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CHAPTER 16.
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Hermione dropped by at the shop after school to help Fred whenever she could. If the kids were with someone else, she'd go directly to the shop, else she'd take the kids home, clean them up and play with them for a while and put them to sleep and then head to the shop.
Lee didn't miss to notice her increased presence around the shop. One day before lunch, when no one was around, Lee tried to get into the topic with Fred.
"So mate. How's it going with Hermione? Taking care of the kids and all? Is she as bossy as she was in school with us?" he asked, looking carefully for Fred's expressions.
In the beginning when he heard her name, his face brightened a tad bit. Lee would've missed it for sure had he not been looking for it. But in the latter half of the question, he scowled.
Trying to contain his annoyance he said, "It's all good. She's rather good with the children. Great actually. Couldn't have even held up on my own without her. Though I'm pretty sure she would've managed just fine without me.", Fred snorted.
"But seriously. She's so different now mate. I imagined a most difficult month with her, but it's like I'm getting to know a completely different person. And in a very good way. And she's not bossy at all. Except when the kids want to stay up late or they don't do homework or something." Fred replied.
Lee chuckled. "Well, she's still Hermione Granger then."
Fred smiled.
"I can't believe she's helping you with the shop. I mean, she was the one who'd always be dead against everything you'll did in school." Lee said.
"Yeah. Me too man." Fred said. "It's nice though. That's she's loosened up a bit. She needed to after all she's been through."
"So what's going on then? Between you two I mean." Lee said with a suggestive tone in his voice.
"What do you mean?" Fred snapped. He didn't like the direction this conversation was going toward.
"I mean, you are practically staying under the same roof. And obviously you'll aren't at each other's throats, contrary to popular belief, I may add. In fact I'd say you'll get along just fine. Are you sure there's nothing more than what meets the eye?" Lee asked raising his eyebrows.
"Are you mental? Hermione? Hermione Granger and I? Lee you need to get your head checked, mate." Fred said laughing.
"Is that so? Are you completely sure? You've barely come out with us in the last few weeks and as far as I know, you've not had any dates either." Lee pointed out.
"So? I'm under a responsibility here till George returns. I can't just leave and go hang out and have a couple of drinks and get girls to the flat, Lee. It won't be fair to Hermione. She's helping with the kids too." Fred said, starting to get irritated.
"Mate, the kids go to sleep long before we'd head out. Surely there's nothing you can help her out with after they're asleep, right? Or is there?" Lee resumed his teasing.
"You've lost it." Fred said simply.
"I've lost it? Yeah then. I'm the one who keeps bringing her name into random conversations, I'm the one who lights up into brighter smiles when she walks into the shop and I'm the one who stares at her a bit longer than necessary when no one's looking" Lee said strongly.
Fred gaped at him. He didn't know what to say. Mostly because he hadn't realised if he really was behaving in the way Lee had just described. And if he had, Lee had noticed, then anyone else could also notice. Of course he had been his friend since they were both 11. So he could read him well. After George, that is. But no. He had to be wrong about this.
Sure, he enjoyed his time with Hermione. But for Merlin's sake, they were living together. It was a good thing to enjoy the presence of the person you were living with, right? So what was the big deal?
Yes, he had never thought he would be able to stand the bookish know-it-all for long periods of time and she had always been Ron's friend so he had no chance to even try tolerating her or be friends with her. But now that he had, he found himself to be pleasantly surprised by the stimulating companionship she had offered.
But that was all.
"You're confusing the fact that we can actually stand each other for something else mate. Don't stress that pretty head of yours over it." Fred said.
"You sure then?" Lee questioned carefully again.
Fred nodded.
"Good that we have it out in the clear now. So you wouldn't mind if I ask her out then? Pretty little witch, that Hermione. I'm glad her prefect image has worn off. She's much better this way, eh?" Lee said.
Fred was shocked when he heard that. He turned to face Lee with almost a menacing glare and said "no way are even going to think about it Lee", he warned.
"Why not? You said yourself you're not interested." Lee prodded.
"Yes. But that doesn't give you the right to ask her out", Fred said still angry.
He didn't know what had angered him more. The fact that Lee had shown interest in her or the fact that he was angry with Lee behaving this way towards her.
"Why not? I'm sure she won't appreciate you taking that decision for her, however chummy you'll may have become." Lee said.
"Just stay out of it Lee." Fred said, his words laced with warning.
He didn't know why this had upset him so much. Something was really wrong with him. He was never this protective. Maybe towards Ginny. But that too sometimes. Ginny was good at taking care of herself and she definitely did not appreciate her brothers butting in her love life.
Yeah. That was it. Fred thought. Hermione had always been a part of their family. Ron's and Ginny's friend. It was natural that he'd be protective of her.
"Maybe I will ask her you know. It's not like she's seeing anyone." Lee concluded.
That's it! Fred thought. Relief coursed through his veins and he almost smiled.
"Yes Lee. That's what I'm trying to tell you. She is seeing someone. I don't know who but she is. That is why you need to get it out of your head." Fred said smirking now.
"She's not single then?" Lee questioned suspiciously as if he thought Fred was lying.
"Nope." Fred said, almost grinning.
"Damn. Took you long enough to come up with that reason though." Lee said still not convinced.
"You never gave me a chance to say it." Fred shrugged.
Lee scoffed. Plenty of chance I gave you mate. It's as if you almost forgot to tell me that. Unless you're lying of course, to mislead me. Lee thought.
Lee observed his friend closely. His ploy to get him to confess had not gone by the book but he certainly had enjoyed the reactions that came out of it.
He was more than certain that something was going on but doubted that Fred was lying. He probably had not even realised it himself, the poor fool. Hermione, on the other hand seemed very comfortable being around him. He didn't know what was going on on her end though.
Sighing, he decided to stop it here. He didn't want to push it. Maybe George could help with this when he came back.
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So the routine continued, Hermione came often to help by at the shop and then Fred would practice dancing with her after dinner.
She was getting better at it, Fred proudly noticed.
They enjoyed dancing immensely, although at this particular moment both of them had given up their carefully choreographed steps to indulge in some mindless limb movements.
Hair flying all over, they were both breathless and laughing. The song got over and they were still clutching their sides and laughing, imagining Aunt Muriel's expression if they indeed did see her dancing this way at the wedding.
A slow song came up next and they quieted down, trying to get their pulse rate to normalise.
Fred pulled Hermione closer and his hand ghosted over her waist. Before holding her hand in his other hand, he gently moved her hair from her face and tucked a curl behind her ear.
Hermione shuddered inwardly at the brief contact. When he tucked her hair in place, he slid over a sensitive patch of skin over her jaw and behind her ear and she took a sharp intake of breath, almost closing her eyes. But it lasted for a fraction of a second and before she knew it his hand was in hers. It was as if that hadn't happened and she may as well would've imagined it.
He pulled her closer, closer than they had danced till date, till they almost touched and probably only a sheet of paper could be passed through them.
Looking into her eyes, he noticed that her pupils were completely dilated and he was mesmerised but the sight of her black pupils swimming within the chocolate brown expanse of her eyes.
Hermione's heart meanwhile was beating a mile a minute. She hoped he couldn't hear it. But wasn't sure, what with him being so close. There was a look in his now dark blue eyes which were normally lighter, that she couldn't read. But all she could think of was how intense they looked.
Gliding wordlessly, they practised a bit longer, till the song came to an end.
Fred twisted and twirled her, causing her to laugh and that dissipated the tension a bit.
Forgetting the tense, close moments few minutes earlier, they continued dancing.
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Hermione went out with Frederick McIntosh for a couple of more dates in the next few days and every time she headed out, Fred seemed to get angrier.
He understood that she was an adult and had the right to go with whoever she desired but it still angered him. Why should he even bother? It's not like she's was shirking any responsibilities. In fact every time she went out she made up for it in more ways than one, she felt so guilty leaving Fred and the kids alone.
Hermione really did enjoy her time with the other Fred. She connected with him on a level that fed her intellectual appetite. But every time she went out on a date, there was a nagging feeling of leaving something behind. Like guilt. She couldn't shake it off as much as she tried.
Maybe leaving the twins alone and abandoning Fred was the cause of the guilt. But that's silly she thought. It's not that hard to put the kids to sleep. Besides I try my best to make up for these nights that I go out. She thought.
But she enjoyed her time alone with the other Fred enough to stop worrying about these thoughts.
Although Hermione had yet not taken any stance on her relationship with the other Fred, he was being quite the gentleman and waiting patiently. He realised that she was not the type of woman to engage in a casual affair and he liked that about her.
At present they enjoyed each other's company and Hermione did not want to think about furthering it. She wasn't in the mindset to do so yet. She was content with how things were at the moment.
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Ah. So oblivious!
One is fighting it and the other doesn't see it!
When will they realise?
Slowly but steadily...
They can't hide forever ;-)
Hope you liked this chapter!
I promise the next chapters will have some awww moments!
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