Out of Hand by relativelypositive
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and I make no money from the use of J.K. Rowling's characters.
Chapter 30
"We are going to discuss this later." Hermione was furious, but knew she didn't want to have it out with Draco in front of everyone.
Did he think she was going to sit out the war?
"We can hide you…we can offer a safe house," George rephrased when Hermione gave him a dirty look.
Fred strolled up to the fireplace and grandly connected the floo. "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!"
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"This is amazing! I'm so proud of you!" Hermione ran up and down the spiral staircases of Fred and George's new shop. She had been here before, but there was always something new and ingenius to find.
She nodded to Verity, who was holding down the fort while the twins were at Hogwarts.
"Thanks, doll, but this is not why we're here," responded Fred. He looked to his twin. "Up or down?"
"Surprise me."
"Okay, everybody, let's go to the basement."
"What, everyone?"
The twins put their heads together for a moment, argued quietly, then looked at the group.
"Anyone here a Death Eater?" George waited a few seconds, then asked, "Anyone here planning to become a Death Eater?"
Goyle, Zabini, and Draco looked uncomfortable, and Hermione prayed that no one would admit to wanting that future.
She kind of knew Draco wouldn't, but Goyle and Zabini?
"No? Well then, let's go."
Fred led the way, but George brought up the rear. He kept a close eye on the Slytherins, and Hermione approved. Constant vigilance, right?
"We gutted this place and truly made it our own. It is bright and fun and clever and full of mystery. Just like me!" A well-placed cough made George add, "Us! Just like us!"
They went behind the counter and started pushing the entire thing towards the middle of the room, revealing a staircase.
"Harry, did you know they were adding a bunker?" asked Hermione.
"No. I told them to do whatever they wanted with the money. I assumed they only built the shop!"
At the bottom of the stairs was a large central room, surrounded by doors.
Hermione was agog at how expansive it was! It had to be underneath several of the surrounding businesses. How did they do this? An extension charm wouldn't cut it. It was that big.
"We call it the Warren!" announced Fred. "Twenty-three rooms all connected, all for different purposes. These three," he pointed to the left, then continued pointing at the rooms as he explained, "are the sleeping rooms. Sadly, no privacy, but this isn't a romantic hideaway. One for ladies, one for gents, and one for family situations. Next to them are bathing facilities. One for each gender. Then kitchen. Then dining. Then storage. Then dueling room. Then potions lab."
George took over, "The next room is the Floo, but the fireplace is not currently connected. Don't go in there unless you're leaving. It locks, so if someone manages to arrive by that floo they can't get in completely unless someone lets them through the door from this side. Then there's a meeting room. Then a safe room. We credit the Muggles with that one. If someone goes in, it can't be accessed unless the person inside opens the door. Magical version, of course, unable to be opened by any spell. It isn't very large, but it isn't meant to be lived in. There's emergency everything in there."
"That one's essentially a day care," continued Fred, pointing to the next door. "Worst case scenario we needed a 'happy place' to put the kiddies while the adults talk death. Conveniently located next to the bar."
"Bar?" Harry asked.
"We are going to need alcohol to get through this. Lots and lots of alcohol."
"I feel like a drink," said Draco.
"Sadly, not stocked. Truthfully, it's more like a den or a study."
"Hermione, we have been waiting for you to set up the next room. I've been thinking about this moment since we constructed it." George grabbed her hand and opened the door.
It was a library. A small, but beautiful library.
It was only about a quarter stocked, but what she could see were classics.
"This is perfect." Hermione was filled with a sense of security just being in this mostly empty room. There were tables and chairs and sofas and lush carpets. Hermione was already making a mental list of tomes she would have to get for her new library.
"I know you want to spend the rest of the day here, but we have a little more to point out." He led her back out, but she kept sneaking peeks at the room until the door finally shut.
"Next is the portrait room. We have a veritable army of spies in castles, residences, businesses, and the ministry. They all go between their frames and bring us information."
"That's genius!" proclaimed Greg. "Is there one at my father's house?"
That phrasing stuck in Hermione's mind, and she resolved to ask about it later.
"Goyle residence? You know, I don't believe we do. We should discuss that."
"I hate to bring everyone back to reality, here, but aren't we supposed to be forming a plan or something?" asked Blaise. "If we were going to just hang around jabbering we could have stayed at Hogwarts."
"Fine," said Harry. "We don't know how long Hogwarts will be unsafe for Hermione and Malfoy, and I assume no one else knows this exists?"
Fred and George nodded.
"Excellent. Where do we start?"
"Hey, guys let's take a ten minute break," Goyle suggested. "I need to drop the kids off at the pool."
Draco and Zabini laughed, but the Gryffindors just looked at him.
"Bathroom break?"
"Oh! Yeah. I like that! Dropping the kids off at the pool! That's funny!" George and Fred looked at Goyle for the first time like they thought he had a brain.
Hermione took advantage of the break and headed to the library, but Draco grabbed her arm and steered her to another room. She looked up to see his face, and he was mad.
What had she done? She tried to pull away, but his hand was like a vice.
"What are you doing?" she shrieked.
Harry started toward them and began to yell when Draco reached the room he wanted and pulled her in. He slammed the door shut and made sure it was locked.
"Is there a Weasley alive that doesn't want in your pants?"
"Probably Arthur."
"Funny. They built you a library."
"They were probably going to have one anyway."
"No, they would have built a small room with some books in it. They built you a library. That's like a weekend in Paris for the rest of the witches on the planet! Damn it! I have about a hundred anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas presents to think of for you! Would you find anything more romantic?" He shut his eyes and steeled himself. "Have you ever kissed one of them?"
"No. I can honestly say that I have never kissed a Weasley." She regretted the sadly wistful spin she put on the words. It was unintentional, but honest. She had wanted to kiss Ron so badly.
"Yeah? But you want to, don't you?"
"No. Not anymore." That was honest, too.
"They said they wanted to marry you. I thought they were trying to wind me up. I thought it was funny. Thought they were just disparaging Ron for fun. I'm always on board for that. But if they think they can make you fall in love with them, they will have a fight on their hands!"
She could see Draco was trying to calm himself down. Did he know he was jealous?
She didn't believe for one second that either Weasley twin wanted to marry her. She had known them for years. They had just as much time as Ron to make a move, but not even a tiny bit of romantic interest was thrown her way.
She used to wonder why no one wanted to date her. She'd seen her housemates somewhat pairing off over the years, but hadn't realized the restrictions they were following.
Now she wondered…did Draco….
Harry started pounding on the door and Hermione smiled. She reached for the door handle and pushed it open.
Hermione stepped out and gave him a reassuring smile. She felt Draco right behind her as he laid his hand on her lower back. Was that a gentlemanly gesture, or a possessive one? Did she care?
"Oi!" yelled George. "No disappearing to make out!"
"Fine," said Draco, and sealed his mouth over hers.
She heard the gasps and protests, but she didn't care.
This was nothing like the innocent pecks she had shared with Viktor. This was nothing like the sweet kiss she had given Draco in the Great Hall.
He pulled her by the small of her back into his body and slipped his tongue into her mouth.
She loved it. She could do this forever.
Pinball machine indeed.
A/N:
Watching the second season of Orphan Black on Blu-ray (yay birthday present!) and SPOILER: Alison's in rehab and her case worker tells her that there will be no relations with the male patients. I laughed. Genius show, by the way. Watched the entire second season in one sitting.
I don't recommend things lightly, but that show is the perfect mix of sci-fi, action/adventure, comedy, and even a little romance. Seriously. Watch it.
My lovely reviewers for the last chapter are:
Kitty, giada, ASJS, LoverGurrl411, LovelyAshes, KodeV, Vukk, UnattainableDarkAngel, txbrntt20, Naturegirl15, Somnus Verus, MCannon5887, viola1701e, brighteyes2889, eliza6801, Tar-Silmarien, Chester99, love bleeds red, and Tartan Tiger.
This is so much easier when I know someone is paying attention!