A/N: Glad you guys are enjoying this. We're heading back to Hermione's POV now, but it'll switch for just a bit. Thanks for reviewing!!!!
Also, this chapter is a bit on the longer side since it's been a while since I posted. Enjoy!
***
Well, last night went very well. Mum and Dad are pleased as punch to know that they're going to be grandparents. Now, tonight we're telling Ron and Luna. Sunday, we're heading to the Burrow for Molly's mandatory family dinner, so we'll make the announcement there, but we couldn't let Ron and Luna find out then!
I'm trying desperately to get dinner ready with a fussing Harry behind me.
"Mione, please let me help," he whines.
"Harry! Listen, I can handle this. I'm still able to cook!"
"But I want you to rest."
That's it.
"Harry Potter! I am not an invalid! I can take care of my bloody self!"
"I know that, sweetheart, but -"
"But nothing!" I cut off. "Harry, please listen to me. I love you so very much, but you need to back off a little bit. I won't be able to deal with this for 9 months. When have you ever known me to be weak?"
"I never have," he answers meekly.
"Exactly!" I soften a bit. "Harry, I love that you want to take care of me, but don't smother me. I can take care of me and the baby."
Harry hangs his head. "I'm so sorry."
"Oh, Harry, don't. I didn't say it to make you feel bad. I just want you to give me a bit more space. I will never exert myself to the point of hurting our child." I take his hand and place it on my stomach. "That's our love in there. Why would I do anything to harm that?"
"I'm sorry," he repeats.
I sigh. "I don't want an apology, but I accept it anyway. Just let me breathe a little bit. Ok?"
He nods. "Ok."
"Ok," I repeat. "Now, it's just spaghetti, so I think I can manage. But I'd appreciate it if you'd put the garlic bread in the oven."
"I can do that," he says.
I'm making a little extra today since Ron's coming over. I swear that man eats enough for his entire family.
"Mione, how am I going to keep quiet until we tell them?" Harry asks.
"The same way you did at my parents."
"Well, I don't fear Ron the same way I fear your father."
"You were scared of him?"
"Hermione, we had sex to make that baby."
"I'm glad you remember!"
"And your father knows that now!"
I can't help it, I start laughing.
"Oh, it's not funny," he says.
"Harry, yes it is! I think when we got married my father assumed that we were going to make love. I doubt he spends any time thinking about it, but how do you think I got here? Or you? Believe it or not, Harry, our parents loved each other and actually had sex to conceive us."
Harry stops. "Yeah, I know, but still! I didn't want him thinking that I corrupted his little girl!"
I run my finger under his chin as I turn back to the sauce. "You did that a long time ago, Mr. Potter."
He shudders. I love having that affect.
"Hermione! Stop using your feminine wiles against me!"
I laugh. "Check the meatballs, please?"
"Scarlet woman," he mutters.
"I heard that!"
Harry laughs. And I stick my tongue out at him.
We continue to get dinner ready and before I know it, Ron, Luna and the girls are here.
"Hi!" Luna exclaims as she runs straight to me. Luna's got a bit of that inner eye, so I'm a bit nervous she knows already, but she keeps quiet if she does.
After lots of hugs and kisses, we settle down for the meal.
"So, Hermione, has the library changed any?" Ron asks. "Is the librarian still a stuffy, old stick-in-the-mud?"
Harry gasps. He knows Ron's just teasing; this is a game we play. But I'm sure Harry's scared of the repercussions.
I smile. Might as well shock them both. "Well, Ron. It's a new librarian now and she's still a stick-in-the-mud, but she gets laid a lot more than the old one."
Harry spits out his pumpkin juice, Luna laughs and Ron is choking on his bread.
"Hermione!" Ron screeches.
"Yes?" I ask innocently.
"That's my wife!" Harry announces proudly.
The conversation stays like this throughout the first 10 minutes.
But, as I begin to think that Harry will get through this without spilling the beans, he looks at me and says, "Mione, will you pass the pregnant, please?"
I give him a horrified look and he suddenly says, "Parmesan! Pass the Parmesan!"
There's quiet and then Luna shouts, "I knew it! Hermione, your aura seemed different! You are pregnant, aren't you?"
I give her a blank stare. No sense denying it.
"Um … yeah, actually. We're having a baby!"
"You sneaks!" Ron says.
"Yeah, well …" Harry says with a blush. "The plan was to tell you after dinner."
"Come here, mate!" Ron instructs so that he can pull Harry into a manly hug.
Meanwhile, Luna is embracing me.
"Now, you listen to me, Hermione. We will go out soon and see if we can buy some Crinkled-Back Dorfus saliva. It's wonderful for preventing stretch marks!"
She lifts her shirt a little to prove that she hardly had any and I glance to Harry. He looks back and I can see that Ron is already trying to give advice to him. Harry winks at me and I wink back.
"And after that," Luna continues. I can't be certain what she said between stretch marks and now. "If we can get some fur from a Plexis Horninkle, we can make a potion that will reduce the swelling in your feet!"
"Sounds great, Luna," I mutter.
Ron rushes over to hug me now.
"Hermione! Our ickle Hermione is going to be a Mum!"
"Yes, well, our ickle Ronniekins is already a father!"
"Good point," he says. "Still though, I am so happy for you two. You will make amazing parents."
I nod, holding in the tears.
"And this is what he's always wanted," Ron adds quietly as Luna hugs Harry.
"I know," I whisper, trying not to cry.
"Let the tears out, honey," Ron says, actually showing more emotional range than a teaspoon. "You're allowed to be happy!"
"Good!" I exclaim with a bit of a sob.
Harry instantly looks up.
Ron holds his hands up in defense. "I didn't do it!"
"It's just all catching up with the hormones," I say with a laugh. "But for now, I really want to finish dinner. I'm a bit hungry," I tell her.
"Of course you are! Ok, back to eating!" she says as she returns to the twins who are feeding themselves spaghetti (and making quite a mess of themselves). "Look at you two! You aren't making a great impression for your Aunt Hermione and Uncle Harry!"
Cordy smiles big at her mother, while Sophie looks a bit embarrassed. It's very easy to see who each of these take after.
We finish dinner and then head to the living room to talk. Luna spreads a blanket for the girls to play on, and she and I sit near them to chat. The boys (of course) are playing chess.
"So, how far along are you?" Luna asks.
"Not yet a month," I reply. "We just found out earlier this week."
"That's why you looked to green at Fred and George's weddings."
"That would be why. I really forced that food down. Lucky for me, Poppy is making me potions to alleviate the morning sickness."
"Those are lifesavers!" Luna exclaims. "These two had me throwing up things I didn't think I ate!"
I fight the urge to visit the toilet with that image.
"But seriously, are you excited?" she asks.
"Of course I am. And terrified. But mostly happy. I just want a happy baby and I'll be fine."
"Do you want a boy or a girl?"
"Um … both," I say with a chuckle. "I'd love a little girl to dress up and coo over. But I'd also love a little boy for Harry."
"Well, no one said this has to be your last. And maybe you'll have twins too! I mean, Harry practically is a Weasley …"
"I don't think we're ready for that yet," I tell her. "Maybe someday. And besides, I don't think twins run in Harry's family. Or mine. But I have the strangest feeling that this baby will be a boy. I don't know why."
I place a hand on my stomach and the feeling strengthens. Hmmmm…
"So, Hermione! What are you going to name the rugrat?" Ron calls from the game.
"We don't even know what sex the baby is," I reply.
"Don't name it Harry."
"And, pray tell, why?" Harry asks.
"Don't get offended, mate. I've just never liked that name. Check."
Harry grimaces, accepting his chess fate.
"Well, Mione, we can scratch Ronald off of the list then too," he says, making the move he knows will bring the inevitable.
"Checkmate," Ron says proudly. "And what's wrong with Ronald?"
"Where should we start?" Luna whispers to me.
I stifle my laugh.
"I just don't like the name, mate," Harry says, smiling.
"Well, fine. I must apologize for my family though, if you have a boy."
"Why's that?" I ask.
"Because we took so many names!" he says.
"Well, that's true. But I've got names in mind," I admit.
"You do?" Harry asks.
"Yeah, we'll talk later. But I want to keep them a secret for now from everyone else."
Ron puts his hand to his chest and fakes offense. "Hey now! Why can't we know?"
"Because, I want it to be a surprise for everyone. At least until we know what the sex is."
"That's fair, Hermione," Luna tells me. "Ronald didn't want to share either."
As I look down, I see little Sophie looking up at me.
"Hey, sugar! How are you?"
She smiles brightly and hands me her teddy bear.
"Mr. Woobie? Thank you, sweetheart!" I pull her into my lap and press a kiss to the crown of her head. "I can't believe they'll be a year old soon."
"Tell me about it," Luna says. "Sometimes I can't wait until they get to the next stage and other times I wish they would just say little."
Cordy crawls over to Harry and Ron.
"Come here, Cordy," Harry says, bending to pick her up. "How are you today?" She just smiles and laughs. "How would you and your sister like another cousin?"
The baby in his arms laughs again as if there was nothing she could care less about.
Harry looks offended. "Well, thanks for your opinion!" And then proceeds to tickle her.
Suddenly he stops, sniffs and his face falls.
"Um, I think someone's got a surprise in her diaper," he says.
I stifle a laugh. Harry's answer will be to pass her off.
"Give her here, Harry," Luna offers, standing and walking over to them to pick up the baby.
But then I catch another odor. I lift Sophie and give her a sniff. "Whoa! Twins in every sense!"
Luna laughs as she picks the diaper bag up. "Well, come on then. Let the training begin!"
I think about what she says and then realize, while I've been around babies for years now, I'm really going to have to pay attention now. I've got my own baby to think about now.
"Lead on, Yoda," I joke.
"Lesson one, change the dirty diaper of a baby you will," she laughs.
We go into Ron's old room, spread some towels and lay the babies down.
"Ok, you've been around enough babies to know the diaper changing basics. Do you have any questions?" Luna asks.
"Questions? Not as yet, no. I'm still trying to get used to the idea of doing this. I mean, I'm only 3 weeks along. That's 37 more to go. There's a lot that's going to happen."
"Very much so. There's so much that's wonderful. Talking to the little one, feeling them kick, but there are a lot of bad things too. Those cravings! Well, that might be worse for Harry … But there's the back pain and the swelling. It's no picnic. But," she looks down at Cordelia, "it's so worth it."
I smile at Sophie, thinking of the baby growing within me.
And as I'm changing Sophie, I have to wonder what's going on out in the other room.
**POV change to Harry**
"You know, mate, things are going to get bad, right?" Ron says, lowering his voice a bit.
"Bad?" I question.
"Yeah. Come on, Harry! Don't tell me that you know nothing about pregnancy! Hermione is going to become nutters! More than she already is!"
"Careful, Ron, that is my wife you're talking about," I growl a bit.
"Yeah, and she's been our best friend for around 10 years now, so don't get too defensive. You know what I mean."
I don't reply.
"I'll take that silence to mean, 'Yes, Ron, I understand exactly what you mean about Hermione being mental.'" He pauses. "Ok, well, just hear me out. Soon enough, Hermione will be wanting all sorts of crazy foods. Luna always wanted pizza with chocolate sauce. You thought I ate strange things? You can't top kiwi and ketchup!"
I scrunch my face up.
"Yeah, exactly," he says. "Now, I'm your best friend, so I'm going to prepare you for all of this. There's going to be cravings, mood swings worse than when we were in school, swollen everything, and back pain. Lots of back pain."
I begin to feel bad about getting her pregnant at all at this point.
"What's that look for?" Ron asks.
"For 9 months, Hermione is going to be miserable and it's all my fault! Just because I wanted a family."
"Harry, listen, there's good to it as well. She'll get all excited the first time the baby kicks. And she'll love reading to her stomach and all that good stuff. But I didn't think I needed to warn you against the good stuff."
"I suppose so."
"Harry, just look out for the bad things. Be ready for them. Tell her she's not fat, get her whatever she wants to eat, rub her back. Be prepared!! I had 3 older brothers and a father to teach me this. I want to be your mentor through this."
I suppress the urge to laugh in his face with that notion.
"Well, thanks, Ron. If I need help, I'll come to you. But for now, I think I just want to see how we both do on our own."
"Fair enough. Once Hermione gets further along, we'll discuss such things as the pleasure of diapers and spit up!"
"Lovely," I mutter.
Just then, Mione and Luna return. I still can't help but smile as I see her carrying Sophia. She's beautiful.
** Back to Hermione's POV **
Harry's staring again. It gets pretty annoying until I remind myself that he had none of this growing up. No parents, awful relatives, no love. He just wants to latch on to this and appreciate it. I have to let him.
"Well, gentlemen, I think it's time to let Hermione get some rest and get these ladies to bed as well," Luna says.
Ron agrees and we all exchange hugs and kisses. The family Disapperates and Harry ushers me to get ready for bed. After my shower, we cuddle in bed and Harry sighs.
"What's on your mind?" I ask.
"I'm sorry to put you though this," he says.
"Put me through what?"
"All the pain of pregnancy."
"Harry, in case you forgot, I was there when we made this baby, too. This wasn't just your decision."
"Yeah, but you're going to be miserable for 9 months."
"Not constantly. And besides, I'll do my best to make sure you're miserable too," I say with a smile.
Harry chuckles. "I suppose that's fair then."
"Harry, I want this baby as much as you do. And I'll go through whatever pregnancy bothers I have to. Ok?"
"Ok," he replies.
I give a big yawn. "Good. Time for sleepy. Your child needs a nap."
"My child," he whispers. "Our child. I love you, Mione."
"I love you, too," I say, falling asleep.
* The next afternoon*
Ok, here it comes … the big moment where we get attacked by Weasleys. Tonight is the monthly required Weasley dinner. And this month, EVERYONE is attending. We will have to make our big announcement to Bill, Fleur, Julienne, Joseph, Charlie, Sarah, little Charlie, Percy, Penelope, Abigail, Fred, Angelina, George, Alicia, Ron, Luna, Sophie, Cordy (well, those 4 already know), Ginny, Neville, Molly and Arthur. Can you say nerves?
"Sweetie, it's going to be fine. You know they'll be ecstatic," Harry says as I aimlessly brush my hair.
"I know. But there's so many of them! It's going to be a stampede!"
"Hermione, this is family. We'll be fine."
"And Molly?"
Harry pauses. Which means he has no answer.
"We'll be fine," he repeats.
Sure.
With that, we Apparate to the Burrow. Almost everyone is there; just the newlyweds are missing and that's because they're returning from their honeymoons (separate ones, thank Merlin) today.
Everyone calls out their hellos, but Molly runs straight to me and embraces me. If I didn't know better, I'd say she knows already!
"Hermione! How are you?"
"Um, fine. How are you?"
"Smashing, dearie. Smashing! And Harry! You look wonderful! I see your wife continues to feed you well."
"Well, feeding me at all is better than what I had," he jokes.
Molly frowns. "Well, we don't discuss those awful people in this house! Relatives or not."
"Yes, ma'am," Harry says. Molly's not his biological mother, but some days you'd never know it from their actions.
"All right everyone! We've got 4 more to arrive before dinner!" Molly announces before heading back into the kitchen.
Ron pouts as he walks up to us. "I was hoping she'd let us eat once you got here. We don't even know when Fred, Angelina, George and Alicia are getting here," he says as he hugs me.
"I'm sure it'll be soon enough," I say, trying to reassure him.
"Have you decided when you're going to announce?" he whispers.
"I'm thinking right before dinner," Harry says.
"Want to avoid another Parmesan incident?" I tease.
"Yes, if you must know!"
"No worries, mate. We're having roast beef today," Ron says, laughing.
Harry scowls at both of us just as there are 4 loud cracks.
Before I know what's happening, Harry is scooping me up and quickly moving me. What in Merlin's name …?
Oh, the twins and their brides have arrived. And there's Fred standing over Ron (who was knocked down by his brother's entrance).
"Ronnie, you must learn to avoid where we'll be Apparating to!" Fred says, extending a hand to help Ron up.
Ron is mumbling something about not knowing where that will be. It must have not been very polite, because I heard Luna shout, "Ronald!"
"Thanks for being my hero again," I say to Harry.
"My pleasure, m'lady," he says with that grin that makes my knees weak. Good thing I'm still in his arms.
He lowers me gently and presses a kiss to my forehead. "Couldn't have you and the little one smushed," he whispers.
"Oy, lovebirds!" Ron calls. "Time to eat!"
"Leave it to Ron to be the dinner bell," I laugh.
"Come on. I'm starving," Harry says, gently pushing me along with a hand on the small of my back.
After everyone is seated, Harry remains standing.
"Um, could I have your attention … please?"
Everyone is instantly quiet. It probably should be obvious what he's going to say. This is pretty much when everyone announces it. Since it's tradition, I stand with him as he continues, "Well, um … we just wanted to tell everyone that … um, we're having a baby!"
There's a second of silence while it sinks in and then BOOM!
Every female screams and runs for me. Here's the stampede I was talking about. The guys pull Harry a bit away as the ladies line up to congratulate me.
"Hermione!" Molly screeches as she hugs me first. "I'm so happy for the both of you!"
Next comes Luna, then Penny, Alicia, Angelina, Sarah, Fleur and finally Ginny.
"Congratulations, sis!" Ginny cries. "Just think, you'll probably start showing around my wedding!"
"Wow, Gin, thanks."
"No problem," she says with a wink.
I know she means nothing by it, but I have to keep my hormones in check to keep from punching her. This is going to be a fun nine months.
Now that all of the girls have hugged me and all the guys have shook Harry's hand or given him manly slaps on the arm, they're switching places.
Here comes Ron to hug me, followed by Fred, George, Percy, Charlie, Neville, Bill and Arthur.
Once I'm free, I see Molly holding onto Harry tightly. He's squeezing back just as tightly. Here come the tears again. If only he could have his own mother for this.
I start sobbing and it's a bit embarrassing. But Harry hears it instantly and looks up.
"No, it's just me having a moment," I insist as he rushes over. "I'm ok. Let's just eat. I'm sure Ron is dying."
Everyone laughs as Ron gives me an indignant look.
"Thank you very much! I could wait for an announcement like that!"
"Ok, ok, fine. As long as the parents-to-be have no other announcements …" Molly begins, glancing to Harry. He shakes his head. "… then I suggest we all tuck in!"
Dinner goes about the same as usual. We talk about Ginny and Neville's upcoming nuptials, Fred and Angelina's honeymoon, George and Alicia's, plus some idle chitchat amongst ourselves.
After dinner, we see pictures from the honeymoons and the females gather for baby talk. The guys head outside for "Congratulations Quidditch."
All the talk about babies is great. I don't mind answering the "what do you want to have" and "is Harry excited" questions, and it's interesting and funny to hear the stories that the other mums in the room have to say, but when Molly asks, "When are you having the shower?" I think we're pushing things.
"Um, Molly, I'm not even a month along yet. I think we have plenty of time for that."
"Nonsense! This is going to be the baby of the century! We need to have everything planned!"
I'm having flashbacks to wedding planning. I don't even know how to react. But suddenly, I'm very tired and excuse myself to find Harry.
I run outside and see the guys flying above. I think very hard to him and he looks up. Every now and then, that "freaky deaky link" of ours comes in handy. And Harry, being the diplomat that he is, not wanting to disappoint anyone, races forward and catches the Snitch. He announces that it's time to leave and everyone lands to follow him inside. You can't leave a Weasley family function without getting proper hugs and kisses goodbye.
We go through the process, getting bonuses for the baby and we finally Apparate home.
"Well, that was interesting," Harry says. "It's odd to be on the receiving end of that."
"Imagine being me!"
"True, love, true. But you know … I got awfully sweaty in that game. I think I may need a shower now. Care to wash my back?"
"Hmmm… the great Harry Potter needs help to wash his own back?" I ask with a giggle.
"We can call it that."
"Yeah, sure, why not! Last one there is a rotten dragon egg!" I say as I take off for the shower.
"Cheater!" he calls from behind me.
Perfect ending to a perfect day!
** One Week Later **
Today is the last of the "family" that we have to tell about the baby. We've invited Sirius, Remus and Tonks over. No dinner this time, just a small get together.
After everyone arrives, and once the greetings are said, Harry clears his throat.
"Yes, Harry?" Remus says. "Something wrong?"
"No, nothing wrong at all. But I will admit that there is a reason that I called you all here."
"Oh really?" Sirius says, suspiciously.
"Yes, really. Mione, do you want to tell?" Harry asks me.
"Um, sure. Well, our big news is that … well, we're having a baby!"
Sirius stares for a second and then the tears come. Remus sees him and starts to cry as well. Tonks looks at them, rolls her eyes and rushes over to me.
"Well, I think it's wonderful! Congratulations, Hermione!" she says as she hugs me. "And you too, Harry!" And she hugs him.
Sirius and Remus slowly walk to Harry and both embrace him tightly. Well, here comes my tears.
"Your parents would be so proud!" Sirius says through his sobs. "A little Prongs the third!"
Remus gives a little laugh. "I wish they were here for this," he says, which sobers him again.
"They are here," Harry says, crying as well. "They can see us and they're bursting with happiness for us."
"Very true, Harry!" Tonks shouts. "What's with all the tears? We're supposed to be happy for the future, not crying for the past! Lily and James would not want us to be so upset on this day."
Remus nods. "You're right, dear. So, Hermione, how far along are you?"
"About one month now. Still a while to go."
"It'll fly by. Remember how quickly it went with Lily and the anklebiter?" Sirius asks Remus.
"Hey! That anklebiter is standing right here and about to become a father himself!" Harry says.
"Ah, hush up, anklebiter," Sirius laughs. "Come here, Mum!" he says, hugging me. "You sure you can handle two of Harry?"
"Um, I think I can try," I reply.
"Congratulations, Hermione. I couldn't be happier for the both of you!" Remus says, also hugging me.
"Thank you, Remus," I tell him.
"So! This calls for embarrassing baby Harry stories!" Sirius says, sitting down.
For the rest of the evening, we laugh and joke and share stories. This is exactly what family should be and I can't wait to show this baby just how lucky they are to be a part of it.
***
A/N: Ok, for everyone who is speculating on whether the baby is a boy or a girl or multiples or what the name will be, let me reassure you. I know the sex of the baby. This pregnancy is just one baby and he/she has a name already. You'll find out soon enough now that everyone important knows.