He didn't want to ask the most burning question as it threatened to escape his mouth.

She was curled up on the sofa, a warm cup of tea firmly clutched in her shaky hands. Neither of them had said anything in a few minutes now and Harry was starting to become manic.

"Hermione."

She looked up at him.

He swallowed hard under her gaze and spoke with dry lips, "Is it… mine?"

She frowned, "Do you think I'd be here if it wasn't?"

"How can you be certain?"

She scoffed, "If you must know. Ron and I… we haven't… not in a while."

It was his. The baby was his. Her baby was his baby too. Merlin.

"So what now?" He asked, his hands shaking. He turned to Hermione and for the first time since he'd met her, she looked lost for answers.

Hermione stood up and walked over towards his living room window, "I'm scared Harry." She confessed to him as she stared out into the falling rain.

Harry stood up and walked over to her. He grabbed her hands and she hesitantly turned to him. Her eyes threatened with tears as she looked back at him.

"Are you… will you keep it?"

She gasped, "Will I… Harry. Of course, I will."

His eyes widened in shock.

A tear dropped down her cheek as she smiled at him, "It's half of me and half of you."

He smiled at that.

"It's so beautiful." She cried.

Harry hugged her then. And she clutched at his shoulders.

"I just wish I could be certain about this too." She whispered into his neck.

"Certain about what?"

She pulled away and her gaze dropped, "That your feelings are true."

Harry smiled at her, "They are."

"How can you be certain?" She repeated his own words.

"Ginny was here a few days ago."

Hermione's eyes shot up to his as she stared at him.

"She wanted us to get back together," He told her.

"And? Are you… will you?"

Harry shook his head, "I told you, Hermione. The way I feel about you… I haven't felt like that for anyone. When I saw her again. I realised that I did love her. But it doesn't compare to how much I love you. I can't rightly explain how it's different. But I know it's different. This…" He touched his palm to her face as he spoke, "This… feels so much different. It feels right."

Tears kept rolling down her cheeks, "Harry…"

Harry's eyes widened in realisation then, almost as if a switch that had never been touched before finally got flipped on. "Hang on!" He told her as he ran out of the room and dashed up the stairs, taking two at a time. He rummaged through his nightstand until he found what he was looking for.

Hermione was looking out the window again when he came back. She looked utterly torn, although he hoped if nothing else could do the job. This would.

He approached her slowly, as he realised the gravity of what he was about to do.

"Are you okay?" She asked him when she saw his worried expression.

Suddenly his face felt incredibly hot and his legs felt wobbly as he knelt down on one knee in front of her, making her gasp.

"Harry what-"

The tiny black box appeared in front of her, and as Harry flicked it open, a beautiful silver ring revealed itself to her. It was etched with two small emerald gems and at its centre, a magnificent diamond shone at her.

"I love you, Hermione. I love you more than anything." He said it proudly. As if it were an honour. "Will you marry me?"

The silence was killing him as he continued to look at her. Hermione took a deep breath and then knelt down beside him. Her eyes kept shooting between him and the ring. Harry was starting to get rather nervous.

And then she was in his arms.

"Oh, Harry!" She cried into his neck. "YES!"

The words didn't register with him at first. But then he breathed out in relief.

"I'm marrying Harry Potter." She muffled against him.

He laughed, "I'm going to be a dad."

She pulled back and laughed with him, her face wet, but wearing a beautiful smile now.

Harry pulled the ring out of the box and she offered him her hand. He slipped the ring carefully onto her finger and she beamed at him in pure astonishment.

"It was my mother's." He informed as they both admired the new addition to Hermione's finger. It fit perfectly and he thanked whatever forces were out there that it did. "It's beautiful." She whispered.

Harry looked down and hesitated his hand over her tummy.

She grabbed his hand and pressed it against her middle, "I'm afraid it will be a while until you can see or feel anything."

Harry smiled back at her, "We might not see it. But it's there." He echoed her own words, making her laugh again.

And then, to both of their surprise, not knowing quite who initiated it, they were kissing. But this time with no desperation. There was no rush or haste. Only passion and tenderness. There was that electric pulse he missed so much. The way in which it radiated through his joints and made him feel like he was flying. Harry knew he'd never have enough.

"Are we… together now?" He asked in between kisses.

"Oh, I'm afraid you're stuck with me now, Potter." She threatened him.

Harry chuckled, "That sounds very pleasant."

She giggled, "Wait until the cravings start."

She's worth it.

Those were the words he had repeated to himself every time their relationship got challenged. Whether it was their complicated situation with Ron, Ginny or the rest of the Weasleys. He told it to himself again when the time came to announce both their engagement AND the pregnancy to Daniel and Emma. None of it was easy. Sometimes things went better than expected. Other times, it was hard.

"I'm sorry, Ginny." He told her, and he hoped his eyes would do what words couldn't.

She'd look at him with that piercing Weasley stare and then she smiled and nodded to herself, "This is exactly why we did it to begin with, Harry."

He stared at her in blank confusion.

"It's why we broke up. I wanted us to find exactly what made us happy. Turns out it did you way more favours than me. But that was the point. Besides, I've always felt there was something more between you two." She explained.

Harry shook his head, "No, Gin. There wasn't."

She laughed at that, "Maybe not in your head. I think it's safe to say you're not the brightest when it comes to these things. I'd like to think it's part of your charm. But we've all seen it one time or another. And I know I wasn't alone. Krum… Rita Skeeter… Cho Chang…"

Harry puzzled at her words.

"Ron always told me you considered her a sister. You've said so yourself. Apparently." She told him as they walked the gardens of the Burrow.

"I did," Harry confirmed as his gaze followed an escaping gnome which dived into a nearby bush as they approached.

Ginny laughed, "Now tell me… what in the world would two only children know about having siblings?"

Harry had to laugh at that himself.

"I've got to say. I'm very impressed at how well you're taking all of this in." He admitted.

She smiled at him again, "Harry. I don't think I've ever seen you this happy."

Harry nodded and huffed as his gaze turned back to the Burrow. Through one of the kitchen windows, he could see Hermione talking with Mrs Weasley.

"The way you look at her… she brings a spark to you. I don't think anyone has that power but her." Ginny pointed out, admiring him.

He scratched at his neck, embarrassed.

"I'm happy for you, Harry. It might take me a while. And I don't know for sure if I'll come to the wedding. It might be… too early for me. But I'm happy."

Harry smiled at her then, "Thank you, Ginny."

It was moments like those when he truly felt like an adult. There was no pettiness here. No jealousy or spitefulness. Just understanding. He had never appreciated his ex-girlfriend more than in that moment.

Ginny, George and their parents had tried their best to make Ron understand. Everyone wanted him to visit and speak with his best friends. However, Ron only made an appearance at his and Hermione's house a few times when signing the selling clauses. He'd speak briefly with their estate agent and agreed to any and all terms Hermione had presented. They agreed on fifty-fifty. Harry never saw Ron personally, although from the way Hermione explained, it was probably for the better.

They spent months searching for their new house until on one cold December night, Hermione came up with the perfect idea as she stepped through the door.

"Godric's Hollow?" She offered.

Harry's eyes widened, "It's a bit of a landmark."

The idea of moving into his parents' house was slightly daunting. It needed serious redevelopment, and it was not the most pleasant of historical locations. But the more they spoke about it, the more sold Harry would become.

"We could turn it into a real home again. It could become a place full of happy memories. A place we enjoy and love. I don't want it to be remembered as a monument to tragedy and fear. Voldemort doesn't deserve that." Hermione explained as she rubbed her ever-growing belly.

Harry smiled at her warmly as they snuggled on the couch.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"I think my mum would have loved that idea." He told her.

"And it would be perfect for the baby." She added, half to herself.

Witch Weekly had an absolute field day when a reporter caught Harry and Hermione shopping for baby clothes in Diagon Alley, holding hands. The magical world was not ready for the sheer amount of media coverage the young wizard couple was about to receive. Everyone and their mother knew what Harry's child was going to be wearing in its first year of life. Pictures of Hermione's bump were in every single news outlet imaginable.

She's worth it, he repeated, again and again.

Soon enough, the Potter cottage in Godric's Hollow was complete. And Harry fell in love with it instantly. It was simply perfect. Four bedrooms, a large kitchen with a cosy living room, and a massive garden.

"What are we going to do with all these empty rooms?" Harry wondered.

Hermione swung a devilish grin in his direction, "I have been thinking of a few future projects."

He smiled as he held her, "Oh, do tell."

James Sirius Potter was born in mid-May and he was perfect. The Grangers simply could not get enough of him. Dan and Emma fought constantly over baby cuddling rights as Dan had called them. 'Rights' which, according to him, he had been profusely denied by Emma.

"It's my turn!" He'd complain, as he reached for the baby, only to have Emma stick out her tongue at him and escape to the kitchen with little James giggling in her arms.

"Your mother is a thieving criminal, Hermione."

Harry and Hermione laughed as they cuddled on the Granger's sofa.

The year had been an absolute rollercoaster for them, but now things were finally perfect.

The pregnancy had been an absolute shock for everyone. The only person who seemed completely unphased by the news was Emma who apparently already suspected as much. Harry had no idea how any of it made sense, but he didn't dare argue with his mother-in-law; she was the best babysitter in the world, and James absolutely loved her.

Their relationship with the Weasleys was heavily tested. Ron still didn't speak to them, and Harry wasn't sure if that would ever change. They had received two cards from him on two different occasions, but the redhead had yet to make an official appearance. Harry was also very surprised with Molly and Arthur Weasley who seemed to simply have no capacity to dislike Harry or Hermione. They welcomed them to The Burrow often and loved seeing baby James as often as Emma and Dan. Ginny tried to avoid them at first, but it seemed no one could stay away from James. Harry swore their baby already had magic of some kind. The way he could completely enchant whoever held him. It had to be his superpower.

It was nearing James' first birthday, when Harry dropped the baby off at the Grangers and took Hermione away on a secret getaway trip; they both needed much-deserved rest. But more importantly, there was an occasion to celebrate.

"Okay we've apparated, and now you've been leading me for about twenty minutes. Harry, could you please tell me where we are?" She complained as she picked at the blindfold.

"Patience, beautiful." He chuckled as he guided her down the pathway.

Eventually, he pulled at the blindfold and undid the knot, making it fall from her eyes.

Hermione cringed as her eyes readjusted to the light, and then her mouth slowly formed into a wide smile as she realised where they were.

"Oh my god!" She cried.

Right there, in the Forest of Dean, was a beautiful wooden cabin. A small cobblestone path led the way to its front porch, and there was a cute fenced-off garden on the right. On the other side, there was a large tree with a swing hanging off one of its branches. It was the same tree Hermione used to sit at whenever they came here.

"Happy anniversary." He smiled at her.

Hermione turned back to Harry and frowned, "You promised we'd build it together!"

Harry laughed, "I made sure to leave some work for you. It's almost completely empty on the inside. I wanted the interior design to be our little project."

She grinned at him, "Smart. You didn't want to risk me not liking something."

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Maybe." And then grabbed her hand and led her inside the cabin.

As they stepped through the door, Hermione gasped at the trail of roses that led to the centre of the cabin. There in the centre, was a beautifully laid out table with a bottle of champagne and two plates filled with food that looked and smelled delicious.

Harry turned towards the corner of the room where a small table held an old phonograph. He flicked it on with the wave of his finger as the needle dropped on the already spinning vinyl.

Hermione started as her favourite song came on.

Harry approached her slowly, smiling as he took her hand in his.

"Hermione Jean Potter. Would you grant me this honour, and dance with me?"

She smiled and nodded as Harry led her closer to the phonograph and took her into his arms.

"Pass me that lovely little gun

My dear, my darling one…"

They smiled at each other as they spiralled in endless circles.

"Any regrets?" She asked him as she held tightly to his arms.

Harry grinned, "Not in a million years. Just wish I saw it sooner than I did."

Hermione shook her head, "No. It happened exactly the way it was supposed to."

"You're probably right." He admitted.

It hadn't been easy by any means. They had to sacrifice friendships. Relationships. They still hoped and prayed that one day, Ron would come around. He sent them a wedding card. He did the same when James was born. Perhaps he still needed time. Harry missed his best friend, but just like he had said almost two years ago; he was willing to pay any price. She was simply worth it. And he'd have done it all over again if needed. Besides, even now as he looked down at his gorgeous and wonderful wife, he knew he made the right choice.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Harry asked.

"I'm dreading the moment when I finally wake up from this dream." She confessed while smiling at her wedding band as it glistened against the cabin's dim lights.

He flashed his teeth at her as he grinned, "I'm afraid that's incorrect. I'm the one dreaming."

She cupped his face in her hands as they spun, "I love you, Harry Potter."

He smiled back at her like the happiest man in the world.

"I love you too, Mrs Potter."

"Hey little train, wait for me

I once was blind but now I see."

The End.

A/N: I sincerely hope you enjoyed! I had so much fun writing this one. I have wanted to post it for a while now and finally got around to wrapping it up. It was very important for me to get it all written before posting, so that I don't leave yet another story unfished for ages. Anyway, I'm off to try and finish Right and Easy… eventually. Thank you for reading! It means the world to me : )