Instinct

Fred strode through Diagon Alley, his blood absolutely boiling. He had just left Gringott's and found out someone…someone by the name of Hermione Granger, had been taking her paycheck and putting most of it in his account.

Earlier that week, he got his quarterly owl from Gringott's stating the amount in his account and he realized he had more than he should have had. He finally found some time on Saturday to go and speak with the goblins, who told him that a curly headed, brunette witch was adding money every week.

As if the whole baby thing hadn't already shook him up enough the last few months, she had the nerve to pay him to stay at the flat! They were getting married for fuck's sake! In two weeks time, to be exact! He knew he wasn't of the right mind to apparate, so he hurried to the Diagon shop and floo'd from there.

"HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER!" He roared once he stepped out of the fireplace. "HERMIONE! WHERE ARE YOU?"

Hermione came out of the bedroom with wet hair and in a towel. "I'm right here! What's wrong?"

"You! You are what's wrong!" Fred yelled.

"Me? What? You're scaring me." Hermione was so startled. She had never seen Fred so angry with her.

He took a few deep breaths, closing his eyes, and rubbing his temples. "I am going to try and talk as calmly as I can…"

"Er… okay…?" Hermione bit her lip.

"What have you been doing with your paycheck?" He asked.

"I… uh... my paycheck?"

"Yes, your paycheck… Tell me, Hermione. I'm curious."

"I… I just… I needed… It was only right that I…" Hermione's stomach was in knots and she felt sick to her stomach over the whole thing. She knew he wouldn't be happy when he found out, but she hadn't expected this.

"Let me guess… you just felt the need to pay me for living here?" Fred asked, grinding his teeth.

"Fred… you've been so kind letting me live here and giving me a job… I didn't think it was fair to live here for free... I wanted to do something to give back." Hermione tried to explain.

"Fair? We aren't keeping tabs, Hermione! You're not a flatmate; you're my fiancé! If I wanted a flatmate, I would have asked Harry! We're going to be married; share a life together!" Fred yelled.

"I… I just didn't want to feel like I owed you money… I've already burdened your family enough. It isn't fair!" Hermione tried to explain, her voice slowly rising.

"What? Why are you so obsessed about the whole money situation? Is that how your dentist parents raised you? That money is first and nothing else matters? If you hadn't noticed, Hermione, the Weasley's don't give a rat's ass about money! For you to keep bringing it up is offensive! I'm not going to go through married life trying to figure out who owes who what! That's not the type of marriage I want. We have two weeks before the wedding! You better decide if you want a flat mate or if you want a husband. In the meantime, I'll be at George's." Fred finished, stalking off towards the door.

"FRED! WAIT! DON'T GO!" Hermione begged as he closed the door behind him. She ran to the door and yelled through it. "YOU ALWAYS TELL ME I CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM YOU LIKE I ALWAYS RAN FROM RON… SO WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?" Hermione screamed, crying into her hands.

Fred sighed and leaned his forehead against the door on the other side. "I just need some time, Hermione."

Hermione heard the pop from his disapparation. She retreated back to the master bath to finish her shower and to drown in her own sorrows.

Hermione couldn't help but wonder if this was blown out of proportion because of their current baby situation. It was now October and, despite all their trying, Hermione's period was right on schedule every month. Fred never talked about it, but she knew it had to bug him. She hoped that he was at least talking to George about it.

XxXxXx

Fred apparated outside his brother's flat and knocked on the door. He could hear one of his nieces crying and footsteps coming to the door.

When it opened, he was welcomed by George sighing and rolling his eyes. "I don't know why you don't just come in." He grumbled, while he bounced the fussy baby and stepped to the side to allow Fred in.

"It's called privacy, George." Fred said as he stepped inside. "Give her to me." He commanded, holding his arms out.

George happily handed Mia to Fred, glad to be rid of a fussy baby for a few minutes. As soon as Fred took ahold of her and kissed her forehead, her toothless, wide-mouthed fuss turned into a toothless grin.

Fred smiled down at her. "You love your Uncle Freddie, don't you lovebug?" He cooed, taking her hand and letting her wrap her fingers around his pointer finger.

George frowned. "You little traitor! We look the same!" He complained to his daughter.

"Don't listen to your mean Daddy, lovebug. We both know I'm the better twin." Fred said loudly as they moved to the sitting room, where Angelina sat nursing Ava.

"Nice to see you, Fred! How is everything? Where's Hermione?" Angelina asked, smiling at him.

He sighed, sliding a hand through his hair and sat down before taking his niece's outstretched hand again. "We had a fight. Do you mind if I crash here tonight?"

"Of course you can, but what could be so bad that you can't go home?" Angelina asked as she burped Ava.

Fred explained what happened, saying he just needed some time away to think.

Angelina switched babies with Fred so she could nurse Mia. "We don't mind you staying, but I don't know how much time you'll actually have to think when there are two screaming babies around."

"I just need to be away from there for a bit. I don't want to continue saying things that I don't mean because I'm angry. Besides, I'm happy to help with these little guys." He said, rubbing his finger over Ava's chubby cheek.

George raised an eyebrow at his brother. "And this outburst has nothing to do with the infertility issue?"

Fred groaned. "I admit, I've been on edge about it, but that's a different situation all together." Fred said.

"How are you coping with it? I take it nothing's changed?" George asked.

"If you're asking if she's pregnant, she's not. There hasn't been a day where we thought maybe. Her body works like clockwork. She hasn't even been a few hours later than normal. As for my feelings… well, they're pretty insignificant when it comes to that subject. I can't think of mine when she's the one going through it all." Fred explained.

"Your feelings are anything but insignificant, mate. You are just as affected by it as she is."

Fred shrugged. "What is there to say? It's just hard. I've always wanted a family and being a Weasley, it never crossed my mind that I might never have one of my own. You don't realize how bad you want something until your odds are against you. I know Hermione wants one just as bad now. She knows it's now or never and I know she cries when I'm not around. There's been many times that I've come to bed and her eyes were red and swollen. I would literally do anything to get her pregnant." Fred sighed and leaned back into the couch, nestling Ava between his side and arm.

"I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, Fred. I couldn't imagine not being able to have these two…" Angelina said, looking down at Mia. "I don't know if there is really anything we can say to make you feel better… just take it day by day and don't let this tear you and Hermione apart."

Fred nodded, but didn't reply. Sensing his brother was done with the conversation, George turned the muggle television on and the three sat comfortably while the girls slept in their arms.

XxXxXx

Hermione had a fitful nights sleep that night, waking up with every noise, thinking that Fred had come home. She never realized how many noises the flat made at night, never having stayed alone before.

She woke up Sunday morning wondering if Fred had had enough time to cool off and wondering if she should visit George and Angelina's. She opted to go to the burrow instead, not wanting to corner Fred if he wasn't ready. She hoped that he would show up at the burrow early.

At lunch, there were still no sign of either one of the Weasley twins and it gave her a stomach ache. She sat with Harry and Ginny, trying to eat, but mostly just pushing her food around her plate.

Her stomach felt like it was in knots. She didn't mean to offend him. She just felt like she wasn't pulling her weight and wanted to give back a little to Fred. Despite what he said, she didn't feel that money was the most important thing in the world. It wasn't fair of him to say that to her.

He had wanted to consolidate their vaults into one when she moved in, but she declined and now she regretted it. The whole mess would have never happened if she had just agreed. She had said no because she didn't want to spend the money he worked hard for. Having her own, she knew how much she had and how much she could spend. She realized it didn't matter much now.

Her plan was to apologize profusely and ask for the vault consolidation to keep any issues from happening in the future.

After cleaning up lunch for Mrs. Weasley, she sat and watched Ginny and Harry play wizard's chess. In mid-game, there was a woosh from the fireplace and Hermione spun around in her seat to see who it was.

Bill came trapesing into the kitchen with a lazy grin on his face. "Hello, family!" He said cheerfully, making Hermione smile up at him.

Bill pulled Hermione out of her chair. "Now, tiny Mione, I deserve a better hello than that!" He said, pulling her into a hug.

"Oh, fine." She pouted, embracing him.

"That's better."

She started to pull away, but he held her to him.

"What is that?" He asked.

"What is what?" She asked.

He looked around the room again, taking in all of its occupants. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Bill were the only ones there.

"Come with me for a second." Bill demanded, releasing her waist and grabbing her hand. "I need silence."

He pulled her out the kitchen door and into the garden.

"What is it now?" Hermione asked, her hands on her hips. She knew that being in the garden with Bill was never good.

He stepped closer to Hermione. "Something isn't right."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, suddenly worried.

He bent his head down closer. "I can't tell if it's a heart murmur or if there's another heartbeat."

Hermione gasped. "Another heartbeat? Listen closer! Tell me what you hear! I need you to be sure!" She stepped up onto the bench so that her stomach was closer. Hermione could feel her legs shaking.

He pressed his ear to her abdomen, listening closely. "It's faint… but it's there." He answered after a moment.

Hermione squealed and jumped down, pulling him into a hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I've got to go! Don't tell anyone!" Hermione tore herself away from him and ran to the gate so she could disapparate. Bill watched her go with a scowl on his face.

XxXxXx

She knocked on the door to the Diagon flat loudly and impatiently.

"Hermione!" Angelina answered.

"FRED! WHERE'S FRED?" Hermione yelled, hurrying inside. Angelina pointed towards the hallway, a bit shocked by her dramatic entrance.

The bathroom door was open and the water was running. "Fred!" Hermione yelled, stopping in the bathroom.

A head popped out of the shower curtain, a surprised expression on his face.

"George! Where is Fred?" Hermione asked, getting frantic.

George looked past her and nodded his head, indicating to look behind her.

She turned and saw Fred in the hallway. She squealed and ran out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

She ran and jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and hanging there.

"I'M PREGNANT, FRED!" She squealed. He quickly wrapped his arms around her.

"You're… we're… really?" Fred's brain couldn't grasp what Hermione had just said.

She looked at him and nodded her head vigorously. "I'm pregnant! Bill told me! We're going to have a baby!"

Hermione felt them go down, her knees hitting the floor lightly while Fred held her against him. He buried his head into her neck and started to sob.

"Oh, Fred! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I offended you so badly! We can consolidate our vaults whenever you want. I'm so sorry. Everything is all my fault. You still want this right?" Hermione apologized, running her fingers through his hair.

He nodded and lifted his head to look at her, trying to calm his sobbing. "Of course I do! And yesterday doesn't even matter now! I'm sorry for upsetting you while you were pregnant!"

She wiped the tears off of his face. "Don't be silly. You didn't know."

He took a deep, cleansing breath. "A baby." He whispered, making Hermione smile.

She saw his eyes well up again and he hid in her neck for a second time. "We're having a baby." He whispered into her neck.

She laughed airily. "Fred."

He came out from hiding again and looked at Hermione for a moment, giving her time to search his face.

"You okay?" Hermione asked.

He gave her a Cheshire grin. "Bloody perfect. You're carrying my baby."

She smiled and leaned her forehead against his. "I am. I love you... so much."

"I love you, too." He cupped her face and kissed her lips before leaving loud, wet kisses all over her face, making her crinkle her nose.

"You two made up, I see." George said, coming out of the bathroom.

Fred smiled up at his brother. "She's pregnant."

George gave a loud whoop and leaned down, scooping her up into his arms and twirling her around, making her laugh.

Fred jumped up, yelling at his brother. "Stop! Put her down!" Fred tried pulling her from George's grasp.

Angelina came hurrying down the hall, hearing all the racket. "What's going on?"

Fred ignored her. "George! Let her go! Don't jostle her around! It's a high risk pregnancy, you arsehole!"

George set her down and Fred wrapped his arms around her protectively.

"Fred, I'm sure I'm fine." Hermione assured.

"You're barely pregnant, anything can happen, Hermione!"

"Wait! Pregnant? You're pregnant?!" Angelina asked, excitedly.

Hermione smiled and nodded. Angelina pulled her out of Fred's grasp and hugged her tightly. "This is just the best news!"

"Be careful with her!" Fred yelled, frustrated.

Angelina released her and Fred pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her again.

"Oh, Merlin. It's starting already." George complained.

"I don't want to hear it. You need to be careful."

"Fred, I'm sure they will be." Leaning up, she pressed a kiss to his mouth to try to placate him. "Everything is perfect. Let's just get ready for the burrow. I'm hungry."

"You heard the woman! Hurry up. We've got a baby to feed!" Fred clapped his hands together twice. "Chop chop!"

George rolled his eyes. This was going to be a long pregnancy... for all of them.

XxXxXx

The men got dressed, Fred borrowing an outfit from George, while the women got the girls changed for the burrow.

They floo'd, Fred insisting that he and Hermione floo together so that her stomach was between them. She had only known of the pregnancy for an hour and she could already tell it was going to be a long one.

Hermione pulled Fred aside while the others got comfortable in the sitting room. "I think we should wait until my second trimester to tell the family. I don't want to miscarry and have to explain."

He nodded. "I agree. We need to make a healer appointment as soon as we can so we know if everything is okay and what to expect. I want to make sure we do everything we can to keep you and the baby healthy."

She smiled. "I'll make a call in the morning."

Fred plopped into the last open armchair in the corner and pulled Hermione onto his lap. She turned sideways, pulling her knees up so she could snuggle into him. Fred relaxed one arm against the armrest behind her, his fingers grazing her side. His other hand found her stomach and he stretched his long fingers apart, covering most of her abdomen.

"Hermione? Is everything okay? Why'd you run off?" Ginny asked once they were settled.

"I realized I needed to tell Fred something important." Hermione answered easily. She knew someone would ask.

"It couldn't wait until he got here?" Ginny asked, laughing a little.

"It could have… but it also gave me an excuse to see my nieces." Hermione said, smiling.

Ginny smiled down at the baby she was holding. "No fair! You should have taken me!"

"Speaking of nieces… where's Victoire?" Hermione asked.

"Sleeping in the twin's room. Mum's decided to make it into a nursery." Bill answered.

"What!"

"Unfair!"

"Guess we can never come back, Georgie…"

"Guess you're right, Freddie."

"We're orphans!"

"Hey!" Harry and Hermione yelled indignantly.

Fred kissed her cheek. "I didn't mean anything by it, love."

She smiled. "I know. We're just giving you a hard time."

"At least Mum didn't turn your room into something else… she still loves you.." Fred said, pouting.

"She better not! I'm still living in it!" Ginny yelled.

"I hear your complaining, Frederick! I can't believe you aren't willing to give up your old room for your nieces!" Mrs. Weasley yelled from the kitchen.

"I can't believe you trusted our room enough to put my perfect little nieces in there!" Fred retorted.

Everyone seemed to stop moving… even breathing at that point, and all of a sudden multiple people jumped up and ran towards the stairs to grab Victoire. Hermione tried, but Fred held on to her.

"RELAX! He's joking! It's completely safe! Everyone have a seat!" George yelled.

Bill, Fleur, Ginny, Harry, and Mrs. Weasley filed back down the stairs.

"Ooh! You two are terrible boys!" Mrs. Weasley seethed, marching in to first smack Fred on the back of his head before doing the same to George.

"But Mum! I didn't even say it! I said it was safe!" George whined.

"No, but I know you! If Fred hadn't said it, you would have." Mrs. Weasley answered as she headed back to the kitchen. "Hermione? Could you come watch the stove while I run upstairs?"

"Sure!" Hermione hopped up and headed into the kitchen, Fred following close behind. She looked over her shoulder and laughed when she realized she had a tall, ginger shadow.

She stood at the stove and stirred the noodles while Fred stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her.

He kissed the skin behind her ear. "I love you."

She smiled. "I love you, too, silly."

"I'm so excited, I could do a jig!"

She laughed. "Yea? Let's see."

She heard him start to move behind her and she could see his legs and feet dancing around. She giggled and turned and he grabbed her by the hand and the waist and started to waltz her around the kitchen table.

He finished when they reached the stove again and she stirred the noodles once more.

"I called it."

Hermione and Fred startled and turned their heads to find Bill leaning against the cabinets.

"Called what?" Hermione asked, her smile now gone.

"I said you'd be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen within six months." Bill sighed. "Why do you let Fred control you?"

"Fuck off!"

"Fred!"

"No, Hermione! Let me handle this! He's been doing nothing but putting me down for the last year! I'm sick of it. This is no longer your fight." Fred turned towards his brother.

"I do not control Hermione! For your information this was her decision! There is a reason why we are doing this now and not later. I would suggest getting your head out of your arse and realize there are more things going on then just what's on the surface. This pregnancy happens to be a high risk one, and I would appreciate it if you'd stop being such a dick to Hermione! She doesn't need the stress!

"You say you love Hermione, but all you do is bitch at her! Every time she turns around you're telling her that she's doing something wrong and telling her that I'm some type of jackass that isn't worth her time. This pregnancy was planned and your opinion on the subject is not needed or wanted. From this moment forward, I do not want to hear you say one more negative thing to Hermione. If you have a problem, you come to me… but I'd much rather you keep your mouth shut and your opinions to yourself about me and mine." By the time Fred was finished, he was hovering over Bill, his face inches from his brother's.

"She is not yours." Bill gritted through his teeth.

"And she's yours?!" Fred spat.

"She's mine to protect."

"You don't claim her." Fred gritted back, leaning closer.

Bill scowled at him. "Get. Out. Of. My. Face. I'm warning you." He threatened, the top right side of his mouth snarling as he poked Fred in the chest.

"Then get out of our business." Fred shot, poking him back.

A low grumble came from deep in Bill's chest.

Hermione pushed herself between them, facing Bill. She saw that his eyes were black and it reminded her of Greyback. Neither one of them seemed to notice she was there; they just continued to scowl at one another.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" She screamed, her breaths coming out like she had just sprinted.

She felt Bill lean into her, pushing her between his chest and Fred's and she could feel her body start to shake with adrenaline. She saw Fred's arms come up on each side of her to push Bill away as footsteps came running.

"Oh, shit." George said, when he saw Hermione between the scowling brothers. Fred kept his eyes on his brother's black ones, trying to step back and twist so George could pull her free, but Bill's eyes narrowed and he stepped closer. Fred put his arms up, pushing Bill backward and George yanked her away. Bill came back at Fred growling and George hurried to step between them.

"Bill, mate… I know you know about the situation, and you might not like it, but you've got to calm down. You're scaring us." George said quietly.

Hermione stood on the sidelines with the others, still shaking. Harry tucked her into his side to try and calm her down.

"WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Mr. Weasley bellowed from the stairs, making everyone jump.

As he finished the last step, Bill seemed to snap back from his anger and relaxed his shoulders, blinking rapidly while taking a step back from the twins.

"I believe I asked you a question!"

"Sorry Dad… Fred and I… we just had a disagreement… I don't know what came over me… that's never happened." Bill explained.

"Bill was just in the process of taking a bite at me." Fred said, coolly.

"Explain to me why poor Hermione is shaking if it was just a disagreement, William. You should be ashamed of yourselves for scaring her!" Mr. Weasley chastised.

Fred's head snapped towards Hermione and he grabbed her from Harry.

"Why don't we go upstairs?" Fred asked.

She nodded, holding onto his arms that were around her as the made their way towards the stairs. He let her lead, keeping his hands on her hips while they climbed the stairs to Ginny's room.

She sat down on the side of the bed while he closed the door and grabbed a chair to sit in front of her. He sat as close as he could, his legs on the outside of hers.

He pulled her to him and hugged her. "Are you okay?"

"It's just adrenaline. It'll wear off." She told him. "Are you okay? I've never seen him like that."

Fred pulled out of the embrace and looked at her. "I'm fine. I was worried about getting you out. Oh, Hermione… please stop shaking. This stress isn't good for you right now." He rubbed her arms up and down.

"I'm trying."

There was a knock on the door before the door opened a crack and Bill's head popped into view. "May I come in?"

"Bill-"

"I'm sorry!" Bill said, interrupting Fred and entering. "That's never happened before. I didn't mean to scare you, Hermione."

Hermione's eyebrows stitched together and she bit her lip. "Why are you being like this? You claim that Fred is controlling, but you feel like you have the right to make all my decisions for me. That fight never should have made you that angry. That was unacceptable."

"But don't you see, Hermione? That fight made him angry because I called you mine… for some reason he thinks you're his… like you're his pup or something." Fred explained, his anger still evident.

Bill scowled at Fred. "I can't help it. She's family."

"I'm family! But you didn't have any issues wanting to attack me."

"You're a male. It's different." Bill answered.

"How is that different?" Fred asked, eyebrows stitched together.

"No, let's not go into all this werewolf instinct business. It's been a long day. Let's just eat and go home." Hermione said, intervening.

"I still want to know why you planned to do this." Bill said, pointing to her stomach.

So, again, Hermione went into explaining what happened. When she finished, Bill hugged her.

"I'm sorry, Hermione… why didn't you explain that in the first place?"

"You were too busy putting me down." Fred grumbled.

"Fred… I'm sorry. It was wrong to jump to conclusions. From now on, I'll stay out of your business." Bill stood up and offered Fred his hand. Fred stared at his hand for a moment before shaking it. He was still angry with Bill, but he just wanted the whole thing over with so he could move on with Hermione and enjoy this time in their lives.

"Good! Now that that's settled, you two need to come up with a reason why you fought. You know your father is going to tell your mum and she's going to have a conniption. We aren't telling anyone else about the baby yet."