Hello everyone, here I am again with the next chapter :) I was happy to see how many people are still reading the story and how many reviews I got :D

Thanks to my betas FoxesRun and Rubandepluie, who I bombed with three versions of this chapter because I kept adding stuff. You're angels!

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WHAT IF

Chapter 34 – In-between Dates

The next morning, Hermione stared out of the window, her forehead pressed against the cool glass. The landscape was flying by as her father drove down the motorway. They were on the way to Hermione's maternal great-aunt to spend Christmas day with her. Hermione loved her aunt, but she just couldn't focus on the visit. Her mind was completely preoccupied with Fred.

Losing you would break my heart beyond repair. I love you, Hermione.

Hermione hadn't gotten any sleep the night before. Fred's words had resonated in her head like a catchy tune. A good one. It made Hermione feel hot and cold all over at the same time. Her skin prickled whenever she thought about how tender his kisses had been, how honest his voice had sounded.

This was it. This was what she had hoped for. Waited for. It almost felt surreal to know all of her wishes, hopes, and dreams were coming true now.

I love you, Hermione.

Hermione grinned. She knew her parents were watching her curiously, looking at her in the rearview mirrors every couple of minutes. After a rather embarrassing scene at the door last night, which still made Hermione blush for various reasons, her parents had been glancing at her and sharing secret looks. So far, her mother hadn't said anything about it. However, Hermione knew it would be only a matter of time. Oh, there would surely be another horrible talk about contraception and consent and... Hermione closed her eyes, deciding to revel in the memories of last night instead of imagining what terribly embarrassing tips her mother could bestow upon her.

She had been still floating on cloud nine after Fred's confession, and she thought it had been the same for him. They had been in their little world for the remainder of the evening, just idly walking around the city, holding hands and snogging at every other corner. Hermione was self-reflective enough to realise that they had behaved rather as Ron and Lavender had at Hogwarts the last few months. But at least they hadn't done so in front of all of their friends…

Only in front of Hermione's father, who had caught them in a rather compromising position at the front door. Hermione felt herself blush feverishly and pressed her head harder against the cold glass. Thank God her father was such a calm man, who had no intentions to control his daughter and scare away her boyfriends - at least not for real.

Losing you would break my heart beyond repair.

For all the wonderful things that had happened last night, it was this sentence that stung Hermione every time she remembered it.

She had never told Fred about their soul mark, worried that it would force him into something he wasn't ready for. Something he maybe didn't want.

She had never said anything, waiting as he healed from the wounds Angelina had left, so he could decide for himself what he wanted. Most people would probably call her stupid for doing so. Would tell her she could have saved herself a lot of pain and uncertainty if she had just told him. Hermione was sure Ginny and Angelina thought it, even though they had never said a word.

Hermione just never imagined she would hurt Fred with her silence.

Hermione had taken a risk when she had confessed to Fred back then. But now, she thought it hadn't been a risk at all. Hadn't she known about the soul mark all along? In the end, she had always hoped it would be like it had last night: with their feelings being mutual.

But Fred, oh, he had taken the greater risk. He had been hurt by the wrong soulmate before. He had taken the leap into the unknown by falling in love with her and confessing his feelings.

Hermione had gotten what she wanted. He loved her without knowing about the soul mark. She just hadn't thought she would feel so guilty about it. Suddenly, there was fear nibbling at her heart, eating away at her happiness. Fear how Fred would react when he knew the truth. Would he be angry?

Hermione closed her eyes. Her heart was heavy, her throat tight. Why was she only now realising how selfish she had been? Why had she never thought about how wrong it was to keep this from Fred all this time?

It had been years since she had realised the truth. Years, with so many opportunities to tell him. She had always chickened out when the moment arose.

Back then, at Grimmauld Place, when he had told her about Angelina and George's soul mark. She should have told him back then.

Or when she had confessed a few months later. It would have been so easy. She had already blurted out her feelings, she could have easily blurted out this little information about the soul mark as well.

No, no that wasn't fair. Back then, it had really been about not pressuring him. The real perfect moment to tell the truth had been last summer at the shop when Fred had offered to write her a letter so they could get to know each other better. Then, that's when she should have told him. It had been the turning point in their relationship.

Hermione felt panic swell in her chest. Suddenly, she was sure Fred would be angry, maybe even hate her. How couldn't he?

With her heart banging against her ribs almost painfully, Hermione decided she needed to tell him. As soon as possible.

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

When Fred and George arrived at the Burrow in the late afternoon on December 23rd, they were greeted by familiar chaos. Boxes of Christmas decorations were piled in the living room. Their mum was arguing about something with Fleur, and Bill seemed relieved to see his brothers, eagerly rushing over to greet them as they stepped through the floo. Their dad waved merrily at them before ducking out of the house and making his way to his shed, where Fred knew he would hide for the remainder of the day – or at least as long as their mum allowed him to.

Normally Fred would be delighted by the chaos because it made pranking so much easier – he could see that George was already eyeing the decorations with a familiar gleam in his eyes –, but pranking would have to wait until the perfect moment arrived. Timing was everything.

Grinning, Fred and George made their way to the kitchen to nick something to eat. Preferably something sweet and unhealthy. A few feet away from the door, they heard Ron saying something about Fred's left butt cheek, which Fred thought was a rather interesting topic.

"I beg your pardon?" Fred entered the kitchen with George at his heels, both of them determined to find Ron and make his life a bit miserable, just because they could. And because his face turned into such a nice shade of red when he was angry.

Fred only listened half-heartedly while George bantered with Ron, who was complaining that he couldn't use magic to peel the potatoes.

Fred eyed his youngest brother. Fred had half expected to be furious with Ron when he saw him again, furious for being in love with Hermione. But he couldn't be angry with his brother just because they were in love with the same girl. Fred was sensible enough to realise that now. But still, there was an irrational, irritating feeling shimmering close to his heart.

"And speaking of hitherto unsuspected skills, Ronald," George's voice took on a familiar edge, bringing Fred back into the conversation. "What is this we hear from Ginny about you and a young lady called – unless our information is faulty – Lavender Brown?"

Ron turned pink but looked quite pleased with their interest in his love life, which made Fred a bit angry despite his intention not to start a fight with Ron.

"Mind your own business," Ron replied.

"What a snappy retort. I really don't know how you think of them." Fred faked a yawn. "No, what we wanted to know was… how did it happen?"

Confusion bloomed on Ron's face. "What do you mean?"

"Did she have an accident or something?

"What?"

Fred leaned against the doorframe, taking a second to build tension for his final blow. "Well, how did she sustain such extensive brain damage?"

Fred saw the kitchen knife flying - it was a fairly bad toss - and turned it into a paper aeroplane. He knew Ron had probably not intended to really hit him. At least, not as hard as to actually hurt him. Unfortunately for Ron, their mum had just rounded the corner, and Fred took great pleasure in the scolding that followed.

That's why one should always check first before throwing things at their siblings.

Fred and George took a few more minutes to banter with Ron while Harry, as always, tried to stay out of it, before they announced their intention to visit the village. Sure, picking up girls was something they could and would do, and they both thought it was good to leave the family under that impression. No need to bring their mum's attention to the fact that two more of her sons were now in very serious relationships. Ron's whatever with Lavender Brown surely didn't qualify as serious.

Instead of heading towards the village, Fred and George walked around the Burrow and then apparated into Ginny's room.

"What do you want?" Their little sister seemed to be in an awfully foul mood, chucking clothes from her trunk into the armoire, while glaring at the second bed in her room.

It seemed Fred was not the only one who wished a different witch would sleep in it during the holidays.

"I see Mum already told you about rooming with Fleur," George snickered, which earned him a glare and a quaffle flying towards his head – and, unlike Ron, Ginny was good at aiming and she fully intended to harm. George avoided the hit with the elegance of a former beater and caught the ball.

"Now, Ginny, is that how you treat your darling brothers who are offering you a way out of this terrible predicament?" George laughed and lightly threw the quaffle towards Fred.

"See," Fred took over. "We thought it would be so very cruel to separate dear Bill from his lady love, so we thought it would be nice for you and him to switch places in the dark of the ni- uff!"

Ginny was already squeezing the air out of Fred's lungs before he could even finish.

"Thank you," she half laughed, half cried, and then attacked George. Fred grinned at his twin, knowing they both had saved the holidays for Ginny.

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

The evening had been slow and boring. Fred was sure he would have nightmares of Celestina Warbeck tonight, even though he should be used to this special, annual Christmas torture by now.

When his parents finally went upstairs, reminding them to go to bed soon too, Fred and George had the opportunity to tell Bill and Fleur their little switching plan. While Fleur was all up for it - already finding it ridiculous that an engaged couple got separate rooms - Bill seemed hesitant. Fred guessed he was cautious to anger their mum, especially since she already had a poor opinion on Fleur. Nevertheless, in the end, the couple took the offer and headed upstairs shortly after.

"You know, I don't think she's really dating him," Ron half-whispered to Harry.

"Maybe not, Ron. But even if," Ginny added from the side, a lazy grin tucking on her lips, "it would be none of your business, right? Can't imagine Lav-lav would be happy to hear how concerned you are."

Ron blushed to the tip of his ears, which made George snicker. "I'm just worried about my best friend. Is that illegal now?"

That caught Fred's interest. "Hermione is dating someone?" He asked as innocently as possible, but he knew George was giving him a you're-such-an-obvious-idiot-glance.

"She's not," Ron answered promptly. "She just went to Slughorn's Christmas Party with McLaggen to prove a point." There was a little smirk on Ron's lips, and, in most cases, Fred would have tried to wipe it off with a comment. However, he was too amused about Ron trying to show off while knowing nothing.

"Maybe you shouldn't be so concerned about who Hermione went to the party with," Ginny added, with a frightening sweetness in her voice. "And rather who she left with. I heard a dashing gentleman escorted her to Gryffindor tower after Harry vanished."

Ginny threw a glance at Fred – did she know? – and he thought she looked a bit apologetic, while Ron turned into a darker shade of red and Harry inspected the carpet with great interest. Then Ron stood up suddenly, announced that he was tired, and went upstairs in a huff.

"Was that really necessary?" Harry sighed and stood up. "Is it even true?"

"It is," Ginny just shrugged. "And I think Ron deserved it. He's been a git towards Hermione for far too long."

That got Fred's attention, and he felt George stiffen beside him as well.

"I will look after him." Another deep sigh from Harry. For the first time, Fred questioned if Harry knew anything about him and Hermione. However, seeing as Harry behaved absolutely normal towards Fred, it wasn't likely.

As soon as Harry was out of the door, Fred and George both turned their undivided attention to Ginny, who calmly took a sip from her tea.

"Now please, darling little sister, explain why you're so vexed about Ron." Fred pressed through his teeth.

"Didn't Hermione tell you?" Ginny asked with a sly smile.

Fred realised, for the first time, that his sister probably knew everything. Everything! He should have known. Hermione and Ginny were close, and if Harry didn't know anything, then Ginny was the one Hermione would confide in.

"Well, so you know," – Merlin, she really knew everything –, "we think he's only doing it because he wants to make Hermione jealous. And no matter what Hermione does or says, he always thinks it has something to do with him. He actually thinks his stupid plan is working. I mean, she didn't even want to spend Christmas with us because of him. And you know the pros for coming were weighing heavily."

"Ron thinks his plan is working?"

"Hermione wanted to come to the Burrow?"

Fred and George asked at the same time, but Ginny just nodded at them both. And Fred's brain just shut down. But, oh wonder, now his irrational anger at Ron finally had a target. He could work with that. And, he could certainly make Ron's holidays a living hell.

"George, I think we should show Ronnie some more love since we don't see him so often anymore, what do you think?" Fred's blood was boiling. He really wanted to punish Ron…

"Don't," Ginny grabbed his arm. "Don't do it. Hermione would not want you to get involved. That's probably why she hasn't told you. Hermione and Ron are both terribly stubborn people who tend to fight fire with fire against each other. We really don't need you to fuel it."

Fred really wanted to disagree. He wanted to help Hermione, be on her side in this fight, and let Ron know that he couldn't treat people like this. Especially not someone he claimed to be best friends with. However, at the same time, he understood Ginny's logic. And besides, Hermione didn't need anyone avenging her. She could do that all on her own, and probably better. Therefore, Fred instead looked at George for an answer.

"I'm with Ginny here," George frowned. "In the end, Ron will be hurt, and you don't need him thinking that you are doing it on purpose."

"Fine," Fred muttered. Damn, it was annoying when his siblings were right. And one should never be forced to admit to that. "Not even a tiny bit of skin dye in his soap?"

"No!" Ginny laughed and smacked him with a pillow. "Tell me about your date with Hermione instead. I didn't get a letter from her yet, and I'm dying of curiosity."

"Yes, Freddie, tell us of your date with the lovely Miss Granger." George lilted, making his lashes flutter. "We're dying here." George changed places so that he sat beside Ginny, imitating her eager expression perfectly. Fred thought Ginny would have killed him if she hadn't been so focused on Fred.

"Where should I start," he sighed. "First, I picked her up with a carriage pulled by two white horses. Naturally, her parents offered me Hermione's hand for marriage immediately. Then-"

Two pillows hit his head – one rather hard, which he suspected Ginny had thrown. His siblings stared at Fred with very different expressions. Ginny with annoyance, and George with suppressed laughter. The git had surely only thrown the pillow just because the chance had presented itself.

"You're useless," his sister huffed. "Fine, then I will wait for Hermione. But don't worry, she will tell me everything."

Ginny's smile was terrifying, and Fred hoped everything didn't include their heated snogging session in front of Hermione's house, or how her father had caught them while Fred's hand was trying to sneak into Hermione's coat. Maybe he needed to have a talk with Hermione about sharing details with Ginny. It would give the little she-devil too much leverage against him.

"Don't be cross with me, Ginny. You know me, I'm too modest to brag about how perfect everything went. I will leave that to Hermione. She's a better source for you, anyway," he winked, while Ginny just groaned.

George stifled a laugh, but wasn't entirely successful, which made Ginny aware of his existence again. Slowly she turned around to his twin, inspecting him from head to toe.

"How is Angelina?"

Fred almost doubled over in laughter as George groaned.

"How?" His twin asked weakly. It was no use denying anything; when Ginny knew something, she couldn't be convinced otherwise. No matter how hard one tried to convince her.

"I spent a lot of time with Hermione at the hospital wing at the end of last year, and Angelina was her primary caretaker." Ginny shrugged. "One needs to make conversation."

George was flabbergasted, while Fred was having the time of his life.

"Don't hold back, Georgie." Fred was the one lilting now, relishing in his revenge. "Tell us about your romantic antics with the lovely Miss Johnson."

The three of them stayed up for a little while longer. Some more pillows were hit at Fred – and only at him, how unfair – and Ginny had to endure the same torture when Fred and George grilled her about Dean Thomas.

But when they went to bed later, Fred grabbed his little sister and gave her a tight hug.

"Hermione and I will be seeing each other before the lot of you go back to Hogwarts," he winked. "So, you can look forward to a lot more gossip."

Ginny beamed. "That, and hopefully a very happy Hermione."

"I will make sure of it."

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

The next morning, Fred was rewarded for listening) to Ginny and George when Ron opened his gift from Lavender. There had been a significant amount of time spent laughing and mocking their little brother, with the help of Ginny of course before Fred had found a minute to steal away and open his gift from Hermione.

It was a black, leather-bound notebook with a personal note on the first page.

Dear Fred,

May your creativity flow freely on the pages of this book, so that the world sees more of your brilliant products in the future. We all deserve more laughter and happiness.

Merry Christmas, Hermione.

P.S: I can't wait to see you again.

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

At roughly the same time Hermione opened her own presents. Christmas with her parents and her aunt was wonderful and it had done wonders to calm Hermione down after her almost panic attack during the car ride.

She had slept fitfully, thinking over and over how Fred would react. In the end, she decided to trust him. To trust the feelings they shared, their love. Maybe he would be angry but she hoped he would still understand her logic. She would tell him as soon as possible

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