day one hundred and three.
There was a spring in his step as he walked up Hermione's little path, Crookshanks sitting on the step seeming to sit up straighter as he approached. The old cat was fiercely protective of her, especially now with the baby. It seemed now though that his feelings had softened towards Fred, falling asleep on his lap a few nights ago. Hermione told him that it was a seal of approval, he hadn't asked if Ron had received one, but it was on the tip of his tongue.
The cat danced around his heels as he walked to the door, not bothering to knock anymore, he opened it, and followed the bushy tail inside.
"Morning!" He called down the hall as he shut the door behind him, kicking his shoes off, and placing his coat on the rack behind the door.
"Morning," Hermione smiled, coming to meet him, stopping him from entering the kitchen. Leaning up to whisper in his ear as she pushed him back a few steps, "Harry and Ron are here, for breakfast."
"Oh," he said quietly, he pulled her close quickly, kissing her as she pushed him along seemingly back to the door.
"I figured we should do this out here," she said in between kisses, "Not in front of them."
"Not yet at least," Fred grinned as his back met the front door.
"Good morning," she smiled at him, her arms looping around his neck.
"Yes, yes it is," his arms around her in turn.
After that night things had changed a little, well more than a little. But they'd kept the change to themselves, deciding that whatever happened it would be best to keep it private for the time being. All he really knew was that he liked this witch more than any before her, he couldn't wait to see her, and the fact that her bump with his baby was pressing against him, well that was only icing. Over the last month it had been wonderful. Practically every night he came around, and they'd have dinner, sit on her lounge and talk about things, or just sit together. Hermione had become quite a fan of him rubbing her feet, so they'd relax together. He didn't think George suspected the change, and other than the fact that they now kissed each other on a regular basis it hadn't, which made pretending that all was normal much easier.
Pretending in front of those two was going to be harder, Ron especially was going to be watching him closely. To say things had been tense since he'd found out would be a very slight understatement, out of respect for Hermione (or maybe fear) he didn't make a scene. Fred had been treading softly around him for weeks now, and it was becoming increasingly harder. He was sure that no feelings remained between the two of them bar friendship. Both he and Harry however constantly had their guard up around people who were or getting to be close to Hermione, ready like attack Krups, to protect her by any means necessary.
She kissed him quickly, before stepping back, her hands holding his firmly. "Are you hungry?"
"Starved," he grinned as she started back down the hall.
Hermione shook her head as they headed around the corner, Ron looked up quickly his eyes narrowing as he looked at Fred, "What were you two doing?"
"Just talking," she said quickly, motioning for Fred to sit down.
"Awfully quiet," he said slowly, "What were you talking about?"
"Baby stuff," Fred answered, smiling as Hermione placed a plate in front of him.
"Yeah? What baby stuff?"
"Ron, stop it, and eat," Hermione said firmly, "If I want to talk to Fred in private I am allowed to, and it is none of your business. If you don't like it, I don't need to remind you where the door is, and you'd be leaving that plate behind."
He grumbled as she went back into the kitchen, but returning his attention to his breakfast as Harry grinned at Fred.
"How you going mate?"
Fred nodded, "Not bad, and yourself?"
"Can't complain," he smiled, shaking his head at Ron.
The other thing that had changed was Hermione's cooking, at the beginning it had been hardly edible, but since her boss had enforced her working less, and more from home, she had greatly improved. While nowhere near like his mum's, or anything fancy, she was learning, and improving all the time. It was typical of Hermione, she couldn't do something without doing it well. Crookshanks seemed to approve, he'd snuck up onto the chair beside Fred, and was gently clawing his thigh. He looked over at Hermione, before quickly sneaked him a bit of bacon. Fred would swear the cat had smiled at him as he ate it quickly, his tongue cleaning his paws, before asking for more. This time adding noise to his begging arsenal.
"What's he doing?" Hermione asked coming over to the table.
"Just talking to me," Fred said quickly, "That's all."
"Fred. You didn't give him any?"
"What? Of course not, I know..."
"Fred! You gave him bacon?! Are you mad? That will clog his arteries, he's not a kitten anymore," Hermione scolded, picking him up from the chair beside him. "He's on that special diet, I told you about it. No fat!"
"But, he was begging! How could I say no to that face?"
"That squashed ugly face?" Ron deadpanned, "I don't know how you couldn't."
Fred glared at him as he grinned at his situation, "Hermione I'm sorry, I promise I'll never do it again."
"You said that the other day with your ice-cream!"
"You had ice-cream here?" Ron asked quickly.
He shook the question off, "He was breathing so heavily in my ear, and I thought just a little wouldn't hurt..."
"But it does! You say that every time, just a little," she sighed as she placed Crookshanks down next to his diet food. "But every little bit you give him, every time you give in to a cat, adds up."
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, going over to her. He rested his hand on her back where they wouldn't see, "I am, from now on, only good healthy food for him."
She smiled at him softly, her hand squeezing his out of their sight, "You'd better or no... Ice-cream for you."
"Well that would be truly terribly," he winked at her, before heading back to his plate.
"When did you..."
"So," Harry said loudly, interrupting Ron, "What are you two doing today?"
"We're looking for a house," Hermione smiled as she sat down, "We looked through the listings, and found a couple of possibilities, going to go check them out this morning."
"I still find it odd, the idea of you two living together," he mused, picking up his coffee.
"Tell me about it," Ron muttered. "There's a lot that I find odd."
"Ron," Hermione said slowly.
"Yes, I know. A baby, good, all that junk."
"Say it like you mean it mate," Fred said quietly, shaking his head.
"Sorry if it's taking me awhile to adjust to you and Hermione having a kid together! Merlin knows I should immediately be happy for the two of you, unable to contain my boundless joy!"
"We aren't asking you to do that," Hermione sighed, reaching across the table and squeezing his hand. "I know it must be weird, and difficult, but just give it time. It's not so bad once you adjust."
"Yeah, you two seemed to be coping just fine," Harry interjected.
"It just takes time mate," Fred directed at Ron, "It's not easy, believe me. You need to deal with it, because it sure as hell ain't going away."
"Yeah, whatever you say," Ron said, shaking his head. "I won't say anything more, I just need to deal like you say, and it'll be fine."
"Ron..."
"No, I'm sick of saying it'll be fine," he spat throwing down his fork. "You were my girlfriend, sure we'd broken up, but there are certain lines one doesn't cross. Lines my brother should have darn well respected. Now I have to be all happy because you two are having a baby, which both of you seem to think is the best thing since the bloody flying carpet. Forgive me for taking a little while to adjust, now I have to go, I think I'm going to throw up, and I have to get to the Ministry. I'll see you there Harry," he muttered as he stalked out of the house.
"I'm sorry Hermione," Harry sighed, pushing his plate away. "He's been insufferable ever since he found out, it gets better, and then it slides back. Maybe when the baby comes he'll be happier about it all, aren't they supposed to do that?"
"Supposedly," Fred grumbled.
"It'll be okay," she said softly, her hand resting on his arm. "You know how he is, we just have to keep on trying, and one day he'll surprise us."
"One day," he shook his head, Crookshanks hopping up onto his lap.
"Well that's a first," Harry remarked, a grin on his face. "I've sworn for years that he only liked Hermione, and just tolerated everyone else's presence, seems to like you just fine."
"What can I say? I'm a charmer," he grinned, stroking the purring feline.
"God do you remember those scratches on Ron's face after he kissed your cheek? Bloody hell they were deep," he said with a wry smile.
"So he doesn't like Ron?"
"Nah, not really. I think it was mostly from back at school, the whole Scabbers debacle, Ron didn't hold the grudge, but I don't think Crookshanks really forgot. Funny how he did, no matter how many times Ron left treats down for him in the Common Room, he'd continually turn his nose up at them."
Fred smiled as the cat looked up at him, "Some people can be so fickle."
Hermione shook her head at him as she cleared the table, "Well I should get going, crime to stop and all that jazz."
They said goodbye to Harry, and she waited till they heard the door shut behind him. "Control yourself Fredrick, mooning because my cat likes you more than your brother," she scolded softly, taking the plates into the kitchen.
"What? I can't like it? I'll admit to a slight bit of a jazz as Harry said it, but he's just a cat," Fred looked down at Crookshanks, and whispering so Hermione wouldn't hear. "A wonderful, sweet loving cat, who is an excellent judge of character..."
"I can hear that," she whispered into his ear as she walked past.
"Right, I'm thrilled!" He laughed, shifting him to a different chair as he stood. "It's a sign of some sort, while I may like you, you may like me, the fact that your cat approves. Your constant companion for quite a few years now likes me, when he didn't like Ron tells me that we just might have a fur balls chance of lasting."
"And you don't feel just a tiny bit awful for thinking that?" Hermione smiled, as he came up behind her at the counter.
"Well slightly, but I quash it right away," he grinned as she turned to him.
"You are an horrible brother," she sighed, her arms looping around him. "I don't know if I like this side of you."
"Don't worry love, there are other sides of me I know you like," Fred whispered against her lips.
There weren't really words to express how much he enjoyed this, over the last few weeks it had become quite a habit, an addiction if you will. That night together was now nothing more than a blur, with brief flashes of brilliance, but now that he had something solid, something firm in his grip; he couldn't get enough. If he wasn't here, he wanted to be here, and he never wanted to leave. Standing here in her kitchen, lifting her to a more agreeable height on her bench, feeling her against him. Her little body wrapped in his arms, he knew she was right. When you stopped looking you found what you wanted, and it was all thanks to her deciding to do something stupid. He'd have remained oblivious forever more than likely if little one hadn't decided that he would very much like to be created.
Fred thought he heard something banging, but Hermione chose that moment to coil her tongue with his and the thought quickly left him.
"I just forgot my... Coat."
Hermione jumped like she'd been burnt, hitting her head on the cupboard above her. "Harry! This isn't..."
"Snogging?" He grinned, shuffling into his coat. "Because I swear that's what I just saw."
"Well..."
"I'm late for work, I'll catch you two later," Harry smiled widely at them as he left the room.
"Harry!" Hermione called after him.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," he called back as the door slammed behind him.
She hit him lightly as she pushed him away, "Bloody hell."
"It's not so bad, it's kind of funny," Fred grinned as she levered herself to the floor.
"Funny! I thought we were figuring out what was happening, taking it easy? People knowing ruins all of that, they expect things, couple-ly things. Things that complicate things."
"Hermione, love, stop saying things. Besides, you're having my baby, and your best friend caught us having a bit of a snog in your kitchen. It's hardly everyone," he smiled, sitting down, and pulling her into his lap. "And I think we can trust Harry..."
"Of course we can."
"He won't say a word," Fred said softly, "So we can relax, and figure this out for a little while longer, all the while being bloody thankful that it wasn't Ron that forgot his coat."
"Oh god," she moaned, her head falling into his chest. "Can you imagine?"
"Yes, my stomach and nose hurt in preparation."
"Not funny."
"Don't worry, Harry wouldn't tell anyone, he knows you'd really hurt him if he did. So relax, and think about other things, like you and me and a house."
"Oh," she popped her head up, and summoned over a piece of parchment. "The agent is meeting us at nine."
"Good, hopefully we can find somewhere quickly. That flat is starting to feel tiny, and I'm really looking forward to living with you."
"Because of Crookshanks?"
"Yeah, I don't know what I'd do with that old thing around," he grinned, kissing her lightly.
"That better not have been some analogy for me, I'm hardly old," she smiled as she stood. "I'm just going to have a shower," adding when his smile changed, "alone. You can play with Crookshanks."
As she walked down the hall to her bathroom, he looked over at the cat, now fast asleep, and snoring rather loudly. "Because he's such a playful thing," Fred laughed, he hopped up and headed over to the lounge. He stretched out, taking the book from the arm, and opening it to the bookmark held place. His eyes widening as he took in the words.
If he was being completely honest, the subject had crossed his mind over the last few weeks. Just how it would be, what he would have to do. The fact that Hermione had been pondering it, enough to read about it, meant that it would happen, sometime. Fred happily read the chapter as she showered, mentally filing notes away for future use.
Hermione crossed the hall into her bedroom, not shutting the door behind her, "I'll be ready in a minute."
Carrying the book he walked slowly down the hall to her room, peeking around the corner and seeing her doing the clasp on her bra. "Decent?"
She turned quickly, clutching her towel to her chest, "Well it's a bit late to ask isn't it?"
"Nothing I haven't seen before," Fred smiled, sitting on her bed.
Hermione threw the towel at him weakly, pulling on the shirt she had placed on her dresser. "That was different."
"How? I remember seeing more than that," he grinned as she rolled her eyes.
"Because, then it was just one night, and things didn't have more to them. Now, it's different," she sighed, slipping her trousers on. "Seeing too much, doing too much, it makes everything more complicated. We need to do this slowly."
"So I guess, us partaking in chapter thirteen of this book is out of the question?"
Hermione blushed, quickly grabbing it out of his hands, "I was just reading, and I was curious. And it's not like I picked up that book, and automatically read that. I was reading the whole book, and I came to that chapter..."
"And bookmarked it."
"Because I wasn't finished!" She turned in a huff, wrenching open a drawer. "Why are you being so bloody annoying?!"
"Hermione, come here," he motioned for her to come and sit beside him. As she sat down, avoiding his eyes. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about..."
"I'm not!"
"Love? Just a little?"
"Fine, a little."
"There is nothing wrong with knowing these things, it would be pretty slow going if we were constantly unsure, wondering if we were going to hurt the baby in some way," he smiled, pulling her closer. "But thanks to you, and this book we won't. I promise you I don't constantly think of us being together again, I think about it more than I should, but you, me, plus baby is the most important thing. We're going to do this right, and when this does happen, it won't be awkward."
"No?"
"No, it'll be bloody brilliant."
She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her cheek softly. "I've been thinking about it too," Hermione whispered.
"And how does it go?" He asked softly as she relaxed in his arms.
"Well we're not drunk for a start, so that's a major bonus. It's lovely, it's completely different from the other time. When I think about it, it feels different, your touch is different. I feel different," she smiled.
"That's because it is different, you feel differently towards me, as do I to you. And add little one, and it a whole new range of emotions."
Hermione turned to him, "So, till then."
"Till then."
Her hand pulled his face level with his, capturing his lips with hers. Fred bit back a groan as he fell back, with her falling over him, his arms wrapping around her. His hand slid down her side, moving over the more noticeable bump. He smiled as he rolled her onto her back, pulling up her shirt.
"Fred..." she smiled, pushing his hand away.
"No love," he grinned, moving her hands to rest beside her. "I'm a awful father, I didn't say good morning."
Hermione giggled lightly, as he kissed her stomach, "I'm sure he'll forgive you."
"We just can't take that chance, him arriving and hating me already, it's a bad start," Fred smiled, laying his cheek over her navel. Lowering his voice, "Hey there, how's it going? Mum's being bossy as per usual." He grinned as he felt her slap his shoulder, "And she's getting mighty violent, I can't begin to count how many times she's hit me today, thrown things at me. Trust me, you're safer in there."
"Now you're trying to make them hate me," she grumbled, her fingers playing with his hair. "It's not fair."
"Please love, you automatically get points just because, I have to work at it," he said, running his hand over the smooth skin. "He won't get my jokes for a couple of years, you won't let me put him on a broom till he is ten at least, I have to get points somehow."
"Fred, he will love you, how could he not?" Hermione said softly, her hand joining his.
"I hope so," he whispered, kissing her bump lightly, before sliding back up to her.
"We should go," she sighed.
"Yeah, can't keep them waiting."
He pulled her up, and followed her out of the room, as she smoothed her hair. She grabbed the sheet of parchment from the table, turning to him with a wide smile. "Let's go find a house."
TBC.
NOTE!!!! At the moment it's not clear whether it's twins, or boy or a girl. They just use that when they are talking about the baby, beats calling the baby "it". The sex (and number!) will be dealt with later.
