A Whole New Chapter

Chapter 8: A Whole New Chapter

Four long, arduous hours had passed already. The family was getting nervous, especially Mrs. Weasley. She kept praying to anything and everything that would listen that her first grandchild would be a healthy baby and that everything would turn out right. Some of the men paced nervously while the women sat there and wrung their hands. Harry ran his hands through his hair. He was starting to get very worried. He felt Ginny come up behind him and place a hand on his shoulder.

"Everything will be fine, Harry. Ashley's in there, and she'll make sure nothing bad will happen," she assured him. He sighed, placing his hand on top of hers as he turned to face her.

"They are my best friends, Gin," he told her. "I've known them for the better part of my life. I just hope everything turns out right." Ginny smiled.

"It will be," she said, quietly making her way over to her mum. "Is it supposed to take this long?" she asked.

Her mother shrugged. "The first baby always takes a while to pop out. I remember when I went into labor with Bill... I thought I was going to be in that room for hours. But everything turned out fine in the end," she said, smiling at her eldest son.

Ginny smiled, looking up at the ceiling. They were in the delivery ward at St. Mungo's. Angels with harps and storks carrying babies were all over the ceiling, and meadows were magicked onto the walls. All around them, witches and wizards were rushing here and there; some experienced mothers were walking calmly to their rooms while the new ones were practically fainting from excitement. Every few minutes, a newborn's cry could be heard, signaling the start of a new life.

"I can't wait to have a baby," she sighed. Her mother smiled upon her. Her brothers, however, abruptly turned to face her with glares on their faces.

"Yes you can," they all said simultaneously. Ginny scowled and flipped them off, earning a smack on the arm from her mother.

~~~~~~~

"Ron, will you just relax? I've been doing this for two years already. You've barely started," Ashley fumed. Ron wasn't letting her near Hermione. The woman in question was on her bed, face red as a tomato, one hand gripping the rails and anything she could reach.

"She is my wife, you know," he said. Ashley rolled her eyes.

"She is my patient, you know," she mocked. Ron was about to argue back when he felt someone pull him downwards by the scruff of his neck. Her brown eyes sparkled and he could see beads of sweat on her forehead.

"Ron," she hissed, "let her deliver the baby!"

Scared of what she might do if she accidentally released her magic, Ron sat down beside her, grasping one of her hands in his. He regretted this decision immediately; his eyes bugged out as Hermione crushed his bones with her small hand.

"See, I would have warned you that pregnant women, especially witches, gain unnatural strength during pregnancy and delivery, but you had everything under control right?" Ashley asked innocently. Ron glared at her but said nothing. "Now may I help your wife, my patient deliver her first child without your interference?" Ron couldn't say no if he wanted to; Hermione was squeezing his hand tighter in warning.

Ashley was busy conducting necessary spells needed to monitor the baby's progress. She waved her wand and a translucent vision of their baby hovered above Hermione's belly. "Okay, the baby looks ready to come out now. Hermione, I know this might be hard, but you really have to push, okay? On the count of three...Ron, you help her...one, two, three!" she ordered.

"AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

~~~~~~~

"Sweet Merlin, is she dying in there?" Fred asked, face pale. Mrs. Weasley shook her head.

"What a pity, Fred, that you will never experience the excruciating pains of childbirth. It might knock some sense into you yet," she said. The others laughed.

George groaned. "It's been almost seven hours already! Can't we just pull the baby out and be done with it?" he asked, a smack from his girlfriend answering with a quick "No!"

"Hey, mum," Bill asked, "do you remember how long you were in labor with each of us?" His mother frowned in deep thought.

"Hmm...Well, I know you took quite a long time. Seventeen hours, I think."

"Seventeen hours?" the twins asked. Fred grimaced. "Please, spare us the details."

"Charlie here was a bit more excited to come out. I'd say...what was it exactly, Arthur, 15?"

"13 of the longest hours of my life," Mr. Weasley answered. Everyone laughed at this.

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Percy was...well, Percy was probably one of the quickest. Only 6 hours. The twins took about 6 and a half hours--"

"Hah! So don't complain," Ginny exclaimed.

"You think our dear Hermione is having twins, Gin-Gin?" George asked.

"Why that would be marvelous!" Fred inserted.

"Wonderful!" George said. They were off on their "twin" thing again.

"They would be so adorable--"

"Just like their uncles Gred and Forge--"

"And we could test some of our products on them--"

"FRED! GEORGE! YOU'LL DO NO SUCH THING!"

Both of them cowered under their mother's icy glare. The others hid grins behind their hands.

"Come near that child or children," she added, in case they were twins, "with any intent of your shenanigans and you will never see yourselves the same way again!"

"Don't push her, guys," Charlie whispered. "Dad told us that one time when they were at school, some bloke said some very nasty things about her. She ended up castrating him." The twins gulped.

~~~~~~~

A red light filled the room in which they were. Everything had been going fine at first. The baby was almost crowning, and soon Ron and Hermione would be parents. But the image of their baby over Hermione began to flicker, and then it shone bright red.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, worried. Hermione was sweating profusely. She looked like she couldn't take the pain.

Ashley jumped up and ran to the nearest Healer. "Get the others in here now!" She jumped again as she heard a pop resound around the room. Shocked, she searched all around the room to see what had happened. She found nothing. Yet still, deep down, she knew something had gone terribly wrong.

She started to walk back toward Hermione and almost slipped. She looked at the floor and saw a small stream of blood flow past her. Hermione's bleeding was starting to get out of control.

"What's happening? Is she going to be okay?" Ron yelled, wrapping his arms around his wife. She buried herself in his arms, breathing heavily. At least half a dozen Healers made their way into the room, setting up magical devices and bringing in vials of different colored potions.

"What's going on? I demand to know!" Ron was ready to attack the nearest wizard to him when he was thrust from the room. Ashley stood there, face white and set.

"Ron, I'm sorry, but you have to get out of here," she said.

"What? I can't do that! I'm not going to abandon them!" he exclaimed. She tried to calm him down, but inside it was killing her.

"Ron, I know how you feel but I can't let you be in here. We have to stabilize her!" she practically screamed the last part. Ron froze. He blinked frantically, seemingly incapable of speech. Ashley let out a shuddery breath.

"Ron, I'm sorry, but we can't have you in here while the necessary procedures are being done. There are a lot of people in here as it is. I promise I'll call you back in here when everything is fine, but right now I have to help."

"Why isn't everything fine," he asked, his voice shaking. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ashley?"

"Come out here," she directed, leading him outside the room. They were hit in the face with cool air; it was a different atmosphere compared to the hot, stressful environment of the delivery rooms. The front of her robes had tiny spots of blood, but that was to be expected with all deliveries. Ron didn't know what to do with himself. He just stood there, crossing and uncrossing his arms.

"Ron, I know this can be stressful, but you have to relax--"

Ron would have none of that. "Well, now that six or more Healers have been called in to help with one person, I'll rest easy now," he snapped. "Don't give me the standard speech, Ash. I've seen it all and so have you. Don't sugarcoat it. What's wrong with Hermione?"

Ashley sighed. She didn't want to admit it. It wasn't right. "Ron," she started, but stopped. Her voice gained a sense of nervousness and distress she had never had before. She could feel the back of her eyes start to sting. Ron tensed at her obvious discomfort. He prepared himself for the blow.

"Ron, this is a very rare condition that happens to Muggleborn witches during their first pregnancy. There's no way of knowing that she has it until...until it's...it's too late." Ron gripped her shoulders, tears streaming down his face.

"What do you mean?" he demanded, shaking her. She grabbed his arms, attempting to steady them both.

"We don't know why, but as the baby travels down the birth canal, a rush of magic is released, perhaps to open up its spirit to the magical world and prove that it is indeed a witch or wizard. Even though it's barely a newborn, the magic is powerful, especially to an unsuspecting mother with an unprotected womb. Because she's Muggleborn, her body is not fully prepared to deal with the birth of a magical child. Blood vessels burst and the walls of her stomach and uterus are punctured, causing more bleeding. If we don't stop it, she'll go into shock, and then..."

Ron couldn't take her silence. "Then what?" He got louder with every word. "THEN WHAT?" Passersby turned to face the two, rushing back to their own business when they saw that it was private.

"In any other case it would be easy to supply her with blood but..." she took a deep breath. She felt one salty tear start to roll down her face. "The impact of the baby's magic on her is disastrous. We don't know yet how long it'll take to patch everything up on the inside. And her blood type is rare, Ron. Hermione...she could die, Ron." She turned away, the tears flowing freely. Her last words echoed ominously in her head. She could die, Ron.

Ron slowly let go of her. His hands shakily made their way to the top of his head. He was shaking his head in disbelief, frowning, mouthing words silently as his eyes began to water. This was not happening. He was not losing the woman he loved, his soul mate. He was not going to be left alone with...

"And what of the baby?" he asked frantically. He heard Ashley sob.

"Ron, please..."

"Ashley, what will happen to the baby?" he whispered, scared. She hugged herself.

"The baby was still inside when everything burst. A lot of blood will have been released, possibly drowning him or her," she explained quietly. She couldn't meet his eyes. "Ron, I'm so sorry."

Ron threw himself against the wall, banging it with his fists. "No," he kept saying, refusing to let things be. "NO!" He whipped around and punched a painting that was supposed to be holding the likeness of Circe, but she was probably off at a tea party in another painting. "I'm not going to lose my family!"

"Ron, I'm sorry! I didn't know. The condition is so rare, I just..." she didn't know what to say to comfort him. He was losing his wife and his unborn child in the same day.

He sank to the floor, his head in his hands. She knelt beside him, stroking his hair as he sobbed. He leaned forward, allowing her to hug him. "What do I do?" he whispered helplessly.

She kissed the top of his head. "Believe in miracles, Ron. Trust in a higher power."

"Ashley, we need you here!" she heard from the room.

"I have to go. I promise I'll do everything possible to save them both, Ron," she assured him. She got up and opened the door to the delivery room, but stopped when she heard Ron scoff quietly. He turned to her, his eyes red and dull.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

~~~~~~~

Eight hours, ten minutes, and fifteen seconds. Eight hours, ten minutes and sixteen seconds. Eight hours, ten minutes, and...

"I don't know. I just get the feeling that something is wrong," Harry voiced. An unsettling feeling had gathered in his stomach.

"Harry, you should be thinking positive," Tonks told him. "Everything will be all right." He shook his head, his green eyes focusing on her. Now she had long, wavy brown hair up to the middle of her upper arm. Her eyes were a deep sea blue.

"How can you be so sure?" he asked. She shrugged.

"Dunno, really. I guess I figure that you've already been through so many bad things. Now it's time for you to embrace all the good things. Write a whole new chapter to your book, Harry. It's what we all do." He pondered her words.

"A new chapter...how did you get so insightful?"

Tonks grinned. "You don't spend your days in a house with Remus Lupin and not learn anything."

~~~~~~~

Ron sat on the floor quietly, letting the tears run down his face. He didn't care who saw him. They didn't matter, and they never would. All that mattered was his precious Hermione and their child. He screwed his eyes shut tight as memories of their school days flew past his mind. He remembered the first time they admitted they fancied each other, their first fight, their first fight as a couple, the first time they kissed...He never forgot the first time they made love.

He was scared of breaking her, yet he wanted to give her all of him. She lay beneath him, whispering sweet nothings in his ear, urging him on. It was a long while before he collapsed on top of her. He felt so loved, warm, and happy as she stroked his hair. They were both covered in sweat, but they didn't care.

And when she said she was pregnant! After the initial shock had worn off, he had been ecstatic. He rushed around the house, jumping for joy, talking of how he would take their little boy out for his first ride on a broomstick, or their little girl to buy her first dress. Hermione would stand in the doorway of what they had deemed the nursery, watching with a smile on her face as Ron talked of how they should decorate it.

She might never see it happen anymore. There might be no one to give all of that too.

"Mr. Weasley?"

Ron looked up into the serious face of a Senior Healer. He nodded. The man lent him a hand. Ron took it and stood up, his knees buckling slightly.

"Come with me, Mr. Weasley. I must tell you about your wife and child..."

Ron dreaded every breath he took as the two of them walked into the room. His prospects brightened upon hearing the sound of a baby crying. He ran, pushing past all of the other Healers to find his wife, alive and healthy, pushing one last time. Finally, she collapsed against the headboard of the bed, trying to even out her breathing. Ashley lifted up the baby, cleaning it with her wand. She turned to Ron, tears running down her smiling face.

"Would you like to cut your son's cord, Mr. Weasley?" she asked. Ron, tears of joy flowing freely, nodded, carefully taking hold of his son as he cut the cord with his wand. The baby yawned and opened one eye blearily. Ron stared into the bright blue eyes of his son. His son. His son was alive.

"Let me see, Ron," he heard Hermione say softly. She looked a little weak, but otherwise okay. He slowly walked toward her, angling the baby toward her. She took him into her arms, looking like an experienced mother already. She smiled brightly as their son grabbed her finger in his tiny fist.

"Oh, Ron," she said, "he has your hair."

"Wait a minute and you'll get to see what his eye color will be," they heard Ashley say in the background. Sure enough, the baby closed his eyes for a second, and when they opened, they were an enchanting chocolate brown.

"I was hoping he'd have your eyes," Ron said, gazing at her lovingly. She gazed back at him, tears in her eyes.

"Ron, I thought I wasn't going to make it. I thought the baby wasn't going to make it--" he silenced her with a long, deep kiss.

"Mione, it's done with now. You're both here. My whole world is complete now. Everything is going to be fine now."

"Have you thought of the baby's name yet?" Ashley asked.

Ron and Hermione stared at each other. In all the rush, they hadn't even thought of a name for their child! Ashley laughed at their obvious discomfort.

"That's okay," she said. She grabbed a clipboard from one of her colleagues. "We'll just call him Miracle Weasley for now." She smiled as she wrote all of the necessary information down. She practically beamed at the happy family. She thanked God that everything turned out okay. "Congratulations, guys. It's a whole new chapter in your life now."

"Yeah, it's called 'No Sleep'," one Healer said. They all laughed.

~~~~~~~

"I don't understand why it's taking so long," Ginny said. Just as the others were about to reply, Ashley walked toward them, a big smile on her face. The family bombarded her with questions, but she just held up her hand with a smile, silencing their questions.

"Ron and Hermione are the proud parents of a healthy, baby boy." The family cheered, earning strange looks from strangers, but they didn't care. "Now, Hermione's a little tired, so only a few visitors at a time. Aunt Molly, Uncle Arthur, Harry, Ginny, come with me. The rest of you can wrestle for the next visit. Four at a time." As the small group walked away, she heard the sounds of the Weasley men attacking each other. She smiled. Some things never change.

~~~~~~~

Mrs. Weasley opened the door quietly, peeking in. "Hermione?" The others followed her into the room. Ron was on the bed behind Hermione, her head resting on his chest. The baby was in her arms, sleeping peacefully, his parents smiling down upon him. The room was filled with love at the moment.

Mrs. Weasley opened her arms. "Oh, there's my grandson!" she whispered joyously. "May I hold him?"

Hermione smiled. All of a sudden she seemed so happy and peaceful. Becoming a mother had changed her for the better. Perhaps it was the magic. "Of course, Molly." Molly held the baby in her arms, Arthur peering over her shoulder. They cooed at the baby gently while Ginny and Harry made their way to the bed. Ginny hugged them both tightly and was the first to speak.

"Congratulations you guys. I'm so happy!" she said. Harry grinned.

"Have you thought of a name yet?" he asked. Ron shook his head.

"No. We're just calling him Miracle Weasley for now," he told them. Ginny and Harry were confused.

"I don't understand," Harry said.

"We'll tell you everything later," Hermione dismissed, the sparkle in her eyes dimming only slightly. She immediately brightened up again. "Actually, I think I have the perfect name, Ron." She whispered something in his ear to which he grinned.

"I love it," he agreed. "Mum, Dad, come here." His parents made their way over to them, still fussing over the baby.

Hermione started first. "I know how much your father meant to you, Molly. We've agreed that we'd like to name the baby after him."

Ron continued as his mother's eyes widened in shock, shining with unshed tears. "And we just couldn't go without honoring you too, Dad. So we're also naming him after you."

"Michael Arthur Weasley," Ron and Hermione said together. Molly and Arthur simply beamed, speechless. Molly hugged them both, handing the baby to Ginny.

"Thank you," she whispered, her tears falling on Hermione's neck. Hermione hugged her back. Ron and Arthur followed suit.

Meanwhile, Ginny was busy cooing at the baby. "My little nephew is so handsome, isn't he? You're going to be smart like your mummy and kick some a--I mean, kick some bums at chess, like your daddy." The baby opened his eyes and gazed at her curiously. She grinned. "Yes, you're so handsome," she said, lightly tapping his nose. She turned toward Harry. "Your turn, Harry."

Harry seemed a bit nervous. "I've never held a baby before." Ginny laughed.

"Then practice," she said, handing the baby to him. "Support the head. That's it." Harry held his best friends' son in his arms. Michael peered up at him. On instinct, Harry wiggled his eyebrows and made funny faces. He was a bit embarrassed to be doing so at first, but then he got used to it. Michael smiled at him, and Ginny swore she heard him giggle.

"I swear he did! If Harry can do that, Ron will make him laugh till his sides hurt," she pressed. She smiled at Harry. "Was that so bad? You know, you're a natural. If it weren't for the red hair, one might assume that you were the father."

"Well, there was this one night..." Harry said cheekily. Ron laughed.

"You wish, mate," he said. Things were right again.

~~~~~~~~

Ron and Hermione didn't tell a lot of people what had happened with the baby. Though the family was large, they solemnly promised that this would be shoved into the past. The only thing that mattered was that both Hermione and Michael were alive and well. Ashley had assured everyone that now that Hermione had given birth to her first child, there would be no more risk if and when she were to have another.

"Trust me," said Ron, rubbing her now flatter stomach, "there will be more."

It was December 7, Ron and Hermione's first wedding anniversary. They had much to celebrate this time around. But others also celebrated events that happened one year ago on that special day. Fred, for instance, proposed to Angelina on that day, in front of everyone during the reception (after Ron and Hermione left, of course, so as not to draw attention away from them). Harry and Ashley were outside, sitting in the December cold, remembering the night that changed everything, the night in which they finally told the truth.

Harry fell backwards, snow flying upwards as his body made impact. Ashley crawled over to him and lay on her belly next to him, her head resting on her arm. Harry was staring at the sky. A few stars could still be seen.

"Ron and Hermione are married," Harry said.

"With a baby," Ashley added. Harry sighed. "What's wrong?"

She received no answer.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong?" He shook his head. "No nothing's wrong or no I'm not telling?"

"The first one. That was a sigh of contentment," he said, pulling her so she was lying on top of him. This position seemed almost normal and familiar. A thought popped into his head. "I never did finish telling you what I was going to say, did I? Before Ron came barging in?"

She looked up at him. "No. What did you want to say?"

"Hermione made me realize something important that day," he said. "I...hold on, I can't say it like this." He sat up and sat beside her, holding her hands in his, gazing into her eyes. He took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about this for a while, and now I'm certain that things will go right this time and that I've got the right idea."

Ashley didn't understand. "Harry, you're babbling a bit. Just say it."

"Oh, see, now I won't say it, Miss Impatient One." She rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

"Oh, come on!"

"You come on!"

"Tell me please!" she pleaded, pouting. He turned away.

"Don't give me that face," he said. This only encouraged her. She made her way closer to him and sat on his lap, her head on his shoulder, still pouting. He lifted her head up so that they were face to face.

"Oh, I see," she said quietly, wrapping her arms around him. "Is this where you kiss me to shut me up?" He nodded. "By all means."

He complied eagerly. When they broke apart he locked his eyes with hers and said it. "I love you."

For a moment, it didn't seem like she would respond or that she even felt the same. Then she smiled.

"You really do?" she asked timidly.

"I really do," he said; glad to get it off of his chest.

"I love you, too," she reiterated. They hugged each other in the snow, happy. She sighed against his chest. "So," she said, flipping her hair out of her eyes, "we did the 'I love you' thing already."

Harry laughed. "Yes, we did."

"How does it feel?" she inquired, squeezing his waist gently. He shrugged.

"Well, I'll tell you one thing," he said, licking his lips, "it tastes like chocolate." She smacked his arm and started to berate him jokingly. The only way he could shut her up was with his mouth.

Things went on like that for quite a while.

One Year and Six Months Later...

"Absolutely insane," Hermione was saying. "Ron, could you get him this time? I'm kind of busy."

Ashley barely heard him groan. "All right, Mione," he called back. The door to the nursery could be heard opening and closing, the eighteen-month-old baby's cries getting louder and softer each time.

Ashley turned to Hermione, who was cutting a slice of cake. "And you still want another one?"

"Without a doubt," Hermione replied, grabbing two plates from the cupboard. "I just hope the rest of them are like me instead."

"Good luck with that! You're a Weasley now, Hermione. It's all relative," Ashley said, making Hermione laugh. She poured the both of them a glass of milk and set the cake in the middle of the table.

"So," Hermione said after swallowing her first bite, "how have things been? Anything exciting happening lately?"

"Hermione, you act like you're a social outcast," Ashley remarked. "You're not a hermit." Hermione sighed.

"I feel like one," she said. "I mean, Ron and I really should set aside some time to us outside of the house," she uttered, blushing. "But we can never find a baby-sitter that's good enough."

"Hermione, if you can't find a sitter, why don't you ask someone in the family to watch Michael? It would save a lot of time and you wouldn't have to pay any of us; we'd just be happy to see the little guy," Ashley supplied. She was surprised that Hermione didn't come to that solution a long time ago.

Hermione sighed, nodding. "That would be the logical solution. But it's hard for me. I don't know why, but I just can't stand him being alone with another person without Ron or me there. I just don't trust anyone with my little miracle." Ashley stared openly at her. Hermione found it unsettling. "What?"

"You are now a direct clone of Aunt Molly," Ashley voiced, her body shaking mockingly in fear. Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"I wish I had a pillow to throw at you," she said. Ashley grinned.

"Throw the cake," she supplied. Hermione picked up her plate threateningly and gasped as her slice fell onto the floor. The two laughed.

"Now that that's passed," Hermione said, waving her wand at the mess. In an instant, the pile of cake was gone. She cleared her throat. "In two and a half months, you'll be a married woman."

~~~~~~~~

Last year on Valentine's Day, the ultimate surprise had been bestowed upon Ashley. After a romantic dinner at the Golden Sphinx (Ron and Hermione's suggestion), she and Harry Flooed back to his flat for a movie. After the movie had finished, they exchanged gifts for Valentine's Day, even though both of them agreed that that part was "a bit silly." Ashley had gotten Harry a watch that told you the time and actually sent messages to you, such as "it's very early" or "you're very late." Harry grinned, ecstatic, as he had always wanted one of those. He handed her a package. Opening it eagerly, she found that it was a blank book.

"I figured you could use it as a scrapbook or something to keep all of your memories in," he told her. She smiled, feeling the soft, velvet-like cover. "I already added something to the first page. Take a look." He opened the book for her. Inside was a message scrawled in Harry's handwriting:

"I feel important whenever I'm with you, and I hope you feel the same. I can't imagine how life would be without you next to me. I love you, and you love me, and I couldn't ask for anything more. Well, actually, I could..."

She turned the page, curious as to what else he wrote. She nearly gasped upon seeing, in large, loopy letters:

"WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

Oh, sweet Merlin, she couldn't believe it. This wasn't happening to her right now! It was like a fairytale! She blinked away tears as she saw Harry open a small box to reveal a diamond engagement ring, the diamond set between two emeralds. It was extravagant, yet quaint, for the stones weren't overly large.

"It was my mum's ring. My dad gave it to her when he asked her to marry him. They left it for me...for when the time was right," she heard him say. She was speechless. She faced him completely, still stunned.

"Are you sure you want to take this step?" she asked quietly. She was all for it, but if he really wasn't ready...

He caressed her face with his hand. "I'm a little nervous about it, but I think it's a good kind of nervous." He set the box aside and held her hands in his. "So what do you say?"

"Harry--"

"Just so you know, I'm willing to wait as long as you want to," he told her sincerely. That just made everything so much easier.

"Yes." He held back a grin.

"Yes what?" he inquired innocently. She laughed.

"Yes, Harry, I'll marry you!" He laughed along with her, slipping the gorgeous ring onto her left ring finger. They kissed each other passionately, smiling against each other's lips. Almost immediately afterward, she sprang up from the couch. Harry was startled.

"What are you going to do?"

Ashley was bouncing up and down so much it seemed she would fly away. "Now I have to call everyone!" Harry laughed.

"Can't you do that tomorrow?"

"But then it's not fresh news!" she whined. He grabbed her arm and pulled her over toward him. She melted into his embrace, smiling happily, the ring the furthest thing from her mind. She was in love, he loved her back, and they were making everything official.

"All this time you were one of those girls who just have to tell the latest news when they hear it," he pondered playfully. She only laughed into his chest. "I wonder...hmm..." She looked up, one eyebrow delicately quirked.

"What are you thinking of?" she asked, her voice low and firm, but gentle. She could tell when Harry turned on his flirt switch. She hoped marriage wouldn't change that.

He shrugged and looked away innocently. She scoffed. "Come on, Harry. I know you want to tell me." She squeezed his middle and lowered herself so that the top of her head was below his chin. She looked up at him, her dark brown eyes genuinely curious.

"Hold it," he said. She frowned.

"What?"

"Hold it," he repeated. "For 24 hours. Then you can tell everyone and you won't fall over yourself in excitement." Well, she thought, it sounded logical. That is what gossips did to try and break the habit. But then again...

"Bad idea," she argued, waving a hand carelessly. He caught it in his, delightfully surprising her. He was getting very playful today.

He gazed at her with his deep green eyes. They seemed innocent enough, but flashed with mischief. "Why?"

She bit back a laugh at the sudden similarity to a Muggle movie and explained, her underlying tone rather flirty. "That's absolutely impossible. I mean, I would have nothing better to do. If I can't tell everyone now, what can I possibly do to pass 24 hours?" she asked.

He didn't answer. He only held her tighter, as tight as he could without causing discomfort. The look in his eye could only be described as desperate want. Or better yet, need. He leaned forward, connecting his forehead with hers. She felt like she was slowly sinking to the floor, when in actuality they were just standing there.

"I'm sure you can think of something," he told her. She smiled at him. His nerves, which had been on end almost all night, were relaxing, and turning into something else. Her smile always did that to him.

~~~~~~~~~

"...it?"

Ashley was brought back to earth reluctantly as she barely caught the end of Hermione's question. She gave her head a little shake and turned toward her friend apologetically. "Huh? Sorry, Mione, I sort of dazed there for a bit." But Hermione didn't seem to mind. In fact, she was smiling almost knowingly.

"I was just saying," she repeated, grinning slyly the whole time, "that you never really told me how that night ended."

"Oh," Ashley said, turning beet-red. "Didn't I?"

Hermione was enjoying this immensely. "No. I am certain I would have remembered that." She pretended to think very hard, tapping a finger to her bushy head (that's what a baby and humidity could do for you). "I believe that you left off at the part when he suggested you keep yourself busy for 24 hours."

Still blushing, Ashley got up and placed her cup in the sink. "I did." Hermione could tell she was dancing around the issue. As innocently as she could, she said, "Well, what did you do? Watch movies, talk, eat?"

Ashley was still facing the counter, trying to hide her huge smile. She was smiling so hard her cheeks started to hurt.

"I did things, okay? I took a shower, fixed my hair a bit, took a nap--"

"After doing Harry?"

"Hermione!" Ashley whipped around, grabbed the nearest towel and began to whack Hermione with it, laughing all the while. Hermione joined in, fighting back with a soft bunny slipper. After a few minutes of their fight, the two relented, red in the face from exertion as they sat back down. Wrapping her hair into a low bun, Hermione resumed her questioning.

"Well?" she pressed. Ashley let out a deep sigh.

"Yes," she finally admitted. Hermione clapped her hands together and squealed like a schoolgirl.

"Oh, I knew you would!"

"Thanks, Hermione," Ashley said sarcastically. "You are so crass. I don't know whether to blame Ron or Ginny."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I'm married to Ron."

"Well, once you're married, you're married to the family as well," Ashley pointed out. Hermione just laughed. "Don't tell Ron, though."

Hermione furrowed her brow. "Why?"

"Because I like holding these things over him," Ashley admitted, grinning. Hermione shook her head and snickered.

"I think he's going to wonder why you have overnight visits at Harry's and vice versa," she said in a singsong voice.

Ashley rested her cheek in her hand. "First of all, Harry and I have been spending nights together long before that night. Second, Harry and I haven't been...you know...since then."

Hermione's mouth rounded into a small 'o'. That was certainly surprising. "I see," she said slowly. She grimaced. "Was he that bad?"

"Good Lord, no!" Ashley protested. She then smiled wistfully. "Remember, Mione, I didn't call you or anyone else with the news until the seventeenth."

Hermione laughed. "Go Harry. Then why...?"

"Well, the next morning we were there, lying in bed, and he was playing with my hair and I was just laying there taking it all in--"

"Spare me any extensive details, please," Hermione interrupted, holding up a hand. Ashley stuck out her tongue before continuing.

"Anyway. So, he just said 'Sorry.'"

"Sorry?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, 'sorry'. I asked him why and he said 'I know you wanted to save that until the night.' And I was just so happy that he remembered how I felt and that he even felt the tiniest bit sorry. Mind you, I didn't care until that point."

Hermione nodded. "Oh, yes, throw your morals away when Harry Potter wants you in his bedroom." She laughed.

"I told him it didn't matter, and then he said, and these were his exact words: Maybe we shouldn't have sex until that night. You know, so it's more special.' And I just thought: I can't believe that this man, this selfless, handsome, smart, wonderful man, who could have anything he wanted, is willing to do that for me," Ashley remembered, stars in her eyes. Even Hermione was caught up in the story.

"Then why didn't you say no?" she asked.

"I could see where he was coming from," Ashley replied. "So I agreed." But there was something that didn't add up.

"If that was the case, why didn't you even try to call until the seventeenth?" Hermione asked, ever so efficient with the details.

"We both agreed that we needed something for the road," Ashley answered, her body unconsciously stretching and relaxing in content. "After that, he couldn't look me in the eye for days."

Hermione was amused. "Scared he would pick you up, rip off your clothes and ravish you?"

"No," Ashley said, "well, yes, that and apparently every move I made that involved my hands, hips, legs, and breasts fascinated him. I had fun with that for quite a while. Still am, in fact." The two laughed outright. Sure, it might seem bad, but the two of them had never had that kind of power before they began dating Harry and Ron. It was a thrilling thing to have and only made them feel more like women.

Hermione sighed happily and got up, stretching her arms toward the ceiling. "I just know that I couldn't have stopped 'eating the cake' after one bite. Or 20, if it was three days after eating that you called," she said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Ashley humbly agreed. "Yes, after all, you and Ron had your cake after dating for 6 months and haven't stopped eating since. Exhibit A: Michael Arthur Weasley."

~~~~~~~

"Nervous, mate?"

"Damn right," Harry voiced, still pacing, his black dress robes swirling around him, causing him to stumble. Ron quickly caught him. Harry resumed his footing and continued on, mumbling a hasty, "thanks."

They were inside a lavish white tent, the groom's tent, to be exact. It was closed, now, though every so often a light breeze would come in from under the flaps of the walls. The light from outside shone through, illuminating everything in sight. Harry's clothes were folded neatly on top of a magicked bureau. A long mirror stood before him, specially placed so that he could make sure he looked his best. The sound of people arriving and talking could vaguely be heard outside. The sound of photographers being repelled backward by a Restriction Charm was music to Ron's ears.

It was Harry Potter's wedding day, and few people were going to witness it; only the people that mattered had received an invitation, and those who didn't faced the wrath of Hermione's spells. This event had been planned for months, and no one was going to ruin it. Everyone had been a little surprised when Harry and Ashley had decided upon an outside wedding, but people thought it suited them. At any rate, it was an August wedding, and it wouldn't do for everyone to sweat it out. Through all the excitement, the flowers, the guests, and the layout had somehow been decided upon, with both the bride and groom's input on it all.

Almost a hundred feet away from the groom's tent stood the bride's tent. In it was the bride and her bridesmaids, all fussing over each other and possibly crying about "the beauty of it all."

The groom in question was still pacing. The grass was flattened in a circle following his steps, and Ron was sure he was going to wear a hole in the ground.

"You really should relax, you know," Ron told him. Harry scoffed and stopped pacing so he could face his best man. Ron sat there patiently, waiting for the rants to come. He remembered his own fears at his own wedding all to well. He was laughing now, but back then...

Harry had his hands clasped behind his back and spoke in a professional yet clipped tone. "This from the man who tried jumping out the window at his own wedding."

Ron hid a smile as best he could. He motioned around them as he retaliated. "Perhaps, but you see, there are no windows, and if you leave, everyone will see you."

Harry rolled his eyes and smacked that idea away. "No big deal. They would have seen me anyway. Plus, it will give the tabloids something to write about. Another lies--"

"That would turn out to be true," Ron interjected. Harry stopped and thought about this. He never wanted the papers to be right about their allegations. "Even so, you wouldn't have done it anyway."

Harry sank into a nearby chair, massaging his temple. He wiped his glasses on a handkerchief embroidered with the Gryffindor lion before placing them back on his face. "You know me too well." Ron smiled.

"You wouldn't have done that to yourself, or to her," he said wisely. Harry smiled back weakly.

"A fine day you picked to become somewhat intelligent, Weasley," he teased. Ron ignored that comment and leaned forward.

"What's the problem? What do you think will happen?" he asked. Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"I know what some people must think: that I'm afraid she'll change her mind at the last minute. That's so cliché I'm not even going to touch that," he said. Ron had to laugh a little. For some things, conforming wasn't a word in Harry's vocabulary. The saving-people-thing, though, that was another story.

"I could see that. I mean, you're not me at any rate, though it's a shame cause you're not as good-looking," he said. Harry laughed. "What's so funny about that?" Harry ignored him and went on.

"I'm worried about...never mind."

Now Ron was too interested to just let it go. "No, what is it? Come on! You can't leave a bloke hanging from a broomstick 50 feet in the air! Out with it, man!"

Harry held up his hands and signaled for Ron to sit down. Ron complied, face glowing with eagerness. "I'm just a little worried that I won't be...you know."

Ron was confused before he seemed to get it. "Oh!" He then hunched his shoulders. "Oh," he whispered. "Afraid you won't be that good in bed."

Harry turned a deep shade of red and shook his head. "No, I'm not worried about that. But thanks for the idea, mate." Ron shrugged apologetically. Harry had just thrown in that last part for good measure. Ron simply could not, should not, and would not know about that.

"Well, then what is it?" Ron asked.

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. "I'm worried about starting a family."

Ron, for one, was surprised. Of all people to hear this from, he heard it from Harry. It just didn't add up. "Oh, come on."

Harry was indignant. "What?"

Ron rolled his eyes and scoffed, swatting away a gnat that had been following him all day. "Harry, you can't honestly believe that."

Harry threw his hands in the air and resumed his pacing. "I know it's stupid! But look at the so-called 'family' I grew up with, Ron. They didn't exactly dish out the love. I was treated like I was nothing. How do I prevent myself from treating my kids the same way? How do I stop myself from taking Ashley for granted like Vernon did to my aunt? I'm just so nervous about that."

Ron got up and stood behind his best friend, clapping a hand to his shoulder. "Harry, mate, listen to me. We all know what you've been through. If anyone else had gone through that, they would be the worst person anyone could ever have the displeasure of knowing. Kind of like...you know, how Malfoy used to be, or so Ginny says." Ron's voice filled with disbelief as he spoke that last part.

"But--"

"No, wait. Now, as we can all plainly see, you are in NO WAY like your aunt and uncle. You're a nice guy, a good guy, and you're very noble. You treat everyone with respect, and you're just always there no matter what. You're a great friend Harry, and you must obviously be a good boyfriend too, or Ashley wouldn't have said yes when you asked her to marry you. Being a parent is no different than being any of those things, trust me. The only thing is that you have to moderate it to a child's level," Ron revealed.

"Ron, being a father has changed you. But there is no way you could have learned that when your son has barely started talking," Harry said, turning his head to look back at Ron. Ron grinned.

"Hey, anything to get you to calm your nerves. Come on, just take things little by little and you'll be great," he said, causing Harry to smile at the sound of his own advice to Ron on his wedding day. The two friends embraced in a one-armed hug. "Ready now?"

Harry smiled brightly. "Yeah. I'm ready."

~~~~~~

A golden arch decorated with flowers and greenery stood at the center of it all. At least white 100 chairs had been set up, draped along the sides with white ribbon and bouquets of flowers. The isle, of course, was the grass, a long, silken carpet stretched forth to guide everyone to the 'altar'. Candles floated in the air, safely away from the heads of everyone. Red rose petals had been scattered around the area. The Weasleys sat way up front, with Mrs. Weasley dabbing at her eyes every few seconds like she had at her son's wedding.

The sun shone brightly, as if offering its approval of the event down below. The smiles on everyone's faces seemed to do the same, especially those of the Weasleys and the Halliwells. Not many had been invited, but it was not a meager event either. Still, only close friends and family were present.

The wedding march had started to play. All of the guests turned their heads excitedly to watch members of the wedding party walk down the isle. Many watched with joy as the flower girl walked up the isle, scattering petals behind her. Then came the groomsmen (Neville, Remus, and Dean Thomas) and the bridesmaids (Lexy, Jazmine, and Ginny), followed by the best man and maid of honor (Ron and Hermione). Harry soon followed them; arms linked with Sirius and Mrs. Weasley's, the best parents he could have asked for. He walked up to the altar and greeted Mr. Weasley, who was able to perform the ceremony, as he was Minister of Magic. After hugging Sirius and Molly, Harry took his place on the left of Arthur and glanced at the faces of his friends. The entire Order of the Phoenix was there, as were the Professors of Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall sat next to Severus Snape, deeply wishing that Albus could have been there to witness this day personally. The thought brought tears to Harry's own eyes. Yet he knew that his professor, along with his parents and those lost during the war, were watching from above.

A soft yet stirring break in the music brought everyone to his or her feet, watching and waiting. Once more, the veil was lifted and on walked the bride, her arm linked with her father's. The man was softly patting his daughter's hand, whispering words of love and comfort in her ear, silent tears falling down his face. Finally, he lifted her veil, kissed her cheek, and presented her to her husband-to-be. Once that was done, everyone sat and waited, watching as two of the greatest people they knew professed their undying love and devotion to one another. Harry was very handsome in his dress robes. Ashley was stunning in her spaghetti strapped gown, smooth all the way except for fancy embroidering at the hem. It seemed to fit her well, hugging all the right places. Her hair was in curls, pulled halfway up.

Harry held her hand in his as Arthur began. He had never seen her look so beautiful. He spoke his vows with his heart in every word, and he saw a lone tear streak down her cheek. He didn't realize it, but he too was crying. She said her vows much in the same way.

It all seemed to happen so fast. One minute they were slipping the rings on each other's fingers, and the next they were pulling out their wands and connecting them, watching the sparks emit from the tips, as was wizarding custom.

Once Arthur said, "You may now kiss each other," they were inseparable until Ron's voice rang out above everyone else's.

"Oi, wait till tonight, will you?"

Laughing, the newlyweds smacked Ron's shoulder, looking around. Everyone was standing on his or her feet, clapping loudly and crying. It was very moving. Harry kissed his wife one more time before embracing her. When they broke apart, Ashley was gazing at him and her wedding ring. It was a simple gold band with a diamond on it. Inside both of their rings were inscriptions from one to the other.

"I WILL NEVER LOVE ANOTHER"

And so was the beginning of a whole new chapter.