It was Wednesday, and there hadn't been any sign of Hermione since Sunday. Fred knew not to mention anything to George because he likely heard about Ginny's explosion. No, some things were just better off left unsaid.
George was taking inventory as Fred was organizing behind the age line. It was a system they did well, and this weekend was Hogsmeade weekend. That meant that Fred and George traded shifts where one of them would open in Diagon Alley, the other would deal with the children at Hogsmeade, and then close both shops, reversing the next day.
Fred was sorting through the musical warming gels in the risque section when George came into the area. His parchment was on the board, and he glanced around. Fred just kept tidying up despite the feeling of his twin's eyes boring into him.
"Hey, what's going on? You've been shifty for weeks," George hummed.
Now, he chose now of all times to be candid? Fred breathed and gazed back at him. "Just this bill business has my nose hairs twisted."
"That's all? Gin mentioned quite the explosion on Sunday. That's not like you," George murmured.
Three days of waiting equates to Ginny likely trying to see if George knew about anything. Well, his little sister was more of an investigator than he gave credit for. Usually, George would have known all about this… if Bill wasn't so adamant on it never being mentioned again.
"Yeah, I was just surprised that Hermione acted so cavalier about Myron," Fred grumbled and placed a new row of Drop Dead Delicious Lip Balm on the shelf.
George hummed and shifted. "Well, he is a celebrity. Maybe she just wanted witches to be tempted about this bill?"
"Maybe. Actually, that might be what happened," Fred confessed and exhaled. "I just don't want to see her end up with someone who wouldn't care about her, ya know?"
"I get it. Angie was shocked too. She thought Lee was a far better choice. I guess Hermione is going out with someone this evening," George voiced as he walked up to the wall next to Fred.
"This evening? I haven't seen her since her vacation started," Fred grumbled.
"Yeah, well, I guess she's letting mum help her sort through her list. Now that the Prophet is accepting profile entries for people to show off their achievements and make this bill work, Hermione is doubling down," George grimaced and shook his head. "She has no idea what she's asking for."
"Mum? She's really asking mum to help? What was she thinking?" Fred groaned.
"I guess she needs help making a decision. Something's been going on with her. Harry is right. Whoever she's stuck on, it's pretty severe," George declared and glanced over at Fred.
Fred just rocked his head.
"So, are you going to be alright with her getting married to some other bloke?" George asked.
"What do you mean?" Fred questioned and stood up.
"Mate, you've been her little lost Kneazle for years. Don't think I don't know. I've watched it all play out above our shop," George rolled his eyes and gestured to Fred.
Fred twitched his nose. "I've dated."
"Yeah, right," George chuckled while shaking his head. "Come off it, Freddy. We're still twins despite my missing ear. I've known you fancied her since fifth year."
Fred dropped his vision and puffed. "Yeah, well, loads of good that's done."
"True, but what the bloody fuck do you have to lose by telling her? Whatever she and Ron had is ancient runes, difficult to decipher, and outdated. It would be best if you told her," George insisted and patted Fred's shoulder. "Before you lose her to some twit singer or quidditch announcer."
Fred moaned and rubbed his face with both his hands. "Georgie, fuck. This bill."
"I know," George exhaled. "You can always get married and go through the hard stuff later like me," he finished with a smile.
The bell rang and interrupted the heart-to-heart. Fred wandered out with his easy smile only to be struck at the new occupants on this slow day. Ginny waved and was escorting Hermione toward him.
"Hello, brother. We were shopping for some ingredients for little Albus when Hermione suggested we stop in. We haven't gotten to see any of your new products lately," Ginny declared as they reached him.
Hermione had straightened her hair, and her cheeks were bright with color. He always loved her perfume and secretly coveted the space she occupied just for the scent to linger. It had little touches of the stuff all over her flat, and when she sat down in his, he was positive she stayed long enough for it to hold to his sofa.
Fred chuckled and waved his index finger in the air while glancing at the witches. "You're in luck! I have just finished a new brownie that we're going to sell this weekend at Hogsmeade."
"What type of brownie?" Ginny asked in a flat tone.
Fred skipped over to the counter where all the sweets were and produced a white box. On top of that box was a transparent willow tree that swayed as he marched over to them. Holding out the small package in front of them, he nodded. "Flick your wand at the tree, Ministry Witch."
Hermione breathed and pulled out her wand, dashing it with ease at the small box. The tree swayed and bloomed flowers before the box altogether melted around the beautifully crafted brownie. Hermione gasped and touched her lips while admiring the treat.
Fred really outdid himself on this. The sugar surrounded an artistic flower that was rich chocolate. It appeared to have blossomed from the very brownie and grew.
"Taste it," he said while pulling off a bite and offering it to Hermione.
She swallowed and gazed up at him before gingerly taking it from his fingertips. "I'm not going to change into a bird, am I?" she questioned.
Fred shook his head with a grin displayed on his lips. "No."
Hermione popped the bite in her mouth and chewed before moaning. "Oh, Merlin, Fred, these are better than your mum's." After she spoke, a mist came from her mouth, and a small opaque otter started swimming around her head. Hermione beamed and pointed at the creature. "Freddy, this is true magic," she sighed.
"You gave me the idea two months ago. I've only followed through with it," he smirked.
"So, it creates a Patronus? How does that even work?" Ginny questioned.
"Well, it's not truly a Patronus, but it gives the warmth and happiness of one temporarily. It wasn't easy to master the recipe, but I have it down now," Fred voiced.
Hermione reached for another bite of the brownie and hummed while chewing. "I could grow disgustingly fat off this brownie. Gin, you have to try it."
Fred removed it from Ginny's grasp and shook his head. "Let's not test the potency of these charms on little Albus yet. I can make you a regular batch after work."
"I'll hold you to it," Ginny laughed.
"Freddy, I would about die if you made me a few more," Hermione giggled and shook her head.
He snorted and handed her the treat. "You don't have to die. I'll bring them by tonight."
Hermione's face dropped, and her otter disappeared. "Oh, well, I'm going out tonight."
"With Oliver Wood," Ginny snickered and nudged Hermione.
"Oh, alright," Fred sighed and hummed. "Yeah, Georgie said something like that. I forgot."
Hermione dropped her gaze and fiddled with the brownie. "Well, your mum said it was a good choice," she murmured.
"She also questioned why you scratched off Fred's name and freaked out that you didn't tell her why," Ginny laughed while shaking her head.
Fred tried not to bristle at Ginny's not-so-subtle prods. It was bad enough that she got George involved, but now teasing her for the choice? Ugh. This was a bad day in the making.
Hermione exhaled and cleaned the brownie off her fingertip with her mouth. "Well, I'm not sure what she wanted me to say. Freddy would have told me if he wanted to go to lunch," Hermione said and rolled her eyes with a smile.
"I assumed with my name scratched off, I was most certainly a no," Fred smiled. It was masked, and he absolutely was dying inside.
Hermione's cheeks darkened, and she cleared her throat. "I just figured it was because of our abundant history. Anyway, this brownie is heavenly, Fred. You really should market your sweets more."
Ginny glanced between them and groaned. "Fred, ask her out to lunch."
"Ginny, don't make him feel obligated," Hermione hissed.
"Obligated?" Ginny questioned before glancing at Fred. "Why would you feel obligated?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and puffed. "He's made it clear that he doesn't have those types of feelings, Gin. That's exactly the reason why his name was scratched off. Now, I'm going to go say hello to Georgie before we head to the apothecary." She didn't give either of them a chance and skipped off toward the back of the shop.
Ginny's mouth fell agape, and she wagged her index finger at him. "You didn't tell me!" she hissed.
Fred blinked and glanced back to see if Hermione was gone. "What didn't I tell you?"
"When did it happen? When did you discuss this being a thing and you turning her down?" Ginny asked before grasping her cheeks. "Freddy, this means she actually likes you."
Fred snorted and shook his head. "No, Ginny, that doesn't mean that. Bill told me not to talk about it, so I'm not gonna."
"I'm going to yank this from her, you know? I'm going to find out and likely curse you to hang from the ceiling. Both of you are so bloody ridiculous," Ginny growled and batted her hair from her shoulder.
Fred smirked and shrugged. "Good luck."
"You realize that your stubborn arse is going to regret it for the rest of your life if you don't say something, right?" Ginny asked.
He shook his head. "As long as she's happy."
"She's likely going to marry someone like Lee Jordan or Oliver Wood. You know why?"
"A nice resume?" Fred smiled.
Ginny moaned and pressed a hand to her forehead. "No, because they're like us, Fred. You're going to regret it."
"No, I truly won't."
Hermione bounced back into the main portion of the shop and beamed. "Come on, Mrs. Potter. Let's get your potions set up so I can get ready for my date."
"Oh, someone's excited," Ginny laughed as she linked arms with Hermione.
"I've got to be. It's my future. Oh, and George said my profile piece was excellent. So, I imagine Oliver saw it this morning," Hermione laughed.
Ginny waved at Fred. "Goodbye, brother. See you this weekend!"
Fred bid them both farewell and watched the witches leave the shop in jovial conversation. He was nearly blown over at Hermione's excitement. She just confessed on Sunday that she didn't want to do this… it gutted him that she wouldn't break the rules and not.
A bundled set of papers struck his shoulder. "So, Oliver Wood."
"Yeah, I suppose," Fred grumbled.
"Read the paper, Freddy," George declared and handed it to him before disappearing again.
Hermione Jean Granger
I felt after the minister had introduced his stellar amount of accomplishments that mine would do little justice. However, in light of our collective beliefs, this is how I see myself.
Born and raised with muggle parents, I grew up to appreciate the small things in life. There is nothing quite as extraordinary as a wonderful masterpiece of a book and a warm summer day in London. My parents were dentists, meaning they worked on teeth. So the rarity that I was offered ice cream cemented memories of those summer days growing up.
Having the prestigious chance to go to Hogwarts was a highlight in my childhood. I remember receiving my invitation from the now Headmistress Minerva McGonagall and feeling tingling in my fingers and toes. I was actually going to learn magic? The eleven-year-old girl that I was saw this as truly a blessing. I spent months reading all of my school books and collecting as much knowledge as I could!
Everyone knows how my school years went. If you haven't, then the likelihood is you didn't know Harry or Ron. We spent years growing, learning, and preparing for what eventually ended the war. I'd never seen this as a hindrance or resentful experience. We were family, and to this day, I still visit Harry at least three times a week. My new family in the Weasleys has only exasperated my enjoyment and sometimes frustrations of family. However, I would have never become who I am today without each of them.
My life as a ministry official has never been boring. I took on legislation in the Magical Creatures Department, solved inequality for magical beings, including but not limited to werewolves and house elves. Moving departments for a promotion, I spent years unraveling archaic Pureblood laws that held no weight in our evolving society and protecting Muggleborns like myself.
Working with our minister for the last two years has been inspirational. We have changed the face of the Ministry of Magic for the benefit of all, and I couldn't be any prouder. I love my job. I love making change for the future and accepting when the hard decisions must be made.
I'm not here to tell everyone that this is easy. I hadn't made plans for marriage or children, but I never frowned at the concept. I'm married to my job in a way, so it had been difficult in the past to connect. However, I always wanted a family to call my own, even with the long hours and difficulties of leadership. Compassion and courage. Both must be the pillars of any relationship. It takes courage to be vulnerable and compassion to share your life and future with another.
I hope that someone reads this and can identify a sense of kindred with me. Even in this small excerpt, they can understand that I want to be seen as not greater than, but an equal. A partner to walk hand in hand with me through this journey. Life isn't just about planning, but as a wonderful person in my life has said, you can accomplish anything with a bit of nerve.
[Ordered below is an extensive list of Hermione Granger's achievements. She, in no way, has participated in this list. This is all public records and certified by the ministry.]