"Harry! Good to see you, mate! What brings you in today?" Fred smiled at his friend as he walked through the door of the shop.
"Ginny is shopping. I got bored." Harry eyed the twin. "Fred?"
He gave Harry a grin. "Very good. You're getting better at this!" Harry had always had a hard time telling the twins apart.
"I'm surprised to see you."
That confused Fred. "Why is that?"
"I figured you'd be picking up Hermione from work for your appointment by now."
"Appointment? What appointment?"
Harry suddenly looked very nervous. "Er... I'm not sure. I probably have the wrong day." He rubbed his neck. "I best get back to Gin."
"No you don't, Potter. You aren't getting away that easy. What appointment?"
"Well, Hermione mentioned a few days ago that she had her first ultrasound appointment today. I just figured she would tell you since you two are together now."
"Evidently, you figured wrong." Fred could feel is anger rising. He was hurt and angry with his witch. Why would she keep this from him? Turning, he called for Verity.
"What's up, boss?" She appeared from one of the aisles.
"Do you think you and George can take care of the shop for a couple hours? I've got a bone to pick with my witch."
Verity's eyebrows rose. "Oh... Yes, of course! Go easy on her, Fred..." She added.
"Yea, we'll see about that." He headed toward the back so he could hang his work robes before flooing to the ministry.
XxXxXx
"I'm here to see Hermione Granger." Fred stood in her department, talking with the receptionist.
"Do you have an appointment?" The young Asian witch looked up from her paperwork.
"No, I don't."
The witch regarded him for a moment. "You need to make an appointment."
Fred growled, pulling at his hair. "Okay, fine. I'd like to make an appointment for," he looked down at his watch, "1:35 pm today."
"I'm sorry, that isn't how it works, sir."
"Is she even here?"
"I'm not at liberty to say where Ms. Granger is. If you'd give me your information, I'd be happy to pass it along when I see her."
"My information, huh? Okay. My name is Fred Weasley. I am her boyfriend and the father of her unborn child. How about that for information?"
The witch's eyes widened. "Oh, Mr. Weasley. I'm so sorry. She did put you on the list." Shuffling papers around, she placed a sign in sheet in front of him. "Please sign in and have a seat. I'm afraid she's in a meeting at the moment. Shouldn't be much longer."
Begrudgingly, he signed his name and threw himself in one of the black leather armchairs in the lobby. He found his knee bouncing as he waited for her. The hurt and anger were still hanging heavy on his heart and it seemed to be getting worse with each passing minute. How could she do this to him? Why would she do this to him? They'd been good! Happy! It was his baby, too. He wanted to see the baby!
After what felt like ages, the receptionist called him back to her desk and told him that Hermione was back from her meeting. She escorted him to her office and knocked before opening the door for him.
"Fred!" Hermione gave him a bright smile when she saw him at the door and popped out of her seat to greet him. "What a surprise! Everything okay?"
He shut the door behind him before turning back towards her. "No, not really."
Her heart sunk. "What is it? Did something happen? Is someone hurt?"
He shook his head. "Nothing like that. Harry stopped by the store today."
"Okay? Why don't you have a seat, Fred."
"I DON'T WANT TO HAVE A SEAT!"
"Fred! Why are you screaming?" Grabbing her wand, she flicked it at her door, doing a silencing charm so no one could hear their row.
"Harry told me that you have your ultrasound appointment today!"
"Fred-"
"No, Hermione! I don't want to hear it! I'm pissed... I'm hurt! The baby is mine, too!
"Just-"
"What have I done to make you not want me with you? Don't I deserve to see our baby? I've tried to be so good to you..."
"You've been great, Fred! Nothing but lovely." She agreed.
"So why didn't you tell me? Why don't you want me to go with you?" Fred pouted, even though he tried not to.
"I do want you to go with me. That's why I changed my appointment to Friday morning. George said you were working the late shift."
Fred's tight shoulders dropped at her admission.
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Hermione gave him a small smile.
"Man, am I a prat or what?" He ran his hand through his hair.
She stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around him. "A little, but seeing you get all worked up because you want to see your baby is too adorable for me to be angry with you." She stretched up on her tiptoes and gave him a sweet kiss.
"Yea?" A crooked grin formed on his face.
"Yea. I love that you are so invested that you want to have a part in all things baby. You're going to be such a great father, Fred."
His face colored. "I hope so."
"I know so."
"So Friday?" He asked, relieved.
She nodded. "Eight-thirty."
"I'll stay the night Thursday."
She gave him a sweet smile. "Sounds perfect."
XxXxXx
Hermione and Fred checked in for their appointment and were brought back to their room to prep for their OB Healer.
"You can keep your bottoms on, but we'll need you to undress your upper half and put on this paper smock, opening in front."
The assistant handed a paper gown to Fred and took her leave.
He held it out. "That's it?" He turned it back and forth. "Where is the rest of it?"
Hermione laughed. "The joys of being a woman. At least I get to keep my bottoms on this time."
"Do you get more of a smock if you don't wear bottoms?"
She shook her head. "Nope."
She slipped off her top and bra and Fred helped her into her smock, which only covered to her belly button and was barely big enough to cover her swollen breasts and belly. It was so thin, Fred was worried it would rip just by looking at it too long.
"Let's cover you up." He was worried she'd get chilled. Taking the folded sheet that sat on the exam table, he helped her onto it and covered her with the sheet while they waited.
Fred pulled his seat up next to her and had a seat beside her while they waited. Hermione kept swinging her feet anxiously. She was excited, ecstatic, and nervous all at the same time. She hadn't been able to see her baby this whole time and now she'd get to see the baby and possibly even know the gender.
Fred noticed and reached for her hand, affectively calming her. It amazed Hermione how the outgoing, full-of-life twin could calm her so easily. She didn't know how he did it, but she appreciated it.
"Big day." He mentioned. "Thank you for allowing me to be here."
"Fred, the baby is yours, too. You belong here just as much as I do."
Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. "I love that you feel that way."
She gave him a grin. "I love that being here is so important to you. There are men that don't care to have a part in any of this."
There was a knock on the door and Hermione called for the healer to enter.
"Hello! Nice to see you again, Hermione!"
"You, too, Jaleesa. This is Fred, the baby's father."
Healer Jaleesa offered Fred her hand and they made their pleasantries.
"We're going to start with your physical exam and then we'll move on to the fun part. Are you wanting to know the gender?"
"Abso-fucking-lutely." Fred commented, nodding.
His response made both witches laugh.
"Alright, then! If the baby is willing, we'll find out what you'll be having. Now, Hermione. I'm going to have you lay back on the table so I can do your physical evaluation."
The healer checked Hermione's breasts and lymph nodes, making sure everything felt and looked alright before moving down to her abdomen, where she palpated her stomach, asking if anything was tender. Hermione denied any tenderness in her abdomen.
"Everything looks great Hermione. I'm going to turn the light off now and we'll start your ultrasound."
Hermione's shoulders raised in excitement and she reached out for Fred, so he'd come closer and hold her hand. She squeezed it tight.
"We're going to see our baby, Fred!"
He chuckled at her excitement and leaned down to press a kiss to her lips.
"Alright, Mum and Dad, are you two ready to see your baby?"
The word 'dad' hit Fred hard in the chest and he found it harder to breathe. He was going to be a dad. He knew he was going to be having a baby, but he never wrapped his head around the fact that his name would be Dad.
Noticing tears in Fred's eyes, Hermione became worried. "Fred, are you okay?"
"I'm going to be a dad." It came out as a whisper.
Healer Jaleesa smiled. "Just now hit?"
He nodded. "This is incredible." Wiping at his tears, he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. Yes, I'm ready."
The healer pressed the wand to Hermione's stomach, the picture popping up on the screen beside them.
"Just give me a second to...Oh."
"Oh, what? What's wrong?" Panic hit Fred.
"Do you have a history of multiples in your family?" Healer Jaleesa watched the screen closely.
"Yes? Twins. Every generation. I'm a twin." Fred answered. "Wait. Are you saying...?" A giant grin formed on his face.
"Yes, twins. Identical twins."
"What?!" It was Hermione's turn to panic. Why hadn't she thought of this? How could she be so stupid not to consider it a possibility? "Two babies? How am I supposed to parent two? I was scared to parent one!"
Fred stroked her cheek, trying his best to calm her. "Everything will be okay, love. We can do this. There are two of us and two of them. My mum will help us. She knows how to deal with multiples. We've got a lot of support."
Realizing he was right, she nodded. "Yes, okay, I'm sorry."
"No reason to be sorry, Hermione. Multiples can be quite the shock. It looks like these two are looking quite healthy. Everything looks as it should. Are you ready for the gender?"
XxXxXx
Everyone was buzzing at the burrow that Sunday, knowing that Fred and Hermione had their healer appointment and had news to tell them.
"Come on, Hermione! Can't you give us a little hint?" Ginny begged, bouncing on her tiptoes.
"Well... okay." Fred gave Hermione a warning look, but she only grinned. Leaning in towards Ginny's ear, she whispered loudly. "It's a baby."
Fred and Harry laughed.
"I hate you." Ginny scowled at Hermione.
"You're just going to have to wait until everyone gets here. We'll tell the family together."
Soon, everyone had arrived and gathered around the large table for dinner.
"Okay, guys. We're all here. Now tell us what you know!" Ginny was so anxious to find out if she was going to have a niece or nephew.
Fred laughed. "Okay, Gin. Just hold your hippogriffs. We have a couple gifts to give out first."
"Gifts?" Harry asked, confused.
Fred nodded. "The first one is for George." He handed him a blue box with a pink and purple bow on top.
"Ooh, a present! I'm the favorite!" Grabbing the present from Fred, he placed it in front of him and pulled off the top, anxious to see what he got. When he saw what was inside, his mouth dropped. "Holy fuck."
"What? What is it?" Mrs. Weasley stood from her chair to crane her neck to look.
Reaching inside with both hands, he pulled out two white onsies. One said 'We solemnly swear' while the second, 'That we are up to no good'.
Everyone was quiet for a minute while George's eyes locked to his twin's. "Identical?"
Fred's grin widened. "Of course."
Suddenly there was chaos in the room. People were clapping and celebrating, jumping out of their chairs to congratulate the couple.
"But what about the gender?" Angelina asked as everyone finally settled. "Do you know?"
"Ah, that's where the other gift comes in!" Fred handed over a second box, handing it to his mother. "Mum, will you do the honors?"
"Oh, I'm so excited!" Mrs. Weasley was beaming down at her own box. She opened it slowly, peeking in so she could see it before anyone else. "Oh, I don't believe it!"
"What?"
"What is it?"
"Come on, Mum!"
Holding up her own onsie, she showed the family what it said. It was white with rose gold glitter writing. It read 'Though she be but little, she is fierce.'
"We haven't had twin girls in seven generations!" Mr. Weasley threw himself back in his chair shocked. "You're sure? The healer was sure?"
Hermione was surprised to hear this. "She seemed sure. We have pictures of both girls."
"I'll be damned, Molly. Your brothers were right."
"Right about what exactly?" Fred was intrigued.
"My brothers said that your generation would break the generational curse. You see, identical girls in the wizarding world are rare as it is, because of their strong magic core they share... it's stronger than the twin male magic core...even though they're still strong. Supposedly, there was a curse put on our family generations ago by a rival family. We had many strong female magicks in the family and it weakened them. They performed dark magic to make sure we wouldn't have female multiples. Gideon and Fabian... They said the seventh generation would break the curse. They had a vision..." She shook her head. "To be honest I just thought it was something they dreamed up after having too much liquor... but, maybe it's true."
"The number seven has magic properties in itself... this is all so fascinating. I'm going to have to research this." Hermione never knew about the stronger magical core. She knew that Fred and George were able to do wandless magic quite easily, but she never wondered why.
"Watch your magic, Hermione. Towards the end of my pregnancy with the twins, my magic was all over the place. I almost burned down the house with wild magic."
Fred reached over and rubbed Hermione's stomach affectionately. "I knew we had something special, but hell. These girls are going to be special. They're going to change the world."
Hermione giggled. "No pressure, then."
Fred gave his witch a wink. "Not at all."
"Can we eat now? I am eating for three now and you gave me a lot to think about." Hermione's stomach growled at the thought of dinner.
Mrs. Weasley hurried to levitate the dishes to the table. "Yes, of course. Let's get these babies fed."
A/N: So, girls! What names do you prefer?