25 Weeks

Hermione put the finishing touches of her gift, tying it up with an outrageous bow. She had put together a little care package for Ginny's birthday gift. A few tins of her favorite tea and snacks, a framed photo of them from the New Year's Eve party the Weasley's hosted, and the blanket she had knitted. She even made a scarf with the leftover yarn and placed it in the box as well.

Hermione rubbed her belly. "Ready to go, Ruby? We'll see Daddy there."

Harry had come by every day for the rest of the week, sometimes with food, or just himself. They would eat or watch some telly. They would cuddle on the couch where Harry would lay his head on her lap and talk to Ruby.

Most times they didn't even talk. But when they did, it was usually something about the baby. Like going over what else she'd like in the baby's room.

Some nights he didn't leave. He'd kick off his shoes and crawl into bed beside her.

It probably wasn't the best idea, but she couldn't help craving the affection he provided. It was nice being held and cared for. Whenever he was around, the conversation she had with her dad and her friends came to mind. She wasn't sure why she couldn't just find the nerve and tell him.

She picked up her gift and her jacket and flooed to the Burrow. She stepped out of the Weasley's fireplace, brushing off some soot from her shoulders. She looked around the room and noticed all the family were outside, bustling around the long table they took out for big family get-togethers.

She laughed at the sight of Fred chasing Victoire around with a toy dragon. She stepped outside and greeted everyone.

"Hermione," Molly was the first one to come up and hug her. "Come sit and eat."

Hermione placed her gift on a round table by the door and followed Molly to the table where Arthur was sitting with Ginny at the end of the table.

Ginny jumped to her seat. "Thanks for coming." She wrapped her arms around her friend.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world, Gin." Hermione squeezed her back. She heard Ginny sniffle by her ear. "No tears, tonight, Ginny. It's your birthday."

"It's also my going away party." Ginny took her hand and led her to the seat closest to hers.

Hermione thanked Molly and Arthur when they passed her a plate of food.

"Are you second-guessing your decision?" Hermione scooped up some potato salad.

"No," Ginny stabbed a piece of chicken. "Even if I did, I'm contractually obligated to play for Dortmund for three seasons. I can't back out."

"That's one way to throw yourself into a commitment," Hermione said with a smile. She reached over and clasped Ginny's forehand. "We'll still be here for you, Gin."

"I know," Ginny smiled sheepishly. "And you're one to talk about commitments."

Hermione shrugged, scooping more food into her mouth. "What's that supposed to mean?" She mumbled.

Ginny mockingly glared. "I'm under contract to play for a foreign team. That's the biggest form of commitment I've been able to make. You're here having a baby with a guy you're not even in a relationship with."

Hermione pursed her lips. "I thought this day was going to be about you."

Ginny scoffed lightly. "It is about me, thank you very much. And since it's about me, I get to choose what we talk about and I want to talk about you." She snickered at Hermione's eye roll. "Have you thought about it some more? You need to do something before it's too late." Ginny pointed her fork in Hermione's direction for good measure.

Hermione pushed around her chicken. "Why are you bringing this up now?"

Ginny leaned toward her slightly. "Because I'm leaving and won't be able to hound you about it anymore." She glanced around, making sure no one was in listening distance. "Do you love him?"

What kind of question was that? Of course, Hermione loved Harry. He was her best friend.

Ginny sighed. "Both of you need to have an honest discussion. I just don't want either of you to get hurt by the expectations you've both set up."

Hermione bit her lip and nodded.

Ginny downed her glass of wine and stood up. "Harry's here. I'm going to go say hi and make sure he brought me a present."

Hermione stared at her food, thinking over Ginny's words. She cared about him very much. She enjoyed spending time with him and never felt like she had to try too hard when he was around. She was truly her most genuine self whenever in his presence. She found herself craving his company and missed him when he was gone.

She sighed deeply. They really had utterly complicated things when they started having sex.

"Hey, love," Fred dropped down in the seat Ginny vacated. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Just thinking." She tried to smile, but Fred didn't look convinced.

He stretched his arms over the table. "Thinking about what?"

She examined his hands laying flat against the table. "Love," she admitted.

"Love?" His cheeks took a rosy tint. "What about it?"

"Oh, you know, how and why do we fall in love? How do we know if it's love love?"

He nodded in understanding, bringing one hand up to rub the back of his neck. "I see."

"Have you," Hermione tried, "you know, ever been in love?"

She watched as his eyes widened. He opened and closed his mouth, searching for something to say.

"Sorry, forget I ask. That's rather personal," she said quickly.

"No, it's okay." He cleared his throat. "I've never been in love. I have felt strongly for someone before."

His voice was low. She could barely hear him over the commotion around them.

His still outstretched hand moved to grasp hers, but he changed his mind and dropped it to his lap. "For what it's worth, I think you should tell the person how you feel. You never know, they might feel the same way. But even then, it's better to get it off your chest than to carry it around for the rest of your life." His eyes flickered over her form, before resting on her belly. "You'll lose out on a chance before it even began." His eyes met hers. He gave her a small smile. "Talking from experience."

He stood up and placed a kiss on the top of her head. He squeezed her shoulder and walked away, leaving her breathless.

What in the world was that? That was the most honest Fred had ever been with her and it left her heartbroken.

"Mai." Teddy's soft voice sounded off to the side. He stepped gingerly to the table, placing a plate full of food on top, and sitting down beside her. "Mum said I had to eat before I go play," he pouted.

Teddy never failed to bring a smile to her face. She turned so her body faced him. "Lucky for me, that means we can eat together."

His eyes brightened. "Okay."

They ate their dinner, chatting about whatever came to mind like whether he was excited to go back to school, the latest pokemon he's caught, a book she read recently.

# # #

"Happy birthday, Ginny," Harry greeted the fast approaching red-head. She had a bright smile on her face, but that was a farce. She said a quick thank you before pulling him back into the house. "What the hell, Ginny? Okay, your gift isn't that grand, but it's the thought that counts, no?" He held up a pint of Strawberry and Cherry Q's from Fortescue's. "There isn't a shop in Germany."

Her expression softened. "That's really sweet, thank you."

He set the ice cream aside, making sure the freezing charm was still intact. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. We need to talk." Ginny pushed him behind the door so they remained out of view. "Hermione is here."

Harry was confused. What did Hermione have to do with what she wanted to talk about? What did Ginny want anyway? "Good. She told me she was coming."

She set her hands on her hips. "When are you going to tell her how you feel?"

Harry's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Ginny. Not now." He moved toward the door.

"You love her, don't you?" She was exasperated.

Harry stopped himself from rolling his eyes. That was a stupid question. "Of course, I love her. She's my best friend."

Ginny groaned. She pushed his shoulder, making him stumble into the door.

"Ginny, bloody hell. What do you want me to say?"

She sighed. Her shoulders drooped, releasing the tension she previously held. "I don't know what's holding you or Hermione back but you need to tell her how you feel."

Harry's stomach clenched. He licked his lips and tried to ground himself.

Her arms dropped to her side. "Even before the baby, you two spent more time together than with anyone else. You're both your go-to person to do things. I know you're the first person she asks to do things with whether it's the museum, the bookstore, shopping. You make yourself available to her whenever possible, more often than anyone else."

"How about when you want to go to the zoo? You always ask her. When you want someone's opinion or advice, you always go to her. And you're always touching each other." Ginny's eyes softened at the edges. "Harry, if Hermione fell in love with someone, would you be able to let her go?"

Harry didn't answer, his hands clenched unconsciously. "Ginny, how do I-"

The floo turned on and Teddy stepped out with Remus. The older marauder's eyes looked between the two. Tonks followed out soon after.

"Harry!" Teddy raced over and hugged him. "I brought my gobstones. Do you want to play later?"

Harry ruffled the boy's purple hair. "You bet."

"Great!" Teddy pulled open the door and ran outside.

Remus and Tonks walked up to them, greeting them and wishing Ginny a happy birthday.

Harry noticed the look Tonks shot her husband before stepping outside.

"Everything alright?" Remus asked them.

Ginny nodded. "Just needed to get something off my chest before I left for Germany." She patted Remus on the arm and walked back outside.

"Harry, are you okay?" Remus's expression was creased with concern.

Harry could only shrug. He was technically okay, but he felt worn out from that confrontation with Ginny. He didn't appreciate it one bit.

"Do you want to talk?" Remus asked.

Harry shook his head.

Remus gripped his shoulder and pulled him into a hug. "Let me know if you need to talk. Don't feel bad if you want to leave early." He stepped back, looked over Harry's face again, and walked outside.

Harry walked to the window and peered outside. Hermione was sitting, with her back to him. Fred beside her, leaning close, holding the softest expression he'd ever seen him have. Fred stood, kissed the top of Hermione's head, and walked away, ruffling Teddy's hair as he passed. Teddy plopped down beside Hermione. She turned and greeted him, smiling. She caressed his cheek and they talked as they ate.

Harry's head began to pound and he just wanted to go home.

Teddy suddenly burst into a fit of giggles and his hair shifted from purple to blue to turquoise.

Harry stepped out of the Weasley's home and grabbed a plate, filling it with food. He briefly said hello to Molly, Arthur, and Bill and made his way to the table, taking the seat on the other side of Teddy.

"Hi, Harry," Teddy greeted. "Mum said I needed to eat first."

"Good thing, you'll need your energy for playing games."

Teddy nodded, stuffing more chicken into his mouth.

"Slow down, Teddy-bear," Hermione warned. "So," she looked over Teddy's head, "this is it."

Harry's brows lifted. Did she know something?

"Ginny's leaving." She pushed her hair over her shoulder. "She's off doing what she's always dreamed of."

Harry nodded and turned his attention to his food.

"Teddy," Hermione's voice was soft, "is there anything you want to do before you head back to school?"

"Dad said we could go camping. I want to go to the zoo again."

"That sounds like fun. I love camping."

"I like making s'mores!" Teddy jumped in his seat. "What about you, Mai? What do you want to do?"

Hermione chuckled. "What do I want to do before you go back to school?"

Teddy shrugged. "Yeah!"

She tapped her chin in thought. "A trip to the zoo sounds nice."

Harry's gaze shifted between the two. A trip to the zoo sounded like a great idea.