(A/N: I know this is going slow…but I'm kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place and I'm trying to go somewhere with this story, but I keep getting side tracked. Heeheehee…yeah, I have a short attention span. Anyway—read on and let me know if you like or dislike! Thank you so very much!)
Fred pulled his cloak off and laid it down on the bed next to her. She squeezed his hand as he reached across her bed to the wooden table where a box of tissues sat. He plucked one from the box and handed it to her; she accepted it and dried her eyes and nose, then balled it up and stuffed it under her pillow. Fred smiled at her, his boyish grin, and brushed a piece of hair from her face.
"You're home…" She muttered.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired, hungry, horribly sore and frog-throated, but I'm perfectly fine. How are you? Are you alright?" She reached for him, and he leaned forward so she could explore his body; his chest, arms, and face, feeling for injuries or scars.
"I'm fine Hermione," He said, laughing, and leaning closer to her, brushing his lips softly against hers. When he started to pull away, she pulled him back, pressing her mouth against his with longing and desire. He pulled away a second time, and Hermione blushed, shocked at her own boldness. Fred smiled down at her and her embarrassment. "I missed you too." He joked, and she calmed down a little bit. He held her hand and let her look at him for a few minutes.
"You look wonderful." She whispered as Fred ran his thumb along her palm.
"I'd say the same for you, but right now you just look weak and tired." He grinned. "I'm going to go get Madam Pomfrey and get her to bring you some soup, then I want you to go back to sleep, understand?"
"But Fred…"
"I want you well as soon as possible. I have plans for us two." He winked at her, then kissed her on the forehead and stood up, grabbing up his cloak and walking out the door. Madam Pomfrey bustled in wearing her nightdress, bearing a tray of hot soup and crackers.
"Ah, Miss Granger…Mr. Weasley told me you were awake and hungry. Here's something to eat for you. Quite an amazing boy you have there…waited for you for four days and three nights, he did."
"He what?"
"He stayed in the wing with you, slept behind that screen over there—" She pointed at a screen stretched across the back of the room. "—Never came out to speak with your friends. I asked him why, but he said he wanted you to be the first to see him when he came back from his journey, not your friends. He said it would mean a lot to you." And with Madam Pomfrey's last words, Hermione's eyes filled with tears again.
"Oh now dear, don't cry…he's a good man. And he is a man now… not the silly schoolboy I remember from a few years back. He's grown up, and you have too…you two are well suited to each other." Madam Pomfrey said, then waited as Hermione finished her soup. When Hermione was done, she let Madam Pomfrey pop some pills into her mouth and then layed back in the bed.
"How much longer until I can leave?" She asked sleepily. Madam Pomfrey chuckled and shook her head. Madam Pomfrey chuckled and shook her head.
"Well suited in deed…." She muttered as she left.
A week later, Hermione was being helped out of the hospital wing by Fred and all of her friends. That week, Fred had stayed with her every night and sat with her every day. He'd gone to see Harry and the rest for a little while each day, but the majority of his time was spent with Hermione. Now, as he carried one of her bags in one hand and was supporting Hermione with his other, he couldn't be happier. She was better. They'd made it about half way up to Gryffindor Tower before Fred groaned.
"This is taking too long." Before they knew it, he'd handed Hermione's bag to Ginny and swooped Hermione up into his arms. She wiggled her feet and squealed,
"Let me go!" But Fred held firm. She finally relaxed a little bit when Fred kissed her lightly on the lips. She stared into his eyes, thinking about what Madam Pomfrey kept saying about him being a good man. He smiled at her, and she smiled back before kissing him again.
"Excuse me—" Ron snapped in their direction, "Can we go on now? I'd rather not see you two's 'joyful' reunion."
"Fine Ronnykins, let's move on!" Fred said loudly. He winked at Hermione, who he still carried in his arms, as the group hurried forward to Gryffindor tower.
Hermione snuck up the boys stairs late one night, past Ron and Harry's beds, and down the aisle towards where Fred was snoring softly. She kneeled by his bed and laid her hand on his arm. He jumped slightly, but when he opened his eyes and rolled over, he smiled.
"Hello." He whispered.
"Hi. Um…Can you" She looked at the ground, obviously uncomfortable. Fred, as though knowing she needed to talk, swung his legs over the side of the bed, threw on his robe, and led her down the stairs. When she was situated on a couch in the common room, close to him, he finally asked.
"Now, what is it?" He asked patiently. Hermione scooted closer to him as she told him about her exchange with Ron, the one that led to her stay in the hospital wing. Fred was shocked; pure and simple. He stared at her with his mouth open as the fire crackled in the background.
"I—I don't know why I told you…I thought you might need to know." She said, watching as Fred's face grew red from anger and frustration.
"My own brother— I can't believe this…"
"Don't be angry, he doesn't—I don't think he's adjusted to me not being there yet." Hermione took his hands in hers and sighed, leaning forward and putting her head on his chest.
"Not being there?"
"Uh-huh…I haven't exactly been there—you know, available for him if he ever needs a girlfriend. Ron's always had some strange theory that I'd always be single and need him—which I obviously don't. He just needs to get used to the idea. I mean—I didn't tell you so you would go and beat him up or be angry with him…I just wanted you to know so that you'd partly understand why he's being somewhat—well—cold." Fred looked at her for a minute. Then he sighed.
"Come here Hermione." She laid down, resting her head on his chest and letting his arms go around her. He kissed the top of her head and whispered in her ear. "Don't worry, everything will be fine." He kissed her again, and waited for her to fall asleep.
