Hermione x Fred: Promises Made and Broken
Her crush on Fred had began innocently enough. Watching him and George try to come up with a way around the age line to enter the Triwizard Tournament she noticed how brilliant they were, and then there was the way that Fred paid attention. He seemed to always catch her eye, throwing her a wink, or include her in on the joke if she was nearby. It was fifth year when it grew into a full blown crush bigger than any she’d ever experienced before. He seemed a wonder during their D.A meetings, the brilliance that had to go into his inventions with George and his rebellion against Umbridge. It was just after Christmas fifth year that she realized he might like her back.
When the Weasleys returned from Christmas at Grimmauld Place, the twins were the first ones Hermione saw. She had been coming back from the library when she saw them in the corridor leading to the Gryffindor common room. She noticed them before they noticed her but when they did notice her it was George first who tapped Fred's arm and pointed at her. The way Fred's face lit up at seeing her, Hermione had blushed deeply and found herself smiling right back.
“Hey Hermione, how was Christmas?” Fred asked as she approached them.
“Good, my parents are good. You lot didn't come back on the train?” Hermione questioned.
“Potter privileges I guess.” George shrugged his shoulders.
“How was Christmas?” Hermione asked and noticed the look the twins shared.
“Bit tense. Seems there’s something off between Harry and Ron.” Fred admitted and Hermione frowned.
“Harrys been tense all year, they’ll make up. They always do.” she reassured them and herself.
The conversation after Christmas led to others, casual conversations about classes and their inventions. Eventually the conversations turned into just Fred and Hermione as George talked to others but always joined in with a joke or a question. As O.W.L’s approached it seemed like Fred had taken it on as a personal mission to get Hermione to laugh at least once a day, she also didn't miss the little chocolates that found their way into her bag after meal times with little notes attached telling her she was brilliant, or that she would crush any exam, or that she deserved a break.
When Harry passed out in History of Magic Hermione tried so hard to convince him to tell an Order of the Phoenix member about his vision but he wouldn't listen. He wanted to save Sirius when she finally convinced him to check Grimmauld first she sent Ginny to go find the twins. Everything went south so quickly and before she knew it she was flying toward the Ministry of Magic on the back of a threshal that she couldn't see. That night in the ministry was one of the scariest of her life, she’d thought for sure she was going to die and then watching Harry lose Sirius to the veil Hermione had been able to feel her best friend's heartbreak. Even with Voldemort now being exposed to the world, Hermione couldn't help but feel like they’d lost far too much for such a little gain in what was turning into their war.
When she woke in the hospital wing the next day it was to a mass of Weasleys huddled around another bed but Fred was next to hers.
“Look who's awake.” he said softly.
“How long have I been out?” Hermione asked, trying to prop herself up on the hospital bed.
“Just one night. Madame Pomphrey had to close a magical cut on your chest and heal your broken ankle but otherwise she said you should be good to go once you woke.” he told her.
“Everyone else?” Hermione asked.
“Everyone but Sirius got out. Neville had a broken nose but otherwise Madame Pomphrey was confident a good night's sleep was all you lot needed.” Fred explained.
“Fred.” Hermione whispered and he took her hand in his.
That summer when Hermione saw Fred around The Burrow she couldn't help the looks she gave him. He fascinated her. He was so brilliant and all he and his twin wanted to do was bring joy to the world. When they visited the twins shop in Diagon Alley Hermione couldn't help but be impressed. It was so full of people and products, everything so unique and brightly colored. When Hermione saw the love potion section she couldn't help but look at it.
“I don't think you need that.” a voice behind her said and Hermione turned to see Fred.
“This is all so brilliant Fred, but love potions. Really?” she asked, holding one up.
“I’m sure they do and when one of them slips one to Harry I’ll know who to write my complaints to.” She joked with him.
“Alright, fair enough. I’ll bring it up at the next owners meeting. For now would you like something done about that black eye?” he asked and Hermione nodded.
“I’m staying in your old room and well, I got curious about one of the boxes.” she told him, following him into the back of the shop where their workshop seemed to be.
“Oh Merlin. Everything at the Burrow is still experimental but don't worry George and I have come up with the best bruise cream after all these years.” Fred told her, directing her to sit on one of the stools at their work table.
He grabbed a tub from a drawer and used his finger to spread the cream on her face gently. Hermione closed her eyes at the sensation.
“All set.” He said quietly and Hermione opened her eyes slowly.
“Thank you.” she whispered not wanting to break whatever spell they were under.
Before she knew what was happening he leaned in and kissed her. It was like an electric shock that seemed to course through her whole body and Hermione found herself responding in kind. They only broke apart when they heard George coming toward the store room wondering if Fred had seen Hermione as Mrs. Weasley was ready to leave. When he found them he gave them a look and told them both to fix their hair before he turned around and left.
“I’ll write.” Fred promised and Hermione nodded leaving the store room to go find Mrs. Weasley.
He did write. At least twice a week, sometimes more, Hermione would receive a letter from Fred. He used different owls most likely hired from the post office in Diagon. The letters were everything from quick notes about his day to long letters answering questions she had asked or telling her stories of his childhood. It was an incredible way to get to know him and Hermione sent her own letters in response. Answering his questions, responding to stories and telling him how things were going at Hogwarts. She told him about Ron making the Quidditch team, Harry's new found ability at potions and Snape being their DADA professor.
When Christmas came around Hermione was excited to spend time at the Burrow knowing she would at least see Fred on Christmas Eve. He didn't disappoint. He found her stuck under a sprig of mistletoe and pulled her in close for a kiss on the lips. She beamed up at him and he beamed back before George cleared his throat and the two sprang apart. Neither of them had said anything about hiding their feelings for each other but something told Hermione that it was better this way. With the war brewing it was better to appear unattached plus there was a part of her that reminded her of Ron's reaction to her attending the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum and she would hate to see his reaction to her kissing his older brother but a big part of her wanted to tell everyone that Fred Weasley kissed her.
When she returned to school she could feel a shift in the air but she tried to ignore it. She wanted to believe they were safe at Hogwarts but those hopes were dashed when Harry left with Dumbledore late one night telling them to be on guard. When the attack began Hermione took out her D.A coin and called for help. Students versus Death Eaters wasn't much of a fair fight but when Fred and George showed up with members of the Order Hermione could let herself breathe a little. That is until the dark mark hovered over Hogwarts and news of Dumbledore's fall from the Astronomy tower reached them all. The war had changed in an instant and Hermione knew her life had changed with it.
She began making plans both by herself and with Harry and Ron. They wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts, and they needed to be hard to find. Her bag was packed for weeks before Bill and Fleur's wedding but she didn't tell Fred. She didn't know how to. Finally the night before the wedding all the Weasleys were at the Burrow, staying for the night to better prepare for the wedding in the morning and Hermione knew it was her last chance to talk to Fred about it.
She cornered him by the old tool shed, hidden from view of the Burrow kitchen and upper floor windows.
“Hermione.” Fred started but she interrupted him.
“I don't know when but Harry, Ron and I are leaving after the wedding. We’re not going back to Hogwarts, it's too dangerous. You and George should consider going underground too.” she said quickly.
“We’ve got a plan.” Fred told her and Hermione nodded.
“I wish I could tell you more but …” she said and he waved it off.
“Your safety is priority and if not knowing your location helps keep you safe then that's what I will deal with.” he told her.
“We won't be able to write to each other.”
“This will end, and when it does we’ll be able to do a lot more than just write to each other.” he told her wiping a tear gently from her cheek that she didn't even know had fallen.
“What a nice thought.” She gave him a watery smile.
When he kissed her this time it was with a hunger and neediness Hermione had never felt but responded to. She couldn't get enough of him and when they pulled apart they were both out of breath. Fred leaned his forehead against hers.
“When this is over I’m going to take you on the most romantic date. We’ll eat somewhere fancy and stay in a fancy hotel room and we’ll give this a real go.” he said quietly.
“I would really like that.” she told him with a small smile.
The after never came. She’d hung on so tightly, to his last words to her, to the sound of his voice on Potterwatch, to the memories of their kisses but it wasn't enough. When the dust settled after the final battle Fred laid among the dead in the Great Hall and Hermione wished she was there laying next to him. It was so unfair, he had so much left to give, to experience and it seemed criminal that he wouldn't. Hermione clung to her memories of him and slowly healed, filling the broken parts of her with the laughter of his nieces and nephews, with the success of his twins shop and the healing that comes slowly with time.
