Mr. Wrong by WeasleyForMe
Fred/Hermione- They are involved together, but aren't they completely wrong for each other?
Thanks to Beneeta for beta reading this for me and for being filled with lovely ideas!!
Chapter Seven
Hermione was finding it more difficult to be away from Fred each day. She didn't realize just how well they fit together until they were separated. What made this situation worse was that this was one thing she couldn't talk to Ginny about. She somehow managed to make it through the day at work on Friday, thanks to lots of chocolate and some gossip at lunchtime.
On Saturday morning, she decided to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. She leisurely walked around Diagon Alley stopping to look at books in Flourish & Blotts. She found that she was still easily amused while in the confines of such a fantastic bookstore. After that, she even purchased an extra large ice cream sundae at Florean Fortescue's and was rather enjoying it until she saw some children carrying Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes bags. She set down her spoon as she had lost her appetite. Frowning, she stood and Apparated home to prepare for her date with Lee.
After she had found a simple dress to wear, she stood in front of the mirror as she pinned her hair up. "You can do better than Fred," she told her reflection. "See, you're already seeing someone new!" she said trying in vain to sound happy. As she put the finishing touches on her hair, she grabbed her purse and Apparated to meet Lee outside the Leaky Cauldron. She had spent hours trying to persuade herself to like Lee, but it just wasn't working. Fred's previous words about how terrible the Leaky Cauldron was for a date were echoing through her mind. He was right. A second date at the Leaky Cauldron was going to be awful.
"Hermione, you look lovely," Lee said as he strolled up, tearing her away from her thoughts.
She smiled as she said, "Thank you, Lee. Shall we go inside?"
He looked puzzled. "Oh, no, we aren't going to the Leaky Cauldron. I just wanted you to meet me here for convenience. Ready to venture into muggle London?" he asked with a dashing smile.
Hermione's heart gave a little jump of relief. "Absolutely!" They walked side by side through the busy streets, easily blending in with the muggles.
"What kind of food do you want to get?" he asked. She looked up and down the street and started to smile.
"How about we just get some messy slices of pizza," she said and was relieved to see Lee smiling.
"You just read my mind," he said. He held out his hand and she placed hers in it. There was no spark of fluttering in her tummy the way there was with Fred, but his hand was warm and it did feel nice.
Lee led the way into a little pizza parlor where they ordered a few slices and started to talk about work. They remembered to keep their voices quiet, so as not to draw attention from the muggles. "This week was rather exciting for me. We found a whole ring of shops in Knockturn Alley that were forging fake Apparition licenses," Lee said before he took a bite of pizza. "Tons of kids were splinching with them."
"Really? Who would have thought that such dark things were going on so close to Diagon Alley?" she asked, shaking her head.
"I know. The one place is right behind Fred and George's shop," he told her quietly. Hermione's shoulders visibly drooped at the mention of one Fred Weasley. "Say, have you been back to see them since I ran into you there?"
Hermione took a deep breath before she answered, "No, I haven't." She was trying to think of a way to change the subject.
"I didn't know you were very friendly with them, but George told me that you stop in there from time to time," he said. Hermione paled slightly.
"Sometimes… with Ginny," she muttered.
"Oh! It's almost seven o'clock!" Lee said as he checked his watch. "We'll be late for the movie."
"Movie?" Hermione asked, glad that the subject had finally changed.
"Yeah, I hope you don't mind I was going to take you to see Casablanca," he said as he pulled out money to pay for their meal.
"Casablanca?" she asked excitedly. Ever since she was a little girl, that movie had been her favorite.
"You sure ask a lot of questions," Lee said as he chuckled. "Yes, it's playing at the cinema down the street." Hermione bounced out of her seat with a smile. She could watch Casablanca an endless number of times. However, she could never get Fred to watch it with her.
Hermione and Lee talked and laughed as they walked quickly down the street, purchasing tickets and rushing inside just as the film was starting. "This date it turning out rather well," Hermione told herself, somewhat surprised by the evening's events. He let her choose the restaurant, and he picked an excellent movie. As she glanced at Lee in the darkened theater, she saw that he could be considered very attractive to some women. He turned toward her with a questioning look. "Um, I love this part," she quickly whispered so he didn't think she was staring at him. She returned her attention back to the movie.
When it ended, Hermione had a huge smile on her face. "Thanks Lee," she said. They walked back up the street and reentered Diagon Alley. Just as he made a funny comment about the film, Hermione turned a corner and ran smack into someone.
"What the-" she gasped. "Fred?"
He looked startled before he composed himself. "Hermione," he whispered, like her name was something to be revered.
They stood inches apart staring at each other for a long moment, ready to grab hold of each other, until Lee said, "Hey Fred! What's going on?"
Fred jumped away from her and ran a hand through his hair as he said, "Nothing too much. How are you both doing?"
Hermione found it difficult to speak. She muttered, "Fine," while Lee started talking about work. He stopped when he realized that neither Hermione nor Fred was paying any attention to him.
"You haven't stopped into the shop recently," Fred muttered as he stared at Hermione.
"I didn't think I had reason to anymore," she answered with a small frown.
Fred tried to smile. "You can always stop in, Hermione." They became silent again.
"Am I missing something?" Lee asked regarding their peculiar behavior.
Hermione stepped away from Fred and said, "No, nothing."
Fred finally looked at Lee and said, "Well have a good night, both of you." Then he stalked off into the shadows.
Hermione's heart was pounding and she suddenly felt horrible. Lee was looking at her and scratching his head. Then he turned to look at the spot where Fred was standing a moment ago. As he looked back at Hermione, realization dawned on his face.
"Oh, my gods," he mumbled. Hermione's eyes snapped up to meet his. "You and Fred… are you seeing each other?" he asked, genuinely perplexed. Hermione shook her head, but wasn't able to speak. Her mind was racing too much. "Wait, I get it now. The way you tensed up when I mentioned him earlier… you were at their shop to see him, weren't you? And Fred was the one who told me that Casablanca was your favorite movie."
"He did?" she asked, voice filled with hope.
"Yeah, he did," Lee muttered. He was still piecing the puzzle together. "Wow, I don't know how I didn't see this sooner. The two of you are crazy about each other." He noticed that Hermione looked like she wanted to cry.
"Not anymore," she said quietly. "Lee, would you mind terribly if I went right home?"
He felt terrible that he had been interfering in Fred and Hermione's affair. He didn't want to upset one of his best friends, and he had too much respect for Hermione's obvious feelings. "No, I don't mind," he told her gently. "Want me to Apparate with you?"
"I'll be alright," she managed with a weak smile. "Good night." And she was gone.
Fred Apparated into his flat as soon as he was out of sight of Lee and Hermione. They were actually dating. He had officially lost Hermione to his good friend. He didn't know what to do. "George!" he yelled down the quiet hallway.
His twin poked his head out of his room. "You don't have to yell, Freddie," he said with a grin. Then he noticed the panicky look on Fred's face. "What's wrong?" he asked as he emerged fully into the hallway.
"I think I'm ready for your advice."
Well, it appears as though Lee has more tact and common sense than Fred and Hermione! At least Fred is finally going to listen to George's advice :D
How did you like it? I'm thinking there will be two more chapters left. So if there is something you want to see, let me know! Thanks for reading and please REVIEW!