Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, though I wish I did. They are all property of J.K. Rowling and her business associates.

The Days After

2 – New Beginning

Hermione had difficult time. Harry had helped her find her parents and tell them the main points: the danger, the memory loss and the return, yet rebuilding the close relationship she had once had with her parent was something completely different. She was almost another person now, after all that she had been through. She was spending many hours each day telling her parents all about what she had experienced along with Harry during all those years. They could hardly believe the kind of dangers that their little girls had faced, but it didn't help in reestablishing the relations.

Hermione was also starting to feel ill. She was waking each morning feeling nauseous. She even thru-up a few times, yet by noon she was feeling perfectly well. She didn't know what it was and didn't want to worry her parents about it. She thought she might have to visit St. Mungo's if she continued feeling this way.

She was once again throwing up in the bathroom when her mother noticed. "Why are you spending so much time there each morning?" she asked.

"I think I had eaten something that didn't agree with me" answered Hermione feebly.

"Do you feel so bad during the day as well?"

"No. I feel fine just an hour or two later" said Hermione.

Her mother looked at her with an odd expression. "When did you get your last period?" she asked.

"Oh… I don't really remember" said Hermione. "It has been quite irregular for many months, as we were traveling during our quest. The tension and the lack of adequate food did havoc to my period and I didn't really take notice."

"Well, then – did you have sex?"

Hermione blushed deeply. "Only once – the morning after the battle."

"When was it exactly?"

"Almost four weeks ago."

"Did you use any protection?"

Hermione felt her cheeks burn. She already knew what her mother was aiming at, and now she also knew why she was feeling sick each morning. She could not remember using any charm to prevent pregnancy that day. It seemed irrelevant under the circumstances, but now…

"I think I may be pregnant…" she said to her mother, almost in a whisper.

Her mother smiled sadly. "I thought you were. You are so young… Do you really want it?"

Hermione had no doubt about the matter. "Of course I want it!"

"Then you should tell the father. Is it Ron?"

"No, it's somebody else, but I think I should inform him before I tell you, and maybe I should also wait a few more days, just to make sure." She could tell her mother didn't like the answer.

"You certainly have the right to decide for yourself, but I really wish you let us still be a part of your life, Hermione. You are our only child and we nearly lost you several times over the past few years. Don't make us lose you now, please."

"You will never lose me, mom. I love you."

Hermione was in her bed that evening when an owl came through the open window and dropped a letter on her chest before soaring back out. It was a short letter from Harry.

Dear Hermione,

I've just left the Burrow. While Mrs. Weasley is still acting motherly with me, Ginny and Ron seem to be completely changed. Ginny invited Dean to stay at the Burrow and they are both snogging senseless all over the place. The same can be said about Ron and Lavender. I don't feel envious about any of them, but it gets quite boring staying there with nothing to do except watch them snog.

I decided to move back to Grimmauld place and make it habitable. I hope you join me here as soon as I make this house worth living in. I would also appreciate if you drop here once in a while to advise me or help me. I want to make this place our home.

I love you and I miss you,

Harry.

"Will you come shopping with us?" asked her mother the next morning.

"No, I think I'd rather check on Harry. He is renovating the house he had inherited and he may need my help. I'll probably be back by lunch, or by dinner time at most."

"Ok, dear. Just stay safe."

Hermione apparated to Grimmauld Place soon after her parents left. The façade looked as familiar as always. It was even like coming home, in a sense, although it had never really been her home. Kreacher was the first to welcome her.

"Welcome mistress. Would you like to wait for master in the kitchen or in the living room?"

"I'll just wait in the kitchen. Where is he?"

"He is measuring the master bedroom. He wants a new bed for himself and for mistress."

Hermione felt her cheeks getting hot. "Just tell him I'm here, please."

"Sure, kind mistress." He bowed and disappeared.

She soon heard Harry hurrying on the stairs. She rose from her seat and met Harry as he entered the kitchen. He grabbed her with both hands and hugged her tightly. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too. I love my parents, you know, but I need you near me."

"I want to always be near you. There's nothing I want more."

"Not even a family?"

"Well, that too, as long as it is with you."

"We may already be on the way there…" she noted, as if to herself.

Harry frowned. "What do you mean? I don't understand."

She blushed. "I may be pregnant. I'm not really sure yet."

She wasn't sure what effect this would have on him. She was relieved to see a huge smile appearing on his face. "Pregnant? From me? But… we were together only once…"

"That is all that it takes, love," she said, laughing.

"When will you be sure? Can't you use a spell to verify?"

"I know there is a spell for that, but I had no time to find it in my books. I think I'll use the muggle method for checking it. I only want to wait a few more days."

"That would be wonderful!" he exclaimed, kissing her tenderly. "Have you told your parents?" he added.

"Mom found out, and then I told dad as well, but I didn't tell them you were the father. I wanted to tell you first."

"Weren't they mad at you, or at me?" asked Harry, quite worried.

"They understood, especially since they know about the war and the final battle. Mom even said that there is usually a 'baby boom' after each war. They are not too happy about it, though. They are afraid a baby would prevent me from continuing my studies, developing my full potential."

"Then – will they help you?"

"As much as I need" assured him Hermione.

Harry still seemed deep in thought.

"So, what have you done this far and how can I help you?" asked Hermione.

"Well, I checked the wards first. They are all intact. It also looks like nobody has been here since we left this place almost a year ago. Everything was still the way we had left it here – even the dust, but Kreacher handled it very effectively once I told him how I wanted this place to be. Would you care to look around?"

"I'd love to."

She noticed immediately that the troll-leg umbrella stand was no longer there, as well as the display of the house-elf heads. No painting was hanging on the walls, although the wallpaper was showing different colors where the pictures had used to be.

"How did you get rid of the old lady?" she asked.

"I told Kreacher that she was annoying me, and by next morning he had the painting removed and stored in the room I had given him. He considered it a great honor. Actually, he is quite helpful now."

She started climbing the stairs. Harry stopped her. "Maybe you shouldn't exert yourself now. I can carry you up the stairs, if you allow me."

Hermione couldn't refrain from laughing. "I'm not yet sure that I'm pregnant, and even if I am I can still climb a few stairs. I'm not ill, you know."

Harry blushed a little. "I just want to protect you."

She smiled tenderly. "I know. That's part of your charm."

They spent the whole morning going through the rooms and discussing the options for each. Harry took notes in a large notebook. Kreacher brought them a light lunch by midday and they continued checking the house for several hours afterwards. The sun was already setting when Hermione prepared to leave.

"I wanted to ask you for something" said Harry. "I would have sent an owl if you weren't here. I'm going to Gringotts tomorrow, as the goblins have already sent me several reminders to come and get my inheritance. Would you come with me?"

"I'll come, but why do you need me there?"

"I know practically nothing about money and property. I need your help" he pleaded.

"I think my parents would be better suited to help you," she said. She thought for a moment and added "Why won't you come with me for dinner and ask them in person?"

"Do you think they would agree?"

"I think so, especially if I tell them you are responsible for my current state."

"Your father will kill me!"

"No, he won't. I think he actually likes you. He seemed quite relieved when I said it wasn't Ron. He had seen him at the train station a few times and didn't really like him."

"Well… OK. I'll just change into more suitable clothes."

Five minutes later they apparated into Hermione's bedroom. Hermione took Harry's hand and led him to the kitchen, where her parents were already sitting.

"Mom, Dad, I've invited Harry to join us for dinner, if you don't mind."

Her mother looked at the young couple, her eyes pausing briefly on their hands. She smiled slightly. "No problem, dear. It would have been nicer if you called to let us know a little earlier, though" she said to Hermione and then turned to Harry. "You are always welcome in our house. Hermione has already told us how you saved her life more than once."

Harry seemed uncomfortable at that. "Hermione saved my life at least as many times" he said apologetically, "and there is no telephone in my house, so she couldn't call".

They all sat at the table. They talked a little over dinner. Hermione told her parents about the house at Grimmauld place and Harry mainly nodded, not really knowing what to say. This was very different than dinner with the Weasleys, and a far cry from the Dursley's version. They moved to the living room after dinner and Hermione reminded Harry about the main purpose of his visit.

Harry turned to Hermione's father. "I need to go to the bank tomorrow and I was wondering if you may like to come along with me, to help me understand everything"

"I'm not sure I can help you much in the wizarding bank. What exactly is it that you intend to do there?" asked her father.

"There is an inheritance for me there. Two, actually. My parents had probably left something for me, besides my schooling trust, and my godfather had as well. The house I'm trying to renovate was my godfather's, but I know nothing about the rest. I asked Hermione to come with me and she said you could probably help me much better."

"I think it's alright. We have not yet reopened our clinic, so we could spare a few hours for that purpose." He seemed to want to ask something, but a glance from his wife changed his mind.

"If we are all going with you in the morning, I suggest you stay here for the night" said her mother. "You can use the guest room" she added.

"I can join you after my parents retire to bed" said Hermione quietly, as she was leading Harry to the guest room.

"I'd love you to be with me, but I'd rather not do anything to upset your parents" said Harry.

It took Hermione some time to fall asleep. She was grateful that her parents were so understanding; that they had accepted Harry so easily. She was also glad that her pregnancy made Harry so happy, and she was determined to be a good mother to his child. She finally drifted to sleep, dreaming of babies.