Chapter Three: Hermione's POV
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!" Ron screeched.
Hermione and Fred broke apart. They turned to look at Ron. The anger and hurt were evident on his face. His face was dark red and there were tears in his eyes.
"Ron…" Hermione began but he shook his head.
"How could you do this to me?" Ron was looking at Fred. "You knew I had feelings for Hermione." Ron's hands were in fists, the knuckles turning white. "And to think I was working up my courage to ask you to the dance." He turned on Hermione. "Glad I didn't waste my time on a trollop like you."
His words cut her deep. She had not wanted him to find out like this. "Ron, please let me explain." She stepped toward him.
Fred pulled her behind him and raised his wand. "TAKE IT BACK!" He seethed between his teeth. "You will not speak to Hermione in that way. I love you little brother, but I will curse you into next year if you ever say anything like that again."
Hermione saw Ron pull his own wand. "Shouldn't be surprised, I guess. Are you fucking George too? Maybe Harry?" Ron spat at her. His voice was like ice.
"Petrificus totalis," Fred yelled. Ron's body went rigid, and he fell to the floor.
Hermione rushed over to him. "Why on earth would you do that?" She demanded looking at Fred. "He's just hurt." She took out her wand to free Ron.
"No," Fred said sternly. He grabbed her hand. "Leave him frozen until we say all we need to tell him. This way he has to listen."
They each took an arm and hauled Ron to the armchairs. They lowered him into one and Fred sat opposite his brother while Hermione perched on the chair's arm beside him.
"Ron, I know this came as a shock mate. We didn't want you to find out like this. You're my brother. I'm sorry, but I will not allow you to speak ill of Hermione."
Hermione looked at Ron. In a soft voice, she said, "Ron, we've been friends since our first year. You are one of my best friends. I love you dearly, but not in the way you love me. You are a brother to me. I couldn't ruin our friendship like that. Imagine if we ever split up. Things would never be the same and I would never forgive myself." She moved to his chair and put her hand on his knee. There were tears in her eyes. The words he had spoken had cut her heart deeply.
"Fred and I have been seeing each other since August. I need you to understand that we didn't rush into this. He is good to me, and I am happy. I want that for you as well. You know as well as I that we would not work out."
"Ron, I promise I am not trying to steal your friendship away. I am truly and irrevocably in love with Hermione. She means the world to me. Have you wondered why I've been hovering so much? Why I keep bringing food to Hermione?" Fred moved to Hermione's side. He took her hand in his.
"Ron, please forgive me. You are the first one to know this. You're going to be an uncle." Hermione placed her hand gently on her stomach. "In about six months you will meet your niece or nephew. We want you to be the godfather."
"Ron, I'm going to free you now. Please be kind to Hermione. She doesn't deserve your anger. Turn it on me I can take it. You can curse me, jinx me, hex me if you like, but please leave Hermione out of this."
Fred released Ron from the spell. Ron didn't move and for a moment, Hermione wondered if Fred had actually released him. She then noticed the tears running from Ron's eyes.
"You two have been together since August," it wasn't a question. He was shaking slightly. "Who else knows?"
Fred and Hermione exchanged looks. "About the baby, only you." Hermione said calmly. Ron stood and began to pace.
"Who else knows you are together?" Ron asked. Hermione couldn't read the emotions on his face.
"Well, mate. Harry caught us snogging in dad's workshop before start of term." Fred responded, opting not to lie to Ron anymore. He knew lies were what got them here in the first place. "Also, George knows."
"George knows?" Hermione spun to look at Fred. "I thought we agreed not to tell anyone until we spoke to Ron." Hermione was getting angry.
Fred lifted his hands in defense. "It's the bloody twin thing. He figured it out and cornered me in the bathroom tonight and I had to tell him." Fred answered sheepishly. The tips of his ears going pink.
Ron stopped pacing and turned to them. "So, my best mate and my brother know. Who else?" He was clenching and unclenching his hands.
"No one," they said in unison.
Fred helped Hermione off the floor and sat her in the armchair Ron had vacated. He sat next to her knees on the floor. They both watched Ron quietly. Hermione knew he needed time to process.
"I'm going to be an uncle?" Ron turned and asked. Hermione nodded.
"Yes, by the end of term you will have a niece or nephew."
Ron looked at Fred, "I don't envy you one bit when you tell mum. She'll go mad."
"Well, if she kills us at least our child has a godfather to watch over them," Fred chuckled.
"How did this happen? I mean I know how it happened, but how were you foolish enough to not use a contraceptive potion?" Ron sat down heavily in an armchair.
"We did. We aren't sure why it didn't work." Hermione responded. "Maybe I didn't brew it properly."
"Hermione you always brew potions correctly." Fred replied. "Honestly it doesn't matter how we got here, but we are here."
Ron looked away. "Maybe you shouldn't keep it." He whispered.
Hermione's hand went instinctively to her stomach. "Ron, you don't mean that…"
Ron looked back at her with hurt and anger back in his eyes. "Yes, I do. Hermione, you are in your fourth year. How are you to finish school? You are the smartest witch I've ever met and at the same time the dumbest."
Fred tensed but Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder. " Get it out then Ron. You are going to have to accept this sooner or later. This is our decision. We talked about our options. We both decided we can do this. Fred supports this decision. I will be a good mother AND I will still attend this school." Hermione was beginning to cry.
Fred stood and lifted her from the seat. He turned and sat down with her in his arms. "Ron, you need to get over yourself. Things happen we can't control. Do we like the situation? No. Are we going to catch hell? Absolutely. We don't care. We will do right by this child and be the best parents we can."
"Do right by this child? Neither of you have any money or a place to live. What, are you going to pass it back and forth like a quaffle through the floo over the summer. Oh, I know you'll expect the grands to pitch in. Fred, maybe it's escaped your notice, but our parents can't afford another child to care for." Ron was angry again. He stood up and headed for the dormitory. "Don't worry I'll keep your nasty little secret, but you both are the stupidest people I've ever met." He slammed the door on his way out.
Hermione broke down in full body sobs.
