Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or the world or any of that nonsense
Beta'd by my good friend and Bro Lewis Mackay
"Ginny, I know you've got plans with Harry, but I need you." I drag Ginny upstairs to our room at the Burrow, and she grimaces at Harry.
"Sorry, Harry. Girl emergency." I call over my shoulder. He waves us on, and Molly grabs his attention to talk about a wedding.
When the door finally closes behind us, Ginny turns to me with a menacing look. "This better be worth it. Today is probably the only day where everyone is expected to spend the entire time with their match. Mum's even letting us out of chores."
"I have to move in with them. Tonight. We have to sleep in the same bed." My voice is rapidly rising in anxiety, and I'm barely on the edge of the bed.
"You lived with Harry and Ron for months on the run. You can handle the twins." She tries to be reassuring, but my foot bouncing.
"That was different. I have to share a bed with them. The most I've ever done with a guy is kiss. I mean, Ron and I snogged a lot, but he kept pushing me for more, and I wasn't comfortable. He wasn't very good at it. In under a month I have to do a lot more than that, with both of them."
"They won't push you, Hermione. They're quite the gentleman." Ginny rubs my back, and sits on the bed next to me.
"I know. That's what they said."
"Why are you so nervous about sharing a bed with them? You know more won't happen unless you're okay with it." She continues to rub soothing circles on my back, and slowly I start to calm down.
"I've never been with two men. Or one."
"You can't just pick one. They're both your soul mate. You know how much that would hurt them." Her words make sense, and I sigh.
"I know. I looked into the law. Because there are two of them, I have to sleep with them each once a week. Not like a . . . threesome, but they both have to . . ." I take a deep breath, and force the words out. "The law states that all partners must release seed inside my . . . womanly place at least once a week. Starting in under a month. Monitoring starts the week we start having sex. What if I'm not ready by then? I don't know them very well. All I know about them is their shop, and silly antics." Voicing my fears has calmed my foot tapping, along with Ginny's helpful back rub.
"That's why you're getting to know them. There is more to them than what the family can see. You know what? I've got an analogy than might help. In the beginning of Pride and Prejudice, we see Mr. Darcy as a proud, pompous man. He starts out as a background character. He remains flat, up until he proposes to Elizabeth. All your life, the twins have been background characters. They don't have any depth to them, because you haven't gotten to see them one-on-one. One-on-two, in this instance. In the story, Elizabeth visits, and finds a whole new man, where there was once a flat character. He wants to show her that there is more to him than she has seen, and gain her affections. I think it will be like this with the twins. Instead of you just seeing them as a single unit, you'll see them as George, and Fred. They'll develop as far more than plain background characters, and hopefully woo you as successfully as Darcy wooed Elizabeth. Does that help you see things better?" I nod at Ginny, and she looks smug.
"I knew making you read muggle literature would come in handy. That makes me feel a lot better about it. You really think they'll try to woo me?" I twist my fingers in my hand, now more nervous than the deep anxiety I had.
"Hermione, I think they'll do everything they can to make you comfortable. Including refraining from pranking you." Ginny grins, and I smile back, a bit more confident about the whole situation.
"You don't think I'm in any danger?"
"'I think you are in very great danger of making them as much in love with you as ever.'" Ginny quotes. We both laugh, and I playfully shove her. She sticks her tongue out at me, and gets up. I'm much more at ease since her analogy. Books make things a lot simpler.
"Since you are now not a nervous wreck, I'm going back to my husband. He's got a surprise for me, apparently."
"You'll have to tell me all about it. I should go see Fred and George. They're going to help me pack, and move." My ease lasts only until I start down the stairs. The anxiety is replaced by nervous excitement when I see them. I'm still wary of the two of them, but it isn't as bad. It's more like an adventure now.
"'Mione, love!" George stands up to greet me when I enter the sitting room, and Fred jumps up behind him.
"We wondered where you got off to." Fred steps towards me, and I pause in the doorway.
"Would you like us to help you pack?" George gives Fred a look, and he stops advancing.
"You can get settled in before dinner." Fred smiles reassuringly. It helps ease my nervousness very little.
"We'd like to cook for you. You can have some time to get comfortable with the flat while we cook." George's voice and smile are filled with sincerity. He keeps his distance, until I nod. He just wants you to be comfortable. I smile at both of them.
"That'd be wonderful. I appreciate the help." I bite my lip anxiously, and turn to head back upstairs. They both follow. A hand lightly touches the small of my back, and I flinch away on instinct. He quickly moves it, and we're awkwardly standing outside the room I shared with Ginny.
With a sigh, I push open the door, and enter. Before either of them can say anything, I'm pulling out my trunk from the closet. It is perfectly cleaned out, unlike Ginny's and the boys', and waits for contents.
Fred plops on my bed, and reclines, causing both me and George to give him a look.
"You offered to help, not sit around and watch. I've got a surprising amount of stuff that needs moved." He hops up, and stands at attention, giving a mock salute.
"Fred Weasley, at your service." His grin is playful, and I smile slightly in return.
"Can you two start packing books in here? They're all stacked under the bed." I turn from them, and start putting my clothes in a duffel bag my parents got me. It's got dividers for the separate types of clothes, and has been magically expanded to fit all of mine. With a wave of my wand, my clothes zoom from my drawers, and fold neatly in the correct sections, arranged by color. One section has a zipper to cover my intimates, and it automatically zips closed. When I turn around, both twins are sitting on the floor, looking at me. Gawking is a more appropriate word, actually. Only a small stack of books has been packed in the time I've packed an entire bag.
"You two aren't very helpful. You've spent the entire time staring at me." They both blush, and George looks slightly ashamed. Fred meets my eyes, and his are twinkling with mischief. The smirk on his lips is slightly sexy, as embarrassing as that is to admit. His eyes boldly look over me, and I find myself blushing more. To hide my embarrassment, I wave my wand and the books pack themselves in alphabetical order.
"Looks like I didn't really need your help, boys." I grin, satisfied, and they both hop up.
My other personal artifacts, like a picture of my parents and a few other miscellaneous items, get packed in with my books and the trunk zips itself with a wave of my wand. Now that everything is packed, my anxiety over moving in with them returns tenfold. I know they feel it, because they look slightly worried. I can feel the calm they're trying to instill from the bond, but it helps little.
"All right, 'Mione?" George asks, taking a step towards me and reaching for my hand. Instead I use my hand to push my hair back, and tuck it behind my ear. He notices my avoidance, and takes a step back.
"Yeah. Just a little nervous. We should floo to the flat. It's almost four." They nod at my suggestion and each pick a bag. They've both got feather light charms on them, so it isn't a hassle. I find myself anxiously wringing my hands as I lead the way downstairs. In the sitting room, I'm stopped by Molly.
"Oh, I'm glad I've caught you. We're holding a dinner tomorrow for everyone and their partners. It's at six. Other than us, we've invited Luna, Dean, and Seamus. Is there any friends of yours you'd like me to include? I want everyone to have the chance to socialize." I shrug my shoulders at her request, but Fred speaks up.
"Invite Lee, Katie, Alicia, Angelina, and Oliver please? I haven't seen them in ages." George nods along with his request, and Molly bustles off to write the owls.
"What do you want to bet some of them got each other? I know Alicia's had her eye on Lee for years." George remarks to Fred.
"Oliver and Katie have been a couple for a while, too. But you know Lee got with Ange' a few weeks ago. He was head over heels for her. Bet he's disappointed. I can't wait to see them tomorrow." Fred excitedly follows me to the fireplace, but lets me floo over first. It's the first time I've seen the flat, and I'm a bit shocked to find it's much more sophisticated than the store below. Well, what was the store below.
It's decorated in a modern style, shades of brown with earthy green accents. A deep brown wooden bookshelf sits empty next to the fireplace, waiting for me. I'm touched to find that they've thought about making me comfortable. I look at the rest of the room while I wait for them to follow. They must have been delayed.
The walls are a soft brown, warm and comforting, while the carpet is a deep forest green. The couches are worn brown leather, that's lightly crackled across the surface. Tucked into the corner by the bookshelf is a large chair, wide enough for comfortable curling up, and a lamp that would cast light on me if I were to read there. They look like new additions, but match the sofa and love seat perfectly. The coffee table is the same wood as the bookshelf, and has character. It adds to the earthy, homey feel of the room. The lighting is soft and warm. I can easily see myself being at home here.
I turn towards the door, and Fred tumbles out of the floo behind me. He appears to have lost his balance carrying my trunk. Instinctively, I rush forward to help him. He manages to stay upright, and grins happily at me.
"What do you think of the place?" He asks while George steps out of the floo with my duffle.
"It's very nice. The décor is surprisingly tasteful. I can see myself being at home here." I blush at the statement, and look down at my toes instead of at them.
"Good. I'm glad you feel welcome here, Hermione. That's what I hoped you'd feel." George smiles warmly at her, and I find myself returning the smile to both of them.
"How about a grand tour?" Fred asks with a playful grin.
"That'd be lovely." I bit my lip nervously, and they both notice. Calm vibes radiate from the bond, and I smile gratefully.
"Alright, Gred, lead the way." Fred jokes, bowing both of us out of the room. I smile, a little more relaxed as I follow George. Fred takes up the rear.
"This is the dook." George gestures to an area outside the doorway that is both kitchen and dining room. It's also tastefully decorated in burnt orange, and muted reds and yellows.
"What is a dook?" I raise my eyebrows, and identical grins greet me.
"A dook, darling Hermione, is a room where you Dine and cook. A word of our own creation." George explains.
"Not to be confused with a nook." Fred adds.
"No, not by any means." George agrees, before leading me down the hall. There are two doors, one on each side.
He opens the door on the left, and I'm led into a large bedroom. There's a king sized bed in the center of the room, with an overly large quilt covering it. There's a stack of fluffy pillows for each of us, and the sight of the bed reminds me of my earlier fears. Fred notices me tense up, and George opens another door in the room. This one leads to a bathroom.
I step inside, and find myself overwhelmed by how big the room is. The tub is enormous, with enough room for me to swim around. It looks to be deep, and has a bench around the edge, with different taps like the prefects bathroom at Hogwarts. I also note it's triangle shaped. This brings back my recent anxiety, and reminds me that there is a point in the near future I will have to be naked with them.
I force myself to turn away from them, and towards the shower. It's large, and wide. There are three taps in an inset area, with plenty of room for a few people to move around comfortably. Each tap has shelves by it, and two opposite already have products on them. The middle one is empty, waiting to be filled by my products. The area isn't walled in, but has the option of a curtain, if necessary. The bar currently doesn't have one.
This, again, brings to mind that I have to be naked around them relatively soon. My fingers tap out an anxious pattern against my leg, and I turn to examine what I haven't already seen of the room. There's a large counter with three sinks, plenty of counter space, and a mirror. Random bathroom necessities cover the counter near two of the sinks, but one space is neat and clean. There is shelving in cabinets underneath. There's a door to the side, and it's open to show a toilet, with a little cupboard next to it, and toilet paper.
I turn to face them, and find them watching me expectantly. I realize that most of this was done for my benefit, and happened sometime in the past two hours. It looks so refined, that it's hard to believe this was done while I spoke with Ginny, but that's the only time it could have happened. I've been with them up until that point.
"It's beautiful, but how did you have time to do all this?" I ask, taking a hesitant step forward. They both grin mischievously.
"Well," George draws out the word. "Fred started it while you were upstairs after reading the letter. When Harry came down to grab Ginny, I had read the letter thoroughly."
"I came back, after hiring someone to make sure this was ready within an hour, because we already had plans for something like this laid out, and George informed me of the letter's insinuation about bonding. We told everyone present, and apparated upstairs to find you."
"After we were bonded, and our talk, you ran off to find Ginny, and we apparated here to place the finishing touches."
"We hope everything is to your liking-"
"But you haven't seen the best of it yet."
"Come, milady, and let us show you-
"The closet-"
"and the study." They both bow, and I grin at them. I'm feeling touched, and much more at ease. They put so much effort into making me comfortable.
Fred rushes to open the closet door for me, and I gasp. It's a walk-in closet. But it's also so much more.
Their side is a little disorganized, but I have every organizational tool imaginable at my disposal. There are lots of cubbies, and drawers, and hangers. Everything has it's place. I'm not one to fawn over fashion, but this closet is definitely a dream closet. It's all waiting to be filled and organized. I can't wait.
The girlish squeal I give when I see the closet is nothing compared to the high pitched squeak of excitement I give upon entering the study. The entire back wall is bookshelves, and half of them are filled with rare and interesting magical books. The rest wait for me to fill them. I have a study area, and there's another couch and over-sized chair. The lighting is warm, and perfect for reading.
Without thinking, I throw my arms around both of them. This room is exactly what I needed to feel at home. They chuckle, and it makes me blush. Before I can pull away, both of them wrap me in a hug. My cheeks are burning when I pull away, but they look pleased.
"There's a half bathroom through that door, if you're more comfortable using it."
"We dropped your bags in the bedroom, love."
"Please make yourself comfortable, and let us know if there's anything you'd like to change."
I smile warmly at them, and find myself hugging George tightly, and then Fred. The grins on their faces exude happiness.
"Thank you both. You've been really thoughtful." I smile shyly, and I can feel my cheeks heating up.
"No problem, love. We're going to start cooking."
"Let us know if you need anything." They grin, and apparate to the kitchen with a loud crack.
Instead of using magic to put everything away, I do it by hand. The task helps me calm down. All of my clothes find a home in the closet, along with the few pairs of shoes I have. Hanging everything up doesn't take as long as I hoped. Before half an hour has passed, everything is put away in the closet, even after arranging everything by length.
Next are my few personal possessions and books. All of them should probably go in the study. I feel like that's more my space than in here, or in the sitting room. I levitate my trunk behind me, and go across the hall. Banging comes from the kitchen still, along with a few curses. It worries me slightly, but I leave them to it. I do not want to become a part of whatever mess they're making.
I put the picture of my parents on my desk. It's a duplicate of their wedding photo, and it brings a smile to my face. They're so happy. I can only hope they'll be as happy in their new life. I banish the thoughts of them as tears prick my eyes. I should not cry about them. This is best for them. Bringing back their memories is too dangerous. They could end up like Lockhart, or worse. The thought makes me shudder.
Instead of thinking about this, I put away my books. I decide that all my nonfiction books should go in here. This is the majority of them, unsurprisingly. I quickly arrange them by subject, starting at the bottom of the shelf, since I can't easily reach the highest ones. There's a large stack of muggle novels that need a home still. I'm hesitant to leave the room though. I've been in here most, and they're in the kitchen. They could be making a mess, or burning things, or having a food fight. A number of scenarios pass through my mind, each making me more anxious. The noises in the kitchen cease, and George appears in the doorway.
He finds me sitting on the floor, next to a large stack of novels. He knocks gently on the door frame, and I look up, nervously biting my lip.
"Are you all right, 'Mione? Have you got everything settled?" He asks gently, taking a step forward.
"Yeah. I've got to put these in the sitting room, and I'll be settled. If that's alright." I add the last part in, and avoid his eyes. He walks in, and sits on the floor in front of me.
"Of course it is. I want this place to be as much yours as it is ours. You don't have to avoid walking by the kitchen because we're in there. You have full run of the place." He gently reaches out and tilts my head up, so I'll look at him.
"That's not what happened." I mutter softly, still refusing to meet his eyes.
"'Course not, love. Dinner is about ready, so why don't you put those up and meet us in the dook?" His voice is gentle, and kind. His fingers tucking a strand of hair behind my ear is soft and sweet.
"All right." He smiles warmly at me, and I smile back shyly. He stands, and offers a hand to me. I let him help me up, but drop his hand and levitate the stack behind me.
"Ladies first." He bows playfully, and lets me walk out first.
I hurry into the sitting room, and take my time arranging the books in alphabetical order. Pride and Prejudice is first in the shelf, and it reminds me of Ginny's words. I can do this. This is just developing background characters. At least they aren't like Mr. Darcy. This thought makes me smile, and I turn to meet them.