The Burrow, Christmas 1996
Fred's foot gently brushed Hermione's leg under the table, and a crimson blush rushed into her cheeks when she met his eyes.
Fred grinned knowingly, and pulled out his wand underneath the table, magicking the note he'd written earlier into Hermione's hand.
Hermione's eyes widened, hoping no one had seen the magical note appear in her fingers. She looked around the table and saw no one had given her the slightest of notice.
She opened the note, and smiled, watching out of the corner of her eye as Fred excused himself from the table.
Meet me in the garden for your Christmas present, love.
-Fred.
Waiting for a few moments, she excused herself as well, trying not to giggle as the Weasley matriarch raised an eyebrow at her departure.
No doubt Molly knew that Hermione was stealing away to rendezvous with Fred, and Hermione knew if Molly thought it to be untoward, she would've said something.
Smirking, she left the room and walked out the door and towards the garden, away from Molly's eyes and every else's ears.
The brisk air hit her face, and she quickly cast a warming spell on herself, sighing when it enveloped her like a thick jumper.
Her gaze slipped towards the giant oak tree standing tall and proud in the garden, and smiled at the figure leaned up against it. Fred stood by the oak, staring up into the starry sky, snowflakes coating his soft, ginger hair, giving him the appearance of a white haired old man, and Hermione couldn't help but let out a small giggle.
Fred turned around, his brow arched. "What's so funny?"
Hermione walked closer, planting a soft kiss on his lips, circling her arms around his waist. "You look like Father Christmas with all that snow in your hair."
Fred laughed, shaking his head gently, and Hermione gasped as the snowflakes fell on her, the bits of cold seeming to nip at her warming charm.
"I guess that's the second time in my life that I've aged within minutes, but I prefer not to have a white beard anytime soon," Fred replied, pulling Hermione closer to his chest, breathing in her gentle, honeydew scent.
It was quiet for a few moments as they stood under the oak tree, until Hermione brought up Fred's note.
"So, what's all this about a Christmas present?" She said, smiling as she pulled away, and Fred smirked.
"Well, the thing is, Hermione," Fred paused, rummaging around his pockets, and sighed when he couldn't locate whatever he was looking for.
"It seems as if I've forgotten part of it, but this will work just the same."
Hermione gasped as Fred waved his wand, and the garden lit up with magical red lily bells, and he knelt before her, his large and calloused hand enveloping her soft small one.
"Hermione Jean Granger, I know it's not been long, and I know we're both still young, but I love you more than words can say. The moment my heart first touched yours, I knew it would always belong to you, just as my life does. No one else has managed to open my entire world just as much as you have, and I couldn't imagine anyone else endeavoring to do so," Fred paused, smiling up at a teary eyed Hermione, kissing her knuckles and he continued.
"I cherish every smile, kiss, touch, and word that you've given me, and it's enough to make me believe in a higher power. You are heaven sent, and I fall in love with you more and more every day. Being away from you for any extended period of time makes my heart ache, and I know that something is coming, and you'll have to leave, but before you do, I want to make sure I'll always be by your side even when I'm not. I never want to let you go again. So, with that being said," Fred paused, swallowing nervously, "would you do me the honor of marrying me, after all of this is over?"
Hermione smiled, tears pouring down her face as she nodded. "Yes!"
Fred grinned widely, standing up and smothering Hermione in a tight hug, peppering her face in kisses as she laughed.
"I love you so much, Hermione. Never forget that when you're away."
Hermione nodded, the tears of joy quickly turning into tears of sorrow, as she realized Fred was right.
Harry and Ron hadn't given it much thought, but Hermione had. With everything cultivating towards an inevitable war, Hermione knew she'd only be safe on the run. It was a truth she'd accepted the moment Cedric Diggory had turned up out of the maze, murdered by Voldemort's right hand man.
She knew she'd only be able to protect the ones she loved if she left, hoping to find a way to bring the end of a dark era, and she could only do that with Harry and Ron.
She was stirred out of her mournful thoughts as Fred kissed her fiercely, and felt herself get lost in his kiss, her body flying, her lips tingling as the ginger man pulled away, a sly smile on his face.
"And they said I'd never steal a kiss from your sweet lips, Hermione Granger." Fred said lowly, planting a small kiss on her forehead.
Hermione, still reeling from the kiss, could only muster a small whimper and a sniff as she wiped her eyes.
Finally, she found her voice. "Who says it's stealing if I was willingly giving it to you?"
Fred chuckled, and continued to sway with his sweet witch as the lily bells rang upon them, both blissfully ignoring the impending events that would seek to separate them in time.
A/N: I know it's really soon for Fred to propose, and I know it would be unlike Hermione to even remotely accept, but just bear with me here. Remember, Dramione is end game, even if Fremione seems a lot cuter and less broody!
