Hermione's Baby

A/N: I know I've been away for a little while, but I'm back! I've been working on this story for a while, and while I have several chapters written, I'm not done with it yet. I don't promise to update weekly, but I will do my best to update regularly. I've enjoyed writing this a lot, so I hope you enjoy reading it.

Thanks to my beta-reader, Unbloomed, for her wonderful work. All mistakes are mine for not leaving the chapters alone once she is done with them.

I would love to know what you think. Please be kind and review.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER ONE: A WISH AND A DREAM

“Are you sure this is what you really want?” Luna asked her dear friend, concern coloring her words.

Luna was frowning while looking through the many pamphlets and papers scattered all over Hermione's desk. They had been discussing the issue at hand for well over an hour and she still had trouble digesting the news.

“Yes, it is. I've thought long and hard about it and those are my two choices.”

“You're only twenty-five, `Mione. There's still plenty of time.”

Hermione shook her head sadly.

“No one can guarantee me that and you know it.”

“The war's been over for eight years now. The Aurors have made sure most death eaters have been caught. You prosecuted most of them making sure they were incarcerated for the remainder of their lives. There is no imminent danger looming ahead. Why is there an urgency to do this right now?”

“Because it will take time. It might not go right the first time. And in between procedures I would have to wait a while. Luna, you're a whole lot smarter than people give you credit for and I know you understand what I've explained.”

“What about doing it the old-fashioned way? Is that not an option?”

“Be serious, Luna. Who am I going to ask for help with something as important and complicated as this?”

“We have plenty of friends. One of them would be willing, I'm sure.”

“You are married to Ronald, so he doesn't count. Neville is going out with Susan and they should be married by year's end. Draco and Ginny are married as well. There is no one else.”

“Yes, there is,” Luna insisted stubbornly.

“Don't you even think about it,” Hermione warned, pointing a finger at her. “It would be completely unfair to him.”

“Why? He's your best friend. He loves you and he would do anything to make you happy. Besides, he's single and has been for quite a while,” Luna reminded her gently.

“No.”

“It would be ideal and he's the best candidate. Stop being so stubborn, Hermione,” Luna begged.

“No way in bloody hell will I ask Harry to help me with this. He's had enough complications in his life already. He's finally able to relax and live normally without the fear of some evil wanker wanting to do him in every five minutes.”

“Voldemort is gone and so are his followers. More to the point, what is it that Harry wants most in life?” She didn't wait for Hermione to answer and just plowed ahead. “You know better than most what his dream is. In letting him help, you would be granting his wish as well.”

“No, I wouldn't, Luna. That's why I want to do it one of the other two ways. I don't want a commitment and if he was to be involved, there would have to be one.”

“I'm sorry, Hermione, but that's a bloody lie. I know you. We have been partners for three years now and I know how much you want to have someone to call your own. If you want to be in denial, go right ahead. But don't think for a second that you can fool me!”

“I don't even know why I told you about all of this in the first place. It was obviously a mistake,” Hermione muttered as she started gathering all of the papers.

Luna smiled and didn't bother getting offended by Hermione's words. “You told me because, other than Harry, I'm the only other person on this Earth that has the bollocks to stand up to you and tell you what's up,” Luna told her, smiling serenely. Even after all this time, it was almost impossible to make Luna lose her cool.

“Must be because you both have a death wish,” Hermione shot back.

Luna had the nerve to laugh and Hermione glared at her.

“Not at all. We know you and we love you. We're not afraid of that fiery temper of yours because we know deep down you're a softy. You don't let others see your weaknesses and your needs as a woman. You're a shark in the courtroom and feared by most criminals. The few that have made the mistake of not fearing you had to learn the hard way.”

“You exaggerate,” Hermione said, waving her hand in a dismissive motion.

“No, I don't. Your co-workers are in awe of you. Your friends love and admire you. Your parents couldn't be more proud. Look around you if you don't believe me,” Luna ordered as she pointed at the walls.

The walls of Hermione's office were covered in plaques, commendations, certificates and letter from dignitaries and Ministers of Magic from nations all over the world. In her short career, Hermione had managed to do what most people couldn't accomplish by the time they retired. Rumor was that she would be Minister of Magic by the time she was in her mid-thirties. Luna didn't doubt that for a moment.

“The only reason those are all up is because the Minister wants it that way. I hate being in the spotlight and you know it.”

“Another reason you and Harry get along so well. You have so much in common it's amazing to me that you haven't gotten together yet.”

“I love Harry with all of my heart, but he is like a brother to me.”

“Yes, so you both say. I still think its crazy,” Luna said, shrugging her shoulders.

“Why? Just because all of you paired off together doesn't mean we have to because we are the only two remaining singles in the group!”

“It is not because of that and you know it. You are as perfect for him as he is for you. You're just too blind or stubborn to notice it. Or maybe you're both in denial.”

“I refuse to continue this conversation!” Hermione hissed hotly as she slammed both hands on the desk and glared at Luna some more.

Luna didn't even flinch. “Fine! Be stubborn all you want. But he would he happy to do it. He'd do anything for you.”

“Luna, as much as I love him and he loves me, I would never ask Harry to do this for me. I just can't,” she said, her tone softer this time.

“What is it you can't ask me to do, `Mione?”

Hermione gasped as her eyes flew to the opened door of her office. Standing there with a confused look on his face was Harry. He had opened the door in the middle of their argument and neither had noticed. Hermione glared at Luna, who just smiled and shrugged innocently. Harry stepped into the room and closed the door.

“Nothing, it's nothing,” Hermione said, waving her hand dismissively and trying to hide the pamphlets from his view.

“What are all these?” he asked as he picked one up and eyed it curiously.

“Hermione has a bit of a problem and we were trying to find some answers for it,” Luna told him while ignoring Hermione's death glare.

Harry was immediately concerned.

“What's the matter, `Mione? Are you sick?”

“No, Harry, it's nothing like that,” she was quick to assure him.

Harry finally focused on the paper in his hand and his eyes widened. He took some more after tugging them free of Hermione's tight grip and scanned those as well.

“Are you pregnant?” he asked, eyebrows raised in utter surprise.

“Of course not!”

“But she wants to be and that is the problem,” Luna told him serenely as if she wasn't dropping a bomb with her words. “Hermione wishes to have a child of her own.”

“What?” Harry shouted.

“Luna,” Hermione cried out at the same time.

“Oh, for Merlin's bloody sake!” she exclaimed in an unusual burst of anger. “Hermione, either you tell him or I will.”

“Don't you dare. I already told you I don't want him involved.”

“And I told you he would be the perfect candidate.”

Harry cleared his throat loudly. “I'm still here, in case you two forgot.”

“Harry is your best-friend. Tell him or I will,” Luna threatened softly once again.

Hermione leaned back against her leather chair and closed her eyes. “I can't.”

“So be it, then,” Luna said as she turned to face Harry. “Harry, like I told you, Hermione wants a child to call her own. The two choices she has considered so far are adopting an orphan or doing artificial insemination. Do you know what that is?”

“I've heard of it, but I'm not sure how it works,” he confessed while stealing looks at Hermione, who was starting to blush.

“Basically, she would go to a Muggle doctor, who would impregnate her with some stranger's sperm in a sterilized environment devoid of love. I, for one, think it's preposterous that someone like Hermione would have to go to such extremes when there is another, more natural, method.”

“I see,” he said as Hermione groaned at Luna's exaggerated explanation.

“Honestly, Luna, you make it sound so clinical. It isn't that bad.”

“It's worse! A baby needs to be created with love whenever possible, as it is in your case. When Ron and I found out that I was pregnant with Matthew we were ecstatic. That child is the light of my eyes and Ron's heart and soul. I want the same for you, `Mione. Why can't you see that?” Luna asked in a voice filled with emotion.

“I don't have the same choice as you. I don't have a man that is totally devoted to me like Ron is to you. I don't know if I will ever fall in love and I don't want to keep waiting to find out,” Hermione answered in a broken voice.

She still refused to open her eyes.

Harry watched his dear friend and his heart ached for her. It was true; she had never fallen in love. She'd never been in a serious relationship because work consumed most of her life. After the war she had taken in upon herself to finish her studies in record time and had immediately joined the Ministry in their Law Enforcement department. She had risen through the ranks faster than anyone before.

In doing so, in devoting her life to righting the wrongs Dark Wizards had inflicted upon their world, she had forgotten about herself. While their other friends had learned to balance their jobs and their personal lives, Hermione had dedicated herself to rid the Wizarding world of the scum. Now, at age twenty-five, she found herself entering a lonely flat where her only companion was the ever loyal Crookshanks.

“What is it I can do for you, `Mione? You know I would do it just to make you happy. Please tell me how I can help you,” he pleaded in a soft voice.

Hermione shook her head. “There's nothing for you to do, Harry. But I appreciate the offer more than you know.”

“Oh, for Merlin's sake, Hermione!” Luna cried out exasperated.

“Drop it,” Hermione warned in a low and dangerous voice.

Others would have shivered at her tone, but it was Luna, so she readily ignored it.

“No! Even if you get mad at me or stop talking to me, I'm going to tell him what I think the third solution could be.”

Hermione finally opened her eyes and Harry saw the tears that were threatening to spill over.

“It's not right to ask him for such a sacrifice. He's given enough of himself to all of us already.”

Harry leaned over the desk and covered Hermione's hand with his.

“I'd do anything for you, Hermione; you should know that by now. Please tell me how I can help you,” he pleaded once again. “You've never left my side and now it's my turn to repay some of your kindness.”

Hermione could see how much he cared for her in his eyes. He was truly concerned for her predicament. She exchanged a look with Luna and her eyes were pleading with her as well. Hermione took a deep breath. Luna nodded at her in encouragement.

“Harry, Luna thinks the other solution is to ask you to father my child,” Hermione whispered and leaned back once again, closing her eyes to block out the look of shock that would surely cover Harry face.

Two tears slid out of the corners of her eyes and down her cheeks.

“You want me to be the father of your baby?” he asked in a cracked voice.

“I told Luna it was a bad idea,” she answered.

“That's not what I asked.”

Hermione opened her eyes once again and their gazes locked. Warm chocolate brown and brilliant emerald green fighting for dominance, both full of questions, hopes, uncertainty, wishes and dreams. She finally faltered under his more potent gaze.

“I would never ask you to sacrifice yourself like that for me, Harry.”

“Again, evading the question. You've gotten too good at that. I want an honest answer, Hermione Jane. Do you, or do you not, want me to father your child? Simple yes or no question,” he explained, a bit irritated with her evasiveness.

Hermione looked at him for several seconds, her brain rapidly calculating the pros and cons of her answer. Finally, she knew in her heart what the right answer was, but try as she might, she couldn't tell him that.

“I can't do this right now,” she whispered and before either of her friends could react, she stood up and left the office.

Harry stared at the closed door for a moment before he turned to Luna. “Did I push too much?”

“No, Harry. Hermione is just scared. We've been going over this for a while. She was ready to snap and when you cornered her, she did.”

“I feel like such a fool,” he admitted as he sat down again.

“Don't. She'll come around eventually and I'm positive her answer is going to be yes. We just need to give her time to process it all.”

“I was serious, Luna. I would make her dream of being a mother a reality.”

“You don't have to tell me, Harry. I know how you feel about her.”

He swallowed with difficulty. “You do?”

Luna simply nodded. “It was only a matter of time before you two ended up together. It's practically written in the stars.” She patted his hand affectionately. “Give her a few days to cool off and then talk to her again. She'll come around.”

“Thanks, Luna.”

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A/N: To say that I am humbled by the response the first chapter got wouldn't even begin to cover my gratefulness. From the bottom of my heart, thanks! I hope this one pleases you as well.

As always, many thanks to my beta Unbloomed for her brilliant work on this chapter.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER TWO: A DECISION IS MADE

Luna simply nodded. “It was only a matter of time before you two ended up together. It's practically written in the stars.” She patted his hand affectionately. “Give her a few days to cool off and then talk to her again. She'll come around.”

“Thanks, Luna.”

0-0

A week had gone by and Harry still hadn't heard from Hermione. He still wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Hermione could rationalize things to death, but this was a bit crazy, even for her. He needed to see and talk to her. He missed her and it only served to bring home a good point. He fancied his best-friend more than he had realized.

He'd had no idea that Hermione wanted to have a child. For her to go to such extremes meant that she was more than ready to start a family, even if it was on her own. Leave it to Hermione to take the future in her own hands and not wait for destiny to bring her what she desired most. That driven nature was one of Hermione's most attractive traits. She always had a purpose and nothing got in her way once she made up her mind about something. Appearances be damned.

If he was honest with himself, the thought of fathering Hermione's child held a lot of appeal. Hermione was a very special woman and he would hate for her to go through such an important event alone. For the past fourteen years, Hermione's constant presence had meant the difference between life and death for him. Not once had she ever left his side, even when she didn't agree with his ideas. No one else could claim that. It was time he did something to repay her loyalty and kindness.

Besides, he'd wanted to settle down for a while since most of his friends were paired off and happy. He'd wanted a family to call his own for as long as he could remember. His problem, however, lay in his fame. Every woman he met or was introduced to couldn't get past who he was. None of them wanted to know the real Harry. Instead, they just wanted to be seen in the arm of the Chosen One.

Frankly, he was tired of it. It had been more than six months since he had gone out on a date. His friends knew better than to try to set him up. The only women in his life were Hermione, Luna, Ginny and his surrogate mother, Mrs. Weasley. Now he had a chance to extend his family with a child of his own.

Ron and Luna had one-year-old Matthew. Draco and Ginny had six-months-old Elizabeth. He was sure once Neville married Susan, they would also try for a baby right away. They were all happy. Maybe having a baby with Hermione would not be conventional and it would surprise many, but he was all for it. Besides, commitment and parenthood had changed all of his friend's lives for the better.

He'd thought long and hard about the situation. He'd visited Ron and Luna and they had discussed the situation at length. He had both of his friend's support and for that he was immensely grateful. He'd though about talking to Ginny and Draco, but decided against it since he didn't want Hermione's secret to be common knowledge, even amongst her friends. It would only serve to push her further away and that was not an option.

Since it was Saturday, he decided to go find her. They needed to have a long talk and make some decision. He wasn't willing to wait any longer. The longer he waited, the more excuses Hermione would be able to come with. That brain of hers was a dangerous thing at times. He knew just where to find her and after showering and dressing comfortably, he left his flat and headed out.

He arrived at a little out of the way bookstore in a quiet London street and paused for a moment before walking in. Taking a deep breath, he prepared for the upcoming conversation. He had a feeling Hermione would not be pleased to see him at first, but he wouldn't let that get in his way. He had to make her see reason.

He finally opened the door and it tinkled softly announcing his arrival. An elderly man was sitting behind the counter and smiled his greeting before going back to his book. Harry started walking towards the back looking for a mane of chestnut curls. His gut feeling told him she would be in there immersed in some out of print or first edition tome. How she'd found the quaint little store was beyond him.

He headed towards the far corner, where he knew there were some comfy chairs. As he rounded the corner, he stopped in his tracks to just admire her. She was curled into one of the chairs, legs tucked under her, reading glasses in place, as she read from a small, delicate looking book. Her hair was pulled haphazardly into a bun, kept in place by a pencil. She was wearing soft looking jeans with a rip on one knee and a small tee that hugged all of her curves. Her trusty leather loafers were on the floor as well as her laptop bag.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he said, startling her.

Hermione looked up at him, open mouthed, unsure of what to say or do. She took off her reading glasses and folded them before laying them and the book on top of the table by her chair.

“How did you find me?” she asked casually, hoping her voice didn't betray her. She wasn't sure what else to say.

“Not hard to do, knowing you as well as I do. Mind if I sit down?”

Without waiting for her approval, he sat on the chair next to hers.

“What are you doing here, Harry?” she asked without preamble. She wasn't into playing games.

“I'd think that would be quite obvious, Hermione. I'm here to talk to you. I've gone along with your avoidance of the matter at hand all week, but enough is enough. I'm here to finish that conversation we started.”

Hermione nodded and looked down at her clasped hands. It figured the he wouldn't leave it alone, she thought.

“I don't even know where to start, to be honest,” she finally admitted.

“Why don't you start at the beginning? What brought this on?”

“Matthews's birthday.”

“Our godson's birthday? How come?”

“He's a year old, Harry, and sometimes it feels as if he was just born yesterday. Then there's Lizzie, six-months old already. I'm sure the minute Neville and Susan marry they will have a child as well. It just brought home that I'm alone and at the rate I'm going, I'm never going to have a child of my own.”

“So you decided to take your future into your own hands and speed things along?”

“Something like that.”

“And you would rather have a baby by some unknown stranger than let me help you?”

Hermione finally looked up and their eyes locked.

“It's not that I don't appreciate your help, Harry. Honestly, I am deeply honoured that you would be willing to go along with this. However, I can't have you sacrificing yourself to make me happy.”

“Excuse my bluntness here, Hermione, but who gives you the right to decide that for me? As brilliant as you are, you can't possibly know how I feel about this since you haven't given me the time of day as of late. What makes you think that this is something I don't want as much as you?”

Hermione just stared at him, unable to move or say anything. It had been kind of arrogant of her to assume he would be opposed to the idea.

“Do you want to get out of here and go for a walk? It might help,” Harry suggested when the silence stretched for several minutes.

Hermione just nodded and started putting on her shoes. She stood up and went to grab her bag, but Harry beat her to it and grabbed it first. He settled the strap over his shoulder and signaled for her to go first after she had gathered her other personal items.

Hermione paused at the counter to say goodbye to the elderly man. “I'll probably see you next weekend, John. It was good to see you again.”

“It's always a pleasure to see you, Miss Hermione. Come by any time you want.”

“Thank you.”

“Is this your young man?” he asked with a smile as he looked over at Harry.

Before Hermione could answer, Harry stretched his hand and shook John's. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. John. My name is Harry.”

“Good to meet you as well, lad. Good choice, Miss Hermione. A young man with manners is hard to find now a days.”

“Oh, but he's not…”

“I hope we see you again soon, Mr. John. Right now we're in a bit of a hurry, since I'm taking this beautiful young woman to lunch and we have reservations.”

“Move along then and have fun. Mustn't get in the way of young love!”

Before Hermione could say something to the contrary, as Harry was well aware she would do, he put his hand on the small of her back and pushed her gently towards the door. John smiled at them as he waved goodbye.

Hermione waited until they were a couple of blocks from the store before voicing her protest. It didn't help that Harry's hand was still nestled possessively on her back.

“That was completely unnecessary.”

“It was fun, admit it,” he joked.

“You didn't see me laughing, did you?”

“Perhaps, but Mr. John seemed to like it. Besides, he said I was a well mannered young man and old people know best.”

“That's simply because he doesn't know you or the tomfoolery you're so fond of.”

Harry laughed as he put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. “Oh, come on, `Mione, loosen up and have some fun.”

“You're a git.”

“But you love me just the same.”

“Yeah, you should be grateful for that, you silly man.”

Harry kissed her temple and smiled. “I love you, too, `Mione.”

She smiled. There was no point in continuing to pretend to be mad at him. He was in a good mood and nothing would change that.

“Are you really taking me to lunch? I didn't eat breakfast and I'm starving.”

“Of course I'm taking you to eat something. You're too skinny as it is. I don't know how you can go so many hours without eating.”

“I eat when I remember to. I'm just so busy all the time that sometimes I forget.”

“We'll have to work on that. I can't have you not eating properly now that we're going to have a child.”

“Harry…” she began, but he cut her off.

“You might as well get used to the idea, Hermione. I'm not going to give up until I have you convinced this is the way to go.”

“Fine.”

“Does that mean you agree?”

“No! It simply means that I'm too hungry to think properly right now. I don't argue unless I know I'm going to win.”

“I'm sad to inform you that this time you won't win, Miss Granger.”

“Humph!”

0-0

“Do you think he'll convince her?” Ron asked Luna as they strolled down the park.

Matthew slept in his baby carriage as Ron pushed. Luna had her arm wrapped around his and her head was resting on his shoulder.

“I think he will. Our Hermione is a stubborn one, but if someone can break through those walls, it's Harry. When has she ever said no to him?”

Ron thought about that for a moment.

“I can't really think of a time. She's always had a soft spot for him in her heart and goes along with him just to make him happy. Even the times she didn't agree with him and thought we'd be in peril of death, she went along.”

“Exactly! I know she's scared and doesn't think it's fair to involve him, but I think she's wrong. Harry loves her more than she knows and I know he'd be keen on settling down with her. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at her. He's quite smitten and he isn't always so good at hiding it. I don't think he realizes the depth of his feeling either, but he will.”

“I think I've know for years as well. Maybe he didn't ask her out because we dated, but it wouldn't bother me one bit. I wouldn't change my life for anything. I have the most wonderful wife a man could ask for and Matthew just completed that happiness. I want the same thing for them.”

“Oh, Ronald, sometimes you have such a way with words it's all I can do not to jump you right here and now!”

Ron smiled down at his wife. “I'm all for jumping. Just wait until we get home a little later.”

Luna laughed joyfully.

0-0

Harry watched Hermione as she licked the spoon once again. He'd ordered her a white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake not knowing it would be sheer torture to watch her eat it.

Did the minx not notice how affected he was watching that pink tongue lick the spoon clean over and over again?

“Are you done yet?” he asked in a voice that sounded strained even to him.

“Almost,” she answered as she put the last piece in her mouth and closed her eyes while savoring it.

Harry's member stirred. He couldn't help it. He took a cautious look around and noticed more than one patron ensnared by her actions. Men and women alike! A woman went as far as smacking her husband on the side of the head with the menu. Harry had to stifle a laugh.

He couldn't blame them, though. Hermione had let her hair lose and the curly waves reached the middle of her back. The overhead light reflected off the golden strands nestled amongst the chestnut ones. Even dressed comfortably as she was, she managed to attract attention to herself and she didn't even notice.

Hermione finished and smiled at him. “I think I'm done. It was a lovely lunch, so thank you for bringing me. I can't remember the last time I ate so much.”

“No kidding. Even Ron would have been impressed by it.”

Her laugh was melodious and he found himself laughing along. It was at times like this that he knew his decision was the right one.

“Do you want to go for a walk?” she asked once the waiter had removed their plates.

“A walk sounds like a good plan. We can finish our talk then.”

“Do we really have to?” she asked with a pout.

“Yes, so don't bother with the pout. It usually works, but not today.”

“Spoil sport.”

“Umm hmm.”

The waiter came back with the receipt and Harry signed it. After leaving a nice tip on the table, he stood and pulled Hermione's chair back. She stood up graciously and allowed him to lead her out of the restaurant.

Once outside, he took her hand again and led her in the direction of the park. This time, she followed along, smiling happily at being away from her office and spending time with her best friend, even if he could be an atrocious boar at times. The thought made her giggle.

“What seems to be so funny, Miss Granger?” he inquired while smiling down at her.

`Oh, nothing much. I'm just enjoying the day and the company.”

“That's good to know. Do you want to walk around for a bit or sit down?”

“Walk. I'm too full and a slow stroll will help me.”

“Slow stroll it is.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes, enjoying each other and their surroundings. Hermione was used to holding Harry's hand, so it didn't bother her in the least to do so as they walked. Harry was swinging their clasped hands playfully between them when he noticed a redheaded man and his blonde companion walking towards them.

“Aren't those Ron and Luna, `Mione?”

“I think they are. It'd be too much of a coincidence. Let's go say hi.”

As they approached the other couple, Luna looked up and noticed them. She waved enthusiastically and Ron grinned.

“Hey! What a lovely surprise to see you here,” Luna greeted as she kissed them both.

“It's lovely to see you as well,” Hermione responded.

She gave Ron a kiss and immediately forgot about them when she spotted Matthew. He was finally awake and smiling up at his godmother. She stroked his cheek softly and he grabbed on to her finger. She ticked him and he laughed merrily. He lifted both arms to her and she immediately took him out of the carriage and held him close to her body, all the while cooing at him and whispering sweet nothings into his ear. Matthew loved the attention and it showed.

Harry, Ron and Luna watched her and each other, speaking with their eyes. Luna leaned back against her husband and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Harry watched her for a few moments before tearing his gaze away. He could picture her with their child, doing the same things, and it made his resolve stronger.

He would find a way to convince her that he was her only choice to have a child.

He just had to.

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A/N: I'm humbled once again by the response the story has gotten. I want to thank each of you for taking the time to read. A special thanks to those who take the time to review as well.

If it wasn't for my beta, Unbloomed, this wouldn't look as good. Thank you!

This chapter is one of my very favorites so far, so I hope you enjoy it as well.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER THREE: JUST A BIT AWKWARD

He would find a way to convince her that he was her only choice to have a child.

He just had to.

0-0

“She's quite taken with him, isn't she?” Ron whispered to his wife and friend.

“Yes, she is. She's going to be a great mother,” Luna added.

“And I'm going to make it happen,” Harry said and blushed when he realized he had spoken aloud.

Luna and Ron smiled at him.

“Good of you, mate. It's about bloody time,” Ron said while patting him on the back.

“Why don't we conjure up a blanket and find a nice shade to sit and talk for a while. We haven't spent much time together as of late,” Luna suggested.

“I think it's a great idea, love. Maybe between the three of us we can talk some sense into Miss Stubborn over there,” Ron agreed.

Harry laughed at his comment and it caught her attention.

“What seems to be so funny?”

“Nothing, love, just having a grand time.”

Hermione blushed at the endearment, since it flowed so naturally from his lips. She was sure it wouldn't take much to get used to hearing it all the time.

“That tree over there has plenty of shade,” Luna said pointing towards her left. “Why don't we settle there for a while?”

They all nodded and started walking in that direction. In no time, they had a freshly conjured blanket on the ground and were sitting around chatting amicably.

That is, until Ron decided to push Hermione's buttons, something he was brilliant at.

“Hermione, where's your wand?” he asked nonchalantly.

She looked suspiciously at him. “Shrunk in my pocket. Why?”

“Can I see it for a moment?”

Harry and Luna exchanged amused glances knowing well what was coming.

“Why do you want to see my wand? What if a Muggle sees you with it? Where's your wand?”

“You do know we're at a park and not in front of the Wizagamont, right?” he asked her.

“Don't be a prat, Ron.”

“Seriously, Hermione, you need to learn how to relax. I need your wand because I want to talk to you about something important without fear of losing my bollocks by one of your hexes.”

Hermione's eyes widened at his answer.

“I'm definitely not parting with my wand now. Say what you have to say now and deal with the consequences after.”

“Bloody hell, Hermione, you're no fun. Give me the wand, come on, don't be difficult,” he begged.

“Give him the wand, `Mione, he's not going to break it,” Harry assured her. “He just wants it because he's scared of you.”

That caused Luna to laugh. Hermione had to smile as well when she saw Ron's flushed face.

“Oi! Don't try to help me too much, mate. I was doing fine on my own.”

“Sure you were, Ron.”

Hermione finally relented and took the shrunken wand out of her pocket. She handed it to Ron and he sighed with relief. He pocketed it for good measure before turning back to her.

“Now then, when are you going to make up your mind about having Harry's sprog? Clock's ticking you know, and he desperately wants to help you with the situation. I don't see what the big deal about it is. It seems like a perfectly good idea to me!”

Hermione visibly paled.

“Why, you conniving little bastard,” she exclaimed as she sprung forward to try and grab him.

Used to this by now, Harry easily reached for her waist and prevented her from attacking Ron. He pulled her back against him and settled her between his spread legs. He kept his arms loosely around her while Luna smiled at them affectionately. Even Matthew laughed at the silly adults around him.

“Harry, let me go. I'm going to kick his red-headed arse,” Hermione threatened as she tried to get lose.

“You will do no such thing. This is Ron we're talking about. Your wonderfully tactless best-friend. Besides, you don't want to leave Luna a widow and Matthew fatherless, do you?”

Hermione looked over at Matthew and he smiled at her, blowing bubbles with his mouth. As usual, her heart melted at the sight, especially when he raised his arms towards her. Hermione immediately forgot about Ron as she grabbed him and bounced him up and down to his delight.

“See what I mean? You're a natural, Hermione. Having a child of your own will change your life forever and for all the right reasons. Harry is willing to help. So are Luna and I. You don't have to do this alone because we are family, and as such, we want to be involved and help in any way we can.”

All eyes turned towards Ron in surprise. It wasn't usual to hear him spout such insightful words.

“Ronald, that is one of the reasons I love you so much,” Luna said as she moved closer to him. “Most of the time you're clueless, but there are times, like now, when you show us all the mature man you are as well!”

“Oh, thank you, love.”

Hermione pondered his words for a while, wondering why she was being so hesitant about saying yes to Harry. She knew it'd be the perfect solution. She was being impractical, but deep down she knew that crossing that line with Harry would entail more than just having a child. It could change their relationship forever and that gave her pause.

“What are you thinking about?” Harry asked softly after a few minutes of silence.

Without noticing she had done so, Hermione had nestled comfortably against his chest while Matthew sat on her lap munching on his closed fist, gurgling happily as he did so. Hermione was stroking his strawberry-blonde hair and smiling down at him.

“I'm thinking this feels right. I love being with Matthew and I love being with all of you. I know you might not believe me, but I miss doing this. I'm always at work and I don't get to see any of you as often as I would like. At some point in my life I have to rearrange my priorities and do what makes me happiest.”

Harry nodded in understanding. “You're so good with him, `Mione. Sometimes you do it without even noticing. You're going to be a great mother and I would love to be the one to make it happen.”

She tilted her head sideways to look at him. “Can you promise it won't change things between us?”

“I can promise to do my best, but you know very well I can't make a promise like that. Besides, who's to say things won't change for the best?”

“What do you mean by that, Harry?”

“Have you noticed how we're sitting?”

Hermione took a moment and then smiled shyly.

“Somehow I always end up in your lap, don't I?”

“I think it's because we're so comfortable around each other that it comes natural to us. I mean, right now we're thinking about having a baby together and that will take a lot of commitment from both of us. But maybe, later on, it can grow into more.”

“Do you think that's really possible?”

“I don't know. Maybe. We have the foundation for it, so anything is possible.”

“I guess you're right, but let's not focus on that right now.”

“So what do you say, `Mione?” he asked while pulling her closer to him. “Are we going to have a baby together or not?”

Hermione thought about it for a few more minutes in silence. Finally, after weighing pros and cons for a bit, she made her decision.

“I would like to have a baby with you, Harry. I can't think of anyone more suited for it than you,” Hermione finally answered.

“Then it's settled,” Harry, said, letting go of the breath he hadn't been aware he was holding.

“What's settled?” Luna asked anxiously.

She had been watching the exchange between Hermione and Harry for a while and was basically holding her breath waiting for the answer as well. Ron didn't fair much better.

“We're going to have a baby!” Harry announced happily.

Hermione was floored, since hearing Harry say it made it real. For the moment she would ignore the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of it.

Luna gave a little squeak of delight. Ron let out a loud whoop. Harry just smiled goofily.

Hermione snapped out of it a few minutes later. “I'll call my doctor as soon as you are ready to make the appointment. Hopefully it won't take more than one try.”

“What won't take more than one try? I'm not sick. Why do I have to go see the doctor?” he asked, clearly confused.

“So you can donate the sperm that will then be transferred to my body,” she explained blushing madly.

Harry's happiness evaporated in an instant. Luna and Ron frowned.

“I think you misunderstood me, `Mione. I'm not donating anything.”

Now it was Hermione turn to frown. Luna held her breath. Ron bit a nail. Matthew gurgled on.

“What? Then how am I supposed to get pregnant, Harry?” she asked bewildered by what he had just said.

“Why, the old-fashioned way, of course. Luna was right. I don't want my child to be brought into this world because of some clinical advance. I want our child conceived out of love.”

“But we aren't in love with each other!” Hermione reminded him in a frustrated voice.

“That might be true, but we do love each other and that's what counts.”

“Harry is right, Hermione. It would make more sense to do it that way. Besides, what you want to do is very expensive and sleeping with Harry won't cost you a Knut!” Luna pointed out with a bright smile.

It was clear that Luna was enjoying the current turn of events immensely. Hermione wasn't too thrilled and wanted to smack her a good one. She could feel her face burning with embarrassment. Ron just smiled gaily as he watched his friends.

“Fine. I can see I won't win against the three of you on this one,” she finally admitted in defeat.

Harry smiled brightly at her statement. Ron grinned at his two best-friends and wondered if this would finally bring them together. Everyone always thought he was slow on the uptake, but he'd figured his friends belonged with each other ages ago. He was surprised they hadn't noticed yet, as smart as they both were. Go figure!

“How about I take you home later and we can discuss how to go about this?”

Hermione just nodded. There wasn't much she could say at the moment.

Harry, noticing her discomfort, hugged her closer still. “Please don't worry so much. We've been a team for a long time and I promise you we will make this work. I won't let you down, love.”

“Harry's right, Hermione. He's going to do right by you. If not, I'll be the one hexing his bollocks off,” Ron promised.

“Hermione, focus on the positives and everything will work out fine,” Luna advised.

“I know. It's just a lot to take in at the same time.”

“We defeated Voldemort. This will seem like child's play compared to that. Besides, anytime shagging is involved, things turn out better,” Ron pointed out with a grin.

“Ronald, don't be so crude,” Hermione reprimanded while blushing madly.

Luna and Harry just laughed.

0-0

Harry dropped-off Hermione at her flat a couple of hours later and promised to be back that night with take-out. She just nodded her acceptance and walked into the bathroom the moment he was gone. She was nervous and unsettled and a warm soak was in order. Harry had thrown her for a loop and she was confused. It was hard to tell if this was another case of his `saving people thing' or if he was doing it because he really wanted to.

After soaking in the warm water for an hour, she dried off and dressed comfortably. It seems as if she was on auto-pilot, going to the kitchen, pouring a glass of red wine, going to the living room and sitting on a favorite chair by the fireplace, and automatically reaching for a book. The last action snapped her out of it knowing she was too nervous to read it properly.

Instead, she thought long and hard about her future and what she wanted.

About an hour later, she heard Harry Apparating into the kitchen. She swallowed with difficulty and got up from the chair when he called out her name. She walked into the kitchen to see him humming happily to himself and taking plates out of the cabinet.

“I went to that Thai restaurant you like and brought all your favorites. I hope you're hungry!”

“Actually, I think I'm too nervous to eat right now, but you go ahead without me.”

Harry swirled around and looked at her. “You have to eat, Hermione.”

“I'll eat a little later, I promise.”

“Alright. I'll eat later as well. I'll just put a charm on the food to keep it warm and we can talk in the mean time.”

Hermione tried to protest but he would have none of it. After charming the food, he took her hand and led her back to the living room. As she moved towards the chair, he pulled her with him to the comfortable leather couch that faced the fireplace.

Harry waited for her to sit and then sat sideways so he could face her. “Alright, `Mione, let's really talk about this baby business of yours. What brought it on?”

Hermione turned on her side as well and faced him. She fidgeted with her hands nervously.

“I guess I realized that life was passing me by uneventfully and I decided to do something about it. My friends are all in committed relationships. Some even have babies. All I do is work. I don't want to wake up one day and realize that all I have to show for my life is in the form of Certificates of Appreciation and plaques on my walls.”

“I'm single as well and I don't have any kids,” Harry reminded her softly.

“It's different for men. You can father a child for a long time. Women are dissimilar. The older you get, the more risks involved. I might be a Witch, but I'm also a Muggle, so I'm not sure how that will work in terms of longevity. I don't know how having a magical child will affect my body, so I don't want to wait much longer to try.”

“Why were you thinking of going to a sperm bank?” he asked curiously.

“Because we don't have anything like that in the Wizarding world. I figured it was my only choice,” she explained with a shrug of her shoulders.

“And you're sure you don't want to wait until you meet someone special?”

“Harry, when was the last time I went on a date?”

Harry had to think hard about that one. It had been a while, of that he was sure.

“I don't remember,” he finally admitted.

“Exactly. I don't meet many men that interest me. I don't go out much. My life is centered on my work and the little I do go out is with all of you. At that rate, I'll never have a child.”

“Did you think of anyone else besides me to father your child?”

“No! That was Luna's idea after all. I was set on in-vitro or adoption. I didn't think it would be fair to involve any of you.”

Harry nodded. “You still don't like the idea, do you?”

Hermione met his eyes and blushed. “Harry, it's not that I don't think you would be an excellent father. Actually, I think you would be absolutely brilliant at it.”

“Then why the hesitation if I'm willing?”

“Several reasons, in fact. I don't really want a commitment, Harry, and that is why I was willing to go at it alone. You've been sacrificing yourself for others for most of your life. I don't want you to do this as a sacrifice to help me as well.”

“Having a child is a life-long commitment, so excuse me for not really believing that one. And who told you it would be a sacrifice? Having a child is one of my dreams, as you well know. You're my best friend, `Mione and I would do anything to make you happy. Anything,” he stressed.

“Don't you think it's going to be just a little bit awkward?” she insisted.

“Why would it be awkward? I love you and you love me. We might not be in love with each other, but there are still strong feelings involved. We both want this child. We would love him or her unconditionally. I would support you every step of the way and then after. I don't see a problem.”

“What if later on you meet someone you want to be with? What are you going to do then?”

“I would still love and take care of our child. Besides, the same could be said for you. What if it's you that falls in love later on?”

“That's highly doubtful at this point, but if it happened, that child would still be ours. That would never change,” she promised.

“See? This isn't as difficult as you think. Can you just imagine what a powerful Wizard or Witch our child is going to be? Not to mention gorgeous!”

Hermione laughed at his words, her nervousness finally lifting. “You're so ridiculous, Harry!”

“It's true and you know it. We're both very powerful and you're beautiful. I'm not too shabby myself. This kid of ours is going to be something special.”

They were quiet for a few minutes, each lost in their thoughts. Hermione finally broke the silence with a question that had been bothering her for quite some time.

“Harry? Does the thought of sleeping with me not bother you at all? Are you really okay with that?”

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A/N: As always, thanks so much for the wonderful reviews. To my beta Unbloomed, many heartfelt thanks! Enjoy and let me know what you think.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER FOUR: MOVING FORWARD

They were quiet for a few minutes, each lost in their thoughts. Hermione finally broke the silence with a question that had been bothering her for quite some time.

“Harry? Does the thought of sleeping with me not bother you at all? Are you really okay with that?”

0-0

Harry took his time to answer. He didn't want to scare her, but he didn't want to lie either. Hermione would see right through him, as she always had.

Hermione watched him and waited with abated breath to see what his answer would be.

“I can't say that it does,” he finally confessed.

“Not even a little bit?” she pressed, completely taken aback by his sincere answer.

“No - Wait a minute! Does the thought of sleeping with me bother you?”

Hermione blushed. “I didn't say that.”

“Then why are you questioning me so much about it?”

“Because I don't want you to feel coerced into doing it. I've seen the women you date, Harry, and I am nothing like them. I don't think my misgivings are unreasonable at all.”

“The women I've dated can't compare to you at all. And do you know why?”

“No. Why don't you enlighten me?” she asked sarcastically.

He chose wisely to ignore her tone. “Because you are so much better than them. You are smart, kind and beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have you. In fact, I know many men at the Ministry who have wanted to ask you out for ages!”

“Then why don't they?”

“Because you intimidate them and they don't have the bollocks to ask. You are a force to be reckoned with and not many men are willing to try. The way you carry yourself, so self-assured and proud, doesn't really invite contact.”

“So you're saying I'm frigid and cold-hearted,” she said testily.

“Do not put words into my mouth, Hermione Jane. I never even implied that.”

“You're right, I'm sorry. It's just the way I am. I don't know how to flirt like the other girls. I've always been serious and studious. If that makes me intimidating, I'm sorry.”

“Don't ever apologize for who you are. Besides, I'm not intimidated in the least. That's why we get along so well. We like and respect each other. We value our friendship and we love each other. I think we have the perfect base for bringing a child into this world.”

“I know you're right, I do. It's just that I wanted to do this without having to involve any of you in it.”

“I know you keep saying that, but it would be impossible. The minute we all found out we would have been involved immediately. We all consider each other family. What's more, if you really wanted that, you wouldn't have told Luna to begin with,” he reminder her with a smirk.

Hermione glared at him.

“Fine! I see I'm going to lose this argument no matter what I say. Let's move on to how we're going to go about this, then.”

“I already told you there will be nothing artificial or clinical about it. Other than that, I'm happy with whatever you decide.”

Hermione bushed at his candidness but moved on.

“I've been doing some reading on it and there are times of the month when it would be more ideal than others. So during that time, we would have to do it often and maybe we will get it right in a couple of tries.”

“How long before you know if we have succeeded or not?”

“A couple of weeks at least. Some of the home tests in the market today are quite remarkable. There is also the magical exam, which I'm sure might be quicker.”

“How often do you want to try?”

“I guess when the time is right we might want to try daily,” she said while looking down at her hands. She was too embarrassed to look at him while talking about it.

“There is no need to be shy about it, 'Mione. Making love is a natural act between two people.”

“Harry, how do you even know if it will work out between us? We might not want each other. We might be turned off by each other. Any number of things could go wrong. When people sleep together, it's because there's sexual attraction between them. We don't have that,” she pointed out.

“Says who? I think we can be compatible.”

“I don't mean to keep sounding like the voice of doom here, but how do you figure that?”

Harry looked at her and wondered why she was being so pessimistic and stubborn about the entire situation. Not really knowing what else to say to make her believe him, he decided to opt for the physical approach. Before she could react or say anything else, he cupped her chin in his hand and lowered his head.

At the first touch of his lips to hers, Hermione stiffened slightly. Harry, not one to give up easily on anything, didn't stop. He kept brushing his lips against hers softly, trying to get a response. A few seconds later, he could feel the tension leaving her body little by little and decided to take the kiss a bit further. He cupped the back of her neck and brought their bodies closer. Her hands came up slowly to rest against his chest. Deciding to press his luck even more, he started nibbling on her lips and felt her respond a moment later.

Hermione couldn't believe what was happening. Harry was kissing her and she was enjoying it! It had never occurred to her that it could happen, let alone that it would feel so fantastic. Harry was doing a marvelous job of not moving forward too much, too fast. The way he was easing her into the kiss was nothing short of wonderful. She finally parted her lips when she felt his tongue running softly over the bottom one. He groaned a little when his questing tongue finally came in contact with hers and pulled their bodies even closer.

Harry was in heaven. He'd wondered many times what kissing Hermione would be like and he was finally experiencing it. It was a sure bet he would want more. Her lips were soft and inviting and it was taking all of his willpower not to ravage her mouth as he really wanted to. After all, there was no need to scare her after waiting so long to finally kiss her.

After kissing for several minutes, Harry pulled back slowly and rested his forehead against Hermione's. Their breathing was ragged and they were still clinging to each other. He lowered his head and found the pulse at the base of her throat, licking it and making her shiver. Hermione's hand traveled up his chest to his raven locks and her fingers buried themselves in their softness. Harry licked and nipped on her neck while Hermione panted and tilted her head to the side to give him better access.

Knowing he had to stop before he lost it completely, Harry pulled back and stared at her flushed face. Hermione finally opened her eyes and stared back at him. Her eyes were unfocused and he smiled inwardly. He had proven his point. Her response to him was more than he had dared to hope for and for that he was grateful.

“Do you still have doubts that we can be compatible?” he asked softly.

“I can certainly accept when I have been proven wrong,” she admitted with a small smile.

“I'm glad to hear that. Just let me know when you need a quick reminder!” he joked.

She laughed softly. “I'm sure you'll be more than happy to remind me.”

“Want to try again? Just to make sure, of course,” he quickly added when he saw the knowing smirk on her face.

“They do say practice makes perfect.”

Harry smiled winsomely and lowered his head again.

Twenty minutes later, they were still at it and only stopped to give their swollen lips a break. Their breaths were coming out in short pants. It had taken all of Harry's willpower not to touch her intimately. He had kept in mind, although barely, that he couldn't push her too fast. Hermione had certainly pressed his resolve to its limits since she kept pulling on his hair to bring him closer, sucking on his bottom lip and moaning softly when he retaliated in the same fashion.

“Forgive me for being so crude, but just in case you have any doubts left, this is what you do to me with just kisses,” Harry said as he brought her hand to his lap and pressed it there.

Hermione gasped when she felt his hardness and her fingers closed instinctively over him, making him groan and close his eyes. He grabbed her hand once again and removed it gently from his lap before he could embarrass himself in front of her.

“I had no idea, Harry.”

“Now you do. I am willing and able. It's just a matter of whether you are.”

Hermione's blush told him all he needed to know, but he still wanted to hear her say it.

“My reaction might not be as visible as yours is, but believe me, Harry, I'm not immune to your charms, either,” she finally confessed in a soft voice.

“Thank you for that. I think we should stop and eat. My body can't take much more of your kisses without wanting to take it further and we're not ready for that just yet.”

Hermione nodded in response, since she was incapable of answering him in a nonchalant way. She was still shaken by the knowledge that she could affect Harry in such a physical way. More shocking was the fact that he could affect her just as much.

Harry got up from the sofa and pulled her up. He started walking in the direction of the kitchen but didn't let go of her hand. Once there, he made sure she was seated and then started opening cartons and dishing out the food. Hermione watched him without saying anything. Once he was seated, he tucked into the food and she followed suit.

Halfway through their meal, Hermione finally spoke.

“How long, Harry?”

“How long what, `Mione?”

“How long has it been since you've been intimate with someone?”

“Almost a year. Why?”

“It's been a lot longer than that for me,” she said shrugging.

“How long?”

“Almost two years.”

Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Wow. I don't think I can go that long without it. Almost a year is bad enough for me. How can you stand it?”

Her blush was back in all its glory.

“There are other ways to ease the tension when the need arises.”

“Oh.”

Now it was his turn to blush.

“What? You didn't think me capable of that? I'd rather do that than catch some disease by going to bed with some stranger.”

“True. I confess to using that method often as well. Now that I know it's been a while for you, I'll be more careful our first few tries until you get used to it again. I don't want to hurt you in any way.”

“How can you be so casual about this situation, Harry?”

“Because I'm doing it with you, Hermione. No one knows you like I do, and vice versa. I know we can make this work. I have no doubt about it so it doesn't bother me.”

“Well, I'm glad one of us is so sure about this, then. I don't know why I keep worrying.”

“Do I need to kiss you again to prove you wrong one more time? I'll even take it up a notch and see what your reaction is to that.”

Hermione had the nerve to laugh at him. “I didn't mean it in a bad way, Harry. I was just teasing you.”

“Yeah, really funny, 'Mione.”

“Oh, come on, Harry. I have to laugh about it or I won't go through with it.”

“Am I that bad looking? I thought back in fifth year you said I was fanciable.”

“And you still are. Very fanciable, in fact. But I've never thought about you as more than a friend.”

“When you kissed me earlier it didn't feel like you were kissing a friend.”

“True enough. You made me feel and desire things I haven't for a long time and I guess that's a good thing.”

“Can I propose something that might make this situation a little easier for us?”

“I'm open to any ideas at this point.” Hermione covered Harry's hand and squeezed his fingers softly. “Don't doubt for a moment that we have chemistry. I love you dearly and I know you will treat me right. I just have to get used to seeing you as a man and not just my best-friend.”

“Then this idea should work. How about going on a few dates, just us, and see if that helps you.”

“But I already told you I don't want a commitment, Harry. I don't have time for dates, much less a serious relationship.”

“And yet, here you are, making plans to have a baby. You do know they need constant attention and are time consuming, right?” he asked somewhat sarcastically.

Hermione glared at him, but even she had to admit he had a very valid point. Still, dating him in order to have a baby didn't seem necessary.

“You're right and I'm being stupid again. We seem to be having this conversation over and over and it's entirely my fault. I don't think we need to date in order for me to be comfortable. We know each other too well for that.”

“Then what do you propose? When is your next fertile period going to be?”

“Next week, in fact. And I guess we could just hang out here, maybe snog a bit and go a little further than tonight. If that doesn't do the trick, then I'm going with my original plan.”

“Again, without wanting to sound crude, you mean to tell me that what we did before did nothing for you? You didn't want to cross your legs to ease the ache? You didn't wish for me to run my hands all over your body? Tell me, Hermione, did our kissing not affect you in a physical way? If I was to rub my fingers against you intimately I would not find a tale-tell wetness there? You wouldn't be swollen and needy like I am? Be honest with me and I will back off and let you do things your way. But if not, if I can move you in any way, I want to go ahead with this.”

Hermione's face was burning with a mixture of embarrassment and need. Harry's words had touched deep and had awakened something inside of her that had been dormant for way too long. Their eyes locked and her heartbeat accelerated noticeably. What was she supposed to say when he was right about everything he had just mentioned?

-->

A/N: Many thanks to my beta Unbloomed. And to all of you for your wonderful reviews. Keep them coming!

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER FIVE: FALLING DEEPER

Hermione's face was burning with a mixture of embarrassment and need. Harry's words had touched deep and had awakened something inside of her that had been dormant for way too long. Their eyes locked and her heartbeat accelerated noticeably. What was she supposed to say when he was right about everything he had just mentioned?

0-0

Hermione felt trapped in his gaze and before she could think rationally about what she was about to do, she got up and stood in front of him. Harry watched her. His eyes had taken on the look of a predator and Hermione felt like defenseless prey, but she would be damned if she let him win. It was time she stopped being afraid and went after what she, all of a sudden, so desperately wanted. Without breaking eye contact, she started unbuttoning her jeans and lowered the zipper. She took his hand and pressed it against her belly, daring him with her eyes.

“Go on, then. You say I'm the one with the doubts. Why don't you find out for yourself just what you do to me with just kisses as you said earlier?”

Harry swallowed hard. He hadn't expected Hermione to be so forward or brave. Not about this anyways.

He should have known better. It was Hermione, after all.

His fingers were itching to move lower and find the proof of her arousal. And aroused she was if he was to judge by how hard her nipples were at the moment. Her skin felt warm and soft against his fingers and his control was weakening.

“You don't have to do this, `Mione. I believe you.”

“Harry Potter, I'd thought I'd never see the day when your bravery would fail you,” she mocked as she moved back.

Seeker reflexes in place, his arm shot out and wrapped around her waist, bringing her body flush against him. He opened his legs wide and nestled her there so she could feel his still aroused member. He cupped her cheek and their eyes locked again, and this time, the battle of wills was a different one. This time neither was willing to concede defeat. The air itself was crackling with their uncontrolled magic.

“You should know better than to push my buttons, Miss Granger,” he practically growled.

“And you should stop talking so much. Actions speak louder than words, Mr. Potter,” she growled right back.

Harry didn't waste a second more and pressed his lips to hers in a tempestuous kiss. There was no gentleness in this kiss, but a hunger that had built throughout their evening together. Harry devoured her mouth while his fingers moved slowly from her waist to her belly, leaving sizzling trails across her skin and making her muscles quiver.

Hermione's fingers ran trough his hair, driving him crazy with the need to have her. She wasn't holding anything back, making his arousal grow with an intensity he'd never felt before. Wanting to have the upper hand, his fingers sneaked down her jeans and he felt lace on the palm of his hand, making him want her even more.

Who'd have thought the proper Ms. Granger liked lace?

Hermione's body tensed at his touch, but he continued moving until his hand was pressing possessively against her sex. Even with her knickers on, he could feel the warm wetness against his fingertips. His member stirred and his pants were becoming unbearably tight. He started moving his fingers softly against her and felt Hermione moan into his mouth.

She broke the kiss and lowered her head to his shoulder, gasping his name. Harry started nuzzling her neck and bit down on one of the cords. She couldn't help but moan again. Not wanting to give him complete control, one of her hands moved down his chest and stopped when her fingers reached his erection.

It was Harry's turn to moan as Hermione pressed her palm against him. His hips buckled instinctively and she smiled at the reaction. A moment later her body tensed and shuddered when he slipped a finger past her knickers and finally touched her intimately.

The finger slid easily through her wet folds and Hermione couldn't hold back another moan at the sensation of his finger against her sensitive skin. Encouraged by her reaction and by the hand still moving against his hardness, Harry slipped a second finger through and caressed her swollen clit softly.

“Feel that, Harry? You are the cause of that wetness and swelling. Are you satisfied now?” Hermione whispered against his ear, making him shudder as well.

“I'm not going to be satisfied until we take this to its natural conclusion,” he whispered back and bit her earlobe softly.

Not wanting to lose the moment, Hermione kissed him again. The kiss was so carnal that Harry stood and pushed her against the kitchen counter, pressing his hardness into her with an urgency that she found absolutely exciting.

Hands started roaming freely and urgently at that point. Harry's free hand cupped a breast and kneaded it softly, his thumb rubbing the hard nipple. His other hand moved lower and entered Hermione slowly, giving her time to adjust. Even in his aroused state of mind he remembered it had been a while for her and he didn't want to cause any discomfort. Hermione rocked against his hand instinctively, bringing their hips closer.

A second finger found its way inside of her, moving softly in an out, while Hermione panted. Feeling bolder still, she unbuckled his belt and then undid the button of his trousers. She lowered the zipper slowly and then pushed her hand in, cupping him and making him gasp out loud at the closer contact.

“More, `Mione. I want to feel your hands on me.”

Hermione didn't hesitate and lowered his boxers until he was freed. She cupped him and Harry's knees buckled. He locked his knees while Hermione continued her ministrations, stroking him up and down and spreading the pearly drop from his tip around the head.

“How far do you want to take this?” he asked breathlessly while looking into her clouded eyes.

Hermione looked back at him while trying to decide. She wasn't ready to go all the way yet, but she didn't want to stop either. It was quite a dilemma since she didn't think she'd be able to take care of her state of arousal on her own. It wouldn't be satisfying enough.

“Can we just finish this as we are without going all the way?” she asked somewhat shyly.

“You mean finish each other off without actual penetration?” he countered with a smirk.

“So crude, Mr. Potter.”

“Only stating the obvious, darling.”

Hermione smiled. “Then yes, that's exactly what I want.”

“Not a problem, but can we at least go back to the sofa? I don't think my legs will hold me up much longer. I want you too much.”

Hermione nodded and took his hand and led him away from the kitchen. When they reached the sofa, she lied down on it and motioned for him to lie on top. He wasted no time in doing so and started kissing her again. His hands massaged her breast at the same time while his hips moved against her.

“How do you want to do this, `Mione?”

“Just touch me, Harry, I won't last long. I've been too long without a man's touch and you do it so well,” she said against his mouth.

“It'll be my pleasure. But better yet, I'm not just going to use my fingers.”

“Then how…” her words died down as he started moving down her body.

Harry reached her waist and tugged her jeans and knickers down. Hermione lifted her head and watched him, arousal growing even more at the sight of Harry between her parted legs. He winked at her and then looked down.

“Beautiful,” he murmured when he saw that his suspicion she was clean shaven proved to be right. He lowered his mouth and licked her skin before probing in between her feminine folds and finding the treasure hidden there.

“Sweet Mother of Merlin,” Hermione exclaimed trying to catch her breath as she leaned back against the cushions and buried her fingers in his hair.

Harry continued licking her slowly, sucking at the exposed skin every now and then. His hands finished removing her jeans all the way and he settled more comfortably between her legs. As his mouth pleasured her, he slid a finger inside and started moving it in and out in rhythm with his tongue.

Hermione exploded a few minutes later, having predicted as much earlier. Harry didn't stop right away, but continued what he was doing until she pulled his head back and clamped her legs together. He smiled as he moved up her trembling body.

He ran a finger under his wet chin and pressed it against her lips.

“Taste yourself for me, `Mione. See just how delicious it was.”

Hermione parted her lips and he pushed his finger in slowly, groaning as her tongue circled it and sucked on it.

“Merlin, Hermione, you do that so well.”

“I can do it somewhere else,” she offered huskily.

“You would really do that for me?” he asked, clearly astounded by her offering.

“I don't see why not. You did it for me.”

“You don't have to unless you want to. I didn't do it just so you would reciprocate. I did it because I wanted to.”

“The same reason I'm going to do it. Lean back for me and just enjoy it.”

Harry wasted no time doing as she asked. He leaned against the opposite side of the sofa and she crawled over to him, stopping when she reached his waist. Together they tugged his pants down and Hermione winked saucily at him before taking him into her hand. He closed his eyes when he felt her mouth envelop him.

Her mouth was so warm and so wet it took all of his will power not to come right then and there. Had he known Hermione was such a minx, he would have acted on his feeling for her a lot sooner.

“Gods, Hermione, that feels amazing,” he whispered as his fingers tangled in her chestnut curls.

Hermione smiled before she started humming softly and Harry lost it then. He was unable to hold back as he came as he hadn't in a really long time. Hermione held him in her mouth while his body shook and didn't let go until he gently pulled her head back. She crawled over his body and dropped a quick kiss on his mouth.

“Was it as good for you as it was for me?” she asked.

“You have no idea,” he said with a brilliant smile on his lips.

She smiled back and laid her head on his chest. He stroked her back slowly as he came down from his high. Several minutes passed by in silence until Harry started to worry.

“Are you having regrets?” he asked, careful to keep his tone light.

“No.”

“Then why are you so quiet all of a sudden?”

“I still can't believe we did this, is all,” she confessed slowly.

“It was bound to happen eventually,” he reminded her.

“I know. It's still surprising how good it was when we've never thought of each other as more than friends.”

“That's what I was trying to tell you earlier. We love and respect each other. I don't think I would feel the same if it had been with someone I didn't know as well as you.”

“I guess that makes sense. I never would have acted as I did earlier with someone I had just met.”

“You have to believe this is going to work between us. I don't want you to focus solely on conceiving a child. I want you to enjoy it as well.”

“I have no doubt you'll make it enjoyable. And I noticed how careful you were with me before. I want you to know I appreciate that.”

“I'd never be able to hurt you, Hermione. You mean too much to me.”

“As much as I'm enjoying being with you like this, I think we should get dressed before something else happens.”

He chuckled at her words. “Would that be so bad? I still want you, you know.”

“There's always tomorrow. Maybe we can go a bit further then.”

“That sounds good.”

Hermione got up carefully and started fixing her clothing. Harry did the same.

“I guess I should go. Even though we don't have to work tomorrow, I want to give you time to get used to what happened tonight.”

“Thanks, Harry. Sometimes it's scary how well you know me.”

“It comes with the territory.”

Hermione smiled and hugged him tightly. Harry kissed her deeply one more time before bidding her goodnight and Apparating away.

Hermione brought her fingers to her lips and sighed. Things were quickly falling out of her control and she didn't really like it. However, there was no way she would regret the things that had happened between them. It had only been oral sex and she had seen stars. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of going further with him.

She had to be honest with herself and admit that she was very much looking forward to that.

0-0

Harry Apparated home with a big smile on his face. He decided on a shower before going to bed. As he lathered his body, he couldn't help but remember Hermione's hands on him and his member stirred once more.

“Down, boy, not until tomorrow,” he promised.

Now that he'd had a taste of Hermione, he was going to do everything in his power to make it work between them. He'd never be able to live with himself if he let the opportunity pass him by.

The thought of another man touching or kissing Hermione made him sick. He had been looking for a way to approach her about his growing feelings for her and this was his one chance. If he played his cards right, they would be in a committed relationship by the time the baby came.

With that thought firmly in mind, he finished his shower and went to bed.

0-0

The next morning found Harry in the shower again. He'd woken up with the biggest hard-on of his life, courtesy of a very vivid dream that involved a certain curly-haired brunette.

Oh, the things they had been doing to each other in that dream!

They were unbelievable and he wanted to make them a reality at some point.

Unable to stop himself, he started moving his hand up and down, trying to ease the ache. He felt a bit guilty wanking off and thinking of Hermione, but he couldn't help himself. It felt too good and it was better this way. He had plans to go and see her and it wouldn't do for Junior to start acting up the minute he saw her.

He was finishing his shower when he felt the wards on his place shift. Hermione had just Apparated into the building. He quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and went to answer the door just as she started knocking.

0-0

Hermione had woken up early as usual and had decided to surprise Harry with breakfast. He had invaded her dreams all night and she had woken needy and aroused, something she wasn't familiar with and it scared her. Harry was her best friend and she trusted him. She just had to remember that for the duration of this new adventure they were embarking on.

She knocked on the door and waited for him to answer. She usually Apparated directly into the flat, but this morning she had been shy to do so, especially after the dreams.

A moment later, he answered the door and it was all she could do not to start drooling like some silly teenager on a hormonal attack.

Harry stared back at her and smiled knowingly. He felt a drop of water cascade down his chest and her eyes followed it hungrily until it disappeared into the towel still tied at his waist. He let her eyes roam over his body and take her fill. He'd never been a proud man and took his looks for granted, but for the first time in his life he was glad he kept up a rigorous work-out routine that was responsible for how he looked.

Hermione finally noticed she had been staring for several minutes and finally lifted her eyes to connect with Harry's amused ones. He leaned down and pecked her cheek as he usually did, which made her snap out of it.

“Do you always answer your door so scarcely clad?”

“Only when I want to impress the ladies,” he joked.

“Well, don't let me stop you, then,” Hermione hissed as she pressed a bag of still warm croissants into his chest and turned around to leave.

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A/N: My apologies for the late post and for not answering any of the reviews as I usually do. I've been sick for a bit. As always, thanks to my beta Unbloomed.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER SIX: GETTING TO KNOW YOU AGAIN

“Do you always answer your door so scarcely clad?”

“Only when I want to impress the ladies,” he joked.

“Well, don't let me stop you, then,” Hermione hissed as she pressed a bag of still warm croissants into his chest and turned around to leave.

0-0

Harry started at her retrieving back for two seconds before he snapped out of it and took off down the hallway after her. Her grabbed her arm and turned her around.

“Where are you going?” he asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice.

“Home! It was a stupid idea to come and see you. You seem to be getting ready for someone else.”

“I was getting ready for you, woman! I was planning on taking you out to breakfast.”

Hermione felt herself blush for jumping to conclusions as she had. A soft oh was her eloquent and intelligent response.

Harry took her hand and led her down the hallway and back into his flat. He closed the door quietly behind them and didn't bother saying anything. He just took her into his arms and kissed her senseless, a bag of forgotten croissants at their feet.

Hermione's response was immediate. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pressed closer to his body. Her hands roamed his still wet lower back and she loved the feeling of his sleek muscles as they rippled in response to her ministrations. She kissed him back with all of the pent up hunger she had been feeling since waking up wet and aching for his touch.

Several minutes later, Harry broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers, their breathing a bit out of control.

“I don't know why you had to assume I was going to see someone else after what happened between us last night, `Mione.”

Try as he might, he wasn't able to keep the hurt out of his voice and Hermione caught it. It only made her feel worse about her idiotic reaction.

“I don't know what came over me. It was a stupid reaction and I apologize for hurting your feelings. I didn't mean it,” she told him as she laid her head on his shoulder and hugged him close.

“Don't do it again. You should know me better that than and I'm actually disappointed that you don't.”

His words cut her deep and she had to face facts: she had been deliriously jealous at the prospect of him going out to see another woman that wasn't her. There you had it. Hermione Jane Granger, bookworm extraordinaire, had feelings just as any other woman in the planet and it came as a shock, even to her.

“I do know you, Harry.”

“Then why did you do it?”

Hermione broke away from him and took a couple of steps back. She couldn't really have this conversation being that close to him. She looked everywhere but at him. Harry waited anxiously for her response, since a lot depended on her answer. He wanted to see just how honest she could be.

Hermione ran a hand through her curls in frustration.

“I was jealous, okay?” she finally admitted. “I acted like any other silly woman would have and I let my heart control my actions instead of my brain.”

Harry tried, really tried, to keep the smile from forming on his lips, but it was a lost battle and he knew it.

“Thank you.”

“For what? I hate acting like a fool.”

“Thank you for your honesty. While there is no reason you should feel that way, I am still flattered that you would get jealous at the thought of me being with someone other that you. However, there is nothing for you to worry about. I am committed to seeing this through and there will be no one else in my life for the duration of it, and possibly after.”

His words caught her by surprise, especially his talk of the future. It pleased her immensely that he felt that way, since she did as well. Things were going slightly different than planned, but as scary as that was, they both wanted to move forward.

“Do you still want to take me to breakfast? I think the croissants I brought over are mangled beyond recognition.”

“Of course I want to take you to breakfast. I was hoping we could spend the day together. I have some shopping to do and I'd like it if you'd go with me.”

“Sounds good. I could get some new clothes and shoes.”

He raised his eyebrows at that. “You just sounded like such a girl!”

She smacked his arm and laughed. “I am a girl, you oaf! Even when you and Ronald were completely oblivious to that fact for years.”

“Believe me, `Mione, I was never oblivious. I just never acted on it.”

Before Hermione could reply, he started walking down the hall towards his bedroom. Hermione stared after him, eyes wide with surprise, and wondering what exactly he had meant. Had Harry felt something towards her even back in school? How come she'd never noticed?

She went to the bathroom to fix her make-up and apply a fresh coat of strawberry lip-gloss. She fixed her hair and straighten out her clothes. When she noticed what she was doing, she started laughing. It was actually kind of fun to get ready for someone else, especially when that someone could kiss like an angel!

Once she was finished, she went to the living room to wait for Harry, knowing he was bound to take a few minutes getting ready. Unlike Ron, who took no time getting ready for anything, Harry took his time. Everything was supposed to match. It was one of the reasons she loved going shopping with him. He actually had really good taste in both men's and women's clothing.

Fifteen minutes later, he was back. Hermione took the time to admire him. Light blue Levi's that accentuated his fit legs and tight bum. A stripped polo shirt that his chest filled out nicely. Brown, leather loafers and matching belt completed the look. Even his hair, which was as unruly as ever, looked good. His woodsy cologne reached her nostrils and she smiled knowingly at him. It was the one she had given him for his birthday.

“Ready to go?” she asked as she got up and went to him.

“Yes. Thank you for waiting patiently.”

“It's not a problem. You look very handsome, by the way.”

“I'm glad you approve, Miss Granger. I did it for you.”

“Thank you!”

“And you look lovely yourself. Forgive me for being so blunt, but the way you fill those jeans and that tiny shirt should be consider illegal!”

Hermione had the grace to blush at his candid words. So her jeans were a bit tight and her baby tee hugged her curves. It wasn't as if she had done it on purpose.

Right, said the voice inside her head. And I'm Mother Theresa!

Oh, shut up, you.

Alright, no need to get upset. Just pointing out the obvious.

Completely ignoring you now.

Have it your way, then. Just as long as we both know you dressed with him in mind, I'm happy.

Go away!

So rude!

“Are you done talking to yourself now?” an amused Harry asked.

Hermione snapped out of it and laughed. “Once again, it's scary how well you know me sometimes!”

“Ready to go? All of a sudden I'm starving.”

The way he was looking at her body made Hermione wonder what type of hunger he was referring to, but before she could voice her thoughts, he took her hand and led her to the door.

After going to a lovely café and having a late breakfast, they strolled hand in hand down the street and towards the shopping district. Once there, Harry proceeded to a couple of the designer stores and made Hermione try on a few things. Shushing her protests away, he bought her the things he liked best on her. She ended up with three pairs of jeans, a few shirts and polo shirts, matching shoes and belts, and a couple of purses.

He got a similar amount for himself and she stopped complaining then. They reached a lingerie store and Harry raised his eyebrows at her playfully. She pulled him inside and started going through some of the racks while he looked at the items on the tables.

There were so many pretty and sexy things his mind immediately went into overdrive imagining what it would be like to see Hermione wearing some of them. He especially liked the silk and lace ones.

An older sales woman approached him and smiled in greeting. “Anything I can help you find, young man?”

Harry was about to say no, but then thought better of it. “I don't really know her size.”

“Is she here with you?”

“See that curly-haired beauty over there? It would be for her.”

“Ah, she's easily a 34-C and probably a four.” She started rummaging through the table and came up with several pieces. “Do you like these? They would play well against her skin tone and hair color.”

Harry nodded while looking at the pieces she had chosen for him. “They're lovely. Are you sure about the sizes?”

“I've been doing this for a long time, young man, so you can trust me.”

“In that case, I'll take the lot. Can you gift wrap them for me?”

“It'd be my pleasure. It's a very lovely thing for you to do. I wish more men were as forward in their thinking and did this more often. I can tell you really love her by the pieces you picked. They are going to look wonderful on her.”

“Thank you for your help and kind words.”

“Follow me, then, and we can get you out of here. Make sure to take her to a nice, romantic dinner tonight. She'll love that. Maybe after, she'll model on of these little numbers for you, eh?” she finished with a wink.

Harry blushed and she laughed, patting his cheek in a motherly way. She rang up the items and wrapped them up for him. After thanking her profusely again, he went to look for Hermione, who was by the lotions counter testing the samples.

“Hey!” she greeted him. “I though you'd stepped out.”

“I was doing a bit of shopping. Do you like any of those?”

“I can't decide between these two. Maybe you can help me pick?”

Harry nodded. Hermione raised her left wrist for him to smell and then the right. He did it again and then dropped a quick kiss on each wrist.

“I actually like them both. One is soft and sensual, something to wear at night. The other smells refreshing, like something you would wear to wake up the senses. They both fit you well.”

Hermione smiled at him. “I'll get both then.”

She picked the lotion, body wash, and spray bottles for each scent and went over to the counter to pay. Harry didn't even try paying for it, knowing well she wouldn't let him buy her anything else. Hermione was too independent for her own good as far as he was concerned. He had more money than he knew what to do with it and he liked to spoil his close friends every now and then.

Once she had paid, they left, hand in hand again and continued their shopping spree. For Hermione it was a wonderful change of pace. She was used to working even on weekends and just being out with Harry showed her there was more to life than work. If she wanted to have a baby, she was going to have to work regular hours and be home on the weekends. She wasn't going to hire a nanny just to take care of their baby. She wanted to be as involved as possible.

“What are you thinking about? You seem really lost in thought.”

“I'm thinking about the future of our baby and how I'll have to work fewer hours.”

“I'm going to be there to help as much as I can, I hope you know that.”

“I do, Harry.”

“It won't be so bad. Look at Luna and Ginny for example. They are both dedicated mothers and professionals at the same time. They're doing it beautifully. I don't have a single doubt you will be the same.”

“Speaking of, aren't those Ginny and Draco over there?” Hermione asked pointing with their entwined hands.

“It is. Fancy running into them here.”

“You know how Draco loves to wear designer clothes. He's such a girl when it comes to that,” she joked.

“Don't let him hear you say that. His manhood would be crushed.”

“Doubtful. His ego is still astonishingly large.”

Harry laughed at her description of the man they now called a loyal friend. Just then, Ginny spotted them and waved her hand enthusiastically at them. Draco noticed and started pushing Elizabeth's baby carriage towards them. Ginny and Hermione kissed on the cheek.

“Fancy meeting you here, Potter. Hey, there, Hermione. How are you?”

“Doing well, Draco. How's our little princess doing?” Hermione asked as she let go of Harry's hand to look at the baby.

While she was bent over the carriage, Ginny and Draco looked at Harry questioningly since both had noticed they had been holding hands. Harry just shrugged a shoulder and smiled at them.

“Have you guys had lunch yet?” Ginny asked and smiled mischievously at Draco.

“No, and now that you mention it, I'm starving,” Harry told her and smiled back.

“There's a French bistro just down that side street over there and their food is delicious,” Hermione said as she straitened back up.

They all agreed to go and Ginny wasted no time grabbing on to Hermione's arm and leading her away from the men. Harry and Draco looked at each other and the look said it all. Ginny was about to put Hermione through the interrogation from hell.

“So, `Mione, took today off, did you?”

“It was time, don't you think? I don't remember the last time I had a weekend to myself and I'm really enjoying it.”

“Would a certain green-eyed hunk be part of the reason?”

“Could be, yes.”

“I saw you holding hands. What gives?”

“It's nothing, Gin. You know how close Harry and I are. Our holding hands shouldn't come as a surprise to any of our close friends.”

“Ah, maybe not, but the look in his eyes is different. He doesn't look at other women the way he's been looking at you lately.”

“Is that so?” Hermione said, trying to buy time.

“I'm surprised you haven't notice. But then again, there seems to be a similar shine in your eyes as well. It suits you both.”

“What are you on about, Gin?”

“Oh, Hermione, when will you finally notice you're made for each other? It's so obvious that all of us have been wondering for ages when one of you will remove your head out of your arse long enough to notice.”

“Ginevra Malfoy, how very rude!” Hermione exclaimed.

“But so very true. Listen to me, `Mione. Whatever is going on between the two of you seems to be working wonderfully. I mean, you're actually enjoying the weekend as you're meant to do and the world hasn't fallen apart. I hope this is only the beginning.”

“I wasn't that bad, was I?”

“When was the last time you went shopping, to dinner with friends, or even just a stroll in the park?”

Hermione was surprise at the answer to that question, so she didn't voice it. Her silence was answer enough.

“Fine, Gin. I get the point. Luna pointed out the same thing yesterday. My name is Hermione Granger and I'm a workaholic!” she finished with a laugh.

“Acceptance is the first step,” Ginny told her while laughing with her.

0-0

“Think she's done grilling her yet?” Draco asked as they neared the door of the restaurant.

“They're both laughing, so I'm thinking she is.”

“Merlin, my wife should have been a prosecutor as well. She's so bloody good at it.”

“I don't think the Wizarding world could handle it. They consider Hermione a shark in the courtroom. Luna fools them with her soft demeanor and by the time they notice the cunning woman behind it, it's too late. Adding Ginny to that would be catastrophic for the criminals. Not to mention we would be basically unemployed.”

“Good point there, Potter. Let's go break up their little private party. I'm starving.”

“Good idea.”

“Oh, by the way, I'm glad you finally found the bollocks to ask Hermione out. It was about bloody time, mate.”

Harry was too stunned by Draco's comment to respond.

-->

A/N: I'd like to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a very happy new year. May it bring you lots of love, happiness, health, and prosperity.

As always, thanks so very much for the reviews. It's getting harder to answer them all, and it will be worse now that school is getting ready to start. So while I don't answer them, I do appreciate and love them. So keep them coming if you please. To my beta, Unbloomed, many thanks!

And finally, here's the chapter most of you have been waiting for. I hope it was worth the wait. Enjoy!

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER SEVEN: FALLIN' INTO YOU

“Oh, by the way, I'm glad you finally found the bollocks to ask Hermione out. It was about bloody time, mate.”

Harry was too stunned by Draco's comment to respond.

0-0

“I had fun today,” Hermione said while she unlocked the door to her flat.

“Ah, but the day isn't over yet,” Harry told her. He deposited their many bags on the dining room table once inside.

“What do you mean? We've been out practically all day.”

“How about dinner tonight?”

“Aren't you tired?”

“We can order in and watch a movie,” he suggested instead.

He wasn't ready to part with her company just yet.

Hermione watched him closely, as if trying to read him. But she had to be truthful with herself and admit she didn't want him to go either.

“I guess we can order a pizza pie and watch some action film. I know how all of you blokes hate the girly ones.”

Harry smiled winsomely at her. “If we don't fall asleep by the end of the first one, we can watch whichever girly film you want,” he told her.

“How convenient! By the time the first one is over, we'll both be half-asleep on the sofa!”

Harry laughed. “Mmm hmm.”

“Prat.”

“But you love me just the same.”

“Yeah, be thankful for that, mister.”

“Oh, I am, Miss Granger. I'm very thankful you would take pity on little ol' me and find it in your heart to love me.”

“Go home and shower. Pick up the pizza on your way back.”

“Yes, ma'am. Anything else?”

“Some wine would be nice. And dress comfortably in case you need to spend the night. I can't remember if you have any pj's left around here. It's been a while since you stayed over.”

“Will do.” He started walking towards the door but then stopped. “Hey, `Mione?”

“Yes,” she said turning around to face him.

“That pink bag over there is for you.”

Before she could say anything, he left.

Hermione, curious as ever, walked over to the sofa and grabbed the bag, noticing its size and weight. Walking to her room, she wondered what else he had gotten her and when. She sat on the bed and looked inside the bag. Tissue paper in different shades of pink greeted her. Slowly, she took the papers out and gasped at the sea of colours inside. She emptied the bag on the bed and her eyes widened even more.

Harry had bought her lingerie. Several pieces in fact. She started placing the matching pieces on top of her bed as her heartbeat accelerated. There were four matching sets of lacy bras and knickers, two silk nightgowns with matching robes and three camisole and shorts pajama sets.

All were colorful, lacy, silky and so very sexy. Her mind went into overdrive. Was Harry hinting at something? Was this his way of telling her he was ready to move on to the next level of intimacy? Was she supposed to wear one of the pieces that night? But what if it was just a gift?

Good heavens, woman, we're not talking about a toaster here! This is lingerie. Beautiful, expensive lingerie. He didn't buy this so you could model it for anyone else but him!

Oh, don't you start with me. Go away.

Kind of hard to do, since I live inside your mad brain. Listen to me: this isn't a casual gift. He's letting you know he's ready for more. I'd wear some of it if I were you.

You are me!

There you go then! Wear the baby blue one. He seems to like it when you wear blue.

Where do you come up with these things?

Wouldn't you like to know? Besides, if you wear that set, it'll be under your clothes and if he didn't want you to wear it tonight, he won't notice.

I guess that makes sense.

Of course it does. What do you think I'm here for? And don't forget to wear the lotion you bought. He said it'd be perfect for nighttime. If we're going to have his baby, we need to get moving here!

Oh, shut up already.

You're so rude to me. I'm only trying to help. Like it or not, I am the voice of your conscience and I only say what you truly feel, even when you try to block me out.

Goodbye now.

Have it your way, you ungrateful witch!

Hermione snorted as she headed towards the bathroom. After taking a leisurely shower, it was time to get ready. Using the scrubbing sponge and shower gel she'd gotten earlier made her skin feel soft and silky. The lotion and spray were next. She put on the baby blue set, as the voice inside her head had suggested. It was a perfect fit. She didn't know how he had managed that, but it impressed her.

Gray lounge pants with blue stripes and a baby blue tee completed the outfit. After gathering her hair into a messy bun, she dabbed some perfume on select pulse point and was ready. In the living room, she enlarged the sofa so it was wider, in case Harry wanted to lie out on it. After clearing the coffee table, she brought glasses, napkins and plates from the kitchen. A couple of lit candles and she was done.

A moment later, Harry was knocking on the door. She opened it and took the bag from him as he entered. After dropping a quick kiss on her lips, something he was really getting used to, he walked over to the living room and smiled knowingly.

“Are you trying to seduce me, Miss Granger?”

“What ever gives you that idea, Mr. Potter?”

“Candles, low light setting, you looking delicious and smelling even better. It can give a bloke ideas, you know!”

“A horny bloke, maybe,” she shot back and he laughed.

“Anyone else would be offended by that, you know.”

“Rightly so, but you're not someone else. You're Harry bloody Potter, saviour of our world!”

He put the pizza box down and walked over to her. He took the bag from her hand, placed it on the sofa behind him, and grabbed her by the waist. He brought her closer to his body and noticed the hike in the pulse at her throat.

“You're awfully cheeky tonight. Maybe I need to teach you a lesson or two.”

“Is that so? And what lesson would that be, oh, wise one?”

“A lesson on how to keep your mouth occupied doing something else, wench!”

Before she could come back with another sassy comment, he captured her lips in a searing kiss. Hermione, a sucker for lessons of any kind, kissed him right back.

0-0

“I told you we'd be too sleepy for another movie,” Hermione complained as the credits rolled on the screen.

“Sorry,” Harry murmured behind her back.

“You're not. Stop lying!”

“Okay. We can cuddle instead,” he suggested, bringing her body closer to his.

Once he had stopped kissing her, they had settled on the sofa to eat and watch a movie of his choosing. After the pizza and wine were gone, they had lied down on the sofa; Hermione's back spooned against Harry's front. He'd put a cushion under his head to see better while his arm was wrapped rather possessively around her waist.

“You like to cuddle?” she asked, unable to keep the surprise from her voice.

“Doesn't everyone?” he asked back, equally surprised.

Hermione turned around and faced him.

“Not many men do.”

“Well, I guess you've been going out with the wrong blokes, then. I've always liked to cuddle.”

“How come I never noticed?”

“I don't do it in front of people. You know how I like my privacy.”

“That's fair enough,” she said as she played with the collar of his t-shirt.

“Hermione, can I kiss you?” he asked a bit timidly after a few minutes of silence.

“You haven't asked before. Why start now?” she asked him with a smile.

“I guess I want to know that you want me to kiss you, instead of me kissing you just because I want to or to shut you up.”

Hermione chuckled at his words.

“I'd like it if you did,” she finally said.

Harry cupped her face tenderly and lowered his lips to hers. This kiss was different from the others they had shared. The passion was still there, but the tenderness was more pronounced and Hermione couldn't help but be moved by it. After several long minutes of kissing and touching each other softly, they broke apart.

“Why did you buy me lingerie, Harry?” Hermione asked, surprising him with the unexpected question.

He blinked a couple of times as if to clear his mind.

“Because I felt like it when we were at the store.”

“Is that the only reason?” she insisted.

“Yes. I like to buy you pretty things.”

“But lingerie?” she insisted. “Isn't that a little too personal?”

“Gift are supposed to be personal, Hermione. Besides, since when do we have a rule as to what we can and cannot buy each other?”

“We don't. It just surprised me it's all. Especially that you got all the right sizes.”

Harry made a mental note to send a bouquet of flowers to the lovely sales woman at the store.

“If you don't like the pieces, we can return them tomorrow.”

Hermione could tell he didn't like the prospect of that and was a bit hurt by her reaction to his beautiful gift.

“It would be hard to return lingerie I've already used,” she told him casually, watching for his reaction the entire time.

She saw his eyes start to dilate when her words sank in. He had to swallow before he could speak and she was glad to see him lose some of his usual cool.

“Are you saying you're wearing some now?” he asked with some difficulty in his speech.

“Why don't you find out for yourself?” she suggested silkily.

“Woman, I though you were sleepy.”

“Not anymore, but we can still go to bed if you want.”

His eyes widened even more. “You know exactly what will happen if we go to your bedroom, Hermione. Are you ready for that?”

“I was the one to suggest it, so I would think the answer to that question was already given.”

Without waiting for his response, she got up from the sofa and started heading down the hall. Harry watched her, a look of total disbelief on his face.

“Are you serious?”

“Come and find out if you feel so inclined.”

Without waiting for his answer, she disappeared down the hallway, leaving a stunned Harry in her wake. It took him a couple of minutes to snap out of it, but once he did, he wasted no time making sure the lights were out, things were put away, and the wards were up.

By the time he made it to her room, she had lit a couple of vanilla scented candles and was standing by the ceiling to floor window, clad only in bra and panties. The ray of moonlight that lit her body made her a vision of beauty and Harry let out a shaky breath. She was soft, womanly curves and devilish temptation all rolled into one. Hermione had let her chestnut curls lose and he wanted to run his hand through them, to feel their silkiness.

He walked over and stood behind her, running a shaky finger slowly from shoulder to wrist. He felt her shudder at his touch.

“We don't have to if you don't want to, Hermione,” Harry assured her a second time. “I didn't buy you the lingerie to pressure you.”

“Then why did you, Harry? And don't give me the damn answer you did earlier,” she pleaded with him without turning around.

“Because the moment I saw them, I could actually picture you in them, and I had to buy them,” he divulged at last.

Hermione finally turned around to face him and cupped his cheek.

“Was that so hard to admit?”

“I just didn't want you to think I'm a pervert, alright? I knew you'd look great in them, only I was mistaken.”

She frowned. “You don't like how they look on me?”

“That came out wrong. What I'm trying to say is that you look so beautiful in them, you take my breath away and it's taking all of my willpower not to jump you and ravish you like I want to right this moment.”

Hermione's eyes widened with surprise at his little outburst, while her heart beat mercilessly against her chest.

“Oh, Harry,” she exclaimed.

Hermione hugged him tightly at that point and Harry let her scent invade his senses once again. He'd held her close throughout the movie and it had driven him crazy. Knowing that he could finally make her his seemed like a bit of heaven on Earth.

She pulled back and he lowered his head to capture her mouth in a kiss. As in the living room, the kiss was sweet and built slowly. As their kisses grew in intensity, so did their lust and hands started roaming freely. Hermione tugged on the bottom of his t-shirt and Harry broke their kiss long enough to take it off. His sweatpants followed promptly.

Hermione wasted no time running her hands through his broad shoulders and slightly sculpted chest. Nails ran softly over his nipples and he groaned into her mouth, pulling her closer to him. His tongue was battling with hers for control, but neither would give. He finally covered her breasts with his hands and she moaned in pleasure. Breaking the kiss and taking a shuddering breath, Hermione looked into his eyes finding the lust she was feeling mirrored there.

He lowered his eyes to her silk and lace covered breasts. The way she filled the bra was enough to send his blood south and his member stirred to life faster than it ever had before. His fingers ran over the edge of the lace softly, reverently. Hermione closed her eyes at the sensation. While he had touched her breasts before, it hadn't been like this. When they had been intimate the night before, only their bottoms had been removed.

Goosebumps covered her body and a tingling was starting at the base of her spine. She grabbed onto his hips for support when he pinched both of her nipples softly.

“We need to move to my bed, Harry. My legs won't support me for much longer.”

He scooped her up and walked over to the bed, laying her in the middle of the mattress softly. He lied next to her and continued touching her softly with his fingertips. His every touch raised goose bumps on her heated skin. He lowered his head and licked between the valley of her breasts, his hands roaming over her taut stomach and lower, to the waistband of her silk knickers. There, his fingers played with the lace for a bit, before moving further south and cupping her.

He took his time with her, caressing her softly and unhurriedly, kissing every bit of exposed skin he could find. Hermione moaned, whispered encouraging words, guided his fingers over her sensitive skin and caressed him in similar fashion. No other man had ever taken the time to do this to her, to pay homage to her body in such a way that she wanted to scream with desperate passion and need.

When he finally took off her bra, her nipples were so hard they actually hurt. That is, until he took them into his mouth. He played with them while she moaned his name and held his head closer to her peaks. One of his hands moved to the waistband of her knickers again and started tugging them down. Once they had been removed, they worked together on removing his boxer shorts.

Once a team, always a team.

Harry finally lied on top of her, and for the first time their naked bodies touched completely.

“Look at me, `Mione,” he pleaded.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes and stared into his, noticing a shade of green in them she never had before. She smiled tenderly at him and caressed his face lovingly.

“What is it, Harry?”

“I want you to know something before we do this.”

“You're not stopping now, are you?” she joked and he smiled.

“Not even if Voldemort himself made an appearance.”

It was her turn to smile.

“I want you to know I'm not doing this with you just so we can have a baby. At the risk of ruining what is turning out to be one of the best moments of my life, I need you to know I'm doing this because I really, really, want to make love to you.”

“Oh, Harry,” she whispered.

“Just thought you should know, is all.”

“Thank you. Now kindly shut up and make love to me.”

“Oh, it will be my pleasure.”

He lowered his head and kissed her again. Unlike his previous kisses, this kiss was wanton, hot, and so sexual it left her no doubt he meant what he had said. He parted her legs with his knee and settled there, rubbing his straining erection against her wet core. Hermione broke the kiss at that point and bit his neck, making him groan hungrily.

“Make me yours, Harry. I can't wait any longer,” she pleaded huskily.

“I'll go slowly. I don't want to hurt you.”

She nodded and took a calming breath, willing her body to relax in order to accept his. He started pushing softly into her, watching her face the entire time for any sign of discomfort. It was almost inhumanly possible not to ram into her as his body was shouting at him to do, but her pleasure came before his and he held back his primitive urges. Before he knew it, he was buried completely inside of her, a soft hiss escaping him when he felt himself surrounded tightly by her inner walls.

“Gods, you're so tight, `Mione. Am I hurting you?” he asked worriedly when he saw the slight scrunching of her eyes and the small wince she wasn't able to hide in time.

“Just give me a moment to get used to you,” she pleaded.

“We'll stop,” he immediately said.

Before he could begin to pull himself out of her, she wrapped both legs around his waist to hold him in place and actually glared at him.

“I will hex you into next week if you dare to stop now,” she threatened and he laughed.

“We don't want that,” he said as he dropped kisses on her face.

She sought his mouth and kissed him deeply. Harry caressed her breasts while her hands tangled in his hair and caressed his back. He moved a bit and she didn't seem to mind, so he did it again. Noticing she was still kissing him and caressing him softly, he started trusting in and out of her softly. Hermione broke their kiss again and moaned.

“You feel so good inside of me, Harry,” she whispered in his ear. “You fill me completely.”

Her words spurred him on and he moved a little faster, all the while watching her face. What he saw made him crazy with need. Looking into her eyes was like looking into a pool of melted chocolate, her lips were swollen from his kisses and her body was flushed with arousal.

Mine, was the sudden and much unexpected thought that burst into his head.

He'd never felt so possessive of someone in his entire life before and it scared him. And just like that, he knew he was hopelessly in love with Hermione Granger and there would be no turning back for him.

“Faster, Harry,” she encouraged a moment later and he responded in kind.

Between pants, moans, groans and thrusting hips there were wanton kisses and sexy caresses. Love bites and marks would adorn their bodies come morning, but neither cared. Harry moved his hand between their bodies and found her nub of pleasure. Stroking it softly while still moving wildly in and out of her finally pushed Hermione over the edge and she screamed his name as she fell. Wave after wave of unadulterated pleasure hit her body as Harry pumped faster into her, finally calling out her name hoarsely and emptying his seed deep inside her.

He lowered his body onto hers while panting like a mad man and trying to control both his breathing and heartbeat. Sweat covered their bodies. He rolled off her, but brought her body along to lie on his side.

“That was, without a doubt, the best shag of my life,” Hermione said a few minutes later making him laugh.

“You were always the smart one!” he reminded her.

“Yeah, this was a brilliant idea, indeed.”

After kissing him one more time, Hermione did a quick scourgifying charm on both of them and cuddled next to him. They were both asleep in no time, twin smiles of satisfaction on their faces.

-->

A/N: As always, thank you so much for all of the wonderful reviews. They make my day. So happy you all liked their coming together. Here's a little more sweetness for you.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER 8: A NEW DIRECTION

After kissing him one more time, Hermione did a quick scourgifying charm on both of them and cuddled next to him. They were both asleep in no time, twin smiles of satisfaction on their faces.

0-0

Hermione stirred slowly and blinked the sleep from her eyes. She stretched and smiled when her body protested her actions. It was a delicious sort of soreness. It reminded her of everything she had done with Harry. He had loved her a number of times throughout the night, in several different ways, and she had never been as satisfied. He had also spent the night, something she appreciated but didn't want to dwell on.

He was currently taking a shower and she was temped to join him. Her shyness was the only thing that stopped her.

Not sure what you're being so shy about after everything you did last night. I mean, seriously, Hermione, you impressed even me, and that's a tall order. If I was you, and I am, I'd go in there and scrub his back and some other parts of his anatomy. Merlin, but that man has a scrumptious arse!

Hermione's eyebrows rose after hearing the voice of her conscience. She was still randy and ready for more loving. Instead of feeling sated after a night of making passionate love with Harry, she just wanted him even more. It seemed impossible, but there it was. She had never given herself to another man as completely as she had with Harry. Maybe it was due to years of friendship and trust, but whatever had caused it, she was glad it had happened. In all honesty, she was hoping and praying that she wasn't pregnant already. She was actually hopeful it wouldn't happen for a while. It would mean putting a stop to this and she didn't want to.

Before she could make up her mind about joining him, Harry came back in the room, naked as the day he was born, towel drying his hair. His eyes were covered and she took the opportunity to admire his toned body once more. As if sensing her, he removed the towel from his head and held it at his side.

Their eyes locked and held.

“See something you like?” he smirked.

“Actually, I see something I want,” she corrected cheekily.

She wasn't sure where this confident and sexy woman had sprung up from, but she was beginning to like it.

“You do, eh? Why didn't you join me in the shower, then?”

“I was about to, Mr. Potter, but you came in here instead.”

“I can always take another shower, Ms. Granger. I mean, it would be gentlemanly of me to do as the lady wishes.”

Hermione laughed at him. “You're no gentleman and you know it. You're just randy.”

“Oh, and you're completely immune to my charms, is that it? You know you want me.” The cockiness in his voice was obvious.

Hermione looked up at him and ran her eyes over his exquisite body, finally stopping at his semi-erect member.

“It looks like you're the one that wants me, Mr. Potter. Your body can't lie.”

“No, it can't. However, I'm willing to bet that if I were to put my fingers between your legs, I'd find you want me back as well.”

Hermione blushed at that, since it was certainly true. But once again, wanting to prove to him that she wasn't a prude, she threw the sheet back and spread her legs in invitation. His eyes darkened at her actions as he sat on the edge of the bed. His fingers graced her thigh softly, causing goose bumps to rise on her skin. She inhaled audibly when those fingers moved in-between her feminine folds and found the warm moisture gathered there.

“Just as I thought.”

Before she could react, Harry picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and walked back towards the bathroom.

“Put me down, you barbarian!”

“I'll show you barbarian in just a minute, love. Be thankful today is Sunday, otherwise we would be late for work.”

Hermione just giggled all the way to the bathroom.

0-0

A few weeks later, Luna was back in Hermione's office watching her carefully.

“Something's different about you.”

“Whatever do you mean, Luna?”

Luna wasn't fooled by the casual question. The fact that Hermione refused to look at her confirmed her suspicions. She decided to try another route.

“How's Harry?”

“Fine, I suppose.”

“You haven't seen him lately?”

“Not really.”

There was a knock on her door before Luna could say anything and Harry poked his head in. When he saw Luna there, he smiled winsomely at her and said hello. Luna responded in kind. Then he turned towards Hermione and his smile warmed up.

“Hey. Do you know if I left my scarf at your place when I left this morning?”

Hermione blushed while Luna smirked.

“I think I saw it on the sofa when I left. I forgot to grab it on my way out.”

“Brilliant. I'll get it when I come over later today. Don't forget we have dinner plans for six.”

Hermione just nodded and Harry left after saying goodbye to them.

“So,” Luna started with a big smile on her face. “You haven't seen him lately, hmm?”

“Fine, so I've seen him every day this week. Sue me.”

“And you've also let him into your bed.”

Hermione looked at her then.

“How in bloody hell do you even know that?”

“I didn't. You just told me.”

“Argh!”

Luna laughed at her friend. “Its okay, Hermione. I'm a bit surprised, is all.”

“You're not the only one, believe me. I can hardly believe it myself.”

“How did this happen?”

“We were sort of arguing and one thing led to another, and we ended up sort of making love on my sofa.”

Hermione was trying for a nonchalant tone, but knew she was failing miserably.

“When was this?”

“That day after we met you and Ron in the park,” Hermione admitted with a blush.

“The very next day? Merlin's pants, Hermione!”

“Oh, go ahead and make me feel bad, why don't you? You were pushing for this and now you're acting all surprised. Thanks a lot, Luna!”

“No, no. I don't mean it in a bad way at all. I'm happy this is happening. Maybe you will finally realize that you are perfect for each other. All I want is for you to be happy.”

“Let's not go there just yet.”

“But something is happening, right? This is no longer for a procreation purpose only, is it?”

“Leave it to you to get right to the point.”

“I've always been like that and I don't see myself changing anytime soon. Now, spill!”

Hermione finally gave up. There was no fighting Luna when she wanted to know something. Besides, whom else could she trust? It was time to talk to someone or the anxiety she was feeling would consume her.

“I don't even know where to start, Luna. I didn't want to involve anyone, and now my best friend is helping me get pregnant. I didn't want a relationship or a commitment and I find myself sort of dating Harry.”

“Is it really all that bad? I mean, Harry loves you. You love him just as much. He's as faithful as they come; a good provider and I bet he's great in bed. He just has that look about him.”

“Oh Merlin, is he good in bed! The shagging is bloody fantastic, Luna. I've never been more satisfied in my entire life. At first, I was a little afraid, since it had been quite a while for me, but he was the perfect gentleman. He took his time and made sure I was alright. He's one of those men that put a woman's pleasure ahead of their own.”

“See? He's perfect for you. You two complete each other.”

“I don't know how Ginny was able to let him go,” Hermione wondered aloud.

“I don't mean to put my sister-in-law down, but she never had him to begin with.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don't think any of you realize this just yet, and forgive me for being so blunt, but it's been Harry and you the entire time. It just took you forever to get there.”

“That's bollocks,” Hermione exclaimed.

“Hermione, name one time you've left Harry's side since you've been friends?”

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. She closed it again and blinked a couple of times to clear her head.

“You can't answer that, can you? He is the only person on this earth you have never turned your back on. Not even when you didn't agree with what was going on or thought his ideas would get us all killed. Not only that, but he's never left your side, either. You are meant to be together.”

“You say that like you actually mean it.”

“Because I know in my heart I'm right. Look, Hermione, I'm going to ask you for a favor. Give him a chance. If you don't want anyone to know right now, that's fine. But give this relationship a chance to develop and you will see that I am right.”

Hermione couldn't deny Luna when she was clearly set on her beliefs.

“I promise.”

“Good. Now tell me all the juicy details!”

“Luna!”

0-0

“So you told Luna?” Harry asked after the waiter had taken their order and walked away.

He had decided to take Hermione to a fancy Muggle restaurant. He didn't want her to feel like all he wanted was to shag her the moment they walked into either of their flats. So far, it had been great, but he didn't want their relationship to be only about sex. As good as it was, and Merlin knew it was bloody brilliant; he wanted to give her a real courtship. It sounded old-fashioned, but he was set on the idea. Hermione deserved naught but the best.

“I did. I had no choice since she caught me red handed.”

“What do you mean?”

Hermione went on to explain what had happened that afternoon. Harry listened and laughed. Hermione couldn't help but follow his lead. She was happy and it showed.

“Leave it to me to go and ruin it!”

“Nah, I could tell she already knew. You know nothing escapes her notice.”

“That is true.”

They talked about their week and had a great time throughout dinner. He then suggested a stroll by the river and Hermione gladly accepted. It was Friday after all and she didn't have to get up early the next morning.

The restaurant he had chosen was close by, so they decided to walk instead of taking a taxicab. He held her hand as they strolled down the sidewalk and she felt safe. They drew their share of stares, since they made a striking couple. Hermione felt her ego swell, something she wasn't accustomed to at all.

“So, what do you think about us so far, `Mione?” Harry asked carefully. “I know it's only been a few weeks, but I'd like to know.”

“I have to admit it's been better than I thought. Nothing is different in my life. I figured a relationship would conflict with my schedule, but so far, it hasn't. I guess it took this to make me realize that I can make time for both things.”

“I'm glad to hear that. All work and no play makes for a lonely existence.”

“I'm beginning to realize that, Harry, and I want to thank you for showing me I can do both.”

“It's been my pleasure. In more ways than I can count.”

Hermione stopped walking and leaned against the concrete wall, facing the river. Harry stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Leaning back against his chest, she rested her hands on top of his.

“Harry, do you think we should wait a bit before getting pregnant?”

Harry frowned at her words. “Why? Have you changed your mind?”

“Not at all! I just wondered if you wanted to give our relationship more time before we became parents.”

“It's really up to you, love. I'm happy either way. Besides, as much as we've been making love, you could be carrying our child already.”

Hermione smiled at his words, since they were nothing but the truth. They had made love almost every night for the past month and a half. Hermione could not think of a single time in her life when she had felt so loved and taken care of. And hearing him talk about their child just warmed her heart.

“You're right about that. I guess I wanted to know if you still felt the same.”

“I've never been surer of anything in my life, `Mione. I don't want to scare you or put pressure on you, but I can see myself doing this with you for the rest of my life.”

Hermione turned around in his arms and looked up at him. “Really, Harry?”

“Yes. I've never felt so happy or fulfilled in my entire life. I've slept soundly every night since we've been together. I have more energy and there's always a smile on my face. People in my department have started to notice and are asking questions. I don't take risks as I used to when we go on raids because I know that there might be two people waiting for me at home. All in all, this is what I always wanted and I'm sharing it with the most wonderful woman on this planet.”

Hermione's eyes filled with tears at his words. “Oh, Harry, when did you become such a romantic?”

“The minute I looked into your eyes and saw my future there,” he explained as if it was the most obvious thing on earth.

Hermione cupped his face and rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him. She kissed him for being such a wonderful man. She kissed him for making her feel so loved and protected. She kissed him because his words had touched her heart deeply. And finally, she kissed him because she realized she was falling helplessly, hopelessly and thoroughly head over heels in love with him.

When the kiss ended, Harry leaned his forehead against hers and smiled. “I think I'm in love with you, `Mione.”

Hermione chuckled. “You think?”

“I know I am. I just didn't want to scare you. Deep down I always knew you were the one. I lost many of my loved ones during the war and the years leading up to it. I guess I didn't pursue anything with you before because of that. I don't think I would have survived losing you, too.”

“You were never going to lose me. I made sure of that. I don't think I would have survived had I lost you either. You've always held a special place in my heart, Harry James. My previous boyfriends have all been jealous of you for that same reason. No one can take your place in my life.”

“It's always been the same for me. All the way back since fourth year. I guess others saw what we tried so hard to repress. That's why Luna was so adamant that day in your office. She can see it better than most.”

“It's also the reason why Ron and I never worked out. I always took your side and he couldn't deal with that. I finally understand him. I would have reacted the same way had the tables been turned.”

“Cho felt the same. So did Ginny and the rest of the women I have dated. You've always been first. I've dropped more than one date to run to your side because you called and needed me.”

“Oh, Harry, I didn't know that. I'm so sorry.”

“I'm not. You're my number one girl and everyone knows that.”

“Do you think we're destined to be together?”

“I do. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner about my feelings. I guess I should confess that's why I was so set on the idea of fathering your child. I would have gone mad if it had been anyone else. I also figured I could win your love little by little during that time.”

Hermione didn't know how to respond to that. Harry had never been one to talk so openly about his feeling and it surprised her greatly. More surprising still was the fact that she was elated at his words, and not scared.

“Harry, if you keep talking like that, I'm going to start crying again. You know you can't handle it when I cry.”

“Would it be so bad?” he asked as he caressed her face softly.

Hermione leaned instinctively into his touch. “What?”

“Would it be so bad if you fell in love with me?” he asked earnestly.

“I'm already half way there, love,” she confessed.

“You are?” he asked, immense joy showing in his eyes.

“How could I not be? You've been nothing but wonderful to me. You have awakened my heart after a very long hibernation. No one has ever made love to me as sweetly and passionately as you have. No one understands me like you do. No one knows my fears and weaknesses like you. I know I can be difficult and bitchy at times, but you can see right past that. You've never left my side and you've put your life on the line for me more than once. There isn't another person in my life that can claim that right but you. So, yes, Harry James, you're not the only one falling in love.”

This time Harry initiated the kiss. His heart was so full of joy and happiness that he wanted to shout it from the rooftops. The thing he wanted the most, Hermione's love, was his.

When the kiss ended, both were panting hard.

“I think we should go home,” Hermione suggested against his lips.

“Yours or mine?”

“Whichever is closer works for me.”

Harry didn't waste time Apparating them to his bedroom once he saw they were pretty much alone. With a snap of his fingers the lights dimmed, candles lit and soft music filled the room. Hermione smiled at him as she started lowering the zipper of her black cocktail dress.

Harry watched in fascination as he unknotted his tie and started undoing the buttons of his shirt. His hands stilled when he saw Hermione lowering the dress and saw the lingerie she had on. The matching black bra and thong set gave him an almost instant erection, not to mention the sheer black garter belt. Her pale skin seemed to glow against the darker color of her intimate pieces.

“Like what you see, lover?”

“Not only do I like, but I am going to enjoy taking it off you inch by slow inch,” he said as he finally took off his shirt.

He unbuckled his belt and undid the button of his trousers. Hermione lied on the middle of his bed, still wearing her spiky heels, and watched with interest while running a finger around her belly.

Harry's eyes followed the movement of her finger while he lowered his zipper. He shrugged out of his pants and took off his shoes and socks. Hermione took the time to admire his sculpted body and her mouth watered.

Harry finally straitened back up and Hermione licked her lips unconsciously when she saw the evidence of his arousal pressing against his back bikini briefs. She smiled knowingly at him. Since she had mentioned she had a weakness for those, Harry had made sure to buy lots of them and she had loved pealing them of his body every time.

“Those look unbearably tight, love. Want some help with them?”

“Wench! If they are tight, it's because of you,” he replied as he crawled over to her on the bed. “You drive me crazy with those heels, you know that, don't you, minx?”

She laughed and pulled him on top of her. “Why do you think I do it?”

He lied between her legs and pressed his hardness against her, eliciting a moan from both. “I know I wanted to go slow, but could we do that for the second round? I want you so much it hurts.”

“That's the best idea you've had all day!”

Harry wasted no time removing his briefs and her thong. Next was her bra. While he suckled on her hard nipples, she urged him by locking her legs around his waist. He slid into her slowly, savoring her warm and wet tightness.

“Merlin, it just gets better every time we do it. I love how you feel around me,” he gasped.

“And I love how you fill me completely. Don't make me wait, Harry. Make love to me,” Hermione begged as she lifted her hips to take him in deeper.

He responded with quickening strokes, all the while playing with her nipples. He turned them around so Hermione was riding him instead and she lost her precious control then. She started moving up and down, grinding herself against him while they both panted and moaned their pleasure. It built until she couldn't take it anymore and cried out his name as tremors ran over her entire body. Harry, feeling her muscles tightening all around him, let out a guttural groan as he pushed himself as deep as he could into her softness before spilling his seed deep inside of her womb.

0-0

Little did they know, as they were coming down from their high, that their frantic lovemaking had just procreated their firstborn.

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A/N: First off, let me apologize for the tardiness in posting. This is the last chapter I have written up to now. I have two jobs, plus school has started and my time is a little limited, so don't be surprised if I don't get to update weekly as I have so far. Do not worry; I don't ever abandon my stories, so you will see this to the end. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, they make me so very happy.

Thanks so much to KB for the beta work on this chapter. You're the best!

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER 9: HAPPY NEWS

Little did they know, as they were coming down from their high, that their frantic lovemaking had just created their firstborn.

0-0

At the tentative calling of his name, Harry looked up from the papers on his desk. An unusually pale Luna stood at his door. His heart sank when he saw the worry clouding her eyes. He immediately stood up as she walked into his office and grabbed her by the arms.

“What's wrong? Is it Hermione?”

“Yes. She's been taken to St. Mungo's.”

“What? Why?”

“She fainted while in the middle of a trial. One minute she was arguing her point, and then she fell. Since no one knew what was wrong, we immediately took her to the hospital. Once I made sure Susan Bones was her assigned Healer, I came to get you.”

“Let's go then. I'll send Kingsley a Patronus later. I need to be with her now.”

“Right.”

They Dissaparated on the spot. Once at the hospital, no one tried to stop them as they made their way down the hall.

Since he had told Hermione how he felt two months prior, they had been going out more and speculation was running high as to what was going on with them. It wasn't unusual to see them together, or even holding hands, but there was something different about them and the press was going crazy trying to figure out what it was. Harry refused all interviews and ignored the press. Hermione only spoke when it was related to one of her cases. All of their friends had kept mum about it as well.

After one incident in where Hermione's displeasure at being bothered was made clear with a well-aimed hex, no one dared approach them or interrupt a meal. Harry had been impressed and more than a little turned on. He'd shown her just how much when they had arrived back at her place.

With everything going for them, it was hard for him to digest this new development. Hermione had complained in the past week of headaches and an upset stomach. Because she was working on a big case and was stressing a bit over it, they had chalked it up to that. However, he had made her promise to see a Healer if she felt worse. He hadn't realized it was so bad and now guilt was eating him alive.

If anything happened to Hermione, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.

0-0

They were asked to wait outside her door while some tests were being run. He paced up and down while Luna sat there and watched him. Ron showed up a few minutes later and he hugged her. She was trembling and worried almost as much as Harry. He shook hands briefly with Harry and asked to be filled in.

An hour later, Susan came out. Harry got up from the chair as she walked over to them. Ron put a hand on his shoulder and Luna put her arm around his waist. Susan noticed this with a smile, but didn't comment on it. It was funny how the Boy Who Conquered could shake like a leaf when it came to Hermione. He just couldn't deal with anything happening to her, that much was clear.

“Just tell me she's okay, Susan.”

“Hermione is fine and she wants to see you. You're the first person she asked to speak to when she came to. Go on in and I'll be back in just a minute to talk to her about the test results.”

He sighed in relief and Ron patted his shoulder.

“Go on, mate. We'll go in a bit as well.”

“Right. Thanks, Susan.”

Wasting no more time, he walked over to the door and knocked on it softy before walking in. Hermione was lying on the bed, eyes closed, looking pale and a little under the weather. There were some potion bottles on top of the table and the light was set low. Hermione seemed to be resting comfortably and that eased his mind. For the first time since Luna had come to get him, he could actually breathe regularly.

He pulled a chair next to the bed and held her hand. His thumb caressed her soft skin and her eyes fluttered open at the sensation.

“Harry.”

Her voice was raspy and tired, but it was the sweetest sound in the world to him.

“I'm right here, love. How are you feeling?”

“Tired, but better than before. What happened?”

“Luna said you were in the middle of one of your arguments and then fainted. Don't you remember?”

“Not really. I just remember feeling light headed and then waking up here.”

“Susan said she would be back soon to tell us what was wrong. Ron and Luna are outside as well.”

“I'd like to see them. I bet Luna is upset since she saw how it happened.”

“She's been doing better since Ron came over. They will be in to see you once Susan speaks to us.”

Just then, Susan opened the door and walked in, carrying some pieces of parchment in her hands. Harry stood up and watched her warily.

“Hermione, there're some things we need to discuss. I don't know if you want Harry in here for that or not, since it's personal.”

Harry stiffened, but Hermione squeezed his hand reassuringly.

“Whatever you have to say, Harry can hear it.”

“Well, I figured someone else would be here, due to the nature of the news.”

“Someone else? Who else would I want here besides my closest friends?”

“Your significant other, for one thing.”

“Susan, please just tell me what it is.”

“Well, Hermione, you're pregnant,” Susan said without preamble.

Harry's knees buckled and he leaned fully on the bed, eyes glassy and wide. Hermione's smile was simply radiant and full of happiness.

“Oh, Sweet Mother of Merlin, Harry, we're going to be parents!” she exclaimed happily and he finally snapped out of it.

He turned watery eyes towards hers, leaned down to cup her face, and kissed her. Susan watched, surprise evident in her face. It hadn't occurred to her that Harry could be the father, thus her insistence that he left. How wrong she had been! It was all so obvious now. Harry's earlier desperation should have been clue enough.

A moment later, Harry was laughing and hugging Hermione tightly to him and Susan smiled at seeing their happiness. It was clear that this baby was wanted and would be loved immensely. Knowing first hand how difficult it had been for them prior to and during the war, she was more than happy that they could share this now.

Harry finally lifted himself from his lover and smiled winsomely at Susan. “How far along are we?”

Susan smiled at his words. Harry was obviously going to be one of those men that didn't leave their women's side during the pregnancy. Hermione was one lucky witch, but she deserved every bit of happiness that would come her way.

“About two months. So in about seven months, give or take, you'll be welcoming your first child into the world. Congratulations to you both.”

“Thank you, Susan. Is that the reason I fainted?”

“Yes. You had a bit of a dizzy spell, but because you were in the middle of an intense argument, it turned into more. How long have you been having these symptoms?”

“About a week. I had already promised Harry to have myself checked over the weekend if things persisted.”

“I ran all the pertinent tests already and I've prescribed several vitamins and potions that will keep you in shape during this time. I've also asked for some books to be brought by so you can read about the changes your body will be going through during the coming months. Some of them talk about having a magical child when you are of Muggle descent. I figure those would come in handy.”

“Thanks again, Susan. I promise to watch over her and make sure she follows all of your recommendations.”

“I'm sure you will. You have a couple of anxious friends waiting outside to see you. Should I send them in?”

“Tell them to give us five minutes and then they can come in,” Harry told her.

“I'll be back later on to release Hermione. But I'd like to keep her here for a couple more hours to make sure the potions take effect.”

“I'll stay as long as I have to, Susan. This time, you won't get an argument out of me.” She rested her hand protectively against her stomach and smiled. “This little baby is wanted and already loved more than you know.”

“Believe me, I can tell. Again, congratulations to you both. You deserve this bit of joyful news and happiness.”

A moment later, Susan was gone.

0-0

Harry looked down at Hermione, happiness shining in his emerald eyes. “We did it, sweetheart. We're going to be parents!”

“Oh, Harry, I wish I could tell you just how happy and excited I am about this. You've given me the most precious gift ever.”

He cupped her cheek once more. “This baby is a gift for me as well and I did it out of love.”

“I know it.” Tears finally slipped down the corners of her eyes. “I love you so much, Harry James. You have made me the happiest girl on the planet and now a child is the result of our love.”

“You love me?” he asked brokenly, tears swimming in his clear eyes once again.

“Yes, you adorable man, I'm in love with you.”

“Are you trying to give me heart failure or something, woman? I've just learned I'm going to be a father and then you confess your love as well. This is the best day of my life!” he finished in a shout.

Hermione laughed and a second later Ron and Luna burst through the door. They had been spurred into action by Harry's shout. Both turned in time to see a pale looking Ron pointing his wand around the room, while Luna looked towards the bed to make sure they were alright.

“We're fine,” Harry told them with a smirk.

“Bloody hell, mate! Why'd you have to shout like that? I though Death Eaters were after your skinny arse once again!”

“I'll have you know there is nothing skinny about his arse, Ronald Weasley. In fact -”

“That's enough, sweetheart,” Harry cut her off while blushing.

Luna laughed and Ron turned several shades of red.

“I have to agree with you on that, Hermione,” Luna said while checking out Harry's backside. “His arse is pretty impressive.”

“Hey! Stop looking at his arse!” Ron whined.

“Your arse is lovely as well, dear,” Luna told him while she patted his bum, always the dutiful wife.

He reddened even more. Hermione laughed again.

“Enough talk about arses for now. What did Susan say?” Luna asked as she walked over to the bed and laid the back of her hand against Hermione's forehead. “At least you don't have a fever.”

“We're pregnant!” Harry told them happily.

Luna wasted no time hugging Hermione, both with happy tears shining in their eyes. “Oh, what great news!”

“Well done, mate!” Ron said as he gave Harry a very manly hug. “This is perfect!”

“Thanks, mate. We're both very happy.”

“How far along are you?” Luna asked as she straightened up and dried her tears.

“Susan said about two months. I'm sure we'll find out the exact date once I've gone to see the healer.”

“Should we tell them?” Ron asked as he moved over to Luna's side and put his arm around her.

“Tell us what?” Hermione asked curiously.

Harry helped her sit up in bed and fluffed the pillows behind her back to make her comfortable. She smiled lovingly at him then they turned their attention to Ron and Luna.

“We're pregnant, too!” Luna announced.

“With twins!” Ron added.

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, gods, McGonagall is going to kill us all!”

“Why?”

“Hogwarts is going to have a trio of our kids in school all at once,” Luna explained. “I hadn't thought about it that way. You're right, Hermione, we better keep this under wraps!”

“Nonsense, she's going to be excited,” Harry said confidently.

“Love, think about it. First Matthew and Lizzie will go in. That's bad enough. Two years later, the twins and our kid will follow. And you don't see the problem? The Potter-Weasley-Malfoy kids back in school all at once?”

Harry looked at Hermione, eyes widening even more as she spoke. “I hadn't thought about it that way! First the Marauders, then us, and now our kids! Oh, it'll be great fun!”

Luna shook her head. “McGonagall still has about 10 years before she has to retire. It'll be fine!”

“Mate, this is wicked! Our kids are going to play Quidditch together!”

“After they do all of their school work!” Hermione put in and Luna nodded.

Harry and Ron rolled their eyes. The next couple of hours were spent by Ron and Harry talking kids and Quidditch games, while Hermione and Luna went over some of the books Susan had sent with a medi-witch.

0-0

Later that night, Hermione lay in bed, reading once again, while Harry was finishing his shower. A few minutes later, he appeared and went over to the bed. Instead of lying next to her, he lifted her tank top and pressed a kiss to her belly. She couldn't help but smile at his actions. What he did next surprised her even more.

Harry laid his head right below her breasts and started stroking her stomach softly.

“Hey there, little one. I'm Harry, your dad. Your mummy and I are so excited that in seven month's time we will be able to hold you. We're going to love you and protect you for as long as we live. And I promise you you'll never feel unwanted or like you don't belong. You are the result of our love and so very wanted. I love you so much already and I can't wait to see you.” Another quick kiss to her stomach, and then he resumed stroking her skin softly, humming a sweet song.

Hermione felt the tears escape the corners of her eyes and mingle with the hair at her temples. She had stopped reading the moment Harry had started speaking to their baby, and had been stroking his hair the entire time. If she'd thought she loved him before, that love had more than tripled by his actions. Who would have thought that a man who had been abused constantly as a child and had such a tempestuous youth could be so loving and tender to his own child? Not that Hermione had ever doubted it could happen, but she hadn't thought he'd be so open about it. It filled her heart with unbelievable joy.

Harry finally settled next to her and she hugged him tightly. “You are the most amazing man I've ever known, Harry James. I love you so much!”

“Enough to marry me?”

Her eyes widened in surprise yet again. “You want us to get married?”

“I do. I love you, Hermione. I want our child to grow in a big, comfortable home, surrounded by love and with both parents present. I'm not going to be a part-time dad.”

“I didn't want you to be.”

“So how about it? Do you love me enough to marry me?”

“Is this because of the baby?”

“No. The baby was created out of love, but he is not the reason. I want to marry you because I cannot see myself living the rest of my life without you at my side.”

“Oh, Harry, I can't see the rest of my life without you in it, either. Of course I'll marry you!”

“Yes!” he shouted while throwing his fist in the air. “This is the best day of my life!”

Hermione laughed at his obvious happiness and kissed him. As their kissed grew longer and increased in intensity, Harry pulled back, a worried expression marring his features.

“Can we make love? Will the baby be okay?”

“Of course, darling, we can make love for many more months. But as the baby grows, we'll have to be a bit careful and more inventive!”

“Nothing wrong with being adventurous!”

“Yeah, I didn't think you'd mind!”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, darling man. Thanks for making all my wishes come true!”

0-0

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A/N: Apologizing at this point isn't even enough. *hangs head in shame* To those that kept writing and asking me to continue, many thanks. To those of you that waited patiently, also many thanks. My sincerest apologies for taking so long with the update. Chapter 11 is half way done as well and I'm hoping to finish it this week. After that, just one more closing chapter and the story is done. Hope you enjoy this one. This wasn't beta'd, so please forgive any and all mistakes.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER 10: GETTING READY FOR BABY

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, darling man. Thanks for making all my wishes come true!”

0-0

About a month later, Harry and Hermione were cuddling on the couch, with her nestled against his chest while Harry played with one of her curls. Hermione lifted her head and looked at him.

“Harry, since I'm starting to show, do you think we should make an official announcement? The robes can only cover me for so long and I usually wear Muggle clothing when I'm not at work. Besides, I don't really want to hide the fact that we're having a baby.”

Harry smiled at her. “If it was up to me, I would shout it from rooftops, I'm so happy about it. I was just waiting for you to give me the go ahead to let others know.”

“You should have mentioned something before. We haven't discussed how we're going to tell others.”

“How about an announcement in The Quibbler? I'm sure we can write a short statement and Luna can arrange for it to be published. She's still running the show over there.”

“That would probably be best. And we'll include something about us not giving any interviews about it. I'd hate for Witches Weekly or The Prophet to make a circus out of the news.”

“They will, regardless of what we say, love.”

“Then someone else will get a good hexing and that will stop it,” she told him with a mischievous smile.

“How about our wedding? When do you want to have it?”

“Soon as well. I'd like us to be married before the baby comes if that's okay with you, darling.”

“I've been wanting to marry you since they day you accepted just to make sure you don't change your mind about it.”

“I won't change my mind, Harry James. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life at your side. I thought you knew that.”

“I do, but a little reassurance now and again never hurts!”

Hermione patted his cheek lovingly. “There's no way I'm letting you go. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me and I want to keep it that way.”

“Good, because I was planning on spending eternity with you anyways!”

He gave her a deep kiss just for good measure. Then they used the floo network to call Luna and she told them she would be over shortly.

Once she arrived, she suggested it would be better to do an entire interview and cover all of the bases at once and then it would be easier to ignore the rest of the press. Harry and Hermione agreed with her and they spent the rest of the afternoon putting together the interview that would appear on the front page of The Quibbler's very next issue.

0-0

First the Marauders, then came the Golden Trio, and now the next generation begins

By Luna Lovegood-Weasley

I got a call from two of my closest friends yesterday, something that always makes me happy. When they said they needed a favor, I was more than willing to do it, even before I knew what they wanted. The favor is this article you're reading now. They have some news and they want to share them with the wizarding world. Even though they are both popular and famous, they are also very private and don't like the limelight. They figured their news was so monumental that it was easier to have it in writing for all to see at once. This is, therefore, an exclusive interview and no one else will have this privilege. In case you haven't guessed who I'm talking about yet, it's Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. What you are about to read is exactly how it happened while we chatted.

LLW: So you have some news to share with the wizarding world, eh?

HP: We do, Luna, and we choose your magazine since we trust you to print things just as we tell you, without adding rubbish to it to sell more copies.

HG: Yeah, we don't want anyone to ruin this or to turn it into a circus. It's too dear to us.

LLW: You do realize that no matter what, people will still want to talk to you?

HP: We figured as much, but it's still not going to happen. This is the only interview we are giving. And Hermione's already told me she'll hex whoever persists on following us or asking more questions.

Hermione laughs merrily at this, I notice.

LLW: I know some pesky reporter that was following you around got a good hexing already, so let this be a warning to all of you out there. Hermione's hexes are usually well placed and she never misses her target.

HG: I don't want to do it, believe me. But when it comes to those whom I love and my sanity, I will do whatever it takes to assure that privacy.

LLW: Now that we have that cleared and the warning has been properly given, how about we talk about the big announcement?

HP: Our happy news is that we're getting married!

HG: And having a baby!

HP: We've actually been together for several months but kept it quiet because we wanted to enjoy our time together. We love each other deeply and we're looking forward to our marriage and our baby.

LLW: Congratulations to you both! When is the big event?

HP: You, of course, will know the minute this interview is over. But we're keeping the day, time and place a secret because it's going to be a very private affair, with only family and close friends present. Our wedding or the birth of our first child is not going to be turned into a big spectacle.

HG: The baby is due in a few months but we don't know the sex yet, in case anyone's wondering. This is something we've both wanted for a while and our dream is finally becoming a reality.

LLW: I guess I'm lucky to be attending such a joyous event. Anything else you want to share?

HP: Not at this time. As soon as our nuptials are performed, an announcement will appear on your magazine and the same with the baby. I hope everyone will respect our privacy during this time and wish us well. I love Hermione with all of my heart and this is a special moment in our lives and we want to fully enjoy it.

HG: Again, I really don't want to hex anyone, but I will if it means reporters will leave us alone. I'm going to marry the man of my dreams and we're going to have a child together. I'm a very happy woman at this point in my life and I don't want anyone to ruin that for me.

LLW: You know these news are going to break many hearts, right? Both of you have plenty of admirers.

HP: Hermione has been the love of my life for a long time, so no one else had a chance.

HG: I know how lucky I am to have Harry in my life. Sorry, girls, but he's mine now!

I have to admit that I've known about their relationship from the beginning, since I had a hand in making it happen! Ronald and I were also their first friends to know about the baby. As many of you already know, I'm also pregnant with twins! Therefore, the new generation of Potter, Weasley and Malfoy kids is in the making and things should get interesting again from here on out. While Harry and Ronald have been discussing House Cups and Quidditch games, Hermione and I have been going over books and trying to predict which house our little ones will end up in. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw are our two picks, but strangest things have happened. Our only hope is that Headmistress Minerva McGonagall is retired by the time our kids make it to school!

0-0

“Hey, mate,” Ron said as he sat next to Harry at the bar.

Ever since finding out Hermione and Luna were pregnant, they had taken to meeting once a week at their local pub to share a few beers while their significant others spent some time together talking babies. It was their time to vent, grumble, and share good news.

“Hey. How's is it going?”

“Okay, I guess. How about you?”

“Tired, but otherwise okay. How's Luna?”

Ron ran a hand through his hair and mussed it up more than it was already. “Luna is just fine.”

“Why the long face then?”

“Mate, she keeps getting all these bloody urges to eat the strangest foods in the middle of the night, every night and she's driving me mad! It was never this bad with Mathew and I'm bloody exhausted!”

Harry had the nerve to laugh. “And I thought I had it bad with Hermione reading more than ever. I swear she's read every book on the planet about babies and parenting. And not only that, but she's told me all about them as well.”

“You still sleep at night, though, so excuse me if I don't feel your pain,” Ron told him.

“Well, she's been getting food cravings as well, of the Muggle kind, so those are sometimes hard to find, too. And she's only six months along.”

“Same thing I keep thinking, mate. There're still three months of this and I don't know how I'm going to survive.”

“Oh, you know you will. Time's been flying by already.”

“Ever since the article came out last month Luna has been inundated with letters demanding she print pictures of the wedding and the baby once it's born.”

“We're married already, so it's a little late for that. And I don't think Hermione will want a picture of the baby in the paper.”

“You might as well, mate, otherwise they'll be following her around just to take one. You don't want her to end up in a situation that could get ugly if she has the baby with her.”

“You're right. I'll have a talk with her about it. I don't want to spend the rest of my life locked up in Azkaban for murdering the son of a bitch that dared to touch my wife and baby.”

“Exactly. I'd be right along with you because I'd help. Of course, I might not make it to Azkaban since Luna will have my hide first.”

“You know something, mate? Sometimes I wish Hermione and I could live in the Muggle world and forget all about magic. Just live a boring life out in the suburbs and raise our kids in peace.”

“At some point, it will get better. Once the hoopla dies down, people will move on to other things, you'll see. We just have to deal with it for a little longer.”

“I hope you're right about that. I'm not going to let anyone hurt my family, Ron.”

“Neither will I, mate. I'm too happy and content at this point in my life.”

“We should finish and head back home. Our wives should be expecting us by now.”

“Let's pick vanilla ice cream and pickles on the way, though. Luna might want some later.”

“And peanut butter and bananas. Hermione is always craving a sandwich with those as the main ingredients.”

“Urgh, I think the twins are going to be my last kids!”

“Not for me, though, I want a couple more as well.”

“Hope for twins next time! It'll be done in less time.”

“Don't think I'd be that lucky. Craving and long nights aside, this is the happiest time of my life.”

“Yeah, we're a couple of lucky bastards, Harry, and we should be grateful that we have such great wives.”

“I know, mate. We're two lucky bastards, indeed!”

0-0

“Got names for the babies yet?”

“We've been discussing a few, but nothing for sure yet. We don't know their sexes either, so it makes it difficult to pick. How about you?”

“If it's a boy we want to name him Andrew James. If it's a girl we'll name her Alyson Kaeli.”

“They have nice rings to them. Do you have a preference? I wouldn't mind having girls, or a pair. Too many male Weasley's in one household is probably going to be chaotic.”

“I'd love a little boy and then a little girl. I love Mathew to pieces and I think it would be wonderful if Harry could experience having a son of his own. Even though he had a bad childhood, he's going to be a wonderful dad.”

“As much as he's going to enjoy having a little boy to teach him how to play quidditch, having a little girl would do him so good as well.”

“She'd have him wrapped around her little finger in no time.”

“She would and he'll also keep the boys at bay. Same as Ronald would.”

“Luna, I think it's so wonderful that we're going to have babies around the same time. To be honest, I'm a little scared and having someone go through the same thing with me makes it a little easier.”

“Are you afraid because it's your first or because it's a magical child?”

“Both. As much as I've read about it, nothing will fully prepare me for when the time comes.”

“My advice, having been there once already, is to stay calm and relaxed. The minute you tense up or let your fears get in the way, you'll be in trouble and it'll be more difficult. It hurts like all hell when the baby is coming out, I won't lie to you about that, but the minute you hear it cry for the first time you'll forget all about it. The love you feel is so intense and so pure, you won't regret a single second of it. And most likely than not, I'll be at your side with Harry.”

Hermione squeezed Luna's hand and smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Luna. For everything.”

“Hey, that's what friends are for.”

0-0

Harry and Ron made it back and watched in horror as their wives ate their late evening snacks. Luna kept dipping her pickle into the vanilla ice cream while Hermione enjoyed her banana and peanut butter sandwich. She had added potato crisps to it to make it crunchy.

They spent a couple of hours together, talking babies and making plans. Harry ordered a huge pizza loaded with all of the ingredients they had available and Hermione and Luna ate half of it. Harry was amazed that they could eat so much and not gain weight, but then he remembered that they were walking and exercising together at a Muggle gym and didn't bother to mention anything.

All in all, life couldn't be better and he was loving every minute of it. He couldn't wait for the babies to be born. He was more than ready to be a dad and it meant the world to him that Hermione would be the mother of his children.

The only thing he wished for was having his parents witness all of it, but he knew that they were watching him from heaven and would guard his kids throughout their lives. He wasn't a big believer in Holy things, but in his heart he just knew that and it was enough.

0-0

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A/N: This is the last chapter of the story. The next one will be an epilogue. Thanks for the lovely reviews and for sticking with the story. This chapter hasn't been beta'd, so please forgive any and all mistakes. Hope you enjoy it as well.

HERMIONE'S BABY

CHAPTER 11: MEETING THEIR LITTLE ONE

The only thing he wished for was having his parents witness all of it, but he knew that they were watching him from heaven and would guard his kids throughout their lives. He wasn't a big believer in Holy things, but in his heart he just knew that and it was enough.

0-0

Before they knew it, it was time for Hermione and Luna to give birth. Hermione was due only a couple of weeks before Luna and they were both feeling it. Swollen feet were now a daily occurrence and they hardly left their houses.

Harry had insisted on buying Hermione a new home. Since money had never been an issue for him and he had plenty of it, he decided he wanted to give Ron and Luna a new home as well. Ron had been completely against it at the time, but since Harry had purchased the home already, there wasn't much he could do. Luna had loved the big house so he had finally given in.

They now lived close to Ginny and Draco, in Manors that were next to each other and had plenty of room for their kids to run. A huge swimming pool was being built out back. A screened in porch would be built around it and it would also have a water heater so they would be able to use it for most of the year. In addition, a pond was close by. Potter and Weasley Manors were both impressive and well taken care of by a small army of very-well paid house elves that were more than delighted to work for them.

While Hermione and Luna got bigger, Harry and Ron took the time to arrange the Manors to their wives liking and the nurseries were both amazing. Neither Hermione nor Luna had been able to stop crying for minutes once they had seen the finished products.

Since Harry and Hermione now knew they were expecting a little boy, they had decided on a safari theme for his room. The walls now sported a light green color and the furniture was done in rich walnut tones that were polished to a shine. The other colors that complimented the room were pastel browns, creams and yellows. Several stuffed jungle animals guarded every corned of the crib. Above it hung a colorful mobile that played music softly and matched the stuffed animals on the crib. The pillow cover and the baby's towels all had Andrew James embroidered on them. A safari jeep also sat on a small table next to the bed and several wall hangings also adorned the walls.

A rocking chair sat next to a tall book case that was full of all of the Muggle fairytale books, Disney stories, and wizarding baby books available. That had been Harry's surprise to Hermione. Since he had no real knowledge of what to buy, he had gone to Hermione's parents and they had been more than happy to help him buy them. While they had not been that impressed with the news that Hermione wanted to have a child without being wed, they had been more than happy when they had found out Harry would be the father and had all intentions of making an honest woman out of her.

When Hermione had seen the rocking chair and bookcase, she had simply stood there, tears pooling in her eyes, unable to say much for the first few minutes. Then she had turned around slowly, hugged him and cried for several minutes. Used to the tears by then, he had hugged her back and rubbed soothing circles on her lower back. He had learned to differentiate between her tears and those were the happy kind.

When she finally complained of lower back pain a few days before she was due, he was immediately on his feet and in action. He had been rehearsing for the past week, and while she had laughed at his anxiousness, he had told her he wanted to be prepared. Their suitcase stood by the door, the car seat had already been placed in their car, and the papers had been filled at St. Mungos, where she would have a private room guarded by a couple of experienced Aurors. Harry was not taking any risks when it came to his wife and child.

As soon as they checked in, the waiting game started. Ron had gone to pick up Hermione's parents and Luna was at Hermione's side as they practiced their breathing together. It was quite the sight and some of the mediwitches made comments about it. They'd never seen anything like it. Harry stood on her other side, holding her hand and kissing her forehead. Hermione's healer had also been by to pay her a visit and to tell them it would still be a few hours.

Several hours later, Hermione was ready, and as always, she put her best effort forward and after several cries of pain and some heavy breathing and pushing, Andrew James came into their world.

When the healer lifted him up so they could see him, tears fell down their cheeks. Harry was asked if he wanted to cut the umbilical cord, and after some hesitation and encouragement from his wife, he did so. Andrew was cleaned quickly and wrapped securely in a blue blanket before the mediwitch laid him gently on Hermione's waiting arms.

Luna had stepped away the moment she had seen him and left the entranced new parents so she could tell their family and friends the good news. Cries of joy accompanied her announcement.

For the next few minutes, they both stared in wonder at their baby, not saying anything, just watching him breathe while he slept peacefully. He was a little red and wrinkled, not to mention a little swollen, but to Harry and Hermione, he was the most beautiful baby in the world.

Hermione took his tiny hand in hers, marveling at the difference in size and noticing how cute his little nails were. And when Andrew James Potter-Granger wrapped his little hand around her index finger, Hermione fell in love once again, took another shaky breath, and thanked all that was Holy for the wonder that was her baby. A lump the size of a grapefruit had taken residence in her throat since she had first seen her baby boy and made it impossible for her to utter a single word. Not that she had much to say. This was one of those rare moments in which she had been rendered speechless, but she didn't really mind. After all, there was a small miracle wrapped in blue nestled in her arms. Mere words were insignificant.

Harry, meanwhile, looked at Andrew's hair, black like his own and probably just as unruly and had to smile at fate's audacity. Not that dealing with Hermione's wild curls would have been easier. The poor kid had no chance when it came to good looking hair, he mused. He wasn't sure what color his eyes would be, but he was hoping they would be a mix of his and Hermione's. One thing he was sure of, his was one handsome baby and the love he felt at the moment was like nothing he had ever experienced before. All of a sudden he finally understood what had driven his parent to protect him as a child, even if it meant certain death. Parenthood sure as hell put things in a whole new perspective for him. He knew then, that given the chance, he would also protect his child with his life.

Just then, Andrew James opened his little eyes and stared up at his mother for the first time. The tears that she had been holding finally fell as she looked back at him.

“Hi,” she whispered. “Welcome to our world and happy birthday, my sweet darling.”

Andrew James blinked a couple of times, but kept staring at her. Harry smiled at the first connection between mother and son and his tears fell freely as well. To be a part of this, to witness such a tender sight, it was enough to make the strongest man fall to his knees.

“Want to say hi to daddy?” Hermione continued in the same soft voice. “He's been dying to meet you, sweetheart.”

Andrew James blinked again and tightened his hold on her finger. Hermione chuckled and finally looked up at Harry.

“Ready to hold him, daddy?”

Harry just nodded, dried his tears quickly and stepped closer to the baby. Just then, Andrew James noticed him and looked his way. His piercing blue eyes were amazing to look at, but he knew they would change in the days to come. He gathered the baby carefully, following Hermione's advice. Once he had the baby in his arms, he stood very still and they watched each other for a few minutes. Harry's tears fell again and he was unable to speak. He had never felt such love, such tenderness and such a fierce need to protect like he did now. This was his son. His heir. And the result of his and Hermione's love.

Hermione watched and fell in love with her man all over again. It was clear that he was completely taken by Andrew James. His love for the baby shone brightly in his emerald eyes. His tears made him manlier to her because they were tears of joy and happiness. Harry James Potter was one sexy daddy!

Harry started walking around the room, humming the entire time, and looking at his beautiful son. Hermione watched, proud and full of love, at the two most important men in her life. Bliss. It was pure, unadulterated bliss.

0-0

A while later, Hermione's parents were allowed in the room and her mother couldn't hold back the tears of happiness at seeing her grandson for the first time. Her father was also teary eyed when he got to hold the baby. They congratulated the new parents and spent sometime talking to their grandson. Hermione watched on amused.

Her parents had always been loving, but were also very serious. To see them so carefree and emotional was new to her and she realized that she liked it a lot. She had read somewhere that when parents became grandparents they acted completely different. They were relaxed and happy and showed their emotions more freely. Instead of feeling completely responsible for another human being, they were able to enjoy being grandparents fully. She had a feeling Andrew James would be spoiled rotten by them.

When he started crying, Hermione knew instinctively that he was hungry. Her mother helped her get ready to breastfeed him for the first time. While it hurt at first, she didn't complain knowing it would be best for him. They all watched in amazement as Hermione breastfed Andrew James for the first time. He held her finger the entire time and Hermione couldn't stop looking at him. He seemed so peaceful and happy. Harry was at her side, watching attentively and marveling at the way nature worked. His love for Hermione multiplied at the sight.

0-0

“Bloody hell, Luna, do you think we're ever going to be allowed in there? It's been a bloody hour since Hermione gave birth,” Ron complained while pacing outside the private room. “I am the godfather, for Merlin's sake! Her parents have been in there for the longest time, too.”

“Just because you wanted to parade Matthew around for the entire world to see the minute he was born doesn't mean Harry and Hermione are going to do the same. They're doing their bonding with the baby now, so be quiet and wait!” his wife admonished him while she rubbed her huge belly.

“Easy for you to say. You've already met him. How long does it take to bond, anyways?” he kept on whining.

“And then you wonder why Hermione thinks you have the emotional range of a teaspoon,” Luna wondered out loud.

“Excuse me? I have matured, woman. You've told me so yourself.”

“Of course you have matured, Ronald, but you sometimes still revert to your old self. Now is a fine example of that.”

“Fine, I'll sit and act all proper and mature so you're not embarrassed by your husband.”

He sat down and pouted while trying to look mature and manly. Luna laughed and patted his cheek lovingly.

“Oh, Ronald, give them a few more minutes. It's not going to kill you. Remember this is a special moment for Harry. As much as he loves you and the Weasley clan, he's never really had a family of his own before. And Hermione is an only child. Her parents also need a moment with them.”

Ron was quiet for a moment, as if contemplating her words. “You're right, of course. I never thought of it that way. I'm sorry I'm acting like a fool.”

“It's alright, darling; I know you're anxious to see them. Harry will be out soon, you'll see.”

0-0

True to Luna's words, Harry stepped out of the room about fifteen minutes later. Ron was immediately at his side and gave him a congratulatory hug. Luna just waved from her seat.

“How are Hermione and the baby?”

“They're both wonderful. Hermione doesn't even remember the pain right now.”

“Do you like being a dad?”

Harry just smiled. “I really don't know how to describe what I'm feeling, Ron.”

“It's alright, mate. I think I know the feeling. Like you're the happiest man on earth, right?”

“Yeah. You were so right when you told me we're a couple of lucky bastards.”

Ron smiled. “We deserve it, though. It was about bloody time things went right for us.”

“I never thought I'd know what absolute joy is all about, but when I held Andrew James in my arms for the first time, it felt like my heart would burst.”

“Wait until he smiles at you for the first time, or calls you daddy. Man, there is no better feeling in the world.”

“I can't wait. Do you want to meet your godson? I know I've been in there for a while, but I couldn't seem to tear myself away from my family.”

“Its fine, mate. I was getting a little impatient, but Luna straightened me out right quick. I'd love to meet him, though.”

He helped Luna up from the chair and the three of them walked into the room. Mrs. Granger was sitting by the bed, and Mr. Granger was standing behind her. Hermione was holding Andrew James in her arms while they talked softly.

When the door opened, Hermione looked over to them and smiled radiantly.

Ron walked over to the bed and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Hey, there. Feeling alright?” he asked softly.

Hermione nodded at him. “Isn't he beautiful?”

Ron looked down at the baby and smiled. “That he is. You did a wonderful job. Luna told me it was a bit of a difficult delivery but you were strong as always.”

“Thanks, Ron. It was worth it.”

“I'll say. Do you think I can hold him?”

“Of course.” She looked down at her son and smiled. “Andrew James, this is your uncle Ron. Want to say hi?”

Andrew James just kept looking up at her and she smiled. She lifted him up a little and Ron bent down to pick him up. Andrew blinked a couple of times and stared at him as well.

“Hi, little fellow. I'm your favorite uncle Ron. Wait until you meet your cousin Matthew. You're going to have a lot of fun playing together.”

The rest of the day was spent with family and friends visiting and wishing the new family well. The room was suddenly full of flowers, stuffed animals and cards. The Minister of Magic had come by to say hello as well as Minerva and Hagrid. Andrew James slept for most of it.

When night time arrived, a bed was prepared for Harry and Andrew's basinet was put in between their parents. He woke up every two hours or so and Harry would bring him over to Hermione so she could feed him. The next morning, both were tired and a little sleep deprived, but they didn't mind. As long as Andrew James was happy, they were, too.

Hermione would be released the very next day and Mr. and Mrs. Granger had decided to take some vacation time. They would be staying at the Manor for a few weeks to help Hermione out. Having been away from her parents for most of her teenage and adult years, Hermione was more than happy they were willing to do that. She was looking forward to spending all of that time with them and Harry got along with them beautifully as well.

0-0

Just as Hermione was going to be released the next morning, Luna went into labor. She really wanted to stay, be there for her as she had promised, but Luna told her she would be fine and to go on home and get Andrew James settled in. Harry promised to be back as soon as he could. At least most of the Weasley's were there to keep a nervous Ron company. Even though he had been through it before, it was twins this time and he was worried about his wife.

Harry took Hermione home, got them settled in, and headed back to the hospital to be with his best friend. Having the Granger's at home with his wife made it easier for him to leave. That and the couple of Aurors he had guarding his family and home.

The twins were born quickly and without much fuss. Luna was a warrior and went through it like nothing. Everyone was amazed at her composure. While Ron had been a nervous wreck, Luna had remained calm and almost smiled through the entire thing. She mentioned that some sort of weird creatures were there to help her along. Used to it by now, the Weasley's just nodded and smiled at her.

Harry was able to go back home later that afternoon and reported the good news to Hermione and their family. Alexander and Samantha Weasley were beautiful and even though they were on the small side, they were healthy. Luna was doing just fine. She had even mentioned maybe having one more. Ron had paled at that and they'd all had a good laugh about it.

Ginny and Draco had announced they would wait another year before adding more children to their close knit group. Mrs. Weasley had pouted a bit, but forgot about it quickly when she went back to gaze at the twins.

All in all, it was another great day that would be remembered for years to come. New babies meant more laughter and joy in their lives. When Harry and Hermione went to bed that night, with Andrew James sleeping peacefully in his basinet by their bed, they felt truly complete and happy. Life was good and they were thankful. Who'd have thought the shy boy that had come to Hogwarts and his bushy haired friend would ever get together, marry and conceive such a beautiful child? Not only that, but they were in love.

The forever kind.

0-0

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Hermione's Baby

Epilogue

4 years later…

0-0

“Daddy!” Andrew James shouted the moment Harry stepped into their home.

He ran up to meet his father and jumped up just as Harry dropped his briefcase and picked him up. He twirled him around several times and Andrew laughed with glee.

“Did you have a good day?”

“Yes.”

“Were you good for mummy?”

Andrew nodded and Harry put him down after kissing him. “I was good for mummy. We went to the pool.”

“That's good. Did you practice your swimming?”

“Yes, daddy.”

One of the house elves came by and picked up the briefcase.

“I'll put this in your study, sir.”

“Thank you, Rocco. Where is Hermione?”

“In the kitchen trying to feed Alyson, sir.”

Harry smiled. Alyson Kaeli was two years old and they could already tell she was going to be a handful. She was most definitely in her terrible two's. Andrew James had turned out to be like his mother. He loved his books and having someone read them to him, he was intelligent, kind and very well behaved.

Alyson, on the other hand, had quite the temper, was ornery when she didn't get her way, and was as mischievous as any two year old could be. Harry loved her to pieces. She was daddy's girl.

“Let's go see, Aly and mummy,” he told his son and gave him a piggy back ride to the enormous kitchen.

The moment they walked in, Alyson turned his way and gave him a toothy smile. Her face was full of some orange goo and her hair was standing in orange spikes. Hermione looked over at him and smiled tiredly. She was also covered in the orange stuff.

“Daddy!” Aly shouted and lifted her arms towards him.

After letting Andrew down, Harry picked up a paper towel and wet it before walking over to his little tornado. “What happened to you, angel?”

“Mummy,” Aly simply said while pointing at Hermione.

Harry chuckled while cleaning her up. “Mummy did this to you?”

“Yes,” Aly told him and smiled again. Once she was cleaned up as best as he could, he picked her up and kissed her. She immediately nestled against his chest.

“Long day, sweetheart?” he asked his wife as he bent down to kiss her.

“You have no idea, darling.”

“I'm sorry it took me longer to get home today. Something came up at the last minute and I had to stay.”

“It's okay, love. I understand.”

“Why don't you head up and take a shower? I'll take care of the kids until you're done.”

“Are you sure? You must be tired as well.”

“I'm fine. Go on.”

Hermione dropped a grateful kiss on his lips and left the kitchen.

She headed upstairs, filled the hot tub with water, added some of her favorite scented bath crystals, and lowered her tired body in. She sighed in pleasure as the jets made contact with her tired muscles. Now that Harry was home, she could afford this little luxury for a good half hour.

Ever since she had been appointed as the junior minister she had been sleep deprived. No matter how often Harry reminded her that they had house elves to help them out, Hermione wanted to take care of their kids the moment she walked in the door. Sometimes that meant going to bed very late because she had papers to go over and she refused to do that while the kids were awake. She got up early as well and made sure they had a good breakfast before she went off to work.

It wasn't that she didn't trust the house elves. She was quite impressed with how well they ran the household, but she wanted to take care of her babies whenever she could. It was beginning to take its toll on her, though. She had been the junior minister for about a year now, and everyone was already saying she'd make it to Minister of Magic in the next five. For someone as young as her, it meant a lot, especially since she was a Muggle.

Harry was a huge help, but ever since he had quit his job as the head of the Aurors department to open his own security firm, he had been working long hours. The business was flourishing and he had asked Ron and Draco to join him. They provided security to wealthy wizards and their families, visiting dignitaries and business people, and added security for sporting events. Quite a few of the best Ministry Aurors were now in his employ.

While the business had started of small and no one saw the need for extra protection, his business had considerably picked up after he had thwarted a kidnapping. A very wealthy Russian family had come into town for a ministry ball. The heir had almost been kidnapped and Harry, who happened to be in the hotel for a meeting, had kept it from happening. The incident had been in every newspaper of the entire wizarding community and since then his office had been inundated with requests. Such success meant that he was working extra hours and coming home a little later some days of the week. Ron and Draco were in the same situation.

Luna had quit her job and decided to become a stay at home mum. In her free time, she wrote articles for The Quibbler. Ginny had stopped traveling to cover the Quidditch games and was now writing for The Prophet. Her accurate, funny and informative column in the sports section was the most read everyday. She was also working from home since she had given birth to Jordan, a beautiful little girl that had just turned one.

Hermione sighed again as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. No one knew this, but she was also considering quitting her job. She knew her future with the ministry was paved in gold. She was highly respected by her peers and co-workers and she knew she'd make a damn good Minister of Magic if she decided to go that route. Her kids, however, and the love she felt for them, overrode all of that.

She wanted to be with them at all times until they went off to school. She wanted to take care of their every need. Money wasn't an issue, so she could turn in her resignation at any moment. Once the kids were both in school, she could go back to work and retake her career if she chose to do so at that time. Not only that, but she wanted the time to write.

It had occurred to her after the war that she could take their experiences and turn them into works of fiction that would probably sell well in the Muggle world. What kid wouldn't love to read about their “imaginary” adventures at such a young age? She could very well turn it into a series.

For her last birthday, Harry had given her a laptop and she had been doing some writing for the past six months when the kids went to bed and she had a few spare minutes. She was almost at the end of her first manuscript and wanted to tell Harry about it. If she sent it off and someone was interested, it would give her something to do while being at home with her babies.

Just as she was beginning to dose off, Harry walked into the bathroom.

“Is it normal to envy all those bubbles surrounding your luscious body?” he asked as he sat on the toilet and looked over at her.

Hermione smiled as she opened her eyes. Harry handed her a glass of wine and she took it from his hand. Instead of drinking it, she put it on the side of the tub. “If it was later and the kids were asleep, I'd ask you to join me.”

“Or I could go and put them to sleep magically for a couple of hours!”

“Harry James Potter, you will do no such thing. You can wait until tonight.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Most definitely. Now, tell me about your day.”

“Same as usual. We're so busy right now it's not even funny. We've been selected to oversee the security at the next symposium of all the Ministers of Magic that will be held in France this year. We have three months to prepare.”

“Oh, darling, congratulations! I'm sure you'll do a fine job.”

“We have a good team, so I think so as well.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“Close to two weeks, but I intend to take you and the kids along. I can't see myself being that far from the three of you for that long.”

“Four.”

“Four? Who's the fourth? Rocco?”

“No.”

“I'm confused.”

“And I'm pregnant!”

Harry just stared at her for a full five seconds before he reacted. Not caring about his expensive suit or shoes, he went over to his wife and hugged her for dear life. Hermione laughed at his reaction and pulled him all the way in. Harry stumbled into the warm water with a gasp.

Their laughter and shouts reached the outside of their room and a moment later, Andrew James ran into the bathroom followed closely by Alyson. When they saw their parents in the water, they came right to the side and tried to climb in. Andrew, being bigger, had no problem but Aly was having a little trouble. She looked pleadingly at her daddy, he melted, and pulled her in as well.

Hermione looked at all of them, fully clothed and dripping wet and burst out laughing again. Right then she decided to have a talk with Harry that night. She was sure he would understand.

“Guess what, kids?” Harry said as he gathered them both in his lap.

“What daddy?” Andrew asked.

“Mummy is having a baby!”

“Baby?” Aly asked with a small frown. “I baby,” she informed them as she pointed at herself.

“Well, yes you are, but you're going to be big soon and you will be able to help mummy take care of the new baby,” Harry explained after he and Hermione had shared an amused glance.

Aly, thank heaven, seemed satisfied with that. “'Kay.”

Andrew went to sit in Hermione's lap. “I can help, too, mummy.”

Hermione placed a tender kiss on his forehead. “Of course you can, sweetheart. You're mummy's big boy. And Aly will be mummy's big girl.”

“Do you have any idea what we're having, love? How far along are you?”

“Almost three months. I've been so busy with work that I just took the tiredness for that. I haven't experience any morning sickness this time, thank God. We'll find out the sex of the baby in the next visit.”

“Great. We'll all go so the kids can listen to the heartbeat.”

“Sounds like a plan. Now, why don't we get you all out of those wet clothes so we can go watch a movie and cuddle in bed?”

A merry shout of agreement from their kids was all they needed.

0-0

Later that night, after the movie had been watched, the popcorn had been eaten and the kids had been put to sleep, Hermione finally confided in her husband what had been on her mind for a while.

Harry seemed surprised at first, since he'd had no clue she had been feeling that way. Then he seemed hurt she had waited so long to confide in him. Finally, he just held her in his arms and let her talk all she wanted.

When she was done, she took a deep breath and waited. She knew he was a bit upset, but she also knew he would look past that and support her.

“I wish you had said something before. Why didn't you?”

“You've been so busy setting up your firm, love, and I didn't want you to worry about my issues.”

“Listen to me, Hermione Potter, I need to know and I want to know when you are upset or going through things. This is a marriage, a partnership, and we should share important things like that.”

“You're absolutely right and it was wrong of me.”

“It's okay. If you want to quit the ministry, stay at home with Andrew and Aly and write a book about our adventures, I have no problem with that. I'd actually love it because no one takes care of our babies better than you. You're a fine mother, Hermione, and I'm damn proud of you.”

“Thank you, Harry. Hearing you say that means a lot. You and the kids are everything to me.”

“Can I read the manuscript?”

“You really want to?”

“Of course! As long as you made me a good looking kid from the beginning I'm happy!”

“You've always been handsome, Harry James. You're looking especially handsome right now,” she said with a wink and smiled at him.

He looked down at himself and frowned. “I'm just wearing a pair of boxers.”

“Exactly,” she said before pushing him on his back and straddling him. “You look very handsome, indeed!”

With that, she leaned down and captured his mouth in a heated kiss. More than an hour passed before they finally went to sleep.

0-0

Six months later, right after Hermione gave birth to another little boy, her first book was published. It was an instant hit in the UK and in the States. Due to Maximilian's birth, she had declined all publicity tours and the publisher had been happy to let her do some magazine and TV interviews instead. Her absence from the public eye only heightened the book sales and added to the mystery. Surprisingly, even to herself, Hermione had settled into her role of stay-at-home mummy well. The kids were flourishing under her constant attention and she still found time to write. It worked out perfectly.

Harry couldn't be more proud. Hermione, A J, Aly and Max were his life and he couldn't be happier to have such a beautiful family. Every dream they'd ever had had come true. They all had come a long way. Even with all life had thrown at them from an early age until now they had always managed to come out on top. Harry James Potter considered himself a lucky man as he gazed at his family playing in the pool. Max was asleep by his side.

“You seem lost in thought, darling,” Hermione said as she looked over at him.

“I was just thinking I must be the luckiest man on this earth.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I'm married to the most wonderful and beautiful woman in the planet; I have three wonderful kids, close friends that are part of my extended family and a successful business. I never thought I'd be this blissful or blessed.”

“It's not luck, my love. You deserve every bit of it. You fought hard for it.”

Harry seemed to think about her words for a moment. “You're absolutely right, as always. We worked damn hard for it.”

Hermione squeezed his hand lovingly. “I love you, Harry James. With all of my heart, now and forever. I think I'm the lucky one to have such a beautiful family.”

“Nah, I still say I'm the luckiest one of us all. And I love you, Hermione Jane. I'll love you and our babies until the day I die.”

0-0

A/N: There you have it. Hope you enjoyed the very last chapter. I've loved writing this and sharing it with you all. Thanks for the reviews. It was amazing to see the response this fic got, especially the number of reviews. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and until the next one!

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