A/N: Yay! New chapter! I'm trying to make the chapters as long as possible. However, I have to warn that, now that I've started college, I might not have as much time as I did before. I don't intend to abandon this story though. I'll try to see it through to the end, because I want to know what happens too. ;;
Disclaimer: Anne and Jack are mine. The rest of the characters belong to one J.K. Rowling.
Chapter Five
"Arrgh!" Fred yelled in frustration, waving his arms around in the air. He was so BORED! There were only so many comic books a bloke could read without going absolutely barking mad, and he had reached his limit.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Hermione spoke, poking her head in and looking at him in amusement.
Fred grinned in delight, "Hermione! MY LIFE, MY LOVE, my God…what happened to your hair?" he ended weakly, noticing the crisp ends of her bushy brown locks.
She gave a sigh before entering the room and sitting in the unoccupied guest chair, "I made the unfortunate mistake of taking pity on Ronald and trying to help him cook breakfast. It was just toast, really." She shook her head slowly with such a pathetic look on her face that Fred couldn't help but laugh, "It's not funny!" Hermione gave him an indignant look.
He continued to chuckle, "Oh, it's incredibly funny. Didn't Ginny warn you about Ronnie's cooking skills? Or lack of them, I should say."
Hermione scowled and began to cut the charred edges of her hair with her wand, "Perhaps. But, I thought, maybe he just needed a bit more practice." Her voice trailed away weakly.
"No, he's just hopeless," Fred said, smirking at her. She smiled back after she had finished trimming the last of her hair, "He's not the only one though."
She raised her eyebrows, "Do you blow up toast too?"
"Nah, not me. Bill's the one with incredible ability to shrivel up anything he tries to cook," he gave her wicked smile, "Makes good raisins though."
Hermione giggled before giving him a shrewd look, "So you've cooked a successful meal or two?"
"Of course. I'm one of the best cooks in the family." She looked at him skeptically, "Really! I'm good at cooking spells, but George does better at clean up. Makes the flat arrangement perfect."
"I'd imagine so."
"How about you? Are you a good kitchen witch?" Fred joked, waggling his eyebrows.
"I can cook without magic," she said wryly, "I haven't had much practice with that kind of spellwork."
"Ask mum to show you some and you'll be an expert in no time." Fred leaned back against the stark white pillows, growing more comfortable by the second. With all of the rule-breaking and mischief the twins got into at Hogwarts, Hermione had always been their friendly, yet distant, adversary. Now, sitting there and chatting with her, he was beginning to see why Ron and Harry liked her so much. When she wasn't chasing after someone to finish homework or stressing over her prefect duties or trying to get people to join S.P.E.W., she was surprisingly easy to talk to.
He decided to take a chance, "So, Hermione," he began, looking at her out of the corner of his eye, "Why did you come back to the wizarding world so soon after the defeat of the most evil git known to mankind?" The curiosity had been gnawing at him steadily ever since her first visit a few days ago.
Her expression hardened, "For no reason in particular. I just wanted some space. My parents are leaving soon for the Caribbean anyway."
Fred noticed her shifting eyes and the wringing of her hands with disbelief, "You're lying, Hermione."
She stood up suddenly, "I really must be going. I told Ron and Ginny I'd be back in time for lunch."
"Hermione—" Fred began, but she cut him off.
"Goodbye, Fred. I'll see you later." She practically ran out the door, closing it harder than she intended. His forehead crinkled in a frown before he sighed and picked up a discarded comic book. He should have kept his mouth shut.
Bad Fred.
VVVV
Hermione's day was pretty much ruined. After Fred's unpleasant snooping, Hermione couldn't stop dwelling on the fragile state of her relationship with her parents. She collected her cat from Anne, who looked slightly disappointed that she was leaving so soon, and headed back to the Burrow.
Ron looked up from a comic of his own at the popping sound from out in the garden. He stood and went to the window to investigate. Hermione was standing in the grass staring at her feet and looking absolutely miserable. His brow furrowed in puzzlement. She'd just been to see Fred, and most people would have returned grinning like idiots.
He opened the door and walked towards her cautiously, "Hermione?" She looked up with such a shocked look he began to wonder if he had spoken too loudly.
"Oh, Ron. Hello, I was just going in," she talked in a distant voice, and Ron really began to worry when she almost walked into the door.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Ron asked, looking closely at her expression, while opening the door for her.
She stepped into the kitchen and his question shook her out of her thoughts, "What? Oh, I'm fine, Ron. Why do you ask?" She walked further into the house and took a seat on the living room couch, pulling off her scarf and jacket. With a wave of her wand, they flew into the air and landed perfectly on the coat rack by Mrs. Weasley's old radio.
Ron sat next to her and looked at her worriedly, "You just seemed a bit…distracted…and sad. Are you sure you're okay?" She paused, wide-eyed, to stare at him. Well this was a first. He had never shown any particular talent at emotional observation before.
She searched her mind for an excuse, "I'm fine. It's just that…I miss Harry. We haven't seen him since…Tonks' and Remus' funeral."
A look of understanding crossed his features, "Oh. Well, don't worry about it, Hermione. I'm sure he'll owl soon. Last I heard he was still at Grimmauld place."
"Who's at Grimmauld place?" an interested voice said from the kitchen. Harry appeared in the living room doorway a moment later.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed, jumping up and flying at him. The dark haired boy looked startled for a moment as he caught her before laughing and hugging his sister close.
"Harry," Ron said grinning, "Glad you're back mate. Mum's going to be thrilled."
"Prepare to be fed within an inch of your life," Hermione laughed, her troubles momentarily forgotten. She sometimes forgot how safe he could make her feel just by being there.
"Merlin," Harry groaned, "I hope so. I'm starved." He sat down next to Ron and Hermione joined him, sitting to his right.
"So what have you been up to, Harry?" Ron asked, leaning against the back of the couch.
Harry mimicked Ron and settled against the couch, "Well, after the funeral, I went back to Godric's Hollow. I actually went into my parent's house this time, just for the freedom of it. I found a couple things like pictures of my dad and Sirius and a few personal items. So, I took them back to Grimmauld Place and started cleaning the place up again," he looked at them shyly, "I enjoyed the peace, but I really missed you two."
"What? We're not peaceful?" Ron said loudly, grinning.
"Ron, you're about as peaceful as Aunt Muriel after a barrel of firewhiskey," Ginny spoke, coming slowly down the stairs. She stopped at the entrance to the living room locking eyes with Harry.
After a few moments of silence, in which Ginny and Harry had not budged, Hermione pulled at Ron's arm, "Well, Ron, let's try the toast again. This time I'll use a fire repelling charm." She led him away from the living room, glancing over her shoulder once to see Harry and Ginny walk to each other slowly.
Ron grumbled as he reluctantly took a seat at the kitchen table and pulled a package of bread towards him.
"Okay Ron," Hermione said, casting a protective charm around them both, "Remember that cooking spells are more subtle than regular spells. They don't need as much force. You're making toast not frying a Death Eater." Ron glared at her before taking a deep breath and saying the incantation. The slice of bread before him began to heat, getting crisper and crisper by the second.
"Stop!" Hermione commanded and Ron ended the spell. The toast, perfectly crisp, sat innocently on the table.
"I did it!" Ron crowed, jumping up and pumping his fist in the air. Harry and Ginny walked into the kitchen, holding hands and looking exceptionally content, and sat down.
"Did what?" Harry asked, taking the toast from the table's wooden surface and biting into it.
Ron made a high-pitched noise of disbelief before roaring, "TOAST! YOU ATE MY TOAST!"
Harry looked startled at his friend's outburst, "Er…sorry?" He looked at the packaged bread and took another bite, "There's more slices if you really wanted toast that much." Ginny and Hermione, by this time, were both red-faced from laughing so hard.
"IT'S NOT FUNNY! No one will believe I made toast now that Harry ate the evidence!" Ron still had a look of horror on his face that did nothing to calm his sister and Hermione's hilarity.
"I think I missed something," Harry said, looking worriedly at red-faced friend, and throwing Hermione and Ginny questioning glance.
"Ron has culinary difficulties," Hermione said through her laughter, making Ginny break into a fresh bout of giggles.
Harry, still munching the last bit of toast, continued to look puzzled. Ron finally shut his mouth, groaned, and laid his head on his folded arms in resignation.
Ginny recovered first, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes, "It's alright, Ronny, we still love you." She ignored his death glare and looked lovingly at her reinstated boyfriend. Hermione chuckled once more before explaining Ron's unfortunate cooking pyromania to Harry.
He looked both amused and sheepish when she finished, "Sorry, Ron…I didn't know how much the toast meant to you."
"S'alright. I don't think anyone would have believed me even if I had had the evidence." Ron's voice was slightly was a noise at the door and Mrs. Weasley opened the front door, stepping briskly into the kitchen, "Well, dears, it's about that time. Are you hungr—" She stopped abruptly when she saw the new addition to the kitchen table.
"Hi, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said hesitantly, sitting up straighter in his chair.
"Harry!" the matron cried, running forward to embrace him, "I'm so glad you decided to come back."
Harry grinned, returning the hug with fervor before settling down onto his chair again, "Of course I came back, Mrs. Weasley. I missed you and your wonderful cooking too much to stay away."
Mrs. Weasley chuckled, one hand to her cheek, "I did promise to feed you to within an inch of your life," she narrowed her eyes at him, "Have you been eating properly on your own? You look undernourished, Harry dear."
"You always say that mum," Ron said, raising his head from his folded arms to look at her.
"And I'm usually right," his mother replied, already bustling about the kitchen with the adept efficiency of a master chef.
"Fancy a game of Quiddich before lunch?" Ron asked, rising from the table and heading towards the family broom shed. Ginny stopped to give Harry a roguish grin before following her brother outside.
"Coming Hermione?" Harry asked, pushing his chair back and rising as well.
Hermione stopped to consider her options before speaking, "I'll meet you there. I just need to go upstairs and grab a book." Harry shook his head with a smile before going to retrieve his Firebolt, a small bounce in his step.
"Mrs. Weasley, do you need any help before I go?" Hermione asked, following the matron's progress around the kitchen with amazement.
"I'm fine, dear, don't worry," Mrs. Weasley threw over her shoulder distractedly.
Hermione stopped to admire her spell work. Ron's mother had self-peeling potatoes, two boiling pots of water, and a measuring spell already working around the kitchen and, as Hermione watched, she threw out three more spells in succession. Knives had begun chopping at recently washed carrots when Hermione finally walked into the living room. She stopped at the foot of the winding staircase and looked up at the mountainous steps in front of her before she apparated into Fred and George's room.
Hermione smiled as she shuffled through her books, looking for one that caught her fancy. Harry's visit had indeed been a pleasant surprise, especially after her somewhat unpleasant morning. She had just picked up a copy of The Mists of Avalon when a loud tap on her window made her jump and drop the book. An owl was flapping outside, a roll of parchment attached to its leg.
She hurried to the window, dodging boxes of discarded WWW products and some more of her own books, and threw it open. A familiar looking barn owl landed on the desk just under the window and held out its leg obediently. Hermione untied the letter before directing the owl to the kitchen, where Mrs. Weasley would have water and owl treats available. The bird flew off quickly, leaving Hermione free to open the letter. She did so with some confusion, not able to imagine who would be writing to her by owl. Everyone who would have done so was here in the Burrow. Her question was answered as soon as she sat down on her borrowed bed and began to read.
To my goddess of book learning Hermione,
Don't abandon me! I'M SORRY IF I OFFENDED THEE, GREAT GODDESS DIVINE! Please take pity on this poor befuddled mortal with his inane and pitiful curiosity and consent to forgive his numerous transgressions! But, on a less enthusiastic note, I am very sorry that I seem to keep touching on a sore spot of yours. It just goes to show that Ronnie isn't the only insensitive prat in the family. I really am sorry, Hermione, and you can trust that I'll never discuss the subject until you bring it up first.
FAREWELL GODDESS OF ETERNAL BRAININESS!
Your obedient love slave,
Fred
P.S. They said I could leave the hospital in a few days if I behave myself...in which case you might want to inform mum that this is going to be my permanent residence from now on.
Hermione laughed at the post script before growing quiet and considering his message. She sighed and started rummaging in her trunk for a quill, ink, and parchment. She found a hair tie first and used it to pull her bushy hair into a ponytail. Finding the desired items at last, Hermione settled down onto the desk chair to write.
Dear Fred,
Of course I forgive you. How can I not after all that lavish, if not superfluous, praise? In any case, I'm sorry as well for being so touchy on this particular subject. The reason I'm staying at the Burrow until the start of term is because my parents and I have had a difference of opinions concerning my actions in the war. For their safety, I had modified their memories and moved them to Australia. After Voldemort's defeat, they were returned to normal, which was when the conflict started. They are still absolutely furious with me for not letting them protect me and for modifying their memories without their permission. My parents decided that our separation would help them through their anger better than having me there as a constant reminder of what I'd done. I still don't see that I did anything that didn't need to be done. But, anyway, thank you for your apology, and I'll be in to visit soon. Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back right?
With love,
Hermione
P.S. Does that still mean I have to visit you all the time if you'll be living there?
She finished the letter with a smile, wiped away her remaining tears, and went downstairs to find an owl. Catharsis was a wonderful thing.
VVV
Fred leaned back against the pillows, watching his brother and Anne do their almost daily awkward dance of unknowing courtship with amusement and a twinge of irritation. They had been at it longer than usual and the sexual tension between them could almost suffocate the man in the hospital bed.
Just three more days. Just three more days, Fred kept thinking to himself and smirked as his twin slipped on the cold tea that Anne had just spilled minutes earlier.
"No, I'm f-f-fine, George. Don't t-trouble yourself," Anne said, drawing out her wand and performing a simple cleaning spell. The cold tea vanished, leaving the floor sparkling clean.
"Hermione!" Fred shouted, catching sight of the witch in the doorway. He had never been happier to see anyone, "Goddess divine, come rescue me from this previously undiscovered circle of hell!" Hermione took one look at the desperate relief on his face, the mess around the room, and the other two equally blushing occupants of the small hospital room before smirking at him.
"Oh, Hermione," Anne said a little breathlessly as she straightened up, "How are you?"
"I'm wonderful, Anne. How about you?" Hermione answered, taking a seat on one of the guest chairs.
"Oh, you know…busy," the healer replied distractedly, rapidly backing away from George. Her face was bright pink.
"Busy cleaning up after me," Fred's twin looked sheepish, "I swear this hospital makes me clumsier than Tonks was."
They all paused at the mention of their friend before Hermione broke the silence, "Crookshanks is behind your desk, Anne, if you want to see him."
Anne smiled brightly and left the room at once, "Kitty!" Hermione looked at the wistful grin on George's face before laughing at Fred's exaggerated imitation.
"So you're being released in a few days, correct?" Hermione asked Fred as his twin sat down in the chair next to hers.
"He will if he stops popping out from doorways and scaring Anne," George said, leaning back comfortably. He gave his brother a mock stern look and shook his finger.
Fred sniggered, "Oh, I've only done it a few times, but she's so easy to scare!"
"Poor Anne," Hermione said with a smile. She turned to George, "It's your job to protect her from your brother's evil ways, you know."
George's eyes widened while his lips twitched into a smile, "I think you're right, Hermione darling." He jumped up and pointed a finger at his twin, "Prepare to be thwarted!"
"Unlikely," Fred countered, crossing his arms and looking smug, "Not only am I the better looking of the two of us, but I'm also cleverer."
"And more modest," Hermione smirked.
George snickered before running out the door and into the hall. Fred and Hermione collapsed in laughter a moment later when they heard him shout, "ANNE! IT IS MY HONOR BOUND DUTY TO PROTECT AND GUARD YOU FROM THE DEVIOUS DASTARDLY DEVLISH DEEDS OF MY EVIL BROTHER. PLEASE ACCEPT MY PROTECTION FOR I AM HOLY AND BETTER LOOKING AND CLEVERER!"
"Merlin," gasped Hermione, clutching her side, "I haven't laughed that hard in ages."
Fred wiped the tears of mirth from his freckled cheeks with a corner of the stark white sheet that covered his bed, "Glad we could be of service." They calmed down after a few more seconds before Fred surprised her by saying quietly, "I think I'm going to miss your visits after I'm out of here." She was too shocked to reply, and after a moment of silence Fred grinned, "Does that mean I'm going to have to injure myself just to stay here? Or does that mean I have to redouble my efforts in annoying Anne so that she finally causes some serious damage with that sharp wand of hers?"
Hermione chuckled, her brain once again functioning, "Don't be daft. Anne might end up hexing you to oblivion, and then I'd never get to visit." She rested her elbows on the edge of the bed and looked at him with a smile, "I suppose, if you're that desperate for my wonderful company, I could come see you at Diagon Alley. I'll have nothing else to do anyway."
He grinned at her, "Brilliant as always, Great Goddess of Bookishness!"
She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the edges of her mouth from curving into a smile. He began to talk about the latest ideas that the twins had been cooking up. His blue eyes, behind his curtain of flaming red hair, were lit with an excitement that Hermione had never noticed before. They looked alarmingly like Harry's when he was talking about Quidditch and they were a darker blue than Ron's.
Interesting, she thought.
"Hellooo! Hermione," Fred drawled, waving his hand in front of her face, "Are you with us, Hermione?"
Hermione shook her head, her brown hair flying, "Sorry, I checked out for a moment. What were you saying?"
He looked at her with astonishment before giving her a sly look, "I know my sexy appearance can be distracting, love, but you must focus."
She glared at him, "If I'm staring at you for too long it's because of that horrible thing on your neck." His eyes widened and he started feeling his neck hurriedly, "Oh, sorry. It's just your head."
He froze, took one look at her twitching mouth, and burst out laughing, "Touché." She laughed along with him until he regained control of himself, "I was saying, why don't you visit next week on Friday? Mum's planning on having a family dinner every Friday night so we can take you back when it's time to eat."
"That sounds wonderful," she smiled before leaning forward eagerly, "By the way, how are things between George and Anne?"
"My my! Gossip, Hermione? I never would have expected it," he grinned as she turned pink.
"Oh shut up," she said, glaring at him, "I'm just a concerned friend inquiring as to the well being of two well-loved people."
"Alright," his tone still playfully dipped in disbelief, "I believe you. Anyway," he rolled his eyes, "It's been going on the same way for a while now. But," he looked to the ceiling, seeming to recall something, "I think they're catching on. SLOWLY, but they're catching on. The trouble is…how are we going to get them to see each other after I escape?"
"Hmm…" Hermione smiled, her mind whirring, "I may have a few ideas."
A/N: Hope you liked it. Thank you for all the reviews. They make me insanely happy.
In reference to her head insult, I'm not sure where I heard it, but it was in a comedy and I thought it fit well in here. So, if it sounds familiar we probably saw the same thing.
Reviews are love.