Hermione
Over the last few months of the school year it became harder and harder to keep the relationship between Fred and me a secret. Ron and Harry had finally stopped asking about the letters he sent me but with each one, my heart would beat faster and I'm sure I blushed. It wouldn't take a detective to figure out what was going on but luckily for me, neither of the boys was particularly astute so they didn't question me.
Every time we could manage it, Fred and I would meet on the Quidditch pitch or, after Fred introduced me to the secret passage, in Hogsmeade. One evening, just before the end of the school year, I told the boys I was going to study on my own for a while and headed to the secret passage, barely keeping my pace at a walk. I didn't bother to check if anybody was following me. I did pause before tapping the statue at the entrance with my wand. I practically ran down the passage because I knew who was waiting at the end. I barely made it out the door of Honeydukes before Fred caught me from behind. He wrapped his arms around my waist and gently kissed my neck just above the collar of my sundress.
"You know, I do believe you've gotten more beautiful since I saw you last."
"Fred! Stop it!" I giggled. "What are we up to tonight?"
"Well I thought we'd start with an eighteen inch potions essay and then move to a study in practical transfiguration. Or dinner and drinks at the Three Broomsticks. Whichever you prefer m'lady."
"Dinner, sounds wonderful."
"As you wish."
He slipped his hand into mine and I marveled again at how perfect the gesture felt. We meandered down the main street of Hogsmeade, not in any hurry, simply enjoying each other's company. We found seats in a dim corner of the surprisingly crowded Three Broomsticks. As usual, the food was good and the butterbeer flowed freely. The low lighting and illusion of seclusion were good for romance after a long separation.
Fred and I were soon intertwined, my legs across his lap, one hand on my waist the other tangled in my hair. His kisses were sweet and gentle. We were lost in a world all our own and I have no doubt that we could have stayed there all night if not for what happened next. A mug filled to the very top with butterbeer was slammed onto our table. It splashed onto our table and spilled into our laps.
Fred broke away indignantly, "Bloody hell! What do you – " I looked up when he stopped and felt the blood drain from my face. A very angry Ron Weasley stood with his arms crossed glowering at the two of us across the table.
"Ron – "
"Studying hard aren't we?"
"Ron – "
"No you let me talk. You lied Hermione. You lied to me, and to Harry, and to God knows who else just so you could sneak out and make me look like an idiot with this – "
"Excuse me?! Make you look like an idiot?! This has nothing to do with you! There is nothing between us but friendship. That might be news to you but I guarantee it isn't to anybody else. You are too wrapped up in yourself to even consider that just because you like me does not mean that I like you. Get over yourself and get out of here!"
Ron opened and closed his mouth a couple times, doing a very good impression of a fish.
"Fred – "
"Hey man," he interrupted, throwing up his hands, "she's made her choice. I didn't push her one way or the other and you shouldn't either."
"You're only saying that 'cause you're the one she picked."
"Ron can you just leave it? Did you ever actually ask her out on a date?"
"Well no. But – "
"NO! You didn't ask and I did. You've lost. Accept it and grow up."
I thought Ron was going to start arguing again but instead he turned and stalked out the door, letting it slam behind him. Only then did we realize that our little corner had become center stage and conversation at the surrounding tables had stopped completely. Fred let out a small, embarrassed cough.
"Maybe we should go somewhere else."
"Uh yeah. I think that would be a good idea."
We hurried out.
"Hey 'Mione, you okay?"
"Yeah… I guess that was going to happen sooner or later. It did put a bit of a damper on the evening though."
"True. I'm sorry it happened though." I rounded on him.
"You know what? Let's forget it. I chose you and that's that. Nothing else should matter. Ron will get over it eventually but this? This right here is worth all of that. I have you and I'm happy."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Fred grinned. I reached up and put my arms around his neck. He pulled me in for a long, slow, gentle, heavenly kiss. We stood in the middle of the busy Hogsmeade street and let time pass us by. Content. Happy. I didn't want anything to change and, it didn't have to.
Note: I couldn't leave this story the way it was so I wrote a quick conclusion from Hermione's POV. I hope you liked my story. I just don't have the time to write much now that I'm in college. Thank you for your patience and please let me know what you thought!
