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You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground	By : articcat621 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 3422 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 22
- 23
- 24
A/N: Seriously, my lovely followers, you're all wonderful! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Disclaimer: JKR owns the Harry Potter fandom, not me. I am making no money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 23
Hermione looked around, disbelief in her eyes. There was a large crowd of people there… more people than she could have possibly expected.
"What?" she asked, looking to Angelina.
Angelina smiled. "Ginny and I contacted a bunch of people and told them about your shower. And everyone agreed to come."
"But… I thought people hated me," she whispered. "After all, the article wasn't very nice about my situation."
"But Skeeter has always written rubbish," Minerva McGonagall interjected, coming over to hug Hermione. "I'm happy for you, dear, and so very proud of you."
Hermione blushed. "Professor, it's so nice to see you."
"It's nice to see you as well. Two of my brightest students together…" she trailed off wistfully. "I expect great things from this one when they attend Hogwarts."
Hermione grinned. "I'm sure she'll be a bright one."
"A girl then?"
"Yes, a little girl. We've decided on a name."
"What name?" a third voice asked.
Turning, Hermione saw Molly standing there nervously. "Oh, Cassiopeia," Hermione answered.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Minerva said, gently excusing herself. Anyone could read the tension between the two women.
Hermione and Molly awkwardly stood there, neither of them speaking. Hermione silently vowed to not be the first. If Molly wanted to make amends, then she could speak first. And she did.
"That's a nice name."
Hermione nodded. "Cassiopeia Weasley. We haven't decided on a middle name yet."
"She'll be a Weasley?" Molly asked, the shock apparent on her face.
"Of course she will be," Hermione replied, crossing her arms. "I love Percy very much. My daughter will have his last name and I'm sure, in time, I will too." It was a bold statement but Hermione couldn't help but make it. She wanted to make it clear to Molly that she wasn't going anywhere. She was in it for the long run.
Molly was quiet for a moment. "Why don't we go into the kitchen for some privacy?" she suggested.
Hermione nodded. "All right."
The two of them went into the kitchen; Molly closing the door behind them. Hermione turned and looked at her expectedly.
"I.." Molly started, but faltered.
Hermione arched her eyebrow, crossing her arms.
"I'm so very sorry, Hermione," Molly whispered after a moment, so quietly that Hermione almost didn't hear her. "The way I treated you was inexcusable and I'm so ashamed of myself."
Hermione sighed. "The way you treat Percy is inexcusable as well."
Molly was somewhat shocked at Hermione's boldness. The young girl had changed more than she had realized.
"I know you're upset with him for his actions, Molly, but that was years ago. You need to let it go. You're so blinded by your feelings you don't even realize how much you're hurting him," Hermione continued. "He beats himself up over it, you know? He wishes he had died instead of Fred…" She felt the tears start to slide down her cheeks.
Molly let out a strangled sob, quickly covering her mouth with her hands.
"He mutters it in his sleep," Hermione continued. Molly needed to hear what she was saying. "'Not Fred… wish it was me...' Do you know how that makes me feel, Molly? You don't even realize that your actions affect others. Your blindness is pushing away Percy and George. Ginny, too. Who else has to hurt before you realize what is going on?"
Molly went to speak, but Hermione held her hand up to stop her.
"It's sad, really. Your own son thinks you hate him so much that he wishes he was dead most nights. It's taken me a long time to get him to feel comfortable with himself. My parents had taken him in, showing him what it feels like to be loved. He feels like you don't love him. You never loved him as much as you loved Ron, Charlie, or the twins… That breaks my heart." Hermione took a deep breath. "So before you apologize to me, know you need to apologize to Percy as well. I won't have you disrespecting my family, Molly. Is that understood?"
Molly, who was now sobbing, nodded. "I… I had no idea," she whispered, hating herself immensely for what her actions have done.
"Well, now you know."
Molly took a moment to collect herself. Taking a deep breath, she looked into Hermione's eyes. "Can you please forgive me? Could you ever forgive me for what I've said to you?"
Hermione closed her eyes and slowly nodded. "It'll take time, Molly. You hurt me deeply, but I forgive you." She took a seat at the table, suddenly feeling quite tired.
"Ginny and Harry explained to me… the truth. I had no idea that Ron was lying… I just took what he said as true, and for that I'm so sorry."
Hermione simply nodded. She had really said what she needed to already.
"And the other night… Hermione, I had no idea Ron would do something like that. I'm so ashamed of his actions; I thought I had taught him better!"
"Alcohol makes people do rash and foolish things," Hermione replied.
Molly nodded. "Thank you, though, for not pressing charges. I know you could have, but I appreciate that you didn't."
"Ron needs to realize that he made a mistake. While I loved him in my past, that's just what he is. Ron is my past and Percy is my future. He needs to accept that and move on. If not, it isn't m problem anymore. If he does something like this again, however, I will not hesitate to punish him."
Molly nodded again. "I'll pass the message on. He's ashamed, really, when he realized what he's done. He's spends all his time between brooding and being anger… He's a bit lost."
"That's his problem, not mine. He's damn lucky I didn't lose my baby."
"I know," Molly replied. "That's one of the reasons I wanted to make amends. I was taking you and Percy for granted. I have a little grandbaby on the way and I haven't even been around you or her. Almost losing you both really put things in perspective."
Hermione couldn't help but smile. "Molly, I'm glad you've come to see reason. I know once you make up with Percy, things will be a lot better."
Molly tentatively returned the smile. "I hope that you'll let me be a part of Cassiopeia's life."
"Of course. You are her grandmother after all," Hermione replied, rubbing her stomach.
"Can I feel?" Molly asked, reaching out. "I remember when I first felt Bill kick. It was the most wonderful thing in the world." She smiled wistfully.
"Sure, she's been really active lately."
Molly placed her hand on the baby, smiling when she felt the small kicks. "So sweet."
"Yeah, she is." Hermione smiled. "Now, why don't we get this baby shower on the road?"
Molly abruptly pulled Hermione into a hug. "I'll make things right, I promise. I won't let my emotions get in the way anymore."
"Thank you, Molly." Hermione returned the hug.
The rest of the evening went by smoothly. Hermione received lots of gifts from everyone. Molly had knit Hermione a baby blanket and some small baby booties. Jane gave her a rocking chair to put in Cassiopeia's room. Ginny bought her a few outfits and bibs. Angelina had bought a large amount of diapers, because apparently "you'll always be running out." Luna had created some sort of hanging mobile that would ward away wrackspurts. Professor McGonagall gave Hermione a sterling silver rattle that had the Hogwarts crest engraved upon it. Fleur had given Hermione some lotion to use that would help minimize the stretch lines on her body. Aunt Genevieve, Jane's sister, had given Hermione some bibs and cribs sheets.
Cake and ice cream was also had and Hermione had found she enjoyed herself more than she thought she would. It was nice to be surrounded by so many people who cared for her.
By the time Ginny had brought her home, Hermione had passed out in bed without whispering a word to Percy.
- 22
- 23
- 24
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You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground