Hermione walked out of the fireplace in Fred's flat, that he had now all two himself, and searched for her boyfriend. He had asked her to come after work, so that they could go and have a fancy dinner. It was Hermione's birthday and she planned to spend the whole evening with Fred.

She had had a nice birthday breakfast with Lavender and Rosie and lunch with Harry, Ginny and Ron. Hermione smiled as she remembered the gifts she had gotten. A sweet, self-made picture and flowers from Rose, a new dress from Lavender, lingerie - that made Hermione blush furiously - from Ginny and books and chocolate from Harry and Ron. A small birthday party at the Burrow was planned for the next Sunday in two days.

Leisurely Hermione strolled through the flat searching for her boyfriend, but he was nowhere in sight. She checked her watch and noticed that is was only a few minutes after closure time. Quickly she made her way down to the shop to surprise Fred. He probably thought she would come later.

Hermione entered the work room, crossed the storage room and went into the already dark and empty shop. With a huff she called for Fred but got no answer. Where was the guy?

"Mione? You're early. I'm up here." She heard Fred from somewhere of the first floor and followed his voice.

"Fred, where are yo-"

"SURPRISE!" Hermione froze in shock as nearly thirty people jumped forth from behind the shelves. Everyone was there. Molly and Arthur, all of Fred's siblings, except for Charlie, Fleur with Victoire, Harry with Teddy, Angelina, Audrey, Padma and Parvati, Lavender with Rosie, and Seamus suspiciously close by, Dean, Luna with her new boyfriend Rolf Scamander, Neville and Hannah Abbott, Alicia and Lee, Katie and Leanne and to her complete surprise her parents. Hermione stared in amazement at the assembled pack of people she held dearly and her most loved ones and then she started to cry. Wordless she jumped into the arms of her parents. She hadn't seen them since her departure from Australia. One after one everyone congratulated her and Hermione was simply overwhelmed by all the attention, gifts and well wishes. Last in line was Fred, who smirked at her.

"Surprised?" He kissed her softly.

"You invited my parents?" She hugged him tightly.

"Well, Lavender did-"

"You threw me a party." She interrupted him

"Caught up on that, have you?" Fred chuckled.

"I hate surprises."

"I know."

"It's wonderful. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Happy birthday, love."

"That's the best gift ever."

"Silly, this isn't your gift. But you will have to wait till tomorrow." Fred leaned down and kissed her again. Needless to say, that Fred charmed and chatted his way into the hearts of Hermione's parents in no time.

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"Wow! Best. Gift. Ever." Hermione sighed happily. Fred stood behind her, his arms tightly around her waist, circling his thumbs over her stomach.

They were in Wigtown, a small village in Scotland, famous for its many bookshops and the annual book festival. The festival was held in late September and therefore the perfect short trip - three days and two nights - for his little bookworm. Fred had been overjoyed when the clerk in the muggle travel agency had told him about this small, but famous and well-planned festival.

Now Hermione was standing in the middle of the road and stared with wide eyes at the open shops, the many people and the programme flyer in her hand. Fred knew it would probably be a long weekend for him, he had no clue about muggle literature, but it was worth it. Angelina's hen party at the spa had planted the idea of a short trip firmly in his head and if he had to be honest, then this trip was more a gift to himself than to Hermione.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." Hermione pecked him at every word and he smiled against her lips. It was worth it, no matter how many boring literature discussions he had to attend.

In the end they spent the most time in the bookshops, Hermione browsing the shelves and Fred getting to know the classics of British muggle literature. They spent a lot of time roaming the village, drinking coffee and eating cake in beautiful little cafés and just enjoying the September sun. And of course, they spent a fair amount of time in their hotel room. It as a perfect short trip and Fred was already planning when they could have the next.

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Lavender, Padma and Ginny were sitting in the living room while Hermione uncorked the wine and levitated a tray with snacks behind her. They had decided that it was time for a girl's night. The other Weasley women, how they called the little group, had also been invited, but Angelina was on a late honeymoon with George, Fleur was too tired because of her pregnancy and Audrey was away on a business trip.

"Ladies, wine and the best muggle snacks." Hermione flopped down on the fluffy rug in front of the two sofas and handed everyone a glass. For a while they chatted and gossiped, but then a large owl suddenly scratched at the window. Confused Ginny opened and let the owl in, who dropped a large bouquet of beautiful pink roses and lavender.

"Fred sends you flowers?" Padma shrieked excited.

"Hm, I don't think so." Hermione took the bouquet from Ginny and searched for a card or note. When she found it, only one word was written there - please -, she passed it wordlessly to Lavender. Lavender stared at the note and the bouquet with wide eyes and flushed bright red.

"What's going on?" Ginny and Padma inquired. Hermione knew that Lavender had told no one.

"Lavender has an admirer, who asked her for a date." Hermione grinned and Lavender shot her an evil glare.

"And I said no. So, no need to discuss it further. He's just stubborn." She looked at the bouquet like it was the most offending thing in the world.

"Who is it?"

"Why did you say no?"

Padma and Ginny asked at the same time. Lavender only scowled.

"Come on, tell them. Sooner or later they find out." Hermione nudged her blonde friend.

"Fine," Lavender sighed. "It's Seamus. He asked me out and I said no."

"Why? You like him." Ginny stated.

"I- I just- I don't think it's a good idea. I have Rosie to consider and all that. I never introduced one of my dates to her and she already knows Seamus. If it doesn't work..." Lavender had a sorrowful expression on her face and Hermione pitied her roommate.

"But that's the point, isn't it? Seamus knows Rosie, he knows you're a single mom. He wouldn't ask if he wasn't serious." Ginny demurred.

"Lavender, I know what you're thinking or better I know how Seamus feels. When you came back with Rosie, we talked and fought for days. Ron was angry, but he also wanted to be a good father and I wanted to help him. I didn't want to be left out. And Ron was- he was so anxious to introduce me to Rosie after they had built a relationship. He was afraid she wouldn't like me or I wouldn't like her. But in the end Rosie was good, you know that the best. She didn't grow up conventional, so I think you are worrying without reason."

"She's right. Plus, you don't have to tell Rosie right away. You can have a few dates, test the water, and then think about it. Talk about it with Seamus, about your fears." Hermione tried to sway Lavender. She knew her friend liked their fellow Gryffindor very much. And Seamus was trying to convince Lavender since Hermione's surprise party. But the blonde was stubborn and Hermione guessed that it would take another few weeks for her to decide.

So, they changed the topic, but Hermione saw how Lavender eyed the bouquet with a thoughtful gaze.

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The mood of the 'party' was solemn, but also quiet and a bit doleful. They were celebrating Halloween, but mainly they were celebrating the anniversary of the death of Lily and James Potter. And in the broadest sense they were also remembering all the others they lost during the last years. They mourned Sirius and Remus and Tonks by telling stories about them to little Teddy, who was listening with wide eyes in the lap of his grandmother Andromeda. They mourned Mad-Eye Moody and Ted Tonks, Colin Creevy, Dumbledore, Snape and Dobby. The anniversary of the battle of Hogwarts was also an important day of remembrance, but it was a public day. With speeches from the minister, pledges to never repeat past mistakes and countless official events Harry had to attend. So, Halloween had become the day family and friends mourned together. The last years Hermione had pushed all of this aside, blocked the grieve out, so now was the first time after the war she was allowing herself to remember all of that.

Hermione pressed herself tightly to Fred the whole evening. The thought of him almost dying during the war made her heart heavy and more than once this evening she caught herself with dark thoughts of a life without him. Memories of Fred lying on the ground in Hogwarts, seemingly dead, crushed under this wall flashed through her mind. Memories of Fred at the hospital bed, pale and sleeping for weeks.

She managed to overthink it so much that she got herself in quite a state and clutched at her boyfriend desperately. She knew the small scars on his chest perfectly, the reminders of the wall that almost ended his young life. How often had she traced the fine lines and thought that they made Fred only more beautiful? Showed how brave he had been. But now she almost hated these scars.

After the party Hermione went home with Fred to his flat and fell down on his bed in tears. Sobbing she explained her confused boyfriend what had been on her mind the whole day. Then she stripped him off his shirt and stared viciously at the damn scars on his freckled skin.

"I hate what these scars represent." She murmured.

"George said the same when I was released from the hospital. He wouldn't let me be alone for more than five minutes. Annoyed the heck out of me and Angelina. You know what I told him?"

"What?" Hermione asked, still a bit drained.

"These scars remind me that I'm alive. I survived. So, please don't be so upset. That's not very rational, love. It was years ago and I'm fine." Fred chuckled and pressed his lips softly to her neck.

"Instead, let's celebrate life." His lips wandered deeper to her chest and they did what he suggested. Celebrating life.

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Fred felt and heard the satisfying crunching of bones and a hot pain shot through his hand. But that was nothing against the visibly broken nose of his opponent. With a dark grin he looked down on Cormac McLaggen, who was on his knees and pressed both hands on his bloody face. George was standing beside Fred with an equally dark expression, but Fred knew his twin was ready to stop him any minute. Ron and Harry were behind them and neither had intervened. The two aurors looked way too satisfied.

"Are you out of your mind?" Hermione ran towards them, her eyes flashing with rage, and instantly Fred had the need to take a step back. His girlfriend looked murderous and it reminded him oddly of her days as a prefect, when she had scolded him and George for their products and testing methods. He didn't fancy a repeat of that.

"Mione," he started, but was cut short when she knelt down beside McLaggen.

"Let me see." Hermione demanded and started to clean the blood away with her wand.

"Episkey." She muttered and cleaned the rest of McLaggen's face. Fred felt his blood boil as he saw how she repaired, or better destroyed, his hard work.

"Not a word," she hissed at him, what only made Fred more furious. With a hard grab Hermione pulled Fred to the floo of the Leaky Cauldron and flooed them to his flat.

"What the heck was that?" Hermione demanded the moment they stumbled out of the fireplace.

"What did it look like? I socked McLaggen one!" Fred tried very hard not to yell at her. Why had she had to heal that damn arse?

"I saw that! Why did you attack him?" Fred could see how her hair crackled with anger and he felt himself grow angrier with every minute.

"He was- he was saying- He annoyed me!" He pressed through gritted teeth.

"HE ANNOYED YOU?" Hermione now yelled.

"YES!" Fred yelled right back. "And you made me look like an idiot for running to his side and healing him. Why did you do that?"

"I'm a healer! That's what I do. It wasn't my intention to make you look like an idiot." She answered and folded her arms defensively.

"Well, you did. My own girlfriend helping the guy who- who I had an argument with and dragging me home like a little boy."

"Would you have preferred to have this fight at the pub?" Hermione arched her brow.

"I would have preferred it if you had been on my side!"

"You-" Hermione stared at him agape. "I think it's better when I go home." She hissed at him and then stomped into the floo. Before Fred could stop her, she vanished in the green flames. That was the moment it hit Fred. They were actually fighting, for the first time ever. And over something so stupid. Groaning he flopped down on the sofa.

The next morning Fred was staring holes into the workbench. George had already thrown him out of the shop, calling him useless, and now Fred was butchering up every potion he tried.

"Hey." He turned so fast that he almost strained his neck. In the doorframe stood Hermione with an insecure smile.

"Harry and Ron told me what McLaggen said to you yesterday." She blurted out. "Fred, I'm sorry for fighting and being angry at you, but I'm perfectly capable to handle something like that myself. Next time just tell me and I will sock him one. I'm quite good at that, ask Harry, Ron and Draco." She chuckled a bit, but Fred recognised how unsure she was. He cursed himself. With a few large steps he was by her side and hugged her fiercely.

"I'm so sorry. I was angry at McLaggen and- and I shouldn't have been angry at you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she smiled tentatively and kissed him.

"How is your hand?" Fred showed her his bruised and cracked open knuckles and with a timid smile Hermione healed him.

"I should have done that first yesterday." Hermione tiptoed and leaned up to him, kissing him urgently. Eagerly Fred welcomed her lips and pried them open. And so, followed after their first fight their first celebration of reconciliation. And this time George didn't interrupt them in the workroom.

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"Happy anniversary, love." Fred kissed her awake.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked tired.

"Today we are together for half a year." He kissed her again, trying to motivate her for some morning activity.

"An anniversary means it has to be annual, not half-yearly."

"Happy semi-anniversary?" He tried again and this time she reciprocated his kiss.

"Hmmmm... Fred.." She moaned and Fred took it as encouragement to go on with his ministrations of her body. Slowly his hand made its way to her pussy, but she stopped him halfway.

"Fred, I have to go. I have to be home before Rosie wakes up." With a groan he let her go. Since Rose had vocalised her fear of Hermione moving out, they had tried to maintain a sense of normality for the toddler. That meant Hermione was home for breakfast and dinner at least half of the week and the remaining days were spilt between Fred staying at hers and she staying at his. It was exhausting and annoying.

"Move in with me." He said on a whim.

"What?"

"Move in."

"And Rosie? She will be devastated when I move out. You saw how she was last time."

"I know, but I have two empty bedrooms here. Rosie can have one and Lavender can bring her whenever she wants to. And isn't it high time that Ron takes over your place? I mean, he should do all that co-parenting, right?"

"I don't think Rose will like that."

"Yeah, but how long do you want to let a two-year-old dictate your life. Merlin, she's Ron's daughter. If she inherited his stubbornness, she will probably be jealous at me her whole life."

"I know, it's just- Don't you think it's too soon?"

"I didn't say move in tomorrow, just- just think about it. I will convince Rosie."

"Okay, I will think about it." Hermione kissed him goodbye and left Fred with scheming how he could convince his little niece to let her favourite aunt go.

So, I have a problem. I had the end of the story all planned out but the longer I work on it, the more ideas I get. So, I made a new plan. I will end the story now but with a different ending, one that will allow me to write a sequel one day. For now, I have to write this other story and get it out of my head, then I can work on the sequel.