‘Congratulations!’

Hermione had just entered her home after enduring the hospital for a couple of days. She was met with a huge cheer as soon as Fred helped her through the front door of their apartment. Hermione gathered the little bundle – that held her baby girl fast asleep – closer to her as she surveyed who was in her home.

Harry and Ginny were at the front, looking lovely and tanned as they had just came back from their honeymoon. Harry had an arm around Ginny’s waist and she noticed that Ginny’s stomach was starting to show now. Beside them was Luna, clad in a rather strange yellow dress since it was absolutely freezing outside. Hermione was used to her strangeness. Neville waved at her and she smiled at him. Percy was also there and Ron was standing against the kitchen doorway with his hands deep in his pockets.

Mrs Weasley had already visited Hermione in the hospital with a bunch of baby gifts. Mr Weasley was still not too happy about Fred and Hermione being together so he never visited at all. Fred refused to talk about Charlie and Bill and Hermione guessed they were in the same boat as Mr Weasley. This upset Hermione but she tried not to show it - she had, after all, her own friends who were happy for her.

‘You’ll wake her up!’ Fred moaned but he was smiling as he stared down at his daughter. He smoothed her cheek and Hermione looked down to see that she scrunched up her nose a little. She smiled at Fred and could not believe that she ever thought Fred couldn't take responsibility. He seemed great with their daughter.

‘What’s her name?’

‘How much did she weigh?’

‘She better not be like Fred!’

‘She’s probably inherited her mother’s brains!’ Ginny stuck her tongue out at Fred as he mock glared at her.

Hermione handed her daughter over to Ginny who took her with a huge smile. Everyone crowded around her and they stared in awe at the baby as though they had never seen such a thing before. Harry whispered something in Ginny’s ear which made her blush and made Fred pretend to gag. Hermione grabbed Fred’s hand and he led him a little away from the crowd as they cooed over the baby.

‘Do you have any ideas for a name?’ she asked, watching Ginny rock the bundle in her arms gently. Fred turned her face around so that they were looking at each other.

‘Amelia,’ Fred whispered, ‘Amelia Granger. Sounds perfect for her, don’t you think?’

Hermione paused, feeling his hands snake around her waist. Amelia was such a beautiful name and she knew why Fred had picked it. A nickname for Amelia could be ‘Mia’. Hermione chuckled a little at that and Fred raised his eyebrows, waiting for her opinion.

‘Amelia is perfect, Fred, but...’ Hermione sighed and Fred’s face fell. She shook her head a little and then pressed her lips to his. Fred kissed her back briefly before pulling back and waiting for her to continue. Hermione paused and looked down at his chest, playing with the front of his shirt, ‘I want her to have Weasley as a surname.’

‘Are you sure?’ asked Fred, looking over at them. Harry had hold of their child now and Ginny was stating with a laugh at how good he was with babies. Fred turned back to Hermione, ‘Amelia Weasley?’

‘Amelia George Weasley,’ Hermione whispered. Fred froze around her and then in a swift motion he untangled his arms from her waist and sighed heavily.

‘You don’t need to do that, Hermione,’ he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned back to her, ‘I appreciate it but I know you don’t want my dead brother’s name as a middle name for our child.’

‘Fred Weasley, look at me,’ Hermione said but Fred turned, not facing her. He looked at the small child and noticed the tuft of brown hair on her small head and the freckles lining right across her nose and the lovely blue eyes that reminded him so much of George... Hermione stood in front of him and grabbed his face, forcing him to look down, ‘I really want my daughter to know about your very brave twin. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten and one day our daughter will ask you about her middle name and you know what you’ll say, Fred? You will say that you named her after your brother who left us at a young age and you’ll tell her the stories of how brave he was in the war and how you planned so many pranks with him and she will love George without actually knowing him.’

‘You really want her name to be Amelia George Weasley?’ asked Fred, looking into the brown eyes that had helped him through so much and still helped him.

‘Only if you want to name her that. She belongs to both of us, Fred,’ Hermione said.

‘Fine. Amelia George Weasley it is!’ Fred said and smiled down at her.

‘Amelia is a lovely name,’ Luna chipped in as she handed Amelia back to Hermione, ‘congratulations.’

All at once, everyone started to congratulate her and Fred. Amelia slept on soundly with her fists bunched up against her chest. Harry and Ginny were the first ones to  hand Fred a bag of baby stuff and cards and toys which he took with a smile. Everyone else then did the same and soon Fred had a bunch of bags, cards, toys, clothes and other things.

‘I think we should leave now,’ Percy said, punching Fred lightly on the shoulder, ‘you can take the next few days of work, mate.’

Fred thanked him and one by one they left his house. He shook hands with Harry and hugged his sister. Luna hugged Hermione and Neville congratulated them one last time before leaving. Ron simple nodded at them and made to walk out of the house before Hermione called him back. He paused, one step in the house, the other on the doorstep. Ron turned back and looked at her curiously as did Fred.

‘You... um... you didn't hold her at all. Everyone else did but... you didn't,’ Hermione said in a quiet voice.

She was still a little worried that Ron had a deep grudge for them because of everything that happened. Ron glanced at Fred before he walked into the house again and up to Hermione. He stopped in front of Hermione, looking her in the eyes. Only then did she notice the distinct difference in eye colour between Fred and Ron... strange, she thought, she was sure they shared the same eye colour but apparently not.

‘She’s beautiful. Takes after her Mum,’ Ron said, glancing down at Amelia. Hermione thanked him and waited for him to ask if he could hold her. He didn’t – he just stared at Hermione. Very slowly Ron leaned forwards and kissed her cheek. Hermione’s eyes darted to Fred to see that his fists were clenched at his side and a vein seemed to be popping out of his arm. Hermione gave him a pleading look and he calmed down a little. Ron kissed her again on the cheek before moving back, ‘I have to go now.’

Ron left the house and Fred closed the door behind him. He turned to Hermione and crossed his arms, expecting her to speak. Hermione only sighed and went down the hall. She entered Amelia’s room and laid her down in her cot, looking down at her. Fred entered behind her with all of the gifts and bags from their friends. He set them down in the room and then joined Hermione who was standing near the cot.

‘I love you,’ Fred whispered as he hugged her from behind and kissed her neck.

‘I know,’ Hermione whispered back, feeling his hot breath tickle her neck.

Fred turned her around and his eyes bore into hers. He wanted to say something but he didn’t have the right words. Instead he pressed his lips against Hermione’s and kissed her like never before, hoping she understood all of the things he was feeling. Fred half expected Hermione to pull away from him but she didn't. She tangled her hands in his hair and pulled him closer. Fred took a step backwards and then turned Hermione around so that her back was pressing against the wall. He stared at her as they both breathed heavily. His lips made a trail of kisses down her neck and Hermione’s hands slid so that they were fastened around his neck. Fred kissed the hollow of her throat and then travelled lower making Hermione moan.

Hermione turned her head, placing her hands  on Fred’s chest and he immediately moved back. Hermione looked down at her shirt and then blushed a deep crimson colour as she hastily buttoned her shirt again. Fred laughed at her blush as it crept up her neck and then took over her face. He walked forwards and placed a small kiss on her lips, chuckling.

‘You let me go that far?’ asked Fred as Hermione grabbed his hand, after a quick glance at Amelia, and then led him out of the room. She closed the door behind her and turned to Fred, her blush was still full on her face and Fred shook his head with a smirk, ‘maybe we should use protection when we-’

‘Fred!’ Hermione exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest, ‘not yet.’

‘Soon?’ Fred asked hopefully although he was still smiling after hearing her moan.

‘Soon,’ Hermione repeated and left to go and make something to eat.

The next few months were so busy that Hermione barely had time to breathe. Amelia cried mostly at nights and Hermione had to get up and feed her since Fred was always so exhausted from work. Valentines day passed by in a blur and Fred bought Hermione a rose, chocolates and a card but they did nothing more.

Work seemed to be taking over Fred’s life and Hermione was too busy with Amelia to object. They saw each other at nights but were too tired to do anything other than eat, drink tea and then sleep.

---

*1st of April*

‘Bad idea. Very, very, very bad idea,’ Ginny stated as she nervously paced the room.

Hermione hung up the last balloon in the living room and heard the noisy bustle of Luna, Neville, Percy and Ron who had decided to stay in the kitchen for the time being. Harry was playing with Amelia who was now nearly two months. Hermione climbed down from the chair she was standing on and turned to Ginny.

‘He deserves this. You don’t know how stressed he is because of work and everything!’ she spoke, looking around the room.

Hermione had gone to great lengths to set up the room for Fred’s birthday. There was a glittery banner hanging in the hall and it was easily noticeable once Fred came home. The banner said ‘HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, FRED!’ Balloons had been strung about the place and Luna and Neville had laid out a spread of drinks and snacks. Hermione had wanted to keep this party private and the only people here were Ginny, Harry, Luna, Neville, Percy and Ron.

‘Listen to me!’ Ginny yelled, getting frustrated as Hermione looked about the room. Harry stood up when he heard her yell and Amelia gave off a little gurgling sound. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and took a stance in front of Ginny, frowning at her, ‘all of this... is a reminder that I’ve lost my brother and Fred had lost his twin. He’ll hate this, trust me. I know my brother.’

‘I know my boyfriend and he’ll love this,’ Hermione retorted back. Ginny sighed impatiently and angrily as she took a step forwards towards Hermione. Harry quickly stepped in between them and Ginny glared at him before leaving the room.

‘Fred’s nearly home!’ Percy said, sticking his head in the room.

Hermione took Amelia from Harry and watched as everyone took their positions. They all stood in front of the door and waited. Ginny stood a little away from them and glared at Hermione as though wanting her to apologise. Hermione ignored her. After a few seconds they heard Fred put the key into the front door. Hermione rocked Amelia in her arms as she saw the door open. Everyone took a deep breath before saying...

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRED!’

Hermione grinned at him as he paused in the doorway. Fred’s hair was a little messy because of the wind and his tie was loose around his neck. Fred dropped the files he was holding onto the little table in the hallway and he closed the door behind him. His eyes roamed over the banner and the balloons. He walked a little further and looked into the living room, noticing the snacks and drinks. Fred turned to Hermione who was waiting for his reaction.

‘I don’t want to celebrate my birthday this year,’ Fred stated simply. His voice was dead and a monotone. He looked at all of their stunned faces and then to Hermione again, ‘please tell them to leave.’

‘Fred, we just thought you might appreciate our efforts,’ Hermione whispered, her hand went to his face and Fred closed his eyes as he leaned into her touch. He opened them again and Hermione saw the sudden sadness brewing in his irises.

‘Not this year, Mia,’ he sighed and held out his hands for Amelia. Hermione handed her to him and Fred held her in his arms. He bent down and pecked Hermione’s lips, ‘please get rid of all this.’

The guests moved against the wall as Fred passed through with Amelia. He went straight into his room and closed the door behind him before sitting on the bed. Fred looked down at his daughter and fell straight into the blue eyes. Amelia George Weasley... He heard cracks and knew that everyone was disapparating. A couple of minutes past and he heard Hermione pop the balloons. Amelia fell asleep in Fred’s arms and he went out of the room to put her in her cot. He then closed the door and went back into his room, lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling.

‘I’m sorry,’ Hermione entered the room a couple of minutes later and closed the door behind her. Fred didn't move from where he was lying so Hermione came forwards, sat on the bed next to him, and let her hand rest on his stomach, ‘I should have known you would be angry.’

‘I’m not angry, Mia,’ Fred whispered and caught her hand. He sat up and Hermione moved so that she was kneeling in front of him. They looked into each others eyes and they knew what would happen next. Fred leaned forwards and rested his head against her forehead, ‘I’m so sick of... of mourning him. I want to see him and talk to him just once and then maybe I’ll be able to get over his death.’

‘Fred...’ Hermione whispered but she was cut off as Fred pressed his lips lightly to hers. Hermione kissed him for what seemed to be an eternity and they both fell back onto the bed. Fred kissed her neck but Hermione caught his face with her hands and he looked at her, breathing heavily. Fred’s eyes asked permission to make Hermione his and Hermione nodded with a smile.

Fred smiled for the first time since he woke up. He captured her lips in a passionate kiss and they sat up together on the bed. Hermione’s hands shook slightly as they went to his shirt buttons and Fred started to undress her as well. Fred realised just how nervous Hermione was and he couldn’t help but grin. They had just done this one time and that had been in a fit of anger but also pent up love.

‘Nervous?’ asked Fred, between kisses. Hermione nodded and moaned once again but she chuckled afterwards. Fred stopped kissing her for a second and noticed her raw beauty, making Hermione blush like a new bride. They kissed again and Fred let his hands roam free.

They made love to each other before falling back onto the bed and under the covers. Fred cuddled closer to her, pressing her back against his chest. He kissed her neck, seeming to want every bit of her that he could reach. Hermione turned around so that he could kiss her lips. They kissed for what seemed like forever until they both fell back, bathed in sweat and fell asleep almost instantly.

Well Hermione fell asleep – Fred did not. He lay in bed for hours, re living what had just happened until he finally got to tired but was too riled up to sleep. Fred got out of bed and the cold hit him like a brick wall. He pulled on his robe and left the room as Hermione lay asleep with her hair out all over the pillow and her lips were bright red as though she were wearing lipstick. He padded across the floor until he got to the kitchen. Fred was looking for something to drink but his eyes fell immediately on the table.

A birthday cake was sitting on top of the table and a lighter was next to it. Fred glanced behind him for a strange reason that even he could not understand – what did it matter if Hermione noticed him looking at the cake. His feet began to move forwards until he was in front of the cake. Fred’s hands shook as he picked up the lightered, clicked it on and hovered it over the candles on the birthday cake. Suddenly his whole face was illuminated and he sat down with a thump on the chair, staring at the cake.

Every single year passed by his eyes – the years he could remember – where George would blow out half of the candles and Fred would blow out the rest. They would open presents together, hoping for money. Fred and George would always prank someone on their birthday – usually Percy – but now... a lonely Fred sat in the kitchen, staring down at a birthday cake that he wished he had someone to share with. Fred would give up all of his birthdays, Christmases and everything else if it meant that George came back.

‘Happy birthday to me,’ Fred said miserably and blew out half of the candles. The other half blazed on and on in the dim moonlight that hit the kitchen floor. Fred sighed and looked at the flames as a tear rolled down his eye. He whispered, his throat closing up, ‘come on, Georgie.. you’re turn.’

A hand rested on Fred’s shoulder but he didn't jump. He knew who it was. The person who has always been there to catch his tears and to lessen his grief. Hermione bent her head and blew out the candles before looking at Fred. She leaned down and looked at Fred, a tear running down her own cheek. Fred tried to stand up but Hermione didn't let him. Instead she sat on his lap, straddling him and pressed her lips to his. Fred tilted his head and kissed her with all the strength he could muster. Hermione pulled back and kissed his neck.

‘Hermione, it’s getting late,’ Fred whispered but was silenced as Hermione kissed him again.

Somewhere out in the moonlight an owl hooted as Fred and Hermione made their way to bed. Sleep was not the first thing on their mind.