Late Lunch, Chapter 9


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Hermione couldn't remember the last time she'd had this much fun. Of course, she had had a bit to drink, but no more than to get a bit tipsy. She never drank to get pissed. Unlike her best friend.

If Harry could remember anything in the morning she knew he'd be embarrassed out of his skull. Right now he was circling Cho Chang on his rake, trying to dribble past her. Or Hermione guessed he was trying to dribble. His moves weren't exactly graceful.

"Harry!" said Cho, laughing. "I need the ball too!"

"I can't let you win," said Harry, kicking the ball and going around her. "I need to score, and I won't let you take it, Chang."

"There's no way you're scoring! Even with Ron at the goal," said Cho.

"Oy!" said Ron, but his argument was immediately deemed invalid by a burp.

"Am I the only sober one here?" asked an exasperated Ginny.

"Probably," said Cho, smiling apologetically at her. While her eyes had diverted, Harry took advantage and kicked the ball past her. "What! Oh, no you don't, Potter!"

She hurried after him, both of them unaware that people lingered behind, too amused by the scene to actually engage.

Next to her, Hermione heard Fred chuckle. "They look absolutely ridiculous."

"I think it's safe to say we all do," said Hermione, gesturing to the brooms they'd tucked between their legs.

Fred looked at her and laughed softly. Heat rose to her cheeks, which had nothing to do with the cider she'd had a second ago. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, she strived to break the silence.

"So, how come I've never heard of your math-skills before?" Hermione mentally slapped herself. Of course she'd bring up school. Why wouldn't she do that at a party?

Fred appeared to be thinking along those lines as well, but unlike her it didn't make him groan in frustration. Instead, he gave her question a thought and said, "Perhaps for the same reason I never heard of your lovely cheekiness. People see what's easiest in others. Put them into boxes."

Hermione nodded. "All I ever really knew about you was that you stole toilet seats. And pulled pranks on people."

"Exactly," said Fred. "And that's because being good in maths doesn't really fit in with my rebel persona."

Hermione snorted. He quirked an eyebrow at her which she responded with a roll of her eyes. Thinking over his words she grew curious. "So, what did you know about me?" she asked.

Fred shrugged. "Your name was Granger and you liked books and stuff."

"I 'liked books and stuff'?"

Fred laughed. "Oh, come on, Granger. You just said that all you knew of me was that I stole toilet seats. Which is odd because I've stolen plenty of other things too."

She felt her lips pull up at his attempt to lighten the mood. "I suppose it's partly my fault," she said. "Do you know how hard I tried to stay away from you guys?"

Fred looked like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Why would you do that?"

"Well, it might have escaped your notice, but we're not exactly alike. I was worried you'd tease me."

"You worried we'd tease you for enjoying school?"

Hermione shifted her stance and glanced at the ground. "Well, yeah. . ."

Fred frowned. "That's stupid."

"I don't think I've ever been called stupid before," said Hermione.

"I didn't mean it like that. I know you're not stupid," said Fred. "I'm just confused as to why you'd think that about me—about us—and I can't say I like it. We're not bullies."

Hermione felt a bit stressed. "I know, I know. . .I mean, now I do. You and your friends always pulled stuff on others though, and that got me scared."

"That's because they deserved it, Hermione," said Fred, matter-of-factly.

"Montague deserved to get locked inside the janitor's closet?"

Fred's mouth twisted as if he was in slight pain. "We didn't intend for him to get trapped so long. We figured they'd find him fast enough. But yeah, we caught him bullying little Colin Creevey, so we locked the git inside."

Though disapproval was still evident in her expression, Fred looked relieved to find that most of it had dissipated. He grinned. "And from what I've heard, you're not that innocent. A little birdy told me you were the one who broke Draco Malfoy's nose two years ago."

Hermione blushed. "He didn't want that spread around and neither did I, so no one really knows. I'm guessing Ginny told you?" It had only been a few days ago that Hermione herself had divulged this information to his sister. Ginny was like a sponge and soaked up gossip like nothing else.

"'Course she did," said Fred. "She's been telling me a lot of things about you lately. Like the nose, and how the only thing that makes you curse like a sailor is that Umbridge woman."

"She's a bloody menace and should go back to hell," said Hermione immediately, regretting nothing. She spotted Fred smirking. "Pleased it worked?"

"Very much so," he said. "Sorry, but I just had to see it for myself."

She sighed. "Can't blame you for being curious."

"If it helps, me and George hate her too. And er. . ." he lowered his voice. "The fireworks we picked up were actually supposed to go into her office."

Hermione gasped. "Fred! She could have gotten severely injured!"

"I know, I know. It's a good thing it didn't go as planned. We didn't really think that one through. George and I are considering setting up a new plan, though. A less lethal one."

"Why do I get the feeling you're proposing to me?" Hermione asked, before realizing what she'd just said. "I mean—proposing as in business, not as in, you know—"

Fred laughed. "Yes, we'd be interested in your brains, Granger. What do you say, bookworm and pranksters uniting against a common enemy?"

The more she thought about it, the more she found the idea appealing. "I can't believe it, but yes, I'd love to."

Fred grinned. "Brilliant. It's a deal."

"Oy, lovebirds, we're four-nil!" said Lee. In the background Harry and George were high-fiving.


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A/N: I honestly believe I have the nicest reviewers ever. Thank you so much for leaving comments and following and adding this story to your favorites!

Until next time!
/Primrue