In response to a prompt in the Fooled Ya, A Weasley Hijinks Comp from the Weasleys, Witches and Writers facebook group
Winner of Best Romance and Best Fluff.
He'd had every intention of ravishing his beautiful wife first thing upon waking, but he hadn't anticipated waking to an empty and long cold bed. Flinging an arm across the empty space, he paused as a piece of the notebook paper Hermione insisted on using instead of parchment crinkled under his skin. His fingers wrapped around the paper and he pulled it close, peering at her flowing script with bleary eyes.
Freddie, my love,
I know this isn't how we would have normally started your birthday but I thought we could have a little more fun before we get to that part of the day. Follow the clues to find your gift and don't forget to check the kitchen counter before you leave.
-H
Fred read the note once more before rolling over and planting his feet on the floor, the covers pooling around his waist. Untangling himself he stood and crossed the floor to the bathroom to do his ablutions before wandering into the closet to get dressed. He chuckled under his breath as he pulled a deep purple button down from the hanger and slipped it on, nimble fingers doing up the buttons quickly.
Seven years of marriage and his wife was still doing what she could to make his birthday extra special. That first birthday following the war had been the hardest with him only having been out of St. Mungo's a few months after his near death experience with the wall, but Hermione had been there every step of the way and he'd never looked back. He'd put a ring on her finger weeks after the first anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and had spent every day counting his blessings that his swotty, infuriating, absolutely beautiful witch continued to challenge him and love him unconditionally.
Buttoning his jeans, he slipped his feet into socks and hopped as he pulled on his dragonhide boots before making his way into the kitchen of their quaint cottage. After George and Angelina had moved out of the flat, Fred and Hermione were quick to find their own place, leaving the flat as extra storage for the store and both found they enjoyed the space the cottage gave them. Spotting a plate piled high with bacon butties and a glass of apple juice under a stasis charm on the counter, he snagged a butty and glanced at the notebook paper under the plate.
April Fool's Day might be my favorite day, just because it's the day my favorite ginger was born, but if you're looking for a laugh, I heard there's a place in Diagon Alley that specializes in wreaking havoc on the halls of Hogwarts and poor Minnie's sensibilities. Say hi to Lee for me.
He downed the glass and polished off the sandwich, tucking the note into his pocket. Stepping towards the floo, he dropped a handful of powder and as the flames turned green, called out the name of the shop and passed through. Emerging on the other side a few moments later, he checked the back room and his desk for another note before wandering into the front. Neither he nor George worked on their birthday, not since Lee and Verity had banded together to tell them they had to go and enjoy the day away from the shop, so he hadn't expected to see his twin.
He also hadn't expected to see Lee Jordan dressed in a muggle nurses outfit, complete with inappropriately short skirt leaned up against the till with a note in one hand and a fake needle in the other. "Your witch is persuasive when she wants to be, but if you tell her how much I'm enjoying this outfit, I'll hex your bollocks off."
Fred pinched the bridge of his nose to keep from laughing as his eyebrows knitted together. "Mate, your legs in that skirt could give Verity a run for her galleons." Taking the note from Lee's outstretched hands, he scanned it with a grin.
If there's one place you know I can get lost in for hours in the Alley, it's here. Talk to the man up front, he's got your next note… and maybe a sneaky clue.
There was no question when he exited the front of Weasley's and let his long legs carry him down the cobbled street and into Flourish and Blotts. Just last week he'd wandered the aisles with her for nearly three hours as she piled his arms with new books. Thankfully their cottage had enough space for all of her bookshelves and then some.
Pausing in front of the till, he waited patiently until the cashier glanced up at him from the book on the counter. The younger man raised an eyebrow and handed him a wrapped book and his note. "Happy birthday Mr. Weasley, tell the Missus we'll see her next week."
Letting the man go back to what he was doing, Fred stepped off to the side and ripped off the brown paper unceremoniously, head tilted as he took in the title of what was clearly a children's book. The gently moving cover of Goodnight Little Wixen gave him pause. Why had Hermione gifted him a book he was sure she'd already bought for all the children in the family? Instead of dwelling he glanced at the note in his hand.
You're nearly there, love. One more stop before I can give you your real gift. Where do you go when you can't brew your pepper up potions on your own? There might be another sneaky gift here too.
Tucking the note inside the front cover of the book, he slipped it under his arm and strolled out of the bookstore and further down the street to the apothecary. The darkened aisles of Mulpepper's was a stark contrast to the brightly lit book shop, but he knew the apothecary well enough his eyes adjusted quickly. Startling slightly as the wizened little witch who ran the store popped up in front of him, he wordless took the bottle and the note attached to it with a strained smile as she disappeared as swiftly as she had appeared.
Shaking his head, he glanced at the label on the bottle and narrowed his eyes. Wideeye potion? He had a feeling there was something he wasn't putting together between the book and the potion and so unfolded the note to take in the final direction.
I told you, you were nearly there right? Come find me under the spot you first told me you loved me.
His lips split into a wide grin and he stepped back out of the shop before making his way to the nearest apparition spot.
The sight of the Burrow was welcoming, but he knew he needed to avoid the house and his mother until he'd found his witch so he'd popped into the backyard, neart the orchards. He wandered for a few minutes until he spotted the familiar head of curls, his wife perched against the tree. At the sound of his wolf whistle, she turned her head to face him and rolled her eyes, the grin showing she was far from annoyed.
"I wasn't expecting to traipse all over Diagon Alley you little minx and I must admit, I'm confused by my gifts."
Hermione let him pull her up by her hands before taking the book from under his arms.
"I have one more thing for you to unwrap because I think it'll do a better job of explaining things." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a thin box and held it out with a grin. He took it and gingerly opened the lid, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. He glanced up and found her eyes suspiciously watery, a giggle passing her lips as she pulled the small stick out.
"This is a muggle pregnancy test. See those two lines? You're going to be a dad." He dropped the box and stepped forward, his hands cupping her face.
"You're pregnant? What? How?" He stumbled over his words as he peppered her face with kisses.
"Well, when a man and a woman love each other very much…" She snorted as he kissed away the tears that had fallen from her eyes before speaking again. "The healers said the baby is perfect. So that small chance I had to conceive? It happened. We're gonna have a baby."
He kissed her lips softly before dropping to the ground on his knees, his cool fingers lifting her shirt so he could rest his cheek against her flat stomach. "I love you both so much already." His hands wrapped around her waist as he planted a kiss just above her belly button.
Hermione carded her fingers through Fred's shaggy hair and smiled softly. "You're going to make the best father, Fred Weasley and I can't wait to watch it happen. Happy birthday, my love."