CHAPTER 9

Pairing: Fred W/Hermione G

Rating: K+

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot is mine. J

Last time on "A Place to Say and a Heart to Love":

"Hermione, you wonderful, wonderful witch," He said, and stuffed another large bite into his mouth, all previous embarrassment forgotten.

Hermione blushed at his compliment. So far, it was turning out to be a magnificent day.

Present:

A smile graced Hermione's face as she watched all three children in the kitchen eat their breakfast. Hugo was gurgling in her lap, already done with his milk, burping, and spit-up. He bounced up and down, waving his clenched fist above his head.

Next to him, Rose was primly (as primly as 3-year-old could) picking apart her pancakes with her fingers and filling her small mouth with as many morsels as possible before making a valiant effort to chew her food.

On anyone older than three, the sight would be disgusting. On this particular toddler, the image of her cheeks bulging with food was simply endearing.

Hermione's smile turned into a laugh as her eyes landed on the last occupant of the kitchen. Fred was already on his eighth pancake, and still going strong. Syrup dripped from his chin, and his fingers and cheeks were smeared in chocolate. He had given up on the fork and knife somewhere around his third pancake, claiming that he was too hungry, and that method was too slow.

The table around him was splattered with drops of syrup and chocolate, as well has milk from when he had to wash down a particularly large bite, and over-estimated the size of his mouth. Needless to say, it was not a pretty sight.

Finishing up with his current pancake, Fred finally came to a stop. He pushed his plate away, wiped his fingers on the napkin in his lap, and took a sip of his milk to clean out his mouth. Leaning back in his seat, a large sigh of contentment escaped his lips.

"Excellent nosh, Hermione," he declared. Hermione pursed her lips in annoyance, trying to hid her amusement behind her disapproval.

"Go clean yourself up, Fred. Rose is cleaner than you, and she's three!" Mouth filled with pancake, the child in question directed a triumphant smile in Fred's direction. She succeeded to a point, pancake oozing between her teeth. Disgusted, Hermione grabbed a napkin and cleaned her daughter's face expertly, and helped her swallow that last bite of breakfast.

"Aw done, Mummy!" Rose threw her hands up in the air to emphasize her point, her face bright with enthusiasm.

"Right. Fred, take Rose, and the both of you go clean up. We have a busy day ahead of us! Go on," Hermione ordered. Fred grinned and swiped Rose up from her seat, taking her into the bathroom down the hall. A loud squeal followed by giggles could be heard alongside rushing water.

"Am-mam-mam-mam! Uh! Uh! Uh!" Hugo continued to bounce contentedly in Hermione's arms, speaking his own language and conversing with the universe. Hermione sighed tiredly, pulled her wand out of her pocket and set about cleaning the mess that was the kitchen and dining table.

It took quite some time, but finally, after much kicking and screaming, everyone was ready for the day ahead of them. Seeing as she had nothing better to do, Hermione decided to strap Hugo into her strap-on baby carrier, and help Fred out in the shop. It was easier for her to keep an eye on both of her children that way as well, and she got to see what it was like to work in Fred and George's shop.

Descending the stairs with Rose and Hugo in tow, Hermione navigated her way through the many shelves in the shop to find Fred.

"Fred," Hermione called, seeing him at the end of the Wonder Witch Products aisle. Fred turned around and smiled when he saw the trio.

"Hermione! Rosie! Come to visit, have you," he asked. Hermione hesitated, then shook her head.

"I was wondering if there was any way I could help you in the shop today." Fred nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. A couple seconds later, his face brightened. He turned away from Hermione and gestured to someone in the back.

"George is here today too! I think it would be a great idea for you to help out. We can get started right now!" Hermione nodded, and smiled.

"Unca Georgie! Where was you? Can we play now?" Rose ran up to her uncle and threw her arms around his legs in a tight hug. George chuckled, and swung the child up into his grip.

"Rosie! I was visiting Aunt Angie last night, love. But I'm here now! Let's go play!" And with that, the Uncle-Niece pair zoomed away. Hermione shook her head in amusement. She knew Rose was in good hands, though, and let it be.

"So! Shall we begin," Fred asked. He offered his arm to her, and guided her through the shop, explaining what to do along the way. By the time they reached the register, Hermione was ready to begin her day of work, and by the looks of it, so was Hugo.

"Welcome to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes on this Whimsical Wednesday! My name is Hermione, how may I help you," Hermione greeted to her first customer of the day. A young boy about 5 years old was clutching his mother's hand and staring about in wonder at the colorful displays.

At the sound of Hermione's voice, the little boy looked up at her, huge grin lighting up his face.

"It's my birfday tomorrow! I wan' firwords," he cried. Hermione chuckled, and nodded.

"It is? Well, Happy Birthday to you! Let's go find the fireworks, shall we?" The little boy nodded, and pulled his mother along behind him to go get the fireworks in question.

Each customer Hermione handled was different. There were young boys and girls looking for easy pranks or toys, teenagers looking for ways to get out of lessons at Hogwarts with the Skiving Snackboxes, girls and women of every age looking at the Wonder Witch Products.

It was without a doubt one of the most hectic, but still fun days Hermione had had in a very long time.

Towards the end of the day, things finally began to die down. Customers only trickled in at that point, and Hermione was able to take a break. Rose had been with George all day, and Hugo was contentedly sitting in his carrier, people watching as his mother hurried around the store.

Fred and George really have done an amazing job, Hermione mused. The sound of the bell above the door jerked her out of her thoughts, and alerted her to another customer. Seeing Fred busy with someone already, Hermione sighed, and went to help the next customer.

The first thing she saw was a pair of shoes, brown, heavy, and with many scuff marks. Her eyes traveled upwards at a rapid pace, landing on the face of the customer.

Her heart stopped, her head began to pound, and a rushing noise filled her ears. She was paralyzed in her spot, unable to move, to do anything.

"Michael."

A/N: CLIFFHANGER! A few chapters back I got a review with an idea to bring Michael back into the story somehow, and so here we are! This chapter is dedicated to iLoveRomance2o11, also known as Lynn, for the brilliant idea of bringing Michael back. Thank you!