Of Jokes and Literature
Hermione/Fred
Oneshot
Hermione walked quickly down the quiet corridor, she had a free afternoon away from Harry and Ron and she wanted to sit and read without them both bickering for once. Since third year she had been hiding in the shrieking shack to get some peace to study. Pavarti and Lavender were constantly gossiping about boys and Hermione just was not interested.
Hermione had used a few charms to clean up the place as it had been full of dust and broken furniture previously and Professor Lupin hadn't been using it for a few years now so Hermione was sure he wouldn't mind. Hermione had lined the walls with bookshelves and had filled the shelves with books of all sorts. There was a double size four poster bed on the right of the room with red velvet curtains. A desk was sat to the left of the room with a quill and ink reading for Hermione to start writing. Hermione had ample stacks of parchment ready as well.
Crookshanks wandered slowly out to her and made a soft meow as if to say Hello.
"Oh Crookshanks, it is lovely to see you too" Hermione said as she patted Crookshanks fondly on the top of his ginger head. Crookshanks purred softly and wrapped himself round Hermione's legs beckoning her to sit on the bed with him.
" Crookshanks I am supposed to be studying not taking a break" Hermione sighed.
Crookshanks eyes seemed to become larger as he was pleading with Hermione.
" Alright then…I guess I could have a little rest I have been in classes all day! But only for 10 minutes as I really need to get on with my transfiguration assignment!" Hermione stated seriously.
Hermione dumped her rucksack down by the chair next to the desk and moved over to the bed where she flopped into the middle of the bed on her stomach. Crookshanks jumped up next to her and nuzzled his head against Hermione's. Hermione rarely took a break, she kept herself busy with her studying as she had a thirst for knowledge as unlike half the wizarding world she had missed out for the first 10 years of her life and she was busy playing catch up.
Hermione closed her eyes and breathed a sigh. She missed seeing him…Hermione had admitted to herself over the summer that she in fact had a crush on none other than Fred Weasley. She wasn't quite sure when this started but she knew it was likely to have happened over the past three years. He was a couple of years older than her, but that wasn't what stopped Hermione pursuing him. The main barrier was Ron, everyone knew he had a crush on Hermione since first year. Hermione just wasn't sure how Ron would take her feelings. She had never felt romantic feelings towards Ron, he was like her brother.
Now Hermione was not sure whether Fred reciprocated her feelings. Fred had over the past year become more familiar with Hermione during the summer she was at Grimauld Place the pair had become quite close. Hermione sighed and rolled onto her back shifting her body so that her head laid upon the pillow and Crookshanks settled down beside her in the crook of her arm. Hermione closed her eyes remembering the summer.
Molly Weasley had been preparing the dinner in the kitchen at Grimmauld place and had Fred and George helping her when the front door opened and in came Arthur Weasley with Hermione in toe.
" Hello Hermione my dear" beamed Molly. " How has your summer been?"
" It has been fine thank you Molly...mmm is that stew and dumplings cooking?"Hermione replied.
" Of course it is" Winked Fred, "Mum's best."
Hermione smiled back a small blush forming on her freckled cheeks.
" Fred help Hermione take he bags up to her room for me please" asked Molly.
Fred walked over from the stove towards the doorway where Hermione was standing and leaned down to pick up Hermione's bag his hand brush against hers he lifted the bag up. Hermione's skin felt warm and she could feel goosebumps forming up her arm.
" Thanks." Hermione said in barely a whisper.
Fred nodded in reply and smiled. " Come on follow me, your room is right at the top."
Hermione followed the older Weasley up the narrow dark wooden staircase. Hermione looked about herself there were old portraits all up the staircase and cobwebs hanging from them. Hermione mused that the house appeared to be sad. Sirius had inherited it from his parents after their death. His parents had lost two sons, Regulus had died at eighteen and Sirius had been disowned. His mother had died old and alone and Hermione felt the sadness in the house.
Hermione distracted herself from the morbid thoughts about the House of Black and looked ahead. Fred was walking up the staircase in front of her she noticed how strong he looked carrying her suitcase up the stairs. He must have caught her looking at him as he gave her a wink and smile. Blushing Hermione averted her eyes and looked down.
" You are awfully quiet Hermione." Fred said, as he looked down at her.
" Mmm I was just thinking how sad this house feels" She mused.
" Yeah it is a sad house, it needs a few more of George and I's jokes in it and it will be laughing." Fred said with enthusiasm.
Hermione chuckled " That wasn't exactly what I was thinking Fred."
"What were you thinking Hermione?" Fred replied. Hermione looked up at Fred straight in the face she could see his bright blue eyes searching her own. She noticed how handsome Fred looked and wondered why she had not noticed this before.
"I'm not sure" Hermione breathed "We better keep walking up as there are a lot of stairs."
"That there are." Fred replied.
" How has your summer been then." Hermione asked trying to revert gaze from Fred's body and focus on climbing the staircase. However it was difficult considering he was leading.
"It's been alright, George and I have been plotting a few tricks." Fred said with a devilish smile.
Why does he look so handsome when he smiles, Hermione wondered and then knocked herself out of her thoughts again. For Merlin's sake Hermione get a grip!
"Oh I am sure I will have the pleasure of finding out what tricks your plotting later won't I ?" Hermione chotled.
" Of course M'lady!" Fred exclaimed as he turned round to look down at Hermione giving her a wink and a cheeky smile.
They continued to walk up the staircase then along the dusty dark hallway leading to one of the guest rooms. Fred pushed the door to the bedroom open and did a bow and held his right arm out " Your room Hermione."
Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes and walked past Fred her arm brushing against his own. Hermione breathed in sharply ther was a spark of warmth between them. Hermione looked ahead trying to hide the blush that had formed across her cheeks.
"Thank you Fred, I am going to get changed and settled in, I will see you shortly at dinner, bye." Hermione garbled.
"Okay Mione" Fred breathed. " See you at dinner."
Hermione heard his footsteps get further and further away, she turned around and closed the door, and fell back onto the dusty bed and sighed. What are you doing Hermione...she wondered.
Hermione wandered down the stairs she could smell Molly's cooking as she came closer to the ground floor. Grimmauld Place had become the centre for the Order of the Phoenix and was still being used as an Order base depsite Sirius's presumed death earlier in the year. There was a somberness at present as everyone mourned his passing. Lupin seemed to be one of the most upset other than Harry of course.
Harry was yet to arrive and she had not found Ron yet, presumabley he would be in the kitchen as he usually gravitated towards food. Hermione wandered through the threshold into the kitchen, there was a lot of hustle and bustle as everyone was catching up over the stew. Ron was tucking into the stew, he was dipping a bread roll into the gravey and chewing it with his mouth open.
"Mione!" Ron exclaimed " I saved you a seat." He patted to the place next to him.
It wasn't until Hermione sat down that she realised that she was sat next to Fred Weasley. Hermione felt that unsuual warm feeling across her cheeks and then her stomach started to feel like butterflies were inside. Hermione tried to divert her attention away from the fact that her legs were practically touching Fred's and focus on what Ron was trying to tell her whilst he was chewing the bread roll.
" Hermione! Are you Okay?." Ron said as he swallowed. He leaned over her to grab the jug of Pumpkin Juice and poured himself a glass and downed it quickly.
" I am fine Ron, Honestly, I wonder how you do manage to not to get indigestion when you eat so fast." Hermione mused and hoped that had thrown Ron off the scent.
Ron shrugged and carried on eating.
Hermione went to grab her knife and ended up grabbing Fred's hand at the same time. Her face burned again.
" Oh! I am sorry Fred." Hermione apologised. She grabbed her knife quickly as she moved her hand away from Fred's.
" S'okay Mione." Fred whispered " No problem." As he turned around to carry on discussing pranks with George.
Hermione looked down into her stew hoping no one noticed the exchange. At the same time Molly Weasley had a glint in her eye. Neither Hermione nor Fred noticed.
Hermione had spent the last week in the library during the day and into the evenings. Harry was due to arrive in the morning. Ron had got bored about an hour ago and had gone up to bed leaving Hermione seemingly alone in the library except of course for Crookshanks. The library was full of books she had not come across before at Hogwarts The embers on the fire were burning low but the room was warm as usual. Hermione had been reading abook on the 15th Centuary magic. When she heard a sniggering sound coming from the corner.
Fred she thought.
Hermione panicked at bit, she had been avoiding the Weasley twin all week, she was not sure of her feelings and she was not comfortable with the way he made her feel all nauseated and hot. Great she thought and now we are alone together.
Hermione tried to concerntrate on reading her book. She ignored Fred however it was increasingly difficult to concerntrae on the words.
" Mione...you should sleep you've been in the library hours today." Fred mused as he walked over to her.
"I happen to be studying Fred." Hermione retorted as she rolled her eyes. She hoped he could not see the redness across her face or that she was nervous.
" You work too hard." Fred smirked.
" And you don't" Hermione replied quickly. "Anyway what are you doing in here." She placed her bookmark into the book, snapped it shut and put it beside her.
" You wound me! Just because George and I are pranksters does not mean we don't need to read, it takes a lot of reading and experiementing to get our pranks in order." Fred said feigning hurt by Hermione's remark and flashing her a wink.
" I didn't mean it like that Fred. It just seems to come easy to you and George is all." Hermione sighed.
Hermione's blush deepened. She noticed Fred's face turned from his usual cheeky smile to a puzzled look for a few moments then settled back to his usually self again. Hermione hoped he had not noticed her blushing, although she supposed it was obvious.
" Hermione you are the smartest witch I know." Fred exclaimed. "Don't be so hard on yourself."
" Oh I don't know about that Fred." Hermione stated coyly.
Fred had moved closer now he was sat on the floor in front of the fire a metre away from Hermione. He looked otherworldly sat there in front of the fireplace. Almost God like. Hermione moved down off of her chair and sat beside him. Crookshanks who had been sleeping in front of the fire stretched and brushed against Fred and sat inbetween the pair. Hermione patted Crookshanks on the head. They sat for a while in silence together.
Crookshanks moved away from the fire, this caused the pair to look at each other. Their eyes locked.
"Hermione you're..." Fred started as he leaned closer to Hermione.
Hermione's heart was pounding so loudly she thought Fred would be able to hear it. Her breath caught as she to leaned closer. The embers had died down in the fireplace now. It was dark in the room now. The space between them was almost closed. Hermione could hear her heart thudding in her ears.
To Hermione's horror George burst into the room. The pair jumped apart.
"Fred! I was just thinking if we add some more gilly water to the...Lumos what are you doing sat in the dark for?" George had a puzzled look on his face.
Fred coughed " I was just helping Hermione find something."
" Yes! Fred was just helping me find my bookmark it had fallen onto the floor as I had fallen asleep." Hermione stated hoping George would buy the excuse.
George raised his eye brow " In the dark?"
Hermione noticed Fred give George a look as if to say leave it.
Hermione coughed " I better get to bed...Harry is back tomorrow. Night both of you."
Hermione brushed past George and headed to the door way and ran up the stairs to her room.
Hermione's summer had been good over all. Harry had joined her and Ron. She hadn't been alone with Fred since the night in the library. However, she had stolen a lot of glimpses at dinner time. Usually positioning herself opposite the twins. Hermione noticed that George would often raise his eyebrows at her and look to Fred who would look down into his meal as if hr wanted the floor to open swallow him whole.
Summer was now almost over Hermione had joined Harry and Ron in Diagon Alley to grab supplies for school and new set of robes.
Fred and George had started up their joke shop with help from Harry's winnings from the Tri Wizard Tournament. They had spent the summer at Gimmauld place as they had been sorting out their living quarters and decorating the shop. It had had it's grand opening already and was doing well. Ron had decided he wanted to catch up with the twins as they had, to Hermione's dissapointment move into the shop a few weeks back.
Hermiome took a deep breath before she followed Harry and Ron into the shop. It was beautiful inside Fred and George had coloured it a dark shade of orange on all the shelves. It reminded Hermione of a old fashioned muggle sweetshop, it was almost like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Hermione could not hide her excitement she wandered around the shop in awe at the potions, sweets and jokes that were on offer. Hermione spotted a bucket of pink vials. The pink potion inside was pink and glittery, Hermione was mesmorised by it. It was Amortentia, love potion, a blush crept across Hermione cheeks.
" You don't need one of those Hermione." George said standing behind her.
Hermione spun around. George was standing there with a look of amusement.
" George Weasley what ever you are thinking forget about it." Hermione snapped.
George folded his arm, leaned back against the wall and raised his eyebrow " you won't get off that lightly...I am still wanting to know what you and Fred were upto in the library, he has been awfully quiet about it...it isn't like him to keep things from me."
Hermione was not sure how to answer as she was not quite sure herself what happened. He was so close to her that night, it had made her body tremble. She had been wanting him to kiss her, he hadn't and George had burst in so there was no telling what would have happened.
" I...errrm...it was nothing he was just helping me find my bookmark." Hermione answered looking over at the Amortentia potions she couldn't look George in the face.
" Of course...well he is in the stock room if you want to see him before you go back to Hogwarts." George said with a smirk.
"I don't know why you think I would need to see Fred." Hermione scoffed.
" Don't get your wand in a knot Hermione, the stairs to stock room are that way " George said as he pointed his wand to the bookshelves to the right of him.
Hermione gave him a quizzled look. She was not quite sure why George was behaving the way he was but she admitted to herself she would like to see Fred before she left for Hogwarts. She had missed seeing him when the twins had left Grimmauld Place.
Hermione wandered towards the spiral staircase that had appeared. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she turned around and shot a cross look towards George who sniggered. Hermione rolled her eyes and started climbing the staircase. The metal rail felt cold under her hand despite the warm orange colour that it was designed.
There was a ornate wooden door at the top. The door knob was intricate it seemed like it was made out of glass it had a glittery substance within which was animated. Hermione turned it and pushed through into what she thought was the stock room.
Hermione's eyes scanned the room. It was an open plan apparement with three doors which she presumed were the twins bedrooms and bathroom. To Hermione's surprise there was a wall that was covered with bookshelves , with copies of books displayed from ceiling to floor. The kitchen area was small but workable. A spoon was stiring the meal that was being prepared in the pot on the agar. The dishes were cleaning themselves in the sink.
Before Hermione could leave the bathroom door opened steam hit the air and Fred wander out with a towel wrapped around his waist. He was currently oblivious to Hermione being in the room. She had stopped still in her tracks. Hermione glimpsed over Fred's body. All the years that he had trained as Gryfindor's beater had left Fred with an atheletic physique. He had golden hairs across his chest and a snail trail that led down to what was beneath the towel. Hermione felt that familiar warm feeling that she had become acustom to when she was in close proximaty to Fred.
Hermione's eyes met with Fred's , both of their eyes widened. Hermiobe turned around and covered her eyes
" Sorry Fred, George told me you were in the stock room." Hermione said in a rushed manner. Hermione was inwardly thinking how she woukd get George back for this prank.
" I...uh...its okay 'Mione...you weren't to know..." Fred replied as he stood their looking towards Hermione's direction. " Let me at least get dressed and get you a cup of tea of something."
" Oh no Fred its okay" Hermione said her eyes still covered, her back turned on the Weasley twin. " I came to say goodbye before I go back to Hogwarts. I am sorry to intrude on you during such a personal moment."
" It's honestly fine , I don't mind." Fred said his voice had a slight hint of amusement.
" Can I use your fireplace to floo back to Grimmauld Place I really don't want to give George the satisfaction.." Hermione asked.
" You can turn around now Hermiome I am decent and of course you can use our floo." Fred replied.
Hermione turned around , Fred stood there in a pair of jeans and white tshirt, his hair was still wet from the shower. Fred was smiling at her. Her stomach did a somersault.
" Thanks." Hermione smiled back at Fred.
" Now come here and give me a hug before you go." Fred said enthusiastically as he walked over towards Hermione and put his arms around her.
Hermione froze at first but then melted into the hug. She inhaled Fred's scent she wished she could stay like this forever. Hermione slipped her arms around Fred's waist and hugged him back.
The pair broke the hug.
Fred's arm shot up behind his neck, his cheeks flushed.
"I will miss you while you are at Hogwarts Mione."
Hermioke smiled her cheeks too were flushed. " I will miss you too."
Hermione took a handful of floo powder and stood in the fireplace and said " Grimmauld Place."
There was a loud bang. Hermione sat up right, it was dark outside the window of the shrieking shack. She must have fallen asleep, there goes studying she thought.
Hermione sat up quickly from the bed and grabbed her wand "Lumos." she said and the end of her wand lit up with a small white orb.
Hermione walked slowly down the stairs she was sure she could hear a familiar sounding voice. As she turned into the hallway she could see Crookshanks attached to a man's leg.
"Knox" Hermione whispered quietly so that she was not heard.
" Bloody cat get off my leg" Hermione heard the man say the voice was familiar and that was because it was none other than Fred Weasley.
How had he managed to get in here, he wasn't at Hogwarts this year he had left school last year in the Easter Holidays when him and George and escaped Umbridge and the twins had never come back. Hermione thought to herself.
Hermione peered around the door frame, Fred had not noticed that she was there. Crookshanks was still attached to the Weasley's leg. He was taller Hermione mused. He also looked broader. He still had beautiful bright blue eyes and freckles scattered over his face. His short copper gold hair framed his face perfectly and Hermione desperately wanted to run her fingers through it. Hermione breathed in deeply and let out a longer exhale I can do this, she thought.
Hermione walked into the room. Fred looked over and quickly pointed his wand up. Crookshanks turned and saw Hermione "Meow." he spoke softly.
" Crookshanks, leave Fred alone" Hermione gave a chuckle. Her warm chocolate brown eyes met with Fred's.
"Hermione!?" Fred Gasped, lifting his right hand up to scratch the back of his head. He seems nervous thought Hermione.
" How did you get in here" asked Hermione.
" There's a tunnel that goes to Hogsmede and it ended up here, is this the shrieking shack? It looks unrecognisable on the inside." mused Fred.
"Oh of course the tunnel! But Fred, why were you planning on coming to Hogwarts?" quizzed Hermione.
" Erm… Well about that" Fred looked like he was lost for words. Hermione could not help but notice how adorable he looked when he was nervous. Fred was usually a very confident person it was quite out of character for him to be shy.
" I actually came to find you" Fred garbled out quickly.
Hermione's eye brows raised in surprise " Me? Why?" her stomach felt fluttery.
Fred walked over to her. Crookshanks dashed out the door way into the hall. Hermione moved closer to Fred so that there was barely space between them. They stood there for a while looking into each other's eyes.
" I think you know why Mione." Fred spoke softly. He leaned down and kissed Hermione full on the mouth. Hermione felt like her whole body was exploding, she kissed him back. Fred embraced her, his strong arms pulling her into him. Hermione rested her hands round his neck, running one hand through his hair.
It was electric.