Platonic Wife

Pregnancy

6 Weeks

As they were laying in bed after they finished consummating their binding, they both noticed how they were able to feel each others emotions. It was an odd feeling at first, being able to feel two sets of emotions at one time. Even when both were feeling the same way, they could separate which emotions were theirs and which ones were their partner's.

They also noticed that as their emotions calmed a little, they could no longer feel one another's. They came up with the conclusion that they could only feel each other if the emotion was strong enough.

Hermione woke up the day after their wedding and stretched, her body feeling sore from all the wedding day and wedding night festivities. Before she had time to register the wave of anxiety coming from Fred, his arm shot out from under the blanket and pulled her towards the middle of the bed and against him.

"Are you crazy?! You could have fallen out of bed!" Fred admonished.

Hermione looked at his worried face and, mixed with his serious case of bed head, made her burst out into a fit of giggles. The corners of his lips tugged down into a frown and only made it all the more funny.

"It's not funny, Hermione!" Fred said, annoyed. "This bed isn't as big as ours. What if you fall out? It isn't safe to be that close to the edge while you sleep." Fred was now pouting, looking rather put off by his new wife.

Hermione tried her hardest to stop and wiped a few tears from her eyes. "Oh! F-Fred, I'm…I'm…sorry!" She got out in the midst of her subsiding giggles. Once they had settled down she continued, "I promise I won't fall out of bed." She hoped that he'd take her serious because she couldn't get rid of the large grin that was still plastered on her face.

Noticing that he still looked unsure about her apology, she rolled onto her side and curled up to him, leaning her body onto his, her head on the front of his shoulder and her left leg tangled in his.

Fred couldn't help but grin. "Much better." He would never admit it, but he enjoyed feeling her stomach against his, knowing that the baby was tucked between them, safe and sound.

"Tell me… does George know just how much of a sap you are?" Hermione asked, trying not to laugh.

"Oi!" He yelled indignantly, poking her ribs and making her squeak and try to squirm away.

"Oh, no you don't!" Fred said, trapping her as he sat up and pinned her wrists above her head, tickling her ribs lightly.

XxXxXx

On Sunday, they returned back to their flat to put their luggage away before heading to the burrow for brunch with the family. Charlie and Sorin were leaving that evening and they were anxious to get to spend more time with them.

Fred and Hermione made their way toward the burrow's kitchen. As soon as Fred opened the door to allow Hermione through, a strong smell that smelled like rotten meat hit her nostrils and she gagged, making her cover her mouth and nose with her hand.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" Harry asked her from his spot at the table.

She removed her hand to answer, but the smell hit her nose again and she gagged for a second time. She quickly covered her mouth and ran for the stairs to the nearest loo as her stomach started to churn.

She barely made it to the toilet in time before she emptied her stomach into it. Her stomach refused to stop heaving until the heaves were dry and there were tears running down her face. Afterward, she felt exhausted from the violent way her stomach reacted. She laid her head on her arm while she tried to catch her breath. As she relaxed with her eyes closed, she felt a hand rub her back.

"You okay, Herms?"

"Why are you here?" She asked, confused as she flushed the toilet and started to stand up. He looped his arms under hers and pulled her up.

"That's the thanks I get for looking after my little heartworm?" He asked in mock hurt.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she rinsed her mouth out at the sink before doing a cleaning spell on her teeth. "Don't give me that act, George Weasley! I just meant why are you here and not Fred."

George shrugged and leaned against the door frame. "Fred thought it would be obvious if he followed you, so he motioned for me to go."

"Lucky man… having to take care of your brother's wife when you have your own to worry about."

George grinned. "I don't mind taking care of my wife-in-law."

Hermione snorted. "Your what?"

"My wife-in-law… you married my twin Hermione... we're basically the same person… and we even got married on the same day, so you're like my second wife."

Hermione shook her head. "You might look a lot alike and act a lot alike, but you two are not the same. And I will not be doing any wifely duties with anyone, but Fred." She said, poking his chest and smiling at the last part, making George bark out a laugh.

"Ew, Herms... don't be gross… I meant a purely platonic wife." He told her, winking. "And, just a little tidbit from wife number one… use a anti-sensory charm on your nose so you can't smell. It'll help with your super sensitive sniffer."

Hermione grinned. "That's actually brilliant! Thanks!"

As they headed back down, Mrs. Weasley pulled Hermione into a hug. "You okay, dear? Something you want to tell me?"

Hermione's face paled a bit. "I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley. I think I just ate something bad this weekend."

"Oh, no need to call me that any longer. Please call me Molly… or Mum."

"Er… okay… Molly." Hermione tried to hide her wince. It felt awkward saying it.

Hermione sat down next to Fred and he placed his hand on her thigh and squeezed it. "Your stomach alright?" He whispered.

She nodded.

"I wanted to go up there, but Mum was giving me a look like she knew... so I motioned George to go up. It seemed to settle her curiosity for now." Fred's eyebrows stitched together.

Hermione gave him a small smile. "It's alright."

10 Weeks

Hermione was in the shower, getting ready for their ten week healer appointment when she heard Fred enter. She turned and looked at him through their clear shower door and saw him staring at her.

"What?" She asked, annoyed and self conscious.

He strolled over to her, his eyes squinting at her and yanked the shower door open. Hermione stared at him, her mouth wide open, thinking he went completely insane.

"Hermione! I see a bump!" Fred exclaimed, making her look down at herself. When she looked back up she saw him stepping into the shower, still clad in his pajama pants and socks, reaching for her stomach. He placed his hands on her stomach and cupped the small pooch below her naval.

"A bump." He repeated, like he couldn't believe it. "I've been waiting for this!" He said excitedly.

Hermione laughed. Her husband stood in the shower completely drenched and still in his clothes because of a bump.

"Fred! You do realize you're getting your pajamas all wet?"

"Huh?" He looked down. "Oh, well… that's not really important." He leaned down and kissed her deeply. "You're amazing. Growing our jellybean."

She smiled at the nickname he gave their baby. She couldn't believe how pregnancy had made Fred into such a sap. She adored how sweet he was when it came to anything baby related.

"You realize that soon it will look like a real baby…" Hermione mentioned.

Fred shrugged. "I know, but the baby will still be our jellybean."

She grinned and reached for her bottle of shampoo so they could get going. "I'm ten weeks now. We can probably see the tiny legs and arms this appointment."

Fred's face lit up. "Well hurry up then!"

Hermione laughed. "Then get out so I can shower!"

Fred saluted and pulled off his clothes before stepping out to get ready for the day.

XxXxXx

Fred and Hermione watched as Healer Melanie pulled up the baby with her wand. Fred immediately became teary-eyed, seeing the little arms and legs like Hermione had mentioned earlier.

"It looks like everything is going as planned. No surprises… no tears in the placenta and baby's heartbeat looks strong. Your baby is about the size of a strawberry now…let me see if I can zoom in a bit." The healer twisted her wand a bit and the baby on the screen came closer into view.

"See, you can see the little ears and the tiny little nose. Oh my… this one is quite the wiggler!" Healer Melanie laughed as she tried to get a clear picture.

"Can you feel it?" Fred asked.

"No, not yet." Hermione answered.

"Looks like the baby is about an inch long and weighs about two grams." The healer mentioned in the middle of mumbling spells. "Baby is right on schedule."

Hermione smiled up at Fred and squeezed his hand.

"Only thirty weeks to go!" Fred said, grinning.

11 Weeks

"You okay, Hermione?" Bill asked, seeing her dark circles on Sunday.

"Yea, just tired today. Read too late last night." She smiled sheepishly as she began to sit in one of the chairs in the sitting room.

George grabbed her arms and pulled her up. "You can lie on the couch."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "George, I'm not going to take up a whole couch."

"Nonsense. I'll let you use my legs as a footrest… just this once though… so don't get use to it." George said, winking as he pulled her to the couch and made her sit.

"You're being ridiculous."

"Do as he says." Fred said, sitting on the other end.

"Fred!" Hermione started.

"Just let them take care of you, Hermione." Bill interjected.

"You too?! Ugh! I give up!" She said, throwing herself back against the couch dramatically, her head in Fred's lap and her feet falling in George's.

Ginny gave them all an inquisitive look. "Is something going on that I am not aware of?"

"Nose out, Gin. She just hasn't been feeling well. Can't let my little wifey-in-law get sick now, can I?" George said, reaching up and poking Hermione's nose, his voice oozing too sugary sweet for Ginny to believe him.

Ginny looked over to Harry and he gave her a shrug. He wasn't going to be the one to tell her; he'd most likely get smacked for keeping it from her too long. No, he'd just pretend to be surprised with the others when they finally announced it.

Molly came in from the kitchen and her eyes automatically went to the sofa where her twins sat with Hermione. Her eyes zeroed in on Fred's hand on her stomach.

"Hmph!" She let out before turning and going back to the kitchen.

As they sat down for dinner, Molly kept eyeing Hermione and Fred, making noises that showed her annoyance every time she glanced their way. She was already fairly sure of what was going on and she was determined to get them to admit it. She didn't appreciate them keeping her grandchild a secret.

"Hermione, dear! I went to muggle London the other day and bought some of that Moscato you're always talking about. I thought we'd enjoy some tonight!" Molly told her as she pulled the wine bottle out of the fridge while wine glasses hovered to the table for everyone.

Hermione chewed her lip. "Er, thank you, Molly… but I haven't been feeling well. I don't think wine would be the best choice at the moment. I think I'll stick with my pumpkin juice."

"I'll take her share!" George said, holding out his glass.

"How bout a bit of firewhiskey? That'll warm your bones!" Arthur said, as he stood and reached in the cupboard to retrieve it.

"No, really it's fine! Thank you, though."

"You've been holding out on us, Dad! Forget that wine! Hand me the firewhiskey!" Fred exclaimed, holding his hand out to grab it from his dad who was pouring it into his tea.

The food floated to the table once everyone got their drinks and they tucked in. Everyone was in a good mood, enjoying each other and the good food and drink. The twins were half buzzed and reminiscing about their crazy antics during Hogwarts, when Fred noticed his Mum eye Hermione while a "hmph!" came out of her mouth.

Hermione and Fred tried to ignore it and enjoy the conversation, until his mother did it two more times.

Finally, Fred dropped his silverware loudly into his plate and smacked his palms on the table in exasperation. "Okay Mum! What is it? Out with it!"

"Don't speak to me that way, Frederick Gideon! I know what your keeping. I wish you'd just say it already!" Molly said, matter-of-factly.

Fred's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure what you're on about."

"Yes, you are! You know exactly what I'm speaking of, Fred Weasley."

Fred opened his mouth to retort, but was stopped by a tugging on his button-down shirt sleeve. He looked to his right to see Hermione gripping his sleeve where it was rolled up at his elbow.

"It's just a week… I think it's safe now…" Hermione told Fred quietly, deciding not to let them row about it. He gave her a small smile and nod.

He turned his head back towards his mother. "Okay, fine Mum. You win. It's true."

Molly squealed with delight and scurried over to the couple, who both stood up to hug her.

"What is true exactly?" Ginny asked.

"I'M GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER GRANDBABY!" Her mother exclaimed through happy tears as she held Hermione tight.

Ginny gasped and jumped up hugging Hermione from the other side. "Hermione! Why didn't you tell me? I had a feeling… but I never thought you'd… already… this is just fantastic!" Ginny squealed in a giddy, high-pitched voice.

"Easy!" Fred yelled, pulling his sister off and trying to pry Hermione from his mother's gasp. "I don't fancy you suffocating my wife! She's fragile!"

Molly laughed. "Fragile? She's pregnant, Fred! Not dying."

Fred felt his anger rising and before he could stop himself, he said, "I don't appreciate you treating my high risk pregnant wife like a ragdoll!"

Hermione gasped. "Fred!" She felt her own anger rising. They had agreed not to tell the others about that part of it.

Molly relaxed her grip. "Hermione, is this true?"

Scowling at Fred she answered. "Yes, it's true."

"Well don't stand there! Sit down!" Molly urged, pushing down on her shoulders so she'd sit. "Tell us what's the matter!" she demanded, as she took her seat.

Hermione waited for Fred to sit before she explained. "I have some complications from the war and it makes my pregnancy high risk. The healer said I could have a miscarriage, so that's why we've been waiting to tell all of you."

"How far along are you?" Arthur asked.

"Eleven weeks." Fred answered for her.

"And you…" his mother pointed at him, "you've been taking care of her properly?"

Fred nodded. "Of course! Who do you take me for?" his voice started to raise and so Hermione decided to cut him off.

"He's been incredible. He makes sure I lie down like I'm suppose to, when I'm suppose to… he sends Dean up every once in awhile to check on me if he can't during the day… he's even sent George to the bookstore to get me new books when I ran out. All of it's pretty annoying really."

"Never make me do that again, Freddie! It hurts my prankster image to be seen in such a place… and you," George said, rounding on Hermione, "don't pretend like you didn't enjoy those books I got you! You were pretty happy that day I woke you up!"

"Oh, yes! Nothing like waking up from a nap and having George's smiling face staring down at me… it's quite frightening. I don't know how Angelina does it every day… I half expected my hair to be green or my nose to be two sizes too big…" Hermione said, her eyes wide in mock fright.

"Oi! How you wound me wife number two! I would never do anything to the woman carrying my twin's child! That's my niece or nephew you're carrying in case you forgot!" George retorted, making Hermione laugh.

14 Weeks

Hermione woke up early that Saturday morning, feeling extremely rested and having the strong urge to clean. While Fred showered for work, she made them breakfast. She had finally gotten Fred to agree about allowing her to cook and clean as long as she used her wand for everything.

He still made them eat at the sofa or on their bed when she was feeling too tired, instead of the kitchen chairs that Fred had decided were to uncomfortable for her 'condition'. Hermione was surprised at how tired she felt a lot of the time and that staying in bed and resting wasn't too terrible because her exhaustion didn't allow her to wander too far from the flat anyway. She wasn't doing anything and she wondered if her tiredness was just a mental thing or if her body really was having trouble keeping up.

After they finished their breakfast on the sofa and placed their plates in the sink, Fred leaned down and kissed her before bending over and lifting her shirt, kissing her swollen belly.

"I'll see you at lunch. I'm thinking of take away fish and chips from Rosemerta's?" Fred asked once he straightened himself and his fuchsia robes.

"Mmm…. that sounds heavenly! I can't wait! Can you bring back some ice cream, too?" Hermione found out three weeks ago that she could have two servings of fish a week as long as it was a fish low in mercury so, she had been taking advantage of it every week since. Not only had a craving for fried food started, but also chocolate ice cream with bananas in it.

Fred laughed. "I just bought a carton a few days ago! Where'd it go to?"

Hermione pointed to her stomach. "It's the baby's fault!"

Fred smiled fondly at his wife and stepped closer, rubbing her tummy with both hands. "We still good on banana's?"

Hermione nodded. "Molly brought me some yesterday."

He kissed her again. "Alright then. I'll see you at lunch with fried food and ice cream."

"Mmm, you're a dream!" Hermione stated, walking him to the door and pinching his bum as he made his way down the stairs.

"Another pregnancy craving I'll have to fulfill later, eh?" He said cheekily as he made his way down the metal staircase.

Hermione laughed and shut the door, turning around and eyeing the flat.

"Where should I start?" She asked herself, tapping her chin. She had read about nesting in her baby books, but she was still early in her pregnancy and wondered if her intense urge to clean was just because she was out of the sick first trimester phase and she had more energy. She hoped this energy would continue because she was sick of feeling off and exhausted all the time.

She started in the sitting room, cleaning up the clutter that had been accumulating on the coffee table and side tables before dusting the wood furniture and cleaning the windows. By the time she got to the floor, she realized she felt flush; she could feel the heat radiating up her neck and to her face. Placing a hand on her forehead, she found that she felt a bit warm. She took her temperature and saw she had a low grade fever; she didn't panic, because she knew it sometimes happens in pregnancy. So, she continued cleaning, making sure to go slower and to sit awhile.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Fred was enjoying talking to his regulars, joking with Verity, Dean and Terry, and showing young children his products.

"Here, you try!" He told a little girl with curly, blonde hair. He squatted down to her level and handed her a trick wand. She blushed and tucked her chin to her chest.

"Don't you want to try?" Fred asked.

She shook her head and looked down at her shoes.

He smiled and lifted the wand and her eyes followed it. He shook it and it turned into a sunflower. She gave a toothy grin and he handed it to her as he stood back up.

"Thank you," the child's mother said. "You must be a wonderful father! You're so good with children."

Fred grinned. "Thank you. I'm not a father yet, but my wife is due in June." Fred found himself announcing her pregnancy to a new customer at least once a day and talking about it more than he probably should have with Dean and George. George had complained that he announced it to anyone who would listen, but he believed that George was just being dramatic.

"Oh! Congratulations! So exciting!" The woman exclaimed, grinning.

Fred opened his mouth to respond when an intense wave of panic and dread washed over him. It didn't take him but a second to realize it was coming from Hermione.

"Something's wrong." He whispered to himself.

"Sorry?" The woman asked, unable to make out what he said.

"Oh, uh… I'm sorry! I have to go check on something, but please feel free to ask Dean or Verity at the register for anything you need!" Fred hurried to the back and took the stairs three at a time.

"Hermione!" He called out as he hurried in and swung the door closed. He found her in the kitchen, bent over and holding onto the cabinet for support.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" Fred asked, grabbing onto her hips from behind.

"Make it stop, Fred! Please make it stop! I'll do anything! I promise I'll never leave that bed again; just make it stop!" Hermione cried, half hysterical.

Fred choked down a sob as he felt his own panic rise. He needed to keep a level head. He still didn't know what was happening.

"Baby, tell me what is happening! I can't help if you don't tell me!" He urged.

Hermione grabbed her stomach as another cramp hit. "I'm cramping! And I have a fever!" She tried to straighten up so that she could walk, but Fred picked her up and disapparated on the spot to St. Mungoes.

He ran to the desk with her still in his arms. "My wife! She's pregnant and she's cramping! We need help!" He yelled at the receptionist.

"Okay, Sir! Just calm down… we'll get things squared away… just fill out these forms."

"FORMS?! You want me to complete forms? Are you DEAF? DIDN'T YOU HEAR WHAT I JUST SAID? SHE NEEDS-"

"Fred? What's going on?" Healer Melanie had stepped out from the back, hearing the commotion.

"Oh, thank Godric you are here! Something's wrong! She's cramping!" Fred felt a little relief seeing their healer.

"Bring her back! I'll look at her! Hurry, now!"

Fred followed her back to a trauma room with a bed and placed Hermione on it. Healer Melanie pulled a cotton gown out and when Fred saw this he started pulling Hermione's shirt off while Hermione tried smacking his hands away. She could still undress herself for Merlin's sake! She wasn't a complete invalid! He ignored her protests and continued, so she soon gave up and allowed him to undress her.

Once Fred tied her gown together, Healer Melanie immediately started firing diagnostic spells and lifted the gown above her stomach to pull the baby up.

The familiar wooshing sound flooded the room and Hermione let out a relieved sob and let her head fall back to the pillow at the sound of her baby's heartbeat. Fred grabbed her hand and kissed her forehead.

"Baby's okay… no problems that I can see with the placenta… you do have a fever…" The healer pulled her wand off Hermione's stomach and headed toward the potion cabinet.

"Take this."

Hermione downed the light blue liquid and the healer watched Hermione like she was waiting for something to happen.

After about a minute, Hermione gave a deep sigh.

"Feel better?"

"Yes." Hermione answered. The tightness in her stomach was completely gone.

The healer nodded and wrote a few things down in her chart. "Seems like you overexerted yourself and your body was trying to do what it could to find relief…unfortunately the only thing it could think of was to try to expel the baby."

"But, I didn't really do anything! I used my wand to clean!" Hermione told her.

"You might feel that way, but your body seems to be telling you something different. Magic takes energy. Adding another life for your body to try and keep up with is putting a lot of pressure on your it. The fever was probably a fatigue fever. I know it may sound silly, but your body is very fragile right now. You need to be extremely careful from now on and rest as much as you can." Healer Melanie explained.

Hermione nodded. "I will."

"I know you're supposed to have an appointment in two days, but it really isn't needed unless you would feel better with a follow up after tonight."

Hermione looked to Fred for an answer. She knew her mind was spinning from everything that had happened and she wasn't sure what to think.

"But, we were going to find out the gender…" Fred told Healer Melanie.

"Oh! Of course! I had almost forgot! Let's look and see if the baby will cooperate." She raised Hermione's gown over her small bump and pressed her wand to her stomach again.

Fred squeezed Hermione's hand and bit his lip in anticipation. They watched as the healer moved her wand around and zooming the image in to find the babies legs.

"Ah! Here it is! This baby isn't shy; legs wide open!" Healer Melanie said.

Hermione laughed. "Must take after Daddy... no modesty, this one!"