Prompt: Fred Weasley and Hermione Granger

Quotes: "If you keep looking at me like that, we won't make it to a bed."

Though a handful of strange things had occurred at the Burrow, seeing Hermione Granger being carried through the door in the arms of Fred Weasley was still an odd sight. It was lucky, then, that no one was there to witness it, for the scene could easily appear intimate and romantic. Hermione had her arms looped around Fred's neck, her eyes seemingly stuck staring at his face, while he prattled on about the benefits of a new product being developed at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. After closing the door behind him with his foot, Fred ventured toward the stairs, only stopping his one-sided conversation when needing to adjust his hold on her. Not halfway done with the steps leading to the second floor, however, he acknowledged her stare and looked at the girl in his arms.

"Hermione," said Fred, his tone turning serious, "If you keep looking at me like that, we won't make it to a bed."

He held her gaze and the intensity of it made Hermione stop her glowering in surprise. Her face heated and it wasn't until she began stammering nonsense that she noticed the faintest twitch on Fred's lips.

"You're teasing," she observed out loud, making Fred burst into chuckles.

"Yeah, I am. Nothing gets past you."

"It wasn't funny."

"Now that's just hurtful."

Hermione scoffed. "You know what's actually hurtful?"

"Here we go . . ."

"Falling from a broom after being pestered into playing Quidditch by everyone."

Fred's shoulders slumped a bit from guilt, but said, "We didn't think you'd be able to fall hovering a few feet into the air. We never even made you do anything!"

Hermione blushed. "Well . . .perhaps you misjudged just how much flying isn't for me."

Fred laughed and continued up the stairs again. "Perhaps." Once they reached Ginny's room, Fred placed Hermione gently down on the spare bed his mother had prepared for her. Only the second day visiting for the summer, and Fred and his siblings had already injured her. Brilliant.

"Thank you," said Hermione, interrupting Fred's thoughts, making the latter realise he was being somewhat dismissed.

"You're welcome," answered Fred, smiling. Luckily, Hermione was preoccupied rubbing her ankle so she didn't see that his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He cleared his throat and pointed to her leg. "Mum will take a look at that as soon as she's home. But you'll be fine in the meantime, won't you?"

To his surprise, Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, Fred, I'll be fine. And I told you before that I won't have you doing underage magic on me so there's no other choice anyway."

Fred nodded, but inside he was cursing himself for not being older. What good was magic if you couldn't help the people you cared for? Then again, it was a good thing he wasn't older. Most of his and Hermione's interactions occurred at Hogwarts, and if he graduated two years early, well . . .there wouldn't be much of that happening. And he would have to tell her how he felt and he wasn't sure she was ready for that yet.

With one last look at the witch, Fred left the room, reminding himself that there would be time and that he could wait. They were both young, there was no need to rush.