Chapter 13: We All Fall Down
Author's Note: Bonjour! Before I go any further with this author's note I just want to say how pleased I am that Red Rose hit 50 REVIEWS! I know I said this at the end of chapter 12 but I really want to say thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far. I have no experience when it comes to this subject – I am only fourteen (fifteen in December)– and so I am doing this from own knowledge, knowledge from other Harry Potter fan fiction's and internet research. There is also something else I would like to highlight – A review from chapter 12 that said they looked forward to seeing more of Hermione's symptoms. Given that I do not really know that much when it comes to this area I doubt that I will include a great deal of writing on these parts, it might just be something that pops up every once in a while. Here is chapter 13!
28th July 2005
"Will you just, for the love of God, tell me what is in that book Ronald Weasley?" Hermione pleaded as she sat up in bed watching Ron as he opened the curtains and pulled on his Auror robes in order to head to the Ministry of Magic. The Aurors did not have a specific uniform other than that within the job description it clearly stated that they had to wear something that would easily define them as a wizard or a witch of the Wizarding world. This usually consisted of normal Wizarding robes with a Ministry of Magic badge worn upon it somewhere.
"I will tell you, Hermione Weasley. Just let me finish getting my clothes on." Ron laughed whilst pulling on his long, dark navy blue coat like robe.
"And may I ask, what is so different about today huh? You never normally put your uniform on whilst at home, you always seem to take it with you to the Ministry and change there? And pleeaaase tell me what the book is..." Hermione pleaded, trailing off once again.
"Okay, Okay. I will show you the book alright. And besides, there is nothing different about today, I just felt like a bit of a change. Also you never really see me in my work clothes. Mixing things up a little." Ron sighed informing her and she nodded.
"Might I say that you look very good looking in that uniform as well. You always do look handsome, I just mean for this time in the morning."Hermione winked and Ron blushed realising she still had that effect on him after nearly five years of being married and he could not help but wonder that maybe she always would.
"Why thank you." Ron beamed and he sat down on the bed at the point where Hermione's knees reached in the bed and he pulled the book out of a small Flourish and Blott's handled paper bag. "This is the book I bought from Flourish and Blott's last week." He added and handed her the book.
Hermione looked at the book slowly, scanning its bright yet calming cover. The book was not what she had expected. She had never expected Ron to return with a book like this and yet was pleased that he had bought it at the same time. It was not too big but not too small in page numbers, its cover was a soft blossom pink with the occasional bit of purple or darker pink. The writing was neat, elegant and slightly swirly and Hermione then knew exactly what it was.
"You bought a baby names book?" Hermione smiled softly, looking up into his dark blue eyes that seemed to catch and reflect any light when he looked at her and nodded as his answer to her.
"Yes, I did. And it is just girls' names." Ron informed her, "I know we still have a good five months yet, maybe a week or two more, but I know that you would have gotten one at some point or we would have spent ridiculously long amounts of time coming up with one off the tops of our heads. I know that we do not have to decide right away but just for if we need to I bought one in case."
"Thank you." Hermione said quietly, kissing his lips gently and he responded by smiling. "Very much."
"I best get going or I will be late for work." Ron told her sadly, "Are you sure you will be alright all day?"
"Ron, I was sick that is all." Hermione responded and Ron shook his head, quickly gathering his rucksack and stuffing its contents back into the bag.
"Hermione, you were violently sick. I do not know if that is normal or not but we were sat in that bathroom for forty minutes whilst you were heavily, heavily sick at least four times. Yes, I know that you are pregnant and that yes, morning sickness happens, but that was not normal. You are the head of your department, and I have already sent an owl to Joe saying that you were unwell it is fine. They do not mind if you are off ill, as long as you rest and relax and he says he hopes you feel better soon." Ron said looking at her almost shyly and Hermione could not help but let her heart melt at the thought that he was that concerned about her that even after having a little morning sickness, he wanted her to stay off work.
"And before you even think of saying it. That was not just a little morning sickness. Now I really must be going."Ron said once again realising he kept trailing off on endless tangents.
"I love you." Hermione whispered and he grinned, knowing that his heart had warmed every single time she had ever said that to him in the past seven years and two months.
"I love you too." He replied before getting up and leaning over to surprisingly kiss her stomach – making both of them laugh. "And... I love our daughter as well." Ron then quickly got up, departed from the room and within a minute or two she heard the sound of apparition echo through the floor beneath her.
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"Hermione? Hermione are you here?" A voice called and Hermione slowly pulled herself out of bed and padded quickly down the stairs. She could recognise that voice in an instant and was magnetised towards it, not in the same way that she would ever be to Ron's, but in a friendship way then yes. It was a surprise and much unexpected to hear that voice on a day like this. She had imagined that maybe they would be over at the Burrow or spending the day with their baby son, but instead they were here, and Hermione felt more than delighted, although she expected that that might have been the hormones talking instead of herself.
"Ginny? What are you doing here?" Hermione asked
"I just thought that I would pop over and see how you were doing, from what I gather, neither of you were exactly little rays of sunshine in the bathroom last night." Ginny chuckled, quickly brushing her bright, ginger hair out of her eyes with her hand.
"How on Earth do you know that? Have you installed cameras or something?" Hermione enquired
"Your husband, my brother. And eww... of course I have not installed cameras. Who do you think I am?" She replied dramatically shivering to make Hermione burst into laughter. "So what is this that so horrifyingly happened last night? From the owl I received, it must have been one hell of a night."
"I can't remember very much about it. It was all kind of a horrible, sickening blur. I woke up in the middle of the night and I felt terrible and so I got out of bed and that obviously awoke Ron. Then from what I remember we were sat on the bathroom floor for the best part of three quarters of an hour. Projectile vomiting four times in forty five minutes. I know morning sickness is common, but that was a bit much for Ron to regard as normal. So here I am." Hermione sighed
"He is right, that is not normal. Well, at least I do not think it is. I never experienced that but then again, I never had as much morning sickness as you have had. Just stay off until you are better Hermione, otherwise it is not good for you, or Ron, or the baby." Ginny told her and Hermione nodded, wiping her eyes in exhaustion after the unexpected stint of life the previous night.
"Thanks. Where is James, by the way?" Hermione wondered and Ginny shifted where she was stood.
"I left him with my Mum and Dad. Dad is not in work today and after Ron owled me this morning, I asked if I could leave him there so I could come and see you rather more quietly than what is now regarded as normal." Ginny replied
"Does it ever feel weird? I know it has been three months since James was born but does it ever feel odd being a mum? Just knowing that one day it is just you and Harry and then the next you are parents. You are a mum and a dad and you have a son." Hermione asked
"Yes... and no." Ginny started off. "I always wanted to be a parent at some point sooner or later. And then Harry and I got married and I realised that he wanted children as well – you can't blame him for that though can you? I love having James and everything has been great so far, but I can never help but wonder what if. What if we had waited a year or two more? What if we had decided that we should wait a while? It is difficult because Harry and I both see it from different points of view. Harry can carry on with work and continue practically everything that he was doing before I got pregnant. But then from my point of view, everything has changed. I had my dream job, and I have had to give that up, we have a constant responsibility which means that we cannot do some of the things that we used to do, and my body will probably never be the same again. The last point does not really matter to me that much, because I knew it would happen at some point and I know it was worth it."
"Ginny... I..." Hermione said trying to find some words to reply but her searching did not have any results. Ginny then continued.
"I love being James' mum, and Harry's wife, and I love them both more than anyone I have ever before. But sometimes you can't help but wonder, you know, what if things were different. Why did you ask?" Ginny then finished and Hermione's eyebrows became tightly knitted.
"I am not quite sure. I guess it just feels weird that in five months we will be about to have a child. Ron is twenty five and I am nearly twenty six in September, we are still young and yet this time next year, we will be parents, and all of a sudden, everything will change. I know that it will change for the better though." Hermione responded and Ginny nodded
"It does get better, Hermione. Everything nowadays seems to get better in good time." She said before her train of thought boarded at another station. "Now then, I brought something for you just in case in the hope that maybe it would make you feel better." And she pulled a vial of liquid out of her cardigan pocket.
"Please do not say that it is a pepper up potion..." Hermione began and Ginny laughed
"Oh God no. Just a potion from a book that I bought a while ago that apparently helps cure extreme morning sickness."Ginny told her, "Now, which cupboard do you keep your mugs in?"
Hermione gestured to the cupboard in which they were kept and within a matter of a few minutes a cup of something, typical was placed in front of her, slid across the kitchen table.
"You know I do not like tea..." Hermione drifted and Ginny shook her head.
"I know but I promise it will make you feel even the slightest bit better with the potion in as well." Ginny suggested and Hermione drank it gratefully.
"Thank you." Hermione said quietly and her sister in law smiled.
"What time does Ron get back normally?" Ginny asked and Hermione put the mug down on a coaster upon the kitchen table.
"In about an hour, today is normally the day when they are let out a little earlier than normal I think. It does not really make much time difference, but still." Hermione said and there was a sudden tap at the window, to which she turned and stood up to see Harry's owl, Apollo perched on the window ledge.
"What is Apollo doing here?" Hermione questioned turning to her friend and Ginny frowned, putting her cup down.
"You tell me." Ginny replied before a small letter caught Hermione's eye on the foot of Apollo and she pulled it off and began to read. As she got to the end, she felt her heart stop, plummet to the pit of her stomach and she felt like her legs would cave in at any second.
Hermione,
Get to St. Mungo's. It is Ron.
Harry
She read it and re-read it again until she felt like she was going to be sick. All she knew was that Ron was there, and she knew nothing else, not even why he was there in the first place.
"Hermione? What is it?" Ginny asked, her expression having already turned into a frown.
"It is Ron. I really need to get to St. Mungo's." Hermione croaked and Ginny's eyes widened before getting up to steady Hermione as she suddenly looked like she was going to pass out.
"Okay, okay don't panic, you go and floo yourself to St. Mungo's and I will go to the Burrow and get James, and tell mum and dad. It will be fine Hermione; none of us will let anything happen to him." Ginny said all very quickly as her voice quivered slightly whilst reading Hermione's letter. Hermione nodded in reply before they both hurried off to different destinations.
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Hermione stepped out of one of St. Mungo's' many fireplaces and quickly hurried down the long and seemingly endless corridor. She then spotted a figure with jet black hair at the end of the hallway and immediately recognised him as Harry so somewhat began to run. Although she knew it was a silly thing to do, given the current situation but for a moment, she did not care, as long as she got to Ron soon. As she got closer Harry, turned and spotted her, as she approached him suddenly.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry Potter! I swear to God if you do not tell me what is going on, I will cast a spell so powerful that it will blow you off of this planet." Hermione threatened as she felt tears spill down her cheeks effortlessly and Harry placed his arms around her.
"Hermione, calm down... the baby..." He trailed off. "It is not good for them if you are panicking. Both you know and I know that you running down the corridor was not the best of your ideas either. Suppose you had fallen..."
"Harry, I have just been sent a letter telling me to come quickly because my husband is in St. Mungo's. Did you expect me not to be worried?" Hermione cried
"I'm sorry. I was just concerned that you would get worked up." Harry replied
"Okay, I am sorry, I was just frightened. What the hell happened to him?" Hermione asked and Harry sighed running a hand through his hair.
"He was hit by a stunning spell whilst we were on a mission. Normally he would have been fine and have recovered within a few minutes, but he hit his head quite powerfully as he was shot backwards and he has not woken up yet. So when he was not waking up, I got towards him before he was hit by another spell, and then disapparated us both here." He told her.
"Where is he?" Hermione immediately replied shakily and Harry took her hand friendlily before leading her towards the main reception desk where a receptionist sat staring at some papers.
"Hi I came in with Ron Weasley; this is his wife, Hermione. Can I take her through?" Harry asked quietly and the receptionist nodded in response before the pair headed into a secluded room in a quieter area of the hospital. Ron was lying in a bed, his eyes closed peacefully and his face was a ghostly pale.
"Hermione." Harry said and Hermione turned to find him gesturing to a chair. There were two, one on either side of the bed in which they both took a seat.
"Will he wake up?" Hermione questioned after a few minutes of silence, slowly turning to Harry where he found her eyes becoming suddenly shining with her own sadness and fear.
"Yes, they just do not know when exactly." Harry sighed and Hermione looked over at Ron. He looked calm, still and serene. He was completely oblivious to what was happening in the real world right now, but she knew that once he woke up there be a lot of questions and answers to be explained from between the three of them. They continued to sit curled up in the arm chairs, either side of Ron's bed for a few hours, talking and sleeping. Every so often someone or other would come in. The first was Ginny, clutching James carefully in her arms, she sat with them for half an hour whilst Harry held their son before going home to put him to bed. The next were Ron's parents, they came in and left quite quickly, realising that it was painful to see one of their many children in such a state. Then finally, once in a while someone else would come in, but they were never there for that long and the majority of the time it was just Harry, Ron and Hermione, the golden trio. It was very rarely just the three of them nowadays and it should not have felt so right given the current situation but it did and that was the way it was.
"At times, I feel like we hardly ever see each other anymore." Harry sighed after three hours, looking towards the clock on the wall and realising they had just arrived at nine in the evening. Hermione opened her eyes slowly after having closed them for a few minutes. She felt like she had not slept for days but knew that this would never be the time to do so.
"We do, we do more than we did a few years ago before you married Ginny and I married Ron." Hermione returned sitting up slightly and wiping the tiredness from her eyes.
"No, I mean just you, me and Ron." He contradicted and Hermione understood what he meant immediately.
"It is time. Time is changing things. Time has changed us and we should have spent more time with it being just the three of us. Because other than times like this and the occasional moment at a birthday or Christmas or if we stop by and Ginny is not in the only real times we have spent together are when we have been in mortal danger." She said.
"I see you, but I do not see Ron. And then when I do see Ron, I don't see you. You would think it would work out that given that you and Ron got married it would be easier but apparently not. Now everything is changing completely and Ginny and I have James and you and Ron are going to have a baby in a few months. It is like the harder we try, the further we drift apart." Harry told her.
There was a moments silence before Hermione spoke once again. "It's a girl."
"What is a girl?" Harry asked clearly tired.
"The baby. It's a girl." Hermione said "We found out last week."
"Wow, congratulations." Harry smiled, before coming over to hug Hermione and sitting down in the chair next to her. "Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are going to have a daughter. Who would have thought it?" And Hermione laughed
"Ron wanted a daughter you know. He said that when I asked him what he thought the gender would be. I guess he was right."She told her friend
"And what did you want?" Harry asked and Hermione shuffled in her seat to face him better.
"I told him that I did not mind. After waiting so long for something to happen I did not really care or mind as long as they were healthy. But I have always wanted a daughter. I can picture myself better with a daughter as oppose to having a son."Hermione answered. "Thank you, Harry." She added before reaching for his hand kindly.
"For what?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"For everything, everything today. For getting him here, stopping him from being in a worse situation." Hermione informed and she felt a slight tug on her other hand, the hand that was holding Ron's tightly.
"'Mione?" Ron croaked and Hermione sighed as tears fell down her cheeks once again in relief as Harry grinned.
"Ron, thank goodness." Hermione sniffed kissing his forehead.
"Thank you, Harry." Ron spoke and Harry nodded patting his friend on the shoulder.
"I best get going, it is getting really late." Harry added before getting up and heading towards the room's door.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked
"Yeah, you two should have some time alone together and maybe I will see Ginny before she turns in for the night as well." Harry said before bidding them both good night.
"Are you alright?" Hermione enquired as Ron attempted to sit up slightly.
"Been a lot better, but I have been a lot worse, so can't complain." Ron chuckled "What about you?"
"A bit better, Ginny brought me a potion but I am not going to go back in until Tuesday as Ginny suggested." Hermione said and then Ron sighed
"Hermione, there is something I have been thinking about and I think today has helped me make that decision." He started
"Go on." She prompted and her husband continued
"I have decided that I am going to hand in my resignation to the Auror Office."He told her and Hermione's eyes widened. "Hear me out first. I like being an Auror and it has been a great six years but I started thinking about this when we started to try to conceive. Then, you got pregnant and I have been thinking about it even more. Suppose we went out on a mission and I got hit by a curse or something like that and did not wake up. That has always been a fearful possibility but it could happen and you know that there have been many times when we have been far too close to that. I never want that to happen. I want to be here with you and I want to see our daughter grow up more than anything. I don't want to spend my whole life fighting wizards, as much as the fact that I have enjoyed it, I need a life as well with you and our daughter and any other children that we might have in the future. And that is why."
"Ron it is entirely up to you and you know that whatever you chose I will always go with it." Hermione reassured him, "But what are you going to do for a job then?"
"I have already spoken to George, he said that he would be happy for me to do four or five days a week at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It is still good money and I know that it won't be the same but that is the closest thing he is going to get to working with Fred."Ron told him "When do you think I will be able to leave here?"
"A healer came in about half an hour ago and she said tomorrow morning." Hermione replied.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Will you stay with me?" Ron said and he lifted the duvet and shuffled far over in the hospital bed. Hermione smiled and climbed in next to him, reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently.
"Always."
Author's Note: Sorry that this has taken so long, I think it is the longest chapter I have done in a while. Apparently Ron's employment in jobs was supposed to be the other way round I discovered recently (Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and then Auror for the Ministry) but I guess I've decided to do it in vice versa instead. Anyway thank you and PLEASE REVIEW!