Date: May 28, 2011

Chapter 10: Passing Time

Now nearing her due date, Angelina had to be on guard, since the twins could make their appearance any day.

'Twins are always a high-risk pregnancy,' Healer Smith had said a few days earlier. 'It's very common for women carrying multiples to go into labour early. Remember, if your waters break, get here as soon as possible.'

'I know,' Angelina had said. 'I've done this before.' She smiled.

So now, whatever Angelina was doing, she had to relax during a Braxton-Hicks contraction and see if that was all it is, or if it was a real contraction. She hated having to be so cautious all the time.

On the other hand, Fred seemed to be going out of his way to cause trouble. It might have been the terrible two's, but whatever it was was driving Angelina mad.

'Fred! Don't colour on the walls!'

'Fred, dear, please don't throw your food.'

'Fred, you do not climb the table!'

It seemed that all Angelina was doing was scolding Fred. She hated seeing his face when she yelled at him, so after giving herself some time to cool off, Angelina would go and find her son and they would apologise to each other. Not that Fred meant it, for he'd be doing the same thing the next day, and the day after that. But Angelina knew he wasn't trying intentionally to be naughty. He simply didn't know better.

'Mummy, why aren't the babies here yet?' Fred asked one day, after apologising for flying his toy broomstick in the house.

'They're still growing, Fred. But it won't be long now,' Angelina assured him.

Fred thought for a minute, then said, 'I want to have kids someday, Mummy.'

Angelina smiled. 'I'm sure you do, but you don't need to think about that yet. You're much too young.'

'Okay,' Fred agreed, and he kissed his mother's stomach. 'Bye-bye babies. Come out soon.' Then he toddled off to play with his blocks.

May turned to June, and Angelina had to find ways to make herself cooler. She felt sweaty and huge, and the only way to keep herself cool was to cast a cooling charm on the house.

'Damn it!' Angelina cried as she stared at the frosted-over kitchen.

'What happened, Mu-aah!' Fred walked into the kitchen and slipped on the icy floor.

'Oh, Fred! Are you alright?' Angelina asked, helping him up.

'I'm okay,' Fred said, though he seemed a little dazed. Angelina had to wait for George to get home so he could unfreeze the kitchen, so Fred and Angelina ate out for lunch.

'What on Earth did you do?' George asked when he came home, careful not to step in an icy patch of the floor.

'I was just trying to cool the house down. I was afraid that if I tried to heat it again, I might cause a fire,' Angelina answered sheepishly.

George rolled his eyes and righted the kitchen in a wand's flick.

'Thank you,' sighed Angelina.

George laughed. 'Next time, just go to the Burrow or something, alright?'

Angelina grinned.

And this was how she, Fred, and George spent their days.