Chapter 4- Brotherly Love

Fred and George almost attacked Ginny on her way down the hall.

"Is she alright?" Fred asked.

"Everything okay?" George questioned at the same time. Ginny smiled at her brothers.

"She's okay for now," she answered, "although she's heartbroken. That Matt guy is a sleaze, just like we suspected. The twins' eyes grew dark with rage against the person who had hurt their friend.

"Should we track him down?" George asked.

"Yes, we can give him a taste of what it's like to mess with the wrong family," Fred agreed, pounding a fist into his hand. Ginny shook her head.

"No, you have to let Hermione deal with this in her own time," she said. "As much as we all want to hurt this guy, he was at some point special to Hermione, and she's going to have mixed feelings. All we can do is be there for her and hope that her heart heals in time." The twins knew that their younger sister was right, but didn't seem to want to let the issue drop so quickly.

"We should get to bed, George," Fred warned. "We have to open shop at 9 in the morning."

"Oh, right," answered his brother. The two headed off toward their room, both grabbing headphones and CD players from a bookshelf, and taking their respective Improv CDs. Ginny watched her brothers retreat, half grinning, and then meandered toward her own room, wondering what the next few weeks would bring.

*-*-*

Fred Weasley had a problem. He stared out the window from his bed, frowning in thought. He was in love, and he was sure of it. Her bright eyes, her smile, her endearing devotion to her friends and studies; yes, Fred was in love with Hermione Granger. He had raided Ron's room while he was at work one week, finding all the letters Hermione had written to her friend. He savored each one, wishing that it had been HE that Hermione had been writing to. Ginny's letters had also been intercepted. His heart twisted painfully while he read about her devotion to Matt, and he had been vengeful if hopeful at the demise of the relationship. But his devotion to the girl remained a secret; no one, especially not his family, could know about his affection.

Fred listened to the sounds of the improvisation show. How like her, really, to think of everyone else, and pick such appropriate gifts for them all. He glanced at the bed on the other side of the room, and saw his brother, eyes closed, listening to the CD as well. Fred sighed. How he wished he didn't have to keep his feelings a secret. His brother, as if sensing his frustration, turned over and removed his headphones. Fred took the cue and removed his own, as well.

"Isn't she AMAZING?" George stated. Fred didn't have to ask whom he meant.

"Sure, I guess." He turned toward the wall, and tried to seem disinterested.

"She is," George continued, "and I think I'm in love with her."

*-*-*
Dear Alex,
Sorry for taking so long to post another letter. So much has happened since the last time I wrote to you! I think in my last letter I was telling you about applying to Hogwarts for the position of Charms professor, since Prof. Flitwick had been mysteriously missing for two months, and there had been another three months before the end of term. Since then, I was accepted for the position, which I filled immediately. We finished the term without incident, luckily. I find I really enjoy teaching, and have applied for full time employment at Hogwarts.
Now that summer has arrived, I've been paying Mr. and Mrs. Weasley room and board, and staying with them. My parents of course wanted me to stay with them, but I've been tutoring students during the summer, and I cannot continue that job at home. It's too dangerous, teaching young wizards and witches in a muggle community. Ron and Harry have found a townhouse and are living close to London; Ron is still working for the Ministry of Magic, and Harry is called away all the time on missions that he can't tell us about. Fred and George are busy with their joke shop, and are living in a small house outside of Diagon Alley, where the store is located. Mrs. Weasley has decided that every Friday night, we should try to all get together for dinner, and that has been working so far. It's wonderful to see everyone once a week. Especially. . .
Well, Alex, I must admit, I have a bit of a crush. It's probably nothing; one of those things that happen when you are around someone for a long period of time, and know them extremely well. . . the Weasley twins are so popular now. They are both gorgeous, of course, and so there are always college girls in their shop, flirting and asking them stupid questions . . . and perhaps because they've been like older brothers to me, I can't help being jealous of the attention they give these empty headed twits. But I can't help also looking at them, one of them in particular, as more than just an older brother. Sometimes his eyes look so honest, so filled with emotion that I wonder. . . ah well, I'm just venting really, I don't expect anything to really happen.
I miss you all terribly; I wish that I could visit
America and you all again before the summer ends. The wizard I am tutoring now, little Charlie Lupin, will be finished by the end of the week, and then it will be a month and a half of loneliness before the term begins again. (Provided Hogwarts hires me back, of course!) How's the rest of the gang doing? How is the job hunt going? Is Jonah still behaving himself?
Keep in touch!
Love, Hermione

*-*-*
Dear Hermione,
Hey, girl! 'Sup?
It's so GREAT that you got a job! Hogwarts is lucky to have a smarty like you. I'm still looking, of course; I might accept an internship at this design firm in
New York; it doesn't pay much, but it would be a foot in the door.
You are in love with a hot guy who has a twin; what are you waiting for, bring them both over here! There's not a lot going on out here, but we'd all LOVE to see ya and party with you some again. And, of course, you can give me the twin that you don't want. Yep, Jonah is out of the picture; it seems that he is more interested in getting smashed and smoking up every night than he is in me. So I dumped him. And the solution is that you can visit and bring your hot twin friends over here. I won't take no for an answer; you have the time, Herm! Just let me know when you want to come over here, and I'll arrange things.
Oh, I ran into that sleazy ass Matt the other day. What a creep; he was making out with some chick on the metro. He saw me though, so I had to say hello; I told him that you had found an incredible guy who treated you so well that you wondered why you had ever dated him. He was definitely aggravated; mission accomplished. So let's make that story a reality, girl; bring those twins so we can set you up. Oh, and which one is it that you have a crush on? Will I know the difference?
Talk to ya soon,
Alex

*-*-*

Diagon Alley was unusually quiet. Hogwarts students had not yet received their class lists, and it was during the day in the middle of the week, which meant that most people were at work. It was actually about 4:45; Hermione had wanted to arrive just before closing time. She walked down the sidewalks, looking in at the potions and broomsticks and herbs in the windows of the shops. Finally she came to a window toward the end of the alley, and grinned. There was a logo on the door that said 'W7', and lettering on the window that read, "Weasleys' Wonderful, Witty, Wicked & Wacky Wizarding Wonders.' She opened the door and was greeted by a noise like a sick duck voicing an opinion, instead of the traditional ringing bell. The redheaded man behind the counter looked up and grinned.

"Hermione," he said, coming out to greet her.

"Hullo, Fred," she answered, gazing up at his bright blue eyes. The twin grinned even more at the instant recognition. The twins were more used to stating which of them was which. Hermione, however, could always tell who was who.

"Exploding butterscotch?" He offered, holding out a yellow-wrapped sweet, and winking at her.

"Em… no, thanks," Hermione answered. "Actually, I've come to ask you. . . and George, of course. . . a favor." At the mention of his brother, Fred's eyes darkened almost imperceptibly, but he curiously nodded for her to continue. "I've been invited back to the states to visit," Hermione explained, "by my roommate Alexandria. She has a huge apartment and has room for all of us to stay. . ."

"Of course we'll go!" shouted a voice from behind the counter. From the back room bounded George, arms full of bags and packaging. "Wouldn't miss it! Of course we can't leave the store unattended. . . maybe you should stay here, Fred." Hermione almost thought that she saw Fred clenching his teeth together.

"George, we've hired that 6th year Hogwarts student, Charlie, remember? He can run the store on his own. We can both go."

"Charlie Lupin?" Hermione jumped in. George nodded, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, he's an excellent choice, George," Hermione stated. "Plays jokes on his classmates almost as much as you two did, but he's very responsible." She smiled at the twins.

"Oh. . ." George said, faltering. "Well of course, we saw that he is. . . of course he can run the store. Alright Fred, we'll both go." Smiling again, Fred turned to Hermione.

"When do we leave, Miss Granger?" Hermione smiled at the nickname.

"Friday, if that's okay with you two," she answered.

"Perfect," Fred said.