Submitted for The Houses Competition Forum - Round 1
House: Ravenclaw
Subject: Herbology (Stand-in)
Category: Drabble
Prompt: 1. [Action] Laying in the grass
Word count: 713
Warnings: Au Canon Divergence | EWE - Epilogue? What Epilogue?
Lay all your love on me
The grass under her was tickling her thighs. Hermione thought she should stand, but she was comfortable on the blanket. Besides, Fred looked so handsome lying there with the sun shining in his red hair.
"You're staring, love," he murmured, without even opening his eyes. He always knew when her gaze was on him, and Hermione couldn't help but blush a little. "You can stare as much as you want, but I know you're probably missing something in your book."
Hermione wanted to smack him for being right. The shadow of a smile on his face made her want to slap it off—or kiss him silly. He was just so beautiful laying on the grass, his arms crossed under his head, the muscles in his forearms bulging.
"I hate how you know me so well," Hermione replied, closing the book in her hands and settling on the grass beside him. Some of the grass blades had fallen over the blanket, so Hermione picked them up, twirling them mindlessly. "You invited me out here, and you're going to sleep on me? Shame on you, Fred Weasley. Shame on you."
Fred chuckled, and Hermione had to stop the smile from spreading on her face. She had never imagined she would one day be sprawled on the grass, enjoying the nice weather with none other than Fred Weasley.
The war had taken a toll on everyone, but the Weasleys were lucky they didn't have any casualties. Fred had had to stay in St Mungo's for a while, healing after a wall had fallen on him, and his family had taken turns to sit beside his bed. Hermione had started talking to the prankster during her turns, and in no time at all, she had fallen for him.
Fred was funny and sweet and everything she looked for in a man; they had been going out for seven months already, and she knew that he was the one. The only problem was that she didn't know if he felt the same.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" Fred whispered in her ear, making shivers run down her body; she hadn't even heard him roll over. "Is it about how much you love me?"
Hermione turned to Fred. Mischief shone through his gaze, but there was also something deeper hidden in the depths of his cobalt-blue eyes. Something that showed her he felt the same.
"Yeah, I do love you," Hermione whispered, closing the distance between them and kissing him lightly on the lips. "And I know you love me too."
"You're right, I love you," Fred said, kissing her again before kneeling in front of her. Hermione's hands flew to her mouth, unable to believe what was happening.
Fred smiled and went on, "And because I love you so much, I can't bear the thought of not being with you for another day. You're my best friend—aside from George, of course."
Hermione giggled even as tears gathered in her eyes. She couldn't believe her ears. Her heart soared and her stomach flip-flopped at his words.
"You're like a ray of sunlight in my life, my better half, the reason for all of my smiles. I want to make you happy and smile with you. So…Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?"
Hermione couldn't speak; she blubbered and nodded and swiped at her tears before throwing herself at Fred. They tumbled down onto the blanket and she kissed him with every ounce of love she had for the redhead.
After pulling away from the lack of oxygen, though she would go back to kissing him again as soon as she caught her breath, Hermione looked at Fred and knew what he was going to say before he even opened his mouth. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Yes, you dork, a thousand times yes!" Hermione cried. She grabbed Fred by his shoulders and yanked him close to kiss him again.
Later, while they were watching the sunset through the canopy of leaves overhead, Hermione still by Fred's side, their hands entwined and thighs pressing together, she couldn't believe how lucky she was. Although they hadn't dated for long, she knew whatever they were was perfect for them. It was the beginning of something amazing between the two.
