Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling. I am merely playing in her universe.

When Charlie walked into St. Mungo's two hours later, it took him a few minutes to find Bill and Hermione. The medical clerk at the front desk was insistent that there was no Hermione Granger registered as a patient. He finally gave up and asked if anyone had seen Bill.

As he pushed the door to the ward where his brother was last seen, he saw Bill sitting in a chair next to a bed with a sleeping Hermione. Bill look up as the footsteps echoed across the ward. Charlie looked at Hermione, she was pale and her breathing was very swallow. Bill noticed the concern on his brother's face. "

Is she okay?" Charlie asked. Bill stood up and motioned Charlie to follow him out into the hallway.

"Where's Ron?" Bill was very serious, Charlie shook his head, "No one knows where he is. I've left messages everywhere…I'm sure he will turn up."

Bill looked ready to hit something. Charlie recognized his older brother's calm rage.

Charlie asked, "What is going on Bill? Is Hermione in danger?"

Bill emitted a low growl, "She has a serious infection."

Charlie nodded as Bill continued, "an infection from a muggle operation- something called a Cesarean section…Charlie, Hermione had a baby!"

Charlie looked up in surprise "A baby?" he realized he was being loud, so he whispered, "when?"

Bill sighed, "The healer thinks maybe a month ago. The muggle incision is not healing because Hermione is magical…but to answer your question, yes, the infection is serious." Bill raked his fingers through his hair and looked at his brother's face, "Where is the baby?"

Charlie and Bill both pulled up chairs next to Hermione's bed. Bill was extremely agitated, he looked at his brother, "She asked to use my pensieve…do you think her memories about the baby are in the penseive?"

Charlie looked down at his hands, "Probably, do you think you should check?"

Bill was conflicted, "Hermione had a baby, we know that, we know she is a brilliant and responsible witch. I'm sure Hermione would never endanger her child. I can't justify invading her memories."

Slowly the hours crept by while the brothers sat and kept watch of the sleeping witch. Towards midnight, Bill leaned over the edge over the bed and grasped Hermione's hand. He broke the silence "Her fever is breaking, maybe she'll wake up and tell us what happened."

As the sun rose Bill stood up and stretched. He was stiff all over and needed a shower. He had tried to sleep some but Charlie's snores were enough to wake up people in Devon.

Walking over to his brother, he shook him awake, "I'm going to go back to the flat and shower. Keep an eye out for the healer they should be around soon."

Charlie grumbled some sort of answer and his sores started again as soon as Bill walked into the hallway.

The hot water poured over his aching shoulder as Bill washed away the smoke from the club and the disinfectant smell of the hospital. His thoughts kept flashing in his mind like lighting brightened scenes on a stormy night. Still images caught for a second before returning to darkness. His brain was trying to make sense of Ron's behavior. How could Ron have left a pregnant fiancée? As much as he hated Fleur, Bill knew would never have left his child.

That thought lead to what kind of idiot would leave a wonderful woman like Hermione. She was kind, warm and caring, the perfect, well maybe not perfect, she could be taller, but she was honest, loyal, and true. She had the most beautiful colored eyes and they always gave away how she felt.

Bill took a deep breath. He was surprised at himself, when had he paid so much attention to Hermione? She was Ron's. Bill turned off the water and was dressed before he realized the truth was that he had always paid attention to Hermione. At every family event, he had been drawn to her and had observed her. Ron was a fool to walk away from that one.

Bill was surprised not to hear Charlie's snores when he returned to the ward. As he got closer to Hermione's bed he saw Charlie leaning over and appeared to be speaking to an awake Hermione. Bill's step quickened. She was back with them.

"Morning Coco!" he greeted them.

Hermione gave Bill a weak smile "Coco?"

Bill returned the smile,"Yeah, your eyes remind of hot coco on a cold winter morning."

Hermione blushed and softly laughed "Coco, okay."

Charlie smiled, it was good to see her smile and laugh. "She has been up for a couple of minutes…"

Bill nodded once; he sat down next to the bed on the opposite side from where Charlie was standing. He wanted answers and he planned on a gently interrogation of the patient.

"Hermione, when I brought you here the med witch said you had an infection. The med witch also said you had something called a Caesarean section. Hermione, you would only have that type of muggle operation if you had had a baby. Hermione did you have a baby?" Bill finished.

Hermione's eyes betrayed her; she looked at her hands as the emotions played across her face. She took a deep breath and started to speak, "I did have a baby…a beautiful red haired, blue eyed boy. He…"

She was interrupted by the approach of a healer. The grandmotherly looking healer smiled kindly at the three. Looking at Bill the healer spoke, "Are you the wee one's papa?'

Bill shook his head and the healer looked at Charlie. Charlie also shook his head, "We are friends of the family."

The healer muttered to herself, "Oh the papa is home with the wee one while we get the momma good as new."

Bill and Charlie looked at Hermione; the tears were flowing over her cheeks. The healer noticed her patient's distress and tried to reassure Hermione by gently patting her leg,

"Sweetie it's just all of the potions, you'll be home with your little one in no time…if you two gentlemen would excuse us…I need to check the new momma's incision, "said the healer.

Bill and Charlie stood up and walked into the hallway. They did not speak they just waited. After a few minutes the healer opened the doorway to the ward and walked passed the brothers muttering again to herself about muggles and senseless operations. Bill and Charlie went back to Hermione's bedside. She was quietly plucking at the blanket.

Bill thought there was fear behind the tears. "Hermione where is our nephew? And does Ron know?"

Hermione looked into Bill's eyes "Did you find Ron?"

Charlie answered, "I looked everywhere I could think of …I left messages…he'll turn up."

Bill held her hand, "Hermione, Ron would never have left you alone with a baby on the way…his is not that much of an ass…he doesn't know does he?"

Hermione sobbed, "I didn't know I was pregnant when Ron walked out. I didn't even suspect for months. I was going to tell him…I ran out of time…everything happened so fast."

Bill looked at his brother, "What happened so fast?"

Hermione's sobs got stronger and she had trouble finding enough breath to speak. "I only realized I was pregnant about three months ago. I was terrified, but I knew I had to tell Ron it was only fair…"

Charlie was stroking her hand, "You must have been so scared all alone."

Hermione was calming down, "Once the idea settled in I was excited…I was planning on telling Ron when it happened."

Bill nudged the still crying Hermione, "What happened?"

Hermione took a moment to compose herself, "I had developed the habit of taking a walk around the park near my flat every morning for exercise. I did not carry anything with me just a twenty-minute walk, back home everyday, unfortunately, my belly was getting bigger, and during my walk, I did not see the crack in the pavement."

Hermione took a deep breath and continued, "I took a nasty fall…I must of hit my head. I blacked out I guess some muggles found me and I was taken to a muggle hospital. By the time I came too I was in labor."

Hermione's brave façade cracked and her sobs wracked her body, "it was too early for the baby to come…way too early but they couldn't stop the contractions. I didn't have my wand…I couldn't do anything…the baby was only twenty-eight weeks…he was too little to make it."

Bill looked at Charlie in a panic, "He didn't make it? What do you mean Hermione?"

Hermione sobbed, "My son, our son, our little boy only lived for four days…"

Charlie had tears pouring down his face, "I'm so sorry Hermione…why didn't you get in touch with us?'

Bill had sat next to her on the bed his arms pulling her close to him, "You didn't have your wand…you couldn't."

Hermione nodded, "I wanted Ron to meet his son…I begged the nurses and doctors to find him…they said he didn't exist." I begged the baby to hold on…I would get him to his papa as soon as we were released…but the baby was too little…"

Charlie sat next to her and buried his head in her shoulder, "Oh, Hermione I wish…"

The three bereft people sat there quietly for a while and scarcely noticing the breakfast tray that appeared at the foot of the bed complete with a complimentary copy of the Daily Prophet neatly tucked next to the glass of milk. Charlie's stomach was rumbling and he noticed the hot buttered toast peaking over the edge of the plate. Standing up he nicked a piece and picked up the newspaper.

As he opened the paper, the headline on the front page read, "Hermione Granger's home destroyed and Miss Granger is missing." Charlie handed the paper to Bill and Hermione and watched them read the lead story.

Hermione looked puzzled, "How can they say I am missing when I am here in St. Mungo's?"

Bill looked sheepish, "When I brought you here I wanted to avoid more scandal… I registered you under 'Coco Puffee' so no one knows where Hermione Granger is."

Hermione smiled "Puffee'?"

Bill shifted a little, "I was under duress, okay... it's not the greatest alias but ANYWAY…Hermione your apartment…who or what do you think happened?" Charlie had been reading the accompanying article, "It says here no other apartment was affected only Hermione's my guess is that it is not a what but more likely it is a who."

Hermione sunk back into the pillows, "How much do I have to lose?"

She sounded despondent, "I lost my fiancée, my baby, and now my home…why? Why can't I just go to my son but no…I have to keep existing. I tried to move on but even my attempt at a life drinks with my upstairs neighbor turns into hell!"

Charlie looked at Hermione, "That jackass last night was your neighbor?"

Hermione nodded, "He has been pestering me for months to have a drink with him, leaving notes, finding me in the corner store, cornering me in the lobby, I finally gave in to get him to stop…but even that turned to shit."

Charlie sighed, "I guess we know who."

Bill smirked, "I'll be right back." as he left the ward.

Charlie stayed with Hermione keeping his arms around her gently stroking her hair as she rested. Bill stopped at the opening in the curtains that had been drawn around Hermione's hospital bed. The sight of Hermione looking so small and so mournful made his heartbreak. She deserved so much more.

Charlie saw him watching them and motioned him to come in. Bill walked to the empty chair, "I contacted Harry and Ginny, and gave our brother-in-law, the auror, a heads up on the neighbor. I told them that Hermione is fine and with us. I also talked to Mum, she had worked herself into a right state, but I assured her you were fine and in good hands."

Hermione sat up, "You didn't tell them about the baby did you? I thought I should tell Ron first, well third now."

Bill quickly calmed her worries, "No, I did not mention it but I did ask them to make sure Ron gets in touch."

Hermione yawned, "It must be the potions…" and she drifted off to sleep.

Charlie and Bill wandered down to the coffee shop. They ordered some breakfast. Charlie spoke first, "What's next?"

Bill played with his bagel, "Our damsel is still in distress…I think she stays with us."

Charlie agreed, "I guess we give her one room and we share the other?"

Bill thought that was the best option and they finished their meal.

Charlie put down his teacup, "I'll go move my stuff and conjure twin beds your room…unless you would rather bunk beds?"

Bill laughed, "Twin is fine, I'm going to stay and make sure she's okay. We'll touch base later."

Charlie nodded and was off. Bill smiled as he looked down at the hot coco he had gotten to go with his bagel. The color of the beverage did remind him of her eyes.