new chapter
chapter beta-ed by Smiley, thanks again
Lizairy Cullen welcome :)
WhenIAmCalling welcome :)
and finally for this week Lufoca Luna welcome :)
xx
...
Fred wanted to tell Hermione everything about his conversation with George and what she would have to do before to be able to really help them with their products. He had dragged her into his flat to have some privacy.
« Fred, I am really tired, could not it wait until tomorrow besides if we go home after the others your parents are going to kill us unless you have spoken to them already, have you. » she asked heartily
« I did speak with George but I am still figuring out how to convince my parents but it will be done before Monday, I swear. You are not going to go to your house with just Kingsley. » promised Fred
« But there is something that we need to discuss, now. » he said seriously
...
...
As Fred had told George, Hermione had not shrank from listening to him about the unbreakable vow. She had not exactly jumped for joy but she had accepted the conditions without a blacklash. She had already guessed that Fred and George would not reveal their secrets without protecting their backs.
Evidently, she had not thought about something that drastic but she was not afraid of an unbreakable vow, if the words were chosen well, there was no real danger and as Fred had accepted to let her reword the sentences, she had no reason to say no.
...
They did not leave the flat after the unbreakable vow's conversation. They talked about their dreams, his desire to travel and her desire to fight for a fairer wizarding community and for the first time they alluded to their future together. Nothing too deep or too serious but still they had made some plans like going to Paris before the end of the summer, making a new Marauder's map so Hermione could escape at night and join Fred and the last thing but not the least, they had decided to go on a road trip, on Fred's motorcycle, for a week or two just before Hermione's return to Hogwarts.
Both were already looking forward to that trip even if it was still two months and a half ahead.
They also snogged for a while on the twins' couch without thinking about looking at the clock.
When it rang midnight, Fred pulled away and said that they should go back to the club to do not miss the departure of the others. They did not have a curfew but all the Weasleys knew that it was not a good idea to show up after 1am. Molly was strict and her children knew that she did not care about how old they were, as long as you were sleeping at the burrow, you had to respect its rules...
Hermione groaned and sat Fred's on lap so he could not get up.
« I don't want to go back Fred. I did not want to go back last Sunday either. We could spend the night here, we could just sleep here together.» she said without blushing much
Fred's eyes widened, had he heard correctly, he was not sure. That was cheeky and that had not sounded like Hermione Granger at all but he could not say that he was against the idea. He knew how she was feeling and like her, he was tired to hide. Nevertheless, if they stayed at the flat and decided to spend the night together, the row waiting for them at the burrow would be memorable.
It was a Cornelian choice.
...
Fred teased Hermione about her idea while he was mulling their options. He even gave her a chance to go back on her idea. He was totally bewildered, Hermione did not budge.
He wanted to spend the night with her too but he had to clarify few things first. He was quite sure that Hermione had really meant sleeping as they had done already but in case she had something more interesting on her mind, Fred had to restrain her desire.
« My parents are going to kill us. Hermione please tell me that you aren't thinking about this because you are looking for a way to force me to talk to my parents. I already gave you my word, I am going to do it before the end of the week but if you don't mind, I would like to do it without having to fear for our lives. »
Hermione shook her head and reaffirmed that she just wanted to spend the night with him. She was fully aware of the consequences but she did not have the slightest concern about them.
Fred chuckled, he loved when she was sassy.
« They are so going to say that I am having a bad influence on you but Hermione, I accept your offer just one little thing though. Don't get me wrong please, I am not going to push you to do anything that you don't want to but. » he paused.
As he had not planned to tell her yet, he was not sure about the how...
Perplexed, Hermione was staring at him. She asked him what was wrong and when he blushed, she rapidly said that she had not been thinking about that.
« I mean this is not why I want to spend the night with you. I just want to be with you. I can't say that I am not thinking about that but » it was her turn to pause.
She did not want to talk about it now, she had everything planned already, she wanted to have that talk at her house, in her bedroom, comfortably sat on her bed.
« But you aren't ready. I understand, don't worry about it besides what I was about to tell you is that we cannot do it. » replied Fred who's ears were still red.
She frowned and asked what was this nonsense. Fred tensed, having Hermione on his lap was not helping him at all, she was not just sat, she was straddling him and that was distracting him, too much.
He gently pushed her away and told her that it was the truth. He gave her the details about the contraceptive methods in the wizarding world and how problematic they were for Muggles born, specially witches.
« And well the spell won't work until you've got your first magical kid. As for potions, not many work on Muggle born and they are very rare to find. » finished Fred who had miraculously managed to do not turn crimson.
It was not easy for Fred to feel uncomfortable but explaining all this to his newly girlfriend was odd. He had the feeling to have turned into his parents when they had the sex talk... It remained the most embarrassing day of his life...
...
Hermione was about to cry, she was angry and sad. Fred was not joking, what he had revealed made total sense. She had always wondered how come Lily and James had got a baby so young while they were full time members of the Order of the Phoenix, she had got the answer, same for Andromeda's pregnancy...
For days now, she had been weighing up the pros and the cons about having sex with Fred at this early stage of their relationship, thinking about the perfect way to approach the V card subject, thinking about becoming intimate with Fred and how to surpass her fears of being naked in front of him for what learning that if they decided to do it, she would end up pregnant, most likely, before the end of the year.
« It is so unfair. Sex in the wizarding community is so twisted. » she said disorted
First the V card and now this, that was too much, she was going to have a word with Kingsley. Some sexual classes were needed at Hogwarts. Well, she was going to tell Andromeda and Andromeda would have to speak with Kingsley but that would do the trick.
« I agree but you had not let me finish, I do have a book with an efficient potion. When you will be ready, let me know and I will provide you all the ingredients. Now, if you want to go back to sleep at the burrow, I would understand. » stated Fred who was hoping that she would not have changed her mind
« No, I still want to spend the night with you. I told you, my intentions were pure, they still are. »
Fred nodded and smiled. They stayed silent for a while, they did not even dare to move. They both had a lot to say about the S subject but as often, they did not find the courage to break the ice.
Hermione because she wanted to stick with her plans and Fred because he did not want Hermione to misunderstand his intentions. Moreover, he did have sex but he never had feelings for any of the girls with whom he had slept so the idea of having sex with Hermione was indeed a bit intimidating. Basically, it was a big deal for both.
...
Few minutes later, Hermione asked Fred:
« So shall we go to sleep. »
He smiled, took her hands and led her to his room. Unlike last time, they did not sleep with their clothes on. Fred lent an old t-shirt to Hermione and a pair of blue knitted socks, he chose more or less the same for himself except the socks.
Hermione went to the bathroom to change and to brush her teeth. Fred and George had extra toothbrushes, she wondered why but did not dare to ask. She did not need to hear more about Sophie or any other girl that Fred might had slept with.
...
Once they were in Fred's bed, they did not talk that much. It was late, they were both tired and in deep thoughts. Hermione's head was resting on Fred's chest, she was, again, listening to his heartbeats, it was so peaceful, at least for her. Fred's was fondling her hair with a smile on his face. They both quickly fell asleep, both with a smile on their faces, they would get through this, they were positive.
...
...
A bit before 6am, a worried George left the burrow. He was pretty sure that his twin and his lover were fine and that they were sleeping at the flat but he had to be sure. Moreover, he did not want Fred to be in more troubles than he already was and showing up after breakfast would not help his case...
George might not be Hermione's biggest fan but Fred was his twin and he loved him more than anything on earth so letting him get into trouble was out of the equation.
...
As he had expected, George found the two lovers at the flat. They were sleeping in Fred's bed in a similar position than the last time that he had caught them sleeping together.
Not so gently, he awoken them:
« Time to get up, Fred, Granger, come on it's time to go. It's almost 6am, we have to go back to the burrow before Mum is up. » he said as he was shaking them
Reluctantly, Hermione and Fred got out of the bed. They were both upset and relieved that George had come to them. For Fred, it meant a lot, it meant that no matter what George was saying, he still cared.
They had one problem though, Fred could not apparate yet. Healer in Chief Thomas had not given his approval yet. The floo network was their only option but that was very noisy...
They sat on the couch and studied their options. Fred was trying to convince Hermione and George that he could apparate.
« Take me with you, I am going to be fine. Come on what is life without a bit of risk. George don't be wimp. »
For their surprise, not George but Hermione agreed. Fred and George were very good at apparating, they would manage.
« George if you accept to take Fred, there won't be any problem. Come on let's go »
Incredulous, George glanced at Fred. Fred' smirk was saying, I told you that she was not that goody two shoes. George rolled his eyes but smiled at his brother.
Few seconds later they disappeared into a pop.
...
Back at the burrow George wanted nothing more than teasing his twin about the young witch. He could not wait to be in their room. He wanted to know everything...
Unfortunately, George would have to wait before to get any crispy details, indeed their mother was waiting for them. She said that she had heard the door of the kitchen earlier, it was still not possible to apparate inside of the burrow, so she had checked all the bed to know who had left the burrow.
« George, you've failed. You should have stayed in bed, you would have been out of troubles but I will deal with you later. Upstairs now. » she said too calmly
Hermione, Fred and George almost run to the stairs but Molly cleared her throats and added:
« No, not you two, just George »
She pointed the couch in front of her with her index, Hermione and Fred sat on the couch looking at their feet.
« Where have you been. » yelled Molly
It was probably one of her favorites sentences but Fred knew that it was not the time to make any comment.
« Did you both become mute in one night. »
She was furious and their silence was only increasing her rage. She yelled at them for a couple of minutes until Fred got the guts to speak.
« We slept at the flat, it was too late to come home and we fell asleep. »
« Too late, that's smart mouth of yours Fred, I might stitch it. Ginny said that you had left before midnight. Fred, do not lie to me, can't you just act normal for once in your life.» barked Molly
« We talked at the flat and then it was too late to come home. Mum, seriously we are not kids. » snapped Fred who had no longer the intention to let his mother lecturing them. Hermione was right, they were not twelve.
They argued for a while. Hermione was observing the scene in silence, she was analyzing everything. She reckoned that she had been a bit harsh on Fred, talking with his parents was definitely way more complicated than she would have ever imagined.
« Frederik Gideon Weasley, I don't care that you are 20, you could be 30 it would be the same, you know the rules under this roof. »
« Well technically the shop is George and mine and so is the flat so I was under my own damn roof and my rules and Hermione is not your daughter. You can yell at me if you want but let her out of this.» he replied coolly
Taken aback by Fred's comment, Molly's eyes narrowed. It was not often that Fred accepted to take the blame for others. That was probably part of Fred' strategy though so she sighed and carried on
« I won't allowed any of my children to share a bed with anyone unless you are married and last time I checked you two weren't or did you two secretly elope during one of those afternoons that you are spending doing only God knows what and where. Hermione, I will have to write to your parents»
Hermione stopped Fred from replying this time. She was appreciating the fact that he was defending her but she could take care of herself. Besides, it had become her fight too.
« Mrs Weasley, we haven't done anything, I swear. Nothing happened and it is all my fault. I got a little problem so Fred took me to the shop, we got upstairs so I could fix my problem and then we talked and we fell asleep that's all. » lied Hermione, her poise was impeccable
« And I slept on the couch. » lied Fred as perfectly as Hermione
Trapped Molly sent them to bed. She did not believe them but she would not get anything from them. They were protecting and defending each other's, confronting them would not lead to anything, it was just a waste of time. She did not want to be mean but she wanted to protect Hermione, Fred was going to break her heart she could feel it.
...
Next chapter next sunday
soon Molly will change her opinion, don't worry about
and everything will be solve very soon