Notes:

This story was written for Day Ten of the Weasleys, Witches, & Writers Fall Fluff Fest 2024.

The prompt was Bonfire.

Cross-posted from AO3.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

The bonfire glowed orange, it was bright and warm. It was late and many of the Burrow's inhabitants had long since gone to bed, leaving Hermione and Fred to tend to what remained of the fire alone.

"This was a good night," Hermione smiled at her boyfriend of over a year, both of them were sat beside the still raging fire, their cheeks-tinged pink from their close proximity to the heat.

"It really was, I particularly enjoyed the toffee apples," he commented, as he vanished what remained of his latest sweet treat, Hermione shook her head.

"They're really bad for your teeth Freddie," she noted, "make sure to brush your teeth before bed," she continued.

"You also have to brush your teeth love, I've seen you eat at least two toffee apples this evening," he responded.

"It's tradition, my parents always gave me a toffee apple on Bonfire Night," she smiled sadly, as she always did when remembering her parents who now lived their life oblivious to her own existence.

"Hey, today is a happy day," he gently chided.

"I know but I still miss them," she spoke sadly, Fred smiled tenderly.

"I know love," he said, wrapping his arm around her, his warmth offering comfort.

"I used to love spending this night with them, it was always my favourite night of the year, enchanting all of my senses," she commented, as she did so she inhaled the rich scent of the burning fire, it was one of her favourite scents, second only to that of Fred's unique blend of gunpowder, citrus and mixed spices. On this night she could smell both the scent of the fire and Fred, both of which gave her a sense of warmth and comfort.

"I have something for you," he said quietly, pulling a long plastic wrapper out of his enchanted coat pocket.

"Sparklers," she gasped delighted.

"You mentioned that you loved using them with your parents," he explained, Hermione grinned at him, leaning in to kiss his lips, delighted by the lingering sweet taste of toffee apples.

"You'll have to teach me how to use them, he told her as they pulled apart, "I got us a few packets as I wasn't sure how many you'd want to use," he continued to speak, one mittened hand wiping a single tear away from her cheek.

"Of course, I'll teach you Fred, this is so thoughtful," she nodded excitedly despite the well of emotion that had risen within her, before explaining how sparklers worked to him. Together they remained beside the dwindling bonfire, into the early hours of the next morning. With a childish thrill they spent their time drawing illuminated shapes and words into the air, both of them grinning and laughing as they partook in this simple muggle activity.

"Hermione," Fred asked, his voice suddenly quiet and uncharacteristically serious, she looked at him and gave him her full attention. Fred used his final sparkler to write out four words that made her gasp, more so than the action of him lowering himself down onto one of his knees. Wordless and with a shaking hand, she nodded and wrote the word yes with her own sparkler. Fred grinned, removed her left glove, and placed a beautiful ring upon her finger.

"I love you," he said as he stood, dropping his sparkler into a nearby bucket of cold water, she did the same and repeated the sentiment to him, her new fiancé as she rose onto her tiptoes and met him in a heated kiss, the sweet taste of toffee apples once more enthralling her senses. They were engaged on what was her favourite day of the year, as she kissed him, Hermione imagined the future they'd have together with a family of their own and a lifetime of happy memories spent together with the man that she loved more than anyone else.

The End

Notes:

I apologies for the delay in posting this contribution. I recently started a new job and haven't had much time to sit down and write throughout the week. More fest contributions will be coming over the course of the weekend as I catch up with the daily prompts. 😀

The image accompanying this story was created using the Copilot App.