Hermione took a deep breath, and wiped the salty tear that was threatening to fall before she continued on with her next precious memory. She looked at the next photo and immediately, a giggle escaped her lips. She couldn't believe she forgot all about this photograph. It was taken during Harry's 16th birthday party over at the Burrow. Fred and George had taken their time off work to come to the little party.
The look on Fred's face was priceless, his grin askew, and a party hat falling to the side, making his fiery red hair even messier than it already was. He was staring at her. Hermione. And she was staring back, just as brightly, a piece of delicious, vanilla cake in her hand. Everyone else seemed to be less important, like Ron, who was busy eating, or even the ever important birthday boy Harry. He was to busy chatting with the youngest Weasley, Ginny, to notice that Mrs. Weasley was taking pictures. Hermione grinned at the look that Ginny was giving Harry. A secret grin and blush that Harry idiotically didn't notice until later.
It's memories like those that Hermione wished she could go back so eagerly.
She looked at Harry with a smile before giving him a big hug, because she knew quite well this might be his last celebrated birthday at the Burrow, with friends and the Weasley's. She knew things were changing now that Voldemort was back, and though it didn't frighten her, it still gave her a sense of sadness.
"Agh, alright Hermione, no need to crush me." Harry laughed, but he hugged back with the same tightness anyway, telling her, he knew exactly how she was feeling.
"Yeah, really Mione. Let the man breath." Ron rolled his eyes before patting him on the back once Hermione let go, but as she looked at Ron, she noticed his eyes weren't as bright, like he too knew something dark and dangerous was just around the corner. He always seemed to hide it though, with sarcastic remarks, and light hearted comments. She supposed a few traits from Fred and George rubbed off on him.
Hermione flushed, but laughed nontheless. It wasn't often nowadays to have good times like this, with her best friends Ron and Harry. Being an only child, she couldn't help but depict them as her own brothers, and the best brothers at that. With a soft sigh, she looked at both of them, almost sadly. There were only two more years of Hogwarts. What then?
"Come on you two." She sighed pushing them into the kitchen. "Fleur and Mrs. Weasley are preparing food. I'm starving, and I know you are too Ron."
"You know me too well Hermione." Ron rushed in first, followed by a happily hungry Harry.
"I wouldn't go in there if I were you." somebody had grabbed her elbow before she got the chance to walk through the kitchen door. Hermione, jumped, shocked at the sudden touch and turned around only to find Fred grinning at her.
"Why not?" she asked puzzled.
He gave her a shocked face.
"Haven't you learned anything about Fleur and my mother while living here for the past week? I'm disappointed in you Hermione. Really, I am."
Hermione rolled her eyes at this, but smiled because she knew he was only joking. He continued with his usual grin.
"You never, ever, want to be in the same room with Fleur and my mother. They're fighting over what type of cake to make. It's only a matter of time bef-"
"OUT. OUT YOU TWO. WE ARE NOT FINISHED YET."
And with the thunderous voice of Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Harry were practically thrown out. Both looked utterly confused, and saddened by the fact they had nothing to eat. Hermione laughed and looked at Fred with a grateful smile.
"Thanks."
Ron and Harry walked away upstairs, grumbling, no doubt going to try and find snacks in their rooms. She shook her head. Boys...
Hermione sighed and looked around, realizing, there wasn't much to do now. She had already finished reading her Transfiguration book. Turning to Fred, she decided to strike conversation. They were both already at the same place at the same time anyway. Besides, she thought, I never really talk to Fred. Might as well start.
"Where's George? Aren't you two usually stuck like glue?" she asked, half jokingly, but she was rather curious.
"Ah. Well you see, Georgie has a little date tonight with one of Fleur's veela cousins. Lucky bastard. I'm covering for him, so Mum doesn't freak out." he smirked.
Hermione nodded. That awkward feeling she had only a few days ago came back again, all to suddenly, making her more confused than before. Lucky bastard. What was that supposed to mean? She shook her head. Why would she care? But it was to late, her mouth opened, and she spoke up.
" I bet you're wishing to go on a date with a veela as well?" she asked, chuckling weakly. She looked down at her feet suddenly. She cursed mentally for looking so idiotic. She was usually quite proud, and confident, which is why the Sorting Hat considered her to be in Ravenclaw, but right this moment, a bloody Weasley was making her palms sweat. Her lips pursed. Why did his answer bother her so much? Of course Fred would want to go out with a veela. Every bloody man would.
Fred looked at her, his eyes strange because he's never seen Hermione so nervous before. She was usually humble, yet confident in everything she said, because well, she knew she was usually always right. He chuckled quickly, not wanting to make her feel awkward, and nudged her playfully so that her hazel eyes met his blue ones.
"Veela's are great, but they're not the only ones that are." he smiled with a nod. "I'm going to go see if Mum and Fleur are done. If not, I might have to come up with a little scheme to get them to finish. I'll see you later." And with that, he walked away with that normal mischievious glint glowing softly in his eyes.
Hermione merely stood there, slightly taken aback by his answer. She was not expecting such a serious answer from Fred. Maybe a sarcastic 'oh no, why would I ever want a veela Hermione?' or another form of witty response. It was strange, seeing this side of someone you knew since you were eleven, and Hermione was still quite confused (which doesn't happen often), but all she knew was, that particular answer made her heart beat about a million times more than it should.
The issue on what kind of cake was finally resolved once Bill and Mr. Weasley got home. They took care of everything, Mr. Weasley calming down his wife and Bill, his fiance. The two women pouted at the idea that Mr. Weasley offered, but his stern look was more than enough to make them listen.
Mr. Weasley turned to Hermione and Harry and said with a happy smile, "Why don't you two go down to the muggle town just past the hill and get a cake? I think I saw some pasties their once. No doubt we Weasley's would mess up the muggle money."
Harry grinned. "I get to pick out my own cake then? Alright, let's go Hermione." he said, pulling her arm forward, but Fred had interrupted them.
"Oh no Potter. My mother has surprised you with a cake for 4 years now, you are not about to break that tradition."
Harry looked like a sad puppy at that statement, but merely nodded.
Fred then grinned. "I'll go with Brains over here (Hermione rolled her eyes at this). Besides, I know you love vanilla, but I love chocolate."
And before Harry could argue, Fred took Hermione's elbow, and ran for it.
Once they got outside, Hermione asked, "Are you really going to get chocolate? Harry really loves vanilla you know..."
Fred laughed at this. "Of course I'm getting vanilla silly. I'm not that much of a git."
Hermione smiled, and before she could have stopped herself, she continued the conversation.
"I don't think you're a git." she blushed as she said this. Cursing herself, she made herself turn away, her bushy brown hair saving her from embarassment. Why would I say that, if I was going to blush? Stupid. Stupid me.
"Well, well, well, if I'm not a git, what exactly am I then, Ms. Granger?" he teased her.
"Well..." she stammered for a second, before thinking, "You're kind."
He chuckled. "Is that it? Blimey, I didn't know I was so boring."
"I wasn't finished!" Hermione grinned, "I just mean, you know, you're a good person is all. You and George can make people laugh all you want, and you can joke around all you want, but sometimes I get the feeling that you don't do it because you don't take anything seriously, I think you do it for a much bigger and better reason."
Fred stayed suddenly silent for awhile, the air, not uncomfortable at all, but warm and welcoming.
"And what reason would that be?"
Hermione sighed and looked at him with a smile. "For your family, and friends of course! To make them laugh, because you know that's the thing we need most nowadays. You don't want to stress them out. You want to make them happy, and that Fredrick Weasley, is exactly why you do it."
"You seem convicned." he smiled at her, and she nodded.
"I am, so don't go trying to change my mind!"
"Never."