Hermione had sent Scabior upstairs, to room nine, where she had booked for the night. She thought it would be easier than trying to get them to Cokeworth, and who knows what state the apartment was in.
Cho approached her, cradling Rose lovingly in her arms.
"Hermione, I think it was such a good idea. He can be surprised by you with Rose."
"Thanks for playing along," Hermione said back to her. She hadn't thought her friend appreciated having to wait in the back corner of the pub, hidden, while the Snatcher had made his way upstairs.
Cho shifted Rose's weight in her arms and moved her towards Hermione. Hermione placed her hand under Rose's head and neck and took the baby gently.
She rocked and bounced her a bit as Rose was quite tired.
"Did she cry a lot?," Hermione asked Cho.
"No, she was an angel! She's very tired from traveling I think." Cho said back, giving Hermione a vaguely weak smile.
Hermione noticed a bit of hesitation with Cho. Looking down at Rose and then back at her friend, she spoke. "Cho…really…thank you. I couldn't have done any of this without you. You've been so patient and kind to me…and a true friend. I'm only sad we weren't this close before."
Cho pursed her lips together in a smile. She reached her hand out to touch Rose's stockinged head gently.
"It's no trouble…I could only imagine if it the roles were reversed. I would want the help!," she laughed.
The corners of Hermione's eyes crinkled. "Yes, it's still so…overwhelming, and I….," her voice trailed off as her eyes drifted up towards the second level, where the rooms were.
Cho followed her gaze and her cheeks instantly reddened. "Well, if there's nothing else you need…I suppose I'll see you back at school?"
Smiling, Hermione started, "That sounds good to me. And Cho…I really do mean it. I don't know what I would have done without you as my friend."
Cho smiled at her and took a step in, lowered her voice and petted Hermione's arm. "I also wanted to say…even though it's an unpopular opinion, I do think you are making the right decision for you and your family."
Hermione positively beamed at Cho's words. She hissed an indrawn breath. She didn't know what to say.
"I…thank you. It's been hard. Knowing what's right to do, and what's not. But I believe everyone deserves a second chance and that people can change. It's what I like to believe anyway."
"I agree with you. Now, go meet your man!," Cho said, smiling back at Hermione. "I'll see you soon enough…and little Rosie!"
"Thanks," Hermione offered again and after another exchanged glance, Cho left the Leaky Cauldron.
Hermione let out a sigh as she shifted Rose in her arms.
Well, at least one friend doesn't think I'm completely mental.
She took the stairs carefully, her baby in her arms. As she worked her way up the rail she took in the assortment of witches and wizards enjoying themselves, drinking, reading, having a bit to eat by the roaring fire. The atmosphere was warm and cosy and Hermione felt her pulse begin to speed as she ascended the stairs.
It's alright, there's no reason to be nervous. It's his child. He will be elated.
Hermione's brain refused to stop whirring as she mentally ran through every scenario possible until the stopped, in front of door nine, not really knowing how she got there so quickly.
She took another long, indrawn breath, willing her heart to stop pounding, and then an equally long exhale as she shifted Rose to her right arm.
She reached for the heavy doorknob and turned; it's creak audible above her pounding pulse.
He was seated on the bed, his back to the door. When he heard the door open, he turned until his face was in profile. He looked nervous; like he was afraid to turn towards her.
Hermione closed the door gently behind her, and the noise from the latch made Rose let out a little grunt.
His eyes moved to the swaddled infant in her arms. He couldn't see Rose's face. Hermione rocked her gently to herself. Scabior stood slowly, obviously shocked. Reading you had a child and seeing that child for the first time are two very different things, and his usual confident demeanor was absent.
"Should I…?," he started, motioning if he should move towards Hermione.
"Would you like to hold her?," she said.
Scabior's tongue ran out to moisten his top lip as he nodded slowly.
Hermione looked down at the baby with adoration in her eyes.
"Say hello to your daughter, Rose." Hermione stated, turning the baby and tilting her up so he could see her pink face.
Scabior drew in a quick breath, and she saw his brows knit together instantly. He took a timid step into her. Then another. Then he was right beside Hermione and he leaned down to look at the sleeping baby's face.
Rose's face contorted in a yawn, and then she pursed her lips a few times as she let out some cooing noises.
"Here," Hermione said softly, shifting Rose's weight to hand to Scabior.
His arms immediately stretched in front of him as he accepted the baby's weight. "I don't know how-," he started once she was nestled into his arms. Hermione cradled Rose's head and spoke.
"Make sure you cradle her head like this," and with that, she took his hand and showed him how to rest it gently against the back of the infant's head.
As Rose fully settled her weight into the crook of his arm and sighed contentedly, Hermione saw a languid smile break out across his features; his eyes downcast lovingly on the child.
He walked away from Hermione, sitting gently at the edge of the bed and looking up at her expectantly.
"You're perfect," Hermione said to him. The double implication obvious.
He held the baby closely to his chest and they shared a long look between them. As if to say, 'yes, we have made this perfect little girl together.'
Hermione sat next to him on the bed, and moved down until her head laid on the pillow.
Scabior glanced behind him at Hermione.
"I just need to rest my eyes for a bit," she started, catching his gaze.
Scabior's eyes moved back to his child in his arms.
"We've got this, haven't we Rose? We are going to let mummy rest a while.," he said, standing and walking to the rocking chair near the fireplace, seating himself slowly.
"We're going to get to know one another, my darling girl."
Hermione smiled, her eyes closed, relief washing over her, and sleep overtaking her almost instantly.
She didn't hear Scabior say in a hushed tone, "My darling girls."