Written for Hogwarts Assignment 1

Egyptology - Task 5: Write about an illicit affair.

WC: 3149

Summary: Hermione dreamt about a time not long ago, where a certain someone had always been there for her no matter what. Had she made the right choice, or was she having second thoughts? Or the one where Fred doesn't understand why Hermione starts crying as she drinks a cup of hot chocolate.

Beta: S L Blake

It's Okay, 'Mione

She honestly felt ridiculous as she loosened her hair, crying on the steps near the entrance to the ballroom. Ron had ruined her night, and Viktor was probably never going to talk to her again. She had no girl friends to confide in, and the stairs seemed like a good place to let the tears fall down her cheeks. She had never felt so alone.

Hermione placed her head in the palms of her hands, trying to stop the tears. She didn't notice anyone sitting down next to her, until she felt a slightly cold hand on her shoulder.

Startled, she jerked her neck so fast, she was surprised it didn't click and her eyes widened. Fred. She knew it was Fred, she could always tell who was who, it wasn't difficult. Fred was definitely more handsome – Hermione bit her bottom lip to stop from blushing. She didn't just think that. Not at all.

"Fred… I…" Hermione tried to speak, but she couldn't find the words to describe what she was feeling.

"It's okay, 'Mione," Fred spoke softly, wrapping his strong arms around her shoulders.

Hermione's vision cleared up when she blinked a couple of times, leaning into Fred without a second thought. "Thank you," she whispered into his chest.

Hermione woke up, heart beating heavily as she leaned back against the bedpost. Her hands were shaking as she wiped sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. She glanced to the right of her and sighed internally when she heard Ron snore. She closed her eyes, furrowing her eyebrows together in deep thought.

It had been years since the night of the ball, why was she dreaming about Fred? She was with Ron… She was married to Ron. She couldn't be having these dreams about Fred, not now. Not ever.

But…

There was something about the way Fred had held her, how he kissed her forehead and told her everything was going to be alright. How he had walked her back to her dormitory, and how it felt like she was happy when she was with Fred, and how her hand felt safe in his.

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration as she opened her eyes once more.

She couldn't deal with these thoughts.

Hermione carefully got out of bed and began getting dressed for work. She wore a light blue suit with two inch heels and a dark blue robe over the top. She then decided to put a little bit of makeup on, before she decided she was ready.

Looking at the time, she saw it had just gone six in the morning, so she wrote a note for Ron, before heading downstairs to their fireplace, which was connected to the one in Diagon Alley, in the Leaky Cauldron. She wanted to get an early morning walk in, before heading to the Ministry.

OoO

The sun was only just coming up as she strolled through the main street of Diagon Alley. There were a couple of early risers, like her, walking with pace, she presumed to get business done and so that they could get to where they needed to be. The Alley had been repaired since the Second Wizarding War, Ollivanders was back to looking like it had never been broken into, but there was still an air of uncertainty throughout the street. A large number of people still avoided Diagon Alley, choosing owl orders over it, instead.

As Hermione walked past Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, she paused midstep. She didn't know why she had, but something inside her was telling her to go inside. To see Fred. They hadn't properly spoken since… Well… Since she had told him it was Ron, the morning after the war had ended.

She gulped when a tall man with red scruffy hair, wearing a dark brown suit and tie stepped out of the shop to put the sign that said, "open" out. Hermione blinked a couple of times, her heart beating heavily. Why hadn't she moved, why wasn't she walking away? Her legs were glued to the spot. Quite literally, she thought, as she shivered, a cold northerly breeze hitting the back of her neck.

"Hermione?"

Hermione rubbed her hands together as she tried to keep warm, her legs finally deciding to move closer to the shop, instead of running away and hiding, like she should have done. "Hello, George," Hermione spoke quietly, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice that it wasn't Fred she had seen first.

"What are you doing standing in the freezing cold? Come in!"

Hermione's eyes widened slightly at that. "No, no, it's alright, I was just going…" she trailed off, smiling to herself when George jogged over to her and wrapped her up in his coat, leading her inside.

"Fred!" George called as he took his coat off, rubbing his feet on the welcome mat.

"I'm sorry for intruding, I honestly was just…" Hermione started to apologise but stopped half- way the moment she noticed Fred walking down the stairs, from the flat above their shop.

Fred was wearing a similar suit to George's, only his was a dark red with a colourful orange tie. Her breath hitched as she saw the three long scars across Fred's face. To Hermione, that just made him all the more handsome than he was before. He seemed happier than she remembered, with a cheeky smile on his face as he placed a hand on George's shoulder when he reached them.

"Where'd you find this one, Georgie?"

"She was just standing outside, Freddie –"

"– Getting cold, we can't have that."

"That's what I said!"

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the pair, very grateful that she had decided to stick around a minute longer than planned, shaking her head in disbelief. She hadn't realised just how much she had missed the twins. Hearing Fred's voice…

"C'mon, 'Mione. How'd you like a cup of hot chocolate before setting off to work?" Fred offered with a handsome toothy smile that she just couldn't say no to.

"If that's alright…" Hermione answered, if a little shyly, as she followed Fred up the stairs.

"Leaving me to do all the work again as usual, eh, Freddie?"

"You know it, Georgie!"

"I don't want to impose," Hermione said quietly, looking around the shop as they made their way to the door of the flat. Nothing had changed. It was just how she remembered, perhaps the only things that had changed were the different products.

"'Mione, you're not imposing, alright? Now, welcome to our place."

Hermione's mouth opened slightly as she stepped in. They had redecorated since the last time she had been here. She was sure the flat was bigger than before. There were pictures of family on one wall. The wallpaper and colour of the walls had changed from red and gold to beige and pale red. She liked the difference, she thought as she sat down on one of the kitchen stools, while Fred went to the other side of the counter to make the hot chocolate.

"I love the new layout," Hermione complimented, leaning her elbows on the counter, as she watched Fred manoeuvre his way around the small kitchen. It was L shaped but there didn't seem to be too much space.

"Yeah? We altered it not long after the war. Felt it needed a change," Fred replied distractedly and if a little distantly, finding two mugs and placing them on the side.

Hermione hummed in response as she twirled a strand of her hair with her index finger. She frowned when she noticed the sadness in his eyes, as Fred stared into space for a few moments. She knew what he was thinking about. She wanted to say something when he blinked a couple times, and her heart started pounding out of her chest the moment Fred gave her his signature smirk and raised eyebrows, sitting down opposite her, with his eyes narrowing. She bit the inside of her cheek to make sure she wouldn't blush under his gaze.

"So, 'Mione. Why are you here, an hour before work even starts, and not with my little brother in bed?"

Hermione opened her mouth, only to close it again. The question threw her off guard. The thing with Fred was that he was always straight forward, he didn't beat around the bush. She looked down to the counter, running a hand through her hair as she tried to think of a respectable answer.

"I needed a walk," Hermione replied, glancing back at Fred who was still staring at her intensely. She couldn't look away though, there was something so attractive about him doing that, and she didn't know why but she secretly enjoyed it. She almost missed what he started to say when his lips started moving. Luckily, she tuned in just in time.

"And you stumbled across our shop because…" he prompted, curiosity shining in his eyes.

"I don't know, it just happened," Hermione responded, trying not to blush. She should have thought of an excuse, any other reasonable excuse, but her brain just wasn't working, and she was kicking herself because of it.

"Right," Fred replied, clearly not believing her, as he stood back up to finish making the hot chocolate. "Here, be careful. It's hot," he said, when he passed her the cup.

"Thank you," she replied gently, wrapping her hands around the mug. The smell of the hot chocolate made her feel right at home, and she wanted to forget about everything and just sit here with Fred in front of her. Not even talking, just enjoying each other's company.

Her eyes widened at her thoughts as she took a small sip, hiding her flushed face from Fred as she drank.

Hermione couldn't be thinking those thoughts, especially about Fred. Ron's older brother. Out of anyone, it had to be him. The one who cheered her up after that terrible night at the ball. The one who held her in his arms without a complaint after Cedric's funeral. The one who was always there for her…

When had she been there for him?

Her heart ached, tight knots forming in her stomach as she bravely glanced at Fred, once more. Studying him, she realised just how deep his wounds went, the scars from the battle… no one was sure if he was alive. That was until he had woken up and made a joke to George.

"'Mione?" Fred's voice was just above a whisper.

She hardly noticed, her vision was getting blurry for some reason. Hermione tore her gaze away from Fred as she drank more of her hot chocolate, wrapping her hands around the mug tightly, her leg was starting to shake on the stool. She was fine. Everything was fine, she was married to Ron. Everything was as it should be.

Suddenly she felt a warm, strong hand touch her chin, she was forced to look up into Fred's eyes as a stray tear escaped, falling down her cheek. He wiped the tear away, giving her one of his looks, one of her favourite looks, that he only shared with her when she was upset. "You're crying, 'Mione. Why are you crying? Come here, love."

Hermione didn't bother to wipe another tear away as Fred wrapped her into his strong arms and she rested her head against his heavily breathing chest. She didn't last a minute longer, just letting herself cry.

"Hey, how about you come out with Georgie, Angelina and me tonight? You can invite Ron and Harry too, a group outing to the Leaky Cauldron?" Fred offered, stroking her hair, wrapping his fingers around her curls as he did so.

Hermione sniffled into his chest and didn't even have to think about her answer, as she let her emotions out of her system. Something she should have done a long time ago. "I'd love to, Fred."

"Great, it'll be just like old times, eh?" He commented lightly.

"Fred, I… I was never…" Hermione tried to say what was on her mind, but it wasn't working and she didn't know why. Her heart was pounding heavily as she glanced at him, tears still making Fred's figure blurry. "I'm sor…"

"Freddie! Come down here, we've got customers!"

Hermione couldn't look away from Fred's questioning, hurt eyes as he released her from his hold. He stood up, taking away their mugs as he cleared his throat.

"You should head to work, Hermione. You don't want to be late," he spoke, his voice cold and smooth as he started to wash up, refusing to look anywhere but at her.

"I'll, er… See you tonight, Fred."

OoO

"This is great, just what I needed after today!" Ron said, drinking his Butterbeer as he had his arm wrapped around Hermione's shoulders, Harry was sitting opposite them while Hermione watched Fred and George order more drinks with Angelina and her friend. She grinned at her husband and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Yeah, all that paperwork, nobody ever told me that there was paperwork!" Harry exclaimed, pouting slightly.

"How do you two cope without me?" Hermione joked with a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"We don't!" Ron and Harry said at the same time and the group laughed.

"What's so funny?" George asked as he joined them with Angelina, Fred and Angelina's friend, who were talking and whispering amongst themselves.

"Just saying how we wouldn't cope without Hermione," Harry said, grinning proudly.

Hermione downed the rest of her Butterbeer, smiling only a little when she felt eyes on her. She knew who they belonged to, but she wasn't going to look at him. Not while he was with her. She didn't know why, but she had knots in her stomach every time the couple laughed. She hated seeing them together, she needed more alcohol in her system to deal with the scene before her.

"Slow down, Hermione. That's your third glass tonight," Ron said, in his sweet, caring voice.

"I'll be fine, Ron. Just had a tough day, that's all," Hermione answered, "I'm just going to the restroom, I'll be back in a minute," she said softly, kissing him gently, yet, passionately on the lips, if only for a few seconds, before leaving the group with a little stumble in her step.

Hermione was just about to enter the restroom when strong, familiar hands grabbed her waist and led her into a store cupboard. Her breath hitched as she was spun around to face Fred who pinned her against the door, his hot, alcoholic breath just inches away from her lips. She glanced into his eyes which showed a mixture of jealousy and lust, as well as something she couldn't quite place.

"Tell me what you were going to say to me this morning," Fred spoke, his forehead touching hers as he waited for her response. "What made you cry, why were you there? You have been in my head all day and I just can't deal with this any longer," he continued, slurring his words only a little.

Hermione took a deep breath. Maybe it was the beer, or maybe she couldn't deal with it either. Whatever it was that was making her heart pound out of her chest, she had to answer him. It was only fair that he knew. But… "Why are you with that girl? You've focused on her all night, but I don't get it! She –"

"She's not you, 'Mione. She's never going to be you. Now, answer my question."

"I've never been there for you!" Hermione replied, her voice breaking towards the end. "Not like you've been for me. I was, I was sorry that I…" she trailed off, not knowing where she was going with what she was saying, her heart beating so heavily that she was surprised he couldn't hear it.

"Oh, 'Mione. You've always been there for me, you just didn't know it," Fred replied softly with his cheeky grin.

Hermione sighed with relief, not knowing how much she had needed to hear those words. She matched Fred's smile, but before she could reply, before she even knew what was happening, he closed the gap between them.

It was like something from a movie, fireworks going off around them as she closed her eyes. His lips were rough, but gentle and passionate as they were in sync. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he brought her closer to his body when he deepened the kiss. Hermione forgot about everything, all she was focused on was the fact that she was sharing the most intense kiss she had ever had with Fred and she didn't want to let go. She never wanted to stop, not even to breathe. His alcoholic breath didn't bother her, and she moaned lowly as he grinded against her hips.

After what felt like hours, yet it was only a few minutes, Fred broke the kiss, out of breath.

They didn't talk as their foreheads rested against each other's.

She couldn't stop the smile, or her heavily beating heart as they stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity. She couldn't believe that had just happened. It was like nothing she had ever felt before.

Then she felt the worst feeling she had ever felt, a fearful dread curling around in the pit of her stomach as she paled drastically, her eyes widening with worry and fear as she stepped back from Fred, her heart beating heavily for all the wrong reasons. How could she have done that? How could she let Fred do that? When they had Ron to think about! She was never going to forgive herself.

"'Mione?"

"I… We can't do that again, Fred!" Hermione hissed, whacking his chest as she choked on a sob, turning to open the store cupboard door, trying to prepare for the worst.

"But –"

"No!" Hermione whisper shouted, her heart breaking into a million pieces. "We just can't, Fred. You know why not."

She placed her hand on the door handle and almost opened the door. A hand wrapped around hers as she wiped away her tears.

"I'm not going to let you throw away what we have!" Fred replied, as brokenly as she felt.

"Freddie, it's okay. Maybe in another life there could have been an us, but not in this one," she responded, her heart clenching, not wanting to look Fred in the eyes as she removed his hand from hers. She wiped her eyes, and took a deep breath as she prepared to join the group once more.

"I'm sorry, 'Mione." Fred's voice was quiet and broken, yet a part of her thought she might have imagined it. But she knew she hadn't, and she turned round to face him, her eyes blotchy and red from crying.

"I'm sorry too, Freddie."