Nearly at the end just hang on for a bit longer. As always thank you so much for all the reviews and the time you take to read the story. It all belongs to the marvelous J.K. Rowling.

Ron entered St. Mungo's with Hermione wrapped in his arms and the Healers whisked her away. It had been fifteen minutes since then and he still hadn't heard anything. The witch at the desk just kept saying the same thing.

"Please be patient Mr. Wesley. They need time to stabilize her and then to assess her condition."

After the fifth time of hearing these same words Ron collapsed in a chair. The enormity of the situation was sinking in. Hermione could die. She had loss so much blood. And their child was probably already gone.

He felt a rage course through him like nothing he had ever felt before. He had to return to Hambley Court before they moved Ross. He stood up and started to head towards the door just as most of the Weasley clan rushed in led by Molly and Arthur.

Molly breathless wrapped Ron in her arms and whispered, "Everything will be okay now that she's here." She kissed his forehead and patted his cheek.

At that exact moment Ron wanted nothing more than to be five again and have his mother make everything better with a kiss and a cuddle but he knew that couldn't be.

"What have the Healers said?"

Ron wiped his eyes which had filled with tears. "Nothing. They're still assessing her condition." He searched the group. "George isn't back yet?"

She shook her head. "No he's still at Hambley Court. Harry sent a message that you were here."

Ron grabbed his wand from inside his pocket. "I have something I need to do. I'll be back in twenty minutes at the most."

Arthur grabbed his arm. "If you're going where I think you are son I have to warn you it's a bad idea."

Ron stared into his dad's blue eyes so much like his own. "What would you do if it was Mum lying in that room bleeding to death?"

Arthur hung his head and nodded reluctantly. "Be safe."

Ron had a sudden thought. "Has anyone been in touch with the Grangers?"

Ginny nodded. "Bill is there now. He's going to leave Fleur with Rose and Hugo and bring Hermione's parents here."

Ron had been so consumed with Hermione that he hadn't consciously thought of his children. "Do Rose and Hugo know anything?"

Ginny shook her head. "I spoke to Jean and she said they've been sleeping peacefully all night."

Ron nodded. "Good, that's good. Call me immediately if there's any change."

Ginny gave him a hug. "We will."

Ron pulled away and rushed to the Apparation spot and left for Hambley Court.

Ron entered the house through the front door. There were a few people from Magical Law Enforcement milling around. Riley a good friend of Ron's rushed over to him. "How is Hermione?"

"I'm not sure yet. She's in a bad way though."

Riley shook his head. "That bastard shouldn't be allowed to live."

Ron agreed completely but kept the thought to himself. "Is Harry around?"

"Yeah, they separated the prisoners for questioning. I think he's in there interviewing Ross." He pointed to the parlor.

Ron shook his hand. "Thanks mate." He entered the room and shut the door.

Harry looked up from the parchment he was writing on. "Ron, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Hermione?"

Ross smiled. "Given up on the little Mudblood then?"

Ron clenched his fists tightly but ignored him and addressed Harry. "I need five minutes alone with him Harry."

Harry stood up and crossed the room to pull Ron aside. "You can't do this."

Ron looked past his friend's shoulder to the chair where Ross was sitting. "Harry he beat and choked Hermione. Because of him I've probably lost my child. He was going to murder her and not even care. If you think I'm going to let him walk out of here you're crazy."

Harry sighed. "Believe me I get that you're angry and you want revenge but I care about you and I don't want you to do something you're going to regret later."

Ron's face was rigid. "I can reassure you that there's not a single cell in my body that will ever regret what I'm about to do. He has to pay for what he's done. If he goes to Azkaban he may get out someday or worse yet he'll continue his association with these Dark Knights. Maybe they'll decide to use one of our children as pawns someday. No this ends tonight. I won't put Hermione through the pain of ever reliving a solitary moment of this hell." He pulled his wand out. "You go out. I only need five minutes and then you can come back in."

Harry knew he was never going to talk him out of this. "I'll stay. You're going to need someone to corroborate your story. You had to defend yourself. Ross broke free somehow and came at you. You had no choice but to protect yourself."

The relief on Ron's face was quite visible. "I owe you."

Harry shrugged. "After all these years I think we're even."

For the first time all night Ross showed fear. "You can't let him do this. It's against everything you stand for." Ron continued to cross the room. "You two are crazy."

Ron shook his head. "No, crazy was you thinking you could do what you did to my wife and get away with it. It's the last mistake you'll ever make."

Five minutes later Ron and Harry stepped out of the room. Ross was lying motionless on the floor of the parlor behind them. No one standing in the hall was remotely surprised by this.

Ron walked out the door and Apparated back to St. Mungo's without another word to anyone.

Ron entered the waiting room and Henry and Jean Granger rushed over to him. "Oh Ron, tell us exactly what happened."

Ron told them the basics while brushing over the more gruesome details. Jean was crying and Henry was trying to console her. Henry was the one who finally asked the question.

"Why was she alone when she came to get the children? I thought you were coming with her."

Ron felt his eyes began to well up with fresh tears. "Because I was a selfish git. I was angry about something that had happened earlier at work and I decided to drink myself into a stupor." He sat down on the couch leaning forward he held his head in his hands. "I don't deserve her." He was crying now. "If anything is seriously wrong with her or our baby I'll never forgive myself."

Jean pulled her sweater tightly around her and sat down next to him. She very gently laid a hand on his shoulder. "Ron, you and the children are Hermione's life. She wouldn't want you blaming yourself for this unfortunate accident." She reached in her handbag and pulled out a tissue handing it to him. "I've known my daughter all her life and she was never happier than the day she married you. You were always the only man for her and I know in my heart that if it hadn't been for you she would be dead right now. We owe you our daughter's life." She pulled him into a hug patting his back. "Now we have to be strong for Hermione."

Ron nodded sitting back when he saw a Healer approaching them.

"Mr. Weasley we need a word with you please."

Ron jumped to his feet and followed the Healer into the hall. "How is my wife?"

"I'm not going to lie to you Mr. Weasley. She's lost a lot of blood. We'll be able to stop the internal bleeding but unfortunately it's too late for the baby. I'm sorry." She sighed.

Even though Ron knew this was probably going to be the outcome the confirmation of the loss of his son hit him hard. Hermione was going to be devastated. How was he going to tell her? He lifted his tear filled eyes and was met with a look of pity. "It's okay we'll have other children." He shoved his hands into his pockets.

She gave him a sad look. "I'm not sure if that will be possible Mr. Weasley. There may have been too much damage done. We'll know a lot more once we proceed with the healing process." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be back in a bit to update you on her condition."

She started to turn away when Ron grabbed her arm. "Can I see her?"

"In awhile. Let us do our job first and she'll be in a better state."

He nodded as she left him in the hall. He joined his family back in the waiting room. He relayed everything the Healer had told him except for the part that she might not be able to have any more children. They'd cross that bridge when they came to it.

Mr. Granger was quiet for a moment and then he spoke with such authority it made Ron flinch. "I want her moved immediately to our hospital. I have a very good friend who's a doctor there."

Ron stood up. "You're not moving her anywhere. I'm not putting my wife into the hands of your Muggle butchers."

Henry's face went red. "How dare you? She's your wife but she's our daughter. If she has internal bleeding she needs surgery immediately."

Ron took a step towards him. "I'm telling you she's my responsibility and she stays here."

Henry took a step as well. "Where was your sense of responsibility this evening when you chose to sit in a pub instead of escorting my daughter to our house?"

Arthur grabbed Ron before he could take another step. "That's enough Ron. Everyone is upset at the moment." He looked intently at Mr. Granger. "Look Henry, we have ways of healing just about every kind of injury. The Healers here are some of the best in the world. I love Hermione as if she were one of my own. I would not allow here to stay here if I thought for one second it wasn't the right place for her. Trust us."

Jean wrapped her arm around her husband's waist. "Henry let's go sit down."

Henry reluctantly let his wife lead him back to the sofa. Ron shook off his father's grasp and he started to pace. He really needed a drink at the moment. It was taking every ounce of the strength he had left not to go to the nearest pub and drown his pain in Firewhiskey. But he had made a promise and he planned on keeping it. No matter how painful it was.

Sometime in the next two hours George and Harry had arrived. The two of them looked completely worn out. Ginny was now wrapped in Harry's arms with her head on his shoulder. Ron felt a pang of jealousy rush through him. Why was it that his family had gone through so much hell in the past three and a half years and others had none? He shook his head and told himself to stop it. No one was less deserving than another of pain and suffering.

The Healer stepped into the room and Ron gave her permission to speak in front of everyone. She explained that they had managed to stop the bleeding as well as complete the removal of the fetus. Molly started to cry when she heard those words. Ron put an arm around his mother.

Overall everything had gone better than they had expected. They had given her a potion to help her sleep for the next eight to ten hours. Ron asked if he could see her.

The Healer nodded as she took in the number of people in the room. "I think for the time being it should only be you, Mr. Weasley."

Ron nodded grimly and thanked the Healer for all she had done. He then released his mother and turned to the group. "You guys should all go home and get some rest. I'm going to stay here for the night and I'll send word once she's awake in the morning."

He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Granger. "Bill will take you guys home and someone will come by in the morning to bring you back."

He turned to his parents. "Maybe you guys could get Rosie and Hugo in the morning. I want them to stay at the Burrow so Jean and Henry are free to stay here."

Molly wiped her eyes and hugged him. "I'm so sorry about the baby, darling but I'm relieved Hermione is going to be okay. We'll see you in the morning and don't worry about Rose and Hugo we'll take care of them."

"Thanks Mum." His father patted him on the back.

Slowly everyone said goodnight and left until only Harry remained. Ginny, Ron was sure, was waiting in the hall.

"Ron…I'm so sorry. I feel like…"

Ron cut him off. "Harry don't. All that matters is she's going to be okay. You helped me out big time tonight so as far as I'm concerned that cancels out the rest." He walked him to the door. "I'll see you in the morning."

Harry watched as Ron walked to the desk to speak to the information witch. He seemed so alone and sad. Harry turned to Ginny and took her hand in his so thankful that she was safe.

Ron spoke the Healers again before he went into the room to see Hermione. He asked her the question he couldn't ask in front of his family. Would they be able to have more children?

The Healer shook her head and whispered, "I'm sorry, Mr. Weasley, the damage was beyond repair."

Ron told himself it didn't matter. Hermione was alive and nothing else was important at the moment.

He entered the private suite he had insisted on her being moved to and shut the door behind him. The room was bathed in soft light from the wall sconces. His eyes filled with tears when he saw her. Her skin, where it wasn't bruised, was deathly pale. He kept reminding himself that it was from the loss of blood. By morning once the rejuvenation potion took effect she'd look much better.

He pulled his wand from his pocket and whispered, "Wingardium Leviosa," moving the chair from the corner next to her bed. He sank down into the deep cushions with a sigh.

Reaching out he took her hand in his. "I'm so sorry, Hermione." He rubbed his thumb back and forth along her hand. "I should've been there with you. This is all my fault." He started to cry as he leaned his head forward resting it against their clasped hands. "I love you so much."

Now that he had started to cry he felt like he couldn't stop. He realized what a complete ass he had been these past six months. He had almost lost the only thing that ever really meant something to him. He lifted his head when he thought he had felt her fingers tighten slightly in his grasp.

Hermione in her drugged state thought she had heard Ron's voice. She thought she could feel his hand holding hers. She forced herself to fight through the fog and open her eyes.

The first thing she saw was his redhead bent over her. She tightened her fingers and met his eyes when he raised them to look at her. "Ron…."

His name was barely audible but it was the sweetest thing he had ever heard. He stood up and leaned over the bed kissing her lightly on the lips. "Hello my love." He wiped his eyes as he smiled down at her. "You need to rest now."

She closed her eyes briefly and then opened them again. "The baby…"

"Hermione we'll talk tomorrow after you've rested." He kissed her on the forehead.

She closed her eyes and gripped his hand with more strength then he thought was possible at the moment. "Stay…don't leave me….please." There was such desperation in her voice. She was fighting to stay awake.

He kissed her gently and then whispered in her ear, "I'll be right by your side all night." He placed a kiss gently against her temple. "Close your eyes and rest now." She instantly fell asleep.

He settled himself back in the chair still holding her hand. Within minutes he had fallen into a fitful sleep.

As Hermione awoke she became aware of the pain throughout her body. Everything ached even her hair. She took a deep breath and could smell the rejuvenation potion they must have been giving her and the smell of peonies, her favorite flower. She very slowly opened her eyes. At first everything was slightly blurry. She blinked which helped clear her vision. Without turning her head she could tell she was in St. Mungo's. The bed she noticed was nicer and more comfortable than a standard hospital bed. She smiled slightly knowing Ron must have put her into a private room.

She then realized her hand was encased in someone else's. She turned her head to the right and saw Ron sound asleep next to her in a large, overstuffed chair. She saw that he had used and Engorgement charm to elongate the end so he could stretch out his legs. He was snoring softly. The sound was music to her ears.

She tried to raise herself up a bit and as she did she felt a shot of pain through her abdomen. She gasped.

Ron was awake instantly. He sat up looking at her. "Hermione," he stood up leaning over her, "are you alright?" He had released her hand and was now cupping her face.

"Yes, sorry, I was trying to sit up."

He let her go and was starting to move around the bed. "You're in pain. Let me get the Healer to give you something."

She shook her head wincing a bit. "No please, I want a clear head for awhile." She raised her hand towards him. "Come sit with me."

He started to walk back around to the chair but she patted the bed next to her. "Please, I want you next to me."

He very carefully laid down beside her pulling her very gently into his arms. She laid her head on his chest.

"How did you find me?"

He kissed the top of her head. "A slip of a house elf named Ripon showed up at the Burrow."

She smiled. "Bless him he said he couldn't help me. He must have changed his mind."

Ron pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "God, Hermione I almost lost you."

She wrapped her arm around his waist. "I'm okay." She tilted her head back a bit to look at him. "I lost the baby didn't I?" Her eyes filled with tears.

He nodded curtly. "I'm sorry darling."

She raised her hand and rested it against his cheek. "I'm sorry Ron. I know how much you wanted another child and I promise you as soon as we get the okay we'll try again."

His eyes searched her face. "Hermione there was a lot of internal damage. We won't be able to have anymore children."

She buried her face into his chest and sobbed. She wept for the loss of her son and any future children they might have had.

He held her and let her cry until they both drifted off to sleep again. The Healer found them in this position an hour later. She didn't bother waking them. For she knew none of her potions could do for them what time could. She was well aware that time healed all wounds.