Thank you for your kind reviews! I had almost a full week of snow days, so I have been writing quite a bit. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter—it is mostly fluff. Originally I was going to wait until tomorrow to post it, but I couldn't resist! Enjoy!
Chapter 7
"I'd say the meeting was quite a success, wouldn't you?" Fred quipped cheerfully as they made their way back into Hogsmeade.
"Yes, I'm rather happy to say it was," Hermione smiled gratefully. After a pause, she continued, "I must say though, revenge is sweet."
"That it is," Fred agreed emphatically as he held the door to the Three Broomsticks open for the bushy-haired witch.
"Over here, Fred!" Lee called from a table in the back of the room.
They made their way through the loud pub to George and Lee.
"Hullo Hermione!" George greeted warmly. Lee nodded his salutation while he took a deep swig of butterbeer.
Hermione smiled and settled into the seat Fred pulled out for her.
"So," she began, looking around at the three pranksters. "What is it you needed my help with?"
She failed to notice the meaningful look that Fred was directing at his two friends.
"Erm..." George started uncertainly.
"Well…" Lee trailed off.
Fred cleared his throat loudly. "There is a project we can't really figure out."
George raised his eyebrows at this, looking highly amused. Fred kicked Lee under the table.
"Gah!—I mean," Lee shot a glare at Fred while Hermione ordered two butterbeers. "Yeah, we have a problem with the—er—Chattering Chocolates!" He grinned smugly at the twins.
"Right…" Hermione looked doubtful.
"Yeah, you see, we can't seem to get the reversal right," George explained. "Fred ate half of it and started babbling about—whatever was on his mind at the time," George smirked. "But when he ate the other half, he had trouble getting many words out at once."
This story was partially true—except that these effects were caused by a wayward hex, rather than a chocolate.
Hermione's eyes lit up at the challenge, and the group launched into a deeply technical discussion regarding potions diluted by ingredients such as toffee and chocolate. Hermione was privately amazed at the boys' extensive knowledge and quick understanding.
As soon as Hermione headed to the loo, George burst out laughing.
"I can't believe you didn't ask her, you git!" Lee's eyes watered with mirth.
"Yeah, well, she was with Ron and Harry. And I don't think it's time yet—she doesn't even like me!"
"You are unbelievably lucky to have us mate, where would you be without our 'Chattering Chocolates'?" George managed to choke out between laughter.
"I suppose it was rather a productive day then, don't you think?" Fred pointed out. "We just invented a new product, down to the last proportions of chocolate and potion."
"I'm not sure if the inspiration should be attributed to Hermione, or that balmy witch who hexed you in charms! You wouldn't even have had the guts to ask for Hermione's 'help' if we didn't hear all about her in your incessant prattle," George reminded his friends of the day's rather eventful charms lesson. (They were taught to cast a Gabbing charm on rabbits, but a certain Hufflepuff had aimed quite badly. Fred found himself vocalizing every thought that passed through his head, and George and Lee had already heard far too much by the time Professor Flitwick reversed the spell.)
Hermione raised both of her eyebrows as she eyed the boys' wide grins.
"Did I miss something?"
"Oh, not at all," Lee assured her as he stood up to put on his jacket. "George and I have to go pick up a few more things. Fred, why don't you walk Hermione back? It's almost dinnertime, and we wouldn't want her to miss a meal," Lee suggested with a mischievous smirk.
Without waiting for further input, the pair left Fred and Hermione alone at the table.
Fred looked rather pink.
"Shall we go then?" he managed to say.
"Yes, I think we should. I told Harry and Ron I would meet them at dinner," she explained.
Hermione shivered as they stepped out into the sharp, cool night.
"Cold?" Fred asked.
"A bit," she confessed , gritting her teeth to avoid shivering. "Rather stupid of me to only wear a t-shirt."
Her laugh was beautiful. Fred slapped himself mentally. What's wrong with you?
"Here, take my jacket," Fred offered. "I'm not using it," he added quickly.
"Thanks Fred," Hermione slipped on the jacket, thanking the heavens that the near-darkness hid her blush.
Fred stuffed his hands deep into his pockets, and Hermione folded her arms across her chest. They walked in companionable silence for a while, Hermione making sure to keep her eyes on her feet. Fred stole glances at her every few steps, wondering why he had never thought of her as attractive before.
"The first star," Fred murmured, looking up at the twilight sky.
Hermione looked up, seeing the faint dot of light peeking over a cloud, and beamed.
"Star Light, Star Bright, the first star I see tonight—" she recited softly. "I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight."
Fred stopped walking and looked at her curiously. "You didn't just make that up, did you?"
"No!" Hermione giggled. "It's an old muggle nursery rhyme that my mum taught me when I was little."
"Wouldn't want to break tradition, would we?" Fred grinned and shut his eyes tightly, evidently making a wish. Hermione followed suit. They made rather an odd picture for the steady trail of students heading back to school.
"What did you wish for?" Fred asked as they continued walking.
"What did you wish for?" Hermione countered readily.
"Fair question," Fred chuckled after a pause. "So I guess we can call it even."
Perhaps things would have been resolved right then and there, had they realized how remarkably similar their wishes had been.
-oOo-
The coat is cliché, I know! But I love it so darn much ;) Sorry if you don't like fluff, I'm rather fond of it.
Please leave a review, I live on them! Especially all of you that have this story on your alerts and such—I'd love to know what you think!
Also, I have decided to give beta reading a shot, so if you have a story you want proofread, send it to me!
