Fred was staring at the one-use wands and scratching his scruffy chin as he thought. His jacket felt uncomfortable on his frame as he tugged at it with annoyance. What was the point? It would never work, and besides, she isn't even interested.
"I know you told me not to say anything, but you're being quite loud," George sighed as he leaned over the counter.
"I'm silent," Fred groaned.
"Twin thing," George mused. "What's eating you?"
Fred turned and ran a hand through his hair. "Do you think Hermione is going to stay Sunday? I asked, but she's always pragmatic more than spontaneous."
George bounced his shoulders and waved his fingers in a flutter. "She's going to do what makes her comfortable. I'm surprised she even agreed."
"We should clean that room," Fred noted.
"Mhm," George rolled his eyes.
The bell above the door rang, and Fred pivoted to see Hermione. Fred's face evolved into a bright smile as she struggled to push inside with a cardboard box. He rushed to hold open the door, and she beamed. The box had a large bow at the top and was purple.
"Thank you, Fred. I brought you a birthday gift," she paused as he took the box from her. "Happy birthday," Hermione declared as she kissed his cheek.
Fred traced her shoulder with his free hand as they walked inside. "I thought you were busy today?" Fred questioned.
Hermione sighed as she ran fingers through her curls. "Ginny told me to go home, so she and Harry could have some alone time. I don't judge them for it."
George wandered around the counter and beckoned her forth. "Hermione, you're always welcome at the shop," he said as she hugged him.
"Thanks, I just didn't feel like going home. I thought you would have closed up because of your birthday," Hermione said.
George snorted and pulled away from her. "We are tomorrow. It's not a Hogsmeade weekend, so we're just fighting it out. I have dinner with Angelina planned later."
Hermione glanced over at Fred. "What are you doing tonight?"
Fred raised his shoulders as he pursed his lips. "Work."
"Why don't you go out with Harry and Ron tonight?" Hermione suggested.
"They're busy."
Hermione huffed and batted her hair from her cheeks. "That's ridiculous. It's your birthday! You can't just stay home alone."
George eyed Fred with a scowl. He didn't ask them to go out. Ron even had offered them this morning before heading to work if he wanted to have some drinks. Something didn't seem to add up.
"It's alright, G.," Fred sighed.
"If you want, you can come over tonight for dinner, Fred. Merlin knows I need something to distract my mother. She's been quite relentless about my lack of dating."
George's eyes grew as he pointed at her. 'You like her!' he mouthed. Hermione glanced back to see him smiling and shifting his posture. "I think that's a great idea, brother," George agreed.
Fred exhaled and held up his hands to the level of his shoulders. "Well, if you insist. I'd hate to cause you any more problems."
Hermione snorted as she rolled her eyes. "You won't. It isn't like you can make my life any more stressful. My parents are driving me, batty. I understand the no magic rule. I can even accept that they aren't happy about my hours, but the questions keep coming. I don't want to talk about what happened."
"Is that why you're here and not home?" George asked.
"A little," Hermione winced.
George glanced over at his fidgeting twin. Well, almost twin, George was missing his ear, so there wasn't any fooling anyone now. Fred still had the box in his hand as he exhaled as the woman lingered.
"Why don't you go out shopping today, Gred? I know you worked while I went out this week," George insisted.
"Oh, that's alright, Forge," Fred huffed.
Hermione gasped and raised her index finger. "You could go with me to that exotics food shop and try some new flavors for your chocolates," she said.
Fred set the box down and wagged his finger. "Speaking of chocolate, I still have that one you need to try."
Hermione wandered toward the counter as Fred strode around it. She leaned on her elbows next to George as Fred dug through the cabinet. Hermione swayed in her coat, and George snatched up the box she brought, pulling away from them. He wanted to disappear, but at the same time, didn't want to cause the witch to retreat.
"So, I was thinking, this is completely what you would enjoy. If it's something interesting, we might increase the topics," Fred announced as he set the chocolate in its wrapper on the countertop.
Hermione pinched down a playful expression as she unwrapped it. "What does it do?"
Fred ducked down to her level and smiled. "You tell me."
"This isn't going to make me sick, is it?" Hermione huffed before breaking off a piece.
"No, cross my heart," Fred snickered.
Hermione placed the piece in her mouth and chewed with a sound of agreement. The soft textures of lavender blended into the chocolate created a new texture. She bobbed her head and swallowed. "What does it do?" She asked.
Without warning, a glowing mist followed her words out and shifted into loopy letters. 'I love rainy days and books,' was what the letters formed.
"What is this?" she huffed.
More letters flowed from her lips. 'I cry at sappy films with happy endings.'
"That's not funny," Hermione groaned.
'I've never been on a real date.'
Fred covered his mouth and chuckled. "We're calling it Confessional Confections."
Hermione's cheeks warmed as she narrowed her eyes at him. "What's the point?"
'I hate that people ask me about my personal life,' floated from her lips.
"They're a great ice breaker," he laughed and touched the chocolate. "What do you think?"
Hermione exhaled and patted his cheek. "You're too smart. Both of you are batty and insane but quite intelligent."
Fred twitched his lips and breathed. "Good, then we'll make more. We also have a flirty one. That one is quite fun."
George wandered around the counter and nudged his brother. "Show her."
"No, she doesn't care for that," Fred retorted.
"Come on," George chuckled as he pulled out the bar. "Show her."
Fred breathed and unwrapped the bar. "Well, it's very similar."
Hermione tapped the glass counter and beamed. "That's alright. I need a good laugh today."
Fred grumbled and took a bit of the chocolate to his mouth. "It's meant for a laugh at the pub."
'Are you a Charms Professor? You can put me in detention any day,' green letters swirled above his head.
Hermione laughed. "Oh, that's forward."
"It's still in the works," Fred sighed.
'I have a Firebolt for you. Want to ride my broom?' The green writing announced.
Hermione's cheeks bloomed with color. "Oh, Merlin, that's too much."
"I know, that was George's line," Fred snorted.
'Are you a seeker? I'm more of a keeper,' the words faded faster, announcing he conclusion to the spell.
"That one's horrible, Gred," Hermione winced.
George slunk over his brother and smirked. "I know, right? Who would have thought that he can't flirt?"
Fred's cheeks were heated and bright. "Well, they're still in the works."
Hermione scrunched her nose as she smiled. "It's cute once the edges are smoothed. I'm sure you'll have plenty of Hogwarts students buying them."
"How about you two go out and enjoy this shit rainy day?" George offered.
Hermione puffed as she shifted. "Well, I could use a bit of time to buy some new books, but it's not my birthday," she teased.
Fred offered a bit of the Flirty bar to her. "That's alright; I'll agree under the condition that you eat some of this."
"Fred," she grumbled.
"Come on, Hermione. Just for laughs," He teased.
George reached over and ruffled her hair. "Come on."
Hermione groaned and took the bite. She chewed and enjoyed the salted caramel pieces in it. The witch exhaled and twitched her lips. "Happy?"
'Is that a wand in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?' Hermione laughed and huffed at the purple letters. "This is ridiculous!"
'I'm not an animagus, but I'm an animal in bed,' the purple writing announced. Hermione's face morphed to scarlet.
"That's way too forward," Hermione exhaled.
'When I need to cast Patronus, you're my new happy thought.' The lettering disappeared quicker, dispelling the charm.
"Oh, that one's cute," Hermione remarked.
Fred shrugged with a smirk. "That one's mine."
She reached over and traced her fingers through his scruff. "This is nice. You should grow it out. It makes you look distinguished."
Fred grinned with a single nod. "I plan to."
George subtly kicked Fred's calf and hummed. "Why don't you both go on. I have the shop under control. It might be nice to get ole Gred out of his mood."
Hermione pinched her eyebrows as she tore her hand from his face. "Something wrong? Did Katie write to you again?"
Fred shook his head as he stood up and rolled his ankle at the tingling pain. "No, she didn't. I told you, we agreed it wasn't going to work."
"That's a shame," Hermione sighed.
"No, it's fine," George declared as he wrapped an arm around Fred's shoulder. "He wasn't into her fully anyway."
Hermione nodded and exhaled. "Yes, it seems like most of us cling to who got us through the war and don't stop to think who's good for us now."
"Are you dating anyone currently, Hermione?" George asked.
She snorted and stood up. "You need to be available to date, Georgie. I work too much."
Fred shifted from his twin and grimaced. "Why don't you go get us some tea to go while I help George prepare for his afternoon alone?" He asked.
Hermione beamed and dropped her arms. "Alright, I'll see you over at Blotts?"
"Of course," Fred said.
Hermione blew them kisses and waved. "Happy Birthday, Georgie. See you tomorrow."
When she left, Fred shoved George. "What was that for?"
George swayed as he wagged his fingers. "You like Hermione. You really, really do," George said in a sing-song voice.
"Bugger off," Fred groaned.
"You want to kiss her and date her and shag her," George continued with a wicked smirk.
Fred growled and stomped around the counter. "Don't be a wanker."
"When did it happen? I gotta know," George voiced as he placed the box on the counter.
"It doesn't matter," Fred grunted.
George opened the package and shifted. "I beg to differ. It's important for me to know since she's going to be staying with us."
"She's always been a pretty witch, George," Fred confessed and sighed. "She's also family."
"Well, she's family adjacent," George corrected. "This is sweet," he declared, holding up a jacket.
Fred glanced over to see the purple coat. "Did she have them embroidered?"
"Mhm, with our logo. What a funny little witch," George laughed.
Fred straightened his jacket and hummed. "I'm going to go. Drinks tonight?"
"Oh, yes. It's confession time, Gred," George announced with a broad grin.
Fred moaned and rubbed his face. "Alright, but this is just between us. I don't need mum boxing my ears."
"Always, brother. Have fun," he teased and waved.
Fred jerked his jacket and straightened his posture before marching from the shop. He couldn't help the small smile that breached his lips as he noted the witch standing outside the bookshop. She was glancing up beyond the alley at the cloudy sky. 'I love rainy days and books.'