Chapter Fourteen:
"Surprise!"
It'd been about a week since she'd accepted the job from the Daily Prophet and resigned from her teaching career at Hogwarts, agreeing to finish the year. At the moment, however, Hermione could be found pacing her office for what felt like the twentieth time that day. It can't be possible. No. It's not. she told herself over and over again as if it would make the statement true. She'd been careful…they'd been careful! There was no way she was…she couldn't even bring herself to think it.
"Expertus Gravidae."
Instantly, the wand in her hand pointed at the bare wall and flashed the date: January 21, 2004.
"Oh! Just my luck! Oh! I'm not ready for this."
Grabbing a quill and parchment, she wrote a hasty letter to Ron.
Ron,
I hate to bother you, but would you mind dropping by my office at Hogwarts for just a minute or two. I have something of great importance I need to talk to you about.
Much Love,
Hermione
Rolling up the parchment, she ran down to the Owlery and called down her owl. After feeding her some owl feed, she handed her the rolled up parchment and told her to take it to Ron. She then returned to her office to wait.
When Ron arrived, Hermione was pacing again. He knew something was wrong just by judging the sight in front of him. Daringly, he chose to speak first.
"Hello, Hermione. What's wrong?"
She spun around to face him, her face etched in panic, "Ron, you might want to sit down."
He raised his eyebrow, but nonetheless obeyed.
"I don't know where to start, so I'm just going to say it. Ron…I'm pregnant!"
After announcing the news, she began to pace again. She'd made one full round of pacing when Ron wrapped her in his arms, "Alright. I am correct in assuming it's mine?"
She nodded, and for a brief moment considered slapping him for ever thinking otherwise, and he continued, "What would you like to do?"
"I don't know."
He sighed but smiled, "Well…I have an idea"
"What is that?"
He took a deep breath, knowing he was treading on dangerous water, "Maybe…we should…get married?"
She stared at him intently for a few moments and sighed, "You're right. We should. It will be best for the baby and besides, Lauran will need a father figure. She's had one her whole life and I don't know how she would react to not having one. The wedding would have to be soon, though, and small."
He chuckled, amazed she agreed with him, "Alright. I don't have a problem with that. When and where do you want to do it?"
She bit her lip and he knew she was thinking carefully, "How about the last Saturday of this month? That should get us plenty of time to get ready…and I won't be showing much yet. And I was thinking…maybe at the Burrow, if your mother doesn't mind?"
"That sounds great…but first," he said, getting down on one knee and taking her hand in his, "Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
She smiled, pulling him up to kiss him and then said, "Yes, I will."
He laughed, "I love you."
She bit her lip again, only this time she looked worried.
He hugged her a little tighter, beginning to get worried himself, "What's wrong?"
"How do we tell Lauran?"
***
Lauran was running to her mother's office after she'd received a hasty letter from her mother informing her that her mother wanted to see her immediately. She had no idea as to why her mother wanted her, but she did know that it seemed important. When she finally made her way into the office, she was shocked to see not only her mother, but the man that she'd met months before when she'd first had detention; however, at the moment, she could not recall his name.
"Lauran, love, so glad you got my message," her mother said to her, forcing a smile.
She tensed, worried about what her mother wanted her for, "Yes, I did. What did you need?"
"We actually need to talk to you about something."
Lauran sighed, "And what might that be?"
"Well, you've met Ron already," her mother said, motioning to the man beside her, "But I'm willing to bet you didn't know that we were seeing each other."
"No. I didn't know that."
Hermione smiled, "Well…we are."
"And, am I to assume that you have decided to marry him? Really, is that it?"
Hermione took a deep breath, "Right, you are. We have decided to get married, but there is more."
"More?"
"Yes, more. I also happen to be pregnant," her mother said and flinched. Lauran felt disheartened to realize that her mother thought she would be angry, when she really wasn't.
"So, I'm going to have a little brother or sister?"
Her mother smiled, comprehending that her daughter was not mad, "Yes, you are."
And then, Lauran did something that neither Hermione nor Ron expected…
She hugged them both.
***
The next Saturday evening, everyone gathered together for dinner at the Burrow. In attendance were: Molly and Arthur, Bill and Fleur, Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron, George, Charlie, Neville, Luna, Hagrid, McGonagall, and Lauran. Everyone was anxious to hear the news that Hermione and Ron had to share with everyone. Well, everyone except Lauran, who already knew.
After a wonderful meal prepared by Molly, everyone retired to the living area to hear the news. Hermione found it quite comical how everyone tried so desperately to squeeze into the tiny room. There was a lot of loud chatter before Ron raised his voice, commanding the attention of all.
"Quiet! Do you want to hear what we have to tell you or not?"
When the room went silent, he looked to Hermione, who nodded, and continued, "Well, the reason we've got you lot gathered here tonight is to tell you all something very important. Right…well…Hermione and I have decided to get married."
All at once everyone was cheering and running up to the couple and hugging them tightly, except for Lauran who only smirked knowingly. Ginny's voice rang out above all others saying, "Well it's about damn time!"
Ron and Hermione laughed and then Molly, who was silently scolding her daughter for her language, spoke up, "Have you decided when?"
"The last Saturday of May…May 31st," Hermione answered.
Everyone exchanged glances, and Hermione knew what they were thinking…and knew they were right. George, of course, had to make a joke of their thoughts, "Merlin's Beard, Hermione! That's soon. You're not pregnant, are you?"
Hermione tried to smile and sighed, "Actually, George…I am."
The room went silent for a minute or two, but soon everyone, Lauran excluded, was calling out their congratulations…everyone except Molly. Molly's face was tight and her eyes were closed. Her lips were pursed tight together as if she were trying to keep her comments to herself. Hermione looked down to her feet and felt quite disheartened. She'd been desperately seeking Molly's support and approval in all of this. Suddenly, she felt arms embracing her and tears hitting her shoulder and was shocked to hear Molly's voice in her ear.
"Hermione, I am so happy for you. For the both of you…excuse me, the three of you. You, Ronald and Lauran. You deserve to be a family. And I'm sorry if I frightened you, I was just so overjoyed for you I couldn't help but crying, though I didn't want to. I was concentrating so hard on not crying, I'm afraid I may have lead to you believe I was angry. I'm really not, I'm actually very thrilled."
With the encouragement she needed, Hermione embraced her future mother-in-law even more and smiled, feeling very content.
***
Her friends stood around her and she was smiling. At last she was happy. It was an amazing feeling to be carefree and joyous. She was content. She had the love of her life, the daughter she'd lost and another precious bundle soon to come into her life. Nothing could possibly go wrong. She almost cried when they helped her with her dress. It was gorgeous ivory satin and hit all the way to the floor. It was fitted at the top and flaired just below her knees; the woman at the dress shop called it, "mermaid." Her sweetheart neckline greatly reminded her of a heart, making her feel even more confident, and was covered in magnificent embroidery. For a brief moment she regretted choosing the chapel train, spanning out four feet from her waist, but after a second thought poise once again captivated her. She wore no veil, instead choosing to wear a small tiara that held pearls and rhinestones in an semi-intricate way that still managed to be simple.
When she went to place the tiara on its rightful place, she felt hands stop her from doing so. Spinning around she was surprised to see her mother, who was now taking hold of the tiara and placing it atop her head. Hermione looked to her mother and felt tears fall down her face and passed her smile. Embracing her mother, she apologized for not writing during the year and said that she felt guilty for not telling her about Lauran. And then she released her mother from the embrace and called her daughter over to them. Once the introductions were over, Hermione found herself in tears watching her mother and daughter meet for the first time in almost twelve years. It was disheartening to see what fate had done to them, but now Hermione smiled to know that things were getting better. Ginny, being the loving best friend she was, hugged her with a friendly squeeze and lead her to the vanity table set up in her room, where she began to attack Hermione's face with numerous spells for make up.
Finally, when it was time to go, the group of friends in the room lead Hermione down to the living area where the line up was. Hermione saw her father and felt the tears coming again and, though Ginny had used waterproof make up spells, she would not allow herself to cry anymore…Well, at least until the ceremony. she thought to herself and then she walked up to her father and hugged him with all the love she had. Before she could say anything to her father, the procession began and she felt her heart race in every bone of her body. What if he decided he didn't want her anymore…that he didn't want a family with her? What if he walked out on her and Lauran and the baby growing inside of her? Then she realized she was just being silly. He loved her and Lauran and even the baby that none had met. He would not leave her.
At long last, Hermione and her father made their way down the aisle to where Ron stood. He was smiling, which made Hermione smile even more. Many people were crying tears of joy and smiling at her as she walked alongside her father. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world. Before Hermione realized, they were at the alter and it was time for her father to give her away. After he did so, Hermione felt silent tears leave sparkling trails down her cheeks as Ron grabbed her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, which she lovingly returned. Professor McGonagall, whom they'd asked to perform the ceremony, began to speak. All over, Hermione felt tingly and she was not sure if it was just nerves. In the end, after vows were spoken and promises made, McGonagall's voice rang louder than ever.
"Conjungium, Amor, Fidelitas et Prosperitas, Usque Ad Mortem Vestrum."
Instantly, a white cord wrapped around her and Ron's entwined hands and Hermione knew what those words, that spell, meant before they were spoken in English.
"Marriage, Love, Fidelity and Prosperity, all the way until your death."
Forever and ever, Ronald, I give you my heart, Hermione thought to herself and made the mental note to tell him so later on in the evening. No happiness in the world could compare to this.
Author's Note: This is the final chapter, excluding the epilogue.
Translations: Expertus Gravidae means "Pregnancy Test"
Links: For those of you who want to see what Hermione's dress and tiara looked like, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the epilogue. I would post the links here now, but my computer does not like fanfiction today. I have attempted to post this chapter likely five times today. I apologize and hopefully I will remember to post the links, if not review and I will switch that chapter for one that does have the links.
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter.