Fred had done well over the last week. He had avoided going over to Hermione's flat and kept busy. Of course, working on a new project helped matters. Patronus Bites was going to be excellent, and no one could tell him any different. It was Friday night, and he had chocolate batter smeared on his face and hands. It had to be perfect.
When the fireplace went off, he didn't pause his task. Fred set the final touches on each separated square, a small sugared flower that would bloom with heat. Footsteps announced the arrival of someone behind him, and he lifted his left hand high enough to wave.
"Evening, brother," Fred declared.
Bill hummed as he glanced over his shoulder. "Is this the secret project?"
"Yes, I just need to finish them, and they'll be ready for the third batch test," Fred declared.
"It always surprises me that Georgie did the object enchantments, and you work on the treats," Bill mused and leaned on the counter.
Fred set down the last flower and glanced over. "What brings you to my happy little home?"
Bill picked up the dark jar on the counter and squinted it at it before shrugging. "George mentioned you seemed distracted at work. Usually, when one of you talks about the other, I know you're not talking about it together."
Fred cleaned his fingers and smirked. "Nothing is the matter. I mean, this bill is a bugger, but there's plenty of time."
"Hermione seems confident that everyone might be satisfied with how the selection will go. Very community-oriented and focused on love and contentment," Bill said as he set the jar down.
Fred flicked his finger toward Bill. "See, she's thought of everything."
"Help me out, brother. Tell me what's going on?" Bill asked.
Fred flicked his wand at the brownie tray, and it floated into the air and began to heat up. "Well, I don't want to get married and have goblins like you and Georgie."
"You don't?" Bill inquired with a tightened brow.
"No, I don't. I'm happy with the life I have. I live above the shop, work is great, and Hermione is the quietest and well-behaved neighbor. It's been wonderful after such chaos," Fred declared with a scowl.
Bill watched as the brownies separated and floated onto the rack to cool. "So, you're not upset that just your life is changing."
Fred narrowed his eyes. "You really believe she's going to find someone that will treat her how she deserves and respects her work?"
"Yes, actually. I think this will be the perfect shove in the right direction for her. She's stubborn and whatever happened between Ron and her is history now. It's been six years, and she deserves to find a way forward," Bill explained.
"I disagree with you on the first part, Billy. I think she's going to be disappointed because no one will ever amount to what she needs," Fred declared and turned to his brownies. He pulled out some powdered sugar and placed it in a sifter. Shaking the sugar onto the brownies, the imprint of the sugar flower was the only thing left dark.
"Please tell me we're not doing this again, Freddy? That was four years ago," Bill groaned.
Fred glared over at him as he dusted off his fingers. "Really? Do you take my discontent at her situation as that? Bill, we really need to work on your overprotective behavior."
"Finish your brownies; we need to have a drink," Bill said and patted his shoulder.
It was going to be a long night.
Hermione had just finished brushing out her hair and glanced at her minimal makeup in the mirror. There was a knock at her door, and she breathed before spritzing herself with some floral perfume. The witch's maroon heels sounded on the wooden floors as she adventured to the door.
"Ginny, I told you," Hermione paused as she saw who was at the door.
Fred smiled and then tilted his head. "Hey, Ministry Witch. Don't you look gorgeous," he chuckled while walking inside.
"Fred, what are you doing here?" Hermione asked as she shut the door and straightened her maroon turtleneck dress.
He lounged on the sofa and smirked. "Well, I came to see you off on your lunch date."
Hermione groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Freddy, please. Did Bill put you up to this?"
"Absolutely not," Fred smiled. "So, who's it going to be today? Stephen Cornfoot? Roger Davies?"
Hermione tightened her jaw and glanced at the mirror hanging near her hallway. "It really isn't anyone's business until I've decided, Fred," she growled while fixing the golden chains hanging around her hips.
The door sounded, and Fred jumped from his seat. Hermione raced by, and Fred snagged her and wrestled the witch from reaching the front door. They grappled, and Fred had to stifle laughter as she pushed and clawed at him.
"Let me go, Fred," she hissed.
He complied, and she stumbled before straightening her form and hair. Hermione puffed and waved him away as she reached for the door. The redhead was running his fingers over his stubble and trying not to grin. Whoever she was seeing had to be embarrassing—some stiff. However, when the door opened, his smile dropped.
Hermione shifted her hips and waved. "Hello, Lee," she said in a sugar-sweet tone.
Lee fucking Jordan. Fred blinked and observed as the now filled-out Gryffindor beamed and offered a rose to Hermione. "Hermione, I'm so glad to hear from you," he paused, and his smile grew. "Weasley!"
Fred grinned and approached. "Jordan, how the hell are ya?" He asked, and Hermione moved so they could embrace.
"I've been doing well. Just been announcing the Puddlemere and Harpies games," Lee explained as they parted. "How are you? I heard George and Angie are moving again?"
Fred rocked his head and escorted Lee inside. "Yeah, he's been busy. I think they're working on another. I'm a bit shocked you're not married with gnomes of your own."
Hermione followed the wizards and conceded to sitting down as they sat down on the sofa. She crossed her legs in her armchair and twirled the rose in her fingers. Lee chuckled at Fred's observation and waved.
"No, I never found anyone that could match up for my energy," Lee smiled before glancing over at Hermione. "It seems we've had the same issue."
Hermione stifled a laugh and rolled her shoulders. "Well, I've been working too much to really take note of things like former classmates' relationship status."
Lee wagged his finger at her and nodded. "I can relate. You know, Freddy always said the nicest things about you. I always had to agree; there's no one as smart or compassionate as you, Hermione."
"Hermione has a whole list she's gotta get through before the bill goes into effect," Fred mused and relaxed on the sofa.
Lee looked over at him and rocked his head. "She explained the situation. I'm just surprised she thought I'd be worthy enough to look into."
"You are. Your resume is impressive, and you were always kind to me," Hermione beamed.
Lee winked at her and shook his head. "Hermione, no one's resume is quite as expansive as yours. I see why Minister Shacklebolt wanted you to choose first. You would have a long list of wizards lining up for you in regards to this bill."
Fred glanced between them and tilted his head. "Even with her plans to become the minister? You'd support such a venture?"
"Yes, of course, Weasley. No one could follow Kingsley but her."
Hermione's cheeks were tinted as she cleared her throat. "Do you think we should head to lunch?"
Lee agreed before patting Fred's shoulder. "It was great to see you, Weasley. Maybe we can catch up sometime soon?"
"Definitely, Jordan. Take care of our Gryffindor Royalty," Fred grinned and nudged Lee.
Lee stood up and nodded. "Of course, she's going to be treated like it."
Hermione climbed from her chair and brushed her hair from her shoulder. "Show yourself out when you're ready, Fred. I'll see you later, neighbor," she smiled and waved.
Lee offered his arm, and she took it. Fred watched the pair leave and stared at the rose she had left on the side table. He thought she would find someone unworthy this whole time, but it seems she knew what she was looking for. Wizards that were kind, patient, and knew humor well… he breathed and moved to put the rose in a vase before making his exit.
Hermione exhaled as she dried her hair in a towel. Her day was fantastic, and the ending to it was with a lavender bath bomb and some wine. This was difficult. It shouldn't be, but it was.
The witch strolled in her large grey t-shirt and maroon shorts toward her dining area and knocked on the wall. Three rhythmic patterns, and she breathed. The reply was an echo of her knocking, and she tapped the wall twice more before stepping back.
The wall creaked and rumbled before a door next to her chair appeared. When it opened, Fred stepped into the room in his maroon pajama pants and a Chudley Cannons tee.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Fred yawned as he cleared his eyes.
She twitched her nose while shifting on her bare feet. "Fred, can we talk?"
He observed the wine glass in her hand and the towel around her shoulders before nodding. "Of course. Was Lee not respectful?" He asked before making his way into her sitting room.
Hermione inhaled and shook her head. "He was great. The whole lunch was fantastic."
"Then what's wrong?" He inquired while sitting on the sofa.
Hermione poured him a glass of wine at the small cabinet before pacing over. "Nothing is wrong. It was a wonderful day."
"Alright, I'm not following," Fred grunted as he took the offered glass.
Hermione sat down next to him and licked her lips before sipping her wine. "Well, that's what's wrong. Nothing was. I expected to feel some sort of way about it, and it never came. I enjoyed lunch with Lee, and we spoke of fond memories of the past and present."
Fred swirled his wine before taking in the beautiful hints of the full-bodied liquid. "You sound almost disappointed."
She stared down at the dark drink in her glass. "I wouldn't say disappointed. It's this odd between feeling."
"You know, Ron would have been happy with this setup," Fred declared.
Hermione just bobbed her head. She was an island, and of course, he couldn't understand. How could he?
"This was a mistake," Hermione sighed and glanced up at him. "I'm sorry I'm taking up a piece of your night again."
Fred groaned and shook his head. "How many times do I have to tell you that I don't mind. Please, tell me what's wrong?"
She smiled and patted his thigh. "Nothing is wrong."
"I think Lee is a horrible choice, by the way," Fred snickered before drinking from his glass.
Hermione gasped and scowled at him. "How could you say that? He's wonderful, and you agreed to that."
"Your children would have wild curly hair and beautiful dark skin. Completely batty Gryffindors and likely play quidditch so their dad could announce their pretend games," Fred snickered and rolled his eyes.
"Better than your children. Fiery hair, freckles, and a disposition for pranks and foolery," Hermione snorted.
"Ah, little Georgie and Regina," he laughed with a nod. "It's going to be a wild ride."
Hermione set down her near-empty glass and turned to him with a scowl. It didn't read that she was upset or even displeased, but inquisitive. Her mind worked at a mile a second, and it was usually pretty clear in her expressions.
"I didn't think you wanted children. With how many fair-weather friends you have," Hermione stopped and buttoned her lips.
"Fairweather friends? Is that your kind way of saying tarts?" Fred asked with the hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
"Yes, Fred," Hermione groaned as her cheeks bloomed with color. "Are you ready to settle down? This bill isn't a generous situation for those like you and me."
"You definitely don't have over blokes all the time," Fred snorted.
"I could," she puffed.
"You wouldn't," Fred smiled. "You're not like that. You have never been, and that's why George and I have always taken care of you, Hermione."
She glanced away from him and exhaled. "Yes, I know. I guess I need to go out with a few more prospects before making any decisions."
"Why are you doing this? You make it sound like a business transaction. Ron would have wanted you to find love, not just neutral admiration," Fred voiced before draining his glass.
He just didn't get it. He couldn't. He wouldn't.
Hermione grimaced and shook her head. "I know, but that's not what this is about. It's about making a great impression on the public. It's about showing up and being responsible. It's about protecting the future."
"It doesn't mean you can't arrange it for love," Fred insisted.
Hermione frowned as she glanced over at him. He didn't get it. "I don't have the time for that, Fred. I'm doing this so you can arrange yours for love. Lee is great, he's stellar and kind, but I would never love him in the way he deserves."
"Ah, the heart of the issue," Fred sighed. "You don't think you'll ever love again."
"It's difficult to love someone when you love someone else. Even if they aren't there or able to receive your love," Hermione expressed and rocked her head. "I think I need to get some sleep."
Fred smiled and bent to her, kissing Hermione's forehead. "Don't worry, love. You'll find it," he whispered against her skin.
"Thank you, Freddy. You're an exceptional wizard," she breathed and coiled her arms around his shoulders.
Fred nosed her damp hair and kissed her brow again. "Only for you, Ministry Witch. Now, get some sleep, or work is going to kick your arse tomorrow."
Hermione pulled from him and stood before kissing his forehead. "You too, Fred. Good night."
Fred climbed from the sofa as Hermione moved across the room. She turned at the entrance to her bathroom and watched as he moved to the door leading to his flat. They had spent so many years with their own language and safety. So many nights going between their spaces to comfort and celebrate with each other.
Hermione watched him disappear and the door fade. It was always saddening to see him go. She could never confess that she wanted him to stay, not after what happened years ago. It was a moment in time that scarred her. No, that door would always remain shut, even if she wanted him to tear off the bandage and mend the dejection he delivered.
He would never understand what it was to have unrequited attraction. She did, and it sometimes tortured her to live next to him. It was best just to attempt to move on. Hermione didn't have a choice anymore.
Taking a deep breath and inhaling the calming scent that lingered on her skin, Hermione wandered into her bedroom. She hadn't the heart to clean up the glasses that evening. It would wait for her until tomorrow, just like all the other big decisions of her life.