Chapter 6

Throughout the afternoon, Hermione's thoughts kept going back to the previous night and every time she tried to help, something went wrong, so in the end, Molly had told her to go take a rest, read a book or do something. Hermione obliged happily.

The young witch went under a big apple tree to read when there was a shout of excitement coming from the house. She rushed in to see what the ruckus was all about. The answer was plain and simple. Five letters were on the kitchen table, all with the Hogwarts stamp on it. Patricia, Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione were gathered around, as well as Mrs Weasley. The rest of the troop was working or enjoying the sunny weather.

"This time, we'll go in descending age order. Hermione, you first dear." Said Mrs Weasley kindly

Hermione couldn't supress a smile when she opened her letter. It was a letter inviting her back to Hogwarts to finish her 7th year. There, she would also be able to study for whatever job she wanted to do in the future. Everyone was asked to come and help out in building back the castle before the start of the school year for at least a day. At the end of the letter, it was stated that she should not tell the rest of the group until they had opened the letters themselves. So Hermione showed her letter to Mrs Weasley and she urged the others to open their letters as well.

The young wizards were ecstatic and Mrs Weasley decided that a big dinner was in place for all this. All the Weasleys were invited for a big dinner that night, so Hermione helped Mrs Weasley prepare everything. Harry and Ginny were looking at wedding catalogues and magazines and they seemed to have found what they wanted to eat. They both barged into the kitchen, with childish grins on their faces.

"Mum?"

"Yes, Ginny darling?"

"Could you make us our wedding dinner? Harry said he'll ask the elves from Hogwarts if they would help and we could have a Hogwarts feast."

Mrs Weasley couldn't say a word and just went to hug the young couple, a stream of tears flowing down her tears. The thought was so simple and beautiful, and Hermione wished that she could have a mother like Mrs Weasley and love the person she was marrying. The dinner was ready in no time and the guests started arriving. Bill and Fleur arrived first, followed by the Twins and Charlie and Katie. Percy and Mr Weasley were the last ones to arrive. Mrs Weasley went around, making a big fuss as to where everyone should sit down. Hermione found herself between Fred and Ginny, just across from Patricia.

The dinner was superb and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was just a simple meal, but just that fact that they were all together made it special. Suddenly, Hermione felt a hand on her leg and turned to see Fred's hand. He was telling a joke to Charlie and George and seemed very nonchalant about it. Oh how Hermione was going to get him back for this! Ginny had seen Hermione's sudden tense attitude and whispered to Hermione

"What's wrong?"

"Your git of a brother thinks it's okay to put his hand on my thigh, half way through dinner!" replied Hermione angrily.

Ginny snickered at that but soon had a good idea in her mind. Having lived with the Twins most of her life had paid off.

"Brush your foot against his leg. Once he tenses up, ask him what's wrong in front of everyone."

Hermione did as she was told. Fred tensed up almost immediately and stopped half way through his joke.

"What's wrong Fred?" asked Hermione innocently.

"No…nothing. Just thought I'd heard something. Will you go check if it's not the door Hermione?"

Nervously, Hermione stood up and went to the entrance. She knew that there was no one at the door, but she also knew that Fred wanted a word with her.

"What was that for?" he asked angrily

"That was for putting your hand on my thigh!"

"You're my future wife! I was just joking around with you!"

"Even if I'm your future wife, you don't touch me whenever wherever! I'm not your toy Fred!"

The argument could be heard from the kitchen and George tried to joke, to lighten up the atmosphere, but no one was listening to him.

"I know you're not my toy! Did I ever treat you like one? It's just because you don't know how to have fun! How am I ever going to cope with you?"

That was it, the final straw. Hermione's eyes welled up and she just left the Burrow without another word. Fred just went back to dinner and sat there silently, staring at his plate. He didn't look angry anymore, just anxious and upset. He knew far too well that he shouldn't have said that. It'd just slipped out! It was a mistake, he didn't really mean it. Moreover, he knew it would take Hermione a long time to forgive him, or something incredible. He murmured that he was going to find Hermione and left the Burrow. He went to the Orchard, the old apple tree and even to the gnomes, but she couldn't find her anywhere and panic started settling in. She would easily have apparated out to God-knows-where. But Fred had lived with Ginny long enough to know that when women were angry, you shouldn't pry them.

Fred didn't want to go back to the Burrow so he went on a walk to the lake. He always found it peaceful there, and he would be able to think of a way to gain Hermione's forgiveness. Hermione would listen to him, he didn't doubt that, but what would he tell her? I'm sorry, I was wrong, I didn't mean anything I said? No. Hermione would never see that as an acceptable excuse. He could ask her on a date, but he was pretty sure she'd say no. He could buy her that portable library, but he knew that no one could ever buy Hermione's affection or forgiveness. This one idea kept popping into his head, but he wasn't sure of it. It was simple, but he was quite sure that Hermione would appreciate it and all the effort Fred put into it. After planning out his ideas, Fred disapparated to the flat he shared with George and started working on everything.

George was just standing there, looking at his twin. He had never seen him act so determined and excited about something and so George decided against having a little shout at him for being a git.

Fred didn't go into the store room, or the invention room, he was in the kitchen and he stayed there all night long, occasionally asking George for advice. By eight in the morning, everything was ready so Fred went into the shower, put on some of his best casual clothes and even sprayed some perfume.

"Dear Lord Fred! What's gone into you? You NEVER wear perfume!" exclaimed George

Fred just shooed him away and did the last finishing touches to his plan. Now all he had to do was get to the Burrow and go to Hermione.

"Here we go George, if Hermione strangles me, you can have all of my stuff." Joked Fred

With a deafening crack he was gone.