You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground

A/N: All of your reviews are so encouraging and I really appreciate them! So keep em coming! hehe

Disclaimer: JKR owns the Harry Potter characters, not me. I am making no money from this story!

Chapter 16

Hermione had just pulled the lasagna out of the oven when she heard the Floo activate. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled when she saw Percy step out and brush some soot off his robes.

"Hi, Percy," she said, coming over and wrapping her arms around his neck. She pulled him in for a deep kiss.

Percy, somewhat surprised, placed his hands on her waist and kissed her back. Moments later, the two of them broke apart. Resting his forehead against hers, Percy chuckled. "I could get used to this," he whispered.

Pulling back, Hermione grinned. "Oh?"

"Mmmm," he said, giving her a quick peck. "Coming home from work with a delicious meal on the table made by a woman that I love; it sounds heavenly."

Hermione hugged him tightly. "That does sound nice, doesn't it?"

Percy nodded before extracting himself from her arms. The two of them walked into the kitchen. "So how did today go?" Percy asked as he took off his work robes.

"Surprisingly well," Hermione answered, getting out two plates from the cupboard. "Harry and Ginny actually understood and it seemed like they genuinely wanted to make things up."

"So did you?" he asked.

She nodded. "I invited them to dinner next week, if that's all right with you."

"Of course, love," Percy said, cutting himself a piece of lasagna. "I never really had any problems with Ginny and I suppose it'll be good to see her."

"Mmmm. They were very interested in their niece."

Percy smiled wistfully. "I still can't believe it."

"Me either," Hermione replied, rubbing her stomach. "We're having a daughter, Percy."

He laughed. "No matter how many times we say it, I don't think it'll actually sink in until she's born."

Hermione nodded in agreement, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "I know I'm still in shock." She was quiet for a moment. "I'm scared," she whispered.

"There's no reason to be. We'll make it through this, Hermione."

"But I don't want to just make it through, Percy. I want to enjoy every moment of it. I want to raise my baby girl the right way, not stumble through parenting."

Percy took in the quiver of her lip and sighed. Reaching across the table, he held her hand tightly. "There's no need to get upset love. We'll be great parents, okay? I know we're going to get through this together. We'll be parents who have a loving family, okay?"

"But what if we mess up? What if we damage our daughter with our stupidity?" Hermione practically shrieked, panic taking over.

Percy knew he shouldn't have, but he laughed. "Oh, Hermione, listen to yourself!" He chuckled. "You're the brightest witch of this age and I'm rather intelligent myself. I'm sure between the two of us we'll do a great job. And your parents are going to be a lot of help."

"But… but…" she trailed off, realizing that she was sounding a bit ridiculous.

Percy gave her a quick kiss. "Really, Hermione, there's no need for us to worry. Okay?"

Shakily, she nodded. "I'm just scared."

"I'm scared too, but we have each other." He hugged her tightly. "Now why don't we eat this delicious meal before it gets cold?"

Nodding, Hermione dug in.

The week passed quickly and before either of them knew it, it was Tuesday. Harry and Ginny were coming over for dinner and both Percy and Hermione were nervous.

"Relax; you already said things were okay between you three, so there should be nothing to worry about."

"I know," Hermione said, looking around worriedly, "but I can't help but feel nervous."

"Don't be. You know the stress isn't good for you or the baby." Percy approached her and gave her a quick kiss.

"Thank you, Percy, for being here for me," she whispered, her face pressed against his chest as she hugged him. "I don't know where I'd be without you."

"Don't talk like that," he whispered, holding her tightly. "I'm never letting you go."

"Good, because I don't want you to go anywhere. But you've put up with so many mood swings on my part and I'm so grateful."

Percy let out a shaky laugh. "That's my job, Hermione."

"I love you," she whispered, gripping his shirt tightly. "I love you so much, Percy."

He pulled her in for a quick kiss. "Merlin, Hermione, I love you."

"I can't imagine my life without you in it now, Percy. Please, don't ever leave me or our daughter," she begged, voicing some of her fears.

"Never," he promised. "I'm in it for the long haul, Hermione. I told you that."

The doorbell rang.

"That'll be Harry and Ginny, I'll go get it," Percy said, giving Hermione one last kiss.

"Percy, hi," Ginny said as her brother opened the door. She brushed away any awkwardness by giving him a quick hug.

"Ginny, Harry, hi. Come in," he said, stepping aside. "Hermione's in the kitchen."

The three of them made their way in the kitchen, where Hermione had finished setting the table.

"Hello, Hermione," Harry said, giving her a quick hug.

"It smells delicious in here, what did you make?" Ginny asked, sniffing the room.

"Roast chicken with herbs, potatoes, and vegetables," Hermione said, grinning.

"She's an amazing cook," Percy said, grinning as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

Harry and Ginny smiled when they saw the amount of love between the couple. How could they have pushed Hermione away and deny her the happiness she obvious felt?

"Well, why don't we dig in?" Hermione suggested, giving everyone a bright smile.

Everyone took their seats and began to pile food onto their plates. Hermione watched as everyone bit in, enjoying her food. "Is it all right?" she asked Percy nervously.

"Delicious as always," he reassured her.

"So have you made any headway with the baby's room?" Ginny asked between bites.

Hermione nodded. "I've actually just painted the rooms a light green and blue. We've decided on an underwater theme."

"Oh!" Ginny squealed excitedly. "You'll have to let me see it!"

"Okay, after dinner," Hermione answered.

"And let me know when you go shopping; I'd love to come," Ginny said with a nod.

"Okay," Hermione replied, glad that she'd have another female opinion on things when she went shopping. "I think me and my Mum are going in two weeks for some furniture if you'd like to come. We'll be going into Muggle London."

Ginny looked like Christmas had come early. "Oh, that sounds amazing! Yes, count me in!"

Hermione laughed, giving Percy a shy smile. She gripped his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. Things were finally starting to look up.