A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series or agree with her comments. This story is a product of my pure imagination.
You can hear it in the silence, silence, you,
You can feel it on the way home, way home, you,
You can see it with the lights out, lights out.
You are in love, true love.
And so, it goes,
You two are dancing in a snow globe, 'round and 'round.
And he keeps the picture of you in his office downtown,
And you understand now why they lost their minds and fought the wars,
And why I've spent my whole life tryin' to put it into words.
~ You Are in Love by Taylor Swift
*~*~* May 10, 2008 (Twenty-Nine Weeks Along) *~*~*
"How are you feeling?"
Hermione shifted a pillow behind her back and sighed as she put the footrest of the armchair she was in at Daphne and Blaise's house, "Exhausted," she yawned, "It's getting harder to sleep. I wake up with every kick. He also keeps getting hiccups."
She smiled as she felt a little kick.
"Look at you!" Pansy smirked as she handed Hermione a glass of sparkling lemon water."You look radiant."
Hermione took the glass, "Thank you. I don't feel radiant. I wish he'd let me sleep."
"Get used to it. You won't sleep until they are 18," Pansy told her.
"I bet he'll be a Quidditch player, like his dad," Ginny laughed as she sat on the arm of Hermione's chair and reached down to touch her belly. "Hey Jamie," she said.
Right under Ginny's hand was a nudge. "At the rate he's growing, I'm going to be enormous by July," Hermione stated.
"Nonsense," Luna said, curling up beside her on the couch with a cup of tea, "He'll be perfect. I can already tell he will be strong-willed, just like his Mumma."
Pansy grinned, "Speaking of Jamie, has Harry been properly doting? Draco said he caught Harry reading pregnancy books in his office the other day. He joked that he didn't think Harry read this much, even at Hogwarts."
Hermione laughed, "Harry has been amazing. Too amazing, he won't let me do anything."
"Does he seem nervous? Harry doesn't seem like the type to be," Luna stated.
Hermione looked at her, "Remember how he grew up? He's nervous but excited."
Pansy stood up. "It's time for some fun. I found some magical baby books from the past. I think it would be interesting to see them and how wrong they were."
Hermione picked up the book Raising Little Wizards and Witches and started thumbing through it as Luna read through Baby's First Spell Book.
"According to this book, you should sing to the baby every day not only to recognize your voice and be soothed by it but to get the rhythm of the spells down for the future," Luna stated.
Hermione smiled, "We read to him, and Teddy sings to him. Harry and I are just terribly out of tune."
"Did you both pick a middle name yet?" Daphne asked.
"Jamie Sirius Daniel after his three grandfathers," Hermione told them.
"Wise move. Names are powerful things," Pansy said as Daphne frowned.
"Wait, Sirius? As in Sirius Black?" Daphne asked.
Pansy rolled her eyes, "Did you NOT read her book? Sirius is her biological father."
"The fact that she wasn't a mudblood and was tortured by her cousin is what got me," Hannah stated.
Hermione frowned. "She was sadistic. She wouldn't have believed me even if I had known back then. The Black family has a blood curse, and she fought it, and it drove her mad." Hermione shrugged. "But the curse is broken now between Draco and me. Mum is too old to get pregnant at 55."
"What about your kids?" Pansy asked.
Hermione looked at her, "Aw shit, Scorpius is a Pureblood."
*~*~* May 16, 2008 (Thirty Weeks Along) *~*~*
Hermione leaned back on the sofa, her hands on her belly as she looked around their sitting room with a yawn. A sharp kick at her ribs had her rubbing the top of her belly.
"So next week is the week you start stepping back, right?" Luna asked as she curled up on the armchair.
Hermione sighed, "Yes. We are driving to Mum's tomorrow for the last ten weeks. Then, I am working from home on Wednesdays and Fridays. Flooing is getting worse for me. Friday, I nearly fell coming out of the grate. I can't do it anymore."
"So, which movie are we watching?" Ron asked, walking into the room with Harry.
"Spiderman 3 or The Nanny Diaries," Harry said, holding them up.
"Put in the Nanny Diaries," Ron said, wiggling his eyebrows."The actress on the cover is cute."
Luna reached out and hit him, "Honestly, Ronald."
"Abusive! I'm going to sit with Hermione," Ron said as he laughed and dropped down next to Hermione, stretching his long frame as he made himself comfortable.
"That's my spot," Harry told him.
Ron looked at him with a smirk, "You get enough time with my godson in there," he joked, gesturing to Hermione's belly, "Let me have a moment."
Harry shook his head as he settled at Hermione's feet. Ron moved to lean his head on Hermione's belly.
"Well, hello there, Ron," Hermione laughed.
Ron looked up at her, "Is this okay?"
Hermione rubbed his shoulder, "Yes, you're fine. I think Luna is finally rubbing off on you."
"Oh, definitely," Luna chimed in.
Harry dimmed the lights and started the movie as Ron leaned closer to her belly. "Hey in there, Jamie. I'm your Uncle Ron. When you get here, we will have a blast, all right? None of that Seeker nonsense like your dad," he said, looking at Harry. "I'll teach you how to be a Keeper,to play pranks, and that books aren't everything, no matter what your mum says."
Hermione snorted, shaking her head, as she ran her fingers through his hair. She only half listened to his whispered promises as Harry sat at her feet to join them. As the movie began, she could hear Harry make little comments to Ron and felt as ifhe had taken hold of her foot, kneading it with just the right amount of pressure.
Hermione closed her eyes, sinking into the relaxing feeling. The movie's soft sounds became more of a lulling effect than keeping her attention.
When she opened her eyes again, the room was different. Ron was in his armchair with Luna on his lap. Teddy was now curled up at her feet, and Harry sat beside her, supporting her head. Blinking, Hermione rubbed her eyes as she yawned.
Harry kissed her head, "Welcome back, sleepyhead." He grabbed a plate and held it out for her, "Want a biscuit?"
"I fell asleep, didn't I?" she mumbled.
"You did," Harry said, playing with one of her curls, "But you missed some delicious biscuits. Teddy made them."
Teddy's face lit up, "I made chocolate chip onesjust for you, Mumma."
Hermione ruffled his hair, "Thank you, sweetheart. You always know my favourites." Taking a bite, she moaned, savouring the warm, gooey sweetness of the treat, "It's perfect. Just what I needed."
"When I was upstairs, I noticed that your old bedroom is still the office with your bed pushed to the side. Do you need help with the nursery?" Ron asked them.
Harry froze and then looked at Ron. "No, Hermione says that Jamie will be sleeping with us for at least the first six months. We'll worry about it when he is a bit older. Hermione will need the office until she starts her maternity leave."
"You need to expand the house," Ron suggested.
"Maybe in the future," Harry stated, "Let's take this one at a time and just get to Jamie being born. The office is starting to be a mini-baby store anyways."
Luna looked at Ron and then at them, "It's about to get worse, too."
Hermione sat up straighter, "Why?"
*~*~* May 17, 2008 (Thirty Weeks Along) *~*~*
Harry pulled into Juliet's driveway and saw a few cars, "I guess the rest flooed in."
Hermione grumbled as he parked, "I don't want to do this."
"Hopefully, it will be better than you think," Harry told her.
"Mumma, at least you will get lots of presents for Jamie!" Teddy said from the backseat as he unfastened.
Climbing out of the car, Harry led her up to the door, and before he could knock, it opened.
"I am so sorry ahead of time," Juliet told them as they walked into the house.
"Surprise!" The room erupted in cheers as behind Juliet was a crowd of familiar faces with blue and white decorations behind them.
"Oh! Thank you, everyone," Hermione said as Molly Weasley hugged her.
"I knew you'd suspect something, Hermione," Juliet told her, "But I hope we at least managed to catch you off guard."
Mrs. Weasley chimed in, "We couldn't resist throwing you a shower. It's not every day we have a little babe to spoil."
Hermione looked around and saw Audrey, Angelina, Fleur, Ginny, Parvati, and Padma over by the food. Hannah, Susan, Daphne, Lavender, Katie, Alicia, and even Pansy were talking and catching up. Professor McGonagall was there with Holly and Opal, her assistant, who was already organizing gifts at the gift table.
"This is incredible," Hermione stated, glancing at Harry.
The room was soon filled with laughter as they played traditional baby games like "Guess the Baby Food" and "Who knows Mum and Dad best?" which caused rounds of teasing and bickering. Molly and Juliet brought out an impressive food spread, including traditional delicate cucumber sandwiches and mini treacle tarts, that had Harry nearly diving for the tray.
Once bellies were filled, it was time to open gifts. Ginny and Fleur brought over towering stacks of presents. Hermione opened them one by one, revealing beautiful handmade baby blankets, enchanted pacifiers that hummed lullabies, and even a charmed mobile with a little Quidditch set buzzing around.
Hermione handed Harry a package wrapped in bright Muggle paper, "This is from Christina."
He opened it up as Hermione opened Pansy's gift of a charmed bassinet to sense the baby's movements.
Harry pulled the contraption out of the bag, held it up and inspected it, then put it to his face. "What is this thing?" he asked, "An emergency breathing machine if something were to go bad?"
The room erupted in laughter, and Hermione could not hold back her giggles, "That," Hermione stated, "Is a breast pump."
Harry's eyes widened, "Ah!" he exclaimed, throwing it back into the bag andearning laughs from the ladies in the room.
Pansy smirked, "That was priceless."
Alicia smiled, "You'll get the hang of all the baby gadgets soon enough, Harry. It will just take some practice."
Harry raised his hands, still bright red-faced, "I'll leave the breast pumping to Hermione."
After they finished the presents, people started leaving. Hannah hugged Hermione and went to the front door to leave, only to have someone on the other side.
"Hermione, someone is here," Hannah said as the woman walked past her.
Juliet came around the corner, "Maman, I tried calling you when you didn't show."
"I left early this morning and accidentally left my phone at home. It's been a wild goose chase since this morning. I thought the party was at Hermione and Harry's home, so I went there. Sirius was there, let me in, andoffered to bring me here magically. Still, I decided to drive here because it is closer to home in the end," Cassandra said, throwing her bag on a chair and turning to Hermione. "Talking about your home, darling, why are you living there? It is so tiny, and you have an expanding family. PLEASE let me purchase you a larger home."
Hermione blinked in disbelief. "Grandmere, our home is perfect for us. We are fine with it right now. If we want to move or expand, we will."
Ginny said, "Well, I'm going to head out."
Pansy nodded as she stood up, "Good idea."
Hermione and Harry thanked everyone as they left via floo when Professor McGonagall approached them, a gift in her hand.
"This is not a new gift, but it was within my family. I do not have any children, but I've always thought of my young Gryffindors as my children, the two of you more than most. This is for young Jamie," McGonagall said as she handed Hermione the wrapped gift.
Hermione opened it carefully, revealing a small, leather-bound book of Scottish lullabies with handwritten notes from various family members throughout the decades.
Tears prickled in Hermione's eyes as she clutched the book to her chest, "Thank you, Minerva."
As McGonagall hugged her, Hermione swallowed hard, "Thank you everyone. This is overwhelming. We will be set for Jamie when he decides to come."
As the last of their friends trickled out, Hermione watched her grandmother standing in the doorway, her arms crossed.
Juliet looked at Hermione, and Hermione turned to Cassandra. "Come on, Grandmere. Let's go sit down and chat for a bit. You have driven such a far journey."
Everyone moved into Juliet's sitting room, where the remnants of the baby shower still lingered as Luna and Molly were waving their hands, cleaning everything up. Half-empty plates of snacks and torn papers swirled around the room into bags.
"Sit, we will be out of your hair in no time. Hermione, do you want the gifts sent to your house?" Molly asked.
"Yes, please. Sirius knows where they go. If you want to, take them to him," Hermione said as she sat down.
Molly shrunk down the gifts as Luna finished thecleanup. Walking over to the floo, Molly floo called Sirius, who appeared in the flames, "I have Hermione and Harry's gifts."
"Hand them over. I'll put them upstairs," Sirius said, stepping through and nodding at them, "Ladies."
Molly handed him the shrunken-down boxes and bags, "Now, be careful with this one. It is glass."
Sirius nodded as he grinned, "Have a great rest of your evening, ladies." As he stepped back through the floo.
"For heaven's sake, it's that easy?" Cassandra asked, surprised, as she sat next to Hermione in shock.
"Yes," Hermione said as Cassandra looked at them.
"Hermione, darling," she said gently, "I understand you feel that your home is perfect for you now, but with a little one on the way, I want to ensure you and Harry have everything you need. I have the means, you know that, and it would bring me so much joy to help make things a little easier."
Hermione closed her eyes and breathed deeply, "I appreciate it, Grandmere. But Harry and I want to make these decisions together. Our house is now home, even if it's not as grand as some others may prefer. We had a choice to be at the Potter Manor but chose to make it into a school instead. Our home is where we feel safe and grounded."
"Grounded or not, I just want to make sure you're comfortable, but I understand if it's not something you're ready for. If you ever change your mind, please know I am here to support you," Cassandra told them.
Harry leaned on the back of the couch, "We know who to call if we are ever in the market, Cassandra."
Cassandra chuckled, patting Harry's hand, "That's all I can ask. Just promise me you'll keep it in mind." She turned back to Hermione, "Now I've missed enough today. What all did you get?"
"Sirius took most of it, but I saved some things because we are staying here until he comes and probably a few days after," Hermione said as she reached down for the one bag that she did not want to go, "This was hand-knitted by Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley, this is my Grandmere, Cassandra Wilkins. Grandmere, this is Molly Weasley."
Cassandra took the soft blue blanket with Jamie knitted in the middle with little stars stitched around the edges.
"Oh, it's beautiful," Cassandra said, glancing up at Molly, "You knit very well."
"Since I was eleven, I've always had a hand-knitted sweater from her every Christmas," Harry said, smiling as he sat on the armrest next to Hermione, "Back then, I was just friends with her son, Ron."
Molly's cheeks turned red as Luna went upstairs to gather the boys, "Well, you both are part of our family after all these years. I do it for every family member." Lysander and Lorcan ran down the stairs, with Luna following, "Boys, please be respectable. This is Mrs. Wilkins, Aunt Hermione's grandmother."
Lorcan's big blue eyes lit up as he bowed to her, "It's a pweasure to meet you, ma'am."
Luna smiled, and Lysander also bowed. "Don't let them fool you. They aren't always this well-behaved. Make sure you have everything, boys."
Lysander pinched Lorcan, "I'll be home first!" as he ran off to the floo, "The Menagerie!"
"Unfair!" Lorcan yelled as he followed his brother.
"Help me," Luna said, shaking her head as Hermione went to get up. "Don't you dare," Luna said as she leaned down and hugged her, "Call me if you need anything."
"Dinner this weekend?" Hermione asked.
"Friday," Luna said as she and Molly went through the floo.
After dinner of the leftovers from the party, Cassandra touched Hermione's arm. "Thank you for letting me share this with you. I know I can be a bit overbearing, but it's only because I love you, and I am glad I can be a part of your life now."
Hermione hugged her, "I know, Grandmere, and that is something I'll never take for granted."
*~*~* June 8, 2008 (Thirty-Three Weeks Along) *~*~*
In her 33rd week of pregnancy, Hermione found herself at the Burrow surrounded by Harry on one side and Ron on the other as they ate dinner. The weather was hot and unbearable today, and Hermione felt like a gross pig, extremely sweaty and uncomfortable.
Jamie gave a particularly swift kick toward one of her lungs, causing Hermione to rub the area just as Ron choked on his food.
"Merlin, Hermione. I could see his foot that time," Ron said, staring at her belly.
Hermione sighed, "Imagine feeling it inside you. Sometimes, it takes my breath away when he does it. My lungs are right there." She adjusted, groaning, "I'm so tired of being pregnant."
"How much longer?" George asked.
"Too long, but seven weeks. Lily said that Harry was early, and I was too. Hopefully, he comes at least a week early," Hermione said, fanning herself, "Is it hot in here for anyone else, or is it just me?"
Harry recast a cooling charm, "How about now?"
Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder, "Thank you, you are the best."
After eating, the kids played outside as the adults talked around the table. Percy was discussing a new policy in his department when Teddy screamed, "Mumma! Come look at this!"
Harry went to get up, and Hermione laid her hand on his arm. "No, I'll go. I need to walk around anyway. My back is hurting."
When Hermione stood up, she walked two steps, and a pain rippled through her abdomen into her back. "Oh!" she exclaimed, clutching her belly.
Harry was at her side instantly, "What's wrong?"
Slowly, Hermione straightened up, "It was weird. It was tightening, but it was painful."
"Was it like a cramp?" Angelina asked, walking over to her.
"A bit," Hermione said as it happened again, and she grabbed Harry, "Oh fuck! Not again."
"What do you want me to do?" Harry asked, rubbing her back.
"Alicia. Get Alicia," Hermione gasped out.
"I'll get her," Angelina said, running to the floo.
"Come on, Hermione. Let's get you to the couch and get your feet up," Molly suggested, supporting Harry and Hermione to the couch.
Hermione laid back and grabbed Harry's hand, "It's too early, Harry. I know I said I wanted him here, but it's too early."
"I know, My," Harry said as he knelt and kissed her hand.
The floo lit up, and Alicia stepped through with her bag, "I hear that one little Potter might be impatient to meet us."
Harry looked up at her, "She's having pains."
Alicia waved her wand and moved the coffee table, "Could I please have some room?"
Molly waved everyone away, "All of you scoot! Go see to the kids."
Alicia waved her wand, and the glittering picture of Jamie appeared, "He's head down. That's good. Heartrate is good," she said as she looked at Harry, "Who is her maternal doctor?"
Harry nodded, "I should probably floo her," he said as he went to the floo, "Healer Littrell, maternal medicine!"
"Harry, it's SUNDAY!" Hermione yelled as another spasm rippled through her abdomen.
"Shite," he said as he stood up and cast a patronus, "Healer Littrell, this is Harry Potter. Our floo address is The Burrow. Hermione is having pains, possible contractions." With that, Prongs took off.
"Well, I don't think they are actual contractions, but we will wait until she gets here to assess," Alicia told them, "I think you are having Braxton Hicks contractions."
Hermione sat up, "Braxton Hicks!? The books said they aren't supposed to be painful!"
"They can be," Alicia told her as the floo lit up and Hermione's new Healer walked through. She was a muggle midwife and a maternal practitioner in the magical world.
"Hello, Hermione and Harry," Healer Littrell said as she walked over to the kitchen to wash her hands. "Hello, everyone else. I hear someone may be impatient to come to this side of the world."
"I think she is having contractions," Harry told her as Alicia stood up.
"Hello, Healer Littrell, I am Healer Alicia Jordan from St. Mungo's," Alicia told her, "I am not specialized in maternal care, but with my assessment, I believe she is experiencing Braxton Hicks."
Healer Littrell nodded, "Pleasure. I am Brianna Littrell. Let's see what your guidance charm is showing."
Hermione swallowed hard as Healer Littrell pressed on her belly.
"Where did the pain start?" Healer Littrell asked.
"Underneath my belly to my back," Hermione told her.
"Has the pain continued since you were lying down?" Healer Littrell asked.
Hermione shook her head, "Just the occasional tightening feeling."
With a wave of her wand, another screen-like charm appeared above her head, and she looked at Hermione, "Remember what I said about how you were very dehydrated?"
Hermione sighed, "I just hate having to pee all the time."
Alicia smiled, "Dehydration can make Braxton Hicks more intense or frequent."
"You have no signs of actual labour. You do have all the signs of dehydration and Braxton Hicks contractions, and round ligament pain. I want you to stay here tonight, if possible," Healer Littrell asked, looking at Molly.
"Of course," Molly said, "I'll go make up a room for you two closest to the bathroom."
"So, you rest here for the rest of the day and night. If it happens again, let me know. If not, how did you get here?" Healer Littrell asked.
Hermione bit her lip, "By floo."
Alicia and Healer Littrell both looked at her. "Seriously?" Alicia asked.
"Well then, tomorrow morning, if there are no more contractions and you have drank a lot of water, you travel home by floo and then travel only by car afterward. You told me that floo travel was already giving you troubles," Healer Littrell stated.
Hermione sighed, "Fine. I'll stay at home and only go to work."
"Via the telephone booth entrance, not flushing yourself through," Healer Littrell told her, "When are you starting your maternity leave?"
"Next month. I have already cut back, and I am working from home two days a week," Hermione said, accepting a glass of water from Angelina, "Thank you."
"You may have to work three days or more from home," Healer Littrell told her as she stood up."You know I am always available, and it looks like you have a competent healer on standby if I'm not."
Healer Littrell held out her hand, "Pleasure to meet you, Healer Jordan."
Alicia shook her hand, "You as well," she said as she led her to the floo.
"Thank you!" Hermione said as she waved as Healer Littrell flooed away, "You too, Alicia."
"You know I'm always here for you both," Alicia said as she flooed away.
Hermione swallowed hard as she ran her hand over her face, "That scared the shit out of me."
Harry sat on the floor next to her, "I think I am finally getting the feeling back into my legs."
Molly leaned on the back of the couch, "Your room for the night is Percy's old room. I expanded the bed. You only have to go up one flight to the bathroom."
"It's perfect," Hermione told her.
"I can always carry you up the stairs," Harry suggested.
Hermione looked at him, "I'll be fine."
Molly smiled as she adjusted the pillow behind Hermione's back. "You just take it easy now, dear. Rest as much as you need, and we'll care for everything else tonight."
Hermione let herself sink back into the pillows as Harry's hand rubbed gently around her belly. "Thanks, Harry," she whispered."I can't believe I thought I'd be fine until the end."
"Technically, you are, but even Superwitch Hermione needs a breath," he said as he kissed her forehead.
Teddy wandered into the room, "Mumma, are you okay?"
Hermione smiled as he came over next to Harry. "I'm okay, Teddy Bear," she said, ruffling his hair. "I'm just a bit tired. Jamie is keeping me on my toes already." She let out a small laugh. "I thought he wanted to be here for Sunday dinner as much as you love to."
Teddy grinned as he laid his head on her belly, "Hurry up, Jamie! I will make a seat at the table for you!" he whispered to her bump.
Molly reappeared from the kitchen with a cup of tea. "It's chamomile, dear. This will help you relax. Sip it carefully. It's very hotbut will also help your hydration."
Hermione took the tea, "Thank you."
George reappeared with Ron behind him, "I supposed we don't get to race to see who the first one to meet Jamie is going to be now," he said, elbowing Ron.
"As long as he doesn't decide to kick his way-out next Sunday, I'm good," Ron said.
Hermione laughed, "I'll do my best to keep him in line, Ron."
Luna sat cross-legged by the fireplace and looked at her, "He's excited because he knows he's coming into a wonderful family. He probably can't wait to see all of us. There is aspecial magic in him already."
Harry's hand found Hermione's, and he kissed it, "After today, I'm ready for him to come when he's three years old."
Hermione scoffed, "No way. You will be carrying him then!"
*~*~* June 14, 2008 (Thirty-Four Weeks Along) *~*~*
Harry parked the car in the car park nearest to Leaky Cauldron and looked at Hermione, "Are you sure about this tonight?"
"Harry, I have had no more contractions. Not a single issue. I feel as fantastic as I can feel a month from his coming. I NEED to get out of the house. WE need to get out of the house. Honestly, we are driving Teddy up a wall," Hermione said as they got out of the car.
Slowly, they walked to the Leaky Cauldron and through the entrance to Diagon Alley, where they noticed a new store's grand opening.
"Something is finally going into that store, I see," Hermione said as one of the people standing outside the store turned, "Shite."
"Harry Potter, that's Harry Potter!"
Harry groaned as other press members turned and looked at them, "Let's just go."
The reporters yelled out various questions about their relationship and Jamie. Then one reporter stepped out of the line, "What is it like to marry someone way out of your league!"
Harry stopped and turned around, "I never thought I'd be this happy. It's amazing to marry your best friend. I'm just lucky she was okay with marrying me."
The same press member yelled, "That's not what I mean!"
Harry looked at Hermione as he led her towards the restaurant, "What did he mean then?"
Hermione sighed, "The question wasn't for you. It was for me. YOU were the one that married out of your league in their eyes.
Harry frowned, "I need to go back there and give them a few words."
Hermione grabbed him, "No, just let it be. I liked your response better."
Harry grinned, "Threw them for a loop, didn't I?"
Hermione kissed his cheek, "Loved it."
Harry opened the door to El Venetian, "I told the guys we would be here. I see Ron and Neville already. Go enjoy yourself."
Hermione sat beside Luna and looked at the girls, "What have I missed?"
Hannah passed her a glass of iced pumpkin juice, "I'm just glad you made it. I thought you would be missing tonight."
Hermione took a sip, "I couldn't resist getting out while I could," she told them, shifting to her seat to get more comfortable. "But this pregnancy thing? It's no joke. I still have six weeks, but if he comes in three or four, I'd be fine with that. Jamie's decided my ribs are a drum set, and my balance is off. I need to wear my glasses all the time to see well. I'm just… trying to catch up. My to-do list seems like it will never stop. Women have done this for the history of time, but we have worked in the workplace and can be powerful working women and Mums, too, right? It's possible, right?"
Lavender squeezed Hermione's hand, "Of course it is. What you are feeling is natural, Hermione. You're handling it so well. As for keeping up? You're carrying the next Potter. That's enough."
Hermione bit her lip, "Thanks, Lavender. It's just that… since the beginning, I've feared that I wouldn't be able to balance everything. My work, Jamie, being there for Harry and still feeling like myself. Sometimes, I think I can do it, and other times, I'm just exhausted and so nervous about it."
"Let me tell you, Hermione, it's a balancing act, but if anyone can find that balance, it's you. At least you have Harry in your corner," Pansy said, "Being a Mum is a full-time job, too, so you will have two full-time jobs. Technically, three being a wife, too. But you are fucking Hermione Granger. You can do it with no issues."
Parvati nodded, "Pansy's right, and don't forget, we'll all be here to help. You're going to figure out your way, Hermione."
Hermione let out a breath, "You all make it sound manageable."
"It is. Just take it one day at a time," Luna told her as she looked out the window in the wall, "Look at the boys. They look to be having a good time."
Hermione followed her gaze to see Harry, Ron, and Neville laughing. Harry caught her eye through the window and smiled at her, making her smile.
"He's so smitten, and so are you," Hannah laughed, "Making lovey eyes at each other across the room."
Hermione looked at her, "I know he's nervous, but he's been so attentive and sweet since Sunday. I didn't tell you about us running into reporters outside, either. They asked me what it was like to marry someone out of my league, and he answered, thinking the reporter was talking to him."
Lavender rolled her eyes, "I can just imagine the shock on that reporter's face."
Hermione laughed, "He completely threw them off. My Harry, so sweet that he didn't even realize that they were implying that I was the one marrying up."
*~*~* June 15, 2008 (Thirty-Four Weeks Along) *~*~*
On the morning of Father's Day, Hermione glanced behind her to see thatHarry was still asleep, and it was nearly 6 in the morning. Sliding out of bed as quietly as she could, hopefully not disturbing him, she walked down to the kitchen, where Teddy was already sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal.
"Ready, Ted?" she whispered.
Teddy jumped up, "Let's make pancakes!"
Hermione gave him some fruit to cut up as she started the pancakes. Teddy added some chocolate chips and fruit to them with an artistic attempt. Teddy carried the tray up the stairs when it was readyas Hermione had his coffee and gift.
"Happy Father's Day, Dadda!" Teddy yelled as they walked into the bedroom.
Harry blinked as he looked at them and then sat up. "This looks amazing, mate!" Harry said, ruffling Teddy's hair as he took the tray.
Hermione set the coffee beside the bed, "And this is from the three of us."
Harry unwrapped the box to reveal two tickets to today's Quidditch match. "These are box seats."
"It honestly didn't cost me as much as you'd think. I got them through Ginny. It's the Harpies and the Wasps. Luna got Ron tickets too," Hermione told him, "I know you've been saying it's been too long since you've taken Teddy to a match. I'm sitting it out. Ron and the boys will go, too."
"This is amazing, really, thank you," Harry said as he kissed Hermione, "What about you? What are you doing to do with your free time?"
Hermione laughed, "What is that even? Free time? No, I'll probably enjoy the quiet and get a few things done. Maybe wash Jamie's outfits for his first week, double-check that my bag is back, and maybe curl up with a book or watch a movie."
Harry smiled, "Promise me you'll actually relax."
"I'll try," Hermione told him, "You two will have more fun without me at the game than with me."
Teddy jumped up, "Dadda, can we have popcorn at the match?"
"Of course. Maybe we can get Ginny to introduce you to a few players," Harry told him.
Harry wrapped his arm around her as Teddy started talking a mile a minute. Kissing her temple, he whispered, "Thank you for today."
Hermione smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder, "Happy Father's Day, Harry."
*~*~* June 21, 2008 (Thirty-Five Weeks Along) *~*~*
"You know, you could have gone to Susan and Justin's wedding today," Hermione said as she put toothpaste on her brush.
"I know, but I didn't want to go without you, and I didn't want you to have to be uncomfortable," Harry told her as he dried his face and looked at himself in the mirror. Grabbing his comb on the bathroom counter, he ran it through his hair as he eyed her reflection through the mirror, "Can you trim my hair? It's getting a bit long, but I hate going to a barber."
Hermione raised an eyebrow as she spat her toothpaste into the sink, then rinsed her mouth, "Really? You trust me to do that again after the last time?"
Harry laughed, remembering the uneven cuts and jagged edges from their days on the run, "This time is different. At that time, we had rubbish scissors and were in a tent in the middle of a forest. I need a bit of a trim, is all."
Hermione sighed, "All right. If it's only a trim, but let's do it in the kitchen where the lighting is better."
A few minutes later, Harry pulled a kitchen chair in the middle of the kitchen and sat down. Hermione ran the comb through his messy black hair and tried to smooth it evenly before giving up and holding sprigs of hair up as she started trimming. Coming around to the front of his head, she pulled the hair up and froze, letting it go before picking it up again.
"Harry, you have grey hairs!"
Harry chuckled, "Yeah, I have for a while now, mostly above my scar. It is probably trauma-related. I try to arrange my hair to hide it."
Hermione leaned forward to inspect the silvery strands. "I see what you mean. I like it. It makes you look distinguished."
Harry pulled her closer, pressing a kiss on her belly, "Hey Jamie," he laid his face on her stomach and smiled when he was kicked, "I can't believe we've only got a month to go."
Hermione bit her lip, "I know, and everyone keeps telling me that every pregnancy is different. I'm already wondering what the next one would be like."
Harry leaned back, grinning. "How about we survive two kids first, andthen we'll think about more? But I'd give you a whole Quidditch team if I could."
Hermione snorted, "Let's start with Jamie here and Teddy before we decide if we are really up for an entire Quidditch team of Potters running around a house that wouldn't hold them."
She continued with her trim, and Harry closed his eyes, enjoying her fingers running through his hair as she finished it. Putting the scissors down, she brushed her hand over his face, "Ready for bed."
Harry banished the hair from the floor, then kissed her cheek, "Let's go to bed."
a/n: Well, Enchanted is now finished. I wrote the final chapter this week. It is bittersweet, but I look forward to the future and the sequel,Die With a Smile, and the third story in the line, Turning Pages. Die With a Smile will be a story about a week in their future and will be shorter than Enchanted. Turning Pages, on the other hand, will be a bit different. It will be a ficlet story in a way. It will be short chapters of moments of the Potter extended families lives throughout the rest of their lives.
Thank you for the new followers this week: Marisol Castillo, cmlackey12, Jyoung061979, victoriasaum33, joharasbel, spartanlord91, QuestSkier68, and bethharriganation
Also, thank you, HudyLeak613, for the review!
Preview of Chapter 48: Lover
Ron's mouth opened and closed a few times before he blurted out, "Holy shite… one of us is going to be a parent. Two of us. Oh, Merlin, Hermione... you're having a baby!"
Hermione stared at him, slowly blinking as she tried not to laugh. "Ron… honey, you have Luna and TWO kids. Not to mention that Harry and I already have Teddy."
"No, no," Ron continued as his ears slowly turned red, "but this is US. Me, you, and Harry. I mean… when did… we're… we're adults… with responsibilities. Holy Merlin's left ball sack, when did we get old?"
Hermione chuckled as she lowered her knitting to her belly, "Head between your knees, Ron."
Bending over and taking deep breaths between his knees, Hermione patted his back. Juliet returned to the room and raised an eyebrow, "What on Earth is happening here?"
"Reality just caught up with him," Hermione told her as she resumed her knitting.
Ron looked up, panic in his eyes, "Oh Merlin, I'm getting married in three months! I think I'm gonna be sick."
Crawling over her legs, he darted toward the bathroom, and Juliet looked at Hermione, who sighed, "Ron… has this… well, tendency to freak out under pressure," Hermione explained, "I blame Molly. She babied him his entire life, so he still hasn't completely shaken it. Just let him work through it for a moment. He'll be fine once it's over."