Weremouse

Chapter 35:

"Are you all right, Harry dear?"

“Yes, I'm fine Molly. I just seem to startle very easily now." Harry said blushing.

“That's alright. Now where are Ron and Hermione?" Molly asked. "Arthur take those bags to the kitchen, and I'll get started on dinner."

“NOOO," came from all of the four youngest in the room.

“Uh, Ron and Hermione are having a, uh, discussion in the kitchen, and it might be best not to disturb them," Ginny said, finally.

"Whatever about?" Molly asked.

Suddenly, the kitchen door opened and a muttering Ron came rushing past them, and out the door. They could all hear crying coming from the kitchen.

Molly rushed into the kitchen, with the rest close on her heals. They found Hermione seated at the table, with her head on her folded arms, sobbing.

"What's wrong, Hermione dear," Molly asked, rubbing her back.

"I'm not ready to be a mom, yet" Hermione sobbed out.

"Of course you're not. Is that what you and Ron were fighting about?"

"No," Hermione wailed, "He said he's loved me since first year, but was too much of a dunce to know until last year, and now he's worried he'll lose me to someone else."

"But why are you crying then," Molly was very coonfused, but she put her arms around the sobbing young woman.

Hermione gave a cry and turned in Molly's arms, and Molly could feel why Hermione would be upset. She lifted her eyes towards her husbands, asking silently if he had seen. He nodded back and started shepherded the rest out of the room. Only Harry insisted on staying. He came up to Hermione and Molly and embraced them both. "It'll be alright. You have all of us to support you. You're not in this alone. Ron did what he did, because, well, he's a fool, and well, crazy about you. He's been worried that you'll realize that you could find someone better than him when you go off on your own."

"What exactly did Ron do?" Molly asked worriedly.

"Why don't we all sit down, and talk. I know there are some things `Mione wanted to ask you about," Harry said catching Molly's eye, and silently telling her that she would find out later. They all sat down and Harry waved his hand and suddenly they all had steaming cups of tea in front of them. Another wave put the forgotten groceries away. "Hermione was telling me the other day that she's worried about what to expect with the baby, and especially about the birthing process," Harry said calmly, sipping his tea.

Molly looked at Harry gratefully, and proceeded for the next hour to regal the two about all the intracacies about giving birth, including all the gory details. And though he hid it, Harry's hand was rubbing his stomach the whole time to prevent his eyes from giving him away, he stared down at his empty cup. He sighed and waved his hand again and all of their cups were filled again.

Just as Molly was launching into a description of delivering the afterbirth, Ron came rushing in, and fell to his knees next to Hermione. Hermione tried ignoring him, but he tugged her face towards him gently. "Hermione, I love you so much. I'm sorry about what I did, but I can't be sorry about the consequences," he placed his hand over the spot where their child rested, "When you didn't say anything at first I was worried the plan hadn't worked. I can't tell you how happy I was when you finally told me that you were. I know you're woried about the future, but I have a plan. I've been arranging things for us, once we're out of school. Professor Dumbledore says, you have the choice of any of the professors at the school to apprentice to, or if that isn't what you want, he'll find you another position for you. I've gotten a position as Madam Hooch's assistant for next year, and I'll be able to take care of the baby for most of the day, that way you can focus on your studies. Dumbledore is even giving us a set of rooms in Gryffindor tower, where we can live." Ron pulled out a box, "I've been wanting to give you this for some time now, but had decided to wait until christmas, but decided to give you it now. I love you, Hermione Jane Granger, will you do me the honor of consenting to be my wife?" He pulled out a small gold band that had two hands cupping a heartshaped ruby. "This was my great-grandmother's ring. She gave it to me when I was little to give the one I knew would make my world complete, and that's you."

Hermione gave a sob and launched herself into Ron's lap, "Of course I'll marry you, Ron, I love you, even if you are a dunce." They kissed and the room was silent for several minutes.

~*~