It was the sound of retching that woke Fred up. He didn’t wake up gently either. His eyes opened, the sun hit him hard causing him to be blind for a few seconds and his hand hit the lamp beside it, knocking it to the floor. Fred didn’t notice as his eyes were trained on the closed bathroom door. Hermione vomited in the bathroom quite loudly. Fred sat up, holding his head in his hands, he hated waking up to this. He hated that Hermione had to go through with this. He also hated how Hermione wouldn’t let him come into the bathroom while she was vomiting – he wanted to help her. The sound of puking died down as Fred laid his head back. He heard her brush her teeth – she would brush twice to get rid of the taste, gargle and then spit. Hermione sighed loud enough for Fred to hear.

‘I hate this,’ Fred said when Hermione came out of the bathroom. She sighed and sat next to him, her hair was tied up onto her head in a messy bun which she must have done before puking. Fred turned to her and she raised her eyebrows, ‘I really hate this, Mia.’

‘It’s no picnic for me either, Fred,’ Hermione stated angrily, getting to her feet. The frown on her face grew into an angry grimace, ‘I did not ask for this!’

‘I know you didn’t,’ muttered Fred, watching her cautiously. A small smile crept onto his face as he watched her get angrier.

She mumbled under her breath as she moved around the room. Hermione wrenched the cupboard door open so hard that it hit the wall and rebounded. She pulled out a yellow top, inspected it and then shoved it back into the cupboard angrily. Fred watched her, amused, as she grabbed a towel, black tank top and some jeans. He saw the small bag inside the cupboard. It hadn’t been opened yet but he knew it was Hermione’s. Fred looked at her when she turned around.

‘What are you smiling about?’ asked Hermione, her voice on a dangerous edge. Her hand found the cupboard door and it swung shut behind her. Fred shrugged, trying to keep the smile off his face as Hermione glared at him through sceptical eyes, ‘I really don’t see how amusing this is!’

‘It’s very amusing, love,’ Fred muttered. He barked a laugh even though he tried to hold it in. Hermione waited for him to explain what was so funny. Fred got up, the smile plastered on his face, and went to Hermione. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes, ‘you are beautiful.’

‘I don’t feel beautiful at the moment,’ Hermione whispered, blushing slightly as Fred chuckled, ‘I’m pregnant and vomiting and craving apples, for some strange reason, and I feel like my feet are swelling a little. I’m not beautiful and... I’m getting fatter.’

‘Oh, Mia, that’s going to happen, you know that. You’re going to get bigger but you aren’t that big just yet,’ Fred whispered. His hands soothed the slight bulge of her stomach. He laughed, the sound so clear that it made Hermione’s frown drop out of sight, ‘you are so beautiful and... I love you no matter what.’

‘I love you too, Fred,’ Hermione whispered, her forehead leaning against him. They both looked down to Fred’s hands around the bump. Both feeling the exact same thing; a mixture of happiness and a dash of fear of the future.

About an hour later, Hermione and Fred sat at the small kitchen table with breakfast in front of them. A plate of stacked up toast, some fried eggs, and pancakes. Fred drank his coffee while Hermione drank orange juice. It seemed calm enough – eating comfortably but silently – but it could be described as the calm before the storm. Hermione, feeling nervousness pump through her, sipped at her orange juice. She licked her lips cautiously and looked over to Fred. He was reading the newspaper, totally immersed into it. Hermione glanced at the front page and saw the date – September the tenth – and was shocked to see the Malfoy family closing the doors on journalists in the picture. She spotted the familiar boy – he’s a man now, Hermione thought, the image of the boys pointed face still visible in her mind but now he had obviously grown. Draco Malfoy stood next to a blonde girl and his mother shunning everyone out of their house. Hermione looked away, this was not important right now, she had to stop wasting time.

‘Hey, Mia, I was thinking,’ Fred said, sitting up. He folded the newspaper over, covering the Malfoy’s faces.

‘I was thinking too, actually,’ Hermione muttered. Fred raised his eyebrows for her to go on but Hermione, chickening out, shook her head and sipped her juice after saying, ‘you first.’

‘Okay,’ Fred took a deep breath. His chest heaved in and then out as air escaped his lungs. He closed his eyes and seemed to be thinking of how to word what he was going to say. Hermione waited patiently and he opened his eyes to let her see the bright blue orbs, ‘I have no money, Mia, and I have been looking for ways to get money so I can provide for you and our child. The thing is... I need to buy another place to open shop. Diagon Alley is too quiet since all the kids are at school or not allowed to spend their money on what parents consider useless things.’

‘So what are you thinking of doing? I’m behind you for whatever you choose, Fred,’ Hermione said, finishing off her breakfast. Fred bit his lip worriedly and Hermione considered just how handsome he really was. He was good looking and smart. Just what Hermione loved about him.

‘I have a business offer from an old friend of ours,’ Fred said and Hermione assumed by saying “ours” he meant George and himself, ‘He has offered me a shop in Hogsmeade which I think can really boost our business. I want this shop, Mia. I want to surprise you with jewellery and flowers but I have no money!’

‘Then take the shop, Fred. I’ll help you through this, understand?’ Hermione leaned over and took his hand, assuring him that they would get through this together .

‘Yeah, Hermione, I know you will. I just don’t want to lose you. If I don’t get the land then... then I don’t... I don’t know how we’re going to manage,’ Fred mumbled and Hermione shook her head and opened her mouth to say something but Fred shook his head and continued, ‘this business partner lives in Switzerland.’

‘Switzerland?’ Hermione nearly yelled, widening her eyes at him, ‘how are we going to get to Switzerland if we have no money to buy plane tickets?’

‘Are you kidding me, Mia?’ Fred asked, a grin spread across his face as she looked at him confused, ‘have you gone mad? Are you a witch or not? Obviously we are going to apparate.’

The familiar words coursed through Hermione suddenly. “Are you a witch or not?” She could remember Ron saying that in their first year as clear as rain. Ron... Hermione thought. She wondered where he was. He hadn’t been to see her at all but she didn’t really expect him to. Hermione missed him. As much as she loved Fred with all of her heart, she missed Ron.

‘Mia!’ Fred said, waving a hand over her eyes and Hermione nearly jumped, ‘you alive?’

‘Yeah, I was just... I... Switzerland, huh? That’s great,’ Hermione said, grabbing an apple from the bowl in front of her. She bit into it and nearly moaned from the taste. Fred chuckled and took her hand.

‘I want you to come with me, Hermione,’ Fred said.

Hermione nearly dropped her apple in surprise, ‘really? You want to take me to Switzerland?’

‘Why not, right? I guess we could stay a few days, relax and have some fun while we can,’ Fred shrugged, ‘only if you want to.’

Hermione thought it over. Herself and Fred in Switzerland, alone. It would be the same as being in the same house as him but... Switzerland! She had heard of that country’s beauty and culture and history. A though nagged at the back of her brain and Hermione knew she had to tell Fred before it was too late. Hermione looked up at him to see Fred waiting anxiously for her answer.

‘I... I want to go,’ Hermione said, fiddling with her hands. Fred’s face lit up but at the next word his face dropped slightly, ‘but... on one condition.’

‘Okay?’ asked Fred, looking doubtful but he urged her on, ‘sure, Mia. What condition?’

‘I... uh...’ Hermione looked at the table and her eyes followed the lining of the wood as she said the next words, ‘I want you to tell your parents about... us and my pregnancy.’

Silence echoed around the room so thick that Hermione was sure she could taste it. She couldn’t lift her eyes to look at him but that didn’t stop her imagining what his expression would be. Would he be angry at her for even suggesting this after everything they had been through or would he be happy that she was ready to tell everyone? Hermione forced her eyes to look up at him. Their eyes connected for a brief second and Hermione knew, instantly, that Fred was definitely not happy.

‘Do not start fighting with me, Fred,’ warned Hermione quietly but Fred continued to stare at her as if she had said the biggest and most embarrassing secret of her life, ‘come on, Fred. We need to tell them some day.’

‘So they can stop talking to me forever just because I slept with the woman I love? The woman that happens to be my brothers girlfriend but that’s not all! I got her pregnant and now I'm going to be a father! Me? A father? Anyone who has met me would laugh in my face because I am not cut out for this. My parents will not take it well,’ stated Fred and watched as Hermione sighed, looking down at the table. A sympathy cord struck inside Fred. He couldn’t believe the next words he said but he guessed that love really did make you blind, ‘fine. I’ll tell them because I love you and want to be with you.’

‘You will?’ asked Hermione, looking up. Fred smiled and nodded at her as Hermione’s eyes shone brighter, ‘I love you, Fred. Thank you.’

‘So you’ll come to Switzerland with me?’ asked Fred, looking hopeful.

‘Sure I will, right after we tell your parents the news.’

‘We’re leaving on the 17th of September, okay?’ asked Fred, standing up. Hermione made a hmm sound and watched as Fred carried his dishes to the sink and he turned around. They stared at each other, Hermione asking him a question with her eyes. Fred sighed and chuckled, ‘I know your birthday is on the 19th, I haven’t forgotten, love.’

Hermione smiled and Fred kissed her cheek before standing up. He tugged on his travelling cloak and stowed his wand into the pocket. Hermione watched him gather all of his paperwork with a thoughtful expression on her face. Before she could say anything to him, the door bell rang. It seemed to echo throughout the apartment. When was the last time the bell had rang? Hermione honestly could not remember. Fred turned to look at her, frowning.

‘Expecting someone?’ he asked and Hermione shook her head, ‘I’ll see who it is.’

Fred walked out of the room and Hermione hesitated. She stood up and bit her lip, should she go behind him? What if it was Ron? Hermione, feeling fear course through her, walked behind Fred. He was just opening the door when Hermione came up behind him.

‘Hello, Fred,’ the familiar voice spoke. Hermione felt like she hadn’t heard that voce in years but could still remember what he sounded like. Before Fred could answer, Hermione shot to the door and hugged the man before her, ‘whoa, calm down, Hermione.’

‘Harry! I missed you so much!’ Hermione said, digging her head into his shoulder as Harry patted her back with a small chuckle. Harry looked to Fred who raised his eyebrows at her behaviour. Hermione pulled back slightly, ‘what brings you here?’

‘I, uh, I know this is early but I didn’t know when I would see you again,’ Harry said and he rummaged in his pocket. Harry pulled out a small package and some tiny flowers. He muttered something under his breath and pointed his wand at the package and flowers. Both objects enlarged to their normal size. Hermione ripped open the package to reveal a book that she had wanted for ages. The flowers had a familiar smell to them. Hermione took the flowers and sniffed. The smell of chocolate filler her nostrils and she laughed, ‘yeah. I know you like chocolate so I did a small spell to make it-’

‘Thank you! Thank you so much, Harry! This is great,’ Hermione hugged him again while Fred watched, eyebrows raised and hands in his pockets.

‘Happy early birthday, Hermione,’ Harry said, hugging her back.

‘Would you like to come in?’ asked Fred, his tone was neutral but his eyes stayed on Harry, who shot him a confused look.

‘Nah, mate, I need to get going.’

‘I’ll walk you out,’ Fred said, kissing Hermione on her cheek, ‘be back for dinner, love.’

 Fred and Harry walked out of the apartment together. They went down the stairs and when Fred heard the door close, he stopped and turned to face Harry.

‘I offered to take Hermione to Switzerland and she was happy but you made her happier just by giving her flowers and a book. Hell, her face lit up when she saw you,’ Fred said as Harry raised his eyebrows as if to ask “what’s-your-point”, ‘I’m so broke that I can’t even take her out for dinner.’

‘Don’t start this, mate. We’re just friends-’

‘I know that!’ Fred nearly yelled, ‘I just want to make her happy but it seems like anything I do will just make her cry.’

‘She’s happy being with you, mate,’ Harry said and laid a hand on his shoulder, ‘don’t give up on her. This is just a hurdle in your life and Hermione will help you through it. Without her help, I wouldn’t be alive.’

‘A hurdle? Like drinking, getting my brothers girlfriend pregnant so she has no choice but to stay with me, losing Ron because I love Hermione and, of course, the biggest hurdle in my life which I don’t think I’ll ever get over... losing George,’ Fred shook his head as Harry opened his mouth, ‘don’t even say anything. I don’t want to talk about him. I’ll see you whenever. Tell Ginny I said hi... I kind of miss annoying her.’

Harry laughed and patted his shoulder again. They said their goodbyes and Fred disapparated to start a long day at work. The thoughts swirled in his head. Hermione and Ron, Hermione and Harry, telling his parents that they were going to be grandparents and... George.