Christmas day took Ron and Hermione to Grimmauld Place with the rest of the Weasleys and Potters, plus Luna and Rolf, Neville and Hannah, and Teddy Lupin and Andromeda Tonks.
Percy and Audrey had announced they were pregnant with their second child. No one saw this as a surprise, for the Weasley family seemed to always be breeding.
Though she had been furious with Ron for giving her a week off, Hermione had grudgingly taken it. She had come back from Harry and Ginny's the day after Ron had retrieved her from the Ministry, still trying to stay indignant. However, the work she had been doing soon reduced her to tears, and she fell into Ron's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Throughout her week off, Ron would take care of her as much as he could. He made sure she had plenty of sleep and cooked as many meals as she would allow him for her. She eventually forgave him for telling her boss she needed a week off, and silently thanked him for it.
Hermione watched Ron out of the corner of her eye. They were at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place for Christmas. Molly and Andromeda Tonks were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Teddy Lupin was off exploring the huge house with Victoire and Dominique, and all the men were in the living room.
Hermione was sitting on the sofa on the other side of the living room with Ginny at her side, who was due to have the baby anytime. They both were talking with Luna, Fleur, Audrey, and Angelina about Ginny's pregnancy issues, but Hermione wasn't really listening. She was too busy looking at Ron.
He was over talking with Harry and George, but every once in a while, he would look over at Hermione and shoot her a grin and a wink. She loved to watch him. He was wonderful to look at, she thought. Since the war had ended six years ago, Hermione felt Ron had become much more serious about things, including their relationship. He knew when to be serious, but he also knew the right time to make a joke too, and he always knew exactly how to make Hermione laugh.
Hermione kept staring at him, unable to help herself. At full height, he was about four inches over six feet, just as Hermione loved him. His red hair wasn't too short or too long, but just right, and it had always fit him perfectly. He had just the right amount of freckles to make Hermione laugh out loud at the sight of him. His long nose was still just as long as it had always been, but Hermione loved it. His hands were about three times bigger than hers, but somehow, they fit into hers perfectly. And his eyes, they always told Hermione everything she needed to know.
Just looking at Ron made Hermione's love for him grow stronger. Every little detail about him she loved. Everything from her favorite freckle on his face to the way he protects her she loved.
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by Molly Weasley announcing that dinner was ready.
Hermione took the seat across from Ron at the table. He winked at her and grinned at her (that special smile she knew was only for her) from across the table. They spent the meal silently communicating through their feet, Hermione even accidently hitting Harry's foot occasionally.
After dinner, the adults sat around talking about their school days while the children went off exploring again. Ron sat on the sofa with his arm protectively around Hermione, and he would lean over to kiss her head occasionally for no reason. She smiled at the feel of him, loving every part of him. Finally, Hermione was able to listen to the conversation going on in the room.
It turns out; Harry was actually talking about Ron and Hermione.
"And in sixth year, Ron found out Hermione had kissed Viktor Krum and Ron decided to date Lavender to get back at her, and it was jealous mania with the both of them!" Harry was saying. Everyone laughed, even Ron and Hermione.
"But we can't forget –" George started, but Ginny interrupted him.
"Oh Merlin," Ginny said, her hands clutching her wide belly. "My water just broke! This baby's coming NOW!"
Harry shot up off the armchair he had been sitting in and everyone in the room flew into a chattering panic, but Molly took charge. "Alright, Harry, you need to get her to St. Mungo's now! We'll all follow!"
Harry led Ginny over to the fireplace where they Flooed to St. Mungo's. Ron and Hermione quickly followed with the rest of the family in tow…
Within a half an hour later, James Sirius Potter had been born. Harry and Ginny were in a hospital room in St. Mungo's with their newborn in Ginny's arms when Ron and Hermione entered.
The first thing Hermione noticed about James was that he had his father's hair. Harry's black hair was in a small tuft on James' head. His eyes were open, so she could see that he had inherited Ginny's brown eyes.
Ron and Hermione visited with the newborn, and after fifteen minutes, allowed the rest of the family members to come in.
As they left, Hermione leaned into Ron and said, "That's what I want."
Ron's head whipped around at her. "Really?"
"Yes," Hermione hesitated. "Don't you?"
Ron nodded sincerely and honestly. "Yeah, I do. I want a family and I want it with you."
"But when do you want it?" Hermione asked.
"Real soon," Ron said, kissing her forehead. With that, they Disapparated to their flat.
