A/N: OKAY! I am so sorry it's taken so long for me to update this story. Truthfully, I had it written and stuff, but it sucked (in my opinion) so I deleted it all and started over. It's better now, but kind of short. Plus, FF.net was being extremely stupid and wouldn't let me login, herego making me unable to post chapter 4. My italics STILL aren't working and I'm STILL mad about that. But oh well. Also, I couldn't think of an ACTUAL hill in Britain, and on my quest to think of one, I thought of the word queen and decided to dub it Queen Hill. I'm not sure if it's a real hill, but in this story… it is. Here's chapter four:
* IV *
"You held me up to the sunlight… Now it feels like…"
Tim McGraw, "Unbroken"
"Bye," Fred said, walking into an alley to Apparate back to his place.
Hermione walked into her flat, and like she had the night before, plopped down onto her couch to think.
He had kissed her. What was that supposed to mean? Was it a, "You're my friend and going through a rough time" sort of thing? Or maybe it was an "I like you" sort of thing. It could also be, "Hey! I picked this kissing good-bye thing up in one of the many countries I've visited and decided to try it out on you!"
But he couldn't fancy me, Hermione thought. He probably just feels sorry for me and wanted to make me feel better. Which was nice, if that was the case. I can't believe that's the same Fred Weasley.
It would be hard for someone to believe the Fred Weasley she had seen the past two days was the same Fred Weasley from Hogwart's. This new Fred was a lot calmer and more serious, but Hermione noticed a few times during their brief "date" a mischievous glint in his eyes. Hermione figured it must've been the fact that he had to get more serious for his work and that he had matured.
But still… that didn't explain the kiss.
Hermione sighed and shook her head, wondering why this was getting to her so badly. She got off the couch, got a drink of water, then went to bed hoping tomorrow wouldn't be as draining.
* * * * *
The next morning when Hermione's alarm clock went off, she made a decision:
Today, she was going to be happy. No wallowing in the sadness of her break-up with David, no feeling sorry for herself… she was going to be happy.
She knew it sounded a bit unreasonable. After all, she had loved David and had thought he loved her. Then he goes and becomes a total prat… but she was going to let it slide today. Actually, she was kind of hoping she would see David (with his black eye, courtesy of Fred Weasley) and act like nothing's a matter.
She had to work again today, but work would be easy. Hermione had already finished her next few stories, and couldn't start her new one until her interviewee came to town, so she'd probably just end up conversing with Lisa, assuming she was working today, at her desk.
So she slid on her jean skirt and thin red sweater and Apparated into work, planning on getting breakfast there.
However, when she arrived, her plan to be happy was almost entirely screwed due to the unpleasant man standing in her office.
"David," Hermione said pleasantly. She had managed to compose herself before saying anything stupid.
He smiled back at her and Hermione was pleased to see that he did indeed have a nice shiner on his right eye. Hermione snorted when she saw it.
"What? Happy with the number you're boyfriend did on me?" David asked, stressing the word, 'boyfriend.'
"He's not my boyfriend," Hermione said civilly.
"So you lied?" David asked.
"No," Hermione replied logically. "Fred lied."
"Fred?"
"Yes. Fred Weasley."
"Oh."
David was silent and looking around her office, which prompted Hermione to ask,
"Is there a reason, besides to annoy me, that you're here?" Hermione was fairly proud of herself for that comment.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry," David said, looking her in the eye.
That wasn't what Hermione was expecting at all and just blinked at David in shock.
"I'm not coming here to say I want you to forgive me or to take me back. I just wanted to apologize."
"All right," was all Hermione said.
"That's it!?" David yelled.
Hermione was not going to lose control.
"You said you didn't want forgiveness or for me to take you back," Hermione replied evenly. "So I'm not. I'm just acknowledging the fact that you apologized. Now, please, I have work to do."
Unfortunately, right at that moment, Lisa burst in with food and drinks saying,
"Let the David bashing begin!"
David gave Hermione an evil look and then stalked out. Lisa and Hermione then laughed.
"Perfect timing, I assume," Lisa said, sitting down.
Hermione nodded.
"What did he want?" Lisa said.
"He apologized. Then got mad at me," Hermione said, grabbing one of the Butterbeers Lisa had brought. After all, it was too early for margaritas.
"Apologized?" Lisa said indignantly. "Did he really think that would make you forgive him."
"I guess," Hermione said. "But I don't care. I'm over him."
"Already?" Lisa eyed her skeptically.
Hermione shrugged and popped open a Butterbeer.
"So," Lisa said. "What's up with Fred Weasley? Ron told me you two went out last night…"
"And Ron told me you spent the night at his place," Hermione countered.
"You know how I am," Lisa said casually. "But you had a date!"
"It was not a date," Hermione insisted, despite what Fred had called it. "I went to solely hear about how he's been since I haven't seen him in nearly three years. Plus, the whole thing lasted a good… five maybe ten minutes."
Lisa looked at Hermione, raising one of her eyebrows quizzically.
"David entered and was acting like a git," Hermione explained. "It was… er… too much for me, so we left… But not before Fred punched him," Hermione added, grinning.
Lisa gave out a great shout of laughter and said, "Remind me to give Fred a pat on the back if I ever see him… or meet him."
Hermione nodded.
"So," Lisa said. "You've gotten over David, have you?"
"Oh, not in the least," Hermione sighed. "But I'm on my way…"
* * * * *
It was two weeks later when Fred contacted Hermione again. He sent his owl, Owl, with a letter that said to meet on top of Queen Hill at exactly 6:25pm that night.
When Hermione received her note, she was oddly excited. The prospect of seeing Fred again made her smile and she didn't know why. Even though Hermione had only seen him twice in the past month, she had come to think of him as a friend.
So, in her oddly excited state, she felt the need to look nice, yet casual. She put on her jean flares and her orange shirt. When she placed the shirt on she had the sudden thought that she was going to match wonderfully with Fred and his beautiful Weasley hair.
"Did I just say the beautiful Weasley hair?" Hermione asked herself. "What am I talking about?"
Bewildered at her thoughts, Hermione continued to get ready for her meeting with Fred. Suddenly, she heard calling from her fire place.
"Ron!" Hermione said, seeing his head floating around. "What is it?"
"Harry, Ginny, Lisa and I are going out to dinner. Want to join us?" Ron asked.
"Can't. I'm meeting Fred at Queen Hill," Hermione said.
Ron raised his eyebrow questioningly.
"Oh, Ron," Hermione said, seeing his look. "Don't give me that look."
"What look? It's just weird for you to be hanging out with Fred, that's all. You sure you don't want to come? Fred can too, if he wants."
"I'll ask. See you later?"
"Yeah. Have fun! Bye," Ron said, disappearing from the fire.
"Oh wait!" Hermione said, but Ron was gone. She had forgotten to ask where they were dining. It was probably the Leaky Cauldron, because that's where they always ate, but still.
6:20. She quickly studied her appearance, realized she was being silly – after all, it was just Fred – before starting off to Queen Hill. She would've Apparated, but she was sure of the Muggles that might be there. And besides, Queen Hill was just up the road.
It was a beautiful day today. Actually, the sun would be setting in a few moments and Hermione was sure it would be amazing.
"'Lo, Hermione," Fred said when she trudged up the hill. "Why didn't you just Apparate?"
"Wasn't sure of the Muggle Factor," Hermione replied. "What's going on?"
"Just wanted to show you something," Fred said excitedly.
"What?" Hermione asked, a little apprehensive. Fred may be acting different, but under all that new mature exterior, he was still Fred Weasley.
"Follow me," he said, smiling.
Hermione gasped quietly as she saw what Fred had planned. Laying directly on the top of the hill was a large blanket with a picnic basket and a bottle of champagne.
"Oh… Fred…" Hermione couldn't say anything else. She was, however, thinking what this meant.
"I know it's really fancy and probably nothing of what you expected," Fred said. "After all, I am a Weasley and usually not capable of such things."
Hermione laughed.
"But every time I've tried to talk to you, something has screwed it up," Fred continued. "So I figured, if we're surrounded by Muggles, what could possibly go wrong?"
"Well – "
"No!" Fred exclaimed, clamping his hand over Hermione's mouth. "No proving me wrong. Just nod, smile, and for once act like I'm right."
"You're very self-deprecating," Hermione observed. Fred shrugged.
"Sit." Fred motioned to the blanket. Hermione obeyed, looking up at the sky.
It was very beautiful. The sky was clear and the sun had just started to set, so there were wisps of oranges, pinks and purples dancing across the sky. Hermione thought this would've been a very romantic event… had it not been taking place with Fred.
"It's lovely up here," Hermione said, making conversation.
"I'm surprised you've never been up here before," Fred stated. "After all, your place is only a little ways away, correct?"
"Well," Hermione answered. "I've just never been up here at this time. The sunset is amazing," Hermione said, gazing at the amber-streaked sky.
"Yeah," Fred responded, also sitting. "George told me about it – he brought his girlfriend up here once – and said it was quite a site. Thought you'd enjoy it."
"Oh, I do. Very much so," Hermione insisted, taking a bite of a sandwich.
Fred began fidgeting around a bit; he just couldn't sit still. At first he would be laying down, then he would be cross legged, then he'd lay down again, then he'd stand up and pace, mumbling a bit… then he'd sit cross legged again.
"FRED!" Hermione said, annoyed. "Please, just sit still. What is wrong?"
"I'm nervous," Fred said, blushing the Weasley blush.
It always happens at the wrong time! He thought angrily.
"About?"
"Well…" Fred said, reddening more. "I just… I mean… well I… or, you are… no… God, I wish I could be suave. Like a red-haired James Bond or something."
"How do you know about James Bond?"
"I may not be a Muggle, but every person in the world knows who James Bond is!" Fred said. "I just wish I were as, I don't know, debonair as he is."
"Why?"
"Because then I wouldn't feel so awkward as I do right now," Fred replied.
"And why are you awkward?" Hermione asked. "It's just me. Hermione Granger. The same Hermione you've known since… well, a long time."
"Exactly why I'm nervous," Fred sighed.'
Hermione looked utterly bewildered, so Fred inhaled deeply and said,
"You can't deny that something isn't going on between us. We've been corresponding more than we ever had before in our lives and it's all been in a small week long period. There's something different now and I would like to find out what that is."
Hermione blinked a couple times trying to figure out how the Hell Fred knew how to put all the jumbled thoughts she's been thinking into three simple sentences.
"Well," Hermione said, feeling stupid. For once, she had no idea what to say.
"Maybe we could just try and… er… go out on a date. You know, one that doesn't get interrupted by wanker ex-boyfriends?"
Hermione laughed.
"And if the date leads to a nice snogging session, can't say that would disappoint."
Hermione laughed again.
"So? Would you like to go out sometime? On a real date. With a fancy restaurant and some flowers and me spending all my money on a ridiculously priced dinner?"
"Well," Hermione said again. "When you put it that way, how could I resist?"
"So is that a yes?"
"Yes."
"Absolutely spiffing."
Hermione smiled and leaned back into Fred's chest, where his arms promptly wrapped around her.
If this is how it will feel being held by Fred, Hermione could honestly say she could get used to it.
Also, if this is how it felt holding Hermione, Fred could definetly get used to it.
So there, on the top of Queen's Hill, they sat just watching the orange sky slowly fade to a dusty pink to a purple to a deep blue, al the while with Hermione wrapped in Fred's arms. It wasn't until the moon was bright overhead with the fall stars twinkling like diamonds that they separated and began to make a descent down to Hermione's flat.
"I'll owl you tomorrow," Fred said as they reached her door.
"I'll be waiting," Hermione replied.'
As she opened the door, Hermione leaned in and gave Fred a brief peck on the cheek before turning into her door and leaving Fred in the hallway, dazed and blushing.
"Smashing girl, she is," Fred said to the empty hallway.
A/N: Eh… it still bothers me even though it's done. Whatever, I'm hoping you all won't care because, if you did, then you'd have issues. If you're thinking it was a bit OoC for Fred to say that and for Hermione to say what she said, then that's your deal. People always go on and on and on about how people are out of character and your making them sound stupid and crap like that. But the way I see it, my story (and countless others) are taking place after Hogwarts when they've grown up and changed and all of that. So I say that it's completely up to interpretation and this is my interpretation. Sorry for my rant but I got a really annoying e-mail from a reader (I won't say who) saying my characters were stupid and unrealistic and stuff. I had to say something about it, sorry.
Wow, that was long, I apologize.
* QUESTION *: should Hermione and Fred keep it a secret that they're seeing each other or should they let people know? I can do either, but I'd like to know y'all's opinion.
Thank you:
beefpeter: well… dialogue is usually important to the plot of a story. If it's considered "soapie" then… well… I'm not really a hundred percent sure what that means? But thanks for reviewing!
gohansfollower: I know. I love Fred/Hermione fics. They're just so cute together. Same with George/Hermione. As I've said before, scenes with David in them are my favorite because I like making him get what's coming. His part isn't over yet…
cuerva: I will keep writing, have no fear. I hate not finishing stories. It just bothers me.
Cinnamon: Ahh! I love returning reviewers. Thanks so much for the compliments!
Isadora: was this another perfect chapter? I'm sorry, but that comment has gone to my head. Thank you!
airhead14: Sorry it took so long! Thanks!
Hannah Holt: I know how you feel with writer's block. But I'm still waiting on the next chapter of your story. I'm glad you found that line funny.
MusicVibe: Thank you so much for the compliments!
Alexandra: AHHH!!!! Another returning reviewer. Thanks so much!
Riar Allie: haha! You're officially hooked. They're great stories and so many of them on FF.net are quality. Check them out. Yes… a guy like Fred would be nice sigh
Shooting Goddess: since you liked "DSP" I added something (a questionnaire) to it about a sequel. I hope this one is nearly as good/popular as "DSP" was. Thanks for the review!
Kirjava: it is no trouble for me to e-mail you when I update. Thanks for reading my story and finding it so "fantabulous." It's cool.
Gwen Potter: If your original fics are as good as your HP ones, I can't wait. Thanks for the reviews and I absolutely love "Consequences!"
Thanks so much for the reviews and I'll get to work on five ASAP. Preview for five: "No one ever left me out in the rain, cold words still remain unspoken…"