Chapter six: The baby debate

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Sleep was a cruel thing.

A place where one was meant to find peace, away from all of his or hers problems. Where the nervous system was supposed to be inactive, recuperating ready for the next days activities. A state where the muscles were supposed to be relaxed and consciousness practically suspended. It was presumed to be a place of escape for those who were troubled by day to day life.

Olivia found none of that when she gratefully opened her arms to slumber. She found the opposite, and to her, sleep became the enemy. Instead of finding peace she found her worst fears and nightmares all gathered in one place ready to haunt her. For a person with reoccurring nightmares in desperate need of a few hours for her mind to rest, it was a vexatious thing.

With her eyes wide open and staring at the white ceiling opposite her Olivia pulled the thin sheets off her body. She pushed herself into a seating position on the edge of her bed, the soft sound of Ginny's snores and Hermione's heavy breathing infiltrating her damaged ears. As quiet as she could possibly be, Olivia stood up and retrieved an oversized jumper of Ron's from the back of the bedroom door where she slipped it on. She turned to ensure the two girls where still sleeping before twisting the door knob and slipping out of their shared bedroom.

Sleep evaded Olivia that night. Instead her guilty conscience reminding her that George had lost an ear, Mad-Eye had lost his life and she did nothing to help either man.

Once out on to the landing she treaded carefully across the wooden floor to the stairs where she skilfully avoided the planks of wood that had tendencies to creak. The downstairs area of The Burrow was chilly in the night causing Olivia to shiver and pull Ron's jumper tighter around her body. What she later realised was the reason she was cold was because she wooden door was standing wide open, welcoming the breeze with open arms.

She strained her eyes in the dark and regretted leaving her wand upstairs when she took tentative steps forwards towards the open door. She reached the threshold, her bare feet hanging over the small ledge when she saw two figures in the distance. Olivia squinted her eyes to get a better look and relaxed when she heard Ron's voice. It was obviously Harry he was talking to outside, but why they were outside was somewhat confusing to her.

Lost in her thought she was pulled away when Ron's voice was seemingly in front of her, "To kill these other Horcruxes we have to find them .. where are they?" She crossed her arms over her chest when they halted outside of The Burrow, watching her in surprise. Ron's hand flew to his chest as he took a deep breath, "Bloody hell Olivia, scared me you did."

"What are you doing?" She asked, stepping aside for the two boys to come back inside. She closed the door after them and noticed the bag slung over Ron's shoulder, "Or rather where are you going?"

"We're not going anywhere at the moment." Harry said quietly, "not anymore at least." He then mumbled.

"You didn't hear any of that did you?" Ron asked. Olivia nodded her head and he groaned, "Even when I said that thing about Hermione?"

She nodded again, "I agree with you Ron,  don't worry. Everyone knows you two wouldn't last a second out there on your own without her."

"Hey." Ron said offensively.

Olivia shrugged her shoulders, "It's only the truth."

"What're you doing awake anyways?" Harry then thought to ask her.

"I couldn't sleep, normally come down for a coffee. Or at least I used to with—" instead of finishing her planned sentence Olivia's words died in her throat.

Ron rubbed her shoulder, "We know what you mean. If you want to stay down here I can stay with you if you like?"

Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head, "No, it's fine. You two go back up to bed, we need all the sleep we can get. It's going to be a busy couple of days with the wedding, your birthday and what not."

Ron nodded in agreement, "Yeah okay, don't be up too long though."

"I won't." She smiled reassuringly, "I'm just going to put a Sleeping Draught in my drink and I should be alright."

"Night then." Ron said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Olivia smiled back faintly, "Yeah, g'night."

"You too." Harry mumbled before both boys retreated up the stairs.

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"Happy birthday you moody tosser!" Olivia said with a smile. She stepped down the last few stairs to the kitchen of the Burrow and threw her arms around Harry's neck, squeezing tightly, "Aw look at you, your all grown up!" She cooed.

The delicious smell of breakfast wafted throughout the Burrow that morning. Olivia could smell bacon, pork and chicken sausages, eggs and more, it made her mouth water.

"Thanks Olivia." Harry spluttered, choking while Olivia squeezed him. 

"Uh Olivia, think you might want to ease up on the love. He's going blue." Charlie said concerned, lowering the mug of coffee from his lips.

Olivia released her grip around Harry's neck quickly while frowning, "Sorry mate, I didn't think I was squeezing you that hard." She apologised, moving round the table and walking over to see Charlie.

"You clearly underestimate your strength." Harry grumbled while rubbing his neck.

"I'm not that strong am I?" Olivia asked, wrapping her arms around Charlie's neck and embracing him. Charlie made a small 'oomph' noice and lowered to wrap his strong arms around Olivia's torso.

"I think that's up for debate Olivia." He said into her ear before they pulled away.

She shrugged nonchalantly, "Where's Alissa? I want to see them all."

"All?" Charlie asked confused, his brows furrowing.

"Yeah, Alissa and the babies."

His face dropped, "Babies?"

"That is what I said, honest Charlie your not really the brightest star in the sky are you?" Charlie only stared blankly at the black haired girl, his face slack and mouth parted in shock. Olivia wiggled her brows, "I guess I'll just find her myself."

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"Olivia, what did you say to Charlie earlier?" Bill Weasley asked, walking into the sitting room where Olivia, Harry, Hermione and his younger brothers were sat conversing about George's lack of ear.

"Uh, when earlier?" She asked, turning to face the eldest Weasley brother.

"This morning probably. Whatever you've said or told him has broken him. We can't get a word out of him." Bill frowned.

Olivia cast back to her conversation with Charlie that morning before she went in search for Alissa. She pondered for a minute before it came to her, "Oh! I remember."

"Well then please, do tell us." Fred said, "I'm curious as to what's broken Charlie."

"I only asked him where Alissa was." She shrugged.

"No you didn't." Harry said matter-of-factly.

Everyone turned to the birthday boy, "What are you on about? Yes I did." Olivia argued.

Harry shook his head, an amused smile gracing his lips, "Your words were; 'where's Alissa, I want to see them all'"

"All? Who's all?" Ron asked curiously.

"What? The babies?" Olivia said casually.

Fred choked on his own spit, "I'm sorry .. what?" Bill asked, awestruck.

"Did you just say babies?" George said, hitting his brothers back while he continued to cough.

"That's funny, Charlie said something similar to that." She laughed.

"You mean Charlie and Alissa are having twins?" Said Ron.

"Well .. yeah." Olivia replied confused.

"Does Alissa know?" Hermione spoke for the first time.

Olivia frowned, itching her head before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, "I don't know, you'll have to ask her that."

"Wait on just a second." Fred said once he was recovered, "You're telling me Charlie and Alissa .. Charlie and Alissa are having .. twins?"

"Hello? Are you people deaf? How many times do I have to say that?"

Fred and George looked to each other, brilliant smiles beaming on their faces. They high-fived each other, "Wicked!"

Bill blew out a shocked breath while shaking his head, "Twins .. who would've thought."

"Did somebody say twins?!" The familiar shout of Molly Weasley echoed from somewhere in the house .. or outside maybe.

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On the night of Harry's birthday the rumour of Alissa and Charlie having twins had finally reached the mother-to-be. The party had been momentarily halted as Tonks screamed rather loudly in joy and Alissa laughed at the 'joke'. She was quickly assured by Charlie that it was no joke.

"Who said I'm having twins?" She asked, looking round the guests. Their eyes all simultaneously found Olivia's figure where she waved awkwardly, "I'm having twins?"

"I mean, yeah I think. I don't know, it's just .. what I felt."

"Well that's not at all strange." Fred whispered to his brother.

"Is there a way we can know for sure?" Charlie asked, his face still harbouring small glimpses of horror.

"I don't know, but I can try." Olivia offered.

Everyone present for the party had gathered around the expecting couple and Olivia. Molly and Arthur, Bill and Fleur, Tonks and Remus, Cecelia, Hagrid, the twins, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry all stood quietly. All anxiously waiting for whatever was happening.

Olivia stood in front of Charlie and Alissa, her eyes flickering from her bump to them both, "It's only a feeling, yeah? I might not be able to find out for certain."

Alissa nodded eagerly. Charlie piped up, "How are you even going to find out?" He asked. Alissa elbowed him in the ribs.

Olivia watched the two interact before deeming it safe to do what she felt was right. She slowly reached her hands out and placed them on either side of Alissa's growing baby bump where she waited patiently for something.

"Do you see anything?" Charlie whispered, everyone around shushing him simultaneously.

It was another minute or two before Olivia heard the unmistakable sound of a babies laugh. It was a loud, shrill laugh and Olivia concentrated some more. What followed was the sound of another laugh, except this time there was two babies laughing.

'Oh sweet Merlin, go to sleep!' Charlie's voice echoed.

'I swear when I get my hands on your brothers.' Alissa growled.

'How do you know it was them?' Charlie's voice echoed again, a baby's laugh pairing his words, 'I'm willing to bet it was Ron and Bill, little rats.'

'Well when Fleur and Bill have their first child I'm going to make sure he or she gives them both hell!' Alissa threatened.

'They're not disappointing so far, living up to the Weasley twins gene that's for sure.' Charlie grumbled annoyed.

Olivia waited patiently for something else to come but after another minute it was clear that whatever had happened was over. She cautiously took her hands away from Alissa's bump and struggled to suppress the smile that was breaking out onto her face.

She released a breathy laugh, bringing her hand to cover her mouth in shock. Small tears welled in her eyes as she looked from the couple in front of her to her mother and Remus, "I-I never knew I could do that." She breathed amazed, "th-that's .. oh Merlin."

She quickly became overwhelmed with the shock of what she had done. For over two years she had gone thinking she could only see the future, the present and the past and had some sort of tie between elements. That and she was better than most in her magical capabilities. She thought what she could do was very black and white, especially since she was cursed in the Ministry. And what she had just achieved had proved her otherwise.

"Well?" Alissa asked anxiously, looking to Olivia as she pushed back her tears.

Olivia, with a genuine smile, nodded at the couple. She watched as tears welled to Alissa's eyes and Charlie pull his fiancée into his side, pressing a kiss to her lips.

"We-we're having twins?" Alissa asked shakily.

"Yes." Olivia replied, her voice cracking.

Molly yelled in joy before covering her face with her hands, "My first grandbabies!"

Alissa pulled Olivia and Charlie into a tight embrace as everyone celebrated not one, but two much anticipated new Weasley offsprings. A rare moment of pure joy had been bestowed upon them and it was something they would all cherish dearly.

Once congratulations had been spread, Olivia embraced her mother tightly where a few tears slipped from her eyes discreetly, "H-how did I do that mum?" She stuttered into her mother's shoulder.

Cecelia ran a hand through her daughter's long hair and comforted her as a few tears dropped from her eyes, "I'm not sure darling." She said, "but it was amazing, you should be proud of yourself."

Olivia nodded into her mothers shoulder and Remus placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She pulled away and rubbed her nose, then her wet eyes with the pads of her hands, "Oh Merlin, why am I crying? I'm sorry, I don't even know why I'm crying." She said.

Remus laughed, "You don't have to apologise for crying Olivia, it's a human thing to do."

Tonks had slipped away from Alissa and over to the three just then, she wrapped her arm around Remus' waist and leaned into him, "Not to be a pest or anything—" she began.

"You want to know too?" Olivia asked with her brow arched.

"I need to mentally and physically prepare myself if I'm going to be pushing two out instead of one." Tonks replied bluntly.

Remus shook his head at his wife's bluntness, an action Olivia did also. She stepped forwards and placed a hand on Tonks stomach, there wasn't much of a bump but nevertheless there was still a small one there, "I don't know if it's too early." Tonks said anxiously.

"If it's twins Tonks they develop together, one doesn't magically come after the other." Olivia replied, while waiting. Her answer came quicker than Alissa's and she smirked up at the parents to be.

Remus' face instantly paled and he rubbed it while groaning, "It's twins isn't it?"

"Oh no." Olivia replied with a smug laugh, "It's much more worse than twins."

"Triplets?" Tonks squeaked.

Again she shook her head and replied cryptically, "You're having a miniature version of Tonks."

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This chapter took forever because i decided last minute to switch them all around. And now I have two chapters coving Bill and Fleur's wedding and I'm no where near done writing about that so not the next chapter, but the one after will probably borderline 3000 words.

This was 3400 before I rearranged it, it's now 2400.

I thought it'd be best to end the chapter on light hearted note before everything starts turning to shit, happy late update!