Chapter 6
Harry didn't know how many times he had changed his pants. All he knew was that with each change his clothes were getting much tighter than the last and he was now getting desperate.
"Harry! Honey hurry up! We can't wait much longer!" Hermione's voice practically screamed with urgency and he knew that he would have to hurry.
"I'm coming Hermione! I just can't seem to…" He took a deep breath and fell back on the bed so he could button his jeans. "Come…on…!" He breathed with frustration.
"HARRY!!! It is time!" Harry grew panicked and gave up on the jeans before pulling out his wand to magically enlarge his pants.
On his way out the door he paused in front of their bedroom mirror and scrutinized his appearance. He sighed. "This is pathetic."
"Harry! Oh for heaven's sake! What are you doing up there?" Hermione's voice was closer now and before he could answer there she was in all her pregnant glory glaring at him from the doorway with one hand on her hip and the other rubbing her very round belly.
"Umm…nothing Hermione." He pointed at the closet. "You see…I was…and then I couldn't do it…so I…I…" Harry stopped because his sensible wife was looking at him suspiciously like he had lost his mind or something. How could he possibly explain that he had been trying on clothes? Instead he grimaced uncomfortably. "I feel like a deranged man."
"Stop fooling around Harry! I know you don't want to go but it is important so…move it!"
Harry recognized that beautiful look of determination and grabbed his coat before following her downstairs…but no sooner had they reached the fireplace Harry had to turn back for his wallet. Then when Hermione had her fist of floo powder poised over the hearth he realized that he had forgotten his wand. When he returned Hermione was tapping her foot harshly against the hard wood floor of their Lounge and he gave her a shameful grin.
"Sorry Mione…I didn't mean to…" He took a deep breath. "I'm ready now."
Hermione eyed him carefully and raised her hand once more to-
"WAIT!!" Harry screamed in a panic.
Hermione gave an enormous exasperated sigh and turned to gape at Harry with her eyes blazing.
"What have you forgotten this time Harry? Is it your glasses? Or perhaps it is the simple fact that you don't want to face the twins? The Weasleys are like our family Harry and I am certainly not going to disappoint them. So if you really do not want to go visit your friends whom you have known since you were 11 years old and been like the family you never had then by all means stay! But please excuse me while I go have a great time with our friends. Shame on you!" Hermione had said this all very fast as usual when she became upset and Harry swallowed.
"Umm Hermione…I was only going to say that I forgot to…well…" He pointed down at his feet where he wiggled his toes.
Hermione's eyes traveled down his body to see his stocking feet and she giggled.
"I should probably put on some trainers or something. Don't you think?"
Shaking her head with disbelief she slowly nodded her head and Harry bolted up the stairs praying that perhaps he would trip and break a leg or something so they could miss the whole thing. As luck would have it he was in perfect health when he once again reached Hermione by the hearth.
"Are we ready now Harry?" She asked calmly.
"Yep as ready as I'll ever be I guess. Let's go."
Hermione smiled and flung the floo powder into the fireplace and in minutes Harry and Hermione were stepping out of the Weasley's fireplace at the burrow.
The house was buzzing with the excitement of Bill and Fleur's 3 little boys who were having a grand time of playing chase the snitch and Charlie's little girl Alisha was sitting nearby looking at her unruly cousins with obvious displeasure. It wasn't long before Little Arty, Bill's oldest, noticed the Potters and ran up to give Harry a huge hug. "Uncle Harry is here!! It's been forever since you came to see me Uncle Harry. Hermione seemed to drift off toward the sound of Luna's soft dreamy laugh and Harry smiled at Arty and tasseled his red hair before following Hermione into the kitchen. The small sea of red hair swarmed around an elaborate table decorated with snowflakes and little icicles. Mrs. Weasley was dabbing at her eyes with a small handkerchief embroidered with small daisies along the edge.
"Oh I don't know if my heart can take it! Such news!" She was saying as Harry and Hermione drew nearer.
Oh my darlings come here!" Harry and Hermione both looked on with confusion until Ron and Luna stepped forward and allowed Molly to wrap her arms around the two of them. Luna had the most peaceful smile Harry had ever seen. Ron looked a little alarmed but happy none the less.
"What did we miss?" Hermione asked sweetly.
Fred popped up behind her and draped an arm over her shoulders. "Well Mrs. Chosen One it seems that our Little Ronnikins is going to be expecting a little Weasley come next June." Fred was grinning from ear to ear and when he saw Harry he gave a low whistle and looked Harry over from head to foot. "I told you to keep those maternity clothes mate." He said shaking his head sadly.
George smirked, "I bet you wish you had some of those expanda britches now aye Harry?"
Harry gripped his wand and tried to ignore them. They are just having fun. They are my friends. They mean no harm damn it! It was a mantra he had begun repeating to himself whenever he was around the twins. Instead of acknowledging their comment he turned to Ron and slapped him on the back. "Bloody Hell…man that is…just…wonderful mate! I never thought we would have families like this. I…I…never thought we would live to be honest." The tears began building up and when Hermione hugged Luna happily Harry felt overcome with joy. "Awe man you guys are the best." He was all choked up and Hermione giggled and patted Harry on the back until he gained control.
Fred snorted and laughed. "It is an emotional time for you aye Harry?
Ron smiled although he looked a bit pale when Mrs. Weasley asked Luna when her due date was.
"Well, I imagine I will give birth on June 4th but my doctor says my due date is June 17th."
Mrs. Weasley just quietly nodded her head while glancing at her husband a little uncertainly. "Well…uhh…May 4th it is then! I'm so happy for you dear."
Harry just happened to look over at Hermione and sighed weakly. She was looking at him like he was her prey and she was the hunter. Oh boy. He didn't know if he could handle another "moment" like they had at the grand opening of the twin's new store a couple of months ago. They would have to get out of there soon if he recognized that hungry look on her face like he thought he did.
Heavens the woman had lost all inhibitions. A few months ago he would have rejoiced over this new change but lately he dreaded even going to bed he was so exhausted. Of course she didn't mean for any of it to happen but good gracious what was a man to do?
More people began arriving and it wasn't long until they were all sitting down to Mrs. Weasley's fabulous cooking. However right when he was reaching for the rolls he felt something that sort of reminded him of someone's foot creeping up his pant leg. He swallowed and looked up to meet the smoldering eyes of his wife and she grinned at him. He took a deep breath. The game had started. He tried to shift his legs out of the way but they were all so cramped along the table he couldn't sufficiently move out of her line of attack.
By the time dessert was served Hermione had managed to place her foot right onto Harry's crotch making him squirm uncomfortably through their pudding and at one point he gave a funny little moan causing Ron to raise an eyebrow. Hermione looked completely unaffected as she chatted happily with Lupin about an innovative new potion that was being tested for Lycanthropy.
He had to get out of there. "Umm…yes would you all excuse me and Hermione for a moment? I have to uh…run home for a moment." Hermione gave him an eager look when he got them to the fireplace and he barely got them to the privacy of their own living room before she had her hands entangled within his dark hair. Within moments she had pinned him against the wall, kissing his neck. He decided to make it easy on her and wandlessly undid his shirt buttons to reveal a white t-shirt underneath. This seemed to drive her wild as she slipped a hand under his t-shirt. Yep this one was going to take all he had to survive.
Harry didn't feel like another romp on the floor so he immediately apparated them both to their bedroom. Hermione almost growled with impatience as he helped her out of her own lovely dress before kissing her fully on the lips. He knew that she was already ready but he wanted to tease her just a little and he needed a little more time to be fully aroused. But she didn't need to know that. He eased her down onto their bed and began really making love to her. He was determined this wasn't going to be a quickie...No way. Hermione closed her eyes as his hands took control touching and exploring her body.
It was when Hermione was nibbling a little on his ear lobe however, that he began to feel a little strange. "Wha…Wha…What is happening Hermione?" He breathed softly into the hollow of her throat.
"Come on, you know what I need" She murmured lustfully. However, when Harry sort of stopped moving she realized that something wasn't right. "Harry? Are you okay?"
Harry saw Hermione's face hovering inches above him before everything went black...
When Harry awoke Hermione was wearing her robe and nervously patting his hand. Most of the Weasleys were gathered around him looking rather amused while others looked worried.
"Oh Harry! I'm so sorry! I had no idea you were so exhausted!" By the look in her eyes he could see she was truly worried about him. Then it occurred to him that the entire Weasley clan was in his bedroom.
He jerked up and pulled the covers up to his chin. Ron chuckled. "Having a little trouble with the wife are you Harry?" Hermione shushed him while Harry just fell back upon his pillow again.
"I'm sorry Harry. I was worried about you! I had to tell them why you collapsed in case it was important for your health!" She then leaned in close and whispered, "You've never...well...done that before..." Hermione looked about the room. "Maybe you guys better go. I think I can handle it from here." Mrs. Weasley shooed them all out.
Harry stared at the ceiling in total silence. Hermione twisted her hands. "I can't believe you told them why I passed out." He shook his head with disbelief. "I mean we are talking total mortification here." Hermione laughed at his dramatics and shook her head.
"That is nonsense. Besides, Bill said the same thing almost happened to him when Fleur was pregnant with one of their boys. I don't remember which."
Harry rose up and looked at her doubtfully. "You mean Mr. Curse breaker had trouble in bed? With a Veela?" Harry shook his head. "Nope, I'm not buying it. Besides, I don't seem to recall looking down on Bill in his bed after it happened." He gave her a poignant look and Hermione blushed.
"I'm sorry........OH!!...umm...My! That was certainly different." Hermione rose up and curiously placed a hand on her tummy.
Then she looked down and saw Harry grimacing with pain. "Mione...I think it is TIME."
Hermione grinned and held his hand through the contraction. "We better call the Weasleys back. They'll want to know."
Hours later in a room at St. Mungos...
Hermione lay in a soft bed holding a small little bundle of blankets with Harry close by looking at his wife and new baby girl. "Let's name her Sarah." He said delightedly. The baby held on tight to Harry's finger and that moment was like no other in his entire life. He was a father, and no matter what he had been through during the past 9 months he knew it was completely worth it. At last he had a family.
"Sarah Lily Potter." Hermione whispered quietly and then smiled up into her husband's bright green eyes. "She is perfect isn't she?" Harry nodded and peeked down at the pink little thing that was his daughter. His daughter! Although he loved his little baby girl he had to say that he was certainly glad it was over. The mood swings, the back aches and pains. He had a new found respect for women but he was certain that if men were the ones that carried babies there would be no more babies. He grinned with relief that it was completely over.
"You know Harry; I think I want to start trying for a boy as soon as the doctor says it is safe. I mean it really wasn't so bad was it? And just look at the result...Harry...are you okay?" Hermione looked at her husband with panic and called for the nurse.
"Another baby? So soon?" Harry answered her weakly. Just the thought of going through another 9 months of Hell was enough to make him feel woozy. He grew nervous and he felt all the blood drain away from his face as he sank to the floor. The last thing he saw before he hit the ground was Hermione's worried eyes and his little Sarah sucking on her fist.
When he came to he looked around the room to see Ron and Luna along with his own little family and he could think of only one thing to say. "Hermione I love you with all of my heart but if you get pregnant again it's YOUR turn!"
At that The Potters and the Weasleys laughed joyously as they celebrated the birth of a new family member.
As time passed Hermione did have another baby and luckily this time Harry was able to be the best supportive husband he could be. He knew the best ways to lie in a bed to get comfortable. He knew how to place the pillows on the couch to support an aching back and the moment Hermione needed her feet rubbed or someone to make her anchovy and banana sandwiches he was there. Sometimes her emotions ran away with her and her feelings were very easily hurt but everyone said that Harry was the kindest most caring husband to ease her concerns. Thanks to his experiences he never forgot to assure Hermione of how much he loved her and their children.
Sarah was 3 years old when little Evan Harry Potter was born and mother, father and big sister looked adoringly over the little bundle. The only difference was Hermione wasn't so eager to continue their family so soon after the birth of Evan. Harry couldn't blame her. Pregnancy was difficult even if it was worth it. Not to mention next time was his turn.
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