Hermione lay silently on the bed. She knew Ron sat beside her and she was grateful to not be alone. Her body was wracked with pain, radiating from her head down to her toes. She wasn't sure where they were, she thought she heard Bill's voice but nothing looked the familiar. Her mind didn't seem to be able to piece anything together, random fragments of ideas and memories floated around freely. For a moment she was sure she heard Fred, but that was impossible. Then she was sure, Fred was speaking to her and someone was playing with her hair. Lips brushed her forehead and her nerves were so sensitive that it almost hurt. She licked her dry lips and tried to speak, "Fred?"
"Yes, love, I'm here." He stroked her hair again and she struggled to open her sore eyes. Fred leaned over her, shaggy ginger locks hanging in his face. "There you are. How are you feeling?"
"Hurts," she whispered.
"Take this." He supported her head and shoulders so he could tip a potion into her mouth. "Swallow it, baby." She obeyed with difficulty. "That's my girl." He kissed her forehead again.
"Harry? Ron?" The pain eased enough that her mind cleared. "Where are we?"
"Shell Cottage, Bill's house. Harry and Ron are outside…Dobby didn't make it, love."
"Dobby? What are you talking about?"
"He came to rescue you lot. Well he got you all out, but he died when you got here."
"Wh-how?" Hermione was confused. She barely recalled passing out at Bellatrix Lestrange's feet; she had no clue what happened after that.
"I'm not sure. Ron just told me on his way out, and I overheard Fleur talking to someone else about it."
"Fred?" Bill tentatively called while opening the door, "we're going outside. They've got the grave dug."
"I'm going too." Hermione tried to sit up but Fred gently pushed her back down. "Fred, I'm going out there. You said, you said Dobby gave his life for us. He deserves our respects." She watched the war raging in his eyes and knew the moment that she won. He sighed and helped her stand. She had to lean heavily against him but they made it out to the graveside. He held on to her hips, supporting almost her entire weight while Luna said a few words. Hermione's heart broke at the sight of Harry, she longed to hold him but she didn't have the strength.
On the way back in she stumbled and only Fred's grip on her waist kept her from falling to her face. His hands steadied her again when she swayed. "Alright, that's enough." He swept her up in his arms and carried her back inside. She snuggled into his warm chest and buried her face in his neck. He sat on the couch where everyone was gathering and she burrowed deeper into his lap. She sighed contentedly when his arms tightened around her. "I've missed you, pet." He kept his voice low and nuzzled her ear.
"I've missed you too," she whispered squeezing his neck. "I've missed everything about you."
"Everything?" he smirked and wiggled his eyebrows at her, causing her to chuckle.
"Everything," she put on the cheekiest grin she could manage to which he snorted. She opened her mouth to continue their banter when she noticed Harry in the doorway. She watched the exchange between him and Bill and wondered at the difference in him. It seemed that Dobby's death was a changing point for him. "Fred when he speaks with them, I have to be there."
"I figured," he shrugged with a frown. "Please tell me you're not leaving yet."
"I don't know. I hope not." She wasn't ready to let go of her boyfriend so soon after meeting up with him again. She made a quick scan of the room and no one appeared to be paying them any attention.
She looked back into his sparkling eyes and placed a tender kiss on his lips. She felt the whole of his body relax while his arms pulled her even closer. She started to pull back, but he didn't allow it. His lips slid gently but persistently over hers. She forgot about the others in the room; she no longer cared if they watched or not. She opened her mouth to him and delighted when his tongue slipped in to caress hers. She heard his deep moan and felt in through her chest which was plastered to his. She was vaguely aware of the sigh that escaped her. A throat cleared somewhere to her left.
"Hermione," Ron's voice sounded amused and yet annoyed. She didn't let it stop her; she continued to enjoy the taste of Fred. "Hermione," he sounded more urgent.
With an unpleasant groan, she tore her lips away from Fred's. "What Ron?" She recognized the frustration and slight anger that filled her voice. Ron huffed at her and pointed in the direction where Harry was having words with Bill and Fleur. "Oh." She turned her eyes back to the pouting man beside her. "I'll be back." He nodded at her but didn't meet her eyes. She climbed painfully off of his lap and received a soft pop on the arse as she walked with Ron over to where Harry could see them. They waited silently to see if he would invite them along.
Fred watched her go with a frown on his face. He knew it was something she had to do, but he couldn't help being upset about it. He also felt left out like she thought she couldn't trust him. He rubbed a hand over his face when she followed the others up the stairs to talk to the goblin and wand maker. No one moved much while the trio was upstairs. They all continued to sit around and drink their tea and chat. Dean and Luna filled the group in on a little more of what had happened. Although of course, neither knew the full story, or the reasons behind their actions.
The three came back downstairs and Hermione threw him an uncertain look before following Harry out to the garden. Fred sat impatiently unsure what to do with himself. He breathed a sigh of relief when they came back in and his girl sat close to his side. She rested her head heavily on his shoulder. "You should get some rest."
"I am rather tired." She yawned as if for proof.
"I'm taking you to bed. Say good-night," he announced. He stood and helped her shakily to her feet. "Bill, have you heard from George?" He was anxious to know what was keeping his twin.
"Oh Fred, I'm sorry. He floo'd while you were with Hermione. He went to Aunt Muriel's to tell everyone about what's been happening here. Said he's going to be staying there and he'd figured you'd be staying here."
"As long you don't mind."
Bill snorted, "Like you'd let that stop you."
"Yeah, good point." Fred felt a small hand on his lower back. Hermione stood leaning against the wall for support, her face pale. "Right then, good night everybody." He scooped her up and pressed her body close his as he carried her to the room she was previously resting in. He heard her small chuckle. A shiver chased down his spine when she looped her arms around his neck, relaxing in his grip. He toed open the door then kicked it shut behind him. "Here we are." He laid her gently on the bed and adjusted to remove her shoes.
She tittered and tried to pull her foot away. "Fred, I can do that myself."
"Of course you can. But isn't it easier to let me do it for you?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Good, then let me help you." He slid the shoe off followed by her sock. He moved to the other foot and passed her a small beaded bag that was hidden in her sock. "Do you need anything else? A bath maybe?"
"A bath would be lovely," she smiled, "but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I don't think I've the strength for it tonight."
"Well, I have plenty of strength. Feel free to borrow." He hopped up from the bed and moved to the adjoining bathroom and started to run a bath for her.
"Um…Fred," he loved the shade of pink her face had turned, "I don't think-"
"Hermione, do you trust me?"
"Yes, of course, but-"
"Then trust me." He squeezed her hand. "Do you have any clean night clothes for afterwards?"
"Yes, in my bag." She still looked somewhat uncomfortable but kept her doubts quiet.
Fred reached into her small beaded bag and ended up having to use a summoning charm to retrieve a nice flannel nightdress. He headed back to check on the water and pronounced it ready. He poured some salts and oils into it to help her body relax. He went back to the bedroom to find her sitting nervously on the edge of the bed. He once again picked her up, not necessarily because she needed it but simply due to his desire to hold her. He set her down on the toilet and began to unwind her hair from its messy ponytail.
He drew in a deep breath and looked directly into her eyes. He could feel the nervousness radiating from her but knew the bath would do her a world of good. He released the breath he'd been holding and flipped his hair out of his face. He reached for the buttons on the front of her borrowed nightgown. He focused on her eyes, letting her know he wouldn't be ogling her; he would keep it strictly professional. He fought the hostility that bubbled up in his gut at the sight of the thin fresh scar crossing her neck. He reached the last button and eased the garment down off of her shoulders to pool at her waist. His breath caught when he saw she wore no bra.
"Can you stand?" his voice was deep and husky even to his own ears. Scarlet faced, she nodded and held onto his forearm to pull herself up. The gown fell to the floor, leaving her in just her white cotton knickers. He cleared his throat and refused the urge to look down. His hands skimmed down her sides to feel the waistband and lowered them. He knelt in front of her, to slide the all the way down, his eyes never leaving hers. She placed her hands on his shoulders to step out of the panties. His breath was coming hard, his throat dry, but he ignored it and swooped her up. He got his upper body soaked in his attempt to lower her gently into the tub.
She hissed when the water hit her flesh. The sound didn't do anything help his body to calm down at all. He sat on the toilet and waited while she rested her head back on the tub, her eyes fluttering closed. He debated on whether to use a drying spell or to just remove his shirt. He didn't want to sleep in it anyway, so he slipped it over his head and tossed it in the pile with her clothes.
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A/N: Thanks again guys! Please review.
Poll results: If faced with the decision of one twin or both who would you pick?
1st: both with 43
2nd: Fred only with 14
3rd: George only with 5
4th: neither go zero votes, big surprise.