Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Falling
Chapter 2: Daydreams
Hermione sat watching another Quidditch practice on a cool October afternoon. This was something she'd done all six years at Hogwarts, but for the first time she was envious of the players. Even Ron enjoyed his air time through his constant anxiety.
The further the school year went, the more worried she became. She had the normal worries about classes, of course. She worried about Ron on the Quidditch team. Mostly she worried about Harry's lessons with Dumbledore and what they meant.
The more worries she had the more Hermione wished she was back at the Burrow flying with Fred. But she worried about that too. Before that week at the Burrow she hadn't thought much about Fred. He was one of Ron's many older brothers. He was a mischievous guy who was always planning something with his twin. He was quite clever; the products at their shop were proof of that. If only he would use his cleverness for good instead of pranks.
Now when she thought of Fred more than those things came to mind. She thought of the wind screaming past them when they reached the top speed she was comfortable with. She thought of his arm steadfast around her waist.
She remembered his scent, this indescribably wonderful smell that was all his own. After listening to Ginny and the other girls talk for hours on end about their boyfriends, Hermione learned that all boys had their own scent and loving a boy's scent was an absolute must for him to be your boyfriend. Not to like it was a sure sign of the relationship's doom.
All of this put together had Hermione more confused then she had ever been about anything in her entire life. She huffed loudly enough at this painfully common thought for Lavender and the other girls watching the practice to look at her strangely. Hermione gave them an embarrassed smile and decided that she had done enough watching and it was time for some doing.
*****
Hermione went back to her room and flopped onto her bed. Hogwarts: A History lay there mocking her. The book was not the escape that it used to be. She unceremoniously shoved the book under her bed.
Although the room was currently empty, she drew the curtains around her bed before pulling out the only thing she'd taken from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes: a Patented Daydream Charm. Fred had given it to her for free after she'd said the charm was "extraordinary magic". At the time, she never thought she would use it. Up until a week ago it laid collecting dust at the bottom of her truck. But lately she couldn't help thinking what would happen if she used it. And now her curiosity won out.
She said the simple incantation and the world began to melt away. The morning dew clung to her shoes as she walked through the grass behind the Burrow. Hermione recognized this moment. It was the morning they were leaving for Hogwarts, that's why it was so early. Fred said that he would take her for one last flight before she left.
A wind gust came from behind her, almost knocking Hermione off her feet. And then he was there. And then they were in the air. But here the daydream departed from the memory. Now they were going higher and faster than she had ever dared. They leaned sideways into sharp curves and went through loops that turned her upside-down. It all reminded her of a roller coaster at an amusement park that had frightened her years ago. But now she loved it all. There simply was no fear.
*****
The next day she sent an order to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes for two more Daydream Charms.
A day later, a note came back to her from Fred.
'Mione,
I assume that you used the Daydream Charm I gave you and enjoyed it.
The only way you will be getting more is if you tell me what you saw.
This is purely for research purposes, of course.
Your pilot,
Fred
Hermione spent two weeks debating whether the Daydream Charms were worth the sure embarrassment of admitting her daydream to Fred.
She made her decision the night after Griffindor's first Quidditch game. Between the fake Felix Felicis dose and seeing Lavender permanently connected to Ron, Hermione was at her wits end. She had liked Ron for years despite how oblivious he was and what sometimes came out of his mouth. When she saw Ron and Lavender together she had expected to feel out of her mind with jealousy towards Lavender. But the sight instead filled her with jealously towards Ron, because he had someone to be wrapped around.
Of course, this realization didn't stop her from sending dive-bombing birds at Ron's head—that was too good of an opportunity to miss after he'd been a prat about the Felix Felicis.
Directly after "the bird incident" Hermione went to the Owlery.
Fred,
I will trade you one daydream explanation for a flight over Christmas holiday.
Your rider,
Hermione
An answer came the next afternoon during lunch.
"Who sent you a note Herm—," Ron's question was cut off by Hermione's glare.
"Let's get going to class," Harry quickly said, trying to keep the peace between his two best friends.
Brilliant 'Mione,
Ginny says you sent birds flying at my brother's head. Brilliant. That's such a great idea you could sell it. Mind if I try?
I assume from your request that you long for my presence. And I suppose that a flight at Christmas is a good trade for daydream information. I also assume that you have not tried flying on your own or with someone else yet. But then, once you've flown with me how can anything else compare?
Your Christmas pilot,
Fred
Author's Note: I'm not sure if every girl feels this way about a guy's scent, but I think most girls I know do. A particular conversation my friends and I had about this inspired it's inclusion in the story.
