The fireplace chimed to alert Hermione of someone's arrival, but she was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even registered that, nor did she feel the shift in her wards as someone entered. It was only when she heard Rose giggling from the other room and the sounds of someone speaking with the little girl that Hermione finally took notice of the intruder.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked the witch standing in her small, mostly now emptied front room.

"Potter has been talking nonsense about having babies again, so I'm here to get him his fix. What happened to all her stuff?" Pansy asked, looking about the room. The pictures hanging on the wall had been taken down and packed, half of the toys Hermione had selected to take, and some of the furniture.

Honestly, she was a coward. Hermione knew he would fight her on it but had yet to tell Ron she was moving out. Instead, she had decided that he wouldn't have anything to argue with her about if she had already packed and ready to leave. She wasn't scared of how he'd react or anything. He'd never turn violent towards her or Rose. Hermione was unprepared to handle the emotional mess she knew her soon-to-be ex would be.

"I'm…cleaning…" Hermione slowly answered. "At some point, you should consider not calling your husband Potter."

With a flick of her wand, the diaper bag was in her hand. Giving the duffel to Pansy, Hermione kept a calm face, not wanting the other witch to pick up on the emotional turmoil that Hermione was going through at the moment.

She had yet to tell anyone about the pregnancy. After being seen at the muggle clinic, Hermione had been able to confirm that she was already nearly into her second trimester. Ron was the only person she knew who couldn't be the father. The timing lined up so that it was a toss-up between Draco or Theo being the father of her child, and frankly, she had no idea how either of them would react if she were to tell them.

"Mione?" Hermione heard herself groan and caught the sour look on Pansy's face just as Ron crossed the threshold from the kitchen. "Mione, what happened to the couch?" The oblivious redhead asked, looking around. "And the pictures?"

Hermione's jaw tightened as she plastered a smile on her face. Ron was supposed to be at the Ministry today to reinstate his Auror status. The fact that he was home already wasn't a good sign.

"She's cleaning," Pansy cooed, lifting Rose, causing the girl to giggle and Ron's attention to go to her.

"The fuck she doing here?" Ron spat, and Hermione could only tilt her head back and look towards the ceiling. This was going off the rails and quickly.

"I'm here for my Goddaughter. I thought she could use a tea party. Potter's at home making the baby biscuits for her, sugar-free, I assure you."

Ron opened his mouth to argue with Pansy, but Hermione held up a hand to stop him. She'd hoped to be able to do this later this evening; however, the universe had other plans for her. With a shake of her head, Ron snapped his jaw closed and gave Pansy a glare that only seemed to entertain the witch more.

"Pansy, could I get Rose from you later?" Hermione asked. Ron shifted on his feet but said nothing.

"How about tomorrow afternoon? Potter has the day off. He'll be thrilled at the prospect." Pansy smiled at Rose and tickled her exposed belly, causing another round of giggles from the baby.

Without fanfare or further discussion, Pansy hiked the bag onto her shoulder. A dash of floo powder and witch and baby were in the emerald flames, heading back to Grimmald Place.

The silence was heavy as it hung between Hermione and Ron. Hermione opened her mouth, becoming uncomfortable, but Ron beat her to it.

"I quit before they could let me go. I spoke with Kingsley, who said that if I quit, I might be able to get a job with another department at the Ministry later, but if I were fired, I wouldn't. I spoke with George, and we agreed I would be his full partner. I know you think it's a dead-end career, but I think there's a lot of potential with the joke shop."

Hermione didn't know what to say.

On the one hand, she wasn't surprised, but on the other, she had never thought that Ron was interested in being a business owner with his brother. Their talks about it always consisted of Ron working as an associate, but being a partner was a much more prosperous and genuine career.

"I know you always wanted me to stay at the Ministry," Ron continued, and Hermione could feel a stone forming in her stomach. "But George has been struggling since losing Fred, and I just can't stand by and watch his downward spiral. He's my brother, you know?"

Looking at the father of her daughter, it finally occurred to Hermione that she didn't know anything about him. They'd been living together, raising their child, but at some point, they'd stopped sharing their most intimate thoughts and dreams.

She seemed to be doing the same to him as much as she felt he held her back.

"I figured, you know, I could work with George for a few years, get the shop on more stable ground. We've got a handful of new inventions coming out, and I've been in talks with Zonko's about taking over that location in Hogsmeade, you know? The bloke has wanted to retire for years but didn't want to disappoint the kids," Ron continued, and Hermione didn't know what to say.

"So, we're going to be expanding. I know you hate this place. There's a four-bedroom flat above his shop that he's including in the building sale that we can move into. I got George to agree to no rent as part of my contract. Still no backyard, but Rose will get to grow up in the village and near Hogwarts until we can afford to buy a house."

"Ron…" Hermione trailed off, tears stinging in her eyes. Damn, pregnancy hormones had her all over the place. "That's wonderful, and I'm so happy for you."

Ron stopped looking at his feet. His freckled cheeks tinged pink as he gave her a shy smile.

"But," Hermione continued, she couldn't continue this charade with him anymore. It wasn't fair to either of them. "I found a flat in Muggle London. We aren't meant to be together, and I think we both can see how much we're holding each other back."

The stunned expression on Ron's face made Hermione's heartbreak ever so slightly, but she couldn't take it back. She was growing another man's baby inside her. No matter how simple it would be for her to continue this relationship with Ron, it would never work. The longer they were together, the more they would grow to resent each other and the more detrimental it would be for Rose in the long run.

"I'm happy for you, truly I am. Our dreams don't align and haven't for a long time." Hermione forged ahead, wanting this to be finished at last. "If we don't part ways now, we'll just continue to resent each other, and it'll grow to the point we can't even be around each other."

Hermione looked at Ron's face and could see the unshed tears in his eyes, but beyond that was the understanding that what Hermione was saying was the truth. They weren't meant to be together, and they weren't good for each other. Hermione would welcome another child in just a few months, and Ron would know it wasn't his. If she allowed this to go on any longer, Rose would be affected by all the fallout that would come.

The crackling of the fire was the only sound that filled the room. Without anything else to say, Hermione stepped forward and brushed a chaste kiss on Ron's cheek. He didn't deserve how she'd treated him lately, even if he was unaware of her infidelity.

"Goodbye, Ron," Hermione whispered, and with a crack, she disapparated from the tiny townhouse and away from her old life.

ooo

Now that she knew the sickness she was feeling was a result of pregnancy, Hermione felt like an idiot for not having noticed it sooner. Of course, she knew she hadn't been precisely careful with making sure that either of her wizards used a contraceptive. Hell, it had even at times seemed that Theo was filling her body with his seed intentionally.

It wasn't already September, and Hermione could practically hear the countdown ticking daily.

Splashing her face with cold water and brushing her teeth, Hermione gazed at her reflection, wondering how long she could keep her pregnancy hidden from the world. Her breakup with Ron hadn't been publicized yet. He'd quietly moved into the flat above Zonko's as he oversaw the renovations he and George were putting into the building to bring it up to their standards.

Hermione had already moved into her little flat in Muggle London and had set the two-bedroom space up for her and Rose to share. It was quaint, but it was hers, and best of all, no one knew where she'd moved. There had been no Harry, no Pansy, and certainly no Draco or Theo stopping by to make her reveal the secret she was carrying, both figuratively and literally.

With a wave over her face to glamour the dark circles around her eyes, Hermione took in her appearance the last time before she exited the washroom. Every passing day threatened someone to take notice of her frequent disappearances and vomiting after meeting with a patient. It made her question if she should use her muggle nursing degree and have a clean exit from the wizarding world altogether. At least until the baby was born and she could confirm the biological father.

It was all made more complicated by the fact that Draco was married . She scolded herself as she walked down the white halls. If she was pregnant with his child, well, that was something she shuddered to think of. The backlash would be horrendous. She couldn't hope to keep it secret for long; there were magical scrolls at the Ministry, the Black Family tapestry, and the Malfoys had something similar.

Shoving her hands in her pockets, Hermione sighed, looking up towards the enchanted ceiling bright with the sunlight. There was no correct answer, but above all else, Hermione had to protect her children, even the one who hadn't been born yet.

Walking past a room marked occupied, Hermione wasn't expecting a hand to shoot out from the door and drag her inside. However, after being pulled inside, when she went to scream, it was silenced by a giant hand clamping over her mouth.

"You kept us waiting," Theo's deep timber rumbled through her as her back was pressed against his chest. "Witch, there's not much I ask from you, but I expect you always to be ready for me."

His hand traveled down the front of her healer robes, opening them in the front as he found her core. Her eyes widened, and she bit down on her lips, sending up a prayer to whatever deity was listening that he wouldn't notice the rounding of her abdomen. If he took the time to examine her body, he would see the change.

However, as it was, Theo was determined and on a mission. His destination was lower than the womb that was potentially carrying his child.

The clicking of Draco's tongue drew Hermione's attention away from Theo, and her eyes widened at the sight of Draco standing before her. While Theo might not notice the signs of pregnancy, Draco, as a healer, certainly would.

Any fears of them finding out about the baby dissolved quickly, though, as Theo's thick hand slipped into the thin lace she wore, finding her nub. Her hips bucked into his touch, and Hermione could feel herself drenching the fabric of her knickers.

The sundress she wore under her healer's robes made easy access for the wizards, though truthfully, she'd chosen it to hide the widening of her hips and rounded midsection.

"Get on the bed, Hermione," Theo commanded, and Hermione's knees trembled as she slowly moved to the cot a patient had recently vacated. "Hands and knees, we must show you what happens when you avoid us for a week."

She had no objections, and she should have. Her cunt was clenching at the threat of Theo's brand of punishment and the orgasm that would surely accompany it.

The cold air hit her body and caused her to shiver as Theo removed her clothes. She breathed a sigh of relief that he'd at least waited until she was already in position, her stomach hidden by how she had turned.

"Open wide, Hermione," Theo instructed, a hand caressing her spine while the tip of his cock brushed against her lips.

She gasped at his hand moving into her hair and gripping at the roots, pulling her head back so that she was looking right at his thick cock in front of her. She hadn't even caught her breath before he was plunging into her mouth and down her throat.

She tried to scream, but Theo was cutting off her airway.

He pulled back just enough, the burning in her throat causing her to cough and gag, her spit stringing off his cock.

Draco entered her from behind, her swollen pussy squeezing him from the excess blood flow that the pregnancy was causing. He pushed himself deeper inside her, the stretch in this position more than she thought she could manage, but he kept going until he was fully seated inside her.

They didn't even give her time to adjust to the stretch before the two of them began to slam into her with abandon. She was choking on Theo's cock that kept sliding down her throat, despite her gagging around him each time he pushed down. Draco was slamming into her, his hands gripping her hips and holding her upright as her arms and legs were already giving in.

"You're mine, Granger. I want you to remember this. The next time you try to deny me or Draco, remember that you are mine," Theo growled above her, but Hermione couldn't see him through the blur caused by the tears streaming down her face.

His hand was still tangled in her hair, and the stinging pain on her skull wasn't even registering anymore as he continued to fuck her throat. Draco was slamming into her, the head of his cock impaling her so deeply it was nearly painful.

"Mine, Granger," Theo reminded her once again before pulling out and spraying his hot seed all over her face. Still gripping her hair, Hermione couldn't move to avoid the string of cum he was painting her with. Draco, however, pushed once more inside her before his orgasm took him, and she felt herself clenching around him and holding him where he was as he filled her body.

It didn't matter at this point. She could hardly get pregnant again.

She felt herself spraying and wetting the mattress below them, the pleasure from her body releasing all at once in a powerful release. The edge they always brought her to was to pull her back until she was ready to fall into the oblivion they could only give her.

As her body fell into the wet sheets, Hermione closed her eyes, the sticky cum from Theo coating her lashes.

"As much as I enjoy watching you fall apart, I need you to know that this was a punishment," Theo informed her, lovingly caressing her jaw. "Therefore, I won't be cleaning you up, nor will Draco."

Hermione hummed in response, unable to form words as her body was still recovering from what had just happened.

Without another word, she heard the wizards shuffling about the room, most likely dressing, before the clicking signaled that she was alone.

Despite the warning, as Hermione lay in the mess they'd made, she realised she couldn't stay. She couldn't continue her job here at St. Mungo's, where Theo or Draco could find her and do as they pleased. She'd continue to let them, and at some point, they'd find out about the baby.

She waved her wand to vanish the mess in the dimly lit room as best as possible and quickly jotted down a resignation letter. She'd work out her two weeks, not tell anyone she was leaving, and then disappear.

She'd tell Ron since she would have to because of Rose. Given his poor relationship with her friends, she had no doubts that he wouldn't tell them anything. She doubted anyone would even approach him to ask about her. He'd become so hostile towards all of them that speaking to him was pointless.

Slipping from the room, Hermione came up short as she came face to face with Daphne Greengrass. Her cool green eyes narrowed on Hermione as she took in her appearance. A perfectly manicured blonde brow lifted, and Hermione could feel her stomach roll.

"Granger," the blonde witch greeted, a knowing glint showing her face.

"Greengrass," Hermione replied, working hard to breathe even. "Was there something you needed help with?" She asked, praying that the witch hadn't seen Draco and Theo exiting only moments before her.

"No, I think I've gotten everything I needed." The woman lifted her chin and glided away without a backward glance.

Instinct had Hermione's hand protectively covering her stomach. Crumpling the resignation letter in her fist, Hermione quickly exited the lift. She needed to leave the wizarding world and would have to do it today.

ooo

Hermione had her scrubs and a smile plastered as she entered her patient's room at St. Christopher's Hospice. It had been a few months since she'd left the wizarding world, and her stomach grew more prominent by the day. She continually used charms on her clothing so that they would grow with her, but still, it seemed to be an endless task.

"Hm, how are you feeling, Mrs. Johnson?" Hermione asked the older woman lying in the cot. "Your daughter called and said that she's coming in to see you today."

Working in hospice had been a choice that Hermione had never considered. Knowing that people were looking for her, Hermione had decided her best course of action would be to hide in plain sight.

Thus far, in the past three months, she had been able to ward her flat to deter any magic attempting to find her. It also had another ward on it so that anyone, muggle or magical alike, would look right past it and the mother-daughter pair who came and went.

Not even Ron knew where she lived, though it hadn't bothered him as she ensured that he still got to see Rose. Truthfully, he hadn't mentioned to her that anyone had sought after her whereabouts, but that was alright with her.

Her life was peaceful, and helping people transition into death had become a passion she'd never thought she would find. Being a healer, she'd always concerned herself with trying to save lives and continuing to discover the most cutting-edge magic and muggle technology to prolong life.

In her new career, though, Hermione stepped back and realised that she had to accept life for what it was. It was coming for those she worked with; she was just there to guide them into it and support the families afterward.

"My daughter? Which one?" The woman asked, laying back on her pillow after watering the flowers in her window.

"Tabitha, I believe," Hermione answered with a smile in the woman's direction. She knew it was getting close as the day-to-day activities had lessened significantly in the last few days. Hermione had contacted the woman's family and told them she would be surprised if their mother and grandmother lived longer than the weekend.

"Do you have any children?" The woman asked, her breathing evening out as sleep started taking her.

"Yes, I have a daughter. She turned a year old just a few weeks ago." Hermione replied, adding the dose of pain medicine into the IV. "And then I'll have another little girl come April." Hermione smiled, dimming the lights so that they weren't overly bright.

"Two girls, how wonderful," the woman said, closing her eyes. "I have two girls, my sweet Lydia and Tabitha. Oh, how I would love to see them soon."

"They'll be here very soon, Mrs. Johnson, I promise," Hermione whispered, but the woman was already asleep.

ooo

Hermione had sent Ron a note about where to meet her for the custody exchange. She had gone underground and started avoiding everyone from the wizarding world. Ron had been oddly supportive and accommodating. He would honor and show up whatever requests she gave him, typically in different areas they knew.

For the last three months, it had been flawless.

Today, they were meeting outside a little pub outside of Oxford. It was a secluded area, Muggle obviously, but Ron had learned all about football here, and thus, it was familiar enough that he could manage to get here.

She charmed her belly because, at five months along, she was now noticeably pregnant. With their recent breakup, Hermione wasn't willing to disrupt these waters with him just yet, especially after how gracious he'd been to her every request.

Walking up the street with Rose sitting on his shoulders, squealing as she reached for the snowflakes, Hermione couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face. Ron saw her waving, and the easy smile she'd always known him to have when they were in school graced his face.

"Ello there, Mione. The little princess is ready for her week with mummy. Mum was asking about Christmas, but I told her we hadn't discussed that far in advance since I didn't know if you still needed space and whatnot." Ron reported swinging Rose around and handing her to Hermione.

"Oh, I suppose we ought to figure that out. Could I write you once I see my schedule?" Hermione asked, to which Ron nodded. "Perfect, well, if that's all."

"Actually, could we sit and have a pint or something? There were a few other things that I wanted to talk with you about." Ron's ears had turned bright pink from the cold or nervousness. At this point, Hermione couldn't tell which.

Looking around the street, Hermione felt much more exposed than she would have liked, but she was trying to keep a peaceful co-parenting relationship with Ron, so she nodded her agreement.

The trio entered the pub and found a corner booth away from the rowdy university students who were out celebrating the end of their semester. Rose tucked herself against Hermione, obviously having missed her over the last week as they settled in.

After the waitress had taken their orders and left them, Hermione sat across from Ron, waiting for him to begin. The redhead cleared his throat and sipped the beer before him, not making eye contact with her.

"So," Ron finally said after drinking down half his pint.

"So…"

"I've, er, I've met someone. Susan Bones, not sure if you remember her or not?" Hermione's tea was near her lips when Ron spoke, causing her to pause.

"Of course, Susan was our year in Hufflepuff, if I remember correctly," Hermione responded, setting her cup and saucer down. "How did you reconnect?" Hermione tried to wrap her brain around what she'd heard of her former classmate but came up empty-handed.

"Well, she bought the tea shop in Hogsmeade after the war. Her aunt left her a bit of an inheritance. We ran into each other a few times, and finally, she asked me for coffee, and things have just gone from there." Ron was staring down at his pint as he spoke, unable to make eye contact with her.

"I've been thinking that I'd like her to meet Rose. It's been about two months since we've been dating. I, you know, I didn't want them to meet without running it by you first." Ron quickly finished, taking another drink.

Hermione sat watching her ex, his freckled face a bright red in embarrassment as he fiddled with his hands clasped before him. For some reason, Hermione thought that when she found out that he had moved on, she thought she would feel some way about it. They had been together for so long and had a child together, but instead, all she felt was a sense of relief. A sense of gratitude towards Susan that she'd been able to become that person that Ron had needed.

"Oh, yeah. I mean, if you believe that it's going to be a long-term commitment," Hermione finally answered after realising that she'd been silent for far too long. "I wouldn't want you to just introduce Rose to every woman that looks your way, but if it's someone you're serious about."

At that, Ron looked up from his drink, his eyes bright and hopeful as a smile broke over his face. "Honest, Mione. I wouldn't do that to Rose or you. I eh, well, when you're ready, I'd like you to meet her too. I mean, we might not be together, but we're still, you know, raising Rose."

"Yeah, of course," Hermione replied quickly. From what she remembered, Susan had always been lovely. She was a much more suitable match with Ron than she would ever have been. "Well, if that's all," Hermione had already gathered her things. Rose was fast asleep next to her, much past her nap time. Hermione's body was aching from the pregnancy, and she was ready to curl up and join Rose.

"There was something else…" Ron said, stopping Hermione in her motions. "Eh, Harry has been asking after you. I know, I didn't tell him anything. I said that you wanted space and would reach out when ready." Ron raised his hands when Hermione opened her mouth to begin her lecture.

She'd sent Harry and Pansy a very long letter explaining that she needed to regroup and figure her life out. She needed space and time before she could reach out to them again. Absentmindedly, Hermione's free hand drifted down to her hidden belly and the little girl growing every day.

"Parkinson showed up at my flat yesterday and was a bit demanding. I let her see Rose. I figured you wouldn't mind. She cried for a bit and everything. You told me what a prat I am and said a few things I won't repeat about you. I think you should talk to them, Mione. They love you like you're their family, and they miss you. I told Parkinson that next time I saw you, I'd tell you, so yeah."

Hermione let out a long breath, her eyes pinched shut. She'd sent Harry and Pansy weekly updates, letting them know she wasn't dead. Though she never gave them a return address to respond, Hermione figured they were fine, and if something serious happened to them, it would be in the Prophet.

"I don't know, Ron…" Hermione trailed off, now the one unable to make eye contact. "I just need to be away from the wizarding world right now…"

"Hey, I'm not telling you what to do, just, I suppose, know that they're worried about you. Well, I guess I'll see you next week then. Just let me know where you want to meet up." Ron leaned past Hermione and brushed a kiss over Rose's temple, and without another word, he was gone.

Leaning back in the booth and looking up at the ceiling, Hermione wondered how much longer she'd be able to avoid the Potters. But even more so, how long could she continue avoiding her wizards?

Despite her peaceful life the past few months, she missed them terribly. The only thing keeping her from reaching out to them was the image of Daphne Greengrass and the knowing look she'd given Hermione when she'd stepped out of that room at St. Mungo's.

If they knew about the baby, they'd never let her be regardless of the consequences to themselves. If the baby was Draco's, that would be disastrous for him, and Hermione wouldn't risk bringing anything that might damage his future to his doorstep.

Theo, if he was the biological father, Hermione's core clenched at just how much more possessive he might become. The levels he'd take her to both terrified and thrilled Hermione. She knew that he was furious with her, and the punishment that he'd have in mind would have her a blubbering mess once he got his hands on her.

Lifting Rose and placing her in the carrier that strapped the slumbering toddler to her back, Hermione made her way onto the street.

Thoughts of two wizards ran through her mind, deepening her resolve that she needed to figure out her daughter's paternity before she reached out to them. She had to know what she was stepping into before she told them and prepare herself for the implications that were certain to come.

Notes:

Hey there! Ah, I'm so excited to be able to wrap this story up in the upcoming weeks! I'm on a 6-week break from school, so in that time, my goal is to finish this story up (I'm expecting 10 or 12 chapters total, but I am not sure about the count yet). The other stories I will try to update will be Written in the Stars, Time Keepers, and Scorpius Malfoy's Guide (this one is a Rose Dragon, has Scorbus and Bleo, very spicy). Well, thank you for reading so far. I went against my grain and Ron is a supportive ex (sigh) healthy co-parenting. When I said at the start of this that Dreomione was going to be in the wrong, it wasn't an exaggeration.

Sigh, my toxic heart still loves them though. Red flags? What red flags?

Anyway, follow my social medias for more updates and watch out for any new plot bunnies that claw their way out of my head and onto the page.