i've been saving up my moments, but now i'll spend them with you

[cleverness]

If Hermione were to try and describe the developments in her life brought on by pregnancy, more than anything, she would single out a certain tenderness that seemed to permeate her entire life. Even before the onset of physical changes, she would wake up with a different level of awareness, hand brushing subconsciously over her stomach as she went about her day, protecting the gift and journey that she and Ron were embarking on together. It was a shift that her customers noticed in the shop, many turning around with remedies for the symptoms of pregnancy — something to help with the nausea, something for the aches and soreness. She didn't question how they knew, instead comforted by the change in the smile she saw in the mirror, as well as the gentle brush of Ron's touch as he spent more time by her side.

Parenthood would suit them, Hermione thought.

With the impending birth also came a renewed desire for the both of them to enjoy what time they had left together as a couple. Any opportunity for an extra hour or two off was quickly taken up by the pair, enjoying one another's company around the house, out on the town, or as they did today, on a stroll through the park. Hermione kept her neck warmly wrapped in a scarf, her breath occasionally fogging in the air against the chilly wind. One hand slipped inside Ron's pocket, where their fingers laced easily as they made their way down the path, through the crisp scent of impending winter.

"Should we sit for a while? Have some tea?" Hermione asked, glancing over her shoulder to see if there was anyone in the vicinity before surreptitiously tapping the flask she'd brought for the occasion with her wand, heating the contents inside.

Comments

[deluminate]

It would have been difficult to ignore how his and Hermione's relationship had changed in recent weeks. Knowing that they were going to be parents, and that the fateful day was drawing ever closer had served to bring them closer more than anything else. One thing that had started to annoy Ron in recent days, though, was just how little time he was finding the Darrow police department was willing to let him request off of work. He was quickly realizing that his desire to head out and try to keep the city safe was being overshadowed by how much he would have rather spent time with Hermione or with planning for the baby's inevitable arrival.

He'd gone completely mental.

Yes, he knew they still had months yet for all that. It didn't stop him thinking about it. He hadn't told Hermione, but he'd even been doing a bit of reading on his own, hiding a copy of a book some Muggle shopkeeper had recommended-- What to Expect When You're Expecting-- at work. It was the most reading he'd done of his own volition in ages.

Lost in his own thoughts a bit as they walked, Ron was snapped out of it at Hermione's suggestion. The weather hadn't turned too cold for being about in it for a while yet, though it likely would soon.

"You've always got the best ideas," he replied, and wished he'd thought to bring something along as well.