A/N: I'm here with another chapter and even though it's only one update a month I'm glad I can keep up this schedule. I also want to thank everyone for being patient and thank you for reading this story.

I hope you like this chapter, enjoy ^^

But the fun and quiet couldn't last now, could it? The exams came closer and plans were made for Christmas. But that was not all. Over the last few weeks, the Daily Prophet mentioned a rise in followers of Voldemort, worrying about what might happen.

"What are your plans for Christmas?" Remus asked the girls one night after the exams during dinner.

"Same as always."

"I'll be staying with Frank's family this year and then celebrating New Year at my house."

"Fighting my sister again, I imagine."

"I'll be staying at the Weasleys."

"Not going home?"

"No, it's still a little complicated."

"At least you're not staying at the castle."

"And what about you?" Marlene asked.

"Same as usual. Go home, go to the Christmas party my mother organizes every year and meet up with the others."

"You should come to the party this year," Sirius told them, looking straight at Hermione.

She huffed. Of course he was still thinking about the bet. But she hadn't lost yet, the year wasn't over yet. "Maybe, I'll have to ask the Weasleys first."

"I think I might take you up on that offer just to be away from my sister for a little bit." Hearing this, James found himself on cloud nine. Ever since he became head boy and they had started sharing quarters, they had grown closer to each other. Lily didn't treat him anymore like she hated him, like he was the enemy. She treated him as a normal friend.

"Great!"

Lily, James and Remus had to attend a prefect meeting on the way back home, giving Hermione a chance to talk to Sirius. "You know I haven't lost the bet yet, right?"

He cocked his eyebrow. "Mione, we both know that you're gonna lose. Just attend the Christmas party and everyone will be happy."

"You really think they won't get together, do you?"

"Well, yeah."

"You've seen how they treat each other now. They grew so much closer in such a short time and still you say that."

"I admit that they treat each other better now – especially Evans – but they're just friends. No chance that they'll end up together."

"We'll see," she said.

"Why are you so sure that they will?"

She shrugged, half a smirk gracing her face. "Just a feeling. A very strong feeling. You know, a woman's intuition."

When the others joined them, they talked about the party.

"Okay, so you're both coming, right?" James asked.

"Yes, count me in," Lily answered. Hermione stayed quiet for a moment.

"Hermione? You coming?"

"I'm not sure."

"Come on, it will be fun," Remus told her. "It's a little formal but we always have a good time." There was the promise of fun and Sirius who was convinced she would lose so automatically had to attend.

"I'd have to ask the Weasleys first. And besides, I don't have the money to buy a dress."

"No need to worry about that. My mom can help with that," James said like it was no big deal.

"I can't just let your mom buy a dress for a stranger." That was just an incredulous idea.

"Don't worry. She has plenty of spare dresses. She's always wanted a daughter but well she got an amazing son instead."

"By the way, you would do us a favour. If you attend the party then she can fuss over you and your dress and whatever and then she will leave us alone. Merlin knows how she fusses about us and our dress robes every year." Sirius interjected.

"Maybe I'll stay home just to spite you so she has to fuss over you."

"You would stay home just to mess with us?" he asked dramatically. "Prongs, we taught her too well." And just like that their compartment burst out laughing. "No, but you'll come, right?"

"Like I said, I'll have to ask the Weasleys."

When the train entered the station, they all grabbed their luggage and started to look for their families. Immediately, Hermione saw a little redheaded creature running towards her. She put her bags down and crouched down, holding her arms open.

"Hermioneeeee!" Bill yelled as he ran to her, crashing into her arms. She picked him up, giving him a tight hug. "I missed you, did you miss me?"

"I missed you so much," she said with a wide smile on her face and she held him a little closer.

Right behind him were Mr and Mrs Weasley with their other two sons. "Hello, dear."

"Hello Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley. Hi Charlie, Percy." Then she turned back to the couple "Thank you again for letting me stay with you."

"Of course. It's your home now." And she meant what she said. She loved the young witch and knowing she came from the future, having lost everything, she could only try to provide the girl with a home to go to. "Lily, boys," the matriarch greeted the group with a smile.

"Hello Mrs Weasley," the redhead replied.

"Mrs Weasley, now that you're here." Sirius saw his chance and took it. Hermione noticed and threw him a look but he ignored it, just grinning at her like nothing was the matter. "James' parents are giving a Christmas party and we were wondering if Hermione was allowed to come?" He asked, being on his best behaviour.

"Of course she is."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"See Hermione, everything's settled," he told her with a smirk on his face, that teasing gleam in his eyes.

"It was lovely seeing you all but it's time to go home or else we risk that little Percy gets fussy." Hermione gave everyone a brief goodbye, seeing as she would see them again for Christmas. And while she walked away with the Weasleys, Bill still in her arms, she smiled and nodded to whatever the little boy was telling her.

That night Bill didn't let go of her once, always wanting to be picked up or holding her hand or the hem of her shirt or her leg. It was like he was afraid she would disappear again even though she just got back. The brunette was sitting on the sofa, Bill in her lap, fast asleep. She held him, rubbing his back, soothing.

Arthur and Molly entered the living room after putting Percy and Charlie to bed. "Oh, Arthur, look how sweet." She went to grab him from her to put him to bed but Hermione stopped her.

"I don't mind. It's kind of nice, actually." So the matriarch let it be.

"Hermione," came Arthur's voice. "We would like to talk with you about something."

"Yes?"

"It's about the Order." In just a moment everything turned serious. "Dumbledore talked to us about the fact that you want to join after you graduate."

"Yes."

"Are you absolutely sure about that? It can be very dangerous, you're going to be in harm's way almost continuously."

"Yes, sweetheart, are you sure you don't want to change your mind?"

"Thank you for your concern but I knew what I was getting myself into when I told professor Dumbledore that I wanted to join. I will not be changing my mind." She didn't sound angry, frustrated or something else. Her voice was steady yet soft, keeping in mind that she still held a sleeping child in her arms. But her unwavering voice also showed just how much she had made up her mind.

Arthur let out a small sigh. "Well if you're sure there's not much we can do about it I'm afraid."

She gave them a smile, glad they understood. Or at least tried to understand. "I think I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, dear."

And even when she tried to put Bill in his bed he clung to her. So she let him sleep with her that night. And somehow it felt a little comforting.

The next day the couple had some news for the brunette. "Hermione, dear, we have something to tell you." Hermione looked at them in question. They looked too happy for it to be something to do with the Order. "The next break you come back home it might be a little bit more crowded."

"Crowded?"

"We're having another baby," Molly told her, absolutely glowing with happiness.

It was only now that she noticed the obvious bump. Right! How could she have forgotten? The twins would be born on the first of April. She would see the twins as babies.

"Congratulations!" she told them, walking towards them to give them a hug. When she pulled back she asked, "Can I feel?" Molly just nodded. Hermione crouched down and put her hands on Molly's stomach. "You two troublemakers better be calm in there, treat your mom right." She said it with a fond smile on her face.

"Two troublemakers?" Molly asked her. Oh God. It had just slipped out. How could she do this?!

"It's just a guess?" She tried to get out of it but it came out more as a question than a statement. They saw through it though. It wasn't that hard to do. They saw something in her eyes, the emotion in her eyes as she had talked to Molly's stomach. Something clicked. The young witch knew their children, probably them too.

"You knew them in your previous timeline, didn't you? You knew us too. Am I right?" Arthur asked her carefully.

It was like a dam broke, like the walls she had built had started to crumble, just like with Lily and the marauders. A few tears just fell from her eyes and she could only give a shaky nod.

Before she knew what was going on, Molly had her in her embrace. "Oh, dear. It's okay, it's fine. You're fine."

Before anyone could say anything more, Bill and Charlie came running into the kitchen. However, upon seeing her tears they slowed down and walked towards her. "Are you sad?" Bill asked her.

She wiped away the tears and put on a smile. "No, sweetie, these are happy tears. You see, I'm happy because you will get another brother or sister." It was the only thing she had to say to assure him she was fine and to get him starting about his new brother or sister. He just kept talking, Charlie joining in and she let them, happy for the small distraction.