Married by Law

Chapter Seven: Deck the halls with..Baby? Babies? What!

Hermione Granger smiled as she pulled her trunk into the small compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Harry and Ginny were curled up together on one end of the compartment while Ron sat by himself on the other. Hermione used her wand to put her trunk away and took her seat behind him.

"So, where's Lavender?" inquired Hermione. He looked at her and quirked and eyebrow.

"Uh, she's with Parvati and Padma. She's going to her parent's but she's coming over for dinner on Christmas Eve. I hope that's...er, alright." Ron stammered. Hermione smiled sincerely.

"It's alright. I'm leaving Christmas night with Ginny. Er...the wedding is the next day." whispered Hermione.

"The wedding!" gasped Harry, over hearing the conversation.

"No! I mean-yes. Ugh! We're not having a ceremony. We're getting married by a Ministry official with two witnesses, Blaise Zabini and Ginny." explained Hermione. Harry frowned.

"Why weren't we invited?" Harry and Ron looked hurt.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Truly I am. But it's law for it to be a woman and man as the witnesses." defended Hermione. They smiled.

"It's alright. Oh! Lav and I figured out a set date for our wedding."

"It is...?" probed Ginny.

"July 1st." smiled Ron. Hermione nodded encouragingly.

"That's fantastic!" chirped Hermione. The rest of the ride they spent discussing wedding ideas, of both Ron and Ginny's.

"Hermione! Ginny! Get up! NOW!" screeched Mrs. Weasley from the bottom of the stairs. It was the second day of break, already Christmas Eve. Ginny roused grumpily, while Hermione rubbed her eyes.

"Mmm. Five more hours." grumped Ginny, though she say up anyway. She staggered over to the mirror and lifted up the hem of her t-shirt. It revealed her protruding belly. Over the past two weeks her stomach had grown. Now if she didn't wear a baggy t-shirt or jacket you could tell.

"Mione, how much do you know about pregnancy?" inquired Ginny as she examined her stomach. Hermione peeked over at her, just as she pulled on her dress for the day.

"Hm. Gin I don't know much, but you're really big. You look at least seventeen weeks!" noted Hermione. Ginny grimaced as she pulled on an empire waisted emerald green dress.

"Mione! Ah! I can't hid my bump today! Oh my god I'm going to have to tell Mum!" Ginny began to hyperventilate, before leaning over and vomiting into a nearby wastebasket. Hermione ran over to her and calmed her down.

"Announce it during dinner. You and Harry together. But for now." Hermione waved her wand and the bump was no longer visible. "A concealment charm won't work forever."

"Hello! Hello! Hi!" cheered Molly Weasley as Lavender and Ron hurried into the Burrow, letting in a gust of cold, snowy air.

"Hello Mrs. Weasley!" greeted Lavender, giving her a small peck on the cheek. Harry and Ginny walked into the kitchen, whispering presumably about the announcement. Hermione stood in the back, next to George and his fiancee Angelina. Percy chatted animatedly with his fiancee Audrey and Mr. Weasley. Bill was talking with Fleur, who was almost five months pregnant.

"Alright! Dinner time!" chirped Molly. Hermione made her own entrance once everyone was seated.

"Hello all." smiled Hermione as she took her seat between Harry and Ron. The group smiled at her, but Lavender shot her a glare from behind Ron's back. Ham, potatoes, casserole, pie, and other foods were passed around as everyone's plates filled. People chattered mildly and everyone ate. Once everyone was on their second helping Ginny stood up, her hand clasped tightly in Harry's.

"Uh, Harry and I have an announcement." said Ginny, her voice shaky. She closed her eyes and took a breath as the table quieted.

"Harry and I are going to have a baby in late June early July." said Ginny, her voice now clear. A fork dropped and gasps were heard.

"Oh my god..." whispered Ron. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand.

"It's alright." whispered Hermione.

"C-Congratulations!" said Fleur uncertainly. Ginny smiled a bit at that. Suddenly Ginny's belly stuck out, the concealment charm wearing off. Molly just stared at her daughter, mouth in a tight line. Arthur's face wavered between ecstatic and disapproving.

"Ginny. In the kitchen. Now." snapped Molly. Ginny's eyes widened but she nimbly left.

"Oh my." whispered Hermione. Harry shot up and ran to the door.

"Goddamn Muffliato." cursed Harry. Hermione cracked a smile.

"Shh, it's going to be alright I'm sure." soothed Hermione. Harry sat down, head in his hands.

"Oh come on Harry, it's alright. She's just knocked-"began Lavender, rudely.

"Shut up! You're not helping!" spat Hermione, glaring at her furiously. Lavenders expression darkened, then she turned to Ron. The entire table had gone silent.

"Won Won! Make her stop." whined Lavender.

"Yeah Won Won." sneered Hermione, her anger flaring.

"God, why the hell are you even here?"

"Oh shut up!" retorted Hermione Lavender huffed as the kitchen door opened. Molly walked out, looking happy again. Ginny hesitantly followed.

"Uh, guys? Scratch that. Harry and I are going to have two babies in late June early July." announced Ginny. Bonk! Harry fell to the floor.