Ginny burst into the shop ten minutes after Fred flipped over the sign to open. George nearly dropped his cup of tea in surprise.
"Have you seen this morning's Daily Prophet" The red head fumed
"No, what completely factual news has the wonderful Rita Skeeter brought to the attention of clueless wizards and witches everywhere" Fred asked sweetly
George grinned at his twin "What did Skeeter write about you and dear Potter now"
"She's back" Ginny slammed the paper on the counter in a huff.
"Rita was gone?" George asked his eyebrows knitted together in confusion
"No! Not her, just look!" Ginny exclaimed while pacing around the store
Fred and George grabbed the paper and held it up together.
"Page 4" Ginny told them
George turned to page four and they both gasped at the heading "SPOTTED: HERMIONE GRANGER IN MUGGLE LONDON WITH MYSTERERY MAN"
The two page spread had several pictures of Hermione sitting outside a café with Spencer. They were ginning at each other in each one. In one shot Hermione was gesturing with her hands wildly, and Spencer was wiggling his eyebrows at her. In another they were making kissy faces at each other.
She was obviously telling him about the kiss, she looked excited. That was good right?
"How long has she been back" George asked frowning
"It doesn't say! I read it five times already!" Ginny shouted "It talks about her new hair! Which is really cute by the way, it talks about how happy she seems, how her fashion sense has changed dramatically and how hot the guy she is with is. There is even theory's on where she has been all this bloody time, but nowhere in this entire drivel did they detail having any insider knowledge about how long she has or has not been in London!"
Ginny was breathing heavily by the end with her face red, tear streaming down her cheeks. Fred and George where taken back by their sisters outburst. Fred rounded the counter and hugged his sister, shortly followed by George.
"She promised to at least write" Ginny sobbed "She never did"
"I'm sure she had her reasons" Fred tried to defend
"We were like family to her"
"You heard what Krum said, she was looking for her parents" George tried to sooth "Who knows how that ended up"
"What does Krum know?" Ginny shrieked "He doesn't know her! Not really"
Fred tried to smile but his sister's distress was getting to him. Why should he be the only Weasley with a relationship with Hermione? Guilt overcame him quickly, for the first time he thought about how his family would react to their relationship. It would probably emotionally crush them.
"Come on sis" Fred said "Let's go up to the flat and make you a nice cup of tea" Before any costumers come in.
…
It took Fred and George an hour to calm Ginny down and even then they had to send an owl for Harry. They had her smiling at least when Harry arrived, the both of them soon left.
"Harry didn't look that chipper" Fred commented
"Well he loved her too" George shrugged "What about you?"
"Honestly scared shittless about how my girlfriend is reacting right now." "What about me?" Fred asked trying to perfect his poker face
"Well you did fancy the pants off her in school" George teased "you where distort when you heard without saying goodbye"
"I did not" Fred thought for a second "And I was not"
"Proper pretences for both" George grinned "I like that"
"I try" Fred grinned and bowed flamboyantly
"Seriously though, you are alright Freddie, right?" George asked
"I'm fine" Fred said "Honestly the thought of the fit that Ron has to be throwing is pulling me through"
George barked out a laugh "Leave Verity in charge and watch said fit"
"You are my very best friend"
…
Hermione read through the huge spell book in front of her and placed parchment in front of the spell's that met the list of requirements.
"Miss Granger? Can step into my office please" Mr Heartfilla
Hermione looked up extremely confused. Hermione and her boss rarely talked other than pleasantries in the morning and in the afternoon. He even left a list of spells he wanted researched on her desk each morning. Something must be seriously wrong.
Standing she soothed her skirt and slipped into her flats as she walked to his office.
"Yes Mr Heartfilla?" Hermione asked standing by the door frame
"Take a seat" He told her as he peered shyly up at her over his glasses.
Hermione nervously walked in and took a seat, she took off her own newly acquired glasses and kept her hands on her lap, fidgeting with the frames. She felt like a child, about to get a scolding.
"Is there something wrong?" Hermione asked after an awkward moment of watching her embarrassed boss look anywhere but at her.
"Hum?"
"Has it to do with my work?" Hermione asked, her anxiety increasing
"Oh heavens no, I wanted to show you this" He handed her the Daily Prophet "Page 4"
She tore the paper open to the right page and was shocked to see a wizarding picture of her and Spencer making kissy face at each other. Blushing profercly read and reread the article.
"This is so embarrassing" Hermione muttered
"I thought you should know" He told her
"Yes thank you" She replied still stunned
"The thing is, Miss Granger as you are aware- I like my privacy" Mr Hearfilla drummed his fingers on his desk
"As do I, I assure you" Hermione told him
"I just want to make sure that you know I won't stand for my business being scrutinized in the paper" Mr Heartfilla told her
"I completely understand. I didn't exactly ask for this to happen sir" Hermione couldn't help but be a little snippy
She clearly had no control over the situation and she hated being talked down to by her employer.
"I am aware Miss Granger" Mr Heartfillla responded patently "You are a very hard worker. So despite my better judgement as long my name is mention in this trash, your job is safe here"
"Thank you sir" Hermione told him softly
"Now, why don't you take the rest of the day off" He told her kindly
…
"I can't believe this! The nerve of these people" Hermione fumed pacing around their living room "I could have lost my job!"
"Don't be so melodramatic" Spencer grinned at the paper "We look cute. Is there any way I can frame this? How does this thing work? Can we get a wizard camera?"
"Spence will you please stay on topic, I have spent the last three years trying to avoid this kind of spectacle. I didn't want to then and I certainly don't want to be now- I'm pretty sure someone followed me here!"
Spencer pulled her down onto the sofa and hugged her back to his chest "Babes what is really bothering you"
"How are the Weasley's going to react?" Hermione whispered
"Fred will understand" Spencer told her
"Don't even get me started on Fred! I can't believe the awkward situation that I put him in!" Hermione sniffed "But what about the others and Harry! Oh god, what will Harry think!"
Covering her mouth she blinked the fears back furiously.
Spencer frowned and held her tighter.
"It may not be easy, especially now that you and Fred are together" Spencer sighed "But you listen to me Hermione Jean Granger, you owe them nothing! Least of all Ronald-jerk-face-Weasley"
Hermione cried softly mostly out of frustration "I didn't mean for everything to get so messed up"
"No one ever really does… I didn't mean to become a teenage alcoholic" Spencer rubbed her arm in comfort
Hermione sniffed softly "I know"
"Maybe its better this way?" Spencer pondered
Hermione turned her head sharply "How could it possibly be better this way?"
"You have a beautifully strange way of looking things"
"That's why you love me so much" Spencer grinned "how are you looking at this dear"
"We have just started dating you know? I've been wanting this for so long… It was one of regrets never telling him how I felt. He's been so sweet and I want nothing more than to be happy with him" Hermione sighed "How would he ever explain this to his family. He'll end up hating me"
"Well now you just sound stupid" Spencer scoffed
Hermione glared at Spencer and he winked in response. Knowing her for so long Spencer knew that the only way to get her out of her miserable slump was to get her mad. And it was a sacrifice he was almost too willing to make he thought grinning at her puffed up cheeks of anger.
"I may be allot of things Spencer Barton! But stupid is not one of them" Hermione huffed
"Oh yea? Is that so" Spencer laughed and tickled her sides "You need to relax!"
Hermione grabbed his hands to stop the assault. She moved out of his grasp.
"I need to talk to Fred"
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I was nervous about this twist but let me know what you think!
The stakes are high for dear Fremione. To though wanting to know the backstory I swear its coming soon!