Chapter Text
It was 4:40am when Fred’s eyes sprang open. He hadn’t gotten to bed until after midnight and even then, he had laid awake for who knows how long thinking about the events of the day. It had taken him a second to realize that the whole thing hadn’t actually been a dream. He really had taken Hermione flying. She absolutely had agreed to be his girlfriend. Not only that, but to his great pleasure, she could snog like a siren.
Merlin help him. If they really wanted to keep his relationship quiet after the holidays, he would have to take some longer runs to wear off some of his energy. Probably colder showers than he was used as well. If he was being honest.
Well if he had to exercise, no time like the present. He got up and threw a pillow onto Georges head. His brother groaned, sat up and yawned. He was bleary eyed but didn't seem upset or surprised. Running was their thing.
Fred briefly considered that perhaps George would want to have a lie in. It was Christmas Eve after all. The notion didn't last though. He knew better than that. He would definitely want a summary of how his meeting with Granger went and when you want to shout about how happy you are, best to do it out of doors. Particularly when you’re in close quarters with your entire family and the sun hasn’t risen yet. Fred was sure that although everyone was in the holiday spirit, they would certainly string him up with Christmas garland for that.
After fully coming out of his sleep George gave his brother a questioning look. He obviously saw the smile that Fred knew was on his face, because he gave him a wink as he crawled out of bed. The two changed wordlessly into their running gear and quietly left their room.
As they passed the combined room of Ginny and Hermione they both gave a quiet chuckle at the sound of their sister snoring. Fred briefly felt sorry for Harry. Ginny sounded like a lumber mill. They kept moving down the steps and swiftly out the back door, latching it behind them.
It still hadn’t snowed but a considerable amount of frost had accumulated overnight. It was ideal for running, as the ground sparkly and firm. It was colder than it had been yesterday as well, but Fred didn’t mind. Actually, he would be surprised if anything could bother him today.
After a minute or so he and his brother finished stretching and were ready to take off. “So, how much longer do I have to wait to hear how your night went?” George almost sounded annoyed. “Don’t leave me guessing brother. I have a vivid imagination.”
Fred didn’t say anything. He just gave his brother a huge smile. Then without warning, he ran off like a shot. An annoyed George was left grumbling behind him.
“Oh, for the love of Merlin…” He put his hands on his hips, sighed, and rolled his eyes up to the early morning sky. “Seriously!?” He shouted into the clouds. He then shook his head and sprinted after Fred as fast as he could. He swore to himself that he would tackle him as soon as he could catch him.
It was a solid ten minutes before Fred slowed enough for his brother to catch up. George didn’t wrestle him to the ground, but he did shout out some pretty colourful language as he laboured to get his breathing back under control.
Eventually the two settled into their normal pace and Fred divulged the majority of the details of the previous night. George was thrilled for his brother and quite impressed with Hermione. He never in a million years thought she would have the nerve to get over her fear of flying. Knowing that she was willing to make sacrifices like that for his twin made him respect the woman even more than he already did.
He hadn’t seen his brother this happy since, well, Fred had never been this happy. Not on the day they first opened Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. Not when Harry gave them his prize money from the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Not even the first time they set foot in Zonko’s Joke Shop. Literally never had he seemed so content. George wanted to give Hermione the biggest hug humanly possible. However, he knew that would probably make her uncomfortable. He settled instead for slinging his arm around his brother’s shoulder as they started the lazy walk back to the Burrow. Maybe Hermione would be up for a high five.
“It all happened so fast.” Fred explained. “We didn’t even get around to talking about what we would do after the holidays. All she really said was that she wanted to wait until after Christmas to tell everyone.”
“Well that’s no surprise though is it? I mean do you want the whole family to know right now? It’s only day one. Everyone would be watching you constantly, smirking and judging the two of you. Best leave it ‘til after Christmas. Maybe even ‘til after New Year’s.”
He sighed, “Yeah I know. I wish it wasn’t a problem though. I have no issue with the family seeing us together, but I would like to talk to Ron before he hears about this down the grapevine. Worse still, he could see it on the cover of The Prophet if we aren't careful.”
George hadn’t even thought of that. The twins were celebrities in their own right. They had stories written about their personal lives and their business all the time. Hell, both he and Fred were named Witch Weekly’s ‘Most Eligible Bachelors of the Year’ a little over six months ago. Bloody cover page shoot and everything.
Hermione, Ron and Harry though? They were straight up legends. Couldn’t sneeze without showing up on the front page of every wizarding publication in Europe. The fact that this would be her second relationship with a Weasley man was sure to create all sorts of buzz around the couple. George became instantly annoyed on their behalf.
“You know, I think this may be a bigger deal than we had previously thought? I can owl the firm if you like? Malfoy has a lot of pull. I bet he could keep it quiet for at least a few months.”
After the war, Malfoy’s father unsurprisingly ended up in Azkaban. Narsissa on the other hand was cleared of all charges. Mostly thanks to Harry’s testimony. She decided to spend her freedom diligently restoring the Malfoy reputation. Her biggest project was the founding of a charity for muggle-born victims of the war. Draco was named the de facto Chairman and his family had given up a considerable amount of money to the cause.
Just three and a half years after the final battle and at only 20 years old, the young Malfoy was already a highly-respected advocate for equal rights. He was also known as one of the fiercest lawyers in the wizarding community. Fred and George kept his firm on retainer. He had even done some libel and copyright suits pro-bono in the past for the ‘Famous Three’. The Malfoys and the Weasleys would probably never be best mates, but there was sort of a professional respect that existed between them now.
Fred shook his head at the offer. “I appreciate the thought, but I think that’s the sort of thing I should discuss with the other half before making a call on it. She and Draco get on quite well now anyway. She may want to reach out to him herself if she has a concern.”
“Whatever you say brother. Let me know if there is anything I can do.” The Burrow was finally in sight again, but it would still be about twenty minutes before they reached it at their current lazy pace.
George went to say something else, but realized Fred had stopped walking. He turned to see him standing stock still with a look of dismay etched across his face. “And may I ask? What has gotten you so suddenly distracted on this fine morning?”
“I just realized! I need to get Hermione a present! It’s bloody Christmas.”
George raised an eyebrow. “Actually, it’s Christmas Eve, and you do have a present for her you dolt. We got her the concentration candies remember?”
Fred shook his head. “No that won’t do! I can’t give her a joint gift. It has got to be something amazing and just from me.”
“Well, there is one thing you could give her, eh Freddie?” He did his famous eyebrow wiggle, but Fred just groaned in frustration and rolled his eyes.
“I obviously hope to eventually, but she can’t really open that in front of the whole family, now can she?”
“Well…”
“NOT helping George!” He shouted, but there was a hint of laughter under the tone of desperation.
George tried to be sympathetic. He just didn't see the problem. Hermione wouldn’t give two shakes about a gift. Regardless, Fred continued to fret while they walked towards home. It was obvious there would be no reasoning with him. All George could do is offer to help any way he could.
“Tell you what. Take the morning to think about it. When you figure it out, let me know and I’ll go grab it for you. I’ll make up some emergency about the shop. They will all believe that. We may have great staff, but it is still the busiest day of the year and anything could happen.”
“I can go myself, you don't have to do that.”
“No, it’s fine! I have an errand or two I would like to run in Diagon Alley. I was gonna make up an emergency anyway. I can’t see another way to get away without Mum getting annoyed. Besides, she would never believe that we would both have to go handle a situation and I really do have something to take care of today.”
His brother visibly relaxed at the idea. “Thanks.” He let out a long sigh. “Now I just have to think of what to get her.”
“Well, you have until noon. Otherwise I will go pick something out myself and I guarantee, it will NOT be something Granger will want to open in front of our dear mother!”
It took Fred a second, but once he understood his brothers meaning he went red all the way to the tips of his ears. He went to shove him, but this time George bolted off. Fred sprinted after him and they both ran the rest of the way to the house.
By the time they reached the back door they were out of breath again. Fred’s watch said it was about 5:50. That meant that Hermione would be down shortly. He told his twin to go on up without him.
George smirked but said nothing. It would be tough for the new couple to see each other in private until after the holidays. He gave him a wave and trotted up the stairs for a shower while his Fred put on the kettle for Hermione.
As luck would have it, her door opened just as George was passing by. She came out wearing dark skinny jeans, a burgundy and white wool jumper and some slippers. Her hair had been braided into a smooth plait down her back. She had let it grow long in the last few years and the extra weight had made it a little less, everywhere. As always, Hermione had a book in her hand. Another muggle fantasy if he was not mistaken. She gave him a small smile when she saw him and shut the door on Ginny’s continued snoring.
“Mooooooorning.” He said teasingly and gave her a wink.
She grinned happily, rolled her eyes and waved him away as she made her way silently down the stairs.
George went off for his shower, excited about how much fun he was going to have annoying the two of them over the next couple of days.
Hermione had woken up feeling quite peaceful about what had happened between her and Fred the night before. Normally on day two of a new relationship she would be apprehensive. She wouldn't want to say the wrong thing or look silly. This was Fred though. She had known him for years and they had always been close with one another. It was a little odd that they went from being friends to confessing their love for each other in a single day, but, it was true! So why wait? She already felt like she had been dating him for years. The whole thing just made sense to her.
When Hermione reached the last few steps she was not at all surprised to see Fred waiting for her. She was disappointed that he was wearing a shirt this time, but only a little. He stood in the spot he had caught her yesterday smiling brightly up at her with his arms spread wide. “Any chance you will be falling into me again today love? I’m ready if you require my services.”
She couldn’t let him get away with that. He looked far too pleased with himself. Without warning she jumped off the last step, latched her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist to hold herself up.
Fred caught her with ease and supported her weight by grabbing her under her thighs. As much as she had been hoping to throw him off, his strength meant that holding her like this was really no challenge for him.
“You know, if you wanted to make this a morning ritual? I am totally willing to oblige.” He gave her a mischievous grin while still holding her legs around his waist. Before she could actually respond he planted a warm, fervent kiss on her lips. She leaned into him and pulled them even closer together.
To Fred's great sadness, after about fifteen seconds he was forced to admit defeat and end the embrace. It was that or the very real possibility he wouldn’t be able to stop.
“You win this round Granger.” He sighed as he slowly let her legs slide to the ground. He gave her one last peck on the lips before they fully released one another other. “My guess is that we have about twenty minutes before mum comes down. Fancy a cuppa and a chat?”
“Sounds great.” She agreed happily.
He passed her a tea and they both settled in on the couch. She took a sip and was pleased to find that he had made it just the way she liked it. Two milks, no sugar. Yup, it certainly paid to date someone you had known for a long time. “I gather the wink that George gave me this morning means that you have filled him in on our little adventure last night?”
Fred laughed nervously. “Yeah, he got the gist of it. I didn’t go into too much detail though if that worries you.”
She shook her head. “I know you guys tell each other almost everything. Do I need to be concerned about you over-sharing?”
“Wizards honour, Milady.” He said, raising his right hand as if taking a vow. “I solemnly swear that certain things shall remain between us.” He finished with one of his most charming smiles and she was satisfied.
“Speaking of George, he did mention something that we didn’t get to talk about last night.” He started cautiously. “I know you want to wait until after Christmas to tell the family and I agree. Mostly because I’d like to talk to Ron before anyone else knows that we are an item, but we have no idea when he will be back from Poland. It could be days, or it could be weeks. If we can’t keep this quiet there is the very real possibility that we could end up on a magazine somewhere. I just don’t fancy him finding out that way.”
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I had considered that as well. I think we will be OK, but it may be a good idea for me to owl Draco. If something were to get out and we hadn’t warned him, he would be quite cross. Besides, I would rather stay well ahead of this. I'll send a note to him after breakfast.”
He was relieved that she agreed. Now he could move on to another, more delicate point he wanted to figure out. “So little bird, what are you reading this morning? I notice it isn't the same book as yesterday.” Perhaps if he got her talking about something she liked, a good gift idea would come to him.
“No. Not the same book, but the same series.” She looked down at her well-worn copy of ‘The Queen of Sorcery’. “It’s from a muggle fantasy saga called ‘The Belgariad’ by David Eddings. This is the second of five books.”
“Why do you like muggle fantasy so much? I remember you always read them to me in the hospital too.” He had started playing with her fingers as she spoke, but she was talking about books so he was sure she didn’t notice.
“I think it’s really interesting how muggles can imagine completely different universes from the one they are living in. Even in these books, there are wizards and magic, a prophecy and a young male hero. They get so close to what it’s really like to have magic, but it’s also so different.” She gave a little shrug. “I’ve just always found the attempted glimpses into another world fascinating. Everyone sees things differently.”
Fred sat up quickly and a huge smile had spread across his face. He leaned forward, grabbed her cheeks and gave her a deep kiss on the lips. She didn’t even have time to react before he jumped off the couch and began speaking very quickly.
“That’s great Hermione! I just remembered something really important that I have to talk to George about.”
She started smiling too. His energy was infectious, but she was extremely confused by his change in demeanor. “Fred seriously? What…”.
“It’s nothing!” He said, still smiling. “Enjoy your tea love! I’m probably gonna go back to sleep again until breakfast. I'll see you then. Mom will be down here soon anyway! I better run.” He bent down, kissed her once more on the top of her head, and then bolted out of the room and up the stairs.
His mother actually was on her way down to start her day, and he almost spun her like a top.
“Fred really! You don’t have to run every…” But he was already gone.
Molly poked her head into the living room. Just as she had suspected, Hermione was sitting on the couch looking much happier than she had been the day before, but just as bewildered.
“Is this something I should probably just be getting used to Hermione?” She teased in an exasperated voice.
“Honestly Molly? I don’t understand it either.” She mused.