Ron left shortly as promised, the day after Christmas. It was one of the hardest things she had ever had to do, saying goodbye to her best friend, not knowing when they would ever see each other again. He had written her a letter before she left, detailing Fred's typical pranks so she would know what to watch out for. His way of giving his "blessing" for the relationship. When she finally read it a few days later, it made her both laugh and cry, causing Fred to look at her like she was a mad woman. She missed him already. It wasn't like before when he was on a mission or her work schedule kept them from seeing each other, this time she truly didn't know where he was or when he'd be back. The family had decided to keep the safe house's location a secret until the threat against them was done. The Ministry still hadn't been able to find who had attacked them that night, no new leads presented themselves.

Cho had gone with Ron for the time being. After things settled down she had plans to visit her parents back in Bulgaria for a while. It was odd to see such a new relationship strengthened but such terrors they had experienced together. When they left Hermione heard Fred and George betting on when their little brother would be popping the question. She quickly joined in and placed stakes on before the end of this summer.

It had been five months since they left and everything and yet nothing had really changed. The other's moved on with their lives as they had been before the attack. The only exception was Ginny's now very large and very uncomfortable pregnancy. She was weeks away from her due date and had no problem complaining about it to whomever she could find.

It was a similar situation today when Ginny waddled her way through the shelves in the shop. Fred was standing at the front counter in his outlandish magenta work suit, leaning back on the wood as Hermione sat perched on a stool in front of him, animatedly telling a story about a recent patient. He gave silent appreciation for the new summer heat rolling in, as he looked at his girlfriend's slim legs, exposed from her jean shorts. He hadn't even noticed that she had stopped talking and was now looking at him.

"Fredrick. Will you please pay attention." She said bemused, noticing his gaze and his mind had wandered to her bare legs.

His eyes snapped up to her face and he grinned widely. "What do you expect wearing those things around? I mean really Hermione, this is my workplace, have some decorum."

She reached out to hit his chest when Ginny came up beside them and plopped herself down in a chair. "You two are disgusting." She huffed out once she had rested her feet up on the rungs of Hermione's stool.

"Nice to see you too Gin." Fred's eyes twinkled at his heavily pregnant sister. "I see the glow of pregnancy has finally worn off?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "The only glow you are seeing is sweat. I am hot all of the time and my bloody feet are the size of rhinoceroses. I hurt all over. I'm done. Hermione, you need to get this thing out of me."

Hermione smiled sympathetically down at her friend, she had seen many expectant mothers reach this point. "You're almost there Ginny. In less than a month that baby will be here and your feet will return to their normal size."

Ginny cradled her large stomach, not even able to see her feet currently. "Promise?"

Hermione laughed and nodded. Fred shook his head and chuckled at his sister's plight. This action did not go unnoticed by her as she narrowed her eyes and pointed her finger menacingly at him.

"Don't you dare laugh Fred Weasley. If the way you two were talking when I got here is any indication, then Hermione will be in my position before you know it. See how you laugh then." She let her head fall back after finishing, already exhausted from the trip.

Hermione's eyebrows rose in surprise at her friend's words. She and Fred had yet to discuss if they wanted children or not. Hell, they still lived in two separate apartments. They were both so comfortable in their current situation that she at least, had no desire to change it. She glanced at Fred who had a slight smile on his face.

"Ginny maybe you should be home resting. You're obviously exhausted and you need to relax these last few weeks. I'm surprised Harry even let you out of the house."

"What am I, a dog?" Ginny asked from her spot. But Hermione was right, Harry had become a pain in the arse the past few months. It seems that the more her pregnancy showed, the more protective and paranoid her husband became. She had been cooped up in the bloody house for days now, every time she tried to leave Harry would come up with a "fun activity" they could do together. She knew he was just looking out for her, but she was going to have to kill him.

"Look, why don't you head upstairs and crash in the flat for now. Then when you wake up we could go out?" Fred offered seeing how his sister was about to fall asleep in her spot.

Ginny sighed and nodded, heaving herself up with the assistance of the other two. They watched as she made her way to the back and the presumably up the stairs to a bed.

"Is that normal?" Fred asked Hermione as they watched her leave.

Hermione chuckled. "Completely. Honestly I'd be surprised if she lasted a few more weeks. Baby Potter may be making an appearance sooner than we expected."

Fred smiled thinking about his new niece or nephew. Since Ginny's statement earlier though, he couldn't get another baby out of his head. It was odd to picture him as a parent. He and Hermione had never discussed it for some reason, which in retrospect wasn't that odd since they had only been together for less than a year. He made a mental note to start the conversation with her later, because he knew exactly what he wanted. A customer at the counter cleared their throat interrupting his thoughts and he turned to help them out.

Hermione slipped off the stool onto her feet before heading out the front door to run some errands. Fred watched her leave over the customer's head and felt a quick sting of concern, like he did every time she was in the alley alone. Obviously it had proven to not be the safest spot for them but Hermione insisted that she wasn't going to stop living her life.

She made her way to Flourish and Blotts, remembering there was a new healing textbook she had wanted to pick up. After that stop she bought new work shoes from Madam Maxines and then stopped into Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. She balanced the three cups of ice cream in her hand as she made her way back to WWW, the cobblestones almost tripping her two times. Back in the store there were less people as closing time approached. Fred was tidying up a display in the front window when he saw her approach. He smiled at her from inside and then went to open the door from her, seeing how her hands were full. Hermione smiled appreciatively and handed him one of the cups, his favorite flavor of vanilla with small bits of Burt's Every Flavor Jelly Beans in it. She wrinkled her nose as he placed a big spoonful into his mouth, the combination could either ruin the treat or make it delicious. Judging from the look of pleasure on Fred's face as he lifted another spoonful, it would be the latter.

Fred flipped the closed sign on the door and came back to the counter where she was currently enjoying her own ice cream. The other cup was under a continuous cooling spell, waiting for Ginny to come down.

"I'm surprised Harry hasn't come looking for her yet." Hermione said as Fred approached her.

"Oh he did. Got an owl about three hours ago." Fred grinned remembering the almost howler-like letter.

Hermione shook her head. "I get he's worried but he needs to loosen up."

Fred tilted his head at her, thinking how he would feel being in Harry's position. "Well there are people out to kill his wife and baby so maybe not so unwarranted. Speaking of babies.." he started, guess now was as good a time as ever.

Hermione raised her eyebrows in question but before Fred could continue a voice to their left interrupted them.

"Hermione.." Ginny said as she pushed back the curtain from the back room. Her voice was quiet and Hermione noticed how pale the witch was. She stepped towards the pregnant witch in concern.

"Something's wrong." Ginny's voice cracked then she looked down at her legs. Hermione followed her gaze and saw a wet patch on her thighs. She breathed a sigh of relief and laughed a little.

Smiling at the other witch she ran her hands up and down the girl's arms. "Ginny nothing is wrong. Your waters have only broken."

Ginny's eyes widened at the words. "But it's too soon. I've still got three weeks left." She was beginning to panic as the realization of what was happening dawned on her.

"Well it seems like your baby has other ideas." Hermione said happily before turning to Fred.

"Mind owling Harry and let him know that his wife is heading to the hospital." Fred was almost as pale as his sister but quickly nodded and apparated to the flat. Hermione turned her attention back to Ginny who still seemed to be in shock. A sharp pain in her back pulled her out of that very quickly and she gripped Hermione's hand.

"How about we get you out of here." Hermione asked as the other witch vigorously nodded her head.

A few hours later Hermione emerged from the maternity room where Ginny was currently laboring. She looked around and saw the small group of Weasleys waiting. Mrs. Weasley looked up expectantly when Hermione approached them, a large grin on her face.

"Nothing yet." Hermione said with a smile, knowing that it would be several hours before the big arrival. Ginny had requested that she be the acting healer in the room with her and Harry so she was currently wearing her dark blue scrubs. "She's doing great though."

Mrs. Weasley nodded quickly, excited about the new arrival but still worried for her daughter. Fred was waiting with them along with Mr. Weasley, Charlie and George and Alicia. Judging from Ginny's progression already, it was still going to be quite a few hours until the baby decided to make their grand entrance.

Fred stepped forward to hug Hermione while the others spoke about baby names and other day to day happenings.

"How're you doing?" He asked feeling Hermione burrow into his chest.

"Better than your sister. But tired. This wasn't exactly how I had planned to spend my night." She smiled slightly against him.

Fred smiled, "Nor mine. There were other things that had come to mind." She looked up at him with a smirk, knowing just what 'other things' he was talking about.

A sharp scream from the other room caught everyone's attention and Hermione pulled back from Fred before pushing back through the door. Ginny was silently gritting her teeth through another contraction while she apparently crushed Harry's fingers. Her friend was biting his lip through his own pain, having learned a few hours ago that he did not have the right to complain. As the contraction released and Ginny let go of Harry's fingers, Hermione discreetly handed the ice pack back to him.

At exactly four o'clock in the morning the strong cry of a baby filled the delivery room. Hermione laughed as the little boy Ginny had just delivered took his first breath. She looked up at her friends, Ginny's hair was stuck to her forehead with sweat and Harry was pale, but they were both watching her expectantly.

"It's a boy." She said, smiling as she carefully placed the red, wrinkled baby on his mother's chest. Ginny laughed as she looked down at her son and Harry kissed her wet hair, both in awe of their creation. Hermione's eyes filled watching the scene unfold before her before turning back to her friend to finish her medical care.

The three looked up in surprise as Mrs. Weasley burst through the door a few minutes later, "I heard a baby!" She exclaimed excitedly, stepping forward to look at her new grandson and congratulate the new parents.

After making sure that her patients were in good order, Hermione left the room to tell the rest of the clan outside. She found them all sleeping on the waiting room chairs outside, apparently none of them had as good of hearing as Mrs. Weasley. She woke Mr. Weasley first to give him the good news. He was just as excited as his wife as he stood up quickly to visit his daughter and new grandbaby. After he left, Hermione stood in front of the others with her hands on her hips.

"Oi!" She said, loudly enough to startle them all out of sleep. "This'll be a great story to tell your nephew that you slept through his arrival."

They looked sleepily up at her, slowly coming back to their sense and why they were sleeping on uncomfortable surfaces.

"Nephew?" Charlie said once he registered what she had said. "It's a boy then?"

She nodded then watched with amusement as George groaned and handed a galleon to both of his brothers. They had forbidden Hermione from betting as they accused her of cheating with her medical knowledge and access to ultrasounds. Looks like George had lost, not surprising as he had guessed wrong with every new Weasley birth, including his own daughter's.

Hermione sat down with a sigh next to Fred who immediately took her hand as she rested her head against his shoulder. They waited a few more minutes before Harry came out of the door holding a bundle of blankets in his arms. He was smiling down at the package as he approached the group.

"James Sirius, I'd like you to meet your aunt and uncles." He said as the group gathered around him. "And your godmother, though you've already met her." He added, grinning up at Hermione.

Alicia cooed over the baby while the others made cracks about the mass of black hair adorning his head. In truth, if Hermione hadn't had a front row seat to who this baby had come out of, she wouldn't have known there was any relation to the Weasleys. They stood around the baby for a few more minutes before Harry returned it to its mother. Seeing that the fun part was over the rest of the group disbanded, saying sleepy goodnights on their way out. Hermione checked on Ginny once more before leaving instructions with the nursing staff. She made her way back to Fred who had sat down again and closed his eyes.

"My bed is much more comfortable, if you're interested?" She asked once she reached him. Her eyes ached with fatigue as she thought about the welcoming mattress.

He nodded tiredly and stood up to take her hand, not even bothering to use the floo network, instead apparating right into her bedroom. She laughed as he collapsed onto the bed and helped him pull of his jeans.

"You're impossible." She said as she tried to get the material over his foot. He graciously lifted the appendage off of the bed and she stumbled backwards as the pant leg came free. She could see his smile against the pillow as she glared at him.

She changed herself and slid under the covers beside him, his arm coming to wrap around her waist and pull her close. She was just about to fall asleep when he spoke.

"Hermione?"

"Hm?"

"Do you want kids?"

She opened her eyes at his question and turned towards him, finding that he was watching her. She searched his face for a few seconds before answering.

"I do. Not right now obviously, but in the future. Hopefully when people aren't trying to kill us anymore, if that ever happens." She watched his face, "Do you want kids?"

He grinned at her and she already knew his answer. He was the best around kids, whether it was in the shop or at home with his nieces. Children flocked to him with his cheerful, prankster demeanor, and it didn't hurt that he always had some sort of sweets or firecrackers in his pockets. "Yeah I do. Someone needs to carry on my legacy after I'm gone."

She laughed thinking of the lessons in mischief his child would be getting. She already felt sorry for the Hogwarts professors. Fred pulled her to him again and kissed the side of her head before they both found sleep, despite the rising sun outside.