Author's Notes: Annnnnnd where back!
Disclaimer: I am running out of clever things to say…so get it through your head. Nothing has changed in the last nine chapters. I still don't own remotely anything Harry Potter. Deal.
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Fred stared at the black cherry casket in front of him. That could have been Hermione. He placed a white rose on the tombstone. Thank you Pansy, for saving my family. We will never forget you. Fred knew if he would have died if he had to bury Hermione again. He had just found her. He still had no idea why Pansy changed places with Hermione, and he could tell that Hermione wasn't ready to tell him. But for whatever reason, he was grateful. He had a reason to live again.
Fred wiped a single tear away and felt a small hand placed in his. He looked down at the small redhead at his side.
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Flashback"Who is Lily?"
"Our Daughter."
Fred's arms dropped from around Hermione's waist. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her around to face him. Hermione's face was full of worry. Fred went pale and looked as though he had been hit over the head. "Our…Our…" Hermione nodded. "We…We…" Hermione continued to nod as Fred ran his fingers through his hair, a thousand questions running through his head. He stumbled backwards….
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Fred Weasley woke in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. He was having another nightmare about that night. He threw back the covers and sat with his head in his hands. Fred shook himself awake and went to the sink. Dousing his head in cool water he attempted to calm down. Four years. It's been four years. Get a grip man!
But he couldn't. Fred sank down to the tile floor. He couldn't get over her. He couldn't get over the fact she was gone. She had been one of the most powerful witches. And she was gone. He had loved her, and she was gone.
Light suddenly filled the room as the door opened. Fred looked up to see Hermione standing in the doorway. Fred stood shaking, "Minnie?" His voice barely above a whisper. Hermione nodded and walked to him as he sunk back to the floor. He leaned his head against the counter. "It was a horrible dream." Hermione sat next to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"It's okay. I am here."
Fred pulled her close onto his lap. "It was awful. You had died, but you didn't. You where being tortured by Death Eaters and yo-" Fred paused as Hermione turned away, tears running down her cheeks. Fred gently placed his hand on her chin and turned her head to look at her. Her cheeks where black and blue with a hint of purple. "It wasn't a dream?…" Hermione sniffled and shook her head. Fred stared into her big brown eyes hoping she would say it was all a joke. Then something else hit him. "Lily."
The tears began to roll down her cheek faster. "She is in Muggle custody. They think I abandoned her." Hermione began to cry harder. "They won't let me see her." Fred pulled her in close rocking her back and forth.
"Don't worry. We will get her, Minnie. I promise."
Fred rocked her to sleep, cradled in his arms. He sighed; he had missed that feeling of falling asleep in each other's arms. Fred held her like this for an hour or so, then making sure she was still asleep he gathered her in his arms and softly laid her on the bed. Despite the bruises, Hermione was still beautiful. Fred smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear before kissing her on the forehead. "I love you Minnie."
Fred then walked to the fireplace and threw a handful of Floo Powder on the flames. "Longbottom Residence."
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Hour's later Fred tiptoed out of the twin's room, quietly shutting the door behind him. Neville was the best healer around. Fred had explained to the best of his ability what had happened. Neville was more than happy to make a house call for Hermione Granger. Fred had smiled as he said this. Hermione had helped Neville pass Potions and he was glad to return a favor. So Fred and Neville returned to the Burrow and Fred left him to his work. Confident that Hermione was in the best hands possible.
Fred walked down to the kitchen to find his best friend sitting at the table with two cups of tea. Without a word George stood and engulfed his twin in a giant bear hug.
"Welcome back to the world of the living." Said a voice behind them.
The twins broke apart to find Charlie leaning against the doorframe. Fred walked to him and held out his hand. Charlie grabbed it and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. Charlie broke away and handed Fred a card. Fred glanced at the card and gave Charlie a puzzled look.
"It's the address of the Muggle's Hermione called about Lily."
"Thanks." Charlie shrugged and Fred made his way towards the door. Placing his hand on the door handle, Fred hesitated and looked to the stairway. "I will tell Neville thank you." George said. "She will be fine. He is the best. Now go. Your daughter needs you."
Daughter. That word hit Fred like a ton of bricks. I am a daddy. He gave a weak smile and walked out the door.
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Fred took the Muggle train to the heart of London. He then walked to the common square and stood in front of the building labeled Child Services of Britannia. It was small and a bit on the shabby side. Fred glanced down the street at the clock tower. 9:15. He then reached forward and opened the door.
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"Excuse me, I am looking for my daughter." Fred told the woman at the front desk. "Her name is Lily."
A woman a few feet behind the front desk jerked her head up. "Lily?.." She looked at the redheaded man and then down at the folder on her desk. She stood grabbing the folder and walked to the front. "Did you say you where looking for a Lily?.."
Fred nodded, "I am Fred Weasley. I am looking for my daughter."
"Fredrick Weasley?"
He nodded. The woman gasped, placing her hand over her mouth tears forming in her eyes. "I am sorry." She said wiping away the tears. "My name is Crystal."
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Fred explained to the social workers that 'Jane' Granger had been in an auto accident and was receiving private care. This was why she hadn't returned. The workers believed it but had trouble buying Fred's story. They had no record of him and according to Crystal he was supposed to be dead. Fred lowered his head. "I should be."
"Four years ago my family and I where on holiday in Wales. We rented a nice cottage and planned to stay for a good while. But on the third night it caught on fire. Everyone made it out but me and my brother Percy. We both got burned pretty badly. He died. He wasn't supposed to be there, so they thought it was me."
"So where have you been all this time?"
"Wales. I blacked out and had amnesia." Fred replied thinking quickly. "I have only just recovered. I called Jane and she was on her way to meet me when she was in the auto accident."
When Fred was finally allowed to she Lily he was lead to the care center of the building. Through the window he could she a gorgeous little redhead, her curls bouncing as she moved. Fred stopped and studied her, taking in the picture of his daughter. Crystal had continued walking and opened the door. She called Lily's name. Lily turned her big brown eyes twinkling. Fred choked back the tears. My daughter. He took a deep breath then walked into the room.
End Flashback
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Fred came out of his daze as another hand slipped into his. He turned to see the now perfectly healed Hermione, her eyes wet. Fred squeezed her hand and gave her a smile. He then turned to his daughter, who was tugging at his coat, her eyes filled with worry. "Daddy? Why is Mama crying?" Fred grabbed Lily by the waist and placed her on his hip. He then gazed into her deep brown eyes.
"You remember me telling you about Aunt Pansy?"
Lily nodded, her red curls swaying. "She helped you find Mama and me. Then she went to Heaven."
"That's right. Lily smiled. "Should we go back to Grandma Molly's?" Lily's eyes lit up and she looked to Hermione. "Can we Mama?"
Hermione took one last look at the grave in front of them. She then turned to her family, smiling. "Yes, Lily. Let's go to Grandma's."
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Later that night Fred and Hermione sat on the couch in the living room of the Burrow with the rest of the Weasley Clan. Charlie and Jesse where snuggling by the fire doing the crossword puzzle in the Daily Prophet. Bill and Ron where playing Wizard's Chess. Harry, Mr. Weasley, George and Ginny where playing Heck of a Mess, while Fleur and Grandma Molly sat in the corner whispering. Grandma looked down at the sleeping child in her arms. Her first grandchild. She had known the moment she had knocked on the door that she was part of the family.
Suddenly Jesse looked up from the paper. "Oh Molly!" Jesse ran to her bag and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. She unwrapped it to reveal the goblin made tiara that she and Fleur had worn at their weddings. "I forgot I still had this, from Charlie and I's wedding."
"Oh it's alright dear." Jesse wrapped it back up and went to place it on the table.
"Hold up." Bill spoke out. "Shouldn't it go to Hermione?" The entire room went quiet. "Assuming that my little brother is going to ask the mother of his child to marry him."
Everyone turned to Fred and Hermione, who looked at each other and simultaneously looked at the floor. Fred scratched his nose and Hermione played with her hair. Both of them avoiding any and all eye contact.
"You are going to marry her, right?" Ron said as he stood up.
"Fredrick." Molly gave him the death glare from across the room.
Hermione and Fred glanced at each other. Fred was beat red and Hermione had a guilty look on her face. Someone in the room coughed and Fred mumbled something.
"What was that Fredrick?"
"We already are."
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Woot! Hopefully I will have this done by Christmas. But I make no guarantees.
Once again much love to my reviewers. I love the feedback!