I am so sorry I haven't updated sooner. I know your all waiting so I made this chapter longer then normal as a gift to all my faithful readers.
By the way, Goblet of Fire is my favorite movie of all time!
Disclaimer: same as always…not mine
Chapter 7
Hermione walked along the hall to Ginny's room, intent on borrowing her friend's copy of In Flight Magazine to read out in the garden. She and Ginny had been sitting out there, discussing the upcoming Quidditch cup with Ginny, George, Bill, and Charlie when they had come to a disagreement on something, and Ginny wished to check it in the magazine. She was almost to Ginny's room when someone covered her mouth and pulled her into a closet, slamming the door behind them. She spun around to face her captor, and looked up into the handsome face of Fred Weasley.
"Dear Merlin, Fred," she admonished. "You scared me half to death."
"Sorry Mione," he said, not looking it. Hermione playfully slapped him on the arm, before frowning.
"Where are we anyway?" she asked. "I don't remember you having a closet in this hall. There's not even anything in it."
"I decided to test out one of the inventions George and I came up with," he answered grinning. "Mischief Marbles: 'life savers for mischief makers." That's what it's going to say on the box anyway."
"And what might I ask are these?" she asked him.
"It's a marble. You throw it against a wall, and you get a convenient cupboard to hide in, to do what ever you like."
"Whatever you like," she said looking at him. "And what might you like to do, Mr. Weasley?"
"I've got a few ideas," he said before swooping down, and capturing her mouth with his. She grinned into his mouth as her hands found their way into his hair.
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Half an hour later a very flushed Hermione and a grinning Fred emerged from the closet, which promptly disappeared. "Excellent," said Fred happily. "Would you tell George it works then, Mione? I've got to go clean up the lab."
Hermione huffed, and stomped off to Ginny's room to fetch the magazine, all the while knowing that she could never be mad at Fred. She blushed just thinking about their most recent snogging session, and found herself thinking that perhaps she should buy some for herself. She found what she was looking for and quickly made her way back outside, knowing that Ginny would be suspicious now. The littlest Weasley was extremely observant.
Sure enough, when Hermione walked out into the garden, everyone's heads turned to her.
"What kept you, Hermione?" asked Bill as she approached.
"Fred," said Hermione, hoping to sound annoyed, and trying to ignore George and Ginny's snickering behind her. She handed Bill the magazine.
"Fred kept you a half an hour?" asked Charlie doubtfully. Now Ginny and George were both trying unsuccessfully to stifle their laughter. Hermione hoped to Merlin that Bill and Charlie didn't notice.
"Yes, he decided to test a new invention on me," said, trying again to sound annoyed by it. Then she turned to George. "By the way, he told me to tell you that they work brilliantly."
George had just barely managed to turn his laughter into a hacking cough, but at Hermione's statement he fell to the ground laughing.
"Excellent!" he managed. "We'll have to get right on making more."
Ginny looked curious. She had obviously thought Hermione was just trying to find a reasonable cover up for her time with Fred. "What were they?" she asked.
"Completely foolish," she huffed. "I don't know where you two come up with this stuff."
George started sniggering again, and Ginny still looked curious, but dropped the subject.
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Later that evening, Hermione and Ginny were packing up their things that they would need for the Quidditch world cup the next day. They were discussing all the possibilities for entertainment on the nights before the world cup. As it turned out, there would be quite a few people staying with them. Due to the events taking place at the last Quidditch Cup held by England, extra security measures had been put into place. Rather than bringing their own tents, there were to be cabins set up for each camp site, ministry approved to repel dark magic, holding as many people as they would like.
Their cabin would include the females of the Weasley party; Fleur, Tonks, Hermione, Katie, Ginny, Alicia, and Angelina. Lavender and Parvati, whom Ginny and Hermione had gotten closer with over the last year, would also be staying with them. The boys would have an equal amount of people. Their roster included Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, Harry, Lee Jordan, and Oliver Wood. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would have a small cabin all to themselves.
The next morning, they were able to wake up later than they had to the last time they had been to one of these events, as nearly everyone could apparate. Ron, Harry, and Ginny were the only ones who still hadn't taken their test yet. The entire Weasley party had to apparate in shifts, and after a large breakfast courtesy of Molly Weasley, they all began their apparition, Ginny, Ron, and Harry traveling side-along with Mr. or Mrs. Weasley, the entire party had arrived at the campsite by noon time.
Unlike the last time, this time, as the cup was being held in a different part of the country, the Ministry had managed to secure a campsite run by a family of squibs, and the family was willing to reserve the site for the two weeks only for Wizards. The ministry decided this would be the best way to avoid the muggle problems encountered at the last match. The fact that the Death Eaters were now out and about however, remained a problem thus the reason for the increased security.
As Hermione followed Mrs. Weasley to the two cabins reserved by the Weasley family, she began to see some of the others from Hogwarts, and even some students she had recognized from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang whom she had met at the Triwizard Tournament. She suddenly had a moment of panic as she remembered who was playing in the match.
Bulgaria was in it again, and as far as she knew, Krum was still the seeker. She thought of Ron out of instinct, and suffered only a moment of panic however, as she suddenly realized that she didn't care what Ron thought of him anymore, and she remembered how Fred had said he wouldn't have minded. She suddenly couldn't keep the grin off her face as she thought of how wonderful Fred had been to her this summer. She knew she was one lucky witch.
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As they reached the campsite, she immediately searched for Fred, and she found him sitting with George while being scolded by an irate Percy who was sporting electric blue ears. She caught Fred's eye and he gave her a guilty look. She rolled her eyes, and turned to the girls' cabin, and followed Ginny inside.
"I couldn't help but notice you were scoping out my dear brother, Miss Granger," said Ginny in a diplomatic voice. Hermione blushed and threw a pillow at her friend.
"Oof!" cried Hermione as the pillow returned full force. Ginny snickered.
As the girls were putting their things away, Hermione noticed the significant number of extra beds in the room.
"Ginny, why are there so many beds in here?" she asked puzzled. "There's only going to be 9 of us in here."
"Au contraire, my good friend," said Ginny. "Not only will we be with Phlegm, Tonks, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Parvati and Lavender. I also saw Parvati and Lavender with Parvati's twin from Ravenclaw, and Luna Lovegood. I invited them to hang out with us tonight, as they were forced to sit with Parvati's younger brothers, and I know how that can be, having six annoying brothers myself. No offense of course seeing as how you dated two of them."
Hermione rolled her eyes, as Ginny smirked at her.
"So basically it will be a right old party in here tonight," stated Hermione. It upset her as she probably wouldn't be able to see Fred now.
"Yup," replied Ginny. And then seeming to read Hermione's thoughts, her red haired friend continued, "Which means you'll have to see Fred before hand, seeing as he'll be having his own party tonight in the boys' cabin. Lee and Oliver were invited since Lee is commenting on the match and got us tickets, while Oliver is apparently dating Angelina."
"And just how do you suggest I go about seeing him, as your whole family is out there?" asked Hermione. "That wouldn't look weird at all."
Ginny rolled her eyes at the sarcasm. Just then the girls heard the chatter of the three former Gryffindor chasers as they entered the cabin. "Hey ladies," said Ginny.
"Hey Gin," replied Katie. "What's with the look on your face Hermione?"
Ginny opened her mouth to make an excuse for her friend, but Hermione cut her off. "I wanted to see Fred today since it's getting harder to get some alone time, and I won't see him at all tonight."
Ginny's eyes widened, and she looked at Hermione in shock. Hermione was puzzled at this for a moment before she realized that she had forgotten to tell Ginny about the encounter at the club. She quickly recounted the story for her friend, with input from the three older girls.
"Not to worry, Hermione," said Alicia when they were finished. "We can help you with your little problem."
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The girls were sitting around the picnic table outside the cabins while Fred and George were now being scolded by an irate Mrs. Weasley while she was attempting to change the color of Percy's ears to their natural color. Angelina gave a wicked grin to rival that of either of the twins, and started forward.
"My, I'm rather thirsty," said Alicia, as she followed Angelina out of the tent.
"Oh my, we did forget to get water, didn't we?" said Molly Weasley looking around. She seemed to be just about finished with the twins. "Would you three be dears and go fetch some water. There's a map over there." Mrs. Weasley pointed vaguely in the direction of the picnic table, where upon closer inspection Harry found a map laying on the bench.
"Let's go then," said Harry, looking uncomfortable about being left with Ron and Hermione. The trio started walking, and just before they were out of earshot, Hermione heard Angelina ask Fred to talk for a moment. She wondered how this was going to work out, since she was walking with Harry and Ron, but decided to trust Angelina. She had, after all, dated Fred Weasley for a year.
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"You better consider yourself lucky you have me around Fred," said Angelina as she and Fred approached the water well. Fred looked puzzled, and when he saw Hermione with Ron and Harry, his face broke out in a grin.
"Thanks Angelina," he said truthfully. "You're amazing."
"I know," she said to him grinning. They approached the trio, and Harry was the first to see them. Fred thought he looked rather uncomfortable there, while Ron and Hermione had placed him in the middle, and were standing about five feet to either side of him.
"Hey guys," said Angelina cheerfully. She gave everyone a wave, and when the boys had turned, she gave Hermione a wink before proceeding. Fred raised his eyebrows.
Angelina asked Harry and Ron how the Quidditch team had been doing since she had left the school. Harry started eagerly describing what had gone on the past year, while Ron participated only half heartedly, shooting Hermione glances when he thought no one was looking. After nearly ten minutes of listening to Angelina and Harry talk, and wanting to have some time alone with his girlfriend, Fred turned to Ron.
"Ron, Angelina was just saying how she rather feels the Chudley Cannons are positively awful this year." Fred looked at Ron start to get interested in the conversation, and continued for good measure, "She feels that Puddlemere United got an easy time of it in their match last week."
"Please," said Ron turning to Angelina, and following her, as she was beginning to walk away shooting glares over Ron and Harry's heads. "You're just saying that because Wood is on the team. You haven't got any way to back that up."
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Once the voices were out of range, Fred and Hermione took off on a walk of their own. Fred grabbed her hand, and was leading her further away from the campsite. Finally they reached a small grove, enclosed in trees. Fred stopped and pulled Hermione to him.
"Alone at last," said Fred grinning wolfishly. Then Hermione felt their bodies touch, and his touch sent shivers up her spine. She leaned into him, and was swept away at the intensity of his kiss. She felt her arms wrap themselves around hid neck as one of his hands rested on her back, while his free hand made its way into her hair.
"Good to see you," Fred murmured into her hair after they had been forced to part for lack of air.
"And you George," said Hermione with a sly grin.
"Hey!" cried Fred indigently. "I'll have you know that George doesn't snog half as well as me."
"You've snogged him often then?" asked Hermione with a grin stepping back to look at him. At the look on Fred's face she doubled over laughing. Fred pouted.
"Fine then," he said huffing. He plopped himself down on a log in the clearing. She smiled, and sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. She liked the feeling of warmth she got whenever they touched. "I knew you couldn't stay away from me for long Granger."
"That's what you think," she retorted smiling into his shoulder. She knew that what he had said was very much true.
"Alright then," he said grinning down at her. "Then why, I ask you, did you ask Angelina's help in getting some alone time with the most devilishly handsome Weasley you have ever set eyes on?"
"Oh, so I'll be getting some alone time with Charlie then?" she asked smirking at him.
He huffed at her. "You know, I must be rubbing off on you, Mione," he said looking down at her. "It was a very Weasley twinish plan, I have to say. My compliments."
"Well, seeing as I am your current girlfriend, and Angelina is your former girlfriend, we were able to put our heads together, and somehow work it out." She looked at him, and saw an odd expression appear in his eyes. "Fred, are you alright?"
"Of course I am, Mione." He looked at her once more. "You're my girlfriend. What more could I ask for?" Hermione felt her stomach do back flips, and she looked up at him just in time to see his smile before his lips crashed down on hers once more.
Some time later, after they were both snogged senseless, they settled down, and Hermione made herself comfortable once more in Fred's arms. He was stroking her arms, and she couldn't bring herself to leave, even though she knew they had been gone a long time, and the others, particularly Harry and Ron would be looking for her soon. It took all of her willpower to finally groan and stand up. He looked up at her.
"We've got to get going soon Fred, or Harry and Ron will eventually remember that they left me with you and that could lead to some awkward questions."
"Yeah, I suppose," he said dejectedly. "George and I need to get ready for the party with the guys tonight anyways."
She watched him as he lifted himself off the ground, and brushed the dirt off his robes, getting the mischievous glint in his eye that only meant that there would be numerous pranks pulled tonight.
"I hope you'll be confining your pranks to your own cabin?" she asked him with her best McGonagall face on.
"Well, you see," he began with a grin, "I don't know exactly how it will work out just yet so I can't promise anything. It often happens in the heat of the moment that one will decide it would be amusing to hang all the female's underwear from a tree somewhere, or something of the like."
She fixed him with a stern look, eyes wide with shock. He merely grinned at her, and she couldn't keep the smile off her lips. His spontaneous nature was one of the things she liked most about him after all.
"Fine, fine," she said, rolling her eyes at him, making a mental note to tell the girls to keep their underwear in sight at all times. "I trust you won't say anything about us in front of Ron though?"
Fred looked at her, scandalized. "How can you make such a request? I was looking forward to having a few of my more special…body parts ripped off by my angry lovesick younger brother in front of a bunch of other guys. You sure know how to ruin my fun, Mione."
She rolled her eyes, and failed to suppress a grin at his antics. "Thank you."
"But just to be fair," he added, "You can't talk about us in your tent either, even though most of them already know."
"Fine then," she said as he grabbed her hand, and they began to walk. "I think I'll rather like having a mystery man anyways. I'll be hero worshiped."
"Damn," he said, turning to look at her. "I'm defiantly having an affect on you. Next thing we know, you'll be sneaking out of the castle and exploring Hogsmeade every night!"
"Did you really?" she asked.
"Well, we weren't in Hogsmeade every night," he replied. "Some nights we were just in the kitchens."
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Hermione and Fred had made it back to the campsite and into their cabins undetected, though when they emerged just in time for dinner, they got some knowing looks from the people who happened to be in the know regarding their relationship; including Ginny, George, Lee, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie, who was currently eating hand in hand with George.
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Three hours later found the Weasley party and their newly arrived guests separating into their appropriate tents for the night. Molly Weasley saw everyone present into their assigned cabins, before retiring herself. In the girls cabin was Ginny, Hermione, Lavender, Parvati, Padma, Luna, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Fleur, and Tonks.
Once alone in their cabin, the girls quickly changed into their pajamas and pulled up some blankets, preparing for the long night of girl talk ahead. Hermione remembered to tell everyone that she had it under good authority that their underwear might be stolen, and the girls quickly placed only their sexiest lingerie into a drawer where Hermione placed her best locking charm, one which only she could open.
"You know, Fleur," began Lavender, still in awe of the French veela, "I rather think if those were my panties I wouldn't mind advertising them a bit."
"Yes, I was rather curious as to why you have them in the first place," added Alica grinning.
"I got zem as a gag geeft from one of my friends, but Bill as taken a liking to zem," she said with a blush. Her comment was followed by a round of squeals, and thus begun the evening of girl talk.
So Fleur," asked Tonks. "How exactly is Bill?"
"Ow iz bill what?" asked Fleur, though it was obvious she knew exactly what the question meant.
"You know, snogging, shagging, the works?" said Tonks, unabashedly.
"Seemply amazing," grinned Fleur, a flush creeping up her cheeks. Then she looked at Tonks curiously. "Why do you ask?"
"Well I just wanted to know if Charlie was the only Weasley who had those qualities, but I see he must get it from Bill." Tonks grinned as the shocked room looked at her, and started firing questions at her. This bit of news was a surprise to everyone. Even Ginny had a mildly interested look on her face, showing the girls that she was making an effort, and had come fully prepared knowing that half the girls present were either dating, or had dated one of her brothers.
"Well, we met each other again in Romania-" she began, but was interrupted by Parvati.
"What do you mean 'again'?"
"We dated for two years in school; we were in the same year."
"Why did I not know about this?" mused Ginny. Tonks eyed her as though waiting for something. Suddenly her eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "Oh that's so cute!"
Everyone aside from Tonks was giving Ginny looks that clearly stated 'explain yourself.' Ginny paid them no mind.
"Dora," she whispered, and Tonks nodded. "Wow, I never made that connection before." She turned to the rest of the group, now extremely puzzled. "Charlie used to constantly come home talking about his girlfriend Dora. I never guessed that he'd meant Tonks." At the confused looks of some, Tonks elaborated on Ginny's revelation.
"It's his pet name for me, which he got from my first name, Nymphadora." Tonks made a face.
"That's a lovely name," said Luna dreamily.
The girls talked for another hour abut their boyfriends, the discovery of Harry and Ginny at Harry's party, Alicia and Lee, George and Katie, and finally Hermione's mystery man. Hermione found she rather liked all the positive attention she was receiving, especially from Parvati, Lavender, and Padma, her peers, who were eyeing her with a whole knew level of respect now that they had found out Mystery Man was older, an excellent snog, and apparently devilishly handsome. Next they started makeovers after Hermione flat out refused to give the identity of her Mystery Man.
Ginny pulled out her In Flight Magazine, and the conversation turned from who had the most erotic underwear, in which Tonks revealed some of her more scandalous garments, she had been tied with Fleur, and Padma, to the hottest males in Quidditch.
"I definitely think England's seeker, Terry Mugman, is the hottest male in Quidditch," said Ginny. Lavender agreed with this statement immediately.
"Well, I think that Yolenov, the Russian beater looks like he could be a wicked snog," said Katie grinning. "Not that I don't appreciate George of course," she added with a wicked grin. Fleur was quick to agree with her.
"Well, if it's snogging abilities you want, why don't we ask our resident experts?" asked Ginny with a wicked grin in Hermione and Angelina's direction. Ginny continued in her best impression of a dramatic announcer, "Ladies, here with us tonight we have been graced with the presence of none other than the current girlfriend of Puddlemere keeper, Oliver Wood." Ginny gestures to Angelina, who blushed as everyone looked at her, some in surprise. Ginny continued, "And the ex girlfriend of the world famous, and might I add, the world's best seeker, Viktor Krum of Bulgaria!" Ginny finished off her speech dramatically, and everyone's heads swerved to Hermione.
The questions began at once. "Its true then?" asked Tonks with wide eyes. "You really dated Krum?"
"He's the best in the world you know," added Luna.
"Yes, Viktor and I dated for nearly a year, during the Triwizard Tournament," replied Hermione with a blush, sending Ginny a glare.
"Oh yes," said Fleur. "I remember zat now. You went with him to zee Yule Ball zat year."
"So it's Viktor is it?" asked Parvati slyly.
"So?" asked Katie before Hermione had a chance to elaborate. "How is he-snogging I mean."
This question was followed by giggles, and Hermione found every eye in the room on her, awaiting her answer. Hermione thought about it for a moment.
"Well," she began truthfully, with a small grin on her lips. "I think it's safe to say that the snogging was most definitely not the reason why the relationship ended." Another round of squeals ensued.
Hermione grinned; her cheeks flushed, and looked around for a way to divert the attention from herself. Her eyes rested on Angelina. "Well, now that I've answered, I think it's time we hear about our dear Puddlemere keeper don't you think?"
Angie shot her a mock glare before fixing her eyes on the girls now focused on her.
"Well how is he, Ang?" asked Alicia grinning.
"Yes, do tell," added Padma Patil. "Heaven knows he's no eyesore." Giggles followed.
"I'd say he's fairly well accomplished in the art of snogging," said Katie, with a grin, as Alicia nodded her head. "Judging by the look on Angie's face after she comes home from a date with him."
Katie had to duck as a blushing Angie sent a pillow flying at her friend's head, before turning to the group and stating that she'd have to agree with Katie. Suddenly Fleur was hit in the face with another pillow, this time thrown by Katie, attempting to hit Angelina to the left of the Veela. Fleur grinned and sent a pillow flying back only to have it hit Lavender, who in turn threw a pillow hitting Luna. Soon an all out pillow war had begun, and in the midst of all the chaos, no one noticed the extendable arm, cousin of the extendable ear, reach through a window and leave again with 11 pairs of undergarments.
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Well I am sooooo sorry for the delay, but book 6 threw me off, with the ending and all, then I hit a major writer's block, but I apologize and thank everyone who kept with me, and bothered to continue reading.
Reviews are good for the soul!
Padfootedmoony