Fred was relieved when the horrid tubes had left his body. He grinned from ear to ear as the nurse removed the tube, that gave him blood, in his arm because now he didn’t need it anymore. He still felt a little light headed as he got up from the bed but he supposed that was because of lying in the same position for hours every day, only getting up for toilet breaks. Fred had packed all of the cards, flowers and the few remaining sweets that he hadn’t ate, into a bag. He was waiting on the doctor who wanted to speak to Fred.

Fred was leaning on the window sill, gazing out at the scenery before him. The window was open and occasionally made him shiver as he breathed in the fresh air with the sparkle of a slight patter of rain. The rain drops hit the ground softly and Fred suddenly realised how much he missed being outside. Sure, he missed his family and his home but he also missed being out there. Hospitals were depressing. Fred stretched out his hand and felt the, not necessarily cold but more refreshing, drops of rain splatter onto his hand, their journey to the ground being interrupted. The sun was also shining somewhere behind him, setting a golden glow onto the streets and buildings around him. Fred could see a very faint rainbow to his left, stretching across the sky and ending at the pot of gold. He chuckled to himself slightly as he thought of this, the grin from before never left his face.

‘Don’t worry, you’ll be out there very soon although the rain isn’t exactly a good thing,’ the Healer had entered the room now and was watching Fred. He held a file in his hands, probably Fred’s. Although Fred disagreed with his statement, he said nothing, ‘I see you are packed and ready to leave?’

‘Yeah, I’d like to leave as soon as possible,’ muttered Fred, taking a seat on the bed as the Healer nodded, understanding, ‘so what’s the news?’

‘Well, you’re intake of blood is getting accepted, you look better and presumably feel better if you’re able to stand up,’ the Healer looked down at the file and flicked through it, making positive noises from the back of his throat. He closed the file and looked up at Fred, ‘you live alone, I presume?’

‘Yes... I used to live with my brother but... Hermione, you’ve met her before, is staying at my apartment, I think,’ Fred said, grinning. Hermione was another thing he was looking forward too. She said she would be here when he was discharged. She was probably waiting for the doctor to release Fred.

‘Yes, I’ve met the young girl. Am I correct when I say that she is pregnant?’ asked the Healer and Fred nodded, ‘okay, one more thing. Since this was a attempted suicide case, it is recommended that you live with someone. Whether that be for a couple of weeks or months, just to make sure. Although it is just a recommendation, it must be considered seriously.’

‘I won’t do it again. I don’t need anyone to baby sit me,’ Fred said, feeling slightly insulted and misunderstood. Yes he had tried to end his life but no one believed him when he said that it was a one off thing. Of course, suicide should never be taken lightly, his reasonable side argued, ‘fine, I’ll take heed of your words. Am I free to leave now?’

‘Sure but I think the nurse had some news she wanted to tell you. I was busy at the time. I’ll just page her,’ the Healer took out a small rectangular object and pressed some buttons before saying the name of the nurse. He put the object away and held out his hand for Fred, ‘hope I never see you in here again.’

‘Me too,’ Fred said chuckling and he shook his hand like men do, slightly firm and rigid before letting go.

The Healer left the room after declaring that the nurse should be here soon. Fred wondered why the nurse wanted to talk to him. What could she possibly say to him? Fred crossed his ankles together and leaned back slightly as he waited. His mind went back to Hermione and the kiss they shared. How she blushed when he smiled against her mouth...

‘Miss, you are not the designated person to discharge him,’ Fred heard his nurse down the corridor, slightly out of breath, ‘M... Miss!'

‘I don’t care if I'm not allowed to take him home! I’m his sister, for crying out loud!’

Fred closed his eyes and let out a sound that vaguely resembled his embarrassment. Ginny stomped into the room, Harry following close by, her hair was flying out behind her like an angry trail of fire she had left. Harry shot an apologetic look his way before the nurse, looking severely annoyed, came to the door.

‘I’m sorry, sir. I know you wanted - um, Hermione, is it? – to discharge you,’ the nurse said. At Hermione’s name, Ginny’s eyes seemed to breathe fire. She gave him the most deadliest look that it even scared Fred a little as he thought of the resemblance between his mother and sister.

‘Hermione had to work at your shop. Lee Jordan couldn’t come in. She told me to come instead, mate,’ Harry explained but Fred was looking at the ground, unable to meet Ginny’s heavy glare. He heard the door close, signalling the nurse had left... lucky her, thought Fred miserably. He had been looking forward to seeing Hermione.

‘I guess she’s more important than family now, is that it?’ Ginny said, her voice quiet but menacing. Fred looked up, not in the mood for another fight. He just wanted to leave... and see Hermione rather than your sister? Fred’s dubious side asked. Fred sighed, he didn’t care. He had worked extremely hard to fight for Hermione and he wasn’t going to lose her... or keep her waiting, ‘do you know how Mum and Dad are taking it? They think you hate them because they told you to leave her!’

‘They have no right telling me who to date. I love her,’ Fred said, standing up and facing Ginny who had her arms crossed over her chest, ‘I was trying to prove my love to her.’

‘By not letting us – your family, the ones who really love you – see you? How in Merlin does that prove your love to that slut?’ asked Ginny, her voice rising considerably fast. Fred glared at her as she said the word slut. Harry stared between them, his hand grasping his wand just in case.

‘You’re one to talk,’ Fred retorted, shutting Ginny up, ‘she hasn’t slept with anyone else but me and you? How many guys have you dated or slept with before Harry? Before you open that mouth of yours, consider exactly who you are talking to!’

‘Who am I talking to, Fred? Because it sure isn’t my brother,’ Ginny said but Fred shrugged his shoulders and heaved his bag onto his arm.

‘Let’s just leave,’ Fred says and Harry hastily agreed.

They walked out of the room, Harry first then Fred and tailed off by Ginny who was glaring at the back of Fred’s head, as though if she concentrated enough she could make the red hair transform into fire. Fred chatted casually with Harry until they finally left St Mungo’s.

---

*Hermione’s POV*

Hermione checked off the orange box on a little sheet she was carrying with her. It was quiet around here today so Lee Jordan had told her that she could take inventory if she was bored. And bored she was so she started to check off the boxes. Every once in a while a customer would come in to browse for something they wanted, either for their kids or for themselves.

Hermione opened a purple box slightly in order to check how many objects were in their. As she did this, her mind slipped off. Inventory was boring yet a cure for boredom. She though of Fred, of course. He was leaving St Mungo’s finally! She just wished she could discharge him but who would look after the shop. Lee Jordan said he was coming back in half an hour. There was still ten minutes left, the clock seemed to be ticking abnormally slow. Maybe Fred was already in his apartment resting.

‘How much for the canary creams, miss?’ a familiar voice asked.

‘7 sickles, sir,’ Hermione said and ticked off another box. Only about another twenty to go, she thought and sighed.

Two strong and familiar – very familiar – arms snaked across Hermione’s stomach. Hermione, who was blushing like a newly wed bride, felt the person rub her stomach soothingly. She knew who it was of course. She could smell his scent – her smelling sense seemed to have increased since she got pregnant. Some smells made her want to vomit – around her as he kissed her neck.

‘Wow, some customers are really friendly,’ Hermione said, stopping Fred’s lips for a second. He chuckled softly, ‘this is the third time someone hugged me from behind and started to kiss my neck without asking!’

‘I missed you,’ Fred whispered, turning Hermione around so she could see his face now. He looked as handsome as ever. His eyes were so blue that they were nearly see through, ‘I bet you missed me?’

‘Not in the slightest,’ lied Hermione but Fred only raised his eyebrows. He looked at her lips and leaned in but Hermione put a finger on his chest and pushed him away, ‘I have work to do, Fred Weasley.’

‘I bought chocolate... and apples,’ Fred said, holding up a bag. Hermione eyes them with hunger. She craved apples so bad. Fred smirked and raised his eyebrows, ‘green apples, to be exact.’

‘I can’t leave. Lee Jordan isn’t here yet,’ Hermione said, peeking through to the main shop. Fred walked up to her and caught her face in his hands.

‘Lee is out there. He said he’ll close the shop so let’s go, Mia,’ Fred moaned, taking the sheet out of her hand. He dropped the sheet onto the table behind him and took her hand. Before she could argue, they had disapparated to Fred’s apartment.

In no time Hermione and Fred were cuddled together on the sofa watching a film that none of them really cared about. Hermione just cared that Fred was here with her, that was all that really mattered. Fred was lying down on the sofa and Hermione was spooned next to him, his leg covering hers, with a huge blanket around them. On the table there was pieces of unfinished chocolate, apples and some apple juice that Hermione really liked. Half way through the film, Fred’s hand swept away some hair off of Hermione’s face.

‘I’ve been thinking...’ he started and then paused.

Those three words made Hermione tense up. He had been thinking? About what? Moving on? Because that’s how he said it: as though the thought he had been thinking may not appeal to Hermione. She grabbed his hand and words flew out of her mouth, tripping over each other in a haste to get out and to shut him up. Fred sighed. The small, simple sigh seemed to draw out long enough that Hermione shut her mouth in the middle of saying something about some ice cream.

‘Hermione, please let me finish,’ Fred muttered but Hermione had pulled herself up to sit on the sofa. She gathered her legs under her – Indian style – and sat facing him, the movie leaving her mind. She wasn’t sure if she could remember anything that had happened in the movie... it seemed so trivial next to Fred’s words that, she knew, would probably end up with her heart broken.

‘Fred Weasley, I love you so much that the next words that leave that pretty mouth of yours should not break my heart because I honestly don’t think I can take it anymore,’ Hermione said and leaned forwards to kiss him but Fred shook his head. Hermione’s heart sank, ‘think carefully before you say anything.’

‘Okay, I’m going to speak now and you can’t interrupt me!’ Fred said, a small smile on his face as Hermione nodded worriedly. He slowly took her supple hands in his and she moved forwards. Fred touched her stomach, rubbing it in small circles before looking into her waiting eyes, ‘one day our child will grow up to be a big, successful man or woman. I hope he/she does grow up to pass their exams in Hogwarts, drink in Hogsmeade when they are off age of course and get boyfriends or girlfriends. I... I want to be there when it happens. When she brings her boyfriend home and I can act like the strict dad or when he brings his girlfriend home and I can be proud of my son. When she wants to go to a party but her mum – you – wont let her and she’ll come asking me... I want that but only if you let me be there for them.’

‘Fred...’ Hermione choked out, cupping his cheek she could feel some stubble. She smiled at him as he waited for her to talk, ‘I love you, darling. I can’t believe I found someone like you... who – deep down, after all the things you want people to think you are – is caring and thoughtful.’

‘I love you too, Mia. That is why I want... I want you to be mine... officially,’ Fred said and reached into his jeans pocket with some difficulty. Hermione gasped, her heart stopping and her lungs seemed to starve for air as he produced a purple box in his hand. Fred made to open the box but Hermione stopped him by covering his hand with hers. He looked up confused.

‘No, Fred,’ Hermione said, taking a deep breath as she watched all the light leave his eyes. He just stared at her and she repeated, ‘no.’

‘Why the hell not?’ Fred asked, his fingers quivered underneath hers and Hermione gulped as he sat up straighter, ‘I basically propose to you and you say no? Why...? I thought you said you loved me? You didn’t want your heart broken? Well then good for you, you just broke my heart instead!’

‘Calm down, Fred,’ Hermione said, trying to stop him shaking as she ran a hand through his hair and kissed him. Fred didn’t respond but didn’t push her away either. Hermione kissed his cheek, trying to win him over again. She pulled back. He was waiting for an answer to mend his broken heart, ‘how do I know you aren’t just marrying me because I’m pregnant? What if you don’t love me?’

‘Mia, after that wonderful night we spent together I told you I loved you. I didn’t know you were pregnant then,’ explained Fred, ‘you have no reason not to marry me.’

‘I can think of a few... your parents, your family, the risk, Ron and of course-’ Hermione said, listing off the reasons. Fred’s hand grasped onto hers and she looked up as he frowned.

‘Ron?’ he asked quietly, ‘you care what he would think of us?’

‘He is my friend, Fred. I care and I also care because he loves me. Losing someone you love is hard,’ Hermione whispered uneasily as Fred’s eyes hardened.

‘Okay, do whatever you think is better for you,’ Fred said and turned his head to the movie again. Hermione, a little flabbergasted by his behaviour, leaned closer and kissed his jaw but Fred moved away, ‘let’s watch the movie in peace, okay?’

It wasn’t okay but Hermione moved away. It was better to let things play out the way they should. Hermione moved to the other side of the sofa, her hand was on her stomach. Both of them were aware of the small purple ring box between them but they ignored it and watched the movie which Hermione still couldn’t understand at all, her mind was occupied with thoughts of the tall red haired man beside her. Both of them kept straight faces and pretended to watch the film. The end credits rolled on and Hermione faced Fred, waiting for him to speak.

‘I think I’ll hit the sack,’ Fred said, standing up. He grabbed the small box that held the ring without looking at her. Hermione watched him with apprehension as he walked out of the room. She looked at the mess on the table and groaned but got up.

Hermione folded the blanket and stowed it away. She disposed of the rubbish, cans and chocolate wrappers. Washing the dishes and cleaning the table, she did anything to put of going to bed. Should she sleep with Fred or would he not like that? She basically rejected his proposal of marriage and that affected him a lot, she could tell.

‘Hermione!’ Fred yelled from the other room as she put the dishes away.

Hermione nearly jumped at the tone of his voice. She quickly put the plate away and closed the cupboard door before walking over to his room. Hermione peered inside and saw him looking at something in the corner of the room. She walked inside and noticed George the owl hooting in his cage at Fred quite aggressively.

‘Get it out of my room,’ Fred said calmly but Hermione saw something in his eyes... he looked away and rummaged in his cupboard for something to wear.

Hermione took the owl, hooting loudly, out of the room. She placed him in George’s room and got him water and some left over food. George the owl hooted softly as she stroked its head, smiling at him. Hermione left the room, closing it behind her as George buried his head under its wing. She hesitated before going into Fred’s room.

‘Um... should I... should I sleep on the sofa?’ asked Hermione, realising almost immediately how that sounded: as though she wanted the bed. She didn’t mind but would rather that they slept together. Fred looked up, frowning at her.

‘You think I’d let you sleep on the sofa?’ asked Fred. Hermione shrugged slightly, ‘of course not. The bed is big enough for the two of us.’

---

*Fred’s POV*

‘Are you sure?’ asked Hermione, cautiously and Fred nodded, climbing into bed.

He tried not to watch as she got changed but he had difficulty taking his eyes away but he did. Hermione was just so beautiful and he wanted her to be his forever. It hurt him when she rejected him. Fred knew what she had been through, he knew that she couldn’t trust him. He didn’t blame her really. Fred glanced at her again and his mouth fell open as she yanked her top down over her head. When had she gotten the small bump? It was small but it was there. Hermione got into bed next to him and Fred turned his back to her, the image of her stomach in his mind... the bump.

‘Good night,’ Hermione muttered and turned around so they lay back to back.

Fred felt the reality of the situation crash onto him with the weight of a dozen rocks. He was going to be a father and Hermione was going to be a mother. Soon they would have a small, innocent baby in their house and... he wanted to be here to see the baby go through its life. Fred slowly turned around and shimmied closer to Hermione whose eyes opened wide when she felt his hand glide across to land on her stomach. She felt his breath on her neck and tried not to shiver as Fred kissed her slowly.

‘Did I tell you I love you?’ asked Fred quietly, ‘because I do. I love you, Mia, and I will never let you go... unless of course you want to leave me.’

‘I love you too, Fred,’ Hermione whispered and bit her lip as Fred kissed her again, ‘I'm tired.’

Fred froze at her words but none the less he moved away. Hermione muttered a good night again and like a robot Fred replied. She probably went to sleep straight away but Fred turned around and couldn’t seem to shut his eyes.