Craving Curves by WeasleyForMe
Fred is surprised to find how much Hermione has grown up since her days as the Gryffindor bookworm. He's even more surprised by how much he wants her. Hermione/Fred rated M.
Birthday Story for Preetoaka Raven Potter Weasley! Happy Birthday! Thanks to Clover Bay for beta reading this story :)
Hermione could feel Fred's sapphire eyes burning into her skin as she came up to the small group. For the briefest moment, she recalled her dreams from the previous night and had to suppress a giggle. She smiled at them as her heart fluttered, and it didn't matter where she looked, she knew his eyes were on her.
"Hey, Hermione," Alicia greeted with a hug. "It's great to see you, and nice to have a girl come out with us," she laughed, nodding her head to the twins. "You know those two and their never-ending nonsense."
Hermione laughed and returned the hug. She was happy to see Alicia was wearing a formfitting top and heels as well; she knew she would feel less out of place in Ginny's chosen ensemble.
"She had no choice but to come with us," Fred said with a lopsided smile.
"That's right, we owe her at least fifty drinks and twenty dinners," George added draping an arm around her. "Now where would you like to go? The Leaky Cauldron? Or perhaps the Hangman's Rope? Maybe the Witch's Wart?"
Alicia scoffed. "We are not going to any of those hole-in-the-wall bars where you boys enjoy sloshing about with a pint. That's no way to repay Hermione for her help!" The twins both frowned sadly at her.
"Why don't we try Silk City Tavern?" Hermione suggested. "I've been there once, but it was very crowded."
"Yeah, I guess so," George agreed.
"Only if we can still slosh about," Fred added with a laugh.
They headed up the block, chatting about this and that, and soon Hermione felt Fred's hand come to rest on the small of her back.
"You look stunning," he whispered to her. "You always look beautiful, but I'm partial to purple," he added, running his fingers along the soft fabric of her blouse.
She was almost afraid to meet his eyes, and when she did, she felt the chill he always seemed to give her. "Thank you, Fred," she said, managing a coy smile. Ginny had been useful after all, making sure Hermione was wearing his favourite colour.
Simply knowing that Fred had been referring to her as the leggy girl from Gringotts gave a boost to her ego. She watched as Fred nervously licked his lips as she walked closer to him. "And, you look pretty good yourself," she purred as they reached their destination.
Fred froze on the sidewalk as she sauntered into the tavern behind Alicia and George.
"Coming?" she asked sweetly, holding the door open for him.
He eagerly followed her inside and had to force himself to not touch her again. "This is going to be a long night," he muttered as they found a small booth in the back.
"What can I get for you?" a waitress asked them as Fred squeezed onto the bench next to Hermione.
"A pint," Alicia requested.
"Same," George added.
"Me, also," Hermione piped in.
Fred leaned close to the waitress and quickly mumbled something.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," she told him.
"I said I'll have a Sugar Plum Spritzer, please," he managed to say loud enough for her to hear while still hiding behind his hand.
She gave him a worried look and walked away to get their drinks.
"Really?" George asked. "You really just ordered a spritzer?"
Alicia was trying to contain her laughter as Hermione leaned closer to Fred and gently patted his back. "Does that have any alcohol in it, or do you just like the little umbrellas?" she asked in an overly sweet voice.
"Oh sod off, all three of you. They taste good, and you know it, George. You drank ten of them at Lee's wedding!"
They were still poking fun at Fred when the waitress returned; his pastel pink beverage did in fact come with a tiny yellow umbrella and a fruit skewer. "Ok, laugh it up," Fred said as he bit a piece of pineapple off the end of the skewer, "but I'm not sharing my mango with you." He finished the fruit pieces and winked at Hermione.
"Oh! I love this song!" Alicia squealed, pulling George up and dragging him to the dance floor. George bounced around his wife, trying not to slosh his beer everywhere.
"Would you like to join them?" Fred asked Hermione. For the first time all evening, her confidence wavered; she was a dismal dancer.
"Uhh…." She peeked over his shoulder to watch George flailing around completely lacking rhythm, miming to the bartender that he wanted another beer. She couldn't possibly end up looking that ridiculous, right?
"Sure," she agreed, smiling at Fred.
He grinned back and quickly finished his spritzer, and then he tucked the tiny umbrella behind her ear. "Lovely," he told her, taking her by the hand. They found a spot near Alicia and George during a fast song.
Hermione eyed Fred nervously, and he frowned slightly in response. "I'm not a very good dancer," they both blurted simultaneously over the music, and then they erupted into laughter.
Fred pulled her closer and then turned her into a fast spin. Hermione gasped in surprise, but she was facing Fred again before she could really react. Then he led her in circle around the floor, dancing a polka-tango to the fast rhythmic music.
"We must look ridiculous!" Hermione mused over the noise.
Fred leaned close to her ear. "Not as bad as George. Never as bad as George!"
Hermione looked to see his twin jumping up and down wildly next to Alicia, who happened to be extremely coordinated by comparison. "You're right!" she exclaimed, practically getting giddy from looking into Fred's eyes. His arms were around her waist, and she felt so happy, she almost forgot that her new shoes were uncomfortable and her hair was probably getting frizzy.
"Ready for another drink?" George asked, interrupting her thoughts.
They started to head back to their booth to take a break. "Join me in the loo first," Alicia demanded with a smile before they made it that far.
Hermione followed her into the trendy ladies' room to freshen up. "So?" Alicia asked excitedly.
"So what?" Hermione asked, caught off guard and confused.
Alicia was practically jumping out of her skin. "So how long have you and Fred been seeing each other?"
"Oh, well we aren't," Hermione replied.
"Right, and I'm Merlin's great-grandmother," Alicia retorted. "When George told me we were going on a double date, I was excited. And then when I heard you were Fred's date, I was ecstatic!"
Hermione was puzzled. "Who told you I was going as his date? The twins just invited me out for a few drinks as a means of thanking me for helping them out. I, well, nobody really said it was a date," Hermione finished, suddenly very nervous.
"Oh! Then I misunderstood!" Alicia said apologetically. "I guess I was just hoping George knew something that I didn't."
Hermione eyed Alicia who suddenly didn't look so innocent as she bit her lip.
"Maybe I might have overheard Fred mention that he thinks you're attractive," Alicia gushed guiltily.
"Is that so?" Hermione muttered. Ginny and Alicia had both confirmed it, and Hermione's determination was renewed. "Maybe you can help me," she told Alicia who was all ears.
The girls chatted quietly on their way back to the table, returning to find plates of food and another round of Sugar Plum Spritzers for everyone.
"We got hungry," Fred informed them.
"And luckily the kitchen is still open," George added. The girls were no match for their identical, charming smiles, and soon the four of them were digging into the various snacks.
"This drink actually is pretty good," Hermione admitted after a few sips of the frozen drink.
"Would I steer you wrong?" Fred asked her, clearly pleased that she was enjoying it.
"Is that a trick question?" she countered.
"Have I ever been one to play tricks?" he asked, leaning closer.
She laughed. "That's an easy one. Yes."
"Well that may be so, but perhaps I've grown up a little since your days as a Prefect," he suggested with a shrug, running his fingers through her hair to adjust the yellow umbrella.
Hermione saw past the playfulness in his eyes to something deeper, and suddenly it felt like they were completely alone. "Maybe you have. I'd like to find out," she whispered, aware that his eyes were glued on her lips.
Alicia let out a very exaggerated yawn and quickly stood. "Wow, I'm exhausted. Time to go, George," she said, pulling him out of the booth after her.
"Wait! I'm not done eating," he whined, grabbing a plate of chips to take with him.
"Have a good night you two," Alicia called, grinning as they left.
Fred waved, slightly puzzled; Hermione just smiled at Alicia.
"Well, I'm not tired yet," Hermione informed him innocently with a glint in her eye.
"Sneaky," Fred told her, narrowing his eyes and smirking. "I appreciate that in a woman."
Smiling, Hermione just sipped her drink and planned out her next move.
I had to split the evening into two parts. More to come soon! Please leave me a review and let me know what you think :)
