** This is a series of drabbles, ficlets and one shots following our dear Fred and Hermione from June of 1995 (shortly before the third task of the Triwizard Tournament) to an as-of-yet undetermined point post-war.**
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A/N: Just a bit of drabble this time. Happy Mother's Day!
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3 July 1995
Hermione watched as Harry walked toward the parking lot with that odious man, one Vernon Dursley, and tried her best to ignite his ugly brown jumper through sheer power of will. She truly hated watching her friend's demeanor change when they came to pick him up each year, and after everything that had happened this go-round, it was even harder not to say anything.
"Sickle for your thoughts?" Fred drew up beside her in one long stride while Mrs. Weasley was still busy intermingling with her other children, despite having just seen them. Hermione's parents hadn't yet arrived.
"Given that there's a small fortune in your pocket at present, I suppose you could afford it."
She felt a triumphant little rush at the flabbergasted look on his face. "How did you –?"
"Oh, please. After you explained about Ludo being a two-timing sleazeball, I could practically see the wheels turning in Harry's head. It doesn't take a genius."
"Promise to keep it a secret?" he asked, tone surprisingly earnest. "I really don't want mum to find out – or Ron, for that matter."
The image of a beetle with horn-rimmed glasses ensconced in a jar flashed briefly through her mind and she nodded once.
"I think you'd be surprised at just how well I can keep a secret."
He gave her a curious look, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. Hermione's parents had arrived and were beginning to make small talk with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
"I'd better get going before they find out something they shouldn't," she sighed after a moment, grabbing the cart with her luggage and turning it toward them. "Nice horn-tongue hex, by the way. Should be fairly unpleasant for Crabbe when he wakes up."
"I still don't understand how you always know that I'm me and not George," Fred lamented, shaking his head and looking as though he were saddled with deciphering one of the greatest mysteries of the modern world. "My own mum can't tell the difference half the time."
Hermione smiled blithely and gave a playful shrug, not revealing anything as she backed away from him. "I guess you'll just have to ask me again in a few weeks. Have a good start to your summer, Fred."