Chapter 5- Hermione

Charlie came over on the Saturday after he got back. They spent the entire day together and by the time he left she felt like they had gotten to know each other a lot better. He was a great guy. They even went out to a Muggle restaurant for dinner. Hermione couldn't wear her magical robes, so her pregnancy was showing. Everyone they came upon thought they were a couple. After a few times of telling the people they talked to that they weren't they stop correcting them. They enjoyed themselves and it seemed to Hermione that every old lady in sight wanted to touch her stomach. Was a pregnant belly supposed to give you good luck or something? When he left, he promised to return the next time he was off. Since his schedule was erratic, he didn't know when that would be.

The book was released and the Flammel's insisted that the proceeds from the book all went to Hermione.

"You are young and just starting out. We are old and ready to leave this life. We just wanted to tell our story. The money from the book should help you out. We don't even know if the book will sell." Mr. Flammel told her.

"But this seems wrong to me. It's your story. Your book will sell out. I think it will even be picked up by the magical schools."

"Then it will be good for you." Mrs. Flammel told her. "We do insist on this, in fact, we already signed the paperwork for it."

"I don't know what to say. Thank-you so much. It has been an honor."

On Wednesday Mrs. Wesley dropped in for a few minutes, just to tell her that Fred had spoken to her about Hermione. She assured Hermione that she did not say anything to Fred, but she thought Fred was being genuine about wanting to know where she was.

When Mrs. Weasley told her about it, Hermione was so excited. Mrs. Weasley could not say everything fast enough for Hemione. She wanted to shake her until she told her everything as fast as she could, but she did not let her excitement show.

But here it was two days later, and Hermione was more confused than she ever was. She could not afford to make any hasty decisions. She had to think with her head not her heart. She had a baby to think about too.

"George, I have decided it is time that Hermione and me get married and I have to tell her."

"Sweet Merlin! Are you crazy? You don't just decide to marry someone and tell them. She's liable to hex you so bad you won't know up from down."

"I know what I'm doing. And besides, when the last time we, and I do mean we, have ever decided on something and it not happen."

George didn't say anything so Fred went on, "Can't think of anything, can you? Well, I decided this, so just sit back and watch."

"You do have a point. I'll be home late. I'm going with Harry to watch the game. I'll try to get him to tell me where Hermione is since you haven't had any luck. And since the book she was working on is finished she should be home soon."

"Let me know how it goes."

The weather was so beautiful. It was cold, but it was beautiful. The sun was shiny on the snow crystals piled up on the side of the sidewalks and on the lawns in front of the houses. Hermione decided she would go for walk that afternoon. She had a lot to think about, and she did not think she would be able to study with the turmoil going through her mind.

She got home and Charlie was there.

"I was just going to leave. I didn't know when you would be back." He told her. "What're you doing out in this cold weather anyway?"

"I felt being out in brisk weather. It helps me to think."

"You're crazy. It's too cold."

"What are you doing here? Is it your day off already? If so, I need to get your kind of job." She laughed.

"Actually, I worked this morning and this afternoon I had to drop off some papers to the Ministry. They have to keep tabs on the dragons, and we had two births this week. You should see them. They are magnificent. Walking around on wobbly legs, trying to blow fire and only blowing smoke."

"You sound just like Hagrid did when his dragon was born."

"You need to come over and see them sometime. They are amazing."

"I'll do that."

"So, what did you have to think about that you had to be out in this frigid weather?"

"Nothing. It' just your Mum was here for a little while and she got me to thinking about Fred again."

"So, it's Fred? Hmmm. The way I see it, he's always on your mind."

"I know. I wish I could stop that. What should I do?"

"You asked me to never give you advice, remember?"

"Yes, I remember. But I am so confused. What would you do?"

"I don't know but, from what I was always told about you, you are the bravest person everyone ever met. You always face things head on. Why is this so different from anything else you've ever done?"

"It's just so scary. I fought in the war, for Merlin's sake. But this? This leaves me shaking in my bones."

"I do know this. If you never try, you never get what you want. And you have a solid group of people backing you. If you do try and you fail, we'll help bring you back up."

"I did try."

"That's not what you told me. You told me that when Fred said he wanted to enjoy himself you said alright. Maybe he was trying you to see if you would fight for what you had together."

"Do you think so?"

"I don't know. I just know that if you really want something that it should be worth fighting for."

"Dang you Charlie. Now you've given me more to think about."

"I'm betting on you. I know you have the strength to claim what is yours. Plus, I kind of like the thought of my little niece or nephew having my brother around to help him, or her, through life."

"That's the hardest part for me. I know I need to see Fred and at least let him know about the baby. But enough about this. Why don't we go for a pizza for dinner?"

"Ok, and you have time to think things through. Whatever you decide, I'll back you."

They were just heading out the door to go for a pizza when Harry arrived.

"Harry, is something wrong?" Hermione asked as she hugged him.

Harry shook hands with Charlie and then turned to Hermione and said, "I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"I'm doing good. We were just on our way to go pick up a pizza, care to join us?" Hermione asked.

"Sure."

As they were going out the door, Harry asked "Charlie, what are you doing here?"

"Hermione and I ran into each other and we started talking. When I found out she lived here I told her I would check in on her sometimes. I had to bring some paperwork to the Ministry today so I thought I would stop by to see if she wanted something to eat."

That night after Charlie left Harry asked Hermione about Charlie.

"It's like he told you. I never knew Charlie too well, but I'm getting to know him. I like him."

"Hermione."

"Not that way. As a friend."

"Just checking."

"Harry, I think I am going to go see Fred. Charlie reminded me that I never ran from anything before and wanted to know why I'm doing it now."

"I think that's a good idea. I can go with you, if you'd like." As she nodded her head he said, "Ok then. But I have to tell you the real reason I came over this evening. I went to a Quidditch match with George and he tried to get me to tell him where you were. He sounded very concerned and I know he was asking on behalf of Fred. I told him I didn't know. He knew I was lying, but didn't argue."

As soon as Harry left, Hermione sat down she thought about what she was going to do. After she made her decision to do it, she felt a lot better. She was up early the next morning. And while she slept her bravado had returned, and she knew Charlie was right. She was going to face this head on. She had to wait before she left because she didn't want to arrive at the Weasley's home before anyone was up. However, she needn't have worried about arriving too early. When she got there Mrs. Weasley was babysitting Victoire.

"Hermione, it's so good to see you."

"Thank-you, Molly. You too. I decided to go talk with Fred."

"Good. Is he expecting you?"

"No. And I didn't want to tell him about the baby right away. That's why I'm wearing the robes. If he sees me without them, he'll know. I'll send him an owl and ask him if he could meet me to talk sometime today."

"You can stay the day, can't you? I enjoy your company."

"I didn't want to impose on you but I'd love to. This way I can get to know Victoire."