Breakaway
Chapter 1 - The Proposal
It seemed as though Kingsley wasn't the only one determined to keep Hermione away from work. Harry, Ron, Ginny and basically everyone close to her had made their solemn duty to check in and make sure wasn't doing anything Ministry-related during her self-imposed exile. Ginny took her shopping and brought her to some of the training sessions with the Harpies. The team was really nice and even showed Hermione how to handle a broom better. Harry and Ron took her away to a Quidditch match in Scotland that turned into a weekend vacation for the trio. Mrs. Weasley gave her cooking lessons. Hagrid invited her to tea every now and again. Even Headmistress McGonagall popped in with an invite to give a lecture or two at Hogwarts for Muggle Studies. It was fun and fulfilling but obviously everyone still had their lives, jobs, and priorities. They couldn't reasonably entertain her non-stop for a year so after a couple months, summer rolled in and Hermione was bored.
It wasn't that there wasn't anything to do. Hermione worked on a book that she'd been meaning to write. Cleaned up her apartment. Focused on her health and was exercising more. It was just that there was a lot in between time that wasn't being filled. Well when in doubt, there was one place she could go - The Burrow. "Hermione dear," Mrs. Weasley greeted her at the door. "What brings you by?"
"Wanted a change of scenery is all Mrs. Weasley."
"That bored dear?"
"Absolutely."
"Well you'll have the house to yourself, I'm headed to Diagon Alley and Arthur is at work."
"Oh I can go -"
"Nonsense, stay!" Molly insisted, bringing her in. "I won't be gone long. Ginny and the boys will be coming for lunch in a bit."
"If you're sure…" Hermione worried.
Molly smiled benignly, "Sweetheart this is just as much your home as it is Harry's and Ron's and Ginny's. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be ginger to be a Weasley."
Hermione giggled, "Alright then."
"Wonderful," Molly patted her cheek. "Now then, I'll be off. Make yourself comfortable dear. There are muffins on the table and I just got some fresh cherries, your favourite. Do you need anything from Diagon Alley while I'm there?"
"Actually," Hermione fished in her pocket for a couple of galleons and held them out to the matron. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd love a few packs of those special sugar quills Fred and George sell. One of each flavour is fine, maybe an extra sour cherry."
"Oh that's no trouble," Molly took the money. "I have to pass by there anyway." She went over to fire and tossed in some Floo powder before taking a handful and getting herself. "See you in a bit dear - DIAGON ALLEY!" Instantly the matriarch was engulfed in green flames and disappeared from sight.
Now alone, Hermione looked around, swinging her arms idly. She'd never been in the Burrow by herself before. The silence was oddly deafening and cozy at the same time. Feeling nostalgic, she strolled around, reminiscing about old times. Huge family dinners with the entire Weasley clan, slumber parties with Ginny, even the ghoul in the attic brought a small smile to her face. Snagging a muffin, she leaned against the windowsill looking out. She remembered coming here for the first time at 14 and being totally awestruck. A house brimming with magic; so unlike her own home where it had to be hidden from view. When her and Ron were still a thing, she fancied getting married here just like Fleur and Bill - minus the death eaters of course.
Her musing was abruptly interrupted by what looked like a sentient potato roving around Molly's cabbages. Hermione's shoulders slumped; with the kids grown and gone and Arthur and Molly getting on in age, the gnomes were becoming more and more of a menace. They knew the patrol had laxed and were quick to take advantage. Well not today. She set down on her muffin firmly and marched outside. She was no stranger to de-gnoming and though she still felt a twinge of sympathy now and again, she was no less forceful in her swing and throw.
It wasn't quite the same without the others there to make it a competition. She and Fred had had some legendary contests in their time; the battle hardened arm of a competent but cocky beater against the book-forged, steel sinew of a bibliophile that hated making two trips. He'd won the last round but now, watching the little pests sail clean into the treeline, she was sure all the working out helped and she'd definitely challenge him again. She launched the last one a clean fifty feet and dusted off her hands. "Nice throw Granger." Hermione whipped and found Fred braced against the house, arms folded with a smirk.
Hermione approached him smugly, "You're going to live long, I was just thinking about you Frederick."
"Oh, blushing over my good looks?"
"Close, I was imagining your face…how it's going to look when you fail to beat that." Hermione tilted her head back to the garden.
Fred's eyes narrowed, "They'll be back by Saturday, you're on."
"I look forward to seeing you lose." Hermione mirrored his stance. "So what brings you by? Your mum's not here, she's -"
"In Diagon Alley, I know. It's why I'm here. Brought you these." He reached into his robes and pulled out several packs of sugar quills.
"Thank you but you didn't have to deliver them especially," Hermione took them.
"Consider it an acknowledgement of your loyalty as a customer."
"You didn't hear this from me but word on the street is that they're better than ones at Honeyduke's."
"Really?" Fred raised an eyebrow. "They're not nearly as pretty."
"True these aren't as finely spun like those ones but they do last longer and have a wider variety of flavour."
"George'll be pleased. He was hoping that would be a selling point." Fred smiled. "So how's the sabbatical going?"
"Fine, a bit stir crazy at home but I'm okay."
"Any big plans for the summer?"
"Not really. I'm working on a novel and have been considering taking a solo trip somewhere. Other than that, just sort of faffing around with whatever."
"Well do I have an opportunity for you!" Fred said grandly. "Hermione Granger, how would you like to join the research and development team at Weasley Wizard Wheezes?"
"You do know I am supposed to be not working right?"
"Just for the summer," Fred qualified. "Things are really busy at the shop right now and George and I are falling behind on our projects. We could use a pair of hands but there isn't anyone we'd really trust with our ideas. I promise it's nothing like the ministry. Experimenting with spells and potions, no memos or stuffy meetings. It'll be fun. Please!"
"I dunno…" Hermione hesitated.
"Don't think of it as a 'job' job. I mean we'll pay you if you want but you can come in whenever, work for as long as you like. Weekends off and you can still take that trip. Just help us pick up the productivity a bit behind the scenes."
"Alright," Hermione relented. "I'm in."
"Yes!" Fred scooped into her a giant hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Okay okay," she laughed airily. "You're crushing my ribs!"
"You'll love it at the shop," He set her down and kissed her cheek soundly. "You'll see, it's going to be great."
Hermione could feel her cheek starting to warm and quickly covered it with her hand. "Right. Well I'm just going to put these quills away. Your mum will be back soon, she'll need our help with lunch." The girl ducked back into the house, unable to wipe the smile - or the blush - off her face.
*B*
As soon as Hermione went inside, the air shimmered with disillusionment charms being lifted and an invisibility cloak thrown off. "Seriously mate?" George demanded.
"What happened to coffee?" Harry demanded.
"Or lunch?" Ginny added.
"Couldn't you just be a normal bloak and ask the girl out?" Bill huffed.
"No this is better," Fred insisted. "We'll spend more time together and we'll be doing something we both like."
George couldn't deal with his twin. "Oh yes, our joke shop lab is just the perfect place for romance. The scent of burnt potions really sets the mood."
"I'm no expert here but I'm pretty sure there are better ways," Percy interjected.
"Can't wait to tell Sirius and Remus they just lost a bunch of gold to Tonks," Harry rolled his eyes. "And yes dear," he added to Ginny who smirked. "I'll get you those gloves."
Ron snickered. "Charlie owes me five galleons. In fact so do you George, pay up!"
George glowered at his twin while handing over the coins, "Last time I place monetary faith in you."
"Sorry mate, didn't know there was a side bet."
"There's always a side bet moron." Bill slapped his own wager into Percy's hand.