It was only a month before Hermione's due date when something extraordinary happened.

Ron and Rose were at the Burrow with the family one Saturday, only on Hermione's request. She had been feeling suffocated. She loved it when Ron centered all his attention on her, but this week had been too much. Between Ron jumpiness around her (especially since her due date to have the baby was nearing) and Rose's need for attention, Hermione desperately needed a day of solitude.

It hadn't been easy persuading Ron to leave without her. He was uneasy leaving her when she was so close to having their baby. But when she told him she needed only a day, he left reluctantly with Rose.

And as fate would have it, it was on that day did Hermione feel the first jabs of labor pain.

It was also extraordinarily lucky that Ron and Hermione (along with the rest of the Weasley family) decided to get cell phones in the last few months.

It happened while Hermione was reading on the sofa, relaxing in her tranquility, when a sharp pain in her abdomen made her jump and drop her book. She knew she hadn't the strength or concentration for a message by Patronus, so she quickly reached for her phone and dialed Ron's number. It rang once, twice, three more times before it went directly to voicemail. Hermione cursed Ron for leaving his phone off (again) and called Harry instead, whom she knew would pick up.

He did, and informed her that he would Disapparate to her home right away.

As she hung up, there was a loud pop and Harry had appeared in front of her in the middle of the living room. He helped her off the couch as the pains got worse.

"Alright, we're going to St. Mungo's Hermione, just relax," Harry said soothingly as he slung her arm over his shoulder for support.

"I'm having….really…. bad contractions!" Hermione gasped. It was as if a thousand scalding knives were stabbing her innards.

"We're going to have to Floo," Harry said as he threw the powder into the fireplace. "It's risky, but it's much better than Disapparating."

Hermione nodded, beads of sweat now running down her face. She only wanted it all to be over; why did it hurt so much to have children?

They Flooed to St. Mungo's and Harry told the receptionist that he had a woman in labor. Hermione was rushed into a hospital room, with Harry closely behind.

While Hermione was changing into a hospital gown, she could hear Harry being questioned in the hallway, outside the closed door.

"Are you the father?" the nurse asked him.

"No," Harry said, "I'm going to send a Patronus her husband as soon as I can. I'm just a friend."

The nurse nodded. "Do you happen to know how far along she is?"

"Eight months." The nurse nodded and strode away. Meanwhile, Hermione was in a hospital bed, and a Healer was talking to her.

"Alright Mrs. Weasley, you're about four centimeters dilated. We're start pushing at eight. Can I leave you alone?"

Hermione nodded, but she desperately wanted Ron or Harry with her.

As if her wish was granted, Harry entered the room as the Healer left. He pulled a true sympathetic face as he sat on the end of the bed and asked, "How's it going?"

"I've been better," Hermione said, grimacing as another contraction made her jump. She really wanted Ron, and possibly the rest of the family….

"Harry, can you send a Patronus to Ron now?" she asked. Harry jumped and said, "Oh! Right! Sorry, forgot." He pulled out his wand and mumbled "Expecto Patronum" under his breath. He told the stag Patronus to inform Ron of the situation and no sooner than he had sent the Patronus, did Ron come bursting into the room, looking quite frazzled.

"Hermione!" he gasped, immediately kneeling at her side and gripping her hand. Hermione noticed Harry got off the bed and attempted to blend in with the walls.

But Ron went on. "I'm sorry I didn't answer my phone, I promise I'll answer every call you make to me from now on!"

"Ron, it's alright," Hermione said, squeezing his hand in hers. "I'm just glad you're here now. Where's Rose?"

"I left her with the family, but they'll be here in a moment. All of them." Ron grinned as he attempted to make her laugh. She managed a smile, but it soon turned into a frown as another contraction came along.

"Oh, Hermione," Ron said sympathetically, hugging her tightly. "I wish I could take your place, I really do."

"I know," Hermione struggled to smile, the pain passing.

"Erm…I'm going to see if Ginny's here yet," Harry said from the corner. Ron and Hermione both jumped, they both had forgotten he was in the room.

"Only a matter of time now," Ron said once Harry was gone. "Till we have another child."

"Yeah, I know," Hermione said, lying against her pillows.

Ron and Hermione talked for about an hour (with the Healer checking in every so often) until the same Healer came in again and told Hermione they were going to start to push.

"Mr. Weasley, you know the drill, no men allowed," the Healer said sternly. She had almost literally tossed him out of the room at Rose's birth, and Ron knew better than to argue with her. He looked reluctantly at Hermione and kissed her softly on the lips before leaving.

The Healer gave Hermione a potion to reduce the pain and she began to push…


Moments later, a tiny, fragile figure lay in Hermione's arms as the Healer left to retrieve Ron. A brown tuft of hair grew out of the baby's head and Hermione saw that the boy had Ron's beautiful blue eyes.

Ron entered the room with Rose in his arms, wearing a grin that threatened to rip his face. He kissed Hermione and the baby, gently smoothing the infant's hair.

"He's lovely, isn't he?" Hermione said, grinning up at Ron.

"Yeah," Ron answered, "you did beautifully."

"We did," Hermione corrected. "Shall we name him Hugo?"

Ron nodded as he allowed Rose to sit on the bed and observe her new brother. "Hugo Ronald Weasley."