Thanks to all who've reviewed! I was asked the same question by almost all of them, so hopefully this section clears that up. Thanks again to marie_j_granger for the title!
The first day, after meeting with Ginny, was a normal enough day for the newlyweds. Harry moved his things into Hermione's flat, and spent most of the room rearranging her guest room into his own. She spent the afternoon wincing at loud noises and reading while curled up in her chair, a protective hand splayed artistically across her stomach. She heard the shower run and finally Harry plodded into the room.
"I should start showing soon," she spoke softly, not looking up from her book.
He looked at her, an eyebrow raised.
"Ginny might wonder if our story is true." She paused. "Or, the rest of the Weasleys will wonder, in any case."
Harry nodded and sat on the couch. She watched him scoot to the edge, as close as he could get to her without sitting in her lap. She sighed as he looked up at her, as if it were her idea, and a brilliant one at that.
"Harry."
"Yes dear?"
She scoffed. "I'm supposed to be six weeks along by now, right?" She continued before he could nod. "That gives us, er, two or three weeks before I would not be able to hide it any longer. My mother told me she was a late bloomer, but there are some like Molly that probably show right away." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. Harry, still watching her, grew progressively more confused. "So, I say I start showing between now and three weeks from now."
Harry looked at her blankly, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"Or, I have the miscarriage now. I'm still at a high risk rate, only being six weeks along. And being Muggleborn trying to have a magical child probably causes a lot of complications. My mother had a difficult birth with me; that's why I don't have any siblings. I'm sure my magical signature was too much for her reproductive system and-"
"Fascinating as this all is, and no doubt you'll want to do further research, but what is it you've decided?"
Hermione's mouth opened and closed a few times before she could speak. "I'm sorry, Harry. My mouth went ahead of me. It truly is interesting, though, and I'm sure if I can have more facts my-"
"Hermione, dear," Harry sighed.
She nodded. "Right. There's another thing we need to consider. The, er, wizard who performed our ceremony, well, he-"
Harry looked at her, then away at the fireplace. She could see his cheeks pinken. "He mentioned in cases like ours, if, after the child were born, er," he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Right." Hermione couldn't contain her blush. "The conditions he set forth were that, upon birth, we'd have no less than two lunar cycles to decide our compatibility for the sake of said child, or the marriage and bond be null. Upon miscarriage or accident, we'd have until the next new moon to decide. Which, if I miscarry today, would be this weekend."
They looked at each other. "I'll start showing. I'll fall at work sometime and go see a Healer. They'll tell me to take it easy for a while, not do any strenuous magic, that sort of thing."
Harry edged closer. "We need to finish this soon. I can't avoid the Weasleys forever. We're going to have to tell the truth sometime."
Hermione scoffed. "They won't have to know if that's what you want, Harry. I really don't mind being the scapegoat here." She put her hand over his on the arm of the couch. "We'll do this another two weeks. I'll be eight weeks along by then, and we'd have about two weeks until the next new moon. It'll be okay," she finished softly.
Harry looked at her closely. "I hope so." He stood up and started to walk towards his room. "I'm going to owl Molly."
She nodded and picked her book up again.
*~*
"Hermione?"
She opened her eyes, rubbing them before looking around the room. It was still dark, but a strange green light lit up the room. She heard her name again before realizing it came from the fireplace.
"Ron! Come on over," she said warmly.
As he appeared in her living room, she stood up, yawning. They embraced.
"Did you not go to bed last night?"
She shook her head wryly. "I must have fallen asleep while reading."
"Where's Harry? Didn't he notice you weren't in bed?"
Hermione blushed lightly and shrugged. "He went to bed before I did." She looked around the dark room. "What are you doing here so early?"
"Oh," Ron blushed. "Mum's in a snit, and I had to leave before she started in on me."
"Ah, she must have received Harry's owl."
"He told her by owl?"
Hermione smiled. "Harry's only a Gryffindor when he wants to be, it appears."
"Hey!"
Ron and Hermione turned towards the voice. Harry was walking barefooted towards them, clad only in a pair of dark green boxer shorts. He yawned before smiling at his best friend. "What are you doing here so early?"
Ron sighed. "Mum's having a conniption thanks to you. Why'd you have to go and tell her by owl?"
Harry shrugged. "I didn't want to be kicked out of the Burrow, and I didn't want her to be over here when I told her in case she might upset Hermione and the baby."
The boys looked at her as if to say something. She blinked, and swallowed, focusing her gaze away from Harry's bare chest. Honestly, it's not like she hadn't seen him half naked before. Of course, just not in her living room.
"Thank you, Harry, but I'm sure I would have been fine with Molly. I'm a big girl."
Ron snickered. "You're about to be anyway."
She cuffed his shoulder, and started to walk from the room. "I'll be in the shower."
Harry watched her walk away, a soft look on his face. Shaking his head slightly, he nervously looked at his best friend. "Have a seat?"
Ron glared at him before taking Hermione's usual chair. He crossed his legs and waited for Harry to sit down.
"Ron, I-"
"I still don't understand. Why'd you owl Mum? Why'd you do this?"
Harry sighed and put his head in his hands. "We never meant for it to happen."
"Obviously," Ron snorted.
Harry glared at him before continuing. "It was after the celebration. We were all sloshed. I guess instead of apparating home I came here. I've been here often enough, and I guess some part of me wanted to see how Hermione was taking this."
Ron raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
"I mean, oh hell, I don't know Ron. I was here and then she kissed me. And I guess some part of me reacted," another snort, "and I just didn't stop it, couldn't stop it. I'm still not sure if I even wanted to stop it. We're best friends, just like we've always been, and this never should have happened. But, in a way, I'm glad. Like I've said before, I've always wanted a family, and who better to start it with than someone I've known for so long?"
"Besides my sister?"
Harry winced. "Face it, Ron, she's still too young. You know this. She's always looked up to me as some hero, some demigod."
"Harry, you are a hero."
He frowned. "That's it, though. Hermione has never put me on that sort of pedestal before. I've always been speccy Harry to her, the Harry she's had to save, not some prince to save her from some beast. Your sister wants someone who will rescue her when she gets too deep. I'm tired of that. I'm tired of chasing after her when she flies too far away." He ran a hand through his hair. "With Hermione, I'm stable. We're stable, just like we've always been. I know I can always come to her, just like she can to me."
Ron watched as Harry looked up at him. He thought a moment before replying. "I won't deny that there has always been something between the two of you. But with Ginny, why didn't you tell her this before you proposed?"
"That's exactly what I said." Hermione came into the room, smelling fresh and sitting next to Harry. He automatically put an arm around her before glaring at Ron. He turned back to her, and they shared a look. She seemed to nod her acceptance before Harry spoke again.
"Actually, Ron, that's what I was trying to do when she thought I was proposing."
"What?" he asked incredulously. Hermione laughed.
"I had actually sat down to talk with her about getting a job, and maybe settling herself down a bit. You know, becoming a bit more independent from me and Molly. But she saw me with a serious look on my face, noticed we were sitting closely and jumped in my arms before I could even start. She started yelling yes over and over. I didn't know what to do!"
"And the ring?"
Harry turned red when Hermione nudged him. "Well, she thought I had been too nervous, so she picked me up and took me to a jeweler's right away. I couldn't just say no in front of the man!"
Hermione laughed while Ron shook his head. "You were right about him choosing to be a Gryffindor, Hermione." He looked at Harry again. "Why'd you go out celebrating with us that night then? If you had told us then, this," he waved between Harry and Hermione, "would never have happened."
Harry hung his head. "I know. But it's too late now." He stood up. "I need to head to work." He dropped a kiss on Hermione's forehead before leaving the room.
Ron stood up and walked in front of Hermione. "Why did you do this?"
"Ron, don't start this. It's not personal; it's not against you."
"How am I supposed to feel? You said you didn't have any feelings for him, or me. How am I supposed to believe anything you say now?"
She closed her eyes and leaned against the couch. "Please, sit down. I can't stand when you tower over me like that." He reluctantly sat next to her. "Ron, I know I told you that. At the time, it was true."
"At the time? The time was less than a month before all of this happened!"
"I did some thinking."
"You did some thinking."
"Yes! I did! That's what I do! I lied when I said it wasn't either of you. It's always been one of you though. For the longest time, I honestly thought it would be you. But then," she stopped.
Ron glared at her. "Lavender?"
Hermione sighed. "Not only Lavender. I knew you liked me our fourth year; the jealousy over Harry and Krum were obvious to everyone. Part of me realized it was Harry, would always be Harry in fifth year though. But then I knew he'd never see me like that, so I tried to look at you again. Then, it was too late, and you made me sick when you spent all of your time with her. I wanted you for myself, at least to see, and I couldn't. That's what got to me most that year; that I couldn't have either of you. During the Hunt, though, I grew to respect you both more, and I knew any relationship we'd have together would not work. I can't get past seeing you as my brother. Harry, I could, most of the time. I thought he was untouchable, with Ginny, so I could always dream." She looked away, as if lost in that dream. "You both have been my best friends, my only best friends, for so long, it's different. Yet here I am, married to Harry and carrying his child. I don't know, Ron, I just don't know."
She threw herself on him, sobbing and crying. He awkwardly wrapped his arms around her, rubbing circles in her back.
"Um, Hermione?"
She pulled back, her face blotchy and red. "Ron?"
"I, I think I understand. Everything happened too fast for both of you, and essentially you were both in the wrong place mentally at the same time. I guess I can accept that."
Hermione threw her arms around him. "Thank you! Do you forgive us?"
He shrugged. "I'll have to."
"Oh look at me, all red and wet after I've already showered. I'm sorry, but I'll be right back, I need to freshen up before I go to work."
"That's okay, Hermione. I'll just go. I need to head back home to see if Mum's okay by now."
Hermione hugged him again. "Tell Molly we're sorry and we'll come see her to explain soon."
Ron nodded, and stepped through the fireplace.
*~*
Hermione pointed her wand at her face, and all traces of tears were gone. "Harry?"
He stepped out into the hall. "What?"
She walked towards him, a frown on her face. "You kissed my forehead when you left the room."
He looked confused. "I did?"
"Yes, you did. In front of Ron. This is getting a bit too realistic, Harry."
"It is? Isn't it supposed to be?"
She sighed heavily. "Must you answer me with a question?"
He smiled. "What do you want me to do?"
She glowered, then shrugged. "I guess it makes sense, though. I mean, I am pregnant, and you are my husband. I guess you're supposed to be protective of me." She paused. "It's just weird, I guess. I'll just have to get used to it."
He nodded and she apparated away.
*~*
Two weeks later, Harry was sitting in his office, running through some ordinary paperwork.
"Harry, there's an emergency owl waiting for you."
"Thanks, Olivia, I'll take it in here." Harry shut the door, the post in his hand. It was from St. Mungo's. He opened it, his hands shaking at the contents. He hurriedly grabbed his cloak and stepped back outside his office.
"Olivia, I won't be back today. Hermione, er, my wife, had an accident at work and I have to go to St. Mungo's right away." She nodded, and he ran towards the elevator.
Once outside, he apparated to the waiting room. He approached the nearest Healer in lime green robes and asked where Hermione was. Finally he found her, lying in a bed in a bare room by herself.
"I thought we were just faking it."
Hermione frowned. "Well, I thought so too. But apparently the Healers found something wrong with me," she scowled. "I slipped and fell at work on purpose, but I accidentally knocked myself out in the process. I woke up here not too long ago."
Harry looked around. "Is the baby okay?"
She sighed. "They haven't said anything to me yet."
"Oh." He sat on the only chair and pulled it close to her bed. "I hope it's okay."
She smiled and took his hand. "Me too."
They sat in silence, still holding hands, for a short minute until a Healer entered the room. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Potter."
Hermione started, but recovered quickly. "Hello. Is everything okay?"
"Well, first I'll need you to tell me what happened, and then I'll let you know what I know."
Hermione frowned. "But-"
"Just listen to the Healer, honey," Harry interjected.
A scowling Hermione continued. "I slipped and fell at work. I think I was taking a corner too quickly and when I slipped I hit my head probably on the potted plant in the corner. The next thing I remember is waking up here alone."
The Healer nodded. "Anything else I should know about your medical conditions?"
Hermione exchanged a nervous glance with Harry. "Everything I say here goes no farther than this room, or the patient-Healer relationship is compromised."
The Healer nodded. "I understand, Mrs. Potter."
"Right. I am not pregnant, though I have been claiming to be. The slip was not an accident, though falling on the plant was. I had no intention of being checked into St. Mungo's." Harry gripped her hand, trying to keep her calm.
The Healer nodded again. "Well, it looks live you've had a miscarriage, Mrs. Potter. I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. I understand you both were looking forward to starting a family. The fall you took was a nasty one, and if you hadn't been knocked unconscious, I'd say the baby would still be safe. As it is, you need to not do any strenuous magic for the next few weeks, nor can you have any sexual relations for two weeks while you recover. As a Muggleborn, these precautions are necessary for the safety of yourself and any children you plan to have in the future. If you normally take contraceptives, or use a spell, you will need to wait until those two weeks have finished before you begin your normal regime. I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. and Mrs. Potter. You are free to leave the hospital."
The Healer winked and left the room.
The Potters exchanged a glance before Harry handed Hermione her clothes. He politely turned his back while she changed, and they left the hospital hand in hand.
*~*
"The Burrow?"
Harry sighed and nodded. "We need to tell Molly and Ron what happened today."
"Okay. You'll need to help me remember to act a little weak, like helping me into chairs and such."
Harry smiled. "That's easy enough, dear."
She swatted him. "That's enough of that, thank you very much, Mr. Potter."
They landed in front of the Weasley's home again hand in hand. Harry put an arm around Hermione and helped her walk slowly up the walkway. Molly opened the door and watched the couple walk towards her with her hands on her hips.
"I ought to have sent you a Howler, Harry James Potter. You should have told me in person you two were marrying." She swept them into the house with a gesture before turning on them. Hermione sat at the kitchen table gingerly. "Now, what have we here?"
Hermione burst into tears and put her head down on the kitchen table. Harry stood behind her, one hand on her shoulders, the other in his hair. "Molly, the reason we married, is, well, I got Hermione pregnant two months ago."
"Two months?"
He sighed and looked away. "Right after Ginny announced we were getting married."
"I see."
"When Hermione found out, she told me right away. We had a huge row, but then I realized that I couldn't leave my child fatherless. We had to get married, and we had to quickly. You understand, don't you?" Harry looked at her pleadingly, a look well recognized by the mother of seven.
Molly nodded reluctantly. "What's this now?"
Hermione sobbed loudly. Harry took a deep breath. "Today at work, Hermione fell pretty badly. The Healer said she had a miscarriage."
"Oh, Hermione." Molly rushed to her side, pulling her up into a big hug the matron was famous among her boys for. "I am so sorry, I know how it is."
"It's probably for the best," Hermione cried. "But I was just accepting it, looking forward to having this with Harry, and now the baby's gone!"
"The baby's gone?" Ron walked into the kitchen. He took in the scene and immediately rushed to Hermione's other side. "Are you okay?"
She nodded slightly. "It's for the best, Ron. It never should have happened, and now it's done."
Ron looked at Harry's suddenly pale face. "Harry?"
"As long as Hermione's fine, I'm fine," he choked out.
Ron accepted the answer, but was still concerned. "Can I get you anything Hermione?"
"Oh, me! Would you like some tea?" Molly stood up quickly, wringing her hands in her apron.
Hermione shook her head to both questions and leaned towards Harry. "We should be going. The Healer told me I should take it easy for the next two weeks in particular. I'll see you later." She practically collapsed in Harry's arms as he walked with her outside.
*~*
Ginny flounced down the stairs and into the kitchen, her hair streaming elegantly behind her. She saw her mother and brother staring gloomily out of the window, but paid no attention save to her glittering ring.
"Hullo!" she sang, startling them both.
"Oh, hey, Ginny," Ron spoke first. Molly still watched the window.
"Did I hear voices down here?"
Ron nodded and looked to his mother for help.
"Yes, dear, Harry and Hermione were here just a minute ago."
Ginny's face turned sour. "Oh, them." She flipped her hair back. "Is there tea?"
Ron scowled, but passed her the newly made pot. "You don't care what happened?"
"I wasn't aware that anything had happened. What have those two been scheming away at now?"
"Well, you know they got married two weeks ago, right?"
She huffed. "Of course I do. Everyone knows. What else?"
"Do you know why?"
"Of course I know the biggest scandal of the year! It's in every newspaper! That witch seduced him on the day of our engagement due to jealousy and serve her right for getting pregnant! My Harry is just too noble, though, to let her alone. They married because they had to," she nodded primly.
Ron rolled his eyes. "They married because Harry was looking forward to raising his child with her. Well, now they won't be. Hermione fell and miscarried."
"Oh, how simply dreadful!" Ginny exclaimed. She sipped her tea. "I suppose the marriage is off then?" She surreptitiously glanced at her ring.
"We don't know. They didn't say anything."
"Well, it will have to be. If they haven't consummated by the end of her term, then the marriage is null and void. Now that she's miscarried, they'll have two and a half weeks to do the deed or else he'll be free to marry me!"
Ron looked sick. "Why two and a half weeks? And how do you know that?"
"Witch Weekly interviewed the wizard who performed the ceremony. The bonds he usually presides over must be consummated within a certain amount of time, or the magic, well, evaporates. He has specific rules for the time limits. He knew the situation, so he knew which time limits to impose. If that witch miscarried today, then the Healer probably told her to rest two weeks. That's what Mum always said they'd told her. The wizard said he'd give them until the next new moon on a miscarriage, so that's about two and a half weeks from now."
"Oh, well that makes sense, I guess," he said absently.
Ginny nodded, a lock of red hair gracefully falling into her face. She tucked it behind her ear. "It makes perfect sense. It means that if they truly didn't want to be married, they wouldn't have to be. So, if they don't, then Harry'll be free to marry me!"
"Thanks, Gin. I'll see you later, Mum." Ron left quickly, trying to catch up with his best friends. They had to know the time restrictions, but not about Ginny's continued designs on Harry.