The Red Flower - Ch. 2

Nightmare. 1

Ron was a year into his Healer training. He had “grown up” as Hermione put up. Ron felt more mature and more aware. He felt ready to be a father. Hermione had even dropped a few hints in the last few months that she wanted to be a mum. Finally, he was relieved when this topic came up in one of their more serious conversations.2

“Ron, I’m ready whenever you are.” Hermione had been silent for about ten minutes up to the point. She took a sip of her tea.3

Hermione continued, “I think I’m ready to be a mum. I think we’re ready to be parents. You’re halfway through your training. I just got a raise at the Ministry and it’s secure according to my boss. I’m ready whenever you are, Ron.”4

He reached out for her hand. “I’m ready, Honey.”5

Hermione stood and led him to their room.6

Two months, four days. That’s how long it had been Hermione Granger since she admitted to Ron that she was ready. To start her family. This scared her. She wanted this more than anything though. She wanted to be a mum. She held the home pregnancy test in her hands as they shook. Hermione Granger had never been this nervous for a test before.7

As she opened the box, she heard a noise from the kitchen. Ron was home. Great. What if she broke down? She couldn’t brake down in front of him. She just couldn’t. She had to know. She would keep her emotions to herself. At least, she would try her very best.8

The test had been easy. Simple. Now, she was waiting for the two minutes to be up. She wanted to know. She needed to know. “Hermione!”9

Ron had called her. “Hermione.”10

“I’m in the hallway she answered,” she answered, closing the bathroom door behind her.11

“Hermione!,” he greeted with a smile and hug, “Thank you! I love you, Hermione!”12

She pulled herself out of the hug, “Thanks for what?”13

“Hermione! Thanks for helping me study. I passed! I passed, Hermione. I start practical tomorrow.” As Ron yelled this at the top of his lungs, Hermione threw her arms around his neck.14

It seemed like hours. Their embrace was timeless. 15

‘Beep, beep.’ The sound brought Hermione down from her dream. The two-minutes were up.16

“What was that?,” Ron ask looking toward the bathroom.17

Hermione looked down at her feet. “I… I t-took a pregnancy test.”18

Ron titled Hermione’s chin up. “Do you want me to check?”19

“Yes.” At that Ron moved forward and Hermione supported herself against the opposite wall. She couldn’t bare to look.20

Within seconds Ron returned. He placed a hand to Hermione’s back.21

“Yes.” She turned at the sound of the word.22

“I-I’m… pregn,” she broke off.23

“You’re pregnant.” He had finished for her. She buried her head into his chest, sobbing.24

You’re pregnant. You’re pregnant. Hermione couldn’t believe her thoughts. Her cries were those of relieve and absolute happiness. She had sat in the bathroom for hours worrying about what the result would be. Hermione was going to be a mum. A mum! Wait. She put her brain on hold. She had to get checked. To know absolutely for sure.25

Her tears had stopped and she looked up. “Can I go with you tomorrow to St. Mungo’s? Just to be sure.”26

“Of course,” Ron kissed the top of her forehead. This made Ron nervous. Hermione would see him at work on his first day out of the classroom, of practicing, and of being a trainee Healer.27

Hermione had owled the Ministry that she would be late to work this morning. She had her medical history in one hand and purse in another.28

“Ready,” Hermione asked Ron. He rushed to the kitchen with Floo Powder. She didn’t yet know if her pregnancy was stable enough to be apparatting.29

“Yeah,” he answered, while letting her get a scoop of Floo Powder.30

Ron stepped into the fireplace as Hermione called out ‘St. Mungo’s’.31

St. Mungo’s was already filled with people. Ron led Hermione to the waiting area and went up to the front desk. As she sat alone, Hermione felt nervous for the first time. Nervous for her child. 32

Ron returned. “Hermione, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a little while. I’m sorry. I have to go to work. The witch at he desk said she’ll notify me when you’re called. I’ll go with you to see the Healer.”33

“I’m fine by myself, Ron. It’s your first day of practical. Don’t worry about me.” 34

“I’m going back with you, Honey. You won’t have to be alone. I’m sorry I have to leave you now,” he kissed the top of her head. Hermione kissed his check.35

The waiting room was cold. It seemed like hours that Hermione had been in there. She pulled her sweater tighter around herself. Her thumbs twiddled in her lap. She shifted her seat. Her eyes lazily fell shut. Her head lolled onto her shoulder.36

Hermione was lying in a St. Mungo’s bed. She was pushing. She was giving birth. She was about to see her baby. The baby she had caressed and had sung to. She planned out her child’s life. The child was to have red hair and to be in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw was fine with Hermione though. Her child was to be a prefect. He or she was also to achieve the majority of his or her O.W.L.s. He or she would eventually achieve high rank in the Ministry.37

Hermione looked to her side Ron was holding her hand and encouraging her by saying ‘push, push.’ A Healer was at the end of her end. He was encouraging as well.38

She gave it all her might. She pushed.39

The pain was unbearable. She grunted. She pushed. The pain stopped.40

The Healer had called Ron to the end of the bed. Ron looked on the verge of tears. 41

“What’s wrong,” asked Hermione, frantically, “Please let me hold by baby.”42

Ron shook his head.43

“Please! Please! Just let me hold my baby.” Hermione screamed at the top of her voice.44

“Mummy will make it better baby. PLEASE!”45

Ron came to sit on the side of the bed. The Healer had turned and walked away with a bundle of something in his arms.46

“Hermione. He was stillborn.” Tears flooded his eyes.47

“No! NO! Please just let me hold my baby.” She called after the Healer and tried to get up.48

Ron stopped her. “You can’t get up Hermione. You’ve just had a baby.”49

“NO! NO!…”50

Hermione felt herself shouting and shaking. She was struggling. Someone was trying to hold her still trying to calm her. She was in St. Mungo’s waiting room. She was not sitting in a chair. She was on the floor, screaming and sobbing. Hermion felt a rise in elevation. Someone had taken her off the floor and she was now in a bed.51

Her back was being rubbed. The rubbing slowed as she heard talking above her. 52

“You’ve got five minutes, Weasley.”53

“Yes, sir. I’ll be there in a minute.” There was a door slam.54

Hermione pulled herself into fetal position. She held her stomach. Suddenly, hands began pushing her shoulders. Against her will she was forced to lay flat.55

“Mary, can you hand me a tonic. I think they’re in the second drawer.”56

“Here you go,” the nurse answered.57

“Mary, make sure that Healer Manson sees her soon.”58

Fingers clamped her nose and liquid was poured down her throat. As the last drop of the liquid went down her throat. Her whole body felt relaxed. Hermione shifted her body and opened her eyes. She was in a bed. She was in a ward at St. Mungo’s. She looked to her left to see the back of green Healer robes leaving the ward. Hermione sat up.59

“You’ll have to stay in bed, Miss.” A nurse was in the middle of the ward. She was old with gray hair. Hermione obeyed her.60

It was an hour until a Healer came in to see Hermione. His name was Healer Manson. Hermione fancied the Healer that took care of her at first better, but she didn’t know his name. Healer Manson had cold hands, and Hermione grudgingly answered his questions. On the other hand, he did tell her she was pregnant and her baby was doing fine. 61

It was four-thirty when Hermione saw Ron. His trainee-Healer robes had spots of blood and several odd colored blotches.62

“How are you feeling?,” he asked her.63

“Fine. Do you know how I got here, Ron? I just remember falling asleep in the waiting room and …being put in this bed.”64

He nodded, “I’ll tell you when we get home… ok?”65

“Ok,” she didn’t want to push him.66

“Are you ready to go home, now?”67

“Yes. Healer Manson said I was six weeks along.” 68

Ron fetched the chart at the end of her bed and took out a quill. He started writing on the chart and felt her forehead. Ron closed the chart and handed it to the nurse, then turned back to Hermione. “Ready?”69

Hermione nodded. “Healer Manson said I could apparate for a few more months.”70

Ron nodded and let Hermione do the honors. She took out her wand and within seconds they were back at their home.71

As Hermione made dinner, Ron explained what had happened. Hermione was facing the stove. Her tears of embarrassment could flow freely.72

How could I have done that? I’ve never done that before. Hermione had a feeling that her boggart had changed.73

Holding back her tears, Hermione turned and put their food on the table.74

“Thank you for taking care of me Ron. I’m just so embarrassed.”75

“Don’t be embarrassed Hermione. Stuff like that happens loads of times everyday at St. Mungo’s.” This didn’t make Hermione feel any better.76