Chapter 42
December 2007
Ginny flipped through the latest Quidditch news magazine and watched Hannah Longbottom leave the obstetrician healer's office. It seemed that every time she saw a Hogwarts alumni, they were pregnant.
"It's the way of things," her mother had said.
Are the men planning it? Is there something in the water? she thought with a quiet snort, then saw Hermione come into the clinic and talk to the receptionist. "Yep, they're planning it."
"Who's planning what?" the woman next to her asked.
"Just talking to myself," Ginny said and waved at Hermione to get her attention.
Her brunette best friend waved to various witches in the waiting room and took a seat beside her. She took off the wool cap she was wearing and her soft, full hair artfully cascaded in waves over her shoulders, down her back. She ran her hands through her hair a couple of times and unbuttoned her cloak, revealing a classy plum and cream colored pants suit. She marveled at the beauty Hermione had grown into but would never admit to. She would always be unassuming that way. Growing up, she recalled Harry and Ron often commenting that their friend was "kinda pretty in a way" but of course Hermione didn't think so. She often talked disdainfully about her own "nightmare hair," bucked teeth, or unshapely body while gushing over Ginny's model-like looks.
More like beached whale nowadays, Ginny thought ruefully.
"So, how are you feeling? She kicking yet?" Hermione asked. The Potters found out last month the baby was a girl. Harry was over the moon at the thought of sweet and pretty little girl just like her mother. The Weasleys were shocked (a Weasley girl!) but thrilled nonetheless.
"Well, hungry as hell and she kicks like she wants to play football."
"Good, Auntie Hermione will be happy to play with her."
"So, how's the first month been?" Ginny asked.
"Hardly any morning sickness at all, thank God. We're still getting over the fact that I got pregnant so easy this time, no potion needed, not even expecting it," Hermione said. "Ron and I agreed that if this one's a boy, that's it."
"Us too," Ginny said.
Ron and Hermione had long talks abut family expectations. Ron stated that just because his parents birthed an entire Quidditch team was no reason for him, or Bill, or any of them to do the same. As far as he was concerned, it was no one's business but their own. Ron loved his family, but in a family with so many kids, he sometimes felt like he had to compete for attention, had little privacy and money was always tight. This took its toll over the years, leading to Ron's lack of confidence growing up. No child of his would ever feel second best and would have the best of everything, he would make sure of that.
The door to the healer's office opened and her healer poked his head through. "Mrs. Potter, your turn," he said warmly.
March 10, 2008
Potter Hill
Once again, Hermione attended the birth of her best friend's baby. In the birthing room (Harry and Ginny's bedroom) all the picture subjects had left their frames, all but their wedding day portrait that echoed Molly's urgent calls of "that's wonderful Ginny!" and "push!" With a whimper and grunted "never again" Ginny pushed Lily Luna Potter into the world. Cheering was heard outside when the baby wailed. A knock on the door was heard and Harry poked his head through. A look of such adoration and awe overtook his face when he saw Ginny cuddling with their daughter. Hermione squeezed his hand on the way out and walked straight into Ron's waiting arms.
July 3, 2008
At breakfast, Hermione started having odd twinges from her abdomen. She brought it up to Ron.
"You've still got over a month left till the due date, maybe the baby's early?" he asked. "Are you feeling all right? You look a little pale, a bit off."
"Call your mum, she'll know what to do," she said. Ron did and she came straight away. She took one look at Hermione and knew something wasn't right.
"You better get to St. Mungo's, just to be on the safe side," she said. "Take the floo, don't apparate."
Upon arrival at St. Mungo's, Hermione was in pain. She was quickly brought to the labor and delivery ward and examined. Ron and Molly stood by anxiously an waited for the healer to finish.
"Your wife is indeed in labor, Mr. Weasley. The baby will be premature, but only by weeks, so the risk should be minimal. We'll begin preparing for the birth shortly."
It was a Tuesday morning, everyone they knew would be at work, but Ron let everyone know anyway by cell or owl. Molly left to get the Grangers. When Molly returned with Elizabeth (Ian was in the middle of a root canal) Ron was no where to be found, but nurses were seen rushing in and out of the ward Hermione was in.
"I hope nothing's wrong," Elizabeth said.
The doors to the ward opened to reveal Ron trudging out, Harry's arm around his shoulders telling him, "Come on mate, you need some air." They saw Molly and Elizabeth standing there.
"Sh-she's not doing s-so well," Ron whispered. "They couldn't stop the labor, there was so much bleeding, and she went into shock-" he stopped, unable to say anymore. He couldn't bear to repeat that she almost died right there in front of him and he had to consent to emergency surgery to get the baby out. His sorrowful eyes rose to meet Elizabeth's face. "I had to consent for them to cut her open to get the baby out," Ron said, his lips trembling. "They said that she and the baby might not make it, so I had to...to decide...what the bloody hell kind of choice is that? My wife or my baby?" he asked, his anguished whisper breaking their hearts. Elizabeth gasped.
"How did it come to this? She had no problems with Rose," Molly said.
Ron couldn't say anymore, so Harry took over. "Something about past injuries and curses she's been through," Harry said.
"Are they operating right now?" Elizabeth asked quietly, wiping a tear. Ron nodded. They all knew what Hermione would want.
She would say save the baby.
Half an hour later, Healer Hargrove emerged from the ward and approached Ron, his mum and Elizabeth on either side, gripping his hands.
"You have son, Mr. Weasley. He's on the small side, at just over two kilos, but strong and healthy."
Ron nodded. "What about Hermione."
The healer let out a ragged breath. "Hanging on. She's critical at this point and we're doing everything we can. You can come in and see them now."
Ron went to her bedside and gazed at her pale but pretty face. Her eyelids fluttered and she gave a shuddering breath in sleep. The healer was at his side. "Like I said, she critical but stable for now. We'll know more when her blood volume is restored. Would you care to hold your son?"
He turned and saw a little head of brown hair poking from a light blue blanket. He took the baby and smiled at the unfocused little brown eyes.
"He's got your eyes, love."
By lunchtime, everyone got word about the events of the morning. A steady stream of friends and family arrived to see the baby and give their best wishes for Hermione's recovery. Ron was given a indefinite leave of absence from work. Ron's immediate supervisor agreed with Harry that there was no way would be able to focus on work with a toddler at home, a newborn and Hermione in hospital, her life in the balance. It was a comfort to know that he had plenty of help with Rosie and Hugo, named after her healer.
She slowly opened her sleepy eyes to the dimly lit room that smelt of hospital. I would know the smell, seeing as how much I've been here. Her stomach felt sore and she had a headache. Her vision cleared and she saw Ron across the small room feeding a baby.
"Ron?" she asked softly.
He almost dropped the bottle when his head whipped around to see the source of the voice then softly told the baby, "Come on little one, time to meet your mum. We've been worried about her, haven't we?"
A nurse entered the room. "The healer will be pleased you're awake, he's been quite concerned." She ran a diagnostic charm over Hermione and left the room.
Hermione looked at Ron curiously. "Love, you've been out for a few days," he said.
"What happened?" Hermione asked, aching to hold the baby but wasn't sure she had the strength. It felt like it took everything she had just to stay awake. Ron pulled a chair next to the bed so she could see the baby. He explained the events of July third. At the end of the story, she had tears in her eyes and Healer Hargrove entered the room.
"Thank goodness you're awake. We weren't sure if that would happen," he said kindly and ran another set of diagnostic charms over her. "How do you feel?"
Hermione shrugged. "Tired, hungry, my stomach hurts and I have a headache."
The healer nodded in approval. "It's good that you're aware of how you feel. As for the fatigue, you'll get plenty of rest while you're here. For the hunger, I'll start you on an appropriate nutritional regimen. Your abdomen is healing and I'll give you a mild pain drought as needed."
He took a deep breath and started to speak then stopped, unsure of how to break the next piece of information. Better to just come out with it, it's her way. "I'm sorry to say that you will be unable to bear any more children in the future."
She felt conflicted. She and Ron agreed that with the birth of this baby, there would be no more, but to hear the finality of it still hurt. "I understand," she said quietly.
He patted her hand. "You get some more rest."
That evening, after a hearty meal of soup and applesauce, her parents arrived. They hugged and chatted joyfully about the baby, relieved in her recovery.
"You gave us quite a scare," her mum said. "Your son is just adorable, he's got Granger eyes."
Author's notes: Just over two kilos is just over five pounds
I haven't abandoned any of my open stories! If you haven't heard, they keep the Army busy these days. :) So with my soldier duties, college, husband and three kids, my plate is full, but I won't abandon the stories. I work too hard at them and love writing too much to give it up...