The Garden

"Hermione?" She heard the familiar voice calling her from the doorway of the Burrows.

"Mhm, I'm here," she answered without looking up from her book. She was taking advantage of the few moments she had away from wedding preparation to enjoy a little leisurely reading. Hermione hadn't had much time for it lately and wasn't sure she would in the coming months either.

The footsteps got closer to her secluded spot in the garden. Hermione knew this small hide away was no secret to any of the Weasley children, but Mrs. Weasley had yet to find her there.

A twin had appeared in the break of the bushes, but he uncharacteristically waited patiently until Hermione had finished the page she was on and looked up at him.

"`Ello, Hermione."

"Oh, hi Fred!" Although she knew he was the one who had called her, she was still surprised when he stood there in front of her. In the years she had known Fred Weasley he had grown into an incredibly handsome man and she could not help the attraction she felt as he looked at her now.

Fred ducked his head slightly to avoid a low hanging limb. "Erm, I was wondering if I might have a word with you?"

Hermione's curiosity sparked and her chest fluttered with excitement. Although she knew she shouldn't get her hopes up. They were basically family after all, and his brother was one of her best mates.

"Sure, of course," she responded as she gestured to the empty space on the bench beside her.

Fred sat quickly and tried to focus his thoughts before he lost his nerve. "Her-Hermione," he stuttered, "Tomorrow night we're going to get Harry and I, I just, I thought I should tell you this now in case, well in case something goes wrong with Mad Eye's plan…" He trailed of slightly as the images of what could happen filled his mind.

He seemed so nervous. Hermione had never seen him like this. He was rarely serious and around her he was always so playful and vivacious.

Fred slowly reached out and took Hermione's hand from where it was placed on her book. "Hermione, I know you're my brother's best mate. I know you're practically a part of this family." He took a deep breath, "But blimey, I adore you!" he blurted out.

Hermione gasped, "Fred, I, I-"

"It's alright if you don't feel the same," he interrupted, "I just couldn't face the possibility of death without you knowing. It's felt like I've been lying to you for the last year 'cause I haven't been honest."

"Fred! Honestly!" She exclaimed before he could go any further.

He hung his head and started to rise from the bench, "Okay, I get it."

"No, you don't get it, Fred." Hermione clasped his hand tighter, preventing him from going anywhere.

He turned and looked at her with puzzled eyes, and then he looked down at their hands and back to her. Hermione could almost see the light bulb click in his mind as he began to grin.

"Now listen to me Fred Weasley and you listen well. You are crazy, you're rarely ever serious, you never took school seriously, you cause chaos everywhere, and you are the complete opposite of me. Everything says I should not care for you like that. However," she smiled, "you make me laugh, you are a loyal friend, a brilliant and successful business man, a wonderful brother, and a charming person."

Fred couldn't help chuckling. While he'd gone straight to the point, Hermione's love of words wouldn't allow anything less than a lengthy declaration.

"What are you laughing at? I'm not finished!"

"Right, sorry, go on," he apologized and gave her hand a little squeeze.

Hermione sighed and smiled at him, "I adore you, too, Fred."

"Are you quite finished now?" Fred asked.

"Yes."

He grinned, "About bloody time. You've made me wait far too long to do this-" he teased before leaning down and gently pressing his lips to hers.