don't try taming the storm.

Harriet wasn’t going anywhere, she was Charlie’s girlfriend and soon to be mother of his children, so Oliver wanted to put the awkwardness of the past behind them and move on. What happened happened, but there was no reason to dwell on it. If Charlie forgave her he didn’t really have a right to be mad at her former Redeemer affiliated activities, did he? He thought that they should be able to be friendly, or at least civil. If he was nice to her, she’d be nice to him. And she could give him valuable pregnancy advice so he could help Katie out better and that was something he valued a great deal. “She can yell at me all she wants if that’s what she needs to do to feel better. She’s already doing so much with carrying the baby.” He loved Katie with all his heart, he’d do anything for her. “Are you sure? The healer already said the baby is big for his age…” Pregnancy was weird and scary and he was still wrapping his head around it. “I really do appreciate it.”

*

Percy flailed a hand to the side as she talked, pacing by his desk impatiently as he knew that his actions were being deceived. “When have you asked a single interest about me? I’m sure Charlie has insisted there isn’t much to tell-and he’s probably right. I don’t lead an exciting life like you or him. I’m an open book if you actually wanted to know more,” he argued, not aware that he was wagging a finger as he talked. “I don’t want anything from you-I mean I want to be close but we haven’t had the best success and of course we can change that, but it’s a push and pull for some reason and-” Percy’s hand scratched at his chin as he paced and stopped once he saw Harriet seemed distressed. “What are you-” He was confused as to what was happening until she began to explain and he nodded immediately. Fuck, this wasn’t what he wanted to do and not in a million years did he think he would be put in this position. 

“Not to pretend-?” he asked, but nodded as he went silent. “Yeah, of course-um,” he said hastily, looking around before throwing the door open. “Can someone get water?” Water always seemed to help. He sent a patronus to Charlie with instructions to meet at the hospital because Harriet was in labor. “Can you-do you think you can apparate or would you rather the floo or-I don’t want you to get hurt…or more hurt.”

*

Harriet knew that coming to his office to talk would lead to a confrontation of sorts. She hadn’t expected it to go so poorly, however. At least, she hoped that they would be able to come to some sort of understanding. She loved Charlie. She wasn’t going anywhere. But it was disheartening when there were certain members of the Weasley family who still had their reservations. “I should have known that this would be a waste of time,” Harriet muttered, running a hand through her hair in frustration. Every time they tried to have a conversation, it felt like Percy closed himself off, despite his insistence that he was an open book. The conversation quickly changed, however, when Harriet began to have the labor pains. The ones that she’d feared from the moment that she found out she was pregnant. 

The brunette could barely focus upon what she was saying, let alone what Percy was saying to her. Wincing, she took a few deep breaths, knowing it would only get worse. A panicked expression on her face, Harriet replied through gritted teeth, “Floo. It’s safer. I can’t apparate while pregnant.” Looking at the door, she winced again, taking a few steps in the direction, “I know where it is. I can... I’ll go.” 

There was not much activity in the field and Cassius was doing paperwork in the office, shooting glances up when someone passed by. There had been a few missions that he was sent on that he had to do a follow up report. It had come to his attention that for the last five missions, he failed to do a comprehensive report on each one. It required doing some research on names he had sense forgot and locations that were hard to spell and didn’t want to re enter it into the typewriter each time. 

Cassius removed himself from his desk for a refreshment, knowing where the coffee and tea would be. When he saw Harriet Fawley in the hallway he only smiled. This had been one of his past girlfriends and he had indeed and intentionally messed it up by finding another lover. “Miss Fawley. It is good to see you. I see you’ve been busy,” he commented, glancing down at her growing stomach. “Or should I say Mrs…?”

*

Harriet would have been lying if she said she didn’t look over her shoulder when she was traveling anywhere. She didn’t trust the Redeemers and she knew that they’d never be happy with her deserting the cause. The Ministry seemed safe to the uneducated eye, but she knew better than that. With the latest break-in, everyone was more on edge than usual. She thought about asking for time off until she could have the babies, but she knew better. They needed the money. 

Her relationship with Cassius had been brief and it ended when he found someone else to share a bed with. It was no big loss, honestly, but they hadn’t seen each other in some months time. Harriet placed a hand over her baby bump, half-smiling politely, “It’s Miss, thank you.” She stepped forward when the line moved, her gaze turning back towards Cassius. “Have you been well?” 

While some might argue, Harriet was really trying to make an effort in every aspect of her life. She was trying her best to be a good mother when the babies arrived. She’d read books on the matter. She listened to the advice that Molly gave her. Some tidbits from her own mother. Harriet tried with the Weasley’s. She went to the family dinners. She tried to make conversation. Charlie’s friends, it turned out, had been easier to relate to. Barnaby had welcomed her from the moment that they’d met and for that she was thankful. 

The brunette invited Barnaby to get lunch during her break at the Ministry. She met him outside of the building, smiling when she saw him. “Thank you for meeting me. I’m starving,” she laughed softly. The babies were always hungry. “How are you?” 

“I’ll try to remember that. Thank you.” Oliver gave her a genuine smile. He hadn’t really had too many conversations with her, but maybe she wasn’t what he originally assumed. There had to be more to her, she wouldn’t be with Charlie if there wasn’t. “I’ll stock up on those then. Make sure she always has enough.” He knew all of Katie’s favorite snack and sweets flavors due to their years long friendship, this would definitely come in handy now. “I’ll do anything for her. I’ll get her whatever she wants.” He’d do anything for Katie. “Are you sure? You’ve seen Katie. She’s tiny.” Pregnancy wasn’t something he knew too much about yet, admittedly. “I appreciate your help. Thanks.”

*

“You’re welcome,” Harriet replied with a polite smile. She was trying to be civil in every aspect of her life. It wasn’t difficult, but there were some who made it that way. She’d all but renounced her old life and there were still some who chose to hold it against her when they knew absolutely nothing. Oliver was a good guy, despite what had happened between them. She supposed it wasn’t exactly fair for her to think otherwise when she’d all but used him. “She might not appreciate it in the moment, but she will after the hormones go away,” Harriet teased softly. She knew there were a handful of times when she’d yelled at Charlie and then had to apologize after. “She’ll be fine, trust me. The body is made for this. At least, that’s what the healers say.” She felt as if there was no more room for the babies to grow and she still had weeks left in her pregnancy. “I’m happy to help. You’re welcome.” 

If she were being completely honest, Harriet missed the field missions that she’d used to be sent on as a hit-witch. She missed the adrenaline that it provided. When she’d chose to be a hit-witch, she’d done it simply because she didn’t want to sit behind a desk. When she found out about her pregnancy, she took the safe option for the babies. She was now spending her days sat behind a desk at the Ministry and usually bored out of her mind. The days grew harder to get through the more uncomfortable that she became because of the babies. 

Today, she was taking a small walk about the Ministry because she simply couldn’t find it in her to stare at her paperwork any longer. Harriet was standing in the line for coffee and tea when she spotted Cassius Selwyn. Her first instinct was to run in the other direction, but she wouldn’t get very far. Instead, she nodded politely (as politely as she could), “Mister Selwyn.” 

“Take it one day at a time… I can try to do that.” Oliver nodded. That was less daunting than thinking about what was gonna happen when the baby was already born. There were so many things he didn’t know yet, which was worrying him. “I’d buy out the whole of Honeydukes if that makes her stop crying.” He made a mental note to stock up on chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. “Katie is very small though, will the baby be too heavy for her to carry? I suppose I could just carry her around if she gets tired…” He knew better than make any comments on a woman’s weight, his mother had scolded him for that when he’d been a child and had asked a pregnant woman why she was so huge and if she was hiding a quaffle under her dress. 

*

“It will be less daunting in the long run. There’s no sense in panicking over things that you can’t control. I learned that the hard way,” Harriet murmured, trying to off Oliver the advice that she would have wanted. Their relationship had been a bit rocky, but Harriet was trying her best in every aspect when it came to Charlie’s family and friends. “Chocolate and ice cream help. When she has a weird craving at midnight, try to get her what she wants. Never tell her that it’s weird.” She remembered an argument that she’d had with Charlie that had only ended in tears. Merlin, she was glad the pregnancy was almost over. “Her body will adjust,” Harriet reassured Oliver, trying not to laugh. “It’s very overwhelming, but as long as you support her, you’ll both do great.” 

Percy was all about first impressions, both giving and receiving. It might be his fault for being cold at first because of something Charlie had said but Harriet did little in return to show that she wanted to get to know him. There was nothing to trust about someone who used to be a Redeemer or still was. For all Percy knew, Harriet could be spying on Percy’s family and be using Charlie. He had never seen his brother fall in love so easily. There was no denying Harriet was beautiful, but there was a lot of layers to go through about her to try and understand her or her past. She was right that Percy didn’t know anything about her and for some reason, he had thought that he wouldn’t have to. It was an ill request but Charlie seemed invested and Percy had been anything but. “What is there to say? You haven’t really taken a liking or wanted to know about me either,” Percy defended, pinning the argument back on Harriet. His gaze hardened as she talked about the Redeemers and he knew what they were capable of but it didn’t satisfy what Percy thought. He knew the possibility of what could happen and had thought about the future children first and foremost. “So you agree,” Percy said finally with a roll of his eyes, not liking the tone of the conversation. “That’s how I trust people, I can’t simply blindly trust you when I don’t-”

Almost at once, Percy’s face fell and he watched her carefully. “Wha…” he began, not knowing what to do and stilling. “What do you-labor?” he asked with a panicked tone, trying to think of what to do in this situation. Of course his mother gave him the talk, but never what comes after the actual coitus. “What do you need? Tell me.”

*

If she were being completely honest, Percy’s coldness hadn’t made her want to attempt to get to know him. From the beginning most of the Weasley family had made it clear that they didn’t trust her. Her pregnancy was the one thing that had made most of them change their minds. Would they change their mind again once the babies were born? Would their feelings towards her go back to being cold? “How am I supposed to try to get to know you when you turn your nose up at every single interaction? How are we supposed to talk when you’re so close minded?” Harriet asked, the exasperation clear in her voice. She didn’t understand what Percy wanted from her. She was trying, but it wasn’t easy. If it were, they wouldn’t be having this argument. The brunette didn’t satisfy his comment with a remark. In fact, she looked away in annoyance when he rolled his eyes. “What do you want me to do? I don’t understand what you want from me!” 

The brunette caught the panic on Percy’s face and she wished that she could tell him that she was joking. That she wasn’t going into labor, but a contraction hit and she couldn’t deny what was happening. “Labor,” she repeated through gritted teeth, trying to take a deep breath as she willed away the pain that she was in. Harriet felt panic raise in her chest and she snapped softly at Percy, tears in her eyes, “I need...” She paused to take another deep breath, her hand on her belly, “I need you not to pretend that you’re worried right now. I need to go to St. Mungo’s.” She paused, another breath. “Charlie. I need Charlie.” 

Percy had a deep kinship with his family even though at times it seemed the opposite. He still had unconditional love for every member of his family and they were all important to him. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. His relationship was almost stagment, something that wasn’t constant and perhaps he was closest to his parents the most. It was something he was still trying to work on and while his relationship with Charlie could be better, he wasn’t expecting Charlie to have someone like Harriet. Percy wasn’t there for Bill and Fleur when they started dating but he was now and he couldn’t leave Victoire. It was hard to imagine that with Harriet when she already seemed cold. 

“I don’t-well, it’s not exactly something that can be ignored,” he said more quietly, glancing at the door to make sure it was closed. Percy sunk against his desk and put his head in his hands as he tried to structure his words. “It’s not that easy-you leaving them. They could find you or worse-they could hurt someone. If they know who you are then they obviously know about my family and you being around us is not being careful. We’ve had enough hurt as it is.” Percy didn’t trust Harriet and he didn’t mind saying that aloud. It wasn’t something he could look pass as easily as Charlie might have. “And it’s my job to protect Charlie as best as I can-we want the same things, but I don’t-how am I supposed to trust you so blindly?”

*

The only member of the Weasley family that had truly invited her in and shown her warmth was Arthur and for that she was thankful. She knew that it would take some time before the Weasley family accepted her, but she was trying her hardest. The Redeemers were a blip in her past. A mistake. Something that she’d followed because it seemed like the best decision for her at the time. Now, she regretted it, but she couldn’t take it back. She knew that she was in danger. That they were something that loomed over her head since she’d stopped showing up at meetings, but she had no choice but to move on with her life. To do everything in her power to protect her children and her boyfriend. 

“I’m not asking you to ignore it. I’m asking you to hear me out. To get to know me before deciding that your mind is made up,” Harriet argued, keeping her voice low so that the various people passing by his door wouldn’t hear their argument. The brunette was supposed to avoid stress and yet - she was heading straight into it. She shot Percy a exasperated look, ignoring the tears of anger that were forming in her eyes. “You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t think about that at every waking hour? If I could take back what I’ve done, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I live in fear every minute that they’re going to hurt these babies or Charlie. That I’m going to find my apartment burned down or worse.” He didn’t need to lecture her about how she was putting everyone in danger. She was already quite aware of that fact. Harriet informed Charlie of the risks. She offered him an out. “I’m not asking you to trust me. I’m just asking you to give me a goddamn chance.” 

Even if she was Charlie’s girlfriend and having his babies, Oliver didn’t quite trust Harriet, he didn’t know what to make of her. Their night together had been left in the past, he was sure she didn’t think about it anymore just as he didn’t, as the morning after had been the start of his relationship with Katie. He only thought of her in connection to that. Still, she was with Charlie who was one of his best friends so he knew he had to make an effort and be nice to her. And she was pregnant. Like Katie. Maybe she knew things he didn’t. 

“Thank you. It is very exciting.” He smiled a real smile at that, clearly overjoyed to have a child on the way. “I’m just not good with tears. She never used to cry before.”

*

Things between them had been awkward since they’d slept together and then he’d ran off to console a jealous Katie. Harriet didn’t hold it against him. Oliver hadn’t been the one she was interested in either. She’d harbored feelings for Charlie at that time, but she doubted anything would ever happen between them. Now, she was almost ready to have his children and it still felt surprising. Like they’d just met yesterday. 

“It can be overwhelming, too, but you just have to take it one day at a time,” Harriet murmured softly. She bit back a laugh when Oliver told her that he wasn’t good with tears. “The hormones are the worst. Just comfort her. Give her chocolate. Never comment on her weight or how big she’s getting. That will only cause an argument.” 

“There’s this absolutely fascinating Muggle store called Babies ‘R Us,” Arthur said, absolutely ruining the surprise but unable to care any more. “That I’ve never had the chance to explore. We’ve gotten some reports of enchanted baby objects recently, and I figure who better to take along than a future mother?” He asked, grinning.

“Plus, since we don’t have time for a baby shower this will have to replace it. For research purposes, I think I’m going to have buy several different items and have you use them. Report back with notes on whether or not they work for the twins. Very professional, this adventure.”

–

Harriet rose an eyebrow at Arthur when he told her where they would be going. She didn’t have anything against muggle stores, she was merely surprised. She was surprised by his excitement and the general warmth that she felt from him. She had yet to feel it from many of the other Weasley’s. In fact, she’d felt the opposite. 

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” Harriet murmured, arguing lightly again. He said that she was family, but it didn’t feel like it. She knew that the twins would be welcomed with open arms. They didn’t have a past like hers. They’d be innocent. But her? Far from it. 

Percy had been minding his work when he heard Harriet come in. It was unexpected considering the two hadn’t made effort to get along and it seemed neither wanted to. The party at the Burrow had proved just as much and Percy had put it off his mind. “Harriet,” he greeted formally, his brow raising. “The air?” Percy was trying to play innocent to her accusation. He wasn’t expecting Harriet nor what the conversation was about. He had paused for a moment before standing to close the door. There was no reason for others to listen in on the conversation as he wouldn’t want to be humiliated further. 

“That’s…that’s not what I want,” Percy snapped impatiently, thinking he barely had to get a word in. “Harriet, I don’t think that should happen.” This time the words seemed less intense and he breathed out. Since his conversation with Charlie on the train he had incredible doubts about Harriet. “We have barely had a chance to talk-Charlie didn’t really set you up for a good first impression he…it doesn’t matter. But you can’t reject me. Charlie wouldn’t want that. You would be depriving me of family and he would never forgive you…there has to be another answer.”

*

She knew that Percy wasn’t a fan of her. Normally, Harriet wouldn’t care about that fact. There were a lot of people who passed judgement onto her. Whether it be because of the veela in her blood or the fact that she’d followed the Redeemers. Both weren’t facts readily available, but they were the main things she was judged upon. Being that she was pregnant, however, she wanted to make an effort with Charlie’s family. She wanted the best for her children and a tense environment would never be conducive. That was why she’d chosen to track down Percy at work. Why she was saying anything at all. 

“Oh? What do you want then?” Harriet asked, just as impatiently. The stress that the situation was placing upon her shoulders wasn’t good. It was why she wanted to clear the air. Either they’d have an understanding or he wouldn’t be in her children’s lives. “Every time I attempt to talk to you, you brush me off. You wrinkle your nose at me because you know of what I’ve done in the past. The moment I had something more important to protect, I left that behind.” The brunette took a deep breath and ran her hands over her baby bump, her gaze still focused upon Percy. “They’re my children. I’m going to be their mother and I get to decide who will and will not be in their lives. It’s my job to protect them. Charlie will support my decision.”