all. He hadn't even owled her since the night he found out about the baby. She kept trying to tell herself that he was busy with his new promotion, even that he was nervous about being a father. In the back of her mind, however, she knew the truth was going to come out soon even though she had known the truth for a long time. Ron wasn't in love with Hermione and finding out about her pregnancy was one of the worst pieces of news he'd ever received because now he felt obligated to stay, even though he wasn't happy. Secretly, in the back of her mind, Hermione had hoped that finding out about the pregnancy would bring them closer together. Sadly, this wouldn't be the case. No matter how hard she tried.

Charlie's letters were also coming less frequently. She'd only received one since the night that Ron had come over. Maybe he was losing interest or maybe he was just giving up hope because he hadn't received a reply. Either way, Hermione was getting the sinking feeling that she was going to end up alone by the time everything was said and done and in her mind it was all her fault.

All of her things were packed up for winter break and her anxiety was at an all time high. For the next three weeks she would be living with Ron and their relationship uncertainty all over again. Not to mention she had no idea what the state of their flat was going to be. At Hogwarts, Ron had been known to be a massive slob and things hadn't gotten any better over the years. Hermione's bump was getting increasingly difficult to conceal which would be a huge talking point at the different holiday parties they would be attending. The only thing that eased her anxiety, although just a small amount, was that she wouldn't have to worry about seeing Charlie because he never went to the Weasley's Christmas Eve Party. He always had to work.

With her trunk by her side, Hermione stepped into the fireplace and flooed to the flat that she and Ron shared. She was impressed to see that he'd maintained it pretty well while she was gone. It wasn't spotless by any means but it wasn't the disaster that she had expected. He wasn't home but he had left a note saying that he'd be back by five.

It only took about twenty minutes to unpack all of her belongings. With a few hours to spare before Ron got home, Hermione decided to take a warm, relaxing bath. It had been a long time since she'd been able to take one because her room at Hogwarts only had a stand up shower. As she laid down in the warm, relaxing water, she began to daydream about random little things. She didn't realize that she had actually fallen asleep until she was jolted awake by a twitch from her belly. It took a few seconds to realize what had woken her up then felt herself grow warm with excitement.

Her daughter had moved! She had finally felt it and it was the best feeling in the world. It also brought a sense of calmness to Hermione. No matter what happened between her and Ron or even her and Charlie, she and this baby would have each other. She glanced at her watch, Ron would be home in about twenty minutes, she'd been asleep in the tub for almost two hours. Hermione quickly got up and dried herself off, then she went into the bedroom and got into her favorite pair of leggings and a light sweater. She had no idea if Ron would want to go out when he got home but she'd be fine to either go out or lounge around the house.

To no one's surprise, Ron ended up not getting home until eight and did not want to go out. He didn't have an excuse or an apology ready. Hermione tried hard to hide her disappointment but could tell she was unsuccessful.

"I'm sorry, okay?" He said, annoyed. "I got held up."
"It's my first day home in months! You always get held up! Ron what's going to happen when this baby comes? At this point she isn't even going to know you! You're never home and when you are you hardly seem like you want to be! It's not fair!" Hermione snapped back. Not being able to hold herself back any longer. "It been like this for so long and I am so sick of it! I've tried so hard to love you, be here for you, and nothing I do matters! You always want to be at work. Are you really doing work related things or are you seeing someone else? You clearly don't love me." Without giving him a chance to respond, she walked down the hallway and into their guest room/study and locked the door so she wouldn't have to deal with him.

The next week went by with them hardly speaking to each other unless it was absolutely necessary. She had even been sleeping in the guest room rather than in bed with him and he was spending the days from morning until night at the office so they wouldn't be forced to speak. Hermione was counting down the days until she'd be able to go back to Hogwarts. She was going to ask Professor McGonagall if she could permanently live at the castle. She couldn't live like this and it wouldn't be fair to the baby.

Finally it was Christmas Eve and they would be forced to speak to each other and try and act as civil as they could for Molly and Arthur's annual get together. Hermione was excited to see the Weasleys and to tell them about the baby. She had picked out a red, sparkly, maternity dress that really made her bump pop along with a cardigan that helped mask it. When they were opening their presents she would take the cardigan off to show them that there was going to be another baby in the family. Hermione spent all afternoon getting ready. Her hair was in a french twist with glitter, her makeup was done, and she was just putting her earrings in when Ron knocked on the study door.

"Can I come in." He asked and she unlocked the door with a nonverbal spell. His mouth dropped when he looked at her. "You look beautiful." He said.

"Thank you." Hermione replied, kind of stiffly.

"I wanted to apologize for that fight." He started and she nodded.

"Thank you. I really don't ask you for much."
"I know you don't. There's just a lot going on. I don't know how to handle it. I'm sorry" Ron replied, trying to stand up for himself. Hermione knew this wasn't the case, these same issues had been going on for years but she wasn't ready to start another fight. Especially right before they went to the Christmas Eve party. Hermione stood up to give him a hug and his mouth dropped again when he saw her bump.

"Oh my goodness." He reached his hand out to touch it but hesitated until he got a nod from Hermione. His entire demeanor softened when he touched her belly. For the first time in a while Hermione saw pure joy and happiness on his face. "Hi little one, I love you!" Hermione got her cardigan and put it on and then she and Ron were ready to go. They decided to drive, apparating was getting uncomfortable for Hermione and she didn't want to risk getting ash on her dress from using the floo powder. They were the last ones to arrive, Ron parked the car in the driveway and walked up to the door. They walked inside and were greeted by none other than Charlie Weasley.

"Hello mates!" He said with a smile. Ron gave him a quick hug while Hermione stayed frozen, feeling her heart drop into her stomach. Why was this happening?! Charlie never went to the Christmas Eve Party. When Hermione had unfrozen herself, she walked around the house saying hello to everyone that was there. There had to be over one hundred people between the immediate Weasleys, spouses, grandchildren, members of the Order, and a few of Ginny's Quidditch teammates. She went out of her way to stay away from Charlie, however. She wasn't ready to talk to him. In fact, to be perfectly honest, she would probably never be ready to talk to him.

They made it through the appetizers, dinner, and dancing without Hermione needing to worry about him. However, people started to leave as the night went on and soon it was just Ginny, Harry, Ron, the twins, Percy, Charlie, Molly and Arthur at the house. Just like how it was during the summers that Hermione stayed there. Well, except Charlie was never there. Molly and Arthur decided to go up to bed to finish wrapping the presents they'd be opening at midnight, leaving the young adults downstairs to do their own thing while they waited. They decided to play a game of Exploding Snap, while Hermione opted to read a book in the corner like she usually did when they played. Everything was going fine until Hermione's bladder got the best of her and she went to use the bathroom that was attached to the kitchen.

Charlie used that as the perfect opportunity to excuse himself from the game and go into the kitchen to get some ice tea. When Hermione came out of the bathroom he was finally able to talk to her face to face.

"Hey." He said quietly, pouring the pitcher of ice tea into glasses for the two of them.

"Hi." Hermione replied uncomfortably.

"How've you been? I've been trying to write to you." He continued, glancing at her.

"I've been busy, there's a lot going on." Hermione answered, purposely avoiding his gaze. Charlie scoffed back at her.

"Do you feel guilty? Like at all? Is that why you haven't written back to me or said a single word to me tonight until I have to corner you?" Charlie retorted, frustrated.

"I don't have time to feel guilty! Neither do you! We both have a lot going on." Hermione replied. She undid the strap to the cardigan she was wearing so he could see the bump that no one else had gotten a chance to see yet. As Charlie glanced towards her bump his eyes widened.

"Hermione? Is that mine? We can be together. I want to be together!" He stammered, surprised.

"It's too late." Hermione replied. "He thinks she's his. We can pretend like this never happened."

"She?" He asked and she nodded. "Whether you want me to or not I'm still going to exist! And that night is still going to have happened! Am I or am I not this baby's father? If I am I want to be there for her. Hell, even if she's not I'll be her father. You told me yourself you're not in love with him! Are you going to deny that night? How it felt? How being with me made you feel? I never saw that night as a one night stand. I love you, just from talking to you at the Leaky Cauldron and being with you that one time. I've never felt like this with anyone else. Even after you haven't spoken with me since it happened I still want to be with you!"

"Charlie, shhhh!" Hermione whispered frantically, glancing at the Exploding Snap game through the doorway. "Ron will hear you!"

"Oh really?!" Charlie replied sarcastically but lowering his voice. "He won't be a good father. He cares so much about work and is never around. Do you really think that's going to change when this baby is born?" Hermione actually laughed out loud when he said that and looked at him incredulously.

"Oh, and you don't? I do not recall you coming to this Christmas Eve party in years because you've had to 'work.' You're no different than he is." She responded. Charlie looked slightly crestfallen at being compared to Ron.

"I care enough to know when family comes first. That's why I came here tonight! To prove to you that I will be around for my family. I've never had a reason to before but you've made me want to change all of that. Please, Hermione, let me be here for you. We can make this work." Charlie pleaded.

Hermione's heart sank as he looked into his sincere, pleading green eyes. She wanted so badly to let him in. Her heart sank even further, however, when she thought of telling Ron.

"Don't let fear get in the way of doing the right thing," Charlie finally told her, almost reading her mind word for word. "I need to get going. I think I've said enough for tonight. But please, take some time to think about what I've said." He gave her a quick pat on the arm and a small, sad smile. Then, he turned around and walked over to where the rest of the family to continue playing the game.

She stayed still for a few seconds, trying to process what had just happened. Then, without thinking, she ran to Charlie and tapped his shoulder to try and get his attention. When he turned to face her she pressed her lips to his. She felt the same sort of warm, comfortable, spark that she had felt when they kissed that night months ago. Hermione didn't know how long they stayed like that, whether it was seconds, minutes, or hours but when they finally broke apart the entire room had gone deathly silent and everyone sat there staring at them, absolutely dumbstruck.

Even though she didn't want to, she made eye contact with Ron. To her surprise, he didn't look angry. He looked almost relieved when he finally made his way over to stand next to her.

"Can we talk?" He asked her hoarsely. Hermione nodded and turned to follow him.

"Hermione, do you want me to come?" Charlie murmured. She shook her head.

"No, I'll be fine." She replied. For the first time in recent memory, she did not feel the least bit anxious.