Chapter Six
Hermione smiled. Shopping with Malfoy had gone off without a hitch. He ordered everything, from the four hundred candles to the 30 rolls of streamers. Hermione just smiled and pointed the way to the next shop. Once they were done with getting everything set to be delivered to Hogwarts, they sat down on a bench on the street. Malfoy looked at her, and couldn't help but imagine her in her costume. He shook his head, he couldn't see her in that.
Hermione stretched, standing up and reaching to the sky. "See ya later, Malfoy." She said, seeing not Harry and Ron, but the Weasley twins. "George! Fred!"
They ran up to her, one giving her a friendly squeeze and the other picking her up off her feet and swinging her around. 'Ah, the friend for lunch.' He said, and almost laughed. 'Why would she want a weasel? To match Potter no doubt.' He spat out in his mind, not noticing how much it sounded like jealousy. He heard her name spoke again, and sure enough, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lavender came running to them. Draco watched, kind of wondering what it would be like to have friends that greeted you like that every time they were apart. He was lucky to get Hellos from his friends...
'I am not jealous if them. They are low, and dirty.'
A little voice in his head, that sounded a lot like his mother, said, 'but they have the arms of each other to fall in, and you don't. They have the love of great friends, and most, the lover's heart to some one that will never forsake them. You, dear one, don't.'
'Shove off.' He said, and then realized he was speaking to himself. A high-pitched voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"OHHHHH DRAKIE!"
He groaned as she plopped on his lap. "Yes, pansy." He said, trying to keep cool.
"You didn't come see me this week, or last week. Why not?"
"Been busy."
"Oh." He kissed her hard, and then carried her into the inn behind him. He needed something to keep his mind of Granger and her friends.
Fred wrapped his arm around Hermione and every one walked into the joke shop. Having grown in business, they had four full time employees, and Fred and George loved to hang out. Fred whispered in Hermione's ear. "I have a surprise for you."
"What?"
Fred grabbed a basket by the door and waved by to every one, entwining his fingers into Hermione's. "Come on, I'll show you."
They walked out of town and unto a field. "Fred, what's going on?"
"I am taking you on a picnic." He said, finding a spot and laying the blanket down. The lake sat not too far off in front of them, and Hogwarts looked stunning as the sunlight on the water flashed onto it. They sat down, and Fred pulled out a bottle of wine. "I hope you like what I made."
She smiled, and looked into the basket. Fettuccini alfredo with chicken, silver goblets for the wine, and candles. "Fred, this is so sweet."
"Mom helped me some. She taught me how to make the food, and gave me some tips on picnics."
"Never the less, this is so sweet of you Fred. And the food smells great."
"I'm glad you like it." He pulled out the bowl and began filling a plat for her, and then for him self. He pulled the cork to the wine bottle and poured the white wine into the Goblets. "To great things." He said, raising his glass to hers. She smiled and touched his glass to hers; she then took a sip of the sweet liquid and sighed. She picked up her plate, and began eating it. If she thought the wine was perfect, the meal was a pure bit of heaven.
"Fred, this is so good. Thank you for this wonderful picnic, Fred. It's great to be able to relax."
"You work too hard, Mia."
"Well, some one has to." She smiled and Fred reached over and touched his hand.
"Mia. Can I tell you something?" Fred looked nervous.
"Of course."
"Mia... Hermione. I have liked you for a long time, and looking at you now, and sharing a moment like this with you is more than I could ever hope for. I know that when you can to my house this summer, you told me that you just wanted to be friends, and if that is the same now, then I will not pressure you, but I was wondering if your feelings had changed."
Hermione looked down at his hand. It felt good to her, and she had enjoyed their brief romance at the Beginning of the summer, but she knew that it would not work between them. She looked at him, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Fred... I can't. I love you, but not like that. You're too much like family to me now, and I never want anything to happen to that again. Ok?"
He looked down, wringing his napkin in his hands. "Who ever does get you, he will be one lucky fellow. If he hurts you, I will kill him with my bare hands."
"Fred..."
"There is some one in your mind, Hermione, whether you realize it or not. And I am ok with that." He reached into the basket, and pulled out something she hadn't seen. Two slices of Cheesecake. "This is from Mom, since my desserts are horrible. Let's finish up our food, and then head to town."
"Fred, you will find someone who will make you happier than I ever could."
"I'll keep telling myself that." He said, a bit of pain in his voice. They ate the rest of the food in silence, and then went back to town, still holding hands like friends.
Draco excused Pansy from his room, and looked out the window, shirtless. He saw Hermione and one of the Weasley twins sitting out on a blanket eating, very close to each other. 'Why the hells.... Do I care?!' He said, but he knew that she had him under a spell that had no counter curse. She trapped him with lust. 'Yeah, that is it. Lust for a hot women. Blood doesn't matter to hormones.' He reasoned, but something still nagged him, and he couldn't quite tell what it was.
Hermione made it through the day. Fred relieved George at the shop as soon as they got back, and she and George went out to find the others.
"What did that twit of a brother say to you to clam you up like this?"
"Please don't. I really don't feel like talking about it."
"Works for me. Just thought I should act concerned." He smiled and hugged her. Then he saw the other and they waved.
"I doubt Ron or Ginny will leave you alone if you don't start acting normal." He whispered as they walked over to them.
"Thanks." She mumbled and was greeted by and excited Ginny.
"You should see my costume. It is so perfect. At least, that is what Harry says." She smiled over to Harry, who was carrying her bags. Hermione smiled, and suggested that they all head back to Hogwarts. Lavender, Ginny and Harry complained, but Ron offered to go with her.
They said good-bye, and Ron and her walked into the "Floo Room" which was how people got in and out of Hogmeade. He grabbed Hermione's hand as she threw the powder and said, "Hogwart's Heads."
When they arrived, Sel Meig was waiting for them. Hermione grabbed the letter, and petted the owl on the head. Ron sat in her chair, and the rest had been filled with the deliveries. She smiled and plopped onto his lap.
"What in the...
"You took my chair, and all the others are filled up, so guess what... you're my chair."
"Very funny." He said, but he looked quite content with Ms. Granger sitting on his lap. He circled his arm around he waist as she ripped open the letter.
Dearest Mi,
I hope everything is well. I would like to inform you that I will be at Hogwarts sometime soon. I can't wait to see you. Please write me back.
Rini
"How did you luck out with a cool sister, and I ended up with the most annoying brothers and a little sister who won't get off my best friend?" Ron play whined.
Hermione poked him in the ribs. "Because I am special like that."
"Really?" He said, with sarcasm in his voice and one eyebrow raised. Suddenly, he was tickling her and she was squirming around on his lap. "You're special alright. Specially ticklish."
"Ron... stop... my side hurts! She gasped, laughing hard in between; they ended up on the floor, with Hermione on the counter Attack. They didn't notice some one come in by floo until Malfoy said... "Awe, isn't it cute. You go with all the Weasels, mudblood."
Hermione grabbed Ron's arm. "Better that spending time around you, ferret." She stood up, and Ron stood behind her, his arm protectively around her waist. She placed her hand over it and moved it out of the way.
"I doubt it." He looked at Ron. "She just runs through your family..."
"Shut it, ferret." Hermione spat. "You've been busy spying on me?? What, jealous that I would choice people with manners over people with money? Give me a break. Now, leave my dearest friend and me alone before I fire charm you into Madame Pomfrey's burn unit."
Draco glared at her, and she glared right back. "You'll pay for your spout out, Mudblood."
"Anytime, Draco. I'll be waiting." She spoke calmly as Draco walked to his room. When the door shut, she flopped on the floor with Ron beside her. She laid down next to Ron, and then they busted out laughing. She leaned his head on his shoulder.
"Mia, what did he mean by that?"
"You know I went on a picnic with Fred, Ron. And you saw George and I walking together. He probably thinks I have slept with them and you. And that is not the case."
"Except Fred." She looked at him. Ron shrugged. "We're brothers, and he asked me how to get you back. He didn't mean to blow up at Harry when he kissed your cheek. He feels very stupid. He asked mine and Harry's advice, and we asked him how far you two had gotten, so we would know what was, say, legal."
"Both you and Harry know..."
"And George."
"Oh no."
"Hey, nothing wrong with it, Mia. But I guess today didn't go over well."
Hermione turned to look at him. "He wants me back, but I don't want to. I don't want any one right now, Ron. I want to take care of what is happening in my life."
Ron twirled a piece of her hair. "Understand completely. But when you do, don't forget him. He is head over heels for ya." He kissed her cheek and hoped up. His eyes made her think that eh was more likely saying not to forget Ron. "I should probably get to going, so you can write your sister back. Love ya Mia."
"Love ya too, Ron. Tell every one I said Hi."
"Oh, I will."
Ron walked out, and Hermione lay back onto the floor. She was trying to figure out what to tell her sister about Draco and the matching charm. 'Damn him.' She said, realizing that she did actually have to talk to him.
Hermione smiled. Shopping with Malfoy had gone off without a hitch. He ordered everything, from the four hundred candles to the 30 rolls of streamers. Hermione just smiled and pointed the way to the next shop. Once they were done with getting everything set to be delivered to Hogwarts, they sat down on a bench on the street. Malfoy looked at her, and couldn't help but imagine her in her costume. He shook his head, he couldn't see her in that.
Hermione stretched, standing up and reaching to the sky. "See ya later, Malfoy." She said, seeing not Harry and Ron, but the Weasley twins. "George! Fred!"
They ran up to her, one giving her a friendly squeeze and the other picking her up off her feet and swinging her around. 'Ah, the friend for lunch.' He said, and almost laughed. 'Why would she want a weasel? To match Potter no doubt.' He spat out in his mind, not noticing how much it sounded like jealousy. He heard her name spoke again, and sure enough, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lavender came running to them. Draco watched, kind of wondering what it would be like to have friends that greeted you like that every time they were apart. He was lucky to get Hellos from his friends...
'I am not jealous if them. They are low, and dirty.'
A little voice in his head, that sounded a lot like his mother, said, 'but they have the arms of each other to fall in, and you don't. They have the love of great friends, and most, the lover's heart to some one that will never forsake them. You, dear one, don't.'
'Shove off.' He said, and then realized he was speaking to himself. A high-pitched voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"OHHHHH DRAKIE!"
He groaned as she plopped on his lap. "Yes, pansy." He said, trying to keep cool.
"You didn't come see me this week, or last week. Why not?"
"Been busy."
"Oh." He kissed her hard, and then carried her into the inn behind him. He needed something to keep his mind of Granger and her friends.
Fred wrapped his arm around Hermione and every one walked into the joke shop. Having grown in business, they had four full time employees, and Fred and George loved to hang out. Fred whispered in Hermione's ear. "I have a surprise for you."
"What?"
Fred grabbed a basket by the door and waved by to every one, entwining his fingers into Hermione's. "Come on, I'll show you."
They walked out of town and unto a field. "Fred, what's going on?"
"I am taking you on a picnic." He said, finding a spot and laying the blanket down. The lake sat not too far off in front of them, and Hogwarts looked stunning as the sunlight on the water flashed onto it. They sat down, and Fred pulled out a bottle of wine. "I hope you like what I made."
She smiled, and looked into the basket. Fettuccini alfredo with chicken, silver goblets for the wine, and candles. "Fred, this is so sweet."
"Mom helped me some. She taught me how to make the food, and gave me some tips on picnics."
"Never the less, this is so sweet of you Fred. And the food smells great."
"I'm glad you like it." He pulled out the bowl and began filling a plat for her, and then for him self. He pulled the cork to the wine bottle and poured the white wine into the Goblets. "To great things." He said, raising his glass to hers. She smiled and touched his glass to hers; she then took a sip of the sweet liquid and sighed. She picked up her plate, and began eating it. If she thought the wine was perfect, the meal was a pure bit of heaven.
"Fred, this is so good. Thank you for this wonderful picnic, Fred. It's great to be able to relax."
"You work too hard, Mia."
"Well, some one has to." She smiled and Fred reached over and touched his hand.
"Mia. Can I tell you something?" Fred looked nervous.
"Of course."
"Mia... Hermione. I have liked you for a long time, and looking at you now, and sharing a moment like this with you is more than I could ever hope for. I know that when you can to my house this summer, you told me that you just wanted to be friends, and if that is the same now, then I will not pressure you, but I was wondering if your feelings had changed."
Hermione looked down at his hand. It felt good to her, and she had enjoyed their brief romance at the Beginning of the summer, but she knew that it would not work between them. She looked at him, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Fred... I can't. I love you, but not like that. You're too much like family to me now, and I never want anything to happen to that again. Ok?"
He looked down, wringing his napkin in his hands. "Who ever does get you, he will be one lucky fellow. If he hurts you, I will kill him with my bare hands."
"Fred..."
"There is some one in your mind, Hermione, whether you realize it or not. And I am ok with that." He reached into the basket, and pulled out something she hadn't seen. Two slices of Cheesecake. "This is from Mom, since my desserts are horrible. Let's finish up our food, and then head to town."
"Fred, you will find someone who will make you happier than I ever could."
"I'll keep telling myself that." He said, a bit of pain in his voice. They ate the rest of the food in silence, and then went back to town, still holding hands like friends.
Draco excused Pansy from his room, and looked out the window, shirtless. He saw Hermione and one of the Weasley twins sitting out on a blanket eating, very close to each other. 'Why the hells.... Do I care?!' He said, but he knew that she had him under a spell that had no counter curse. She trapped him with lust. 'Yeah, that is it. Lust for a hot women. Blood doesn't matter to hormones.' He reasoned, but something still nagged him, and he couldn't quite tell what it was.
Hermione made it through the day. Fred relieved George at the shop as soon as they got back, and she and George went out to find the others.
"What did that twit of a brother say to you to clam you up like this?"
"Please don't. I really don't feel like talking about it."
"Works for me. Just thought I should act concerned." He smiled and hugged her. Then he saw the other and they waved.
"I doubt Ron or Ginny will leave you alone if you don't start acting normal." He whispered as they walked over to them.
"Thanks." She mumbled and was greeted by and excited Ginny.
"You should see my costume. It is so perfect. At least, that is what Harry says." She smiled over to Harry, who was carrying her bags. Hermione smiled, and suggested that they all head back to Hogwarts. Lavender, Ginny and Harry complained, but Ron offered to go with her.
They said good-bye, and Ron and her walked into the "Floo Room" which was how people got in and out of Hogmeade. He grabbed Hermione's hand as she threw the powder and said, "Hogwart's Heads."
When they arrived, Sel Meig was waiting for them. Hermione grabbed the letter, and petted the owl on the head. Ron sat in her chair, and the rest had been filled with the deliveries. She smiled and plopped onto his lap.
"What in the...
"You took my chair, and all the others are filled up, so guess what... you're my chair."
"Very funny." He said, but he looked quite content with Ms. Granger sitting on his lap. He circled his arm around he waist as she ripped open the letter.
Dearest Mi,
I hope everything is well. I would like to inform you that I will be at Hogwarts sometime soon. I can't wait to see you. Please write me back.
Rini
"How did you luck out with a cool sister, and I ended up with the most annoying brothers and a little sister who won't get off my best friend?" Ron play whined.
Hermione poked him in the ribs. "Because I am special like that."
"Really?" He said, with sarcasm in his voice and one eyebrow raised. Suddenly, he was tickling her and she was squirming around on his lap. "You're special alright. Specially ticklish."
"Ron... stop... my side hurts! She gasped, laughing hard in between; they ended up on the floor, with Hermione on the counter Attack. They didn't notice some one come in by floo until Malfoy said... "Awe, isn't it cute. You go with all the Weasels, mudblood."
Hermione grabbed Ron's arm. "Better that spending time around you, ferret." She stood up, and Ron stood behind her, his arm protectively around her waist. She placed her hand over it and moved it out of the way.
"I doubt it." He looked at Ron. "She just runs through your family..."
"Shut it, ferret." Hermione spat. "You've been busy spying on me?? What, jealous that I would choice people with manners over people with money? Give me a break. Now, leave my dearest friend and me alone before I fire charm you into Madame Pomfrey's burn unit."
Draco glared at her, and she glared right back. "You'll pay for your spout out, Mudblood."
"Anytime, Draco. I'll be waiting." She spoke calmly as Draco walked to his room. When the door shut, she flopped on the floor with Ron beside her. She laid down next to Ron, and then they busted out laughing. She leaned his head on his shoulder.
"Mia, what did he mean by that?"
"You know I went on a picnic with Fred, Ron. And you saw George and I walking together. He probably thinks I have slept with them and you. And that is not the case."
"Except Fred." She looked at him. Ron shrugged. "We're brothers, and he asked me how to get you back. He didn't mean to blow up at Harry when he kissed your cheek. He feels very stupid. He asked mine and Harry's advice, and we asked him how far you two had gotten, so we would know what was, say, legal."
"Both you and Harry know..."
"And George."
"Oh no."
"Hey, nothing wrong with it, Mia. But I guess today didn't go over well."
Hermione turned to look at him. "He wants me back, but I don't want to. I don't want any one right now, Ron. I want to take care of what is happening in my life."
Ron twirled a piece of her hair. "Understand completely. But when you do, don't forget him. He is head over heels for ya." He kissed her cheek and hoped up. His eyes made her think that eh was more likely saying not to forget Ron. "I should probably get to going, so you can write your sister back. Love ya Mia."
"Love ya too, Ron. Tell every one I said Hi."
"Oh, I will."
Ron walked out, and Hermione lay back onto the floor. She was trying to figure out what to tell her sister about Draco and the matching charm. 'Damn him.' She said, realizing that she did actually have to talk to him.