Disclaimer: I own nothing.


Well, guys, I think this one is coming to a close. I plan on adding one more chapter, and I've already got a pretty good idea of how I want to finish it.

And I know it's been a while. I've got a demanding job now, and this is the first opportunity in a while I've had to just sit and write.

So, without further ado, here's the next chapter. Sit back and enjoy!

Love always,

Avoline


Fred silently counted the Fanged Frisbees in the stock room. It was inventory day, and while George ran things up front, Fred was getting a total of what they had in stock. All he had left was the Portable Swamps, then he could finish up the paper work for the day and go home to Hermione and an ever-growing Ethan.

"Fred?" He turned to see Harry standing a few meters away, Auror robes still on. "You got a moment?" Fred stared intently at his friend. Something was wrong, and it must be something big. Did him and Ginny get into yet another fight?

"Sure, just let me set a charm real quick," he answered. Harry nodded and turned to leave the stock room. Fred quickly muttered an incantation and followed the raven-haired man. He closed the door to his office, then cast a quick silencing charm on it. "You and Ginny didn't get into another fight, did you?"

"No, no, no, it's not that," Harry answered as he took a seat. Fred sat across the desk from him, a puzzled look on his face. "I found out something today that I wish I hadn't. Ginny begged me not to tell you, but you deserve to know." Silence grew, until Fred thought he would go mad.

Finally, Harry opened his mouth and began the story that would change everything.


She had supper ready for him when he stepped out of the floo. Ethan was relaxing in his little swing, nearly asleep. The house was clean, the laundry was probably done (it was laundry day after all), and she was humming a happy little tune. Tears sprung into his eyes at the perfect sight.

If things had went differently...

"Oh, you're home," Hermione greeted, snapping Fred out of his daze. "The roast is almost done, and I've got mashed potatoes to feed to Ethan." He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He would cherish every moment he had with her and their son. If Harry hadn't told him the news, he would have never known how close he was to loosing both of them. He would have never known just exactly how much danger his girlfriend was in, or how alone he nearly was.

He knew now, though.

"Fred, what's wrong," she inquired softly. "You're crying." He nuzzled the crook of her neck and swallowed a sob.

"It can wait," he choked out.

"Baby, talk to me," she soothed. "We've always been able to talk it out. It can't be that bad." He turned her around in his arms and gently kissed her lips. Just that small act alone nearly brought him to his knees.

"Let's sit down," he whispered. "It'll be easier for both of us." She nodded, and he led her past a snoozing Ethan to the couch. He met her eyes and just stared at her for a few minutes. How could anyone harm someone so kind and beautiful? She wouldn't, and couldn't, hurt anyone out of pure anger or cruelty. ("Don't forget about the time I slapped Draco Malfoy," she had laughed once.)

"Fred," she pried. He kissed her again, then sighed.

"Harry came by today. He looked upset, and I thought maybe him and Ginny had gotten into another fight." He took a deep breath, tears still streaming down his face. "Ron went a little crazy today on Mundungus Fletcher. They were bringing him in for yet another breaking and entering and theft by taking, and he kept antagonizing Ron until he snapped. He nearly beat Dun to death. When Harry asked him why he nearly killed the poor guy, Ron said it wasn't the first time he had killed someone." He closed his eyes and swallowed back the wave of emotion. "He confessed to being so angry one day after work that he apparated to the flat above the store. When he saw that George and I weren't there, and saw Angelina instead, he snapped." He could feel himself trembling as she gasped.

"No," she murmured. "Oh, Fred, no." He dropped his face into his hands. She was the brightest witch of her age. He didn't need to finish for her to know what was next.

"He's my brother," he sobbed, surrendering to the pain, pain he hadn't felt in months. "My own flesh and blood. I trusted him." Her frail arms wrapped around him, pulling him into her.

"Oh, Freddie, I'm so, so sorry," she comforted. "It should have been me. He should have came home that day."

"No," he croaked, his throat sore from holding back the sobs. He sat up and locked on to her chocolate gaze. "No. Not you."

"What do you mean not me," she protested. "He killed Angelina and Brianna! He was suppose to come home that day! I remember it clearly!" Fred shook his head.

"Not you," he repeated. "I don't think I could have handled it if he had harmed you." Her face stared at him, confused. "Hermione, I loved Angelina, but I wasn't in love with her like I am you. You are like a sister to me, and then more. If he had killed you, I wouldn't be where I am now." He grasped her hands, hoping she would understand just how much he needed her. "You have no clue just how badly I've needed you, and neither did I until now. You and Ethan are my life, my world, my everything, and I nearly lost you both. What if you had went back to him that evening? He would have killed you, Hermione. He would have killed you and not even known that you were pregnant. What if he lost his temper and took it out on poor Ethan? You would have lost your little boy. I don't know if I could have lived with myself if that had happened."

She was near tears, and he was crying uncontrollably. Now she knew just what she meant to him. Now she knew how badly he needed her. He couldn't live without her, and the reality that he nearly lost her, that he had saved her life, was enough to bring him to his knees. He wouldn't take her for granted ever again. Now that she was safe, now that Ron would never again be near her, he would protect her with his life, from anyone. He would let her know, everyday, that she was the only girl for him.

Suddenly, a smile crossed his face.

"We need to get cleaned up, love," he whispered. "We'll be expecting visitors pretty soon." She giggled through the tears.

"Who?"

A knock at the door startled her, and he smiled.

"Your parents."