Craving Curves by WeasleyForMe
Fred is surprised to find how much Hermione has grown up since her days as the Gryffindor bookworm. He's even more surprised by how much he wants her. Hermione/Fred rated M.
Birthday Story for Preetoaka Raven Potter Weasley! Happy Birthday! Thanks to Clover Bay for beta reading this story!
Hermione watched as the conference room clock ticked past twelve noon, and she audibly sighed in annoyance. The Gringotts goblins, usually guilty of avoiding conversation with witches and wizards, could be extremely long-winded when discussing gold.
"Also, please keep in mind that I will be sending out quarterly investment pamphlets for everyone to review for next Thursday's meeting. The topics will cover targeting new customers, and retaining the most valuable clients. One more thing, don't forget to hand in your totals from last month by the end of the week," the excessively wordy goblin reminded the business loan officers as he dismissed them for lunch.
Hermione launched out of her seat and was the first one to the door. She dashed as quickly as she could down the hallway and to her desk. She had opted to wear a cute outfit for her lunch date with Fred, but at the moment the stiletto heels were making getting to Fred quite difficult. Grabbing her bag, she clicked along the marble floor into the ladies' room to check on her hair.
"Surprising," she mumbled excitedly to her reflection. She had tried out the charms Ginny had used on her hair the previous weekend, and her curls remained as glossy ringlets, rather than turning into frizz. After reapplying her pink lip gloss, Hermione adjusted her black suit skirt and deep red blouse, pleased with the way the fabric hugged her curves.
Getting nervous about the time, she pushed her way through the restroom exit and dashed for the elevators. Once outside the building, she made a bee-line down Diagon Alley, nearly knocking over a group of elderly witches.
"Sorry!" she paused and apologized profusely, not sure whether she ought to laugh or be upset that Fred was affecting her so. Then she looked at the clock tower over the postal service owlery; it was twenty past twelve.
"Oh no!" She hurried off once again, ignoring the dirty looks from the witches as she rushed into the joke shop.
Hermione composed herself as she walked much more slowly toward the cash registers. She could hear laughter coming from the back room as she greeted the girl who worked as a part-time cashier.
"You can go on back," she was told. Hermione nodded and walked into the space Fred and George used as laboratory work space and storage. Lydia Tafferton was conducting an interview with the twins from a small circle of folding chairs, just as Fred had promised. The three of them turned to look at her, and she received identical winks from Fred and George before their attention returned to the interview at hand.
"When can we expect the premier of the Wonder Witch Junior line of cosmetics and love potions?" Lydia asked as her quill relentlessly scratched along a piece of parchment.
"By the end of the summer, in time for back to school shopping," Fred answered.
"It's our duty to the professors of Hogwarts to ensure that the new love potions and daydream charms make it onto the Hogwarts Express!" George added with a laugh.
Lydia smiled her catlike grin. "And one more question. I owe it to all of the female readers to ask whether the two of you are still eligible bachelors," she said coyly.
Hermione rolled her eyes from her location just inside the door. She owed it to them? Wait, just how eligible was Fred?
George burst into laughter. "Taken! Happily married since March," he said, pointing to his wedding ring. "But off the record, Alicia isn't really the jealous type, so would it bring in more business if I lied?" he asked, only half joking.
"George!" Fred scolded, punching his brother in the arm and rolling his eyes. Hermione stifled her laughter, earning another wink from Fred.
Lydia chuckled. "I'll go ahead and omit that last bit later," she said, nodding toward the quill that hadn't paused. "And Fred? Still available?"
He cleared his throat slightly uncomfortably, chancing a look at Hermione before he answered. "I'm working on becoming unavailable," he stated with a smile.
Lydia took a look over her shoulder to see a blush rising on the younger woman's cheeks. "Sounds like there may be follow-up article on the horizon," she noted. "But the readers aren't going to like that answer one bit," Lydia warned with a laugh as she packed up her quill and parchment.
Hermione felt her insides turn to fluff as she grinned uncontrollably.
"I'll be in touch soon to schedule our next meeting. Now I need to be on my way to polish up this article for tomorrow's edition." She stood and kissed each twin on the cheek before, turning toward Hermione's location near the exit. George led Lydia toward the front of the shop, leaving Hermione alone with Fred.
"Hey gorgeous," Fred drawled, closing the distance between them and pulling her into a kiss.
Hermione giggled. "You're in a good mood today," she remarked.
"I get to see you, don't I?" he asked sweetly, earning a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "Oh come on, give me a chance!"
"Hey now handsome, I was lured here with the promise of lunch. Pay up," she demanded playfully.
"You only want me for my lunches," he grumbled as they made their way outside the shop.
"And you only want me for my knickers!" she joked back.
"Not true, and you know it," he promised, his sapphire blue eyes sparkling. "Now hold on tight, we're going on an adventure." He took Hermione by the hand, and before she could object, they apparated away.
I'm guilty once more of leaving you too long without an update... Please forgive me and leave a review! And thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing in my absence :)
