Disclaimer: I own nothing.

That was hertbreaking, wasn't it? I probably should have gave you guys a warning.

I will warn you that this chapter will be a touch sad. My Fred Weasley is a highly sensitive being, as you saw in the last chapter.

So sit back and enjoy.

Love always,

Avoline

"What do you mean you're pregnant," Fred inquired. Hermione sighed. She knew she should have kept her mouth shut, but the pregnancy hormones combined with watching Fred, the strongest and funniest person she knew, mourn for his child had reduced her to a sobbing mess, and she just couldn't tell him no.

"I mean just that," she repeated. "Ron and I... We were fooling around after the war... and he got to where he wanted sex more and more... I couldn't tell him no..."

"Yes, you could have," Fred cut in.

"You don't even know half of it," she snapped. "Every time I said no, he threatened to leave! Every time I would try to refuse him, he would threaten to cheat on me with someone else!" He stared at her, his jaw hanging. "I never would have imagined him to be controlling, but he was! It was what he wanted, when he wanted, and to hell with how I felt!"

She was breathing heavily now as the memories of the past few years flooded her mind. Fred's expression was full of shock at her words, and she felt her rage grow. Just as quickly, her rage turned into desperation.

"I wish I could tell him no, Fred," she whispered, "but we've been together for three years now. I don't want to let him go, and now that I feel like I can, I come up pregnant and he starts showing his true colors. I know it'll only get worse, but I'm terrified to leave."

"What about your parents," the red head inquired. She choked back the sobs as the scene with her parents played before her again.

"That's why I was in Muggle London," she answered softly. "I wanted to tell them about my pregnancy first..." She fell silent as a small lump formed in her throat.

"No," he breathed, and she knew he was putting two and two together. "Hermione, please, tell me they didn't kick you out." She simply nodded. "No, no, no, no. Hermione..."

"I can't face Ron," she half sobbed. "He'll just use the child as a pawn against me. I don't want to put it up for adoption, and I can't afford an abortion." She felt Fred pull her closer to him.

"'Mione, promise me you won't get an abortion," he pleaded.

"What else can I do, Fred," she asked. "I'm not ready for this, and I've got nowhere to go." She felt a few tears slide down her face. "The Ministry will take my child."

"No, they won't, 'Mione," he soothed, even though she could feel him trembling. "As long as there is a stable home environment, they won't take your baby."

"But that's the problem," she cried, her hormones once again reducing her to a sobbing mess. "I can't let Ron into the child's life. He's too controlling. I'm homeless, which can't be good no matter what society."

"You don't have to let Ron into the child's life," he murmured, "and you aren't homeless. I've got a flat in Muggle London. It's got an extra bedroom and a fireplace for the floo network." She shook her head against his chest.

"Fred, I can't..."

"Don't," he countered. "I'm not asking if you want to live with me. I'm asking you to live with me." She lifted her head, and their gazes met. She could see the tears he was holding back. "Everything happens for a reason, 'Mione. I still can't wrap my head around why what happened to... Brianna..." a rogue tear fell from his deep blue eyes, "...happened, but it did. Maybe this is your chance to escape before you really are trapped." The pair grew silent.

"And for you to be a father again," she muttered. He nodded, and a hundred questions ran through her head.

What if George tells someone?

What if Ron finds out?

What if something happens to Fred?

"Please, Hermione," his cracked voice intoned, pulling her from her thoughts. "Being a father was the best thing to ever happen to me, and if I can get that back and help you out, then I'd do anything." She forced a smile.

"One condition," she responded. "Don't treat me like I'm an object." He wrapped her in a tight, but gentle hug.

"I could never treat you like an object, 'Mione," he reassured, "and if my kid brother is too stupid to know a good thing when it's right in front of him, then that's his loss." She giggled and returned the embrace. "You don't have to worry anymore, 'Mione. I'll take care of you and your child, even if it is my niece or nephew. I'll take care of it like it was my own."

"I know you will, Fred," she murmured. "You're the sweetest guy I know." She felt his chuckle in his chest.

"I know I am," he joked.

Why does this feel so right?

"Here we are," he announced as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. He stood aside, and Hermione stepped inside the small flat. "It's not much, but it works."

She was shocked to see that the furniture was relatively normal. Everything matched and went together, no flamboyant colors or odd fabrics.

He's been through a lot, Hermione. He's not the same anymore.

"I like it," she complimented with a smile, turning to him. She saw his mouth twitch into a smile. "It's definately different than what I expected."

"I knew it would be," he murmured. "Even George wouldn't recognize this as my home." She could see the sadness in his eyes, and she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Everyone's taste in decor changes with time," she whispered. "We get tired of seeing the same thing after a while, and we change it. That's just human nature." He chuckled again, and her smile grew.

"I guess you're right," he laughed. They shared a laugh, then his serious gaze met hers. "Hermione, if I seem distant..." She held up a hand to stop him.

"Fred, you've been through alot. You don't have to explain yourself to me." His shoulders sagged in relief, and he gave her a small, but forlorn smile.

"Thank you," he responded quietly. "Hermione, thank you. Everyone else keeps waiting for me to go back to being good old me." She wrapped him into another hug.

"Just take your time," she soothed.