Chapter 1
One Night
It happened at Shell Cottage. The night after their escape from Malfoy Manor. Fred had gotten word that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had narrowly escaped death and fled to his brother's house. Immediately, he left for the cottage by the sea. He knew he shouldn't, but he had to. He had to see her.
It was nearly midnight when a knock came at the kitchen door of Shell Cottage. Hermione, Bill, and Fleur all jumped at the unexpected noise and quickly drew their wands. They had been the only ones still awake at this point and were all very cautious of the unexpected visitor of the other side of the back door.
"Whoever is at my door, answer me this; friend or foe?" said Bill evenly as he reached the door, reciting the security question.
"I am neither friend nor foe," came the response. "I am family."
Hermione's heart jumped to her throat as she recognized the voice of one Fred Weasley. Her boyfriend. She let out a small gasp as her hand flew to her lips. Bill's head snapped back to look at her with concerned, questioning eyes.
"You need to ask me my question and I need to ask yours," came Fred's voice again.
Bill had turned to answer when Hermione spoke quietly to him. "Would you mind if I asked him? Please, Bill?"
Trusting Hermione and only hesitating slightly, Bill nodded and stood aside to allow her access to the door. Nervous, Hermione only took a few small steps toward the door. Her hands shook slightly as she asked the question that she and Fred had settled on before she, Harry, and Ron had left to hunt Horcruxes.
"Fred Weasley," she said with more confidence than she felt. "Where did you and I share our first kiss?"
Bill and Fleur exchanged looks of shock and astonishment at her question. No one in the entire family would have expected this.
"The Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts on my eighteenth birthday."
Hermione nodded slightly to Bill and said to Fred," Correct. Your turn."
"What was the last promise we made to each other?" he asked through the door.
Hermione sighed before giving her answer with a slight smile on her face at the memory of their silly promise. "We promised to survive. And we also promised to always set off fireworks on our anniversary."
"And when is our anniversary?" he said in a small, gentle voice, much unlike his usual joyous tones. Bill had never heard him speak so lovingly.
"June eighth. We've been together almost two years now," replied Hermione with a small smile and a twinkle in her eyes.
"That's right," said Fred as Bill opened the door for him.
The second Bill opened the door, Fred and Hermione flung themselves at each other, holding the other in a tight embrace and relishing in each other's warm touch. "Fred," said Bill, drawing the attention of the couple. Fred reluctantly released Hermione and turned to his brother, embracing him briefly.
Fred turned back to Hermione and sighed. He held her close and placed his head on her chin. He sighed out of relief and said, "I'm so glad you're alive."
Hermione breathed in his scent deeply and released a shuddering breath, her whole body shaking as she began to cry. With a knowing smile, Fleur hold of Bill's hand and led him upstairs to bed, giving Hermione and Fred some privacy.
Fred kissed the top of her head and she smiled. Without saying a word, Hermione too Fred by the hand and pulled him into the sitting room, gently guiding him to the couch where she had slept the night before. She kissed him heatedly after casting a quick silencing charm around the room. N owords were needed to know what Hermione wanted from Fred, and he quickly obliged.
An hour later, Hermione found herself naked, resting her head on Fred's shoulder as he held her close. She sighed contentedly. In her opinion, that night, the night she lost her virginity, couldn't have been any better. She just hope that, in the end, it would all be worth it.
She was right, it was. But it also wasn't.