A.N.: Here we go again. My week's been hell so far and I felt like I needed my dose of fluff. I hope you do as well.
Thank you, lilvictoire, for betaing this chapter.
Chapter 8: … keeps the awkwardness at bay
Hermione felt… awkward, even though there was probably no reason for her to. She and Fred had just done what had been expected of them, no more, no less, and still she felt like blushing, hard, when she remembered how unhinged she had been. Merlin, she almost begged him to have sex with her, even after he'd… Hermione blushed. Fred had played her body like an instrument, making it sing and ache with pleasure, making her yearn for something she didn't even know. Now she knew and sweet Circe… she'd had no idea that sex could be like this. She had known that if performed right it could be pleasurable, she wasn't oblivious to the feelings and the release an orgasm could bring, but it had never been like this. Touching herself now only felt like a weak echo of the real thing.
Suddenly Hermione's thoughts were distracted by a kiss on her forehead, when she looked up at Fred she could see him smiling.
"Now this is a way to start the day," he hummed, his arms coming around her pulling her close. "This was… thank you for trusting me with this."
She nodded, the awkwardness she'd felt seconds ago slowly dissipating. "I'm glad it was you, Fred. You were… you were wonderful."
Her husband smiled. "As were you." He kissed her brow. "Feel like taking another nap? Or do you want to get up?"
Hermione considered his words for a moment. She wasn't tired, not even a little bit, but getting up meant leaving his side, losing the feeling of his naked skin against hers. She wasn't ready to let him go just yet, as the urge to have him close had only grown stronger ever since…
"Let's stay in bed a while longer," she murmured, draping her arm across his naked chest. "We don't have anything to do today and this is comfy…"
Fred nodded, smiling. "Perfect."
He kissed her forehead and raked his free hand through her locks. Then Hermione could see him closing his eyes and it wasn't long until his breathing evened out. She did not mind. There was a lot she wanted to think about and if she got bored, she could start counting his freckles or wake him with a kiss.
Ssssssss
There was a groan from the kitchen.
"Mum invited us for dinner at the Burrow tonight."
Hermione strolled into the room, her hair still wet from the shower she'd taken after they finally made it out of bed. For a moment she'd feared Fred would want to join her in the shower, she wasn't quite ready for that particular step yet, but he'd just kissed her brow with a smile, offering to make breakfast for them. That had been half an hour ago.
"Do you want to go?" she asked, towelling her hair.
Fred shrugged. "I thought they'd at least leave us in peace for our honeymoon, but obviously mum is eager to welcome you into the family…" He snorted. "As if you hadn't already been an honorary Weasley all along."
Hermione smiled. "Now it's official though," she said, warmth blooming in her chest. Even though she still didn't have ner parents back, she at least had this - them. "I think there's no harm in going. We still have almost the full day to us and who knows how busy we will be when the week is over."
"Good point," Fred answered, lifting an omelette onto her plate. "We'll go. The sooner mum can vent her excitement, the better."
Sssssssss
They barely made it out of the fireplace when his mother pulled Hermione into a tight hug, crushing her against her chest. Fred heard her yelp in surprise, but as his mum welcomed her into the family with teary eyes, he could see his wife's arms close around her, a watery smile blooming on her face. In more than one aspect he'd gotten lucky, not every one of his brothers would have a wife that would be keen on visiting his family. Poor Ron had been shackled to Pansy Parkinson and he could not see her joining the weekly Sunday lunch anytime soon.
It felt like ages until his mum finally let go, patting his shoulder with a proud, watery smile before she ushered them into the dining room where they were greeted with whoops and shouts of congratulations. At their wedding there hadn't been much chance to do so, as they had opted for the small ceremony at the ministry, only inviting his parents, Harry, George, and Ginny, as their witnesses. Hermione hadn't wanted to make a big fuss over something that hadn't been their choice and he'd understood. But now he wished they'd at least invited their friends and had a few good hours together. Well, it was too late now.
"Freddy!"
George sat at the other end of the room but his voice boomed towards him as his twin motioned them to come over and sit next to him and Angelina. It wasn't the longest they'd ever been separated, but seeing him now Fred realized how much he'd missed his twin, even though he hadn't been aware of it at the time. They had spent most of their time since birth together, always in the same room. That was, until George got hooked by Angelina and started spending his nights and later the days with her.
"Georgie!"
Fred pulled his brother into a hug, Hermione and Angie watching their reunion with a smile on their lips. They knew he'd seen George only three days ago, at the wedding, but for them it still felt like too much time had passed.
Dinner was a lively affair, as it usually was. There were several discussions happening at once and while most of them discussed events around the marriage law, Fred and George went through their latest ideas for the shop. Hermione was soon engaged in a giggling discussion with Ginny and Angie and from what he heard, both witches were eager to learn about the success of their relationship. Fred could not resist listening in with one ear.
"He's taken you to the London Eye?" Ginny asked, voice full of excitement. "That's…"
"Actually a good idea," Angelina continued, sounding like she was mentally taking note of the idea. He wouldn't be surprised if she'd drag George there, soon, but he was sure his twin would not be complaining.
Ssssssss
"And how's married life treating you?"
It was after dinner that the girls had taken her outside, strolling around the garden before finding a cosy bench close to the pond. They had barely sat down, when Angelina sprang the question on her.
"Good. Fred's been very kind and we're getting along, I guess." It was kind of an understatement, really, but how should she explain that they barely spent a moment apart, talking, cuddling, and laughing, like they'd never done anything else?
"I didn't expect anything less. Fred's a fun guy to be around. He and George are often underestimated, but they're smart… and good in bed." Angelina chuckled. "Did you two already…?"
Hermione stared at her with wide eyes, cheeks colouring. "I… We…" She cleared her throat.
Ginny giggled. "We'll take your blush as a yes. Was he any good? Did you have a good time?"
"Ginny!" Hermione could not help but stare at her friend in disbelief. She could not believe that they were asking her those kinds of questions. But then again she'd listened to Parvati and Lavender's "girl talk" more than once. Maybe this was what married women secretly talked about. She wouldn't know.
"What?" the redhead asked defensively while she threw her hands in the air. "It's no secret that my brother's been popular with the girls. Even Angelina's been with him. I once caught them making out in the tool shed, did you know?"
Hermione stared, first at Ginny then at Angelina, who shrugged at her with an apologetic grin. "I've always had a weakness for redheads," she admitted. "Especially when they play Quidditch like that." She sighed dreamily and Hermione did not know if she was remembering Fred's Quidditch moves or his other skills. "He'll take good care of you, Hermione, I'm sure he will. "
Angelina looked at her meaningfully and Hermione could feel herself blush even more. There was no mistaking what her sister in law was referring to. Suddenly Hermione wished she was back inside, or even better, at home. But fleeing the Burrow now would seem strange, wouldn't it?
Therefore she nodded, an awkward smile on her lips. "He does," she replied, patting Ginny's thigh. "And what about you and Harry? How are things going?"
The redhead chuckled. "He's very eager," she said rolling her eyes. "And he's a quick study. We'll be alright, once I taught him some stuff - and once we get rid of Mrs Black's portrait. Her voice gives me a headache."
"I can't blame you," Hermione muttered, even though her thoughts were focussed on an entirely different problem.
Ssssssss
Something was wrong. Fred didn't need to be a genius to see that. Ever since they left the Burrow, Hermione had barely spoken a word and he was getting the impression that it was somehow his fault. Only he hadn't done anything, at least not that he knew of.
Instead of cuddling on the sofa or snogging in bed, Hermione was looming on one of the armchairs, her face hiding behind a book that he was pretty sure she wasn't reading. She had not done this all week, but somehow he felt like the awkwardness had just caught up with them.
Fred watched her for a while, tinkering with a prototype for a magical radio, but when Hermione had not turned a single page after almost half an hour, he got up and plucked the book out of her hands. Immediately he saw her eyes shoot up, looking at him accusingly, but she didn't say a word; she only stared.
"What is bothering you, Hermione?" he asked, unwilling to dance around her any longer. He knew it was always better to just talk things out, that's at least how his parents used to do it, whenever there was a problem. "I can tell there's something wrong."
Hermione blinked, her eyes fixed on his shoulder instead of his face as she shook her head. "It's nothing," she murmured, but it wasn't difficult to see that she was lying. "I'm just tired."
Hogwash. "Wanna go to bed then?" he asked, smile firmly in place.
"No!" Her answer was almost a shout. Hermione leapt to her feet, their bodies almost colliding, before she started to pace. "I… that's not what I meant."
Fred sighed. "Then what did you mean? Please, just tell me. I can't make it better when I don't know what's wrong. Have I done something? Or has one of my brothers been an idiot? They do that sometimes..."
Hermione winced. "No, it's just… I can't help but feel stupid, you know?"
He couldn't help but snort. "Stupid is the last word that comes to my mind when I think about you, love. You're anything but."
She shook her head, still pacing while looking at him with a somewhat lost expression. "Not like this. I… I was just reminded today, that you… well… argh!" She threw her hands in the air in evident frustration.
Fred looked at her in confusion but he didn't say a word. She'd tell him, when she was ready. It was about half a minute later that Hermione stopped in front of him, her eyes seeking him out. "How many girls have you been with, Fred?"
He blinked. Ah. So this was where this was suddenly coming from. He'd seen her talk to Angie, he just hadn't expected… Fred sighed. "Five." Hermione swallowed. There was something flickering in her gaze, self-doubt probably. He hastily continued. "Does that bother you? Or do you think I'm bothered, because I am your first one."
Hermione shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. It's probably both."
Fred sighed, making a quick decision, he stepped closer, reaching out to cup her cheek with his right hand. "There's no reason for you to be jealous, Hermione, or insecure. Maybe you weren't my first partner, but you'll definitely be my last one. I'm yours now, love. And whatever you think I know that you don't, I'll happily share with you. Alright?"
At first she did not answer, her eyes searching his face. Finally she sighed, her posture deflating. "Yeah, alright. Sorry, I'm being stupid."
"Absolutely not," he said, leaning down for a gentle kiss. "Didn't you listen to me earlier? Hermione and stupid, those two words just don't go together in one sentence."
She giggled before she returned the kiss, sighing against his lips. And just like that the awkwardness was gone, chased away by a kiss.
