"Enjoying the view Granger?"
"I…I…I'm sorry!" She quickly turned around, walking out of the room, face growing hotter by the second.
She had walked in on Fred Weasley. Nude.
She all but ran to the kitchen, searching for a glass so she could get a drink of water.
Nude. He was nude.
She gulped the water down quickly, begging for it to cool her down. It didn't.
She set the glass down and began to pace. Thoughts flooding her mind. He was naked. I should have knocked first. But it might not have been him, it could have been someone more sinister. The door was ajar after all. Who leaves their front door open? Will he be upset? No, that's not like Fred. Since when have become an expert on Fred's reactions? He was rather well endowed. Heavens, Hermione! Have more respect than that. Even if it's true…Dear Lord, I am mortified.
A chuckle from behind her made her jump a few feet in the air, she went to grab her wand, but found that she did not have it. When she turned, she saw Fred standing in the doorway – wearing a pair of boxers, a fitted tee-shirt, and a smug smirk – dangling her wand in front of her.
If possible she blushed even more. Nevertheless, she inched her way towards the red-haired man so that she could retrieve her wand. When her hand reached out to grab it, he pulled it up out of her reach. "You never answered my question Granger, did you enjoy the view?"
Hermione licked her lips, moistening them, and looked up at Fred's eyes. His normally light brown eyes were several shades darker, which in turn made Hermione's stomach perform a couple of flips. Ever so slowly, Fred lowered the wand, allowing Hermione to take a hold of it, and leaned in close, "I'll take that as a yes," He whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. Fred raised back up, sending a wink her way. "So, Miss Granger, what brings you to my abode?"
Hermione blinked several times before answering, "I..I thought we should speak. We haven't spoken about our impending marriage and, well, I thought maybe we should."
Fred nodded and walked into his living room, Hermione following close behind, and gestured for her to sit down. "Can I get you anything? Tea? Lunch?"
"No thanks, I just had lunch with your sister."
Again, Fred nodded. "So, what would you like to talk about?"
Hermione stared at her hands, "Well, I suppose we should get to know one another. We are not particularly close and considering the circumstances, I feel as though we should change that." Fred gestured for her to continue. "Well, um, I suppose I'll start then." Hermione took a deep breath and cleared her throat before continuing, "I'm Hermione Jean Granger, I am 21 years of age, I – oh, I don't know. What is something that you don't know about me?"
Fred thought for a few moments, before deciding on a question, "You wrote Ron's name on the exam, do you have feelings for him?"
Hermione considered the question before shaking her head, "I thought I did, once upon a time. But during the battle, in the hat of things, we kissed. I realized then that my feelings for your brother were nothing more than platonic. That's why when he pursued a relationship with me, I turned him down. I only wrote his name because of convenience. I was afraid I would end up with someone who I didn't know, someone who would not be a good match for me."
Fred seemed to take her words in and smiled. She smiled back, "Okay, my turn. Did you write someone's name? If so, who did you choose and why?"
Fred shook his head, "I did write someone's name down, but I don't wish to say who."
Hermione pouted, "How is that fair? You know who I chose and why." She hated how childish she sounded, but couldn't seem to stop herself from asking.
Fred smirked, amusement plain in his eyes. "Hmm, I'll tell you on our wedding day."
Hermione stared dumbfounded at this, "Yes Fred. How romantic. 'I know we just said our vows, but I think you should know, I would have much rather enjoyed this moment with this other bird.' What a day to remember that will be."
Fred laughed a full belly laugh. "I don't think I would have told you in that manner, but since you said it, I think I will now."
Hermione playfully hit the laughing man, trying her best to fight the smile that was threatening to show. "Your turn," She said, feigning a cough to cover up her laughter.
Fred slowed his laughing before asking, "If you could change only one thing, what would it be?"
Hermione took her time thinking about the answer to this question. There were so many possibilities. Her thumb brushed against her scar that was hidden by her shirt. "I think I would change what happened with my parents." Fred gave her a confused look so she expanded, "Before Bill and Fleur's wedding, I obliviated my parents, erasing their memories of me. I gave them new identities and sent them to Australia, where they still are today. I wouldn't change me doing it because I still believe that it was the right decision, even though there is a strong possibility that they will never recover their memories. Instead, I wish I had spent more time with them before the fact. I wish I had told them how much I loved them and how much they mean to me." Hermione felt the tears well up in her eyes and fall. She also felt a calloused hand wipe them away.
"You are, without a doubt, the bravest person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing." Hermione blushed at the compliment.
"I suppose it's my turn." Hermione decided she would ask what she thought was the most important question, "Do you think we will work? Marriage and creating a family that is."
Fred looked her in the eyes and offered her a tentative smile. "Work?" He questioned. "I think we'll thrive."
Hermione smiled bigger than she had in years.