A/N: Disclaimer, see Chapter 1. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, favorited, and followed! I appreciate it!

Chapter 3

Hermione was now four months. It seemed like she was getting bigger and bigger with every passing day. She'd be going to the Healer next week to find out the baby's gender. And as time went on, Hermione was becoming more and more excited about the baby.

"Hermione, you almost ready?" Harry called up the stairs.

"Be down in a moment!" she called back.

Hermione had just finished renovating the house and Harry had decided it'd be a good time to have a party. He invited everyone from the Order over for some food and dessert.

She checked her appearance in the mirror. She was wearing a light blue dress which showed off her little baby bump. A lot of people already knew she was pregnant and she wasn't going to hide it from anyone else.

Hermione made her way downstairs only to be immediately scooped up into a hug from Molly Weasley.

"Hermione dear, how are you?"

She smiled at the Weasley matriarch. "I'm doing as well as I could be."

"Good, you know if you ever need anything you just need to ask."

"I know Molly, and I appreciate it." She gave Molly another hug. Hermione then politely excused herself and moved towards the living room. It seemed everyone had arrived and the party was now in full swing.

She navigated through people, weaving in and out before plopping herself on the couch. A sigh escaped her lips.

"I was exhausted during my pregnancy too," a voice said to the right.

Turning, Hermione saw Andromeda sitting on the couch, holding a sleeping Teddy in her arms.

Hermione smiled at her. "All I want to do is sleep. It's a bit ridiculous actually."

"It'll get better," she said, smiling.

Hermione chuckled. "Oh yeah, when will that be?"

Andromeda closed her eyes for a moment. "About two years from now when the baby will be able to sleep through the night."

Hermione laughed.

The older woman watched her. "It's nice to see you laugh, despite everything."

Hermione brought her feet up on the couch, tucking them beneath her. Twisting her body, she now faced Andromeda. "People keep treating me like I'm made out of glass. I know what happened to me was horrible, but I'm not an invalid. Yes, I'm pregnant, but I want to move forward with my life, despite my past, you know Andromeda?"

She reached over, gently touching Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione felt a spark run through her. Andromeda's touch instilled warmth in Hermione, one she had never felt before. She felt safe, happy…

"Call me Andy, Hermione. And I completely understand how you feel. Losing both Ted and and Nymphadora was one of the worst things that could have happened to me, but I'm ready to move forward. I have Teddy to look after now, and I want to be able to move forward for him."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "It's nice to see someone understand how I feel."

Andy smiled. "I understand more than you think."

"It's just hard. Without my parents, I just feel so lost."

Andy squeezed her hand. "You can come to me with anything Hermione. I know we don't know each other very well, but I'd like to remedy that."

"I'd like that," she whispered.

Andy smiled. "Good, we can be like two lost souls, finding refuge with each other."

"Can I hold him?" Hermione whispered, pointing to Teddy's sleeping form.

"Of course!" Andy said with a smile. "You'll need all the practice you can get." She shifted and gently laid Teddy into Hermione's waiting arms.

"He's so heavy," she commented, surprised by his weight. She adjusted her arms so she could hold him better. "How old is he now?"

"Five months," Andy commented with a smile. "He's rather big for his age."

Hermione stared at the sleeping infant in her arms. He was breathing heavily and she was surprised she could still hear it over the chatter of the room. The poor boy had lost his parents. But Hermione supposed he was lucky to have a grandmother to take care of him. He would still grow up with family, loved. Unlike Harry. She still wished Harry had a better childhood, but she knew she couldn't change the past.

Teddy shifted in her arms, yawning. She smiled. His tongue poked out a bit, causing her to giggle. His tongue was so tiny and cute!

But that's when it hit her; the realization that she was going to be a mother.

Andy noticed her tense up. "Hermione, are you okay?"

She shook her head, handing Teddy back to her. "I can't do this," she murmured. Getting up, she quickly disappeared from the room.

Andy watched her retreating form. Standing, she approached Molly. "Molly, could you hold onto to Teddy for a moment?"

Molly smiled at the thought. "I'd love too! Just hand him over."

"Thanks," Andy mumbled, handing the sleeping infant to Molly. She knew he'd be well looked after. Directing her way towards the stairs, she slowly climbed them figuring Hermione was in her room. She stopped on the second floor, unsure of where she would be.

"Andromeda?" a voice piped up.

"Harry, could you tell me what room is Hermione's?" she asked, grateful to see the black haired boy.

"Third on the right, she's crying though, so I'm not sure she wants to see anyone," Harry responded before going down the stairs.

Andy made her way to Hermione's room. "Hermione, can I come in?" she asked through the door.

"Yes," her muffled sob responded.

Andy pushed open the door, frowning when she saw Hermione hugging her knees to her chest crying. Immediately she went towards her, pulling the young girl in her arms. "Shush, love, don't cry," she whispered in her ear, rocking Hermione back and forth.

"I can't do this! I'm eighteen! Andy, I don't even know what I'm going to do." Hermione sobbed.

Andy just hugged her tighter, pressing a kiss to the top of Hermione's forehead. "You can do this Hermione. They say you're the brightest witch of this age, and I'm willing to bet that's true. You can raise this baby, and you will."

Hermione eventually stopped crying. Looking up at Andy through tear stained eyes she sniffled. "Do you really think so?"

Andy nodded. "Honey, I've raised one child, and now I'm raising another. If I can do this at my old age, then you can do it at your young age."

Hermione laughed. "You're not that old Andy."

"Yes well, why don't you wipe up those tears so we can rejoin the party," Andy suggested.

Nodding, Hermione stood. She went to the bathroom to quickly freshen up before going downstairs with Andromeda. Hermione really didn't know much about her, but she could just tell they were going to get along wonderfully.