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CHAPTER 29.

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"George! Dear it's so good to have you back! Where is Angelina? How were the games?" Molly Weasley asked her son, hugging him fiercely after almost a month.
George laughed and hugged his mother back. "Mum, can't breathe!"

"Oh! Sorry dear! I'm just so pleased to see you back!" She said.

"Ange is outside with the others. The practice was super! She first sought Hermione out to meet the brats. She's really missed them! She couldn't wait to see them." George said.

"Of course she couldn't. She is their mother after all! Go on, you meet them too! Lunch will be ready in ten minutes. We don't have much time and you'll have to try out your stuff for the wedding! Oh dear! So much to do." Mrs. Weasley said, scurrying about here and there.

George laughed again and went out to look for his children. He had missed this so much.

Of course the prospect of a second honeymoon with his beautiful Quidditch playing wife was too good to pass, but the thought of coming back to his children and his family had made him very happy.

And ickle Ronniekins, his baby brother was getting married tomorrow! No way was he going to miss his wedding! And he sure as hell didn't want to miss seeing Ron and Luna dance together. They were a sight to behold.

Luna would get spaced out and usually end up leading, and Ron well, poor guy. Only if his dance moves were half as good as his chess ones.

He went out to the garden and saw his wife with his two kids on her hips. She was lovingly clinging on to them while Hermione was by her side, smiling and worried at the same time that one or both kids would fall.

"Hermione! My saviour! I cannot tell you how glad I am to find you here. Alive and sane, seemingly so. I must say, I was worried about leaving you with Fred. But when I remembered how good you are with your hexes, I figured you would be safe!" He said hugging her and kissing her cheek.

"It's good to see you too George." She said hugging back and trying very hard not to blush at the mention of her new boyfriend.

Keeping it a secret from the rest of the family was another thing. But she doubted that Fred could ever keep a secret from George. Even if he wanted to. Their bond was very strong and either could usually sense things. Moreover, they never kept secrets from each other.

But Fred would have to wait until later to tell George since he wasn't here yet and also with a full house at the burrow today, due to the pre wedding lunch he would not get a chance to talk to George.
"Georgie!" Fred's voice boomed all over.

"Freddie!" George returned the dialogue.

Fred came over to his twin and gave him an enthusiastic hug. "I've missed you George! About time though. Enough of alone time you had with that pretty wife of yours. It's time you spend some quality moments with your twin now."

"Is that so? You've missed me eh? That's why in a span of one month, I receive only one owl from you. Even Lee wrote more often than you." George said, narrowing his eyes at Fred.

Fred squirmed a bit. It was true that he had terribly missed his brother. But most of the missing had happened during shop hours. The evenings were comfortably spent cooking or dancing or watching TV. With Hermione. He broke into a smile just thinking about her. Then he remembered that his brother was glaring at him. He wondered what Lee had written so much to George. Looking at George's face it seemed clear that he had a number of questions in store for him.

Trying to look calm and composed he said, "oi! In case you don't already know, I'm unmarried and have no children! I'm a simple shop owner who was given the responsibility of his favourite brother's twin kids. It's gets overwhelming! There was no time for leisure and owls!" Fred said.

"Hmmm. You seemed leisurely enough to throw Sunday lunches with Hermione." George said with a smirk.

"Fred! George! Come on now. Continue the reunion at lunch. Mrs. Weasley is calling you'll!" Hermione yelled from the kitchen window.

"This isn't over yet!" George said warningly.

Fred grimaced. He was sure George didn't know anything. But if that messing excuse for a person, Lee, had mentioned anything, it wouldn't take long for George to figure it out.

They entered the kitchen. Almost everyone was at the table.

To his utter chagrin, his interfering mother had put Hermione next to Charlie again! But this time Fred could salvage the situation. Luckily, George was placed next to Hermione, and Angelina was next to George and Fred next to Angelina.

He simply ran and took George's seat next to Hermione and left the other unoccupied one next to Angelina for George.

George glared at him. Fred looked up and shrugged. "What?" Fred asked. "You still get to sit next to your wife."

"Yeah. But with Percy on the other side! Just because you didn't want to sit next to him!" George hissed.

Fred chuckled. He had barely noticed Percy. But good thing George had. It was better to pretend that he was avoiding Percy than to have George guess that he in fact was seeking to sit next to Hermione.

He had not even spoken to her since the incident at the bachelorette last night as she had directly come over to the burrow after shell cottage.

Hermione was watching the entire exchange with an amused look on her face. The fact that she was conveniently sitting next to Charlie, again, was not lost on her. She wasn't surprised that this time, Fred had actively done something and found his way next to her.

Laughing to herself, she took a sip of her champagne. Yes! The famous French champagne that had caused her much embarrassment the night before. But luckily not much had been disclosed besides the fact that 'Fred was amazing'.

And she had conveniently let Ginny and Luna think that the Fred in question was McIntosh. She had promised to herself not to drink any more champagne after that. But unfortunately, champagne was her only vice. She loved the bubbly drink. And it reminded her of her muggle days when her parents would celebrate special occasions with champagne, in a very limited controlled amount of course.

So promising to herself that she would have only 2 glasses at lunch and interspace the drink with food, she thought that she was in control and had nothing to worry about.

Except that she was on her 3rd glass already. And had not yet realised.

Since there were so many people and guests over, Mrs. Weasley had put a self filling charm on every item of food, drink and dessert. And so, until anyone actually mentally decided to stop, the food and drinks overflowed without anyone serving or interrupting conversation.

And Hermione was busy chatting away. Ginny, Harry, Luna and Ron were sitting across her and Charlie and Fred beside her.
She noticed Ginny making a note of the seating changes Fred had made to sit next to her. So she decided to indulge in conversation with Charlie more than Fred. Also she realised that Fred was getting restless at her constantly chatting Charlie up and she was enjoying that.

Payback Fred Weasley. After what you made me go through last night, surely I can torment you some more. She thought as she downed her 4th glass of beverage.
Or wait! She thought deviously as a plan began forming in her head. Her eyes held a naughty glint as she continued talking to Charlie.

She didn't know whether the champagne was beginning to take it's course through her veins or it was just revenge for what Fred had done last night.

She slipped her foot out of her slippers and slowly began grazing Fred's foot starting from his ankles, all the while talking to Charlie nonchalantly.

Fred was just about to take a bite of his garlic bread when he felt a leg grazing his. He was so startled he bit off a yelp and dropped his bread.

Across from him, Ginny eyed him suspiciously and thought he had gone mad.

Angelina turned to him and asked, "Are you all right?"

He gulped and nodded, "yeah. Just a bit of strong garlic went down the throat I guess." He lied.

Hermione chuckled to herself and even though she wasn't looking at him, she could feel his glares.

"What is wrong with you?" He whispered.

She just smiled at him innocently and continued to butter her bread.

They started eating again and Hermione was talking to Ginny and Luna about where Ron was taking her for the honeymoon.

She decided to be a bit bolder. Fred was dressed in long loose shorts. She traced the outline of his leg with her toes from his ankle till the back of his knee, slow and torture being the keyword.

He choked on his champagne and broke into a fit of coughs that left him breathless. Though Hermione doubted the panting was because of the coughs.

Mrs. Weasley was taking a round around the table, fussing about, forcing people to eat and not to be shy. She came next to Fred just at that moment.

"Fred dear. What's the matter? You look like you're choking." She said, patting his back vigorously.

Ginny was now openly staring at him, eyes narrowed and a 'what are you playing at' expression on her face.

"Hermione! Quit it. Please! I can practically hear the wheels rolling in Ginny's head." Fred whispered from the corner of his mouth.

"Just like last night don't you think?" She whispered back with a cheeky smile.

Hermione, meanwhile was trying her best to keep a poker face. No one was even glancing at her. She looked too innocent to be even questioned.

"It's ok mum. I think I need some water. Can you pass me water please, Hermione ?" He asked giving her a hostile, questioning look.

"Sure Fred. You should be careful what you put in your mouth. Pay attention." She said cheekily but with full seriousness.

Ginny viewed this exchange and she knew it wasn't as innocent as it looked. But she couldn't pin point anything. Not yet. She caught George's questioning look and shrugged. It seemed that George too thought that something wasn't quite right.

When Fred had had some water and wiped the tears that had formed because of the violent choking, everyone continued with the main course.

Hermione resumed her conversation with Luna and Ron with Charlie telling them that Romania was the most romantic place and they should definitely visit.

After a while, Hermione settled her foot into the hollow of the back of Fred's knee. She slowly and steadily raked her toes in and out in sweeping, sensuous movements and could feel the trembling of his legs as he fought for control.

He had anticipated something and thus being on his guard, he had no obvious outward reaction to this but his insides were exploding. The hollow of his knees were particularly extremely sensitive and she was driving him absolutely crazy.

He sucked in a large breath of air, mid way while talking to George and held it, as if afraid that if he would start breathing he would lose control.

He sneaked a look at Hermione and boy! Did she look smug.

You're really enjoying yourself, aren't you? I guess serves me right. After last night. This kind of prank war is so much better. He thought proudly.

He shut his eyes tightly and clenched his leg. Capturing her toes in between his thigh and foreleg, so she didn't have the space to continue her little ministrations. Not that he minded. Not in the least. But woman! There's a time! And there's a place. And my mum's kitchen full of guests is definitely not the place. ! He thought, sighing.

George was eyeing him like he had lost his screws now. And with good reason. He had just stopped mid conversation and was sighing and shutting his eyes as if controlling himself from doing something he didn't really want to do!

"Fred. What's wrong? You look like ghosts are talking to you mate. Are you feeling ill?" George asked.

"Umm. No. No. I'm fine. Just a bit tired. Slept late last night." Fred replied.

Hermione snickered. Ginny found it odd that Hermione wasn't commenting on Fred's strange behaviour. But then again, she was talking to Charlie an awful lot!

What could be so interesting that Charlie had held her attention for so long! Merlin! She got along with all her brother's. She was beginning to feel now that maybe, just maybe her mother was right and that Charlie would be good for her.

She shook her head as if to throw the idea out. Focus Gin! Just because Hermione can hold a decent conversation with someone doesn't mean she should marry them! You've seen her and Fred together. You know a potential couple when you see one! This time mum's wrong.

Her head was reeling now. She was totally confused and she needed another glass of champagne, she thought, as she downed her present glass.

Hermione, you are bewildering me day by day, she thought.

Hermione tried wriggling her toes out of Fred's legs grasp. But he held tight. As she was manoeuvring her toes also, Fred couldn't help closing his eyes and suppressing his moan.

Woman! She was going to be the death of him!

Fine. Let's play. Hermione thought cheekily. My hands are still free.

She relaxed her feet and continued eating with her right hand. She snaked her left hand slowly across the side of his thigh on top of his shorts.

She heard him breathe in loudly and hold his breath again. He shook as If he was shivering.

Ginny couldn't take it anymore. "Fred are you mental? Something's clearly wrong. Let me have a look at you."

"Yeah Fred. You're awfully skittish today. Let Ginny check you out." Hermione said feigning concern.

He shot her a dark look and proceeded to talk to Ginny. "Thanks but I'm fine. I'm sure I'll be better once I stretch my legs a bit." He said, emphasising on the latter part.

There was Mrs. Weasley's famous chocolate pudding and Lemon Vanilla cheesecake for dessert. Fred had never thought that he would ever be relieved that his mum's meal was finally coming to an end.

Hermione continued to stroke his thigh through his shorts and he clenched his leg in an effort to not feel the tingly sensation coursing through his body.

Seeing that he was controlling well, she decided to slip her finger under the hem of his shorts and tease him a bit more before the meal ended. She was enjoying this way too much. Especially the concerned looks Mr. And Mrs. Weasley were throwing him. Bill had given up on him. And George and Ginny were the only ones who seemed to think something was fishy.

Hermione swallowed a giggle and one long ticklish stroke later she decided to end his torture. And with good reason. Without thinking, he moaned loudly and shut his eyes in pleasure.

George, Angelina, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Luna, Charlie,Fleur, Audrey and Percy stopped mid conversation and all turned to look at him, Hermione included, she had to keep up the pretence, after all.

After 5 long seconds, Fred opened his eyes to an audience that had completely confused looks on their faces.

"Mmmm. This pudding is simply marvellous mum. The best you've ever made. Can I take some home?" He said, almost yelling nervously in Mrs. Weasley's direction.

Thank Merlin for the dessert. It was a good cover. He was thankful that his parents were sitting at the opposite end or else he'd not be having any pudding or lunch for a long long time at the burrow.

"Merlin Fred!" Charlie exclaimed. "Thank heavens the kids are all at a separate table in the garden. Because a simple pudding getting that reaction is quite not believable."

Fred glared at Charlie. Partly for being right and partly for hogging his time with Hermione. Besides the whispered words between them, he had hardly spoken to her throughout lunch.

And she was milking the Charlie situation. Godric! She drove him mad! Who would've thought that the innocent bookworm and teacher would resort to this for revenge? Then again he should have known that she was always up for a challenge. She had, after all accepted his prank war!

He didn't think it was possible, but he fell in love with her more and more every passing day.

But one thing was for sure.

He was definitely going to monitor her champagne intake from now on at all public gatherings.

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So!

Hermione gets naughty!

She had to!

Paybacks a bitch, aint it?

But I guess both Hermione and Fred enjoyed it, Hermione more so, bcoz Fred had to keep up his appearance in front of family!

I had great fun writing this chapter!

Did u enjoy reading it?

Review and let me know!

I love hearing from you'll!

Next up – the wedding!

Thanks for reading!

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