Author Notes: So the song in this part is "More than Words" by Extreme. I've loved this song for decades, and it seemed fitting.
Hermione was humming around the Burrow Friday afternoon. She was preparing for the wedding and making some last-minute requests for the bride before the slumber party. Molly was working on the cake and other pre-prep for the reception. The boys had been setting out the chairs and other substantial changes to the yard.
The witch had finished putting up the silver and gold ribbon around the platform while swaying to the song in her head. She hadn't noticed Fred was creeping up to her position. He was smiling and scooped the witch in a hold, causing her to shudder and gasp.
"Fred! Don't frighten me like that," she hissed.
He chuckled and swayed with her, kissing her neck. "Sing it," he murmured.
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head. "It's just a song stuck in my head."
"I know, you've been humming it for the last four days. Sometimes even in the shower before work. Sing it," Fred whispered.
Hermione put her wand away and turned in his grip. He took her right hand while grasping her hip. They fell into a smooth two-step dance as he hummed the tune she had stuck in her head.
Hermione breathed and started to sing in a quiet tone as she smiled up at him.
"Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'Cause I'd already know."
He turned her and was beaming. "I like it," he murmured as they returned their hold.
Hermione smiled and tilted her head. "How do you feel about your twin brother getting married tomorrow?"
Fred shrugged as they swayed. "It's about time Georgie got to have someone else to take care of. We both need to have our happily ever afters, right?"
Hermione broke the hold on his shoulder to wrap her arm around his torso. Her cheek pressed against his chest as they danced. She hummed before singing a few more lines.
"All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close, don't ever let me go."
Fred's hand traveled up her back. "I think we should have our first dance to this muggle tune," he agreed in a whisper.
"We already have," Hermione smirked.
Fred scowled and grunted. "What do you mean?"
"Remember the first night I came from work to your flat and was in the kitchen? I had found a muggle station that came through on the radio. This was the song we danced to," Hermione sighed.
Fred gasped and bobbed his head. "I remember now."
"I know I'm not great at these things, Fred. I'm going to drive you batty with my stringent ways. However, I will do my best to show you more than words how much I love you," Hermione breathed.
His fingers played with her hair and brought her other hand with his ring to his mouth. "I will always show you more than words, Hermione. That's my love language."
"I know," Hermione sighed. "I really do, Freddy."
"Hey, lovebirds, we're done with the yard if you want to help finish setting up the lanterns in the tent," Harry called over the area.
Hermione pulled away from Fred and smiled before she glanced up at the sky. "It's going to be clear for them tomorrow," she noted, shuffling her feet.
Fred reached out and took her hand. "Yes, it's going to be a perfect day for my brother to get married."
Hermione tugged his hand to her lips and smiled. "Are you going to have fun tonight with the boys?"
"Oh, yes. Lots of drinking, talking about good times, and being lucky sods. Even Ronnie said he was going."
Hermione smirked and rolled her eyes. "Just remember, George has to be sober tomorrow for pictures."
"No promises," he teased.
"Seriously, you two, you wait there any longer, and I'm going to have you both married on the spot now," Ginny taunted with a wild grin as she hobbled around the chairs.
Hermione pulled him along as they stepped from the platform. "Sorry to inconvenience you, Gin. I didn't realize we were ruining a moment," Hermione scoffed with a hint of a smile.
"You go ahead and check the tent. I'll help my sister out of her fussing," Fred said.
Hermione pivoted and pulled him into a soft and tender kiss. "I'll see you before we leave," she whispered near his lips.
"I'll be waiting," he replied and nuzzled her cheek.
Hermione bounced off toward the tent, and Ginny was grinning wildly. "Well, it looks like you two are on your way to marital bliss," she commented.
Fred breathed as he raced his fingertips through his hair. "Yeah, I just need to figure out when to pop the question."
"You got the ring finally!" Ginny hissed with wide eyes.
He glanced around and pulled a box from his pocket. "Be discreet, please," he mumbled.
Ginny placed her back toward the tent and glanced at the contents of the box. Her fingers ran over the jewel, and her lips quivered. It was so sweet and loving. "Oh, Fred, she's going to love it," Ginny whimpered.
"Hey, don't cry all over it," Fred teased while taking it back, shoving it in the pocket of his trousers.
"You really are going to do it? You're going to marry her?" Ginny breathed as tears welled in her eyes.
Fred smiled as he rocked on his feet. "Yes, I am. I already have a plan. The only thing I'm trying to figure out is when."
"You're carrying it around with you?" Ginny asked, while swiping tears from her eyes.
Fred snorted and shrugged. "I just picked it up today before coming here. It isn't safe at home. It's not safe in the shop. I'll just have to find a creative way to hide it until the time comes."
"Well, if you plan on getting married next year, do so after James has passed his crying stage?" Ginny asked with a wide smile.
Fred glanced at the beautiful evening approaching. His eyes caressed the first stars, and he smiled. "Yes, Autumn. The leaves will be changing, and colors will surround her. Her eyes would glow in the afternoon setting sun. She would stand out among the world as its guiding light."
Ginny covered her mouth and squealed. "Oh, Freddy, she's made you a poet."
"She's made me see the beauty in life beyond laughter, Gin. She's my perfection."
His sister patted his chest and breathed. "Well, you'll have to find the words for a decent proposal."
"That I do have, my sister," Fred laughed. "Let's get you something to drink before you head home with the witches. I'm sure you have a long night of being sober ahead."
"At least the bride-to-be has to be sober," Ginny snickered as they began their journey to the house.
"Just feed my witch all your drinks," Fred laughed. "I'm sure she could use a hangover in the morning."
Ginny cackled with a nod. "Oh, we plan to."
Hermione was shifting in her sweater as she drank her wine. Luna, Romilda, and Hermione were all being force-fed drinks by Ginny and Angelina. Unfortunately, Fleur and Penelope had to watch the children, so the witches were missing a few for their gathering. Ginny suggested Never-Have-I-Ever to everyone's groans, but agreement under Angelina's orders. After a few rounds, Hermione was flustered and tipsy.
"Never have I ever…" Romilda pondered. "Used Polyjuice potion."
Hermione groaned, and she was the only one to drink.
"Never have I ever…" Hermione sighed. "Done an oral performance," she said.
The witches scowled, and then Ginny gasped. "Never? You've never licked a knob, Hermione?"
"Wait, aren't you shagging Fred?" Angelina questioned.
Luna hummed and drank. "There's nothing wrong with it. I happen to find it illuminating."
Hermione's cheeks were aflame. "I, well, I wouldn't know how. Fred never asked me to, so we've, well," Hermione sputtered. "Is that a bad thing?"
"Well, it's not a good thing," Angelina snorted. "Hasn't he, ya know?"
Hermione rocked her head. "Well, yes, but I didn't ask him to."
"Oh, dear," Romilda grimaced. "Hermione, you should fix it."
"Give her a break, witches. Fred is doing enough catch up with her as it is," Ginny giggled.
Angelina squeaked. "Hermione, you were a virgin before Fred?"
Now she was the color of plums. "Yes."
"Okay, I can work with this. Mostly because sometimes it's just more fun to start with it," Angelina said as she rubbed her hands together. "Think of it like eating a banana with no teeth," she laughed.
Hermione grimaced and huffed. "I don't know how comfortable I am with talking about this."
Ginny huffed and grabbed her pumpkin juice. "What more do us pregnant witches have than to push you all to drink and shag? I'm super randy all the time, and my husband can only do so much," she snorted.
Angelina groaned and nodded. "It's ridiculous. If I'm not nauseous, I'm randy or tired."
"Okay," Hermione breathed. "But what if I absolutely am terrible? I mean, he is amazing. I think about touching him while I'm at work," she confessed before pouring herself another glass of wine.
Ginny winced and shook her head. "Okay, just something I'm going to have to get used to. My suggestion, Hermione, is just to do it. I'm sure he'll be so surprised that he'll dig it regardless and help you find your sync."
"I didn't know much about that either at first, Hermione. It's about communication," Romilda agreed.
Hermione chewed her bottom lip and nodded. "Okay."
Angelina clapped. "Oh, I'm so excited! Not only am I getting married, but Hermione is also actually on board with these conversations. Do you know how long I've waited for you to join us?"
Hermione ran a finger through her curls. "No, I just have been working, Ang."
"So, aside from the clear relativity to who your shagging, let's not go into that," Ginny huffed. "However, do you have any questions? This is the perfect time to get it off your chest."
Hermione gnawed her lip and winced. "Well, since you asked…"
Fred was laughing as they finished a round of 'Weasley is Our King.' They had drunk more than probably should have been allowed and were smoking cigars around a game of exploding snap. Ron glanced over his cards and waved his finger at George.
"You're lucky, Rommie is dead set on winter. She likes the idea of snow," Ron huffed.
Fred chuckled and tugged on his twin. "Yes, this bugger is. That witch waited and waited and waited. I'm sure she was very much convinced he'd never ask."
George was wearing the crown and puffed on his cigar. "Well, I didn't want to leave you, wanker."
"You could have, I would have been fine," Fred said after blowing smoke rings.
"Now he is," Harry chuckled. "I don't think I've ever seen Fred so romantic. You blokes missed it. He was dancing at the altar today with Hermione."
George gasped and smacked his twin's chest. "Oi, you asked her yet?"
"No," Fred huffed.
"Who wants to put a flutter on when they get married?" Ron asked.
Fred sneered. "Don't be a tosser. She's gotta choose that."
Bill cleared his throat. "I give them six months. They'll have a New Year's Eve wedding."
Charlie snorted and tossed his hand. "No, I'll go up. I say a year."
"Twenty galleons on next Fall," Harry smirked.
"Hey, your wife's intel can't be used in a flutter," Fred pouted.
George rolled his eyes. "Halloween this year. I'll meet your twenty galleons."
Percy glanced over and scowled. "October? It's June now. Hermione wouldn't get married that soon. It's rather swift."
"Lighten up, Perce, I don't doubt they know their quick pace. You have to remember, Freddy has been pining for her since our fifth year at Hogwarts," George snickered.
Ron glanced over with his eyebrows up. "Fifth year? Merlin, Fred. Why didn't you say something?"
Fred winced and waved his hand before sipping his ale. "I didn't think it mattered. A school fancy."
"Bugger of a thing," George snorted. "He didn't even tell me until our birthday this year!"
Fred nudged him and smirked. "Well, someone was going to be a dad. I felt you were allotted my last secret."
George grappled with Fred and ruffled his hair. "Oh, Freddy boy, you're finally growing up! Next, you're gonna get married!"
Bill snorted and rocked his head. "Bloody insane if you think about it."
Percy glanced at his watch and hummed. "It's nearly midnight. I should get going."
"Don't be such a stiff!" Ron snapped. "We still have at least a few more drinks each."
Charlie chuckled and reached in the box for another bottle. "I'll have his if he's too stroppy."
Percy glared and snagged up another bottle. "Fine, I'll have one more."
"Don't hurt yourself, Percy," Harry laughed.
The twins reached for another each and chugged their drinks. "To buggery!" they snickered after raising their ales.
"Buggery," Charlie said with a smile and raised his.
Bill nodded as he raised his bottle. "Buggery and marriage, fellas."
They drank for another hour and a half before mostly everyone peeled out the fireplace. George wobbled around after Harry left and leaned on his brother. "Freddy, Freddy, I'm getting married," he hiccuped.
"Yeah, she's great," Fred snorted and swayed. "And you got a kid on the way. Hey, you should name your kid after me, and I'll name mine after you," he chuckled as they sipped their ales.
"Yeah, that would be funny," George snorted. "Ang would kill me."
"Let's make it happen. I'm sure, Her-her-Hermione wouldn't mind," Fred stuttered through his drunken haze.
George laughed and wobbled away from him. "I'm going to bed."
"Sleep well, congratulations, wanker," Fred snickered as he followed in a staggered step.
George went into his near-empty room and waved. "Night, fucker."
"Night, bloody tosser," Fred grunted as he swung his door open.
He swigged the last of his ale and sighed as he stared at the vacant bed. "I wish she was here," he grumbled while swinging his door shut and setting his bottle down.
Fred stubbled and flailed with his clothes as he drunkenly shook it off. She would be pissed if he climbed in with his trousers. He flopped on his back and ran a hand over his chest. The room was spinning, but he was pleasantly drowning in his own thoughts.
She was so fucking great. He'd be lucky to marry her.
The door creaked, and he glanced over his nude form to see Hermione. He lifted his head and stared through his heavy lids. "Love, whatcha doing home?" He asked.
Hermione ran a hand over her face and huffed. "Freddy, I'm bloody sloshed and needed you," she murmured.
Fred waved her over and rolled his neck. "I-I'll be h-h-honest, love. I'm fucking buggered too."
Hermione laughed and tossed his jumper from her form. He watched her shed her knickers before crawling up his form. Fred groaned as she touched him and cast his head back. "I'm a goner," he sighed.
"Let me take care of you," she purred.
He didn't remember much but knew it was as close to heaven as possible.
