Authors Note:
I know! Before you even say it, I know! The thing is I'd gotten it into my head that all my stories were rubbish and I gave up. But I looked back over them a few days ago and realised they're not half bad, so I'm continuing. I don't know how long it will be before I update next. I'm saying two weeks max, but then again, you never know… it might be two days!
I hope you enjoy this instalment. Here it is (finally)…
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns it all! Except the plot!!
Quote: Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by out tears once in a while, so that we can see life with a clearer view again!
Breaking the Dam
Hermione and Fred grew close, well, as close as two opposites can be, over the next few weeks. He was the perfect housemate and very entertaining. Hermione told him this one Wednesday and his reply was, "I am a co-founder of Weasleys Wizards Wheezes".
Soon, really soon was Hermiones date with Dean, like tonight soon. And Hermione had absolutely no idea what to wear. So she decided to enlist Fred's help.
She walked down the hall to his room and knocked twice on the wooden door.
"Yellow?" He called from inside.
"It's Hermione"
"Who else could it be? There's only the two of us in the house!"
She opened the door, glaring at him, but then her expression changed. She smiled at her house-mate. Fred was painting 'Weasleys Wizards Wheezes' onto his blue wall, wearing jeans and a hoodie.
"Are you finished decorating yet?" Hermione asked as she sat on the edge of his king-sized bed.
"Nearly, I just gotta paint that wall over there" He pointed at the one near the window. It was currently cream. Though what colour he intended to paint it, Hermione had no idea, "What'd you want anyway?" He asked her, wiping the excess paint off his hands and onto his hoodie.
"I need your help" Hermione announced. Freds mouth opened and he looked like a fish, "I need you to help dress me" Hermione continued, enjoying winding him up. His open mouth widened, "For a date" His jaw was nearly detached from his face, "With Dean Thomas" It shut straight away, "Is that okay?" Hermione finished.
"Yeah of course, why else would you want me to dress you?" Fred asked, smirking at her. He followed Hermione out of his room and into hers. He sat on her window seat and stared at her.
"Okay, so I don't know whether to wear my black dress. My new jeans or my white skirt" Hermione informed him slowly.
"Try them on"
"What? All of them?"
Fred nodded. Hermione sighed as she got her skirt and a top out of a dresser.
"No peaking" She told him and he smothered his face with one of her pillows.
Fred was lucky Hermione couldn't see his face because at that moment he was grinning like a fool into her pillow.
"Can I look yet Hermsy?" He asked after a minute.
"Uh – yeah"
He took away the pillow from his eyes. It was weird seeing Hermione out of her non-flattering clothes and robes, but in skirts and tight tops.
"Out of ten?" She asked tentatively, fingering the lace at the hem of skirt.
Fred looked her over. The white knee length skirt had two layers and was pulled up in places and tied with pink bows. Her top was a pale pink vest top; it was layered over a white t-shirt and looked gorgeous. But for some reason Fred wanted to see her in the others and let Dean see her in none.
"Six" He told her, looking at what she was wearing and internally thinking it was an eight or nine.
"Okay, turn around, I'm changing"
"It's not like its anything I've never seen before. On other girls obviously, but I saw you in a bathing suit! And that time you walked into my room at home thinking it was Ginny's after you'd showered!" He taunted in a sing-song voice.
"I know. How could I forget?" Hermione said, blushing furiously, "But turn around anyway"
He did as he was told and covered his face with the pillow again. He could hear her undressing and re-dressing and experienced the strange sensation that came when goosebumps appeared on your arms.
"I'm ready" He heard Hermione say.
He dropped the pillow.
"Whoa" Fred was stunned.
"What?" She asked, tugging at a strand of her curly hair nervously.
Her jeans were a skinny fit and looked like they were painted on. They were dark denim, nearly black. She wore a silver metallic top with two chunky black straps. Her shoes were silver ballet pumps.
"You look…" Fred couldn't think of anything to say.
"Oh Merlin! Fred Weasley is speechless, probably for the first time in his life!" Hermione teased.
"Actually, I had Laryngitis when I was ten!" He said, paling at the memory.
"Well?" She pressed.
"Uh, a bare seven. You're only scraping it though!" Fred joked. Hermione stuck out her tongue at him.
He really didn't want Dean to see Hermione looking like this! Fred hoped to god that her next outfit was a bin bag so he could tell her to wear that out with Dean. But after seeing her like this, he figured she could pull that off any day!
"Okay, last time. Close your eyes" Hermione instructed.
Fred shut his eyes and covered them with his hands. He spread out his fingers, trying to catch a glimpse of her. Her back was turned towards him. It was tanned and had a few freckles. It seemed to go on forever and to stop himself from reaching out and grabbing her he shut his eyes and put the pillow back up to his face.
"Ahem" Hermione gave a very Umbridge-like cough, interrupting his mental war.
He turned and caught his breath. She had put on sandals to give the dress effect; it came to above her knees. It had a square neckline, showing the tiniest hint of her cleavage. It was simple black with a metallic silver belt under her bust. She twirled. She looked perfect in Freds' opinion but he couldn't let her know that.
"Eight" He hoarsely managed to say, after his voice had returned.
"So, this one, I should wear tonight then?" Hermione asked him, her brown eyes searching his blue ones.
"Uh…whatever you're most comfortable in" He replied roughly, looking out the window, hoping his eyes didn't give away what he really thought of her in the dress.
She smiled, showing perfect teeth, thanks to Madam Pompfrey in fourth year. How had he never noticed her before now??
She's Rons best friend and his ex-girlfriend. She's a no-go zone. Just act like her goofy house-mate. He scolded himself. He was, and only ever would be two things in her eyes; firstly, her house-mate and secondly, Rons older brother.
"You look gorgeous Hermione" He told her honestly.
She blushed and looked at the floor, he took his chance. Fred charged at her and threw her over his shoulder in a rugby tackle.
"FRED WEASLEY! PUT ME DOWN NOW!" She screeched.
He ran downstairs with her over his shoulder, screaming bloody murder.
"FRED!" She roared at him while slapping his back. She was trying to hurt him so that he'd put her down, but he didn't feel a thing.
"HERMIONE" He screamed back at her. She managed to reach a cushion and whacked him across the head.
"ARGH!" Soon he'd dropped her onto the sofa but a pillow fight had ensued. Neither of them noticed Dean watching from the front window.
"Let-go-of-me" Hermione said as Fred had grabbed her around the waist. Each word meant he got hit with a cushion. He swung her around; she was laughing though, so much she could barely breathe.
"Oh No! HERMSY!" He roared dramatically.
Fred then proceeded to act like a doctor, conjuring up the uniform and all, which sent Hermione into another fit of hysterics.
"Is CPR okay with you Madam?" He asked, faking seriousness. Hermione was now shaking on the floor with laughter.
"Okay" Fred said grinning, his eyes lighting up, "Here I go-"
RRRING!
"Uh – Fred – door" Hermione managed, gasping for air.
"I can hear y'know!"
He strode over and pulled the door open, his grin becoming a scowl as he saw it was Dean Thomas.
"Dean" He said then stepped aside.
"Oh! Dean! Talk with Fred, give me five minutes" Hermione ran back upstairs like a bullet, leaving an extremely tense atmosphere at the door. Fred waved his wand and the Doctors Scrubs disappeared and he was back in his jeans and his paint stained hoodie.
"So" Dean said, swinging his arms awkwardly, "You live here now?"
"I have since her second night here" Fred replied coolly.
After a short silence Dean spoke again, "How's Weasley Wizard Wheezes going for you and George?"
Fred looked at him. He was wearing a shirt over dressy jeans and a suit jacket.
"It's going just fine, thanks" said Fred. He glared at Dean who started playing with his fingernails under the intensity.
Hermione appeared, running down the stairs, wearing the skirt, top and ballet pumps. She'd dressed it up with a wrap. Fred wondered what had happened to her 'little black dress', so too, he noted had Dean, his eyes were puzzled and one eyebrow quirked up in surprise. But then he smiled at her.
Hermione said goodbye to Fred, who merely nodded, his eyes fixed on Dean. They left and Fred closed the door, watching them dissapparate, holding hands.
"Stupid Dean bloody Thomas. What's he got that I don't?" He shouted at the purple wall. His paranoia got the better of him and everywhere he looked he saw Dean with Hermione.
"Get OUT of my house!" He roared at the wall again. He got so frustrated he punched the said wall in a flash of fury, with all the strength he could muster. He made a massive hole. Pulling his hand away, he saw his whole hand covered in blood; his knuckles had split open and he felt like he'd sprained his wrist
"Shit. That hurt" He muttered, trying to stop himself groaning in agony. He heard the distant rumble of thunder.
"A storm! How absolutely fantastic" He grumbled sarcastically to the empty room.
Fred resigned himself to a night infront of the TV with chocolate frogs and pumpkin pasties. He put frozen peas on his hand to numb the painful throbbing and the ache in his wrist. Turning on the television he found that his favourite show, Jerry Springer, was on.
"Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" He chanted aloud with the audience. After ten minutes or so his mind began to wander.
Where did he take her? Does Hermione even like him? Of course she does you idiot, why else would she go out with him? But why'd she change her clothes? Not that I'm complaining, I don't want him ogling her all night. Have they kissed by now? Will she stay at his house and then they fall madly in love and I have to move out for him to move in? And I become like, a guy, not even Freddie to Hermione anymore. I could so not do that. But I should be able to. I mean I'm only acting like any protective brother would, right? A voice in his head sniggered. Right, because you don't have any feelings for her at all! Shut up you fool! She's just Rons bossy, bookworm of a best friend who I happen to live with now. Note to self: Watch something else to take your mind off her.
Just when Fred had calmed himself down he 'saw' Hermione and Dean kissing. He threw a vase at them and it shattered against the wall, because it was all in his mind, his very confused, jealous and angry mind.
Fred then decided Jerry couldn't help him so he 'accioed' himself a bottle of firewhisky and he put on his favourite movie. Hermione had rented it out for him two weeks ago, but he'd loved it so much that she'd bought it for him. He vaguely remembered her blushing as he'd hugged her as thanks. He pressed play and was soon engrossed in the story. Groundhog Day, is a movie where a muggle actor Bill Murray, woke up to find the day repeating itself, and he had to figure out what was making this happen. Three hours, and two movies later, Fred was getting anxious, more so than he'd been all night.
Where are they?
He got out another movie and was about to put it in the DVD player when he heard a soft 'pop' outside, and then he heard two voices. Fred froze in his actions, listening intently. He couldn't hear anything.
"Accio, Extendable Ears" He whispered, flicking his wand.
His and George's Extendable Ears were probably their best invention to date yet. He put one in his ear and the flesh coloured wire went out an open window.
"…great time with you Hermione" Dean was saying.
"I had a great time too. I never knew you were that funny!"
"Yeah, well, most of it was unintentional. I mean the thing I said to the waiter for instance. I thought I was saying it was nice place"
Hermione burst out laughing.
"How was I to know I was inviting him to a strip club?" Dean finished. He was laughing along with Hermione now.
Fred was really confused. He brought Hermione to a strip club?
"Well Dean, next time I think I should pick where we go!" Hermione said with a small laugh.
"N-next time?" Dean asked, sounding perplexed. Fred leaned closer even though there was no need. He just had to hear her reply; Dean was voicing Fred's thoughts.
"Yeah, why not?" Hermione asked.
Because this date was such a disaster. I mean look at us, we're soaked! We fell into a lake! How can that be a good thing?"
"Dean, you're a great guy. And that's what I'd like to get to know you as. Not Dean from school or Dean my old boss, but just… Dean!"
Dean laughed and Fred caught a glimpse of him, through the curtain, as he tucked a strand of Hermiones hair behind her ear. Hermione smiled up at him. Jealousy unlike anything he'd experienced before boiled up inside Fred.
"Night Dean" Hermione said softly.
"Good night Hermione" Dean leaned in and kissed Hermiones cheek, and then he apparated away.
Fred tugged the ears back and managed to vanish them just as Hermione entered the house.
"Nice night?" He asked. Fred was horrified to hear his voice sound so cold. Hermione looked taken aback.
"Uh huh" She answered absently, her eyes taking in the room, "What… er… only, what happened here?" She asked, with one eyebrow raised.
Fred looked around, cringing at the mess. There was the hole in the wall, the broken vase, the frozen peas, cushions everywhere.
"I, uh, was watching wrestling. Sorry" He finally managed. Hermione thought nothing of his feeble excuse, and cleaned the room with a wave of her wand, "Scourigfy"
"So… your night… Was it good?" Fred asked again, his voice back to normal, except for a slight edge he couldn't rid it of.
Hermione didn't answer right away. She took off her shoes and her wrap and walked out to the kitchen to boil the kettle. Her hair was soaked, and her clothes were stuck to her. They showed off her figure even better when they were wet. Fred was annoyed at himself for noticing this. She turned to face Fred who'd followed her out.
"It was a brilliant night. He's really funny" Hermione said, getting out a mug for herself.
"Oh, really?" Fred asked, trying to keep his tone polite.
I'm funny! I own a joke shop! How much funnier can you get??
"Yeah. He took me to France actually" She said, smiling slightly.
"WHAT?" Fred yelped, stunned, "FRANCE?"
"I know! I said the same thing! He was trying to impress me by speaking French but got all muddled up. It was so cute"
Fred managed a harsh laugh. Because he new she was waiting for one.
"Then we were just walking around, and before I knew it, he'd pushed me playfully and I kind of tripped. Then we both fell into a lake!" Hermione finished, her eyes wide.
"Are you going to see him again? Do you like him?" Fred asked, a not of urgency in his voice, that he hoped Hermione didn't pick up on.
Hermione took her time to answer. She made herself a cup of coffee, as the kettle had boiled.
"I can't tell after one date Fred! Jeez, give a girl a break!" Hermione said jokingly, rolling her eyes.
"But shouldn't you know?" Fred persisted, wanting to know for certain, "Shouldn't here be… a spark or something?"
"It's just… time is going by so fast. I feel like in a blink years have passed. Ron's engaged and Harry's dating Luna…" Hermione said quietly.
"Lovegood?" Fred asked, shocked.
"The one and only" She said, smiling.
"I did not see that one coming" Fred said, shaking his head.
"I think I will see Dean again" Hermione said after a pause. She sipped her coffee, "I mean, there's no one else and Dean's a decent guy, so why not? Because at his rate everyone will be married with children and I'll be their 'single best friend' who slowly becomes 'the babysitter'. So why shouldn't I go out with Dean, I don't want to be lonely any more. We'll see where it goes. I need someone, because even when I was with Ron, I was still alone. I always am… ever since… Hagrid" Hermione spoke softly, but she barely whispered Hagrids name. She turned her head and looked out the kitchen window at the restless sea.
Fred tried to think of the last time Hermiones eyes had shone brightly. And it stunned him to realise it was just before the war, the last time he'd seen her truly happy, was when she gave Harry, Ron, and Hagrid a big hug, each in turn, on the night before the final battle. He remembered Hagrid hugging her tightly, and patting her so that her knees buckled. She'd laughed and made him promise to do it on her birthday. Fred shook his head to get rid of tears that threatened to fall as he remembered his friend. Hagrid hadn't lived to keep his promise to Hermione. And she hadn't been the same since. He'd always though of her as what held the trio together, but sadly he noted that they weren't the same trio they'd always been. Hermione was just a shell of her former self. She'd become fragile and depressed, immersing herself into her dead end job, and no had noticed. Not even Harry and Ron, who were her supposed two best friends.
As Fred looked at her, he saw a single tear roll down her face.
"Hermione, don't cry" He said softly.
She looked up at him with pools of tears forming in her eyes.
"I'm not crying" She whispered.
He put his hand on her face and collected one of her tears that were now sliding down her face, on to his index finger. He held the tear drop up for her to see.
"Then what's this?" He asked her, laughing slightly.
"Water" She said, giving him a feeble smile.
"Of course it is! Why would I even think that it was a tear?" He stared at her, remembering her clothes were soaked.
She must be frozen.
"Come here" Fred said as he pulled her towards him. She put her mug down and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'll mind you" Fred said soothingly.
He started drawing small circles on her back. Slowly Hermione wrapped her arms around him. She sniffed, trying to stop crying, but she couldn't hold back the tears, and after a few minutes it was like a damn broke and the tears came crashing down. She cried for hours, every sob making her shake. She clung to Fred, he was the only thing that could save her in this flood. With every new sob of Hermione's, Fred's heart ached. He had never seen anyone this distraught. It was hard for him because he could always make people laugh. But he couldn't do anything in this situation except to let her cry… to hold her… to be there for her.
Just as light started to brighten up the black horizon, Hermiones tears finally stopped. He cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face up to his.
"You okay now Mione?" Fred asked her quietly, smiling down at her.
She sniffed, "Yeah… now… thanks to you" Her voice was all cracked from crying.
"I didn't do anything" Fred replied, wondering what she thought he'd done.
"You were there for me. No ones been there for me… not for a long time" She looked away as she said this.
Fred surprised himself for feeling anger of all things.
I need to have a long talk with Harry and Ron soon.
"Thank you Fred Weasley. Thank you so much" Hermione said quietly. She stood up on her tip toes and kissed him on the cheek. She went up to finally get some well needed sleep.
This left Fred slightly pink as his skin tingled where her lips had touched his cheek. He was alone except for his thoughts.
Hermione… I will always be here. If it's the last thing I do I will save you. I'll make you eyes shine…I promise.
"I promise" Fred muttered to himself, "I'll save you Mione"
Then he looked outside and saw the sun had nearly fully risen. So he headed up to bed. First he wrote George an owl, to say he'd be late for work. Then he crashed onto his bed, and drifted off to sleep. Thinking that, at least for now, Hermione was okay.
Authors Note:
So there you have it! I hope it wasn't too depressing but Hermione needs to cleanse herself of her depression so… she had to cry! Also I got my hair cut today and I totally hate it, so maybe that's why this is the most depressing instalment! Sorry! The next chapter will be much more light hearted and will have Fred back to his best! And a shocking letter arrives with Pigwidgeon! Oooh! The anticipation! I've it written out already, I just have to add to it and type it up! Shouldn't take too long! So if you have time, please let me know what you thought! I hope the ends of chapters aren't becoming repetitive, but I like ending them with Fred and his last thought always being of Hermione!
Love (as always!),
FireboltPheonix