A/N: edited version. Also very sorry with the very wrong feminist view here. I was a kid and didn't know any better and my views were very limited. I'm definitely more educated now. Feel free to comment and give opinions.
With the parchment on his hand and smug look on his face, Fred let out a loud whoop. He could not believe the relief that coursed through his body when he saw Hermione's hand-writing. For two days, he was sure that he has been rejected by the brown-eyed goddess but seeing that the wizard gods might have took pity on him, he was given a second chance. He wrote his reply on the back of the parchment and tied it to the owl's leg.
"I have to thank Potter too," he said loudly.
"What for?" A girl behind him asked. Fred turned around to see Verity holding a box full of their products, and her brows furrowed waiting for an answer or maybe waiting for him to get out of her way so she could set the box in the backroom.
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Listen, man the counter for the rest of the day and tell George I'll be upstairs waiting for him."
Verity groaned with the extra work. It didn't help that her boss just used the phrase 'man the counter'. Her feminist side is getting on her way. Sensing what the woman in front of her was thinking, Fred rolled his eyes, "Woman the counter, then."
"Whatever," Verity retorted, and pushed Fred aside so she could pass. Why did we even hire her?, Fred thought. He shrugged everything off and ran up to his and George's flat. He was shuffling through his drawers, looking for clean clothes, when he heard his twin walk in his room.
"Date with Granger, then?" George amused. Fred was still looking for some clothes and just nodded. He was tossing every piece of garment that he thinks Hermione won't like. He found a clean navy blue coloured shirt and a nice pair of denim pants. "Too muggle," he muttered.
He ran past his brother and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. After a few minutes, he went back to his room—covered only with a towel on his waist—and found his twin still in his room but now lying on his bed with both of his hands on the back of his head.
Fred was putting his clothes on and looking at the mirror when George broke their silence. "You're acting like a girl."
Fred turned to look at his brother and said, "Fuck off. I just want to be presentable, that's all."
"Whatever. Only girls stay in front of the mirror and style their hair for thirty minutes." George replied and fluttered his eyes shut. "Do you know what time you're supposed to be there?"
"Nope. But it's only five in the afternoon. I'll pop in there around eight maybe."
"Oh. Okay."
"Why do you ask?"
George sighed. "You're absolutely sure with what you're doing, mate? I know you've wanted this since we're hitting puberty and—,"
Fred interrupted with a loud growl. George was taken aback with Fred's angry face. "Why do all of you keep asking me that? I know what I'm doing, okay! Do all of you think I'll give up on her or something?"
"No. I'M worried that SHE might hurt you!" George confessed. Fred was confused. "Hurt me? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Seriously, you're not yourself when you're around her! You always transform to some sappy leading man in those romantic films muggle girls are always so fond of. She might be fond of you now, but we all know she has some commitment issues and other fucked-up stuff she has.
"I have nothing against Hermione, don't get me wrong, Fred. But you didn't see yourself the past two days! You were like a zombie and you two aren't even together yet! I like Granger for you, really but, she needs to sort her problems out before I want you near her. She's got some issues. She acknowledged the issues before and I really think she's moving too fast right now."
Fred just stood there, staring at his brother with his mouth open. If they weren't talking about anything serious, George might have laughed with his brother looking like a fish. Fred swiftly moved and sat at the end of his bed. "I know what I'm doing, mate. If things don't work out, at least I got to act on my feelings even for a little while."
George sat beside his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's the problem right there. If she'll leave you, you won't know what to do. You won't be able to move on, and that's for sure." Fred looked up with a frown but George continued. "I won't sugar coat this for you, Fred. You're a lost case when it comes with her."
With that, George stood up, gave his brother a smile and left. Damn him and his psychological skills, Fred thought.
He pondered over what his twin said. Normally, he would listen to him. But he has wanted this so much that he's willing to take a risk. Swallowing loudly, he looked up to his watch and saw that it's already seven in the evening. He stood up and took another look at himself in the mirror.
"Too much drama" was his last words to himself before he apparated.
~OoO~
Ron was right, Ron was right, Ron was right…
Hermione had been chanting that since she sent the letter to Fred. She knew she needs to get out of her shell sooner or later. She has been close-minded far too long, and she guess that this is a good idea of taking things to the next step.
It's already seven in the evening and Hermione just finished cooking their dinner. She was wearing tight jeans and a white shirt. She was not particularly happy with the tight jeans because she felt like she's not wearing anything at all, but Ron had insisted, saying that it's a date and she needs to look good even if she's only going to wear simple clothes. Hermione had to admit that her best friend had a point.
She was about to check herself in the mirror for the hundredth time when she heard a loud pop in their living room. She walked out of her room to see Fred Weasley looking around their place with interest.
"Hey there," Hermione greeted with a blush.
Fred blushed and greeted her back. He made his way towards her and gave her an awkward hug. When they let go of each other, they stood for a moment, not knowing what to talk about.
I'm so stupid, Hermione thought.
I'm so stupid, Fred thought.
Getting tired of the uncomfortable silence, Fred complimented the smell of food that surrounds them. "Smells good in here, Granger."
"Wait until you get a taste, Weasley," she replied with a chuckle.
Hermione guided Fred to the dining table and made him sit comfortably across her. She summoned the food and placed everything on the table in a blink. Fred was incredibly impressed with everything that he sees on the table, contemplating how Hermione managed to cook all of that.
"I thought you don't cook," Fred said while filling his plate.
"Oh, I do. I just can't find the time to do it because of my work," she replied while filling hers. "And what made you think that I don't?"
Fred gulped his wine before answering her question. "Well remember the first time we hung out?" Hermione nodded. "You told me to feed you because Ron and Harry won't, and I kind of assumed that you don't know how to."
Hermione smiled at the memory. "You have a lot to know about me, then." Fred looked at Hermione. Did she just give me the go signal?!, he thought.
"Oh! Oh! I know! Let's do the questions game after dinner and your massage!" Hermione suggested. Fred was still looking at her again but now, with his eyes wide open. He just nodded and continued eating, trying not to think of his heart pounding making its way out of his chest.
~OoO~
"Hmm… oh yes… that's it… oh Merlin, yes!" Fred moaned.
"Gods! Quiet down! The neighbours might think we're having sex!" Hermione huffed while she straddles Fred's back, massaging it carefully.
"Sorry! You just have really good hands," Fred muttered. "But there's nothing wrong with having sex with me, though." Fred suggested, looking smugly at Hermione. She winced and slapped his back, making him laugh loudly.
"I'm only joking, geez." Hermione rolled her eyes and continued what she was doing while Fred stifle his moans by biting the pillow his head was resting on.
~OoO~
"That was fucking awesome!" Fred exclaimed as he roll over to his back on the bed.
"Thank you! You actually have nice skin so it's not really disgusting having my hands all over you," Hermione joked. She stood up from the bed and took the pack of cigarette that was on her study desk. She popped a stick on her mouth, light it, and took a drag. Fred watched as she exhaled the smoke out of her mouth. He was also mesmerized with how the smoke danced on the air.
"What you say we start the question game now, huh?" He suddenly asked. Hermione just shrugged indicating that he goes first.
"When did you start smoking?" He asked.
"End of sixth year." Fred couldn't believe what he heard. How come she never got caught?!, he asked himself. "It was the time where Harry, Ron and I made plans about not going back to Hogwarts and look for those damn Horcruxes," Fred, once again, was confused. What the hell are horcruxes? " It was so stressful and I needed to do something besides reading. I bought a lot and brought it at the Burrows and I smoke every night when everyone's asleep. Then when we went into hiding, that's what keeps me awake when it's my time to kind of patrol at night."
"And you never got rid of it, then?"
"Well, I did stop for a while then Terry Boot got me started again. Harry and Ron tried to make me stop but I'd become a horrid bitch just after three hours of not having at least a puff," she replied with a laugh. Fred laughed too, betting that Ron was the one who called her that.
"My turn! Hm… Are you okay with George getting married?"
"I really am, actually. People think I'll be mopey and jealous of Angelina but they have never been with those two alone before. They love each other so much, and Angelina respects my bond with him. And she's kind of an honorary twin now. They've been together for so long." Fred answered honestly. Hermione smiled thinking how lucky Angelina for finding someone she can spend the rest of her life with.
"How come you never talk about your parents, Hermione?"
Hermione stiffened, and it didn't go unnoticed by Fred. "You don't need to answer that, I guess. I'll just ask y—,"
"No. I'll answer that, I don't mind. Well, they're not really supportive of my lifestyle. They're not happy that I'm a witch, they think it's bullshit. They never told me that in my face, but I could feel it. Then when I reversed the spell on them after the war—because I modified them during the war so I could hide them—they kind of swear me off as their daughter," Hermione answered with a loud sigh.
"That was harsh!" Fred gasped. He could not believe that someone so sweet and kind would go through such hardship from her own parents. "You're their only child, right?" Hermione nodded and frowned. She never had a good relationship with them but she misses them nonetheless.
"What's your biggest fear?" Hermione suddenly asked, trying to take her mind off her parents and continue the question game.
Fred shuddered just thinking about his fears. "After almost getting killed by the wall at the battle, I guess my greatest fear now is death. Not mine, but everyone around me. I was in a coma for a week but I could hear all of you going in and out of my hospital room. Mom crying, George crying, Ron worrying, Percy apologizing for being a git… I can even here you and Harry talking.
"And it just made me sad I put you all in so much grief. I don't want to experience that because I don't think I could move on. I'm not really good with that part, also with letting go…" Fred trailed off. He meant what he said but he also put a double meaning with the last part. He was also talking about not being able to move on from Hermione.
Hermione felt bad for Fred, but she couldn't stop thinking about the last thing that he said. There was something else he's trying to tell her but she couldn't figure it out. Fred waited for Hermione to react with what he said but he was sure she didn't pick up on what he's trying to say. For the smartest person I've ever met, she could be really daft, he thought.
"Fred?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I be honest with you?" Fred's heart suddenly started beating faster than usual. Fred swallowed thickly and opened his mouth. Hermione beat him on speaking. "Forget it," she said.
"No. Go. Tell me what you want to say."
Hermione looked up to meet his gaze. "I know you know that I was trying to avoid you," Fred nodded and lean slightly towards her so he could listen to everything she's about to say. Hermione sighed loudly and continued. "And I guess it's because I was afraid with this new friendship thing."
"Why?"
"I have all this issues, Fred. Issues that I am afraid to face. And I think I have to be straightforward but, I really like you." Hermione was nervous. She has never had strong feelings toward someone like this before. She and Draco managed their relationship too fast so they crumbled faster. She didn't want that to happen to whatever that is between them, and she really need to be honest.
Fred was ecstatic. He wants to declare his love for her right there but he knows she's doing this because she wants to make peace with her own mind. "I like you too, Hermione," he replied. He was really itching to tell her the truth but he knows it will jeopardize whatever she's planning.
Hermione smiled warmly and hugged him. "Fred. We have to take this slow, and I need you to be patient with me. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes."
