Hey there. Huge appologies are in order... see bottom if you'd care to know.
Thanks to all the followers and favoriters for last chapter. And extra thanks to the reviewers who spent an extra moment to write a note; Heymemegirl11, 91, bdsteele, the pajamaqueen85, Terri Jones, eleigh17, livtheravenclaw, fluersuoh, cemmia, Shmandypants28, Ginny Potter6891, jperks, TheAwesomePercyJacksonFanGirl, Primrue, Guest, Raven that flies at night, aira nabihah, and sora loves rain.
Hermione's POV
She tapped her foot rapidly as her impatience grew. Hermione's mother was still collecting her purse and her father was having to retrace his steps to locate the car keys. The witch forced herself to still, but found that remaining motionless was causing more anxiety so Hermione allowed herself to bounce slightly on the balls of her feet.
The last few days had felt like months, with how slowly the time had dragged out. It wasn't that Hermione did not enjoy spending time with her family, but the last day alone had been more than a little stressful. Fred had owled her several times since Boxing day; always with a short limerick or joke about how confining Grimmauld Place was or how dark and gloomy the house was without her. She thought it was simply silly fun until yesterday when the twin mentioned Sirius's resemblance to a beaten down puppy.
Hermione was a bit afraid that the impending departure of Harry was taking a real toll on Sirius though. And her suspicions were confirmed when Ron and Harry used the Polypen and had written in great detail about the encounter between Sirius and Professor Snape. Their Potions professor had been there to schedule Occlumency lessons with Harry, so that his dreams about Voldemort would cease. But Snape had not made it out of number 12 quickly enough it seemed...
The boys said that the argument was so loud that the whole house could hear, with very little effort… and they had even drawn wands on each other.
It wasn't exactly something that she wanted to imagine… Especially when it was at the exact time that Mr. Weasley had finally been allowed to return home from St. Mungo's.
"Ah ha!" Mr. Granger proclaimed as he proudly jingled the newly found keys in the air, "Rightio then; best get a move on or you'll be late for that purple bus." He smiled kindly at Hermione as Mrs. Granger shook her head at her husband.
Hermione instructed her father to park the car one street away from Grimmauld Place. Her parents reluctantly agreed and she hugged and kissed her parents cheeks before quickly sending them on their way. As much as she wanted to be with her family, Hermione was beginning to feel like they might be safer away from anything magical.
The witch walked the short distance to the hidden townhouse, keeping a keen eye for anything out of the ordinary on the seemingly normal street. Hermione stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk and watched, still in a little awe, as the ancestral home of the Black Family materialized out of number eleven and thirteen. She hurried up the front steps and quietly knocked on the thick oak door.
"Looking for anyone in particular, Granger?" A familiar voice chuckled as the door opened.
The smile that crossed Hermione's face was involuntary but very welcomed, "No, not really. Just looking for a few of my friends." She looked up just in time to catch a smirk pull at the side of Fred's mouth, "Are you waiting for someone?"
"My girlfriend actually," Fred caught her hand and pulled the witch into the dark and empty hallway. They tiptoed toward the library and sneaked through the door before anyone else in the house appeared. The wizard hugged Hermione close and hooked her chin to force her gaze up, "You look a lot like her... I can't remember her having such a sarcastic manner last time I saw her… though it has been quite a while since I've been able to see her with my own eyes."
Hermione snorted as she leaned against his chest and cocked her head with a smirk, "It's barely been a week, Fred."
That special, small smile overtook his features, "Well, I missed you, Hermione. A week is far too long without seeing you."
"Then how will we survive when you graduate at the end of this term?" She arched her eyebrow and waited patiently for Fred's solution to their impending separation.
He leaned forward slightly, still holding gently to Hermione's chin as he inched closer, "I suppose I'll just have to come visit you every spare moment I have."
She felt a comforting warmth spread through her body. Hermione tried not to swoon at the comment, but the realization about how worried she had actually been about the end of the school year became very evident as her tight stance relaxed, "It would be nice to see you next year… as long as you're not too busy with the shop. Maybe we can plan outings during Hogsmeade visits…"
"I'm sure I can manage that. But I was thinking more often than just a visit every month or so. I do know all the secret entrances to Hogwarts…"
"Fred…" Hermione felt herself shift into Prefect mode and glared lightly at the playful look on her boyfriend's face.
"Alright, alright. I won't abuse my knowledge of the castle for my own benefit… too much," the redheaded wizard cheerfully laughed at the halfhearted scowl on Hermione's face, "Would you really send me away if I magically appear a few times next year?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and tried desperately not to smile at the twin's antics, "I would prefer to not answer that…"
A dazzling smile spread across Fred's face, "I will take that as a 'no' then." He finally closed the gap between them and claimed Hermione's lips in a gentle kiss.
Hermione was relieved that time seemed to be working in her favor finally; their little intimate moment feeling like a frozen minute to in her mind.
"Come on you lot," Tonks voice rang through the hallways as she stomped around the adjacent hallway. There was a bump and a crash as something fell to the floor, "Bloody hell…"
Mrs. Black's portrait began to scream out as Tonks returned an equally harsh verbal tirade to her great aunt; which effectively ruined the private moment.
But Hermione still smiled as Fred pulled away and sighed.
"It wouldn't really be a proper send off without Mrs. Black delicate tones and Nymphadora's grace," the red headed wizard leaned over and quickly pecked Hermione's lips before lacing their fingers together and leading the way back out into the hallway.
"I just wish there was a better way of traveling back to Hogwarts…" Hermione placed a hand over her uneasy stomach as it performed an uncomfortable flip.
I have no words for how sorry I am. There really isn't any good excuse for me leaving you all for a month other than some horrible personal problems unfotunatly arose. PLEASE forgive me. I am finally 100% and happy to be back writing.
Much more to come. Scheming, patronuses and much more Fremione. =)
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***Reviews... if you have an extra second...
Always,
Misha
Ps. Check out the other stories by me: 'Begin Again' (which is now complete!), 'Thrown Back' and 'Penelope Jackson: The Lightning Thief.'
