The weekend after the wedding, Fred and George invited their friends over to watch Quiddich on their muggle television. That was the first year that the magicking world televised the sporting event and everyone was buzzing about being able to watch Quiddich on a screen instead of just listening to it on the radio.

George and Fred went all out, their apartment covered in Irish greens with clovers covering everything. There was a buffet of food and drinks that covered the entirety of their counter space and Fred managed to slip in a couple of bottles of sparkling grape juice and sparking cider so Hermione could enjoy something special.

Fred and Hermione had yet to tell anyone. They planned to tell the family at Sunday dinner the next day when Harry and Ginny would be back. They wouldn't be returning until the morning.

Fred knew it was selfish, but a part of him wanted to keep the pregnancy to themselves so that no one got in their way. He liked being the only one to make her feel better and caress her stomach. He wanted to be the only one who got to do those things. It was his right as the father. He knew that as soon as everyone knew, Hermione would end up a petting zoo for their friends and loved ones and they'd be fussing over her c

onstantly.

He also knew he had to tell Katie. Fuck. He knew that Katie was head over heels for him and it made it that much harder for him to tell her. He had suspected that she fancied him for years, but when Hermione mentioned it, it had set it in stone for him. Katie was a lovely girl. She was smart and witty and beautiful. Her laugh was contagious and the way her blue eyes lit up when he made her smile was addicting. If he and Hermione hadn't shared that weekend together, he'd be completely smitten with the blonde beauty. But they had shared that weekend and they made a life that weekend. Hermione and their child were constantly on his mind and it wasn't fair to Katie that his mind was elsewhere when they were together. She deserved a man that would build his life around her. He couldn't do that when his life was already forming around another beautiful bird and their baby.

"You look like that sweatshirt is going to eat you whole, Granger. Do you ever wear your own clothes?" Lee crinkled his nose at the witch that just arrived via floo.

Hermione smacked Lee's arm, but gave him a smile. "Shut up! I love this sweater!" She was wearing Ron's Weasley sweater from their fifth year. It was orange with a brown 'R' on the front. Ron hated the orange color so Hermione offered to take possession of it back at Hogwarts. It was her favorite thing to sleep in. It was large, comfortable, and warm.

"Show some skin, Hermione!"

She rolled her eyes. "It's not warm enough to show skin, yet. Go bug someone else so I can say hello to our hosts!" It was indeed still chilly... but she also had to hide her bump until everyone found out about the news. Her regular clothes no longer hid her bump, so she was forced into the boys clothing when she wasn't in her work robes.

"Don't listen to that great prat, Herms. I think you look downright adorable in it." George gave him a scowl and leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek.

She laughed. "Not sure adorable was what I was going for... but it'll do!" Giving Fred a smile she hugged him hello.

His eyes flicked towards the others before reaching down and slipping his hand under the bottom hem of her sweater so he could run it over her bare stomach.

"Grown?" He asked, finding more of a curve.

She gave him a smile and a nod. "So fast."

"I love that." Bending, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and stepped back, trying to look nonchalant.

"Thank you for having us boys. It's going to be fun!" She headed toward the food, looking over all of the goodies. They had even bought cookies in the shape of clovers. "This all looks great!" Grabbing a crisp, she popped it in her mouth.

Angelina gasped dramatically. "Hermione eating junk food before her meal?"

Hermione was already reaching for another crisp. "What is this? Poke fun at Hermione day? It's a party! I've got an R on my shirt, don't I? I'm going to eat like Ronald!"

"Oh, shit, George. She and Ron are going to eat you two out of house and home." Angie teased.

"You better believe it! I'll start now." Grabbing a disposable plate, she started to throw some snacks on her plate. When the others saw this, they lined up behind her, ready to dig in. Evidently everyone else was too well-mannered to be the first to the food, but pregnant Hermione didn't care.

She plopped herself down on the end of one of their sofas with a plate full of food and a cold pumpkin juice and Fred brought her a champagne flute full of sparkling juice.

"Got you some sparkling grape juice." He sat on the coffee table in front of her, placing the flute next to her bottle of pumpkin juice.

"Aw, thank you. That's sweet, Fred."

"I love watching you eat."

She choked on her piece of chicken at his comment, making Fred shove her juice into her hand so she could swallow easier.

"Why on Earth...?" She gave him a befuddled look, making him laugh.

"It means you aren't sick anymore. It means that it's growing." His eyes flicked down to her stomach. He didn't want to say too much and someone overhear.

"Well, I've been eating all week and I don't see it stopping anytime soon, so you're in for a treat." She giggled, shaking her head. What an odd thing for him to say.

Angelina had a seat next to Hermione, effectively cutting off their conversation.

"Looks like you've got your own fair share of snacks!" Hermione commented, seeing her plate full.

The witch beside her laughed. "Yea, well, I figured if you all were all going to gain a couple pounds, I might as well join in." She grabbed her slice of pizza and bit into it.

"Good choice. The fried chicken pieces are really good with- hey!" Hermione found Fred stealing a chicken bite from her plate after he dunked it into her Caesar dressing.

He winked at her. "You're right! It is good."

"But that was mine."

"I'll give you a bite of mine later. Deal?"

She nodded. "Deal."

When Fred pushed himself up to go find his own food, Hermione found Ang cocking an eyebrow at her.

"What?"

"You and Fred are still pretty cozy. Especially considering he has Katie... who happens not to be here."

Hermione sighed. "Ang, don't start. Nothing is going on between us. Fred would never cheat and I would never allow it either. Katie and Verity are coming later. Your own boyfriend flirts with me all the time and you don't batt an eye."

Running her tongue over her bottom lip, Angie considered it. "Yes, but you didn't fall into my boyfriend's bed for days just months ago."

"Katie is a wonderful girl. You don't have to worry about Fred and me doing anything behind her back. If he wanted to be with me than he wouldn't be with her. She is what he wants." As she said it, she felt her eyes begin to burn with tears and she had to look away, blinking.

"Hermione? Do you have feelings...?"

She chewed her lip. "I don't know what I feel. What I feel doesn't matter anyway. Tonight I just want to have fun, Ang."

Angelina nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

XxXxXx

Hermione found herself curled up in the corner of the couch, half-dozing three hours later. The low hum of everyone talking and enjoying the game mixed with her full stomach and warmth of her Weasley sweater made her blissfully sleepy. She loved her friends and felt so content dozing next to them, being awoken my shouts or laughter every so often.

Fred found himself watching the sleepy witch as she dozed and even kept himself from yelling expletives at the television, worried he'd startle her awake. She looked completely content there, curled up in her spot, but he was worried she was too tired. It wouldn't be safe for her to floo or apparate so tired. Especially carrying a baby.

Sighing, he found himself wandering toward the sweet dozing witch. He leaned down to pick her up and when she felt him tugging at her, she startled.

"Fred?"

"You need sleep." He lifted her under her back and legs and began to carry her towards the hall.

"I'm fine right here. If you don't want me to, I can go home."

"You'll do no such thing. It isn't safe to travel this tired. I'll stay on the couch." With a wave of his hand, his door popped open.

"Wow. I'll never get used to your wandless magic. It's extraordinary."

He grinned as he laid her on his bed, against his pillows. She hummed. "I know I shouldn't displace you, but you know how much I love your bed."

Fred Weasley had the softest, coziest bed she had ever encountered and the last time she was in it, she had even offered to buy him a brand new bed if she could have his old one but he refused. 'How else am I going to get your sexy ass back in my bed?' He had responded.

He grinned. "Knew keeping my bed was the right decision."

She rolled toward him, snuggling into his pillows. "Maybe I'll just take a small nap. I won't take it for the night. You deserve your bed, Fred."

He rolled his eyes. "You'll take as long as you need. Baby Fremione needs rest."

She giggled. "Fremione?"

"Yes. Fremione. You have a better name?"

"You are adorable, Fred."

Pulling her oversized sweater up, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her stomach. "I can't wait to meet you."

Hermione's grin dropped at his sweet gesture and found herself sniffling back tears as she watched him talk to their baby.

His large hand cupped the bottom of her small bump and he nuzzled into it, his facial scruff scratching her stomach a little. "You let Mummy sleep. Don't make her sick now. Daddy just got her fed."

She giggled at him and found herself running her fingers through his hair as he laid there.

"What the hell is going on here?" Katie's shrill voice rang through the bedroom from her spot in the hall.

"Katie!" Fred found himself trying to stand and spin at the same time, making him lose his balance and almost fall on his face before catching himself.

"Katie, wait! It's not what it seems!" Hermione pushed herself up and the couple ran after the crying witch down the hallway and towards the living room.

"Katie! Just listen to us!" Fred begged.

She turned on her heel, right in the middle of the living room while everyone watched on.

"Listen to you? You were kissing her!"

Fred shook his head. "I was talking to her stomach! The kiss wasn't for her."

Katie's breath caught in her throat. "Why were you talking to... No! No..." Realization hit her hard. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME FRED WEASLEY? How could you do this to me?"

"Katie..." Hermione stepped a little closer, arms out, worried she'd run if Hermione moved too fast. "He didn't know until lately. I kept it from him longer than I should have."

"We haven't even told my parents yet. I wanted to tell them first."

Katie stood there, her eyes filling with tears and Hermione's heart broke for her. "Katie, this is all my fault. I am so sorry."

"I didn't even know you two... when? How far along?"

"The weekend of the Hogsmeade opening." Fred answered. "Before us. I wouldn't cheat on you, Katie."

She let out a sardonic laugh. "Is that so? How is being emotionally invested in another witch not cheating?"

"Katie. She's carrying my child. I can't help it."

"Then you should have told me! Is this why...shit! Is this why... " Katie's smooth pale skin was turning redder and more blotchy as she stood there.

Fred nodded, knowing what she was asking. He had told her he wanted to wait to fall into bed. He didn't have the guts to say he was worried that she'd get too attached while he was unable to commit. He was stuck on his weekend with Hermione. "I knew you felt so deep for me and I didn't want-"

"DEEP? That doesn't begin to cover it! I love you, Fred Weasley..."

He flinched as if slapped. "I don't deserve that love, Katie. You deserve better."

"I'm well aware. This isn't salvagable, Fred. Not anymore. You should have been truthful! Fuck this."

They watched her stomp towards the door to the flat and as she opened the door, she turned. "Fuck you, Fred...and you too Hermione!" Her voice was still reverberating along the walls when the slam from the door came.

Everyone's heads turned from the door to Fred and Hermione, who were still standing close to the mouth of the hall.

Hermione could feel herself shaking. She had caused this. This was her fault.

"You're pregnant?" Verity asked.

"Yes." Hermione's hands fiddled with the bottom of her sweater.

"What the fuck, Hermione! Why didn't you tell me?" Ron was hurt. It made Hermione feel worse.

"I had to tell Fred first and...and..." Hermione found herself getting teary-eyed and overwhelmed all of a sudden. This was not the way this was supposed to happen. "...and we planned to tell the family tomorrow at dinner. We wanted Ginny and Harry to be home when we did it. Please don't be upset with me."

"Easy, Mi, easy." Fred turned toward her, blocking her from the room full of people as he tried to calm her down. She was trembling in front of him. "Just relax. You need to stay calm. You're exhausted and emotional and this shit can wait another day, okay?" He cupped her face in both of his hands.

"Mione needs to-"

"Shut the fuck up, Ron. You can have a go at me later!" Fred hollered over his shoulder before finding Hermione's eyes again. "Another day, okay?" He reiterated.

She sniffled. "Yea... yes, that sounds good."

Putting an arm around her, he turned her back toward the hall, ignoring the rest of them.

"You knew about this?" Angelina scowled at her boyfriend, George, and smacked his thigh.

"Only since the wedding. It's not my news to tell, Ang. I told him I wouldn't."

XxXxXx

Fred pulled back his blankets this time and helped Hermione into the bed, slipping off her shoes for her. Realizing that she was still trembling, he slipped his own shoes off and climbed in beside her, holding her against him.

"Shouldn't you go try to talk to Katie?" Not that Hermione didn't appreciate his attentiveness, she was still guilt-ridden over how she found out.

"It's not salvagable. You heard her yourself. I'll talk to her another day. You're most important. I need to get you calm and cozy first."

"I am calm."

"The hell you are. You're trembling like Flitwick when he sees the Bloody Baron. For once, Mi, please stop worrying about everyone else and put yourself first. Let me take care of you."

She sighed dramatically and curled up to him, resting her head on his shoulder so he could hold her tight. "Fine..."

"That's my girl. Just relax and sleep."

"Will you stay til I fall asleep?" Taking a deep breath, she noticed just how good he smelled. She hummed. "You smell good."

He chuckled. "The baby books said that you might take a liking to my smell."

What? "Baby books?" She tried to raise her head, but he held it down gently with his hand. "You've been reading baby books?"

"Of course I have. I want to be prepared. And I'm not going anywhere, Hermione. Sleep. Let Georgie clean up."

She smiled as her eyes began to flutter closed. "Sounds perfect."

Up next is telling the family. How do you think that's going to go? And if you haven't weighed in and want to, what gender do you think they should have? That will be coming up, too!