Building the Muggle Way -
Ginny removed loaves of zucchini bread from the oven being careful not to burn herself. She turned, hearing Hermione say something, but not understanding a single word over the loud bangs and hammering that were coming from deeper in the house. "I can't take this anymore!" Ginny cried out, despite the fact that even she couldn't hear herself, and grabbed her wand. With a wave the room became quiet except for Hermione shouting to be heard.
"I SAID WHAT DID YOU --" Hermione stopped yelling after realizing the sudden silence. "Sorry about that. I said, what colors have you chosen for the nursery?"
Ginny put her wand in her pocket and shrugged, "I really haven't decided yet."
Hermione struggled to get up out of her chair. "I'll be so happy when you're finally out," Hermione grumbled to her stomach.
"Sit, dear, I'll get that," Molly said, rising from her seat to go over to the stove.
"Tell me again, Mum, why they decided to do the addition the "Muggle way"?" asked Ginny, walking over to the kitchen doorway as Fred passed through the great-room and out the front door.
"Oh you know how your father is. But don't worry, dear, they are only using some Muggle equipment, mostly it will be done with magic." Molly said fondly, looking down into the thick stew she was stirring.
Ron and George rushed into the kitchen, yelling at each other as Ron held onto his hand, making his way quickly to the sink.
"I told you not to hold it like that, you blooming idiot!" George yelled.
"Oh shut up would you!" Ron yelled back.
Both men paused, looking around in surprise at the silence. "Why's it so quiet in here?" George asked while Ron stuck his hand in the sink, turning on the cold water tap.
"Silencing Charm," said Ginny, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Hermione struggled to get up out of the chair. "Ron, are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
Ginny stepped over to her sister-in-law and stuck out her hand, which Hermione gratefully took.
"You're brilliant husband decided to stick his hand in the way of my hammer," said George, smirking.
"I was holding the board for you. You dolt!" said Ron, holding his hand under the cold running water, "How in the hell did you do such great work with a bludger when you can't even handle a hammer?" He looked at his smashed finger.
Molly hurried over before Hermione was able to waddle across the room. "Let me look at that dear," said Molly, taking ahold of Ron's hand to examine the now black and purple tinged finger.
Ginny saw Hermione give Molly a disgruntled look before moving over to stand by the far counter. Hermione caught Ginny's eye and gave a small smile. Understanding passed silently between the two women. No matter what, the Weasley men would always be Molly's babies. Ginny knew Hermione understood Molly's overprotective nurturing and patiently tolerated it. Usually, Hermione didn't mind, but Ginny could see that pregnancy gave Hermione a shorter tolerance level by the way she reached for the head of lettuce, sitting on the counter waiting to be shred, and savagely began to tear into it, tossing the pieces into a large bowl.
While Molly took her wand and healed Ron, Ginny walked over to stand beside Hermione. Gently she nudged Hermione's shoulder with her own, when Hermione glanced over; Ginny gave her a reassuring smile. Hermione visibly relaxed and smiled back.
"Hormones," Hermione said loud enough for only Ginny to hear. "I know she means well," she continued.
Ginny nodded her understanding. "I have something that might perk you up," said Ginny.
"And that would be?" asked Hermione, turning her head to look at her curiously.
Ginny giggled, "I got a new movie for us to watch tonight."
Hermione grinned, "Pray tell."
Ginny's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Let's just say it has to do with pirates, cursed treasure and one yummy actor we both enjoy."
Hermione's eyes widened and she smiled excitedly, "You didn't!"
Ginny bit her lip and nodded. Hermione grabbed Ginny by the forearms and both pregnant women bounced slightly on their feet in giddy excitement.
"You have just made my day," said Hermione, her eyes glittering in anticipation.
"What are you two talking about?" said Fred, walking into the kitchen, he watched the two excited women with a wary eye.
Ron, now completely healed, turned to look over his shoulder as he washed his hands. Harry and Arthur walked in directly behind Fred.
"Lunch smells wonderful, Molly," said Arthur, approaching Molly and kissing her on the cheek.
"As soon as the girls return from the park with Egwene, we'll eat," said Molly, patting her husband's cheek.
Fred stood in the same spot from earlier, still watching his sister and Hermione with his head slightly cocked to the side, with an expression of deep thought. "You know, runt, I'd say you look just as huge as Hermione."
"FRED!" yelled Molly.
At the same moment, Ron, Harry, and Arthur cringed and took a step back all saying, "Ooohhh", as if they were already feeling the pain Fred was about to receive. George slapped his palm against his forehead and groaned.
Within the blink of an eye, Fred was staring down the end of two wands held in the hands of two very pregnant, very angry females. Fred threw his hands out at his sides as if bracing himself with nothing but air and swallowed a large lump of fear that was lodged in his throat. "Now Ginny, Her--Hermione let's not get too hasty."
Ginny let out a low feline growl as Hermione hissed. You could almost see the fur . . . err. . . hair rise on the back of their necks.
"I'll tell you what Fred," said Ginny in a dangerously low voice as her eyes narrowed, "Keep your mouth shut and you'll get to enjoy your testicles for another day." She pointed her wand towards his nether region.
Fred's body gave an involuntary jerk but otherwise didn't move, his eyes continuing to grow in fear.
"And when she's done with your crown jewels, I'll make sure your 'manhood' won't be able to stand proud ever again," Hermione said, matching Ginny's dangerously low tone. She too pointed her wand south.
Fred let out a squeak of fear but still didn't move. The remaining men stood in the kitchen with an expression that was mixture of horror and awe. George began to cough in his fist to cover up his laughter. Arthur cleared his throat several times as if to speak but thought better.
"You blundering idiot," Ron said under his breath. Harry gave out a low whistle but decided to remain neutral rather than risk having the wrath of the two angry pregnant women turned upon him.
It was finally Molly who came to the rescue, by slowly stepping forward. "Now dears, I will admit that what Fred said was rather tactless." Molly threw a heated glare at her son. "But please, if anything else, think of Angelina. I'm sure she'd like the chance to have children with her future husband," Molly implored.
Fred remained wide-eyed and silent but nodded his head in agreement with his mother.
"If she even marries the fool after she hears about this," Ron said under his breath to Harry.
Both women looked Fred up and down with calculating eyes. Hermione began to slowly relent, "For Angelina," she said with a nod.
Ginny held firm staring Fred down.
"Ginny?" her mother said gently.
Ginny narrowed her eyes again. "You have been warned," she said darkly.
Fred, as well as the rest of the men in the room, heaved a sigh of relief as Ginny lowered her wand. Arthur stepped forward quickly clapping him on the back. Fred jumped at his father's touch, looking around at him with frightened eyes.
"Fred, why don't you help me – Ahh . . . yes -- Help me straighten up the – thing -- in the room." said Arthur, nudging his son out of the kitchen.
Fred turned looking at his father gratefully, "Yeah, let's go get that -- thing."
Ginny released the silencing charm, since the men were done pounding at the moment.
"I'll . . . err . . . go help them," said George fighting hard to hide the smirk on his face, his eyes were bright as he dashed out of the room.
Molly went back to stirring the stew. Ron and Harry stood near the sink; they glanced at each other before looking over at their wives.
"Err -- Right then," Ron began.
"The table," Molly said softly, nodding her head in the direction of the kitchen table.
"Oh -- yes. Yes the table," said Harry. It was apparent that both men were fearful of what their wives might do next. Harry walked forward and used his wand to expand the table as Ron conjured up more chairs. Ginny and Hermione stood beside each other, anger now forgotten and grinned secretly.
"I thought he was going to wet himself," Ginny said under her breath for Hermione to hear.
Hermione snorted, "Perhaps that will teach him to think before he speaks."
"We're back!" a female voice yelled from the den.
"Oh good, the girls are back, now we can have lunch," said Molly, levitating the stew to the table. Several seconds went by before voices could be heard close by.
"YOU DID WHAT?" yelled Angelina from the great room. Katie walked in the kitchen rolling her eyes and shaking her head with Egwene in her arms. "YOU MORON!" Angelina yelled again.
George entered into the kitchen openly laughing. Arthur walked in right after George, looking a bit pink in the face and trying hard to fight the smile that was wanting to appear.
"I think Angelina and Fred might be a few minutes, perhaps we should begin without them," he said, walking over to wash his hands.
"Oh honestly, Arthur," Molly scolded.
"WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME POSSESED YOU?" Angelina continued to shout. Obviously Fred was trying to speak quietly because no one heard him. "WELL YOU'RE LUCKY THEN -- I WOULD HAVE JUST CHOPPED IT RIGHT OFF WITHOUT THE THREAT!"
George had to sit down in a chair from laughing so hard. The entire time Angelina had been yelling, Harry and Ron had also struggled to keep straight faces; but after that last outburst, they joined George at the table, unable to hold their laughter any longer. Arthur chuckled and shook his head.
Angelina strode into the kitchen with a full head of steam, a red-faced Fred followed in behind her. Turning her head, Angelina caught sight of Ginny and Hermione standing near the counter and strode over to them. "I am so sorry for what that idiot said," said Angelina, thumbing over her shoulder to Fred.
"Don't worry, I think he's learned his lesson," said Hermione giving Fred a quick glance before turning back to Angelina with a smile.
"Well, all the same . . . Next time, don't bother to warn him," said Angelina, this time smiling and giving Ginny and Hermione a covert wink.
As everyone began to settle around the table, Harry leaned over in his chair and looked at Fred's backside, as he stood at the sink.
"What are you doing?" asked Fred, throwing the towel back on the sink and catching Harry's eye. George and Ron looked up.
"Oh just seeing if there was any ass left after that chewing you received," said Harry, grinning because it wasn't him this time. Ron and George began to laugh. Fred grinned crookedly took his seat at the table.
Later that evening, Ginny walked down the stairs to the basement with a very large bowl of extra-buttered popcorn levitating in front of her.
"How are things going up there?" Hermione asked from the couch.
"They are doing great, almost have it done," Ginny answered as the bowl floated to a square coffee table in front of the couch.
Angelina walked out from behind the bar with several small bowls in hand, Molly directly behind her, levitating a pitcher of lemonade and glasses over beside the popcorn.
Katie sat in an armchair playing with Egwene. "Are we going to watch a movie? Yes we are!" she said, tickling the little girl's belly. Egwene screamed with laughter.
The floating pitcher of lemonade caught the toddler's eye as it settled on the coffee table. Leaning forward on Katie's knee, Egwene stretched her arms out, grasping the air with her fingers saying, "More, more."
Katie smiled and cuddled the toddler closer to her as Hermione poured a small amount in a cup for her daughter. "I swear Hermione, I could just gobble her up," said Katie, kissing the toddler's cheek. Katie took the cup and carefully tipped so Egwene could drink from it.
After the women had settled comfortably into their seats, Ginny used the remote to start the movie. As the previews began to role Hermione turned her attention to Angelina.
"So, is everything set for the wedding?"
Angelina settled her bowl of popcorn in her lap and looked up as she grabbed a few kernels to put in her mouth. "Everything is set -- now we just have to wait for the day to arrive," she said with smile before chewing her popcorn.
"I can't believe it's only a couple of weeks away," said Ginny, shaking her head in disbelief. Katie smiled over at Ginny as she handed Egwene a cracker.
Shortly into the movie, footsteps could be heard descending the stairs as the men came down to join. Fred and George sat down on the floor in front of their fiancées, each diving forward and grabbing a large handful of popcorn. Arthur sat down beside his wife, as did Harry and Ron.
"What'cha watching?" George asked. He was answered by a collective 'Shhh !' by the females. "What?" said George, looking around.
Molly leaned forward, staring at the large screen but waving her hand in George's general direction. "Shush or I'll get the wand."
George's eyebrows shot up but remained silent. Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other smirking, clearly knowing who had the real control in the Weasley family.
The movie ended and everyone sat back after having greatly enjoyed it.
"That was bloody well entertaining," said Fred, stretching from his position on the floor.
"Did you see that dame, she was hot!" said George, right before receiving a smack on the back of the head from Katie.
"Well, those leading gentlemen were rather handsome, if I do say so myself," said Molly, sitting back with a smile on her face.
"Mum," Ron groaned.
"What? I'd near say they were Oliver Wood caliber," she said cocking her smile.
Fred choked on his drink and Angelina whacked him on the back a bit harder than necessary.
"So, all done with the nursery?" asked Hermione.
"Yep, all we have to do now is chose wall colors and decorate it." said Harry.
"Well let's go see how you men faired," Molly said standing up.
Hermione and Ginny both began their struggle to get out of the comfortable furniture. Harry and Ron rose up and instantly turned to offer their hand, to help their wives stand.
"Aww," Katie said watching what gentlemen Harry and Ron were. "I hope you're like that with me, George."
Fred took a breath and was about to speak when Angelina clamped her hand firmly over his mouth. "Keep it shut, Weasley, for all that is holy, keep it shut," she said, pushing him towards the stairs. Fred's eyes crinkled with a smile hidden beneath her palm.
Harry led Ginny through their bedroom to the new entrance of the nursery. Ginny's eyes took in the room excitedly.
"Wow, this is wonderful, Harry," said Hermione, walking in, holding Ron's hand.
The smell of fresh cut wood came to Ginny's senses as she looked around the octagon nursery. The high, vaulted white ceilings and exposed wooden beams created an open, airy feeling to the room. Hardwood floors gleamed from the flickers gas lamps that were mounted on the walls. Three windows looked out onto the backyard and to the woods beyond.
"Oh, Harry, it's beautiful," said Ginny, turning and hugging her husband.
"See the trim I put up, Hermione?" said Ron, running his hand along the wood trim on one of the windows.
"That's lovely, dear," Hermione said, patting Ron on the arm. "You should be very proud."
"Now, all you need is to decorate it," said Harry with his arm around Ginny's shoulder, gently stroking her arm.
Fred stepped around the room, looking out one of the windows. "I know, George and I have been talking about some great ideas we've been working on at W 3," said Fred eagerly.
"No, Fred," said Ginny.
"But --" said George.
"No, George," Ginny said again.
"But, we've got it all planned out," complained Fred.
"Fred. . ." said Ginny warningly, growing irritated with the twins' lack of acceptance for her answer.
"We could just --" Fred began, but stopped as a look of surprise mingled with pain came across his features. He looked around at Angelina who was removing her foot top from his at the moment, "Blimey, woman, what did you do that for?" said Fred.
Angelina shook her head. "Let's go, shall we?" she said, linking arms with him and pulling him out the nursery.
"But what about our ideas?" George said, Katie tugged him towards the door.
"You can tell me all about them we get home," Katie said, giving George's hand another pull, "Bye everyone!"
George turned his head, looking back over his shoulder as Katie pulled him out of the room. "We'll owl you the plans!" he called before his red head disappeared.
"What was that all about?" Ron asked as the remaining group made their way out of the master bedroom.
"I don't think I want to know," said Ginny, chuckling.
"If it's from those two, it's bound to be trouble," said Hermione, adjusting the strap of the diaper bag on her arm. Molly kissed Egwene on the cheek before handing her back over to Ron.
"They mean well," said Arthur, he leaned in to kiss his grand-daughter goodbye.
"So did Dobby with that bludger," said Ron shaking his head.
"Alright now, dear." Molly patted Ron's arm, "Shopping tomorrow?" she asked, looking between Hermione and Ginny.
You could see the three men wince, imagining their coin purses becoming considerably lighter, before the women's shopping spree would be through.
After times were set to leave the following day and goodbyes were made, Ginny and Harry were left alone for the first time that evening.
"You really like the room?" asked Harry, following his wife through the house.
Ginny stopped and turned around to face him with a smile. "Yes, I love it," she said, reaching out placing her hand on his chest.
Harry stepped forward placing a hand on either side of Ginny's stomach. "I love you, and I love them," he said as he leaned down to gently kiss Ginny on the cheek.
"We love you, too," she said, closing her eyes as she leaned into his kiss.
"You have fun tomorrow and buy whatever you want for the boys' room," said Harry said, moving up to kiss her forehead.
"Oh, I intend to," said Ginny, smiling. "The girls' room will look great."
Harry pulled back and looked at his wife, who was smiling mischievously; he snorted and gave her another peck. Ginny winked at him before turning to walk towards the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" asked Harry.
"Strawberries," was all Ginny said before she vanished through the doorway. Harry shook his head and chuckled as he turned back towards the den.