Surprise Meeting
Hermione sat at the bar, nursing her drink which was not even worth sipping at this point. She looked at the butterbeer and thought about it cooling it again but then changed her mind. What was the point?
She looked gloomily into that golden liquid. She couldn't believe she had been stood up. Today of all days!
The lights in this place were dim and she didn't feel like going home just yet, so she ordered another drink. What the hell? She was going to live a little today.
Fred made a face at his brother who just shrugged.
This was the most boring date he had ever been on lately. Not that it was his date's fault. She was gorgeous and she kept trying to strike up a conversation with him. He just wasn't into it. A pair of annoyed brown eyes came to mind and his lips curved a little as he recalled Hermione's expression last week when he had hexed her hair red.
It had been particularly funny. Not to her. She had had him dodging spells as she swore she'd make him pay. His laughter had been his undoing. He had been laughing so hard that he had slipped and fallen and before he could get up, she had advanced on him and with a vicious smile and a triumphant gleam in those pretty brown eyes, she had turned his skin blue.
An impressive spell.
He really needed to learn that one.
He fiddled with his fork, giving a patient smile to his date. Her hair was blonde. He was more into brunettes these days. He sighed and absently twirled the fork in the air.
It hadn't been his fault. He had been so bored. And she had been right there. And she was already annoyed.
The little slip of clothing came to mind and he wondered for a minute how Hermione would look like in black. Lacy black.
He shook his head and stood up.
Ignoring his brother's concerned look, he smiled, a very very fake smile, "I need some air."
He walked out of the restaurant and leaned against the wall. Blimey, it was so suffocating inside.
His eyes fell on the O'Riley's Bar across the street and he found his feet taking him inside. A drink would help.
Leaning against the bar, he ordered a drink and then just as he was about to sit he heard a very familiar voice. His eyes widened.
"Another drink. And I want the big mug. The really really big mug."
His eyes fell on the most unexpected person. Wearing a short black dress that revealed curves he had never thought existed, hair tied in a messy bun and cheeks flushed, Hermione was arguing with the bar tender who kept insisting she should go home.
"Granger."
"What?! Oh, it's you. What do you want, Weasley?"
The snarl turned into an annoyed look.
Fred was torn between amusement and worry. She was completely and utterly smashed and she was so adorable in this state. She had never called him Weasley before.
The bar tender gave him a grateful look as Fred slid into the seat next to Hermione and grabbed her attention, "I think you've had quite enough."
"Not quite enough. I'm no lightweight!" She grinned and waved her fist in the air as if the thought cheered her up. She was so tipsy that she lost her balance and nearly slipped off the stool. Fred quickly steadied her, his arm going around her waist, swiftly.
Her face smashed against his chest and she giggled. "You're so warm," Came the muffled mumble.
"Yeah. Ahan," He pulled away from her, leaving his arm around her waist, "We should probably get you home, Granger."
"Nah. Nah. I can't. I have to stay. I want to stay." She nursed her empty glass.
"How long has she been here?"
The bar tender checked the clock, "Five hours, mate. Said she was waiting for someone. Bloke never showed."
"It was my birthday." Came a sad whisper. "Grove stood me up on my birthday."
Fred looked at the bent head and felt an unexplained wave of anger. Nobody should be treated like that on their birthday. Especially not Hermione.
He didn't wonder where that thought came from. It was just there.
When he saw something wet drop on Hermione's hand, his anger grew. He glanced at the clock. Two hours to midnight.
A small smile formed on his lips as a plan started forming in that amazing brain of his.
"Hey, Granger."
She rubbed her eyes, spreading her mascara and looked up at him.
He leaned forward, caging her against the bar, "Want to come home with me?"
A.N: This is part one of a part 2.