Hey everyone i've finally updated sorry i took so long, I finally got this up at the urging of my great friend Emma (who shares my passion for Harry Potter) and from Sarah who said she would keep bugging me until i updated. :). Very exciting time Harry Potter 4 the movie has finally been released, they just had the premiere for it in London. I can't wait until it gets to Australia, for those if you who didn't know i'm a true-blue Aussie gal. lol. HP4 won't get to down under until december :(. I hope you all enjoy the chapter.

I need to say hi to Sarah (and her friend). Sarah you're great thankyou for reviewing all the time. Sorry to hear you've been sick, i hope you catch up with your school work. I loved your very lond review, getting things like that make writing more worthwhile, that and my friendwould kill me if i didn't keep writing, (great insentive huh?). You're one crazy girl. I'm sure your boy will forgive you after all it is my story. He'll get over it, just need to make it up to him later :). Don't feel like you're the only one that talks to your pets, i have a rabbit, 2 cats and a beautiful dog to keep me company and help me lose my sanity.Unfortuntely i do have school tomorrow and my exams start Monday grrr/ So i don't know when i will be able to update again, sorry. Now i say thank you for listening to my crazy physco babble.

Now on with the story... Mel. xxoo.

Chapter 7

Hermione sighed rolling over, today was Boxing Day and they were supposed to go to her parent's house for lunch. Some of her relatives would be there, whom she hadn't seen for ages. Some of them probably only found out she was married because her mother had the decency to call and tell them. Hermione realised that it was pretty late in the morning, she must have slept in. Fred side of the bed was empty and cold so Hermione knew he must have been up for awhile. Sighing, she rolled out of bed and made her way downstairs, with a quick detour to the bathroom. Hermione finally found Fred in the lounge room on the couch reading.

"Fred are you feeling okay?"

Fred looked up from the book and shook his head.

"Yes, why?"

"You're reading"

"Yeah… the books you gave me are brilliant." He said turning his attention back to the book.

"Is that what you've been doing ALL morning?"

"No. I did some experiments from the book and fine tuned a new joke product George and I have been working on for months and THAN I begun my reading"

"Fair enough, I'm going to go get ready, were supposed to be at my parents house in two hours"

"I know dear"

As Hermione did her make up and hair in the mirror wrapped in her towel Fred walked in. Hermione didn't acknowledge his presence as she concentrated on doing her mascara. Fred undressed hoping in the shower and that's when Hermione noticed him.

"Don't be too long," she warned.

"You could always stay to keep an eye on me…or better yet you could join me" called Fred cheekily.

"Your not a child, you don't need supervision," replied Hermione leaving him by himself. Hermione spent forever standing in her closet looking for something. So long in fact that Fred was out of the shower, dressed and ready to go.

"Just hurry up and pick something"

"I can't" whined Hermione.

"We're going to be late"

"All right" Hermione finally grabbed a light blue spaghetti strapped dress that flared at the hips and ended at below her knees. She added a slightly darker blue shawl and black low heel shoes. The last thing she had to add was jewellery. Hermione slipped on the pearl earrings Fred gave her and than gently lifted the necklace out of its box. She let it dangle from her fingers as she admired it. She was surprised when Fred gently lifted the necklace from her hands. He undid the clasp and placed the necklace around her neck. Hermione quickly gathered her hair and held it up so he could do it up. She shivered as his breath tickled the back of her neck. It lasted for a fleeting moment before he had finished doing it up. He kept his hands on her shoulders as she let her hair tumble back down. Fred looked at her in the mirror,

"Beautiful"

"Thank you"

"Anytime my dear" he murmured kissing her cheek. As he did Hermione felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. She had been feeling them lately whenever he did that or anything for that matter.

"Ready now?"

"Yes"

"Than shall we?" Fred offered his arm and Hermione took it. They walked down stairs and stopped at the closet where they put on their coats, Hermione's was a white fluffy one her parents gave her two Christmases ago and to get her handbag. They apparated to behind a big tree in her parent's front yard. They looked around before coming out from behind it. The curb in front of her parent's house was filled with cars.

"My parent's love to celebrate Christmas" commented Hermione as the walked up the path arm in arm. Hermione didn't even bother ringing the bell this time and just walked straight in. She took her and Fred's cloaks and put them in the closet. She led him into the lounge room and spotted her mum and went right over to her.

"We're here"

"Darling" cried Sarah hugging her tightly and kissing her cheeks. "Merry Christmas sweetie. And Fred, honey. Merry Christmas dear. So good to see you"

"Hey mum, Merry Christmas"

"Sarah, Merry Christmas"

"FRED!" Boomed Andrew cheerfully thumping Fred on the back.

"Andrew, Merry Christmas"

"As to you Fred. How's business"

"Excellent! Really busy this time of the year"

"I can only imagine. Worked on anything new lately?"

"Well, Actually…." The two men walked off chatting heading towards the bar.

"Boys" said Sarah and Hermione smiling and shaking their heads ruefully, than they both laughed.

"How was Christmas yesterday?"

"In four words: Chaotic, Fun, loud, Great" Sarah laughed lightly.

"You'll be spending Christmas with us next year won't you?"

"I'm not sure mother, hopefully"

"I understand honey. Champagne?"

"Sure mum" Sarah disappeared towards the bar to get their drinks. Hermione looked around and waved at some relatives that waved to her. She looked down and fingered her necklace.

"What a beautiful necklace!" Hermione jumped and saw her mum in front of her carrying to glasses. She took one, and smiled.

"Thanks Mother"

"Where ever did you get it?" asked her mother admiring the necklace. "Oh and earrings to match!"

"Fred gave them to me for Christmas"

"Oh isn't he just a doll. He obviously loves you very much"

"Yeah I guess he does" Hermione gave her mum a small smile.

"You're so lucky dearest. I can tell you and Fred will be together forever" Her mum smiled dreamily. "What about my little grand daughter?"

"What makes you think it's a girl?" asked Hermione hiding a grin.

"I can just tell, besides mother's intuition" she tapped her nose, Hermione laughed.

"Well than your mother's intuition is right"

"Really?"

"Really."

"Oh how simply wonderful" cried her mother than she leant over slightly placing her hands on her knees looking directly at Hermione's stomach, "Hello my little grand daughter, Nanna loves you"

"Mother!"

"What I'm just saying hello"

"Hello to what?" asked Andrew, he and Fred reappearing. Hermione's father put an arm around Sarah's shoulder.

"My grand daughter of course. I just knew it, mother's intuition and all" Andrew gave his wife an 'of course whatever you say' look.

"What have you two lovely ladies been talking about," said Fred casually wrapping an arm around her.

"You in fact"

"Good things I hope"

"Oh yes good things"

"I was just saying that you to a such a loving couple. I can tell you two were meant to be,"

Fred smiled, "How nice of you Sarah"

"Fred, I have some more people I want you to meet. They'll be fascinated to hear about your business" spoke up Andrew.

"See you later love," murmured Fred kissing her cheek gently and he disappeared once more into the crowd.

Not a second later trouble came a knocking.

"Mother!" said a husky voice suavely.

"Oh god no" murmured Hermione feeling a headache come on.

"Nikolaos!" cried her mother hugging the tall man that had come out of nowhere. "Mother so good to see you, Merry Christmas" said Nikolaos.

"And Merry Christmas to you". Nikolaos had been calling Sarah 'mother' ever since he dated Hermione a year ago. He was apart of the high-class societies, the son of a Greek oil-shipping tycoon. He didn't know about Hermione being a witch, she hadn't told him. Sure he was the longest relationship she ever had but he wasn't right for her. He was just too arrogant and all he thought about was himself. He was very dashing and a lady's man. With his dark curly shoulder-length hair, dark eyes, nice lips and muscles many girls went out with him, only to find him a heartbreaker, but in Hermione's case she dumped him and he didn't take that well.

"How have you been Mum?"

"Fine dear"

Nikolaos suddenly turned to Hermione as if pretending he never saw her standing there, two words: AS IF!

"Why Hermione, I didn't expect to see you here. You look wonderful, positively beautiful" he lifted her hand to his lips.

"Nikolaos" said Hermione stiffly pulling her hand away. Nikolaos acted as if he didn't notice her coolness towards him.

"How have you been?"

"Fantastic couldn't be better"

"Oh you could be better if you were with me"

"I might just go get another drink" interrupted Sarah, Hermione's eyes widened and she tried to communicate for her mother not to leave but Sarah hurried away.

"Look Nikolaos, I broke up with you. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings but you've got to move on. I don't want you"

"Now how could you possibly know that? I'm every woman's dream man," he said airily stepping closer.

"You're not mine"

"You don't know that. I've changed. I want you back. Face it you need me, you can do some much better with me, have everything you want"

"I have everything I want," she answered back with edginess. She was beginning to get uncomfortable.

"I don't believe you do, you don't have me. So Mia-hun, come back to me" he said his face so close to her's his breath tickled across her face. It smelled of beer and mints.

"Nikolaos I said no. See this, I am married okay. I'm happily married and I love Fred, I would never leave him, Especially not for you," she said showing him her wedding ring, her eyes narrowing distrustfully. Nikolaos for some reason of his own just smiled at her,

"This husband of yours could never match up to me dearest. This husband of yours is nothing"

"That husband of mine is BETTER than you'll ever be. You don't compare to him," she hissed.

"Honey is everything all right?" asked Fred coming to Hermione's rescue wrapping an arm around her protectively. He eyed Nikolaos.

"Yes dear" replied Hermione. Fred kissed her cheek still keeping his eye on Nikolaos.

"You must be Fred, Hermione's told me so much about you" Nikolaos mood changed dramatically as he smiled brightly.

"And you are…..?" asked Fred.

Nikolaos looked surprised, "I'm surprised Hermione hasn't mentioned me. I am Nikolaos Latsisi, Hermione's ex-boyfriend" Fred shook Nikolaos outstretched hand.

"Fred Weasley. Nice to meet you"

"The pleasures all mine" Nikolaos smirked.

"Hermione your Aunt wishes to talk to you, something about a good catch" Fred grinned cheekily making Hermione laugh.

"Coming, Good bye Nikolaos"

"Good bye Mia, for now" murmured Nikolaos kissing her hand. "Fred" he said and than walked away.

Hermione shivered glaring at Nikolaos' back.

"Are you sure you're all right" asked Fred concerned.

"I'm fine now that you're here" she replied wrapping her arms around his neck.

"What is with that guy?"

"Ex-Boyfriend, I dumped him, he usually does the dumping so he didn't like it one bit. Now he wants me back and he doesn't care if you're in the picture"

"Sleaze bag"

"Damn Straight"

The tinkling of a bell interrupted them.

"What's that?"

"The dinner bell, come on"

Hermione led him into the large dining room that many years ago when they moved in she magically expanded. Actually every room in the house was magically expanded just no one noticed it. Hermione led Fred to one side of the table. To her dismay Nikolaos sat down on her other side.

"Fuck" she swore under her breath.

"Say something Hermione?" asked Nikolaos smirking at her.

"No" she replied and rolled her eyes to Fred. He smiled sympathetically squeezing her hand and than letting it slide of the table to rest on her knee reassuringly. The waiters began to serve lunch and Hermione and Fred started a conversation with her Aunt and Uncle across from them. Fred poured Hermione a drink and did other small gestures. From a different perspective they looked like a very much in love couple. When Hermione laughed at one of Fred's jokes and kissed his cheek her Aunt decided to give her perspective.

"Harold, aren't they such a beautiful couple? Look at you two you're so cute together," cooed her Aunt Josephine than she turned back to her husband, Harold. "They're so in love, they remind me of Sarah and Andrew when they were young" reminisced Josephine. Hermione and Fred smiled.

"Nice of you to say Josephine" said Fred

"Fred call me Aunt Josie"

"All right than"

"So what do you Frederick?" asked Nikolaos butting in. Fred turned to him.

"My brother and I own our own business"

"What does this business do?"

"We're a joke shop"

"A joke shop" said Nikolaos disdainfully.

"We're a big company with stores all over Europe and were investing in three across Australia"

"How fascinating" replied Nikolaos.

"I think the business is wonderful, children love them" added Hermione.

"So Fred, how's life living with Mia?" said Nikolaos changing topic.

Fred really didn't like this guy, "It's great. We're getting on fine"

"How long have you known Hermione for?"

"We go way back. We went to school together, we've been great friends for years. We finally realised we wanted to be more than friends"

"Charming. So Fred what do you think about that nice tattoo Hermione's got?" said Nikolaos slyly.

'Oh no' Hermione paled. Mortified Hermione closed her eyes and counted to ten.

"Hermione doesn't have one," said Fred. Nikolaos raised an eyebrow cockily,

"Oh really now? Last time I…checked it was there, how could you have possibly not have seen it?" Nikolaos smirked.

"Actually Nikolaos I had it removed." Hermione said Coolly.

"Oh that's too bad. It was a nice tattoo" he said simply and returned to his meal but Hermione saw him smirking. 'Bastard'.

The rest of lunch whenever Nikolaos said something the conversation turned chilly. Apart from that it went fine. After desert everyone drifted off to make small talk with other people. Hermione and Fred sat down to talk with her parents, her Aunt Josephine, Uncle Harold, Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Jim. Hovering nearby talking to some business executives was Nikolaos keeping an eye on them.

"So dear how's the baby?" asked her Aunt Rosemary loudly. They didn't notice but Nikolaos was hanging onto every word.

"Good Aunt Rosemary. Baby's healthy and everything"

"When's the due date?" asked Uncle Jim.

"July 3rd"

"This is the most exciting them to happen since well, since you two got married" said Aunt Josephine excitedly.

"Oh I love buying baby clothes," added Aunt Rosemary. The two sisters started discussing baby presents excitedly and the idea of a baby shower.

"Aunt Josie, Aunt Rose! You know I don't like big things," complained Hermione.

"Uh uh uh. You're not talking us out of it young lady. You must have a baby shower"

"Fine" huffed Hermione, her mother laughed lightly shaking her head at her daughter.

"Now if you don't mind I'm going to the bathroom"

"Don't get lost" called Fred cheekily after her.

"You wish". Her reply was met by laughter.

Hermione splashed some cool water on her face and than patted her face dry. Hermione sighed; she really just wanted to go home now. She really loved visiting her family but seeing Nikolaos was really freaking her out, well he was freaking her out. She wished he would just get over it. Hermione touched up her make up and than left the bathroom, she hadn't walked two steps when Nikolaos blocked her path. No one else was around, 'how convenient' thought Hermione bitterly.

"Please move Nikolaos"

"So your pregnant huh?" was all he said.

"Yes Nikolaos" sighed Hermione.

"The only child you should ever have is mine," he said chillingly sending cold shivers down her spine

"Nikolaos stop this, your obsession has gone to far,"

"Oh this isn't an obsession Hermione. You're a drug, an addictive drug" he stepped closer running a slender finger down her cheek. Hermione pulled away,

"Don't touch me"

"What's a matter, you used to like it"

"Nikolaos stop it! Leave me alone, just stay out of my life"

"I can't do that. I need you, Hermione I love you" He grabbed her wrist holding tightly.

"But I don't love you. Let go Nikolaos. You don't want to do this, this isn't you. What happened to make you like this?"

"You made me like this, when you're not around I can't live." He answered grasping her wrist tighter. She gasped trying to pull her arm away.

"You're hurting me!"

"Just like you hurt me"

"Nikolaos let me go!" Nikolaos smiled sardonically pushing her against the wall. He kissed her cheek and she flinched and she tried to push him away.

"Get off me Nikolaos! Stop it!" but Nikolaos didn't, he slid his hands down to her stomach, kissing her harshly on the lips. Hermione whimpered fearfully then suddenly Nikolaos was thrown backwards into the opposite wall. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise as she watched him crumple to the ground. A ripple of magic spread from her stomach. Her eyes widened even more, 'please don't tell me my baby did that' she thought. Nikolaos staggered getting off the ground,

"What did you do," he growled coming towards her but he was thrown backwards again like there was an invisible wall between them.

"Go away Nikolaos I never want to see you again! Is that clear. I hate you! I never loved you!" she shouted. There was a flicker of something unidentifiable in his eyes and than he simply walked away. Hermione didn't understand it. Tears welled in her eyes and she slid to the floor sobbing. That's where Fred found her five minutes later when he got worried and came looking for her.

"Hermione sweetie what's wrong?" he asked kneeling beside her wrapping his arms around her. At first she shied away but than leant into him crying.

"Take me home Fred" she whispered.

"Stay here and I'll go tell your parent's were leaving, is that okay?"

"Yes just go".

Fred returned quickly to find she hadn't moved. He gathered her up in his arms and disapparated appearing in their bedroom. He gently set her down on the bed and sat beside her.

"What happened?"

Hermione shook her head, she was no longer crying but she was pale.

"It was Nikolaos wasn't it"

"Hermione nodded.

"That son of a bitch" swore Fred hugging Hermione to him. "What did he do?" he growled, "I swear when I get my hands on him…"

"It's fine Fred, I'm fine"

"No your not, tell me what he did"

"He got aggressive because I wouldn't take him back. He's nuts. He was telling me how I'm a drug and he needs me, when I told him seriously it's over he threw me against the wall. When he put his hands on his stomach he was thrown backwards. It was so weird. When he tried to come at me he was thrown backwards again like there was an invisible barrier between us. Both times I felt a ripple of magic across my stomach. I think it was the baby"

"The baby?"

"Well I dunno. It didn't feel like the accidental magic I used to do when I was younger, that I usually felt all over but this was different"

"Well what ever happened I'm glad you're okay"

"I was so scared, you didn't see him he was so creepy" Hermione shuddered.

"I shouldn't have let you go by your self"

"Fred! Don't blame your self. I was going to the goddamn bathroom in my parent's house! Nobody would have thought something bad would happen."

"Hermione…. Do you love him?"

"WHAT!" Hermione's head shot up looking at him in disbelief. "Fred you have got to be joking. Sure okay I loved him once, but of course I would, I was with him for almost two years. He cheated on me, so I dumped him. I shouldn't have fallen for him in the first place, once a womaniser always a womaniser. I don't love him Fred, and will never love him again. If I loved him would I have even helped you in the first place"

"No I guess not. Hermione?"

"Yes"

"…Nothing"

"No what?"
"It's nothing, don't worry"

"You sure"

"Yeah" Fred gave Hermione a reassuring squeeze. "Why don't you lie down for awhile?"

"All right".

Fred helped Hermione into bed and than went to do some reading.

Later that evening Hermione was standing in front of the mirror brushing her teeth as Fred changed into pyjamas.

"Fred will you please tell me what you were going to say?" she asked around her toothbrush.

"I don't know what you're talking about," replied Fred putting on his boxers.

"You do too, don't play dumb with me Fred" Hermione spit out the toothpaste and rinsing her brush.

"I was going to say, you still have that tattoo he was talking about don't you"

Hermione sighed; she had hoped no one would find out.

"Yes I do, it's under a concealment charm"

"Than how did he know about it?" Hermione sighed again sitting on the edge of the bathtub.

"Well on the night that Nikolaos and I first uh you know… well it just so happens the charm had worn off and he saw it. After that he just loved to see it, thought it was sexy" she laughed bitterly, "Arsehole"

"How come you never told me about it?"

"Fred I told no one about my tattoo"

"Show me"

"Excuse me?"

"Oh come one, please? I want to see it"

"Oh all right" sighed Hermione. She took her wand and muttered the counter charm.

" So where is it?"

"It's on the small of my back". Fred grinned and lifted her shirt so he could see it. Her shorts hid half of it so he pulled them down so he could just see it.

"Fred!"

"What? I'm just getting a better look"

"Yeah look at what?"

"The tattoo of course" It was a very nice tattoo. It was a rose that was done in red and black. The black petals were wilted. "That's a sweet tattoo, and he was right it is sexy"

Hermione stood up putting her shorts back in the right place.

"I think you've looked for long enough"

"Oh, Well I guess since you showed me yours you can see mine"

"Oh you hypocrite! You had a tattoo too. Why didn't you tell me," she mocked.

"Hey, you never asked. No one knows I have one not even George"

"Well show me," she said eagerly.

Fred muttered the counter charm and the tattoo appeared on his upper right arm right on his muscle. It was a gothic looking black cross.

"When did you get this?" she asked tracing the tattoo.

"End of year six. What about you"

"The summer before year seven."

"You rebel you"

"Don't you dare tell anyone I have one, I'll never live it down"

"I won't as long as you don't tell anyone about mine"

"Deal" They shook hands.

"You know yours is pretty sexy too"

"Why did you get one in the first place, miss perfect good two shoes"

"It was a dare from my Muggle friends. I never imagined you'd get a tattoo either"

Fred shrugged, "I saw it and thought it would look cool". Hermione rolled her eyes and left the bathroom while Fred went to the toilet. Fred joined her in bed not much later and pulled her into his arms.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"I'm fine Fred, you worry too much"

"Just looking out for my girls".

You guys know what to do, please review i take anonymous and signed! MEL