It had been a distressing couple of days packing up her life. Her home. Hermione hated it but she knew that this second chance was worth it especially for her child. The door chimed and she heard Fred let himself in. Hermione stood up quickly turning to Fred.

'That's everything.'

She felt tears prickle at the corners of her eyes as she surveyed the apartment she had called home. She turned away from Fred not wanting him to see the pain she felt. Her whole world had changed so quickly and even now she knew it had really sunk in.

'Hermione it's time to go.'

She heard Fred's voice and felt a quick hit of resentment towards him. This was all his fault. Even as she thought it she knew it wasn't true. It takes two to tango and two to create the baby currently in her womb. She walked over to Fred, trying not to cringe as his hand went around her waist apparating them to his home.

Hermione looked around as the boxes began to magically unpack and she suddenly realised that there wasn't a spare room in the flat.

'Fred where am I sleeping ?'

Fred noticed the slight hysteria in Hermione's voice and he pulled her closer to him trying to calm her.

'Calm down Hermione your not sleeping with me. George and Fleur have moved in together so you will be in George's old room.'

He felt Hermione relax in his arms and was surprised by the pang in his heart. He knew he shouldn't care that she didn't want to be with him. But he did. He watched as Hermione bewitched her belongings to disperse in her new room. He knew he had it bad for the girl when he was still stood in the empty room. He walked into the kitchen, she needed to eat whether she liked him or not.

Hermione walked into the kitchen surprised at Fred as he ushered her into a chair.

'What's all this Fred ?'

Fred cringed at the edge in her voice.

'Well it's your first night here and you have to eat Hermione. I want to take care of you. I know you hate me right now and I'm sorry for everything I have done but can we at least be friends ?'

Hermione listened. Fred had never cooked her tea when they had been dating. In fact he hadn't done much except use her for sex and knock her up. He hadn't been like that the whole time. In the beginning he had been sweet and romantic and then something changed. He had become distant. Stopped talking to her, didn't have sex as often. Then he had dumped her leaving her for some other girl.

'Fred I'm not sure if I can be friends with you right now. You hurt me a lot. But I can promise to try. That's all I can give right now.'

Fred looked sad for a second. Being reminded of how he had treated her. He knew he should explain but there was no way to make it right. Not now. He simply smiled at her placing the meal on the table in front of her.

'It's a good place to start.'

It had been a week since Hermione had moved in and she was starting to become friends with Fred. He's given her the spare room to turn into a nursery and she had so many ideas. She knew Fred wanted his own ideas put in the nursery but he hadn't pushed anything yet. They'd gone paint shopping yesterday and had picked up some tins of mint green. Today Hermione had put on some old clothes and had covered the floor in old sheets that Fred had given her. Dipping the brush into the paint Hermione felt a rush of happiness and warmth fill her as she thought about becoming a mother for once. Starting to paint the wall she was shocked to see Fred appear in the doorway dressed in overalls and paintbrush in hand.

'Mind if I help ?'

Fred had finally begun to return to his more confident self. Not completely but just hints of cheeky that appeared like his smirk he was wearing now. She had fallen for that smirk but her wounds had healed and they were becoming friends. So she showed him a smile of her own and gestured for him to come join her.

Hermione smiled as she saw the mess they'd made. Fred was covered in paint and so was she. Half way through they'd had a bit of a paint fight but the room looked beautiful. Hermione could already picture all the wonderful things she could do with the room. She watched as Fred left the room and she had a sudden impulse. Running to catch up with him she wrapped her arms around his and kissed his nose cheekily. Fred smiled as the girl wrapped herself around him and when she tried to get away he whisked her into his arms. Hermione started laughing as Fred carried her down the hallway and into the bathroom with directions to clean her messy self up quickly so they could make tea. Fred had his own ensuite which made it easier for the two of them. At least there weren't any fights over the bathroom.

Hermione met Fred in the kitchen not long after and she smiled at him. His hair was still wet and dripped every so often onto his shirt collar. Hermione came up behind him, quickly tickling him before running to the other side of the kitchen. Fred turned round and chuckled at her as his eyes took on the mischevious look they had sometimes. She moved from her position behind the unit to come back to Fred's side. He handed her a couple of onions and a small knife and she set to work. Half an hour later they were sat across from each other eating a meal. The conversation flowed easily and Hermione loved to hear about the things Fred got up to at the joke shop.

A few nights later found the two cuddled up on the sofa covered in blankets and filled up with sweets. Fred moved around to Hermione as he switched off the film. He hated watching the credits. Hermione stirred from within the blanket and he reached over to pull her out. He dug out a little box from his jacket and handed it to the girl.

'I have a present for you.'

Hermione's face looked surprised and he knew that she hadn't been expecting anything. She laughed as she opened the box and saw the key nestled among the tissue paper.

'You got me a house key.'

She chuckled and he laughed along with her unable to help himself. Her laugh was infectious and sweet just like her.

'I figured you'd probably need one although you can just apparate in.'

Hermione gave Fred a hug and a kiss on his cheek before saying goodnight. She had less energy now she was pregnant. As she put the key on her dresser she felt a sense of peace and hope. Maybe this could work out for them after all.