Whispers in the dark

Chapter 48: Moving day

A/N: I own nothing except my mistakes. Also, with the first dialogue I know that Ginny wasn't physically present with that scene, but I'm sure she had heard about it, so I still decided to include it. Hope you enjoy!

"Beds empty," Ginny began, a teasing to her lips as she shared devilish looks with George, who completed her sentence for her, "no notes." Apparently this was something that had occurred at some point where Hermione hadn't been present, because only Fred seemed to catch onto the joke as he laughed shamelessly.

"Not all beds were empty, mind you," Fred corrected them, making Hermione wheel back around to remove herself from this situation, as Ginny squealed in disgust and George shook with laughter.

Though Hermione had planned on turning back around, she was stopped mid in her tracks as Fred had stretched an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer into him as he gave it a gentle squeeze, tugging her along with him to the dining table.

"'Morning, dears," Molly said as she moved around in the kitchen, having just come from upstairs as she was carrying a basket of fresh clothes in her arms. "Have you slept well?" Molly innocently asked, though several snickers were heard around the room, leaving the woman slightly confused.

"Anything I missed?" She inquired, which resulted in another snicker from Ginny. "No, if anything, Mum, I think they've had a rocking night," George answered for them, his face smug as he kept his gaze at Fred and Hermione, not turning around to face his mother.

"Oh, was it that good?" Molly asked, unaware of the innuendos. "Oh yes, it was brilliant, thanks for asking, Mum," Fred said, playing along and matching George's smugness.

It seemed as if Hermione was the only one embarrassed at the moment.

"Are you ready for today?" Molly asked, though her voice was laced with something more. A hint of sadness, a straining to its tone. What was it again that was happening today?

"What d'you think, Mum?" George said, and Fred immediately followed. "Of course, we're already packed and ready."

At this Molly looked at them in surprise. "Are you really?"

George batted his eyes at her. "Not really, but we're planning on having it done today." At this Molly groaned as she dropped the basket that she was holding down onto the table. "Today? Today-,"she took a moment to catch a gulping breath, and everyone in the room knew that a scolding was going to follow.

"You are moving, today. What d'you mean, you haven't packed yet? Arthur will be here within an hour, expecting that you're all packed and ready to go." Molly sounded a little out of breath after she had finished, her cheeks having heated up.

Hermione felt herself growing a little gloom. Due to her previous euphoria and embarrassment she had completely forgotten that they'd be moving out of the Burrow today. It felt so surreal to her that they were leaving this nest, leaving this homely place, and yet moving to have a chance as real adults in the world.

She didn't quite know how to feel, but what she did know was that no matter what she felt, she'd keep up a happy face for them today. It was, after all, quite a magnificent achievement.

"Exactly. An hour is plenty enough to pack all the two boxes that we'll be needing," Fred said.

"Yeah, it's not like our belongings have been there the past month already," George added.

"No, not at all. What a heavy load we'll be expecting today," Fred finished.

Molly huffed, though decided to not argue about it any further today. It was obvious that she didn't want to part on bad terms – even though it wasn't as a dramatic ending as that. After all, they'd be seeing each other frequently, still – and so she forced a smile back on her face again as she picked up her basket. "Exciting, isn't it? My two boys leaving the nest," Molly mumbled the last part, and Hermione caught the sight of tears welling up in the woman's eyes before she quickly turned around.

"Well, eat plenty. You'll be needing the strength today. I'll be out to hang the laundry," the woman said, and left the room quickly.

"Mum's been a bit emotional, lately," Ginny clarified as she munched on her breakfast. "That woman has always been a bit too sensitive for everyone's sake," Fred said, shaking his head.

At this Hermione hit him lightly. "Ouch," Fred exclaimed, grabbing for his arm. "You shouldn't talk about her like that. It is still your mother and she means well."

"Blimey, you witch," Fred scolded, but then smiled slightly. "Of course she is, and of course she does. But that doesn't change the facts."

With that they hurriedly finished their breakfasts, and Hermione went with the twins upstairs to help them pack. George wasn't kidding when he said they'd only need two boxes. In fact, they could almost do without the second, if it hadn't been for the sleeping pillow that Fred insisted to bring, because he pledged that he'd never gone a night without it, and it had proved its loyalty.

At that George (not so) gently reminded him that he had actually done without it, because last night he had done just fine, just as well as at Hogwarts, but Fred quickly shut him up and said that his statement had only applied to the Burrow and that last night he had had a different cushion to lay on. Something a bit warmer.

Of course that had Hermione embarrassed, yet again, and she had hurriedly took one of the boxes downstairs as she waited with the rest of the family near the fireplace.

At last the twins came down, and they all looked at the family as they froze in their spots. "Don't know if this feels more like a funeral, or as if we're moving out," Fred said, to no one in particular, but of course George was always there to answer him.

"Right you are, Forge, I think we should have been better off wearing our black suit instead." George joked, making everyone crack a smile.

"Now see, that's better. Now it feels like we're not doing anything bad," Fred said, noticing everyone's smiles as he approached them.

Putting the box down, he was immediately taken into a hug by Molly. "All right, careful, careful, you're going to break a bone if you keep squeezing like that." Fred said, then pushed George towards his mother so he could now squeeze him. "You'll still see us, y'know," George added, his voice a little strained as his mother pulled him even closer.

Hermione chuckled as she watched the twins go by every family member that had surrounded the fireplace. They had insisted that only Arthur would go with them to help unload some things, because they didn't want to make too big of a deal out of this, and thus had prohibited anyone from following them, including Hermione.

The latter was on strict orders form Fred, because he knew that she was struggling, and he wanted her to be in the comfort and love of his family to help her pull through it, because Fred and George would become very occupied with the store and their new place. Yet, he had promised her that she could come and take a look during one of her holidays at Hogwarts, so that she'd have something to look forward to.

At first she had been a little bummed at this news, but she understood his reasoning and actually felt relieved he had chosen this for her, because she did think that it would be easier to go to Hogwarts if she wasn't as attached on the hip to him as she had been these past few months. It would gently warm her up to their distance again.

Besides, he had also promised that he'd be there to wave her off at King's Cross, and so she didn't feel too heavy hearted as he finally approached her after George had given her a tight squeeze.

For the sake of their privacy everyone turned around as best as they could, yet it still felt rather awkward to be on such display as they were with their family. "I'll see you in a week, all right?" Fred said softly, knowing she'd hear him just fine.

Hermione nodded, unable to trust her voice. At this he leaned down and gently captured her lips, taking her body tighter into his as he squeezed his arms around, before gently releasing her again. "You go and rock this, okay?" Hermione said, offering him a smile.

Fred grinned in return, and nodded pledging as he bowed. "I solemnly swear that I will never let anyone leave our store without a smile on their face," he said, a hand to his heart.

At this Hermione chuckled. "All right, as long as you don't hold them hostage then I agree with that pledge."

Several people in the room laughed, and at this everyone turned back around as the twins moved to the fireplace. With a handful of floo powder they disappeared out of sight, but Hermione was left smiling as his last words were "I'll be back before you know it."

- x –

"Ronald!" Molly screamed from behind them, her feet making quick steps as she pushed her way through the crowd. "Honestly, how come you always forget something?" The woman said as she shook her head, handing him his smaller handbag.

"Thanks, Mum," Ron said, though Hermione soon got distracted as she saw another tuft of red hair push through the crowd.

The train was about to leave soon, and she had worried that he wasn't going to make it on time. He had warned her that he was running late due to business at the shop, but that had been half an hour ago, and with three minutes to spare before departure, she had almost given up hope.

"There you are," Fred breathed, barely able to speak a word as it was clear he had been running like mad. "I was worried I wouldn't be able to find you on time," he said, and Hermione nodded in agreement.

"So was I," Hermione said as she took him into her arms, squeezing him a little too hard, but he didn't seem to mind. She didn't exactly have time to indulge in her feelings, or even in his scent for that matter, and so she captured his lips for a while as she enjoyed the feeling before they would have to part again.

"I have to leave," Hermione said, hearing the bell. Fred smiled sadly as he nodded, walking with her to the door. "Don't do anything that I wouldn't," Fred said, which made Hermione laugh. "I'm pretty sure I've been doing that these past six years," making Fred laugh as well.

"Right, then keep doing what you have been doing, and I will promise that it will be as if I have never left." At this Hermione looked at him in suspicion, but didn't have time to ask him about it as he pushed her into the train with a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll see you soon, love," he said as she could see him smile and wave through a compartment window, and Hermione had to swallow away some sentimental tears, knowing that no matter the distance, he'd still be close to her.