A.N.: Here's your next dose of Fremione fluff. I hope you like it. Thank you for all the support and love you're giving this story. I am totally blown away by it!

Thank you lilvictoire for betaing this chapter.

Chapter 9: … makes the anger go away

The last days of her honeymoon went by much faster than Hermione thought possible and it wasn't because she and Fred were busy exploring their bodies. They did that too, a lot, but there were also dates on the beach, the National Library, and Hogsmeade. Hermione could not say which trip she had enjoyed the most, because really, it was a close call. But walking along the beach, holding hands while the sinking sun gave the impression of Fred's hair being on fire would be a picture she'd probably always remember.

She did not feel ready to face the mundanity of everyday life, because it meant that such trips would be rare with Fred working six days a week and her being equally busy at the ministry. But their time had run out and they would have to go back, no matter if she wanted to or not.

"How about we invite George and Angelina over for a cuppa on Saturday? I could make some cake," she suggested while readying herself for her first day back at work. Inviting friends over would give her something to look forward to as she went through her daily routine.

"Sounds brilliant!" Fred chimed from the kitchen, where he cleaned off the remains of their breakfast. "I'll let him know today at work," he promised and the smile when he saw her off into the floo told her that inviting his twin over had been a good idea.

Ssssssss

Hermione spent most of her Saturday morning baking the cake that her mum had always made for her. She'd wanted to try out the recipe for a very long time now, but with life throwing one thing after another at her, she never quite found the time. Until now. Fred was busy working at the shop, as Saturday was one of the busiest days for him, so she had plenty of time.

When Fred and George closed their shop in the afternoon, she had the table set up, eager to please her husband and their guests. She was well aware that getting along with George would be important if she wanted this marriage to work - and she really, really did.

"Hm, this smells good," Fred hummed when he strolled into the flat after he'd closed the shop. "Georgie'll be here in a bit. Why don't you sit down and rest a little? I'll take care of everything else."

Hermione nodded with a smile and after thanking her husband with a kiss, she went to the sofa, resuming the reading she'd left there last night. Fred really was a helpful and kind person, always eager to assist her in the kitchen. There was no harm in letting him help her now as well, Hermione thought, opening her book while propping up her feet on the sofa. She really should have known better.

Ssssssss

She should have known something was wrong from the moment she saw the grin that spread on Fred's face as his twin entered the flat. She'd lived through almost five years of Hogwarts with them and seeing that smile should have set her trouble detectors off, unfortunately she was too distracted to notice it right away. When she took the first bite of her cake, it was already too late, her body was transforming into a cat… minus the fur. She could only assume that she'd ingested some sort of Weasley product, but something must have gone wrong, because her body was still covered in skin, not hair. And no matter how much she had hated her half-transformation during her second year, this was even worse.

There was a gasp from Angelina and a snort from George, followed by the sound of a spoon clattering on a plate.

"What…" Angelina started, her expression darkening. "Don't tell me one of her idiots spiked her food," she exclaimed, getting up from her chair. Hermione stared up at her in embarrassment, before catching the guilty look on Fred's face. This was his doing, she realized, disappointment and hurt flooded her. He'd promised not to prank her, they'd even made it a rule in their marriage. But he'd just broken that rule and with it her trust.

Ssssssss

This was not what was supposed to happen, Fred silently repeated, as he helplessly watched Hermione bolt from the room. He saw her disappear in the bathroom, Angelina hurrying after her after throwing them a dirty look.

"You switched the plates," Fred stated, looking at his twin with a raised brow.

"Course I did. Couldn't let my big brother prank me in front of my wife now, could I?" George said, not even seeming a little bit sorry. "Took me one look at you to figure out you'd planned something."

Which had been a horrible idea, Fred realized, his stomach clenching with guilt. Why had he thought testing his new creation on George now would be a good idea? He'd wanted to make Hermione smile, make all of them smile, in fact. But that would not be happening anytime soon, he realized, because apart from George no one seemed to find his little prank even a little bit funny, not even himself.

When Hermione did not come back after ten minutes he knew that something must have gone wrong, the effect of the kit-cats should have long worn off. But he'd only added the base of the product to make it blend easier with the cake, which he probably should not have done.

"Hermione?" he knocked at the bathroom door, his heart heavy with guilt. "Are you alright?"

It was Angelina opening the door for him, her eyes telling him what a stupid idiot he was. As if he'd needed any reminder of that fact. All he could do was start grovelling as soon as they'd managed to turn Hermione back, only that there was no saying how long that would take them. Fuck.

Ssssssss

It was almost two hours later when Fred and George finally managed to undo the horrible transformation. Afterwards, Hermione was too mentally exhausted and too fed up to speak, disappearing into George's old room without saying a single word. It did not take long until there was a knock on the door, but after the amount of humiliation she'd been through she didn't feel like opening it… or talking to Fred. No. She didn't want to see him right now, she decided and with a swift motion of her wand she firmly locked the door. Whatever he wanted to say, would have to wait until tomorrow.

Ssssssss

Hermione did not answer the door, or even leave the room for the rest of the day and after standing there like an idiot for almost half an hour, begging her to let him explain he retreated into the living room, leaving the door open and listening for any sound from her direction. None came, Fred went to bed late - and very much alone. And he hated it.

The next day didn't start much better. When he finally crawled out of bed, tired and guilt-ridden, Hermione was already awake, rummaging through the fridge in her tartan pyjamas. When she finally turned and realized he was in the room with her she looked at him silently, but the disappointment in her eyes spoke volumes. He'd hurt her, disappointed her - badly.

"Hermione," he started, noting with an internal wince how desperate he sounded. "I really didn't mean for this to happen."

She did not blink, her face an unreadable mask as she said: "What exactly, Fred? You did not mean to prank me? Or to get me stuck in the body of a naked cat?"

The quivering of her voice almost broke him. Godric, he really was an idiot. "I meant to slip the potion to George," he explained hastily. "He must have swapped the plates without any of us noticing."

Hermione watched him silently, evidently waiting for him to continue. Only Fred did not know what else to say to defend his idiocy. "I never meant to make you feel bad or embarrassed, love."

"No? Because you did a very good job of that." Her eyes flashed accusingly before she turned around, marching towards George's old room with her filled plate. Fred watched her go, his heart stuttering in protest at her leaving again. But she did, leaving him clueless of how to make things alright between the two of them again.

Ssssssss

She'd had a horrible night, sleep would not come to her for a long while, no matter how exhausted and emotionally drained she felt. Worst of all were her thoughts that simply would not stop going round and round, mulling over the question why Fred had done that to her. Now after Fred had explained himself, she knew, knew that it hadn't been him alone, that he had not meant to be pranking her at all. Still, she could not shake the feeling of humiliation and the anger, that he would attempt ruining the first time they'd invited someone to their flat as a married couple. It was like she could only fully see him now, see the full picture of who Fred Weasley was. Before she'd married him she had known he was a notorious prankster and troublemaker, but somehow the last few days had made her forget. Now she remembered, the puzzle pieces seemed to connect and give her the full picture and right at this moment, she did not know what to do with it.

It was almost lunchtime when Hermione left George's room again. Fred seemed to have waited for her, he leapt up from the sofa as soon as she entered their living room with the integrated kitchenette. She did not say anything though, just went silently to get herself something to drink. Hermione barely reached the fridge before she felt Fred looming behind her, his big hands cupping her waist, slowly turning her around. She did not resist, knowing that they would need to talk about this eventually and no matter how hurt or disappointed she was, she was no coward.

"I'm sorry," Fred said, staring down at her with huge, brown eyes. "Sorry for being an idiot and for not apologizing right away. Can you forgive me?" he asked and Hermione studied his expression, lost for words. Finally she shrugged, flashing him a weak smile.

"I'll get over it," she murmured, lowering her gaze. "Even though I don't know how to face George or Angelina, the next time I see them."

"George won't breathe a word," Fred promised, his hand reaching for her face, cupping her cheek. "Not after the dressing down he and I received from Angie."

She nodded. Only then did she notice that Fred lowered his head towards her, his eyes looking at her with an intensity that made her shiver.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

At that, he smiled. "Claiming my daily kiss, of course. We've got a rule for that, remember?"

"Oh."

Her word was swallowed by the kiss, Fred's lips sealing her mouth ever so gently, every movement feeling like a silent apology. I missed you, said the tiny kiss he bestowed to the corner of her mouth, I'm sorry, the gentle touch of his thumb against her cheek. Hermione felt her anger melt, her heart fluttering in her chest when she was reminded of how wonderful things had been between them. They could be wonderful again, she realized, if she was willing to give him another chance.

"I forgive you," she murmured when Fred ended the kiss, his forehead still resting against hers. "Under one condition."

He blinked. "Anything."

Hermione smiled. "I'd like to make a little change to the rules. I'd like to add another rule, no pranks inside this flat. I'd really rather not be turned into a naked cat again."

Fred chuckled. "Deal," he said, before kissing her again, his arms snaking around her body. "I'd much rather see you naked in your real body anyway," he murmured against her mouth.

Hermione chuckled. "You're impossible."

All it had taken for her to forgive him was one kiss paired with an apology. How good, that they had a rule to assure there would always be enough kisses to share between the two of them.