A/N: I do not own any characters referenced by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series and do not endorse her comments. This story is entirely my imagination. I do not profit from it and will not pay for any art commissions related to this story.
I remember every look upon your face,
The way you roll your eyes, the way you taste.
You make it hard for breathing.
'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away,
I think of you, and everything's okay.
I'm finally now believing.
That maybe it's true,
That I can't live without you,
And maybe two is better than one.
~ Two Is Better Than One by Boys Like Girls and Taylor Swift
~*~ 16th January 2004 ~*~
There wasn't even light brightening the curtains in her bedroom when Hermione opened her eyes. After a few minutes of trying to go back to sleep, Hermione realized that she wasn't nauseous, but her brain was refusing to sleep. This is what happened to her when she went to bed right after Rosella. Her body refused to sleep more than six hours after years and years of running on a lack of sleep.
Rolling over, she attempted to cuddle with Harry, who was still sound asleep, and only sighed in contentment as she put her arms around him. Usually, the warmth coming from Harry's body would lull her back to slumber, but sleep still eluded her.
Rolling onto her back, she looked up at the ceiling before reaching for her bedside table for her pregnancy book.
Half an hour later, as the sun began to make the edges of the curtains have a pale colour, Hermione turned another page of her pregnancy book as Harry finally stirred. He let out a contented sigh before rolling toward her. His eyes blinked open slowly, and he smiled when he saw her sitting up against the headboard. "Morning."
Hermione returned the smile. "Morning."
He moved closer to her and rested his arm over her legs as he laid his head in her lap. Smiling, she began combing the fingers of her free hand through his messy hair, and Harry closed his eyes, making a relaxed sound in the back of his throat. "Why are you awake?"
Hermione shrugged as she went back to her book. "I just woke up early, and I couldn't fall back to sleep." She flipped a page with her thumb. "Did you know that babies have formed their joints as of this week and that we might even see it sucking its thumb on today's ultrasound?"
Harry looked up and kissed the small bump lying beneath her nightgown before looking at her. "Our baby is only around six centimetres long, babe. It will still be too tiny for us to catch it sucking its thumb."
Hermione shook her head with a smile, "Always ruining my unrealistic expectations."
Harry laid a hand on her belly, "It's one of my best qualities, I am afraid."
Hermione closed her book and set it on her bedside table as she looked down at him, "You know, I've been thinking."
Harry rubbed his face into her lap. "That sounds dangerous."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You never got to experience Rosella's pregnancy."
His smile softened.
"And honestly," she said, resting her hand right above his head over their child, "This part feels new to me too."
Harry turned to look at her curiously.
Hermione licked her lips. "With Rosella, I didn't know I was pregnant. I keep remembering all the strange things that happened to me then. The nausea, the exhaustion… my aversions to Ron's feet. We thought I'd eaten bad fish."
Harry chuckled, "Can't forget those mushrooms."
Hermione groaned, "Don't remind me. I'll never look at another mushroom again. I was convinced I'd poisoned myself."
Harry reached up and took her hand. "I like this pregnancy better."
"So do I," Hermione smiled.
Harry grabbed her legs and tugged, making Hermione squeal in surprise as she suddenly was on her back. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "So… how are you feeling this morning?"
Hermione snuggled closer to him, resting her head against his shoulder. "Honestly? Really good." She looked at him, "So good that I think we have time for-" she giggled as he read her mind and began kissing her neck. "Glad we're on the same page."
Harry pulled the covers over them, and Hermione grinned as she looked up at his dark shape beneath their comforter. "Are we pretending to camp?"
Harry leaned down and kissed her. "Well, Rosella was conceived while camping."
Hermione laughed as she moved her leg up and rubbed up against him, making him hiss, "If you want to call it that. That's not the camping I want to do again."
Harry kissed her neck. "We should try it for a bit. The proper way."
"Mumma?"
Hermione froze.
"Daddy?"
Harry pulled the comforter off both of them, and they looked toward the bedroom door to find Rosella standing in her unicorn pyjamas with her stuffed dragon from Charlie moving in her arm, both staring at them, confused. "What are you doing?"
Hermione's eyes widened, and she cleared her throat. "Hi, sweetheart. Daddy and I were just having a cuddle."
"Oh," Rosella said.
Harry smiled, "How about you head downstairs? We'll be there in a few minutes. Go ahead and get yourself some cereal today."
Rosella's face lit up, "Even the cookie cereal?"
Harry nodded, "Go ahead."
"YES! Come on, Crookshanks!" Rosella yelled as she skipped back into the hallway, and Hermione saw her familiar follow her.
Hermione turned to Harry and lightly smacked his arm. "I thought you locked the door!"
Harry laughed, burying his face into her shoulder. "I thought you did!" He looked at her, "If we're quick…"
Hermione snorted with a playful shove, "In your dreams, Potter." She told him as she climbed out of bed. "Our daughter will come back up here in five minutes if we're not downstairs."
Harry flopped onto his back, the sheet covering his waist slightly tented. "You're probably right." He stared up at the ceiling as she picked an outfit for the day. "I suppose I'd better get ready too."
Standing up, he walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist to steal a kiss. Then walked into the bathroom. "Cold shower it is."
Hermione pulled her nightgown over her head. "You suffer so much."
Harry popped his head back out. "I make sacrifices for this family every day. Think of it as preserving our future children."
Hermione snorted. "Sure, honey," she said, stepping into her trousers. "Think of me when you preserve our future children, while your swimmers wash down the drain."
Harry fake gasped, "I would never."
Hermione laughed all the way down the stairs.
~*~
Hermione's heels clicked against the tiled floor as she smiled at the medi-witches that she passed on the way to Harry's office. Walking down the long corridor, she peeked into his office to find him alone behind it. "Well, hello Chief Potter."
Harry looked up and grinned, "Hey, what are you doing here this early?"
Hermione stepped into his office and shut the door behind her. "Well, I dropped off the last of my translations. I am done finally. Arthur has already assigned one of the best groups of rune specialists to apply the spells soon. The first set of runes and spells has already done so much from what he said. It helped identify the last of the dark art stragglers. Our ministry should be stronger soon." Walking over, she glanced at his papers before sitting against the edge of his desk. "The rune stones will go into the ley lines to help stabilize the magic going through the whole country. The floo networks, apparition points, for example."
"You are amazing, you know that?" Harry said as he reached up and placed his hand behind her head and pulled her down for a kiss.
"You know, we never got to start this morning the proper way," Hermione stated.
Harry flicked his wand, locking the door and neatly stacking all the parchment on his desk. Sending it to a pile on top of a cabinet. "How long until our appointment?"
"We have an hour," Hermione grinned.
"Plenty of time," Harry said, his hands running over her hips as she kicked off one of her heels.
Hermione grinned, her toes pressing against the crotch of his trousers. "Is he happy to see me?"
Harry's breath hitched. "He's always happy to see you, babe," he told her, his hands going to his belt. Pushing himself up, he pushed his trousers and boxers down to his ankles, letting his erection spring free.
Hermione grinned, reaching beneath her dress. Hooking her thumb into the waistband of her knickers, she shimmied them down her legs and kicked them to hit his face. "Does doing it in your office happen to be some sort of fantasy of yours?"
"Well, honestly, in class under my invisibility cloak in front of Snape was the fantasy," Harry admitted, making her laugh as he pushed the hem of her dress up to her belly as she placed her feet on his chair, exposing her to him, "But this will definitely do."
"Hello," she said as her hand reached up and grabbed the back of his head. Pulling his face to hers in a clash of teeth. He groaned into her mouth, as he grabbed her hips and pinched at her nipples through her dress, cupping her growing breasts.
"I love your new breasts," Harry groaned.
Hermione laid back, breathless. "We don't have a lot of time."
"Then we better not waste it," he growled as he pulled her to sit up and helped her flip over.
Reaching behind her, she pulled up her dress as she felt him rub up against her folds, reaching around her to tease her clit.
"Harry, please. Stop teasing me, I've been so fucking worked up since this morning," Hermione told him.
Harry positioned himself, and in one slow, agonizing thrust, buried himself within her.
Hermione groaned as Harry kissed the back of her neck, then gripped her hips as he started to move.
"How do you feel so incredible every time?" Harry grunted as he leaned over her, his breath hot against her ear as he moved torturously slow. "Do you like this? Being fucked against my desk?"
"Yes," Hermione moaned as he pressed harder against her clit and she tried to raise on her tiptoes to get a better angle. "Don't stop. Please, don't stop."
Harry gripped her hips tighter as his pace became more urgent.
Hermione grabbed at the wood of his desk as she pushed back against him as the coil in her belly tightened. She moaned as it snapped and her orgasm crashed over her, making her fall to the flats of her feet as Harry pulled her hard against him and groaned as he collapsed onto her back.
Hermione fought to catch her breath and groaned as he pulled out of her.
"Shite," Harry said as he pulled up his trousers and sat back in his chair, "We just had sex in my office."
Hermione slowly stood, closing her eyes as a wave of dizziness washed over her.
Harry caught her waist. "Are you okay?"
"Just a little dizzy," Hermione told him.
"Shite," Harry said as he grabbed her knickers and helped her step into them, then pulled her down onto his lap, "We shouldn't have done that."
Hermione smiled as she kissed him. "I'm not made of glass. You and I both know that bouts of dizziness are completely normal right now."
Harry placed his hand on the small swell of her stomach. "I cannot believe we are already at twelve weeks."
Hermione smiled as she covered his hand with hers. "Twelve weeks. Twenty-eight to go."
Harry rested his forehead against hers. "Thank you."
Hermione touched his cheek. "For what?"
Harry rubbed his thumb across her belly. "For giving me a chance to do it properly. I missed everything with Rosella."
"Harry…" Hermione said as tears came to her eyes.
"No, it's not to make you upset. I know why," he smiled, "I don't regret how things happened, but I am glad that I get to be here for every appointment, every craving now."
Hermione smiled, "Even if it's hard to find mango late at night."
"Even when you are craving mango," Harry said as he kissed her forehead. "I just mean that I'm grateful that we are here now."
Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. "Me too."
Harry looked at the clock. "We should head down to the Maternity wing."
Hermione groaned, "Fun killer."
Harry grinned, "We get to see our baby."
Hermione sighed, "Fine, that is a positive perk."
Standing up, she looked at him as she swept her wand over her body, "Do I look presentable?"
Harry looked at her and grinned, "Well, your lips are slightly bruised, but only I know that."
Hermione laced her fingers into Harry's, "Ready to see if it has your nose?"
Harry squeezed her hand, "No matter what, it will be perfect."
~*~ 6th February 2004 ~*~
After leaving her first doctor's appointment, Hermione was feeling disappointed. Even by Muggle understanding, the baby looked healthy, and everything was going exactly as the doctor wanted.
Pushing the front door shut with her hip as she flipped through the post, she hung her coat on the hook and threw the junk to the side table.
But Hermione had gained ten pounds. Touching her hips, she bit her lip, realizing that her pants were getting tighter.
From the sitting room, Sirius looked at her through the doorway. "Everything all right?"
Hermione kicked off her shoes and walked into the sitting room, where he was stretched across the couch, a blanket on his legs while some crime show played on the television.
Without a word, she picked the remote up and turned the television off.
"Hey!" Sirius protested as the television went dark. "Why did you do that?"
Hermione folded her arms over her chest. "Let's go for a jog."
Sirius blinked. "It's winter."
"And?" Hermione asked, "It's 9*. It is not raining for once. The cool air would be good for us, less chance to overheat."
Sirius stared at her as if she had requested that he go to Charlie and Michel's reserve and wrestle a dragon. "My godson has rubbed off on you. I don't run. I didn't run before I was on the run."
Hermione smirked, "Oh, he has rubbed off on me. He did this morning before his jog to put me back to sleep."
Sirius looked at the ceiling. "I know."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "How do you know? You still aren't doing stairs."
He sighed, "My heightened hearing is back, and I heard what I didn't ever want to hear."
Hermione covered her face to prevent him from seeing her blush, "Oh."
"Oh?" Sirius repeated, "What's all you have to say? Not that fact you call him daddy."
"I wasn't thinking of your hearing," Hermione said, running her hands down her face, "Sorry."
"Just so you know, I know exactly when Harry leaves for work, when Rosella sneaks biscuits, which you probably should move higher than the second shelf. She's figured out how to scale the shelves below," Sirius told her.
Hermione sighed, "Thanks for letting me know."
Sirius glared at her. "And I know entirely too much about my godson's marriage and your… spots. The dryer doesn't drown you two out."
Hermione felt her cheeks burning. "I'm never going to recover from this conversation."
Sirius pushed himself up with a groan. "Fine. I'll go change."
"You are wearing sweats. I think you are fine. I am still in my loungewear from the doctor, so I am just jogging in this," she told him as she began stretching her legs.
"I will not become one of THOSE people," Sirius said as he tried to copy her. "Why do you want to jog anyway?"
Hermione bit her lip. "The healer told me that I've already gained ten pounds."
Sirius stared at her. "You're growing a human. You are supposed to."
"My body just feels tight and weird, you know?" Hermione stated, "And I know Harry, if he knows I'm feeling off… he is going to hover."
The fireplace chimed, and Hermione stuck her head into the doorway to see Harry step through the floo.
He walked out of the sitting room and paused, seeing them. "What are you two doing?"
Hermione stared at him. "What are you doing home?"
"I forgot my notes upstairs for my meeting," he said as he went around them and started climbing the stairs. He paused, looking down at them.
"What?" Hermione asked, looking up at him. "Is this because I am taking Sirius out for a jog? Don't make it weird."
Harry came back down the stairs and walked up to her, a smile blooming across his face. "Wow."
Hermione looked behind her. "What?"
"You," he smiled.
"Me what?" She asked, confused.
He gently rested his hand on her waist. "Usually it's subtle, but you've changed since this morning."
Hermione looked down at herself. "I've changed since this morning? I may have put on a couple, but-"
"No," Harry said, his eyes almost sparkling, "You are seventeen weeks along today. The baby's magical core has fully formed." Hermione leaned into his hand as he brushed a curl behind her ear. "When that happens, your magic and the baby's cores start working together to fortify it."
Hermione looked at him. "What do you mean? I haven't seen that in any book."
"It's a newer discovery, so it's only in healer literature," he lifted his hand and traced her cheek with the back of it, "You've got the glow."
"The pregnancy glow? I haven't thrown up in weeks," Hermione stated.
"No, the aura glow," Harry said.
Sirius squinted, "Now that you mention it, I thought she had put makeup on."
Hermione looked between them as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror on the wall. "You both sound insane. I look no different than usual."
Harry laughed, "I'm serious."
"No, I am!" Sirius piped in, earning a double glare.
Harry looked at her, "This is good. As a magical baby develops, its core begins interacting with yours, and the mother develops a faint aura around her. Most wizards don't notice it unless they're looking for it. Some studies say that the stronger the witch, some who are more susceptible feel warmth and peace around a mother."
"What about Muggleborns then? My mother didn't have any magic for me to feed from," Hermione stated sceptically.
Harry shook his head, "There are far too few studies about Muggleborns and muggle mothers, but a few in the Department of Mysteries who have studied it believe that if you are a Muggleborn, there was magic down your line… which you definitely did have on your mother's side… and while it was dormant in your mom, she had it in her blood enough that it strengthened your core to what it became."
Hermione stared at him. "So, I'm glowing? Like a Christmas light?"
"Not exactly a Christmas light, more like a warm sunrise cresting on the horizon," Harry stated. "But it means something else."
Hermione took in his grin. "What?"
"The baby will register on a field test," Harry said, excited.
Hermione's eyes widened. "The diagnosis field charm?"
Harry nodded, cupping her bump. "No more relying on Muggle ultrasounds. We'll be able to map the baby's magical signature and their core."
Hermione placed her hand over his, "Our baby has magic."
"It has had magic since the moment they were conceived, but now, we can see it because their core is solid and is interacting with yours," Harry said.
"Do it," Hermione said.
Sirius folded his arms. "Does this mean I don't have to jog?"
Harry gave her a quick kiss. "Go lay down on the couch. I'm going to go get my kit and my notes."
Hermione looked at Sirius, "I don't think we are jogging."
"Thank Merlin," Sirius said as he walked back into the sitting room and sat on the recliner.
Hermione slowly sat down on the couch, running her hand over her belly.
"I think it's a boy," Sirius stated.
Hermione grinned, "Well, you have a 50 percent chance of being right, don't you?"
Harry returned this time with a small, polished wood box. Inside were three silver rings and a small crystal.
Hermione laid back as Harry took them out of the box. "I've never actually seen it."
Harry sat on the coffee table. "The spell will work, but it's more attuned with the rings and crystal." He smiled, "I got these when I was in China."
"I've never actually seen one. I've read about it," Hermione said, leaning up on her elbows.
"Most healers have never used one unless they work in obstetrics," Harry stated as he carefully removed the crystal from the box, and the rings came with it tethered by a thin copper line. "The spell creates a magical field around the baby to let us observe the strength of their magical core, see how they are developing, but this," he said, looking at Hermione, "Finely tunes the spell, and if the baby cooperates, we might be able to tell if we are having a son or daughter."
Hermione felt her heart race. "Already?"
Harry nodded, "The baby's magical signature develops before their anatomy is completely developed."
"Well, what are you waiting for then?" Sirius asked.
Harry chuckled, kneeling in front of Hermione. "Ready?"
"Will it tickle?" Hermione asked.
"No," Harry said as he set the crystal on the rise of her stomach, then arranged the rings around it. "Ecografia graviditatis."
The spell made the glow on her skin rise above it and expand as the rings began to quiver silently. As the golden light spread across the crystal, it rose into the air, creating a glowing cage beneath it.
The sensation wasn't a tickle, but it was a weird sensation as the glow grew brighter from gold to white. Suddenly, in the middle of the white, was the shape of a body. Similar to an older ultrasound.
She watched as it floated above her stomach, about the size of an onion, stretching one tiny hand outward.
"Oh, Harry," She breathed.
Harry smiled, "That's our baby. Its magic core is strong."
The baby rolled toward Harry, and he swirled his wand as a stream of runes circled it. "Developing right on par."
Hermione watched his face, amazed at Harry in healer mode. "You are doing it."
"Doing what?" Harry asked.
"Reading medical information and keeping it all to yourself," Hermione grinned.
"Sorry, everything looks perfect," Harry told her.
Hermione smiled, "Perfect?"
Harry nodded.
"Well, we knew the kid would be brilliant. Look at you two," Sirius stated.
The baby moved again, shifting its leg just as the crystal started glowing purple.
Harry stared at it, "Damnit."
"What?" Hermione asked, concerned.
Harry looked up at her, "I was hoping for another girl. I'm a girl dad now."
Hermione's breath caught, and she swallowed hard. "We're having a boy?" she asked as tears filled her eyes.
Harry nodded, "Magic tells me it's a boy. His testes haven't dropped yet, but his magic points to boy."
Hermione laughed through the tears as she sat up, throwing her arms around his neck, the rings and the crystal falling to the ground. "We're having a son."
Harry held her tightly, kissing the side of her head. "We are."
Sirius let out a celebratory woot. "Another Potter boy!"
Harry glanced over his shoulder. "Easy. It will be a Granger-Potter boy."
"I call Dogfather again!" Sirius stated.
Harry laid his hand over hers on her stomach, then leaned down to kiss it. "Hello, little man."
Sitting up, he stared into her eyes as she moved to lay her forehead against his. "I cannot wait to meet our son."
~*~ 27th February 2004 ~*~
Hermione couldn't stop looking at the tiny black and white grainy photograph in her hands. The image was clear compared to their last appointment. Their son was no longer a tiny bean-shaped blur. You could now make out his forehead, the little slope of his nose, and even a small bit of the outline of his lips.
Harry pulled their car next to her father's car, Harry's former vehicle, and shut off the engine. "He's not going to disappear," Harry smiled.
Hermione traced the edge of the ultrasound image with her thumb. "I know," she stated, "But look, the more I stare at it. The more you can see the bridge of his nose." She reached over and ran her finger down his own nose. "I think he has your nose."
Harry laughed before taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "I honestly don't care whose nose he has," he said, looking at the photograph, "I am just glad that he is healthy."
Hermione laid her head against his shoulder, "So am I."
Before either of them could open their car door, their front door slammed open, and Rosella appeared in the doorway, barefoot. "They are here!" she screamed, so loud they could hear it through the glass as she charged, barefoot, down the front path. "Mumma! Daddy!"
Hermione laughed as she climbed from the passenger seat and Rosella immediately wrapped both her arms around Hermione's middle, careful not to squeeze too tightly.
"Did you find out?" Rosella asked, practically bouncing.
Hermione nodded, "We did."
Rosella's eyes grew large, "What is it?"
Hermione cupped her cheeks, "Let's go inside and find out. Then we will tell you, Uncle Sirius, Grammy and Grampy all together."
Harry came around the front of the car and scooped Rosella up into his arms. "So, what exactly are you hoping that we found out?"
Hermione tried not to laugh at the look Rosella gave him. "The baby, silly." She said, leaning forward as she whispered, "I hope it's a baby brother."
Hermione laughed, "A baby brother? I thought you wanted a sister."
Rosella shook her head, "Maybe next time."
Hermione looked at Harry, "Next time?" making Harry burst into laughter.
"Apparently Rose has our future family all planned out," Harry stated.
Rosella nodded, "I've thought about it a lot."
Hermione smiled, "Clearly," she said as she opened the front door and together, they walked into the house.
Sirius was sitting with her father while Briar Rose poured cups of tea.
"So," she said, setting the kettle down, "Were they able to tell?"
Hermione glanced at Harry as she handed the ultrasound photograph to her mother.
Briar Rose studied it for a moment, then her eyes widened as her hand flew to her mouth. "A boy?" she asked as Hermione nodded, "It's a boy?"
"It is," Hermione said as Rosella screamed to the point Harry had to put her down as she danced around the room.
Harry placed his arm around her waist. "And we think we've settled on a name."
Sirius leaned forward, "Well, don't make us wait."
Harry placed his hand gently on Hermione's stomach, "We were thinking… Roman James Granger-Potter."
Rosella spoke first. "Baby Roman," she grinned. "I like that."
Hermione smiled as she leaned down and kissed the top of Rosella's head. "I'm glad. We wanted to stick with an R name because of Rosella, but…" she looked at Camillo, "It's close to Romeo without actually being Romeo."
Camillo chuckled, "You don't have to keep the family tradition going."
"I know," Hermione said, resting her hand over Harry's on her stomach. "But I like that there is a little piece of tradition still there."
"As for James, we felt it was only fitting that Dad got memorialized as Mum did with Rosella," Harry stated.
"James would be damn proud," Sirius stated.
Rosella looked at him wide-eyed, "Dogfather, that's a pound for the jar."
Sirius groaned as a knock sounded on the door.
Followed by two more loud knocks that made the front door rattle.
"HERMIONE!" Another knock sounded. "ARE YOU HOME!?"
Hermione blinked, "It's MacKenzie."
She walked away from their family and went over to open the door, finding MacKenzie on the front stoop, looking frazzled.
"Thank goodness!" She said when she saw Hermione.
Hermione frowned, "What happened?"
MacKenzie threw both of her hands into the air. "I don't know what to do!"
Hermione stared at her. "You gotta give me more details."
"I just had a date with Charlie and Michel," MacKenzie stated.
"That's wonderful," Hermione smiled.
"And I had sex with Charlie AND Michel," MacKenzie stated.
"Okay," Hermione said as she shut the door to block out prying eyes and ears. "My family is in the sitting room. Both of them? Like at the same time?"
"No… they took turns, and it was… amazing," MacKenzie bit her lip. "What do I do?"
Hermione folded her arms over her growing bump. "It sounds like you are doing quite well, honestly," she laughed, raising her eyebrows. "So it was that good?"
"Mind-blowing," MacKenzie grinned.
Hermione snorted, "I have been waiting months for one of you to finally make a move." She looked at her. "Who finally cracked?"
MacKenzie blushed, "Michel."
Hermione looked at her, surprised. "Not what I was expecting."
"I dropped Annie off at the school bus and came inside, and there was Michel. He asked if I wanted breakfast, and we got in my car and went to this little café." MacKenzie bit her lip. "Charlie was already there."
Hermione looked at her, "And?"
"One thing led to another. Some mimosas… and a ride back to my house. I think I am dating both of them," MacKenzie stated.
"You think? Or you know?" Hermione asked.
MacKenzie grinned, biting her lip. "I'm 99% sure that I am their girlfriend." She pulled at her hair. "God, that sounds so juvenile."
Hermione smiled, "I think it sounds like you might be finally happy."
MacKenzie looked at her, "Charlie is more positive on it than Michel, but Michel sure seemed into it. Michel has only been with Charlie and another boyfriend before. Charlie had a girlfriend in Hogwarts. He said he feels different about me though." She swallowed hard, "Thank you for listening. I just had to tell you."
Hermione glanced at her front door. "Well, I am sure my mother also knows, because she is currently on the other side of the door listening."
MacKenzie snorted, then grinned. "Oh, she's not at the door."
"Really?" Hermione asked as MacKenzie waved.
MacKenzie laughed as Hermione turned to see her mother pretending to dust the windowsill, pulling her curtains shut.
"Mum!" Hermione yelled, exasperated.
"I wasn't eavesdropping!" Briar Rose declared from behind the door.
"I call bollocks on that one!" She heard her father reply.
~*~ 19th March 2004 ~*~
Harry had the day off. Rosella was at school, and Hermione had taken the afternoon off, where she lay curled up on the couch, her back against Harry's chest as his arms wrapped around her. They lay together as they watched a documentary that neither of them was honestly paying attention to.
Hermione was relaxed for the first time in a long while as Harry traced circles on her growing belly as she dozed, when she felt the weird sensation in her abdomen that she had come to recognize. "There they go again."
Harry paused. "What?"
"He has hiccups," Hermione said as she took his hand and moved it lower on her stomach.
"What does it feel like?" Harry asked.
Hermione tapped her finger on the back of his hand. "It feels like tiny little taps."
Harry pressed his hand and felt the twitch beneath it, his smile widening. "I felt that."
Hermione laughed, "Poor thing has the hiccups and can't do anything about it."
"Poor little bloke," Harry said.
Hermione ran her thumb over the back of his hand. "At least they don't seem to bother him."
Closing her eyes as Harry gently rubbed her stomach, she grinned as she felt the baby kick. Harry froze. "Wait… was that him kicking?"
Harry moved out from behind her and climbed over her to kneel in front of her as she laid back. She smiled as he cradled her stomach.
"Anything more?" Harry asked.
"No," Hermione told him as they quietly waited.
"Roman," Harry said quietly, "Daddy is patiently waiting."
Hermione laughed. "He isn't sure what that means yet."
Harry ignored her. "If you give Daddy one little kick, I'll take Mumma to ice cream."
Hermione snorted, "Are you trying to bribe our unborn son?"
"It's never too early," Harry grinned, laying his head on her belly. "Come on, little man."
Hermione went to make a comment when the baby kicked again, and his eyes grew large.
"He kicked!" Harry said happily as he kissed her belly. "It makes it so much more real."
Hermione pulled him up to her and kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too," He said. "How about we celebrate?"
"And how would we do that?" Hermione asked.
"We get Rose from the bus, we go to Diagon Alley, and we get ice cream? How about that?" Harry asked.
"Ice cream? I have been craving Fortescue's peanut butter ice cream." Hermione said.
Harry stood up and offered his hands. "Well, if our son wants peanut butter ice cream, it's absolutely necessary."
Hermione took his hands. "Is that medical advice?"
Harry grinned, "Well, I am a healer. I think we need one pint stat."
Hermione threw her arms around his neck, "I knew there was a reason I married a healer."
~*~*~
After getting Rosella off the bus, the little family flooed to Diagon Alley. Saying a quick hello to the Weasley Brothers, they ventured to Fortescue's to get their icy treats. Not long after, three bowls of ice cream in hand, they walked through the Leaky Cauldron and into the Muggle side where a little park sat not far away. Its flowerbeds were starting to bloom, and the grass was beginning to turn more vibrant with hints of spring. Children were already there with their own families while their parents chatted beneath the cover of the trees.
Harry pointed to an empty bench, not far from the playset. "That looks like a perfect spot."
Rosella parked herself on the bench as she enjoyed her bowl of chocolate ice cream, her little legs swinging happily beneath her. "Mumma, can I go play?"
Hermione smiled, "If you want to play, you need to eat at least half of that ice cream."
Rosella nodded, her face covered in chocolate already. "I know," she said around a mouthful.
Five minutes and one brain freeze later, Rosella held up what remained. "I ate half!"
Harry took the remainder of the bowl as she sprinted toward the playground.
"I'll be on the swings!"
"Don't go too high!" Hermione called after her.
Harry finished off Rosella's ice cream and threw his and her bowl away in the rubbish bin beside them. Sliding his arm around her shoulders as he returned, he smiled. "I wish we could have made friends that easily growing up."
Hermione snorted, "Seriously."
Harry looked over at her. "Was the ice cream worth the wait?"
Hermione looked down at her nearly empty cup of peanut butter ice cream and nodded. "So worth it," she said as she scooped up her last remaining spoonful and held it out to him. "Want a bite?"
Harry opened his mouth as she gave him the bite. "Mmm… that is good. Imagine it mixed with a grape jelly flavour."
Hermione licked the last of it on the spoon. "Your son enjoyed it too."
Harry rested his hand on the curve of her stomach. "I suppose he's got good taste then."
Hermione leaned her head against his shoulder, watching Rosella play as she moved to the play structure. "You know, if you told me a year ago that we'd be here," she rested her hand against his on her stomach. "I'd have told you that you were mad."
Harry intertwined his fingers with hers.
"I'd given up on my happy ending," Hermione admitted.
Harry brushed his thumb over the back of her hand as she watched the families.
"I'd accepted that maybe I wasn't supposed to have this," she said, looking toward Rosella. "Maybe it was supposed to just be the two of us, and I was grateful to have her. I stopped believing there would ever be more for me."
Harry kissed her forehead. "Thank you for not giving up on me."
Hermione smiled, looking up at him. "Never."
Harry leaned down and kissed her. Placing her hand behind his head, she tried to move closer to him, until he froze.
"What…" Hermione trailed off as she followed where he was looking, to see a flash of a camera.
The witch lowered her camera before disapparating with a pop.
Harry's jaw tightened. "In a public place? They are idiots."
"I bet I know who they work for," Hermione stated.
Harry glanced toward the playground. "I just hope they didn't take pictures of Rose."
Suddenly, a familiar voice drifted over to them. "Oh, how adorable."
Hermione closed her eyes as she slowly stood. "Rita."
Rita Skeeter approached them wearing an emerald green women's suit.
"I knew it had to be you," Hermione glared.
Rita's smile widened. "Well, aren't you two just adorable?" she stated as her eyes dropped to Hermione's bump. "Oh… you've kept that a secret now, haven't you? How far along are you, dear? I know your friends are a bit farther along, but you are positively glowing."
Hermione folded her arms. "It's none of your business. Why can't you just leave us alone?"
Behind her, she heard Harry quietly walk toward the playground.
"My readers are fascinated by the two of you. First came the hidden romance back at school. Harry disappeared and returned only to find his long-lost love. Then came the secret wedding… and now," she pointed at Hermione's stomach, "A bouncing baby…" she leaned forward, "So, is it a boy or a girl. Our public must know."
Hermione glared. "You'll never be the first one to know."
Rita's smile fell slightly from her face as Harry returned, carrying Rosella.
"Now, if you'll excuse us. We're leaving," Hermione stated.
They had almost reached the pavement when Rita called out, "What about you, little one?"
Rosella looked over Harry's shoulder.
"Are you excited about your baby sister?" Rita yelled.
Rosella buried her face against Harry's neck. "That lady is weird."
Harry and Hermione laughed as they crossed the pavement.
"She certainly is," Hermione told her, "And she isn't very nice either. If you ever see her again, it's best not to answer her questions."
Rosella nodded, "Okay."
As they nearly reached the Leaky Cauldron again, Rosella looked at Hermione. "Why does she think the baby is a girl?"
Hermione smiled, "She doesn't."
Rosella frowned. "She doesn't. But she said so."
"She just yelled out something, hoping that you'd tell her whether the baby was a boy or a girl," Hermione told her.
Rosella frowned, then grinned proudly. "Oh, I didn't tell her."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "You did the right thing."
As they entered through the Leaky Cauldron, waving to Hannah behind the bar as they walked through to the entrance of Diagon Alley. Hermione sighed, slipping her hand into Harry's.
"I have a feeling tomorrow's Witch Weekly will be interesting," Harry stated. "At least I can monitor the Prophet."
Hermione squeezed his hand. "As long as they leave our children out of it."
"Agreed," Harry said, "Want to go get a new book?"
"Yes! Regina said she saved one for me!" Rosella said excitedly.
Harry glanced over at Hermione. "Are you okay?"
Hermione nodded. "When are they all going to realize we are two boring people?"
Harry laughed, "Hopefully soon, but I don't bet on it."
Preview of Chapter 57 - The Ghosts that we Knew
Hermione looked down at him, "Oh no."
Harry looked over, "What?"
Hermione stared at him a moment, "I think he's…" as more gurgling noises came from the small boy. "Never mind, I know what he is doing." She quickly touched her nose, "Not it!"
Harry turned pale, "Um, no?"
Hermione snorted, "Oh, yes."
Rosella looked down at the small boy, confused, wrinkling her nose. "What is that bad smell?"
Hermione pushed herself to stand. "That would be Alexander."
Harry picked him up from his bouncer and immediately held him as far away from his body as he could. "Hermione, we have a full-blown blowout."
"What is a blowout?" Rosella asked, frowning, "Because it stinks."
Before either of them could answer, a dribble of brown goo leaked down Harry's sleeve down to his shirt, making Harry gag. "Oh, dear lord."
Rosella's eyes grew large. "WHAT IS THAT?!"
Hermione bit her lips together. "Alexander's nappy has leaked."
Rosella dramatically gagged. "It's on daddy."