A/n: Sorry this is late guys, it was my birthday on the 9th and I've been spending a lot of time with my new girlfriend.

But enjoy! It's a bit of a filler.

Chapter 4

Storm's first match of the season was a big one, and Hermione found herself in the stands early on a saturday morning. Joe and Artemis were either side of her and around them were fans that wore different articles of the Puddlemere merchandise. Hermione herself wore Storm's jersey upon the younger girls insistence. The American was excited when she left their flat early that morning. Practically buzzing with built up energy.

Joe was the same sat next to her, barely containing his excitement. He'd insisted she went in the middle, so she didn't get knocked funny. At first she'd thought it was a bit of an overreaction, because they'd been given tickets for the commentators box along with the rest of the player's relatives. It was a bit rowdy, and the game hadn't even started yet. The atmosphere was intense, and Arty looked slightly queasy.

Hermione hadn't been too happy with Storm's older sibling when she jumped on the shifter the way she did. She'd noticed something about the blonde however, she never took the blame for anything. She jumped on Storm before the shifter could figure out that it was actually her fault for not explaining it like she was asked to. Just for that Hermione found herself a little icy with the blue eyed witch, but found the cold slowly melting.

An eruption of noise set the air around them on fire, and the commentator's voice boomed within the stands. He announced the other team first, the Montrose Magpies marched out and onto the green pitch. Their robes billowed out behind them as they took their places behind their captain. The commentator gave the second announcement, and their side of the stands erupted again, shouting and clapping as Puddlemere united made their way out.

Their blue robes made them look much more vibrant compared to the Magpies. Storm herself stood between the two beaters who dwarfed her in size. She never really looked small compared to anyone, but she did just then. They were huge and beefy and Hermione wondered for a moment if they were stable on their brooms. Joe was clapping rather extaticly when the players finally took to the air, one of the Beaters tailing Storm right from the offset.

The younger witch had told the brunette the night before they'd be watching her because of rumours that said the opposition was going to try and get her off her broom. They had a plan, and Hermione really hoped it worked. It was intense, and as soon as the Quaffle was released the Magpies had slammed a bludger Storm's way. It was quickly deflected and the shifter carried on as if nothing had happened.

The game carried on a lot like that, Storm keeping ahead of the Magpies seeker at all times. Every goal brought an eruption of noise from the crowd, and every miss a unified groan of disappointment. Hermione kept her eyes trained on her girlfriend who was nothing but a blue blur most of the time. She kept zipping back and forth, obviously trying to confuse the Magpies seeker.

Halfway through the game, the skies opened up and rain started to pour. They were safe from the water under their ledge, but the players were soaked within minutes. The brunette shifted uncomfortably in her seat, and flicked her eyes to meet Arty's. The blonde looked nervous, and just shook her head. She looked more worried than Hermione felt, and Joe just remained excited; practically bouncing where he sat.

Things slowed down from there. The chasers kept going, but nobody scored for a while. They weren't even capable of aiming properly, and the beaters the same. The hiss of the falling rain just got louder, and soon drowned the crowd out. Storm just kept flying in circles, her goggles were visibly steamed up and her cheeks were bright red. It wasn't too cold, but that soon changed.

The Game took it's time in ending, and finally Storm found and caught the snitch. She'd taken an elbow to the mouth, and very nearly missed it. Their beater had sunk a shot just as the opposite seeker had reached an arm out to grab at the flicker of gold, and Storm snatched it before he could recover. It was pandemonium in the stands after that, and the Shifter landed only to be tackled by one of their chasers. A girl the seeker had become good friends with, a girl Hermione did not like one bit.

White hot jealousy flared up in the brunettes chest, and she huffed to herself as she folded her arms protectively across her chest. Hugging all the warmth into her body. The green eyed monster was only subdued a little when Storm all but shoved the girl off to turn and scan the box before waving a little bit frantically up at her father, sister and Hermione herself. It wasn't long before the players were heading off the pitch, Storm being dragged away into their locker rooms.

Joe was the first out of the door, practically carrying Hermione with him. He was all but bouncing, and Hermione couldn't help but laugh. The other family members were just as excited, they all followed them out and down through the stands before the crowds could really mob them. About halfway down, a black owl landed behind the brunette, and she didn't even have time to turn around before Storm was wrapping her up from behind.

The dark haired girl was soaked through, and her hair was pushed back and out of her bright eyes. Her cheeks were practically glowing they were so wind bitten, and she looked exhausted. "Hey!" She shouted over the noise, leaning over to press a kiss to Hermione's cheek.

"Hey" The brunette grinned, her jealousy from earlier totally forgotten. "Why didn't you get changed?" She quizzed as Storm saddled up next to her, raising a brow in her father's direction. Joe was still all but bouncing along, clueless to his daughter's arrival.

"I wanted to see you! I'll get changed later!" She called over the buzz of the crowd. Ducking a little bit to shield her face from a group of fans that had just come out of the stands onto the stairs. Hermione wasn't sure why, until a camera flashed somewhere in front of them, and she looked up to see one of the Prophet's reporters jotting something down. "Hey!" She shrieked, loud enough to be heard over the crowd; effectively silencing everyone.

The young man looked up at her, a triumphant grin pulled at his lips as he winked. "Top Story miss, they're paying good for you pair" he spoke, and ran a hand through his greasy hair before disapparating on the spot.

Hermione was furious as she whipped around to see Storm smirking to herself. "Well! Why didn't you say anything!?" She screeched again, and Storm's smirk faltered.

"What? Hermione, it's better than them fabricating that Ron got you knocked up. I mean really. At the very least they'll have to recognise we're actually together." Storm explained, a little dumbfounded.

Her father had interrupted them at this point, and came over to slap a paw like hand against her back. "Well done Stormy! Nearly lost it there for a second, but brought it back! Well done!" He beamed, pride was written all over his face and stretched through his wide smile.

"Thanks dad" She grumbled, a little bit displeased with how Hermione was still fuming at her side. The grip on her hand was very nearly painful, and she knew she would be in for an earful by the time they got back.

The stands were crowded now, full of young kids and their parents. Everyone capable of disapparating had done, and those with their kids were the only ones left. Both Storm and Hermione had been stopped a few times, and the American herself was more than happy to oblige. They'd almost made it back down and out of the stadium, when a young boy ran up to Storm. Holding what looked to be a poster of the seeker herself.

The boy was quiet when he asked her to sign his poster, and even quieter as she crouched down to speak to him as she took the large sheet of paper to sign the very bottom corner. A wide grin was tugging at her lips as she handed it back, and he all but launched for a hug stuttering every thank you under the sun.

Hermione just watched the exchange, much like the young boy's father who was stood back aways. Waving his thanks as his son ran back to him, waving the rolled up photograph around excitedly.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that" Storm muttered as a dark blush spread across her cheeks.

"You're good with them" Hermione stated, taking the younger girl's hand. "With the kids anyway." She smirked, looking around for any signs of Joe and Arty. They'd lost them a while back, and hadn't caught up with them yet.

"When I can give them back yes. But I'll have no idea once the little one gets here" she grumbled, looking almost entirely dejected now. It was no secret that Storm was a little more than worried about what would happen when Hermione finally had the baby.

"And you think I will?" Hermione almost scolded, giving Storm's hand a light squeeze as they wandered along to find a safe place to apparate.

"You're you Hermione, you know everything" the shifter stated, shrugging as if she really didn't care.

"Stop, just stop" The brunette stated forcefully, her tone completely solid; leaving no room for argument. She'd pulled Storm to a stop, and was glaring at her now. "Can you just stop. I don't know everything, and you will be brilliant so just stop" Hermione stated, smacking the shifter lightly.

Storm just stared at her, it wasn't a blank stare, but it wasn't entirely intense either. She was just, staring. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if she was thinking about something before she moved forward to wrap her arms around the brunette once again. "Alright" was all she said, and with that Hermione apparated them back to their flat.

It was quiet, and dark but it was home; at least for a while. Storm had moved in entirely, and it was obvious. There were lava lamps on the tables, and guitars hung on the wall. There was an entire bookshelf full of records, and various items of clothing scattered around. Hermione had tried to tell the younger girl about picking up her things, but it would normally go in one ear and out the other.

Storm finally let go, and muttered something about going to get changed. She was still soaked, and Hermione herself was slightly damp from where the younger girl had held onto her. A quick drying spell fixed that right up, and she made her way into the kitchen to find something to make for a late lunch.

She was surprised when Storm didn't return from their bedroom. It had been a while and the bedroom was oddly quiet. She'd gotten used to the banging and rummaging through their home. With a sigh she put the sandwiches she'd made for them both into the fridge and went to get her.

Storm would cook normally, when Hermione worked late. Her practices were intense, but she'd always be home before the brunette. The older witch checked the clock before making her way through the small flat and into the single bedroom. She wasn't entirely surprised to see Storm crashed out, still completely clothed. Her legs were hanging off the bed as she snored away quietly. There were no signs of where she'd been elbowed in the mouth, but her cheeks were still bright red and wind burnt.

"Storm" Hermione called, pulling her wand from where it resided in her jean pocket to dry the younger witch and their bed off. The seeker didn't move much, but the brunette could tell she'd woken up.

"Do you want more ice-cream?" Was all she asked, and Hermione almost laughed. The dark haired girl had been sent on a few ice-cream runs since they'd moved in together.

"No" the older witch stated simply, "you need to eat something, and you need to get changed before you get sick" She spoke as she sat down beside the shifter.

Storm just sighed and sat up, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "When are your parents getting in again?" She asked, she'd been worried about the brunette's parents finding out on top of everything. Hermione didn't think they'd be too terrible, but Storm was wary.

"Tomorrow at ten" The older girl stated, the trip had been arranged for a month or so and her parents would be staying with the Griffin's for a few weeks. Storm just tensed a little before standing up to finally get changed.

"We don't need to be anywhere for the rest of the day do we?" She asked, though her voice was slightly muffled by her shirt being pulled over her head. She had nasty looking bruises against her ribs, and it seemed she'd been elbowed elsewhere.

"I was going to owl Harry and see if he and Ginny wanted to come over for dinner" Hermione admitted as she traced around the patterns on their bed sheets. Averting her eyes from the American's bare skin. Storm had voiced the fact she felt weird doing anything sexually intimate since finding out about the pregnancy. It was something Hermione thought she'd never see, or hear, but respected the decision. Though, it didn't quite make her feel brilliant about the situation.

"That's alright then. Are you cooking?" Storm asked with a wry smirk, an eyebrow raised in question. She knew the answer to her question before she even asked it.

"I was hoping we could do it together." The brunette grinned, standing to wrap her arms around Storm's waist. Her skin was warm considering she'd been in wet clothes for a while. The younger girl wrapped her up once again, and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. Storm had gotten more and more serious as the weeks passed, more and more withdrawn from their physical relationship.

"So, what do you fancy making?" Storm quizzed as she pulled away slightly to look down at the brunette. Her fingers stroking up and down her sides. Hermione just raised a brow a small smirk tugging at her lips.

"Well, I haven't decided yet. I was hoping you'd have some ideas" she grinned, leaning up to steal a kiss before pulling away to wander out of the room. Calling back for the younger girl to hurry up and get changed.

Storm just shook her head and laughed to herself. Pulling a shirt she'd grabbed over her head before changing into a pair of jeans. She was exhausted, but if having Harry and Ginny over would make Hermione happy that's what she'd do. She ran her hands through her hair in an attempt to flatten it down before she made her way out to investigate.

-x-x-x-x-

The evening came quickly, and Hermione found herself stirring a pot of heating soup with Storm wrapped around her from behind. The American's were firmly planted against the small but noticeable bump, her thumbs stroking absently as she spoke about the day. The brunette listened to her speak, listened as she drawled on. Her accent was harsh, but it worked with her mannerisms.

"How did you get the bruises on your ribs?" She asked finally, the question had been playing on her mind since she'd noticed them. Storm herself didn't seem too fussed, but it surprised her. She hadn't seen the American take any blows to the side during the game at least.

"I can't remember. I think the other seeker got me in the ribs before he got me in the face" Storm replied after a moment or so. "It was so cold once it'd started to rain that I couldn't really feel it" She smirked, leaning to press a kiss to Hermione's cheek. There was a knock at their door, and she pulled out of their embrace to go and get the door.

With a quick clink, and a turn of the handle she'd pulled their front door open to reveal Ginny and Harry both stood there grinning. "Hey" Ginny spoke first, while Harry held up a bottle of something. She wasn't sure why, Hermione couldn't drink and she wasn't going to do anything the brunette couldn't.

"Alright there red" Storm grinned as the redhead pulled her in for a swift hug. "Harry" She greeted the green eyed boy who was beaming from ear to ear. "Something smells nice" He complimented as he stepped through the door to shake her hand. "I take it you helped her with the dinner then?" If it was possible, his smile got brighter and his eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Of course, but don't tell her you know. She's really proud" Storm laughed as she shut the door behind them. Locking it in place before she followed the dark haired boy into the kitchen. Ginny was already snooping through the pots that sat on their stove, and Hermione was busy pouring pumpkin juice.

Storm had grabbed her wand from the counter top and swished it towards the little dinning table. Expanding it rather quickly as Hermione flicked her own wand towards the cupboards to start setting it for their guests. It was practised, and they worked like clockwork as a pair.

"I heard about your win today" Ginny spoke as she sidled up next to the American, a glass of pumpkin juice wrapped within her fingers and a smirk spread across her lips.

"It was nearly a loss" Storm laughed "He caught me in the chops. If our beater hadn't of slammed him with a bludger he'd have got it" She stated simply, shaking her head as Hermione handed her a glass.

Ginny just laughed, shaking her head as she watched the brunette wrap an arm around the American's waist. "How was your game?" She asked, as Storm took a rather large sip of her drink that emptied most of the glass.

"Oh you know, the usual. We beat the Chudley Canons by at least two thundered points. They're playing better than I've seen them play this year though" The redhead spoke, following as Storm headed for the table.

Harry was already sat down, watching them all. "Ron was a picture. He didn't know if he should have been happy or angry" the green eyed boy added with a laugh.

"Typical" Hermione added with a roll of her eyes, a hand finding Storm's thigh under the table as she watched the younger girl try hard not to tense up.

"So, have you told your parents yet Hermione?" Harry asked, motioning a little awkwardly to his own mid section. Ginny was grinning from ear to ear, her light eyes flicking between Storm and the brunette.

"No, we're meeting them at the airport tomorrow actually. I don't think it'll take them long to figure it out." She spoke with a smirk, shaking her head slightly.

"It's not that obvious" Ginny added, "Not yet anyway. I mean Storm had no idea and she was sleeping with you" The redhead laughed, watching as the American turned a rather deep shade of red.

"Hey, in my defence it's not something I was looking for!" Storm stated, indignantly. "And Hermione hid it really well!" She smirked a slightly sheepish smirk.

"How long is it until you're ready to go now then?" The green eyed boy asked, looking his best friend over.

"The most part of four months. We've got a lot to do" Hermione admitted, a small frown tugging at her lips.

"We haven't got that much to do" Storm stated confidently.

"Storm, this is a baby and not just any baby a potential shifter baby. We have to have everything ready for when it comes. We need to be prepared" Hermione huffed, crossing her arms protectively over her chest.

"We can help." Harry offered with a genuine smile.

Ginny just nodded her consent, "so when's dinner. I'm starving!" She laughed, flicking her eyes to Storm's own darker ones. The American was sat there shaking her head with a smirk that threatened to split her face. Clearly getting ready for the baby wasn't scaring her as much as telling Hermione's parents was.

"Me too" Storm agreed, though Ginny wasn't surprised.

"You're always starving!" The redhead laughed as she got up to help the American sort the plates out.

"A girl's got to eat" the shifter winked, shaking her head as she pulled her wand from her pocket.

Harry and Hermione could be heard talking between themselves. The brunette sounded almost as if she was ranting about something. Her voice was shrill, and hushed at the same time. Storm would have been worried, but she'd heard everything the brunette had to rant about.

"Any luck finding a place yet?" Ginny asked as she pointed her wand towards the dishes and bowls.

"Not yet, we're going to look at a place on the coast in a couple of days. It'd be perfect for me and the little one if they turn out like me, but I'm not sure Hermione's too keen. She doesn't like the idea of being on a beach" Storm explained. It had been hard trying to find a place that would cater to both herself and Hermione. She felt bad for drawing the brunette out of the city so soon, but with the possibility of their child being a shifter as well they needed the space.

"What about just buying land and building on it instead? It would probably be cheaper and take a lot less time" Ginny spoke as she watched the American enchant a ladel to spoon out the soup equally. She seemed to think for a moment, her features changing from thoughtful into sheer delight.

"That's genius!" She spoke finally, leaving the ladle to do it's work so she could pull the redhead into a giant hug. "Hermione could have what she wants, I can have what I want and then the baby doesn't want anything yet but it'll have whatever it wants!" She smirked, sending the bowls soaring into the other room.

Ginny just shook her head, laughing at how excitable the younger witch still was. She was clearly pleased with the development as she practically bounced into the other room.

"We should build our own house! It'll be like a tree house... But an actual house!" Storm announced to a surprised looking Hermione. The brunette just watched wide eyed as Storm flopped down grinning from ear to ear.

"That's a great idea!" Harry added, flicking his eyes to a sceptical looking Hermione. "Come on! It'll solve all your issues with buying a house" He stated as he grabbed his spoon.

"It was Ginny's idea. But Hermione we could make it really nice. I'll do all the work, and set it all up" Storm almost pleaded, sounding like a kid trying to persuade their mother to get them a toy.

"I'll help!" Ginny added, and Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry seemed to have the same thought as he sat looking suddenly unsure. Ginny and Storm together were a little bit of a nightmare. She stared at the American for a moment, her soup steaming untouched in front of her.

"Fine. But I want to be involved with the plans at least." Hermione stated sternly. She wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not, but she would definitely find our.

"Well obviously. I can't just plan it all on my own can I?" Storm stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. With that done and dusted for the time being Hermione just tucked into her soup. It was enchanted to stay warm, but she was hungry. The sandwiches from earlier hadn't quite hit the spot and the soup looked good.

Harry was sat smirking across from them, and Ginny looked just as amused as she tucked into the hearty supper. It was a cold night, and both quidditch players had been up and out in the wind and the rain earlier in the day.

The rest of the night passed without a hitch, and by the time Hermione sorted herself and Storm out that night she too was exhausted. After a quick shower, she found Storm already asleep. A pillow draped across her eyes, leaving just enough breathing room, and sprawled out on her side of the bed.

The brunette just smirked, shaking her head in disbelief as she listened to the quiet muffled snores of her girlfriend. There was a sneaking suspicion that in a few months she'd have to deal with not just a little kid, but a big kid all the same. As she got into bed that night and cuddled herself into Storm's side, she sighed contentedly. Melting a little as the American moved in her sleep to wrap around her protectively. It dawned on her then, that it would be fine and they would make it.