Hermione was making a particular effort not to skip through the hallways. Sure, Harry was cheating and trusting some strange kid who'd written in his potions textbook who knew how long ago, but she was going to see Fred in just a little bit.
"That's the biggest grin I've seen on you all year," she glanced at the wall. Albert was leaning against it, blue and bronze tie hanging loosely around his neck.
"That's likely because I haven't seen much of you," Hermione said, arching an eyebrow at him. He shrugged and pushed off the wall. She narrowed her eyes at him, "What?"
"It's just I feel like a shitty friend," Albert cleared his throat and dug into his bag. "Tess said your birthday was last week."
"You didn't have to get me-"
"And your parents are Muggles so they don't know the traditions," Albert held up a golden chain for a necklace of some sort. "Fred's got the other half, but . . ."
Hermione took it from him carefully, holding it up to the light. It looked old, but well kept. "So, what is the tradition?"
"Boys get watches when they become men," Albert said. "Most times girls are already—erm—technically, or biologically, rather, women by the time they're seventeen."
"What's the other half?" Hermione asked, carefully putting the chain in her bag. Albert's eyes followed it until she hit his shoulder.
"Oh, um, well, you'll see," Albert smiled, dimples flashing briefly. "Fred knew you didn't know, and-"
"Why do you have the chain?" Hermione asked rather suspiciously.
"Well, his mum's chain'll go to Ginny, and my mum," Albert cleared his throat, looking away. "I don't have any sisters for it to go to. Not any magical ones anyway."
"Albert, I can't-" Hermione started to reach back into the bag.
"'S'what Fred said," Albert shrugged, still staring at the floor instead of Hermione. "But you need it more than I will, or than my mum does."
"And your sisters?" Hermione asked.
"Don't know about any of this," Albert said, running a hand through his hair. Hermione let out a small breath.
"Is there anything special about the chain?"
"Not beyond wild superstition," Albert shrugged again but picked up his head to smile, "We wizards take that sort of thing very seriously."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Naturally."
"Look, Hermione, I know we aren't the closest of friends, but . . ." Albert took a deep breath, the hints of a smile still ghosting across his face. "I'd rather you not worry about paying me back or anything ridiculous like that. I- I probably won't live to give it to my daughter, if I have one, which I might not-"
"What do you mean you won't-"
"My mother is a disgrace to her family," Albert said tightly, fists clenching. "Went off, married a Muggle. Had three Muggle children. If things go south, and I'm not stupid enough to think that they won't . . . It's not going to go very well for me."
"Why-"
"Because if they put a wand to Erica, I will die trying to kill them all," Albert said very carefully, meeting her eyes with his shadowed ones. Hermione jolted a little, but she still reached out to touch his shoulder lightly. He deflated slightly before shrugging her hand off and starting back down the hall, away from the Gryffindor Common Room. "Happy Birthday, Hermione."
Hermione watched his slumped shoulders until he started down the stairs. Her mind had gone to a place she had been avoiding for a very long time.
They were going to come for her parents. No matter what happened, what she did, they would take them and do Merlin knew what to them. To make her pay for helping Harry, because they were Muggles, she hardly even cared why. There were too many reasons. She had to get them safe somehow. If they knew she was in trouble, they'd never agree to leave. And if she lied and told them they'd won, they wouldn't want to leave either.
But there had to be a solution.
~m~
"You're here early," Tonks said morosely. "You aren't on duty until eleven."
"Wotcher," Fred winked, turning slightly to look in the direction of Zonko's and Honeyduke's. "I have a business venture to attend to first, and then I will be right back here, rearing to go, at ten fifty-eight sharp to get this show moving."
"As long as you aren't late," Tonks said quietly. Fred opened his mouth to ask if she was all right, thought better of it, and started down the clear streets.
Hogsmeade was quiet. There was enough space for a Wheezes and Zonko's, but Fred would rather not deal with the competition. If the rumors were true, Zonko's wasn't doing as well as Wheezes was. It was too early to tell though, so Fred just appreciated the crisp autumn day.
He kicked at an orange-brown leaf that skittered across the cobble in front of him. The sun was already low in the sky, casting deep shadows over the village. The air was clean and fresh, nothing like London's. He wouldn't mind living here, he thought, as he turned to appraise the castle. Have their kids growing up in the shadow of the castle, Hermione reading Hogwarts: A History as a bed time story, pointing out this tower and that hallway. Maybe Hermione could teach Muggle Studies. Fred would work at the Wheezes store in the village, whether that was a new store or what once was Zonko's.
Fred whistled as he strutted down the street, brushing a fleck of dust off his shirt as he pulled open the door to Honeyduke's enthusiastically.
"Weasley?" called the older woman behind the counter. She pushed a box off to the side and gave him a wrinkled smile. "Which one are you?"
"The troublesome one," Fred smirked, wandering through the aisles. No new products that he could see. Lovely.
"Here to run me out of business?"
Fred made his way to the front counter and leaned against it, tapping his fingers against his cheekbones, "Not in a million years."
"I'm not going to spy on Zed for you," the older woman turned away, hoisting up the box.
"Did I say anything about the prestigious owner of the second most successful prank shop on Great Britain?" Fred asked innocently.
"He'll charm chickens to run amok through the shop."
"I know several very good methods for getting animals to comply," Fred's fingers drummed a little faster until the woman turned back to face him, hands on her hips. "Never mind, never mind, I'll ask someone less reputable, my sincerest apologies. I wasn't trying to impeach your character."
"You bandy about big words like that and someone'll hex your tongue to the roof of your mouth—permanently," she warned sharply. Her eyes narrowed, "I'm taking this into the back. Touch anything, and I'll have your hands."
"Trust me: I now understand completely how annoying shoplifters are," Fred said, letting a dark note into his voice. She shook her head and kicked open the door of the back carefully. Fred glanced toward the stairs to the cellar, "I'll see myself out!"
"Good riddance to you!"
Fred flicked his wand at the bell on the door before slipping down the ever so familiar stairs to the cellar.
The passage was darker than he remembered, longer too. He held up his wand though, and that cast enough light over the somewhat familiar tunnel that he wasn't too concerned. He could feel the castle wards as he passed them. It was like stepping through hardened syrup. He shuddered and continued, glad it wasn't any worse but well aware that he had an obligation to let Dumbledore and Moody know that they needed to double up the protection on this passageway. He would gladly give up a few stolen moments with Hermione to keep her safe.
Hermione. Electricity tore through him at the thought of her. His pace quickened and soon he was ascending the steps toward the inside of the castle.
He wished with a curse for the Map as he slowly pushed open the entryway. He didn't dare make a sound.
The smell of her hit him half a second before she did. She flung herself at him with such force that he nearly fell down the stairs. He took a careful step back and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head in her wild hair.
"I've been going mad without you," Hermione whispered.
"I love you," Fred sighed, lifting his eyes to the thin strip of candlelight streaming into the tunnel. "We can't stay here."
"There's an open classroom two doors down across the hall," Hermione said quickly. Fred grinned and took her hand, slipping out of the passageway into the hallway. He shut the statue-door hastily and tugged Hermione along. A flick of his wand had the door open and shut within moments. He muttered the usual Silencing Charms and sealed the door shut with a new one he'd learned from Bill. There were benefits to having him nearby.
"How's your year?" Fred asked quietly, pulling Hermione's arm up to his shoulder. He grinned as an idea sparked in his mind and he took her other hand. He touched her waist and tugged her closer, then began to take very measured rhythmic steps. He pulled Hermione along, swaying to the song always stuck in Fred's head.
"Ron's a prick, Dean and Ginny occasionally make me sick to my stomach, and Tess is kind of depressing without Anita to keep her in check," Hermione's nose wrinkled adorably and she looked up at Fred through her eyelashes.
He kissed her forehead with a chuckle, "Sounds like you've been miserable without me."
"The Daydreams hardly help," Hermione kissed his neck lightly. Fred thought this gesture far less innocent than his had been. "Especially when you aren't there to . . ."
Fred stopped moving, leaving Hermione swaying slightly. His grin grew ear to ear as he leaned closer to her, "Did you try the red one yet?"
Hermione's cheeks turned a delicate pink, "I—erm—I used the black one which was . . . infuriating."
Fred kissed her lightly, pulling back as she tried to suck him in, grinning still, "I bet it was."
There was a small beat, "Fred?"
"Hmm?"
"Why are you grinning like that?"
"Because I'm happy to see you, love-"
"What else was in the black one?"
"Well, love, black is a mix of all the colors, red included-"
Hermione hit his shoulder and he stepped back, laughing. "You made it-"
"You couldn't tell it was a deep burgundy? Honestly 'Mione . . . It was still a fantastic adventure, wasn't it?" Fred ducked around her second swat at him. She rooted herself to the spot, throwing her robes and wand into the nearby corner. He shrugged off his jacket and let it and his wand drop to the ground beside him. Hermione eyes never left his as he stepped out of his shoes too. She kicked her stubby heels at him. He dodged them and approached her cautiously as she yanked at her tie. He narrowed his eyes, "You can't be really mad at me for-"
"Oh, yes I can be," Hermione said plainly, flicking at him with her tie. Fred grabbed it, held tight to it even as Hermione tried to pull it out of his grasp. He pulled back and she surrendered a step toward him. "Perhaps next time I'll take up Cormac's offer to romp around between classes."
"Will you, love?" Fred tugged her a step farther.
"You think you can get me . . . Riled like that, when you aren't even there, without there being consequences?" Hermione asked as he wrapped the tie around his hand and yanked her against him.
"Riled?" Fred grinned wickedly. He touched her cheek lightly and kissed her jaw from ear to chin. "I just wanted you to think of me."
"I can't stop thinking of you," Hermione said lowly.
"Wonder why that is," Fred brushed his lips against the corner of her mouth. She lifted her chin to meet him properly. Her tongue danced along his for a moment before he pulled away. "I'm not sure 'riled' is the right word for that."
"Frustrated," Hermione suggested kissing him again. Fred's hand drifted under her skirt, and he relished the small moan released into his mouth.
"I was thinking more aroused," Fred nipped at her ear lightly. Another magical sound of hers greeted his ears and he kissed his way down her neck. He pulled down her skirt and lifted her up in one fluid motion. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed her against the wall. Hermione pulled at his simple shirt until it was cast to the floor.
"You're the worst," Hermione panted as Fred fumbled with the buttons over her shirt. Fred kissed her in answer and tore her shirt open. He could repair it easily enough with a wave of his wand. Hermione gasped as he shucked it off her.
"I love you more than anything," Fred murmured against her. He kissed her closed eyelids before attacking her breasts. The small cry she gave was more music than Fred could ever need. He threw her bra at his pile of clothes instead of hers.
"I don't know what to do without you," Hermione answered, tugging at his belt.
"Liar," Fred accused, leaning back so that she was standing once more. She eyed him suspiciously as he knelt before her. His hand pinned her hips exactly where he wanted them and he kissed the inside of her thigh lightly, moving upward swiftly.
"F-Fred!"
She truly did make the most delicious sounds.
~m~
Fred conjured a blanket for them to lay on and Vanished Hermione's bra to his flat. She hadn't noticed yet; judging by the small lines she was tracing across his bare chest, she didn't think she had any more reasons to be pissed at him. He couldn't wait to spend a full, real, uninterrupted night with her. Where they could sleep in without the fear of being found.
"What are you thinking about?" Hermione asked, fingers exploring the hollow of his collar bone.
"Us," Fred answered quietly. He took her hand and kissed each of the fingers. "I've been doing it a lot lately." He took special care with her ring finger, kissing the knuckle as he held her eyes. "I'm going to put a ring on that finger one day."
"Oh, are you?" Hermione poked his chin lightly.
"Pinky swear," he whispered, moving on to the next finger. He and George had been researching Muggles a lot for the shop.
"You missed my birthday," Hermione murmured, tucking her head further into his arm. Fred released her hand and touched her hair gently.
"Missed but not forgotten," Fred hummed. He smiled, "Albert give you his half?"
"Yes," Hermione sighed watching him lazily. Fred kissed her lightly.
"I need my arm, love," he sat up awkwardly. Hermione groaned and rolled away from him. Fred poked her spine and dug through his trousers. He procured the small gift and closed both his fists, sitting down behind her. He held out his hands, nudging her. "Don't pretend to sleep, I need your opinion."
"On what?" Hermione turned over and rested her head on his knee. It was very difficult for him to focus when she was so close to his package, but he managed.
"Pick," he shook his hands. Hermione's eyes narrowed and she tapped his left hand. "How'd you know?"
She watched the lump of gold as if waiting for it to attack. Fred opened the clasp and showed her what was inside the small locket. Hermione's eyes widened and she smiled, sitting up. Fred's eyes followed her breasts — her eyes, her eyes, of course it was her eyes — as she beamed and took the small locket from his palm.
"This is us."
"Uh-huh."
"You-you took that photo from my mum."
"It's a good photo of us," Fred admitted.
"And- they gave you a picture of them too?"
"Witches get lockets with their family in them for their-"
Hermione tackled him to the ground with her hug. He chuckled as he held her, rocking slightly.
"It's not too presump-" Hermione kissed him before he had the chance to fully ask. He was beginning to understand that he talked too much. He pushed her hair away from her face as she looked down at him, "Did I mention I love you?"
"I love you, too," Hermione kissed him again. Her hips ground against his in the most brilliant fashion.
"I- I don't have time," Fred groaned. Hermione was very convincing, her lips trailing lower and lower and lower, "'Mione- f-fuck me."
But she'd already done that once, and this was probably payback for the Daydreams if her painfully slow pace was any indicator.
Fred dressed quickly (before Hermione could discover her missing under garment), kissed Hermione again, and slipped out the classroom door.
~m~
Hermione could not find her bra, her favorite bra, and she knew exactly who to blame. She was fortunate enough to have bulky robes to cover her not-so-secure chest as she all but sprinted to her dormitory.
And she didn't care who read it, Bellona must have been at her window for a reasons. Owls were incredibly clever.
Return what you've stolen or your brother's life is forfeit.
She tied a quill to Bellona's feet, just to be sure. The reply came not long after. He had written it on duty, as she'd hoped.
I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.
Hermione growled and carefully penned her response.
It's the nicest article of clothing I own with a considerable amount of black lace. I will find George, and I will drop him off Gryffindor Tower. He'll know it's for a good cause.
I didn't know you liked it that much.
I was wearing it to go see you.
Then you can't have it back until you see me again. Wouldn't want Cormac getting ahold of it, now would we? I think you look just stunning without it.
You're an irritating prick.
One you want at most hours of the day. You know you love me. I know you love me. George too, which is why he'd probably just take the bra back from me rather than die.
I thought you didn't know what I was talking about.
Hermione didn't get a response. She chalked it up to his idiotic brain being unable to form a response.
Yet Bellona did not return for a treat.
Hermione took to pacing by the window, arms crossed over her chest. She shouldn't have expected even one response. They weren't being very cautious, now that they needed to be more than ever. Hermione groaned and pulled at her hair with one hand. She shouldn't have distracted him.
Who was he partnered with? Tonks? Remus? She should've asked.
She pulled her hand from her hair and stared at her slender fingers. She had her mother's hands. It wasn't difficult to imagine a ring resting on her second to last finger. Fred might get her a ring with a diamond the size of her eye if he felt showy enough. Hermione didn't care much. She wanted something that meant more to her than the rest of the world could see just by looking at it.
Of course, she was being ridiculous. Fred wouldn't propose for a long while now. They were too young; there was too much going on.
Hermione leafed through his responses again, muttering some of his words under her breath. His handwriting was so artistically messy. It looked pretty, but it was hard to decipher at times. He had only one kind of handwriting. Hermione could write neatly, if she really wanted to or was going to give Ron or Harry notes. Otherwise it often fell shy of legible.
Maybe he hadn't been able to read her last message. He'd gotten better at it. If she hadn't gotten paranoid about the two of them writing one another, he probably wouldn't have any problem.
The only issue was that she had no idea how on earth she was meant ask him about it.
~m~
"This is idiotic even for you," Remus said. Bellona rested on his shoulder, preening her feathers calmly, and he held Hermione's latest note between his fingers, still rolled carefully.
"It isn't yours," Fred scowled, checking around the corner of a building before they turned onto the next street. They were just wandering 'strategically' through Hogsmeade looking for trouble. He was dying to make a snatch for the paper but knew he wouldn't be quick enough.
"You realize that anyone-"
"I know, Remus," Fred grumbled.
"Were you at least using code?" Remus said, watching the parchment as he flicked the small roll between and around his fingers. Fred was terrified he'd drop it and ruin it somehow.
"I- not really," Fred rubbed the back of his neck for a moment, eyes on the shadows of the alley in front of them.
"James and Lily always used code," Remus finally passed him the note. Fred unfurled it greedily. She hadn't written very much, but he smiled nonetheless. "A Muggle cipher. You choose a word and then change the letters to-" Remus noted Fred's blank expression. "I'll show you some other time."
"Why was Tonks so down today?" Fred asked, pretending not to watch Remus as he studied the note again. The werewolf stiffened and looked down at his shoes.
"She's—erm—it's tough, with the Ministry and the Order," Remus muttered. Fred arched an eyebrow at the older man. "She's over working herself and worrying about too much."
"I can relate to that," Fred said carefully.
"You're not the worrying type-"
"I'm in love with someone who is," he said casually, turning the slip of paper over. He could slip in notes with products he sent her. She'd used two of the seven Daydream Charms. He ought to get her Fainting Fancies or something for dodging McLaggen. Remus sighed, drawing Fred's attention back to him. "Not even a denial?"
"I'm not going to talk to you about this," Remus said, looking up at the night sky.
"Fine. Be miserable," Fred shrugged. "Make her miserable while you're at it. Spread the miserable to every living soul you can—some dead ones too. Merlin knows we could use some more misery is this day and age."
"Fred."
"Dying old and miserable sounds just about as unappealing as it gets," Fred mused. "Personally, I'd much rather go out with a bang. None of that 'he was ready to go' nonsense. I'm going out kicking and screaming, like my old Uncle Bilius. He was a right charmer."
"I'm not that old," Remus bristled.
"Sure, sure," Fred rolled his eyes. "You're only . . . Well, Harry is sixteen and his parents were twenty when they had him- ooh, thirty-six, you're practically Dumbledore's age!"
"You aren't as funny as you think you are."
"Perhaps," Fred grinned, "But even so, I'm still miles funnier than you."
"Doubtful."
"Said the mopey, miserable werewolf to the owner of the most successful prank shop in Britain."
"The store is in England!"
"We mail-order across Britain and to Ireland!"
"IRELAND ISN'T BRITAIN!"
"FINE! WE'RE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN THE BRITISH ISLES!"
"I doubt you've sent a product to Jersey, much less Rùm."
"Where the fuck is Rùm?!"
.o0O0o.
I LIIIIIIIIIIVVEEEE!
But only just. New trimester, more mock trial, snow out of butt-fuck nowhere, you know. Life.
Reader: I know, I suck at French, I realized that waaaay too late. I constantly have to remind myself: Fleur not Fluer. It's alphabetical (e comes before U).
carrierd: I get that. Honestly, half the time I'm writing the next chapter and the other half I'm reading the last four I wrote.
HubrisBrutus: This one has substance! Sorry about the Daydreams being so long, I didn't mean to do that but otherwise year 6 would be like eight chapters of nonsense. Thank you so much! You have no idea how motivating y'all can be!
Catrowline: I hope it doesn't go on like, forever, forever, but it's definitely not ending in the next like ten chapters or anything.
Hollowg1rl: I like pirates too! (In case you couldn't tell by the last chapter.) Thank you! I was thinking of doing like maybe just one or two on their own but I don't know. Running more than one fic probably isn't the best idea for me: I'm bad enough at uploading as is.
marvin1984: Thanks! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
ElianaxIsabella: Um, Fred might die, he might not, he might die and do a Harry, no one knows. . . Except me, that is. I know. So does my sister. Dat's it.
Infernalbooks: I inceptioned you! AAAHHHHHHHHHHH
Fandomqueen104: I don't know about you being younger than me, all things considered I'm on the young side, however there's actually not that many comprehensive, long-term Fremione's out their, but I'm pretty sure that this one isn't The Best or anything.
I'm an Nerd and Proud: Thank you very much!
Newsie35: The premise of the Zutara is pretty much what would've happened if Azula had interrupted Katara and Zuko in the season 2 finale instead of Aang and Iroh, and the Zuko decided to go undercover in the Fire Nation to try and help the invasion succeed.
Raven that flies at night: Thanks so much!
