THIRTEEN
The next morning Hermione woke up in Harry's arms once again. She could not believe what had happened yesterday. First they were talking about the baby. Then she complained about their child not being conceived with love. Next thing she knew they were kissing the daylights out of each other.
Harry opened his eyes to find a smiling face staring at him.
"Happy Birthday!" she said placing a soft kiss on his lips. Harry beamed at her. He was totally sure this was going to be the best birthday of his life.
The happiness he had been feeling since the previous night seemed to shine through his green eyes, especially whenever he was looking at Hermione.
Around noon, Ginny and Luna arrived to help Hermione get things ready for dinner. They immediately noticed something different about the way Harry and Hermione were eyeing each other.
"Harry," said Ginny. "There's a few things we forgot to buy, could you go get them for us?"
"No problem," he said. Before leaving, he went to Hermione. She was slicing strawberries for a cake they were baking. Harry grabbed a strawberry and placed a soft kiss on her lips. This, of course, didn't go unnoticed to Ginny and Luna.
"Did I see what I just saw?" asked Luna.
Harry and Hermione smiled, the look on their faces more than eloquent.
"Finally!" said Ginny excitedly. "I can't believe it took you guys this long to figure it out."
"That's okay," Hermione replied. Then looking at Harry, she added, "What matters is that we're together now."
Harry leaned down and kissed her again. Luna and Ginny giggled at the sight.
--- * --- * --- * ---
That night, the entire Weasley family, along with Hermione's parents, Neville and Luna gathered to celebrate Harry's birthday. The kitchen's table had been magically enlarged to fit all the guests and it was placed in the backyard.
"Oy Harry," said George from the opposite end of the table to where Harry was. "How does it feel to know your restful sleeping nights are about to come to an end?"
Harry directed a loving look at Hermione. "Feels great, mate!" Then looking at George, he added, "Wouldn't change it for anything."
Molly and Arthur had learned about Hermione's pregnancy before that night - it had slipped out of Ron's big mouth. That, of course, saved them the shock of finding out after seeing her pregnant belly.
"Having a baby, although difficult at first," said Mr. Weasley. "Is one of the best experiences in a couple's life."
"So that's why you and mum had seven of us," said Fred.
"Yeah," quickly added George. "Cause we were so darn cute!"
Dinner went by amidst the twins' jokes and Mr. Weasley's inquiries to Mr. Granger. Arthur was listening intently at Mr. Granger's description of a microwave oven.
That night, Hermione found out that Harry and her father had had a little chat the night she spent at the hospital. Harry had assured Mr. Granger that he'd take good care of his daughter.
For that reason, neither him nor his wife was surprised to know Harry and Hermione were together now. Something they all agreed called for a special toast. Hermione was only allowed to drink apple cider, of course.
Finally when everybody was gone, Hermione was lying down on the couch resting. Harry took away the empty cake plates that were sitting on the coffee table and took them to the kitchen. When he came back, Hermione was talking to her baby.
He walked to the couch, moved her legs a little to the side and sat down, placing her calves on his lap. Gently, he started massaging her legs.
"Hermione," Harry said after a while. "What are we going to name our baby?"
"Well," she responded after a while. "I was thinking that perhaps you could help me decide. There are some names I like, but I want to know what you think."
Harry looked curiously at her. "Of course you already have your list. After all, you've had several months to think about it, haven't you?"
Hermione, trying to compensate Harry for not telling him sooner about the pregnancy, quickly responded. "Yes, but I haven't made any decisions. That's why I want to hear what you think."
"Let's hear the list then."
"Well, if it's a boy… I thought about James and… Thomas."
Harry looked at her, a happy smile on his face. "We could use both names, James Thomas." He kept massaging her legs. Then he added, "And what if it's a girl?"
Hermione remained quiet for a while. "I… uh, chose one." She said softly, looking at her hands.
"Which one?" Harry wasn't surprised by that. He had expected her to already have decided on names for either sex.
"Lily."
Harry looked at her. Hermione could see in his eyes happiness and sadness at the same time. "My mum's name?" he said softly.
Hermione nodded. "I just love that name. It sounds so sweet. Plus it's your mother's name so I thought it was perfect."
Harry took one of her hands and kissed it. "Why don't we call her Lily Jane?"
Hermione thought about it for a while. "I kind of like just Lily alone, don't you?"
"C'mon, Hermione. If it's a boy, you want to name him James. We should do the same if it's a girl and name her Jane."
Hermione smiled at him. "Actually, I didn't pick James for you Harry, but for your father."
Harry looked at her trying to put on an offended expression, "Why thank you darling," he said in a mocking voice. "I wouldn't have expected less from you."
Hermione laughed and patted him playfully on his arm. He turned his face into a fake expression of pain. "Ooouuuuch!!"
Hermione only laughed harder.
"Now as a punishment for the aggression you just inflicted on my person, I get to choose our daughter's name," he said trying to give his voice a serious tone, but not doing a very good job. "And I say her name should be Lily Jane."
"Alright, alright Mr. Potter," she responded mockingly. "Whatever you say."
Harry stood up from the couch and then helped her get up as well. "Okay then, it's time to go to bed."
"It's getting harder for me to get up on my own," she said looking down at the couch.
Harry wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "That's why I'm here to help you."
--- * --- * --- * ---
The days continued their regular course. Hermione, however, felt they were getting longer and longer. She was already in her eighth month and things were getting harder for her. She'd feel frustrated when she couldn't do simple things as she used to, like tying her shoelaces.
Harry did as much as he could to keep her comfortable, not only because he loved her but also for his own sanity. She would get irritated way easier than before.
On the third week of August, Hermione received some good news that perked up her mood. Hedwig arrived with a letter for her. They had just arrived home from a morning walk.
"Finally," said Hermione while taking the letter off of Hedwig's leg. She scratched the owl's head in appreciation. "Thanks girl. You should go rest now, you deserve it."
Harry took Hedwig on his arm and went to give her food and water, leaving Hermine alone so she could read her letter. It was from Damara. Minutes later, Harry came back and sat ot the bed next to her.
"How's Damara?" he asked playing with some of Hermione's curls.
"Great," replied Hermione. "She's coming to visit for a couple of days. That's so great I miss her so much."
"When is she coming?"
"The first weekend of September," answered Hermione looking back at the letter to make sure she had the right date. "Says she wants to see me before the baby's born."
Harry looked thoughtful for a while. Then, he looked at Hermione with a playful smile on his face. "You know what this means?"
"What?" she asked, not sure of what he was thinking of - but by the look in his mischievous face Hermione was almost sure it wasn't anything good.
"Well, it means that we're going to have to give your bedroom to Damara. We can't have her sleeping on the couch, even when you do it every afternoon."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
"Which also means," he continued. "That I'm going to have to share my bed with you," he was trying to make it sound as an uncomfortable, annoying thing he'd be obligated to do, but Hermione of course was not fooled.
"I thought you'd be a gentleman and take the couch so you could leave your bed for me," she replied playfully.
"And I thought you'd prefer to have some company…" he said getting closer to her and surrounding her with his arms.
Hermione smiled. "You know, I've slept alone before." She locked her hands behind his neck.
"You didn't seem to mind it the other day."
Hermione looked into his lovely green eyes. There wasn't anything he could ask her that she wouldn't do, just by looking at her like that. "Alright, Potter," she said in a whisper. She placed a quick kiss on his lips and then added, "But you gotta promise me one thing."
"What's that?" said Harry pulling his head back to look at her face.
"You'll keep your hands to yourself," said Hermione with a teasing smile.
"I'll try."
--- * --- * --- * ---
The first Friday of September, Damara arrived in London. Harry and Hermione welcomed her at the airport. Hermione was so glad to see her. She couldn't believe how mush she had gotten used to seeing Damara every day until she left Greece.
That day Hermione and Damara stayed up talking until well into the night. Hermione was telling her all about Harry's and her parents' reaction to her pregnancy. Wanting to give them some time alone, Harry had gone to Ron's for a few hours.
The next day, Hermione and Harry took Damara to Diagon Alley. They spent part of the morning there, taking little breaks every half hour since Hermione would soon get tired, and finally had lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. After that, they headed back home.
They were invited to Ginny and Luna's for dinner and they (meaning Hermione) wanted to get some rest before that. All the gang had been invited as well so they could meet Damara. At about six o'clock Harry, Hermione and Damara got there.
"We're here!" called out Harry as he walked in.
They were all gathered in the kitchen, Ginny was just finishing with the cooking. The guys were seated around the table, open bottles of butterbeer spread on top of it.
"How's that tummy going?" asked Luna rubbing Hermione's belly.
"We're growing," responded Hermione.
"I'm sure you're counting the days, aren't you? asked Neville standing up and offering his chair to Hermione.
"And the minutes," said Hermione before sitting down. She thanked Neville for the seat and then called everyone's attention. "Oy people! I want you lot to meet Damara, the little angel that took care of me in Greece."
Damara shook everyone's hands as they told her their names.
"You sure look like an angel," said Fred, who hadn't removed his eyes from her since the moment they arrived.
"Thanks," she simply said, though checking him out.
After they all had settled down, Ginny offered something to drink to the newcomers.
"Water for me," said Hermione.
"I'll get it for you honey," said Harry quickly getting up. The guys, of course, didn't let that go unnoticed.
"Honey," mocked George. "I'll get it for you, darling."
"Shut it, George!" warned him Harry. "I just know how she wants it, okay? A cooling charm and a slice of lemon."
"Yeah, yeah…"
Once it was time to have dinner, Fred made sure to find a chair right next to Damara. "Say Damara," Fred spoke in a casual voice. "How long are you staying in London?"
"I'm going back home tomorrow night."
Fred looked at her disappointed. "Why so soon? There's loads of things to see in London. I don't reckon you've had a chance to see them all."
Damara smiled warmly at him. "No, I haven't," she said. "It's just that my term already started and I have to go back to school on Monday. Since classes started just last week, things are still kind of slow. That's why I had the chance to come up here."
"I see," said Fred, "Well, you could just send a message saying you got very sick and that by healer's orders you can't travel long distances. That way you could stay one more week… or two."
"Would you stop bothering her with your taradiddles," said Luna. "Don't pay any attention to him, Damara. He's just a troublemaker."
"Troublemaker?" repeated Fred trying to sound offended. "Luna, what have I ever done to deserve this kind of treatment from you?" Then, looking at Ron he added, "What have you been telling her about me?"
They all started laughing, mostly at Fred's supposedly offended but mostly goofy expression. Just then, Hermione grabbed hold of Harry's arm. Harry looked at her only to find a serious look.
"What is it love?"
Hermione leaned closer to him. "Harry…" she said quietly trying not to call everyone's attention. "I think it's time."
Harry looked questioningly at her. "Time?" he asked, but as soon as Harry saw Hermione placing her hands on her belly, he realized what she meant. "Are you sure?" he said, louder than he had intended.
Everyone at the table fell quiet and looked in their direction. Hermione smiled nervously at them. Then, she simply said, "My water just broke."