A/N: I have been writing a lot lately, so hopefully I can update weekly. Thanks for all your support. tamara

The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.

Chapter 29 – Things Said

"Do you think you can keep this a secret from you eldest girl?" Kingsley asked Severus as the sat in Kingsley's office.

"As long as Anna and Tonks don't find out, I believe the secret is safe." Severus reassured.

"Well, I've ordered Savage to keep quiet about our plans until the event occurs." Kingsley said.

"Good. I must be getting back to Hogwarts. Don't want anyone to become suspicious." Severus said offering his hand to Kingsley.

Rising and taking Severus hand, Kingsley said his farewells.

Once Severus flooed out of his office, Kingsley stepped out of his office. He smiled as he stood in the doorway watching the scene before him. His assistant, Percy sat at his desk his back to Kingsley office. He appeared to be working diligently at his desk. Sitting on the work table behind Percy talking to his back was Audrey Vance. Her legs swinging as she chatted away.

"I think it was really sweet of you and your brothers to foot the bill for dress robes for your parents for the Halloween Ball. Fleur said that you and Bill took your father shopping yesterday. She said Bill arrived home exhausted." Audrey chatted away happily not bothered as Percy only gave a grunt to the affirmative.

"Fleur said that she was meeting Angelina, Katie and your mum at Madame Milkins to pick out her dress robe. She said it would take all three of them to steer your mum away from the clearance rack. Mr. Delacor let Fleur off early to meet them, and said that I could leave as well. I think his wife is meeting him for dinner, and he didn't want to be late for once." Audrey smiled at the thought of the Delacors and how much she liked them. "I didn't have the heart to tell him all my plans were with you. I'm glad you don't mind me hanging out here until you're done for the day."

"I did bring a toy catalogue to brows through. I am still unsure of what to get Patrick for his birthday. I am glad you agreed to go shopping with me." Audrey said tapping the catalogue beside her.

"I need to pick a couple things up as well." Percy responded as he continued to scratch on parchment. "Are you still okay with eating out with Oliver?"

"Of course, he's your best mate. You've been friends for how long?" Audrey asked.

"Since we were eleven, we were both very focused on our goals and understood each other." Percy responded stacking up his papers.

"Do you think he'll like me? I know his opinion is just as important to you as your families. He's stood by you through everything and all. I don't want to make a bad impression." Audrey said.

"You've already met. You danced with him at the bachelor party. He likes you fine. I'm the one you made the bad first, second and so on impression on and I rather fond of you now." Percy said.

"Thanks, I think." Audrey responded.

"Don't pout. It reminds me too much of your father." Percy said as he started to turn towards you.

"I'm nothing like that man." Audrey said in a huff then laughed as she caught the twinkle of mischief in Percy's eyes when they turned to her. They then seemed to focus on something behind her and widened in alarm.

"Minister Shacklebolt, sorry sir, I didn't hear you come out. Do you need something?" Percy asked standing almost at attention.

"No, Percy, everything is fine. I was coming out to tell you that I am heading home early for the day. I have several errands I have to run myself on the way. If you are done with everything that needs done before the weekend, you may head out as well." Kingsley said smiling at him then nodding his head in greeting of Audrey. He was quite fond of Percy, having been the middle man between Percy and Albus during the time he acted as a spy within the Ministry. He had been one a handful that had witnessed Percy and Penny's relationship during that time, and he was happy to see Percy finally moving forward in his personal life after Penny's tragic death.

"Thank you, sir." Percy said.

"You know that you have been calling me King or Kingsley for several years, and I don't expect you to be so formal here." Kingsley said.

"It is important that while at work I show a respect…" Percy began.

"Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah." Kingsley said with a wave of dismissal of his hand. He had heard Percy's explanation before.

"And my Mum would have my neck if she found out." Percy added.

"That is a reason I can quite understand." Kingsley said with a smirk. "Have a nice evening, both of you. I will see you at the Burrows tomorrow at noon. I'm looking forward to see what kind of cake your Mum cooks up this year." Kingsley said with a smile.

"Yes, and thank you again, sir." Percy responded.

"Thank you and goodnight, Minister Shacklebolt." Audrey said as Kingsley left them.

"Can we go now?" Audrey turned to Percy and asked.

Percy looked around his office and flicked his wand quickly. All the papers stacked up neatly, the file cabinets locked. "Yes, so where do you want to head first?"

RWHG SSAS RLNT HPGW MWAW BWFD PWAV FWAJ GWKB DMLL BZGD RLNT SSAS RWHG

Severus caught his excited youngest daughter in his arms as she flew at him when he stepped into their quarters.

"What's got you so excited?" He asked.

"Hermione is going to take me with her to Patrick's party tomorrow. We're gonna pick up Delia on the way and then bring her back for the sleepover tomorrow night." Lily said.

"I know. We've talked about this before." Severus said setting her on her feet.

"But it's tomorrow, Daddy." Lily said.

"So close she can almost taste it." Anna remarked.

"How was your day?" Severus asked.

"It went very well considering how excited most of the student body is about the ball tomorrow night." Anna remarked. "Ginny and Luna are here studying with Hermione in her room."

"I see." Severus said. "How long have they been here?"

"They came right after class. They know the rules. We are not showing favoritism by allowing Hermione and her friends to study here instead of the library occasionally. They know not to make a habit of it." Anna said.

"Yes, I know." Severus said.

"Come on. Surely you can think of something to get me off that bulletin board." They heard Ginny's plea as the girls exited Hermione's bedroom.

"Draco would be most unhappy if I sent him a picture like that." Luna responded.

"I know Ron would like a picture. Of how beautiful you will look once the baby is born." Ginny said.

"He thinks she is beautiful now." Luna said as Hermione muttered that he better.

"Of course he does that is not what I meant. But…" Ginny began but Hermione interrupted.

"I'm not sending Ron a picture of me in a bikini. First of all, I have never worn one, and secondly, I will probably never be in shape to wear one after this baby is born, not to mention, Ron would be so angry if I did something like that knowing what the consequences for him would be. I won't do that to him." Hermione said.

"Thanks a lot." Ginny huffed.

"Girls it's dinner time. You had better get a move on it." Anna said wanting to stop an argument between Ginny and Hermione before it began. Ginny was already hot headed and Hermione's temper was shorter due to her pregnancy hormones. "Lily, you help Hermione set the table.'

"Okay, Mum." Lily responded moving to Hermione's side.

"Okay. Good evening, Professors Snape. Watch out for the Nargles." Luna said with a wave as she drifted out of their quarters with Ginny behind her.

"Nargles?" Severus turned and asked Hermione.

"It's Luna." Hermione responded leading Lily to the kitchen to retrieve the dishes.

Severus shook his head and followed Anna to retrieve their dinner.

They had a nice dinner. Lily informed them of her day as school and Hermione included comments of her own. She commented that she was grateful for a slightly less homework load for the weekend. They were beginning to clear the dishes away when Remus, Tonks and Teddy arrived with a very emotional Fleur. Remus held Teddy while Tonks had an arm draped around the sobbing woman's shoulders.

"What's going on?" Severus asked as he let them in.

"She arrived at Albeforth's tavern wanting to see Hermione. He contacted us, and we had her floo to our quarters." Remus explained as Hermione rushed to Fleur's side.

"What's wrong? Has something happened?" Hermione asked very concerned at her sister-in-law's state.

"I 'ad a f-fight wiz Beell. I 'ad not b-been feeling well zis w-week an' 'ad an 'orrible day at w-work. Zen I met Mo-Molly an' Angelina an' Ka-Katie at Madame Mil-Milkins. Mo-Molly 'ated all my su-suggestions on dress robes. Zen B-Beell came 'ome la-late from work wiz no word zat 'e would be la-late. I wuz zo wo-worried an' got ma-mad. I'm sorry but I t-told. I'm so so-sorry. Please do-don't 'ate me." Fleur sobbed.

"Calm down." Hermione said as she rubbed Fleur's back.

"I d-did not mean to t-tell. 'E made a comment, comparing me to 'is mozzer and G-Geeny an' it just came out. I'm sorry." Fleur cried. "I know it iz not an excuse, but I felt 'orrendous all day."

"It'll be okay. I'm not mad. I knew one of us would eventually slip. My temper has been so erratic lately that I could have easily slipped as well. I say all kinds of things I never intend to when I'm mad at Ron." Hermione reassured her.

"You don't 'ate me?"

"Of course not. As you said at the wedding, the daughters-in-law of Molly Weasley need to stick together." Hermione reassured her again.

Fleur wiped her face with the handkerchief that Tonks had handed to her. She looked around to see Anna and Tonks sitting near, but no one else was in the room. "Where did zee ozzers go?"

"Severus thought it would be best to give us some privacy. He doesn't handle women's tears all that well." Anna said.

"I made a fool of myself." Fleur said.

"No, of course not, but can I ask you a question?" Anna asked.

"Sure." Fleur said.

"How long have you not felt well?" Anna asked.

"Eet come and goes, but for a couple weeks." Fleur responded. "Do you zink somezing is wrong?"

"Not wrong, but when was the last time you had a period?" Anna asked.

"I…I'm not sure. Wiz all zee stress of zee war an' all, I 'ave been irregular. We use protection." Fleur said.

"You are married to a Weasley." Tonks said.

"Do you mind if I use a spell to see?" Anna asked. "It could explain a lot."

"Oui, please do."

Anna raised her wand and moved it over Fleur's abdomen while muttering a spell. All of a sudden the area above her abdomen glowed yellow and a small blob appeared.

"Congratulations." Tonks said cheerily.

"You're pregnant. This is so fabulous!" Hermione said hugging her.

"Bill? 'Ow do I tell Bill?" Fleur said.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he is on his way here now." Anna said.

"You think the guys contacted him?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I'm sure they did." Anna said nodding to the group entering the quarters.

"Why don't you take him to my room? Stay the night; I'll bunk in with Lily." Hermione suggested.

"Thank you." Bill said holding his hand out for Fleur to take then leading her away.

"Do you think everything will be okay?" Tonks asked.

"With them, yes." Hermione said. She was sure that Ginny wouldn't be too pleased when she learns that she and Fleur and now Bill knew her secret.

TBC