Elizabeth lay on her back, staring awkwardly at the Healer who was tracing lines over her lower abdomen.

"Just another minute, Mrs. Weasley," he said, murmuring another set of charms. "You didn't bring your husband?"

Elizabeth bit her lip. "I didn't want to get his hopes up," she said. "We've had false alarms before."

"Well," the Healer said, putting away his wand and gesturing for her to sit up. "There's nothing false about it this time. Congratulations."

"Really?" Elizabeth put her hand on her stomach.

"Really," the Healer nodded. "In about six months, you'll have two new additions to your family."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Two?"

The Healer smiled. "Twins run in your husband's family, right?"

Elizabeth nodded wordlessly.

*S*S*

When Elizabeth arrived at the shop, the selling floor was packed. Students had flooded Diagon Alley to buy their supplies for the new school year, and it seemed that they had all decided they needed to stock up on joke products as well.

"Hey," Ron said, tossing her a box. "Restock the dung bombs, would you?"

"Where's Fred?"

"Office, getting more parchment."

"I'll be right back," Elizabeth put the box on the counter and went up the stairs to what used to be Fred and George's apartment and was now the expanded office area. It not only included lab space for Fred and Ron to fiddle with new joke products, it allowed Elizabeth to run the other side of the business, adapting their products for defense purposes.

"Oh thank Merlin you're here," Fred said, pulling parchment out of a large box. "It's been crazy all morning. I think we're going to run out of love potion. There are going to be a lot of lovesick First Years."

"Can you sit down a minute?"

"Did you see it down there?" Fred closed the box. "I love Ron, but he's not a great manager—

"Fred."

Fred stopped at the tone of her voice and searched her face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Elizabeth shook her head. "It's… just… can you sit down?"

"Betsy," Fred sat on the edge of the desk, his hands on her hips. "What?"

"I went to the doctor this morning," she started.

"Are you sick?" Fred's forehead wrinkled in concern.

"No," Elizabeth shook her head again. "It's…" she put a hand on her stomach. "He said you're going to be a daddy." Her words came out in a rush.

Fred paused; then a wide grin broke across his face. "Really? He's sure?"

Elizabeth nodded. "But Fred—

But he wasn't listening. He'd jumped up and was swinging her around. "Oh wait," he said, putting her down. "Did that… sorry."

Elizabeth laughed a little. "I'm not made of glass. But Fred, there's more."

"I know I said when we had a kid we could get a dog," Fred said. "But I was thinking we'd wait until—

"Fred!" Elizabeth pushed him gently back to sit on the desk. "Listen to me."

Fred looked at her silently.

"It's not a kid," Elizabeth said. "The Healer says… there's two."

"Twins?" Fred looked, if possible, excited, pained, and terrified all at the same time.

"It's your fault," Elizabeth burst out.

Fred looked at her for a moment. "Betsy, did you think I was going to be upset about twins?"

Elizabeth bit her lip. "I don't know."

Fred sighed and put his arms around her. "I think about him every day, Betsy. Every time I look in the mirror, and every time I do something he'll never get to." He looked at her seriously. "But we're going to have babies, Betsy. I'd never be upset about that." He kissed her. "When are they coming?"

"February," Elizabeth said, leaning into his shoulder. "Now your mum can stop sending me tips."

Fred raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Your mum has been sending me notes about what to do to increase our chances of having a baby."

"Good lord," Fred looked sick. "I don't want to know anything else about that."

"Deal," Elizabeth laughed again.

"Why don't you go home?" Fred kissed her temple. "Rest."

"Love, I've got two babies the size of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans inside me. I don't need to rest."

Fred gently pushed her away and looked at her stomach like he had X-ray vision. "Hello, babies."

"You're a dork." Elizabeth smacked him lightly on the head. "Didn't you have work to do?"

*S*S*

The next day, Elizabeth stood in their kitchen, staring into the refrigerator. "We have nothing to eat."

Fred snorted. "I don't know anything about this, but are you supposed to be craving things yet?"

"It's not a pregnancy craving," Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I'm hungry, and we have six bananas and a loaf of bread. That is not a meal."

"So we'll go to the market," Fred said. "Listen, I was thinking."

"About what?" Elizabeth turned toward him and closed the refrigerator door, settling for a banana.

"Well, two things actually, I guess." He leaned against the counter. "First, I was thinking that maybe we should bring Kretcher to live here and help out for awhile."

"Are you trying to have me poisoned?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

Fred grinned. "He's not that bad. And I was thinking that it might help to have an extra pair of hands."

Elizabeth pondered the idea. "Maybe. Let's wait awhile."

"Okay," Fred nodded. "But the other thing can't wait. We have to tell your dad. And I then we have to tell my parents."

Elizabeth nodded. "I know. It's just that… They tell you to wait."

"Three months," Fred nodded. "I read it in that book. And that wasn't really for family members, I'm pretty sure." He came around the counter and put his arms around his wife. "Everything's fine, Betsy."

Elizabeth nodded into his shoulder before pulling away. "Maybe Dad has food."

Fred chuckled. "If not him, then my mother, certainly." He kept one arm around her as they walked to the floo. "Hogwarts?"

Elizabeth nodded, taking floo powder and tossing it into the flames. "School starts in two weeks."

They arrived in Severus' quarters, stepping through into the empty living room. Elizabeth went to the door that connected to his office and knocked.

When Severus opened the door, looking startled. "I thought I'd lost my mind," he said, stepping through to their side of the portrait and closing it behind him. "Opened the corridor door first."

Elizabeth smirked. "Perhaps you're just getting old."

Severus scowled. "Or perhaps my daughter has been barging through doors her whole life, and I'm unaccustomed to the sound of knocking."

"We thought you might want tea," Fred broke in. "We have something we want to talk to you about."

Severus raised an eyebrow and glanced at the clock on the wall. "I suppose it's tea time," he said, leading the way to the table. "Should I be sitting down?" He trained his eyes on his daughter's face.

"Well," Elizabeth said, not answering the question. She pulled out the pocket watch he'd given her on her 17th birthday. "I was wondering if you'd like to hang on to this for safekeeping."

"What are you planning on doing that would make that a necessity?" Severus' eyes narrowed.

"Nothing," Elizabeth said quickly. "It's just… you know how kids are. And I thought maybe you'd want to keep it for one of your grandchildren." She rested her hand on her abdomen and waited for the realization to dawn in her father's eyes.

"My…" The Headmaster looked from her face to her hand and back again. "Really?"

Elizabeth laughed and nodded, without time to do much else before Severus was on his feet, pulling her up and crushing her to his chest.

"When?" He asked, loosening his grip only enough to look at her face.

"February," Elizabeth answered, pretending not to notice the decidedly wet sheen that her father's eyes had taken.

Severus broke away and turned to his son-in-law. "Congratulations," he said, shaking the younger wizard's hand.

Fred grinned, then looked at Elizabeth. "You think he heard the 'one of' part?"

Severus turned back toward his daughter. "One of?"

Elizabeth put up her hands in mock-surrender. "The twins are his fault, I already told him."

Severus looked at her stomach again. "Two?"

"Two somethings," Elizabeth said. "We should be able to find out soon, if we want to know."

Severus hugged his daughter again, and she heard laugher rumbling it his chest. "What?" she demanded, smirking up at him.

"Nothing," Severus shook his head. "I'm just happy that we're all standing here doing this. And that you are about to experience a little bit of karma that will amuse me in the years to come."

Elizabeth laughed. "Seems to me that if we have any problems, we'll just send them to Grandpa."

Severus rolled his eyes. "My job here is to do all the things I couldn't do as a responsible parent," he said, pretending to consult a list.

*S*S*

Fred Weasley was terrified. He'd stood before Voldemort without flinching. He'd stared down Death Eaters. He'd been in terribly violent Quidditch games.

And standing in the delivery room, he thought he might faint. Or pass out. Or whatever the manly term was.

"Can I…um…do anything?" He asked Elizabeth, who was lying on the bed, glaring at him.

"I think you've done quite enough," Elizabeth snapped, clenching her teeth against another contraction. "It's your fault."

"Yes," Fred nodded, knowing by now that the best course of action was to agree.

"I hate you."

"I'm sorry," Fred said pushing the hair off her forehead. "Do you want ice chips?"

"To pummel you with? Yes."

"We're getting close," the mediwitch said, bustling about at the end of the bed. "Do you have family you wanted to call?"

Fred nodded and looked at Elizabeth. "I'll be right back, okay?"

"Right back, Fred Weasley. Right. Back." Elizabeth glared at him.

Fred slipped out of the room and went to the private fireplace the hospital provided for family fire-calls.

"Fred?" Severus' head appeared in the fire. "It's 2 o'clock… is everything alright?"

"We're having babies," Fred said, running a hand through his hair. "Or, as your daughter keeps reminding me, she is having babies."

"Give me one minute," Severus said, reaching for his robes.

"I need to call my mum—

"I'll do that," Severus said. "You get back to your wife and take whatever abuse she wants to give you."

"Did Lily tell you she wanted to light your hair on fire?" Fred asked.

Severus smirked. "No, she was more focused on causing pain to another part of my anatomy."

*S*S*

"Dad, can I have my baby?" Elizabeth asked, sitting on the sofa. Fred carried Georgia upstairs, the little redheaded bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.

"I have a concern," Severus said, as if she hadn't spoken, from the armchair where he sat, holding Sevannah.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "What's that?"

"I know, right now, that this one is Sevannah," he said, playing with one of her little hands. "I'm concerned that if I put her down, I will get them confused. Can we mark them in some way?"

"Molly gave Fred and George magical tattoos," Elizabeth grinned.

"Don't you dare," Severus growled, kissing the baby's fuzzy head.

"I'm worried about Fred," Elizabeth said, laying back on the sofa and closing her eyes. "He says he's okay, but he was looking at them today, and I swear he was sad."

"As you were sometimes watching girls with their mothers," Severus said, smoothing Sevannah's blanket. "It doesn't mean you wished they would disappear."

Fred appeared at the door and met Severus' eyes, catching the tailend of the conversation.

"I just want him to be able to love them," Elizabeth picked at the edge of the sofa cushion absently.

"Severus, could you take Sevannah upstairs?" Fred asked quietly.

Elizabeth's eyes snapped open and she sat up. "I can—

"You, stay right there," Fred ordered, stepping aside as Severus passed, carrying the baby.

They never closed the living room door. Fred had even considered taking it off the hinges because it covered a cupboard door when it was open, and there was never a reason to close off the kitchen and the living room.

But he closed it now.

He sat on the coffee table across from her, clasped his hands together, and rested his elbows on his knees.

"Fred—

Fred shook his head. "They're two months old," he said quietly. "And we've known they were twins for six months before that." He locked his eyes with hers. "For eight months, I've thought about lots of things. Never," his voice turned steely, "for a single moment, was one of those thoughts anything but head-over-heels love for our daughters." He set his jaw in the way he did when he was trying to keep his temper. "Listen to me, because I'm only going to say it once. I miss George every day. Every single day. I don't need to have twins to remember to think of him. Any sadness I feel in looking at them is the knowledge that we lost friends and family I wish could see them. That's all."

Elizabeth nodded. "Okay."

"And don't ever question my love for my kids again," Fred frowned. "I might not have carried them—

"I know," Elizabeth took his clasped hands in hers. "I'm sorry. I just love you and them so much."

"I love you too," Fred sighed, bending his forehead to rest against hers. "You make me crazy. And not always in a fun way."

Elizabeth blushed. "I'm sorry."

"You said that," Fred smiled, and tilted his head back to kiss her forehead.

*S*S*

"I'm never speaking to you again." Elizabeth glared at her father over the kitchen counter, while lighting two candles on the top if each of the two identical cakes in front of her.

Severus smirked. "You're not mad."

"Oh, I think I am." Elizabeth hissed, glancing over his shoulder into the living room where Sevannah and Georgia sat, surrounded by presents.

"Hey…" Fred came in, standing beside Severus and eyeing Elizabeth warily. "You guys know there's a party going on in the other room, right?"

"I'm not speaking to you either."

"Come on, Betsy," Fred grimaced. "Look how happy they are."

"Yes," Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "All four of them." She looked at her daughters again. Georgia was laughing wildly as a golden puppy licked her face. Sevannah had an identical puppy in a headlock/hug and was trying to kiss his nose.

"Your husband approved the dogs," Severus said, holding up his hands.

"So you've said," Elizabeth glared at Fred. "You didn't think about mentioning it to me?"

Fred shifted nervously. "Kind of slipped my mind."

Elizabeth shook her head and turned her attention to Severus. "You were pissed when Albus gave me Casper."

Severus rolled his eyes. "First, watch your language. You aren't too old for me to wash out your mouth. Second, you hated that cat. You didn't even notice when I gave it away." He pointed into the living room. "Look how happy they are."

"They're happy because they are high on puppy…puppyness. And I liked Casper for awhile."

"MUMMY! PUPPY!" Georgia shrieked from the living room.

Remus poked his head into the kitchen. "Hey, can I get some back-up in here?"

"Betsy, they're so excited. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but look at them." Fred gestured to the living room.

Elizabeth crossed her arms, but she looked. Sevannah was lying on the carpet, nose to nose with her puppy. Georgia had taken off one of her socks and was using it to play tug-o-war with the other golden ball of fluff. "They're cute," she said grudgingly.

"And they're housebroken," Severus said. "And if Georgia stops feeding socks to that one, they can also be taught not to chew."

Elizabeth frowned. "I always wanted a dog."

"I know," Severus nodded. "And we never could have one because of our living arrangements. Plus, we had Sirius."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "You know that you just sentenced me to years and years of taking care of these dogs," she said. "Because Sevannah and Georgia are two years old." She sighed, and handed a cake to her husband. "Put that on the table, and call the girls, please. And someone put the puppies somewhere while we eat."

Fred grinned and took the cake. "See, I told you she wasn't mad."

"You are taking care of these dogs, Fred Weasley," Elizabeth picked up the other cake. "At least until I'm less annoyed."

"Okay, okay," Fred kissed her and went to put the cake on the table. "Girls! Cake!"

"Come here, puppies," Elizabeth heard Molly Weasley say. "What are you naming them, girls?"

"Snitch!" Georgia shrieked, tackling the dog.

Molly laughed, and conjured a tag to affix to the dog's collar. "What about you, Sevannah?"

The other twin looked seriously at the puppy. The dog looked back. "Angel," she said finally.

"Isn't that what Daddy calls you?" Molly said, conjuring a similar tag for the other dog.

Sevannah nodded. "Can he sit with me?"

Elizabeth leaned against Fred as they stood in the doorway. "They are really cute," she said as he put his arm around her.