June was the hottest month Lyra had ever experienced. As Summers go, it wasn't that hot - but this June Lyra had two small babies squeezed into her stomach, her back was aching, her legs were aching, and she just could not get comfortable. Lyra ended up flooing to Fleur's house most days and the two of them, along with small Victoire and sometimes little Teddy, would sit on the rocks with their feet in the sea for hours just chatting with ice cold drinks and often an ice cream or three.

But even then she was only less uncomfortable.

And it wasn't until mid June that Ron, finally at his wits end being stuck between his girlfriend and his best friend, and knowing what Charlie would want for his wife, gathered his entire family together with Hermione and Lyra to get them to talk.

They all sat around in the hot living room of the Burrow, all of them, Lyra between Charlie and Fleur who sat on either side of her like two guards. It was an intimidating sight for Hermione - the rugged dragon handler and the stunningly beautiful quarter Veela witch flanking the girl she hadn't spoken to for weeks. And controversial as it may seem, but Hermione still wasn't keen on Fleur for the influence she had over Ron several years before, and had been uncomfortable for several years with the bond that Lyra and Fleur had developed since the Triwizard tournament, and so with Fleur glaring at her now from her place at Lyra's side, her nerve nearly failed her.

But Ron couldn't choose between the two any longer.

Hermione and Lyra had to resolve their issues. And they had to do it in front of the others because they had all been present for the months of silence between the two.

Charlie sympathised greatly with Ron. He knew just how much the three of them had survived together. Together, they had clung to the edge of life and faced death more times than a trio of teenagers should. And now two weren't talking and the third was left loyal to both. Lyra couldn't put the last ten years behind her. Hermione couldn't. Ron couldn't. It had been ten years that they shouldn't put behind them. He may not be too fond of Hermione, but she had helped Lyra survive through some awful times. As had Ron. That shouldn't be left to the past. Had it not been for Hermione's set view of how life should go, it would be an undisturbed friendship that could remain so close for the rest of their lives.

"You look radiant, Lyra. You're glowing." Hermione spoke quietly, resigned, and sad. Lyra blinked and her eyes glistened, but when she spoke it was cold and calm.

"It's called sweat, Hermione. I've felt better."

Hermione sighed wistfully, and looked around the room at the many pairs of eyes before meeting Lyra's once more.

"I-" she swallowed, tried again. "I'm sorry, Lyra. I think you'll be an amazing mother and I'm so sorry for hurting you."

"Thank you" Lyra said quietly, but there was warmth in her voice and everyone around her knew that this was it. That the friendship they had had might never be exactly the same again.. But it wouldn't end - at least, not now.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to go to the toilet." Lyra said, blushing. Charlie instantly stood and offered her his hand, his other arm curving round her to support her as she struggled to stand up. His gentlemanly manners with Lyra never ceased to amaze his mother, who remembered him as an excitable, loud, playful child, and a rough, practical young man. And with Lyra, he was a gentle, kind, tender, loving man.

Finally, the Weasley family could be all together again, Lyra and Charlie could be with Ron and Hermione once more, and suddenly the heat that had filled the room before seemed less oppressive. Less harsh, more tentative warmth.

And so once Lyra returned, there was quiet chatter, quiet laughter. Cold drinks and small snacks. Lyra had Victoire with her once more, talking to Ron and Hermione while Fleur and Bill spoke to Charlie. But soon, when everyone had moved outside to the still hot garden, where there was at least a small breeze, Lyra excused herself once more. And Hermione once more spoke before she thought, before immediately regretting it.

"But you've only just been to the loo! Surely you don't need to go again!" When everyone's attention turned back to her, she flushed. The two women present who had been pregnant stared at her pityingly, while Lyra's hands raced to where her babies lay inside her.

"You try having two babies throwing bludgers against your bladder and see how often you need to go to the toilet!"

Everyone went quiet and stared at Lyra and Charlie, before eventually Charlie broke the silence.

"So we're having twins..."