"Honestly, George. I'm sure the mandrake root would be useful." It's no secret that Fred is the smarter twin. He also happens to be the hastiest and the ingredients he thinks of usually end up in a smoking cauldron.
"I just don't understand why, Fred. We worked a bunch with mandrakes in fourth year when we needed to help professor Sprout get them to help cure the petrified. Deadly cries, bloody painful bites, and needed for the potion to cure someone who has been petrified, completely useless to a Fainting Flower."
"Yes yes but look here. I found this dusty old thing in mum's bookcase." Fred pulled out an old volume on nasty plants. He pointed out a passage in the mandrake section. "It was thought to resemble a human figure and was known to cause sleepiness. We could put just a slim root in the perfume that comes from the flower."
George leaned towards the book, rereading the passage to make sure his twin wasn't making mistakes. "Huh, well would you look at that. You're right. Let's hope this attempt doesn't explode like the last two have."
"Right! Let's go visit Slug & Jiggers and then make a final attempt before mum calls us down for dinner."
Fred and George apparated straight into the kitchen where Molly was busy finishing the food for that night. "Fred Gideon, George Fabian! How many times have I told you not to apparate in my kitchen! Get out of here and leave those pies alone!" Fred and George each ran from the kitchen with a handful of their mother's mince pies.
"Going to Diagon Alley, be back really soon, don't let Ron eat all the food!" They cried as they jumped into the floo.
They finished the perfume potion for their newest invention before the guests even arrived. Nothing had exploded so they were taking it as a success. They still had to test it once it's been fermented long enough.
They settled in the living room playing exploding snaps with Ron and Ginny while their mother finished in the kitchen. She came out to make an announcement about dinner, perhaps more of a threat than an announcement really. "Right so Harry, Luna, and Hermione are coming over tonight so I want all of you on your best behavior." Molly looked pointedly at the twins. "If I see you testing new products on them I swear I'll-" She didn't have time to finish her threat before the fireplace spurted emerald green flames and a boy with jet black hair stepped out of the blaze, coughing slightly.
"Never did get used to the smoke." Harry said between coughs.
The fireplace crackled again, flashing green. A pale witch stepped out of the fire, smiling innocently. The smoke didn't seem to be a bother but the spinning from the travel sent her blond hair streaking across her face covering her silvery sparkling eyes.
"Hi." Luna greeted.
"Luna, so nice to see you again." Molly replied with a motherly smile.
Luna moved aside to let the fireplace snap loudly one last time as Hermione emitted from the smoke, her arms covering her head.
"I finally got that mess to tame itself tonight, I wasn't going to let the floo ruin the effort." Hermione let go of her head and, indeed, her hair's usual bushy curls were replaced my smooth elegant waves running down her shoulders.
This was it. The war was over and the Golden Trio had earned all the awards that the wizarding world had to offer: special services to the school of Hogwarts, Order of Merlin First Class, among many others.
Many things changed now that the war has finally blown over. The dead have been mourned and the celebration of the victory over Lord Voldemort could be enjoyed. Many died that night to protect their loved ones and each life given will be remembered. This war was the biggest, and hopefully the last, war that the wizarding world has been through. After Snape's death, Professor McGonagall took over the Headmistress duties. Harry and Ginny were able to be together now that Harry didn't have to fear for his life after denying each other for so long. As for Hermione and Ron, the strain to bring their friendship to a new level failed resulting in terrible arguments and hurtful insults. They soon decided they were better off as friends and should try to build their lives with other people. Ron wasted no time. Luna was here for him tonight. His statement when he said she had been growing on him now meant more than he thought at the time.
Hermione started to embrace the various Weasleys piled into the small room. She hugged George lightly. George turned his head towards Fred and smiled mischievously. Hermione leaned out of the hug but George pulled her back in to peck her cheek. Hermione blushed instantly and her arms froze at her side. Fred suddenly felt funny. His stomach was twisting in knots and why did he want to punch George? What was it? Hermione? No. She's just his little brother's ex-girlfriend, the bushy haired brainy kid, she couldn't be anything more.
Hermione finally turned to Fred and smiled innocently. Fred stretched out his arms, inviting Hermione into them. She stepped forward and embraced him. He pressed her body tightly into his chest.
He heard Hermione chuckle. "Can't breathe, Fred." He released his hold immediately. He looked down to realize her hands were still lingering on his forearms. He looked up at her, feeling his face heat into the famous Weasley blush. Hermione flushed a bright shade of red as she took her hands away and fidgeted nervously.
Fred went to sit on the couch and motioned to her to join him with a shake of his head. She sat beside him and looked around the room, avoiding looking at him in the eyes.
"Pumpkin pasty? I promise there has been no tinkering." He reached into his robes for the candies he had purchased earlier. Hermione took turns staring at the orange sweet and the nervous smile he was giving her. "Sure, thanks." She closed her eyes and let her tongue taste the sweet flavor of pumpkin, simply concentrating on stabilizing her breathing.
"Are you alright?" Fred asked, putting his hand on her thigh. Her breathing hitched suddenly as the warmth of his had touched the bare skin of her leg due to the shortness of the dress she was wearing. Her wardrobe had become a lot more daring, mostly because of Ginny's involvement.
"Oh yes, perfectly fine." She got up and flattened her dress. She could still feel the heat on her thigh left by Fred's hand. "I think your mother is calling us." She didn't wait for a reply before stalking towards the kitchen.
Thankfully, Molly had indeed started to gather the guests for dinner. Fred got up from the couch and followed Hermione into the crowded kitchen. The only place available was the chair next to Hermione. Fred could see George smirking at him. He felt he was going to have to speak with his brother very soon.
Fred sank in the chair next to Hermione. Perhaps it was because Ron was on her other side but Hermione seemed to lean slightly closer to him than usual. He made a mental note of that. The rest of the evening passed in a flash and without too many awkward hand touches,except when they both reached out for the same bread roll, or blatant blushing, like when their knees knocked together. Before he knew it they were standing in front of the fireplace, wishing their guest a safe return. Once again he was the last to hug Hermione. He thought his hug lasted longer than the others since Harry coughed loudly but in his opinion it wasn't nearly long enough.
With one last blush tinting her cheeks Hermione disappeared within the green flames.
