Disclaimer: Only the bits of vaguely original plot contained herein is mine; the rest consisting of characters, backgrounds, universe, etc belong to others. I do this for fun, and now and then, an ego boost.
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Chapter 14
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The meeting of the reformed Order of the Phoenix was held at Grimmauld Place, at Harry's insistence. The Fidelius had been recast, making it secure once again. Unfortunately, little new information was gained beyond what Hermione, Fred, George, Harry, Bill and Arthur had already surmised.
However, security precautions were reinstated and everyone divided into smaller groups with specific aims; Arthur and Bill were in a group that was working on creating new coded messages for fast and secret communications. Fred and George were tasked with information gathering; their shop was ideally placed and frequently visited enough to give them insight and their relationships with vendors, customers and other merchants would help as well. Hermione was asked to work with Ron and Percy to plot out the attacks that seemed linked and look for connections or parallels to try and figure out what the motives were and what the ultimate objectives might be.
Fred insisted on Hermione coming to the flat for dinner after that meeting, and seeing him look torn between following her and following his twin, she gave in. Once they were safely ensconced at the flat, she returned to the Burrow for the night, leaving Fred looking grim, but relieved.
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Hermione did go to the shop on Monday before the Order meeting, but stayed home on Tuesday morning to help Molly with preparations in the house, since Charlie and his date would be arriving. Hermione was upstairs making certain that Percy's old room was ready for the new arrivals and had just finished plumping the pillows when she heard the thud outside that signaled a port-key arrival.
She heard Molly rush outside and heard footsteps on the stairs, indicating Ginny was on her way down to greet her brother. Hermione followed suit, and stepped onto the porch, a smile on her face, to find Charlie with sheepish grin, standing next to a familiar face.
"Mum, I'm not sure if you remember Viktor Krum?"
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Harry and Hermione were escorting Viktor on a tour of the property, giving Charlie a chance to sit down with his mum and talk to her about his current dating situation. Viktor shuffled along a bit uncertainly, and it seemed that no one knew quite what to say.
Hermione broke the ice. "So, how did you and Charlie meet, then?"
"We met at the wedding last year," Krum answered in his thick accent. "Fleur introduced us, and we began talking about the differences in Bulgaria and Romania and about Quidditch. Charlie was a seeker too, you know? Good enough to have offers from professional teams. We just got along very well, you know?"
Harry and Hermione both nodded. "He invited me to come see the dragon reserve. Of course, I was invited before, but had not had time before. There was a break in November, so I went. I think it took both of us by surprise, you know? I do like girls, after all."
"Pleased to hear it," Hermione muttered under her breath. Harry elbowed her in the ribs and she grimaced.
"I saw Charlie working with the dragons, and he was so strong and so beautiful and graceful. I have never wanted to kiss someone so badly. I surprised him, and he surprised me by kissing me in return." Krum shrugged. "We have been dating ever since. He is a good wizard; strong and kind."
"They are a good family," Harry said pleasantly. "So things have been going well between you, then? How often do you get to see each other?"
"Well, the training for the Bulgarian team is intense, but they give us weekends off. I apparate to the reserve, usually. Sometimes, Charlie visits me, when he can take a day off."
"It's a shame you don't get to see more of each other." Krum shifted slightly.
"Yes, well, I have been trying to talk him into moving in with me. It's not a long distance to apparate to the reserve from my home. But I think he worries about what the family thinks. I do not like leaving him to do this by himself."
Hermione touched his arm, hesitantly. "I don't think most of them will care, honestly, though it may be a bit of a shock."
"If Charlie is happy, they'll be happy for him, even if what makes him happy isn't the most conventional relationship. And I'm glad you're here. I had been disappointed when your invitation was declined."
"You are too good, Harry. And you, Hermy-own-knee. Charlie told me you are getting married soon as well, to one of his brothers. I know he's planning to stay here through, unless his parents do not welcome him, but I cannot stay so long."
"It's quite all right, Viktor, though if you can get away, you are most welcome. Well, I promised to be at the shop today, and I'd like to eat, so shall we go see how things are going?" All three of them were dreading a return to the house, unsure of the reception they'd find, but Hermione's urging moved them forward.
Things were quiet as they approached the house. Tentatively, they entered, and found a calm Charlie and Molly with tea things before them. Molly's eyes were a bit red, but that was the only sign of anything amiss. She immediately jumped up and gave a surprised Viktor an enormous hug, to Charlie's evident delight.
"Viktor, Charlie has been telling me all about you and how you met, and I'm so pleased you came with him. Let me show you up to your room, and you can get settled and then we'll have some lunch, all right? Good." She practically yanked him through the kitchen in her haste to make him feel welcome.
"Thanks for talking with Viktor. I know that must have been awkward. I've been wanting to say how things are for some time, but wasn't quite sure how. Mum's taken it loads better than I expected. I was afraid she'd throw us out immediately or shriek about grandchildren, but she seems ok." Charlie ran a hand through his short hair, and looked at his two soon-to-be-relations with some trepidation. "Er, it's not a problem for you, is it? I feel I should have said something before the wedding, Harry, I'm really quite sorry."
Harry slapped Charlie on the shoulder. "'S fine by me, mate. Krum's a good man. If you are happy being with him, well, that's the important thing, innit?"
"Thanks mate. Hermione, it must be really odd for you, me bringing your ex-boyfriend by. I'm sorry for springing it on you."
Hermione just laughed and sank down into a chair and summoned a teacup, speaking as she poured. "Charlie, stop and think for a moment. I am already living here with your youngest brother, my ex-boyfriend, whom I broke up with rather than marry, and then found myself bound to marry another of your younger brothers. You bringing my school-days date in for a visit is not the strangest or most uncomfortable thing that has happened to me in recent months." She added sugar, then sipped her tea with a smile on her face.
"Good point. So, I'll be staying through your wedding, though Viktor can't. World Cup training, you know. At least we should be able to score excellent tickets for the qualifiers this year."
"Charlie, Hermione hates Quidditch talk, you know. Bores her stiff." Harry winked at his best friend.
"Right. That's why she's marrying the prankster instead." Charlie smiled at her. "How is Fred doing? Mum was worried about him, and George only ever says he's dandy. You two get along well?"
"They get along better than well, I'd say," Harry whispered loudly.
"At least we remember the silencing charms, Harry. We heard you and Ginny in the hall Sunday night, you know, which you know means Molly heard you as well." Harry went pale for a moment, and Hermione looked pleased with her revenge. "Anyway, Charlie, yes, we get on quite well. Better than I think anyone would have guessed. And Fred's doing well enough. I think he's still somewhat bothered by everything that happened, but George and Angie have both told me that he's been sleeping better and is more cheerful of late."
"Good to hear. And how is my favorite little sister?" Charlie called to the witch standing in the doorway.
"Just fine, brother dearest. I take it Mum's come around?" Ginny shook her hair back and quirked an eyebrow.
"Yeah, you were right enough, Firefly," Charlie admitted softly.
"I usually am," Ginny said complacently, and then Viktor and Molly reappeared and she began pulling meats and cheeses out of the charmed icebox to prepare sandwiches and in no time at all they were all scarfing them down. Hermione ate as quickly as she could, then excused herself to run upstairs and change into working clothes for brewing, which tended to be old jeans and jumpers she didn't mind spilling on or ruining if something got through her work robes.
She waved to the group in the kitchen and then floo'd to the flat, where George and Angelina were snogging in the kitchen. Hermione was no longer embarrassed about this, and usually just ignored them in favor of not disturbing them, but this time, she called out to them.
"I'm going to get Fred and you two are going to want to hear about Charlie's date." Then she was hurrying down the stairs and into the workroom, calling for Fred. He was not in the workroom, but instead on the sales floor, helping a young customer trying to decide between a purple and a pink Pygmy Puff. He winked to acknowledge that she'd called, and then returned all his attention to the little girl in front of him.
"Right then. Well, this pink one is a pretty adventurous little fellow, yeah? And that purple one in the corner looks as if she wants a new friend. Is there one you like better, lassie?" The little girl bit her lip and shook her head. Fred picked up the purple one and set it in her hands, where the ball of fluff wriggled and cooed, and the little girl's eyes lit up. "I think this may be the one then. What's her name, now?"
"Poppy!" exclaimed the little girl.
"Why, I think Poppy suits her perfectly. She's meant to be yours, right enough. All set then? Ok, your mum and I will just pick out some things for taking care of Poppy and then you can get her settled at home." Fred winked at the little girl, directed her smiling mother to pick up a bag of items prepared for Pygmy Puff owners and waved them on towards Verity at the register, before finally making his way to Hermione.
He wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her cheek. Before he could do anything more, she told him she had news and dragged him upstairs.
"What's the big news, Granger?" George asked. "She ran through shouting something about Charlie's date and then ran away again."
"Charlie's date, eh? What, does she have warts?" Fred teased.
"Six fingers on one hand?" George took it up.
"Eleven toes on both feet?"
"Is she a hag?"
"Is she a Muggle?"
"Does she have a terrible secret?"
"Is she really a dark witch?"
"Or a vampire?"
"Or a werewolf?"
"Or a vampire werewolf?"
"Come on, Gred, that's not possible, and you know it," Fred scoffed.
Throughout the exchange, Hermione waited patiently, but saw her opening. "She's not a she at all. Charlie is dating Viktor Krum."
Fred and George had identically stunned expressions on their faces. "Wait. The Bulgarian Seeker?"
"Triwizard Champion?"
"Bloke you dated your fourth year?"
"The very same," Hermione confirmed. The twins looked at each other, one of their silent conversations flying between them.
"Makes sense, in a way," George said first.
"I did sort of wonder if he was bent. Blew through witches faster then Bill, and that's saying something."
"I wouldn't have guessed," Angelina said, speaking for the first time.
"And you dated Krum! I thought he preferred girls," Fred said. "He certainly seemed to be attracted to Fleur's veela cousins at the wedding."
Angelina's voice was rather dry. "If I recall correctly, so did you and every other male there but Bill."
"Yes, well, he said he normally prefers women, but that he and Charlie met at the wedding and enjoyed talking and when he visited the reserve, he thought Charlie working with the dragons was really beautiful. He's been trying to talk Charlie into moving in with him, apparently."
"Well, at least we'll get good tickets to the Cup out of it," George said philosophically.
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Ginny's entire face was lit with the radiance of her smile as she floated down the aisle on her father's arm. Hermione, as maid of honor, followed sedately behind, clutching her bouquet of yellow flowers and feeling everyone's eyes on her. She took her place, followed by the rest of the bridesmaids. Once the bridal party was aligned on either side of the makeshift alter, denoted primarily by an arch of extraordinary yellow roses, fairies suddenly began lighting it brilliantly.
She could see Harry, who was completely consumed by Ginny; she didn't blame him. Ginny looked more beautiful and happy than Hermione had ever seen her look, the crystal spars on her dress twinkling, the tiara glowing atop her fiery red cascade of curls. Ron stood behind Harry, and was softened enough by the occasion to give her a half smile before looking anywhere else.
She knew Fred was further down the line of Harry's groomsmen, but she couldn't see him from where she stood. Hermione knew she ought to be paying attention to the ceremony uniting her best friends, but she got weepy each time she listened too closely. Harry and Ginny loved each other, this ceremony was a mere formality. Their promises to each other had been made immediately after Voldemort fell.
Hermione smiled as she watched the pair exchange their rings. Harry slid the band with seven yellow diamonds onto Ginny's finger and slipped her engagement ring back into place, at the same time that Ginny slipped a modest gold band inset with three small emeralds onto Harry's finger. They then held hands and the binding spells were cast over them, followed by the traditional shower of silver stars. Harry kissed Ginny for all she was worth, to whistles and applause and even stamping feet; Ginny grinned mischievously when they finally separated, but Harry looked a bit sheepish.
They walked down the aisle together, and then the bridal party paired up to follow them down. They gathered and were posed for numerous pictures while the seating area was transformed into a dining and dancing area. Time seemed to fly until the newlyweds were leading the way back in and Hermione was finally united with Fred as they watched the first dance.
He put his arm around her and held her close, and said quietly, "You were absolutely right, love. I can't believe how amazing she looks. It's hard to believe my ickle baby sister is a respectable married witch now."
"He will make her happy, Fred. She's loved him for a very long time."
"Oh, I know, Mione. I'm not concerned about that. I'm just thinking how very, very glad I am to be here to see it." His voice was quiet and more serious than she'd heard in a long time. Not knowing how to respond, she gave him a squeeze.
Fred shook his head to rid himself of melancholy thoughts, and looked down at his fiancée. The soft green of the bridesmaids robes suited her nicely, and she'd worn her hair in a fancy braided twist. "You look absolutely stunning, Mione." She smiled up at him, her brown eyes shining softly.
"You look pretty handsome yourself, all dressed up, Freddy. I like this look."
"How very lucky for you I have plans to wear something very similar in just over two weeks. If you are very lucky, you'll get to see me."
Hermione laughed lightly. "Well, I'll just try to be on my best behavior then, shall I?"
"Mmmm, the consequences for otherwise could be very entertaining though," Fred said with a roguish wink. "Looks like we're to sit down for supper now. Shall we find our seats?" Escorting her with one hand on the small of her back, he directed her to one of two tables set in front of the dance floor, very near Harry and Ginny's table for two. They were sitting with George and Angelina, Bill and Fleur and Charlie and Viktor.
A scrumptious meal, served in a similar style to the Yule Ball appeared before them and dinner was a rowdy, happy exchange. Fred and George kept everyone entertained by telling family stories. Charlie was obviously still somewhat shy about his relationship with Viktor, though they had been wholeheartedly welcomed and accepted. Viktor was clearly the more at ease of the two, keeping an arm around Charlie, and occasionally brushing his hand or thigh.
When the meal was over, Arthur Weasley stood and clinked his goblet to get everyone's attention.
"I wanted to take this opportunity as the father of the bride to welcome everyone once again, to celebrate the union of Harry and Ginevra. We couldn't be prouder of the two fine young people they have grown to be. Harry has long been considered a member of our family, a seventh son, if you will. Harry has saved so many of our family, and of course, was responsible for saving our entire world and way of life." Arthur paused for the cheers that broke out, to Harry's chagrin.
"Ginny has always been a special girl. The first girl born to a Weasley in seven generations, and our seventh and last child. I remember telling Molly when she was born that it would take a very, very special wizard to be good enough for our daughter. Harry, there couldn't be a finer choice. Ginny, we are so proud of you for everything you've done to support Harry and the woman you've become. We wish you the very best that life has to offer you. To Harry and Ginny!" There was a toast as both Harry and Ginny wiped their eyes.
Then with a nod, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George and Ron all stood up and stepped forward.
Bill spoke first. "Harry, as the eldest Weasley brother, I have to tell you that Ginny has always been my special girl. She's had me wrapped around her little finger since she was the size of a pixie. I feel it my duty as her eldest brother to warn you that I know some very nasty curses from ancient Egypt that not even your friend Hermione could reverse." Bill stepped back to general laughter, and Charlie took a step forward.
"Harry, I was the first one to put Ginny on a broomstick and I read her your story everyday for a summer break. I think it's necessary to remind you that I work with dragons. You may have faced a Hungarian Horntail, but it was tied up at the time." He flexed his very muscular arms menacingly and stepped back, in favor of Percy.
"Harry, we may not always have gotten on or seen eye to eye. But I know you are a good wizard with good intentions. However, I feel that it should be remembered that I do work directly with the Minister of Magic." He coughed a bit, then stepped back.
Fred and George linked arms and stepped forward. "Harry, old boy," Fred began.
"Harry, mate," George picked up.
"We hardly feel that we should be cautioning you."
"Given that you are our business partner."
"And have such dreamy green eyes," Fred said, fluttering his own eyes outrageously.
"And that lovely, messy hair," George continued, with a flirtatious wink.
"However, as I think you are aware, we are professional pranksters."
"Especially good inventors."
"And masters of not getting caught," the twins finished together, with a nod for emphasis.
Ron now stepped forward and looked directly at Harry. "Mate, you've been my best friend since we met on the train to Hogwarts our first year. So, I really hate to say this to you, but it's really necessary. Ginny is my sister, and she's very special. What my brothers and I have been trying to say, Harry, is if she ever hurts you, you come to us and we'll set her straight."
There was a moment of silence, followed by a roar of laughter, as the guests all processed the joke. Ginny picked up her wand and tapped it menacingly, while glaring at her brothers, but finally broke out in her own grin, and stood up. Every one of them hugged her and kissed her cheek, and then shook Harry's hand.
After that, Molly insisted that Ginny and Harry cut the cake, which they did. It was quickly served, and music began again, and couples began drifting out onto the dance floor. Fred extended his hand to Hermione, and led her out as well.
"I didn't realize you were such a good dancer, Fred," Hermione said in a pleased tone, as she and Fred waltzed smoothly around the dance floor.
"Ah, there are still many, many talents which you are not aware of, my dear Hermione." Fred winked down at her, and she smiled.
"So, besides dancing and cooking and excellent potion brewing and wild imagination, what else don't I know about?"
"There are one or two things. I might show you later, if you don't mind if I stay over."
"I had rather assumed you would," Hermione replied in a prissy voice.
"My my, getting presumptuous now, are we?"
"Not at all. I knew you would be unable to stay away for an entire week, Fred." Hermione smirked at him, and to repay her, he suddenly dipped her without warning. Hermione threw her head back and laughed, as he pulled her back up.
The song changed to a faster beat, and Fred changed his steps into a foxtrot, and Hermione did the same.
"Really, Fred, how did you learn to dance?"
"Mum taught us all. You might have noticed it at the Yule Ball, if Ron hadn't been so consumed by jealousy that he was fuming over the man currently shagging our brother. Enormously funny, when you think about it."
"Mmm, rather, I suppose." They were quiet for a moment. "Lovely wedding, isn't it?"
"Yes. I think ours will be as well. To that end, is Monday a good day to go get our rings ordered?"
"Of course. Monday's fine. Um, is there any preference that you have, in that regard, Fred?"
"Isn't that cheating, Hermione?"
"I just want to be certain about style, Fred. I'll choose the stones myself, I didn't know if you preferred something flashier or more subtle."
"Whatever you chose will be appropriate, Hermione. I promise." Fred stopped dancing for a moment, and put his hand on her cheek. She leaned into it, then turned her head and kissed his palm. "I just hope you don't hate what I choose for you."
"I doubt I will. The engagement ring you chose is stunning. I really love it, Fred." He picked up the hand with the ring and kissed it. Just then, a presence appeared, and Ron cleared his throat.
"I, um, sorry to interrupt. I wondered if you might want to dance with me Hermione." Fred was wearing a stony expression, and Hermione looked wary.
"Where is Daphne?" she asked, looking around.
"Charlie is dancing with her. Please, Hermione?"
Hermione and exchanged a look with her fiancé. "Sure Ron. One dance." They walked out to the dance floor, not touching. Fred crossed his arms and watched with a scowl on his face. His twin saw his expression and walked over towards him.
"Oi, Fred, let's get something to drink, mate. Let them work it out. We can watch just as well from the bar." Fred nodded his agreement and they stalked to the bar as Ron gingerly put his hands on Hermione's waist.
They danced together, and Ron was nearly as smooth as Fred, but the tension was thick. Ron again cleared his throat.
"So, um. I wanted to apologize to you. Daphne and I have been talking some, and I realized I've been really hard on you. I'm sorry for that."
"I never meant to hurt you, Ron." Hermione's voice was soft, but there was some pain in it.
"I think I understand it a little better now. I wasn't really thinking of you. I was very upset. But, well, you seem to be happy with Fred, and I think I like Daphne. So it looks like you were right again. Always were the brains of the group." He gave her a half smile.
"I am happy with Fred. I think he and I are a better fit than you and I ever were. We don't fight all the time, at least not any longer."
"I want you to be happy. I really do." Ron seemed sincere.
"I want the same for you, Ron. Which is why I couldn't marry you." Ron nodded. They finished the dance in silence, but a far more friendly silence than had been the case in weeks. Hermione gave Ron a hug after and he again gave her that half-smile, a wistful look in his eyes. She quickly turned and sought out Fred, seeing him at the bar with George.
"Firewhiskey, neat, please," Hermione requested. Fred looked at her in surprise, the sour look fading from his face. He poured her a single, and she knocked it back quickly, the only sign of the burning in her watering eyes.
"You may want to take that a bit more slowly next time, love." Fred's smile was returning. "How was your dance?"
"Fine. Ron wanted to apologize for how he's been acting. He thinks he understands better where I was coming from and wants us to be happy." Fred just grunted and reached for the bottle to pour himself another drink. Hermione reached out a hand to stop him. "I have a better idea. Come with me, all right?"
Intrigued, Fred followed Hermione out from the marquee in the pasture and into the orchard. It was a chilly night, but with the heat of the firewhiskey still in their system neither seemed to notice. Hermione led him to the old tree house, and quickly performed the revealing spell to make sure no one else was around, then apparated them into the treehouse.
"And why did you bring me out here, love? Planning to corrupt me, are you?" Fred was relaxing, his good humor returning.
"Yes, I thought it might be fun to have my wicked way with you." Fred's arms wrapped around her and eagerly began searching for the zip on the robes. "Settle down, Fred. We can't be gone long. I just thought a good snog was in order." Then Hermione captured his lips, and they kissed sensuously and intensely. Fred's hands wandered over her dress robes, and under at one point, and she certainly grazed over his robes as well, but after a good while, she broke away.
"Sorry, Fred, but we really should get back. I'm sure Ginny and Harry won't be staying terribly longer and I am the maid of honor." He groaned and tried to pull her back, but she just smiled and stood up.
"Fine, fine. But you had better promise to make it up to me."
"Oh, I'm sure I will, darling. Now come along and dance with me some more."
Neither Fred nor Hermione noticed the dark figure hidden in the orchard, observing them, and the festivities in the meadow, nor did they give any thought to the threats they had stumbled across. Not this evening. That wouldn't be the case much longer.
-o0o-
Once back in the brightly lit marquee, Fred quickly procured glasses of champagne for both of them, and they stood to the side chatting with Neville and his match, Hannah Abbott. Hermione had only exchanged owls with Neville since Ginny's birthday, so it was nice to catch up in person. But it wasn't long before Harry came over to claim a dance with Hermione, and Fred took advantage to dance outrageously with his sister. Harry's dancing had improved since the Yule Ball, but both Hermione and Harry stopped to watch Fred swing Ginny wildly around the dance floor. Harry rested an arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"It's overwhelming to think how close we came, so many times, to not seeing this," he said, wistfully.
"But we are seeing it, Harry. Tonight is not the time for brooding. You just married your dream witch. We made it through." Harry smiled at Hermione.
"And we'll be back here in another couple of weeks, only then you'll be the bride."
"Yes, I know. Hard to picture, isn't it? Look at them. Fred looks happy, doesn't he?" Hermione studied her fiancé.
"I think so. He's having a good time, anyway. Though I'm shocked that no one has turned into a bird or started speaking another language or had their body catch on fire or disappear. Especially after all the pranks this week on Ginny. I especially enjoyed Thursday's, when they charmed her mirror to give sex advice. But, er, don't tell her I said that." Harry's famous green eyes were dancing.
"Oh, that one was Fleur. It was Bill's idea to charm the bed so it would keep her trapped snugly in. And twins said that not pranking the wedding would be their gift to Ginny." Harry just shook his head and laughed.
"I sincerely hope, for your sake, that they don't have big plans for your wedding."
"I've told Fred absolutely not, but I have no doubt the two of them will find a way around me," Hermione admitted ruefully. "I'm so happy for you today, Harry."
"Thanks, Hermione." The dance had ended, and a very flushed set of laughing Weasley siblings descended on the pair.
"Another dance, love?" Fred wrapped his arm about her waist and swept her onto the floor, while Harry escorted Ginny to the bar for a drink.
This dance was a slow one, a love ballad, and Hermione rested her head on Fred's shoulder as he held her close and they swayed together. Fred's hand brushed slowly up and down her back, in an intimate gesture. Hermione sighed in contentment.
"Two and a half more weeks," she said.
"Not that you're counting?" he asked with a smile.
"Not at all. I'm glad you are staying tonight. I've missed spending so much time with you."
"Me too." Fred leaned down to kiss her gently. They were still kissing when the song ended, at which point they smiled at each other. Another hour of mingling and dancing passed, and Hermione was pleased to dance with George and Bill before being swept away into a dance with the now-firmly-appointed-long-term Minister of Magic Shacklebolt, who made me her laugh by teasing her about her upcoming wedding to Fred. She watched in amusement as Luna danced with Fred, and posed for a picture with Fred and George and Angelina.
Soon enough, however, Ginny and Harry were preparing to say their goodbyes, so Hermione and Fred joined the crowd of well wishers. Hermione and Ginny shared a hug and a smiling, knowing look, and Ginny shoved her bouquet into Hermione's arms instead of tossing it, and amidst shouts of well wishes, the newlywed couple apparated away.
The remaining guests lingered for a bit, chatting over food and drink, while friends began to quietly help clean the party up. Hermione tried to help Molly clear the food away, but was adamantly shooed away by Molly, who stated she'd done more than enough. Before she could protest, Fred pulled away, into the house.
"Trust me, love, you're going to want to take advantage of the shower while it's free. There are too many people staying here tonight." Indeed, Penelope and Daphne were sleeping in Ginny's room, while Percy bunked with Ron. Charlie and Viktor were in Percy's old room. Hermione allowed herself to be led upstairs. She had intended to go into Ginny's room to retrieve the slinky nightgown she'd planned to wear, given that most of her clothing was still neatly folded in the chest of drawers, but sounds coming from the room made her stop. It appeared that either Ron or Percy had forgotten a silencing or muffling charm, and that the room was rather occupied at the moment. Hermione covered her mouth so she wouldn't giggle.
Fred smirked, before loudly calling out, "You are welcome in there!" He followed that up with loudly cast silencing charm, then he pulled Hermione into the loo and locked the door. "Now then. Looks like we're going to have to make do with what we've got on hand for the evening. Which is fine by me, as you well know."
Hermione rolled her eyes, and started the shower, before she felt Fred's hands on her. She started to turn, and he stopped her. "Let me undress you. Please." So she stood there, as he swept his hands over her shoulders and back until he reached her zip, which he began slowly lowering. The light touch and the brush of air as the fabric of her robes separated was tantalizing. Fred began slowly peeling off her robes, skimming it down her arms until it pooled at her feet. He took a step back in the small room and simply looked at her. She was wearing a strapless bra and matching silky knickers and thigh high stockings, and was still wearing her high heeled shoes.
"Merlin, Hermione, looking at you dressed like that is enough to drive me mad." Fred gulped and rubbed his neck.
"Don't tell me you are getting nervous now, Fred?" she teased him. "Here, help me out of these shoes, and the rest of this, so we can shower and get to the bed. As you've pointed out, we cannot be the only ones who wish to use the loo."
Fred complied, helping her remove her shoes and skimming her stockings down her legs, taking a moment to kiss each thigh. Then he removed her bra, leaning his head down to take a nipple in his mouth while pushing her knickers down as well. Hermione used her wand to release the hair she'd magicked into place, and lightly pushed Fred off of her. Without waiting for him to undress, she climbed into the shower. It did not take long for him to join her.
At Hermione's insistence, they kept explorations to a minimum, and focused mainly on showering. For her part, she was relieved to wash her face and relax for a bit. Fred, though, had other plans, and since it was clear Hermione wasn't going to allow him to fulfill them in the shower, he was eager to get out.
With both of them freshly cleaned, Hermione dried them with a charm, while Fred banished their clothing to his room, and then transfigured two towels into plush bathrobes, which they promptly put on. The walk to their room was quick, neither wishing to linger overly long.
Fred cast the standard locking and muffling charms and Hermione expanded the bed. "You know, I'm looking forward to the time I don't have to do this every time we are ready to sleep together."
"Same here, though we'll be performing charms on the room for awhile. And you know George will sleep over at least once a week."
"I know. That's fine with me. But I rather liked your bed. Like your bath, it's one thing I'm looking forward to." Hermione sat down on the bed. Fred joined her, pulling her feet into his lap, and rubbing them.
"So you are just marrying me for my private loo. Very nice, Granger, very nice. Bloody hell, how can you wear those things for hours?"
"Well, if it gets you to do that, it's worth it. You've no idea how good that feels, Fred."
"That's true." Fred thought for a moment, then shoved Hermione's feet off his lap and turned to place his in her lap. "Do me then."
Hermione laughed, but did begin rubbing his right foot. "Shite, Hermione, that does feel good."
"Of course it does. Git. Give me the other then." Fred complied, and began moaning and sighing loudly as Hermione rubbed it. She finally was laughing too hard to continue. "You are such a prat, Fred."
He just grinned in response. "Come here, love. Take off the robe, and I'll give you a massage."
Hermione did as she was told, and the massage led to kissing, which led to other things. An hour or so after retiring to their bedroom, they were curled around each other, fast asleep.
Two hours after they fell asleep, the wards around the Burrow began sounding a warning.
-o0o-
A/N: Happy non-snow-but-tons-of-ice-so-I'm-off-work day! Um, sorry about the cliffhanger? And sorrier when I say that I cannot promise when the next update will be? I am working on it. Unfortunately, work is doing it's best dementor impression and I'm drowning right now. Crisis after crisis, unfortunately unpreventable within the span of my control, on top of the actual job and normal deadlines. I've had precious little time of late to write, to my chagrin. Hopefully I can get some done during this 'snow' day and this weekend and the next update isn't too far away. I hope you enjoy this; this is one of my favorite chapters and was a good deal fun to write. I hope everyone is warm, dry and safe (thinking you poor folks in Australia as well!). Cheers, all.