"She won't say anything." Ginny shook her head as she closed their bedroom door.

"It's time I spoke to her," Harry said setting aside the paper he was reading on the bed.

Ginny twisted her ring apprehensive. "I don't know about that. She comes to our door on the verge of breaking down a week ago and she hasn't spoken a word about what happened between her and Ron. I'm not entirely sure she's stable."

"It's not like I have much of a choice, Gin." Harry sighed. "He's not showing up to work and every time I check their house it's empty."

"I hate to hurt her," Ginny said slumping down into the bed next to Harry. 

"I couldn't hurt her if I tried," Harry said grasping her hand. "She's Hermione, I only want what's best for her."

"I know," Ginny said. "I do too. I'm just worried. What if something happens to this baby?"

"Even if something does happen, this baby would be two weeks older than Rose was when she was born." 

"When did you get so smart?" Ginny sniggered.

"Honestly, no idea." Harry smiled kissing her nose. "Why don't you take the kids down for lunch so I can talk to her." 

"All right," Ginny said standing. "Be nice."

"When have I ever not been nice?" Harry cried.

Ginny gave him a withering look before walking out and calling James.

Harry walked into Hermione's room while Ginny descended with Rose in her arms and her sons in tow.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione said cheerfully upon spotting him at her doorway. "I heard Ginny say something about lunch, is there something you need?"

Harry sighed and sat on the foot of the bed facing her. "It's time you and I had a talk."

Realization flickered across Hermione's face. "I knew it was only a matter of time with you."

"Listen," Harry started. "I haven't any problem with you staying with us. There is plenty of room for you, Rose, and the new baby."

"I sense a 'but' coming," Hermione said softly.

"But, you've got to tell me what happened between you and Ron," Harry said quickly.

"That," Hermione said frowning. "Well, the night I turned up here Ron and I had a nasty row. It was awful. Lots of shouting, and blaming one another. Granted no one threw any plates." Hermione gave an empty chuckle at the weak attempt of humor. 

When Harry didn't react she continued. 

"It was terrible, Harry. It all started with some work things. Then we just kept going and it spiraled out of control."

Hermione informed Harry of every blow they had delivered to each other. With every moment she recounted Harry's mouth fell open more and more. Once she had finished her eyes were glistening with tears. 

"Ron said that... You said those... I- what! How? You guys... ROMIONE!" Harry gasped unable to form a full sentence.

"It's awful I know!" Hermione wailed. "Have you seen Ron at all?" 

"No," Harry answered. "He hasn't come into work all week. I've been checking your house. Hermione, I've looked everywhere!"

"You've barely looked anywhere!" Hermione scoffed. "There's a multitude of places you haven't checked! Grimwald Place, George's Shop, the Burrow, Shell Cottage, and the Leaky Cauldron are all places Ron could be hiding."

"Well, if you know so much why haven't you gone looking for him?" Harry asked taken slightly aback.

"Don't start with me, Harry Potter!" Hermione said. "Two reasons. One. I'm not exactly fit to apperate all over the country. Plus, driving would take ages. Two. I'm not quite ready to speak with Ronald yet." 

Harry pursed his lips before speaking. "Say I did find Ron. Say I found him and brought him here. Then what? Would you speak to him then?"

"I don't know." Hermione sighed. "Harry, Ron, and I have fought before, but never like this. There are so many factors that differ from when we were in school. We're married now. We have kids. I don't know what's happening to us. I thought we were getting better. After Kennedy things were rocky for a while. But then they got better. You saw! Then after I got pregnant things just got steadily worse. Very passive-aggressive, all the time. It just built, and built, and built for eight months. It just kept building until we just snapped."

Hermione was on her feet now, pacing. 

"Why don't you sit down," Harry suggested gently.

"I don't want to sit down," Hermione said her voice harsh. "I didn't mean to snap at you. This is all just so confusing for me."

Harry thought for a moment before speaking with caution. "When it really comes down to it, do you want to talk to Ron?"

"Yes! No! Wait. Yes. No. Yes. Maybe. No! Yes? Ugh! I don't know!" Hermione groaned.

Before Harry could respond there was a loud crack from outside.

"I may not have a choice," Hermione grumbled as she and Harry went down the stairs.

They reached the landing to see Ginny letting Ron inside. 

"Daddy!" Rose squealed running towards him. Ron's previously glum face lit up upon the sight of his daughter. He bent down and opened his arms. 

"Rosie!" Ron picked Rose up into a tight hug while planting a kiss on her cheek.

Ron stood by the door staring at his feet looking across the hall towards Hermione who had remained stationary at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hermione," He nodded.

"Ronald," She replied curtly.

"I was thinking of starting a garden!" Ginny said loudly. "Harry, why don't we bring the boys out back and I can show you where."

"Brillant," Harry responded his voice equally as blatant.

They quickly stuffed outside leaving Ron and Hermione to stare at one another.

"I had to see her," Ron said as soon as the house was quiet again. "She's my daughter too."

"I know," Hermione said, shortly. "Do you want to talk or did you just come to see Rose?" 

"Both," Ron answered. "I see you're still pregnant."

"That much is obvious," Hermione said. "I'm not a monster Ron, I would've called if I was having the baby."

"I know, I know," Ron said unobtrusively.

"All right," Hermione said. "Let's hear it."

"You left." Ron started immediately. "You took the kids and left!" 

"You walked out before I had even left the kitchen," Hermione replied calmly.

"Don't talk like nothing happened," Ron said.

"I'm not," Hermione responded evenly. "We don't need to shout in order to have a conversation."

"What now?" Ron asked irritably. "Do you want a divorce?"

"That is the exact opposite of what I want," Hermione said shocked. "Do you want a divorce?"

"I don't know anymore, Hermione," Ron said, his voice ragged. "When I thought about our future, there was nothing about you living with the Potters."

"Neither did I," Hermione admitted. "I hear you haven't been going to work."

"I've been going to work," Ron assured. "Just at my new job. Have you written Kingsley back?" 

"I have," Hermione answered. 

"I thought so." Ron nodded. "Tomorrow's Saturday, I'm going to pick Rose up around eight. I'll have her back before she needs to go to bed." Ron said.

He gave Rose another tight squeeze and kiss. Ron whispered his goodbyes before setting her back down.

He turned and had a and on the knob when Hermione spoke. "So that's it? You're just going to walk away?"

Ron's hand slid down from the doorknob. He sighed deeply before turning back around to face Hermione.

"I know I'm not good enough for you. Believe me, Hermione, you've made that much clear. So I'm not going to spend my entire life trying to prove that I am."

Hermione's lip began to quiver. "What's that supposed to mean?" She whispered horrified. 

"We fought Hermione. We both said things that we've been wanting to say for a long time." Ron said flatly.

"I wanted to hurt you! I didn't mean half the things I said." Hermione was crying now. "You've got to believe me. I get it, you're angry."

"I'm not angry," Ron said cutting her off. His own voice began to wobble. "I am in pain! And you put me here. The person who's supposed to be in love with me through everything!"

"I do love you!" Hermione cried.

"Yeah, but you're not in love with me!" Ron said his own tears falling.

"What difference does that make?" She asked, her chest heaving.

"All of the difference in the world," Ron said wiping his eyes.

"Then let me fall back into love with you," Hermione begged.

"We fell in love in the middle of a war. We didn't think we were going to live to be nineteen. It was rash and it was a mistake. Hermione, you don't want to be in love, you're scared of being alone." Ron said softly.

"I'm scared! I'm not alone!"

"Oh please." Ron sighed. "You're the one who left."

"Yeah, I left before you could. Again. Cause that's all you ever do, is leave. You went away and it hurt and it kept hurting. Now you're back. If you stay it will hurt again. So please go back. Go anywhere than here. I'm going to get hurt again."

"Again? You would rather burn out entire marriage to the ground than risk being hurt?" Ron asked appalled.

"Maybe because all you ever do is hurt me!" Hermione shot back. 

"A few seconds ago you were asking me to stay," Ron said.

"Now you want to stay? I wanted you to stay before you said that our marriage was a mistake. That our children were a mistake." Hermione sobbed.

"I never said anything about the kids!" Ron yelled.

"Don't shout at me!" Hermione snapped. "And you good as well did."

"I'll see you tomorrow." Ron snarled. He whipped open the door and slammed it shut behind him.

Hermine sand to the ground and looked up. Her head hit the hall. Tears were streaming down her face. 

"Mama," Rose said walking over. "It's okay. Don't cry."

Hermione sobbed harder and hugged her daughter.

****************************

Ginny paced the waiting room of the muggle hospital hyperventilating.

"Breech, what does breach mean?" She asked popping her knuckles.

"The baby was coming out upside down. His foot was where his head was supposed to be." That's what the muggle doctor lady said. 

"And a C-section. They're cutting into her?" Ginny said still pacing.

"What?" 

Ginny stopped and turned on the spot. Ron was standing behind her his mouth hanging open. 

"You're letting muggles cut into my wife?" He said astonished.

"She consented," Ginny said quickly. "They just took her away a few moments ago."

"The baby is full-term," Harry added. "It was the safest way to get him out healthy."

"Oh my God," Ron said burying his face in his hands. "Oh my God!" He flung himself into a chair.

"Ron?" Harry asked. "What's the matter?"

"I told her she was burning our marriage to the ground," Ron said into his hands. "That's going to be the last thing I said to her."

"She's not going to die, Ronald," Ginny said sitting next to him. "C-sections have a five percent mortality rate in the UK."

"But what if she does?" 

"She won't!" Harry said harshly. "She won't."

"Where's my daughter?" Ron asked looking up. 

"Asleep," Ginny said. She pointed to a large chair where both Rose and Albus were napping.

Ron sighed deeply and buried his face in his hands again. "I'm a terrible person. I told her I wanted a divorce." Ron exhaled deeply.

"Do you want a divorce?" Harry asked.

"No!" Ron shouted. "I was just upset. She can't die. She can't die."

"She's not dying Ron!" Ginny said. Swatting him in the head. "There are people in here with family members who very well might die. They don't need to hear you moaning about your perfectly healthy wife and the baby who is not going to die."

"I'm a terrible person," Ron said burying his face into his hands once more.

"What's going on?" Geroge had run up to them still in his magenta work suit. "Ron's phone starts buzzing like mad and he's nearly pulling this hair out to get to some muggle hospital. Is it Hermione?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "She's in surgery."

"Surgery? Doesn't that mean some muggle is taking a knife to her skin?" George gasped. 

"Stop, stop, stop!" Ron moaned. "Don't say it like that."

"It's put Ron in a right state," Ginny muttered. "They haven't spoken in weeks."

George sat down next to Ron and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulders. 

A young girl in light blue scrubs and matching cap and gown walked towards them. "I'm looking for a Mr. Weasley?"

Both Ron and Geroge looked up. The girl looked distraught for a moment. 

"Uh, Hermione Granger-Weasley, she's asking for her husband Ron Weasley." 

"That's me," Ron said, standing. "I'm her husband."

"Follow me," She told. 

Ron looked back at Rose and Ginny who were stoking Albus' head next to the two sleep children.

"Go!" She mouthed.

After walking a few paces Ron remembered he still had his wand. Not up to explaining what it was to muggles he turned around quickly. 

"Harry!" Then without waiting for confirmation, he tossed his wand. Causing it to send white sparks into Harry's palm making him wince. "Sorry!"

Harry shot Ron a look before beckoning him forward. Ron kept close to the healer as she led him into a lift. Then she took Ron into a room with a large sink. 

"The nurses will take care of you. I need to scrub."

In a flurry of blue, Ron was wearing a gown and poufy cap around his head. He was then directed to stand next to Hermione's head.  

"Blimey, don't they put you asleep for this?" Ron asked when he saw Hermione looking up at him.

"I can't feel anything," Hermione said, her voice was soft and distant.

"Merlin, you sound like Luna." Ron chuckled.

"I feel all loony," Hermione answered, laughing for herself. "Also, Ron, I wouldn't recommend looking past this curtain, I'm pretty sure there is a lot of blood."

At these words, Ron immediately looked down at Hermione's open abdomen.

"Yeah, you were right!" He said in a voice that sounded he was holding back vomit. "Lots of blood."

"Listen, I think we should talk." Hermione looked up at him. "We're gonna be here for a solid half-hour, and we can't really fight while in here."

"You, sure?" Ron asked looking down at her. 

"I think I owe you an apology." Hermione started. "I said, some truly, awful things."

"No worse than I!" Ron uttered. "I was a complete arse." 

"Listen, I got an owl- letter. I got a letter from Kingsley. Someone from the ministry nominated Harry to oppose me. But he showed up and made a real racket about it. So I'm basically running against no one. I should get the job as soon as my maternity leave is finished. What I'm trying to say is, if it's money we were worried about, I'm about to start making plenty." Hermione explained.

Ron nodded silently. "I'm going to run a shop in Hogsmade." He said it rather quickly.

"Sorry, what'd you say?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed.

"George has wanted to open a Hogsmade shop for ages, but with no one to run it's never happened. But now that I'm part of the picture we can open a second one. It's closet the house, and the kids can play there." Ron said, scratching the back of his neck.

"I was in a bad spot. I almost felt guilty for getting pregnant so soon after we lost the baby." Hermione said, her voice thick.

"It was seven months. It's not like you only waited a few days to get pregnant again." Ron offered.

"Yeah, but I only agreed to have another baby in the first place to make you happy. I'd put you through so much heartache and I wanted to do something kind. I just wasn't ready. Then all the stuff with our jobs and the baby coming, I blew up. I took all out on you. I'm so sorry." Hermione spoke.

"Well, I wasn't exactly an understanding, peachy, kind husband," Ron admitted. 

"No, you weren't." Hermione laughed a little. "But I did walk out on you."

"I have experience with doing that," Ron said. 

"No more running away," Hermione said. "We fight until we reach a solution."

"Deal," Ron nodded. "Also, not going to bed angry. We stay up until we love each other more than when we started fighting."

"Deal." Hermione agreed.

"I'm so sorry," Ron whispered.

"Me too." Hermione murmured. "I love you."

"I love you too."

They were interrupted by a shrill cry. 

"All right!" A woman with a deep voice said. "Baby is out. He's a boy. Daddy, do you want to cut the umbilical cord?"

"I would," Ron said. "But I really don't want to vomit on my son." He then made loud gagging sound as he bent over and held a hand to his mouth. 

"Understandable." The woman nodded. "You can hold him now."

She handed the woman to Hermione's laying figure. "Oh my God." Hermione sniffled. 

"It's amazing isn't it." Ron smiled placing a hand on Hermione's head. 

"Do you have a name in mind?" The same woman asked. 

Hermione looked at Ron. "On the count of three?" 

"Yeah. One."

"Two."

"Three. Watson."

"Hugo," Hermione said in sync with, Ron. "Watson?" 

"Yeah, your's is better," Ron said quickly. "Way better than Watson."

"So, Hugo Granger-Weasley?" The doctor asked. 

"Yes," Hermione replied. "Most definitely."

"Okay, Dr. Scott is going to take Hugo to be cleaned up. I'm going to close you up. Then you all can head to the recovery room."

Hugo was lifted from Hermione's arms and was then returned once she had finished. They went to a room where Harry, Ginny, Rose, James, and Albus were waiting. 

"George head home then?" Ron asked while Hermione was moved to her bed. 

"He left once we received news that you all were okay," Ginny responded. 

"That was nice of him." Hermione smiled. "This is Hugo by the way. Rosie, come meet your little brother."

Rose happily ran over to her father who held Hugo in his arms. 

"Now, if you guys don't mind. I'm going to go to sleep." Hermione said, closing her eyes. 

"Should we go?" Harry asked. 

"No, no. You can stay, I'm just tired." Hermione smiled. Moments later she was fast asleep.

****************************
(one month later)

"Thanks for coming, Gin," Hermione said as Ginny sat on the couch.

"Are you kidding?" Ginny smiled. "I'll take any excuse to hang out with Hermione."

"It's just my doctor said that I'm only allowed to lift the baby. If I have him in my hands I'm not able to do anything. Rose has been restless-"

"Hermione," Ginny said holding a hand up. "Relax. Albus and Rose can play. James is pretty good at entertaining himself. I'm here."

"You didn't tell me it was going to be this hard with two!" Hermione said sitting down next to Ginny.

"Try having three." Ginn scoffed. "Shit!" She slapped her hands over her mouth. 

"What?" Hermione asked concerned. 

"Ooooo. No no no." Ginny groaned with her hands over her face. "I've only just told Harry. That's because we've been trying."

"You're pregnant!" Hermione gasped. "Again!"

"Jesus, don't pop a stitch," Ginny said. "And yes. I didn't realize how much I wanted another kid until I saw you and Ron in the hospital with Hugo. Ever since Harry and I have been trying."

"Congratulations!" Hermione smiled. 

"Thank you," Ginny smiled. "Hermione, I love you. But you smell like death. Go shower, right now. Give me the- give me the baby. Go shower."

"You're so mean." Hermione pouted.

"You'll live." Ginny smiled. "See you once you smell good again, and if you want, you can even take a nap."

"Shouldn't have said that." Hermione cackled halfway up the stairs. "I'll see you in an hour!"

Ginny laughed at her friend lightly. "Your mommy is insane!" she said to Hugo.

He drooled in response. 

"Crazy!" Ginny continued. "Absolutly bonkers!"

She sighed and looked around. After a moment of silence, she looked back down at Hugo.

"Maybe I'm the one who's insane."

************************************************************

My brain is fried. I do not have the energy to write a witty authors note. I highly doubt people read these anyway. But I hope you liked this chapter. If you did comment, vote. Read it. Enjoy it. Okay, thanks bye.

See you next time Loves!

💜💜✍✍