(Warning, there will be some graphic imagery. Read at your discretion.)

The phone rang loudly in the middle of the night jumping Ron and Hermione awake. 

Hermione grabbed her belly as instinct. And Ron got up slowly grabbing the phone from the dresser on the other side of the room.

"Hello?" He asked rubbing his face and wiping the gunk out of his eyes.

"Ron!" Charlie yelled through the phone. "How are you, man?"

"Charlie?" Ron asked slowly. "Do you know what time it is?" 

"Uh, six." 

"No! It's four in the morning!" Ron said angrily.

"Shit, the time difference!" Ron could hear Charlie slap his forehead.

"What do you want?" Ron asked grogginess creeping his voice again.

"Well, I know you and Hermione never really had a chance for a honeymoon because James kinda crashed the party. So I was wondering if you and she wanted to come to Romania for a week. Dylan is leaving in a few days to go see his parents, they just started talking again, and one of the dragons just had like six eggs, so my hands will be full. How does that sound?"

"And this couldn't have been a text because?" Ron asked. 

"Ah, Ron, you're no fun. See you on Thursday."

"Yeah, okay," Ron said before putting down the phone and crawling back into bed. Wrapping his arms around Hermione. She nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck and sighed.

"Who was it?" She asked her voice low and raspy from sleep.

"Charlie," Ron answered already falling back asleep.

"Oh, okay." Hermione nodded before drifting off again.

Later that morning,

"And you really think we can afford that?" Hermione snapped harshly as she flipped an egg, breaking the yolk.

"He invited us, and we never did have a honeymoon. We should go." Ron said filling his travel mug with coffee.

"Do you think work will allow us to take a week off. Spend six hundred Euros and live it up with dragons. Because if you do, then you are greatly mistaken." Opening the cabinet she pushed the boxes of tea bags around.

"Please, just think about it, let me talk to the head if they say yes, will you please just think about it?" Ron begged as he pulled on his jacket. "What are you looking for anyway?"

"We don't have decaf tea," Hermionesiad snapping the cabinet closed.

"Why don't you just drink coffee?" 

"I can't have any caffeine," Hermione muttered as she slid her eggs from the pan onto her plate and filled a glass with water. Sitting down she began to slowly eat.

"Don't you have to go?" Ron said kissing her cheek.

"On the contrary, you have to go. I took the day off."

"What?" Ron yelled. "You just yell at me that we can't go on vacation and now you sit here taking the bloody day for yourself!"

"For the love of Merlin!" Hermione said slamming her fork down. "Go to work already! I needed a day! You know what, just leave." 

"Yeah, that way you can go hang out with Ginny or someone," Ron muttered as he walked towards the door.

"I'm pregnant you insensitive bastard!" Hermione screamed. Her hair flying in front of her face, and some spit flew from the mouth.

"You're what?" Ron asked slowly. His hand fell off the doorknob and he rubbed his jaw as he refocused.

"I'm pregnant," Hermione repeated slowly.

"Wait, you- you have a-a baby?" Ron stuttered.

"Yes, a baby."  Hermione. nodded.

"I can't go to work now," Ron said starting to take off his jacket.

"Yes, you can," Hermione said placing a hand on his arm gently. "And you will. Because before you even think about going to Romania, then you better go make some money." 

'I thought you didn't want to go to Romania?" Ro said confused.

"I don't," Hermione answered stubbornly. "But, I might as well look at some plane tickets." She sighed.

"I love you so much," Ron said kissing on the forehead.

"I love you too. And so do they." She smiled holding her flat stomach.

"Well, I love them too," Ron said kissing her lips and touching Hermione belly on top of her own hands.

"If we keep doing this you'll never get to work on time." Hermione sighed taking as a slight step back.

"Ah, no fun." Ron sighed as he began to walk towards the door. "See you at five." He smiled before shutting the door behind him. 

Sighing Hermione ate the rest her food cleaned the dishes and put them away. She wiped down the countertops and made the bed. Walking back out to the kitchen Hermione peered around her already pristine flat.

She sucked on her teeth not knowing what to do with herself. Glancing over towards the television she saw the phone sitting by the remotes. Picking it up she dialed Harry and Ginny's house. The phone dialed five times before there was a click of static and Ginny picked up.

"Sup nerd?" She said.

"Hey," Hermione answered. "Wait how'd did you know it was me? What if I was your great uncle's first cousin with is a multibillionaire?"

"First off," Ginny laughed. "Bold of you to assume that the Weasley's have any money, and second off Harry set up this caller ID thing that tells us who calling." Ginny, she explained.

"How fancy," Hermione said. She could hear Ginny munching on something.

"Oh!"Ginny exclaimed through a mouthful of chips. "Law and Order is on!"

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Turn on your TV! Channel nineteen."

"Oh, -o-okay." Hermione grabbed her remote and switched the TV on the afternoon news blaring. Fumbling with the button a lady with dark hair came on the screen. Serious dark tones were playing the background as a frantic woman screamed at her.

"Jessica! Pull yourself together!" She said squeezing the woman's hand. 

"What's happening?" Hermione asked giving the screen a side-eye.

"I started watching this with James while I breastfed and watched him nap. And then I would clean, he would poop, yadda yadda yadda. Anyway, I'm obsessed now." Ginny explained.

"Oh okay, but what's happening here, give me some context," Hermione explained gesturing even though Ginny would not be able to see her.

"Okay," Ginny clicked her tongue once. "Jessica was in an abusive relationship with a guy named Will and they were only dating for like three weeks and he raped her when she said no to sleeping with him. Needless to say, she got pregnant and scared so she didn't break up with him. About a year later the baby is four months old and Will shoots up Jessica with heroin after he puts a sedative in her drink. He called the cops for drug use around the child. She gets arrested he gets custody and then the court rules permanent custody on the baby to Will, she's freaking out and trying to sue him and appel her case, but she has no money or support."

"That's awful." Hermione sighs. "I would never want something like that to happen to my baby."

"Hermione you're silly." Ginny sighed through a laugh. "You don't have a baby."

"Um actually, that's why I called," Hermione said nervously. She heard the volume lower on Ginny's TV.

"What are you saying?" Ginny asked.

"I'm having a baby," Hermione said happily.

"You're having a baby?" Ginny asked excitedly her voice squeeing.

"Yes!" Hermione screamed.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ginny yelled. "Shit!" She then exclaimed.

"James?" Hermione asked grimacing.

"You'll know soon enough." Ginny sighed.

"Have fun!" Hermione said withholding her laugh. 

"Oh, whatever. Talk to you later." Ginny said pretending to be hurt by Hermione's words.

"Bye." Hermione smiled before hanging up.

She flicked off the show and pulled out her laptop. "Let's see, flights to Romania. Budget, Thursday at four in the morning with a layover in Germany or Direct at six-fifteen. That's over seven hundred euros including baggage. We will have to save for at least five months in order to be ready for the baby."

Hermione sucked her teeth and saved the pages. Walking into the bedroom she grabbed their suitcase. It would be able to fit about nine days worth of clothes for her, she could put a charm on it to make it bigger.

Sucking her teeth again Hermione checked her bank account. 

"It might just work out for him. He'll have to make a pretty good case." Hermione sighed. Then she decided to take a nap.

/*

"Hermione?" Ron asked tugged her sleeve in the airport security line. "Why are muggles so scared of guns?" He said far too loud.

"Not so loud!" Hermione hissed under her breath.

"Okay, okay!" Ron said in a high pitched voice with his arms at his shoulders. "But why?" He then whispered.

"Basically is like yelling 'Avada Kaderva' in the middle of the world cup. Likes how muggles react when they hear something about a gun anywhere." Hermione explained as he began to slip off her shoes.

"What do I do about my ring?" Ron whispered as he followed Hermione's suit.

"It's fine." She said back placing her bin on the conveyor belt and stepping into the metal detector.

A few short minutes later and a train ride away they were stepping into their gate. Setting his bag down onto the nearest chair Ron looked around at the deserted area and the brightly lit windows as the sun began to rise on the horizon.

"What do we do now?" He asked stretching his back.

"We wait." Hermione smiled sitting in her chair and pulling out her book.

"But I'm hungry!" Ron whined.

Hermione pulled a multigrain bar out of her bag and handed it to him.

"Curse your preparedness," Ron mumbled as he unwrapped the bar and took a huge chomp out of it.

"Flight D16 for Romania is now boarding."  a low female voice announced over the intercom of the gate. An hour later.

Ron jumped up and grabbed his carryon bag in excitement.

"Easy tiger." Hermione chucked slowly putting her things. "We'll walk in, then sit in an unmoving plane for another thirty minutes and then it will be four hours in one seat," Hermione explained as they made a leisurely pace towards the gate.

Showing the flight attendant their tickets Hermione and Ron wound through the tunnel and into the airplane, Ron felt the air leave his chest, partly because of he almost hit his head on the lip of the doorway.

"Wow," He sighed as they made their way towards the back of the plane. 

The flight attendants gave their speech and the engines started. A low hum filled the cabin and the seat shook a bit. They taxied onto the runway. Then the pitch of the engines increased and the plane speed, Ron felt his head fall back into the headrest. Then his stomach fluttered as the plane leaf the study ground. 

"What's happening?" He asked excitedly.

Hermione lifted the cover on his window and pointed down.

"Merlin's beard!"  He exclaimed gluing his face to the doubled sided panes.

/*

Knocking on the door to Charlie's house Ron strained under the weight of the suitcase. The door flew open to reveal a beaming Charlie.

"Ron! Hermione!" He exclaimed smiling widely. "Here let me take that." He took the suitcase from Ron and lead them inside. 

There was a living room and then the dining room behind that, the kitchen was around the corner and there was a staircase leading to the bedrooms on the right to the living room.

"Not bad." Ron nodded after examining the layout for a moment.

"Oh sod off," Charlie laughed "You live in a flat."

"A wonderful flat!"Hermione interjected.

"Oh, my apologies!" Charlie smiled bowing in Hermione's direction.

"Where's Dylan?" Ron asked.

"He's in Scotland with his parents, they just started talking again, he kinda left without notice the moment he turned seventeen. He's going to call me tonight around seven and then should be home by tomorrow."

"Oh, okay, so we'll be able to see him. That's wonderful." Hermione smiled. "Ugh, I need a nap." She groaned.

"Jet lag. I totally get it." Charlie sympathized.

"Yeah, and this baby is doing something." Hemione groaned once again. "Oh no!" She yelled slapping her hand over her mouth.

"What?" Charlie and Ron asked in unison. 

"We haven't told our parents yet." Hermione cried slapping her forehead.

"I swear myself to secrecy!" Charlie announced sealing his lips.

"Thank you." Hermione smiled gratefully holding her chest. "Ugh, I need to sleep." She groaned.

"Second door to the left." Charlie smiled pointing towards the stairs.

'You're my favorite." Hermione smiled as she walked up the stairs.

"What?" Ron cried flabberghasted.

"I stand by my statement," Hermione called over her shoulder.

"I'll be back from work around four. AND NO HETRO SEX IN MY HOUSE." He shouted after them as the door to their bedroom closed.

Hermione laughed a little bit before crawling into the premade bad and Ron just after her. Wrapping his arms around her waist.

Hours later Hermione woke to the sound of popping grease. Her eyes felt heavy and there was crusted sleep all around them, her mouth was dry and tasted foul. Ron said she snored, and she refused to believe him. Her stomach burned with what felt like acid reflux, but she told herself it was just the pregnancy. She went to the bathroom across from the room and swished some water around her mouth and splashed some on her face to wake her up.

Walking back to the room she caught a whiff of what smelt like sausage and went to shake Ron awake.

"Ron," She whispered, "Babe, Charlie made some dinner for us." She said shaking his shoulder gently.

"Charlie can't cook!" Ron mumbled through a groan as he rolled over pulling the sheets above his head.

"Suit yourself, little fetus here and I will go enjoy some sausage, without you." She smiled as she pressed her hands against her flat belly.

Halfway down the stairs, she heard Ron shout, "I'm coming I'm coming!"

Giggling a little bit after the thump that could only have been Ron falling on the floor she walked into the kitchen to see Charlie cutting up a dish with penne noodles, sausage, and Marnia sauce with melted cheese on into and putting heaping portions into everyone's plate, they were also a side of seared string beans.

"Oh my god!" She sighed her mouth was already watering. "That looks so good!"

"Thank you!" Charlie smiled. "You both slept for what must have been seven hours, gave me plenty of time to perfect this wonderful dish." 

"Yeah, Ron should be down any minute so we can eat," Hermione said seating herself at the dining room table.

"Whoever said we had to wait for him?" Charlie smiled bringing the plates over and sitting down himself.

Hermione eyed her plate for a moment and looked at Charlie with a smirk. She then grabbed her fork and began stabbing at her food and shoving a mouthful in. 

"Mmmmmmmmmm." She moaned chewing slowly. "You have your mother's cooking." Hermione complimented after swallowing.

"I learned from the best." Charlie shrugged with a grin.

Ron came down the stairs and looked at them offended. "You didn't wait for me!" He gasped.

"Blame the baby." Hermione shrugged taking another bite.

"I have no comeback for that," Ron said dumbfounded sitting down at his place and began to eat his own food.

"Do you guys need anything to drink?" Charlie asked after a few moments of silence and fork scraping plates.

"You got any beer?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, totally, and Hermione you want some wine or-?"

"You know, I would love some, but this whole keeping my baby healthy is getting in the way." She said coolly then laughing afterward.

"You're not allowed to tell Fleur, Audrey, or Angie about this, but think you're my favorite sister in law." Charlie chortled as he pulled some bottles from the fridge.

"Yes!" Ron celebrated quietly.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him in an inquiry.

"Blackmail." He whispered.

"The man I married everyone." She said taking a sip of the water Charlie handed her.

"And had a baby with," Ron added eating more of his pasta.

"God I love you." Hermione smiled leaning over and kissing his cheek.

"Don't get me wrong." Charlie said in a defending voice, "I love that you're in love, but, ugh, fucking hetro love and shit." Charlie pretended to gag.

"Oh, you tosser!" Ron exclaimed.

"Hey," Charlie said seriously. "That's homophobic."

"Yeah yeah." Ron dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"Wow, my own brother committing a hate crime against me for being gay. It stings, it really does." Placing a hand on his chest he sat back in his chair dazed.

"Hey! I never- I didn't mean- you know I wouldn't-" Ron stuttered out.

"Never have I been so glad to be an only child," Hermione sighed in bliss, taking her finished plate to the sink. She began rinsing it until Charlie jumped up and stopped her.

"What kind of host would I be if I let my guest do her own dishes. Now go sit, read, do something, enjoy yourself." He slurred the last part for effect.

Hermione picked a book off Charlie's shelve and curled up on the couch reading.

Ron stood up and brought the rest of the dishes to the sink and helped Charlie dry them.

"In all seriousness, how are you?" Charlie asked.

"Besides scared out of my mind about this baby, pretty good, although, I've been thinking about leaving my department, I'd rather do something fun, with families. I've been talking to Geroge about working at the shop with him. Since all the kids are gonna be with us until Hogwarts, they could run around and have a grand time, Gin could be there too, Mum and Dad a lot. That's just what I want." Ron hadn't realized the stack of dishes that had piled up before him while he was talking.

"Man, chase your dream," Charlie said. "Have you told Hermione?"

"No, I don't want her to freak out about leaving my stable job. Besides, there's a history of miscarriages in her family. Don't tell anyone about this but Hermione's mum was pregnant with three kids before her. None of them made it past the third trimester." Ron lowered his voice considerably while saying this.

"Oh man, don't worry. Hermione is strong and amazing and is going to be an excellent mum." Charlie smiled as he put the dishes away.

They joined Hermione in the living room. Ron sat next to her cuddling. They all talked for hours. Laughing and making jokes. Charlie even made a bet with Ron that the baby was going to be a girl. Ten sickels were on the line. Hermione at one point fell off the couch she laughed so hard. The room was warm. Charlie's phone pinged and he glanced at it.

"It's Dylan. You mind?" He asked looking at them. 

"No, don't let us keep you from your love." Ron teased.

"It's really late anyway's." Hermione yawned. 

"It'd be one in the morning in Britain, right now mate," Ron added with his own yawn.

"Okay if you must, go to sleep." He then looked down at his phone and began typing quickly.

The night passed quickly Ron and Hermione falling asleep in the instant their heads hit the pillow. 

Smoke everywhere. 

Ron awoke coughing violently. The air was filled with a gray haze the air seared his lungs and there was rapid beeping coming from downstairs. 

"Oh Merlin," He exclaimed bringing his shirt up over his face. 

Shaking Hermione he grabbed her arms and started standing. 

"Hermione wake up!" Between coughs, he yanked her awake. "My love there is a fire! Hermione, we have to go!"

In a daze, Hermione stumbled after Ron down the staircase and out to the front lawn. Throwing themselves down into the glass Hermione couched out a mixture of spit and black soot. She was convulsing and her eyes were pouring with tears. 

Ron was in a similar fashion, only one hand was rubbing Hermione's back. 

"Charlie!" Hermione let out dryly. "Where is he?" 

Ron looked around. His breathing was heavy.

"Fuck!"

Then without another word he ran back into the house.

"RON!" Hermione shrieked. So loudly her throat was bleeding. "Ron no!" 

Neighbors began pouring out onto the street. Concerned neighbors clutching their loved ones watching in terror. 

"Somebody!" Hermione sobbed. "Call the fire department!" 

Once inside Ron couldn't hear his wife's screams over the fire alarm. The kitchen was dense with smoke, the stove aflame and cabinets burning quickly. 

Ron could barely breathe and the smoke was abusing his eyes and tearing his lungs to shreads. 

"Oh no. Oh no!" He knelt down next to his brother pressing his ear against his chest. There was a faint beat. But almost none.

"Charlie!" He wailed. His chest constricting. "CHARLIE WAKE UP!" He yelled. "Wake up." He gasped weak shaking his shoulder slightly.

Picking himself up Ron began dragging his brother out of the house. Taking breaks to spit on the floor and wipe his eyes. 

The veins in his neck strained as he lifted his brother through the door and out on the front lawn. 

Smoke poured out around them. There were wailing sirens in the distance, Chaire still wasn't conscious. Taking on look at Hermione who was still in disarray amidst the grass, Ron's vision began to blur.

Falling to his side Ron's head hit the concrete pathway.

The last thing he heard was a loud crack followed by Hermione's screaming.