Author Notes: Time to try my hand at a growing pair I actually ship hard but never have written! Well, we'll see how it turns out. Obviously not canon, due to a character not dead.
Summary: Five years after the war, the world was moving on in peace. Hermione had fallen into the norm of just doing her job at the ministry. Juggling muggle parents is difficult. So is her utter lack of life outside of work. What happens when the simple act of a faked relationship leads to not just her parents' happiness, but something else? Laughter.
The Ministry witch was marching in Diagon Alley with her hair bouncing behind her. She had time to pop over and get some tea and possibly lunch. Work had been insane due to all the bills she had been passing this last year; she hadn't time to breathe. She needed air away from ink and parchment—just an hour.
Hermione puffed as she reached the Leaky Cauldron and waved to Hannah. The wonderful witch was at the counter and greeted her with a bright smile. "Hermione, I love your new set of robes."
"Thank you, Hannah, how are you doing?"
Hannah pinched down a smile and held out her hand. "Look, Neville gave me a ring!" She giggled.
Hermione laughed and took the woman's hand in hers. "Oh, that's just lovely. I'm so happy for you both," she declared.
"I know I'm so excited! We told my parents last night, and I don't think I've ever seen him be so proud. I'm a lucky girl, Hermione," Hannah sighed.
"You are," Hermione agreed.
Hannah pulled her hand away and scowled. "Are you still on speaking terms with Ron and Romilda?"
"Yes, of course. They're getting married soon," Hermione said as she shifted on her heels. "Do you think you could get me the special to go with some tea?"
"I'm sorry, I made you uncomfortable," Hannah winced.
"You didn't. I'm perfectly fine. It was never going anywhere, and we agreed after I was at school the following year. A romance was never in our cards."
Hannah busied herself with gathering the food while Hermione rolled her neck. She was truly tired of people asking her about Ron or Harry. As if it was a slight to her that they chose other witches over their friend. That was the worse misconception born. People can be diplomatic about love. Hermione was, at least.
Hands covered her eyes, and she smiled. "Which wanker is it?" Hermione questioned.
"Your favorite, of course," A whisper caressed her ear.
"Fred, do you always have to try to get the drop on me?" Hermione sighed as she turned to him.
Fred winked and fluffed her hair in his fingers. "How are you, ministry witch?"
Hermione exhaled. "Tired of people asking me about me," she said with a shrug.
"Did you want to come by the shop? I have a bar of new chocolate. I want you to try," Fred declared as he cocked his head.
Hermione caressed his cheek and poked him. "Is that a new freckle?" she teased.
"Could be," he sneered. "What do you say? Come, have a laugh?"
Hermione's short frame was tiny as he still rested his arms against her shoulders. "I do have to get back to work in a dash. I will hardly have time to eat. My parents want me home for our Friday night dinner."
Fred exhaled and rocked on his feet. "Well, it will be waiting for you."
"Are you and Georgie going to plot for Sunday?" Hermione questioned.
He shifted closer and bent, so her face had to crane to look at him. "Yes, we have a decent plan for our cake," Fred snickered.
Hermione rolled her eyes and puffed as she gazed up at him. "Yes, well, please don't cause the ruckus you did for Gin's party? I know you love your birthday, but your poor mother might have a heart attack," she scolded.
Fred ducked closer, and his grin grew. "You love it, Hermione. Admit it. You laughed when we set the cupcakes on fire."
Hermione scrunched her nose as she tried to stifle her smile. "A little."
"Order up, Hermione," Hannah's voice brought her back to the Leaky Cauldron.
Hermione shuddered and pulled away from Fred's grip with a pout. "I have to go back to work."
Fred exhaled and rocked on his feet as he put his hands in his jumper pockets. "I suppose."
The witch shifted in her robes to pay for the food as Hannah was leaning on the counter with a smile. Hermione paid for the food and bounced toward the door. "See you Sunday, Gred."
Fred twitched his lips and smiled as she waved through the window once bouncing in step outside. He rose his right hand and exhaled before noting the smirking woman. Hannah had one of her eyebrows lifted as she looked at him.
"So, are you going to tell her you're crazy about her yet?"
Fred groaned and tossed his hand. "Don't be so nosy. She's family."
Hannah lifted a cup and tilted her head. "She forgot her tea. Did you want to go give it to her?"
Fred huffed as he marched up to her and snatched the cup before pacing from the Leaky Cauldron. He was just about to break into a sprint to find her when an older couple moved to reveal her marching back with her bag in hand.
"Oh, you have it," she sighed with evident relief.
Fred grinned and lifted it above her reach. "Not so fast. Now that you are back let's pop by the shop."
"Damnit, Fred, I have to get to work," Hermione grumbled.
"It is your ministrative duty to check in on my new prototype," He insisted.
Hermione exhaled with a dramatic scowl as she tapped her foot. "I don't need the tea," she said before pivoting and stepping away.
"Hermione, oh, sweet, intelligent, Hermione," Fred called after her. "Why don't you love me anymore!"
He was drawing attention as he pursued her in the crowd. "Stop it, Fred. I have duties to do."
"I am spurred by a jealous arrow. Such of reports and quills and bills!" He exclaimed, finally catching up.
Hermione grimaced as he offered the tea while they walked. "That's too much, you know? I don't need Rita to write about it in the paper. You know how your mother gets."
Fred's lips were curled as he gazed at her. "What a scandal."
"Yes," Hermione giggled while rolling her eyes. "It would be."
"Did you want some company tonight? I know it's been difficult since their return," Fred offered.
Hermione swayed her head, causing her curls to flail about. "No, it's alright. I just need to find a flat soon. They need space after the magic business."
"I can help. What about Saturday? I have the morning off. I can come and help you."
"I have to go to Harry's and help Ginny prepare the nursery," Hermione mumbled.
Fred paused their trek at the ministry's entrance. "Well, what about staying with George and me? He's over at Angelina's more often than not. We have a spare room. You can get a much-needed break and less of a commute."
Hermione sipped her tea in the travel mug before bobbing her head. "Alright, then maybe Sunday. It will give me a chance to have some time in the morning to look over available flats."
He winked and tugged a curl of hers. "See, that wasn't so hard. I thought I was going to have to break my arm."
She smiled as she scrunched her nose in pleasant happiness. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Part of the tricks of the trade, ministry witch."
"I'll see you Sunday," she murmured.
He bowed dramatically and tipped his invisible hat. "Until then."
Hermione held up her teacup and pivoted toward the ministry. She glanced back once and smiled before entering the building. Fred exhaled as he straightened his form and glanced at the clock. Ballocks, his entire lunch break, was gone. Marching full speed toward the shop, he knew he didn't even have time to get the food he abandoned.
Ginny was having a bad morning when Hermione arrived the next day. The poor witch was sick to her stomach and exhausted. Hermione tidied up the house and cleaned the bathroom thoroughly before Ginny wandered from the bedroom.
"Good morning, Hermione," Ginny yawned.
"Tea is on the table. I have breakfast, warmed, and ready. If you need a few potions, those are on the counter," Hermione relayed as she folded the blanket on the sofa by hand.
"What are you so," Ginny paused and waved it off. "You're so full of energy."
Hermione smiled and bounced her shoulders. "I didn't think you would mind. I know you're tired from the baby growing."
"You're the best, Hermione," Ginny sighed while moving toward the dining room.
Hermione scurried into the room, and Ginny scowled as she busied herself with alining the painting on the wall. The curly-haired witch was peculiar and odd, but this was different. Ginny reached for the paper and glanced over at Hermione.
"What's wrong with you?" Ginny questioned.
Hermione moved with a sudden urgency to the chair nearest her. "Gin, I don't know if I can do it."
"Do what? Work a massive amount and then come here Saturday morning and help us?"
"Fred asked me to come stay with them. Just for a bit so I can give my parents space," Hermione confessed as she scratched at the wood grains on the table. "I don't like living around people."
Ginny set down the paper, and her face contorted into an intense frown. "What do you mean? Fred and George have a three-bedroom flat. If you need a bit of independence because you're parents are being nosy, then do it. Fred and George will always take care of you."
"But, they're Fred and George, Gin. They're going to pull pranks, and annoy me to pieces," Hermione groaned. "I was mental to agree."
"They won't. They are just different. You know," Ginny said as she exhaled. "I think it's bloody brilliant."
"You say that now and then when I'm plotting their murder, you'll disagree," Hermione grumbled as she slumped back into her chair.
"Do you hear yourself sometimes when you speak? It's very coarse and abrasive," Ginny retorted before picking up her tea. "You just need to relax once and a while."
"Well, that's not in the schedule," Hermione huffed. "My mother says, similar to my own annoyance. She actually asked me last night if I planned on going out for drinks. Says I work too hard not to have fun."
"You do," Ginny agreed.
"But working is fun for me," Hermione said.
"No, it's not. It's work, and it's tiring, and you deserve to sit down with a book and relax," Ginny voiced as she flicked her wand, bringing her breakfast to the table. "If you ask me, it's genius for you to move in with my brothers. It might loosen you up enough to have fun."
Hermione straightened her posture. "I am not moving in."
"You should," Ginny reiterated.
"I will contemplate it after I spend the night. I need a break," Hermione sighed.
Ginny shifted as she took a bite of her food. "Did you wrap their presents already?"
Hermione nodded as she smiled, slightly smug. "I did. They will love them. It took me quite a bit of time to track down the perfect non-magical gift."
"I'm impressed that you found everything you wanted to give them. Some of it sounded like muggle nonsense," Ginny teased.
Hermione gasped and patted the table. "Oh, did you hear that Neville finally proposed?"
"Well, I'll be a Hufflepuff. Did he? Good for Hannah. Was she happy?"
"Yes, very. It's nice to see that some things work out."
Ginny gasped and raised a finger. "Oh, I just had a wild idea. Why don't you see if Fred will help you with that dinner?"
Hermione winced and waved her hand. "Don't, Gin. I don't want them to think that he and George need to get involved with my work. I'll go by myself. It's not that big of a deal."
"It was just a thought. I feel he's a bit down since Katie broke it off," Ginny sighed. "He's an odd one, you know?"
"Yes, I do," Hermione laughed. "He's alright. I think he's enjoying his freedom as much as I do."
"You don'. It's a lie," Ginny mused.
"I'm quite happy, thank you very much," Hermione said with a nod.
"I wish you would stop lying," Ginny grumbled as she stabbed at her eggs with her fork. "You haven't been alright. You just bury it under paperwork and books."
Hermione breathed as she rubbed her forehead. "I'm content with my life. Why do I need to have a wizard in my life?"
"Because it's nice to have someone to laugh with. Harry and I laugh all the time. Sometimes about how much of a tosser he can be and others about things my crazy family does. The point is, everyone, needs someone who wants to make them laugh."
"I have that," Hermione snorted. "If I need a laugh, I go to your brothers' shop."
"That's not what I mean," Ginny said through her teeth. "I mean someone."
"Yes, I understand that, but I don't need it. I'm fairly content with my life, Gin."
Ginny exhaled and reached for her tea. "Sometimes, you're just too stubborn, Hermione. You're too much brains and not enough mess. It's alright to make a mess."
"Messes don't pay the bills, nor do they make them," Hermione replied smartly before standing. "I'm going to make sure you have enough potions made for the week. If Harry wakes up, tell him I'm in the basement."
The redhead nodded and watched Hermione leave the room. Ginny glanced down at the plate and grimaced. She wasn't positive; her friend was ever going to see it. Well, a problem for another day.