-1Epilogue

"C'mon, love, you can do it!"

"JUST WHO ASKED YOU? IF YOU'D KEEP YOUR GRUBBY CHUDLEY CANNON PLAYING HANDS TO YOURSELF I WOULDN'T BE IN THIS SITUATION, WOULD I RONALD?"

Ginny chuckled from her position at the end of the bed. Ron shot her a glare.

"Oh, God…it hurts. Ron, hold my hand! I need you, PLEASE!!!" What? Wasn't she just yelling at me?

He looked at his sister confused. She just chuckled again and mouthed, 'Hold her hand, idiot.'

"Okay, Hermione," Ginny said soothingly, "we just need one more good push and we'll have baby…I promise."

"I can't do it!" Hermione cried, bright eyes on Ron. "I'm so tired--"

It had been a difficult labor. They were approaching twenty hours. Hermione had been pushing for two. She was red and sweaty, and her curls were coming out of the ponytail Ginny had put them in and flying everywhere. Ron thought she had never been more beautiful. Ron glanced at Ginny who nodded at him assuredly. He cleared his throat.

"Mione, you are doing wonderfully. Everything is fine. We've got the best healer in the world at our disposal," Ginny blushed, "and I'm right here." Ron hesitated, but Hermione squeezed his hand.

"Harry…he's here too. Do you feel it, Ron?"

Ron smiled and leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Yes, love. I do. So, let's have a baby, Mione! PUSH!"

Hermione nodded, bracing herself. "Okay, Mione" Gin encouraged. "Are you ready?"

"AHHHH!" Hermione screamed. "Ron!" Ginny cried. "Ronnie, come here!"

Ron walked to the foot of the bed, and gasped. "I see hair, Mione, red hair. You're doing it.!!" He returned to Hermione's side, and she grabbed his hand for one final push….

"IT"S A …GIRL!"

"A GIRL!! A GIRL…ARE YOU SURE?" Ron demanded, looking at Ginny. Ginny just snorted. "Yes, Ron. They covered the basics the first week of healer training." Ron stuck out his tongue and Ginny laughed.

But all talking seized as Gin laid the tiny wrapped bundle in Hermione's waiting arms….

"Oh, Ron she's---"

"Beautiful," Ron breathed, tears proudly falling down his face. "Absolutely beautiful…just like her Mum."

Hermione smiled at him. "You're not disappointed…we didn't expect a girl."

"Disappointed? Are you mental? I was just surprised. It's wonderful, Hermione. Mum is going to go spare!"

Ginny laughed, coming over to peer at her niece and Goddaughter. "That she is. Six grandsons and she finally has a granddaughter. Fitting, isn't it?" She kissed Ron on the cheek and smiled at her sister-in-law.

Hermione smile got wider still. Then, a small frown etched her forehead. "But, what about the name…we were going to name the baby for Harry…" she trailed off sadly.

"Well," Ginny began slowly, "I might have an idea."

"Really?" Ron said sarcastically. "Looking for a namesake, are we?"

"NO! I forbid you to give that gorgeous baby the name Ginerva. Do you hear me?" She swatted Ron's arm as he chuckled at her. "No, I mean, well, I have an idea of what you could name her, for Harry, "she said quietly.

Ron looked at his baby sister. It had been a long and difficult road for her. Five years ago, she'd broken off her engagement with Neville. Two weeks later she had announced she was leaving for a training program for healers in France. She'd graduated at the top of her class, and was one of the best healers at St. Mungo's. Still, her world consisted mostly of work. She'd never found anyone to love…Ron doubted she ever would. She carried Harry too deeply in her heart. He kept hoping though, that one day she could have what he had.

Ron put a hand on her shoulder and she raised her head to meet his eyes. "What's that Gin? We'd love to hear it?" he asked gently.

She smiled in return. "He used to say…we talked about a few times. He always said if he had a daughter he'd love to name her Lily...for his Mum."

"Lily." Hermione said softly, gazing at her daughter. "Lily Ginerva Weasley."

"Oh, no--"Ginny began, but Hermione gently cut her off. "Please, I insist. She is your goddaughter, and the seventh Weasley granddaughter, and a girl.. It's meant to be, don't you think?"

Ginny chewed her lip for a moment before nodding. "Thank you," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

"Well, I'll go get Mum. I'm sure she's driving everyone batty out there." Ginny turned to leave the room. She turned back when she reached the door. "I love you both. You know that, right?"

"Yes, Gin. We love you too," Ron smiled at his sister. She nodded and left the room.

Ron settled onto the bed beside his wife, and took the tiny bundle from her arms. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder, and watched Ron's face as he stared down at his daughter. Her eyes flickered to the clock, and widened in realization. She began to cry.

"Love," Ron looked at her worried. "What is it? Are you uncomfortable? What's wrong?"

"Oh, Ron, I didn't realize…the labor was so long. It's Halloween, Ron."

Ron looked at her startled. "Blimey, it is." They were quiet for a moment. Ron held Hermione as she cried against his shoulder, and spoke softly. "It's fitting isn't it, though?"

"What?" Hermione sniffed.

"Well, this day…the day Lily Potter died, the day Harry defeated that evil bastard, the day he died, the

day--"

"…the day we became friends." Hermione smiled, and Ron smiled back.

"Yeah, it was, wasn't it? The day the Golden Trio was born. She was born today for a reason, Hermione. Harry sent her to us today, I know he did. Harry and his story are going to survive because she will know it. We will make sure she does. We'll teach her about Harry, our best friend…her godfather. She'll know…she'll understand."

Hermione nodded, and reached over to kiss her baby's forehead. 'Thank you, Harry." She said quietly, looking into Ron's misty eyes. "Thank you"

Lily Ginerva Weasley slept soundly, safe in her Daddy's arms.

The End

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