Chapter Eight: Adhering, Conforming, and Making it Real

It was mid-December and there wouldn't be any chance of hiding her secret any longer. Mary bit her lip, staring out at the snow covered grounds from the Astronomy tower. As a student at Hogwarts she had found a quiet place to think there and had decided that while she had a free period in her schedule her old thinking place might help her out. Every time she saw George now the words threatened to spill out of her without any say so and ruin everything she had planned. There was certainly no going back, even if she had wanted to, but her situation was new and unfamiliar and she didn't even know how she felt, let alone how he would react.

She had seen Madam Pomfrey almost a month previously when she had first suspected and even after the confirmation came she couldn't decide what she thought about it. Certainly she was glad that it would keep her marriage together and that she would be having George's child…children actually, but he had been so depressed lately that she didn't know how he would react.

Fred's portrait had been ripped by a couple of spoiled future Slytherins and when George found out he had had to be restrained as the children were in serious danger of lots of pain at George's hands. The painting was being redone and for the past month George had brooded, not wanting to wait for a new canvas for Fred to live in. He watched children like a hawk now when they entered the store, accompanied or not and Mary was afraid that he would be worried about some similar accident happening were he to tell her that she was going to present him with two babies within 6 ½ months.

Fortunately she wasn't showing noticeably yet. Of course she could just barely tell that she had gained a few pounds, but she was sure that George hadn't noticed as he had been so distracted of late. She sighed taking her head into her hands and wondering how she should tell him about their soon to come family additions. Madam Pomfrey had approximated that the twins would be born within the first week of July, but surely she would start to show her pregnancy more very soon.

Checking the time, she realized that she was due back in the dungeons for another class, this time with third year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. She hurried down the flights of moving staircases and met the group outside the classroom doors. "Alright, I hope you've all prepared the foot long essay I assigned at our last meeting. You'll be putting the principals into practice today," She announced opening the door. She could tell that it was going to be a long class.

George was in a better mood when Mary returned to the flat that evening. He greeted her with a kiss and pointed out the new portrait of his twin which hung in the living room. "All I have to do now is charm him to be able to move around and such."

"Great. I know you've missed him," she replied, wrapping her arms around him and staring into the painted eyes of Fred Weasley.

"Oi, have you gained weight?" Fred asked Mary, staring pointedly at her midsection.

"That's a lovely welcome back," she replied, her face flushing a little. "I missed you too, Fred." But her sarcasm didn't divert his attention away from her and only drew George's attention to what his brother was saying.

"It doesn't look like you've gained any weight," he said cheerfully. "You teasing, mate?" He laughed.

"NO!" Fred said, scandalized, his eyes lighting up. "You're not…tell me that you aren't?"

"Aren't what?" George asked, still oblivious. "What's he going on about?"

"She's got a bun in the oven mate!" Fred told his brother.

"A-a what?" George asked, shocked.

"George," Mary started, taking a deep breath. "We're going to have twins." His face was unreadable for a moment, but then his eyes lit up.

"Really? I'm going to be a father?" He picked her up and spun her around in a circle.

"More importantly, I'm going to be an uncle!!!" Fred exclaimed, jumping up in his frame. "The ladies will love this. Where is that lovely girl in the tight dress anyway?"

"I'm going to be a father," he repeated. "This is amazing. I can't believe it. Does anyone else know?"

"Madam Pomfrey."

"I've got to tell the boys! I've already got a head start on repopulating the community. I'm going to be a father. Twice over!"

Mary laughed, relieved that he was pleased. He was taking it better than she had expected. "Do you want to tell your Mum?"

"Well, I suppose we'll have to. She'll find out sooner or later. If it doesn't come from us, she'll never let me forget it. It'll be worse than the time that we cut all of Ginny's hair off."

"Oh God, don't remind me of that!" Fred intoned. "She yelled at us for weeks. It grew back of course, but Mum really wanted to be the one to give Gin her first haircut."

"Let's go. Might as well do it now and get some dinner out of it. You shouldn't have to cook in your condition."

"George, I'm not dying," Mary pointed out. "But not cooking tonight would be nice." Mary retrieved the painting she had retrieved from her old bedroom of the girl as she had promised Fred and then she and George apparated to the Burrow.

"What a lovely surprise," Mrs. Weasley said as they walked into the kitchen. She was making dinner for herself and Arthur. "You two should stay for dinner."

"That was the plan," George told her happily.

"You're certainly cheerier," his mother said as he gave her a peck on the cheek. "Did you get the new frame for Fred?" She had come to accept the painting as a reminder of her late son, which wasn't hard considering his definite personality and demeanor.

"Yes, but that's not why I'm so thrilled."

"Well, go on," she said impatiently.

"You're going to be a Grandmother," he told her, beaming and silly.

"Who, Bill?" she asked. "Why didn't they come?"

"No, Mum. US! We're having twins!"

"Twins?" she asked, turning around to confirm the story with Mary.

"That's right," Mary said, smiling as well.

"TWINS!"

"You didn't believe it from me?" George asked, slightly miffed.

"George, you're going to have twins!" his mother replied, to which he agreed and resumed his happy state. When Arthur returned home he was given the news as well. He went over to collect Eliasus and give him the good news and the five sat down to a fine meal. That night none of them slept and over the next week everyone was informed of the twins that were to be born to George and Mary Weasley. Even the Minister of Magic called to congratulate them. He also congratulated himself as his plan for restoring the magical community was working. A happy, prosperous time was soon to come in the world, he predicted. As things were developing, The Weasleys had to agree.