It was about a week later. A boring, uneventful week. Harry was busy sorting something out, something which he hoped would make Ginny happy, she only visited him every so often. They would chat, drink tea, cuddle and everything looked fine but Harry knew deep down she was bothered about the Hermione situation. A week later and Hermione had still not decided on what to do about the child. 

---

Hermione pulled on a shirt over her head and struggled to get into some jeans. She was not happy and her face proved that fact. She looked into the mirror and she frowned. The person in the mirror, with the newly dried hair, frowned too. Hermione rubbed at the space underneath her eyes and saw the purple bags, which depressed her even more. She felt like she was being pushed under water by a huge anchor. The anchor she imagined was the fact that she was pregnant. That fact came back and made her even more fed-up which she didn’t’ think was possible. Hermione outlined her eyes with eyeliner and put some foundation on to hide the horrid marks under her brown eyes. She didn’t bother with the red lipstick. She wasn’t confident today and didn’t want to show it.

The fact was that this whole week Hermione had stayed in her house. She had been cooped up on her sofa, watching some depressing shows on television and living on tea, biscuits, toast and nutella. Just to get out of the house, she decided to go shopping since there was a supermarket down the street from her.  Hermione tied her hair up in a bun and grabbed her wand and purse. She tugged on a jacket and tried to smile but it was useless. Stowing her wand in her boot with a face that could sadden something as happy as a new grown flower, Hermione went out of her front door, making sure to lock it, and took of down the street.

Her mind floated off towards the disheartening thought of Ron. He didn’t come to her house to see her after that time. He didn’t even send her a lousy owl message. Hermione clutched her coat tighter at the thought. A few strands of hair came out of her bun and flew around in the air. Hermione went into the store and got a basket. The cheery greeter in the supermarket seemed to avoid Hermione’s as she walked right past her. Hermione went down one aisle, grabbing the things that she needed. She grabbed a book too just in case she needed to escape from the TV.

Hermione’s hand grazed over the products on the shelf and her mind fluttered off again to think about Harry and Ginny. They hadn’t come to visit her but at least they had sent an owl asking her how she was. She had replied that she was fine even though it was a lie but she wanted time to think without Harry and Ginny constantly annoying her. It had been only a week since she found out she was pregnant but she still needed time. Fred... Hermione sighed and her thoughts went straight back to the products on the shelf. She couldn’t think of Fred... not now.

Hermione filled up her basket with food and stuff that she needed. She passed the baby food and stopped. Hermione looked back and she saw that the aisle was full of baby necessities. Baby food, nappies, dummies. Everything. Hermione noticed that there were even some baby clothes. She slowly ran her hand over the material and felt a smile come onto her face. The first smile today and she was glad. Her face muscles could do with some working out as she had not smiled for more than a week.

‘When are you due?’ a soft voice asked.

Hermione jumped and turned around. A hand clasped onto her shoulder and she saw that a woman was chuckling under her breath and apologised for scaring her. Hermione noticed her perfectly round stomach and then she looked up to the woman. Her auburn hair was tied up in a side ponytail and hung off of one shoulder. Her eyes were the same brown as Hermione’s

‘It’s okay... I just... Um... I don’t when I'm due... I just found out,’ hesitated Hermione, keeping her heart from jumping. She told herself it’s only a woman. Nothing to be afraid of...

‘Oh right. I'm due in a month. It’s time I started baby shopping, you know. My husband has already bought some girl clothes,’ the woman rolled her eyes and chuckled, ‘we don’t know what it is yet but he’s hoping for a girl.’

‘Oh,’ Hermione forced a laugh.

‘Come, Angela, I found one here!’ A man shouted down to the woman pointing down to another aisle and the lady chuckled slightly before nodding to him.

‘I better go. Good luck on your child,’ the lady said and patted Hermione’s shoulder.

‘You too,’ muttered Hermione and the woman gave her a small knowing smile before walking away with a trolley full of food.

Hermione sighed and turned around. She avoided the baby clothes and the stupid feeling in her stomach and paced down the aisle. Hermione quickly paid for all of her stuff and the man at the counter helped her pack the food into bags. A couple of minutes later Hermione was walking down her street with four grocery bags. She waved at her elderly neighbours who looked at her unbelievably. She guessed it was because she never lived here as she was always at Hogwarts. Hermione was glad that she had put the house up for sale. She didn’t want to live here. Hermione was just waiting for someone to get back to her about wanting to buy the house and then she could find a more suitable place. With the same miserable expression as before, Hermione unlocked her front door, went inside, and dropped her bag to the ground.

‘Oh!’ Hermione gasped as she saw an owl tap harshly on her kitchen window. Flying this way and that and only stopping to hoot at Hermione.

She rushed to open the windows and the owl hooted at her angrily. She didn’t know how long it had been waiting for but from it’s expression she supposed it was a long time. Hermione took the letter from the owl and thanked him but it just flew off. She opened the letter with cold hands, as she had just been outside, and read it:

“Hermione we are coming over right now!”

The writing was very rushed and scrawled as if the person was very excited as they wrote. It wasn’t signed so Hermione didn’t know who it was from. She didn’t have long to wait as she heard a crack in her living room. Baffled, Hermione walked down her hallway and was relived to see that it was only Harry and Ginny.

‘HERMIONE!’ Ginny shrieked and Hermione nearly fell back as she was hugged, ‘Oh my Merlin! Hermione!’

‘What! What is it?’ shouted Hermione and pulled back to see tears in Ginny’s eyes.

Ginny looked to Harry who was staring at her lovingly. They both nodded to each other and Harry took Ginny’s hand. Hermione just watched them, expectantly, raising her eyebrow. Ginny held up a shaking hand and Hermione was about to question her motives when she noticed the shimmering and glittering ring on her finger. Hermione looked at them both, her mouth hanging wide open and her heart screaming out for the couple.

‘He proposed!’ Ginny screamed as Hermione hugged her tight with both of her arms, forgetting her problems.

‘Congratulations!’ squealed Hermione and she hugged Harry too.

‘Thank you! You’re invited to the engagement obviously. It’ll be in the Burrow on the seventh of June. We’re just going to get engaged early,’ Ginny giggled, looking at Harry  and then back to Hermione. Ginny’s face fell as Hermione sighed, losing her smile, ‘what’s wrong, Hermione?’

‘Fred’s going to be there too?’ asked Hermione, looking down to the floor. She had voiced her fear to them but didn’t want to see their expressions.

Ginny glared at her dropped face in anger and Harry squeezed her hand to calm her down but Ginny sighed as Hermione looked up. Hermione and Harry could both sense danger and Harry sighed quietly, looking at Hermione’s wary face.

‘Of course he will be there. He is my brother and he has every right to attend my engagement,’ Ginny said, crossing her arms over her chest, ‘if you don’t like that then-’

‘No, Ginny. I’ll be there. You’re misunderstanding me and I don’t want to fight with you,’ Hermione said, frowning at her and she looked at Harry who sort of shook his head and glanced at Ginny, ‘I'm happy for both of you. Really I am.’

‘Thank you,’ said Ginny, stiffly, ‘we should go now. We have other people to tell.’

‘Are you sure you don’t want tea?’ asked Hermione, pointing to the kitchen, ‘I just bought some.’

‘No thank you,’ Ginny took Harry’s hand, ‘see you on the seventh.’

Hermione waved as they disapparated, leaving a trail of grey smoke in the air. Hermione sighed and buried her head in her hands. She always seemed to fight with Ginny without meaning to... all because of Fred too. Hermione quickly got up and busied herself by emptying the bags out. After she had carefully stowed everything away, Hermione looked around. She felt a shiver at the back of her neck and decided not to stay at home. There was nothing to do and she didn’t want to sit alone. Hermione apparated, still in her coat and after grabbing her purse, to a Diagon Alley. This was the fist place she thought of.

‘Just my luck,’ she muttered to herself as she realised that she apparated straight outside of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes shop.

Staring up at the shop, it made her wonder why Fred hadn’t sent her an owl or come to see her after he said he would. Hermione walked a few paces to her left so she could see inside the shop. Her heart fluttered as she saw the handsome Fred with his red hair which was in need of a hair cut. Hermione frowned as he laughed and blushed. Hermione moved to see more of the shop and noticed a girl with long black hair and highlights at the bottom. Blonde highlights. Hermione then realised with a shock that it was the same girl from the hospital... leaning over the desk... making Fred laugh out loud and mess up his hair.

Hermione groaned out loud, clutching her stomach as it seemed to be full of butterflies. She ignored the stares and made for down the street. Hermione, with a distressed expression, saw Lee Jordan’s shop and opened the door to it without thinking. She walked up to the counter and sighed with relief as Lee Jordan was there and not some other employee.

‘Hermione! Blimey, what are you doing here? If you’re looking for a job then-’ Lee Jordan said as he packed up some objects for a girl.

‘I’m not looking for a job, Lee,’ whispered Hermione and as she said it she knew he would notice how weird and upset her voice sounded.

Sure enough, he did notice and looked at her from the sides of his eyes, ‘what’s wrong, Hermione?’

‘Has Fred talked to you at all? About me? ’ asked Hermione but she didn’t know why she was asking Lee Jordan. He couldn’t help her but Hermione was really desperate to talk to someone. Anyone.

‘No, Hermione, he’s... he’s hardly talked to me? I’m guessing he’s keeping busy,’ shrugged Lee and Hermione moaned making the customers stare at her.

‘Why are you so anxious about Fred, all of a sudden?’ asked Lee Jordan as the customer walked away, he looked to Hermione, ‘just go up and talk to him. Sort out whatever the problem is.’

‘There’s no... It’s complicated, Lee. Thanks anyway I should leave,’ Hermione said and hugged him surprisingly.

‘No problem, Hermione,’ said Lee Jordan, shrugging slightly.

Hermione left the store and walked back down the street. She suddenly realised what the feeling was. Jealousy. She didn’t want to believe that she actually thought she was jealous... but Hermione was sure. She was jealous. Hermione’s hand went to her stomach and she wished Fred could read her mind or just come to talk to her. Hermione saw his store a few shops down and sighed. She made a decision to go and see him. To settle this once and for all. Hermione walked down the street determinedly.

‘Hey, Hermione!’ a voice called, too deep to be Lee Jordan’s.

Hermione looked for the person and she saw him right in front of her near Fred’s store. He looked about to enter the store. Her heart sank, hit the floor and bounced back up into her chest as she saw Ron, of all the people in the world, jogging to her. Hermione cursed harshly in a whisper and Ron stopped in front of her. They looked at each other and Hermione hoped he wouldn’t make it so awkward.

‘Hermione, what are you doing here?’ he asked, not awkwardly at all, expect for the fact that he had turned red and was scratching the back of his head.

‘I’m here to... buy some books,’ Hermione said and pointed to the book store that was conveniently beside them, ‘what are you doing here?’

Ron looked behind him at Fred’s shop and Hermione realised that he was here to talk to Fred. She didn’t want him to say Fred’s name or to say why he wanted to talk to Fred so she quickly changed the subject.

‘Um... Ginny got engaged to Harry, did you know?’ asked Hermione and  Ron only nodded.

‘Listen, Hermione,’ Ron took her hands in his and Hermione looked up into the baby blue eyes whose brother was the reason for everything negative between them, ‘I want to apologise for slapping you. I shouldn’t have done it and I don’t know what I was thinking... Actually... I wasn’t thinking at all and I feel really bad. I'm so sorry, Hermione. Will you ever forgive me?’

‘Ron...’ Hermione sighed and felt her heart jump. She knew she had to forgive him, ‘of course I will.’

‘Thank you so much, Hermione, I never wanted to hurt you,’ Ron said and hugged her tenderly.

Hermione hugged him back and her eyes drifted to Fred’s store, as she could see it over Ron’s shoulder. She groaned internally as Fred came out of his shop, holding the girl, Alana’s, hand. Hermione watched Fred hug her and then wave goodbye to her. Fred watched her go and Hermione stared at Fred. As he was about to turn, his eyes caught Hermione’s and they opened in surprise as he saw Ron hug her. Hermione pleaded to him with her eyes as Fred was about to walk over to them. Fred suddenly stopped and shook his head, before walking back in doors and banging the door shut behind him, making Hermione’s heart bang against her chest.

Ron pulled back with a small smile and Hermione had a hard job returning it. She managed not to flinch as he soothed her cheek.

‘I have to go now but I’ll see you later, okay?’ Ron asked, pecking her lips.

‘See you later,’ Hermione agreed.

Ron nodded and then quickly disapparated. Hermione walked down the street and clutched her coat tighter. She had finally made up with Ron but she didn’t feel... complete. Hermione wished she hadn’t felt jealousy seeing Fred with that girl... Hermione wished she wasn’t pregnant but she was unfortunately. She had no idea what to do.

‘What is your problem?’ 

Hermione closed her eyes as she heard Fred’s voice. She knew she wouldn’t get away without his input. She kept on walking as if she hadn’t heard him but Fred grabbed her arm and spun her around so that she was face to face with him. His eye was fading quite quickly but his expression was strong. Fred was angry and she could tell by the way his face was red and contorted into an expression of rage.

‘I don’t have a problem, Fred. You’re the one trying to make a scene and you’re hurting my arm by the way,’ Hermione replied, feeling scared of his anger but replying confidently.

Fred let her arm go but his expression turned into fury and Hermione knew she couldn’t stay brave. She let the facade drop from her face as Fred raised a hand and for a horrible second Hermione thought he was going to slap her but he didn’t. His hand went right to his hair, gripping it and then letting go, he scowled at Hermione.

‘I thought you said you were going to talk to me?’ asked Hermione as she saw Fred calm down a little.

‘I thought you didn’t want to talk to me? Mia, do you love Ron? Really?’ asked Fred and Hermione stared up at him telling him she wouldn’t answer that through her facial expressions, ‘Hermione... I don’t want to do this anymore. You need to choose. Me or him?’

‘Fred, I can’t do that...’ Hermione whispered and she realised Fred was hugging her waist now.

‘That night we spent... that means nothing to you?’ whispered Fred and Hermione looked down at her stomach, knowing the evidence of that night was between them right now.

Hermione pulled back and Fred’s expression turned into hurt and rejection.

‘I’ll see you around Fred,’ Hermione said and walked a few paces away from him but Fred held up a hand.

‘Mia, tell me who you choose on the seventh of June. I want a decision by then. Think carefully about who makes you happy and I love you. I always will even if you don’t choose me. I’ve bared hurt and loss before, Mia, it’ll probably end me if I lose you but...’

‘But you’ll find someone else and live happily with them and have children, right?’ asked Hermione, feeling her heart trying to explode in her chest at the word children.

‘See you around, Mia,’ muttered Fred after a pause and waved once before going back inside his shop.

Hermione felt a need to go after him but she fought it. He’d be fine and she just need to make the right decision. Hermione moaned slightly at the difficulty of them words and then she disapparated. Fred stayed in his shop, serving customer after customer, greeting them half heartedly while Hermione stayed at her house alone and a huge weight on her shoulders.