A/N: Here's a gift from us to you Harmonians out there who have dug your eyes out with dull knives at the travesty that was HBP- it'll be interesting to see how JKR digs us all out of the deep hole we're currently in.
We know we said we weren't posting till Tues, but we think everyone needs this little completely H/Hr interlude. So enjoy, and we'll see you on regular update days!
Hermione leaned back against the pillows trying to read her textbook. She had a big test tomorrow, but she was finding it hard to concentrate. Her husband was due home any minute from training and she couldn't wait to see him.
She soon realized that she wouldn't be able to get anything done until after she told him her news. With a smile, she set her textbook aside and walked over to the vanity mirror. Lifting up her shirt, she patted her flat stomach.
It was hard to believe that there was a little girl or boy growing inside her at this very minute.
"You haven't gained any weight from all that lasagne we ate last night," Harry teased from the doorway. "You're gorgeous."
Hermione jumped, startled to see him there. "Hi. I-I didn't hear you come in."
"I just got in," Harry replied. "I missed you today," he reached her and hugged his wife. He still couldn't believe they were actually married.
"I missed you too," she said relaxing against him. "How was your day?"
"Gruelling as always," Harry kissed her. "But now that I'm home none of that matters."
Hermione smiled. In fact, she hadn't stopped smiling since the doctor had told her the good news.
"What are you grinning about?" Harry kissed the tip of her nose. "Oh- how was your doctor's appointment today?"
"Good," Hermione said. She'd been rehearsing in her mind all afternoon how she'd tell him. "He said I was happy and healthy."
"Good to hear," Harry replied, running his fingers through her hair.
"We've only got about seven months you know," she whispered. "Not much time to plan."
"Plan for what?" Harry didn't get it right away. "Seven months?"
Hermione smiled. "Well, according to the doctor I'm already two months along." She guided his hand to her stomach.
Harry's eyes widened. "Hermione! You-- you're..."
"We," she corrected. "We're going to have a baby. You're going to be a daddy."
Harry's jaw dropped. "We're having a baby."
Hermione nodded. "I know it's a lot sooner than we planned, but..."
"This isn't like the last time right?" Harry asked, still processing what she'd just told him.
"No," she said shaking her head. There was an unreadable expression on his face and she wondered if he was truly happy at this news. "I really am pregnant."
Harry pressed his hands gently to her stomach. "You have a baby in here," he whispered in awe. "Our baby..." his voice shook a little bit.
"You are happy about this aren't you?" she asked nervously.
Harry stared at her stomach a few more moments before snapping his eyes to hers. "Oh God Hermione," he pulled her into a bone crushing hug. "You're having our baby." he laughed. "I'm going to be a father."
"I know," Hermione said hugging him back just as tight. "I wanted to tell you as soon as I heard but I knew they'd not let me see you unless it was an emergency."
"I can't believe this!" Harry pulled back to kiss her repeatedly. "This is just... this is the best news I've ever heard!"
Hermione laughed. "I know. I feel the same way."
"What else did he say?" Harry asked. "Do we know yet if it's a boy or girl? What's the due date?"
"August 20th," Hermione replied. "And we don't know if it's a boy or girl yet. He gave me some prenatal vitamins to take and I'm scheduled to go back in for a check up in two weeks."
"I'll go with you this time," Harry vowed. "I want to be at every appointment with you." he whirled her around the room. "I can't believe we're going to be parents!" his exuberance made Hermione laugh.
"You're making me dizzy," she giggled.
"Sorry," Harry set her down. "Are you hungry or thirsty? Did I make you feel sick just now?"
"I'm fine," she reassured him. "I have everything I need right here."
Harry leaned in and kissed her again. "I do too," he said. "I love you so much Hermione."
"I love you too," she said resting her forehead on his. "And you are going to be a great father. You know that right?"
"I hope so," he said. "I didn't grow up with the greatest example."
"You will be," Hermione said. "Despite of everything you've been through you're still the bravest and strongest person I know. And our daughter or son is going to love you so much."
Harry smiled at his wife. "You always know what I need to hear," he stroked her cheek. "Our son or daughter will have the best of everything."
"Our son or daughter," Hermione repeated grinning at him. "Can you believe it? We're going to be someone's parents!"
"I know," Harry touched her still rather flat stomach again. "Our baby's in there Hermione."
"You never know," Hermione said with a laugh. "It could be babies. I might be carrying twins for all we know."
Harry grinned. "The more the merrier right?"
"Right," she said laughing. "I cannot wait to tell everyone. My parents, our friends..."
"We should go over and tell your parents right now," Harry said eagerly. "And Ron and Luna, Cho and Neville- Cho will be thrilled."
"Chiaki will have a best friend," Hermione said.
"Aye," Harry replied. He hugged her tightly again. "You know you make me happier each day we're together Hermione."
"You might not be saying that a couple of months down the road when I'm moody and irritable and..."
He cut off her words with a kiss and Hermione pulled dazedly away from him a few moments later.
"You always think you can shut me up by doing that, don't you?" she asked breathlessly.
"I do," Harry grinned in satisfaction. "And I can take any moodiness and irritableness you throw at me."
"I'm going to hold you to that," Hermione said smiling at him. "I don't want to hear any complaints about my behaviour then, okay?"
"I'll just go complain to Neville," Harry teased. "He's been through it already."
"It'll be nice to have friends who I've gone through this so we'll know what to expect," Hermione said thoughtfully. She could still remember back at Hillsdale how Neville had taken care of Cho and brought her ice cream.
"We can get pointers," Harry said, helping her on with her cloak as they went downstairs.
"Yes," she agreed. "And on my way home from the doctor, I stopped off at a bookstore and bought all these great books about pregnancy and..."
"Always the reader," Harry teased her, his eyes falling on the overstuffed bag propped against the wall. "Would those be said books?"
Hermione blushed. "Yes. I might have went a little overboard."
"You know I wouldn't have you any other way right?" Harry asked, unable to keep his hands and eyes away from her stomach. Part of him still couldn't believe that Hermione was carrying their child inside her.
"We should get going," Hermione said. "I do have an exam tomorrow."
"Right," Harry stole one more kiss from her as they left the cottage.
Hermione awoke and reached for her husband, but he wasn't there. A few hours ago, she'd left him downstairs while he went over some old files he'd brought home about the Malfoy family. She grabbed her robe and walked downstairs and was surprised to see her husband still sitting right where she'd left him a few hours ago. There was some sort of photo album in his lap and he looked lost in thought.
"Harry?" she called out from behind him.
He jumped. "Hey," he said, rubbing his eyes behind his glasses.
"What are you looking at?" she asked peering over his shoulder.
"Just some old pictures of while you were pregnant with Jules," Harry said as she came around and sat next to him on the sofa. "I got a little nostalgic," he smiled down at one shot in particular. "Remember when Cho and Lavender threw you that surprise shower?"
Hermione nodded and smiled. "I still can't believe Cho was able to keep that a secret from me."
"They must have threatened her with something big," Harry laughed. "Cho still can't keep a secret."
"Which is one of the many reasons we still love her," Hermione said snuggling close to Harry as he turned the page of the album. "Jules' first birthday!"
"Look at her," Harry smiled as the photograph Hermione and Julie waved back at him. "My girl..."
"Do you remember how she was more interested in the cake than the presents?" Hermione asked. "Chiaki had to open all of them for her."
"Which she loved doing," Harry laughed. "Remember how she wanted to take some of the toys home and Neville wouldn't let her?"
Hermione chuckled. "I can still see the look on his face as he sat there while a three-year old tried to reason with him."
Harry roared with laughter. "Oi," he chuckled. "She's still got him wrapped around her little finger."
They looked through some more pages and Hermione stopped him when she saw a picture of her husband holding a three-year old Julie. Hermione was standing off to the side looking sad and listless.
"I remember that time," Harry said quietly.
After Julie's first birthday, they'd decided to try and conceive again. But things hadn't been that easy. There had been false alarm after false alarm. Hermione, who had never failed at anything in her life, became quiet and distant.
Harry, for his part, tried his best to cheer his wife up. But the difficulty of Hermione trying to conceive was weighing a heavy toll on their relationship and he could even tell it was affecting Julie.
"Daddy?" Julie asked walking over to her father who was sitting on the sofa. "Is Mummy up from her kip yet?"
"Not yet baby," Harry lifted his three year old up onto his lap.
"I miss Mummy," she said sadly resting her little head on her father's chest. "She's so sad all the time."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "I know baby. And you've been so good trying to make her happy again." he wished there was something more he could do to pull Hermione from her slump but she refused to go talk to anyone about her failure to conceive again.
Lavender came back into the sitting room carrying a bowl of popcorn. She'd come by to baby sit for Hermione while Harry was at work.
"She didn't come downstairs at all today," Lavender commented. "I'm really worried Harry."
"Me too," Harry replied quietly, motioning for Lavender not to say anything more in front of the precocious three year old on his lap. "I think I'll go upstairs and try to talk to her. Want to stay with your Aunt Lav sweetheart?" he tweaked Julie's nose.
Julie nodded and slid off her father's lap to sit beside Lavender.
Upstairs in their bedroom, Hermione was curled up in the duvet looking up at the ceiling. She heard Harry come in, but didn't acknowledge him.
"Hermione," Harry said quietly, perching on his side of the bed. "We really need to talk."
"I thought I really was this last time," Hermione said weakly not looking at him. "I had all the symptoms, Harry. I was late. I was sick. It's my fault..."
"No it's not," Harry pushed her hair out of her eyes. "Hermione, women have trouble getting pregnant all the time. They have false alarms all the time. It doesn't mean that they don't go on living though."
She knew he was right, but it didn't make her feel any better. A tear fell down her cheek. "I'm so sorry."
"Stop apologising," Harry ordered. "Look at me."
Hermione reluctantly sat up in bed and looked at her husband.
"I want you to stop wallowing," Harry kept his tone low as he moved closer to his wife. "Julie's down there upset that her mother is sad. She's been trying her damndest to cheer you up and it hurts her that you lie up here in bed all day long." he held up a hand when Hermione opened her mouth to speak. "I love you Hermione. You and Julie mean more to me than anything else in my life. And it kills me to see you like this. What do I have to do to snap you out of this? Name it and it's done."
Hermione started to sob uncontrollably as his words struck a chord. She'd not been blind to see what this was doing to her daughter and to her husband. But she didn't want to face them knowing that she had failed them in so many ways.
Harry pulled her into his arms as she broke down. He kissed the top of her head repeatedly as he murmured soothing words to try and calm her.
"I-I don't deserve you," she choked out. "I want to give you another child, but I c-can't."
"We're trying Hermione," Harry said stroking her hair. "That's all I can ask for."
She pulled back from him. "Julie. How is she, Harry?"
"She told me she misses you," Harry rested his forehead on hers while brushing tears away from her face. "Hermione this isn't healthy. You need to talk to someone. We need to talk to someone."
Hermione nodded. "I know. Merlin, I'm such a mess."
"We're in this together," Harry said. "You're not alone here."
For the first time in what seemed like forever Hermione smiled at her husband. "I could ask Anna to recommend someone for us to talk to I mean."
"There we go," Harry was encouraging. "There's a spark of my old Hermione. I knew she was in there somewhere."
There was a gentle knock on the door and Lavender peeked inside. She was holding Julie. "I'm sorry to interrupt. She wanted to see her Mummy. Is that okay?"
Hermione quickly wiped away her tears. "Of course. Come here, sweetheart."
Julie ran in and jumped on top of the bed. "I love you Mummy," she said giving Hermione a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you too," Hermione said hugging her daughter tightly. "So much, sweetheart."
"I want to make you happy again Mummy," Julie said, wrapping her little arms around her mother's neck.
"I know Julie," Hermione said fighting off the tears that wanted to fall. She felt so guilty for neglecting her little girl. "But you just being here and giving me a big hug like that makes me feel so much better. You know that right?"
Julie nodded wordlessly.
"Tell you what," Hermione said. "I'm going to take a nice bath and then afterwards, how about we have a nice dinner with Daddy? Does that sound good to you?"
"Can me and Daddy make dinner for you Mummy?" Julie asked.
Hermione looked at Harry who nodded. "Sure. Why don't you surprise me?"
"We will," Harry leaned over and gave her a kiss. "Give us about an hour aye?"
"Okay," Hermione said. She pulled affectionately at one of Julie's ponytails." You be a good girl for Daddy okay?"
"I will," Julie promised. She smiled at her mother and was relieved to see Hermione smile back at her.
Lavender took Julie's hand as she and Harry led her downstairs. "You did good Potter," Lavender said quietly.
"Thanks," Harry said under his breath. "She's going to ask Anna about finding someone for us to talk to about all this. I hope it helps get her back on her feet."
"It will," Lavender said resolutely. "Hermione's a fighter."
"Aye," Harry said as they began digging through the cupboards for something to make for dinner. "I'd do anything to make her feel better."
"Okay Miss Julie," Lavender said plopping the little girl on the counter. "What do you want to fix for your Mummy?"
"Mac and cheese," Julie said bouncing up and down.
Harry laughed. "Nothing fancier baby?"
"Pasketti?" Julie said after thinking it over for a few moments.
"Pasketti sounds good to me," Harry reached under the counter for a large pot. "Lav, want to join us?"
Lavender shook her head. "I think you three need this time alone together. But I will help you prepare."
"You just want to leave all the dirty dishes for me to clean later," Harry joked.
"Honestly don't you know any cleaning spells?" Lavender asked rolling her eyes. "Blokes always have to make things more difficult. You're as bad as Seamus."
Harry laughed as he dumped a boxful of spaghetti in the pot. "I'm just teasing you."
"Daddy's being silly, isn't he Jules?" Lavender asked the little girl.
"Daddy's funny," Julie nodded with a smile for her aunt. "Like Uncle Neville!"
"Uncle Neville has nothing on your father," Lavender said. "Your daddy is goofy, not funny. Big difference."
"Hey," Harry said with a playful snarl. "I am not goofy. Is your daddy funny Jules?" he asked sweeping her up into his arms and nuzzling her neck.
Julie giggled. "Yes Daddy."
"That's my baby," Harry dipped her down so that her ponytails touched the floor then brought her back up. "She likes to dance with me."
"Just like Mummy!" Julie said happily.
"That's right," Harry kissed her little cheek. "How about we make some garlic bread?"
"That's Mummy's favourite," Julie said.
"Right," Harry carried his daughter over to the icebox as he got the ingredients out. "I'll put you on the counter and you mix this together," he put the butter and garlic salt in a bowl. "And Daddy will cut up the bread."
With Lavender's help, the three of them were able to prepare the meal and set the table. Lavender kissed Harry on the cheek and gave Julie a big hug before she Flooed back home.
A few minutes later, Hermione came downstairs. Her skin was still pale, but she looked better than she had in weeks.
"Something smells delicious down here," she said, leaning against the doorframe.
"Daddy and I made pasketti Mummy!" Julie ran towards Hermione who scooped her up. "And we made you garlic bread!"
"That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me," Hermione said kissing her forehead. "Where's your Aunt Lav?"
"She went home," Harry answered, wiping his hands on a dish towel. "Wanted us three to have some time alone."
Hermione set Julie in her booster seat and then sat down across from Harry. "She's been so good to me these past few weeks. I have to do something to thank her."
"She just wants to see you happy again Hermione," Harry said as he put some spaghetti on Julie's plate.
"Me too," Hermione said softly. "Me too."
She realized that because of what had been going on with her, she hadn't even asked about Luna, who was due to give birth to her twins any day now. Before it had seemed too painful to mention, but Hermione genuinely wanted to know how her friend was.
"Have you heard from Ron and Luna?" she asked quietly.
Harry nodded. "Everything's going fine," he said. "She's due any day and can't wait to give birth."
"I should stop by and see her," Hermione said. "I haven't been a very good friend to her lately."
"I'm sure she'd be glad to have you stop by," Harry answered.
"Can I go too?" Julie asked.
"Of course you can love," Hermione replied. "I'd be glad to have my baby girl come along."
Julie smiled and tucked into her spaghetti.
"Thank you," Hermione said looking across the table at her husband.
"I'd do anything for you," Harry said softly. "Anything Hermione."
Hermione started to cry again and Julie looked up from her food. "Don't cry again Mummy!"
"I'm not crying because I'm sad baby," Hermione reassured her. "Sweetheart, I'm crying because I'm so happy that I have you and your father."
"How come you cry when you're happy?" Julie asked in confusion.
"It's hard to explain," Hermione said. "But sometimes you feel so happy that you cry because you can't believe you're that happy. You'll understand some day, Jules. I promise."
"Okay," Julie only looked slightly convinced but she went back to her meal.
"Going to that counsellor really helped us," Hermione said, tracing over another more happy picture of herself. "And you were absolutely magnificent for me during that time Harry."
"You needed me," he said putting his hand on hers. "We got each other through that."
"Aye," Hermione gave him a kiss. "And it took another ten years before we got blessed again."
"And we sure had fun trying," Hermione said able to joke about it now.
"I always have fun trying," Harry said with a grin.
Hermione was waiting in the press conference room for the current Minister for Magic to arrive. She would be announcing him and had gotten there early to make sure everything was organised properly.
Part of her wished she could have skipped it- she was tired and hadn't felt quite herself all morning long but she knew she'd have to do this someday if she succeeded Minister Draven and wanted as much field experience as possible.
"You look a little pale Hermione," Minister Draven looking at her with concern. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Oh!" Hermione stood up quickly. "I'll be fine sir. I didn't hear you arrive."
"You looked a little lost in thought," the Minister said picking up his note cards from the desk. "You've gone over this speech, have you?"
"Oh yes," Hermione nodded. "I made a few corrections as well."
Minister Draven smiled and stood off to the side so he could go over the speech one last time.
Hermione sat down again and used a Cooling Charm on herself as she'd taken to sweating in the past few seconds. "What on earth is wrong with me?" she muttered. She wanted to chalk it up to the fact that her daughter was gone to school and she and Harry were once again experiencing a bit of empty nest syndrome but something inside her made her know it wasn't just that.
"We're ready to begin," one of her colleagues said interrupting her thoughts.
"Right," Hermione said weakly, rising from her seat.
The lights from the cameras nearly blinded her as she slowly made her way to the podium. She took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on her own note cards, but everything seemed blurry and out of focus.
"Hermione?" her colleague whispered. "Are you okay?"
Hermione nodded and tried to force her stomach to calm down. "Thank you for being here today," she read, her voice more steady than she thought it would be. "Minister Draven will be out momentarily to take your questions."
Some photographers snapped pictures while she continued her opening remarks. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and she felt an overwhelming wave of nausea come over her.
"He will not be taking any questions concerning..." Hermione swallowed hard. "Concerning..." she suddenly realised that she was going to vomit and turned to leave but instead found herself drenching one of her colleagues.
The crowd of reporters sat in stunned silence as she was rushed off the stage.
"Carol," Hermione said weakly to her colleague. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," Carol said reassuringly. "I'm more concerned about you."
"I'll be all right," Hermione collapsed in a chair as blackness seemed to rush in on all sides. "I just need to... find... Harry..."
"Help her into her office Carol," Minister Draven ordered. "And have someone send for her husband and a mediwizard."
"Yes sir," Carol cleaned herself off easily with her wand and with assistance, took the limp Hermione back into her office.
At Auror Headquarters, Harry was sitting in the conference room going over some case notes with Neville and Lupin.
"I still think we need to set up some sort of surveillance," Harry was saying when Megan poked her head in the conference room.
"Harry I'm sorry to bother you but your wife's office just Flooed and said she collapsed at her press conference." Megan bit her lower lip. "They want you to come over immediately."
"What?" Harry asked immediately getting to his feet. "Is she okay?"
"They said she's still out," Megan shrugged. "That's all I know. I'm sorry."
Without another word to his fellow Aurors, Harry ran out of the room at break neck speed. The lift seemed to take forever, but he finally made it to his wife's office. She was lying down on a couch with a cold rag on her forehead. When she saw him, she gave him a weak smile.
"You scared me half to death," he said kneeling down before her. "What happened?"
"I don't' know," Hermione said, reaching for his hand. "I just got so sick..."
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I told you that you shouldn't have come in today."
"I had to," Hermione protested. "I was in charge of his speech."
Harry shook his head. "Hermione..."
"They want me to go to St. Mungos," Hermione replied. "Will you go with me Harry?"
Harry had never seen his wife look so worried. He was scared too, but he didn't want her to know that. She needed him to be strong. "You daft woman of course I'll go with you. I can't believe someone as smart as you would ask such a mad question."
"I didn't know if you had to go back to work," Hermione said as he helped her up. "I'm sorry to drag you away Harry."
"No, I'm right where I want to be," he told his wife, putting an arm around her to support her. "And I'm not going anywhere until we find out what's wrong."
"Thank you Harry," Hermione leaned against him. "I'm sorry to scare you like this."
"It's probably nothing," Harry told her. "You haven't been experimenting in the kitchen again, have you?"
Despite her weak state, Hermione managed to shoot quite a strong glare at her husband.
"Only checking," he said quickly. "Come on let's get you to hospital."
It seemed to take forever, and she was sick again when they finally got checked into a hospital room. She felt Harry pull her hair back as she emptied the rest of her stomach into the sink and then he was holding another cold rag to her forehead as he settled her down onto the bed.
A few minutes later a healer came into the examining room.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Potter," he said looking over Hermione's chart. "I'm Miles Porter. I understand that you're experiencing some nausea and that you fainted?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "Not more than a half hour ago."
"When did you first have these symptoms?" Miles asked thoughtfully.
"I haven't been feeling well for a few days now, almost a week." Hermione replied. "But today was the first day I've vomited and then passed out."
"Any chills or fever?" Miles continued.
"I was hot so I cast a cooling charm on myself," Hermione said.
Miles nodded and transcribed some notes. "And the date of your last cycle?" he asked.
Hermione paused to think for a moment. "A few months ago," she whispered. She had been so busy lately at the Ministry that she'd actually neglected to remember that!
Miles looked at Hermione. "You might be pregnant, Mrs. Potter. We'll need to perform some tests, but with what you've told me concerning your symptoms and the missed cycles, I think that's a safe bet."
Harry and Hermione both stared at the healer slack jawed. "Pregnant?" she finally uttered. "You really think I might be pregnant?"
Harry didn't want to get his hopes up. They'd had so many false alarms over the past few years.
"I think it's a distinct possibility," Miles said. "I'll be right back and then we can perform the tests."
"All right," Hermione nodded her palms suddenly sweaty.
When they were alone again, Harry looked at his wife. "We shouldn't...I mean...I don't want to set you up for another fall, Hermione."
"I know," Hermione nodded. "I'm trying not to get worked up Harry I really am."
"I know," he said kissing her forehead.
"We've tried for so long though," Hermione whispered.
Harry cupped her face in his hands. "If we're not, we'll just keep on trying, right? Aren't you always telling me that practise makes perfect?"
Hermione smiled back at him. "That's right," she said as he gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. "God I love you so much Harry. I don't know what I'd do without you here."
"I love you," he whispered. "And Julie. You two are all that I need; all that I've ever needed."
They sat together in silence until the healer came back in a few minutes later. With Harry's hand firmly clasped in hers, Hermione went through the series of charms that Miles Porter placed on her.
It seemed to take forever, but Miles finally finished the tests and scribbled the results furiously on the chart.
"Well?" Harry asked impatiently.
"Congratulations," the healer smiled at them both. "You're most definitely expecting!"
Harry looked at him in surprise. He had fully expected the healer to tell them Hermione was just experiencing a stomach bug.
"You're sure?" Harry asked. "Really, really sure?"
"Absolutely positive," Miles replied. "You're due in April, April fifteenth to be exact if the charm I placed on you is correct."
Slowly Harry turned toward his wife. "We're having a baby. Did you hear that? We're having a baby!"
Hermione's eyes were already filled with tears. "I can barely believe it," she said hoarsely.
Harry kissed her and Miles went back to transcribing his notes.
"This is the best news!" Harry exclaimed. "Oh sweetheart. We finally did it!"
"Harry I'm really pregnant?" Hermione asked. "It's not just me being sick?"
Harry shook his head. "You're really pregnant. Julie's finally going to have that brother or sister she's been wanting."
"Oh Harry," Hermione leaned into his arms and began to cry in earnest. "We finally did it Harry!"
Miles excused himself to give the couple their privacy.
Harry held his wife for a long time and found himself crying as well. He broke away from her for a moment to put his hand on her stomach. "This little one is our miracle, Hermione."
"I know," Hermione touched a tear that was zig zagging its way down his cheek. "This is a dream come true."
"We should tell Julie," Harry said. "I don't want to send her an owl. I think this is something we should tell her in person."
"Thank goodness it's Friday right?" Hermione smiled, feeling better than she had all day. "I think I saw she has a Hogsmeade visit tomorrow- her first one."
"So are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Harry asked.
"We should go up there," Hermione stroked his messy hair back. "She's going to be so thrilled Harry."
"Almost as thrilled as her mum and dad," Harry said kissing her once more.
"I think they'll probably give me the rest of the day off." Hermione said. "I don't think Carol wants to see me for at least a week."
"Why's that?" Harry asked. "Oh no...You spewed all over her?"
Hermione turned red. "Something like that."
Harry stifled his laughter. "Poor Carol."
"I should really go apologise," Hermione said.
"You can do that tomorrow," Harry said. "Come on. You're staying home the rest of the day and so am I."
Hermione smiled. "Yes sir."
"You ready to go?" Harry asked.
"Definitely," Hermione said, clasping his hand in hers. "Harry we're going to have another baby." she said softly, as if still trying to believe it.
"We sure are," Harry said helping her off the bed. "You feeling okay? No more dizziness? Not going to get sick?"
"Not right now," Hermione said. "I can't say for later but for now..."
"You're perfect," Harry finished for her. "Absolutely perfect."
Hermione smiled at him. "Thank you Harry," she whispered. "I love you so much."
The next day he and Hermione set off for Hogsmeade. They'd decided to surprise their daughter and hadn't owled her ahead of time. Hermione gripped Harry's hand tightly as they walked. It didn't take long to see Chiaki and Julie looking into the store window of a sweets shop.
"I can't get anything," Chiaki said morosely. "Unless it's sugar-free."
"Why?" Julie asked curiously.
"Because dancers have to watch what they eat," Chiaki replied looking longingly at the display of chocolates. "I'll just live vicariously through you."
Julie laughed. "You can have a chocolate or two," she said. "I know I plan on getting quite a supply."
"You don't want to spoil your lunch do you?" Hermione said from behind them.
Julie gasped and spun around. "Mum! Dad!" she hugged them both. "What are you doing here?"
"Stalking our daughter and making sure she behaves on her first Hogsmeade visit," Harry quipped.
"Dad," Julie shook her head. "Don't embarrass me."
Chiaki giggled. "Hi Uncle Harry. I promise Jules will behave herself."
"With you around?" Harry asked teasingly. "Not bloody likely."
"What are you doing here really?" Julie asked her parents again.
"We have a bit of news," Hermione put an arm around her daughter's shoulders. "And we wanted to give it to you in person."
"Good or bad news?" Julie asked.
"Definitely good news," Harry replied.
"Well?" Julie looked impatiently at both her parents.
"How about we buy you lunch at The Three Broomsticks?" Harry asked. "I promise we'll tell you there, Julie."
"You're welcome to join us Chiaki," Hermione said.
Chiaki smiled. "Thanks Aunt Hermione but I promised Toshio I'd meet him."
"Toshio?" Harry asked. "Who's Toshio?"
"Chiaki's boyfriend," Julie teased.
"He is not!" Chiaki protested. "We're just friends, Julie!"
"Sure," Julie laughed at Chiaki's red expression. "I'll see you back at the castle later."
"Okay," Chiaki said giving Harry and Hermione a hug before hurrying away.
Julie was full of questions as she and her parents made their way to The Three Broomsticks.
"We're not moving are we?" Julie asked. "You haven't gotten a job somewhere else? Or did one of you get a promotion?"
"No, nothing like that sweetheart," Harry held the door open for his wife and daughter.
"Really?" Julie asked. "Because I really love the cottage and I don't want to live anywhere else. I don't care if it is bigger, it won't be the same."
"We're not moving love," Hermione said as they sat down.
"Then what is it?" Julie asked impatiently.
Harry and Hermione smiled at each other. "I found out yesterday that your father and I are expecting another baby."
Julie's mouth dropped. "You...you're what?"
"We're going to have a baby in April," Hermione said.
"Really?" Julie asked. "It's not another..."
"No sweetheart," Harry said. "This one's confirmed by a healer."
Julie beamed at her parents. "This is...it's the best...the greatest...."
"I take it your pleased?" Hermione asked laughing.
"Mum this is so fantastic," Julie rushed around the table to hug her. "I want to help you out as much as possible!"
"When you come home for Christmas you can help us set up the nursery," Hermione said. "We should know by then whether we're having a boy or girl."
"So you're not going to wait and find out when it's born?" Julie asked.
"We hadn't really talked about it," Hermione said looking at Harry. "I just assumed we'd want to know."
"I'm fine with that," Harry said. "We were lucky once, we'll be lucky again." he grinned at his daughter.
Julie laughed. "I'll be happy either way, but I'd really love to have a baby sister."
"We'll know soon enough," Hermione said. "But we wanted to tell you in person. You've been such a help to me throughout the years Julie."
"I'm so glad you did," Julie said softly. "This is the best news, Mum. I'm so happy."
Hermione hugged her again. "We're so happy too sweetheart."
"I'm going to be so much older than the baby," Julie said sitting back down.
"That's good," Harry replied. "No sibling rivalry to deal with."
"I'm way too mature for that," Julie said smugly.
"That's right," Harry said. "Our perfect daughter."
"And don't you forget it," Julie said grinning at her father.
"How can I when you remind me so eloquently?" Harry teased her.
Hermione laughed and picked up her menu. "Let's order. I'm famished."
"And eating for two now Mum," Julie reminded her.
"That's right," Hermione said looking eagerly at her menu.
"So Dad's going to have to start making double the food," Julie giggled.
"And sending me out on all those crazy cravings she gets in the middle of the night," Harry chimed in.
"I didn't get any crazy cravings," Hermione said as Harry closed the photo album. "I sent you out for normal things like ice cream and fish and chips."
Harry stared back at her. "You forget to mention she wanted nacho cheese on your ice cream and then you wanted salsa on your fish and chips." he shuddered.
Hermione looked sheepishly at him. "Those aren't THAT strange."
"They're just disgusting," Harry got up and put the photo album back on the shelf where it belonged.
"Don't knock it until you try it," she told him. "Come on. We should get to bed. We have a big day ahead of us."
"Aye we do," Harry said, helping her up. "We've got one crazy life together Hermione. But I wouldn't change a damn moment of it."
Hermione looped her arms around his neck. "I wouldn't either."
Harry nibbled her earlobe. "Come on- I think we have a little time to indulge before we sleep..."
Hermione smiled. "Hmmm...I like where I think this is heading."
"You always have Mrs. Potter," Harry picked her up effortlessly.
"I love you, you know," Hermione said as he carried her up the stairs.
"Love you too," Harry leaned in for a kiss before they disappeared into the bedroom.