A/N: Hey guys! I managed to get this chapter and most of the next one written. I feel like this one is a little repetitive with Hermione & Fred, but I'm working on it. I'm just trying to write this so it's realistic. & Review please! Maybe CC? Just don't flame me please, thanks!
Hermione heard the screech of the owl in the morning and rushed down the stairs at the speed of light.
"Oh, the post is here!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. She jumped at how fast Hermione had snatched her letter from the Ministry and opened it. It startled her at first but she couldn't help but snicker at the young girl's eagerness.
"Oh I hope it's good." She thought out loud, while Ron, Harry, and Fred entered the room.
Harry and Ron exchanged knowing looks toward one another and Ron couldn't help but roll his eyes at her, which made Harry laugh. The boys all sat down at the table. Fred was looking at Hermione with raised eyebrows and an amused expression on her face.
"D'ya reckon she even knows we're all in here?" He asked out loud, earning a snort from Harry and a shrug from Ron.
"Prolly not, she's probably so absorbed in her reading that…" Hermione cut off Ron's sentence.
"I got the job!" She yelled, almost jumping up and down.
"That's great!" said Harry, always encouraging.
Mrs. Weasley threw her arms up to hug her before working on breakfast for her sons. Hermione was positive that without her they would all starve to death.
"No one was that excited when I got a job," complained Ron.
Hermione slapped him on the arm and he shot her a confused look.
"What?" He asked, with a mouthful of food.
"Be happy for me," she huffed, sitting down at the table with them. Fred nudged her foot under the table and she smiled.
"I start after Holiday," she told them, "I'm so excited to finally have a job!"
Harry congratulated her again before they all settled into their morning routine. A few hours passed and soon the boys were tossing around a quaffle while Hermione sat in the grass watching them. She had a book in her lap, but took breaks from reading to just enjoy being outside. The air was chilly, because Christmas was only days from now, but it was still refreshing. After a half hour of flying around the boys finally came down to rest by Hermione.
"Are you ever going to fly with us?" Ron asked, lying back in the dying grass.
"Maybe another day," her answer was indefinite.
Ron didn't look convinced but he apparently let it go. Fred started to tell Ron about a new store product he was working on. Hermione just sat and observed, but quickly noticed Harry acting peculiar. He was looking around the orchard, as if he was searching for something. After a few moments of that he stood up.
"I think we should go back." He said, helping the others to their feet.
"Why?" Fred asked, but took Harry's hand and stood up.
"Just a feeling. Your dad is home early from work," said Harry.
"I think we should go with it then," said Hermione nervously. "You're usually right."
Ron agreed with her and Fred simply shrugged. Harry grabbed Ron's arm and apparated. Hermione couldn't shake the grave feeling that was sweeping over her like a wave. Fred linked arms with Hermione and apparated also, following the two of them back to the house. Ron was the first through the door and he saw his father sitting at the table talking to his mother quietly.
"What happened?" asked Ron and Harry.
They gave the children questioning looks, wondering how they even knew something was wrong.
"We have to tell them," Arthur gave Molly an apologetic look.
Even if Harry and Ron were Aurors she still wanted to protect them from everything. Mrs. Weasley simply nodded her head and got up from the table to busy herself with something. She didn't need to hear the news again, especially being told to her sons and Harry, who was practically family also.
"There's been an attack," Mr. Weasley told them. "No one was killed, but the victim is in St. Mungos being treated for severe blood loss."
Hermione gasped and her eyes were wide.
"At least it was only one," said Ron.
"Who was the victim?" asked Harry.
"A Muggle-born, an older man, " Mr. Weasley was reluctant to answer him with Hermione in the room.
Fred instinctively took a step closer to Hermione. She looked extremely unstable although she tried to hide it. Truthfully he was afraid that she was going to fall over any second. He placed a steady arm around her small frame, squeezing her in a quick hug. His arm remained lingering around her side while the two of them still stood in the doorway, scarcely noticed.
"What's happening, at the Ministry?" asked Ron.
"They're looking into it now, and you and Harry are going to be summoned shortly," he said. "That's why I had to tell you."
"What about Hermione?" Ron's voice was concerned and high pitched.
Fred's arm dropped from her, grazing her back before returning to his side.
"She'll be safe for now here, if anything happens we'll move her to Bill's house," answered Mr. Weasley.
Hermione looked wide-eyed at them, completely bewildered.
"I don't want to put anyone in danger," she said, her voice was strained. "I'll leave, really."
"Where would you go?" asked Ron. He didn't want her to leave, but he also knew she had no where to go.
Arthur stood up, now facing her full on in the doorway. Fred rocked on his heels.
"We would never have you do that," he said. "You're part of our family Hermione. You aren't expected to leave."
The boys agreed with him in unison. Hermione bit her lip, a little too hard. She didn't want to cry and make a fool of herself like some blubbering idiot. Different emotions were flooding to her all at once, and the comfort of Fred was gone. He had left the room momentarily to find his mother.
"We have to leave, Ron," said Harry, getting up from his chair.
He had just finished reading the post Pig dropped off. The small owl was flapping cheerfully around their heads, clearly taking no notice of the dread in the room. It hooted before Ron swatted at it, grumbling about stupid owls. Mr. Weasley had sat back down. His face was drained of color.
"Be careful boys," he told them.
"We will Dad," Ron tried to smile convincingly at his father.
"It's not like we haven't faced worse," Harry said to Ron as they left the room to the fireplace. With a green flash they were gone. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked paler than ghosts. They started to talk quietly amongst themselves again and Fred and Hermione were left standing there awkwardly. He placed his hand on the small of Hermione's back and led her up the stairs into her room.
"Are you okay?" He asked once she sat down on her bed.
Her bed was smaller than his and wouldn't fit the both of them. Clearly he could see that she was in no mood to perform magic so with a silent spell he made the bed larger. He sat beside her while his mind flashed to his brother and Harry. Thoughts of another brother dying buzzed around his head. He tried to focus on breathing and relax himself. Now wasn't the time to get Hermione anymore worked up, especially over what could be nothing. He tried to find comfort in other thoughts. The attack couldn't have been too serious since the person was not killed and it was only one. There were more voices downstairs now and he heard his other brothers along with Fleur's distinguishable voice. Hermione sniffled beside him and he turned to look at her. She quickly wiped her eyes.
"Nothing's going to happen to you," he said, hoping to reassure her.
"I'm not worried about me," she sniffled, feeling rather embarrassed.
He should have known that she wasn't worried about herself. She was always completely selfless about everything.
"No one will get hurt," he said. "It's probably some stupid group against Muggles. It happened before, a long time ago."
Fred laid his head on one of her pillows and pulled her down beside him. He lifted her so she was lying with half of her body on top of his. She couldn't help but admire his strength for a second. He wrapped his arms around her so his hands were on her back. Through his shirt he could feel a small amount of wetness seeping in. Knowing that she was crying broke his heart to pieces.
"Don't cry love," his voice was soft and barely above a whisper.
"Crying does make you feel better though," he mused, "So maybe you should get it all out, really."
She let out a sound that was both a sob and a laugh. Fred rubbed her back with his one hand while his other was in her hair resting on the back of her head. He slipped his hand under her loose-fitting shirt and traced shapes on the small of her back. She instantly relaxed at the touch and eventually the crying subsided. She still hiccuped ever so often. He kissed her hair, then her forehead. She was craving for comfort and love so there was no objections. Fred's affection was genuine, and real. All he wanted to do was keep her safe. Whatever she was feeling for him she never experienced before, and she wanted more. He removed his hands from their past locations and brought them to her face. He lifted her chin so he could see her face and gently wiped the wetness from under her eyes with his thumbs. Tenderly he leaned in and kissed her cheek softly, then the corner of her mouth.
"Just kiss me, Fred," she told him, breathing out a small laugh. Her eyes were looking steadily into his. Fred was now on his side with her body flush against his. There was a slight nod of his head and he leaned in, placing a hand on the back of her head before capturing her bottom lip between his. His eyes shut instinctively and her presence was making his adrenaline pump though his veins. At first it was a bit clumsy, and practically mashed together, but they recovered quickly. They weren't sure how much time passed during the kiss, but were so absorbed in it that they failed to notice a quick visitor.
Mrs. Weasley had opened the door a crack to check on Hermione and was greeted with the sight of her son with her. Realization hit Molly like a slap on the head. It was never Hermione and Ron that were meant to be together, and she finally understood Fred and his behavior while Ron was dating her. All along her son had been in love with this girl and she hadn't even noticed. She felt a bit foolish and she silently closed the door before returning to her husband to share the news. It made her stomach clench at the thought of anything happening to their Hermione. Mrs. Weasley was convinced, once again, Hermione would be formally part of the family one day.
When they separated from the kiss Fred lightly kissed her face a few more times. She enjoyed that he wasn't slobbering on her, and that he was in fact a fantastic kisser. It was a change from Ronald's kissing, and Vikor Krum couldn't hold a candle to Fred. The thought crossed her mind that he was clearly practiced, and wondered how many girls exactly he might have snogged. It took a moment to remind herself it wasn't important, and she pushed the thought out of her mind. Right now, she just wanted to be happy, if it was even possible. There was no way to tell what the next day would bring, and for now she was content in the arms of Fred.
"You know, I'll never let anything happen to you now right?" he asked.
"What would happen if I didn't kiss you?" her tone was amused and playful.
Her eyes were still watery, but she had to stay strong now. Crying once was enough.
"Are you actually joking with me? You? Hermione Granger?" He teased, his eyebrows raised and his smile mischievous.
She playfully rolled her eyes and rested her head on a pillow.
"You're perfect, you know," he whispered, taking her lips in a small kiss his time.
"Hardly," she replied when they separated. "But I'm glad you like it."
She smiled at him and tossed until she was comfortable. Her head was resting lightly on his chest. She could hear the steady beat of his heart and it was soothing. Her lids felt heavy and it was a fight to stay awake. It was a fight she was losing, and quickly accepted sleep. Fred kissed her hair and let his arm down, so his hand was at least touching her side. Her breathing evened and he was almost sure that she was asleep. It was hard for him to fall asleep because his mind was still buzzing. Finally, he allowed himself to doze off into a sleep, undisturbed by nightmares or restlessness.
okay so the next chapter will be more intense, be excited ;)
