Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. This writing is for pure entertainment only.

Summary: Sequel to "Law Change Lives". Hermione and Ron are settling into their new roles as parents, but nothing is ever as easy as it seems.

CHAPTER 3

"Rosie…please…another bite for Mummy…" Hermione tried spooning in some more of the baby banana's she was attempting to feed Rose for dinner, those Rose shook her head and protested against the small spoon.

Hermione sighed; she was already wearing the sweet potatoes and the juice Rose had decided she did not want to eat. She did not want to add bananas to her shirt.

The door to Grimmauld Place opened, signally Ron was home.

"Good…maybe you will eat for Daddy…" Hermione said to Rose who had turned her attention to the kitchen doorway, as if she knew Ron home.

"Who's eating?" Ron's voice was loud as he moved into the kitchen with his briefcase in one hand and a bouquet of lilies in the other.

"Your daughter is refusing to." Hermione said, standing and smiling at Ron. "What are the flowers for?"

"For you." Ron smiled at her and kissed her handing the flowers. "Congratulations on your test. McGonagall sent an owl that said you did near perfect."

Hermione smiled softly at Ron. "Thank you."

"Sure." Ron smiled back at her before turning his attention to Rose. "Now…miss…why aren't you eating?"

Rose giggled as Ron got eye level with her and moved toward her, grabbing the banana jar and getting a spoonful in Rose before she could protest.

"Is she eating?" Hermione asked as she set the flowers in water.

"A bit." Ron said, taking the seat Hermione had been in and continued to feed Rose. "Why don't you go relax, Hermione? I'll finish up here with Rose and get her in bed."

"Ron, you don't have to—" Hermione started.

"You earned it. Go relax after that test…I've got Rosie…go take a bath." Ron offered again.

Hermione smiled, leaning against the counter. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. Go…" Ron told her.

"Thank you, Ron." Hermione moved and kissed him on the cheek. She was truly exhausted and a bath sounded amazing.

"Sure. Say goodnight to Mum…Rosie…" Ron said to his daughter.

"Mmm…Maa..maa…" Rose gurgled out proudly.

Hermione instantly froze and so did Ron, both staring at their daughter.

Rose, however, did not seem to find her parents looks amusing and after a few minutes was grabbing for Ron to keep feeding her.

"Did she…" Ron said, mindlessly spooning another bit of food into Rose's mouth.

"Did she talk? I can't be sure." Hermione said softly, though she couldn't help her racing heart, at the idea that her daughter was speaking, especially if her first word was "mama".

"Hold on…Rosie…who is that…" Ron pointed to Hermione.

Rose stared at her mother for a long moment and then grabbed at Ron again.

"No…Rosie…who is that…" Ron pulled the food back, pointing at Hermione again.

Rose seemed annoyed but almost understood Ron, and then turned to Hermione and pointed. "MA…"

"Oh, Rose!" Hermione could feel the tears welling in her eyes as she quickly scooped Rose up and kissed the messy baby so much that Rose giggled against Hermione's cheek.

"Bloody hell…well, I can tell my Mum to stick that one in her hat…" Ron laughed as Hermione continued to kiss and cuddle against a giggling Rose.

After a few minutes, Rose seemed bored with her mother and grabbed for Ron.

"Let me clean her up and get her in bed, Hermione." Ron offered again.

"Oh…but…" Hermione sighed, as if she didn't want to give Rose up. She was so proud of her.

"You can talk to her tomorrow, Hermione…all day. I promise she will be here." Ron laughed.

"Fine…goodnight, Rose…Mummy loves you…give me kisses." Hermione made a kissing face at Rose.

Rose leaned in and kissed Hermione on the lips before giggling and letting Ron take her from her mother's grasp. She then placed her head against Ron's shoulder and shoved her thumb in her mouth, as if she were done performing tricks for the night.

Hermione sank down into the bubble bath in the master bath attached to her and Ron's room. The warm water felt good against her skin, and she smiled as she closed her eyes and let the water soak into her muscles. She had been tired early, ready for bed, but now, after Rose's little show downstairs, she felt awake.

Hermione was proud of her daughter. She had let Mrs. Weasley worry her for weeks that Rose wasn't doing what she was supposed to be, and despite the fact that the healer said Rose was well ahead of schedule, Hermione had to admit, Mrs. Wealsey's words were getting to her. Now, however, Mrs. Weasley could say nothing. In fact, Hermione knew Mrs. Weasley would be proud. She knew Mrs. Weasley loved Rose dearly, but Hermione was getting sick of the fact that she felt that Ron's mother was constantly judging her own parenting skills. Hermione knew she was new to the whole concept of motherhood, but she also thought she was doing a damn good job. Now, Rose's new ability, would keep Mrs. Weasley quiet for a bit.

Hermione smiled even more as she thought about Rose's first word. She couldn't help but feel a little proud that Rose's first word had been "mum" instead of dad. Certainly, she wouldn't have been upset if Rose had said "dad" first. After all, Rose was completely a daddy's girl, and had Ron wrapped around her tiny finger, but Hermione knew she would have been a bit jealous. After all, she had carried Rose for nine months, and spent far more time with Rose then Ron, not that Ron liked it that way. It was just how things were with work; nothing could be done about it.

A faint knock on the door interrupted Hermione's thoughts and she opened her eyes to see nearly all the bubbles were gone in the tub.

"You still in there?" Ron's voice came through the door.

"Yes…" Hermione said, sitting up in the tub.

Ron opened the door, standing there in his boxers with a sly grin on his face. "You've been in here a bit, love. Wanted to make sure you didn't drown…"

"How long?" Hermione asked curiously as she watched Ron flick his wand and create more bubbles before stripping out of his boxers and joining Hermione in the tub.

"Long enough for me to clean Rose, get her to sleep, and make myself a sandwich." Ron said proudly.

"Thank you for all of that." Hermione smiled at her husband, realizing that it was the first time they had been alone in weeks. They had both been so busy with Rose, and Hermione with her tests, and Ron with work, and time had slipped away from them.

"You deserved it. Passed your N.E.W.T.'s and got our daughter to say her first word." Ron said with a smirk.

"Rose did that all on her own." Hermione said.

"Well…she got that big brain from someone…" Ron snaked across the tub and kissed Hermione softly.

Hermione smiled against Ron's lips. Yes, she had absolutely missed him.

"She's getting so big…" Hermione whispered.

"Who?" Ron pulled away, looking slightly confused by Hermione's words. Clearly, his thoughts had been somewhere else.

"Rose. Who else?" Hermione giggled, slapping Ron playfully on his bare chest.

"Oh, right…Rose." Ron nodded, sitting back in his seat in the tub. "Well…she is nine months old…getting up there I suppose…"

Hermione laughed at Ron's joke. "Just strange to think last year I was out to here with her…"

Hermione made a ball around her now thin stomach, where her pregnant belly had been a year before.

"Yeah…you were rather plump." Ron teased.

"Oh shut it…" Hermione glared playfully at Ron.

"What? You said it! Besides…you looked amazing…I didn't tell you enough then…suppose with the war going on and all…but you make a beautiful pregnant woman." Ron wiggled his eyebrows.

"I'm sure." Hermione laughed, remembering how disgusted she had been by her own shape by the time she reached the Hogwarts Castle, nearly a year earlier.

"Its true. You'll see again…one day…when we are ready." Ron commented and then smiled at Hermione. "And…you know…I was thinking we should practice."

"Practice what?" Hermione cocked an eyebrow.

"Well…getting you pregnant…we should practice how to do it…without getting you pregnant…but you know…work on the mechanics of how to do it. We haven't in a bit…I might be rusty…" Ron smirked.

Hermione laughed, understanding exactly what Ron was getting at. "Oh, rusty? Has it been that long, Mr. Weasley?"

"Hmm…more then two days…" Ron made a face as Hermione moved closer to him.

Hermione climbed up Ron's wet chest and kissed him softly. "I'm sorry about that."

"Well…I'll forgive you…if we make up for it now…" Ron said, kissing Hermione back.

"I missed you." Hermione whispered against Ron's teeth.

And that was enough for Ron, as he fiercely began kissing Hermione's lips, neck, and shoulder, as his hands roamed her bare back. Ron made a mental note to tell Hermione to take baths more often.

A few days had passed since Rose's first word, and Ron and Hermione couldn't get her to stop talking. Although, the only coherent word she was saying was "Ma" she was constantly bumbling on in her own baby language about everything else, and it made Ron laugh at how hard Hermione was now trying to get Rose to talk more. It was no different that morning as they drove to Kings Cross to say goodbye to Harry and Ginny as they got ready to leave for France.

"Rose…who is this?" Hermione pointed to Ron who was driving.

"Mm…bba…dooo…" Rose cooed, more interested in her fingers then what Hermione was saying.

"Hermione…she will talk when she is good and ready. Can't you be happy with Mum?" Ron laughed.

"MAAA!" Rose pointed at Hermione.

"Good, Rosie…that's Mummy…" Ron smiled in the rearview mirror.

"Oh, I know. I just…I'm so excited for her to start talking." Hermione admitted, fiddling with her wedding band absentmindedly.

Ron noticed Hermione's actions and cocked an eyebrow at his wife. "Nervous, Hermione?"

"No." Hermione shook her head quickly, though her mind was off somewhere else. She had so much to do in the next week. She had to get ready to begin working, she had to set up her office at home so she could work while watching Rose, and she had to get her mother ready to help for a full works days on the two days she was meant to be in the Ministry. Ron's mother had offered to help, but was up with Fleur, getting ready for the new baby a Shell Cottage, and so unfortunately, Hermione's only help for the next few weeks would be her own mother.

Ron just nodded, deciding not to pry into his wife's thoughts as he parked the car and moved to get Rose's carriage out of the trunk, while Hermione got Rose from her car seat and buckled her into the carriage.

"I still don't get why Harry and Ginny didn't just disapparate there…" Hermione commented as she pushed Rose through the train station.

"Something about getting a muggle experience…" Ron snorted. "I don't get it…but Ginny said she wanted to said she wanted to stop in Scotland first…so I suppose that's why the train."

"I guess…" Hermione nodded, not really having gotten a chance to talk to Harry or Ginny about their trip.

A few seconds later, Hermione and Ron were met by Ginny and Harry who waved them over with smiles.

"You look all ready!" Hermione said, giving Harry and Ginny a kiss hello as she motioned to the bags near them.

"We are…though we are going to miss someone…" Ginny knelt down and made a face at Rose who giggled.

"I heard Rose is talking now." Harry commented to Hermione with a smile.

"She is saying Mum…sort of." Hermione said proudly.

"She's a smart kid…by the time we get back she will be putting sentences together." Ginny said, tickling Rose who laughed harder at her aunt.

Hermione smiled down at Ginny and her daughter. Unlike Mrs. Weasley, Ginny was fiercely protective over her goddaughter's abilities and Hermione was certain Ginny would have argued Rose was the smartest baby alive even if she had been half-troll.

"Wouldn't be surprised." Harry laughed patting Ron on the back.

"Yeah…well…guess you will have to wait two weeks to find out." Ron laughed back.

The train whistle blew, signaling the train was about to leave.

"Well…that looks like you are off…" Hermione said, as Ginny straightened back out.

"Thanks for coming to say goodbye…glad we got to see Rose before we left…" Ginny hugged Hermione and then Ron beforebendign and giving Rose a kiss.

"Have a good trip you two." Ron gave a wave as Harry and Ginny boarded the training, leaving Hermione, Ron, and Rose on the platform.

Hermione and Ron waited until the train left before Hermione began pushing Rose's carriage along the platform.

"Must be nice to just pack up…" Ron sighed as he ran a hand over his red hair.

"Yes…" Hermione cocked an eyebrow at her husband, wondering what he was thinking. "Do you wish we could go off and do stuff like that?"

"What? Take off for two weeks without a care in the world?" Ron gave a snort. "Sure…but its not that easy with this one, now is it…" Ron moved around to make a face at Rose who giggled and then slumped back into the carriage, playing with the edge of the blanket Hermione had placed over her.

"Well…we could, it would just take planning." Hermione mentioned. After the other night she and Ron had shared in the tub, she realized just how much she missed alone time with him, and just how important it truly was for them as a couple.

"Well…sure…I suppose…" Ron moved back to Hermione's side, wrapping an arm around her waist as she navigated them toward their car. "Do you want to pack up for two weeks and leave Rose somewhere?"

"Not too weeks." Hermione admitted. She could hardly spend a few hours from Rose, let alone two weeks, but some alone time with Ron, she knew, was necessary. "But maybe a night…"

"Yeah…reckon that would be a bit more manageable…" Ron thought after a moment. "Suppose we could ask my parents…or yours…"

Hermione nodded, smiling up at Ron. "Maybe before I start work? I'll call my parents tonight…"

"You've thought about this, haven't you?" Ron asked as he unlocked their car.

"A bit since the other night." Hermione admitted as she moved to get Rose out of her carriage.

"Well…I like your thought process…Mrs. Weasley." Ron smiled over the car, deciding he couldn't wait to get Hermione home that night and get Rose down to bed and give Hermione another preview of what their night alone could be like.

Hermione smiled down as Rose slept soundly against her chest as she rocked her daughter gently in the rocking chair in the corner of Rose's nursery. She had just read Rose a story, and her daughter was out in minutes, her thumb in her mouth as she snored every so lightly.

Hermione gently kissed Rose on the forehead and was about to move her to her crib when the sudden sound of Pig squawking in the kitchen started Rose, causing her to cry.

"Oh, Rose…shhh…" Hermione sighed. It was usually not that easy to get Rose to sleep and now she was ready to beat Pig to death. "Ron! Shut that devil of a owl up!"

When Hermione got no response from Ron but instead heard him running up the stairs she moved into the hall, with a crying Rose still settling against her chest, nearly running into Ron as he sprinted passed the nursery.

"Ron, what happened?" Hermione asked, now rather concerned. It was late, and Ron looked worried.

"Ministry just sent an owl…I need to get to work…" Ron moved quickly into their bedroom, throwing on a t-shirt and looking frantically for his wand on the end table.

"Ron, what's wrong?" Hermione rocked Rose absentmindedly, as the baby seemed to fall back into her slumber, oblivious to the increase in Hermione's heart rate.

"Not positive. Just said they need me." Ron said, his voice with no emotion in it now as he slipped his wand into his pocket. He needed to focus; he needed to be ready to work when he got to the Ministry. He needed to be ready for whatever was ahead.

"Ron…" Hermione couldn't hide the worry in her voice.

"I'll be fine…" Ron gently kissed Hermione's forehead. "Don't worry…get Rose back to sleep. Sorry to wake her up."

"I love you. Be careful." Hermione said quickly.

"Love you too." Ron gave Hermione a small smile before moving down the stairs to floo to the Ministry, though the smile gave Hermione no comfort as she gently rocked Rose against her chest, standing alone on in her bedroom.