How To Seduce Hermione Granger
By: TheFifthCharmedOne
Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Summary: George has dared his twin to seduce Hermione, and, being Fred, he can't back down from a dare. However, when real feelings begin to appear, can he keep up with the game he's begun, or will he be stuck in a stalemate? High Teen Rating - you have been warned. Hermione/Fred and Harry/Ginny, with George/OC.
Chapter 10: Complications
"Hey, George?"
George looked up from the invention he was tinkering with to see Kat standing in the doorway.
"Hey, Kitten." He greeted with a smile. Kat's heart skipped a beat. "What's up?"
"Can I talk to you?" she bit her lip nervously. George put down his screwdriver and gave her his full attention. "It's about Verity."
"Verity?" George asked, sounding confused. Kat played with her nails, shifting her weight. "What about her?"
"She's in love with you." Kat blurted. George's eyebrows shot into his hairline. "She's probably planning some elaborate thing for Valentine's Day, and I just wanted to make it clear that if you choose her, I won't hate you. I might hex you, or curse you until you can't see straight, but I won't hate you."
"Kitten," George began, but Kat held up a hand.
"It's better this way - saves us both a lot of complications." she smiled. Only George could see that her lips wavered just the slightest bit. "It was a nice run. I had fun." She turned around, as if to leave, but George was behind her in an instant. He took her hand.
"Don't you dare." He said softly, but firmly. "You're not about to walk out that door with that kind of goodbye. Even if Verity does feel that way about me, I'm in a relationship with you."
She looked back at him, a hopelessness in her eyes that only came from someone who had experienced extreme heartbreak.
"But how can I sure that won't change?"
"It won't." George said earnestly. "I never saw Verity as anything more than a little sister. A blond Ginny, if you will." He interlocked his fingers in hers, nothing but pure honesty in his eyes. "Come on Kitten, have a bit of faith."
"You know about my past, George." She sighed, running a hand through her brown tresses. "How can I know that you won't wake up tomorrow and decide that I'm a boring mess? That I'm not worth your time or-or..." She choked on a sob and hid her face. She hated feeling so vulnerable, and George could sense that this was a rare thing, for her to feel so weak.
"Hey, come on." He took her into his arms and hugged her. "You're anything but boring, love." He kissed her hair and held her close.
Just outside the door, Verity gasped. Tears filled her eyes. She had been entirely prepared to tell George how she felt, she had even come to the shop early so she could speak to him alone. How could she have missed so much in her month away? When she left, both of the twins had been single! Now Fred was dating Hermione Granger and George - her George! - was dating this stranger!
It was extremely unfair.
Life's not fair, Verity. Get used to it. Her snobby older sister's voice entered her head, and Verity rubbed her temples. What could she do now? She would have to quit working for the twins - there was no way she could bear to watch George and his new girlfriend together.
With a heavy sigh, she went to talk to Fred.
"Well, this is sudden."
"I'm sorry."
"Can you at least tell me why?"
Verity bit her lip. Fred was understanding - he'd get it. Hopefully.
"I've fancied George for over a year." she admitted bravely. Fred's eyebrows shot up - apparently she was better at keeping secrets than she thought. "I was going to tell him, but I saw him with that new girl, and now I don't think I could handle working with you two knowing that he's moved on."
"I can understand that." Verity breathed a sigh of relief. "We just have to figure out a way to replace you." Fred ran a hand through his hair. "Thank you for everything you've done, Ver. You helped us get the store off of the ground, and for that, we're very grateful."
Verity smiled. Tears burned behind her eyes, but still, she smiled. "Are you sure there's no way to change your mind?"
"Unless George breaks up with his girlfriend, which I would never ask him to do, then no." Verity said. She pushed her bangs out of her eyes and held out a hand. "Thank you for everything Fred. It was never boring."
Fred smiled and shook her hand - and then pulled her into a friendly hug.
"You're welcome. Now go on, get out of here. I'll explain things to George."
"Thank you." Verity said, and she dipped her head slightly. "Good luck with Hermione."
"Thanks. Won't need it, though." He looked over Verity's head to Hermione, who was standing in the doorway. Verity couldn't hide a smile at the blush on Hermione's face.
"It was nice to meet you." Verity said to Hermione in passing.
"Same here."
"Hey, Ver?" Fred called as Verity stepped down the first stair. She looked over. "Keep in touch, will you? It'd be nice to hear from you every once in a while."
She nodded emphatically. "Okay. If you need any help with jobs, we'll be happy to write you a reference."
The blond nodded and walked down the steps - she still felt the acute pain of heartbreak in her chest, but the fact that she was able to peacefully leave her job without any drama was reassuring. She left Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes behind - perhaps the Prophet was hiring.
"Verity quit."
Fred was blunt and dry as he chewed on his chicken. Hermione looked up at George to see his reaction.
He was surprised, to be sure, but it didn't seem to reach his eyes, almost as though he had expected it. The bookworm looked at Kat, who seemed at peace with the idea.
"Did she?" George asked conversationally, his knife squeaking on the plate as he sliced into the meat. "Who're we going to replace her with?"
"Dunno." Fred answered. "Aren't you curious about why she quit?" he asked his twin.
"I know why. She fancied me, and since I'm with Kat, she couldn't stay around." He tossed a grin at his brother. "I am the better looking twin, after all."
"You don't even have both ears, you wanker." Fred said, rolling his eyes. George took his spoon and fired a pea across the table, which hit him on the cheek.
Fred glared playfully at George.
"Oh, it's on."
Thus, a food fight broke out.
"George!"
"Fred!"
The girls scolded their boyfriends, but it didn't seem to do any good.
Somehow, in the span of about ten minutes, the table had been flipped over and dinner plates had been discarded uselessly. The twins were now using magic to duel each other, still jokingly, but Hermione still worried that they'd let their competitiveness get head of them.
"All right, all right, enough is enough. To your corners!" Kat said, stepping between the two boys. The hexes stopped immediately. "You two are the most immature twenty-four year olds I've ever met!"
"But you love us!" George added with a grin. Kat rolled her eyes.
"Clean up your mess. Now!" The twins stood, wands at the ready. "Without those." Kat quickly summoned the wands to her. Fred and George gaped at her, looking betrayed. "You'll get them back as soon as you clean this up!"
Needless to say, the twins moved like lightning. Hermione just watched from the side, chuckling a little at how easily Kat could control the twins, specifically George. Fred was right, he really was whipped.
Hermione found herself watching Fred as he moved. Despite the two boys being identical twins and looking and sometimes acting exactly alike, there was just something about Fred that was different. To the naked or distracted eye, it was an invisible difference, but to someone who watched carefully, it was as clear as a summer day.
And she liked it that way.
"Fred Weasley! You need a haircut!"
"Hello to you too, Mum." Fred said with a grin.
"Same to you, George!" Molly continued. The twins looked at each other and shook their heads. Some things never change. "Hermione! So nice to see you!" Hermione and Molly hugged, and Hermione introduced Kat to Mrs. Weasley.
"This is Kat. She's been my friend since I was a child, but don't worry, she's a witch too. She went to Beauxbatons instead of Hogwarts."
"So lovely to meet you!" Molly smiled broadly. "Would you like some lunch?"
The twins and Hermione looked at each other and smiled. Kat was now officially family, and would undoubtedly be receiving a jumper for Christmas.
Harry and Ginny were next to arrive, and Ginny looked immensely happier than the last time Kat and Hermione had seen her. Hermione deduced that Harry had gotten his head out of his arse and had celebrated their anniversary properly. She and Kat would be sure to get all the details later.
Slowly, more people began to arrive, and soon the table was completely full. Ron came last, by himself, as usual. It always saddened Hermione to see that he hadn't gotten a new girlfriend since they broke up.
Fred saw this change in demeanor, and he took her hand in his, squeezing it.
"He'll be fine." he assured her. Hermione smiled, and Fred smiled in return.
"Fred? Can I talk to you?" Ron approached Fred and Hermione after dinner with this question. He barely spared a glance Hermione's way, he just stared at his brother. Hermione noticed that his fists were clenched, but his wand was absent. She feared what would happen. She sent a look toward George and Kat as Fred stood up and followed his brother to the latter's bedroom.
Ten minutes passed, and Hermione grew more frightened by the second. Why was this taking so long?
"I'm going upstairs." Hermione said, and went to stand, but Kat put a firm hand on her shoulder.
"They need to talk. It's going to take a few minutes."
Hermione's lips pressed into a thin line, concerned for her boyfriend and her best friend.
"You knew how I felt about her! You knew! But you went after her anyway! You're a fucking prat!" Ron screamed, comfortable about the Silencing Charms in place.
"Ron, you had already broken up when I started talking to Hermione. You don't own her!"
"She's my best friend and ex-girlfriend! Do you honestly think that I would give up on my feelings so easily? And then you show up here, all boyfriend and girlfriend like...I mean, what the bloody fuck, Fred? How could you do this to me?" His voice turned despondent at the end.
"For the love of God, Ron! Not everything is about you! I care about Hermione! I love her! Can you say the same?"
"You-you...! You know! You know I love her!"
"Do you? Because if you did, you wouldn't be screaming at me like this. You would understand that she's moved on. Things happen, Ron. It's a part of life."
"Oh just shut up!" Ron bellowed, and then he took a swing at his older brother.
No one would have known about the fight if it weren't for Hermione and George. George knew his twin was distressed, possibly hurt, and Hermione's nerves were slowly at the point of being frayed to their end.
"I'm going up there." Hermione said, determined this time. She stood and stalked up the steps, wand at the ready as she lowered the Silencing Charms. She heard the sounds of a fight and bust the door open, locking it behind her. "Ron, stop it!" She screamed as she saw Ron punching and kicking Fred. She ran between them and pushed Ron away, eyes blazing. She turned immediately to Fred, and gasped slightly at the bleeding wounds on his face.
"Hermione, get out of the way," Ron growled from behind her, and she glared at him.
"When hell freezes over." Hermione snarled back. "Ron, how could you do this? How could you beat up your own brother?"
"He stole you from me!" Ron yelled. Hermione's eyes went wide, and then narrowed in anger.
"I broke up with you! I'm not your possession, Ronald! I never was, and never will be! Fred treats me like a human, like a girl, and he makes me happy! Why can't you just accept that?"
"Because I love you!" Ron cried. "I can't just sit back and watch while he gets to kiss you and hug you, and God only knows what you do in his flat-"
"Ron-!" Hermione hissed, scandalized by his insinuation.
"I did." Fred spoke up, coughing slightly. "Ron, you'll probably hate me for this, but seeing as you already do, I'm just going to put it out there. I've fancied Hermione since your fourth year at Hogwarts. I watched you do all of that with the girl I loved. Only fair, really."
Hermione whirled to face Fred, shocked by this news. She hadn't even known how long Fred had liked her.
"What?!" Ron screamed, looking enraged. "So even though I told you how I felt about her, you fancied her anyway?"
"I told myself that I would let you get the girl! It's not my fault you're an insensitive wart that can't hold onto his woman!" Fred shouted back.
Ron let out a cry of frustration, looking murderous. He charged toward Fred, and Hermione jumped in front of her boyfriend. She cast a Disarming Charm and Ron flew back against the wall.
"STOP FIGHTING RIGHT NOW!" Hermione screeched, looking between the two boys with fury and desperation fighting in her gaze. "I am not some precious jewel or gem that you two can fight over! Ron, you need to understand that I chose Fred! That I love him! You're my friend, why can't you support me in this?"
"Because you're mine, Hermione! You always have been!"
Hermione stomped toward him and pressed her wand into his chest.
"I. Am. Not. A. Possession. I am a girl, a woman, and a damn powerful witch, and if you make me use Unforgivable Curses on you, it'll be your fault that I go to Azkaban."
For the first time since this whole thing began, Hermione saw fear in Ron's eyes. Oh, there was anger there, sure enough, but now there was fear, and regret.
"What in the blazes is going on up here?" Arthur Weasley's voice carried from outside, and Ron and Fred looked at each other. Fred's face was still particularly beaten up, and Hermione was sure his chest and stomach were bruised. The thought made an anger so fierce swell inside her that her wand shot off sparks. "Fred? Ron? Hermione?" Arthur continued, jiggling the locked door.
Ron's gaze turned pleading, as though he was begging Hermione not to open the door. Fat chance - he deserved everything he got.
She unlocked the door and it flew open to reveal Arthur, Molly, and the rest of the Weasleys, including Kat and Harry. George ran to his twin's side, and Hermione joined him, clearly showing what Weasley boy she chose.
"One of you needs to explain." Molly said levelly, her chest heaving as she looked between the two quarreling sons. "Now!"
Silence followed.
"Ron wanted to talk to me about Hermione," Fred started. "But he actually just wanted to beat the shit out of me for taking her away from him." No one missed the bitterness or resentment in his voice.
"Is this true, Ronald?" Molly asked, glaring at her son. Ron said nothing, he couldn't even meet his mother's eyes. "Give me your wand." She demanded. Ron looked up, and Molly put out her hand. Ron took his wand from his pocket and gave it to Molly. "You won't be getting this back for a long time, Ronald Bilius Weasley. How dare you beat on your own brother? Your family? Have I taught you nothing?"
"Mum..." Ron looked like a lost puppy. He glanced at Hermione, but she was fretting over Fred. Jealousy rolled around in his stomach, but he forced himself to think. "I'm...I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me." Molly said. "Apologize to Fred. To your brother." She added the second part as a reinforcement of what he had done to a member of his family.
Ron stared at his feet as he walked toward his brother.
"I'm..." Ron swallowed hard. Fred looked at him expectantly. "I'm sorry, Fred. I...I lost control. God, I'm such an idiot!" He swore colorfully, and Molly admonished him sharply. Ron ignored her. "Can you forgive me?"
"Maybe when my bruises heal." Fred replied. "If you're lucky." He added, anger still present in his blue eyes.
Hermione thought that was rather fair of Fred, and that Ron should count his blessings. Thankfully, he did, and he walked out of the room, attempting to ignore the searing glares of his family.
A/N: Ohhhhh the drama. :D I am so evil. Sorry for where this ended, but I couldn't think of anything else to add. D: And I'm so close to 3,000 words, too! Boo. Not fair. :P Now I'm just writing random crap to fill in the next fifty or so words before I get to 3,000. :"D *guess who fails at life* MEEEEEE!
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'm sorry that I can't update quicker. My school and life schedule are just insanely hectic. There's really no way for me to update faster.
WOOT made it to 3,000 words! :D
Thanks for reading, and please review!
-Charmy