GUYS! THIS IS MEANT TO BE CHAPTER 11, I ACCIDENTALLY POSTED IT AS 10! I"M SO SORRY, PLEASE GO READ THE LAST CHAPTER, THIS WILL MAKE SO MUCH MORE SENSE! I'M SO SORRRRRYYYY, SORRY, SORRY! (P.s. I'm Canadian, and still slightly sleep deprived from yesterday. #Canada150 am I right? :) )
A/N: Ch. 11, here we go! There's a lot that happens in this chapter, in such a small amount of words, so there's a bit of a sudden break at the end of this chapter, and immediately will be picked up in the next.
.: *Aparecium*\:.
The weeks went by without a hitch. Harry's birthday had come and gone, with the whole week leading up to the last day of July full of fans trying to greet him and wish him well; to the point where Harry locked himself away in the Burrow where the magical boundaries were greater than those of Grimmauld's. Staying at the Burrow allowed Harry to be outside without a mass of press coming to interview him. Ginny had fled to the Burrow days before him, taking little Teddy with her to avoid questions and gossip about him in his first month at home with them. Molly, in this case, was ecstatic to receive the baby, trying to hold him as constantly as she could. Ginny allowed her mother to, well, mother her and Harry, glad for the small reprieve from being a new mother. As much as she loved her new little family, Ginny spoke happily to Hermione whenever the two were alone, admitting how hard she had found this first month.
Such a conversation happened in the second week of August, a day before she and Harry were about to return to Grimmauld Place. Ginny and Hermione were sat underneath the large wilting tree near the pond, sipping the large mugs of tea they had taken out of the house. Harry, Fred, George, Percy, and Arthur were all in the Burrow slowly driving Molly mad, so the younger witches had snuck out when they saw their chance.
"The house is beginning to wear on me." Ginny had said, leading Hermione to ask her is she mean the Burrow, "No, Grimmauld Place. I know it belonged to Sirius, but I'm beginning to think even Harry is finding it dreary for Teddy."
"Well, would you rather be here with your mother?" Hermione grinned, enjoying the playfully shudder Ginny gave at the thought.
"No, but," Hermione had been shocked to see Ginny look shy at what she said next, "I don't know if Harry is ready to leave and find a new house."
"Because of Sirius?"
"And his parents," Hermione gave her friend a confused look, and Ginny had explained by dropping a large bomb on Hermione, "I want to move to Godric's Hollow."
Since then, Hermione had kept silent about Ginny's ongoing battle with Harry on trying to move out of Grimmauld. Even Fred had no idea about it, and Hermione and he had told one another almost everything going on in their lives when away from one another. George had once again taken to calling them 'gooey' behind Hermione's back. The entire conversation with Ginny was practically forgotten beneath all of the work Hermione helped George and Fred with at the shop, putting a lot of her energy into helping them improve their spellwork and potions (not that they needed it, she would always say before casually changing each charm). The next she heard of it was the evening of the day the Daily Prophet provided the official rules the Ministry had put in place after their Soul-Bond charm wasn't proving the raise in birth rate they were originally hoping for.
"Did you two see this?" George burst out, coming into the apartment after running downstairs to quickly unlock the shop. Verity was kind enough to open for them while the boys finished getting ready on weekend mornings. Upon George's sudden entrance, Fred jumped back from Hermione, his hands pulling themselves as quickly as he could from her top.
"Blimey, George, knock!" Fred complained. George gave his twin a smarmy grin, waggling his eyebrows.
"It's my flat too Freddie. Morning Miss Granger." George tilted his head at Hermione, who was cooking up eggs for the three of them. Unlike Fred, she seemed to remember George was only a step away and had insisted Fred get dressed before they began cooking breakfast. Hermione nodded a 'good morning' back to George without looking away from the stove top, feeling a familiar blush rush over her cheeks.
"What are we supposed to see?" Fred asked, slightly exasperated with his twin. George handed the newspaper over, and Fred's eyes grew comically wide. "Are they allowed to do this?"
"Well they already tattooed everyone, I'm thinking this isn't much more of a jump for them." Hermione grew curious, and came over to the twins, wiping her hands on a tea towel from the kitchen. She looked over their shoulders, and immediately exclaimed in outrage.
"They're implementing a marriage law?" she snatched the paper from Fred's fingers, leaving the man to give his twin a roll of his eyes past his still open hands. George smirked but looked to Hermione rather than pick up a conversation with Fred. "This is ridiculous! How could they force such a thing? Marriage doesn't necessarily mean more babies?! It means unhappy couples, more likely."
Fred got a sour look on his face, pushing George to pipe up for his twin this time, "Er, not every couple though, right 'Mione?"
Hermione looked up, a frown still marring her brow, but it smoothed out when she noticed Fred's expression, "Oh, no, not you Freddie. I know we're perfectly happy, but what about the others? Charlie, or Percy. Ron even! He's been absolutely dreadful throughout this whole thing. I've barely seen him in the last two months."
Fred shrugged, already less tense after Hermione's assurance, "Mum's says she knows what he's up to when he's out, so I'm not too worried about Ronniekins. He'll come around when he feels like it."
"But still, to force everyone to marry their bond mate seems a bit cruel. What if they really don't get along. Just because their souls match doesn't mean their personalities will." Hermione was beginning to get worried, and noticing this, Fred took the paper out of her hands delicately so as not to rip anything.
"Alright, it's no big deal to us, right? We're already comfortable with one another, another hitch in the charms won't change anything." Hermione gave him a weird look, and even George looked at him with a bit of pity. "What?"
"Fred, this law is bound to everyone affected by the soul bonds. The rules are right here;" Hermione took up the paper again, "Each couple must be legally married in the eyes of the Ministry of Magic no more than a year from today's date. A child must be produced in the year after the marriage. Should a child be born before the engagement is over, a second child is necessary to fulfill the place in the year after marriage. Please be sure this enforced law will aid in the Wizarding World building itself anew and growing stronger in our new age of triumph." Hermione finished with a flourish, practically throwing the paper onto the island counter. "Still okay with this?"
Fred was a little shocked, but no more than George, who looked ready to burst judging by the red shade his face had gone.
"I've gotta go." Was all he said before going to the fireplace and Flooing out of the apartment. Hermione assumed he had gone to Angelina's as there weren't many places connected to the twins' Floo besides the Burrow. Fred and Hermione were left alone in the flat, though not in the atmosphere Fred had been hoping for this morning. He was left facing Hermione, both of them feeling something they couldn't decide was bad or good. Hermione and Fred stood facing one another for a full minute before they both broke, rushing towards one another. Hermione crashed into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist as his wrapped over her shoulders and his other hands found its way into her har.
"I don't know why I'm so upset over this…"
"Because we don't have control, Hermione." Fred sighed, ruffling some of the hair in front of his face, blowing them around. He pulled his arms back, putting his hands on her shoulders to push her back to face him. "But I need you to know, love, I have every intention of marrying you, and I'm not threatened by this."
Hermione looked up at him, slightly shocked, "What?"
Fred smiled softly and left a kiss on the tip of her nose, "Since I realized just what these tattoos meant, I knew I was going to try and whisk you off your feet, and marry the hell out of you."
Hermione wrinkled her nose, "Fred, that doesn't even make sense — hmf!" Fred pulled her in for a kiss, snogging her senseless until Hermione forgot about Fred's tendency to make up phrases only he and George could understand. Eventually Hermione remembered they had been talking about something pretty serious, and pulled away from Fred. "Are we going with this then?"
"I don't think we actually have much choice Miss Granger. Seems you really are my fiancee, as much as you hated to admit it before."
Hermione gave him a droll look, but decided not to touch that one, well aware she had been careful not to assume anything with Fred. Standing on her tip toes, Hermione pressed another soft kiss to Fred's lips, getting a happy smile from him in return.
"I love you, Fred Weasley."
"Same to you, my love."
.: *Aparecium*\:.
The rest of the Weasley boys were not as forthcoming as Fred, creating a tense environment during that week's Sunday dinner at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had sat everyone down at the table before bustling into the kitchen, leaving all her sons to stew in silence. Hermione had been sitting at the bench seat just before Percy and Charlie had arrived, but hadn't stayed much longer. Usually she would pick up conversation easily with Percy about work, as he was always ready to speak about politics, but today he hadn't looked up from the table yet. Charlie as well was staring at one spot in the dining room, his brow furrowed grumpily. Rather than try and pull either of them into conversation, Hermione slowly shut her book, and slipped it off the table as she stood. Neither seemed to notice her leave as she all but ran into the kitchen.
"Can I help you, Molly?" Hermione came up next to Mrs. Weasley, wiping her hands on the towel laid on the counter. Mrs. Weasley smiled kindly and pushed her a clean tray and a bowl filled with apples.
"Of course dear, I'll never say no to a Hermione Granger apple pie." Mrs. Weasley grinned and turned back to the main course. Hermione happily took the apples to the opposite counter for more space, swished her wand and set the apples to carefully peeling themselves. She watched for a moment as the peels turned into perfect curls before preparing the crust by hand. She still hadn't shown Molly how she made the crust, content in knowing she was able to create such a tasty dessert all on her own, and having no one else know how to do it just right. Once the crust was lined in the pan, she motioned the now prepared apple slices into the pan, watching carefully to make sure they laid themselves flat. Once done, she manually laid the top over the apples, and placed the glazed peels, now curled into tight rosebud shapes, along the top of the pie. Once happy with her master piece, Hermione levitated it to the oven , placing it into the warmed terra cotta, and wiped her hands on her jeans as she backed up. Oddly, rather than the cupboard she was expecting to back into, her bum made contact with a hard body, not a hard counter.
"Hello there, love." Fred says into her ear, breathing across her skin causing goosebumps to pop over her cheek. Hermione held in the gasp she wanted to let out, but was well aware of Fred's mother only a few steps away from them. Mrs. Weasley seemed to have a third sense when it came to her son's mischief, and turned to see Fred curled around Hermione.
"Fredrick Gideon, leave the poor girl alone. She's bound to be sick of you if you won;t leave her alone for two minutes!"
"It's been well over ten, mother dear." Fred grins, while Hermione feels the need to smack her palm to her face in exasperation.
"Fred!" Mrs. Weasley sighs, exasperated as well. Fred gives his mother a grin, leaves one more kiss on Hermione's cheek, and decides to cut his losses and leaves the kitchen. Hermione gives Molly a 'what can you do?' shrug, and the two woman chuckle together.
"Sometimes, Hermione dear, I wonder how it was that boy managed to be bonded to such a level-headed witch." Mrs. Weasley shook her head fondly, and slid a small chopping board over to Hermione, filled with a vegetable she wasn't familiar with, but looked like a pink carrot. Hermione stepped up next to her future mother-in-law and gladly took up the chopping. The two women worked in tandem together for a few minutes, moving around one another fluidly.
"I wish Ginny had taken to cooking when she was younger. She was always following the twins, or trying to get Ron to play with her. I missed out on having a daughter in the kitchen."
Hermione shifted back and forth, but spoke without a waver in her voice, "Perhaps that's a good thing, Harry says Ginny is Godric-awful at Muggle cooking. Who knows what would have happened with a wizard recipe." Molly tried to stifle a laugh at her daughter's expense, but she shared a secret smile with Hermione.
A knock sounded behind them, and Hermione spun around to see Fleur standing just i the doorway of the kitchen, Bill not two steps behind her. "Good afternoon, 'Ermione, Molly." Fleur politely said, giving them both a large warm smile afterwards. Molly greeted her warmly and ushered her and Bill in, sitting them down at the table.
"Hello dears, you'll want to sit in here a bit I think. The other boys aren't taking the news very well." Mrs. Weasley says, but misses the glance passing between Fleur and Bill.
"What news, mum?" Bill asks, accepting the tea Hermione holds up in offer. Fleur declines with a small shake of her head. Molly lowers her voice, as if sharing top secret information.
"The rules laid out for the marriage law, means your brothers are going to have to meet their bond mates. They're not too keen." Bill nodded sagely, his eyes flicking over to Hermione, who was tinkering with the tea and had her back turned to them. Fleur however blew out a breath, like she was relieved.
"Oh, I thought maybe…"
"Thought what dear?" Molly asked, confused by her daughter-in-law. Hermione by now was able to return with the tea, carefully sliding Bill's his respective mug. Bill gave her a 'cheers' with his raised mug, revealing the edge of his bond tattoo that housed Fleur's delicate patronus prints. Hermione noticed the prints seemed off, but found it rude to ask about the tattoo and turned her head back to the conversation.
Fleur was flustered, and Hermione deduced it was from Molly's previous question. She leaned up on the table, blowing over the rim of her tea. "Oh, well, we 'ad s-some news…" Bill laid down his mug, looking over at his wife with a tiny grin lifting the corners of his lips.
Molly waved the girl on, not really noticing Fleur's nervousness, "Go on dear, we're listening."
Fleur blushed prettily, seemed to pull her shoulders up in an act of bravery, looked her mother-in-law in the eyes, and blurted, "We're pregnant!"
Many things happened in the span of the next two minutes. Harry and Ginny, toting a currently napping Teddy, stepped into the front door, fresh from the Apparition point. They had met one another in Diagon Alley and had not been able to Floo in. In the same moment, Fred entered the kitchen with George right behind him, and Charlie with Percy in a headlock just behind them. Molly dropped the pan she had been holding, causing the scalloped potatoes just freshly made to go flying through the room and land messily on Mr. Weasley's shoulder as he stepped out of the Floo and turned to face the kitchen, just catching Fleur's announcement along with the rest of the house.
Silence reigned over everyone until Bill cleared his throat, which seemed to break the spell over his family. Hermione congratulated them both warmly before Molly was smothering them in hugs and salty kisses, happy tears collecting on her cheeks. The rest of the family crowded in, his brothers giving Bill slaps on the back, aside from Percy who shook his brother's hand. Bill took the handshake respectfully, appreciating the effort rather than chuckling over the formality.
Hermione eventually slipped away from the crowded table and returned to the stove, taking off all the finished food, and removing her ready apple pie from the oven. She wasn't surprised this time when Fred's arms came around her waist, and his chin nuzzled itself into the crook of her neck. Hermione adjusted her grip on the pie, lifting her elbows to rest lightly on his arms as she finished moving the food to serving dishes.
"You could help out, you know? You're standing here anyways." Hermione says pleasantly, but there is a tone of warning that Fred does not miss. He takes up a few of the dishes and spoons them into the bowls Hermione had ready for them. Hermione flicks them away and they begin to place themselves along the center of the table in between the family congratulating the new parents. Everyone is still too keyed up to notice, so once his job is finished, Fred returns to his place behind Hermione, his hands resting on her hips this time.
"No headache?" he whispers to her sweetly, brushing a strand of hair away before returning his hand and kisses the now cleared spot on her shoulder. Hermione shakes her head, glad the question can now be asked without concern, both aware the headache are no longer something they need to worry about. In the past few weeks, whenever either had an inkling of a headache, they wouldn;t hesitate to call the other over and revel in the companionship, relieving the coming pain. They were aware the forced closeness wasn't something most other couples seemed to need, but they didn't mind. They were in love; nothing was going to change that.
"And you? No headache?" Hermione asks once Fred is comfortably against her back once more. Fred mutters a no, swaying them back and forth gently as Hermione finishes up. She isn't sure if he's even aware he was doing it, but Fred began to hum in her ear. "Freddie, you're humming,"
"Hm? Am I?" He says, but doesn't stop swaying, and continues humming. "Perhaps I'm happy, 'Mione."
"And what has you so happy Mr. Weasley?" her hand moves on its own, trailing her fingers over his knuckles laying over her stomach. Fred hums one last note, a pondering lilt to the end of it prompting an answer for her question.
"My family is growing."
"Yes," Hermione says, aware of the fact as well.
"I'm glad we're all here to see that." he mutters into her shoulder, so quietly Hermione almost missed it. BUt she didn't. She heard, and understood exactly what he meant.
"I am too." Hermione whispers back, and allows him to continue his little impromptu dance, waiting for the dinner to finish and their family to pull themselves from the joy of a new arrival.
Eventually Molly is the one to breakup the celebration, and forces everyone to sit. She comes over and relieves Hermione of the last few dishes, giving her a pat on the cheek as she presses her to Fred's side of the table.
"Sit down Hermione, dear. You've done quite enough for me today. Fred, dear, do pull out her chair, the poor girl is about to collapse from all the extra work!" Molly flutters past them, once more pushing Hermione away from anything related to helping. Fred does indeed pull out his fiancee's chair, playfully pulling her back into it so she almost slips off the end. Ignoring the glare she gives him, Fred seats himself next to her, with George on his other side.
Just as Molly lays the last dish out for dinner to start, there's a timid knock on the front door. Looking startled, Molly gives everyone present a small frown, unsure who it could be. "Arthur? Were we…?"
"Not that I'm aware of my dear," Mr. Weasley stands from the head of the table, being the closest to the door, and opens it slowly, one hand hovering over his pocket that houses his wand. The person at the door seemed to shock him, as he stepped back and away from the door.
"Ron? What are you doing at the door?" Ron was in fact the one at the door, with someone else behind him. Hermione craned her neck around Fred, and had to look over Harry's to see Ron clearly. His hair was matted down from the rain he must have met on the road up to the Burrow from the Apparition point beyond the gate.
"Hi dad, mum," Ron waved over his dad's shoulder to his mother, who was looking at him in concern, "I've, er, brought someone for everyone to meet." Molly perked up, gesturing wildly for Arthur to let them in. Ron however, paused at the door, still holding one arm behind his back, like he was holding onto the person behind him tightly.
"It's just, I need everyone to be quiet. Don't overwhelm her, please." Ron begging was a new experience for everyone, even for Hermione who sat back diligently, pulling Fred to sit back as well. Mr. Weasley waved his youngest son in, paused a moment, then took the hand of the person just outside the front stoop.
The girl who stepped in next to Ron was extremely familiar to Hermione, with her thick black hair hitting the bottom of her shoulder blades, and smooth dark skin; however, her the left side of her face was so badly marred, her identity was hidden. Ron had her other hand in his, and turned her towards the family, who were all staring. Hermione couldn't look away, feeling badly for doing so. The girl was Romilda Vane — a Gryffindor, and one of the girls who Hermione hadn't been able to stand as she had constantly grabbed onto any sort of cliche or new trend rather than think for herself. However, thinking back, Hermione could remember the girly Gryffindor fighting during the Battle of Hogwarts, and immediately felt a surge of pride for this girl in front of her.
Ron led Romilda to stand next to him so Mr. Weasley could close the door behind them. Everyone was silent as they silently documented all the scars littering her face. Large gashes, which had obviously been healed over once or twice already, gaped over her left cheek and curved under her chin, barely leaving any skin that wasn't puckered an angry red. The eyebrow on that side was split in half, the thick line of hair bare in the middle, unable to grow through the thick scar. However the most harsh looking line was the one going horizontally over both eyes, leaving the irises that telltale milky white colour of blindness.
.: *Aparecium*\:.
A/N: Finished here, will continue this exact storyline in the next chapter!