Chapter 4

A/N:

The writing fairy who usually plants ideas in my head flew away, therefore I apologize if this chapter is not what you hoped for. I'm not so satisfied with it, but its as good as its going to get. Sorry its so short!

Disclaimer: If you know it, I don't own it.

Fred flung the door open to his air conditioned room and flung himself onto the cool sheets on his bed. He sighed with sweet relief and let the cold sheets cling to his sweaty shirtless body.

Life guarding is hard work! He had to swim, which he discovered isn't too hard, but still felt that wizards did NOT belong in water. Did muggles know what were in those waters? He thought muggles were supposed to be smarter than wizards!

He grabbed a bright red towel and a fresh set of clean clothes and headed to the shower to wash away all of the memories of the earlier day, like he heard muggles often did.

Hermione pulled on her bathing suit, which was red outlined in gold. She smiled at the irony of her house colors, knowing no one would understand why these were the colors she chose. No one, except Fred of course.

Fred. She shook her head as she walked alone to the beach front. Of all the people she could get stuck with, she could think of worse, but this was still not what she had saw in her mind as the perfect summer. They had eaten breakfast this morning, not keeping up much of a conversation; although their roommates had kept up a rousing debate on the perks of living on the east coast to the perks of living on the west coast.

Zeke and Aaron had been spending a lot of time together during the day, and quite honestly, Hermione was becoming suspicious if there wasn't something going on with the two. Aaron deserved someone as smart and well thought out as she was, and well to be blunt about it, Zeke didn't really seem to cut it.

In fact, the more Hermione thought about it, she wondered if she was really thinking about Aaron and Zeke, or if she was really thinking along the lines of her and Ron. Ron just didn't understand her. He never took the time to have an intelligent conversation with her. He only thought of himself. And he always wanted sex.

Sure, she wanted a family. Right after the war ended, she and Ron had tried. And tried. Time after time, failure after failure. Ron used to get angry, saying Hermione didn't really want a family and that she was doing it on purpose. Like she could control when she got pregnant. They hadn't used contraceptive spells and she hadn't been on muggle nor wizard birth control.

She spent months on end crying and blaming herself, but not anymore.

When did this walk become so long? she wondered, finally reaching her destination of cold ocean waves. Turning around and expecting Fred to be there, she was surprised to see she was completely alone on the beach, which she did not complain about.

Quickly dunking her entire body in the salty cold waves, she shivered involuntarily. Sighing with sweet relief she began to float on the water and take in the warm sun rays with the cold water and felt a sense of relaxation for the first time that summer.

Suddenly, she felt the warmth of the sun disappear, causing Hermione to open her eyes to see what was blocking the sunshine. "You," she groaned, seeing Fred and closing her eyes again.

"You're out here alone," he commented, a smile on the corner of his mouth. "Now Granger, there could be Death Eaters about. I don't think this is such a good idea," he teased lightly.

Hermione stood up, the water up to her stomach and splashed a handful in water in Fred's direction, a smug smirk on her face. "Death Eaters Fred?" she mused. "Really? I'm pretty sure there are no Death Eaters in Rhode Island," she countered.

Fred put his hand over his heart and pretended to look hurt. "And I had your best interests at heart!" he contended, pouting and wiping the salt water out of his eyes, the salt making his eyes water. "So I was thinking," he began.

Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise. "That sounds dangerous," she commented. "But continue."

"I resent that!" Fred blurted in protest. "I haven't done anything dangerous to you since we got here! Except when I tossed you in the ocean, but I don't count that, as I was also there to save you; if you needed saving that is," he rambled. Hermione tilted her head to the side. What was he getting at? "At any rate," he continued. "So I was wondering if you wanted to catch dinner on Friday? I've been asking around and everyone says there is a really good little Italian restaurant around the corner; within walking distance mind you-"

Hermione cut him off. "Fred Weasley, are you asking me out on a date?"

Fred looked appalled. "Granger what kind of sleaze do you think I am?" he asked, his face bright red. "I can't be friendly and ask my dear friend Granger to go for a lovely dinner?" he asked, all the heat was gone and quickly replaced with a sweet smile plastered across his face. Almost too sweet.

She eyed him suspiciously. "What are you planning?" she demanded.

"Why sweet Granger, why would I ever do anything to you?" he asked, smile stick spread sickly sweet on his face, as he turned around and walked away.

"I'll figure it out!" she hollered after him, squishing her toes in the sand as she thought.

Over his shoulder he shouted back, "Whatever you say!"

What was she getting herself into now?

I am so sorry this chapter is so cruddy guys. If there is anything you would like to see in this story, don't be afraid to toss some ideas my way! Thanks for reading :D