Chapter six as promised! Also, I've never played chess so I have no idea how you win. And I was too lazy to look it up. I'll upload chapter seven on Saturday. I've got a busy week this week! I've got an art show on Friday and then a tattoo consultation. So that's why it'll be Saturday. Probably in the evening. Alright! Enough rambling. Don't forget to leave a like and comment. I read and respond to every comment. And sometimes I give small hints about the next chapter! Don't be afraid to point out any mistakes, I am the only person reading this and become blind to any typos. Enjoy!
Hermione pulled at her hair in frustration. She only had twenty-four more hours until she took the N.E.W.T.S. She was trying to decide if eating or studying was more important at this time. How much would Molly yell at her if she didn't show up for family dinner? Would Charlie come and physically drag her away from her textbooks? Hermione couldn't make herself care.
Hermione flipped her Charms and Transfiguration books to the next chapter and didn't bother looking up when she heard the front door open. Fred walked over to the couch and stopped by her shoulder.
"Mione, love, we have to leave soon or mum will send a search party for us."
Hermione angrily flipped the page in front of her and muttered under her breath. She blew a strand of hair away from her face and tried not to think of what a mess she looked. She pointed her wand at her cup and concealed it as a remote for the telly. She picked it up and turned it on and then off. She quickly wrote something and turned to another page in her Charms book.
"Hermione, love," Fred said more forcefully. "I know your test is tomorrow, but we need to get to dinner." He placed a large hand on her shoulder.
Hermione shoved her Charms book away and grabbed her Potions journal. She went to the list of directions she had for the potion she was brewing on the floor next to her. She repeated the instructions under her breath and stirred the potion twice clockwise. She went back to her Charms until the potion needed tending to again. The hand on her shoulder tightened.
"Hermione!"
"What?" She snapped back and turned her flashing eyes to the man beside her.
Fred's nostrils flared in frustration. "We need to go to Sunday dinner. We're already ten minutes late." He explained softly.
"I have to finish this. I haven't got time to do it later. I have to be at the Ministry by seven tomorrow morning." She said and flipped to a new charm.
"You need to eat. You didn't touch the lunch I made you and you've been up since last night. Everyone will be worried if we don't show up."
Hermione felt guilt well inside of her. She sighed and rubbed her eyes while she slumped forward. Hermione really was tired. She had been frantically trying to cram in as much studying as she could since George and Angelina's wedding. That meant she had averaged about two hours of sleep each night and ignored her rumbling stomach in favour of a Transfiguration or Defense spell. Fred had been growing more concerned with each day that had passed and tried his hardest to compromise with the crazed witch.
"We can go. But I want to be back early so I can get some more studying done." Hermione said while she bookmarked each page and stood up. She needed to put on some clothes that didn't have holes at the bottom.
She dashed into her room and opened the dresser. She rummaged through the half empty drawer and huffed when she couldn't find the top she was looking for. She bent down and opened the bottom drawer in search of her shorts. She grabbed the white bottoms and closed the two drawers harder than strictly needed. She rushed across the hall to Fred's bedroom and over to his wardrobe.
She opened the drawer on the right and made a noise in the back of her throat when she found the thin shirt she had been looking for. She shoved her lounge shorts off and into their hamper. She cast a quick shaving charm and slipped on her new shorts.
She pulled her tank top off and tossed it into the hamper as well. She put her arms and head through the top and adjusted it around her stomach where it had twisted. She smoothed the material down and opened the bathroom door in order to do something with her hair.
Hermione took it out of the half bun she had wrangled it into last night around the fourth hour of studying. Hermione pointed the wand at her flyaways and ran her fingers through the curls to separate them. She cast a quick charm to make her hair damp and picked up a clip from the side of the sink. She pinned back half of her hair and shrugged at her reflection. It was Sunday dinner, who was she trying to impress? Fred had made it clear last night he didn't care if her prickly legs rubbed against his when Hermione was about to shave at quarter to two in the morning.
Hermione exited the bathroom and their room. She trudged down the hallway and over to the tall ginger in the kitchen. He had a thermos he was capping off and Hermione hooked her hand in the back of his shirt and yanked. He yelped in surprise as she dragged him over to the big area in the living room. She spun him around and grabbed his hand. She waited for him to brace himself before she turned on the spot.
They disappeared with a pop and appeared outside of the kitchen. Hermione didn't drop his hand when they regained their senses from the feeling. She was about to turn and open the kitchen door when Fred tugged at their conjoined hands. Hermione turned around to ask him what he was doing when he shushed her. Her brows shot into her hairline and she was going to give him a piece of her mind when he pointed at the hill in front of them.
Hermione looked and felt a small smile spread across her face. Harry and Luna were reclined at the top of the hill together. Luna had her head inches from Harry's and was pointing up at the fluffy white clouds. Harry wasn't looking at the clouds, but at the blonde beside him. He had a relaxed look upon his face and his shoulders didn't seem tense. Hermione felt her heart soar with joy.
Fred squeezed her hand and broke Hermione out of her thoughts. He had a similar expression of happiness, but also amusement. He pulled their hands gently towards the door. Right. They had a dinner to attend. Fred dropped her hand and opened the door quietly for her. Hermione stepped into the kitchen and immediately felt her stomach protest in hunger. She really hadn't eaten since yesterday. The smell of perfectly roast chicken filled Hermione's nose.
Fred came in behind her and ushered her towards the living room. Hermione stood in the doorway of the dining room and living space and observed the brood of people goofing off and talking.
Charlie and Ginny were playing a game of wizarding chess while Oliver whispered ways to collect Charlie's pieces into the young redheads ear. Charlie kept shooting him betrayed looks as his pieces slowly diminished. Ginny seemed to be enjoying herself and would give Oliver a complex looking handshake after a particularly good move.
Ron and Hannah sat close together in a plush armchair by the fireplace. Hannah was quietly talking about something and occasionally gesturing with her pale hands. Ron seemed enthralled in what ever story she was telling. She looked over to the big sofa against the wall with the near floor to ceiling window. George, Angelina, Bill, and Fleur sat together and talked amongst the small group. Angelina and Fleur looked at each other in exasperation when George and Bill reached behind their wives to slap each other. Penny and Percy were trying to help Molly in the kitchen as she bustled around
Hermione looked up at Fred and saw him taking in the scene as well. He had a soft look on his face mixed with an emotion Hermione couldn't read. Fear? Contentment? She didn't know, but decided she would file it away for later. Hermione hip bumped Fred and nodded to the empty love seat next to Charlie.
They walked over and sat down just as Ginny's knight smashed Charlie's knight. Charlie stared in sadness when the little stone queen became dust. He looked up at Ginny and Oliver laughing and frowned.
"You are sleeping on the couch tonight Mr. Wood." Charlie said in mock anger and pointed at Oliver.
Oliver laughed and leant back in his chair. He scoffed in amusement. "Please, you couldn't handle a night without some," He cleared his throat and smirked, "wood in the bed with you."
Ginny gagged and pushed her chair out roughly. She shot them both a glare and walked over to the arm of the love seat and sat next to Fred. Fred shivered dramatically and looped a casual arm around Hermione. Charlie and Oliver laughed at their faces.
"Now now, there are children present." Fred drawled.
Ginny cuffed Fred on the back of the head and glared at Charlie and Oliver. "I'm sure you lot wouldn't be laughing your arses off if I told you about my love life at night."
Charlie paled at the thought and sent the stairs a harsh glare. Hermione assumed Blaise was in the loo and would be woefully unprepared when he came down. Charlie turned his glare to Ginny and crossed his toned arms over his stomach.
"There better be nothing to tell."
Ginny rolled her eyes and mimicked the way he was sat. "I'm nearly eighteen Char, I'm not eleven anymore."
Charlie was about to reply but his eyes cut over to the stairs as they creaked from Blaise's tall frame and weight. He shot the dark man a heated look but was met with an unamused raised brow. Blaise walked over to Ginny and let the younger girl lean against his side and shoulder. Hermione noted how some of the tension left his body.
"Something you wish to say?" He directed at Charlie.
"Yeah actually, I think it would be best if yo-" The rest of what he was going to say was cut off as Molly called them from the garden for dinner.
Charlie reluctantly allowed Oliver to pull him up and in the direction of outside. Fred gripped her hand and followed Oliver's lead. Hermione wobbled on her feet and steadied herself before following Fred to the food.
Hermione sat next to Fred with Ginny on her left. Harry and Luna made their way down the hill and Harry listened raptly as Luna explained something. Hannah and Ron were already seated across from Hermione and Fred. Molly stood at the head of the table and waited for Harry and Luna to seat themselves. Harry shot her a sheepish smile and sat next to Ron and placed the napkin in his lap. Molly smiled at everyone before she sat down.
Hermione grabbed a leg of delicious smelling chicken along with some greens and fruit. Hermione stripped the chicken off the bone and began to eat as chatter flitted across the table.
"How is studying going Hermione?" Bill asked from his seat next to Molly.
Hermione swallowed her bite of broccoli before she answered. "It's going according to my schedule. Of course I wish I had more time, but I'm making due with what I have."
Molly looked at Harry and Ron with a stern look. "And what about you two? I hardly ever see you touch your school books."
Ron quickly shoved another forkful of food into his mouth to avoid answering. Harry blushed when he realized he would have to answer.
"Er, it's been alright. We have a study group on Friday before lunch."
Molly noded in semi-satisfaction. She turned her motherly gaze upon the small blonde eating a potato.
"Are you going back to Hogwarts this year Luna?"
The blonde looked up and gave a toothy smile. "Of course. I miss the school terribly." She finished and looked at the clouds over the hill. Molly cleared her throat and directed her next question at both Harry and Luna.
"And you'll be staying in the dorms? How does that work with the law?"
Harry shook his head. "No. McGonagall has given every student affected by the law the option of staying in the dorms or the ability to floo into the Great Hall in the morning before classes. Luna and I will be staying at Grimmauld Place."
"Yes, I'm quite excited to see what this year will be like. I've never gone to Hogwarts without staying in the dorms." Luna said dreamily and place her head in her hand.
Molly hummed and cut up her chicken breast. Hermione stared in disgust as Ron shoved more food in his mouth than necessary. His cheeks were bulging from the amount of chicken and potatoes he had stuffed in there.
"Absolutely ghastly isn't it." Ginny muttered to her.
Hermione grimaced in response and tried her hardest not to look at Ron as she ate her own food. Hermione looked up and caught Fred's not so subtle glances at her half finished plate. She quickly scooped up some carrots and ate them. Fred relaxed and turned back towards George. Hermione chewed her food and looked over at the hill where Harry and Luna had been. The clouds were a light pink and fluffy. It really was a beautiful sight.
Hermione helped Molly clear the table after everyone had finished. The older woman waved her away when she tried to help clean the dishes. She gave an appreciative smile and made her way over to the packed living room. She'd have enough time to sit down for a couple minutes and relax before she resumed her studying.
Hermione sat on the couch and felt full. Her eyes drooped and she had her head rested on Fred's shoulder. Ginny was sat on her right side and Blaise next to the small redhead. Hermione felt content but the ball of anxiety was building. She knew she had to get back and fit in some last minute studying. She clenched and unclenched her hands. She didn't want to take Fred away from his family, but she wanted to get home soon.
The petite witch heaved a sigh and stood up. Fred gave her a confused look and she gave him a tired smile.
"I've got studying to do. I figured I would head back and that way you could stay as long as you wanted."
Fred bit his lip and shrugged. "Whatever you want love."
Hermione grinned and leant down to give him a quick kiss. She walked over to the floo and stepped in with a handful of powder. She threw it down and shouted her destination. The Burrow left her field of vision in a green haze and the flat appeared shortly. She stepped out and sighed through her nose. It was going to be a long night.
Hermione appeared at the Burrow with Ron and Harry close behind. They had just spent five hours taking their N.E.W.T.S and Hermione felt both numb and happy to have the constant anxiety of the test looking over her shoulder to be finished. Ron looked slightly peaky when Hermione had met up with him outside of the classroom. He seemed better now, but still looked pale.
Harry gave her a look before he gestured over at Ron staring into the distance. He shrugged and walked over to the tall ginger. He clapped a hand on Ron's back and led him by the shoulders over towards the kitchen. Hermione figured Harry was handling the situation and followed slowly behind them. She'd go and find Ginny before heading back to the flat.
Hermione went up the old, creaking stairs to check Ginny's room first. The door was slightly ajar and she could see Ginny laying on her bed with headphones in and a Walkman next to her.
Hermione pushed the door open and walked over to the bed. Ginny opened her eyes when Hermione fell forward and onto her stomach. Hermione shifted her head to rest on her hands and gave the younger woman a smile. Ginny quickly hit a button on the device and pulled her head phones out. She sat up against the headboard and looked at Hermione intensely.
"Well, how did it go?"
Hermione sighed and closed her eyes briefly. "I think I did alright. There were only a few questions that were a bloody nightmare. Oh, I also added the slugs a minute late, but the potion turned out fine. I'm hoping they didn't notice." Hermione said and wrinkled her nose.
Ginny snorted and crossed her arms. "I'm sure you got O's on all of them. You are Hermione Granger after all." She finished with a small shrug.
Hermione looked around the room and spotted a moving picture. In it Ginny was excitedly running forward and her long red hair swayed behind her. She pointed at something and turned around with a beaming smile. Her hair fell in her face when she moved and her shoulders were sun kissed. The light caught on her hair and made it look like she was glowing. When picture Ginny realized she was being filmed, she got a devilish smirk and ran at the person with the camera. The camera jostled and Hermione could see flashes of red hair and black clothing from the person holding the camera. The next frame Hermione saw Ginny sprawled across Blaise and both of them laughing. The camera must have landed perfectly to capture them without being held. Blaise looked happy and had smile lines around his mouth. He pulled the still laughing Ginny down by her shirt and kissed her sweetly. The photo ended shortly after and started at the beginning.
Hermione smiled and looked back at Ginny. The younger girl had followed her gaze and was blushing prettily. She moved a piece of hair from her face and picked at a scab on her leg.
"He seems happy around you. And you clearly fancy him a lot. I'm glad for you Gin. He's not at all like we thought he would be."
Ginny frowned lightly and continued to pick at the scab. "He's different from what I thought as well. When you told me he had been in Slytherin, I was nervous and expected him to be like Malfoy or something." She smiled to herself before she continued. "But he isn't like that at all Mione. He's… reserved but not cold. He's quiet; feels like people wouldn't want to her what he said if he talked." She huffed angrily. "But he talks more when it's just us. 'Spose he figured if I had anything against him I would have let him know by now."
Hermione reached forward and squeezed Ginny's leg. "I'm glad it worked for you Ginny. For all of us. We deserve something good after all of this."
There was a quiet pause that stretched longer than the last. Hermione observed the girl and internally smiled at how much she had grown. From the small and lonely first year to the fiery and fierce woman before her.
"Are you excited for the wedding?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I am. I mean, I had always dreamt about my wedding as little girl. For the longest time I imagined Harry would be stood across from me. I thought it would be impossible to get over him when the law passed. And for a while it did seem impossible. Sometimes it still seems wrong that I fancy another bloke." She said and laughed at herself. She looked at the picture before she started again. "But something made me realize I could always love Harry. I just wouldn't be in love with him. And I think I'm at that point? Blaise makes me feel… he just makes me feel. I 'spose that's when I really started to get excited for the wedding."
Ginny shot Hermione a wicked smirk before she could reply. "'Course the shagging makes me excited for the future as well."
"Ginny!" Hermione said and shoved at the girl. She laughed when the read head threw her head back and practically cackled.
"Sorry! I figured I'd let you know all the reasons I'm excited." She sombered slightly. "But really, he's fantastic Mione. Without being too crass, he should be a healer with the knowledge that man posses."
Hermione groaned and shoved her head into her hands. Ginny laughed when she saw the poorly concealed grin poke through. Ginny was an evil friend Hermione concluded.
Hermione apparated into the flat and jumped when she turned around and Fred was there. He seemed just as startled from the way his knuckles went white from the grip he had on his plate.
"Merlin woman! Scared me half to death!"
Hermione gave him a quick peck on the cheek in apology. He grumbled and stepped around her. She could tell he wasn't angry, just putting on a show. Hermione walked down the hall and into Fred's bedroom. She shook her head and mentally corrected herself. It was their bedroom. Nearly all of her stuff was in here and she hadn't spent the night in her own bed in weeks.
She opened the dresser and pulled out her night shorts and tank top. She had made a snap decision on the cream coloured silk pajama set. She slipped off the clothes she had worn that day and headed into the loo. She had stayed later than she thought. It was half past ten and she was tired. She went about her night routine and stepped back into the bedroom. She was startled to find a half naked Fred in front of her.
He held his nightshirt limply in his hand and stared at her. He made no move to cover himself and a rather large part of Hermione was glad for that. He was wearing tight purple boxer briefs and nothing else. He had freckles all over his body. His broad shoulders were nicely defined and slightly bulky while his pecs were toned but not overly so. His torso was long and leanly defined. The muscles of his stomach formed abs that made Hermione want run her fingers across. His legs had lithe muscle that shifted any time he made a small movement. Hermione's eyes snapped up when he cleared his throat. His brows were raised and he had a smirk.
"Like what we see, do we?"
Hermione blushed and opened her mouth but no sound came out. She gaped and closed her mouth. She must have looked like a fish.
"W-well. I'm not opposed to what I see." She said and internally cursed when she stuttered.
Fred smirked and tossed the shirt on the bed. He moved forward slowly, giving Hermione time to skirt around him is she desired. He sidled up to her and placed a hand on the wall at either side of her head. His face was inches from hers and she could feel the blush travel downwards.
"You don't have to just look you know."
Hermione stared into his eyes and felt a sudden shock of bravery course through her. She tilted her jaw up and pulled Fred into a fierce kiss. She gripped at his shoulders and felt the smooth and warm skin beneath her finger tips. Fred made a shocked noise and Hermione used every bit of courage she had to delve deeper into the kiss.
His large hands slowly slid from the wall and encompassed her small waist. Hermione moved her one hand to the back of his neck and the other to gently run her nails against his side. She was going off the slightly smutty books she kept tightly locked in a trunk at the back of her closet. Hermione stood on her tiptoes and tilted her head more to the right.
His left hand moved from her waist to slowly cusp her arse. She found that she didn't mind as much as she thought she would. She played with the hair at the base of his neck and he seemed to be growing more cheeky as they snogged. His other hand flipped the bottom of her shirt up and snaked his way up to meet her breast. He gently squeezed and tweaked her nipple. She gasped and he took the chance to back her against the wall.
He moved his mouth to suck at her pulse point and Hermione raked her nails down his back. She felt the muscles jump at her touch and she bit her lip. She really was enjoying herself, but she wanted to wait just a little longer.
She gently nudged his jaw so she could pull him back into a kiss. She made sure it was sweet but chaste. She pushed at his shoulder and slipped from under his arm. He looked dazed and his lips were red.
"You've got to be up early tomorrow. You've got a delivery coming." She said with a cheeky smirk.
It was his turn to open and close his mouth like a fish. "You are a devilish woman." He got out.
Hermione laughed and climbed into her side of the bed. She heard him mutter under his breath as he crossed the room and slid under the thin sheets. He laid on his back and let out a mock sigh. Hermione rolled her eyes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. She turned off the lights and curled up on her side.
She waited a couple minutes and felt him shift beside her. He turned so he was on his side and threw an arm around her waist. He pulled her closer to his chest and twined their legs together. She smiled in the darkness and his hand splayed over her stomach.
"Don't think I've forgiven you." He mumbled.
"Wouldn't dream of it." She murmured back.
Hermione closed her eye and breathed in his smell. She knew she would have good dreams tonight. She had never had a bad one when she was next to Fred. It seemed to be magic.
End of chapter six eh? Come back Saturday for the next chapter!
