Disclaimer: It's M for a reason, folks. Last chance to turn around! Also - second verse same as the first. Not mine, no profit, etc etc, Henry VIII and so on.

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Chapter 7

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Fred was in his room, running his hand through his hair. George had outlined a plan for him to woo Hermione. A bold plan, with a great deal of panache. This evening had been a step towards that, and they had had plans for Ginny and Harry's wedding as well, but the thing he had never foreseen was Hermione admitting that she was developing feelings for him. She had actually said that she was falling for him, and was worried over it. He couldn't believe his luck. Fred Weasley, joker extraordinaire, matched with the perfect prefect Hermione Granger, and they were falling for each other. And it wasn't even a case of opposites attracting; Fred had come to realize that they had a very good deal in common.

This was insane. What he was about to do was insane, and he knew it. But instinct and impulsiveness had always been a part of his make-up, and he wasn't going to let anything as silly as plans or fears stand in his way. Decision made, he nodded to his reflection, summoned a small bag from his wardrobe and returned to the living room, where Hermione was again perched on the edge of the couch, looking for all the world like she was about to bolt.

"Hey," he said softly. He again sat on the coffee table, opposite from her. He handed her the small brown bag. "I've had this for about a week. This wasn't quite how I intended it go, but it feels right. I want you to have this." Hermione took the bag, but her hands were visibly shaking as she opened the bag and pulled from inside a small jewelry box.

"Fred?" she questioned timidly, afraid to open the box. He took it from her and opened it so she could see the contents – a large, pale green-blue stone the color of a calm ocean, in a sparkling oval cut, completely surrounded by tiny pavé set diamonds, which also continued on either side of the delicate band, all set in a silvery metal. Hermione gulped and looked at Fred with large, wide eyes, already tearing up.

"It's a green amethyst. I know Muggles do big diamond rings, but it's not quite how we do it in the Wizarding world. Gemstones have meanings, you know, and are imbued with their own special traces of magic, so what you give to someone has a lot of meaning. The witch at the jeweler's helped me find this. Amethysts are for deep love and passion, the fact it's green emphasizes constant, deep friendship in marriage, and diamonds of course are for constancy, brilliance and purity of love. It's sort of all the things I'm feeling for you and hoping for us." Tears spilled down Hermione's face. Fred took her hand in his, the ring held in the other. "I know you didn't choose this, that neither of us did. But for whatever reason, we've been thrown together. And I'm falling in love with you. And so I want to give you this, to ask you, for myself, will you marry me?"

Hermione slowly nodded while the tears spilled down her face. Fred let out a relieved sigh, and slid the ring onto her left ring finger, where it magically adjusted to fit her finger. He admired it for a moment, then leaned forward and again wiped the tears from her eyes, then softly kissed her lips. The kiss remained soft, sweet, chaste. He brushed the hair back from her forehead and kissed there too. They remained like this for some time before Fred pulled back and finally said, "Er, Mione? Please say something."

"It's beautiful, Fred. The ring is beautiful, and what it means, and the fact that you asked me. It's beautiful." She sniffled a little.

"Do you really like it? I suppose I should have taken you along with me. If you don't like it, we can exchange it for something else when we go buy our rings. But I sort of thought you would." He felt that he was babbling, so he stopped.

"No, it's absolutely perfect. Really. Thank you Fred. Thank you so much." She leaned forward and kissed him this time, a more passionate kiss than what he bestowed on her. When it ended, she looked at him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "So this was not the surprise then?"

He laughed a bit and rubbed his neck. "No. I had sort of thought that maybe we take a bath together. The tub is bigger than the pond at the Burrow, and I'm sure you can transfigure something into a bathing costume, so I'm not suggesting anything outlandish. Unless, you know, you're interested." And just like that, Fred had returned to his cocky, confident self.

"Actually, that sounds heavenly. Provided we are both wearing swimming costumes, Fred." She leveled a warning glare at him. He smiled and said he would go turn on the taps to start the tub filling, and change into his swimwear, and leave her to transform her own attire. He kissed her hand before releasing it, and then was gone. She stayed a moment, staring at her engagement ring, watching it twinkle and sparkle in the firelight. It was stunning, eye-catching in it's delicate style and unusual color. She shook her head to rouse herself, then removed the shirt and pyjama pants she'd been wearing, and closing her eyes, she pointed her wand at her underclothes and with a muttered incantation, she was suddenly no long wearing a cute bra and knickers, but a smart black two piece bathing costume. More daring than she might normally choose, but hardly risqué. Picking up the clothing, she entered the bathroom, to find the tub had rapidly filled, and with a thick layer of bubbles that carried the scents of jasmine and lavender to her. Fred looked her up and down and blinked.

"Wow. How you managed to hide that body under robes for years, I cannot fathom." Hermione's cheeks turned pink, but she let Fred help her into the tub. She sank quickly down to bottom step and leaned back, enjoying the feeling of the warm water. "Right, I'm going to get drinks. What would you like? More wine? Butterbeer? Ale? Pumkpin juice? Water? Hot Cocoa?"

"Butterbeer, please. Though we should go shopping for some other things sometime. I'll take you to a Muggle supermarket, and show you some of the things I grew up with." Hermione cast an imperturbable charm on her hair, since she had only recently washed it, and then used her wand to anchor her hair in a bun and began swimming to the other side as Fred walked out. It wasn't a bad bit of exercise, really, and she enjoyed the novelty of swimming in October. She swam back as Fred returned with a conjured basket filled with butterbeer, cooled with a charm. He had stopped to put on his own bathing costume of bright royal blue trunks, and now took off his shirt before joining Hermione in the tub-cum-lap pool.

"Quidditch certainly has been kind to you, then," Hermione said with a glance at him, and a twinkle in her eye. It was the first time she'd dared to comment on his appearance, but she was feeling more daring, and well, it was true. Fred was long and lean, and years spent playing Beater had honed his chest and abs and developed his upper body nicely, and he had maintained that trim look, despite the infrequency with which he now played.

"That's right. I'd forgotten you had a thing for Quidditch players, Granger. Like what you see, do you?" He raised an eyebrow, but rather than responding, she sent a small splash at him and tried to swim away. Unfortunately, he was too fast for her, and he returned the splash and in no time, they were involved in a full scale water war of splashing and ducking, until Fred's length proved too much and he grabbed hold of her and pulled her close to him before she could squirm away. Her laughter died as she realized Fred's eyes had darkened, and she felt how quickly her heart had started beating. They were wet and weightless in the water, breathless from exertion, and now close together. It was intoxicating, erotic. Without stopping and thinking too much about it, Hermione slid her arms around Fred's neck and using his shoulders for leverage, pulled herself up higher, hooking her legs around his waist to support herself and then she kissed him deeply.

Fred responded enthusiastically, one hand going to her bum to support her, the other stroking her side, up and down, up and down. She moaned a little when his hand brushed her breast, and he took that as invitation to continue exploring, his hand now fully covering her breast, gently kneading, teasing the nipple that had grown erect. Hermione was feeling overcome, not wanting him to stop the contact, but a bit surprised. Fred took advantage to move back towards a wall, where he leaned Hermione against the wall and began kissing her neck and heard her sharp intake of breath. He gently squeezed her breast and whispered into her ear, "Is this all right?"

She nodded dumbly, and he switched hands, so that he could touch the other breast, his other hand cupping her arse. Hermione was dimly aware of the growing pool of warmth in the pit of her stomach, and an unnamed urgency rising within her, and becoming more and more aware of the evidence of Fred's growing desire rising beneath her. Fred kissed her deeply, and she responded, but when he broke off and began trailing kisses down to her chest, she began to tense up. He immediately stopped and said in a low voice, "Too much?" and she looked away and nodded and he pulled her close and hugged her tightly. "Ok, that's fine. Let's slow down, and have something to drink, yeah?" She nodded, and unhooking her legs from his waist, they moved back to the edge of the tub, where Fred handed her a bottle of butterbeer and they sat next to each other on the steps and sipped slowly. Fred kept an arm around her, kept her pulled close.

"Mione, may I ask you something?"

"Open book," she said with a shaky laugh.

"Have you ever had an orgasm?" She blushed beet red and would have scooted away had he had not a firm hold on her. "I'm not trying to embarrass you, love. It's just that we never have talked about this. I'm willing to go slowly, I want you to be comfortable, but you need to be open with me, so I know what is too much. So, have you had an orgasm?"

"I think so," she said softly, not meeting his eyes.

"You think so? Hermione, it's the sort of thing that you have done or not done. There's not a lot of room for doubt here." Fred's voice was filled with humor, which only embarrassed her more. "Right, so let me ask something else. Do you masturbate?"

Hermione groaned. "Please don't ask me that. Gods, this is so mortifying." She put her head in her hands, covering her eyes

"It's a very normal thing to do, and very healthy. I masturbate, George masturbates, most blokes wank. Have you ever done it?" His tone was very matter of fact, as he shrugged.

"Yes, a few times, when I've been alone. But it never seemed to do much for me," she admitted.

"You probably over think it. It is possible to over think sex, Hermione. It's not really a right or wrong thing, there isn't a list of rules or restrictions or guides to how to do it. You just sort of have to go with what feels good, and build from there."

"That's what Ginny said," Hermione mused.

"Ok, I lied. That is a new, very firm rule about our sex life. If you discuss it with Ginny, I don't want to know. I most especially don't want to know if she is giving you tips or examples from her own life. I can respect that she is a grown witch and has needs like anyone else, but I do not want to hear about them in detail." Hermione was coaxed into a laugh at his disgust. He smiled at her and continued. "Although she has a point. So, you've never, ever had an orgasm?"

"I think I've come close a few times, but I've either been interrupted or just couldn't quite get there." She shrugged.

"Hermione, I would really like for you to get there. Would you be willing to let me try to help you out?" She just looked at him from the corner of her eye without answering. "It's ok to say no, Hermione. I'm not expecting anything here. There is no pressure, it's whatever you feel is right."

She thought for a few moments, and finally whispered, "Ok, yes. That's fine. I trust you." Fred broke into a grin and kissed her cheek, but she had tensed up considerably.

"Right, first things first. Let's get out of the tub, and go back into the bedroom. It'll be more comfortable there. You go ahead and get dressed again, and I'll get things tidied up in here, yeah?"

"Dressed?" Hermione squeaked out.

"Yeah, I think you'll be more comfortable. Though you may want to leave your bra off. Just like you were getting ready for bed, all right? I'll be in just behind you." He stepped out of the pool, helped Hermione out and cast a drying charm over her. She quickly took off her costume and shimmied into the pyjama pants and t-shirt as quickly as she could, then realized that her bikini bottoms were her transfigured knickers, but then Fred stepped through, once again wearing a t-shirt and pyjama bottoms as well, and she just mentally shrugged.

He wrapped his arms around her, but found her tense and stiff as a board, and he chuckled. "What on earth are you afraid of, Mione?"

"I don't know. I guess I don't know what to expect or what to do." Fred was rubbing small circles on her back.

"That's the thing, love. Right now, you don't have to do anything. Leave it to me, yeah?" She nodded, but was still tense. "Here, I owe you a massage. Why don't you lay down, and let me relax you a little." He coaxed her over to the bed, then dimmed the lights. "Lay down on your stomach. I'll start down here with your feet, like I did earlier, all right? You enjoyed that, didn't you?"

"Yes. That was nice." Hermione's voice was still squeaky and high-pitched, but after Fred started methodically rubbing her feet and calves, she began to relax some.

"All right, Mione, why don't you tell me which of my many attractive qualities you are most drawn to?"

"Certainly not your humility," she shot out quickly. Fred chuckled. "I do like your sense of humor, of course, even if it does tend towards the juvenile at times." Fred laughed again. "But really, I like your eyes and your smile. And your body's not shabby to look at either." Fred worked his way up her legs, and she was feeling the soporific effects of the gentle massage. He moved his hands lightly over her arse, and set to rubbing her lower back, gradually moving up, watching the tension drain out of her.

"So, does this feel all right?" Hermione made an incoherent sound, which made Fred grin. "So, bet settled, then?"

"Mmmph," was the response he received. He run his thumb over her neck and followed it up with a light touch of his lips. He then ran his fingertips lightly over her neck and shoulder and down her arm, finally grazing the palm of her hand, and felt her shiver under his touch. Fred told her in a light tone to roll over, and once she had complied, he began kissing her deeply before she could begin to tense up again. He pulled her close, but not so close that he was unable to continue running his fingers lightly over whatever parts of her body he could reach.

For her part, Hermione was getting lost in the sensation of Fred's touch and his kiss. Her eyes were closed and she could feel his light grazing of her skin as if it were hot as a fire stone touching her. She concentrated on that sensation, and barely missed him tearing his lips from hers and kissing softly at her jaw and then her neck. His fingers slid under her shirt and his hand trailed up to her breast and he repeated his actions from earlier, gently palming her breast, kneading it, teasing it. It was setting her on fire, and she couldn't think straight between the feelings he was stoking in her and the warm, wetness of his tongue licking the hollow of her throat. He nipped gently at her collarbone and heard her low moan. His hand moved to her other breast, and he could feel the new tension beginning to build in her.

In a low, rumbling whisper he asked, "Do you trust me?" She nodded without hesitation, and with a wave of his hand, the lights were doused completely, and he tugged at her shirt. She arched up to help him take it off her, and was rewarded by his kissing and licking his way down to her breasts. She held her breath until Fred licked his way around her nipple and finally took it in his mouth, suckling lightly at it, rolling his tongue around it, while his hand continued brushing fingertips lightly over her stomach. A wetness was growing between her legs, a vaguely familiar ache was building low in her core.

Hermione groaned incoherently when Fred removed his mouth from her breast and kissed his way back up to her lips and kissed her deeply again. She was kissing him with intensity, their tongues stroking, sliding, wrestling, she was pulling him down to her, pressing herself close to him, trying to recapture some of the pressure from earlier, when his hand came to rest low on her stomach, and she felt the aching pressure increase.

Fred broke the kiss, kissed the underside of her jaw again, and allowed his hand to graze over the mound at the apex of her thighs, and felt her jerk beneath him. He could feel her increasing arousal, and continued to lightly stroke her over her clothes, her legs parting obligingly for him of their own accord. He kissed and nipped his way back down to her other breast and wasted no time lavishing attention on it, as Hermione arched her back to initiate the contact, and gave a low moan when she felt his mouth on her. This was already well beyond anything she had experienced, and she was too into the moment to analyze it at all. She felt her hips thrusting for contact whenever Fred's fingers glided over her, and an exquisite ache that she couldn't name. All she could do was beg, "Please, Fred, please." This was the invitation he'd waited for, and his hand had skimmed inside her pyjama pants and he felt bare skin and Hermione could feel the vibrations of his moan.

His long, clever fingers touched her, teased her, found her wetness and the center of the ache, and he was pressing and rubbing and she was on the edge, and his mouth was sucking harder on her nipple and she could feel the pressure rising, and then she clinched and cried out, and shuddered with her first orgasm. Fred lightly released her nipple, kissing it, and slowly stopped touching her swollen clitoris, and gradually moved his hand to her stomach. He could feel her trembling, and he scooted up, to wrap his body around hers, to pull her firmly into his embrace, knowing how vulnerable she felt right now, wanting to hold her close. He didn't bother trying to hide his own erection, he rather felt it might help her believe that she really did turn him on after all.

Fred didn't say anything, waiting for her to catch her breath and say something, which she did after a moment.

"Gods, Fred. That was . . . bloody amazing." He could hear her smile and he laughed loudly.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Hermione, as that rather was the point," he said dryly.

Hermione felt too sated to feel embarrassed. "I don't know how to say thank you, Fred. That was really incredible. I felt . . . I feel . . ." but words escaped her, and he held her close and kissed her forehead. "This whole night, everything. It's more than I ever thought. I can't believe this. How can this be so good, Fred?" Her voice was shaking, and he felt a hot tear slide onto his arm.

"It can be so good, because we are somehow good together. Don't question it, Hermione. Try one of our philosophies of life. Just enjoy it." He softly kissed her cheek, while moving his hand to stroke her hair.

As she came down from her high, Hermione became very aware that Fred was pressed close against her, and that particular parts of him were pressed more firmly than others. In the dark, after what he had just done to her, she felt brave.

"Fred, is that, um, you?"

He chuckled at her question. "Yes, Hermione. That's me. Do you believe me now when I say I am attracted to you?" She nodded shyly, which he could feel against him.

"Does it. . . er, does it hurt?" she asked softly, feeling very naïve.

Fighting back more laughter, knowing it would only embarrass her, he grinned and said, "What, when I get hard, you mean? No. No more than when your nipples come to attention." He demonstrated by cupping one in his hand, feeling her nipple pucker and harden beneath him.

"Oh. I suppose that's silly, isn't it?" she said in a rueful tone. "Could I, I mean, if it's all right, could I, um." Hermione gulped, and could practically feel Fred's patient amusement. "Could I touch it?" she finally squeaked out.

Fred sighed with a bit of satisfaction. "Yes, if you'd like to. Would you like the lights back on?" Hermione shook her head quickly. Fred rolled to his back, and Hermione sat up on her knees, feeling timid. She didn't want to hurt him and she wasn't sure what to do. "Here. It might be easier if I just got undressed. Hang on." He pulled his shirt over his head in a quick motion, and skimmed his pants and pyjamas off quickly, and flung the lot onto the floor.

Hermione was grateful for darkness, it made her feel more brave. Still, she sat there a little stiffly, until Fred reached out his left hand and took her right hand in his. He guided her hand to his jutting erection, and exhaled loudly when she touched him. His hand dropped back, resting on her forearm, as she lightly explored the length of him, ran her fingers down and then back up, explored the tip of his cock. He closed his eyes and tried not to let the featherlight touches drives him mad. He sucked in breath through his teeth when she lightly touched his balls and she quickly pulled her hand away.

"Sorry. I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, horrified that she'd hurt him. His hand squeezed her arm.

"No, no, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just that that feels really, really good. And if you don't stop soon, I'll have to take care of this."

"Oh." Hermione was quiet for a moment. "Would you like me to help?" Her voice held hesitation.

Fred groaned. "I'm not sure you're really ready for that, Mione, but I'm not really feeling as if I want to say no."

"I'm not sure what to do," she said honestly. "Tell me."

"Last chance to back out, Hermione," Fred's voice was strained, and Hermione didn't say anything. "All right then. The way you were touching me is very arousing. But to really get me off, you'll have to stroke more firmly, establish some rhythm. You'll want some lubrication, it's easier for you, and it feels better. Less friction." Fred reached for his wand, and then Hermione's hand and muttered a spell under his breath. She suddenly felt a cool, slick substance in her palm, and she allowed Fred to guide her hand back to his penis. She was less hesitant now, encircling it, moving slowly up and down the shaft. "Oh, Mione, that is incredible. Keep doing that." His breathing quickened.

Hermione's other hand reached out and softly touched his balls, palming them, rolling them around. Fred groaned. "Is that ok?" she asked, a little fearfully.

"Merlin, yes," he breathed. "Move a little faster, just a little more pressure." She complied and he grunted. "Merlin, Hermione, when you touch me there, it feels so good. Oh, gods. Yes, keep doing that. Just a little faster." Hermione increased her pace, concentrating fully on the task before her. Fred was no longer guiding her, but his small, low sounds he made were encouraging, so she continued to stroke him in a quick rhythm. Then, as she was beginning to feel she was doing it wrong, Fred's hips moved beneath her, and Fred gave a strangled cry and Hermione felt the shudder in her hand and a sticky warmth and withdrew her hand. Fred was breathing heavily, but reached for his wand and cast a quiet scourgify on himself and on Hermione's hands, then took one and brought it to his lips.

"Thank you, Hermione. That was bloody marvelous." He drew in a deep breath. "I'm going to get dressed and turn the lights on again, if that's ok."

"Yes, only, I'm not sure where my shirt's gone." Hermione started to laugh, it just struck her as funny that after what they'd just done for each other that they weren't ready to see each other naked, but she knew she'd be more comfortable with her shirt.

"Some witch you are. Accio Hermione's shirt." It flew into his hands and he tossed it to her. She just shook her head and pulled it on. She honestly wasn't sure where her wand had gone either. Fred summoned his clothes and put them back on, then the lights flared on again. Hermione spotted her wand on the bed covers and retrieved it.

Fred clambered back onto the bed and pulled Hermione into his arms and kissed her thoroughly, then released her to study her flushed face. "You are so fucking beautiful," he said with so much feeling. "Thank you for staying tonight. This has been one of the most incredible nights I've ever had."

"Me too, Fred," Hermione whispered. They sat closely together for sometime, Fred holding Hermione, Hermione allowing herself to be cradled and held close, a comfortable silence between them. The spell was broken when Hermione yawned.

"Are you fagged then?" Hermione nodded. "Where do you want to sleep, or rather, where do you want me to sleep?"

"Here, of course. Stay here with me. You can't go now."

"Right, I won't. I'm just going to turn off the lights in the flat, yeah? You go ahead and get ready for bed." Fred moved towards the door, but Hermione stopped him.

"Er, do you have a side you normally sleep on?"

Fred shrugged. "I guess I normally sleep on the side closer to the door, but I'm not fussed over it." She nodded. Taking advantage of his absence, Hermione slipped in to use the loo and brush her teeth. Casting a spell that caused her hair to braid itself so that it wouldn't tangle badly, she stepped back to the bed. She was reclined in bed, covers drawn up to her armpits, hands folded primly when Fred returned. He took his own turn in the loo, and climbed into bed, turning off the lights again with a wave of his wand, which he then set next to the bed on a nightstand.

They lay on their respective sides, quietly, unsure whether or not to acknowledge the other person's presence. Finally Fred rolled over onto his side and said, "Bugger this. It's weird to lay over here ignoring you. Budge over this way, Mione. Do you mind if I hold you?"

"No, not at all." Hermione's voice was soft, and pleased. She moved her pillow closer to the center of the bed, and scooted towards Fred.

"Do you normally sleep on your side or your back or your stomach? I normally sleep on my side. Comes from growing up sharing a bed with George, I think."

"It just depends. I usually fall asleep on my side, but wake up on my back. I should warn you, Ginny says I'm a restless sleeper. But I don't think I snore."

"Thank the gods for small favors," Fred said teasingly. He nudged Hermione until she rolled to her side, then spooned behind her. His hand rested on her stomach, and she snuggled into him.

"This is really perfect, Fred. Good-night." She yawned again and closed her eyes.

"Good night, Mione," he returned softly. He held her, feeling her pulse beating under his hand, listening to her breathing slow and knew there was no longer any question about falling in love with Hermione Granger. He had already leapt headfirst off that precipice; but it wasn't as ill-conceived as he might have thought. She was here with him, in his bed, wearing his ring, and falling for him too.

It should have been little surprise that such a lovely evening would be interrupted.

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A/N: -laughs- I caught some flack last chapter for what some folks considered a cliffhanger; I'm sure there are some folks even more upset over this. Sorry? You'll be more upset when I tell you that even though chap 8 is completed, it's not going up until I complete chap 18. Good news? I'm nearly done with 17, so the hope is it won't be long outside the normal posting schedule. But I need to maintain some spacing, as I've gone back and revised chapters based on what happens in future chapters to maintain the integrity and internal logic of the story. I couldn't be more pleased with how many people seem to be enjoying this, and can only hope it continues, now that things have been taken to a more physical level. I hope the US folks are enjoying a pleasant holiday weekend, and cheers to everyone else!