Anything Can Happen
By: mistress-of-the-soul
Chapter Five
A week after Fred and Hermione placed the ad in the daily Prophet there still was no answer. Business in the shop was also dwindling. Fred and Hermione were closing the shop up early after another slow day and Hermione brought the subject up with Fred. "Why do you think business has been slow? She asked. Fred sighed and sat down on top of the counter. "Because there is only one twin when there is supposed to be two. It just isn't the same anymore. I haven't been able to invent anything new in over six months. My heart just isn't in the business anymore."
Fred looked like he had just said that he wanted to die. Hermione went over to Fred and wrapped her arms around him, "Is there anything I can do?" Fred smiled and kissed her forehead. "Just stay the amazing girl you are." Hermione smiled and kissed him back. "Is there anything else you would like to do?" she asked, walking away to straighten some shelves. "I wouldn't mind being a professor," Fred admitted. Hermione turned around and raised an eyebrow. "A professor?" she questioned. "Well, you know," Fred said. "I always thought that it would be rather exciting teaching all those midgets how to do spells and what not. Potions even seems interesting." "Who ever would have known that the great prankster Fred Weasley wanted to be a professor?" Hermione teased. Fred laughed and scooped Hermione up and carried her up to 'their' flat.
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Fred and Hermione still worked the shop daily, but business dwindled more each day. A week before the start of Hermione's final term at Hogwarts, Fred posted an Out of Business sign on the shop door. "The Weasley Wizarding Wheezes is officially closed," he said glumly. "Fred," Hermione said. "It will all work out. Maybe this just wasn't the thing for you." Fred nodded in acknowledgement but Hermione's words didn't have the desired affect that she wanted. "Alright," she said getting up from the chair she was sitting in. "Go upstairs and find something nice to wear. We are going out." Fred looked up at her puzzled. "Out?" he asked. "Yes, out," Hermione said. She pushed Fred towards the stairs and followed him all the way to his room. "Don't come out until you are washed, shaved, dressed nicely, and smelling good," she ordered. Fred raised his hand in salute to Hermione and went to get ready. As soon as his door was closed, Hermione ran to her room, "What am I going to wear?" she thought frantically.
After searching through nearly all her clothes that she had brought with her, she finally found it, her green dress. Seeing as how she hadn't been to her house since before she had gone to the Burrow, she didn't have that many dressy things with her. She slipped the green satin dress over her head and let it fall around her. She walked over to her mirror and twirled around it, allowing the fabric to catch around her ankles. Hermione pulled her hair into a messy bun and left a few strands hanging out for to accentuate her face. She applied a little make-up, but not so much that she would look like she was desperate for attention. She dug through her small pile of shoes and found her green heels and slipped them on. She went to stand in front of the mirror and smiled.
Hermione left her room with an air of confidence. She made her way to the living room to find Fred pacing. She stood against the door frame ad watched him walk back and forth. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as he thought. Hermione turned attention to what he was wearing and was very impressed. He had simple black pants on with a black button down shirt. He had black polished shoes. All in all he was perfect. Hermione stood up straight and cleared her throat. Fred stopped his pacing and turned around. His jaw dropped at the sight of Hermione. "Sweet Merlin," he breathed. Hermione blushed and walked towards him. "Do you like it?" she asked. "Like it?" Fred asked baffled. "No." Hermione's face fell and she felt her heart begin to break all over again. Seeing the look on her face Fred said, "I don't like it. I love it." Hermione looked up and smiled brightly.
"So where are we going Miss Granger?" Fred asked. "Dancing," Hermione exclaimed. "I can't dance!" Fred yelped. "Oh yes you can," Hermione said. "I saw you at the Yule Ball, you danced like a pro." Fred blushed. He thought he had made a fool of himself. Hermione grabbed his arms and they walked out into Diagon Alley. They walked down the street hand in hand, content with each others presence. They came upon the club at the end of the lane and Hermione squealed. "There it is!" Fred and Hermione managed to find a table and ordered some drinks.
Hermione sat watching the girls dance with the beat of the music. Fred sat watching Hermione. "So why did you pick this club?" he asked. "Well," Hermione replied. "They p lay a little bit of everything here. Muggle music, wizard music, tango, waltz, all sorts of stuff. I like variety!" Fred laughed and looked up to where the DJ was. "I'll be right back," he said to Hermione and left in the direction of the DJ. Hermione didn't pay any attention to where he was going and just sipped her drink.
The ext thing she knew Fred was beside her asking her to dance. Of course, Hermione being the girl she is, accepted. When they got onto the dance floor, Fred nodded at the DJ. Hermione was confused but understood when the DJ changed the song. It was a more modern upbeat version of a tango. Fred took Hermione's hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Prepare to be amazed," he whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. The music started and Fred began to move. "Wow, he's good," Hermione thought. Fred spun Hermione and brought her back to him with power and grace. Everybody had left the dance floor to watch the couple dance. They formed a circle around Fred and Hermione as they danced. Neither one noticed, they were so caught up in the dance and they had only eyes for each other. After another exhilarating twirl, Fred pulled Hermione back to him and ran his hands down her arms, making her knees go weak. He spun her again and when she was back in his arms he dipped her low and kissed her passionately. Hermione responded immediately. The crowd cheered and Fred and Hermione stood up and bowed. Somewhere in the crowd, a camera was flashing.
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Hermione and Fred didn't get home until two in the morning. They barely made it in the door before falling over each other. Laughing, they both curled up on the couch and fell asleep. Neither one awoke until noon the next day. Hermione awoke first and was sitting at the kitchen table when she saw the front page of the Daily Prophet. "Oh my gosh!" she screamed. Fred sat up so quick he fell off the couch. He tumbled over to where Hermione stood staring at the front page. There in black ad white and moving was Fred and Hermione dancing, and underneath it a smaller picture showed them kissing. "Holy crap, now everyone knows," Fred said. "I HATE Rita Skeeter," Hermione seethed. "Hey, look on the bright side," Fred joked. "Now everyone knows that you are mine and that they can't go chasing after you." Hermione looked at Fred and asked, "Do you really mean that?" "Which part?" Fred asked. "About me being yours," Hermione said. "Only if you'll have me," Fred replied. Hermione grinned and threw herself into Fred's arms.
She no longer loved Ron. Her heart had bee stolen by someone else, and this time that person actually loved her.
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I know that it is not the longest chapter, but it seemed like a good place to end it. REVIEW!!!