"I'm not sure they'd forgive us if we simply let the announcement slip by accident," Hermione laughed, briefly rising onto her toes and pressing a quick kiss to Ron's cheek. "Just remember, it's not that we didn't want to tell them immediately, but... we wanted to make sure everything was going well with the baby, and it took some time to grow adjusted to the idea ourselves." Hermione couldn't help but wonder if her explanation was more meant to calm Ron's nerves, or instead to address her own.

A part of her, though small, was worried about the type of reaction they would receive. While her relationship with Ron had spanned many years, there was now hardly any time at all to adjust between married life and life as parents. But ultimately, the prospect of bringing a baby into the family could only be a happy one, Hermione thought.

"But we need to tell them together, otherwise Charlie is sure to think that we're pulling his leg," she added, before squeezing Ron's arm and smiling as they made their way to Charlie's side. "Charlie, the house looks absolutely lovely."