Time Slipped By

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Chapter 3: "I love you."

Dating after the war was easier and harder than Fred thought it would be. Easier because there was no more threat of war. People were safe to dream about their futures because their futures were suddenly attainable with no imminent threat of death. Especially for Hermione; muggle-born and one-third of the Golden Trio.

Harder because, while Fred believed wholeheartedly that Hermione Granger was "the one" for him, she was….unsure. Timid. He knew that she had feelings for him. She had admitted that her feelings had been going on since her fifth year for her. But Hermione's feelings weren't in question to her. No, she believed that his feelings were in question.

She was dedicated to the idea that Fred had some misplaced feelings for her due to the aftermath of the war. "Losing so many people does that to a person, Fred. They suddenly want to hold onto the closest person possible. Why do you think there is an influx of marriages and babies after wars?"

"I get that, Hermione, I do. But as anyone. Ask George! These feelings I have for you, they're not some fleeting whimsy. They're real. I promise."

"I know you think that, Fred, but…"

"No, listen," Fred hastens as he grabs both of her hands in his, "This has been going on for a long time for me, too. Before the war. Before you even recognized your feelings for me!"

Her smile was pained, "Oh, yeah? When? You've never given me a time. A time when you realized your feelings for me. If you can't pinpoint it, is it really real?"

"Of course they're real. Just because I can't pinpoint it, doesn't mean they aren't real! I mean….hey! Georgie! Come 'ere!" Fred shouted the last part as he saw his twin pass by the kitchen.

With a raised brow and a smirk George entered the room, "What's up, Freddie? Hermione here still doesn't quite believe you?"

Fred can only count on one hand the number of times he has ever felt like punching his twin over the years. This was definitely one of them.

His voice was practically a growl, "Will you tell her? Tell her how long I've fancied her! Tell her how many times you and Lee have caught me staring! Tell her!"

Hermione seemed surprised at the frustration that seemed to be rising in Fred, as he saw her take a cautious step back, but he couldn't seem to worry about that at the moment. He needed her to hear him out. Hear George out. Hear anyone out that would convince her he damn well fancied her, and it wasn't going away, and he didn't actually want it to go away!

George's smirk just got wider, Fred's obvious frustration only amusing him further. He turned more towards Hermione, "Yeah, pet, he fancies you. Caught him staring with his mouth gaped open at you many a time over the years. Think I even saw some drool a couple of times!"

Fred was nodding with excitement all the way through George's little speech until the end, when another growl seemed to emit from the bowels of hell, "Watch yourself, Georgie!"

With that, George just started cackling as he walked out of the kitchen, his laugh only seeming to get louder the further he got away. Fred glared towards his exit until he heard the front door open and close.

"See? George just told you!" Hermione's face still looked unconvinced, and Fred was seriously starting to get desperate.

"Go on a date with me! I'll prove it to you! Whatever you want to do! Do you want to go to France? I'll book a reservation at Pierre Gagnaire! Want to have a picnic by the ocean? I'll pack a basket right now!"

"Fred, that's really very sweet. I just. It's only been three months since you woke up. I think you need more time to heal…"

"Hermione, I swear of Godric's grave! I'm serious! This is it for me! You and me. Forever. That's all I want."

"Forever?" Hermione's voice was stuck between awe and skepticism, "What do you know about forever, Fred? You are barely twenty years old! Forever seems like a big word to be dropping before we even go on a date."

"Maybe that's so, Hermione. But what I'm feeling is forever. What I'm feeling is love."

"Love?" Hermione's voice sounded almost hopeful, sparking excitement in Fred's chest as he rushed to answer her.

"Yes!" He took a deep breath and looked straight into her coffee-colored eyes, "I love you, Hermione Granger."