Chapter 7

We don't own them. It's all JK Rowling's. We're just borrowing them for the moment.

Hermione sat in her study, reading over one of the books she had purchased from Flourish and Blotts. For almost three weeks, she had been working with Severus, trying to find out what they could about the curse that was affecting her. During that time, she had been taking her potions faithfully and trying to avoid stress. It wasn't exactly easy with some of the students she had, especially the Slytherins. They all knew that she had fought against Voldemort, and they knew her background. Things weren't as bad as she suspected they would have been years ago, but they were bad enough. She had told Poppy everything she had felt and how things had affected her, and Poppy had told her to send her Patronus if things got too bad. Fortunately, she hadn't had to use it yet.

Hermione and Severus had made some progress on the curse that was affecting her, but the progress was slow and frustrating at times. However, she was glad she was helping with the research because the suspense and the waiting would have driven her crazy.

Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was nearly time to go to the Burrow for the Weasleys' Sunday dinner. If she had her druthers, she and Ron would not be going. She was so tired, and she still had some papers to mark.

Hearing a knock at the door, she looked up and called, "Come in."

The door opened a crack, and a tuft of ginger hair curled around the door. "Oi, 'Mione," Ron said, "it's nearly time for Sunday dinner, and I'm starving." He slipped into the room, hugged Hermione from behind, and kissed her in a particularly sensitive spot just below her earlobe. "Are you almost done, love?" he asked.

"I still have a stack of papers to mark," Hermione said, trying to hide a yawn that escaped. "You can go if you want, and bring me back something to eat."

Ron pulled away and pouted. "You mean you don't want to go with me?" he asked.

Hermione put her hand up to her head and looked at him sideways. "Is your mother going to care if I bring some papers along with me to mark?"

Ron pouted again. "Aww, Hermione," he whinged, "can't you relax for a while and just enjoy a meal there? At least for today?" He made his most pathetic puppy-dog eyes at her.

Hermione sighed in exasperation. "Well, I don't have this class until Wednesday –"

"Yeah, and it's only Sunday," Ron interrupted. He grabbed the quill from her hand and put it down. "Come on, Hermione. We don't have to spend a long time there if you don't want to." He again made puppy-dog eyes at her. "Please, 'Mione? For me?"

"All right. You don't play fair, you know. You know that I can't resist that look when you give it to me. Let me go put on something nicer and we can go," Hermione said, standing up and stretching.

Ron gave her a hug and a kiss. "Excellent," he said, smiling. "I'll be waiting for you in the sitting room, love."

Hermione went upstairs and changed into a pair of knit trousers and a blue jumper. Looking into the mirror, she decided to put on some makeup because her face was much too pale. A few minutes later, she went back downstairs.

"Okay, now I'm ready."

Ron smiled as he took her hand. "You look wonderful," he said, looking her over appreciatively. "Shall we Side-Along or Apparate separately?" he asked.

"You look very nice too, Ron. Why don't we Side-Along?" Hermione said, giving him a smile. "That way we can go together."

Ron smiled. "All right," he said. He offered his arm, which Hermione took, and wrapped his other arm around her waist. "On three," he said as they turned and Disapparated with a pop.

They appeared in the orchard at the Burrow and were immediately greeted by Victoire, Dominque, and Little Molly.

"Auntie Hermi! Uncle Ronnie!" they exclaimed.

Hermione bent down and put her arms around the three girls. "Hi, you three. Are you staying out of trouble?"

"Yeah," Victoire said. "But you know what?"

"What, Victoire?" Hermione asked with a smile.

Victoire looked side to side and then whispered, "I made a glass fly today!"

"That's wonderful!" Hermione said, giving the small girl a hug.

"I wanna do some magic!" Little Molly exclaimed as she pulled on Hermione's sleeve.

"You will very soon," Hermione said, giving the younger girl a hug.

"Oi, 'Mione!" Ginny said from afar. She walked slowly to her and the girls. "I'm so glad Ron was able to pull you away from your endless marking of essays to spend some time with us," she said after having given Hermione a hug and a kiss. She then linked arms with her and gently nudged her toward the Burrow. "So," she asked saucily, "how is life with my git of an Auror brother?"

"Well," Hermione said, giving her a wink, "I think he's frustrated because I am too tired or too busy to do much but take a bath and sleep after we eat dinner. And then there's Wednesday nights when I don't get home until after midnight because I have patrol that night. But he loves the fact that I bring dinner home every night from Hogwarts. But enough about us. How are you and Harry doing? Have you started thinking of names yet? How about decorating the nursery?"

Ginny chuckled. "I'm going to leave that to Harry. There are pictures of the nursery at Godric's Hollow before all that stuff had happened. I think Harry wants to decorate the nursery in a similar way as the nursery over there.

"As for names: if it's a boy, he will be James Sirius, after the two men he wanted to honour the most," she continued. "If it's a girl, probably Lily, but we haven't decided on a middle name yet."

"Those names are perfect," Hermione said. "By the way, I think Ron and I will probably wait until summer to get married. After all, I would love for you and Tonks to be in the wedding, and if we wait 'til summertime, you will both be more comfortable."

"Hermione," Ginny said, "did I ever tell you that I love you? You are so considerate of us!" They entered the Burrow. "Oi, everyone! Ron and Hermione's here!"

Ron gave Ginny a funny look. "Of course they know we're here, Gin! They have eyes; they can see!"

Ginny stuck her tongue out at Ron as Fred and George passed by.

"That's really mature, sister," Fred said.

"But of course, our little brother was equally mature," George said.

The twins then gathered Hermione into their arms, and she squealed loudly as they lifted her from the floor to their shoulders.

"How many bounces should we give Hermione?" Fred asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Well, how old will Hermione be tomorrow?" George asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Hermione looked down at her soon-to-be-brothers-in-law. "Will you two put me down right now?" she asked in an exasperated tone, and then she became quiet. Blushing, she said, "Erm, twenty-six, I guess. But I don't know if I could take twenty-six bounces." She couldn't believe she had forgotten her own birthday.

"Oh, yes, you can!" Fred exclaimed. "As you said, you're only twenty-six." He looked over at his twin. "Ready, Gred?"

"As ever, Feorge," George said. "On three!"

The twins started tossing Hermione up in the air for the first of twenty-six times. The others were clapping and squealing with joy and amusement whilst Hermione's eyes widened, and she let out a frightened squeak as she was flying in the air with apparently nothing below her but those mischievous twins.

"Please, stop!" she cried out as she felt herself falling.

Harry, wondering what all the noise was about, came rushing into the room and groaned when he saw the twins throwing Hermione up in the air. He whipped out his wand and cast a Levitation Charm on Hermione, letting her down slowly so she landed in his arms. Hermione was shaking and sobbing as he set her down on her feet. He then turned to the twins with a deadly expression on his face.

"You prats!" Harry exclaimed. "You shouldn't be doing that to Hermione; don't you remember how much she hates heights?"

Fred and George looked properly chastised. It got worse when Molly came barrelling into the room.

"Fred and George, you should know better than that!" she said sternly, her hands on her hips. "You should set a better example for the younger ones. Now into the kitchen with you! Now!"

Fred and George hung their heads and slumped their shoulders as they shuffled into the kitchen after their mother.

Harry turned to Hermione and offered her a handkerchief. "Hermione, are you okay?" he asked.

Hermione took a deep, shuddering breath and wiped her eyes with the handkerchief Harry had given her. "I'm okay. Thanks for stopping them. I don't think those two will ever grow up." She looked down at her clothes. "I think I'll go upstairs and get my clothes straightened out. I'll be back in a couple of minutes."

Harry caught Hermione by the sleeve before she went upstairs. "Hermione," he said softly, looking intently into her eyes. "We need to talk. Alone. Preferably before you go back home tonight."

Hermione looked over at the others, who seemed to be involved with watching the younger children play. "I don't think we'll be missed. Do you want to talk now?" She didn't know what Harry wanted to talk to her about, but it was obvious it was important. "We could go for a walk in the garden if you want. I just want to go wash my face."

Harry nodded. "That's fine," he said. "Go freshen up and catch your breath. I'll be waiting for you out there."

Hermione went up to the bathroom, washed her face, and straightened her clothes. Some things never changed. Thankfully, she had the fact that she didn't like heights working for her. Otherwise, she might have had to endure that until the twins were finished or until the charm alerted Poppy to her condition.

Once she calmed down sufficiently, she went back downstairs and slipped out the back door, heading directly for the garden.

Harry noticed her coming and beckoned her to a bench under the oak tree. As soon as she sat on the bench, he wandlessly cast a Notice-Me-Not charm and Muffliato over them. Hermione felt the tingle of the wards going up and regarded Harry with a questioning look. Harry held up his hand and said, "I'll explain everything. Just be patient."

"Okay," she said quietly. "Is there something that you need me to help you with?"

Harry shook his head. "No, nothing like that," he replied. "Don't be offended, Hermione, but you're the only person I can discuss this with. It's about... well, it's about you."

"About me?" Her forehead furrowed in confusion as she tried to think of what he could mean. "I don't think I follow you."

Harry sighed. "I'm not quite sure how to begin actually," he said. "Well, erm, I know you haven't been feeling all that well lately –"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you mean? I have been feeling fine!"

Harry shook his head. "Hermione, please. Try not to get too excited –"

Hermione took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. "Harry, I don't know what you are talking about," she said defensively.

Harry looked at Hermione intently. He mentally sighed and wondered how he could explain his concerns to Hermione without betraying Severus' confidences. He decided a direct approach was needed, and if he came to a point where he could not explain things, then he'd know why. "Hermione," he began, and when he noticed her start to interject, he held up his hand and said, "Please, don't interrupt me; it's hard enough for me to even know where to begin." He took a deep breath and exhaled very slowly. "A few weeks ago, Professor Snape came to see me. He was very worried about you –"

Hermione eyes widened as she looked at Harry. "Did you know he was alive? What did he tell you about me?"

Harry growled at her. "Hermione!" he hissed impatiently. "Please, don't interrupt me! I'm getting to that!" He took another deep breath and arranged his expression to one of forced calm. "As I said, he was very worried about you, telling me that you had fallen ill and collapsed the day of the Welcoming Feast. He wanted to know about any and all injuries you had suffered during the war. So I told him what I knew, and he seemed to be most interested in the curse you received by Dolohov's wand."

Hermione shuddered a bit when Harry mentioned Dolohov and nodded to encourage him to continue.

"Well, I told him what I remembered of that evening, but he didn't seem to react too much. But then you know him – he is very good at hiding his feelings. He came back to visit me a second time and said that particular curse is affecting you now, causing you pain whenever you're under a lot of stress. He wanted me to make sure you're kept as calm as possible, which is why I stopped Fred and George from completing their silly birthday bounces on you."

"Thank you," Hermione said, giving him a small smile. She was torn between being upset at Severus for telling Harry about her condition and being relieved. "But you still didn't answer my question asking if you knew that he was alive."

Harry started to answer Hermione's question, but found he couldn't say anything. He tried a couple of times, but shook his head. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said, "I can't."

"That was one of the biggest shocks of my life, seeing him alive!" Hermione said loudly, remembering the day she saw him walk into the staff room. She felt a slight burning in her chest as the memory engulfed her.

Harry placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Hermione, please calm down! Please. Breathe slowly, in and out. Yes, that's a good girl."

At that moment, he noticed Madam Pomfrey Apparate into the garden. Harry cancelled the Notice-Me-Not and the Muffliato spells, attracted Poppy's attention, and beckoned her to them.

"Madam Pomfrey –"

"Harry, please call me Poppy. Is Hermione feeling a burning sensation in her chest?"

Hermione nodded. "Just a small one."

Poppy quickly pulled a couple of vials from her pocket and gave them to Hermione. "Drink all of these potions, Hermione," she said. She then turned her attention to Harry. "And you, young man. What is happening that made her pain return?"

Harry tried to speak, but found he couldn't. He shook his head as he looked at Hermione.

Hermione drank the potions and then turned to Poppy. "Don't blame it all on Harry. He was just trying to help me. Fred and George decided that they should bounce me into the air for my birthday, and Harry and I came out here, and he told me that Severus told him about my condition."

Poppy's eyes widened. "Fred and George did WHAT?"

"Don't worry – Harry came out and stopped them before they did too much. And Molly, well, you know how she can be."

"Well, thank goodness at least one of you lot has a good head on his shoulders," Poppy said. "I must return to Hogwarts. Hermione, do try to keep as calm as possible." She pulled out two more vials from her pocket. "These vials contain Calming Draught. Take it as needed, but no more than a teaspoon every three hours."

Poppy turned to Harry. "Keep her calm, Harry."

Harry nodded as Poppy Disapparated. He looked at Hermione and recast the Notice-Me-Not charm and Muffliato. "About Professor Snape, I can't talk about it. He asked for a wand oath, so I can't discuss that with anyone. Nor can I discuss your condition with anyone else except you and Professor Snape. He also asked for a wand oath for that. I do know that he's going to try to find a counter-curse to whatever it was that Dolohov hit you with."

Hermione nodded. "I am helping him with that. I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. You know that about me." She reached over and gave Harry a hug. "It feels good to be able to talk with someone my own age about it. I don't want to tell Ron about it, not just yet."

Harry hugged her back. "I can't even tell Ron. Professor Snape was pretty specific as to whom I can discuss this with, but he did mention I cannot discuss this with Ginny or Ron." He shrugged. "I wondered why, but then again, if either of them know it, the entire Weasley family will know it. But as far as helping him is concerned, are you sure it's not going to be too stressful for you? After all, Professor Snape did say it's important you're to be kept as calm as possible."

Hermione chuckled. "That was the main argument that Severus and Poppy brought up. I think it would be more stressful for me to just sit by and not know what's going on. I am going to use the story that I have anaemia, so if you hear me say that, just go along with it. I get tired more often, and if Ron sees me taking the Blood-Replenishing Potion, it will go along with that diagnosis."

Harry nodded. "That makes sense," he said. "Well, I do remember you always had to be doing something. I guess I'm glad that for once, the research you're going to do will be for you and not for me or any other reason. Professor Snape did say that hex can make you really sick if left untreated." He hugged Hermione again. "Good luck," he whispered in her ear. "I'd like to think we'll be teasing each other about our grandchildren and great-grandchildren when we're old and grey."

Hermione's eyes misted over. "Hey, I helped defeat the most evil wizard of all time. A little hex like this isn't going to take me down." She tried to sound braver than she felt, but she knew that she wasn't fooling Harry at all. "We probably should be getting back. Everyone's going to wonder where we are, and Merlin help us if Rita Skeeter gets wind of it." She gave him a wink and put the vials in her pocket.

Harry laughed as he cancelled his spells. They went back to the Burrow, only to be greeted by adults and children alike, with a huge cry of, "SURPRISE!" Fred and George had somehow decorated the room with an eye-popping array of brightly coloured streamers and balloons and were grinning like loons as they pointed out a huge three-tiered cake that had sparklers going off on the top-most tier.

Hermione grinned at Harry and waggled her finger at him. "You devilish wizard," she said, grinning. Ron came up to her, and she put her arms around him, giving him a kiss. "I guess it's a good thing I didn't stay home tonight, isn't it?"

Ron chuckled. "Yes, love," he said. "Happy Birthday." He kissed her back.

"Thank you," she said, laying her head on his chest.

"Hey, you two, get a room!" Fred called as George catcalled.

"Isn't anyone hungry?" Molly asked, coming further into the room.

"Yeah, we've got a house full of pregnant women here. And one Ron," George added.

"Oi!" Ron exclaimed, glaring at George. "You'd better watch it!"

"... or I just might decide to gift you with my Bat-Bogey Hex," Ginny added.

"You know, you guys are all going to have to give me advice when I get pregnant, since you are all going to be experts by then."

"Did you set a date yet?" Tonks asked, coming over to hug Hermione.

"Well, I said to Ginny that I think we might wait until summertime because I want my bridesmaids to be as comfortable as possible when they are in our wedding," Hermione said.

"Oh, Hermione, that is so sweet of you!" Tonks said, smiling.

"As touching as all this is," Molly said, "we should go outside and have our dinner; otherwise we'll be keeping all of you until well past midnight."

Fleur, Audrey, and Angelina went into the kitchen to help Molly bring the food outside while everyone else gradually went outside. Irina and Katie brought the cake outside to enjoy after dinner.

The dinner-time conversation was varied and animated. Everyone wanted to know about Hermione's first three weeks as Transfiguration professor and peppered her with questions about the current crop of students, as well as how she was getting along with the academic staff.

"I'm enjoying teaching a lot. Of course, it's rather different to be teaching alongside the professors who have taught me, but they have received me well. I don't believe a certain Potions professor was all that happy to see me, but he has come around. Naturally, Hagrid was very excited to see me, and he gave me one of those bone-crushing hugs that are rivalled only by Molly's." She beamed at Molly and then turned to Fred and George. "By the way, you two are infamous at Hogwarts, not only because of your products which are still banned but because there's still a spot of swamp back from your sixth year. Argus can't bear to clean it up, if you can believe that, and it's become kind of a monument to the two of you."

Fred and George grinned at each other. "Wicked!" they both exclaimed.

"And it must have been really special if even Filch doesn't want to clean it up," Fred said.

"Even more so if he doesn't assign a poor firstie detention to clean it up with a toothbrush," George added.

Hermione laughed. "Oh! And I didn't tell you the really big news! The Head Boy and Head Girl are from two different Houses this year. The Head Boy is from Slytherin and the Head Girl is from Ravenclaw." Hermione looked down at Remus. "I'm sure Remus has some stories of his own to tell."

Remus chuckled. "You're doing just fine, Hermione," he said. "After all, your students change matches into needles, and I just have to discuss nasty curses and hexes with my students."

"Oh, yes, but you are Head of Gryffindor." Hermione turned to her plate of food and took a bite. "Even as good as the food at Hogwarts is, nothing beats your cooking, Molly."

Teddy and Victoire were starting to feel bored. He started to change the appearance of his face and hair and, after looking up at the sky, made his face into a perfect sphere, with his face and hair taking on the colour of pale moonlight.

"Oh, Teddy, that is awesome!" Victoire squealed.

Audrey looked at Teddy and frowned. "Why, Teddy," she said, "you look like –" Her eyes widened as she looked up at the sky. "Merlin's beard!" she exclaimed. "It's a full moon tonight!" Everyone's eyes turned towards Remus.

Remus felt rather uncomfortable with the attention. "Erm," he started.

"Remus, it's a full moon and you're still human and whole," Ron said. "You were healed, weren't you?"

Remus nodded. "Yes, I was."

"But that's wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed. She looked at Remus thoughtfully and came to a realisation, but she didn't say anything. She would ask him later. "I'm sure you are very relieved to be able to live a normal life."

"Very much so," Remus said. "That's why Tonks and I felt confident enough to try for another child. It's going to be nice to be able to give Teddy a brother or a sister."

The others approached Remus and patted him on the back or gave him a hug, which he accepted gratefully.

After dinner was finished, clouds started to gather, and the air smelled of rain, so the food was gathered up and taken inside. Fortunately, everything was inside before the first drops started to fall. Hermione took one of the dishes into the kitchen and poured herself some water.

"Thank you for doing this, Molly."

"You're very welcome, Hermione," Molly replied. "Anything for our wonderful girl."

Hermione blushed and gave Molly a hug. "This is just like old times. How many meals have we spent here over the years?"

"As many as needed, dear," she replied. "Oh, but we must go open your presents now before everyone goes home."

She led Hermione and everyone else to the sitting room, where a large pile of presents was waiting for Hermione. Little Molly tugged on Hermione's sleeve.

"Auntie Hermi, can I help you open pwesents?" she asked.

"Of course you can. I would never be able to get these all opened without my special helpers. Come on, Dominique and Victoire, you can help too, if you want." Daniel and George Jr were completely engrossed in some sort of game, so they weren't the least bit interested in helping. Hermione sat down on the floor, and the three girls sat near her. "Okay, which one do you think we should open first?"

Little Molly pointed at the biggest present. "That one, open that one!"

"Okay. I'm going to need a lot of help with this one, it's so big!" She picked up the box and put it on her lap so that the girls could help her. "On three. One, two, three!" They tore into the paper, and it wasn't long before there was nothing but a bare box on her lap. She lifted the lid to find a beautiful hand-knitted jumper, hat, scarf, and mittens set in a rich shade of blue. "Thank you, Molly," she said, smiling at her.

"You're welcome, dear," Molly said.

Hermione and the girls went through the entire pile of presents and saved a small parcel from Ron to open last. "I want to open this one on my own because it comes from Uncle Ron," she said.

"Okay," the girls said. They crowded around Hermione as she opened the box. Her eyes widened when she saw the necklace and the little red and gold charm. "Oh, Ron," she breathed. "It's beautiful!" She lifted the necklace from the box and held it up so that everyone could see it. "Will you help me put it on?"

Ron smiled. "It will be my pleasure," he said. Hermione gave him the necklace, and Ron placed it around her neck and fastened the clasp. "There you go, love," he said.

"Thank you, everyone," Hermione said, turning to them.

"Well, if that is all of the gifts, I wonder if anyone is interested in having some cake and ice cream?" Molly asked cheerfully.

"Me, me!" Little Molly cried, jumping up and down. Even Daniel and George Jr looked up from their toys.

"Ithe cweam," Daniel said.

"Cake!" George Jr exclaimed.

Molly laughed. "Come along, children. Let's have your cake and eat it, too."

Hermione went into the kitchen and started cutting the cake as Molly served the ice cream.

"Too bad it had to rain," Hermione said, looking out the rain-splattered windows.

"Yes, that was a shame. What kind of ice cream would you like, dear?" Molly asked, looking at her.

"Chocolate, please, thank you." Hermione cut enough pieces for the group and started laying them out on the table.

Everyone was eating their cake and ice cream, sipping on tea, and enjoying one another's company. Soon the time came for everyone to go home. The children surrounded Hermione and gave her hugs and kisses before they left with their parents. Remus squeezed Hermione and said his goodbyes with the admonishment to relax before their next round of classes. Eventually, Molly, Arthur, Ron, and Hermione were the only ones left. Molly set the dishes to cleaning with her very effective Cleansing Charms as she wiped her hands on her apron and studied Hermione very carefully.

"Hermione, dear," she said, "you've been looking really tired, and your complexion is pale. Are you sure you're not overworking yourself?"

Hermione gave her what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "I have been seeing Poppy, and she discovered that I am anaemic, so she has been giving me a Blood-Replenishing Potion –"

Ron frowned at Hermione. "Blood-Replenishing Potion?" he asked. "Why in Merlin's name do you need that? Does this have anything to do with your heartburn?"

Hermione took a breath. "The reason she gave me the Blood-Replenishing Potion is because anaemia has to do with the blood. It means my body isn't producing enough red blood cells. And no, it doesn't cause heartburn. I had probably eaten something that didn't agree with me that day."

Molly looked sternly at Hermione. "Well, since you're living at Hogwarts, I can't criticise you for not cooking nutritionally balanced meals," she said. "You'll just have to eat iron-rich foods so you won't be so weak."

Ron moaned. "Oh, and I just don't want to hear it from the pureblood gits about how this is proof that Muggle-borns' blood is inferior."

Arthur glared at Ron. "Ronald Bilius Weasley, whatever made you think of such drivel?"

Ron shrank from his father's gaze. "Sorry," he mumbled, "but there is still a lot of that rot going around. I hear about it every day at work."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "They should have heard the Sorting Hat's song this year. It talked about how we need to come together and how we need to put our differences aside. Didn't they learn anything from Voldemort's reign of terror?" Hermione took a deep breath and reminded herself to keep calm.

"Apparently not," Molly said. "Honestly, the nerve of some people." She hugged Hermione and kissed Ron on the cheek. "Ron, why don't you be a perfect gentleman and accompany Hermione back to Hogwarts? I'm sure she has some early classes tomorrow."

Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. "Of course, Mum," he said. He took Hermione's hand, and they walked to the garden where they Apparated back to their flat in Hogsmeade.

"I had a wonderful time tonight, Ron. I had completely forgotten that tomorrow is my birthday," she said, standing on her toes and giving him a kiss.

"You've been so busy, love," Ron said. "Come home early tomorrow so we can properly celebrate your birthday. After all, you only turn twenty-six once."

"I will see what I can do," Hermione promised. "As long as my students behave themselves." She gave him a sly grin. "Why don't we go upstairs, and I'll put on one of my birthday presents?"

Ron's eyes widened. "What birthday present did you receive that would make me... oh Merlin!" He swallowed hard.

"A gift that was given off to the side," she said with a wink. "I don't think your mum would have approved."

Ron swallowed again as he felt a twitch in his nether regions. "Oh, Merlin," he said, blushing.

"Unless you don't want to..." Hermione said, letting the question hang.

"Oh, no," Ron said. "I mean, yeah, uh, yeah." Grinning in his endearing lop-sided manner, he scooped her up in her arms and kissed her.

Hermione sighed in happiness as they made their way upstairs and to the bedroom. For the moment, she was going to enjoy herself and not worry about her health.

A/N: Many thanks go to ladyinthecloak for the beta-reading. We would also like to thank SouthernWitch69 for all her hard work and effort to make this a Variety Challenge to remember. ♥