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Chapter 11 - An Ally
The past few weeks had been somewhat difficult for Fred. He had tried to push the conversation with George out of his mind, but it continued to pop back to into this conscious thoughts at the strangest of times; once when Fred had found Hermione singing to the baby and wiggling along to the song, one time during the Weasley family dinner Hermione had asked him to escort her outside so she could have a quiet moment away from the ruckus of the Burrow, and another time when they had taken the tube back from a film together and she had fallen asleep on his shoulder.
Fred continued to give no credit to the thoughts and brushed them aside almost as soon as they surfaced; but that didn't mean that the thoughts had actually gone away.
Today Hermione had a day off, and she had asked if she could spend the free time down in the store helping to replenish stock. She sited that the solidarity of the apartment would make her crazy so Fred and George happily agreed knowing how proficient Hermione was with potions and charms. They knew that it definitely wouldn't hurt getting a jump start on stock numbers with December only a month away too.
"Well we can't have you doing any of the dangerous ones. Mum would probably have our heads," George chuckled as he went over the inventory numbers to see what Hermione could help with.
"Do any of the WonderWitch products need back stock? I always thought those were very interesting," Hermione looked over one of the other inventory sheets as Fred and George shared a baffled look.
"Who are you; and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" Fred asked through a terrified mock expression.
Hermione laughed lightly, "Well, I don't think I would use any of the products. But I was always amazed at the complexity that the products seemed to require. It's very impressive magic and I was just curious how they worked."
"Ah, there's the brain of the Golden Trio," George chuckled heartily. "Well, I guess we could show you the potion for the pimple vanisher and possibly the charm for the Crush Blush. We almost sold out of that one last year."
Flora's head suddenly appeared between the bright orange curtains that separated the back rooms from the storefront, "Good morning, Hemrione!" The witch wore a broad grin, "I didn't realize that you were actually serious when you said you were going to help out today. You sure you want to be a part of the madness?"
Hermione mirrored the other girl's expression, "Why not. It could be fun before I have to take on motherly duties."
"Aw, we won't let you get all boring after the baby comes 'Mione. Don't you worry," Flora was interrupted by George clearing his throat somewhat impatiently. "Oh, sorry. It's just nice to have another girl in the ranks. Someone out front is asking about a bulk order of Shield Hats, sir."
George handed off the inventory list to Fred and followed Flora out onto the floor.
"You'd think we were barbaric or something," Fred mumbled as he faced a still smiling Hermione.
"Or she's like Ginny and just needs a friendly ear that will listen instead of make jokes," Hermione giggled at the shocked look Fred wore due to the comment.
"I listen to you well enough, Granger. And I know better than to make light of our conversations if it's not appropriate to do so," Fred stuck his nose up into the air and tried to look insulted.
"Yes, and that's why you're my favorite of the Weasley twins." Hermione laid a hand on Fred's forearm and smiled mischievously, "SHH, don't tell George."
Fred smirked, "Your secrets safe with me, Hermione." He turned toward the curtain, "I'll be right back. Need to check on George and make sure everything's being handled with that order." Hermione nodded her head and returned to skimming over the list of in-stock items.
As soon as Fred stepped through the curtain and onto the floor of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, he released a sigh and walked over to a corner of the storefront that had no customers crowding around it. He busied himself with arranging some of the shelves to make sure the items were all lined up and correct way around. The thoughts had invaded his mind again…
George had noticed Fred's strange behavior firsthand at the Burrow, and he had listened intently when his twin had mentioned an incident on the tube last week. George knew what was going on, but he was curious for how much longer Fred was going to deny what he was feeling.
As George had been explaining some of the general mechanics of the shield hats to the representative of the Spanish Magical Ambassador, he had noticed Fred exit the backroom looking defeated. When he finished the brief conversation and had scheduled an appointment of demonstration for the ambassador, George had asked Flora to cover the register and Kalvin to see to the customers on the floor.
He quickly ducked his head behind the curtain, "Hermione, would you like some tea? I think Fred and I need a coffee run."
"Yes, that sounds lovely. Just some Breakfast Tea, please; Fred knows how I like it prepared," Hermione innocently commented.
"Of course he does… Well why don't you begin pulling the ingredients for the vanishing potion and get started on that. I'm sure it will seem very simple for you once you get started," George winked toward the witch before walking over to his twin and dragging the other redhead out into Diagon Alley by his upper arm.
Fred pulled his arm from George's grasp, but not in a harsh manner, "What is it George?"
George's voice was calm, "Anything you'd like to tell me?"
"No."
Fred continued to walk along the wizarding street in silence as George led them to the tea and coffee shop a few stores down. George looked over at his twin and comically sighed in exasperation.
Fred looked at George feeling a bit perplexed, and finally opened up a little, "Well, I do have something to harp at you about."
"And what's that Freddie?" George ordered two coffee's and three Breakfast tea's to-go.
"Why did you think I fancied Hermione?"
George tried not to react to the ridiculous question, "Because I'm your twin and I know you."
Fred glowered at his brother, "No I mean, am I doing something that hints at that? Or do I act strangely around her that's painfully obvious?"
"What's this? You're owning up to it then?" George was surprised that Fred would tackle this head on when only a few weeks ago he was denying the fact with a chorus of laughter to back him up.
"No… don't know… not really? I just don't want to make her uncomfortable or something…" Fred ran his hand nervously through his copper hair, "Blood hell, why did you have to bring this to my attention George. I was blissfully ignorant before; utterly happy to get to know a friend better and look after my future niece, but now I feel like a bumbling idiot."
George looked over his twin and tried not to smile. He knew that this situation wasn't ideal, but it's not like it was forbidden, "Can I ask why you're so concerned?"
Fred shot his mirror image a shocked glare, "Well… It's Hermione. She's been our friend for ages. She's part of the Golden Trio, she saved our world… Oh and she was supposed to marry our little brother and she's carrying his child."
"I understand that Freddie; I think the whole world understands that," George sighed as he mixed some cream into his coffee. "So can I ask you some questions?"
"Sure, why not…" Fred wasn't sure where his brother was going with this train of thought, but he knew that George was always on his side no matter the situation.
"Do you care about her?"
"Of course I do," Fred's expression became even more puzzled as he added the single super and minimal milk to one of the teas.
"Why?" George sipped his coffee and added a few more drops of creamer.
Fred flipped the questions around in his mind, trying to take the questions as seriously as possible since it was George asking, "Well, she's my friend. She's a good person. And she is making us uncles in a few months' time."
"Ok, so not because she's famous?" George chuckled lightly.
"Of course not!"
George laughed heartily at the expression his twin wore, "And what do you think are her best qualities?"
Fred rolled his eyes, "Why does this matter, Georgie?"
"Just answer the question, I'll make my point in due time."
"Well she's brilliant, she's kind, beautiful and doesn't take shite from anyone," Fred felt warmth flood his face as he truthfully admitted this out load for the first time.
"Alright, good. Those are all normal, even valiant reasons for liking a person. And I know that you're a good and decent person too Freddie, so you shouldn't be ashamed of feeling this way about someone," George started calmly as they slowly began the tract back to the shop.
"She's not just anyone…"
"I know Fred. And now starts the part you really need to take into consideration. You need to figure out if you can handle all the issues that will come up if you pursue this," George looked at his brother with sadness in his eyes. He knew that Fred genuinely liked Hermione, but that didn't mean that the rest of the world would see that.
"Issues?"
George nodded his head, "It's not exactly the best situation Freddie. Like you said, it's Hermione. First off, she could simply not return your feelings and that would be the end of it."
Fred looked a bit dejected, "That would probably be easiest, wouldn't it?"
"Unfortunately yes; much simpler," George stopped and turned his full attention to his twin; he wanted to see what Fred's reaction would be to the next statement. "But I don't think that's the case here."
Fred's eyes got a little wider and his eyebrows knit together as he processed his brother's words, "…wait, you think…"
George didn't answer, smirked and continued to walk toward the storefront. "But there are other issues to consider now. She's the savior of our world, Ron's widowed fiancé, mother of our niece; people aren't going to have a lot of nice things to say about you. People will say you're disgusting or unbalanced for going after our brother's girl; they'll say she's trying to replace Ron or find some way to profit off our success."
He knew the words might sting, but George wanted to make sure Fred realized what kind of situation he would be getting himself and Hermione into if this developed into anything.
"I don't think I could subject her to all that…" Fred looked through the front windows of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Flora had her head peeking through the back curtains again, presumably gossiping with Hermione. Their employee pulled back to address a question from Kavlin and revealed a giggling Hermione seated in front of one of the cauldrons in the back room, "… She doesn't need something this complicated, does she?"
There was an extended pause as both twins took in the sight of a happy Hermione.
George shrugged, "For what it's worth, I don't think it's either of our places to decide what Hermione Granger is capable of handling."
Hope you all liked it! I wanted to make sure that Fred and George had a moment. They are twins after all and I feel like they would always have each others backs. And I also felt like Fred needed to know he had an ally no matter what happened.
Let me know what you all think about it!
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Always,
Misha
Ps. Check out my other stories too; 'Thrown Back,' 'Life as Demigods' and 'Penelope Jackson; The Lightning Thief.'