Chapter 65

Ron couldn't even remember how long they'd been in this house for, but he remembered when they had picked it out, he insisted on having a garden so he could set up a Quidditch pitch that could be hidden from Muggles, but still with plenty of room to play. With everything else that had gone on since moving in, he'd not had any time to set it up. It wasn't like he had anyone to play with yet anyway — not like his childhood at the Burrow where Molly would shoo he and his siblings outside when they were in her way and he and they would take up a game of Quidditch. They were grown up now, everyone had jobs, and their most frequent visitors were Harry, Ginny, and occasionally Hermione's parents.

He'd, of course, wanted the pitch more for beginning his own traditions when the day came for him and Hermione to have children. Short games in the garden on afternoons after work or during the holidays when their children came home from busy years at Hogwarts. He'd known when he'd first set foot in the house a few years back that he would never want to leave, but since then, he and Hermione had actually discussed it and agreed that this was their home and they weren't planning on sizing up. This was where their children would grow up; this was where they'd live until they died.

Knowing it would be theirs forever made Ron want to get the pitch ready, but children were possibly years away, so he'd always delayed setting anything up. What was the point when there was no one to play with?

But as the year of two thousand and three ended, and work settled after Ron's scare in the hospital, Ron found himself with a little extra time a week out before Christmas.

There was a cool, crisp air around that day, but it hadn't yet snowed for the year, which Ron was taking full advantage of. He didn't mind the snow at all, but there were times where he was grateful that it wasn't as heavy as other places, and sometimes it didn't even come. He did feel that this year it might, but he was going to get the damn pitch set up — even if it sat untouched for years to come.

One thing he had done was manage to collect bits and pieces for the pitch. Most of it had come from the Burrow after his mother had essentially begged him to take everything as she had no use for it anymore. Bill had been present at the time and had reminded her that her grandchildren might want to play one day, but Molly had simply replied with, "Well, we'll just get some more, then, won't we?"

So Ron had delightedly carted home hoops, old Quaffles, broomsticks and other equipment and stored them in the back shed for over a year now. They had no other purpose for the shed, so Hermione had had no reason to complain (though he had caught her shaking her head, looking on amused as he carried it off).

Now, he was ready to assemble it and had been at it for a good forty-five minutes when Hermione came onto the deck still wearing her Ministry robes with an additional coat over top.

"You're actually doing it," she said, as if it genuinely surprised her.

"Yeah," Ron said. "Robards finished us up early today as there wasn't much to do." Ever since the mission back in September, a lot of the processing was now complete and, while it was still an ongoing investigation into the Black Robes' sudden and unexpected appearance, between the Auror Office and Hermione's office, it was being handled with only a handful of Aurors, with which he — per his request — was having very little involvement for the time being.

There was still a lot of unknown about it all, but the good news was there had been no other sightings of them since. They hadn't appeared again, which led the Aurors to believe that at least the vast majority had been present and captured in Edinburgh.

Ron hoped, at least. He didn't want to be dealing with things like that again.

No one had managed to figure out how to break the silencing charms on the people, which had led them to believe the spell was an unknown one — perhaps something not approved by the Ministry or even illegal. Most likely an invention by a witch or wizard. The Ministry was still one attempt away from issuing Veriteserum to be used, which was technically illegal. No law in the Ministry issued the legal use of the potion on any prisoners, but everyone was desperate to know just who they were.

Ron was glad to be off the case and back to desk work, though, which surprised him. He found that he could hear about what was happening but he didn't need to really stress about it, and that suited him more than he ever thought it would. He was feeling slightly better about it all now, but there was still a niggling at the back of his mind reminding him of the danger he'd been in that never left him. For the time being, he did his best to ignore it.

Hermione viewed the pitch for a moment, then smiled. "It looks good," she said.

"Really?" Ron asked. "I thought you were more inclined to hate the fact that I was finally putting it up. I assumed you were secretly glad for me being too lazy to actually do it."

"I never said that."

"Yeah, you did." Ron put down the last post and went to the deck where Hermione stood. He knew the look she was giving him — like she wanted to say something, but didn't quite know how to. Perhaps the Quidditch stuff had thrown her. Maybe she'd come to tell him she thought they should move and now didn't know what to do.

"Well, I think it looks good." She smiled up at him, still looking troubled.

"Out with it," he demanded. "But maybe inside, because the warming charm I cast over myself is wearing off."

"What makes you think I want to say something?" Hermione asked, but she followed him inside, close on his heel.

Ron smirked. "Because you have that look about you. Something in your eyes, the way you open your mouth, then close it again…" He stopped in the kitchen, leaning his back against the bench and folded his arms. "What do you want to say?" he asked.

Hermione didn't say anything initially. She frowned, as if searching for the right words. Then, "I have just been doing some thinking, is all," she said.

"What's new?" Ron teased. "That magnificent brain of yours is always ticking over with something interesting. What are you thinking about?"

Hermione's eyes glanced around the room, causing Ron to frown.

"This looks like it's going to be pretty big," he said, a small amount of dread coming over him.

Hermione nodded. "It is… I'm just trying to find the right words… work out how to say it."

"Is everything okay?" Ron questioned, his hands hugging at his sides, his arms folded across himself so tightly. "You're not going to leave me, are you? Does Quidditch stuff bother you that much —"

"Ron."

"Sorry. But seriously, what is it? Is Malfoy causing you grief? Do I need to say something to him?" He made it his life goal to speak to Malfoy as little as possible, but if he was causing Hermione any problems then he was more than happy to help her out in dealing with him. She seemed reluctant to reprimand him herself, apparently preferring to keep the peace in her office.

Hermione looked up, and now Ron saw the hint of a smile form at the corner of her mouth. He relaxed slightly, confident that she at least wasn't planning to leave him. "I was just thinking about how this January I will have been in my new job for about a year."

"Merlin, you have!" Ron said. "Wow, that's amazing Hermione. I'm so proud of you."

This time, her mouth truly stretched into a smile and she stared contemplatively up at him. "Do you remember what we talked about at the beginning of this year? That when it reached a year, we could visit the topic of having children?"

Ron's hands fell limp at his side. He'd done his very best not to think about that conversation they'd had months ago behind the Burrow. He felt it was pointless getting his hopes up over it. He wanted to have kids — he wanted it more now that Hermione had given him a time to discuss it — but all she'd promised was a discussion. That didn't mean she was ready to agree to anything.

"I remember," he said, his voice wary.

"You don't seem that thrilled about it," Hermione replied. She turned to the window in the kitchen where the beginnings of the Quidditch pitch could be seen. "Haven't you always insisted that you want that for our future children? Wasn't that your goal?"

"Yes," Ron said, "but… this is just a discussion, right? I mean, we're just going to talk about it, aren't we?"

"Have you changed your mind?" Hermione questioned, frowning.

"What? No. I still really, really want to have children," Ron said. "I'm just… a little nervous."

Hermione's frown deepened. "About what?"

"What this discussion will entail. I know you didn't make any promises, and I've been trying to tell myself that this whole year. You know… not get my hopes up or anything. But, I guess… I guess I've still been hopeful that this discussion will work in my favour."

"Oh, Ron." She stepped towards him, reaching out her arms, though Ron just stood there, staring at her. "Well maybe this is a conversation you do want to have."

"What?" His voice came out in a half choke as he tried to swallow down his surprise at her remark.

She nodded. "I've been thinking about it a lot this year. It's given me a lot of time to reflect. The beginning of this year, I thought it was going to be years away before I felt ready, but something happened at some point — I think it was seeing you with Sophia, actually — and, well, it made me realise that I think I'd like that for ourselves. For us to have our own baby, to do all that stuff with our own children. I know I said we'd only discuss it, but I think I'm actually ready. No, I don't think. I mean, I am ready."

Ron couldn't quite believe his ears. He'd hoped for this, but he'd never assumed, or expected, or even thought that Hermione would come to this decision after just a year. She loved her job, loved that she had the opportunity to help innocent people, or at least get people a fair trial. He'd not even thought the baby topic had been on her mind, but once again, she surprised him. Apparently she had room in that head of hers to do her job and think about having a baby with him.

"Are you serious?" His voice came out quieter than he intended.

Hermione smiled and nodded. "Yes. I'm in a good place with work and things are running fairly smoothly there. You've decided to stay with the Aurors, so between you and me, we are financially stable." She indicated the kitchen where they both stood. "We also have a house that is perfect for raising children, and above all else, Ron, I want to."

For a moment, Ron wasn't sure what to say to her. He realised now that to spare himself the disappointment, he'd convinced himself long ago she was going to tell him they should wait another year. But here she was, telling him she wanted them to have a baby now.

"You said a few months back that you were happy with how things were," he finally said, which probably wasn't the best response given the enormity of the topic. "I assumed that meant in every aspect of your life. But did you just mean your work or something?".

"I am happy, Ron. I'm perfectly happy with how things are. Which makes me want to do this with you."

"And you're sure?" Ron pressed. "Really sure? I mean, I've not influenced you, made you decide this too soon or anything? You know what I want, but I'm also prepared to wait. I don't want to do this without you on board."

"Of course I'm sure, Ron." Hermione laughed. "I'm telling you today, but I've had plenty of time to think about it. Ever since we took Sophia to Diagon Alley. I even stopped the contraceptive charms a month ago in preparation."

Ron's eyes widened.

"Don't worry, they take a few months to wear off, which means by January we will be okay to go." She seemed to second guess herself. "I'm sorry, I probably should have spoken to you first. I can put them back on again, if you want —"

"Does that mean you could be —" Ron asked, not hearing her apology, which he didn't even care about.

"No, I checked," Hermione said. "If I was, we'd probably be having a completely different conversation right now." She laughed again. "So, what do you say? After Christmas should we start trying to have a baby?"

"Yes," Ron said, finally not missing a beat. "Yes, I want to." And he stepped forward, completely engulfing her in a hug.

…

Later that night, Ron sat in the living room, feeling something he hadn't felt in months consuming him. A feeling of anticipation, of excitement. He had something to finally look forward to, something that could distract him from everything else that was going on with work.

The television ran quietly in the background, on some random medical show that coincidentally had a story about the birth of a baby on it. But he was barely paying attention — it was just on for background noise as Ron contemplated and Hermione read a book.

This was it, he realised. They'd talked about big decisions in the past, and this was probably as big as it got. This would affect more than just them. This time next year, they could have their very own baby. A son or a daughter who was part him and part Hermione.

Ron couldn't wait.

It was the happiest he'd felt thinking about the future in a long time. For once, he could see something he actually wanted and not just confusion about where he was supposed to be in his life. Maybe this was his calling. Maybe this was the job for him. Raising his child or children. Maybe a whole brood, but probably not seven.

Maybe.

"I can't wait to have a baby with you," he said after a long while of sitting in contemplative silence.

Hermione set her book in her lap, marking the page she was up to with her hand. She looked at Ron and smiled. "I can't wait, either," she confessed.

"We'll make good parents, won't we?" Ron asked her. And by that, he meant him.

Hermione's smile widened, seeming to understand what it was he was asking her. "We'll make great parents," she assured him. "Both of us will."

"I know you will," Ron said, grinning at her. "You'll be on top of it all straight up. You already are. Merlin, I hope our kids are as smart as you. They don't need my brains in their heads."

"You're one of the smartest people I know," Hermione said simply, returning to her book.

"You're just saying that," Ron replied, stretching out an arm and putting it around her. She snuggled into him, still reading.

"I'm not. You achieved ninety-five percent in your Auror exams, remember?" Hermione said. "Besides, being smart doesn't just mean you're good at exams, anyway."

"Did you just say that?" Ron asked her in mock surprise. He saw the corner of her mouth curve from where her head now lay against his chest, but she chose not to speak.

Ron kissed her forehead, and once again, they returned to a peaceful silence, Ron's mind again on just how happy and thrilled he felt that soon they were going to be having a baby.

Hey, I was smart enough to actually write the timeline into this chapter way back when, so we are in December 2003 for anyone who was wondering!

I hope you all liked this chapter :)