The Secret

A/N: This is a Romione story, one-shot; all characters belong to JK Rowling. This is my take on Hermione's reveal to Ron about Baby Rose. This takes place 8 years after the war. Enjoy!

Hermione, unable to sleep stood in front of the fire place, her hand softly resting against her stomach. In her other hand, she played with the charm on her necklace over and over again. She began to pace back and forth until her legs ached in hope to make herself tired. The small flat that she shared with Ron was full with relics of their past. There were photos of Harry, Ron and herself from Hogwarts, the entire Weasley clan at Bill and Fleur's wedding, and a newly added photo of Ron and herself with their nephew, James. A strange plant from Neville that makes different fruits each spring, a painting of Dumbledore's Army done by Luna, and several quilts and knitted blankets by Mrs. Weasley. Of course, books covered every available space on the floor and the shelves. Hermione touched the fragile bindings of her well-read books and then crossed to the kitchen table where Professor Dumbledore's worn copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard lay open on the table. In all honesty Hermione hadn't looked at the book since the war ended, however when her nephew James is fighting off the sandman with both fists, the only thing that settles him down was one of Beedle the Bard's tales. Lifting the book off the table, she pressed her hand gently against her stomach once more.

It had been eight years since the end of the war. Everyone had done their part to make the magical world safe again. It took nearly a year to rebuild Hogwarts before Hermione could go back to finish her schooling. After that things took shape for the future, Ron and Harry had found their place in the Ministry as Aurors and Hermione had a job working for the fair treatment of all magical creatures. The trio had everything they had hoped for after the war finished. Harry and Ginny got married after a majority of the remaining Death Eaters were found and charged. Then four years after the war ended, Ron and Hermione married. Now with everything back in its rightful place, Hermione should feel peaceful; happy even. However, all Hermione could feel was anxiety. She was doing her best to hide her uneasiness from Ron and luckily for her Ron was away on mission for the ministry a majority of the time. The only thing that occupied her mind besides work was little James who had just turned one a short while ago. With Ron away so often, Hermione spent most of her time with Ginny and James. Ginny enjoyed having her closest friend around and didn't mind the extra pair of helping hands with energetic James.

The problem with spending so much time with Ginny was that she could tell something was on Hermione's mind and she couldn't hide it. Without sleep the night before and now the achy legs, Hermione couldn't hide her exhaustion with a smile today.

"Hermione, is something wrong? You seem a bit preoccupied," Ginny said lifting a spoonful of mashed carrots into James' awaiting mouth.

"No, why do you ask?" Hermione lifted her head to look at Ginny.

"You have been reading the same page in that book for that last ten minutes," Ginny wiped James' mouth and smirked.

"Oh, I suppose I have been thinking about Ron, wondering when he is coming home," Hermione gave a half-hearted smile and closed the book.

"I got an owl from Harry a few hours ago, saying that he and Ron are in Hogsmeade and staying the night. They should be home by tomorrow night," Ginny picked up the dishes from dinner and put them in the sink. "Hermione, I was wondering if you could watch James in the morning. I haven't been feeling all that well and I wanted to pop over to St. Mungo's for a checkup, would you mind?" Ginny wiped James' hands and face.

"Not at all, do you mind if I watch him at my place? I have some cleaning to do before Ron gets home," Ginny smiled as carefree as she did in high school, but Hermione gave her a worried look.

"Of course not and don't worry Hermione, I don't think it is anything serious. Nothing any healer couldn't heal," Hermione hugged Ginny tightly and kissed James on the forehead.

"Bye Ginny, goodbye James! See you both tomorrow!" Hermione waved and with a crack she apparated home.

Coming home to a dark empty house was the last thing Hermione wanted. She lit the fireplace with a flick of her wand and the house warmed with a golden light. The house felt less empty, but she didn't feel any better. Looking around, the small flat was just a mess of papers and books, laundry and baby things. The old floors beneath her feet creaked as she moved about cleaning and organizing the mess she had created. When the small clock on the mantle chimed at midnight it was as if it was almost telling Hermione to go to bed with each ring of its bells. Hermione entered the cleaned kitchen and took the opened book to bed with her.

Winter had been brutally cold this year partially because of the thin walls and partially because of Ron being gone. Hermione bundled herself up the best she could in the endless Weasley quilts, but knew the bed would still be cold until Ron was there wrapping his arms around her. Reaching into the cold air of her room for the Tales of Beedle the Bard, Hermione could hear her teeth chattering; but once she was back into the warmth of her bed Hermione sighed in relief. She opened the book and read "The Fountain of Fair Fortune" aloud, hearing her voice echo against the creaking walls made her realize how tired she was. Just as she began to drift off to sleep, she softly pressed her hand to her stomach and said, "I have been given so much fortune."

The next morning, Hermione waited patiently by the fireplace, little James would be here by floo powder soon. She didn't sleep all that well the night before, just spent most of the night tossing and turning. After giving up the hopes of a good sleep, Hermione decided to get ready for James. Hermione entered the kitchen for one more look over to make sure nothing dangerous was within reach of little hands. With a crackle of the fireplace, Hermione looked up from the oven.

"Hermione, are you here?" Ginny called. Hermione scurried from kitchen, dropping the oven mitts on the stove.

"I'm here! Is my favorite little nephew here too?" Hermione smiled and entered the living room. James waved and ran into his aunt's open arms.

"Thank you so much Hermione, I'll be back in an hour or two!" She placed the baby bag on the couch and kissed James' head, with a wave and a crack Ginny was gone. Hermione held James' hand and led him into the kitchen.

"Guess what your Auntie 'Mione made you?" She watched as James' little face lit up brightly at food that was spread out across the tiny kitchen table. Placing the toddler into his highchair was more of a challenge than Hermione expected, James' little hands made large swipes at the food placed before him. "Hold on, hold on," She clicked his safety belt and sat down in front of him. Handing him bits of fruit, biscuits, and sips of watered down apple juice. "Do you like it?" James grinned, food covering his entire mouth. She laughed at the few teeth he had and couldn't imagine anything cuter that his toothy smile. She reached for her camera and got a quick snapshot of baby James. The baby giggled at the flash, but stopped to eat more chunks of food. "What are we going to do with you? You might need a bath after this," No matter how many wipes to clean his face, James still covered himself in more food.

With a majority of the food gone from the table, James slumped back into his highchair, his baby belly protruding out from underneath his shirt. "How about a bath? You need one," Hermione lifted her full nephew into the bathroom. Running the water, she placed random bath toys inside. James stood in only a diaper, more than ready to get in. James pulled at his diaper until it completely came off. Hermione smiled and placed the boy into the tub. "Is this fun?" He splashed, laughing quite loudly. She swirled the water around, the toys following the waves she made. Hermione looked at her nephew who was now all squeaky clean, but deeply enamored with the colorful bath boat.

"James, can you keep a secret?" The toddler looked up for a second and then grabbed the rubber duck from Hermione's hand. "I'll take that as a yes. James, I'm pregnant! Auntie 'Mione is having a baby. How fantastic is that? I just don't know how to tell your uncle," James lifted his hands, showing his wrinkled fingers to her. "I guess you're ready to get out. Thanks for listening buddy," She lifted him out, wrapping him in a warm towel. Turning towards the bedroom, Hermione made sure James was completely covered from head to toe.

Hermione put her young nephew into a new diaper and fought the wiggly toddler into a new set of clothes. "Come on James; show me how well you play!" James squealed in excitement and ran into the living room. The two entered into the front room and just as they did Ginny apparated into the room with a large smile on her face.

James ran into his mother's arms as she picked him up, Ginny smiled brighter than before. Ginny put James down on the ground so he could play. "Hermione, I have to tell you how the appointment went. I'm pregnant!" Hermione smiled and hugged Ginny. "I wasn't feeling all that well that last few days so, I just wanted to get checked out and it turned out I'm a month pregnant!" Hermione touched Ginny's stomach and smiled.

"I'm so happy for you Ginny!" There was a large crack and then Harry and Ron stood next to the fireplace. "Ron! Harry! Welcome home!" Hermione stood and crossed to hug Harry and her husband. Ginny followed suit, her smile not faltering.

"Harry, I have something to tell you something!" Hermione pulled the Ron to couch, her fingers remaining tangled in his. Harry looked at his wife and then to Hermione, wondering what it could be. Ginny was unable to contain herself that she practically screamed, "I'm pregnant!" Harry laughed in joy and lifted his wonderful wife up in the air. He put her down and knelt before her stomach, whispering and kissing her stomach.

"Congrats mate! That's great news to get when you get home!" Ron hugged his sister and Harry in a warm embrace.

"James, did you hear that your Mommy is having another baby!" Harry lifted his son in the air in excitement. "James, who is having a baby? Do you know who is having a baby?" James smiled and pointed at Hermione. "No, no, James. Mommy is having the baby." Harry corrected the little boy.

"'Mione, baby, 'Mione, baby!" Harry shook his head at the little boy.

"No, James. Mommy." Harry repeated.

"Harry, James isn't wrong." Hermione said almost silently. "I am going to have a baby." She smiled. The small living room erupted in shrieks of enthusiasm; Ron lifted her to his lips and smiled as brightly as the sun.

"When did you find out?" Ron asked when the energy died down and James went down for his nap. Hermione brushed his hair back as Ron sat resting his head against her stomach.

"Well I am four months now, so about two months ago." Ginny sat up and grabbed Hermione's hand.

"It is the greatest nine months you will ever experience." Ginny smiled. "I just realized something; I am going to be an Auntie!" Hermione laughed heartily and looked at Ron, who was still captivated by her stomach.

"When do you find out if it is a boy or a girl?" Ron asked looking up at Hermione.

"I have an appointment Friday."