Disclaimer: Why didn't I think of them first? Damn…they're not mine…

Chapter Sixteen

The reality of it all comes down to this…

We sat there like that for the longest time. He never once spoke to me but every now and then he would squeeze my hand or brush his knees against mine. I guess even if we are fighting we still had to maintain that connection of the physical form so that our link could get stronger. I did not understand all this and how was it possible that our souls had already found their way to each other? Also the fact that it had bind us with one another to the point of no return.

"I would like to make a toast." Bill stood up raising his glass. "To Charlie, I hope that now you will learn to appreciate life more seeing you'll be married soon and can't get killed by a dragon."

"I've always appreciate life. But I thank you to shut up about my job." Charlie raised his glass and everyone cheered.

"To My two chaotic twin brothers, congratulations you two on your successful shop and your ever expanding business. You had a dream and you've reached it. I'm always afraid that one day you'll be too smart for your own good and end up with nothing." Bill laughed.

"What the bloody hell kind of speech was that." Fred said slowly lowering his glass.

"Merlin, Ron could probably come up with something better than that." George added in which got him a scowling look from Ron.

"I'm not done, what I meant to say was I'm proud of you two." Bill continued.

"That's a bit late isn't it seeing as you assumed we're going to fail." George responded shaking his head.

"Okay carrying on. Oh Ron my little baby brother. I just wanted to say you owe me money and I'm going to be collecting it soon." Bill grinned but was hit in his handsome face with the pumpkin pie that Ron had chucked.

"RONALD WEASLEY. HOW DARE YOU?" Mrs. Weasley stood up placing her hand on her hips.

"He deserved it mum." Ron said in a low tone, grinding his teeth to stop him from using words that would get him murdered by Mrs. Weasley. I looked over to see that Fleur was cleaning Bill's face with a cloth and kissing his cheeks.

"It's all right mum, no harm done." Just then Bill looked over to me. "Sweet Hermione I'm sorry that you're the one who ended up marrying Fred. I wish you all the luck in the world." I smiled but Fred had jumped up from the table and was going towards him but George got in his way taking a hold of him, trying to calm him down.

"He's just a git." George said shooting Bill an annoyed look.

"Bill I think you should sit down and let your father finish the toast." Mrs. Weasley sat down smiling warmly at her son. Bill nodding sat back down on his chair.

"Ginny and Harry congratulations, seeing as you two are the only ones who had the chances to love and know each other before the law was passed and by fate have the chance to remain together forever." Mr. Weasley raised his glass to them. They returned the gesture.

"Thanks dad." Ginny smiled.

"Thank you Mr. Weasley." Harry said as well.

"As for Hermione, Lavender, Katie and Alicia we want to welcome you into our family and hope that you will keep these four in order." He raised his glass to the four of us and we did the same. I never realized that Fred's hand was absence from mine until I reached for a napkin with that hand. He was now once again on the other side of the table whispering something into Mrs. Weasley's ear. When she nodded he left. Where was he going? He was so odd. That was the biggest family meal I had ever been apart of. When it came time to clear the table all the girls stepped into the role of house wives so naturally.

"I think it be good if we went out and played some quidditch." Ron said to Harry as he stood up to stretch.

"I like your idea Ron." Harry spoke.

"Bill? Charlie? George are you guys in?" They asked the other three redheads. Nodding they all stood up.

"A bit dark outside isn't it?" Alicia asked.

"That's never stopped us before." Charlie grinned at her.

"We suspect that you ladies will be joining us shortly?" Bill asked.

"No." Me and Lavender said shaking our heads. "We'll watch." After all the dishes were done, thanks to our wands we grabbed our robes heading outside to where the guys were playing. Katie, Ginny and Alicia had been playing for a long time now and couldn't miss the chance to play again. It was Charlie that ended up on the girl's team to make it even.

"Hermionee Fred tells me zat your wedding is next week." Fleur said as the game began.

"Yes it is." I agreed nodding my head.

"You are not thrilled?" She asked looking confused.

"Fleur you had time to plan yours the way you see fit, mine is going to be rushed." I found my voice sounding very bitter.

"But Hermione you're marrying one of the most brilliant wizards of our time. I 'm sure it will be perfect." Lavender joined in.

"Marrying someone brilliant doesn't mean anything close to perfect." I shot back getting at little more irritated. "I could be marrying the most amazing wizard in the world and it'll mean nothing if the groom himself hates you."

"Fred hates you?" Fleur asked as if she had been oblivious to the whole thing. Of course she has. Me and Fred never argued around her.

"I don't think he hates you Hermione. There something between those eyes when he watches you but it's not hate. I wish I could put my fingers on it but…" Lavender paused.

"It just lust. What you're probably seeing is that. I already know that he just wants me physically." I said to them.

"Nope I'm sure it's not that." What was this girl going on about? "I know you don't believe that right now but during that time you turned your head to watch Mr. Weasley speak, to the moment you looked down towards your hands he was watching your every breath. His eyes seemed sad but at the same time very haunting. I know it doesn't make sense now but that boy's got it bad." Those lasts words she said rung through my head. That boy's got it bad. I didn't know what to make of it. He was just too confusing.

I was changing into my pajamas in Ginny's room seeing that Fred wasn't here and I couldn't go back home yet. I was told to stay for the night. I guess everyone was staying at the burrow tonight anyways. When was his place considered home? I asked myself. I heard the door creaked but didn't turn around assuming it was Ginny.

"Hey Gin, can you tell if that beauty mark is on the right side or the left side of my back?" I asked just stripping away that plain white button shirt. When there was no answer I turned around. I gasp at seeing the tall redhead leaning against the door.

"FRED." I shouted his name.

"I like when you shout my name." He smirked walking slowly towards me. I was trying to cover up my lacy blue bra from his view. "And it's on your right side just were your waist line is."

"I'm trying to change can you not be in here." I snarled at him trying hard on to blush.

"I didn't hear a please. That's very rude of you Hermione." He stopped then leaving just enough space for another person to be between us.

"What happen to privacy? Someone's personal space?" I said still backing up, then I hit the wall feeling the coolness of it pressed into my bare flesh.

"Hermione that stuff is in vain for someone as lovely as you." What did he mean by that? Was that a compliment or something? I hugged the front of my shirt tighter hoping that he wouldn't advance towards me any further. There was no such luck seeing as he had already braced both his hands on either side of my head. He was quick I'll give him that.

"Look Fred I understand that you can't control yourself right now but if I have to scream bloody murder for someone, I will." I warned him glaring at into his smothering blue eyes.

"Do it." He challenged. I inhaled some air and opened my mouth to scream but what happen I should have prepared myself for but didn't. He cut off my voice by kissing me, this time it was not just a simple kiss that he had been giving me before. I felt his tongue now inside my mouth. It was aggressive willing my tongue to meet with its on slaughter. He'd deepen the kiss and I felt myself sliding downwards to the floor taking him with me.

"Hermione if you're done mum says that we all can have a night cap and…" Ginny voiced interrupted our session for that I was thankful knowing that I might not be so sure that I'll be able to stop myself or Fred. You definitely would have not been able to stop that manic. I told myself.

"Fred you got some nerve. Here she was just changing and you go and interrupted it by making out with her. Stop your raging hormones or I'll do it for you." Ginny was standing at the door growling at her redhead brother. I found that my face was feeling very warm. I could not control my blushing to save my life.

"Honestly Ginny I don't tell you what to do, so shut the hell up." Fred shot back standing up to face her.

"That's because I can stop myself from such thing as raping my fiancé, not saying so much for you right now." Ginny walked in further. What? how had she figured that out?

"Do you think I'm enjoying this? Well maybe a little more than I like to but this pheromones things is constantly pushing me to my limits and it forces so much energy from me that the tension that's building up inside is going to explode. So let me tell you something little sister the longer I hold back the more the monster inside threatens to release its self and then there will be no helping that day when it comes." While he was arguing with Ginny I took the time to put my shirt back on.

"You are not an animal Fred you shouldn't have to force your mate into submission. I think you should give her more time." Ginny suggested.

"Easy for you to say you don't know what the bloody things are doing to your body." He snarled folding his arms.

"Can't you see that she isn't ready for this?" I heard that part as I was pushing myself up onto my feet.

"Why the bloody hell should I care she isn't Angelina?" That hit home. I never thought that anyone could utter anything so painful in my life. Even during my years at Hogwarts I had to put up with Malfoy's constant name calling. And his great hatred for Mudbloods, but it never could break me as a whole. This felt like I was being stomped on by thousands of elephants. I could feel my heart ripping in two and taste the bitterness of my saliva as it formed in my mouth because I was biting my tongue to stop myself from crying.

He couldn't see pass the hatred that he built around me as Angelina's replacement. I didn't even think that, I was that just someone who stepped into the picture and ruined his life. Even if I didn't have a choice, it was my fault. I was just the replacement. I was someone else's second choice.

"HERMIONE… WAIT…" I heard Ginny screamed as I raced passed them. Ignoring her I made my way downstairs hearing the laughter from the living room I didn't stop even after I heard them call my name. All I knew was that I had to get away. I had to be anywhere but there. I pushed the door open and rushed into the pouring rain. The greater the distance, the less emotions I would feel. That was what I loved about the rain it would wash away the tears streaming down my face and it was cold enough to numb my pain. I didn't know where I was going just that I had to keep going.

When I couldn't take the running anymore, I stopped to lean against a massive tree to catch my breath. But the already moist ground didn't help my balance and I found myself sinking to the earth and I just sat there letting my emotions win. I had to cry. I had to let out all the built up frustration. I could feel the rain soaking through my clothes and the material sticking to my skin. At that point I realized that I had run out of the house without any shoes on. My whole being was exhausted. My mind, my heart and my body. I didn't know how much longer I could take being in this non existing relationship. We weren't even married yet and it was taking such a big toll on me.

Me? Hermione Granger the one who said she could take anything. How wrong I was? This was worse than the homework I've been assigned by Professor Snape. I had bent my knees so that I could place my arms on them to rest my head. You're supposed to be upset and here you are thinking about homework. I lectured myself. The rain became harder and I could feel the wind get stronger but I couldn't make myself budge from the spot. I couldn't make myself do anything. I guess now you realize that you're only human, Granger. The voice inside my head spoke. Wish I wasn't. I retorted.

"You're going to catch a cold." I heard the all too familiar voice say. I refused to look up at him, right now I wanted nothing to do with that redhead. I knew that he stood right in front of me. I could feel his aura.

"Just go away." I growled in a low tone wishing that he would do so.

"Grang…Hermione…" I felt him right beside me now placing his hand on my arm.

"DON'T TOUCH ME." I yelled finding myself move away from him.

"Hermione…" He tried again his voice was very soft but I saw that he was still on his knees where I had been. I could see his ocean blue eyes locked on me.

"DON'T. WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ME I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT." I was still shouting trying to make myself heard.

"What I said it didn't come out…" He continued to explain but I couldn't make myself listen.

"GET AWAY FROM ME. I HATE YOU." The tears were still coming down but I kept moving further from him.

"I know that you want the lightning to strike me right now but…" He stood up to come towards me.

"DON'T COME NEAR ME." I continued to shout and separating our distances.

"Just give me…" He tried but I ran. I didn't want to hear anymore, my mind was weak and my emotions were mixed up. I felt a sudden pull and I felt his grip on my left wrist.

"You can run, you can hide, you can go anywhere in the world, Hermione. I will always find you." He stated.

"LET GO." I yelled pulling and tugging for him to release my wrist but he refused. So with my free hand I slapped him. I thought that after a couple of hits he would release me but he was stubborn and he didn't blink once as I continued to strike his face. Then I found myself beating on his chest. My hand was getting sore but I was beyond angry and wanted him to know. Yet it seemed that lashing out all my anger didn't phase him one bit, he stood there like a rock unmoving.

"I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU." I yelled continuing my assault as more tears fell down my face. He took hold of that hand and placed a kiss on it. I pulled it back and slapped him once again. He moved closer holding me in place. With that he pulled me into his arms. We were both soaking wet. I struggled to get out of his hold but he only tighten his grip pulling me right into his body.

"I didn't mean to say what I said." He started whispering to me.

"But you said it." It was mumbled into his chest but I knew he heard me. We stood in the woods with the hard rain pouring down on us.

"But it came out wrong." He responded.

"It was loud and clear on my end." I answered with venom.

"Hermione, look…" He began.

"I don't want to be married to you anymore. I don't think it will work and I'm too exhausted from everything and I'm not strong enough to handle this train wreck of a marriage were going to have." I spoke. I had to give up. "I just don't want to be in love with someone who has someone else in mind while he's married to me." That part had slipped out and I prayed that he hadn't heard it.

"I'm sorry that you feel that way but we're both not in any position…what did you just say? You love me?"

(A/N: I know the tomatoes are flying but don't worry it will be posted soon. YES. I know that Fred does go hot and cold. And YES he's a jerk but that's why I love him. I can't bring him to be nice just yet. So if you feel the need to boo me go right ahead.)