A big big thank you to ;
LeeArt,
SaruDM,
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echizenochi,
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93 Diagon Alley,
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flute-player56,
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Weasley-Is-Our-King26,
Veelagirl4132,
Jenniee xD
For reviewing the previous chapter!
Here is the final chapter of this story.
I hope this ties all the loose ends and that you enjoy reading this chapter.
Thank you to each and every person who has read this story and reviewed.
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EPILOGUE.
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"Oh no you don't. Come back Harold! Children duck! Get down!" Hermione yelled from across the room.
Little Gloria clutched her leg as Hermione herself bent over and covered the little girl in her arms before she brought her head under the table.
I am going to burn that shop and those two if I ever get out of here alive. Hermione seethed.
The fireworks continued to blaze in amazing but annoyingly obnoxious patterns all over the ceiling.
The children were still lying sprawled but all of them had eyes wide open on the ceiling, taking in the wondrous display.
Luckily they continued to play high up and none of the smoke or embers reached down.
They were all safe. For now.
She couldn't say the same about the Weasley twins though. The original ones.
She was going to kill them.
The display finished off, weaving a lovely light shadow that said "W" in the air!
If she wasn't so livid, Hermione would have fawned about the new patterns and the fact that it was not dangerous. Unless you count the fright of her life that she experienced when Harold suddenly set the fireworks free.
It didn't harm one hair on any little or bushy head in the room but still, a classroom was NOT the place for crackers!
Even if it was April First!
Some things just wouldn't change.
"Okay. Harold, I'm going to need to speak to your mummy about this. Tell her to expect an owl." Hermione chided the little offender. "Okay now kids; let's get back to order before your parents come to fetch you."
As usual, Daniel and Bruce were the last ones left.
George must be late again, Hermione thought with a sigh.
Ever since last year, when Hermione had volunteered to take care of the twins, George had almost taken for granted that Hermione would pick and drop them. So if he was more than ten minutes late, Hermione would just take the kids with her.
Sighing, she collected her muggle animal's chart and said, "Come on Danny, Brucie. I think Daddy has decided to be a child today. I swear, every year your dad and uncle turn younger than older."
"Swearing in front of children now, are we?" Said a voice from the door.
Flustered, Hermione looked at the door to find one of the birthday boys resting comfortably against the doorframe with his one leg uo so as to prevent the door from shutting.
"You don't leave anyone a choice, Weasley." Hermione said dryly.
"Forgive me for bringing some excitement into your boring classroom, Granger." Fred yawned.
"I have enough excitement at home with you around, Weasley. Let my classroom be the semblance of normalcy that it should." Hermione said.
"You sure?" Fred said huskily, moving towards Hermione slowly.
"Ummhmmm" she said eloquently, as he very gently brushed his lips on hers.
She protested as he pulled away even before she could warm up.
"Swearing and being indecent before the kids? My my Granger. Aren't we on a roll today? Some role model you are." Fred teased.
Hermione pouted. "It just shows how much you've corrupted me."
Fred laughed as he gathered the kids.
"You flatter me way too much." He laughed as she hit him with the end of her rolled up chart and they made their way outside.
"Hey Weasley?" Hermione called out.
Fred turned.
"Happy birthday."
And he smiled his genuine smile that reached the depths of his deep blue eyes and caused crow's feet to gather at the ends of his eyelids.
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"So what have you decided to give Fred? I hope it's not the same gift you brought George." Ginny asked, munching on some biscuits that Mrs. Weasley had baked.
"What's wrong with a wizarding first aid kit? He'll need it. What with all the experiments they do in their backroom. I personally think it's a perfectly thoughtful and useful gift." Hermione huffed.
Ginny laughed. "Of course it is. I'm not denying its practicality. Just that, Fred is your boyfriend, the love of your life, the reason to live! Surely he deserves something more than a first aid kit?"
"You are so over the top with Dramatics, did anyone tell you that?" Hermione frowned at her, trying to suppress the slight twitch in the upward direction that her lips were threatening to take.
"Harry tells me that all the time." Ginny said shrugging matter of factly. "I just tell him that it's why he loves me." She winked.
Hermione gave in and allowed herself to smile at her best friend. "It's scary that you know that."
"What can I say? It allows me to get away with murder." Ginny grinned. "But seriously, what are you giving Fred? Do you need help? I could help you shop, Ted's at Andromeda's tonight."
"I've already bought what I wanted to gift him. It's with the pile of his other gifts." Hermione said.
Ginny frowned. "Really? You're going to put his gift in the pile like a commoner?"
Hermione pretended to think hard. "I think so. Yes. I'm going to put his gift in the pile like a commoner."
Ginny tsk tsked at her and shook her head disapprovingly.
"But I think the other gift I have for him should be saved for tonight. When Fred and I will have our own little celebration. Alone." Hermione's eyes twinkled with excitement.
Ginny's eyes went wide and she gave Hermione a wide smile. "I knew you would get him something special!"
"Of course I was going to. What kind of a girlfriend would I be if I didn't?" Hermione said.
"Oi there! Come on in. Lunch is ready." Audrey yelled from the kitchen, with little 5 month old Molly perched on her hip.
"Coming!" Ginny yelled back and both of them got up and brushed their pants and made their way towards the kitchen.
"We were going to send a search party for you'll." Nikita joked.
Hermione and Ginny laughed.
Charlie came from behind and kissed his wife on the forehead and said, "I bet they are scheming. What is it this time?" He asked suspiciously.
"Nothing Charlie. Does it look like we innocent girls would be up to anything?" Ginny asked innocently.
"Bah! Innocent my dragon's foot!" Charlie laughed.
"We may not be up to anything Charles, but you sure there's nothing you want to tell us?" She said, eyebrows raised, looking at Nikita and Charlie back and forth.
Nikita blushed and Charlie looked like he was caught red handed doing something wrong.
Merlin! Hermione thought. They really are hiding something. I can't believe they fell for Ginny's act.
Ginny looked conspirationally at Hermione and winked excitedly.
"Umm Gin! Let's eat. Mum's calling us." Charlie tried to segue.
"Yes girls. Come on. Molly is waiting. We can always talk later." Nikita said.
"You can't hide anything from me Charlie." Ginny said smugly.
Nikita laughed. "Okay Ginny. What is it then? The thing we are supposedly hiding?"
"Umm. Do you really want me to say it out loud?" Ginny tried stalling.
"Why not. Since you know already. It can't hurt." Nikita smirked.
Hermione grinned inwardly. That Ginny had found her match.
"I think I'll spare you'll. Let's have lunch and then I'll get back to you'll." Ginny said.
"Sure. Have it that way." Nikita said confidently.
Hermione and Ginny went ahead to the table while Charlie and Nikita stayed behind, Nikita reassuring him with a pat on the back and urging him to come for lunch.
Hermione sat next to Fred. Mrs. Weasley had long stopped arranging seats for her sons.
"Any birthday plans for tonight?" Hermione asked Fred with a grin.
"Not unless you're planning something." Fred retorted back.
"Hmmm. In that case. I better start. Since you're expecting something." Hermione said.
"Eat up children. We don't want everything to go cold." Mrs. Weasley fussed as everyone started serving.
When everyone was settled with their plates, Charlie cleared his throat and said, "I want to say something. Actually we want to say something." He said looking at Nikita.
Ginny raised her eyebrows. Maybe she was going to find out now.
"Yes Charlie? Are you getting a pet dragon?" Mr. Weasley joked.
"Oh come on Arthur. Let the poor boy speak." Mrs. Weasley scolded her husband. "Go on dear."
"I'm pregnant!" Nikita said excitedly.
Mrs. Weasley dropped the plate of bread she had in her hand, on the table and clapped her hands together in glee. "Oh Merlin! Congratulations! That is wonderful!"
Ginny squealed and ran and hugged Charlie and Nikita. "I didn't know! But I'm so happy for you guys." She exclaimed.
Everyone was talking together in excitement and flocking towards Charlie and Nikita, engulfing them in hugs and congratulations.
Nikita still needed some getting used to when it came to these big family reunions. But she loved every minute of it.
"Can't believe those two are going to have their first child." Fred said.
"Tell me about it. And only last year, he was courting me." Hermione joked.
Fred laughed.
"Be ready by 8 tonight. Dress well." Hermione whispered.
Fred grinned widely and nodded.
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"Is this dressy enough for you?" Fred asked, failing miserably at tying the knot of his turquoise blue tie.
"Very." Hermione said, as she stepped in front of him and made his knot.
She stepped back and surveyed him. Top to bottom.
His hair was still slightly wet from his shower and the little fresh drops that she loved, hung loose at the ends of his hair. It was still unruly as he yet had to run a brush through it, but she loved it that way.
He was wearing a charcoal grey suit that Hermione had got him for Christmas. And her favourite shade of blue on his tie.
He looked good enough for her resolve to take him out to weaken. Maybe they should have just stayed at home, she thought with rising temptation.
She shook her head to get his image out of her mind and said, "It's not fair that someone can look so good."
"It's not only me. Even George looks this good." Fred said modestly.
"Nah. He's better looking." She said without skipping a beat.
Fred's eyes went wide in mock horror as he tackled his girlfriend, tickling her mercilessly.
"Blasphemous." He raged. "Lying on my birthday!"
"Modest aren't we?" Hermione said cheekily.
"Just the truth." Fred shrugged, grinning.
"But I must say that I'm not the only good looking one today. You look ravishing." He said huskily.
Hermione blushed and looked down at her silver strapless dress.
It was a simple silk silver dress, fitted to hug her curves. Tight like a corset, the bodice was studded with black and dark green and dark blue stones all over the bust. She wore plain diamond studs in her ears and silver heels.
"I'm guessing we're apparating to the mystery place." Fred said.
"Yep." Hermione said. "Now if you'll hold my hand?"
Fred linked his arm with hers and he felt himself being transported in the unmistakable manner that was apparition.
Hermione held herself close to Fred as their feet touched the ground and they reached their destination. Fred held one arm at her waist to steady her.
He looked around, taking in their surroundings.
They were standing on Hermione's parents' terrace. The same place where Fred had taken her out to dinner months ago. Hermione had lit the place with lamps all over and there was soft moonlight to compliment the beauty of the night.
A little table stood in the centre with plates of covered food and a bottle of what looked like muggle champagne.
"I hope you don't plan on getting drunk tonight. You know the effect champagne has on you." Fred teased.
Hermione scowled. "That's only if I have more than 5 glasses."
"It's beautiful. Did you cook for me?" Fred asked, kissing her on the temple.
Hermione smiled and nodded. "All your favorite stuff."
"What are we waiting for then?" Fred said excitedly.
"Hungry Weasley's", Hermione muttered but happily led Fred towards the table.
They enjoyed the delicious meal cooked by Hermione, the muggle way and sipped their champagne.
"There's dessert. And then your gift." Hermione said.
"Are you joking? I'm so full right now." Fred groaned.
"It's your favourite. You can't say no to apple flambé!" Hermione grinned.
Fred looked torn. He loved apple flambé.
"You made it?" He asked.
"Who else?" Hermione said.
"Do I have to sleep naked at night in case I turn fat?" He asked cautiously.
Hermione laughed. "No." Fred looked relieved.
"Of course not. You have the antidote silly." She quipped cheekily.
Fred laughed. "I really have corrupted you."
"Yes Dr. Frankenstein." Hermione said as she snuggled into him.
"Dr. Who?" Fred asked confused.
"Never mind. Some muggle reference." Hermione said contentedly. "Come on! Time for some flambé."
So they indulged in some of Fred's favourite dessert which also had nostalgic value as it was the very first thing they had cooked together. Of course at that time neither of them had ever imagined what that would lead to.
"I love you, you know that right?" Fred said, taking his last bite.
"You may have mentioned it in passing." Hermione said.
"Very naughty mood, I see." Fred said, getting closer.
"Umhmmm. I say we dance a bit. For old times' sake." Hermione said dreamily.
"Old times' sake? We're not 80 Hermione. Still young." Fred said.
"You know what I mean. Come now. Get that lazy full arse out of the chair and dance with me." Hermione said, conjuring some music from the radio.
Fred got up grudgingly, "Don't complain about my arse. You know you love it."
Hermione laughed and kissed him on the nose. "I do love it."
They danced closely for as long as the song played. The steps that he had taught her, she used them in fluid motions across the terrace floor.
"Gotten a lot better with your feet, Granger." Fred smiled.
"Had a good teacher." She said.
The song neared its end, but they stayed close together, swaying in a rhythm that both bodies had found.
Fred pulled Hermione closer and blew a smooth, brown tendril of hair away from her eyes.
Hermione reflexively closed her eyes and leaned in closer.
His one hand held her waist close to him and with his right hand he traced the outline of her perfect face.
He started out with her forehead, slowly edging towards her cheek bones, circling the pinna of her ear and reaching her earlobe after guiding his finger through the cleft between her ear.
Hermione's heartbeat started racing at his simple touch. Her body was accustomed to his touch like second nature but yet, every time he touched her, it set a fire blazing in the path his hands had travelled and her pulse racing.
He eyes still closed, she pressed herself even closer, trying to vanish any distance between them.
Fred traced the outline of her strong jaw and reached her neck and collar bone. He repeated the same path on the other side and by now, Hermione had flexed her knees placidly not even bothering to stand on her own.
He then brought his finger on the bridge of his nose, and slowly began to bring it lower, running it lightly against her plump, petroleum jelly covered lips.
She parted her lips seductively. Fred knew that it was reflexes that caused her to do that. She probably had no idea how sexy she looked right now. But it took all of his resolve and he gave in, crashing his own on her soft lips and Hermione sighed into his lips.
They kissed hungrily, passionately, trying to deliver whatever they felt at that moment into the kiss. Words were sometimes not enough. Even though Hermione Granger would never be caught saying it, she was sometimes left speechless by the intensity of emotions that Fred invoked from her.
So she put her soul into the kiss, letting Fred know that he was everything she could ask for and more.
Their kiss turned into that of satisfaction and contentment before they broke for air.
Fred kissed her nose and stood close, foreheads touching.
"Was this my gift?" Fred whispered, slightly out of breath.
"Nope. Since you kissed me, I'll take it as the return gift." Hermione said.
"You already gave me a present this morning, Hermione. And you arranged for this fabulous meal. You didn't have to get something more. I loved the boxers. Very suggestive. Much better than a first aid kit." Fred teased.
Hermione laughed. "Oh you'll love my gift. I promise you. Just use it well." She warned.
"Of course. Leave it to Professor Granger to give something practical. I won't have a choice but to use it well. You'll make sure." Fred grinned.
"No. This time it's up to you. It's your choice." She said.
"What do you mean?" Fred asked, curiously.
Hermione freed himself from his grip, straightened her dress and looked him in the eye.
Kissing him chastely, she smiled at him, and said, "Your gift is a YES."
"A yes?" He repeated.
"Yes." She said smiling cunningly.
"I don't get it." Fred said looking confused.
"Whatever one thing you want of me, I will say yes to it. That is my gift." Hermione smiled wisely.
Fred's eyes grew wide as the implication of her gift sunk in.
She wiggled her eyebrows, "So be careful what you ask for Fred Weasley. You have only one question."
"So that means you'll finally agree to wear that... "
"Anything but that Fred!" Hermione said annoyed.
"That's not fair now. Anything but that ruins the possibilities." Fred pouted.
"Here I am giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity to have anything you could wish for and you want me to wear some god-awful outfit you saw in witch weekly?" Hermione groaned.
He silenced her with a kiss and held her close, pressing her waist close to him.
He looked piercingly into her brown eyes, his own a stormy blue.
Hermione was a bit taken aback by the grim look of concentration he held.
"Marry me." He said simply.
She thought she heard it wrong for a moment. She looked up at him searchingly.
"Marry me." He repeated, deadly sure, the conviction lacing his voice, mesmerizing her.
She smiled so wide that it hurt.
"You know the answer." She whispered as she kissed him and felt him smoothly slip a ring into her left ring finger.
"Something tells me that I may have wasted my question. You would have said yes anyway." Fred said cheekily.
"Oh yeah? Then why have you been carrying that ring in your pocket for over five weeks and only now did it make its way onto my finger?" Hermione retaliated.
Fred looked shocked. "You knew?"
Hermione laughed. "Ron may have slipped the fact that you went to the jewellers more than a month ago. I didn't think of it till Ginny filled my head with proposal expectations."
"That woman!" Fred exclaimed.
"Yeah. So I kept expecting something for 2 weeks. When nothing happened I gave up. Thinking maybe you had gone there for some other reason. Then Ginny overheard Lee and George making fun of how nervous you were and was taking you more than a month to even propose or find a perfect way to." Hermione said.
"So I thought why not be different and give you some peace of mind." She said nuzzling his neck. "And this seemed the perfect day."
"It is. It really is. I kept playing scenarios in my mind. I wanted it to be monumental. Something earth shattering. But time just kept going by and still I had not thought of anything. I wanted to surprise you. Looks like you surprised me." He said softly.
"And I'm glad you did. I cannot think of a better gift." He said.
"It is monumental. You've decided to have me as an inseparable part of your life." Hermione said lovingly.
"Quite the contrary. People will doubt your sanity when they find out that you're Fred Weasley's fiancée." He said.
"Shut up." Hermione said, nuzzling closer.
As if on cue, the newest stock of www's finest firecrackers laced the night sky, commemorating their engagement.
"Fred Weasley's fiancée." Hermione mused. "I like the sound of that."
"I love the sound of that." Fred kissed his fiancée, with stars and the moon and his fireworks still playing in the background.
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Finite.
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