*Loss*
Belle was only 5 when she saw her mother crying without console one morning. Her father was holding her tight, trying to make her feel better even though he himself had been crying too. Belle was sure it wasn't because of her. She had played quietly in her room every day after school, she had done her homework and even ate her vegetables. So, there was no reason, she thought, that her parents would be upset. Only a few days before she had overheard her parents talking happily about a baby in her mom's belly. Now, they were both upset. So when Ron went to put her down in her room that night, she decided it was time to ask him.
"Daddy, why are you and mommy so sad?" she asked. Ron just looked at her. How was he going to explain his 5-year-old that her mother had lost her future sibbling? "did the baby she had in her tummy hurt her?" she asked. Ron looked at her, shocked.
"How did you... Where did you hear that mommy had a baby in her tummy?" he asked her.
"I heard you and her talking about it. Did the baby hurt her?" she asked again. Ron sighed and hesitated for a minute. He so wished Hermione was there to explain everything to their daughter. She always knew what to say when Belle went to them with her neverending questions.
"You see, Belle, the baby... the baby that mommy had was very, very small and... it couldn't stay in mommy's tummy because it wasn't strong enough, and..." he started, caressing her red curls before she interrupted him.
"Wasn't mommy feeding the baby?" she asked.
"She... she was, but... sometimes... sometimes that's not enough, and well... the baby had to leave." he said, closing his eyes so no tears came down. The last thing he needed was his daughter seeing him more upset.
"Where did the baby go, daddy?" she asked.
Ron just looked at her.
"Heaven, sweetheart. With uncle Fred and Teddy's parents." he said.
"so... it's an angel now, right?" she asked. Ron looked at her, surprised at her fast conclusion. He smiled a little.
"Yes, it's an angel. Now, time to sleep, baby. It's late for little princesses to be up." he said, kissing her daughter's head and tucking her in.
The next morning, Hermione woke up to find her daughter sitting next to her. She had a big book on her lap and a big smile on her face. Hermione faked a smile. She didn't really feel like smiling in that moment, but she didn't want to worry or upset Belle.
"Hi, baby girl. what are you doing here?" she asked.
Belle just kissed her mother's cheek.
"You read to me when I feel sad. So I'm going to read to you so you get happy again, mommy." she said matter-of-factly. Hermione smiled, this time a shy real smile. Only her little, innocent Belle could get her smile in the worst moment of her life.