Fred/Hermione: It was just one night, but the consequences would last a lifetime.

Something Stupid

The bottle looked lonely, he should really pick it up and take it away. Purely to keep it company, his brothers had taken all of its friends, it was only right he do it. Ron tripped over his own feet at that moment, with everyone crowded around him laughing Fred seized his moment. As quick as his alcohol affected brain let him, he made his way across the room grabbing the bottle and was out of the room. They didn't even notice as he dashed from the room, to caught up were they in their mindless buffoonery.

He avoided the happy people outside as he left, heading straight for his old bedroom at the top of the stairs. Try as he might, he just couldn't get into the party frame of mind tonight. The smiles weren't coming, and nor were the laughs. It was easier this way. Escaping, taking this bottle and crawling into his old bed, pretending that he was fourteen again sounded ideal. Fred shut the door behind him, locking it as he did. He made his way easily across the room in the dark, collapsing onto the familiar bed.

To his relief you couldn't hear the downstairs revelers, he opened the bottle, and drank heavily, gasping as the fiery liquid burnt a path down his throat. His head fell back against the pillow, now this was better. It was quiet, he was alone, and it was dark, he didn't have to pretend anything.

"George?"

Fred startled at the soft voice coming out of the darkness, cursing inwardly at the intrusion, he sighed, "Try again."

"Well I'm just stumped," they said, he realised instantly it was a girl.

"Lumos," he muttered, looking over at George's bed, and it's most unexpected occupant. "Evening Granger."

"Fred," she sighed, her head resting against the pillow, eyes trained on the ceiling.

"Expecting someone else?" He asked taking another drink, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Hopefully not, I figured I'd be all alone leaving them to celebrate, and get smashed," she said quietly, a rather glum expression on her face.

"Thief, that's my plan," Fred smiled.

"How's it going?" Hermione rolled onto her side facing him, angling her head on her hands.

"Well they are falling over themselves, and I'm locked in my room with a bottle of Whiskey. I think it's going pretty well."

"Why?" She asked quietly.

"Why what?"

"Why are you hiding?"

"No reason," Fred said softly. "I just don't feel like acting tonight. I feel like crap, and I'd like to not pretend I don't." He closed his eyes, hearing her stand and move around the room.

"Scoot over." Fred shuffled over on the bed, leaving enough room for her beside him. Hermione sat next to him, her back against the wall.

"I also don't feel like explaining the how or why," he muttered.

"Fair enough, doesn't mean you should be greedy."

One eye popped open to see Hermione indicating the bottle he had a fierce grip of, he grinned holding it out for her, "Knock yourself out."

"Thanks," she grinned, taking a large drink, blinking rapidly.

"Seems I'm not the only one pretending," he observed.

Hermione passed him back the bottle, covering her mouth as she burped, "My boss is a enormous prick."

"Uh-huh," he nodded drinking deeply. "There's as good a reason as any."

"I have worked my butt off for the last three months, jumping to do whatever the bastard wants. And I fucking do it well, better than anyone in the whole department," she spat, her arms waving around to emphasize her point.

"Of course you do," he passed the drink back to her waiting hand.

She nodded, "Yep, and you'd think that when the bloody promotion was on the table, I would get it."

"Naturally," Fred agreed as she wiped her chin.

"Right, but no, now isn't the best time Ms. Granger," Hermione said bitterly, imitating her boss. "Not that it's important, I don't particularly want, or need it, but it's the recognition. Proof that all my hard bloody work is being noticed."

He nodded, "So what's with the attitude?"

Clearing her throat, with great distaste she groaned, "Malfoy. They gave it to the Ferret, who does nothing but kiss his arse and fawn over the secretary. I do the work, and he's taken the fucking glory."

Fred smiled slightly at the language passing her normally curse-free lips, "Bastard."

"Absolutely!" Hermione said vehemently, shaking her head. "I could have lived with anyone else, but him," she shook her head, lifting the bottle again.

"Well quit, or transfer to another department. I'm sure there is one that would appreciate your skills and work ethic, they would be climbing over each other to get you working for them."

"Maybe," Hermione sighed, passing him the bottle. "But I won't, I can't let the sod win."

He nodded, "I understand." Hermione shuffled down, laying her head next to his on the pillow. Speaking quietly, "It's Angelina, and her new bloody boyfriend."

"Okay," she whispered. "Who is it?"

"Oliver freaking Wood, I swear that witch is incapable of dating anyone that's not a friend of mine," he groaned, taking a large drink. Trying to wash away the image of his former girlfriends smile as she paraded around with Oliver tagging alone behind her.

"It's not your fault you're so darn popular," Hermione grinned.

"Right," he snorted, shaking his head.

"I'm sure it's nothing sinister, more to do with the fact that you have wonderful friends," she said quietly.

"So I'm cursed with a witch who seems to be systematically dating all of my friends, all because I have good taste?" Fred shook his head, drinking deeply. "You don't see fit to date them?"

"Quidditch players aren't my fancy anymore," she smiled, accepting the bottle.

"Excellent, load of wankers anyway," Fred laughed.

"Thanks for the tip," she smiled.

She drank deeply, sighing as she shook the bottle, "Last one I'm afraid. I wasn't planning on sharing it with anyone, that's all we got."

"Bugger," she groaned, passing it to him. "Probably for the best."

"Yep," he smiled, draining the bottle. Leaning over Hermione he placed it on the desk between the two beds, "Might do something stupid," he said lying down beside her, his arms folded behind his head.

"I don't do stupid, it's just not in me," Hermione said firmly, the hiccup punctuating the final words taking their power away.

"And Ron was?" Fred remembered vividly that relationship crashing and burning rather spectacularly just over two years ago now.

"A school crush that developed into a disaster," she sighed, shaking her head. "We tried, we failed, and thankfully escaped with our friendship intact."

"That's good," Fred said, blowing her hair from his face.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly, pulling it over to the other side of her head.

"No problem," he kicked off his shoes, turning to face her.

Hermione smiled slightly, whispering, "Angelina was stupid, you deserve better than that witch."

"Maybe," Fred shrugged toying with one of her curls. "It's just fucking maddening, watching her go from one guy to the next, and most of them my bloody mates. I understand the need to move on, Merlin knows I'm bloody trying to, and just when it seems like I have, there she is with another one of my mates. It's one step forward, and half a dozen back."

"Like I said, you deserve better," she sighed, pushing off her sandals, as she turned to him as well. "I've had my moments with Angelina, at times she can be friendly and open, just the most wonderful person. But there is just something else there, you don't see it all that often, I'd say you are better off rid of her. There is someone else out there, someone much better suited to you."

"Just got to find her," he whispered glumly.

Fred's eyes closed as his head fell against the pillow, "When you least expect it, she'll be there. That's the way it happens. We just have to be patient."

"And in the meantime? Feels like I'm never going to find her."

"We have fun, we relax, and maybe once in a while, do something stupid."

He reopened his eyes to see Hermione looking at him closely, her lower lip caught between her teeth, "Hermione?"

"Fred," she smiled, sliding closer to him, bringing her body flush against his, her hand running over the curve of his back down to his behind. Her eyes had darkened in the soft light from his wand, a gleam in them he'd never seen before.

"How drunk are you?"

"Just a little," she sighed, a devilish smile coming over her lips. "But I'm also sober enough to know better, but drunk enough not to really give a damn."

"What are you doing?" He stuttered as she slid her hands under his jumper, goosebumps breaking out over his skin as her hands moved over his abdomen. "Hermione?"

"Something stupid."

He knew instantly without opening his eyes exactly where he was, it could only be one place. The worn cotton sheets brushing against his legs, and the unmistakable smells of breakfast wafting into the room; it could only be the Burrow. Fred hadn't slept here in months, but it was still home. Home however, didn't usually come with a warm bundle in his arms.

Their hair brushed his chin as they shifted, arms and legs wrapping around him. He squinted slightly, opening his eyes a fraction to look down at them. Shit, he cursed inwardly, closing them again, and the memories came flashing back.

The empty bottle of fire whiskey on the desk, the clothes thrown haphazardly on the floor, and Hermione Granger: naked, in his arms. Oh yes, he remembered it all. The good bits, and the very good bits.

Fred stilled as she stretched, and sat up, the sheet moving as she held it to her chest. Soft murmuring reached his ears as she stood, covering him with the sheet. He could hear her moving around, pulling her clothes on before leaving.

He waited a minute before he opened his eyes, he laid still staring at the ceiling, wondering just what the hell to do. He'd never done this before, at least not with someone he knew, and thought of as a friend. Over the last year he'd had more one night stands with witches than he was proud of. This wasn't one of those situations, he couldn't shove her out the door as soon as she woke up. Nor could he realistically pretend it never happened.

Groaning quietly he threw the sheet off, and pulled on his pants as he stood. His head remarkably clear, as he took in the messy room. Fred was just doing them up when Hermione re-entered, he stood straight instantly, his hand stilled on his belt.

"Good morning," she said quietly, sitting on George's bed. Her damp hair pulled away from her face, he could smell the apple fragrance of her shampoo across the room.

"Morning," he responded, grabbing his shirt off the floor he pulled it on as he sat on his bed opposite her. Hermione held her shoes in her hands, fiddling with the strap she didn't look at him. "Hermione, are you okay?"

She nodded mutely, "Yeah. I just went and had a quick shower, freshened up. I feel a little strange, but no, I'm fine."

"No headache?" Fred smiled.

"No," she laughed lightly. "I didn't drink that much, it's just --- I've never done that, this before."

"Oh, really?" He said dumbly, "I never noticed, didn't think."

"Oh! Not that," she said quickly, blushing furiously. "I'm not a... Not me. That wasn't my first time, I've just never slept with someone out of the blue."

"My fault love, you just couldn't help yourself I'm afraid, I'm irresistible," he grinned.

"Right of course you are," Hermione sighed, shaking her head, twisting the shoes straps violently, a frown evident on her lips.

Fred's heart fell at the hopelessness displayed on her face, from across the room he could see the glisten in her eyes. He stood and moved over to sit beside her, taking one of her hands, he said gently, "Hermione, relax."

"I am relaxed," she said firmly, taking her hand back. "There is just so many bloody thoughts happening, I can't believe what I did. I remember it perfectly, it was as if this urge came over me, I hardly drank any. I can't blame that, but it was so bloody stupid."

"Thanks," Fred said dryly, shaking his head.

"No, I'm sorry. Gods, that's not what I meant, I didn't mean that sleeping with you was stupid, but here, of all nights. My best friend, and ex-boyfriend, downstairs celebrating his twenty first birthday, and I'm upstairs with his brother. I'm an awful person, I shouldn't have done that. It's so messy, and complicated."

He sighed, "It's simple love, we were a little drunk, we decided to have some fun, but we are adults, and as adults we can look at this rationally." Hermione nodded slightly, "So, we spent the night together, and while it was fun, we don't have to make it into anything. I've come to be quite fond of you, but a relationship isn't required here."

She smiled properly for the first time that day, "I agree, completely. You were, are wonderful, but I don't really want a relationship with anyone at the moment. I'd love to just leave it at this, one night, never to be repeated."

Fred smiled back, "Excellent. Last night can just be something that happened, yeah? We don't have to talk about it, or do anything about it. We can just leave it at this."

Hermione leaned over, kissing his cheek, "Let's do that." She pulled her shoes on quickly, grabbing her jumper off the desk. "I'm going to go down to breakfast, I'm really glad we are being grown-up about this."

She smiled at him brilliantly as she left, Fred sat back against the wall as the door shut. It was the right thing to do, he liked Hermione well enough, but trying to make a relationship out of one night was stupid. It was the sort of thing that only led to disaster, and he was more than happy to avoid that fate. No, this was definitely the right thing to do.

Fred hopped off the bed and headed to the door, he would have to freshen up somewhat before he headed down to breakfast. He met George on the landing outside the bathroom.

"Morning," George muttered, his eyes nothing more than slits to look out of.

"Good morning," Fred chirped in a louder voice than usual, grinning as he winced. Clearly the party had continued for a long while after he had left it.

"Sod," he glared at him weakly, rubbing his head. "Who would hold a bloody party, but not stock up on hangover potion? Tell me what sort of sadistic person does that?"

"Our dear mother?" Fred offered, grinning widely. "You know how she feels about her boys drinking, no matter how old we are."

George nodded, before the motion became too much, both hands coming up to hold his head. "Least there is breakfast, her breakfast will do the trick, I'm so bloody hungry."

He chuckled moving past him to the bathroom.

"I lost track of you last night, what did you end up doing?"

Fred smiled at the wall in front of him, Hermione Granger. "Not much," he said turning back to him. "I was pretty tired so I just went to bed, slept in the old room."

"Right," George said, his eyebrows disappearing into his fringe. "Well it was a fun night, I swear Ron cannot walk upright after a few drinks. I vaguely remembering him rolling himself everywhere at some point," he grinned.

"I bet it was a lot of laughs," Fred smiled.

"For sure, can't see how bed was a better option."

His smile grew, "Yeah, I was completely bored, just didn't know what to do with myself."

George peered at him closely for a moment before shaking his head slowly, "My head hurts too much for sarcasm, I need food, I'll see you downstairs."

"Right mate," he smiled as George turned from him, and started down the stairs towards the kitchen.

He was still smiling when he shut the bathroom door behind him, his wide grin surprising him. Fred knew he wasn't in denial, or just pretending to himself. Last night while fun and a distraction, wasn't going to happen again. That didn't mean he couldn't remember it fondly, he had just come pretty close to spilling all to George. He couldn't do that though, he was being an adult about this, so that meant absolutely no bragging to his twin about what he got up to with Hermione Granger. No this had to remain between the two of them, just Hermione and him, that's the way it had to be.

That didn't mean that he couldn't not let his thoughts linger on how it had unfolded. He couldn't help it as he washed himself quickly under the water, the thought that Hermione had been in here not ten minutes earlier, doing the same as him. Fred wondered if she was thinking about what had happened, then realised that of course she had, but he wanted to know what she was thinking about it. Was it all panic over sleeping with a friend? Or was there something else, something that made her smile, or even blush delightfully like she did.

He slammed his hand against his head, stopping that thought pattern right there. They had just agreed to be responsible, and that meant he shouldn't be doing this. There was nothing wrong with acknowledging it, remembering it fondly, but to actually wonder if she thought about him in that way. That was just asking for trouble.

"Where is he?"

Fred's head popped up as he heard the frantic voice in the front of the shop. He recognised the voice, it would be impossible not to, but he hadn't heard it that stressed in years. Before he moved anywhere he pulled the cauldron from the flame, and headed to the front of the store.

"I don't fucking care if he's not to be disturbed," Hermione snapped at the new assistant, currently cowering behind the counter. "I need to see him now, so let me through."

"Hermione," he said quickly, coming out from behind the curtain separating them, nodding at the assistant who promptly scampered off. "What's going on?"

"I need to talk to you, it's rather urgent, and private," she said firmly, grabbing his arm and maneuvering him out the back again.

"Alright," he said, shutting the curtains behind them, activating the privacy charms. Turning back to her, "What's wrong?"

"Well, it all depends on how you look at it really," Hermione sighed, reaching into her pocket she pulled out a small piece of plastic which she passed to him.

"What's this?" Fred asked, turning it over in his hands.

"It's a pregnancy test, the Muggle kind," she whispered.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, throwing it on the table. Looking up at her, "And?"

"Why else would I be here?" Hermione said shaking her head, "It says yes."

"Are you sure?"

"It's just like the four others in my bathroom bin."

"All the same?"

"All positive," she sighed sitting on a stool.

"And..." Fred left the question hanging open, although he knew what the answer was going to be.

"It could only be you," she said softly, her eyes blinking quickly. "I don't, I don't sleep with a lot of people, hardly anyone. You know that."

"Of course I do," Fred said quickly, stepping next to her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

Shaking a little, "It's just... It's not supposed to happen, not like this, not now."

"I know," he whispered, his eyes closing. Pregnant, Hermione Granger, his bloody baby. He wish he knew what to say, what to do, but it wasn't like he'd been in this bloody situation before. All he could think at the moment was that she was having his baby. Fred's arms wrapped around her tighter as she started to cry, just adding another slice of something he didn't know what to do about. He swallowed thickly, "These tests - are they accurate?"

"Mostly, I think... I can't remember," she cried softly. "That's why I bought this before I came here," Hermione picked up her bag, and pulled out a potion bottle. "I got this from the apothecary, it's a test as well, probably a darn sight more accurate though."

"Right..."

"I couldn't do it by myself, that's why I brought it here. I didn't want to be myself if it is, which I think it will."

"Of course," Fred sighed, taking the bottle from her. "What does it need?"

She sat up straight, wiping her cheeks, "Some of my blood, I think just a few drops."

"Bloody hell," he muttered.

"It's extremely accurate, if that potion turns blue than I am most definitely pregnant," Hermione said simply, standing and pulling her coat off.

"Okay," he lent back against the bench. Fred ran a hand through his hair, "Bloody hell," he closed his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Fred," she said quietly, taking his free hand. "I'm screwing everything up, no complications right?"

"Supposedly," he groaned. "Let's do it."

Hermione nodded, grabbing the potion bottle and a small metal bowl from where it was drying on the sink. "Do you have a knife? I don't have one, to cut myself with."

"Sure," he said dumbly, opening a drawer he pulled a small paring knife from it. Fred stood beside her as she poured the potion into the bowl, then pulled up her sleeve. Hermione took the knife from his hand, with her free hand over the bowl, she quickly sliced across her palm. Gritting her teeth she clenched her fist over the potion, allowing several drops to fall into the potion.

Fred watched as they quickly melded into the potion, hearing the clang as the knife was dropped into the sink. He turned, seeing Hermione was leaning against the bench, glaring at the bowl, her hand cupped in front of her. Fred went and stood beside her, taking her hand, he healed the cut with his wand.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"It's okay, how long?" Fred asked, his finger smoothing over the place where the knife sliced her palm.

She looked up at him, taking her eyes of the bowl, "Up to thirty seconds, or so it says."

"Right," he said quietly, standing beside her. "What the hell are we going to do?"

"I have no idea," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "I haven't been able to think straight ever since this possibility ran through my head. It sounds stupid at the moment, but I have this plan for my life, and it was all sort of working. It wasn't perfect, but I was working on that too. Now this," Hermione shook her head, "It wasn't supposed to happen yet."

His plan? Well he sort of had one, and it was working out just fine. George and himself had built themselves quite a business, one that they were both extremely proud of. On the other side of the equation, while George and Alicia were very close to settling down, he wasn't. "I don't think it ever is, we'll just have to figure it out," he said, walking over to the table. Fred took a deep breath, and looked in at the once red, now deep blue potion. "And bloody soon."

"Oh god," Hermione cried. "You know I figured it would be, that doesn't mean I wasn't optimistic."

"We'll be fine love," he said, taking her into his arms again. "People deal with this all the time, and they manage just fine."

"But we haven't, I don't think I'm ready to have a baby," she muttered into his jumper.

Neither am I, Fred closed his eyes and try as he might; he just couldn't see himself a holding a baby, his baby. A baby, his, completely real, and dependent on him. He would be responsible for someone that wasn't him, someone who would need him so much more than anyone ever would. And it wasn't just his, Hermione, she was in this with him. He could feel her shifting in his embrace, and Fred realised with a jolt, that somewhere inside of her right now, was his baby.

A little Fred Weasley, and a smile grew on his face for the first time since she'd arrived.

"It'll be alright love, I promise."

Fred stood in the entranceway of St. Mungo's, watching the Muggles pass him by with barely a second glance. It was a bitterly cold London afternoon, his breath hovering in front of him. He was fairly certain that her note had said that the appointment was for three-thirty and to meet her out the front. But he'd been here for nearly twenty minutes. It wasn't like Hermione to be late, so he must have got the time wrong.

That hadn't exactly spoken since she left that day, they had exchanged a few owls regarding today's appointment with the Healer, but that was the extent of it. He was glad for the chance to think about everything, he knew what he wanted, he had no idea of course what Hermione may want, or was thinking. Fred was just glad to have his own thoughts in order.

He smiled as she appeared down the street, dashing towards him, hair blowing behind her in the wind. Clearly he wasn't wrong about the time of the appointment.

"I'm so sorry," she gushed as she reached him, pulling her hair from her face. "I got held up at work, I hadn't told them the reason for me leaving early today, so it was more difficult than I'd hoped."

Fred smiled as she fussed with her hair, and straightened her coat, "It's fine Hermione. I suppose we should go in, I imagine we must be late."

"Oh no," she looked at her watch. "Not at all, I asked you to meet me early, but now we can't talk first."

"Okay," Fred nodded, "That's a good plan, well was, let's get in there, we can talk after."

"Right," she said quickly. "Well let's get going then."

He took a hold of her elbow, and they walked together to the glass window to enter the hospital. After stating their purpose they walked through the ancient display, and into the entrance to St. Mungo's. Avoiding the sick, and the injured they headed to the elevator, which was thankfully empty.

"So, how have you been?" Fred asked as they ascended to the Natal Care Wing.

"Oh I've been fine, trying to keep myself busy at work so I don't think too much," she laughed lightly.

"How's that working for you? I can't seem to think of anything else."

"It's not," she murmured. "I can't sleep, it's impossible to concentrate at work."

Fred could empathies there, she had just described him for the past week. He had driven George crazy over the last few days, countless potions had bubbled away to nothing as he sat next to it with his head in the clouds.

"Well hopefully after today you'll be able to clear your head," he said quietly as they approached their floor.

"Maybe," she said softly, glancing at him. "Thank you for coming with me today, I really appreciate it."

"Of course, you know I'll be by your side, whatever you choose to do."

Hermione turned to him instantly, "What do you mean - whatever I choose to do?!"

The doors opened in front of them, Fred spoke quickly, "Let's talk about that after, we're going to be late."

She walked ahead of him, but he didn't miss the flash in her eyes as she turned away from him. There was no doubt that they would definitely be talking about it later. He followed her wordlessly down the long corridor, she stopped in front of the Healers station.

"I have an appointment at four with Healer Garven," Hermione said simply.

"And your name?" She asked looking up from her paperwork.

"Hermione Granger."

"Alright then, why don't you take a seat, she is running a little late this afternoon but she'll be with you shortly."

"Thank you," Hermione said moving over to the handful of chairs by the wall.

Fred followed her once more, sitting next to her, "Hermione. I didn't mean what you thought I meant."

"What did you mean Fred?" She snapped quietly to avoid anyone overhearing.

"That whatever happens, I'm here with you. Whatever happens."

"But you said choose, whatever I choose to do. It isn't just my choice here Fred, this baby is just as much mine as it is yours. I couldn't possibly decide what to do by myself."

"Okay," Fred said quietly, taking her hand. "Let's just do this, and take it from there. Get this out of the way."

Hermione nodded, her head falling onto his shoulder, "God this is hard. The last few days I've been wound so bloody tight, just one thing - one little word, no matter how tiny, how insignificant, and I just snap."

His arm wrapped around her, rubbing her arm gently, "It's perfectly understandable love. Bloody hell, any sane person would have had a meltdown, it's an adjustment, but as I said, I'll be right here beside you."

"Promise?" Hermione looked up at him.

"Promise," he smiled, squeezing her arm lightly, feeling her relax against him.

"Hermione Granger?"

They both looked up at the person standing in front of them, "Yes, I am, her. I'm Hermione."

The Healer smiled slightly, "If you'd come with me, I'm Healer Garven."

"Sure," Hermione nodded, standing quickly. "Can Fred come? I'd really like it if he could."

"Of course, if you want him there."

"I do," she said, linking their hands together.

"Follow me then."

She beamed at him as he stood, walking together after the Healer. Fred could feel her hand tightening its hold on his as they walked, "Relax," he whispered. Hermione glared at him weakly as they walked into the examination room, the door shutting behind them. They sat stiffly in the chairs as the healer opened her file, and sat opposite them.

"So what brings you here today Hermione?"

She looked at Fred quickly, before turning her attention to her, "I think I'm pregnant. Actually, I'm pretty sure I am."

"You did the at-home tests I presume?"

"Yes. I did a Muggle one, several times," she laughed dryly. "And I purchased a potion from the apothecary. They were all positive."

"Alright, we'll confirm it before we do anything else," she said rolling her chair back. "If you'd like to hop up on the table, and we'll see what's happening."

Hermione stood slowly, walking to the table along the window. She levered herself up onto it, her fingers playing with the blanket covering it.

"You can stand with her if you wish," Healer Garven said quietly to Fred as she walked over to Hermione. "Just lay back dear." She laid her head back, keeping her eyes on the curtains blowing softly with the breeze, her arms stretched alongside her. Fred stood at the end of the bed next to her head, taking hold of the hand she brought up. "It is the most accurate way to test, if you are in fact pregnant we shall know within a few seconds," she explained.

"Alright," Hermione said quietly, her fingers tightening around his again.

The Healer smiled at them both warmly as she placed her palm on Hermione's abdomen, several words passing her lips quickly, before a glow set on her hand which she promptly pulled away, "A few seconds." A golden orb spun in circles rapidly before lowering and settling over her, blinking rapidly before disappearing into her stomach. After a few seconds it rose again, this time in the shape of a peanut.

"You are pregnant Hermione," she said quickly, stepping back. "Congratulations, I'll just give you two a moment."

Hermione smiled weakly as she went to the other side of the room, her fingers falling from his. Fred moved around to the other side of the table as she sat up, "No denying it now."

"No," she whispered brokenly.

"It will be fine," he said softly, brushing her cheek. "I meant it before Hermione, whatever happens, I'll be right there with you."

Hermione smiled softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears, "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But we'll figure it out."

"Promise?"

"We'll do our best."