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 13

The party was over in a few hours, and Ron was carrying a sleeping Rose up to her bedroom, leaving Hermione with her parents in the kitchen, cleaning up the remaining plates from Rose's cake.

"What a lovely party, dear…" Mrs. Granger commented.

"Thanks," Hermione smiled kindly at her mother, though she was not really in the mood to talk. Too much was on her mind now and she was worried her mother would pick up on the fact that something was different with Hermione and Hermione did not want to field the questions.

Hermione's thoughts were elsewhere; on the elephant only she knew was in the room. She had no idea how to tell Ron she was pregnant again and she wasn't even sure it was the best time to tell him. He seemed to already have so much on his plate with work, and now Umbridge, and taking care of Rose and her. How could she add more stress to his plate?

As Hermione scrubbed the cake mess Rose had left on her highchair, she decided that she would wait to tell Ron about the new baby until after Umbridge was caught. Then, she could have more time to get used to the idea of being pregnant again, and hopefully Ron would be in a better place to handle the idea of being a father to two. She was certain if she unloaded that news while Umbridge was still out there, Ron would be on overload.

"Everything alright, Hermione?" Mrs. Granger's voice broke Hermione's thoughts.

Hermione's eyes snapped up to see both of her parents watching her carefully and she felt her face beam red. They were always able to tell if something was wrong, and she wondered how long it would be before Ron saw threw her act as well.

"Fine," Hermione forced out.

Mr. Granger cocked an eyebrow but said nothing, instead glancing at his wife.

"That's not true…we know when something is wrong…" Mrs. Granger said carefully.

Hermione shook her head, avoiding her mother's eyes, and instead focusing on the task at hand. "I'm just…tired…we have a lot going on…"

Hermione felt good about saying that because it was completely true. They did have a lot going on with Rose's birthday, and Umbridge, and…her pregnancy, though no one except herself knew about the last one. Still, it wasn't a complete lie to her parents.

"Well…that makes sense," Mr. Granger said, though it appeared to be more at his wife then Hermione.

"I suppose…with work, and Rose…and that awful woman Ron is chasing…" Mrs. Granger just nodded, though she hardly understood Umbridge. Hermione had not made a point in telling her parents just how dangerous Umbridge was.

"Exactly," Hermione jumped at the chance to let the conversation die.

"As long as that is all. I honestly thought it was Ron's mum…" Mrs. Granger said with a small laugh.

Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion at her mother. "What do you mean?"

"I saw her speaking with you earlier…I was worried she was hounding you again for another grandchild…" Mrs. Granger said with a small laugh, as if waving off such a thought.

Hermione, however, felt all the color drain from her face as she quickly ducked her head and went back to cleaning. No, Mrs. Weasley hadn't even mentioned that to Hermione, but it didn't mean that Hermione wasn't about to provide them all with another grandchild. Clearly, something her own mother wasn't keen on.

"No…nothing like that," Hermione managed out after a minute.

"Well, that's good. You and Ron have enough on your plates right now," Mrs. Granger said.

Before Hermione could respond, Ron made his way into the kitchen, catching the end of the conversation.

"Isn't that the bloody truth," Ron said with a tired smile as he kissed Hermione gently on the cheek.

"What?" Hermione asked, unsure of what Ron was agreeing with.

"Us having enough on our plates. If my Mum was bugging for a baby I would lose my mind with her," Ron said.

Mr. Granger gave a soft chuckle and shook his head.

Hermione was unsure of what her father's response meant, but Ron's was clear, and any confidence she had in possibly telling him about the new baby was gone. He clearly was not ready for the responsibility of another little one and she was not ready to give him the news he did not want to hear.

Hermione lay in bed, her eyes glued to the book in front of her, though she was not reading a single word. Her mind was elsewhere, focused on the fact that she was very much pregnant, and from his reaction to the talk of a new baby in the kitchen, Ron was not going to be excited when she broke him the news.

After a few minutes, Ron, who was busy reading the sports section of the paper, glanced over at his wife.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"Nothing," Hermione said far too quickly and then backtracked, trying to regain her cool. "Why would you think something is wrong?"

"Because you haven't turned a single page in your book since you opened it…" Ron motioned to the book in her hand.

Hermione sighed and closed the book.

Ron's brow furrowed and he sat a little more straight in bed. "Was it the party? Did you not have a good time?"

"Of course I had a good time," Hermione said quickly and she meant it. She thought Rose's first birthday had been beautiful. "I thought it was perfect for a first birthday."

"Then what's wrong?" Ron asked.

Hermione shrugged, wondering how she should approach the subject. She was not ready to tell Ron she was pregnant quite yet, not after his words in the kitchen. She decided another route would have to do for now.

"It was just something you said, I guess…" Hermione said.

"I said? What did I say?" Ron asked, confused.

"Just…when my mother and I were talking at the end of the party…" Hermione said, trying to sound casual.

Ron furrowed his eyebrow. "About what?"

"About…you know…another baby…someday," Hermione added the last part quickly.

Ron cocked his eyebrow, unsure of where the conversation was going.

"Do you really not want another one?" Hermione dropped her eyes to her book, trying to sound casual.

Silence filled the room for a second, and then Ron's deep chuckle broke it. "Is that what this is about? More kids? I mean, bloody hell…isn't Rosie enough right now? Sure I want some more…someday, but could we handle anything else right now?"

Hermione tried not to seem crushed by Ron's reaction. "I just meant…in the future…"

"Hermione, I am one of six…of course I want more kids but, between Rose and work we have our hands full, don't we?" Ron asked.

Hermione nodded quickly, because she did really agree with him, even if she knew it didn't matter. In a few months she would have her hands full with another baby anyway.

"I just wanted to make sure you did want more," Hermione again tried to sound casual.

"Trust me…when the time is right I will take twenty more," Ron gave Hermione a devilish grin and pulled her close for a long kiss.

Hermione kissed him back, but she felt like a weight had been dropped on her chest. Ron was not ready for the baby she knew they were going to have within a year's time. In fact, he didn't sound like he wanted it at all. It only made her feel worse.

A few days had passed since Rose's birthday and Ron and Harry were still sitting in Ron's office, trying their best to locate Umbridge. So far, they had not had much luck and the weight of Umbridge being out on the streets while Hermione and Rose were at home was only making Ron feel more stress.

Ron sighed, pushing another useless pile of paper away from him.

"You alright there, Ron?" Harry asked from his side of the desk.

"Yeah...just worried about leaving Rose and Hermione home with Umbridge out there…" Ron admitted.

"Hermione can handle herself," Harry reminded Ron.

"I know that, but it doesn't make me worry less. I honestly wish she would just work here in the Ministry and bring Rose with her. She does have an office," Ron said.

Harry laughed a little at the suggestion. "You know Hermione can't do that. Plus, you have some extra detail watching the house, don't you?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah, but still…"

"Isn't Hermione taking Rose over to your parents today anyway so she can come in to work?" Harry asked.

Again Ron nodded, he had almost forgotten this detail but it did make him feel a bit better. Extra Auror's watching Rose and Hermione, plus his parents additional protection of Rose always made him feel a bit better. "True…forgot about that…sort of slipped my mind."

Harry gave a soft chuckle. "Is that what having a kid does to you? Makes you forget stuff?"

"Trust me Harry…as much as I love Rosie…it is no walk in the park," Ron said. "Hermione actually was talking about another one the other night…"

"Another one?" Harry was surprised.

Ron gave a small laugh. "I don't know where it came from. Hermione was always the one who said she wanted a career before we thought about another one…I mean, bloody hell, we are hardly twenty."

"Maybe she is changing her mind," Harry said.

"I bloody hope not. I can't handle another one right now. Don't know how my parents did it with all of us. One is enough for me right now," Ron said honestly. It was nice to get that off of his chest because the conversation with Hermione had been bothering him but he knew he could never talk about it with Hermione like he just had with Harry.

Hermione took a deep breath before gathering Rose in her arms to flow to the Burrow. She was nervous, having already spent much of the morning throwing up and remembering how flowing, when she had been pregnant with Rose, made her more nauseous.

"Ready to go to Grandma's?" Hermione said as she placed Rose on her hip.

Rose smiled and nodded.

Hermione smiled back, but it was weak. She was tired, felt awful, and was still keeping the pregnancy a secret from everyone. It was all wearing on her.

When Hermione was certain she wouldn't be sick she took a deep breath and stepped into the fireplace, flowing to the Burrow.

When they reached the Burrow, Hermione stepped out of the fireplace but immediately felt sick. She was grateful no one was in the living room yet, and hoped she would have enough time to get sick and clean it up before someone came in.

Of course, Hermione's luck was never that good, and Mrs. Weasley came in, all smiles.

"There is my beautiful granddaughter!" Mrs. Weasley cooed at Rose.

Rose giggled and reached for Mrs. Weasley, who took her quickly.

Hermione gave her mother-in-law a weak smile and tried her best to hold her breakfast down.

"Are you feeling alright, Hermione? You don't look well…I thought Ron said you were getting better," Mrs. Weasley said.

"I'm fine," Hermione, said quickly, trying her best to not open her mouth as much in fear her stomach would betray her.

Mrs. Weasley cocked an eyebrow at Hermione and studied her for a long moment. "I've seen that look before, Hermione…"

Hermione was certain she had been caught and debated about just telling Mrs. Weasley about the new baby right then and there. Who could it really hurt at this point? They baby was coming whether Hermione told everyone or not.

Just as Hermione was about to speak again, a spell came blasting through the Burrow, causing Mrs. Weasley and Hermione to duck and Rose to scream.

"What is that?" Hermione asked, reaching for Rose who was now desperately reaching for her mother.

Mrs. Weasley stuck her head up from the couch and drew her own wand, saying the one name Hermione dreaded right now.

"Umbridge!" Mrs. Weasley shouted, blasting her down spell back.