The Unexpected Father

The Fallen Weasley

The night had finally drawn to a close, the fighting and violence were finished. The evil were defeated and the army of Hogwarts could finally claim their victory. For Hermione it had been an agonising night, her news replaying over and over again in her head as she thought of the countless ways she was to tell her boyfriend what she had found out. Something that would either make them or break them. Even though all of her energy was spent and tears currently dried up she knew as soon as she looked into his eyes all the emotions of the few hours would come flooding back. They were survivors. Every single person of Hogwarts should be proud of the role they played in the War. Now it was time to finally try forget about the evil that had corrupted their world for so long and try rebuild themselves back up. It was time a new beginning and tonight Hermione would finally get hers.

As she finally reached the grand oak doors which led to the Great Hall, she stood for a moment as she observed the grieving friends and families of the fighters that had fallen, her heart aching at the sight. Teachers were gathered solemnly at the top of the Great Hall, already discussing the details of how to rebuild Hogwarts. Groups of friends were gathered scarcely around the hall as they awaiting their families to arrive while those who had already arrived were either reunited with their children or grieving the ones that had died.

A flash of red hair running past her caught her eye and she looked closer to see the familiar clothes of Ron, with concern etched on her face she followed behind as he got closer and closer to the huddle of his family who were all crowded around something. Or someone. Hermione could feel her heart beating unsteadily against her chest, her mind immediately going through the list of heartbreaking scenarios which she really didn't want to think about. But as she pushed through some of the older Weasley siblings to get to where Ron was she felt a gentle hand pulling her back, she turned to find the worried eyes of Charlie staring at her.

"Hermione" Charlie whispered, the sadness in his eyes and the fresh tears falling making her stomach drop

"Charlie, who is it?"

But Charlie didn't answer her, instead she heard the strangled cry coming from Ron's mouth and as she turned around again she saw Ron being pulled to his feet again by Molly, as they moved out of view Hermione finally saw who it was laying on the make shift cot. She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her, if it wasn't for Charlie's strong grip on her arm she was certain she would have fell over.

"No" She whispered, stepping ever so closely, still not willing to believe it was him.

It couldn't be. He couldn't be dead. Fred Weasley could not be dead.

Hermione fell to her knees as she clutched his hand in hers, squeezing it tightly and wishing that he would squeeze it back. She could feel the stares of the Weasley family on her back, but she didn't care. She just lost the one person she loved the most, aside from her parents, and it was now more than anything that she needed him. Her wonderful news now seemed so trivial. Without caring who was watching or who was around her, Hermione gently took Fred's hand and placed it on her stomach.

"I was going to tell you when the war was over" Hermione smiled sadly, ignoring the gasps behind her. "We're having a baby Fred. A wonderful, small baby who no doubt is going to look exactly like you. Now you're not here to see it" She sniffed, leaning down and placing her head on his chest. "You're not going to see our baby girl or boy grow up. You're not going to be here to see their first steps or their first words. Not even their first prank"

A strangled cry came from the back of Hermione's throat as she shut her eyes tightly and held onto Fred's body for dear life. "Please come back to me. Don't leave us. We need you" She sobbed

Molly watched the young witch cling onto her son with dear life, her own tears falling again as she realised that their family wouldn't be complete. Hermione would now be a single mother, going through her pregnancy and birth without the help of Fred. She swore then and there to Fred that she would do her best to help guide Hermione, obviously she knew that Hermione didn't need her help as she is more than capable, however she did know that she would need support and guidance. Her body was going to be changing and she would need help to mourn the loss of her boyfriend while also trying to be excited for their baby.

Charlie, who was standing beside his mother, watched on in sadness as the girl he had been in love with for years cling onto his brother in the hopes that he would return to the realm of the living. The fact that she was also pregnant made the whole scenario even more heart breaking. It wasn't fair that his brother was taken from this world far too soon, he would never have the chance to meet his child or to watch them grow up and become their own person. The world was a cruel and unforgiving place. But he too also swore something to Fred, that no matter what he would do everything he could for Hermione if she wanted him to; he would be her shoulder to cry on, the person she could rely on to run out for food that she was craving on and the person that could attend her Healer appointments with. He would be her friend and support her.

Charlie watched as George knelt down beside Hermione, who was still clutching onto Fred's body, he was whispering something into her ear and after a few moments George slowly helped Hermione to her feet and led her over to one of the tables closest to the walls obviously trying to comfort the young witch and bring her some relief to the pain she was feeling. His own eyes flickered back to the body of his young brother, he knelt down beside him and grabbed his cold hand.

"I promise Fred, I'll watch out for her for you. Just like our whole family will. We love you"