Yes another chapter from me…I was in a car accident the other day. A man ran the stop sign and broadsided me. I am horribly bruised down my entire left side and have a lot of back pain at the moment. So I have been forced to be off my feet and resting so that translates into a lot of time to write, edit and type. That is my silver lining for this entire situation. If this continues much longer I will have the story finished finally. As always thank you for the reviews and everyone who marks it as a favorite or story alert. I truly appreciate it. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
The summer past without incident. Everyone had found a rhythm and life went on. Ron and Hermione had told the family that they were expecting again once the first trimester had past. The entire Weasley clan was thrilled. Hermione still hadn't warmed a 100 towards this baby. She threw herself further and further into work. She had a ton of her own stuff to do plus the Ferguson case which she was immersed in. She stayed late at least two nights a week to research and prepare a solid case.
Ron was back full time with the Auror Department. He was glad to be back at work and on missions again but he still had a few demons buried inside. He was drinking heavily when not working. Molly and Arthur had tried talking to him to no avail. They decided to hope that he would work it out on his own somehow.
It was a beautiful fall day and Hermione had spent it interviewing witnesses for the defense in the Ferguson case. She was ruthless in her questions. Nothing got by her and she felt quite satisfied by the time three o'clock came and she was heading out for her doctor's appointment.
She rushed into the Auror Department and nearly ran smack into Harry. He hugged her tightly. "How are you feeling?"
She shrugged, "No complaints."
He placed his hands into his pockets. Hermione glanced at him and smiled. "What is it Harry? I can tell you want to ask me something."
He nodded, "Do you have five minutes?"
When she said yes he led her into his office and sat next to her on the couch. He was staring at his hands clasped in his lap.
Hermione sighed, "This is about Ron isn't it?"
Harry released the breath he had been holding. "Yeah Hermione," he looked into her brown eyes, "he's drinking way too much. It's starting to compromise his position in the Department. There are times I don't send him out because he's hung over or he's actually drunk."
Hermione closed her eyes and laid her head back onto the cushion. "I know I've been ignoring it but it's not good." She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. "I don't know what to do. I have so much going on at the moment, work, the kids and this pregnancy. I guess I've been in denial." She rested her hand on her already bulging stomach. "What should I do Harry?" She turned her eyes pleadingly towards his face.
Harry took her hand in his. "You shouldn't have to handle this alone. I'll talk to Ginny tonight and we'll figure something out together. Maybe a family dinner and a good talk with him will straighten it all out."
She nodded, "I just want everything to be okay."
He stood up helping her to her feet. "It will be." He gave her a hug.
There was a knock on the door and then Ron stepped in. He looked terrible at the moment. There were dark circles under his eyes and he looked paler than normal. His hair was still too long and he hadn't shaved that morning.
"Someone told me my wife was here." He smiled at Hermione.
She reached her hand out and took his. Standing on her tiptoes she kissed him lightly. "I'm going for my twenty week check up. Do you want to come?"
"Absolutely if Harry can spare me."
Harry nodded, "Get out of here. Let us know how it goes. Ginny will want to know every detail."
Ron tucked Hermione's arm through his. "See you tomorrow." They left to Apparate from the Atrium.
Hermione was sitting in bed reading over some contracts. The rest of the day went well. They had gone to St. Mungo's for the appointment and found out they were having another boy and everything was going along perfectly. Ron was ecstatic and suggested they pick up Rose and Hugo and take them out to dinner to celebrate.
Ron found her sitting there with a smile on her face when he entered the bedroom. "You look happy." He had a drink in his hand.
She set the rolls of parchment aside. "It was such a nice evening." She reached her hand out and he took it in his as he sat on the edge of the bed. She leaned forward and kissed him. "Thank you."
He looked at her suspiciously, "For what?"
She ran her hand up and down his bare arm. "For taking us out tonight and being such a wonderful father and husband."
He started to kiss her deeply when she suddenly gasped. Ron pulled away. "What's wrong?"
She took his hand and laid it on the side of her stomach. "Do you feel that?"
He concentrated for a moment and then felt the tiniest flutter of movement under his palm. A smile spread across his face.
She ran her hands through his hair and pulled his lips back towards hers. "That's your son."
He set his glass down kissing her as he laid her back. "Future Quidditch star."
"Of course," she giggled as he nuzzled her neck.
For the first time during this pregnancy Hermione was happy. She finally felt like having another baby was right. She realized what an amazing gift it was and she was excited to bring him into their world.
There's always a calm before the storm and the previous fortnight was it. Things were almost perfect. Hermione felt great and Ron was drinking less. They had finally sat down and told Hugo and Rose about the new baby. Hugo was excited to have a little brother to play with. Rose asked if they could trade this baby in for a girl so she could have a sister instead. Ron laughed at first and then explained to her that they couldn't do that. He reassured her that she was going to be special because she was going to be his only little girl. She decided that a boy wasn't so bad after all.
Hermione's parents took Rose and Hugo at least two times a month to spend time with them. Today was their day. Ron and Hermione had decided to meet up after work to go pick them up together and take the Granger's out for dinner.
Hermione glanced at the clock and realized it was 6:15. She quickly put her stuff away, grabbed her cloak and rushed out to the Auror Department. She was shocked Ron hadn't come to get her. They had agreed to leave by 5:45. He must have lost track of time as well.
The Department was quiet everyone was either on a mission or gone for the day. She passed Harry's office and continued down the hall towards Ron's office.
She heard Harry call her name stopping she turned around. "Hey Harry. Look I've got to grab Ron and go. We were suppose to be at my parent's house a half hour ago."
Harry approached her, "Hermione, Ron left at three o'clock."
She was confused. "What do you mean? Did you send him somewhere?"
He shook his head, "No. That's the problem." He took a deep breath, "I passed him over for a huge mission and he got extremely angry." Harry pushed his glasses up as he rubbed his eyes. Replacing his glasses he stared at Hermione. "He was angrier than I've ever seen him. He stormed out and no one's been able to find him."
Hermione's shoulders sagged, "He's probably home."
Harry shook his head, "No I checked. Hermione I feel terrible but this mission was too vital and he's not been on form lately. I couldn't send him."
Hermione touched his arm. "Harry it's okay. This isn't personal. You have to do what's right for the Department. He's probably just cooling off somewhere. I'll go get the children and see if I can track him down. I'll call you later."
She leaned up giving him a hug. She knew it was hard for Harry to make these decisions. Ron was his best friend and more like a brother to him than anything else. "It'll be okay." She gave his hand a squeeze and headed out.
She Disapparated to the alley three houses down from her parent's house. They used this place because it was always deserted. The perfect Apparation spot.
She had just straightened her cloak and ran a hand through her hair when she felt the spell hit her square in the back. It was all she had time to realize before her world went dark and she collapsed to the filthy pavement.
A/NObviously this chapter was setup for the ending. The next one will be a lot more fun!