Chapter 51 - A Night Out.

Hermione had thought about Ginny's words all of that evening. Did Fred really have feelings for her? Did she actually like Fred more than she realised? Molly had insisted that Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Fred and George stay at the burrow that evening. Bill and Fleur headed back to shell cottage due to Fleur feeling unwell. Hermione had managed to keep her distance from Fred for the rest of the evening. Ginny wanted to hear all about Hermione's shopping trip into muggle London. Ginny wanted to go on a shopping trip into London and begged Hermione to take her. Hermione did just that a couple of days after Ron's trial.

The trail and Ron's verdict had made the front page of The Daily Prophet which did worry the Weasley family. Hermione was glad to disappear to muggle London that day, away from the wizarding world and prying media eyes. Rita Skeeter was desperate to get a story on Hermione, despite the fact Hermione still held Rita's beetle secret. Hermione refused point blank to speak with any horrible journalists so getting away to muggle London was just what she needed. The two girls had a lovely day shopping, Hermione taking Ginny into all her favourite shops and treating Ginny to lunch.

"We should go out tonight." Ginny suggested.
"I don't think showing my face in The Leaky Cauldron is a good idea." Hermione said.
"How about muggle London?" Ginny suggested. "That cool looking bar, we passed earlier."
"Sounds like a plan." Hermione said with a smile.

Ginny then dragged Hermione into nearly every clothes shop to look for a dress to wear. When they returned back to the burrow they informed Fred, George and Harry of their plans. All three jumped at the chance to go on a night out. Charlie had overheard their conversation and insisted on going to keep an eye on things.

"It'll stop our dear Mother from worrying." Charlie said.

Ginny insisted on working her magic on Hermione, dragging the scared looking witch up to their shared room.

"Right let's get to work on you." Ginny stated.
"Don't go too crazy on me now." Hermione warned.
"Fred won't be able to take his eyes off you after I've finished with you." Ginny grinned.
"Just make sure I still look like me and not some made up Barbie doll." Hermione said.
"Barbie?" Ginny wondered.
"A doll I used to play with when I was little." Hermione answered.
"And she wears make up?" Ginny asked.
"Yes and comes with loads of different clothes and shoes that you can dress her up in." Hermione explained.

Ginny didn't ask any more questions, just set to work on applying make up to Hermione. She applied minimal foundation to Hermione's pale face, added some pink blusher to her cheeks then some silver eyeshadow and black mascara. Hermione had picked out a cream flower print shaker dress to wear. It had a sweetheart neckline and was nipped in at the waist with a lilac belt. It wasn't too short but fell just above her knees. She teamed the pretty dress with nude coloured heels and a black jacket. Ginny then attacked Hermione's bushy hair, taming it down with natural looking loose curls which hung down her back.

"What do you think?" Ginny asked her friend.
"I like it. You did a great job, Gin." Hermione replied.

Ginny then started getting herself ready, applying her own make up and then pinned half her hair up in a messy knot. She curled the rest of her hair around her wand to create loose curls just like Hermione's. Ginny opted for a more tight fitting black and cream dress, which clung to her curves. It fell just below her knees and was accessorised by a cream patient belt which matched her shoes perfectly.

"If you were single, you'd definitely get plenty attention in that dress." Hermione commented.
"I only have eyes for my Harry." Ginny grinned. "Other guys are more than welcome to look but heaven help them if they even attempt to touch."

Hermione was glad to see the Ginny she knew back again. Once the two girls were ready, they left Ginny's room and headed downstairs to wait on the boys. Each of them looked handsome; all of them had button up shirts on, jeans and dress shoes. Charlie had his long sleeved shirt open and was wearing a Rolling Stone's t-shirt underneath.

"All of you be careful and be good." Molly urged. "And don't get too drunk."
"We'll be fine Mother." Charlie said.

They all headed outside and outside the protective wards so they could apparate to muggle London. The bar was just off Oxford Street and beside an Italian restaurant they were eating in first. They all arrived in the little side street beside it. Hermione led the way to the restaurant which was already buzzing with life. They entered inside where the smell of garlic bread hit their noses. The waitress led them over to a large table in a quiet corner. Hermione accidently sat down beside Fred.

The atmosphere was great and everyone was having a good time so far. They'd eat their way through three yummy courses and drank several glasses of wine. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food and enjoyed each other's company. Charlie was keen to hear about what all Hermione and Harry got up to on the run. They managed to go through the whole meal without mentioning Ron's name once, even when talking about being on the run. Fred and George also talked about what they did during that time.

"After we left the shop, we set up Potterwatch with Lee and some others. We managed to set it up in an empty house but we had to change locations every so often." George explained.
"We always used empty houses that no one appeared to live in, in large muggle areas. Obviously we put up a lot of protection about the houses we stayed in." Fred added.
"Did you not use Grimmauld Place?" Ginny asked.
"No. We were warned not too due to death eaters lurking around the street. We didn't know Harry and Hermione had been hiding out in there until after you two had left." George answered.

Sirius had been asked by Dumbledore before his death, to move in with Tonk's Mother, Lupin and Tonks. He gladly moved out of Grimmauld Place as he detested the horrible house. None of them knew the trio would be staying there in the beginning but they were eventually told so Lupin could pay them a visit.

"What did you get up to then old Charlie boy? Fred asked.
"Well I started off by gathering up a few trustworthy mates from Romania who were willing to fight alongside us. I got a good team of witches and wizards and brought them over here with me. I did some work for the Order too." Charlie explained.

None of the group pushed Hermione to talk about her time on the run with Harry and Ron as they didn't want to mention Ron at all. They knew most of what happened any way as Ron was keen to tell his family everything that had happened. Hermione remembered that Ron over exaggerated about their adventures and forgot to mention the part about him walking out on Harry and Hermione. It was one of those moments where Hermione opted to bite her tongue rather than bring that little pointer up. At first Hermione had found it difficult to loosen up and enjoy herself but after about an hour she did with the help of her friends. Fred was showing a particular interest in Hermione that evening, making sure she was ok and having a good time.

"So Miss Granger, having a good time?" Fred asked, his blue eyes wide.
"I am actually. It's good to let my hair down for once." Hermione replied.
"Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight?" Fred wondered.
"Errrm." Was all Hermione replied.
"Because you look bloody amazing in that dress." Fred complimented.
"Thank you." Hermione replied, blushing.
"You just want to enjoy getting her out of it." George whispered into his twin's ear.
"Shut up you git!" Fred warned.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"Oh it's just George being a git that's all." Fred replied.

Hermione took another sip of her red wine then set her glass down on the table with a smile on her face as she sat back in the comfortable chair. Fred reached into his pocket to get some money and his hand graced Hermione's leg. Fred quickly retracted his hand and apologised for what he had accidently done. Hermione didn't even wince at Fred's touch, actually it sent a tingle down her spine.

"It's fine Fred." Hermione said.
"I didn't mean too, I mean it was an accident." Fred spluttered.
"No need to be sorry Fred, honestly its fine." Hermione replied, setting her hand on top of Fred's.

Fred calmed himself down once he knew that Hermione was ok and not annoyed at Fred accidently touching her. The two of them sat in silence for several moments, just taking sips of their drinks, well in Fred's case, it was more large gulps of his beer.

"Come on, let's dance!" Ginny chirped jumping to her feet.
"I don't dance!" Hermione stated.
"Yes you do now come on!" Ginny said, grabbing Hermione's arm.

Hermione admitted defeat and let Ginny drag her onto the dance floor to a muggle song neither of them knew. Hermione used to love listening to music but after being on the run for nearly a year, she was out of the loop as to what songs were in the muggle charts. The song was called Saturday Night and many of the dancers seemed to be doing some sort of an in sync dance routine to it. Ginny and Hermione decided to join in which caused roaring laughter from the boys at the table. Fred and George got to their feet and joined the two girls but they ended up dancing like two drunk dads rather than in sync with everyone else. A slow song came on afterwards which Hermione recognised as being a song by one of her favourite bands; Take That. Ginny dashed over to drag Harry up to slow dance with her. Fred had spun Hermione around in his arms and gently placed his hands on her waist.

"Care to dance?" he asked her.
"Why not?" Hermione grinned, placing her hands on Fred's shoulder.
"I thought you didn't dance?" Fred wondered, with a raised eye brow.
"Well only with certain people." Hermione grinned.
"Then I'm honoured." Fred replied.

Fred and Hermione swayed in time to the music. Hermione looked up and into Fred's sparkling pools of blue then looked away blushing. Why on earth was Fred making her feel like this? Was it the alcohol talking? She only had three glasses of wine and she definitely didn't feel tipsy let alone drunk.

"I bet you a galleon that they'll kiss by the end of the night." George said to Charlie.
"You're on." Charlie agreed. "Does he like Hermione?"
"He's crazy about her. He's liked her for ages." George replied. "Obviously because of the consequences he's treading carefully."
"Hermione trusts him." Charlie said.
"She does. She's different when he's around, like content, happy. I can't quite put my finger on it." George said.
"Different than she was around Ron?" Charlie wondered.
"Definitely. She's not walking on egg shells around Fred. He seems to know how to calm her down and get her to break down those barriers she's so good at putting up." George answered.