‘I can’t... I can’t... I cannot do this!’ Hermione muttered out loud to herself as she paced the room in her golden heels. Her dress was floating about her and she grabbed the front of it, pushing it up a little so she wouldn’t trip as she frantically walked along the room and back. The glamorous golden shoes were quite comfortable... well, as comfortable as they could be for heels. She could walk well in them which was a good sign since she couldn't get away with tripping. That would be bad. She obviously had to avoid large crowds where she might be pushed over and lose her footing. Hermione shook her head as she stopped in front of the mirror and scrutinised herself.

The shoes looked gorgeous with that rich gold colour and the red dotted around the front of her shoes. Hermione had dressed in her luscious red dress with the opening at the side. She had also taken a good hour to do her hair and she had to admit, as she stood in front of the mirror, it looked really good. Her curls were not frizzy and short, they were longer and shiny as they rested over her shoulder leaving the other shoulder bare. The curls came down to just after her breasts and her fringe was swept to the side. Her make up had taken her a considerable amount of time too and now she had red lipstick and gold eye shadow that went perfectly together.

‘Hermione! We need to leave before Harry send me a howler!’ yelled Ron pounding on her door with his fist. Hermione nearly jumped as she heard his voice. He was a lot more stressed out today than any other day and the cause of that was Harry, his best friend, and Ginny, his sister. He had two duties to fulfil, ‘can I come in?!’

‘I’m ready, Ronald. Stop shouting!’ Hermione yelled back and she grabbed her gold purse and tucked her wand into it. Ron opened the door and marched into the room. Hermione barely had a chance to appreciate him in his suit before Ron grabbed her hand, ‘let’s go, Ron.’

Hermione felt Ron secure an arm around her waist before she could protest and then they disapparated, entering the darkness and void before Hermione felt her feet plant on the ground. She nearly tripped but Ron had an arm around her waist and steadied her. She thanked him but he only hurried off to the Burrow without a backwards glance. Hermione watched him run and huffed a little since she had hoped to stay with Ron at the wedding. She didn't mind since he had to make sure Harry wasn’t freaking out. Hermione started up her walk to the burrow and looked around... she didn't want to admit it but she was searching for Fred.

The burrow was bursting with wedding favours and a few guests were beginning to arrive. A couple of red haired boys looked over at Hermione and then immediately looked away once they noticed she was pregnant. There were huge lights around the long white tent but they weren’t on yet but the night would be very bright once they were turned on. Hermione peeked inside the tent and spotted Mr and Mrs Weasley setting the flowers on the tables chatting away to each other. Mr Weasley was clad in a smart suit and looked really stressed out while Mrs Weasley was in a long blue dress, she looked like she had just cried and Hermione guessed she had cried after seeing Ginny. Hermione felt her heart beat solidly bang against her chest and up her throat as she swallowed her pride and walked up to them. Mrs Weasley looked up as she neared and her eyes grew wide at how big her stomach was. Mr Weasley glared at her, his hands tightened around the flowers he was holding.

‘Hello, Mr and Mrs Weasley,’ Hermione said, her voice sounded quiet and formal. She was shaking but her hands were behind her back and she dragged a strangled sort of smile onto her face although she felt like crying, ‘do you know where Harry is?’

‘I’m sure Ginny doesn’t need visitors. Especially not from the likes of-’ Mr Weasley had put the flowers onto the table and was standing next to Mrs Weasley who was holding her breath. He looked really angry all of a sudden and Hermione was suddenly reminded of Fred’s anger. It was a little like his father’s but more of it was like Mrs Weasley since she roared like a lion when she shouted. Hermione felt tears prick at her eyes and she had to blink twice to stop herself from crying.

‘Arthur, leave the poor girl alone!’ Mrs Weasley hissed and she grabbed Hermione’s arm. She was led to another table and when Hermione looked back, she swore she saw Mr Weasley’s eyes flash red for a second. Mrs Weasley caught her attention, ‘don’t mind Arthur, dear, he’s stressed out. Harry’s in Ron’s old room and Ginny is in her room. Just go on up!’

Hermione flung her arms around Mrs Weasley, feeling her heart explode with love and a little bit of acceptance. She was sure that Mrs Weasley was only being nice to her because she was pregnant and because of Fred but she loved it all the same. Hermione was patted on the back and complimented on her dress before she left Mrs Weasley to deal with her husband’s shocked and angry stares. She walked into the burrow and went up the stairs, passing the group of teenagers near the door who were gazing at her. She felt naked even with the full length dress. Her heart beat increased to a rapid thump as she passed Fred’s room... only to find that it was empty as the door was open. She glanced in and saw the balcony... the one where they had once stood, gazing at stars. Hermione carried on to Ron’s old bedroom and knocked on the door when Ron opened the door and let her in.

‘Hermione! You’re here!’ Harry pulled her in for a hug before the door was even shut. He seemed so relieved that Hermione chuckled and hugged him back which was quite difficult since she was pregnant but she managed, ‘have you seen Ginny? How does she look?’

‘I haven’t seen Ginny yet but I know that you look amazing! She won’t be able to keep her hands off you!’ Hermione tried to reassure him as she straightened his tie. He glanced into her eyes and Hermione could see the green of his. He looked so nervous that she had to laugh again, ‘you will be fine! I promise you!’

‘I’m glad you’re here, Hermione. You look so beautiful,’ muttered Harry and then he hesitated. Hermione smoothed his hair but he caught her hand and looked at her seriously, ‘maybe you shouldn’t see Ginny. I don’t think she would want-’

‘Yes, Harry, I get it. I seem to be the bad guy in this whole situation,’ Hermione moaned. Harry shook his head about to decline that fact but Hermione stopped him, ‘I’ll go and help downstairs. You have Ron so get ready. The guests are beginning to arrive.’

Hermione left the room, leaving Harry to worry about his wedding. She started to walk down the stairs and couldn't help but think that... she wanted a wedding. One where she could invite her best friend, worry about her big day and not have a huge bump where her child was. She would probably never even have that and if she did... she didn't think she could love someone like she loved Fred. It just seemed so impossible. A brief thought of herself in a wedding dress flashed through her mind but Hermione smirked to herself as she thought of a particular man next to her... a man with grey eyes and blonde hair. Hermione chuckled to herself but then was stopped as she nearly banged into someone.

‘Hermione! What... you’re pregnant?’ Luna Lovegood caught Hermione’s arm and stared down at her stomach in awe, ‘you didn’t tell me.’

‘Oh, Luna, I didn’t have time. I was just so stressed out with the baby and... how have you been?’ Hermione asked, feeling awful since she hadn’t told anyone about her pregnancy. She couldn't bring herself to tell her that it was Fred’s child.

‘I’ve been good. The nargles have been keeping away from me lately, you see,’ Luna looked about her as though expecting a nargles to come flying through the window and perch on her shoulder. Hermione smiled awkwardly, ‘I am invited to your wedding with Ron, aren’t I?’

‘I... Luna, this child... it isn’t Ron’s,’ Hermione blushed a deep crimson as Luna raised her eyebrows further, ‘the child is... Fred’s.’

Luna nodded although her expression gave nothing away. Someone from downstairs called her name and she quickly said goodbye to Hermione before floating away. Hermione sighed and walked back up the stairs, trying to find a bathroom. Trying to forget that people will think differently of her when they realise that she had went for the brother... Hermione spotted Harry and Ron standing in the hallway, having a discussion about something. She joined them. They were talking about the guests and where they were going to sit.

‘Harry,’ Hermione started and they looked at her. She felt a little awful saying this but she had to before she started to cry, ‘I can’t handle staying here. No one knows I’m pregnant and I can’t handle telling everyone-’

The door behind Ron opened and Hermione’s heart stopped as she recognised who it was. Fred Weasley came out of the room and tried to pass Ron and Harry, Hermione was blocked from the view and she couldn't get herself to move before he saw her.

‘If you two ladies are done talking, get out of the way before Mum starts shouting about me not being downstairs,’ Fred rolled his eyes and then his blue eyes landed on the brown ones as he noticed her.

Time stopped and Hermione’s heart beat rapidly like it was on a timer. Fred’s mouth was open, words stuck in his throat and the silence in the corridor magnified until Hermione found the butterflies start to roar in her stomach. She couldn’t help but noticed ever perfect and imperfect detail about the man she loved. His hair was combed to the side, revealing his sudden and gorgeous blue eyes to her. He was dressed in a suit and some shiny shoes. His tie was the same red as Hermione’s dress, she noticed, making her legs go weak.

Fred glanced at her stomach and then to her face before he swallowed something in his throat.

‘Excuse me,’ Fred croaked as his eyes darted from her stomach to the ground. His hand went to his tie loosening it and he turned red. He barged past Ron and made for the bathroom, his ears were crimson now.

‘Harry,’ Hermione muttered helplessly and turned to him. Ron was staring at her with his arms crossed over his chest and raised his eyes as Hermione pouted to Harry, ‘Harry!’

‘Just ignore him, Hermione,’ Harry said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him.

‘Stop acting so pathetic,’ Ron growled and stalked off down the stairs.

Hermione was too riled up to care that Ron had left. She had seen Fred and her heart was beating like crazy and she felt so much for him... and all he said was ‘excuse me’ and quite coldly too before stalking away. She wanted him back, she wanted his heart break to go away and she wanted him to call her Mia.

---

*Fred’s POV*

‘She looks so beautiful,’ Fred heard his cousin, Robert, whisper next to him.

‘She does,’ he agreed, his eyes fixed on Hermione who was sitting in the other row, watching something behind her, ‘and so pregnant. She’s so... beautiful doesn’t cut it. That red dress and the gold-’

‘What,’ Fred turned to his cousin, watching his eyes narrow as he frowned at him, ‘what are you talking about? She’s wearing a white dress not a red one!’

Fred turned around and saw Ginny being walked up the aisle with Mr Weasley who looked like he would burst into tears straight away. His cousin was right, she did look beautiful. Ginny wore a long white dress with no straps and it fanned out behind her. She also wore a see through veil over her head and carried some flowers. Fred caught his sisters eye and made her laugh by making a funny face. She hid her face in the flowers and blushed as she let out a giggle. A spurt of laughter ran through the guests and Fred watched as Ginny stood in front of Harry at the front.

Fred tried to pay attention to the wedding but he found that he couldn't. His eyes kept straying to Hermione who was sitting in the front row and staring at Harry fixedly. Her eyes were tearing up a little and he wondered why... the wedding had hardly started yet. She was so pregnant and that seemed like a slap in the face for him. He missed her and felt his heart contract as her hands went through her hair, all the way down to her breasts where her hair stopped. She did this again and again.

‘She’s quite hot, mate, but you’re sister is getting married. Try and pay attention, huh?’ Robert nudged him, glancing over at Hermione, ‘she’s pregnant though. You don’t want that sort of baggage.’

‘If she is baggage, she’s my baggage. Look at him, sitting so close to her,’ Fred growled under his breath as he saw Ron scooting closer to Hermione. It made his blood boil even though he had tried to let it slide. He missed her so much, ‘the little git.’

‘Dude, calm down. She’s not yours,’ Robert stretched out his legs and clapped alongside everyone else as Harry leaned forward and kissed a blushing Ginny.

Fred clapped absent minded but his mind was on what Robert said. Hermione was not his... his property and didn't he want her to get over him? Wasn’t he bad for her life? He couldn't back out now. He had to make sure that she had no feelings for him, that she hated him. Fred glanced at the girl two rows behind him. She had been eyeing him since before the ceremony had started. Maybe he could... well, ‘use’ seemed like such a harsh word.

Fred smiled at the girl and she blushed furiously. This should be easy, he thought and got up as everyone went to congratulate the couple. He would have time for that later. Fred walked over the girl and held out his hand.

‘Fred Weasley, nice to meet you,’ he muttered.

‘I know who you are,’ she blushed and took his hand, ‘I’m Melissa.’

---

*Fred’s POV*

‘Another firewhiskey with lime,’ Fred handed Melissa a cup and nearly spilt it. She caught it and they laughed whole heartedly and Fred asked, slurring a little, ‘is it better with lime? Do your lips taste of lime?’

‘Why don’t... why don’t you try and see,’ she said, falling a little on him as she moved closer.

Fred glanced around the room, looking for Hermione. He didn't particularly want to kiss Melissa since she had been drinking but he had to, to show Hermione that he wasn’t what she thought he was. He spotted Hermione but she wasn’t looking at him. She was a little away from him, talking to Luna.

‘Melllissaaa,’ he drawled out loud, knowing he had turned a few heads.

He didn't have time to see if Hermione had turned to look at him. He grabbed Melissa’s back and moved her closer to him before pressing his lips against hers. He just hoped Hermione had seen him kissing her. A part of his mind, the sober part, wanted to pull away and grab Hermione instead but he didn't. He pressed Melissa against the wall and kept at it for who knows how long. They parted and Melissa darted her lips around his neck before pulling his lips to hers again.

‘Fred!’ Mrs Weasley’s voice rang out. She didn't talk loud but she did pull Fred away from Melissa who tried to grab him back.

‘Mum, I’m busy,’ Fred growled and turned back to Melissa. Their lips had just grazed each others when Mrs Weasley dragged him out of the tent. The tent entrance was near so not many people noticed, thankfully for Fred, ‘what is it?!’

‘You’re almost drunk and I don’t want you drunk at this wedding. Go inside, wash your face, have a cup of coffee, do something but stay away from Melissa. Do you have no shame doing that in front of everyone?’ Mrs Weasley frowned at him, ‘go inside.’

‘I’m not a boy,’ Fred growled, feeling anger sweep through him, ‘I’m a grown man and I’ll kiss whoever I want.’

‘And make the poor girl pregnant. No, you won’t. Go inside right now,’ Mrs Weasley turned to go back to the wedding party.

Fred walked across the tent until he could see the Burrow loom over him. He spotted Harry and Ginny, they were slow dancing next to the tent where they could hear the music. Fred went to Harry and they looked up, smiling.

‘Please tell me you’re having a party later at your house,’ Fred muttered, ‘I want to drink but... you know how Mum is.’

‘I think Ron’s having a party in an hour after everyone leaves. We’re going to enjoy our honeymoon,’ Harry sighed and then kissed Ginny. Fred turned away awkwardly but Harry put a hand on his shoulder and he turned around, ‘I need to have a word with you.’

Ginny smiled and walked back to the party. She seemed to be really enjoying everything about her wedding and seeing this happy made Fred happy. He turned to Harry and raised his eyebrows.

‘Hermione was crying and blubbering about you kissing another girl,’ Harry sighed.

‘Well, I was having fun tonight until my mum stopped me. She can have fun too. She can kiss all the men she wants,’ Fred shrugged and acted like he didn't care but Harry was not fooled.

‘You love her and I know that. Go to her. Just... be there for her. As a friend and then if she wants more, you can discuss that with her,’ Harry shrugged, ‘she needs you, man.’

‘I need her but... she can do better than me,’ Fred shrugged and they jogged to the house before Harry could say anything.

He got to the front door and then went up the stairs. A few teenagers had found the stairs as a comfortable place to... fraternise with each other. Fred tried not to step on them and he finally got up the stairs and to his room. He opened his door, went in, closed it, and sighed out loud.

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’

That voice had Fred’s head spinning but he couldn't turn around.

‘I had to use the bathroom.’

Fred stared at the oak door and felt her move behind him. He was blocking the door.

‘I’m just going to go.’

Finally Fred turned around and stared right into the eyes of Hermione. So many responses rummaged through his head and everyone ended with her either crying or kissing him. He was lost for words as he sank deeper into those brown puddles. His eyes dropped to her lips and he felt an urge to lean forward and...

‘I love you, Fred!’ Hermione burst out and tears streaked down her face, ‘I love you so much but you don’t! You would rather kiss that... that girl that you barely know...’

Like an idiot, Fred’s response was, ‘her name is Melissa.’

Hermione stared at him for a second and then the tears came faster. She tried to dart past him and leave but Fred grabbed her arm and had no idea what he was going to do. Before he could think, the door opened and hit his back.

‘We’re leaving for the party at my house!’ Ron said but his eyes took in the scene and he turned to Fred, ‘let her go.’

Fred obliged without hesitation and Ron let Hermione leave the room, muttering about going to the party. Fred’s hand went up to his necklace and he wished... he wished he had kissed her and told her how much he loved her. Fred sank to the ground and buried his face in his hands.