Perfect beginnings
Everything was perfect, until it wasn't.
“Hermione Granger-Weasley” she says, smiling at the receptionist as she tugs Ron close to her ‘Ah yes, we’re ready for you if you want to go on through dear” the receptionist smiles back at her and points in the direction of a yellow door to her left. It’s their final checkup before the baby arrives and she can’t contain her excitement “I can’t believe we’re going to be parents soon Ron” squeezing his hand tight, though his lacklustre squeeze back does nothing to reassure her “right, yeah, I can’t believe it myself." Ron lets go of her hand, as he pushes open the door with a tight smile on his face. Hermione pauses for a moment, but shakes her head, it’s likely just first parent nerves, and yes this baby came a lot quicker than they anticipated seeing as Ron was still in Auror training and Hermione only just got out of Hogwarts a year ago, but she had the rest of her life to make her mark on the wizarding world, and they had so much support in the Weasley family that she knew they’d make it work.
As she lies down on the bed, she takes in the familiar sight of the soft yellow room, they’d been here quite frequently over her pregnancy which had felt long and hard, her morning sickness never quite leaving her but the end was in sight now. “Hello Hermione” a cheerful Hannah Abbot enters the room dressed in her usual pink robes “one last check on baby Weasley and the next time I see you, we’ll hopefully be pushing a little red haired baby out” she said with a laugh, before raising her wand over Hermione’s belly. Ron sits himself down on the chair, watching as Hermione lifts her top up as usual “we’re all prepared, the babys room was just finished and Molly is keen to meet her first grandchild” she smiles softly at Ron, grabbing his hand as Hannah performs the necessary checks on her “everything looks great Hermione, and we are well on track for birth any day now, but just take it easy and get plenty of rest” Hannah glares at Ron “and you Weasley, make sure you’re looking after this one both now and after baby arrives” Ron looks slightly green around the gills as Hannah berates him.
As they leave the hospital, Hermione grabs Rons hand “darling are you alright? You heard Hannah, everything is on track and both me and the baby are healthy, you don’t need to worry” Ron turns to her, placing his hand on her arm “I’m fine Hermione, just a lot going on right now with work and the baby being due any moment, I’m just a bit stressed” he smiles at her, and she stares at him, something feels off but she can’t figure out what. Rons hair is stuck out everywhere as usual, his tie off centre but it never stays straight beneath his robes. He’s only twenty years old, but he looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders right now. “I’ve got to head into the office to do a handover with Theo , I think we’re planning to do some dinner with the team before I come home so I’ll likely be a bit late tonight but how about we get a late dinner and have a cuddle on the sofa, we still haven’t named this little terror” rubbing her belly affectionately, she see’s Rons face light up “yeah, yeah Mione that’s a great idea” he leans down to kiss her “do you need me to walk you to the ministry” shaking her head, she pushes him gently, no off with yourself and go see Harry, it’s your day off and you don’t need to be hanging around the office anymore than you need to”.
Hermione watches Ron head off to an Apparition site, she hopes he stops to see Harry and Ginny, they’ve just got back from the World Cup and he knows Ron will be dying to hear all about it from Ginny, celebrating her first win as seeker for the England team. He’d been so disappointed when they couldn’t go but with her pregnancy they had decided it was safer to stay home. She can’t move as quick as she used to, so the slow amble to the ministry takes her longer than usual, it’s not safe for her to be apparating too much at this stage of her pregnancy, so she reserves it only for emergencies.
The Ministry of Magic’s Atrium thrummed with its usual chaotic energy, a whirlwind of witches and wizards rushing about, their robes swirling like miniature tornadoes. It’s been a year of working here but it never gets old, and Hermione is sad to think that she’s going to be away from it all through her maternity leave. As she navigates the throng with practiced ease, her sensible heels clicking a steady rhythm against the polished floor, she reaches the lifts, pressing the button for her office on the third floor. She’s barely crossed the threshold, when a pale hand reaches out to press another button “Granger, fancy seeing you here” Draco Malfoy, walks in behind her, leaning against the elevator walls, a smirk playing on his lips, his usually dark robes replaced by a black muggle suit. “Don’t tell me that the Weasel has finally knocked you up” he looks at her round belly, protruding from her robes which are a size too small right now. Hermione sighs and rolls her eyes.
“Good morning Malfoy, why yes I am indeed with child, glad to see your eyes are still working even if your manners are not” she turns and ignores him, waiting for the ping of the lift to signal her arrival. When the doors open, she rushes to move out but her heel catches on the entrance of the lift, a hand shoots out to steady her “easy Granger, we don’t want the press alluding to Draco Malfoy pushing the pregnant golden girl out of the lift now do we” she smirks, holding back a laugh “as if you would Malfoy” and steps out, to the waiting arms of Theo Nott. “Hermione darling, I hope that Draco one was playing nice, he snaps a pretend bite in the direction of Malfoy as the lift doors close on him.
Hermione rolled her eyes, a small smile betraying her amusement. She gestures to his green robes, “this is a new colour for you, what happened to your usual attire” Theo chuckles, pushing himself off the pillar “green is the colour of fertility apparently, and considering how far along you are, I need to be prepared to catch that baby at a moments notice”. Hermione gives him a pointed look “Don’t be ridiculous Theo, I’m not having the baby here on the Ministry’s unhygienic floor, and today as you know is my last day here so the chances are limiting by the second that you’ll have to step in as midwife and deliver the baby”. Following him into her office, she watches in amusement as he throws himself into the burgundy chair at the window “That’s disappointing, I’ve been reading up on midwifery, but I’ll happily concede to being the fabulous godfather instead”. Hermione sets her briefcase on the oak table, “Naturally Theo, an overdramatic, sensitive Slytherin is exactly who I want to guide by child through life," rolling her eyes and she taps him on the head with her wand. "Now, unlike some people, I actually have work to finish up, so if you’ve quite finished loitering can we start this handover so I can get home and put my feet up?”
“Granger darling, you wound me. I’m always professional and ready for work but can we stop for a coffee first, I’m absolutely parched” Theo winks at her, and opens the door, “I hear they even have some chocolate croissants in especially for a certain pregnant witch and I've had some brought up to the kitchen." Hermione sighed, but the corners of her mouth twitched “You had me at Croissant Nott” she said, already turning and walking towards the small kitchen in the corner of their office. Theo fell into step beside her, his playful demeanour softening “you know you adore my company really. Now tell me, did your appointment go okay this morning, do I need to be concerned?” Hermione shoots him a sidewards glance, placing her hand on his “everything is perfect Theo, and Hannah said baby is on track to come any day now so looks like this really will be out last hurrah of coffee and croissants before baby arrives”
Once they’ve settled back in her office, a peppermint tea for Hermione and a ridiculous sugary latte for Theo, Hermione pulls a stack of parchment from her briefcase “Right, this is the handover for the E.L.F regulations while I’m on maternity leave” she tapped the top sheet of parchment “it’s all pretty straightforward, and the team are all prepped, but you’re in charge, so lets not cause any chaos while I’m gone” Theo nods, listening intently, his face turns serious as he looks to her “right, so no magically induced tap-dancing infestations in the Department of Mysteries then?” Hermione gasps “I knew that was you Nott!” she gives him a stern look before handing over the pages. “I’m trusting you Theo, so be a good boy and follow the rules”.
"Seriously though, Granger, everything is in order for your leave? You’re not taking on too much before you go?"
Hermione gave a small, reassuring smile. "Everything's fine, Theo. I've tied up all the loose ends. This handover is the last thing. And," she added, her voice softening slightly, "it's actually quite nice to have someone… vaguely competent to trust with the work.”
Theo grinned, his usual mischievous glint returning. "Vaguely competent? Granger, you wound me. I’m practically a genius. Just ask any Bowtruckle." He winked, taking a large bite of his ridiculously sugary beverage. "Now, about these croissants…”