Wow, it's been awhile since I've written a Fred and Hermione story. This will be multi-chaptered, so make sure to check back often for more chapters! Hope you enjoy all the wonderfulness that I don't yet own!
Four Little Words
Chapter 1
Sometimes it amazed Hermione Granger how a simple stringing together of words could change one's life so inexplicably.
I love you.
Marry me.
There's someone else.
And then there were her four little words, harmlessly uttered over a pint of lager that tasted awful, but drowned out her sorrows - I want a baby. The words had been uttered with a whispered sigh in the middle of the Three Broomsticks, with a Weasley twin situated on either side.
"I really do," she implored, her words slurring as she sipped. She looked back and forth between Fred and George, awaiting their reply. Their eyes met, eyebrows raised, as they looked at one another over the brunette's head.
"Come on, Granger, we should get you home," George decided.
Hermione glared at the redhead before downing the rest of her pint. "I thought the whole point of this evening was to cheer me up, lift my spirits. It was your brother who dumped me for that daft dolt, Loony Lovegood."
George chuckled. "I think your spirits have been lifted enough." He reached for her, winding an arm around her back to pull her off the bar stool. But at that moment she gripped Fred's arm, holding her position. A flash of pleading brown eyes at Fred had him relenting and giving in to the girl's every wish.
"I'll get her home," Fred said.
The arm around her back slowly withdrew as George sighed. "I have to meet up with Angelina, but let me know if you need help."
Fred nodded and bade goodbye to his brother. He smiled as the young witch leaned into him and closed her eyes. "I'm staying here for now," she informed him once George was gone. Fred nodded again, remembering that she had lived with his brother, Ron, until the break up.
"I'd feel better if you came back to our flat with me," Fred replied.
"I'm not drunk," she muttered. "I've just been dumped. I'm in mourning."
Fred slipped off his stool, supporting Hermione's weight as he did so. "Come on, let's get you up to bed." She allowed him to help her down, a comforting arm around her waist, as they staggered to the stairs that would lead to the private rooms. Hermione stopped him when they reached the third door on the left of the second floor.
"This one's me," she informed him, fumbling with the room key. Fred gently removed it from her hand and inserted it into the lock, hearing a click. He pushed open the door, allowed her to enter first, and followed. Hermione sat on the bed and fell back, closing her eyes in the process. She patted the mattress beside her, silently asking him to join. The dip of the bedding beside her told he obliged.
"Want to talk about it?" Fred asked quietly. "I mean, I know that was the point of tonight, but you didn't say much. Well, there was 'Ron's an ass' and 'I want a baby', but I'm sure there was more you wanted to get off your chest."
Slowly, Hermione shifted to a seated position. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead she shrugged her shoulders lightly. Fred smiled sympathetically at her and nudged a shoulder against her own.
"You can tell me, ya know," he prodded.
"Why haven't you gotten married yet?" she asked, closing her eyes and leaning against his shoulder. Fred's shoulders shrugged, slightly dislodging the brunette's head. "You're not a bad guy. You should be married."
Fred chuckled. "Wanna marry me, Granger?"
"No," Hermione scoffed. "I'm never getting married."
The redhead looped an arm around her thin shoulders. "Surely you don't feel that way because of Ron."
Hermione opened her eyes, catching the bright blue gaze of Fred's eyes. Slowly, they leaned in towards each other. Eyes fluttered to a close as lips touched softly, chastely. It wasn't long before she deepened the kiss, smiling into it when she felt Fred's hands cup her cheeks.
"We can't do this," Fred panted before her lips moved in a steady line down his neck. "It's wrong. We've been drinking, and you and Ron just broke up."
Hermione pulled away and looked him in the eye. "I am not drunk. And to hell with Ron. He chose someone else, and I can too. And I'm choosing you."
Fred's eyes flicked down to meet Hermione's eyes. She was telling the truth. Her brown eyes shone with passion and love, not inebriation and lust. His head dipped slightly to capture her lips, deepening the kiss as they leaned back into the mattress.
The room was dark, curtains drawn to block out the sunlight. Hermione's head pounded from the night of drinking, and a heavy, unfamiliar weight rested on her stomach. Warm skin grazed her bare back as she snuggled deeper into the blankets. Slowly, ever so slowly, Hermione turned over to face a sleeping Fred Weasley. She should have been freaking out. She should have jumped out of bed, gathered up her clothes, and allowed him to wake up alone in an empty bed. She shouldn't have brushed back the fine locks of red hair that fell over his closed eyes that twitched occasionally. She shouldn't have snuggled furthered into his muscular arms. She shouldn't have placed a kiss on his chin before closing her eyes and falling back to sleep.
Two hours later, Fred awoke and rubbed sleep from his eyes. The first thing they settled on was the slumbering figure of Hermione Granger beside him. Gently, he shook her awake. "Morning," he said with a smile when her eyes opened.
She moved to sit up, rubbing her own eyes. "Morning," she replied. Fred leaned in, planning to kiss her, but Hermione moved away. "Do you regret what we did last night?"
Fred smiled and shook his red. When he leaned in again to kiss her, Hermione allowed his lips to graze hers. His kiss was slow and sweet; a stark contrast to the hungry onslaught of the night before. He pulled away, brushing away a stray strand of curls that fell across Hermione's eyes. "So, what do we do now?" he asked.
"I wasn't...I'm not interested in..." Hermione stuttered.
Fred pulled away, glancing over the side of the bed for his clothes. "You don't want a relationship," he finished for her. "This was a one time, and one time only, kind of thing." He pulled himself off the bed and slipped his pants up his legs. He padded over to the door barefoot, closing the buttons on his shirt. He slipped his shoes on and reached for the doorknob. "I'll see you around, Granger."
Hermione nodded, clutching the bed sheets closer to her nude form. "Yeah, Fred, see you."