Chapter Title: 7 - Promises
Characters: Hermione Granger, Fred Weasley, Ron Weasley
Description: Set during OotP. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are hospitalized after the battle for the Prophesy in the Department of Mysteries. Fred sneaks in to check on them in the dead of night.
Word Count: 2,003
Date Published: 10/25/2014
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
RECAP!
Chapter 1: Fred finds Hermione at the top of the Astronomy Tower depressed because non of her friends are speaking to her and she feels terribly alone and vulnerable. Fred talks her off the ledge, cheers her up, and offers her friendship. She agrees but on the condition they not tell anyone because she's embarrassed how he found her.
Chapter 2: Yule Ball! Ron is an arse! Fred cheers Hermione up. Again. He them proceeds to encourage her to live a little. So she kisses cookie-Krum-cake.
Chapter 3: Hermione is hexed through owl post after the article in the Daily Prophet about her stringing along Krum and Harry. Fred waits up to check on her. Delightful awkwardness ensues.
Chapter 4: The fight! George confronts Fred about keeping something from him. Fred then yells at Hermione and might have, unintentionally, implied that he's only friends with her out of obligation. Hermione does not handle it well. Sirius then mocks Fred.
Chapter 5: Fred spends the next few weeks winning Hermione back. Because she nothing if not stubborn and because Dixie Chic requested it to be so. Sirius mocks Fred some more. A few minor hexes are thrown. Hermione does eventually forgive Fred.
Chapter 6: No longer at odds after their Christmas row, Hermione and Fred attempt to fall back into the easy friendship they had before until guilt and anxiety press their hand. They eventually kiss but Fred refuses to define their relationship until Hermione agrees to tell everyone.
Deep, inky shadows seeped from the corners and alcoves, smearing across cold flagstones. The moon, barely a sliver low in the sky, could not hope to fight back the swelling darkness but still Fred Weasley cast no Lumos to guide his way. He knew these halls, even has he dragged one hand across the walls to keep his bearings. He knew the alcove he just passed was in fact a shortcut down to the Charms corridor. He knew in ten more shuffled steps he would reach a scorched and dented suit of armor carrying a mace and bearing a shield with the crest of Gryffindor. And he knew twelve steps beyond the suit of armor, just to the right behind a dull, bland tapestry of wilted roses, he would find the quickest passage to the infirmary from his chosen entry point to Hogwarts castle.
Setting a steady, practiced pace, Fred made not even the barest hint of a scuffle as he eased up steps and down long hallways. At this hour, he'd hardly thought to bother with the disillusionment charm he wore.
The narrow stairwell he was on turned sharply to the left to spill him into the final hallway leading him to his destination. Twenty-six strides more and Fred stood before the large, ornate, wooden doors, not that he could discern any of the otherwise stunning details in the paltry moonlight.
He paused, schooling his features and blanketing the nearly overwhelming fear and wary anger that gripped his chest. Sucking in a quick breath, he pressed the door inward as he nimbly slipped his stocky frame through the gap.
The inky blackness from the hallways seemed to pervade the corners of the Hogwarts infirmary, even as the moon managed to highlight the faint, almost glow of the crisp white sheets of the numerous beds. Fred squinted into the darkness, his gaze scanning over each bed until he saw them; two beds, side-by-side, with dark blots against the pillows.
Fred clenched his jaw as he approached the first bed. His youngest brother, Ron, lay still and snoring, his brow creased even in sleep. Despite the lack of proper light, Fred could still see the faint hint of angry welts cross-crossing both of Ron's arms and his neck, but his breathing was deep and even, if loud, and Fred felt his shoulders relax minutely. Reaching into the bag slung across his back, he set out the get well basket full of Chocolate Frogs he and George had hastily thrown together upon learning of the foolhardy venture to the Department of Mysteries and resulting injuries to his younger siblings, both of whom had followed Harry bloody Potter, along with Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and Hermione Granger.
Hermione. Fred felt his earlier panic welling deep in his gut as he turned to the small form in the next bed. Her brown, bushy hair fanned out in a wild halo around her head. Soft, barely audible moans of pain breathed past her parted lips even as she fitfully slept. Clean, white bandages just peeked out from the top collar of her infirmary-issued pajamas.
Anger pierced his chest and Fred felt his nails digging into his palms as his fists clenched.
That wouldn't do. Forcing deep breaths through his nose, he just managed to suppress his rioting emotions. Tentatively, he reached out a hand and clumsily patted Hermione's hair.
Starting violently, Hermione sat up forcefully in bed, gasping and clutching her chest. Alarmed, Fred stumbled backwards several steps, just managing to cast a hasty silencing charm around them both before he fell with a 'umph' to the hard ground.
"Who?" Panic sharped Hermione's terrified whisper. Her wide, brown eyes darted around searchingly, cutting over him without seeing.
Fred cursed to himself and cancelled the disillusionment charm as he stood.
A low, rasping moan drew his attention to her haggard face. Hermione's eyes were screwed shut in anguish, her tiny hand massaged at the well between her breasts. Fred found himself immediately at her side, his left hand clutching the hand at her chest as his other large hand cradled the back of her head and guided her gingerly back to the pillows. He settled himself on the edge of her bed, his hip pressing into her thigh.
"Bloody hell, Granger," he breathed, smoothing back her hair from the cold sweat that had appeared along her brow. "Didn't you nearly die tonight? Don't you know how to take it easy?"
Her eyes remained shut tight, teeth clenched whimpering, as she forced herself to take measured breaths. She clutched at his hand around hers, muscles taut and straining until slowly, slowly, the pain seemed to pass and she seemed to melt back into the bed.
Fear, like a hot poker, seemed to have lodged itself in Fred's throat. He swallowed thickly as Hermione's eyes fluttered open once again to settle on his face.
"Merlin, Hermione," he croaked before a stifled sob tore past his teeth. He collapsed over her gracelessly, burying his face in crook of her neck, even as his right arm came up around to cradle her head.
Fred breathed hard, just managing to keep his tears from overwhelming him. Hermione, for her part, awkwardly patted what she could reach of his head, whispering soothing sounds as he fought to pull himself together.
"It's alright, Fred. I'm alright," she murmured.
Those words struck a cord in Fred and he yanked back from her jarringly, fury replacing his earlier anguish at her pain.
"The fuck you are, Hermione," he bit out, watching with some measure of satisfaction as her eyes widened in consternation. "What where you thinking? You nearly died!"
"I…" she fumbled, glassy eyes blinking rapidly at his savage tone. Her gaze dropped to her lap and she pulled her hand from his grasp.
He growled low in his throat. Reaching out, he wrapped long fingers around her wrist, tugging slightly to regain her attention. "I thought you were the brightest witch of your age," he berated. Her lip trembled. "What could have possibly possessed you?"
Tears were streaming down her ruddy cheeks. "Harry."
"Of course, Harry," he snapped, rolling his eyes.
Hermione's gaze cut to him sharply and she glared before prying her wrist from his grasp once more. "Yes, Harry," she spat, absently rubbing where he'd gripped her. "He had another vision."
"A vision," Fred said incredulously, even as he felt his stomach drop.
"The very same that saved your father at Christmas."
All the air left Fred in a whoosh. He felt as though she'd punched in him the stomach. He stared unseeing as Hermione scrubbed her hands down her face before the fell heavily to her lap.
She studied her hands. Her voice was quiet when she continued. "He saw Vol-Voldemort. Saw him torturing S-sirius." She swallowed hard, gasping.
Gently, far more gently than the last time, Fred reached out for her hands to thread his fingers through hers.
"Sirius?" he whispered questioningly, though he knew from Tonks that Sirius had battled his crazy cousin, Bellatrix, had fallen through the Veil.
Crying in earnest now, Hermione sobbed out, "It was a t-trap. He l-lured Harry there in an attempt to get the P-prophecy. Sirius is g-gone." Fred leaned forward, snaking his arm behind her back and pulling her gently forward until her head was cradled under his chin. Heavy, anguished sobs flooded the space between them.
Fred hummed to her, rocking her gently, and rubbing circles across her back.
Hermione pulled back from him then, her face screwed up in grief as tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
"We checked!" she wailed, her eyes wild. "Harry u-used Umbridge's floo. K-kreatcher lied!"
Tenderly cupping her cheeks in his hands, Fred dragged his thumbs under her red-rimmed eyes. His face was pained. "Why, Hermione? Why didn't you use the notebook?"
Her eyes widened impossibly further. Reaching up to grip his hands still at her face, she shook her head, eyes falling between them. "I… I. There wasn't time! Harry, he insisted we go right away." Her horror-filled eyes met him. "I didn't… I didn't even… It never crossed my mind. Oh, Fred," she moaned wretchedly, sobs wracking her body as she dropped her hand to her chest once more.
Pulling back, she fell heavily against the pillows. Hermione then seemed to curl in on herself, her free hand clutching her head in distress. She clenched her teeth again, sobs wracking her shoulders even as she tried to breath through the renewed pain.
Panic dousing him like ice water, Fred twisted around so he could lay himself out next to her on the small bed. He pulled her forehead to his, petting her hair and rubbing her arms in a blundering attempt at comfort.
"Shh, please, Hermione. I didn't mean it like that. It wasn't your fault. None of this was your fault." Words tumbled out of him at he massaged his fingers into her hair. "Please, Hermione, I'm sorry. I was just so scared."
The pained expressions eased from her face and sad, brown eyes opened to his. Without thinking, Fred leaned forward, pressing his thin lips to her wet ones. The kiss was chaste but lingering, full of emotions that neither could express. He pulled back keeping his forehead pressed to hers.
"I haven't been that utterly terrified since Ginny got dragged down into the Chamber of Secrets," he whispered hoarsely, his eyes studiously avoiding hers. He pressed another kiss to her lips before gathering his courage and locking eyes with Hermione once more. "Promise me," he suddenly demanded, his eyes fierce. "Promise me, next time, you will tell me. You will write me. You will bloody well drag me along. Gods, Hermione, please." He swallowed when his voice cracked.
Hermione tentatively touched his cheek. "There won't be a next time."
Fred snorted sardonically, rolling his eyes. "Merlin's soggy left testi…"
"Fred!"
He sighed, exasperated. "We both know there will always be a next time, Hermione. You, Ron, and Harry can't seem to stay out of trouble any more than George and I ever could."
Hermione gasped a soft laugh. "We aren't as bad as all that," she argued weakly with no heat.
"Worse," Fred agreed.
Smiling wanly, she poked him half-heartedly in the chest. He grasped her hand, curling his around it and cradling it to his chest.
"Promise me."
"Fred," she sighed.
He shook his head. "No, Hermione. Next time, I'm there. Next time, I get the chance to help protect you. Please, just give me that."
Scowling, her voice rose in mild indignation. "I think I can take care of myself, Fred Weasley."
Fred viciously bit his tongue to keep in his sarcastic retort. Instead, he squeezed his eyes shut. "I just want the chance," he ground out.
A long, heavy silence lapsed between them. The only sound was their mingled breath and the weak snores coming from one bed over.
Finally, "I promise."
Collapsing in relief, Fred sank more heavily into the bed and wrapped his arm carefully around her hips.
"Thank you, love," he murmured, pressing his lips to hers in a brief kiss. Fred nuzzled his nose against hers a moment. "Close your eyes now. I'll stay until you're asleep again."
Hermione blinked rapidly at that. "You won't be here when I wake?" she asked, distress evident in her voice.
Fred smirked and kissed her again. "Would be mighty suspicious, love, if Ronnikins, or Poppy for that matter, were to catch us in bed together. Care to explain to them just why we're so close?"
Hermione scowled.
"Don't fret, Hermione. I'll be there to greet you all at the platform when you get off the train in just a few days."
"Fine," Hermione grumbled before settling against him, breathing in deeply even as her eyes fell heavily. She slowly drifted to sleep as Fred held her close.
The heavy shadows were mere wisps of grey as Fred snuck his way back out of the castle short hours later.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Wow. So, um... sorry I'm a jerk. I didn't set out to be. I might even have a few valid excuses (and should you have any interest in what those might be, feel free to visit my bio).
This story most likely has 3 more chapters. Because, you know, there is only so far these two can go before... well, before. And I have (tentatively... I wouldn't hold my breath or anything given my track record) set the goal for myself of finishing this here little story during November in the spirit of NaNoWriMo. Maybe.