A/N: Hi everybody! Happy to see me? Or do you hate me by now? First of all I'm reeeeeeeeeaaaaaally sorry for not updating in such a long time. But I have an excuse, sort of… I've been working abroad for 4 months, and it was impossible for me to write then…And when I came back home, I was completely blocked. Every time I sat in front of the computer I could write only a couple of lines, nothing came to me… That's why this chapter took so long. But I swear I haven't abandoned this story and hopefully the updating rate will improve. Thanks for reading this and for you patience. Hope you like it! And Please review!

First Comes Marriage, Then Love?

Chapter XII: An Explicit Threat and an Implicit Theat

It was late now. Hermione was deeply asleep in her husband's arms, but the latter was widely awake. He was happier than he ever thought he could be, and this scared him. Living with Hermione was the best thing that had happened to him. In her he had found not only a great companion but also the love of his life and the mere idea of losing her made it difficult for him to breathe. And that threat was a lot closer than he would like it to be. He knew she loved him, but he also knew that she tended to put her friends before everything, even herself. How many times had he seen her risk her life to protect Harry and the rest? And Ron was one of her oldest and dearest friends. What would happen when she saw him devastated by their relationship? Was she still going to be willing to go on with it? Or worst, there was always the possibility of her realizing that she was actually in love with his youngest brother. And what really troubled Fred was that, if that happened, he would have to let her go to Ron. He loved her too much, and he only wanted to see her happy, even if happiness for Hermione meant being with someone else. Still, he couldn't imagine his life away of the woman he loved so much. Nothing would make sense if she wasn't by his side.

"There's only one thing I can do then," he thought as he gently stroked Hermione's face, illuminated by the moonlight "I have to make sure she falls in love with me again every day."

Many miles away another Weasley was thinking about the same woman. He had no idea of how things had change while he had been absent and he was positive that in the end he was going to get the girl. True, she had not reacted as he had expected when she saw him. But Haley had said that might happen. She was probably still hurt by the way he had acted. And although it was not like Hermione to hold a grudge, she was still a woman. She had proved so by inviting that git to Slughhorn's party. All he needed was to spend time with her and remind her why she had fallen in love with him in the first place. And of course he, or rather Haley, had it all figured out.

In the following days everybody got used to Ron being back. In next to no time it was as if he had never left. Mrs. Weasley was particularly delighted at having her youngest son at home. She had always felt a bit guilty when it came to Ron because with six other children to look after, she had never been able to give him the attention and cares he needed. But now he was the only one left, as Ginny was at Hogwarts, she could focus only on him; and she did.

As he couldn't continue his studies until the following year, Ron got a job at the ministry, at the Department of Magical games and Sports. He was surrounded by famous former quidditch players who were now making a living out of the experience they had collected on the field and were now working as referees or had jobs similar to Bagman's. He was having the time of his life, both at home and at work. Besides, working at the Ministry also meant that he got to spend a lot of time with Hermione, which of course had been the plan. They would have lunch together and share their breaks; it was almost like being back at school. The plan was up and running. But there were a few differences; for starters Harry was not around. Also, Fred was between them a lot more than Ron had anticipated he would be, and definitely a lot more than he would have liked. He often apparated at Hermione's office to take her out for lunch or pick her up at the end of the day. Although they insisted that it was because they had to act as a newlywed couple, he felt extremely jealous every time Fred grabbed Hermione by the hand, hugged her or kissed her. And to make matters worst, Hermione appeared to enjoy it every time he did those things.

Ron soon realized that Haley's plan was not going to be as easy as he had thought. He continued to write periodic letters to the girl, telling her every one of Hermione's movements and she kept sending instructions back. But Ron was getting impatient because he didn't see any results. Hermione treated him just like a friend, even more so than she did before she had married Fred.

Meanwhile, Fred and Hermione were enjoying their honeymoon period. He was determined to put all his efforts to ensure Hermione was not going anywhere. But there was really no need, she loved him as much as he loved her. Still he liked to keep the romance between them from dying and almost every day did something to remind her why they were together. Neither of them could remember ever feeling happier than when they were with each other. True, it was difficult for them to act as if nothing had change when the Weasleys were around, but it was all worth it. Those precious moments when they walked from the movies to the apartment, or when they had a quiet dinner talking about silly things made everything so much easier to bear. The war was still on, and it seemed as though it would never end. Every day news about new disappearances, attacks, torturing and death appeared in the paper. Harry was working tirelessly to find the way to destroy Voldemort and the rest of the Order tried to help him as much as they could. But Harry knew this was his battle and wouldn't let anyone in too far. Not even Ron and Hermione. The latter was so worried about her best friend that Fred worried she might end up sick. She knew that if it wasn't for her husband who was always there for her, she would have collapsed long ago. That's what they did, they were there for each other, to comfort or assure each other that everything was going to be over soon.

Between worries and moments of bliss, time went by and before anyone realized Christmas was around the corner. It was an extremely busy period at the shop. The twins were working harder than ever to keep up with customer's demands. This meant that Fred's time with Hermione was seriously diminished. He loved working at the shop, but if truth should be told he could hardly wait every night to get home to his wife.

The Weasley family was planning a party for Christmas, everyone was invited to stay at the Burrow on Christmas Eve and have lunch together the following day. Fred and Hermione had obviously agreed to go, but they were secretly hoping they could have spent their first Christmas together alone. Plus, Fred didn't like the idea of Hermione spending so much time with Ron. No matter how much he claimed he was trying to help the Order, he knew his little brother pretty well. And the look on Ron's eyes every time he saw Hermione was the exact same look he, Fred, had whenever his wife was in the room. He had not confided his fears in Hermione because he didn't want her to think he didn't trust her. Besides, he already knew what she would say: "Ron and I are just friends!" Well, you had to be a guy to see it, but Ron Weasley was still head over heels for the girl.

And talking about Friends and love, Harry appeared to be nothing less than thrilled to be at the Weasley's for Christmas. And everybody knew the reason. Her name began with G and ended with –inny. In fact, the twins, Hermione and Katie had bets on how long it would take the-boy-who-lived kiss her again.

Hermione too was very glad she was going to see Ginny again. She needed to talk to her best friend. She hadn't dared to put anything in a letter just in case somebody else read it, but she was in great need of a girl's advice. Her feelings for Fred grew by the day, she had never felt about anyone how she felt about her husband. She desperately wanted to talk about this with another woman, and the only person who qualified was Ginny. Although she had no idea who she would react, after all both of them were her brothers and she loved them both. But it was also true that Ginny wanted what was best for Hermione, and surely she would understand and her advice was going to be with her interest at heart.

"Fred, which shirt do you want me to pack?" asked Hermione on December 23rd. She was preparing their bags for the two following days, as they were going straight to the Burrow after the shop closed.

"The light-blue one. Why do I have to wear a shirt again?" Fred asked from the study were he was reading for the tenth time the books Hermione had given him, trying to find a way to turn ears upside-down.

"Because your mother says so," she answered with a sight. "We've been through this, it's not the end of the world wearing a shirt, you know!"

"Easy for you to say, you can wear whatever you like, as long as you have a matching pair of earrings and shoes."

"If it makes you feel better," she said zipping up the bag she had been working on, "I think you look very cute when you wear shirts."

"No, it doesn't," answered Fred entering the room, "because you think I look cute in anything."

"No, I don't!"

"Yes, you do. You told me so last night."

"I don't remember ever saying such a thing!"

"Yeah, you did! Last night while you were sleeping… I remember perfectly well, you said: Fred, you are the most gorgeous man I've ever met. You look great in whatever you decide to wear, although I think what suits you best is being naked." Hermione snorted and kissed him on the forehead.

"You are so adorable!" she said, still laughing.

"I'm not sure why, but I feel offended by your laughter."

"Come to bed, will you?" she commanded. "It's late and we have a long day tomorrow"

"That's an invitation I'll never decline!" he said grinning widely. He hopped into the other side of the bed and kissed Hermione sweetly good night. He turned, but didn't fall asleep immediately. He had been thinking a lot lately about being in bed with Hermione. He didn't want to rush things, but he loved her and wanted to feel she was his and nobody else's. However, he hadn't dared to discuss the subject with her in case she thought he was pushing her or something. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable. He sighted loudly and tried to put the matter off his head. He would find a solution soon, or perhaps she would solve the problem for him. He yawned and turned. "I'd better not keep my hopes up."

The burrow was as crowded as ever. To Fred's and Hermione's delight, Mrs. Weasley had invited some distant relatives who knew nothing about the Order or its plans. This meant that they had to act as a newlywed couple all the time, in case some of them were watching. They arrived a couple of hours before dinner and were received by an extraordinarily happy Mrs. Weasley.

"Fred, Hermione, it's wonderful to see you both. I'm so happy to have the family all together, especially during this troubled times…. You can take that to the new room Arthur has added next to Ginny's," she said pointing at the bag Hermione was carrying. "Normally wouldn't have you sharing a room, but given the special circumstances…" Fred and Hermione exchanged a look of amusement.

"Do you need help at the kitchen Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione asked while Fred took the bags to the room his mother had indicated.

They went downstairs and were heading towards the kitchen when the flames in the fire place suddenly turned green, the sign that someone was floowing to The Burrow. And sure enough, a couple of seconds later the tall figure of Ron Weasley unfolded out of the chimney. His face broke into a broad grin when he saw Hermione standing right in front of him. A smile that the girl returned honestly, but that showed very different feelings.

"Ron, you are back," said Mrs. Weasley kindly "how was your day at work?"

"Not bad. Mr. McCain is very happy with my job and he mentioned something about promoting me. But I don't want to keep my hopes up, he said the same thing to three other employees. Listen mom, before I forget. I know it's last minute but would you mind if I brought a guest tomorrow?"

"No, not at all! Who are you bringing? A colleague from the Minister?" Asked Mrs. Weaseley

"A friend actually. She wants to spend tonight with her family but she agreed to come tomorrow. I met her in Denmark, she was really good to me there and I want you all to meet her".

The look of delight on Mrs. Weasley's face priceless. It was clear that she thought interpreted Ron's words as a clear statement that he had a girlfriend. She loved it when her son's brought home a partner, because it meant that the relationship was serious and that made them closer to marriage.

Hermione was thinking something similar. If Ron wanted to bring a lady friend it probably meant that he was going out with her. And although she didn't show it, she was as happy as Mrs. Weaseley about this. She had been so worried about how Ron was going to react when Fred and she finally told him about what was going on between them. But if he has a girlfriend, the blow was not going to be so harsh. She couldn't wait to tell Fred the news. They still weren't ready to tell his family that they had fallen in love, but she knew that the information was going to lift some of the burden over his shoulders.

Ron, on the contrary, was disappointed to see that Hermione had not reacted at all when he had hinted he was seeing someone. If anything he thought he had seen the ghost of a smile cross her face. Where was the flock of birds attacking him? Well, he had not expected her to react as she had at the age of sixteen, but a tinny demonstration of jealousy never hurt. Still, he wasn't too worried. Probably she was going to react when she saw Haley. After all she was a smart, funny and beautiful woman. Not the air-headed teenager Lavender had been.

Not too long after Ginny arrived from Hogwarts. She was delighted to see her family again. As she had put it, the school was not the same when one was the only Weasley around.

"And when there is no Harry Potter there, right?" Asked George from behind her. Ginny turned a pale shade of pink and covertly looked around to check if Harry was there. Luckily for her, he hadn't arrived yet.

"My dear George, let me remind you that I'm of age now and that I've always been the most gifted of Molly and Arthur's sons. So, unless you want to have bats coming out of your nose, shut up!" Everybody around laughed and even George chuckled appreciatively.

"Ginny, it's great to see you!" said Hermione moving forward to hug her best friend.

"And you!" said the redhead hugging her back.

Under pretences of having to take Ginny's bags to her room, the two girls went upstairs. Once the youngest had put all her things in order, she sat on her bed facing Hermione.

"Well?" Ginny demanded

"Well what?"

"You are married to Fred, you've been living with him. You are working at the ministry on Dumbledore's orders. Ron came back from Denmark just for you. You must have a lot of things to tell me, so start," answered Ginny simply.

"I certainly do have a lot of things to tell you. But I don't know where to start."

"Easy, by the most important one."

"You mean my work for the Order?"

"Of course not silly, your love life."

Hermione chuckled. Her friend had not changed one bit since they had last seen each other. Of course, she was going to answer that. It was not that Ginny didn't take the ongoing war seriously, but from her point of view there was not point indwelling on the subject.

"I don't have a love life, I'm married, remember?"

"Come on! We both know that is not true. Well it is, but you only married Fred because you had to, that doesn't stop you from loving someone else…"

"Yes, it does," said Hermione pointedly.

"No, it doesn't!" Ginny answered stubbornly. "Stop playing around and tell me who is it"

"Ginny, that's exactly what I'm trying to tell you…"

"No, you-" Ginny stopped in mid sentence, comprehension all over her face. "Are you saying that you and Fred… That you love… Hermione, is this a joke? Because if it is, it's very cruel thing to do in this troubled times!"

"No, it's not a joke. I love Fred and we are kind of dating… Or whatever."

"I can't believe this!" Ginny said, grinning broadly. "How did it happen? When? I want to know everything!"

Hermione told Ginny from the moment she had realized she had feeling for Fred to the night of their first kiss. She also confided in her friends her fears about Ron and about how the rest of the family was going to react when they knew. Ginny had always been a great listener and usually had a word of advice. She told her not to worry, to enjoy the moment she was going through and that everything was going to fall into place when the time was right. The older witch was relieved to see that she had her friend's support. And happy to have taken the burden of the secret out of her chest.

The two friends spent the rest of the afternoon talking about Hogwarts, the Order and of course Harry.

Dinner was a weird affair. Fred and Hermione felt watched all through it. Most of the family was, by now, more than used to seeing them together. There were times when one of them forgot that they weren't actually in love, and would marvel later at their acting skills. The couple would secretly laugh at this later. And they were usually were comfortable at The Burrow. But tonight things were different. On the one hand, it appeared that Ron was not going to accept the fact that they were supposed to be together and kept throwing dirty glances toward them. He tried not to, because that would interfere with his and Healy's plan, but it seemed to be stronger than him. On the other hand, Ginny was now looking for genuine gestures of affection between her brother and her best friend. The truth was that she was much better at disguising her glances than Ron was. Still, both Fred and Hermione felt them, and were not delighted by the situation.

The rest of the family appeared to be oblivious to any difference in the atmosphere. They talked, laughed and ate cheerfully. There was no room for fear of distress in that table. There was an unspoken agreement: Voldemort was not going to ruin their Christmas dinner. Even Harry managed to relax and feel normal, surrounded by the people he cared for the most.

"So Ginny, how's life at Hogwarts these days?" asked Harry while helping himself to second helpings.

"Same as every year, the Quiditch team is a mess without you lot; and the common room a lot quieter," she answered.

"Does that mean that you miss all of us?" asked George maliciously.

"Or just someone in particular?" added Fred joining his brother's taunt and earning a step on his foot from Hermione.

Ginny didn't blushed. She had lived with the twins all her life and was well trained in comebacks and retaliations.

"No, but Fred, do you remember Eloise Midgen? She's gone back to school to be the librarian's assistant and every time I check out a book she tells me how sorry she is you are married now because she always thought you and she were meant to be together." All the boys in the table shivered.

Fred put his arm around Hermione's shoulder and said, "Thanks God for you 'Mione" And he kissed her noisily in the check.

Ron checked around to see if any of their relatives were listening. When he had made sure they were busy talking, he said, "May be once Voldemort is gone you can ask her out on a date."

George and Harry laughed and started commenting on what a cute couple they would make. But Ginny, Fred and Hermione exchanged looks. Ron was too sure that once Harry had conquered the Dark Lord, the marriage would be over. That was not good. It sounded as though he was counting the days till that happened. Although the never said it, both Fred and Hermione had been hoping he would have given up on the idea of getting the girl, so that when moment of confrontation came, the blow would not be so harsh. Clearly, it was not going to happen any time soon.

Fred was specially upset by his brother's remark. And Hermione noticed that for the rest of the meal he said little and barely touched his portion of pay. She knew exactly what was going on inside his head. But this was not the time to deal with it. When they got to be alone again, she would remind him of how much she loved him.

Many miles away, in a dark room Harry had visited only in his dreams a conversation about the Weasleys was taking place.

"It's not that I doubt your greatness and your cleverness, but I don't understand why we should wait. Tomorrow I'm going to have free access to that trash can the blood-traitors call a house, and the Potter boy is going to be there… why not attack tomorrow and end it all then?" asked Healey.

"Patience my little dove, patience… I don't want to attack tomorrow because together with the Weasleys and Harry Potter probably half the Order of the Phoenix is going to be there. They are probably expecting an attack, so they'll be ready. I don't want my plans to be frustrated again by those useless rats… No, we'll stick to the plan. You have to continue acting as if you were his friend so that when the time comes, we can use him for our objectives"

"Yes Master, whatever you wish…" answered Haley kissing his hand and living the room to prepare herself for the following day.

Back at The Burrow, dinner was over and everyone was at their respective rooms, getting ready for bed. Hermione was already settled, but Fred kept walking up and down the room, supposedly looking for something he couldn't find.

"Come on," she said sweetly, putting down her book "spit it, what's bothering you?"

"I can't find my left sleeper," he said looking under the bed for the fifth time.

"Or your right one for that matter. You don't use slippers and from what your mother told me you haven't since you were seven."

"Right, well then I can't find any of my sleepers," he said stubbornly.

"Fred, come here and tell me what's wrong. Or at least stop pacing the room, you are going to drive me crazy."

He sat on the bed but didn't get into it. "That's better. Now, I'm going to ask you for the last time: do you want to tell me why you are so upset?"

"No, because you'll be mad at me." It was like a child telling his mother that he had misbehaved and now was afraid of the punishment.

"I knew it. I knew that Ron's comment had affected you. Listen, I don't care if Eloise Midget loves you, I don't care if she threatens me with the Cruciatus curse- which I doubt she can even pronounce- or if she sends me undiluted bubotuber pus You are my husband and the man I love, and nobody is going to change that. Got it?"

"I know that. But I also now that Ron is your friend and that you've always put your friend's happiness before yours."

"If Ron can't see that my happiness is next to you and not with him, then he's not my friend," Hermione didn't really felt that way, but he needed to convince Fred that whatever Ron felt for her was not going to interfere with their relationship. "Baby, don't think about that ok?" she asked in a much softer voice. "We have a lot to worry about as it is. And the only thing that is for sure these days is how much I love you!"

Fred smiled at her and finally lay next to her. She turned and hugged him with her eyes closed. He smelled her perfume and smiled. He was not going to stop worrying about Ron for a while, but at least it was him who had it next to him every night.

A/N: Was it worth the wait? Please let me know what you think 'cause your reviews keep me writing.