Fred smiled at the sleeping witch. He couldn't recall how many times he had wished for a moment like this. For the last four years he had imagined what if would be like to kiss Hermione. What it would be like to hear her say those three words. Yet everything he had imagined, paled in comparison to the reality.
"Quite lovely isn't she?" Fred's skin crawled. "Oh ginger dear, didn't mean to scare you." He turned to face the demon before him. Bellatrix Lestrange, how was this even possible? "Now, now before you reach for your little wand, you won't be finding it there." He quickly patted his inside jacket pocket, the blood in his veins running cold. "Don't worry Weasley I'm not here to kill you." She moved like a snake around him, suddenly disappearing in front of his eyes. "I'm not exactly here." She reappeared behind him, playfully tapping on his shoulders.
Fred rubbed his hands over his face, trying to wake himself up from this nightmare. Somehow she had made her way into his dreams. "What do you want then?" He sighed.
"Cooperation? How nice." She laughed, skipping about the room. Flipping the ends of her black dress around like a child. Around and around she twirled. "How niceeeeee." She took one more slow spin, before falling to her knees next to a sleeping Hermione. Tilting her head to side, she stared at the girl curiously. "I've been wondering something lately." She took her wand out and parted the girl's hair.
Instantly Fred's hand was on the dark witch's arm. "Don't you dare." He said with such ferocity that even Bellatrix was a little worried.
Her eyes moved from his hand to his face. "Just look blood traitor." Slowly she moved back Hermione's hair to reveal the starch white that was hidden beneath. "Strange, don't you think?"
Fred looked closer. Sure enough, Hermione's hair was beginning to change color. Bellatrix smiled, looked back down at the girl, and disappeared into black smoke.
Harry made his way down the Burrow's stairs quietly in the early morning. After an intense couple days, there were a few things he needed to work out. A small fire flicked in the living room, giving off a nice glow with the sunrise. Sprawled out on the biggest arm chair was Fred Weasley. Harry had always admired Fred since their time at Hogwarts. His bravery and persistent in finding Hermione made Fred more of a brother to Harry, than just a friend. His gaze shifted over to the raggedy old couch with the sleeping girl.
Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her time, fierce and clever. His sister. When she disappeared, Harry had no clue what to do. Even Ron had given up on her. But Fred never did and never let Harry either. And now her she was, almost smiling in her sleep. Harry smiled down with tears in his eyes. He crouched beside her and wiped the hair from her face. There was so much he had learned about her during her absence. So much he still needed to know. After the incident at Hogwarts the previous day, the truth was becoming much clearer.
His body froze feeling a wand end press into the back of his neck.
"Stand up slowly and hand me your wand." Fred demanded.
"Fred?" Harry questioned.
"Do as I say Harry." He replied.
Cautiously Harry reached for his wand and turned to face Fred. The look in the twin's eyes was as intense as the day they found Hermione in the hospital. Harry put his wand in Fred's outstretched hand.
"In the fireplace." Fred commanded. The two walked in flow. "98 Diagon Alley." And with a swish they were gone.
Hermione heard the quiet rumble of the fireplace. She couldn't tell if the warmth on her skin was from that or the early sunlight.
For what seemed like the first time in her young life, she felt complete at peace. Memories of the night before flooded through her mind. Love. Fred Weasley loved her. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you, kind of love. She smiled a goofy grin, then covered her face with her hands.
"Well, somebody is having a good morning." Hermione jumped a little at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Sorry, I, I didn't mean to startle ya." Ron put his hands up, as he walked over to the couch. "It's just, I thought maybe we could talk."
Harry stepped out of the fireplace and into the twin's flat. Not much had changed since they rebuilt after the Great War. Shag carpet, comfy furniture, and corky décor.
"Have a seat." Fred said, walking past him into the open kitchen area. Harry took a seat on the arm chair closet to exit. He sat quietly, watching Fred fetch a kettle. "Breath Potter." He heard Fred say. "I just have some questions." Harry breathed a sigh of relief and sank back in his chair.
Fred grabbed a tray of items and a teapot, before making his way back to the living area. He sat across from Harry on purple couch, a coffee table between them. "Tea?" he pushed a cup towards Harry.
"Thanks." He replied. The two made their cups and then both leaned back in their seats, neither drinking though.
"You going to give me that wand back Fred?" Harry asked. He watched as Fred looked off in the distance, seeming to pay him no mind. After another minute Harry let out a cough to try and grasp Fred's attention.
"How long have you known?" Fred responded sternly.
"I…uh, I'm not sure what you mean?" He replied, shifting slightly in his chair. Fred remained stoic.
"I think you do." He answered.
Of course Harry knew. The real question was how did Fred know and how much. Could he oblivate him, make him forget. Would that even be a good idea? With his ongoing relationship with her, shouldn't he know?
"Fred." He started.
"Don't." Fred moved to the edge of his seat. Suddenly his fists slammed against the coffee table sending cups splattering to the floor. "You…." He pointed his finger at Harry, his breathing rapid. "How long Harry? How long have you known about Hermione?" Fred's eyes bored into Harry's soul, begging him for the truth.
"Since the hospital." Harry said looking away, tears in his eyes. Fred hung his head and the room grew silent once more. This time neither man looked to each other. The tea stayed spilled on the table, the cups remained on the floor.
"All this time." It was but a whisper. "You knew." Fred kept his head down, hands holding it up, while his elbows rested on his knees.
"Fred, I didn't know who…" Harry started but was interrupted by the slamming of his wand on the table.
Fred's breathing could be felt in the entirety of the flat.
Suddenly the fireplace roared to life. George rushed in, wand ready. And with a pop, Fred was gone.