A/N: Hi again! How are you today my beautiful readers? You know, while I was writing this chapter I logged in to to check some details in previous chapters and I realized that I have been writing, and some of you reading, this story for over a year! I don't think I have ever put so much time on one story. So happy anniversary and enjoy!
First Comes Marriage, Then Love?
Chapter XVII: The Time has Come
If there had been any doubt that Fred and Hermione really were meant for each other before they went away, by the time they came back nobody who saw them together thought of questioning their love. No matter how hard they tried, they just couldn't hide it any longer. Only those who didn't want to see what was going on- A.K.A Ron- could deny it, because even Mrs. Weasley had started to wonder about the real nature of her son's and her daughter-in-law's relationship. And before long every time she looked at the couple she would nod knowingly and say things like "to be young and in love" or "who would have thought…" or "if somebody had told me I wouldn't have believed it". Meanwhile Fred and Hermione were happier than ever before. They had thought that they had reached the pike of their happiness, but it took only a couple of days away together to discover that they still had loads to give to each other. And they had no idea of the joy that lay ahead for them. In fact, they were happy to see that their loved ones were reacting approvingly and even encouragingly to the way the felt about each other. Both knew that the time to disclose the truth was coming near, and the only obstacle was the very same one that had existed from the beginning.
Ron was as stubborn at accepting their love as he was at pronouncing Voldemort's name. He had an uncunning ability to turn a blind eye to the anvil-sized signs of Hermione's and Fred's love. The only difference in his attitude was that he had stopped trying to force his company upon Hermione. She wasn't sure why; may be he had given up hope to ever be more than her friend, or perhaps it was a tactic he was using in a desperate attempt to conquer her heart. In any case, she was still worried about his reaction when he inevitably found out the truth. Ginny thought that they should tell him one and for all. "He is a big boy, he'll learn to deal with it. It's about time he grows up," she said whenever Hermione tried to discuss the subject with her. Harry had a different opinion. He was sure Ron would be devastated. And furthermore, he believed that this was the worst possible moment to tell him, with the war and all the additional worries everybody had on their mind. In turn, Fred had discussed the matter with George, but the twin's opinion was that Fred and Hermione were the only ones who could decide when and how to tell him. When they were ready it was going to be the most appropriate moment, no sooner nor later.
At the same time, Voldemort was getting ready for what would be the final battle and as a natural consequence he was getting more and more anxious to get information. However, his star spy was beginning to fail him. For the last couple of weeks she had not been as effective as the first ones and her reports lacked the material details that the Dark Lord needed. Ron was more reluctant than ever to discuss his life and his past. And she didn't dare to ask directly about Harry, as she had done with Hermione, for fear of upsetting him and ruining everything. And her other source of information, his beloved one, had also disappeared suddenly. After nagging her to go shopping or to have lunch together for weeks, she had suddenly lost interest. Haley was not stupid and she suspected there was something fishy about the whole affair. Yet she didn't dare mention it to her master. He certainly was not going to be happy about it and she had no desire to arise Lord Voldemort's fury.
The Order, Dumbledore and Harry were not oblivious to Voldemort's plans and everybody was working 24/7 to get ready too. Harry had found all the Horocruxes but one. As Dumbledore had gone with him to destroy the previous ones, he had not yet needed Ron and Hermione. But now that the Hogwarts headmaster was so busy, the boy who lived really needed his best friends next to him.
Hermione had already told Fred that her duty was to be next to Harry. Once more, had hadn't even tried to discourage her from doing it. Still, every time the subject came up he begged her to be careful and not do anything stupid like getting in front of Harry when Voldemort was about to curse him. However, he knew only too well that if the time should come, she would not hesitate to do it. Merlin, he loved her so much he didn't think his life would have any meaning without her. And he knew she knew this, but there were things bigger than both of them and it was her time to jeopardize herself and their happiness for the sake of the world. So Fred couldn't help but to fear that every owl that came through their window was going to be the one that took her away from him.
One Saturday afternoon Fred was reading in the study. Hermione had gone to bed early, exhausted. She had woken up around seven that morning, but that was not unusual in her; she was rarely in bed after nine, and more frequently than not she was out of it around six thirty. Yet, ever since they had got back from Brazil, she was tired all the time. They assumed it had to do with the stressful times they were going through and didn't pay attention to it. "I just need a little rest," she often said before turning in. Fred noticed that Hermione had stopped drinking coffee. Was it because she feared caffeine would interfere with her sleep? She had vaguely mentioned that she couldn't stand the smell anymore. Anyway, he was only half concentrating in his reading because he was thinking about this when he heard an owl enter through the kitchen's window. His heart stopped for half a second and then began to beat faster than normal. He was used to the feeling by now.
Resignedly he put the book away and went to fetch the letter, hoping against hope it wasn't what he fear it was. However, when he entered the kitchen he saw that the bird was not Hedwig, Errol or any of Hogwarts owls. To his surprise, it was Haley's owl. He untied the note from the animal's leg and it took flight a second later. He was a little more relaxed. The odds of Haley sending Hermione a letter to recruit her for a mission were very slim. He considered waking his wife to give her the note, but then reflected that nothing that came from Haley could be very urgent, and Hermione did need a rest. He left it on the kitchens table and returned to his readings, or rather to his musings about the future.
Next morning he woke up at around ten and was very surprised to find his wife still snoozing next to him. That, if not a first, was a second.
"Baby," he said tenderly. "Wake up honey."
Hermione opened her eyes slowly and sleepily.
"Morning Fred," she said closing her eyes again and stretching her arms to hug him. "What time is it?"
"Five past ten," he answered checking the clock on the bedside table. "Wanna get up and go outside to have some breakfast or would you prefer to have a bite in bed?"
"Bit in bed!" she said in between a huge yawn. "Goodness! I've slept over twelve hours. I haven't done that since I was a child"
"Well, you really needed it. Stay here while I prepare you a delicious breakfast. How do you feel about my speciallity, blueberry pancakes?"
"Don't take it personally, but for some reason the idea makes my stomach feel sick. How about a cup of tea and some toast?"
Fred looked disappointed but recovered immediately. "Sure, whatever you want baby."
In a matter of minutes he was back, and he had brought with him Haley's note.
"This arrived yesterday. It's from Haley. I didn't wake you because I figured it wouldn't be something urgent coming from her."
Hermione thanked him and took the note curiously. It was short and polite. She wanted to have tea with her that afternoon because 'we haven't seen each other in a while and think it is a pity to lose such a lovely friendship' Hermione sniggered and passed the note to Fred before starting on her toast.
"If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. That woman is weird. She considers you her friend?"
"I know, it doesn't' fit her. But I suppose there's no harm in meeting her and see what she really wants. I'll write to Harry letter to inform him about this, you know how he's obsessed with her."
"As were you in his absence," Fred reminded her. Hermione didn't answer. There was too much truth in her words to fight it.
That night during dinner Hermione told Fred everything about her encounter with Ron's would-be girlfriend.
"She is weird all right. All she wanted to talk about was Harry. She asked me the usual amount of questions about him. And they are getting really specific. I don' like this at all. I tried to be as vague as possible without letting her know that I don't trust her. And I tell you, it was very hard. I'm exhausted as if I had run a marathon. She didn't mention Ron at all. Even when I asked her if she had seen her lately she said that he was very busy at work before hastily changing the subject back to Harry."
"Poor Ron, the one girl he meets to make you jealous and she is either a spy for you know who or in love with his best friend. He has the worst luck," joked Fred.
"Do you think I should tell him about it? I mean, if he is falling for this girl, it's better he knows both sides of her before it's too late."
"I'm not sure. May be you should, but you know how he gets about this stuff. "
"Yeah, I know only too well. But still, I don't want him to get hurt or do something stupid… Well, I'll sleep on it and decide tomorrow. In any case I'm not going to go to his house now. I'm just too tired."
"After all you slept last night? I thought you were going to be up till down finishing all the reports you have to hand in this year."
"Yeah, it's odd. I suppose stress has really got me," she said shrugging her shoulders and getting the plates to the sink.
Fred also stood up and hugged her from behind while she was cleaning everything up. He started kissing her neck and didn't rest until she was finished and had turned round to his him too. For some strange reason, the only thing she didn't feel tired for was her husband.
The following day Hermione met with Harry and Ron for lunch. She had made them go all the way to Hogsmeade because she had a desperate craving for Madam Rosmerta's roasted beef. Once they had ordered and while they waited for the food the three of them chitchatted. Soon there were three steaming plates in front of them and the topics for small talk were over.
"Ron," started Hermione looking at him in the eyes. "There's something I need to tell you. It's about Haley. Now, before you fly off the handle-"But he interrupted her.
"I know, you don't trust her and you think there's something weird about her. Harry told me." Hermione looked at him blankly but waiting for the bomb to explode. However, the shouting never came. Instead he said, "I agree with you two. She's been acting very strangely ever since she came back from Denmark. I've tried to get away from her as surreptitiously as possible. In fact I didn't see her last week at all."
"Oh Ron. I'm relieved to hear that. I was so worried about you!" exclaimed Hermione, her eyes full of tears. Harry and Ron looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Harry patted her on the back.
"There's nothing to get so emotional about, 'Mione."
"I know, but I've been like this for a while now. It looks like everything makes me cry."
"Rough times," said Harry winking at Ron. "Especially for Fred. Anyway guys, I'm glad we are together again and that we all think the same. I have something important to discuss with you and I need us to be as close as we were at school." Ron and Hermione stared at him expectantly.
"I've got two things to tell you, both equally important and dangerous. So let's first make sure nobody listens." Hermione got the hint and cast the muffliato spell around their table.
"The thing is, I found the last Horocrux. I'm certain this time and Dumbledore agrees with me." Ron opened his eyes to its full extent and Hermione gasped and covered her mouth. "I'm getting ready the final details to leave, and that includes telling you two. It's going to be an extremely dangerous mission, I would even say an almost certain death. So if you want to back away now, I more than understand. Especially you Hermione now that you…" But he shut up at a meaningful look from her. She was sure he had been about to say something like now that you've found your true love.
"Now that you've what?" asked Ron confused.
"Now that she has her life in place, you know she's working at the Ministry and making the right connections."
"There's no way she would back away for something like that. Don't you know her? She's never going to leave you alone at something so important and dangerous. Nor will I, so continue speaking." Hermione was very proud of Ron for saying that and she squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"The thing is that Voldemort keeps this last Horocrux with him. I think that after what happened with the diary he wanted to make sure that at least one piece of his soul was safe with him. So that's where we have to go to fetch it." Both his mates looked horrified at the idea of going after Voldemort himself, but they nodded to each other and then to Harry. They were together in this, till the end.
"The second problem is that according to Snape, Voldemort is almost ready for the final battle. So if we have to fight him, he is not going to be unarmed and unprepared. The best thing we can hope for is to catch him off guard."
There was a ringing silence after Harry finished speaking and for some time none of them uttered a word.
Miles from there another gathering was taking place. Voldemort had met with his most trusted followers, with his inner circle and was discussing tactics with them, or rather telling them his plan of action.
"With all the information I have collected these last four years and with the details about Potter Haley was able to find out I know I'm now ready to finally defeat him. He won't stand a chance against me this time and once my only obstacle is vanished I will conquer everything. You, as my loyal servants and followers will be rewarded beyond your dreams for your devotion. But beware, those who dare defy me or betray me will suffer, more than you can ever imagine." The tiniest of wrinkles appeared momentarily on Snape's face. But everybody was so immersed on Voldemort's speech that it went unnoticed. "The crucial day is getting near. Be ready, for I could summon you at any moment and I expect each and all of you to be fit for the battle that would put an end to Potter's, Dumbledore's, mudblood's and bloodtrator's time."
The Death Eaters clapped enthusiastically and then, one by one, kissed their master's hand. They left his side to go to their respective rooms. Out of precaution, after Voldemort had confided his plans on then, none was allowed to leave the Riddle House, nor to send letters or contact anybody apart from those who were at the house. Snape had known this and had warned Dumbledore on their last meeting that it was going to be impossible for him to disclose the Dark Lord's final plans. The Order was on its own now.
By the time Hermione arrived to the apartment three hours later, all the details were set. They were leaving in two days time and they were not to tell anyone where they were going. Although Hermione had made it very clear to Harry that she was going to confide everything in Fred. He was her husband. She loved him as much as he loved him and there was no way she would keep something like this from him. End of the conversation. Still, Ron had suggested a meeting with everyone at the Burrow, just to be safe. The chances were high that one or more of them was not going to come back and they all wanted to have a last meal together with their family. During their seven years at Hogwarts it had taken only a decision to go and face terrible dangers. But this time, it was different. They were more mature and they were leaving to the final quest. One last happy dinner was in order, nobody objected.
Hermione had taken the Night Bus back from Hogsmeade. She had some thinking to do before she reached home. How was she going to break the news to Fred? They had already discussed the subject countless times and he knew this day was near. But now that it was upon her, she didn't feel strong enough to face him. She had never been like this; she had always been the one who knew her duty and was not afraid to fulfill it, and nobody stood in her way. And then Fred came to her life and everything changed. She did not live only for herself anymore. Every choice she made affected him to, and although in this case Hermione hadn't had a choice because there was no way she would not go along with Harry, this was going to involve him worst than anything. And the worst part was that he was emotionally involved but not physically involved, what gave him a degrading sense of impotence. She dreaded the moment when she had to face him, not because of his reaction but because of his feelings. And there was no softening the blow. There was no point in reminding him how much she loved him or that she would always be with him. She would have to be straight and say things as they were.
"Honey, I'm home," she said hanging her cloak on the coat stand next to the door. Fred emerged from the kitchen and kissed her.
"How was lunch? How did Ron take the news?"
"Pretty well actually. He said he had been thinking along the same lines for some time now, so Harry and I didn't have to talk him into believing us."
"Oh, I'm glad to hear that. You took so long I thought you had taken him to St. Mongus after he had a nervous breakdown." Hermione smiled weakly. He was in such a good mood and she was about to break it. To be fair, he usually was in a good mood. That was one of the thinks she loved the most about him.
"Do you feel like going to the movies?" he asked as they walked to the living-room.
"No. actually there's something important I need to tell you," she answered gravely.
"Is everything all right?" But it didn't take him long to put two and two together. She had just been with Harry and now she had something very serious to tell him. The moment he had feared for so long had finally come. He sat down on the couch but she remained standing. She opened her mouth to speak but instead of words a soft 'uh' sound came out and she fainted. Mercifully, Fred had good reflexes and he caught her before she hit the ground.
Trying very hard not to panic he laid her on the couch and slapped her softly in the face to see if she came round.
"Honey, come one! Wake up, please wake up", he pleaded. After an entire minute that felt like an eternity Hermione opened her eyes looking dizzy.
"What happened?" she asked confused looking around herself.
"You fainted," Fred explained his immense relief evident in his voice. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit dizzy," answered Hermione weakly closing her eyes again.
"No, 'Mione. Don't close your eyes." Common sense told him it was not good for her to go to sleep now. "Come on, we are going to St. Mongus. You need to see a healer, now!"
Hermione nodded, but there was not strength in her. So he picked her up and disapparated toward the wizard's hospital. They arrived to the admissions room and Fred literally deposited Hermione on a chair and went to fetch a nurse or a healer. He came back accompanied by two wizards wearing green robes.
"Come with us Mrs. Weasley," one of them said helping her from her chair. By now Hermione was feeling a little better. At least she had regained her ability to walk by herself. The four of them went to a set of doors and entered a room with a desk and a stretcher on its side. Behind the desk there was an old healer. He looked wise and good natured. He smiled at Hermione and asked her to sit in the chair in front of her desk.
"Your husband tells me you fainted Mrs. Weasley. How are you feeling now?"
"A little better. It was odd, one minute I'm perfectly fine when I start to see blurry and the next thing I know is that I'm lying on the couch with now idea how I got there."
"Mr. Weasley, please wait outside while I examine you wife." Fred looked as if he'd rather stay with her, but he knew she was in good hands so he stepped outside of the office. Before he closed the door he heard the healer asking Hermione if she had had any feeling of nausea.
Half and hour later Hermione came out of the room holding a piece of cotton to his right arm.
"How are you?" Fred asked her standing up immediately.
"Fine. He asked me a couple of questions and took some blood to examine it. He'll owl us the results. But he says everything appears to be fine and that it was probably caused by a stress pike. He advised me to go home and have some rest."
"That's exactly what we are doing. And you are no getting up from that bed until I say so, clear?"
Hermione nodded knowing perfectly well that going to bed was not what she was going to do when they arrived to the apartment. She still hadn't told him about Harry and Voldemort and she was not going to delay it any further.
She allowed Fred to lead her to the bedroom once they were home; but instead of lying down as he instructed, she sat on her said of the bed and beckoned him to do the same.
"I still have to tell you something," she began.
"Can't it wait till tomorrow? I think you need to take your mind off everything and relax."
"No baby, I wish it could, but it can't. And I think you know it. I saw it in your eyes before I fainted. It's time Fred. The moment has come and we are leaving in two days."
Instantly Fred's eyes filled with tears, tears of love and fear of losing her. So did hers. "Can I come with you?" he asked, although he already knew the answer. This was not his fight, this wasn't even her fight, but she was going to be side by side with her best friend, as she had always had and he, Fred, was remaining behind. That was just the way it had to be, and he understood it.
Hermione reached for him and held him in her arms tightly. "As once I promised to love you forever," she said. "Now I'm promising you that I will come back to you to complete my promise." And they spent the whole night lying in each others arms. Not talking or moving, just listening to each other's breathing and being together.
The following two days were a combination of chaos and tears. There were a lot of things to get ready and a lot of feeling to suppress. Even the dinner at the Burrow seemed to follow the pattern. Although nobody spoke about it, everybody knew the reason behind the gathering. Chat was subdued and many pairs of eyes shone with tears. Now and then there were feeble reassuring smiles that banished fast. And when the night was over, goodbyes were said gravely and ceremoniously but every word was charged with emotions and love.
Sooner than any of them would have wanted and realized, the time to leave had come. It was around four in the morning and Hermione was ready. She looked at the sleeping form of her husband. He had fought against falling asleep but tiredness had finally beaten him. She bent down over him and kissed his cheek lovingly, then she left the room hoping with all her might this one not to be the last time she'd see him.
Fred woke up the next morning and instantly, even before he had opened his eyes, knew she was gone. He could feel her absence as much as he could feel her presence. He wanted to stay in bed and sleep until she was back next to him, but he has promised her he was going to go on with his normal life. She needed him strong and he was going to be so for her.
He went to the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea and found an unknown owl perched on the window seal. It has a role of white parchment tied to its leg. Fred recognized the paper as the one Madam Pompfrey used to write on back at school. These were probably Hermione's medical results. Praying that everything was right with her because she was going to need all her health Voldemort, he untied the letter. He opened it and skimmed it quickly. His mouth fell open and the piece of paper fell on the table as he involuntary loosened his grip on it.
Dear Mrs. Weasley,
I have just received the results from your blood test and I am very happy to inform you that you are in perfect health. Your tiredness and fainting was due, and let me be the first to congratulate you, to the fact hat you are pregnant. Come back to my office when you can to conduct the regular tests.
Yours sincerely, Healer Shot.
A/N: So? What do you think? I'm sorry I made the entire horocrux affair seam so quick, but I really suck and action/adventure fics and I'd rather leave that to the expert, we all know who. Anyway, I'm sure you can tell the end is near, so please please please please review and tell me what you think about it! I love you!