"I just don't understand it," said Ginny, shaking her head and waving her wand over Hermione's abdomen once more.
"Maybe I'm only half pregnant? Maybe there is a baby in there, and there's something wrong?"
"Mione, please don't be ridiculous. It's impossible to be half pregnant. I'm sure there's nothing wrong. Maybe I should owl Mum and see what she says-"
But Ginny was quickly cut off by Hermione as she pulled her shirt back over her stomach and stood up from her supine position.
"Don't tell your Mum anything yet. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up yet."
"You'll have to find out somehow."
Hermione took a minute making sure her clothes were once again neat, and wrinkle free.
"I'll go to St Mungo's. Surely a healer will be able to sort all this out."
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"Verity? Verity!"
George Weasley's voice reverberated around the store making several customers turn their heads in alarm.
Flashing a broad grin in their direction, he spoke in a falsely reassuring voice.
"Nothing to worry about! Go back to your shopping!"
He quickly turned and disappeared behind a curtain, running down the stairs two at a time.
Nope. The situation had not improved in the two minutes since he had last laid eyes on it. A sticky substance, with the colour and consistency of pitch had decided to cover almost every surface of the workroom, and it was quickly spreading to any area it had not yet infected with its noxious appearance.
George pricked his ears up. He could hear a whistling getting closer. If this was Verity...
The tune stopped right as soon as it had reached the level of George's ear.
"Whoa, what in the name of Merlin did you do down here?"
George scrunched up his face in annoyance as he looked at his twin.
"It wasn't me. It had to have been Verity. I put her in charge of making the base for the Amortentia. I told her not to leave it near an open flame..."
Fred's eyes surveyed the damage – not that there was all that much to see, but he did spot a few large and uncovered cages against the side wall.
"Oh no," he moaned, "It'll take hours to wash all this out of the pygmy puff's fur – and we'll have to do it tonight."
"Angelina'll kill me if I'm late again... I can only imagine what Hermione will do with you..."
The pair stood looking morosely at the devastation, until Fred piped up.
"Dibs on using the Floo first!"
He ran back up the stairs, leaving George to contemplate his own thoughts and potential punishments.
