THC/The Houses Competition

House:Gryffindor

Category: Drabble

Class: Potions

Prompt(s): [Pairing - Romantic] Fred Weasley/Hermione Granger

Words: 766

Summary: Fred saves Hermione from the rain and asks her an important question.

Title: Need a Roof?

Always, Hermione had no idea how she always got stuck out in the rain, but somehow she managed it. It could be a perfect, sunny day but the moment she had to cross the courtyard, it would start to rain. Hermione was starting to become convinced that she had a curse put on her at some point during her life. She'd gone to the greenhouse to check on her Herbology assignment, Belladonna or what it was more commonly known as Deadly Nightshade. They needed to learn how to grow and care for the plant and Hermione was pleased to see that her plant started growing the little purple berries on its leaves, showing that the plant was reaching maturity. Hermione was just about to leave when a sudden downpour came without warning. "Great," she groaned in frustration as she leaned against one of the tables.

Hermione waited for fifteen minutes, waiting for the rain to stop, or perhaps become a lighter downfall, but the rain showed no sign of slowing down anytime soon. If she didn't leave now she was going to miss curfew. She was going to have to make a run for it. She wrapped her robes around herself and her books in hopes of keeping them dry. Taking a deep breath she swung the door open and began charging up the wet, grassy hill towards the castle.

Hermione wasn't the only one that had been caught out in the rain. Other students were running past with their books over their heads. Hermione couldn't help but shake her head. Those were most likely library books and other students would have to deal with the damaged pages. Some students held their robes over their heads while others just made a run for it, like Hermione.

"Need a roof?"

Hermione turned to see Fred, damp and holding out an open umbrella. A large smile crossed Hermione's face and she quickly joined Fred under it with a sigh of relief. She released the tight hold she had on her robes and shook her hair a little to get the remaining water droplets off. "Thank you. You're probably the only one that was smart enough to bring one. I think the rain took everyone by surprise." Hermione explained. "How on earth did you know it was going to rain?"

"I didn't," Fred answered with one of his crooked smiles. "I was inside, actually. Ginny said you'd gone out, so I grabbed an umbrella and thought I'd rescue the damsel in distress," he explained.

"Oh, did you now?" Hermione said as she raised an eyebrow. "You think I need rescuing?"

"Well, I could just leave you out here to get soaked next time if you prefer?" he joked. "I was looking for you, anyways"

"Ya? Whatever for?"

Fred gave a small shrug with one of his mischievous smirks, just the quirk of the right side of his mouth. "Well, I was thinking I'd kiss you and ask you if you wanted to go on a date to Hogsmeade this weekend," he explained. "I thought I'd been clear about my intentions, but George said I've been too subtle with my signals."

Hermione's eyes winded as she took a step back. Fred moved the umbrella so she didn't step out into the rain. "Y-your intentions?" Hermione stuttered a little, feeling her heart beat a little bit faster.

Fred's smirk turned into a full-blown smile "Yes, I've been sending you signals all month but you haven't seemed to pick up on any of them…for a witch as smart as yourself. It's been hard to get your attention."

"...I…" Hermione couldn't come up with any words to say. She had no idea that Fred had feelings for her. She did notice that her and Fred been spending more time together, but she thought he was just being friendly as usual.

"Now, I'm giving you fair warning to say no before I kiss you, for fear you might deck me, otherwise," Fred explained, causing Hermione to smile. "What do you say? Do I have permission to kiss you and take you out this weekend?" he asked.

Hermione was silent for a moment, the only sound was the heavy rain hitting the umbrella "...yes," Hermione answered, closing her eyes as Fred leaned in, gently pressing his lips to hers before pulling back.

"I feel like I should tell you that this is a trick umbrella. We probably have another minute before it starts to disintegrate," Fred said.

"Oh, Merlin!" Hermione cried as she and Fred made a run for the castle, their hands clasped together.