New chapter
This one had been beta-ed by WhenIAmCalling, thanks a lot for your help :)
We are going two/three chapters a bit cheesy before the end of the story.
Julchen26 welcome :)
SakuraDragomir welcome :)
Annabethjc23 welcome :)
summerlover11 welcome :)
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And fina for this week Cat-Eye-Sapphire welcome :)
I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Have a lovely time with your loved ones.
Xx
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After Molly's lecture, Hermione and Fred went to bed even if it was nearly 7am. Hermione waited for Ginny to wake up before to leave the room, Fred did the same with George. They did not dare to go back to the kitchen alone.
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After breakfast, Fred left with George and Ginny who were going to Diagon Alley. He was going to spend the morning at the shop with George. Healer in Chief Thomas had agreed: Fred could slowly go back to work.
Fred was missing the shop a lot but more than that he wanted to get a confirmation about Hermione's trip to the past. According to the book written by Matthew Bagshot, if her action was an unwritten one then he would never be able to go back to his real life, he would never be free. The thought was frightening him, living a life like Sirius had. That was not living, he did not want that.
As for Hermione, she really had to babysit Teddy. Andromeda had finally gotten the papers that she needed to get the money of her insurance and she had a meeting with her insurer.
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Before lunch Hermione took Teddy to Diagon Alley. With everything that had happened, she had almost forgotten about her meeting with Kingsley. She had to meet Kingsley at the Ministry to reopen the floo network at her house. She was nervous but she really wanted to see her house. She would have to wait until Monday though, the floo network was only effective after 48 hours.
She left the Ministry with a smile on her face, Teddy was asleep so she decided to stop by the twins' shop to see if Fred was still there. He was still there of course, behind the counter with his twin. He had his mischievous smile on his face. When he saw Hermione with the trolley, he elbowed George and told his twin to get use to this background.
« What does that mean Fred. » asked George confused
« Nothing yet, I told you nothing happened but I want you to engrave this image in that head of yours because one day, the baby in the trolley will be your niece or nephew. »
« Fred, don't you think that this is a bit ridiculous. I know that you love her, believe me I do but I still think that it is too soon for you to think about marriage and dirty diapers. » insisted George
He was not done yet but Hermione was too close to carry on.
« Hermione, here to steal my twin I guess. » suggested George sarcastically
« Yes George, I am here to steal Fred. My objective in life is to keep him away from you. Seriously George, grow up besides I have no intention to let him go so you better learn how to share. » replied Hermione angrily
« Enough or I lock you both in the back of the shop until you've accepted to behave like adults. Actually, I should really do that. George, we've talked about it a hundredth times, you need to start to accept Hermione's presence, is that too much to ask. » said Fred raising his voice
« George nothing is going to chance between us, ever. When you have a woman in your life, you will understand. May be if you will stop to chase after Angelina, you would find the right woman for you. » added Fred who was staring at his twin
George mumbled under his breath. After that he apologized and swore to make an effort. Fred forced his twin and Hermione to hug. He really needed them to get along.
More or less satisfied for the time being, Fred left the shop with Hermione and Teddy whose hair had turned the shade of ginger that Fred had. George's eyes followed them until they were out of his sight, they really looked like a happy family. Perhaps Hermione was really the woman that Fred needed in his life. Who would have thought? certainly not him but if Fred was happy, he had nothing to complain about.
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In the meantime at the burrow
Molly was speaking with Arthur. She was pushing him to talk to Fred.
She had told him what had happened on the morning while he was on his guard for the Order.
« And what» croaked Arthur who, unlike his wife, was starting to get fond of the idea of Hermione and Fred together.
The fact that Fred was taking Hermione to places like the black market was of course not Arthur's idea of romanticism but he had overheard Ginny, Charlie and Percy babbling about Hermione and Fred's date and that date fit perfectly with his idea of romanticism.
Moreover, he had noticed that Fred and George were no longer in the shadow of the other and only a woman could pull them apart. Of course, he was still dubious about his son's intentions but he could not picture his son being such a nasty manipulator.
« Arthur seriously how dare you to ask what, you know what they've done, I am sure that they had intercourse. Fred did not even try hard to deny it and with his own words told me to mind my own business. » said an offended Molly
Arthur did not react.
« He told me that he was under his own roof so that he was not breaking our rules and Hermione came with a pitiful excuse. Arthur, you have to talk to him. I don't know what to do anymore. I've been watching them for days and I am sure that there is something going on between them. I tried to talk to them but they don't care about what I say or do. Hermione is like our daughter. I don't want to see her ending like Sophie» insisted Molly
« Molly are you sure that you aren't dramatizing. » stated Arthur
« Arthur for God' sake, they are gone most of the day on this stupid flying motorbike. I had caught them several times on Fred's bed supposedly reading but with Fred's hands all over Hermione's body. I highly doubt that reading was all they were doing. And who knows about their night moves, I caught them today because I heard George but maybe this was not the first time that they did not spend the night at home »
Arthur rolled his eyes, his wife was overreacting, as often...
« Molly, I understand your concern but what do you want me to do, Fred is 20 and Hermione is almost 19, I, we can't ground them in their rooms. Molly, please don't look at me like that. »
« I won't tolerate any grandchildren or sexual activities under my roof out of marriage. » retorted Molly
« I know and I won't either but Fred was right, they are free to do whatever they want at the flat. Besides, I am starting to think that Fred might indeed be in love with Hermione or at least like her. »
As Molly still looked pissed, Arthur raised his hands and said that he would talk to Fred
« Thank you Arthur. Once, I will be sure that Fred has not involved Hermione into a sex friend relationship as he did with Sophie then I will be more than pleased to support their relationship, if such thing exists of course.» conceded Molly
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In the late afternoon, Arthur found his sons, Harry, Neville and Lee in the twins' room. They were playing at the WWW version of taboo.
Arthur asked to talk to Fred, alone, but Fred refused. He got angry and said that he knew what his father wanted, he knew that his mother had sent him.
The patriarch, not bothered by his son's comment, asked Fred in front of the boys if he had slept with Hermione. Glaring at his father, Fred replied that yes they did sleep together, but that was all they had done, sleeping.
« You just want to know if we are having sex, that's all it matters to Mum anyway. »
« You shagged Hermione. See I was right, I knew that was what you wanted, you bloody bastard. I can't believe she had lost her virginity with you though » barked Ron
« Ron, no one is asking for your comment, stay out of this. » warned Arthur
Fred rolled his eyes but reaffirmed that he had not shagged Hermione.
« I am sure that he is lying Dad. Bloody hell, how did you manage to get into bed with her?» yelled Ron who's blood was boiling
« Ron, out. All of you out. » yelled the patriarch
Obviously, no one moved. They had all known that this talk would happen sooner or later. Besides, they were all really curious to know what was really going on between Hermione and Fred, like if it was a fling or something more serious, except Ron who just wanted to murder his brother. He had accepted the fact that Hermione was not in love with him but knowing that she was really with his brother that would hurt for a while...
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Arthur let himself fall on George's bed, between Percy and Charlie. He was looking for Fred's eyes, he was looking for answers.
« Fred, I thought that my words would have sunk by now but apparently I was wrong. Fred, your mother and I are just worried because of how close you and Hermione seem to be. We don't want you to play with her or to involve her into the same relationship that you had with Sophie. Of course, you are on age and so is Hermione but we do consider her as a member of this family and we do not want you to break her heart because of one of your stupid games. » explained Arthur calmly, his soft nature was better than Molly's temper to deal with Fred.
« Because that's all it can be a game, a prank as if I could not have real feelings, as if I could not fall in love. » retorted Fred
« This is not what I am saying. » sighed his father
« Dad this is exactly what you are saying. I am not playing with her, I would never do such thing, I would never play with someone's feelings especially if this someone is Hermione and the answer to your first question is yes, we've slept together in the same bed but that's all we've done, sleeping. I did not touch her and I would never touch her without her consent and for your information, I do have feelings for her. I am in love with her since I am 17 years old, do the maths Dad, three fucking years yes. » confessed Fred
Except George, Percy and Charlie, they all had ben taken aback by his confession. That was odd, a bit, Fred in love with Hermione since 1995 but Fred seemed serious. They looked at George, just in case this was a joke but George's face was even more serious than Fred.
« Well that's clear now. » said Arthur awkwardly
« If you excuse me, I need some fresh air » snorted Fred
He left the room in a hurry, he had finally spit it out, would it be enough for his father to believe him or not, he could not say.
He was exaggerating his anger to make his father feel bad. He was offended of course but if he did not overplay a bit, his father would not believe him. Also, he was slightly embarrassed, he had just revealed his feelings in front of everybody and that had not been part of his plan.
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The fact that his father was not running after him meant that his words had affected his father. He smirked.
His mother was the only one left but his mother would need proof and he was still working on that.
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In the kitchen, where the women were preparing dinner, they all looked stunned when they saw Fred storming out of the house. Neither did they understand, except Hermione, why he had sent a death stare at his mother.
Hermione had stopped cutting her carrots, she was torn between her heart's desires and Molly's frowned eyebrows, she chose to follow her heart. She picked up her own jacket and ran after Fred.
She followed him to the farm. Panting, she asked him what was wrong. Fred, who was already on his motorbike, grinned at her and told her to get on.
« Fred wait, where are we going. »
He summarised what had just happened, Hermione was not convinced that his tactic would work but he knew his father, she had to trust him. But what had impacted her the most was definitely Fred's confession, she was overjoyed. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely, pressing her body against his and her hands all over his chest.
Breathless, Fred was smiling genuinely. If this was his reward for sharing his feelings with his siblings, friends and father, he could not wait to see what would come after speaking with his mother.
« Are you coming or not » asked Fred who was still trying to think straight after this passionate kiss
She nodded, sat behind Fred and wrapped her arms around his waist. She let her head rest on the back of his neck. She did not even ask where they were going, as long as they were together, she did not care.
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They headed north and stopped near Bristol. They spent the evening together and had so much fun. As the days were long and it was not darkening until 9pm, Fred drove to the seaside. They walked along the beach and did not return to the parking until dusk.
« I think we should go back home or Mum is going to murder us. »
Hermione agreed. She knew that the situation at the burrow would be tensed for the next few days but at least they would not have to leave the house every time that they wanted to be together.
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Fred was already on his motorcycle, waiting for Hermione to get on when he felt the urge to tell her something. He wanted to make clear that he was taking very seriously their relationship. For some reasons, Hermione was still doubtful. He could, sometimes, see it in her eyes.
« Hermione, do you remember when I asked you how you had pictured our what if relationship. »
She nodded wondering where that would lead. She had thought that this subject was definitely closed.
« Well, I've realized that I never told you about my what if. Yes, I had my own what if. »
« And is this just teasing or are you going to share with the rest of the class. » asked Hermione confused
What can be so important now that wasn't days ago? she thought worriedly
« As I said, I do agree with your version though there is one thing, remember when I told you that I am quite sure that you would have pushed me away or worst breaking up with me before leaving with Harry and Ron. »
Again, she nodded and sighed deeply. Was Fred seriously going to mention a break up that belonged nowhere but in their heads and taking the risk to ruin what they had decided to call their second date? She stood still, waiting for Fred to explain himself.
« I had forgotten to tell you that I would not have let you break up with me. I would have let you go but I would not have let you push me away without fighting. I have no idea what would have happened then. »
« But. » interrupted Hermione looking into his eyes
« But a break up would not have changed our feelings. If we are here now, why would it have been different? Hermione, in all the versions of my life that I can think about, there is not one that I can picture without you by my side. I have no idea about that time turner episode but safe to assume that it would have happened as well and » he paused
Hermione was still looking into his eyes, waiting for the big news
« And I would have ask you to marry me right after opening my eyes, after two weeks in coma, I would not have wanted to wait anymore and taken the risk to be separated from you ever again. »
« You would have proposed. » she stated disconcerted
« Yes, what your answer would have been? » asked Fred, he was curious to know
Hermione bit her lips, she was trying to imagine herself in that position, with this backstory which was so different from their reality but at the same time so close.
« As crazy as it is going to sound, I would have said yes. » she affirmed with a smile
Fred wrapped his arms around her waist, it was his time to kiss her fiercely.
« Thanks for sharing Fred but why now? » she asked after breaking the kiss
« Because I don't really know how to demonstrate you that I am all in. Hermione, I love you, I have for a very long time. Your love for me saved my life but I can guarantee that my feelings are as deep as yours. »
She tenderly kissed his lips, she had understood where this was coming from.
« Oh Fred, I no longer have doubts about your feelings for me. I am just baited because of the lack of answers that we are getting from the books, because of your mother, and she is getting on my nerves. Seriously Fred, I cannot wait to leave the burrow. I love you too Fred and I always will. Always and forever. » she affirmed
« Always and forever, I kind of like that, could become our mantra. So let's go home. » he said with a smile that made Hermione's heart and body melted.
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That night she went to bed serene, aroused and excited. Hearing the three magical words had made her so happy but she wanted more, even if she did not know how to define that more yet. She just knew that she wanted to be with Fred all the time.
She knew that people would say that it was the same for all people at the beginning of a new relationship but she begged to differ.
Her relationship with Fred was not new, it had started three years ago. Nothing had happened then and without her trip to the past certainly nothing would have ever happened but it did not matter, their feelings for each other were not new that was why she could not totally consider her relationship with Fred as a new one.
Sometimes, she even had the weird sensation that their what if had really happened, like if she had lived them. She was probably going mad but she could have sworn that Fred's proposal had been more than hypothetical and she fell asleep with that thought.
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next chapter before the end of the week and I wish you again a Merry Christmas :)))