Sad to see no reviews on that last chapter, but a lot of people read and that gives me hope! Anyway, I posted the first chapter of my newest story, it's called "The Summer of '69" and it's a CharliexHermione fiction, so go read it! As always, enjoy!

Expectations, Truths and the Tale of Beedle the Bard

Chapter Fourteen

Hermione was happy to see February go. March meant spring was right around the corner. The winter had not been good to any of them and spring meant summer was even nearer and so was the birth of their son.

They had had dinner at the Burrow that past Sunday, everyone except Charlie had made it. Hermione's suspicions were confirmed when Ginny announced she was pregnant. Molly had nearly fainted from joy and Ron had fainted, insisting he was not having children for a long time when he came to. This had in turn started a fight between him and Patricia, ending the night early. Fred had complained the rest of the night that his sister was far too young to be a mother and other things of that nature. Hermione had resisted reminding Fred that Ginny was married and not much younger then herself.

Everyone seemed to be pregnant or parents at this rate and Hermione couldn't help but notice the pain Percy and Audrey tried to keep off their faces. Patricia had been looking longingly at Hermione's belly too. Hermione knew she wanted to get pregnant soon but that Ron was completely against it.

"Having a good rest sleepy head? It's nearly noon, I've never known you to stay in bed this late." Ginny bounced happily into the bedroom, ignoring Hermione's questioning looks. Fred had clearly forgotten to turn the floo network off that morning.

The bed shook as Ginny sat down next to Hermione, smiling broadly at her friend and now sister-in-law.

"Hey Gin, what're you doing here?"

"I'm taking time off from the harpies, cause, you know, and I'm lonely. Harry's at the office today and Teddy won't be over until Saturday. Do you know how spooky that place is when you're in it alone?" Ginny was talking a mile a minute, her hands fluttering through the air expressively.

"I can imagine. Being here isn't much better. I'm just, bored."

The two sat in content silence on the big bed, resting lazily. It was a picture familiar from their Hogwarts days, but now they were pregnant, both sporting small baby bumps and dreamy smiles. Ginny hadn't gained much weight with her pregnancy and was still all sharp angles and striking features. Hermione certainly wasn't heavy, but her body as well as her face had taken on a new roundness, she radiated happiness.

Ginny fluffed up her pillow and turned on her side, one hand supporting her head and the other one lying lazily on her stomach. Her voice was far away when she spoke, "Patricia came by before her shift yesterday. Poor girl, Ron is adamantly refusing to have kids for the next two years. Now she's worried he's going to wait until the last minute and then divorce her once his required time is up."

"He won't do that. Ron isn't like that." Hermione said assuredly even though she herself wasn't so certain.

Ron and Patricia got on well but they weren't in love. Ron seemed to always want to be elsewhere when he was with her and the look on his face when he saw her wasn't the same look Fred gave Hermione or Bill gave Fleur.

"I hope not. Patricia's really a nice girl and she seems to like Ron quite a bit."

Ginny's acceptance of Patricia had come grudgingly. She wasn't a fan of outsiders, the others had been familiar before the law, and Patricia was unknown. Eventually she found a level of respect and finally friendship with her brother's wife. Still, Hermione was surprised at Ginny's worry for the girl.

"Do you know what you're having?" Hermione asked in an attempt to change the subject.

Ginny arched an eyebrow in her direction but decided to let it go, responding, "Well no. Harry thinks it's best to wait. We have thought of names though."

"Waiting, that's exciting. I almost decided to, but you know Fred…" She trailed of losing herself shortly in thought then saying, "What are the names?"

"James Sirius for a boy," she noted Hermione's change in expression, "Don't look at me like that, I know it's going to be Gideon's middle name, but –"

"Sirius?"

Ginny nodded as best she could in her position, "Harry is beginning to come to terms with everything, and he wanted to pay tribute to Sirius as well as his own father."

"That's good. Now what about a girl? It could be you know… Bill had a girl and so did George. And then there's you." Hermione teased.

Laughing Ginny responded, "Yes we had thought of that. We like Emma Natalie or Callie Mae; I really don't think it's a girl though."

"So James Sirius Potter. It has a ring to it."

"How's Fred?" Ginny asked, seemingly out of the blue.

She had noticed a change in her brother the past few months. When he thought no one was paying attention he would stare at Hermione as if she might disappear any minute. She had forced George into talking to her, but all he had said was that Fred had lists all over the shop about baby things and that he wasn't acting like himself at all.

Hermione shrugged, "First time father nerves. He thinks he's going to be a bad father. I don't know why, we've talked about this every day since we found out. I think it will be ok though, once he holds Gideon."

"Fred nervous? Now that's a first. Should've expected it though, George was a mess until the very last second, but the minute he saw Dominic and Danielle it was like he knew exactly what to do. Fred will be fine. Is that all that's going on though?"

"I think so."

Ginny sat up, smoothing out her shirt, she knew Hermione was holding something back but she didn't want to press it. "Get up girl, we're going to get some lunch. We have babies to feed!"

The plan had been solidified months ago, as soon as the Carrow's were apprehended, Kingsley Shacklebolt would be retiring. He had handpicked his successor, training him over the past months to surpass his own term.

Percy was by all means ready to take over as Minister of Magic. He had the skill and the ambition; being minister had been his lifelong dream. Audrey would be happy for him, it might mean a delay in starting a family, but she would understand; she was good like that.

The process of changing ministers was not one to be taken lightly. After the war they had abandoned the idea of elections and each minister from Kingsley forward would select their successor. If there was any protest, a vote would be implemented.

His work took him away from home even more than normal. It was a reprieve from the routine that was his life. Audrey was fanatical about getting pregnant. She had charts and calendars ad notes on the best ways to do things. She had wanted to interview Hermione, Fleur, Ginny and Angelina on what positions they used to get pregnant – but Percy had stopped her.

They only had sex when she was ovulating; she had insisted they not let anything go to waste. It was frustrating. Percy personally felt that half their problem was they were trying too hard. So far as he knew the only one who planned to get pregnant was Fleur, the rest were just happy chance.

The Weasley's were a fertile bunch, Percy had made the mistake of mentioning this to Audrey and now she was convinced she was the problem.

He wished he could discuss this with one of his brothers, but he wasn't particularly close with any of them and the only person he would even consider, Bill, was busy with work at Gringott's and his daughter who had just begun walking.

It figured, he thought, that the twins would have had such an easy time about things. Everything had come easily to those two. Quidditch, jokes, school when they showed up, making friends and even marriage. Ron was too far from him in age and too uncomfortable in his marriage to spark any real jealousy in Percy and his older brothers didn't have the same arrogance the twins did.

He loved them of course; they were his brothers and good people more to the point. He saw the looks that passed between Fred and Hermione and the easy way in which Angelina and George interacted. He would kill to have even half of that with Audrey. They loved one another, that wasn't in question, but they didn't have fire or passion.

If the others knew they would pity him, maybe agree he wouldn't have made a good father anyway behind his back, but to his face, it would be condolences and words of encouragement. His mother would make them see every healer known to the wizarding world and maybe even muggle doctors. None of it would matter of course, because at the end of the night, they would still be childless and Audrey's disappointed face would still haunt his sleep.

He was lost in these thoughts when the owl arrive, bearing a letter from Brent Denton, an auror that had worked closely with his brother and Harry and had recently been assigned to the Carrow case.

They've been found. – B.D.

His heart stopped momentarily, it had been months of searching, certainly not a quick process, but it all felt too soon.

He rushed through the ministry down to the underground bit, stone rooms where they housed witches and wizards waiting to be questioned. Denton was waiting at the entrance.

"Right this way sir, the minister has the sister in one room right now, Avery and the brother are in separate cells, under supervision – your brother and Potter. The minister wants you to join him. Thinks it's important." Denton briefed him on the latest as they walked quickly threw the dimly lit narrow hallway.

The lights overhead flickered as they walked by door after door. The downstairs resembled a muggle prison more than any wizarding establishment, but that was the point. The simplicity of it disguised the powerful magic it housed.

They stopped at a door, "Here you go sir." Denton opened the door, letting Percy in and then closing it behind him.

The room he entered was bright void of furniture expect for one metal chair, Alecto Carrow was seated in it, held somehow by magic, as Shacklebolt circled her slowly, hands behind his back as he walked leisurely.

Alecto Carrow was a solid witch with a pig face and a snarky leer. Her hair was jet black and scraggly, pulled off her face in an unkempt plait. Her ill-fitted worn black robes clung unattractively to her lumpy body. She was slouched in the seat, as much as whatever spell Shacklebolt had set would allow anyway, and was breathing heavily out of her pig nose.

"What is that filth doing here?" She spat out when he entered, snarling as he approached the two, "Filthy blood trader."

Shacklebolt greeted him with a nod, continuing his silent steps. Percy leaned up against the wall, hands tucked neatly away in the pockets of his work robes, avoiding eye contact with the witch.

"Are you ready to speak Alecto?" Shacklebolt asked at last, his voice calm and controlled as if he was dealing with a petulant five year old and not a highly dangerous former death eater.

"Where is my brother?" She asked, ignoring Shacklebolt's question as she struggled against her magical restraints.

"Don't bother Alecto, you won't get out. Your brother is here too, we're talking to him next. Now tell me, what brought about your interest in Mrs. Weasley? It does not seem wise to go after such a high profile person when you've only just escaped." Shacklebolt chose his words carefully, never revealing his emotions.

The witch scoffed at this, spitting onto the floor near her feet, "That was Rodolophus, look how well that went. I don't care about that mudblood."

"What was your reason for escaping Alecto? You surely knew you would be caught again. Your allies are gone." He chose to overlook her petty insults towards Hermione.

Percy pushed lightly off the wall, advancing towards her until less than a foot separated the two, "Why did you run?" His voice was cold, calculating as he tried to mirror Shacklebolt's indifference.

"For something to do." She laughed mirthlessly at this, "Blame that ape you hired to transport us. He ran off in the night, what an opportunity for us."

Shacklebolt had walked towards the door while this exchange was happening, he knocked on it and a minute later Denton opened up, "Yes minister?"

"Take Ms. Carrow to Azkaban. And Denton, please apparate there immediately. We don't want to repeat any mistakes."

The auror nodded in understanding, dragging the cackling witch out of the room and down the hall to an apparition point.

"I think we may have over thought this one Percy. They had the opportunity to escape and they took it. They must have caught wind of Hermione being on the case and gone looking for payback. I'm sending Amycus straight to Azkaban; he's been questioned multiple times with all the same results as his sister. Now follow me, we need to speak to Avery."

Avery was in the next room, under Ron's supervision. He was an attractive man, white blond hair and a regal appearance. A cousin of the Malfoy's if Percy remembered correctly. He was cleaner than Alecto had been and his robes were new, of the finest quality.

"Ah minister, how good of you to come see me." Avery's voice dripped with sarcasm as he shifted in his chair, the bloody stump where his arm used to be coming into view through the sleeve hole of his robes. Fred had done a number on him.

Ron was standing in the corner, one hand on his wand, the other in his pocket. He was refusing to look at anyone, staring straight ahead. He wasn't the little brother Percy had remembered anymore, the thought dawned unexpected on Percy. Ron was a large man, thin but muscular and the tallest save for Bill. His red hair was tousled and he was sporting the start of a beard on his well-defined jaw.

"Another Weasley, I hope this one has better nerves than that one," he jerked his thumb in Ron's direction with a laugh, "Didn't like the story I had to share about his little mudblood friend."

"Don't call her that." Ron's voice was cold as his hand tightened around his wand.

So he knew what had happened that night then, and he had heard from Avery first. This was not going to be good, but for now, they needed him out of the room.

"Ron, you're free to go."

The minister did not object to Percy dismissing his brother, nodding in ascent when Ron looked to him.

Ron stalked from the room, refusing to meet his brother's eye and banging the door shut behind him. That was more like the Ron Percy remembered from childhood.

"Ah, let me guess, you want to know why we went after the little mudblood yes?" Avery's voice was gloating; he was enjoying the attention he was receiving.

"Yes."

Avery craved this attention, he fed off of it. He was in his element at this moment, all eyes on him. They were hanging off his every word.

"Rodolophus has been bored without Bellatrix, thanks to your mother," he nodded in Percy's direction, a maniacal grin plastered on his face, "and then your darling undersecretary, his name escapes me, informed us how closely Granger was working on Alecto and Amycus's recapture."

"It's Weasley." Percy said quietly.

"What was that?"

Shacklebolt gave Percy a warning look, now was not the time or place to bring up Hermione's proper last name.

"So, when we found out her residency was in Bayswater, so close to where I used to take up residence, Rodolophus could not help himself. A mudblood is better than nothing I suppose." Avery turned up his nose, clearly showing his opinion on the matter.

"And that was all you wanted her for?"

Avery laughed heartily, clapping his hands together as if he had been told a great joke, "Well of course. We had that little rat in your office if we need any other information. What else would we need her for?"

"Percy, get your brother, tell him to take Avery to Azkaban. Now."

Avery protested, "I was cleared, what are you throwing me in there for?"

"For the kidnapping and attempted rape of a ministry official as well as continued involvement with known death eaters." Shacklebolt smiled a toothy grin at the disgruntled man, "Where is the laughter from before Avery?"

Before he could respond, Avery's body was ripped across the room by Ron's wand, "Come on scum, let's go."

Once they were gone, Percy turned to his boss, "So I expect the announcement soon then?"

"Yes Percy, I think by week's end the world will have a new minister."

None of the Weasley children had ever had a nursery. They'd all had bedrooms of course, but never a special room prepared before their birth. Molly didn't see the point – it wasn't as if they would remember it and it cost an awful lot of money.

Of course, one can't exactly miss having a nursery if one never had one in the first place. Fred and George had slept in the same crib until they were nearly three and began hitting one another if Molly didn't get to them quick enough. Their bedroom at the time wasn't even painted and there wasn't much else in it except a crib. Of course, Ginny did a little better, her room was painted, albeit it white, but painted all the same.

Until the twins were born, the idea of a nursery never even crossed their minds. Victoire had a gorgeous nursery at Shell Cottage, light purple and impeccably decorated, but none of them had ever seen it so they didn't know. Then around Angelina's six month she had cornered Fred and George at the shop and insisted they turn the spare room in their flat into a nursery for their baby. At the time, no one expected twins.

Now staring at the bare white walls of what would be the baby's room, Fred understood why Angelina had been so adamant about having a nursery. Bare walls and wood floors were unmemorable. He wanted to create something special for Hermione.

Early that morning he had bounced ideas off of Angelina and George, he had told Hermione he was going over for a business meeting as a cover. George had agreed a Gryffindor themed room would be perfect for Fred's son, but Angelina had threatened to hex them if they did that to Hermione. Apparently, gold and maroon were not baby colors.

George and Angelina had already gotten to the zoo animal idea and Fred wanted to be original. Three hours after his arrival he finally had the semblance of an idea and him and George were off to the store.

As soon as they got to the flat, they had locked themselves in the room, telling an annoyed Hermione to rest or something. Now staring at the bare white walls, Fred didn't know where to begin.

"Sure this is a good color mate?" George asked, opening up the paint can.

Fred nodded, "Yeah, it's a twist on a classic. At least that's what the lady said."

George read the name on the lid, "Blue green dreams. Sounds a bit fruity if you ask me."

Fred threw a paintbrush at his head, "Well it isn't. Now start painting."

"And we aren't using wands why?"

Fred shrugged, "Part of the experience."

The first coat alone took nearly two hours and Fred begrudgingly allowed George to magic on the rest. Then with a few quick swipes of his wand quidditch players appeared on the wall, buzzing around and around. A closer look revealed they were not random quidditch players, but Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Ron and Harry.

"Perfect mate."

Fred smiled, "I think so. Now come on, Hermione had the furniture sent here last week, it's in the closet."

"We can use magic to set it up right? Or is that part of the experience too?"

"Magic is fine."

The furniture was a four-piece set, all in dark walnut, a crib, changing table, dresser and rocking chair. Hermione had also ordered bedding as well, in white and a green that matched the color of the walls, quaffles and snitches decorated it. For the floor, there was a fluffy white rug and matching white curtains.

By the time everything was complete they had spent the better part of the day decorating and it was time for dinner. Hermione told them so from the other side of the door.

"Fred Weasley if you and that brother of yours don't get out here this instant neither of you are going to eat." She threatened, banging her ineffectual fists against the door.

"One minute!" The two chorused and then apparated to the other side of the door so that they were standing on either side of her.

"I hate when you do that."

"We know."

Hermione scowled, "Stop saying everything together. Now tell me what you were doing in there or I won't feed you."

"I think that you would much rather see,"

"then be told." George finished with a wink.

Hermione glared at him, hands on her hip. A fairly ineffective tactic when one was so small and so obviously pregnant.

Slinging an arm around her shoulder, George pushed open the door and allowed Fred to lead them in. Hermione's jaw dropped as she turned around, trying to take it all in.

"The two of you did this. For me?" Her voice was filled with wonder as she walked around the room, her eyes following the quidditch players as they raced.

"For Gideon actually." George said, earning an elbow in the ribs from Fred. "Well it is, I don't think Hermione could fit in the crib." He whispered offended.

Hermione laughed, turning to face them, her hand resting on her stomach, "Thank you! Both of you. It's perfect."

"You really like it?" Fred asked, as if he didn't quite believe it.

"Of course she does Gred, wouldn't say so if she didn't – she is Hermione. Now what about that dinner I was promised?"

"Right this way." Hermione chuckled, leading the way down to the kitchen, she let out a gasp when she saw someone standing in the middle.

"Percy, what are you doing here?"

Percy made to approach them, then changed his mind pulling out a chair for Hermione instead and saying, "I think you need to sit down for this. Hello Fred, George. You too."

The four sat down at the kitchen table, the shepherd's pie steaming in the middle forgotten as they waited for Percy to speak.

"George, before I start I have to ask you not to ask questions until the end. I know you'll be confused and we will explain but first I need to tell Hermione and Fred the news."

George agreed, a bit put off by Percy's treatment of him, he wasn't a child after all, he could keep his mouth quiet.

"The Carrow's have been caught, Avery too. They're all sitting in Azkaban right now awaiting the dementors kiss as we speak. We questioned them thoroughly but it seems their only motive was revenge."

Forgotten his early promise George interjected with, "Motive for what? I thought they were in Azkaban already. What's going on?"

Percy went to scold him and Fred looked close on his heels when Hermione cut in, "Stop, I'll tell him." The story came tumbling out, from why she had visited Viktor to what had happened Christmas night. She relayed everything save the fountain.

"Wow." George was speechless, looking between his brother and his wife with his mouth agape. "And they're locked up now right?"

Percy nodded, "Yes. It's over."

Fred let out the breath he had been holding, relief washing over his face as he took hold of Hermione's hand, limp in his, squeezing it tightly.

"It's over." She whispered quietly, turning to hug Percy tightly.

He hugged her bag, awkwardly patting her back until she released him.

"Time to eat!" She announced happily.

Fred's eyes followed her with a smile, watching as she served them all, even Percy, generous portions of the shepherd's pie. A visible weight had been taken off of her shoulders.

He waited until their guests were gone to approach the subject. He had offered to do the dishes and she had entertained Percy and George in the sitting room, they had left after only an hour, leaving the couple to themselves.

Hermione had disappeared down the hallway and he found her in the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair and looking out the window with a far away gaze. Her hand was rubbing her stomach slowly.

"Good news yeah?" He said, alerting her to his presence as he sat down by her feet, his head resting against her leg.

Her hands ran through his hair absentmindedly, massaging his scalp. "I was beginning to think they would never find them." She admitted, her voice soft as if not to break the sanctity of the room.

"You know I would've protected you no matter what don't you Hermione? You and Gideon."

They called the baby by name now, he wasn't just an idea anymore but a real person. It frightened Fred but thrilled him at the same time.

"I know Fred, but I was still afraid. You won't always be here and what if someone came when I was alone with Gideon. I trust you Fred, I just don't trust myself."

Fred turned, kneeling in front of her, lifting her head softly so they were looking at one another, "Hermione you're a brilliant witch and you're going to be a brilliant mum."

"I couldn't even protect myself."

It had been bothering them both for weeks, Hermione had gotten herself and others out of close scraps countless times before and this time she had a chance of escaping so why hadn't she run or scream, anything to alert Fred sooner.

"Don't blame this on yourself. It's my fault, I should have never left you."

Hermione shook her head adamantly, "No, this is my fault, but it's over now and this will heal. I survived the war and Malfoy manor didn't I?"

"I'm so sorry this happened Hermione."

"Shh." Her voice was soft, barely a whisper, "Don't think about it anymore Fred."

Winter ended late that year, it snowed on the twin's birthday and instead of a big party Fred, Hermione, George, and Angelina took the twins to a new indoor zoo, a very muggle thing to do. Dominic and Danielle, now just a little over four months old, had slept for most of it, but Fred and George loved it.

Now June was in full swing and Hermione was a very grumpy eight months pregnant. The temperature was still mild but she was constantly hot, giving Fred the silent treatment if he so much as suggested the air conditioning was up too high.

With the pressure of the Carrow's disappearance off everyone's chest they had time to focus on the two newest members of the Weasley brood. Harry had begged off any more long term assignments and found himself chauffeuring Hermione and Ginny around muggle London for baby supplies most days. Unlike Fred who couldn't go more than half an hour with them, Harry seemed delighted at the prospect. He had even found wizarding stores that specialized in baby supplies and had bought toy brooms for both children.

Some days they would just laze around, usually at Grimmuald Place. Hermione and Ginny would talk babies and Harry would wait on them hand and foot. When not at work, Ron would join them too. Spending time with the two had only reaffirmed his decision to wait a few years, or decades, to have children.

"Why don't you want kids?" Ginny asked him one afternoon, the four were spending the afternoon at the Burrow, everything was in bloom and Mrs. Weasley had set up a picnic in the garden for them.

The question surprised Ron, causing him to drop the quaffle he was throwing up in the air smacking himself in the face. "Have you heard your demands Gin?" He asked incredously once he had recovered from the shock.

Harry hid a smile behind his hand, he was at the forefront of Ginny's ridiculous demands, such as Bavarian chocolate he had picked up in Bavaria himself.

Ignoring his comments Ginny continued, "Patricia would love children and I think she would make a great mum."

Hermione nodded her agreement, her eyes lifting only briefly from her book.

"I can't handle a crazy bird running rampant through my house demanding special chocolate and a foot rub. I'm only twenty why do I need kids right now? Just cause you lot got knocked up doesn't mean Patricia has to, so don't go giving her any ideas."

This earned him a rather hard punch from Ginny and a seething glare from Hermione and Harry. Although Harry tended to agree Ron wasn't ready for kids, he didn't appreciate him starting a fight with a hormonal Ginny who would take it out on him later on.

"Sorry." He mumbled resuming his little game.

The silence resumed for a while and the sun was just setting when it happened. Ginny had been having pains for a few hours now, but her doctor had warned her about false contractions and this felt nothing like a miscarriage so she had kept quiet. However, when her mother called them in to dinner and she had stood on shaky feet she felt a woosh of liquid as if she had peed herself down the leg of her jeans.

"Ginny!" Hermione had cried, pointing at the puddle.

"Oh bugger."

Forty-five minutes, that was all it took once the actual labor had started. James Sirius Potter entered the world before his aunts and uncles even had a chance to get there. He was a tiny baby, barely 5 lbs. with downy red hair covering his head and a splattering of freckles. His face mirrored his father's in every other way, save the scar and he had the same startling green eyes as his father and long dead grandmother.

In the end Fred and Patricia were the only ones to come who weren't already there. George and Angelina had the twins to think about, and Fleur, Bill and Victoire were visiting Charlie in Romania.

Ron had sent Fred a particularly short letter not detailing who had in fact gone into labor so he was relieved to see Hermione waiting for him, still very pregnant when he arrived.

James slept through their visit, ignorant to the fuse he was causing and by midnight everyone was home, save Harry and Ginny.

"Well things certainly aren't boring with us Weasley's huh?" Fred teased as they got ready for bed that night.

Hermione chuckled, nodding in agreement as she changed. Getting ready for bed took a bit more effort now that she had a belly the size of a melon to contend with.

"I think mum's hoping for a bit of a break after Gideon's born. She kept saying something about once round one was over she'd like a year or two until she had to deal with round two."

"Everyone did seem to get pregnant at the same time didn't they?"

Once in bed, Fred pulled Hermione towards him, curling around her with his head buried in the crook of her neck, he mumbled a yes, unable to keep his eyes open.

"Goodnight Fred."

"Goodnight love."

"I love you."

"I love you too." He patted her stomach affectionately, "You too Gideon."

Well there you have it and there's just one more chapter left after this! I planned to end it with their anniversary but loose ends weren't tied up yet and so I decided the birth of their son would be better. Review review review! And trust me the next chapter has a lot of twists.