For the If You Dare Challenge on the HPFC.
— Prompt & Prompt Number: Dreams, Prompt 509


"You know, that really is extraordinary magic!"

"For that, Hermione, you can have one for free."


No one seems to notice when Hermione slips out of the Burrow, leaving the celebrations behind her. She breathes deeply as the door shutters to a close. Pulling her scarf snug against her neck, she begins to make her way down the garden path, the pebbles shining in the moonlight guiding her way. Hermione finds herself walking towards a small pond at the bottom of the garden. It's here where she takes a seat on the grass, resting her back against a large oak tree.

She's surprised to see Fred's shadow walking towards her. Even more so, when he lazily drops next to her and asks, "Room for two?"

She looks across at him, wide-eyed and curious. "Sure. I just...it was too busy in there."

"Yeah. It's quite the party."

Post-war celebrations never seem to end—each party seems rowdier than the last. Sometimes it feel as though no one truly believes its over. As if each day could still be their last. And so, almost every day of every week there seems to a gathering somewhere to celebrate the glorious end of war. And so, almost every day of every week, Hermione finds herself waiting for an appropriate moment to slip away—away from the crowds, away from the noise, and away from the memories.

"I don't suppose you still get those nightmares, do you?" The question slips out before he can stop himself. He hopes it comes across as calm—totally casual—although he very doubt that it does.

Hermione raises an eyebrow at him. "Of the war? Don't we all?"

"Of..." Fred hesitates for a moment, but gathers his composure quickly. "Of Malfoy Manor."

"Ah." Instinctively, she rests a hand on the cursed scars that mark her arm. "Yes."

The two sit for a moment in silence. Her eyes are still on his face, now truly searching for answers—anything to give away why he's chosen now—why he's chosen at all—to ask these questions. His expression is still though, and she finds her gaze wandering back towards the lake in front of her.

"Well then!" Fred manages to summon some bravado in his tone as he cuts through the quiet. He rubs his hands together, beaming brightly at her. "Do I have the product for you!"

"Oh?"

She watches with interest as he reaches into his trouser pocket and proudly presents her with a small charm. A familiar pink sphere gleams up at her.

"A... Patented Daydream Charm?"

"It's—we..." he trails off, rubbing the back of his neck with his spare hand. If Hermione didn't know better, she'd almost think he looked rather bashful. "We modified it slightly for night-time use. To help you with the nightmares."

Hermione can't help her jaw from dropping. "That's… Fred, that's really…"

"Extraordinary magic?" he offers.

She laughs, reaching out and plucking the charm from his palm. "Truly extraordinary magic."