Time Slipped By

Thank you guys so much for your reviews and follows! I really appreciate the support! Hope you enjoy this next chapter! I made it extra-long because it took me longer to update and also because I didn't want to rush Fred's two week pursuit of Hermione! Happy Reading!

Chapter 4: He Wasn't Joking

Week 1, Day 2:

"Look Fred, you got me! It was all very funny! You "love" me. Haha! What a complete and total arse you are, Fredrick Weasley!" He winced. Fredrick? This really wasn't going as well as he hoped.

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm serious? George even backed me up!" She scoffed. Perhaps using George as a truth-backer wasn't the wisest of his decisions.

"Fred… I just….I can't do this right now. I'm tired. I have to go see if Harry needs anything. He hasn't left his room in a couple of days, and he's not really talking to anyone." She hung her head with a sigh and he let her walk away.

"Just give her some time, Freddie. She'll come around." George's words of comfort over his shoulder left him unaffected as Fred walked solemnly out the front door, down the walkway, and then with a POP! he was gone.

Week 1, Day 3:

Fred was starting to consider reading a book. An actual book that wasn't a textbook for a class (and honestly when did he ever really read those?), or a prank book. The book was sitting on a bookshelf in his father's shed collecting dust. How to Woo Your Witch in Ten Steps (Or Less) by Jadis Rackey. Fred and his brothers always tore the mickey out of their father every time it caught their eyes when they visited him in his shed, but then their father would always give a Weasley smirk and say, "But do you see all that dust? Haven't touched the thing in years."

Even so, Fred figured that letting his brothers, or Merlin forbid Ginny, see him reading that book would be bad for his rep. He needed to find a way to get that book and read it without anyone seeing. But he was a Weasley twin; sneaky was second nature.

No, getting the book was child's play, it was getting the nerve to open it and begin reading which really took Fred a couple of hours of staring. He even considered returning the book to its place in his father's shed….or burning it. Anything to get it out of his eyesight.

But once he was rounding the fourth hour, and nighttime was beginning to fall, Fred decided that it was probably the safest time to start reading this horrid book. And, really, what could it hurt? So, Fred took a deep breath, skipped the Preface, and began chapter one entitled Chapter One: Send Them Flowers. He could do that! Simple.

But what kind of flowers? He wanted to send the right message. Didn't every flower mean something different? As he continued reading the first chapter he found that, yes, every flower had different meanings. As did their colors. And different combination of flowers. But nowhere in this mess did it say what to get a bird who you loved who didn't believe you when you said you loved her. I mean, if she didn't believe him when he said the actual words, how the hell was she going to believe him when he sent flowers that said that very same?

Ginny. He'd send an owl to Ginny tomorrow morning. She would know what kind of flowers to get. Which were Hermione's favorite, or at the very least, which would prove to her that he was being honest about his feelings.

With that decided, Fred fell into a peaceful sleep. Finally one step closer in getting Hermione to believe that he loved her.

Ginny gave her opinion readily. After she stopped laughing. Getting her to stop and convincing her he was serious was way easier than convincing Hermione. And something told him that, if he ever did convince Hermione to go out with him, convincing everyone else that they were serious would be another uphill battle. But that worry could be faced another day. A day that hopefully had Hermione by his side, ready to fight the battle with him.

Wildflowers was Ginny's opinion. Her very, well-informed opinion which was supported by one of the many conversations the girls had had over the years. This conversation originating from Hermione's fourth year when Viktor Krum got her roses and she explained to Ginny that they were "lovely, really. But just really too flashy for my tastes."

So with a handful of wildflowers, Fred stepped through the Burrow's front door, into the living room where he found Hermione reading a book. He was struck by the look of one-minded focus on her face as she absorbed the knowledge of her newest literary purchase. The light from the fire making her skin glow like freshly made honey.

"Hermione?" Fred's voice sounded harsh to even his own ears, so he quietly cleared his throat as she looked up from her novel.

Fred saw multiple emotions flash across her face in a matter of seconds. Annoyance from being interrupted from her book. Concern from the tone in Fred's voice. Surprise when she took notice of the wildflowers in his hands. Then confusion as he held the flowers out to her.

"I got these for you."

"Why?" Hermione's nose scrunched up slightly, and then she rolled her eyes in exasperation, "Fred, I thought we agreed to let this whole thing go."

"I definitely don't remembering making any sort of agreement to that effect. No would I ever!"

Hermione let out a long sigh, "Fred….I know that you are feeling these things now, but…"

"No buts. This is real. And this is just step one in my plan to convince you of that. I love you, Hermione. I loved you before the war. I loved you during the war. And I love you now, and plan to love you for the rest of my life."

Hermione's face took on a crimson glow, and Fred couldn't decide if it was because of happiness, anger, or the heat of the fire, "I…don't know what you want me to say to that. I mean…you can see why I'm confused and overwhelmed right Fred? This is all seeming to come out of nowhere."

"I know. But it's not. And I know you aren't convinced yet. But I'm going to convince you," Fred let a smirk take over his face, "And, if it means anything to you, you're really going to like the ways in which I use to persuade you."

Fred was sure that the redness of Hermione's face was definitely caused by a blush this time, "Am I now? I guess we'll just have to see."

Week 1, Day 5:

Chapter Two: Make Small Gestures. Fred was already starting this book was complete rubbish. Make small gestures? Hadn't he always been doing that?

Of course, his small gestures could just be seen as common manners. Okay, he would start making these small gestures more obvious. Only opening the door for her. Pulling out her chair for all the meals they attended together. Bring her tea at work or when she's reading in the living room. He could do that!

But what could be really obvious?

"You could write her a letter, you nut job?" Had he been having this conversation out loud?

"Yes, you were talking to yourself, Freddie." George's voice shook from laughter, "You really are going crazy over little miss know-it-all, ain't ya?"

"Be nice, Georgie." George raised his hands in defense.

"You know I didn't mean anything by it, Freddie. Everybody knows that wizarding world would have gone to hell without her. Harry and Ron would have died their first year, if anything!"

Fred shook his head, "Right. So a letter? Like a love letter? That's even a little too corny for my tastes, Forge."

"No, not a love letter, o' twin o' mine! Just a normal, everyday owl. Ask her how her day is going. Start a communication. Angie loves that kinda stuff!"

"Hmm. Yeah! Okay!" His hands grabbed for a piece of the Weasley's Wheezes stationary and quickly jotted down a quick communication to Hermione.

He folded the letter up, and then whistled for his owl, Netrix, "Nettie, come here girl. Get this to Hermione Granger at the Ministry of Magic, okay? Wait for her response and I'll give you extra treats when you get back." And with a happy hoot his Tawny owl flew out the window and off towards the Ministry.

Hermione's reply came much quicker than Fred would have suspected. His simple owl merely asked, "How is your day going?" But he knew that Hermione was busy over at the Ministry. Hell, she was on her way to becoming the youngest Minister for Magic. Shacklebolt practically announced to the whole wizarding world that she was his protégé. It was just a matter of time, really.

Her response was just as simple, if not a bit hesitant, probably due to her surprise of receiving such an owl. "Fine...Thank you for asking, Fred. How is your day going? Are you not terribly busy?"

Ah. She thought he was owling because he was bored. No, in fact the day was as steady as any typical Thursday. But, he supposed she would find any logical reason for him sending an owl so simple. Anything to further push away the truth.

After he tossed Netrix a treat, Fred began to write his response, "My day is going great now that I get to talk to you. No, regular steady day. And I'm not on my lunch break either before you ask. I just wanted to check in. Yours, Fred" With that message, and the extra push of signing the letter off with "yours," Netrix was on her way again.

This back and forth continued throughout the day. Hermione answering his questions, asking the same back at him. He presenting his heart on a platter. Her heart being guarded by a steel grate. But it was something, Fred was finally getting somewhere.

This was something he was going to try to do with her at least every other day, every day if their schedules allowed. This small gesture compiled with more proofs that he was serious in his pursuit. Serious in his love.

Week 2, Day 3

Fred found that the book was actually quite helpful in regards to courting Ms. Hermione Granger. Even if she still didn't seem to believe him, she was definitely becoming less hesitant to the idea. Progress.

He kept on sending her owls almost every day even with the addition of other forms of wooing which the book presented him. With that he found that not every suggestion was a good one when it came to convincing Hermione.

For instance, be affectionate, while sound advice, was probably not the best approach when it came to Fred and Hermione's situation. In fact, Fred was pretty certain he lost a few days progress by hugging her when he left the Burrow after dinner one night. He could practically feel her jump out of her skin at his embrace, and then for the next couple of days her replies to his owls were far and few between. By the third day, though, it seemed that Hermione had forgiven his forwardness and they were back to their regular routine.

Which brings us to this day, when Fred is certain the chapter he picked to try next was much better suited for their unique situation. Chapter 8: Trust them. While Fred was certain that Hermione could probably figure out on her own that Fred, and most of the wizarding world, trusted her, he figured that actively trusting her in a very obvious way would be more in line with his plan.

It took him a few hours, and a conversation with George, Lee, and Angelina to figure out how he was going to show his trust in her. A secret Angelina had said. Trust is built in a relationship when the couple share their secrets because if you can trust them with your secrets, you can trust them with everything else, too. Fred figured that if anyone knew how to have a successful relationship with a Weasley, Angelina did.

So in the next owl out to Hermione, Fred wrote down one of his deepest secrets, one that even George was unaware of. "Hermione, can I tell you a secret? When the war was getting particularly crazy, and all of the Order and Weasley clan were getting on each other's nerves, I would write down letters to you. I knew I could never send them, even if I knew where you were, but just writing down what was going on. How worried I was about you, Ron, and Harry. How scared I was to die. It helped calm the chaos in my head. Probably kept me sane. I just wanted you to know that. Yours Forever, Fred."

And off went Netrix with his deepest secret. Fred's hands shook as he watched his owl fly off towards the Ministry, knowing that he could never get that secret back. Knowing that Hermione now held not just his heart, but also a part of his soul now as well.

Week 2, Day 4

Fred had to admit that not receiving a response that same day was nerve wracking. And when he went all the next day without a response again, he knew that he had to accept his mum's invitation to supper that night. If she wouldn't respond to him via owl, she would be forced to respond to him in person. It was driving him crazy!

Fred was hoping to catch Hermione before supper, but the moment he walked in his mum wrapped him into a tight hug, said he was too skinny, and then shoved plates at him and told him to set the table. With about six to twelve people usually dining at the Burrow for supper each night, Fred wasn't surprised that he was setting out so many settings. And just as he was setting out the last plate, his mum yelled to the house that supper was ready.

Fred's next plan was to make sure that Hermione sat next to him at the table so he could confront her with a quiet conversation then, or at least set one up for after supper. But as everyone came pounding down the stairs, Hermione caught Fred's eye, stood shocked for a minute, and then forced her body between Ginny and Ron's at the table.

He was getting rather frustrated at this point. What did she have to be nervous about? He was the one who shared his deepest secret with her. It's not like he expected the same in return. Unless….she was finally beginning to realize he was serious, and that made her nervous. While he didn't want her nervous, he definitely liked the idea that she was finally taking him seriously! Progress.

He'd just confront her after dinner. Corner her or something. She had to talk to him tonight. If not, he was seriously thinking that he was going to have to take up stalking her, and that was far too pathetic of an outcome for him to be considering.

Dinner passed way too slowly for Fred. He could barely process what he was eating, let alone enjoy his mum's delicious cooking, as he was so focused on keeping his eyes on Hermione so that she couldn't make a quick escape from him again.

It was a good thing he did, too because the moment Hermione was done with her food she quietly said, "Thank you for the supper, Mrs. Weasley. May I be excused?" And with a nod from his mum, she was off. But she didn't get far before Fred was on her heels, grabbing her wrist, and pulling her out the back door of the Burrow.

"Don't even think about it, Granger. You've been avoiding me!" The look of shock that passed over her face was almost laughable to Fred. And he probably would have laughed if he wasn't so mad at her.

"Don't try to deny, Mione! I know when I'm being avoided! Especially after sending such an important owl!"

"I didn't ask you to share that secret with me, Fred! Or any secret for that matter!" Hermione looked like she wanted to dart, so Fred tightened his hold on her wrist a little tighter without hurting her.

"I wanted you to know it, Hermione! I wanted you to know that I trust you, and that I can be trusted by you. I want you to know everything about be, and I want to know everything about you. I'm in love with you, Hermione. You can trust me."

Hermione started to look a little less startled with being forced into this conversation with him, and then she finally met his gaze, "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Thank you. I'll….I'll keep your secret safe with me. You can trust me."

Fred's face softened, "I know. That's why I told you. You can't have love without trust."

Hermione's left eyebrow rose, and one side of her mouth quirked up just slightly, "Have you been reading a self-help book or something?"

"Something like that." Fred's guilty smile was telling, and Hermione couldn't help but start giggling at the action. Soon, Fred's laughed followed and their laughter filled the night air around the Burrow.

Progress.

Week 2, Day 7

The last time Fred had to use the book's advice to convince Hermione of his feelings came about on accident. He had planned on using Chapter 9's advice of encourage their dreams, and give her an autobiography of one of the previous Ministers for Magic. He thought that this would be a great step in the direction he wanted to go without scaring her away. He knew that telling her a secret had been a big step, and he was afraid that two big steps in a row might scare her as much as that hug had a week ago.

But as he stepped into the Burrow that Saturday morning, hoping to find her in front of the fire reading a book, as most of her Saturdays went, he instead found a crying Hermione Granger. Her head was in her hands, her shoulders shaking. He could mistake her for laughing if he didn't hear the sniffles that accompanied the other actions.

He thought about retreating. She obviously didn't want company, or she would have awoken Ginny, Harry, or Ron to accompany her. But he really didn't want to leave. Didn't want her to keep suffering alone. So he quietly approached her, sat beside her on the couch, and brought his left hand up to rub her back.

Her head shot up and the contact, and at first it looked like she was going to wipe her tears away and run away from him. But something in his face, and maybe every action of his leading up to this moment, made her pause and reconsider. And with that reconsideration, Hermione continued to let the tears flow down her cheeks and then curled her body towards Fred's, pushing her face into his neck.

Fred didn't ask what was wrong. He could probably guess. She had a bad dream. She was having a bout of survivor's guilt. She missed her parents. Maybe all of the above. Either way, he kept silent. She didn't need his words. She just needed his presence.

That quietness is what finally convinced Hermione. After another hour of crying on his shoulder, her tears disappeared, she lifted her head from his neck, and she stared at him with amazement, "You really do love me, don't you Fred?"

Fred's soft smile, his eyes filled with that very emotion, was her answer.