Hello again dear chums. I am blown away by the reviews so far. They've outnumbered both of my other stories combined, that the site didn't take down. grumbles More reviews mean faster updates!
Thanks a bunch!
P.S. Sorry if it takes a bit of time to update sometimes. I mostly write this during History and Religion class, and I haven't been able to attend school recently because I had to get knee surgery last week. You would think my creativity would be running rampant because I've been at home doing nothing all week, but that is the opposite of the truth. So, here we go!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me. Vague, isn't it?
Chapter Three: The Encounter in the Library
The next week passed slowly for Hermione. She threw herself into her schoolwork and constantly buried herself in the library to avoid reality. She knew in the back of her mind that she was really trying to avoid Ron, but she pushed that thought out of her head. Nonetheless, thoughts and worries about her relationship with Ron kept bugging her.
Exams came and went, with Hermione easily acing each of them. The night of the last exams, Gryffindor always threw a big party. Hermione always had hated these parties, spending most of the time cooped up in her favorite chair with a book, or up in her room sleeping. This year she decided to go to the library and see if any new books had arrived. This was very unlikely, because the last time she had checked for new books was the previous day.
It was easy for her to make her way out of the common room. The noise was so loud and Harry and Ron were off chatting with Fred and George, probably about the upcoming trip to the Burrow for the holidays. Hermione was dreading this trip. Every year she and Harry were both invited to the Weasley household for the Holidays, but Hermione had never been able to go. This year though, her parents were off in America, going to some sort of conference on dentistry. They agreed, relieved that they didn't have to take Hermione with them on a business trip, probably not realizing that she was going to her boyfriend's house.
When she got to the library, Madam Pince was just leaving. She gave Hermione a look and then thought for a minute. Hermione didn't have to say anything. Hermione and Madam Pince had a very good relationship, which usually did not require words. The librarian handed the girl the keys and said, "Lock up when you leave." With that, Hermione hurried into the library.
She perused the book section, looking for something to occupy her time and keep her mind away from Ron. She had been able to successfully avoid him since that night in the bedroom a week ago. She had convinced herself that the only reason she was avoiding him is because she needed space, and needed to think a little bit.
After she picked a suitable book, she went over to her usual table and sat facing the wall. She was so engrossed in her book, that she didn't notice the door to the library quietly open. She screamed when that someone put a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax, Hermione," a familiar voice said.
"Fred," she said, breathlessly, "You scared me half to death."
"I gathered that," he grinned and slid into the seat across from her.
"So why are you here?" they both asked at the same time.
Fred chuckled and said, "Ladies first."
Hermione shut her book, not bothering to leave a bookmark. "I came because I wanted to read."
Fred looked at her for a moment and said, "You aren't here to avoid Ron?"
"It's really none of your business. Why are you here?" Hermione said.
"Why isn't it any of my business?" Fred asked, completely ignoring her question.
"Because it's not," Hermione said.
"Well that's believable. Hermione, I'm worried about you. I don't think Ron is the right person for you," Fred said, sincerely looking worried.
"Well that isn't really for you to decide, is it?" Hermione said, getting up to put her book away.
Hermione didn't hear Fred follow her to the shelf where her book was. She was startled to see him standing there when she turned around.
"I think it is Hermione," he said.
"Why do you even care who I'm with? Just because I might be having difficulty in my relationship right now doesn't mean that I don't love him."
"Do you love him?" Fred asked.
Hermione was silent and turned back to the shelf.
"Hermione, he doesn't deserve you," Fred said in almost a whisper.
"Now why would you say something like that?" she said on the verge of tears.
"Because he doesn't," Fred said, his voice full of sympathy.
"I think you're wrong," Hermione said.
Fred turned her to face him and before she knew what was happening, they were kissing. The kiss itself was magical, absolutely amazing. He was soft and sensual with his kiss. He kissed only with his lips, which was different with Ron. Ron and Hermione's first kiss had been with tongue. Thinking about the difference between the two, she finally realized that she was indeed kissing her boyfriend's older brother. She broke away and ran out of the library, leaving Fred standing in the library alone. And she realized he never explained why he was there in the first place.
