Chapter 7

Fred hadn't known why he'd reacted so badly to what Hermione had done, but now he knew the answer. He hadn't expected the warm feeling in his stomach or the butterflies and he hadn't known what to do, it was all new and unexpected. This was that precise thought which followed him to the kitchen of the Burrow. There, he saw Mrs Weasley and deposited the platter he was holding. With a flick of his wand, he made the silver platter rise in the air, with a cloud of fairies holding it. The flowers placed in the middle was not any bouquet, Fred had spent the night looking up flower meanings, and had translated his feelings into flowers. Without a doubt, Hermione would understand what he meant. He looked up at the clock 10 am, he had to go up now.

Taking a big breath, Fred went up the stairs to the girls' bedroom, a gentle knock later, a red haired witch opened the door to Fred and motioned for Patricia and Penelope to follow her out, so Fred could have the bedroom to himself.

Hermione's POV

Hermione woke up to see Fred sitting on Ginny's bed, a silver platter levitated between us two. On it were several plates of food and in the middle was the most beautiful bouquet Hermione had seen.

The previous night…

She had gone back to the room after leaving the Burrow and just laid on her bed thinking until she heard the other witches coming up and had feigned sleeping. During that time, she had thought things over. Why had she reacted so badly? He had only put his hand on her thigh, it was nothing extreme. But as she mulled things over, it was all because she wasn't used to attention from boys, she had never known someone to care for her, and it was all new to her, she didn't know what to do.

Back to the present

The bouquet was delicate and fresh and when Hermione looked more closely, she recognised all the flowers in the bouquet and couldn't help but smile. Hermione looked up to see Fred looking at her hesitantly.

"I'm sorry." They both said simultaneously

"I made us breakfast, so that we would have time to talk and work things out." Whispered Fred timidly

"You made all this? And the bouquet?" asked Hermione impressed

"Yeah… but if you don't like it, you know, we can go downstairs, get breakfast from Mum and talk afterwards." But Hermione was shaking her head at the suggestion

"It's perfect Fred." Sighed Hermione "I didn't know you could cook"

"Well, I do try from time to time, and George is a terrible cook so I do have to feed myself with half decent food. Try some, tell me what you think."

Hermione didn't need him to ask twice, she immediately reached for the waffles topped with caramel. It was pure heaven.

"It's delicious Fred! You should become a cook."

"Well, it's not much different than brewing potions, really."

Hermione had to agree with Fred. He then joined her on her bed and they both enjoyed a nice dinner together. When both of them were satisfied, Fred vanished away the plates, but kept the bouquet. He took one of the flowers out, a daffodil which represented new beginnings.

"New beginnings. I hope we can make things work, even after yesterday."

Hermione took out a Daphne which meant I would not have you otherwise.

"I wouldn't have you otherwise either Fred. You're who you are and I accept you for that."

As if on cue, Fred chose a white hyacinth for beauty.

"You're beautiful Hermione, more beautiful than you can ever imagine. You should realise it."

With tears in her eyes, Hermione chose the hazel for reconciliation.

"I hope we can become friends, at the very least and that we can forget about the fight of yesterday. Just one question, did you really mean what you said, when you said 'It's just because you don't know how to have fun! How am I ever going to cope with you'?

"Of course I didn't mean it." Fred took out the last flower remaining, a purple hyacinth which meant please forgive me. "Will you forgive me Hermione Jean Granger, for being a git and saying stupid things to pretty girls?"

"How can I not forgive you, Fred? You went into all this trouble to gain my forgiveness. By the way, where did you learn the language of flowers?"

"I found a book on it and learned last night."

"So you stayed up all night figuring out what flowers to put in the vase?"

"That and for the food. You don't know how hard it is to cook the muggle way. I am never doing that again!"

"You cooked the muggle way?" asked Hermione astonished

"I'm glad you liked it." Said Fred

With every sentence, they had gotten closer and now their faces were centimetres away from each other.

"May I?" asked the red haired man.

"Do you even need to ask?"

So Fred leaned forward some more and closed the gap between them, but just before he touched her lips with his, he lifted her up and leaned her back. This made Hermione squeal girlishly, but Fred's mouth was on hers before she could make another sigh. The kiss was over too quickly and both of them had a nice blush on their cheeks.

"Thanks for everything Fred." Said Hermione after Fred put her back on her feet "We will make things work."

It was now half past eleven and they both agreed on going downstairs to start on the wedding preparations. They opened the bedroom door to see three girls in front of the door.

"Oh hi Hermione, we didn't know we were in there. We were just, you know, looking for Nargles. Luna is downstairs."

Hermione didn't need Ginny to say anymore, she was already racing down the stairs to greet her friend. She look fantastic and was beaming at Hermione.

The young witch wrapped her friend in a big hug before someone poked her on the shoulder.

"She's my bride, Hermione. You have Fred." Said George jokingly

"Come on 'Mione, we should get started on the preparations for our wedding."

Together, they made their way to the living room. It didn't seem so bad after all to marry Fred, thought Hermione, and he's a great kisser. With a big smile on her face, she started off the preparations.