"Hermione!"
"Coming!" Hermione called down to Fred from the stairs. She disappeared back into her bedroom for a few moments and came back down levitating her bags. She rested them inside the fireplace. Fred promptly threw some floo powder onto the luggage and sent them off to their destination.
"Lady's first," Fred said gesturing to the fireplace and bowing mockingly.
"Oh thank you kind sir," Hermione smiled, curtsying. Fred grinned and handed her the powder. She stepped swiftly into the fireplace and spoke clearly "The Burrow".
The next minute she appeared in the Weasley's fireplace and before she knew it, Mrs. Weasley had picked her up in a big bear hug. Fred appeared a moment later and got the same greeting.
"Hermione, how are you dear?" Molly asked enthusiastically.
"I'm fine Mrs. Weasley," Hermione replied warmly.
"Well, you had better get yourself settled. You'll be sleeping in Ginny's room since she is at Hogwarts," Molly said brightly.
Hermione wondered how Ginny was going at Hogwarts. She still had to complete her final year. Ginny had stayed on at Hogwarts, when she, Harry and Ron had left to defeat Voldemort. Now that Voldemort was dead, she didn't have to worry.
Hermione levitated her bags up the stairs towards Ginny's room. It was just as she had remembered it. She placed her bags on the end of the bed and looked around. She scanned the room and stopped when she saw a photo next to her. It was her, Ginny, Ron and Harry right after Harry's quidditch match. Those memories were special to her and she would never forget them.
She sensed someone in the room with her. She quickly put the photo back and glanced towards the door. Fred was leaning against the door staring at her.
"Sorry. I should have knocked." Fred apologized hurriedly, beginning to turn around.
"It's okay Fred," Hermione murmured softly, "want to sit down?"
Fred smiled sheepishly as he walked over and sat on the bed next to Hermione. They sat next to each other in silence looking around the room shyly.
"George is coming back home in a week," Fred said after a while.
"That's great," Hermione said sincerely, then added cheekily, "You'll have your practical joke partner back again." They both laughed heartily.
"How is work?" Hermione asked.
"The joke shop has been going great," Fred replied excitedly, "We've had heaps of customers. We are currently working on a new product."
"It's not something you're going to test on me while I'm here is it?" Hermione asked warily.
"No," Fred chuckled, "I wouldn't do that to you." Hermione looked up into his eyes. They were darker than usual. She felt as if she was hypnotized by him.
Fred sensed the awkward moment and quickly added, "I'll just test it out on Ron when he gets back from London later tonight."
Hermione slapped him on the arm playfully. They talked for hours, until Mrs. Weasley finally called them downstairs.
She led them outside towards Mr. Weasley's flying car. Out stepped Harry and Ron. Hermione squealed and gave them both hugs. Then they all walked towards the house talking excitedly about their summer.
After dinner, Ron and Harry played several games of exploding snap, while Hermione was resting on the couch reading a book. Fred went into the next room. Harry and Ron looked on curiously. Fred came back out with some chocolates. He sat them on the table and said, "Present from Bill and Fleur."
"Aren't you going to have some?" Harry asked him, trying to worm out any kind of plot Fred had going on.
"I already did and plus, I am full from dinner," Fred replied.
Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged. They had recalled Fred stuffing himself full of food and Hermione looking on in a disgusted manner. They opened the box and there were indeed many chocolates that were missing. They both picked up a chocolate each and ate one.
"Harry? I think you should look in the mirror." Ron squeaked.
"You should too Ron," Harry replied nervously.
Hermione looked up from her book to see what was going on. She laughed so hard, she practically choked on her own saliva. Their faces had turned purple with red spots and their hair had gone a bright pink colour.
"FRED!" Ron and Harry screamed towards the door Fred had disappeared behind. Fred appeared a moment later with a huge grin on his face trying fight down his laughter.
"Don't worry, it will wear off in a couple of hours," Fred laughed. Meanwhile, Hermione was still laughing and fell off her chair. She was still laughing about it for the rest of the night until Mrs. Weasley came in and yelled at Fred. He then retreated out the door and sat in the garden waiting for her to calm down.