Fred tried to find Hermione before heading to the burrow, but by the time he had a screaming match with Angelina and took a shower to cool down, she wasn't at her flat. He tried Grimmauld Place, but that, too, was empty.

"I know what Angelina did was wrong, mate, but she was worried for Hermione." George said delicately while Fred sat in his recliner, arms crossed, staring at a muggle television show that he really wasn't watching.

Fred gave his brother a scowl.

"Truth be told, I'm not that happy with her myself, but she's only human and when she realized her mistake, she tried to rectify it instead of hiding it."

Fred sighed. He hated when his brother reasoned with him when he was upset. He didn't want to be logical at the moment. He wanted to seethe a little longer. "I'm not just angry about that. I'm upset that after all these years of being friends, she would think I could do something like that."

"I don't think she thought you were doing it on purpose. You know how she feels about men in general. I'm surprised she hasn't hexed me to hell and back myself."

Angelina had grown up with toxic men her whole life and it caused a deep mistrust for them. Still, it upset Fred that she saw him so devious that he could do something that would devastate Hermione. She was carrying his child, for fuck's sake! He already hurt Katie so deeply and his heart ached at the thought of it. He knew he needed to send an owl to her asking if they could talk. Katie didn't deserve what happened. He didn't know if there was anything he could do to make it up to her.

XxXxXx

Fred arrived early at his parent's home, hoping to catch Hermione as soon as she arrived. That night was supposed to be a moment of excitement, not something done while in the middle of heartbreak.

"Fred! What brings you so early?"

He shrugged. "Just wanted to come bug my mommy."

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide her smile. "Since you're here early, you can help me cook. Have a seat at the table and start peeling the potatoes, dear."

Giving his mother a kiss on the cheek, he obeyed and plopped down in his usual seat to start the potatoes.

His mother had the radio on and they both found themselves humming and dancing a little with the music. Fred found his heart mending while he sat with the one woman who loved him unconditionally in the house that would forever be his real home.

As he brought over the peeled, cut potatoes and set them on the stove to boil, he took the opportunity to grab his mother's hand and swing her around, holding her against him as he danced her across the kitchen. His mother's giggles bounced around the main floor of the burrow, getting the attention of the Ron and Hermione, who just floo'd together.

They stood in the doorway watching the two dance about and Hermione wanted to kick herself for the flood of affection that coursed through her for Fred while he danced with his mother.

Mrs. Weasley looked so delighted that her son was dancing with her that neither Ron or Hermione dared move at the risk of making them stop.

"Fred, did I ever tell you that you're my favorite?" Mrs. Weasley spun in his arms, making him laugh.

"Not once, mother dear!"

"Well you are. And I'll tell the others tonight."

"Oy! I thought I was the favorite?" Ron stood, feigning anger for his mother. His crooked grin told on him.

"Don't be silly, Ron. We all know Ginny is her favorite." Hermione teased.

At Hermione's voice, Fred's dance steps faltered for a second. Twirling his mother one more time, he let go and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Thank you for the dance, Mum."

"Anytime, my boy. Ron? How about you?"

"Me?" Ron wasn't the greatest dancer and he hated anything that even resembled dancing.

"Yes, you. You want to have a go at becoming my favorite?" Mrs. Weasley grinned at her youngest son, a sparkle in her eye.

Hermione nudged his shoulder. "Go on, Ron."

While Ron begrudgingly took Fred's spot, Fred hurried his way to Hermione.

Leaning down, he whispered into her ear. "I know we can't talk now, but Ang told me what she said. I want you to know that she's wrong. I only have eyes for you."

Hermione's eyes widened at his admission.

"We'll talk later, yea?" Fred asked, getting a nod from Hermione. "I tried to find you earlier. Where did you run off to?"

"I went shopping in muggle London, then I went to see Ron. We had some stuff to talk about so we had lunch and hung out for awhile."

"Ah. Retail therapy?"

She laughed. "You could call it that I suppose."

XxXxXx

Everyone welcomed a very tan Harry and Ginny, who had twice as many freckles from the sun than she had prior to the wedding. They were both glowing from their week of rest and relaxation and Ginny's personality had returned to normal, Bridezilla had retired.

Fred found himself sitting in Ron's seat next to Hermione, Ron agreeing to switch with him so that they could announce their grand news together. Molly Weasley noticed this change and her eyes bobbed back and forth between the two boys as she dug into her salad.

"Ron...? Hermione...? Have you two had a spat again?" The matriarch knew that the two of them had a very mercurial relationship.

Ron gave his mother a crooked grin. "No, Mum. I just spent the whole afternoon with her and I'm ready to have a discussion that doesn't include books."

Hermione scrunched her nose at her friend, but grinned.

"Actually, Mum, I asked to switch with Ron because Hermione and I wanted to make an announcement." Fred commented, taking Hermione's hand that was resting in her lap.

"Is that right?" Mr. Weasley stared intently at the two of them.

Nodding, Fred looked down at his pregnant witch and she gave him an encouraging smile. "You see, Hermione and I have a little ginger in the oven."

Hermione let out a laugh at his wording.

"What? A ginger... in the oven... pregnant? YOU'RE PREGNANT?" Mrs. Weasley threw herself out of the chair so she could come hug the parents-to-be.

Standing quickly, Fred and Hermione turned to hug her, Hermione unzipping her jacket, revealing her baby bump in her tight long-sleeve t-shirt. This was the first time she wore anything form-fitting in months and she was happy to feel a little more feminine for once.

Mrs. Weasley threw her arms around Hermione first, sniffling back tears. "Oh, you sweet girl. I didn't even know you two- you never tell your old mum anything- well, it doesn't matter anymore now does it? We're going to have another baby!" Pulling back, Mrs. Weasley couldn't help herself and patted Hermione's belly affectionately. "You've already got a belly, Hermione. You've been hiding this awhile. When are you due?"

"Halloween."

"Halloween? There's so much to do, dear!"

Hermione smiled fondly at the woman she considered her second mother. "I know. You'll help, won't you?" Hermione knew she didn't really need help, but she also knew asking the motherly witch would delight her.

"Oh, yes! Yes, of course! We'll get together and get everything in order! There's the baby shower, and furniture shopping, and birth plan-"

"Molly! Molly, pet... let the girl breathe and eat her dinner first." Mr. Weasley was behind her, patting her back. His wife got so excited over these things and he knew Hermione would probably need saving more than once.

Hermione gave Mr. Weasley an appreciative smile and when his wife stepped away, he gave Hermione and Fred a quick hug.

"This is just magnificent. Congratulations you two."

Bill and Fleur were next in line, congratulating the two.

"Enjoy every minute of sleep you can mates, cause after they come, you'll never get a full night's rest again." Bill gave them a grin, Fleur smacking his chest.

"Bill! Don't scare them!" Fleur admonished in her French accent. "Having our girls is the best thing that's ever happened to us. Yes, sleep is hard, but I wouldn't trade them for anything."

"It helps that our little monsters are so cute." Bill mentioned, looking at his youngest who sat in a booster. The oldest, Victorie, was napping on the sofa.

After laughing at Bill, who got another smack from his wife over the use of the word monster, they settled back down to eat.

As soon as Hermione's rear-end hit the chair, Ginny punched Hermione hard in the shoulder.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Hermione rubbed the hurt out of her arm.

"You didn't tell me!"

Hermione laughed. "We didn't tell anyone until this weekend."

"But I'm your best friend!"

"And Harry's your husband!"

Ginny gasped. "Harry! You knew about this?!?"

"Thanks for throwing me under the bus, Hermione."

"Just getting you back for flooing the enemy straight to me the night of the hen party." She gave him an evil smile, glad she got her revenge for that night, even though it turned out okay.

XxXxXx

Everyone moved to the sitting room with their drinks after dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in their armchairs, Bill and Fleur sharing the couch with Harry while Ginny and George sat in the floor playing with Bill's two girls. Fred and Hermione took up the loveseat, Hermione resting back against the throw pillow while Fred allowed her legs and socked feet to rest over his lap. His hand found its way to her bump, where he rubbed lazy circles with his thumb.

Mrs. Weasley watched the two parents-to-be with great affection. "Are you two going to move in together?" Seeing Hermione's surprised expression, she continued. "Having a newborn is hard. I just wondered if you two had any plans."

Fred's eye met George's and he could tell his brother was definitely interested in what he had to say. Of course... there wasn't much to say. And if there was, George would have already known. They lived together and he wasn't going to make any plans without talking it over with his twin first.

"We haven't really talked about it, Mum."

"Well... where is the baby going to come home to?" Mrs. Weasley pushed.

"Um, I was just planning on bringing the baby home to my flat." Hermione commented. She planned on raising the baby herself in case Fred didn't take the news well and she hadn't thought anymore on it since then.

"So you two are just going to co-parent from two different homes? You'll need to work out a schedule then. Are you planning on breast feeding? If so, you'll need to read up on pumping if the baby is going to be staying with Fred at his flat above the shop."

Hermione sat up straighter, feeling sudden panic. "The shop? I don't think the baby living above the shop is something I would be okay with..." Seeing the look on the twins faces, she continued. "I mean, the flat is great, but I'd be constantly worried that someone would set off the fireworks or cause an explosion that could hurt the baby. I trust you two, I don't trust that everyone that comes into the shop has honorable intentions. Plus, you have the potion room... what if something happens with that? I don't think I could sleep a wink worrying... I don't even know if I would be able to anyway if the baby is away from me." The thought of her baby not being at arms reach is terrifying for her.

With wide, teary eyes she looked at Fred, realizing they really had nothing settled for the baby. No home, no clothes, no furniture, no books, no toys...

"I think you and I have a lot to talk about."

Hermione nodded at Fred's comment, relieved that he didn't take her comment about the flat personally.

XxXxXx

After arriving via floo to Hermione's flat, Hermione yawned and stretched her way towards her room. The day had been a long one and she hadn't had much sleep the night prior thanks to Fred.

"Do you mind if I throw on my pajamas? I'm exhausted, Fred."

Following her towards her bedroom, he agreed. "Yes, I think that's best. You need to rest. I'll turn down the bed."

While Hermione used the restroom, washed her face, and changed, Fred threw what felt like a dozen throw pillows in a corner of her room and pulled down the sheet and duvet for them before undressing to his boxerbriefs. He folded his clothes and placed them in her armchair that sat next to her wall of shelves filled with books.

When Hermione reappeared from her en-suite bathroom, seeing him propped up against the fabric headboard, bare-chested with a grin on his face made her laugh.

"Comfortable are we? Are you staying?" She climbed in bed beside him and propped herself up on her pillows so they could talk.

"Course I am. No where I'd rather be."

Her heart soared at his words. "You can be so sweet, Fred."

"I can be a good bloke sometimes... no matter what Ang says."

At the reminder from earlier, her smile disappeared. "So, she told you...?"

He nodded and took her hand so he could hold it between both of his. Her hand was small and soft in between his two large rough ones and it made her seem so delicate at the moment. He knew better than that... but it still made his heart ache.

"I want you to know that I would never use you like that. You know that Katie and I weren't that serious... at least on my side. I should have had the bullocks to tell her as soon as I knew, but I was a coward... and I was worried she'd tell everyone about our baby and I wanted them to hear it from us. I didn't use you last night to get over Katie. Honestly, I probably used Katie a little to try to get over you... and I hate myself for that. I didn't realize."

"Logically, I know you wouldn't... but emotions are hard for me... especially right now. So, I ran... and I shouldn't have. I'm sorry about that."

"I want us to be together, Hermione. I want to have a real go at this. We're to be a family and I want to build my life around the two of you. I feel like my heart has already started."

"Fred." Leaning over, she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close. "I love that. Yes, I'd like to be a family. As long as you're sure you're ready for that."

"I am twenty-five years old, Hermione. I am more than ready. I'm ready to settle a little and I thank all that is Magick that I was lucky enough to have the most brilliant, beautiful, sexy witch in all the world as the mother to my child. I have such strong feelings for you, Mi. They started long before that weekend we had together. George said he thought this was fate intervening and I'm beginning to think he's right."

"You mean so much to me, Fred. It's such a relief knowing you feel the same." Leaning in, she gave him a long, slow kiss. It was an odd, but welcome change to be with a man that wasn't scared to express his feelings. It made Hermione love him even more... not that she was going to admit it right then. A step at a time.

When she pulled away, he smiled. "Now that I hooked myself a witch, I think it's time for her to get some rest. You look exhausted, Mi. We'll talk about baby stuff another day."

"Yes, I think you're right. I want a clear head when we talk about it and a sexy redhead had his erotic way with me last night, interrupting my beauty sleep."

They slid down into the bed, curling up together.

"I hope the ginger made it worth your while."

Hermione giggled as she nuzzled into his neck. "Rocked my world. Had me seeing stars."

He hummed. "And he can't wait to do it again and again."

Hermione breathed Fred in deeply, her body relaxing with her exhale. She was so content and warm whenever he was near. He was everything she needed at the moment and it calmed her and frightened her at the same time.

He nuzzled his nose into her hair and smiled as she relaxed. "Glad you still like my smell, Granger." He teased, rubbing small circles on her back with his palm.

He got nothing, but a small grunt in response before her breathing evened out and she was out like a light.

Pulling the duvet up to her chin, he settled in and reached for her belly with his opposite hand, giving their baby a silent goodnight as his eyes closed.