Chapter 7

Hermione started to cry. She knew that voice, but she never thought she would ever hear it again. Looking at Harry, she saw that he and Ginny had also started to cry. They all turned as one to see Ron's ghost floating in front of the door, grinning. None of them reacted at first, but after her mind processed what it was seeing, she jumped up and ran towards him. She stopped just before she ran through him.

"Where? What are you doing here? Why are you here? I'm not complaining or anything, but I don't understand." She said, and realized that she was babbling.

"Mione, please don't cry. I'm here. I won't be going anywhere. As to why I'm here, it wasn't supposed to be my time yet, but death can't be undone, so I was allowed to come back as a ghost. I was told that you all would still need me and that was why I couldn't stay away from you guys. I know it's been a while since I died, but everything had to be sorted out first. You know, paperwork and all that." He said, the last part being in his joking voice.

Ginny and Harry finally got up and half walked, half ran towards Ron. They were all still crying. Hermione couldn't seem to stop. Laughing she said, "Bloody hormones."

Ron looked at her questioningly.

"Oh, I forgot. I am pregnant." She said after taking a breath to steady herself.

Ron's transparent jaw dropped. "What? Really? Wow, so that's what they meant." The last was said more to himself.

"What who meant? What are you talking about?" Hermione asked, suspiciously.

"Oh, it's just when I died there was a voice telling me that it wasn't my time just yet, but that I would be reborn soon anyway. That's all." Ron said this as if it meant nothing, but Hermione's mouth gaped open.

"Wait, so you will be my son? I'm having a boy?" Hermione asked. Ron shrugged.

"I guess."

At this point Severus couldn't hold his opinion in any longer.

"Great. I get a son that used to be Hermione's best friend. Hermione, you were right. That child is going to be SO much trouble." He shook his head. The others laughed softly at his exasperation. Sighing, he shrugged. "Oh, well. It can't be helped." Standing up he walked over to Hermione and put his arm around her. Kissing her quickly, he said, "I'll go and let you and your friends catch up with Ron. Bye." Leaning to her ear he whispered, "I Love you."

Hermione smiled and said, "I love you, too, Severus. Good Night." She loved how he didn't say he loved her out loud in front to her friends, but he didn't mind it when she said it loud enough for the others to hear it. She watched as he walked out the portrait door, before she turned towards Ron again. Still not quite sure if she should believe that he was there or not, she reached out and put her hand through his shoulder. Immediately shivering, she pulled her hand back and laughed at herself and at Ron's expression.

"That is sooo weird! I remember going through ghosts when I was alive but I didn't realize that they felt the same as we do." He said, shivering.

Hermione suddenly turned and walked back to her seat. Sitting heavily, she started to cry again. Ron floated over to her and hovered at her side.

"What's wrong now? Have I said something wrong again. I know I used to do that a lot when I was alive, but I was hoping to have been cured of that illness when I died." He said, trying to make her laugh. It didn't work how he wanted it to. She lifted her head and looked at him.

"I'm soo sorry! I didn't save you like I know I could have. I have all this information in my head and I study it for a reason, but when I need it the most.. it's like it disappeared. I sat there and let you die. Let my grandfather die. You were there trying to save me, and you succeeded, but I failed in my job. Keeping you and Harry safe was what I am supposed to do. I know all of these healing spells that would have saved you, but I just froze. I just couldn't think of any... At All!" Hermione said, and would have continued if Harry hadn't placed a hand on her shoulder just as Ron interrupted her tirade.

"You didn't do anything wrong! Yes, they did say that it wasn't my time to die yet, but I would have gone another way and soon anyway. You are the smartest person I know. You love the learning, and when I was alive I loved you so much. So much that I lost track of what you wanted. All I wanted was your love and your brain." The last was said with a chuckle. "That is something to be proud of, not mad about. If I had half of the information in that head of yours, I would be so happy, even if I couldn't really use it for much. I know you wanted to save me, and I know that it's hurting you to know that you couldn't save me anyway, but I'm kind of glad it happened this way." When Hermione looked at him oddly, he explained, "This way, I can comfort all of you and my family. I can let you all know that I am fine. And now that I know you're pregnant we can both look forward to that experience. Me being your son, is going to be so weird. Add to the fact that I will be part Snape as well, just makes it really creepy." He shivered and Hermione giggled and wiped her tears away.

"I really want to hug you right now. I am glad you are here to help me, even if you can't do anything physically." She giggled again and then looked over at Ginny. "I don't think I have giggled this much ever. It is sooo freaky. Don't you agree." Ginny smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, the last time I remember you giggling was when Ron was still alive." Ginny turned to her brother and smiled. " I am so glad that you're here for this. And mom and dad are going to be so relieved that they can talk to you again. They miss you... we all missed you so much. Especially your eating habits were missed. Mom always makes too much food these days."

Everyone was laughing at this. Harry was laughing so hard that, having sat down on the couch, fell off of it. Ron looked kind of confused. "What is so funny about that? I miss eating." He said wistfully.

They all settled into the furniture to talk again about anything and everything. As they all talked, Hermione looked around at her friends. Harry was again in Draco's lap in the arm chair. Draco's left hand was running through Harry's hair with so much affection that she wanted to cry. She was so happy for those two having found each other. Looking at the couch where Neville, Ginny, and Luna sat (In that order) laughing at something Ron had said as he floated in between the loveseat and sofa, she noticed something that she hadn't before between Ginny and Neville. They were sitting closer then they used to in the common room. Neville's hand was hidden behind Ginny in a 'I'm trying to appear comfortable, but I am really just trying to get closer to the girl' move. Hermione smiled and joined in the conversation, deciding to ask Neville about it later. Or maybe talk to Ginny about it.

A/N: Surprise! I hope you like it. I know it's been a while since I updated but not as long as last time.

Please push the blue button!

I hate having to do this but I keep getting all these adds and favorites (and I am soooo NOT complaining), but not as many reviews. Before I update again I would like to have 22 reviews all together.

Please, Please, Please!