Shakespeare or Quiddich
Pregnancy
15 Weeks
It was Sunday at the Burrow and Charlie and Sorin had arrived that morning for holiday. Christmas was about a week away and everyone was in good spirits.
The ministry had deemed Grimmauld Place safe now that most of the death eaters had been caught and the wards were stronger than ever, so Harry had been staying there with Kreacher as company. Kreacher had come to love Harry now that he treated the elf with respect and the house was always spotless and the cooking superb. Ginny had started to become a regular at his house and Kreacher had learned to love her as well, the label of 'blood traitor' forgotten.
Charlie and Sorin were looking for a home that wasn't on the reserve, but close enough to it for work. They had looked into adoption and the representative told them that no agency would look at them while they lived in such a dangerous place. The whole situation had been putting them on edge and they were happy to be away from the stress and enjoy their family for awhile.
Bill and Fleur had just found out they were pregnant with their second child the month before and decided to surprise their parents on Christmas about the news. They were going to be giving them each a bib that stated 'I love MawMaw' and 'I love PopPop', respectfully.
Percy and Penelope were enjoying newlywed life and enjoyed the quiet of their flat. They had no plans on becoming parents anytime soon; not even to a furbaby like a cat, dog, or a sweet little puff. They both felt like they had enough responsibility during the day at work and enjoyed the lack of responsibility when they came home.
George and Angelina were busy with their girls and the shop and always seemed to be running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Mia and Ava were now five months old. Mia loved her tummy time, while Ava screamed through most of it; Ava was the more vocal baby, always babbling and cooing at who was holding her, while Mia had a tendency to study the person's face while she sat quietly. They seemed to have opposite personalities and it intrigued their parents since Fred and George were so similar.
They all sat around the table enjoying each other's company after dessert while they took turns playing with the babies. Hermione held Ava, the two seeming to have a full conversation back and forth, making Hermione laugh every time she babbled up at her.
"You're kidding!" Hermione said, after Ava gave an extra loud babble. "Your Papa did that?" Another loud babble from the baby came while George scoffed.
"I dunno what she is telling you, but I assure you, I did no such thing!" George said, pretending to be put off.
Hermione ignored him and continued her little game with Ava "Well, next time just come to Auntie Mione and she'll make it all better."
Fred laughed at the two while he held Victoire in a standing position on his legs, letting her bounce herself up and down while she giggled.
"Speaking of babies… George? Do you think you have some free time in the next few weeks to help me?" Fred asked, his eyes moving from his niece's face to his brother's.
"Course! What for?"
Hermione smiled up at Fred, knowing where he was going with this.
Fred's eyes returned to Victoire as he answered as nonchalantly as he could. "Well, you see, Hermione and I found out jellybean's gender and I need help with the nursery."
The room went quiet for a few moments, even Ava and Victoire seemed to go quiet before the room exploded in voices.
Fred looked back to George to find him smiling. Ignoring the others, he continued his conversation with his twin. "So, whaddya say? Mind helping?"
"It'd be an honor. So, tell me twin-of-mine…what theme have you decided on?" George asked.
Hermione looked around and couldn't help laughing. Ginny was currently swearing loudly at the twins while Molly looked like it was taking all of her self control not to smack both of them. Fleur was yelling in French, the things she was saying making Hermione laugh, while Penelope looked like she wasn't sure what to think or how to act. The men looked like they were rather enjoying watching the scene unfold and Hermione noticed Charlie wink at her. She grinned back at him and put her finger to her lips.
Last week, they weren't sure if Charlie and Sorin could come for the holidays, and since the couple had found out about the news of the baby last, Hermione found it only fair that they be the first to know the gender. So she owled them the same day they found out, confetti exploding in the specific color as they opened the letter.
"WELL," Fred said loudly to get the women to quiet down, effectively making Victoire jump at his loud voice. "Sorry Vivi…" He said, kissing her forehead.
"Hermione and I had it narrowed down to two. Hermione chose Shakespeare if it was a girl and I chose quiddich if it was a boy…"
"Oh, for goodness sake, Frederick! Just tell us!" His mother yelled, her eyes popping out of her head.
"Well, it looks like the mobile will be full of snitches!"
XxXxXx
Hermione laid in bed that night, rubbing her tummy and replaying everything in her head. She was so ecstatic to have a boy. When she was younger, she always dreamed of having a little girl just like her, but after meeting the Weasley's, she changed her mind. Being around all that testosterone really had an affect on her. The Weasley men were always nothing but gentlemen to her; always chivalrous and kind when it came down to it. Sure, Fred and George pulled pranks on her, but they never treated her bad or put her down. She felt proud to be carrying a Weasley and hoped he carried the gentleman gene like his daddy and uncles. She felt a sense of pride to be part of such a wonderful family.
Before, she had wanted a girl for the main reason of making her strong-willed, level headed, and intelligent like herself. Growing up, she realized that being so strong-willed was not always a good thing. She knew that her son could still have her intelligence, and mixed with the Weasley pride and the twins sense of humor, could make him unstoppable.
Hermione almost laughed out loud at the thought of Fred's reaction if his son didn't end up having his sense of humor or love for pranks. He would be so disappointed.
She couldn't deny that a small part of her delighted at the thought of a quiet, studious redhead with his nose stuck in a book. She knew the odds of that happening were slim to none.
"What are you grinning like a loon about?" Fred asked as he climbed between their silk sheets next to his wife.
"Just picturing a quiet little boy curled up in an armchair clutching a lovely book with his fingers while his ginger hear poked out from above it."
Fred snorted. "He must be plotting his next prank. If he is the quiet type, he'll be a master prankster! Your brains and my humor… I believe we might be in trouble." Fred turned to his side and rubbed her stomach. "Can you imagine him and the twins at school? I wonder if they'll prank together or against each other…" Fred said, a glint in his eye.
Hermione giggled. "Oh, Merlin. Poor Headmistress! We'll be getting owls every week!"
"At some point, half the school will end up Weasley's and Potter's, you realize? Fleur and Bill are already talking about baby number three and George said he and Angelina are going to try again when the girls are a year old… then Harry and Ginny will become married and probably have a litter of mini boy wonders." Fred drabbled on, thinking out loud.
"And if we adopt…" Hermione cut in.
Fred's eyes and grin widened. "We could have a whole Weasley Potter army! Our ranks could take over Hogwarts! Maybe we could convince Charlie and Sorin to send their children to Hogwarts, too!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, but couldn't contain a laugh. "Let's just concentrate on getting this little guy delivered first." She said, patting her stomach.
"Yes, let's!" Fred leaned down and laid his head on her abdomen above her bump so he could talk to the baby. "But not now! You hear that little man? You've got five more months of baking before you can come, so get comfortable. I still have to get your quiddich nursery ready!"
"A quiddich nursery that will not be orange!" Hermione added.
Fred laughed. "Scarlet and gold it is!"
"But what if he's in Ravenclaw? Or Hufflepuff?"
Fred gasped. "Blasphemy! My child will be a Gryffindor if he wants to be or not!"
"I don't believe you make that decision. He could be put in Slytherin." Hermione teased, drawing out the last word dramatically.
"You quiet that mouth! I will not tolerate such language in my house!"
Hermione giggled. "Green and silver! That'll be such a nice change from red and gold!"
"Stop it!"
"Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll be roommates with a Malfoy!"
"I'M NOT LISTENING!" Fred yelled, sitting and covering his ears while he shook his head.
"Maybe he'll play quiddich and win Slytherin the house cup!" Hermione said, grinning widely.
He squeezed his eyes shut tight. "No! Make it stop!"
"Maybe bring home a nice pureblooded Slytherin girl!" Hermione said louder.
"LALALALALALALA!" He yelled, burying his face in his pillow, his fingers still in his ears.
XxXxXx
19 Weeks
Hermione and Fred had decided to take a birthing class together since she was almost halfway through.
"Now that we've finished with the breathing exercises, we will go over the various positions that will help ease Mummy's discomfort during labor…" The mediwitch explained. "Now, the first one is what some call 'the needy mummy'. This one is perfect for women seeking the physical touch and emotional support of their significant other.
"Daddies… sit on the floor with your leg spread, your knees bent and feet flat. Good. Now Mummies… sit between his legs and lean up against him."
Hermione did as she was told and leaned up against Fred, her forearms resting on his thighs with her hand on his knees. She extended her feet in front of her and laughed lightly when she saw her feet barely extended past his, even with his legs bent.
She wiggled her socked feet and pointed her toes trying to stretch, making Fred realize what she was giggling about.
"Shorty." Fred whispered in her ear.
"Giant." Hermione softly retorted.
He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, his hands stretched wide and cradling her stomach. Hermione tilted her head to the side and chewed her lip, trying to decide.
"Hmm… I think I like this position." She told him.
"This is a great position to have during pushing. It'll help keep Mummy in the right position to bare down." The mediwitch continued as everyone took their time exploring the position.
Fred leaned down and kissed his favorite freckle behind her ear, effectively making her shiver before whispering, "I'll sit like this the whole time, if that's what you want."
He wasn't as quiet as he thought and the mediwitch turned and smiled at the couple. "She might be thinking that this is great now, but once she's in labor she might be throwing profanities and items your way. She might not even want you anywhere near her."
Hermione laughed at the thought of throwing things at Fred's head. Fred, on the other hand, looked scandalized.
"My wife not wanting me near? I can't imagine! Cursing? Rubbish! She never swears! Throwing things at me? Eh…maybe." Fred retorted. Hermione leaned her head back against the front of his shoulder and laughed at the last part.
The mediwitch smiled at him. "Well… just in case, you two should practice these other poses…"
"Of course!" Hermione told her, elbowing Fred in the ribs.
"The next one we will be using the exercise ball."
Fred's eyes widened and he looked at Hermione as he whispered loudly, "Why would you need to exercise while in labor?"
Some of the other couples chuckled and Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's just to sit on, silly! It relieves some pressure and gets you into the right position for your hips to widen." She explained, wondering why none of his daddy books explained any of this.
The mediwitch gave everyone a ball and told the women to sit on it.
"What if you fall off? You've been kind of uncoordinated lately…" Fred looked worried.
Hermione scoffed. "You have no faith in me, husband!"
Fred rolled his eyes. "Of course I do! You're just a little front heavy is all… I'm scared your little feet will make you topple over!"
"I beg your pardon?!" Hermione said, laughing. "You best be glad I know you well enough not to take offense to you calling me front heavy!" She told him as she sat on the ball.
He ran in circles around the ball with his arms out trying to keep her steady.
"You look ridiculous, Frederick Weasley!" Hermione admonished.
"Is this your first?" An Indian woman with long silky raven black hair asked.
Hermione smiled sheepishly. "How could you tell?" Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes at her husband. "My pregnancy is high risk so he's been overly protective." Hermione explained. Fred had the decency to at least blush at this comment.
"Well, I think it's sweet!" The woman said. "My husband coddled me for the first two and now we're on our fifth and I think sometimes he forgets I'm even pregnant. If it wasn't for this beach ball of a stomach, he wouldn't remember!"
Her husband snorted. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, darling! I am well aware that we're on our fifth child. Fifth and last!"
Hermione hid a giggle behind her hand. She was glad to find other couples bickering, too.
They moved onto the other positions before the mediwitch went on to explaining how the body changes and what the body does during labor. She handed out pictures and diagrams and Hermione noticed Fred getting paler.
"Baby? You okay?" She asked him quietly as he looked at a diagram on how much the pelvis moves during pregnancy and labor.
"Hermione… I… I feel terrible that you have to go through this." Fred sighed and rubbed her stomach. "Women are incredible."
Hermione smiled and reached up to push back a piece of hair that fell onto his forehead. "Thank you, love."
"We are now going to watch a birthing video." The mediwitch announced.
Hermione fought a smile through the whole video as she watched Fred. He looked as though he was going to run out of the room screaming at any moment. When the head started to crown, he covered his eyes and muttered, "bloody hell!"
Hermione rubbed his back in circles with her palm.
"Is it over yet?" He asked, once the witch on the screen stopped yelling.
"Well, the baby's out if that's what you're asking." Hermione answered. She wondered if he even knew about delivering the placenta.
He watched, wide-eyed. "So, you're telling me that even after the baby's out… it's still not over?" Fred asked.
"Nope."
"My poor mum! She did this seven times! I'll never sass her again!" He vowed.
Hermione laughed. She highly doubted he'd keep that promise, but it was sweet to see the newfound appreciation he had for his mother.
XxXxXx
Later that night, Hermione laid in bed in a sleeveless pajama top pulled up above her belly and cotton panties while Fred rubbed lotion on her stomach. She realized that as her stomach stretched, her skin had become itchy and putting lotion on it eased the itch.
"You two should come up with a stretch mark cream! It wouldn't be too hard… the recipe would probably be close to your scar reducer." Hermione told Fred while he rubbed her swollen tummy.
"That's a great idea, Hermione! Maybe we should come up with a whole pregnancy section under the Wonder Witch line."
Hermione smiled as she watched his hand rub the lotion onto her stomach. "That would be wonderful."
"I love your tummy, Hermione! It's sexy." Fred said as he laid next to her on his side, propped up on his elbow while continued to rub her stomach.
She snorted. "Right!"
"It is!"
"How?"
"You're carrying my child, Hermione. There's nothing more of a turn on."
She laughed and shimmied down in bed, covering up, and turning to face him. "A little boost to your ego knowing you did it to me?"
He gave her a guilty grin. "Reminds everyone you're mine."
She tried to scowl, but she was too entertained. "You are adorable."
"Thank you for this, Hermione. I had no idea everything you were going through, bodywise. And then your issues on top of it! No wonder you get so tired. I feel so selfish making you do this."
"You stop right there, Frederick Gideon! You did no such thing! I wanted this just as much as you did. I chose this, remember? This is a normal occurrence that happens everyday. Women's bodies are made to do this." Hermione told him, her eyebrows stitching together.
He leaned in and kissed her lightly. "You're made to deal with all this and I don't even know if I can handle watching the delivery! I don't want to see a head coming out of there!"
Hermione laughed. "Just stay by my head. Just sit behind me and that way you'll be as far from that as possible."
Fred smiled. "I can deal with that. I'll be sure to bring some bruise reducer."
She furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"
"Well, that healer acted as if you were going to pummel me to death, so I just want to be prepared." He said with a straight face.
"Oh, you!" Hermione swatted at his chest.
"See, it's already starting!"
She turned onto her back and stretched. While in mid stretch, she felt fluttering in her tummy and gasped, causing Fred to sit upright.
"What is it?" Fred asked, a little panicked.
Hermione grinned and put her hand on her stomach. "I think I felt the baby moving!"
"Really?! What does it feel like?"
"Like little flutters… right here…" She said, pulling the blanket down and pointing to the spot.
Fred laid his head on the spot where she felt the fluttering. "Amazing… I wish I could feel little man."
"Soon." Hermione promised.
XxXxXx
22 Weeks
Hermione was right. A few weeks later they were both laying in bed, each with a book in their hand. She felt a kick and gasped lightly, looking at Fred to see if he noticed the sound. When he didn't, she smiled.
She took his hand from where it lay on the blanket and placed it on the spot where she felt it. Fred didn't think much of the action and drew circles on her stomach with his thumb.
A few moments later there was a kick and Fred's book went flying, his glasses thrown on the bedside table as he turned toward her.
"Was that what I think it was?" He asked, wild-eyed and grinning.
"It was." Hermione smiled.
"Incredible! Make him do it again!" Fred told her, bouncing closer and placing his other hand on her stomach too.
She laughed. "I'm not sure it works that way…"
"Ooh!" Fred yelped as he felt another small movement. "Did you feel that?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course I did… I'm the one he's kicking!"
"It feels so weird…" Fred said, staring at his hands.
"You should feel it from this side!"
"You literally have a live human being inside your body…" Fred mentioned.
"Isn't it wild to think about?" Hermione asked. "And not just any human being, but one that's half you and half me."
Hermione pulled the comforter back up and snuggled into bed for the night, Fred sliding down and doing the same.
"I'm the luckiest man on Earth."
"Aww… that's sweet. " Hermione started, "And yes you are!" She finished, laughing. "Now turn off that light! I'm tired."
As Fred leaned over to turn off the light he murmured, "Ah, yup. So lucky..." earning him a pinch on the bum as punishment for his cheekiness.
As he yelped and jolted, Hermione grinned. "Goodnight, darling." She said as she rolled away onto her side.
"Goodnight, love." He answered, as he scowled at the back of her head.