A/N Guys, thanks to everyone for being so patient! Work was a bitch over winter, and a lot has happened house and life wise.
I've been editing and changing (quite a lot!) previous chapters, as I've come to realize I missed a lot of little things I'd meant to include. So look out for that.
Thank you for everyone's amazing emails! I don't know if I've said this before, but you guys are all so positive, I'm not sure if I've ever gotten a mean one before… special thanks to 3cheersforidiots (PS I'm dying from your name) for your amazingly long review that blew my mind. Thanks.
Disclaimer? What's that? Haven't done one of them in ages. But I don't own these.
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Being woken up at five in the morning wasn't her favourite moment, and unsurprisingly it wasn't Fred's either. As the door opened ever so slowly, Hermione was sure Crookshanks was trying to sneak in for a morning snuggle before Fred chased him off the bed. Instead, she got a rush of limbs and bony elbows as the unknown person launched themselves onto the bed, landing mostly on top of her legs. Though once they regained their balance, the person tried to wiggle between Hermione and Fred, even burrowing underneath Fred's arm that was wrapped over Hermione's chest.
"Merlin, you two are tucked closer than two toads!" A female voice grumped from between them, making Hermione snort in amusement and Fred grumble. Ginny squirmed around more, finally getting underneath Fred's arm so she was squeezed right up to Hermione's back.
"Ginevra," Fred growled at his sister, rolling over to face the other way and continue grumbling and cursing his sister under his breath.
"Hush you, it's my wedding day. You're interrupting the start of my prep time." Ginny says over her shoulder, hugging Hermione to her excitedly. Fred turned over once to glare at Ginny over his shoulder before crawling out of bed, basically falling to the floor and dragging the top duvet with him. Hermione shared in Ginny's amusement as they watched Fred stumble out the door, listening to him hit the couch cushions, most likely already asleep.
"Your fiancé is a bit grumpy, Hermione." Ginny giggled into her friend's shoulder before moving over to the spot Fred had just vacated.
"Only when he's woken up four hours before the store usually opens. Why are we meeting up here? I thought we would set up at the Burrow?" Hermione sat up into her pillows, switching on the lamp next to her side of the bed as it was the least bright. Ginny shook her head before mirroring Hermione on Fred's less fluffy pillows.
"No, mum had all the boys doing last minute cleaning, and I didn't want us to be interrupted; I already flooed Luna and Angelina to come here instead."
Hermione nodded her agreement, yawning loudly before climbing out of bed to go and get ready for the day. Ginny vacated the bed as well, going back into the room with her wrapped wedding dress, hidden from sight for the past month. Leaving her friend in her room, Hermione passed a groggy Fred on the couch on her way to the toilet, shyly running her hand over the top of his head. Gaining nothing more than a grumpy, tired groan, Hermione went to the washroom to help wake herself up. Once finished her morning routine, she exited the toilet to grab Ginny for a breakfast break before starting on her bridal look. Upon opening the door, she found Angelina was already in the kitchen starting up food for everyone. The dark beauty didn't seem anymore awake as the rest of the flat, her hair bunched up into a messy bun that rivaled her own on a good day, and what looked like a pair of George's pj pants.
Greeting Angelina a good morning, Hermione joined Fred on the couch as she waited for the food to finish. Her fiancé was curled up as tight as he could be into one corner of the couch, but his legs still reached to the other arm of the sofa. Rather than lifting his curled limbs, Hermione sat on his calves to slip into the small cubby his leg and the sofa back made. Fred's ruddy red hair peaked out from the mound of blankets as he squinted out into the bright room at her.
"I don't find it very fair I was forced out of bed, only to be interrupted out here too." Fred mumbled at her, only getting a pitiless smirk in response from his fiancée.
"Your little sister is getting married; the least you can do is wake up early." shrugging in defiance, Fred started rolling around to sit up, finally pushing the duvet off his shoulders and onto the floor. Hermione only watched him; the hilarity of Fred trying to maneuver his long limbs around on the small couch space was too good to miss, until finally Fred managed to flip himself around so his head was now in Hermione's lap, and his feet hanging over the opposite side.
"But Mione," he whined into her thigh, nuzzling the soft fabric of her pants, "you were so warm and comfy," Fred practically turned his face into her stomach to nuzzle closer to her and whisper, "and I wanted to have a lay in this morning. And maybe talk about that thing we stopped discussing last week. Getting ready for that, you know?"
Hermione frowned down at him, continuing to run her fingers through his long hair. "Sorry, what thing, Freddie?" Fred sighed, sounding a bit exasperated, before lifting her shirt the smallest amount to lay a sweet kiss just below her belly button. "Oh, right." Suddenly, Hermione wasn't feeling well enough to be settled underneath a warm body. Her tongue felt swollen and her throat became too dry to say anything to break the silence between the two of them now. Ginny came back out of the bedroom, giving Hermione a meaningful look to hurry up so they could start. Waving her off over Fred's head, Hermione waited for her friend to disappear into the kitchen with Angelina, leaving her hands on her lap rather than anywhere near Fred.
"Hermione?" Fred asked once he heard the kitchenette's door close, knowing full well Ginny and Angelina couldn't hear them now.
"I thought I already could have been," She whispered to the other side of the room, refusing contact with Fred when he tried to have her look at him.
"What, you thought you were pregnant?!" She spread her arms over the back of the couch to give Fred space as he scrambled up and off the couch.
"No! Well, yes, but that's not what I meant," Fred stared at her, dumbfounded. Hermione was beginning to feel anxious of this whole ordeal. "That didn't make any sense."
Fred shook his head in agreement, "Nope, do try again, love." Hermione took a deep breath, moving herself on the cushion to once more face Fred. "But this story better not begin with, "I thought I was pregnant for a week."
Hermione opened her mouth to begin before realizing she couldn't without saying those exact words. "Hermione!" Fred yelled now, making her jump in her seat. Only now she was getting angry; he wasn't allowed to yell at her now!
"Don't shout at me, Fredrick! Let me explain before you fly off the handle," She was standing now, looming over his head, red with anger.
"Oh, I can be mad, in fact, I'm furious over this! You don't keep something like this a complete secret; you're supposed to share with me. We're getting married for Merlin's sake, why wouldn't you have said anything?!" Fred roared at her, falling back into the couch
"Stop yelling!" Hermione finished with a scream, creating a massive silence once they both stopped. The kitchen had gone completely silent, creating a haunting sound of calm through the flat. Hermione was suddenly glad the boys had closed the shop for the weekend otherwise she was certain they would be receiving complaints from customers. "Don't yell at me," her whisper broke the quiet, shocking a gulp of air out of Fred.
He could only rasp out "Don't lie to me," in reply.
"I didn't lie; don't put words into my mouth." Hermione was beginning to feel threatened, her fingers twitching for her wand, a reflex she thought she'd gotten over months ago.
Fred slumped down, his head going into his hands, "Just say it Hermione, say 'I'm not pregnant' so we can forget all about this. Start over, and we can try later, yeah?"
"I don't think I can," Her twitching fingers were wrapped around her sweater hem in nervous agitation now. Fred glared at her from between his hands, but Hermione didn't let him interrupt now, "I don't think I can have children."
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The wedding ceremony looked lovely. Hermione peeked through the sheer curtains Mrs. Weasley had set up as a 'door' between Ginny and the congregation, staring at the magical beauty. Ginny had wanted 'red and simple' as her colours, completely boggling her mother but easily appeased by her fiancé. Harry had asked Luna Lovegood to supply her prettiest flowers she had, which the girl had done gladly, stating the golden garnet lilies were dusted with the poison of Moon Frogs. 'Luckily,' Luna had stated dreamily, 'their poison doesn't react with human skin, so you should be quite alright.' Mrs. Weasley's sheer curtain doors were also used to drape the ceiling of the outdoor tent, held up by a light levitation spell, causing the curtains to sway in the gentle breeze. Candles and gold dustings of fairy dust lined the centre isle the wedding party was meant to walk over.
Hermione could see many of her friends from Hogwarts, and many of the professors as well. Many random witches and wizards from the Wizarding World had begged to be included in the wedding, causing Kingsley to give Harry and Ginny a security detail to keep their party private. Unfortunately, the wedding was still not a 'small' wedding, as Mrs. Weasley absolutely insisted on most of their extended family being there for her 'baby girl's special day'. Hilariously, Audrey had been the first of the future Weasley's to flat out refuse such a large wedding for herself once she'd glanced the amount of people attending. The rest of the girls quickly agreed, allowing Mrs. Weasley a certain amount of family members for their own weddings. Ginny didn't have any choice, but later admitted to Hermione she had honestly expected more people because she was marrying the Chosen One.
Most of the crowd was red headed Weasley's, spotted with spouses, and their friends from Hogwarts. Hermione noticed McGonagall seated by Madame Pomfrey, both tittering over Mrs. Weasley's shoulder, making Hermione smile at the women's actions. The front row on the right side of the aisle was completely empty, two seats meant for Luna and Neville as the groomsman and bridesmaid to sit once they'd made it to the altar. The rest were left unoccupied on Luna's instructions, but no one had questioned the girl upon her request when Harry and Ginny had allowed her to have her way. The row behind the empty row had Ginny's immediate family, Mrs. Weasley on the end, next to Fleur and Victorie on her lap, then Bill next to Fleur. Charlie and Tessa were seated behind them, just to make a bit more room in the second row, having Romilda join them as Ron was in the wedding party. George and Fred were next, Angelina switching seats with Fred occasionally to sit between them. Though Hermione wasn't one hundred percent sure if it was to lean over and coo over Victorie or to break up George and Fred's scheming. Hermione and Fred hadn't spoken since six this morning, and it was now reaching half four. Audrey had been placed beside Fred, and again Hermione wasn't sure if it had happened that way because the two didn't have much to say to one another on a normal basis. The remaining was Percy on the end, fidgeting in his seat.
"Hermione?" Ginny touched her shoulder gently, so as not to startle her friend. Hermione turned back to see two of her best friends standing just behind her. Ron was there only to ensure the two girls were set before going up to the front to stand behind Harry.
"You ready Gin?" She asked politely, though her head was in another place. Ginny smiled gently at her friend, petting the bushy hair back into its styled bun. Ron gave his sister a kiss on the head and Hermione a quick his on her cheek before ducking through the curtain, walking up to stand next to Harry, clapping his best friend's shoulder.
"'Mione, its okay," Ginny said now, still whispering to keep their conversation private.
"How is this okay? I could have just ruined his life," Neither girl had to ask what each other meant, understanding the consequences Hermione would face if she failed to reproduce.
"I promise, we can do the home fertility charm right after, I'll get mum to help. I know she won't say anything about it." Ginny said too casually, making Hermione smirk, but a feeling of complete gratitude washed over her.
"You don't have to worry about this for me now, Gin. I'll ask your mum after if I can't do it myself." The girls were silent, listening to the crowd stir, and the charmed harp play a settling tune. "I should have known about this earlier," Hermione whispered to the curtain, not able to make eye contact with Ginny.
Scoffing, Ginny turned her friend around, making the silk of Hermione's crimson gown ruffle against the lace overlay of her own dress, "Hermione Granger, this is not something you can blame yourself for. You had no choice over what your body will allow,"
Hermione pushed off the comforting hands, her whisper coming out sharp, "But I should have suspected something Ginny! I was put through the Cruciatus curse so many times I still don't understand how I'm standing to this day!"
Ginny was completely silent, staring at Hermione is complete shock. It took a moment for Hermione to calm herself, realizing belatedly Ginny still hadn't been told all the facts of their year on the run. "Damn, this really isn't a good time to be going over this,"
Ginny shook her head in agreement, "No, it's really not. But, I'll have Harry tell me later, and I'll let you deal with this new problem, yeah?" The girls agreed together. Both took calming breaths before being interrupted by Mr. Weasley.
"Are you ready, dears?" He asked both the girls, waiting for their nods before opening the curtain to wave his wand at the harp, starting the march. Luna squeezed between the three of them, snatching Neville's elbow as she went, starting the procession off. Once they were half way down, with everyone looking at them and smiling at the sweet dreaminess of Luna, and the handsome awkwardness of Neville, Hermione began to step out to begin her steps down the aisle.
"Hermione!" Ginny stopped her again, making the bushy haired witch spin towards her friend and her father who was looking at the two with what seemed like tears in his eyes. Hermione was suddenly gathered in a warm hug, and released almost immediately. "It's going to be okay." Ginny reiterated, giving her a gentle push through the sheer curtain.
Every head turned her way, staring at her now that Luna and Neville had made it to Harry, the destination she was meant for. Waiting for the cue, Hermione began walking slowly, toes practically skimming her heels every step she made. The gentle brush of the inner silk lining of her dress caressed her knees, creating an odd calming motion with every step. A few of the girls she went to school with looked shocked to see her, and it made her wonder if they had known she was even still alive. But soon, as she continued passing one familiar face after another, and eventually Weasley family members she wasn't familiar with, she began seeing happy smiles from older woman, and wandering eyes from quite a few of the males she passed. Butterflies rushed through her, a feeling she hadn't felt since walking down the steps to the Yule Ball in her periwinkle blue dress. Without the intention, Hermione had made herself beautiful again, and people had noticed.
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Fred had spent the first half of the wedding staring at his gorgeous fiancée he was still angry with. Only now, he was angry with himself for being angry with the gorgeous witch, especially as many of his extended family members hadn't looked away from her since she'd stepped into the room. Suddenly, he was cursing his mother for actually keeping her mouth shut this once, and not introducing all her new daughter-in-laws to his multiple cousins and aunts. Now he had every breathing male within a five mile radius panting over the Golden Trio's leading lady. He'd already been elbowed by Angelina twice when George noticed him fuming and couldn't reach him his self. Audrey had even given him a few odd looks, but she had no idea about his and Hermione's fight, so he knew he must have been overreacting.
Ginny and Harry had just finished their vows, and were now clasping hands to seal the marriage vows. Hermione stepped forward to take Ginny's bouquet of roses and lilies, making her own silky trail from her dress press against her legs, making Fred shift in his seat once more. He realized he should be watching his only sister's wedding more, but he couldn't move his eyes from the maid of honour, or her flat stomach. Her words from early this morning kept hitting him in the gut, regret and an unsettled feeling swirling in his stomach each time he thought about them again. He knew George and Angelina had overheard, but neither had made a mention of it to him.
"Fred," Angelina hissed at him, jabbing her elbow into his ribs again, "we're moving to the reception. Wake up before you trip over someone." He glared good naturedly at his future twinster-in-law, following her and his twin out behind the wedding party. His dad immediately started the dance music up, many couples moving to the floor to begin dancing. Harry brought Ginny over, their first dance surrounded by friends and family rather than alone, a motion Fred found very like the two. George and Angelina left his side to join in the dance, leaving Fred alone again.
"'Lo Freddie," his brother Charlie's voice came up next to him, a flask of Firewhisky already in hand.
"Evening Charlie, where's Tess?" Fred asked without really looking around. Charlie gestured to the dance floor, where Fred noticed Tessa had been dragged into a dance with one of his father's cousins, a rather bright character that seemed to always be wearing some bright coloured Muggle scarf around his waist. "Ah, what a lucky gal," Fred snickered, Charlie joining in at the expense of his fiancée's sanity.
"And where is the lovely Miss Granger? I'd have thought you'd have her attached to your arm to fend off the Weasley clan."
Fred sighed heavily, wondering the same thing, "We had a bit of a row this morning, and I'm still trying to come up with a good apology."
Charlie cringed for his little brother, smacking his hand on the slightly taller boy's shoulder, "That's rough, what was the tiff about?" Fred went silent, tipping Charlie off that this might have been a bit bigger of a deal than he was expecting, "Fred?"
"Yeah, uh, Hermione mentioned this morning she thought she was pregnant." Charlie stared at his brother, open mouthed. "But I got a bit miffed when she mentioned she thought that a week ago, but didn't tell me."
"Ah, Fred," Charlie groaned now, running a hand through his mussed red hair.
"And then," Fred continued, ignoring Charlie's flummoxed expression, "while I was yelling, she dropped the bomb that she might not actually be able to have a baby, because of what happened the year they were on the run during the war."
Charlie was completely silenced, trying desperately to come up with something to say. "Yeah, that was my reaction exactly. By then Hermione was basically done talking to me and left to get Ginny ready. Hence, why I am standing here alone, wondering if my girlfriend is going to try and leave me." Fred groaned, basically expecting nothing better after tonight.
"Fred, she wouldn't do that, you two obviously love each other-"
"You don't know that, Charlie. She has no reason to, I've never told her, and now I'm going to lose her because I never said how much I love her!" He whispered harshly, not wanting to be overheard having a breakdown. Charlie couldn't say anything else, instead offering Fred a sip of his Firewhisky. Fred took it with a wry grin, taking a generous swig and handing it back immediately. Charlie began wandering off in search of a happier companion. A gentle touch to his arm startled him from his thoughts, whipping his head around to see Hermione standing a few inches from him. Her hand was still resting on the crease of his suit jacket, her other wrapped nervously around her waist.
"Hey," he breathed, turning fully to face her. Hermione smiled and returned his greeting, standing right next to him now.
"Would you like to dance with me?" she asked politely, not pulling him to join her or pushing him to stay away. A happy medium. Fred offered his hand; glad Hermione took it without hesitation. He pulled her over to a spot on the floor, tucking her into his chest like they did this every day. Hermione looped one hand around his shoulders, dragging her nails over the nape of his neck. Without really thinking about it, Fred used his arm around her waist to pull her in even closer, placing a kiss to her temple. Hermione didn't say anything about the kiss, but hid her face into his chest without comment. They swayed gently for most of the song, both lost in their own world as they slowly traced fingers over each other.
"I'm sorry for not telling you I thought I was pregnant, once I found out I wasn't. I didn't want to get your hopes up." Hermione spoke into his neck, not disturbing their slow steps.
Fred nodded, knowing Hermione could feel him move, rather than trying to speak.
"I'm doing a fertility spell later tonight, just to see."
"Do you want me with you?" Fred whispered down into her ear, still holding her closely, continuing to sway into the next song. Hermione didn't respond immediately, but eventually Fred felt her nod furiously into his jacket. He gave her waist a squeeze to let her know he understood, and tucked a fallen lock of hair behind her hair leaving a kiss on her temple.
"I'm sorry I was pressuring you so much about having kids,"
"I'm sorry I haven't told you about the year we were gone."
Both stayed silent with one another, the weight on their shoulders relieved by each other. Hermione lifted her face from Fred's chest, propping her chin on his shoulder, trailing her fingers up into his hair and back down across his broad shoulders. She noticed Ginny and Harry in relatively the same position, only Ginny was whispering something in Harry's ear. Realizing this may be a private moment between the two, Hermione was about to look away before she noticed the bright, happy grin spreading over Harry's face.
"I think Ginny just told Harry she's expecting," Hermione whispered up to Fred's ear, holding on tight when he inevitably spun to stare at his baby sister.
"Gin's pregnant?!" He said a bit too loud, but no one seemed to notice. Hermione yanked him back to look down at her, drawing his attention away from the married couple.
"Yes, she found out a couple weeks ago. That's why we thought I was too, but I ended up just having a bit of stomach flu." She chided him, making him move over to the edge of the floor to leave Ginny and Harry in peace. Fred stayed pretty quiet for a minute, looking back to Ginny. Hermione continued their swaying, her hands never leaving his hair.
"Huh," was all he managed to say, keeping Hermione close to his side. She didn't mind too much, glad they were on better terms now. Fred's attention was eventually drawn back to Hermione, a nervous grin on his face. "Mione,"
"Yes?" she craned her neck to look up into Fred's eyes.
"Say no if you don't want to,"
"Okay?"
"Can we go do that spell now?" he grinned at her like a school boy, nerves and a weird happiness spreading from him to her. Hermione looked around them to see if anyone would notice them missing. Not seeing anyone looking their way, Hermione snatched Fred's hand in hers; pulling him towards the tool shed next to the Burrow.
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Fred had Hermione sat up on the workbench in the centre of the shed, facing one another with Hermione's wand between them. The tip of the wand had a swirling pink mist surrounding it, twirling around gaily, completely disregarding the tense atmosphere.
"How long is this supposed to take?" Fred asked, not for the first time.
Hermione didn't take her eyes off the mist of her wand, "Depends on the situation I suppose."
"And how is your situation different?" Fred asked, curious if she would have any idea, or shoo his question off. Hermione peeked up at him for a moment, staring back at the wand the next second.
"Well, I suppose the test may take a while to get past anything left from the curses. Though, I don't remember enough to know if any of them had been aimed to my stomach. Most went to my legs and arms, and a few to my spine." She said this all so casually, she could have been talking about a book she'd read. Fred knew better, but didn't say anything to disrupt Hermione. The mist started to turn gold, and Hermione flipped furiously through the textbook she had whipped out of her handbag before beginning the spell.
"What's gold mean?" Fred asked curiously, leaning in to try and decipher the complex code.
"Just that it's working its way through. I think it might have gotten confused by something else damaged. My blood count might even be off, that could have thrown it off." She shrugged, flipping one more page to study more color co-ordinations.
They lapsed back into silence, the wand's spell still swirling, shifting from gold to bronze over and over. Fred already knew which color they were waiting for; he'd asked three times already. 'Green, green is good, black is bad.'
"Hermione," Fred practically yelped, surprising himself with his need to continue speaking. Hermione gave him a light glare, pretending she was becoming fed up with his meddling.
"Yes, Fredrick?" a tiny grin lifted the one corner of her lips, but she didn't stray from the working spell.
"I need you to know, before that spell finishes, that I love you."
Hermione stared at him now, shock raising her brows and her shoulders drooping. Fred didn't say anything else to break the silence, having said his piece. He looked away first, glancing out the dirty window towards the rest of the party still in full swing.
"Fred," Hermione whispered lightly, drawing his attention back to her. But she wasn't watching him, causing the rock in his stomach to sink once more. Instead she was staring at her wand with renewed interest, and the rock lifted again. "It's turned green."
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I. Am. So. Sorry.
Whirlwind. A whirlwind of emotions and life trying to get through this chapter. I'm trying to get back into writing, and I'll be applying for school again in the fall, so now I'm excited about everything again.
Thanks to everyone for still being interested in this story, and continuing to read during my small hiatus.
thanks, AJ