Some of you may not be too happy with this chapter, others may like it but please no abuse.
Also writing smut is not my strong point.
Chapter 52 – Drunken Regrets
Hermione sat back down after dancing away on the dance floor with Ginny and Charlie. She took a large sip of her fifth glass of wine, quicker than she probably should have. She ended up downing the glass then returned to the dance floor.
"She's going to regret that in the morning." George said.
"Maybe I should keep an eye out on her." Fred said.
"Yeah. Getting herself drunk will not do her any good." George answered.
Fred joined the others on the dance floor, taking Hermione by the hands and spinning her around the dance floor.
"Fred, you're making me dizzy." Hermione giggled.
"I didn't know I had that effect on the ladies." Fred grinned.
"Well you've just spun me around several times." Hermione giggled back.
"Someone a little drunk?" Fred asked.
"Nope. I'm perfectly fine thank you." Hermione replied. "I'd quite like another drink though, one of those orange cocktails."
"Take it easy, Mione. You know what happened last time we all got drunk? We all had the hangovers from hell." Fred warned.
"Just one more." Hermione pleaded.
"Alright, just one more. I'll get you one of those cocktails." Fred agreed, then headed to the bar.
However Fred asked the bar lady for a non-alcoholic cocktail which was mainly made of orange juice. Hermione quickly downed her drink, not even realising there was no alcohol in it. Hermione really was letting her hair down and spent most of her time on the dance floor. When another slow song came on, she danced with Fred again but this time she was stood much closer to Fred with her hands wrapped rightly around his neck. After the song had finished, Hermione took Fred by the hand and led him outside to get some much needed fresh air.
"Are you sure you're alright, Hermione?" Fred asked as they took a seat on the little wall.
"I'm good, Fred. I'm having a great night." Hermione replied. "You look worried about something."
"Oh no, I'm not worried. Well I'm worried about you of course." Fred admitted.
"You don't have to worry about me, Fred. I'm fine." Hermione said.
"I know but I don't want you getting stupidly drunk and then have to deal with a horrible hangover tomorrow." Fred said.
"I won't. I don't even want to get drunk." Hermione replied.
"How are you really feeling, though?" Fred asked.
"I think I'm alright. I'm glad that Ron is getting punished for what he did to me and I'm glad that Ginny and I are speaking again." Hermione answered. "I just need to concentrate on getting better and living my life again now."
"And that you shall." Fred grinned.
"It'll take time though. I don't think I'll get over everything we've been through for a while." Hermione said.
"It will take time. We won't heal overnight but we will get through it." Fred stated.
"Can I trust you, Fred?" Hermione asked him.
"Of course you can trust me." Fred stated.
"Can I tell you something important, but you can't tell anyone, ok?" Hermione urged.
"I won't. I promise." Fred replied.
"I'm trying to find my parents. I went to visit Kingsley the other day and he's going to help me find them and bring back their memories." Hermione stated.
"That's amazing Hermione. Do you think you'll be able to find them?" Fred wondered.
"Kingsley says it should be easy enough. He's already got a lead from the Australian Government who found out where they are living." Hermione replied. "I've really need my Mum recently which is why I decided to find them sooner rather than later."
"Well if you are needing any help, I'd be more than happy to help you." Fred offered.
"Thank you Fred. I might have to go to Australia at some point." Hermione said.
"Then I will come with you, if you'd like the company." Fred said.
"That is very kind of you, Fred. It might be something I have to do alone though." Hermione replied.
"Well if you do want some company, I'd love to come with you." Fred said, with a sincere smile.
To Fred's surprise, Hermione moved closer, wrapped her arm around his back then rested her head on his chest. Fred pulled her into a hug and the two sat like that for a short while.
"Hermione." Fred spoke, breaking the silence.
Hermione moved from Fred's grip and sat up, looking straight into Fred's eyes.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, sounding concerned.
"This may sound like a crazy question but earlier when I accidently touched your leg, you didn't wince, why was that?" Fred asked.
"It didn't bother me at all. I knew you didn't do it on purpose or to hurt me." Hermione answered. "And I do trust you."
"You know I'd never do anything to hurt you, Hermione. I care about you far too much." Fred admitted.
Hermione flung her arms around Fred's neck and kissed him full on the lips. Fred, taken back by Hermione's actions, kissed her back. For Hermione, this kiss with Fred felt right, it felt more than good. Fred's kiss wasn't rough or pushed, it was soft and warm. The way Fred made Hermione feel, was completely different and far better than Ron had ever made her feel. Hermione pulled out of the kiss first, her face flushed red.
"I kind of enjoyed that." Fred admitted.
"I more than enjoyed it." Hermione confessed. "I can't even blame the alcohol."
"So you willingly snogged me, Granger?" Fred asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Yes." Hermione replied. "Can we get out of here?"
"Where do you wanna go to?" Fred asked.
"Shell Cottage?" Hermione suggested.
"Will we not wake Bill and Fleur?" Fred asked.
"They've gone to France today for Fleur's sister's birthday." Hermione replied.
"What about the others?" Fred asked.
"We'll make up a lie that I'm not feeling good and that you're taking me home." Hermione said.
"Wow, I'm surprised at you Miss Granger, first you snog me senseless, then you want to take me to back to Shell Cottage and tell our friends a lie about where we're going?" Fred grinned.
"Well I'm allowed to break the rules every once in a while." Hermione stated with a mischievous grin.
They headed back inside to inform the others where they were going. None of them thought it suspicious or asked any questions.
"Hermione isn't in good form and being beside the sea seems to calm her down." Fred stated to George.
"Alright mate, I'll see you tomorrow." George said with a wink.
Hermione and Fred went back outside again and apparated straight to Shell Cottage. Fred unlocked the door and entered the empty house.
"I'll make us some tea, if you'd like." Fred offered.
"Maybe we should just go to bed." Hermione said.
She shuffled over to where Fred was stood and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her. Fred was a bit shocked by Hermione's behaviour. Yes, Fred really did like Hermione and he had feelings for her but he didn't want her to do something she'd end up regretting. Hermione attempted to kiss Fred again but this time he resisted the urge to return the favour.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, looking offended.
"I don't think this is a good idea." Fred said.
"Why not?" Hermione questioned.
"I don't want you to wake up tomorrow morning filled with regret." Fred answered.
"I won't. I want this." Hermione stated.
"Trust me, I want it too because I really like you, Hermione but I don't want to rush you into anything." Fred said.
"You like me?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. I've liked you for ages, Hermione but I haven't acted on it because of what's happened." Fred admitted.
"Well let's forget about what happened and live a little. I don't want to have to worry about the hell Ron put me through." Hermione said.
"As long as you're sure, Hermione." Fred asked.
"I've never been surer about anything in my life." Hermione answered.
"And you won't have any regrets in the morning?" Fred asked, making completely sure.
"No, no regrets. I'm not drunk so I know what I'm doing." Hermione answered.
Fred took Hermione's hand in his own and led her upstairs to the bedroom in which Hermione had previously slept in. Fred leaned in and kissed Hermione passionately on the lips while Hermione began unbuttoning Fred's shirt. Once his shirt was fully unbuttoned, she pushed it off his shoulders, throwing the garment on the floor, then lightly traced her fingers over the scar that went across Fred's chest. Fred let out a small gasp.
"Did I hurt you?" Hermione asked.
"No. It doesn't hurt." Fred answered.
They continued to kiss, with Fred helping Hermione out of her dress. They fell onto the bed, a tangle of limbs, as their kiss deepened. Fred was still unsure though. He did want to sleep with Hermione but he didn't want it to be in the heat of the moment, he wanted it to mean something. For once Fred's sensible side was taking over from his feelings for Hermione. Fred pulled out of the kiss, still holding onto Hermione.
"What's wrong Fred?" Hermione asked, moving from his grip and sitting up beside him.
Fred finally got to have a good look at the beautiful young lady lying beside him. His eyes travelled down, taking in every inch of her milky skin and that amazing figure she kept hidden under her jeans and jumpers, admiring her matching cream, lacy underwear. She really was beautiful to Fred.
"Don't you want this?" Hermione then asked.
"Of course I do, Hermione but not like this. I know I might have a bit of a reputation as a ladies man but I want our first time to really mean something, to be special." Fred admitted. "I care too much about you, have far too much respect for you."
"But what if I'm wanting this?" Hermione asked.
"Are you really sure this is what you're wanting, though?" Fred asked back.
"Like I said, Fred, I'm not drunk, not even tipsy so I know what I want and it's you that I want." Hermione admitted.
"Well then let me take you out on a date first, do it the proper way." Fred said.
Hermione's face fell into some sort of a sad frown, like Fred had offended her in some way.
"Look, Hermione. I really, really like you, more than you know. I'd like you to go out with me, if you'd give me a chance but I don't want us to jump feet first into sleeping together right now then be filled with regret tomorrow or worst case scenario, we stop speaking to one another." Fred stated.
"You really are serious about this, aren't you?" Hermione asked.
"Serious about you and I dating?" Fred wondered. "Then yes I am."
"I had no idea you felt this way about me, Fred." Hermione said, her voice quiet.
"Trust me, I have liked you for ages but I never acted on it because of my brother. I was scared of acting on my feelings in case I ruined our friendship so I just concentrated on being there for you after what Ron did." Fred admitted. "And I haven't been doing it just to get into your knickers either."
"I never thought you were, Fred. I have been very thankful for all your support recently. You have been more than amazing towards me." Hermione said. "I guess in the past, I never looked past the prank playing Fred Weasley but you are far more than that. You are kind, smart, funny and brave, amongst other things."
"Stop it, Hermione, you're making me blush." Fred said, pretending to gush.
"It's the truth and you're very handsome to boot." Hermione said.
"So, what do you reckon about us maybe going out sometime?" Fred asked Hermione.
"I'd really like that Fred." Hermione replied with a smile. "Will you stay with me tonight?"
"Of course I will." Fred replied.
"I promise I won't try and seduce you again." Hermione said.
"Its fine, maybe one day I'll let you." Fred said with a wink which caused Hermione to blush.
"I think we should probably get some sleep." Hermione said, as a yawn escaped her mouth.
Hermione pulled the quilt over her and Fred as she snuggled down into Fred's chest. He placed a small but tender kiss on Hermione's forehead then both closed their tired eyes and drifted off into peaceful slumbers.
I had to stop both of them from doing something they might end up regretting.
