I think Lav's been stuck on Ron for a really long time and has decided that she's prepared to do whatever is necessary to get what she wants. But at what cost?As for our Hermione, while things will be getting darker for her in the immediate future, she has many people ready and willing to stand by her. And you're so welcome! Thank you for reading and reviewing, it's so appreciated. :)

Is Voldemort responsible? Well, maybe not him exactly, but you're on the right track. About Lavender: I understand JKR has waffled back and forth about Lav's blood status. But in her original class draft, Lavender was listed as pureblood, which is what I'm going with in this story. I don't see her as the motherly type either. Poor baby, indeed.

Something's definitely up with Ron and his aberrant behavior. We will learn exactly what as the story unfolds.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! :)

Hermione's definitely going through a very rough patch at the moment. But even though she doesn't have her husband there to support her, she does have some wonderful friends who truly love her and will be there for her.Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, it's greatly appreciated!

Divine retribution? You could say that, yes. But perhaps not in the way you might think. :)I am so glad you think I'm handling this delicate subject and the characters involved in an appropriate and respectful manner. I was rather concerned about that. BTW, it sounds like your sister-in-law is an incredibly strong woman with a wonderfully supportive family. Kudos to you all!  

Things will be difficult for Hermione, Ginny and Harry for awhile, but things have a way of turning themselves around for good people like them. :)

Thank you! I'm so pleased to hear you're enjoying the story. On the subject of Ron and Lavender's baby: Well, bear in mind that only mixed couples have been affected so far. As a pureblood-pureblood couple, they're probably safe.The next chapter is already written and is currently being beta read, so the next update shouldn't be too far away Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review! :)

Well, you're in good company as Ron seems to be doing a bang-up job of infuriating everyone around him. Unfortunately, he will continue to do so for a while yet. But we'll also start getting a clearer idea of when and how Ron started to change, from Hermione's perspective, in the very next chapter.Poor Harry and Ginny indeed. And you're right, though the loss of their child is heartbreaking, it gives Severus and his fellow researchers one more crucial clue in their fight to identify the substance and find a cure.As for Severus and Hermione working together, I can say that it will be happening sooner rather than later.  Perhaps as soon as Chapter 5. :)

True, Ron and Lavender are doing a bang-up job of alienating those around them. Especially Ron. And things are about to get much, much worse.As for Ron's reaction to Ginny and Harry's loss, that remains to be seen. But he had best remove his head from his arse before he talks to either of them, or Bat-Bogeys will be the least of his worries...

Oh, he'll find out. But how Ron will react to the news remains to be seen. He may have unleashed a whole 'nother hornets nest by then...

About Lavender: From what I've read, Jo waffled back and forth on the subject of Lav's blood status. But in her original class draft, Lavender is listed as pureblood, and that's what I'm going I'm going with in this story. At any rate, Lavender would had to have been either a pureblood or a half-blood, because she did attend Hogwarts during the year Voldemort was more or less in control and requiring all Muggle-borns to register with the Ministry. 

I gather that means Lavender isn't going to miscarry, since both she and Ron are purebloods in this story...so Ginny's miscarriage will probably have to be the one which sets him straight.  For Hermione's sake, I hope Ron's repentance will be heartfelt and not simply an example of adding insult to injury...but no matter how sorry he might be, there are some wounds for which no amount of apology can compensate.  The infidelity was bad enough...but the accusations which he flung at her on top of it were incredibly cruel and completely unjustified.

Harry will definitely be there for Ginny and so will Hermione. They'll really need each other in the days and weeks ahead. Ron and Lavender will get what's coming to them, eventually. Count on it.As for the next update, Chapter Four has already been written. It may be delayed a day or two, but that's only because 'Reason' has finally acquired a beta in the lovely and talented Luvsev! :)

Thank you for such a lovely compliment! :)And you're right... while the loss of their child is heartbreaking for Harry and Ginny, it has given Severus and the other researchers another crucial clue, hopefully bringing them one step closer to a cure.Re Lavender: From what I've read, Jo kind of waffled back and forth with regard to Lav's blood status. But on her draft class list, Lavender Brown was listed as a pureblood witch, so that's what I'm going with here.About Molly's likely reaction to the news that Ron has been cheating on Hermione for some time... I think it's safe to say that Won-Won's bollocks are in mortal peril. And then there's Hermione. While she's had her suspicions, she's about to get presented with irrefutable proof of her husband's infidelity...

On your questions regarding Ron and Lavender, let me just say you're very perceptive. We will learn more about what's going on with them as the story continues to unfold. As for Ron's reaction to Ginny and Harry's loss, that remains to be seen.Severus is working hard get to the bottom of this medical mystery... someone with motivation and a real talent for research like Hermione would surely be a tremendous asset right about now. :)

And you're right... Hermione is much too civilized and compassionate a witch to ever wish such pain on anyone. Even her worst enemy.

Hm. Well, let's put it this way. Ron and Lavender will have their share of troubles. Whether those troubles are pregnancy-related remains to be seen. Thanks for reviewing! :)

Poor Ginny and Harry, indeed.Is Moldy Voldy responsible for what's happening? Well... maybe not him personally, but you're on the right track. On Ron seeing the light: Not likely to happen. At least not anytime soon. As for Lavender, while there has been some question about her blood status, I am going with Jo's original class draft in which Lav was listed as pureblood. Thanks!

Molly definitely gave her errant son at least some of what he so richly deserves. Unfortunately for him, he seems to have forgotten that Molly is a mother too, one with strong maternal instincts. We'll learn more about why Molly and Arthur both are so supportive of Hermione in the next chapter.Thanks for taking a moment to review! :) 

Ron's a jerk who is letting his dangly bits do the thinking for him at the moment. And while there are other major factors at work here, I think that part of Ron's hideous accusations against Hermione may be coming from his own underlying guilt and insecurities.Ron will get exactly what he deserves... and then some.Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)

Thank you! I'm so delighted to hear you're enjoying the story. :)

I don't know about actually killing Ron, but trust me... Ron will pay a hefty price for his duplicity. In fact, in a sense, he is paying already. He just doesn't know it yet. About the chapter length: This is where the muse decided to stop, and I decided to follow her lead. Next week's chapter is a bit longer. We're currently at 1700+ words and counting. Also, it may be delayed a couple days or so as this fic has just acquired a beta reader: the lovely and talented Luvsev!

Ron definitely deserved what Molly gave him. If he hadn't been her child, I expect he would have gotten a few nasty hexes as well. Yes, Molly and Arthur have been there for her when Ron wasn't. In the next chapter, there is a flashback of sorts from Hermione's POV that I think will clear some things up with regard to how things went so wrong with her marriage to Ron.I also love Luna... she will be popping up quite often, as she is an essential character to this story.Thanks again, for taking the time to read and review. :)

I know that Ron's behavior seems somewhat uncharacteristic... while in the past he's been shown to have a rather vindictive, even cruel streak (as evidenced by his treatment of Hermione in HBP, in particular) his actions now are way beyond the pale. There's a bit of a flashback coming up, which will be from Hermione's POV, in which we will get a clearer idea of exactly how things things went so wrong in their marriage. I think things will make a bit more sense at that point.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! :)

Very sad for Hermione, indeed. We will see that Ron's been... otherwise occupied. He should have been there for her, perhaps things would have turned out differently if he had.Thanks for taking a moment to review!