Disclaimer: It's not mine.
A/N: Hey y'all! Let me apologise for taking so long to get this up, but this last week I had to move all my stuff back home, and then I've been working this week from 6am to 6pm, and was just too tired to do much of anything. But here's the chapter, and Happy Holidays everyone! Now onto chappie five!
Love Means Never having to Time-Travel
Chapter Five: In Which They Dance
"Wouldn't it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them?" –Little Women
"If I may have your attention please?" Albus called out over the normal chattering of the great hall during breakfast. Not many people seemed to hear him, or if they did, they ignored him.
"OY!" Fred jumped onto the bench and yelled out across the room. "LET THE HEADMASTER SPEAK!"
"Thank you Professor Wilson," Albus said with a chuckle as he watched Hermione smack him upside the head. "Now, as a special treat since the Halloween Ball is tonight, classes are dismissed for the day, and I look forward to seeing all of you this evening at the ball."
"Oh, Miss Evans," Hermione turned to Lily. She and Fred were sitting at Gryffindor again.
"Yes Professor?" Lily turned her attention to Hermione.
"Do you have plans for getting ready tonight?"
"Not really, other than to just take advantage of the solitude of my room," she smiled at that. She had been glad to have it, as she had never quite gotten along with her roommates.
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, would you like to come to my quarters to get ready with me?" Hermione asked hesitantly. "I'm afraid I'm an absolute novice when it comes to hair and make-up."
"Really?" Lily questioned, gesturing to Hermione's hair. "But it's always braided and pinned up so neatly."
"That'd be Greg's doing," Hermione whispered conspiratorially. "So what do you say?"
"I'd love to!"
"Good," Hermione shared a smile with the girl.
"What about me?" Fred whined to Hermione.
"You can get ready with the boys," Hermione said simply.
"No problems here Professor," James shrugged. He had been offered a private room, but had wanted to continue staying with his friends and fellow marauders.
"All right then," Fred shrugged back.
"I'll meet you outside Gryffindor tower to help you with your things at about three, if that works for you?" Hermione asked Lily as the hall began to empty out.
"Looking forward to it!" Lily nodded before running to catch up with James and the others who were headed to the quidditch field, since a mock-game of quidditch was being put together.
"Three o'clock?" Fred looked at Hermione as he took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. When they had first arrived, he had done it because the students might find it odd if they didn't do affectionate displays or anything. Recently though, he noticed he did it regardless of whether or not anyone was around.
"Yes, we girls need plenty of time to make ourselves beautiful," Hermione stated.
"I don't see why, when you couldn't possibly look any more beautiful than you already do," he replied, heading in the direction of the pitch. Hermione had been expecting that- where there was quidditch, there would be Fred. Luckily for her though, he didn't talk incessantly about it.
"That's sweet of you to say, but flattery will get you no where," Hermione nudged him lightly with her elbow.
"It's not flattery if it's the truth," he said, and when she didn't acknowledge him, he pulled on her hand, forcing her to stop and swing around to face him. "Hey, I mean it."
"I'm not beautiful," she shook her head, not looking at him. "I mean, I don't think I'm ugly, but I'm plain. I could never compete with the likes of Parvati or Cho or them."
"You know, for someone who's the most intelligent witch of her times, you sure say some stupid things," he stated bluntly, though not unkindly.
"I know," Hermione sighed, still not looking at him. "But society places so much emphasis on looks, it's hard not to compare myself to them."
"You…are…beautiful," he grasped her chin and forced her to meet his eyes, not letting her look away as he said those words. "Never compare yourself to them, because there is no comparison, you're so far above them. And as if that's not enough, there're a whole bunch of different levels of beauty like intelligence, personality, and confidence, and you top them all Mya."
"You really mean that?" Her eyes still held flickers of doubt, though he could see she wanted to believe him.
"I'll even take veritaserum to prove it."
"That won't be necessary," she laughed, sliding her arms around his neck in a hug as his went to wrap around her waist, lifting her off the ground to make it easier on both of them. His eyes latched on to hers as she pulled back, and he found himself unable to look away. His eyes couldn't help but glance down at her lips, and he found himself wanting to kiss her. He knew it would change things, and he knew it might complicate matters, but he also knew he couldn't let this chance pass him by.
"You know, I think I might kiss you," Fred whispered as he set her back down, his hand moving from the small of her back to cup her face gently.
"You know, I think I'd like that," she whispered in reply, a soft smile playing about her lips.
Fred chuckled slightly as he lowered his head, his heart beating faster when Hermione pushed closer against him. His lips hovered above her, the feel of her breath a warm caress. Giving her a quick wink, he closed his eyes and swiftly closed the gap between them. The kiss was chaste and tentative, both almost fearing the emotions that coursed through them with that simple move. Soon though, passion and intensity were driving the kiss as they remained wrapped in each other's arms.
They pulled back seconds later, though it seemed much longer, both gasping slightly. Fred's hands had moved at some point, coming to rest on her hips, gripping them slightly, keeping her close against him. Her arms had yet to remove themselves from around his neck. Looking into each other's eyes, Hermione felt the warmth of a blush spread across her cheeks, and couldn't help but smile as Fred did the same.
"You know, I think I'm going to be kissing you quite often from now on," he said, a smile on his face.
"Well you know, I think I could live with that," she returned the smile, then threw her head back and laughed as he picked her up again and swung her around before setting her on the ground again, and took her hand as they continued on to the pitch.
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"Oh Professor, your husband is going to melt!" Lily squealed as she stepped back from putting the finishing touches on Hermione's hair and make-up.
"I think I can say the same in regards to James," Hermione grinned as she stood, grabbing the camera they had picked up the first Hogsmede weekend. "Let me get a picture of you."
Lily and James were going as Lord and Lady Gryffindor, appropriately enough. Lily was dressed in a burgundy coloured medieval looking gown with gold accents. Her hair was up in elaborate curls, and she had a gold tiara accented with rubies offsetting the mass of hair. She finished the look with gold elbow-length gloves, and looked every bit the part of Lady Gryffindor.
"As long as I can get one of you later," Lily answered, and smiled for the camera just as a knock came at the door.
"Coming," Hermione yelled as she made sure she had her wand tucked away, before she and Lily walked to answer the door.
"Lily, wow," James' jaw dropped as he saw her. "You look fantastic! I'm speechless."
"So do you," she beamed at his compliment, looking him over. He was wearing black breeches, a gold shirt, and black tunic over top with the crest of Gryffindor embroidered on the chest. On his head he too wore a crown, except his was plain gold. "You look very nice as well Professor Greg."
Fred didn't answer, as he was still staring at Hermione in awe. Lily's compliment seemed to break through to him, and he finally walked over to Hermione and lightly grasped her hands.
"Geniuses of countless nations, have told their love for generations. Till all their memorable phrases, are common as goldenrod or daises. Their girls have glimmered like the moon, or shimmered like a summer moon. Stool like a lily, fled like a fawn, now the sunset, now the dawn. Here the princess in the tower, there the sweet forbidden flower. Darling when I look at you, every aged phrase is new. And there are moments when it seems, I've married one of Shakespeare's dreams," Fred quoted, then grinned cheekily, spoiling the moment. "Glad I had something memorised."
"Oh really, and why's that?" Hermione smirked slightly, raising an eyebrow.
"Cause I knew I wouldn't be capable of thought when in your beautiful presence," he kissed her cheek and gave her a charming smile. "I mean what I said; you look radiant, more so than the real Hera ever could have."
And she did look lovely. She was wearing a long chiton in a captivating ice-blue fabric that clung slightly to her modest curves. Looped around her waist several times, was a braided fabric belt of dark blue and silver. Flowing behind her was a cape of sheer silver netting, attached at the shoulders with two silver buckles. The cowl neck-line on the chiton dipped low enough to reveal a bit of cleavage, but was tasteful at the same time. Her make-up was very light, and only consisted of a bit of blue eye-shadow to make her eyes really pop out, and some lip-gloss. Her hair, which she always wore braided and in a bun, was clipped back from her face, and left down, shining in the light.
"Well if I look better than Hera, than the same must be said for you in comparison to Zeus," she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek in return, taking care to not leave a lipstick print behind.
Fred was dressed simply in a long white toga, with a dark blue shoulder drape/sash. It had decorated arm straps at one sleeve, also allowing him to keep the drape from dragging too low. Completing his look was a silver leaf headpiece resting on his head. He quickly transfigured a quill into a matching silver leaf head piece, and crowned Hermione with it.
"All right Professors, let me get a picture of you," Lily interrupted them, holding her camera up.
"Of course, as long as you do us the favour of taking one of us with our camera, too," Hermione handed Lily their camera. "And as long as we can get a picture of you and James."
"Sure," James nodded, snapping the picture for them after Lily took hers. They quickly posed for Hermione, and then headed down to the great hall.
"Oh this is so cool," Hermione breathed as they entered the hall.
Black candles floated above their heads, providing light in the large room, along with skeletal hands that stuck out from the wall with a skull resting on them, candle inside. Small round tables were spread around the edges of the room, dark brown tablecloths on them, with a pumpkin and gourd centerpiece. Also around the walls were large jack-o-lanterns that were lit, along with large bundles of cornstalks that helped add to the atmosphere. The ceiling had been charmed to look as if a thunderstorm was raging, with lightning streaking across the sky. One end of the hall had a stage set up, and the Hairy Hags were already performing.
"Would you like to sit with us Professors?"
"We would, but I think we're better off with the other teachers," Fred answered. "Though we'll be moving around later saying hi to everyone and taking pictures."
"Cool, see you later then Professor," James waved as he pulled Lily to where their friends were sitting with their dates.
"Oh you two look simply dashing!" Minerva was the first to notice the two young teachers making their way over to the larger table holding the staff members.
"Thank you, and you all look great too," Hermione complimented the entire table. Albus had dressed up as Merlin, and had only needed to bring a staff to complete his costume. The rest of the teachers had neglected to dress up, instead wearing their dress robes and various shaped and styled masks.
"May I ask who you are?" Otto Laurient questioned. The other professors knew them to be a god and goddess, but whether Roman or Greek and whom exactly was unknown.
"I'm Zeus, and this lovely goddess is Hera," Fred spun her around before pulling out her chair for her. After helping her scoot in, he sat down next to her.
"Excuse me, Professor Mya?" First year Hufflepuff Louis Meyers approached, looking nervous.
"Yes Mr. Meyers?" Hermione smiled gently at him. She could guess what was coming, as she saw a group of his year-mates giggling in the background.
"Would you, uh, would you like to dance with me?" He managed to get out, blushing furiously.
"I'd love to," she answered, pushing her chair back and standing up.
"Really?" He looked up at her in surprise.
"Of course," she smiled. "It'd be an honour to dance with such a handsome young man, like yourself."
Fred couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at Hermione's actions. She took the boy's offered hand, and allowed him to escort her out to the dance floor. Some of the other students giggled a bit, as she was taller than him. However, the majority of the other boys watched him with some envy. And of course, as soon as that dance ended, another boy came up to ask her.
"Something tells me you won't be getting your wife back for some time," Filius laughed, as did the rest of the table.
"I suppose I could've lost her to less worthy opponents," Fred gave a mock-sigh of disappointment. "But she loves the kids, and I know they feel the same about her, so I don't really mind."
"Do you plan on having children?" Pomona asked, and the other women nodded for him to answer.
"Not for a few years, but yes," he nodded. And that was true. Whether or not they were together, he knew Hermione wanted kids, as did he.
"Girl or boy?" Madame Pomfrey asked the time-less question.
"As long as he or she is healthy, it doesn't matter," he replied, then paused before smiling softly. "Maybe a girl first though, as pretty as her mum."
"My boy, you truly are taken with her," Albus chuckled.
"So I've been told," Fred nodded proudly as he turned so his eyes could follow Hermione. "And as I've told others, quite happily too."
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"Care to switch partners?" Hermione asked Lily, who was dancing with Severus under the marauder's watchful gaze.
"Sure," Lily kissed Severus' cheek quickly in thanks, then turned to take Mark's hand.
"I suppose you had a reason for doing that?" Severus questioned Hermione, deftly assuming proper dance position. It would be rude to refuse a lady's request, even though he felt slightly awkward dancing with his professor. But if he was honest, he found her teaching abilities to be rather refreshing, not to mention she was also very kind.
"You mean switching you for Mark?" Hermione questioned, and he nodded. "He's got a bit of a crush on her, and I know he wanted to ask her to dance, but was too shy. So I helped him out."
"I see," he said evenly, one eyebrow raised. Hermione almost laughed; it was so odd to be dancing with the boy who was her future teacher. And yet here, she was his teacher.
"I like your costume by the way," Hermione complimented. "It suits you very well."
"I only dressed up at Lily's urging," Severus grimaced as he glanced down at the Vampire costume he had worn. All black of course, with a cape and his teeth charmed to appear as fangs.
"Still," Hermione pressed. "It's good to have silly events like this. I fear that there will be too little laughter in the future if things continue as they are."
"I suppose, as the dark lord is gaining more followers."
"I just don't understand how though," Hermione knew this was a slightly risky area to be entering, but she had often wondered what caused her professor to join him.
"Power, money, opportunity," he shrugged slightly, his face taking on a calm mask to hide what he really felt. "Take your pick of what he'd have you believe."
"And of the things he wouldn't have us believe?"
"Blackmail, extortion, threats against loved ones," Severus' eyes flickered towards Lily before he could stop them. Hermione noticed this, and felt sorrow flood her heart. He had joined because Voldemort threatened Lily's life. And Severus cared too much for her to ruin her happiness, even though it was with James and not him.
"I see," Hermione nodded her understanding. "Just promise me one thing Severus."
"If I can, possibly." He looked surprised by the use of his first name. Even though they sat at the tables with the students, they always used proper names, to help maintain that respectful student-professor relationship.
"Never forget you are your own person and you can make your own choices," she said quietly. "No one, and I mean no one, can take that away from you."
Severus looked at her, nodding slowly as he felt a spark of hope fill him. That was exactly what he had been afraid of when he had been forced to join those who followed Voldemort. As the song finished and he turned her over to another student, he went to grab a drink, thinking. Little did Hermione know, but those simple yet heartfelt words she had spoken, were the reason that he would go to Albus and become a spy for the order.
"May I have this dance?" Fred asked her as the next song, a slow one, began to play.
"I think I have a spot open on my card," she smiled up at him as he took her hand as pulled her to him. "I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"Not spending much time with you this evening."
"Don't be," he shrugged, smoothly leading her around the floor. "You've made a lot of the boys happy, and I've had fun talking to the other professors. And don't forget I've had a fair share of dances with the girls. When I wasn't taking pictures that is."
"Oh you remembered!" Hermione smiled gratefully up at him. "I was so caught up in everything I forgot."
"I know," he laughed. "I got several of the marauders and Lily, as well as a few of you and some of the students, the professors, and a couple of myself as well."
"Perfect. I think it'll make a wonderful gift for Harry whenever we see him," she said, then looked down at her feet.
"Hey, don't be sad."
"I'm actually not," she answered, looking him in the eye. "I'm feeling guilty."
"Why?"
"Because while I miss everyone, there's a growing part of me that wants to stay here," she said softly. "With you. I'm afraid that when we get back, things will change."
"I think that when we get back they will change, but not between us," he stated firmly. "You and I are soulmates, remember? And that's a bond that can't be broken between us. It too may change, but only for the better."
"Promise me," she blurted out, blushing slightly as she did so.
"I promise, that no matter what happens, you and I will always be friends, if not more," Fred said solemnly.
"Thank you," she kissed him lightly, bringing some whistles from the students around them. Kissing wasn't all that unusual amongst the students, but the two Professors weren't very open with displays of affection other than hand-holding. Of course, that was because they had only recently become truly involved, though the students didn't know that.
"Anytime," he nodded, then cocked his head to the side slightly. "Hey Mya?"
"Yes?"
"I know we're married," he lowered his voice. "But will you be my girlfriend?"
"I'd love to," she smiled sweetly at him, touched by his asking.
"Really?"
"Really," she laughed, and he smiled at hearing the musical sound. "What, did you think I'd say no?"
"Well I wasn't sure," he shrugged. "Everything else has been so mixed up."
"I suppose," she conceded. "But let's just deal with the here and now, and not worry about the future."
"After all," Fred said with a wink. "Who knows what's going to happen?"
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"Oh that was fun!" Hermione said as she let herself fall onto the bed with a giggle
"Yeah it was, so why don't we have those anymore?" Fred grinned as seeing Hermione's girly side emerge.
"Well, you know that Harry's parents were killed on Halloween," Hermione answered. "And Harry lived. So the balls stopped as a way of showing respect to them I suppose. You'd have to ask Albus when we go back to the present, or future?"
"I don't know," Fred looked baffled. "It's hard to keep track of the proper tense. I just make myself think of this as the present, since for everyone else it is."
"Probably a smart idea," she nodded as she kicked off her shoes with a sigh of relief. Cushioning charms were a blessing, but they still couldn't take awake from the fact she had danced all night. "Oh it feels good to be off my feet."
"I'm sure," Fred perched on the bed and took one of her feet in his hands, massaging it gently. "You didn't sit down the entire night."
"That feels wonderful, don't stop," she groaned. "And I couldn't say no to Louis. You saw his friends in the background; they had obviously dared him to do it, not expecting me to say yes. And of course, once the others saw I didn't mind, they all wanted a turn."
"Miss popularity," Fred teased, switching to her other foot for a while.
The rest of the evening was spent in a comfortable silence. After Fred finished her impromptu foot rub, she hopped in the shower to get all the make-up and sweat off. When she re-entered their bedroom, Fred had changed into a pair of sweats as well as one of the black-undershirts. He hadn't noticed her, so she took a moment to appreciated his physique. He was in shape; all his years of quidditch had seen to that. His arms especially, she had noted several times already, were strong with muscular finesse. Not overly-ripped like some, but enough to suit her liking. The rest of him was as in shape as his arms, and hidden beneath his long, lanky, frame was a taught, finely-honed, body.
"Staring at my arse, aren't you?" Fred's teasing voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Staring at you, yes, at your arse, no," she laughed, walking over clad in lounge pants and a cami. "Besides, as your girlfriend, I think I have that right."
"You most certainly do," he leaned down and kissed her gently. "I like that."
"What?" Hermione asked as they both pulled back to pull down the bed covers.
"Being able to kiss you any time I want," he gave her a cheeky smile.
"I can't say I mind either," she winked as she slid into bed.
Fred also slid in, but instead of staying on his side as he usually did, he reached a hand out and tugged her arm until she scooted closer to the middle. Once she finally moved closer, he scooted up behind her, pulling her back against him as he let his arm drape over her hip, his hand splayed across her stomach possessively. Sighing comfortably, Hermione moved her hand to rest on top of his, reveling in the closeness. With a final good-night, they both drifted off to sleep.
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A/N: Well that's that for the chappie. Fluff is fun! Hope I'm not rushing it too much, but the way I see it, they were friends while students at school and during the summers and all. Now they've been thrown into a situation where they really only have each other to depend on, so it's not surprising that these feelings are going to surface, and bring them even closer. Not to mention, they are married, lol. Anyways, let me know what you think, it's always appreciated!