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"Why are you asking about Hermione? Her heart is black as the ace of spades and just as sharp," Ron couldn't keep the laughter out of his voice, breaking out into full out chuckles.
Hermione's face burns. I should be used to this, she thinks as she slams her book shut. Burying it into her chest, she hurrys out the kitchen door of the Burrow, sidestepping Fred in her rushed exit. Tears are leaking from her face, and she just wants to get as far away from Ron as possible. Which this summer is the small fish pond on the edge of the Burrow's clearing behind a stand of oak trees.
She's been there about 20 minutes before she hears someone in the tall weeds behind her. She's stopped crying by now, but her eyes are still red. Her knees are curled into her chest, her book forgotten in the grass beside her.
Before whoever it is can speak, she tells them, "Go away."
It's quiet for a moment, and then footsteps are moving towards her rather than away.
"I mean it. Go. Away."
"No, I don't think so."
Startled, although why she thought it would be Ron coming to apologize is anyone's guess, she turns towards the speaker.
"Fred."
Fred gives her a cheeky grin. "Hermione."
"I appreciate you checking up on me, but please go away."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I just thought I'd get some fresh air and happened to see you, thought I'd sit awhile."
"Seriously Fred. I'd like to be alone."
"Hermione. Just because you like to be alone, doesn't mean it's going to happen. I got the details of what Ron said."
Hermione looks at the sky and closes her eyes. "It's fine. I shouldn't be surprised by him anymore. It's not like it's the first time it's happened and it won't be the last."
"Well, it shouldn't be happening at all. My baby brother has the common sense of a gnat."
Hermione laughs quietly, wiping years from her eyes. "You know, I once accused him of having the emotional range of a teaspoon. I don't think he even understood the insult."
"That sounds about right. You know it's not true, right?"
Hermione sighs, "I know he has emotions, he just doesn't considered other people's before he speaks."
"That's not what I meant. I meant that your heart isn't cold or black. You're far too complex of a human to end up with Ronald Bilius Weasley. He doesn't understand women and won't for years." Fred pauses. "Years, Hermione. You know it's true. You need to move on."
"Frederick, I am not now, nor have I ever been, in love with your youngest brother."
Hermione turns towards Fred. "We shared a kiss during the battle of Hogwarts. We weren't sure we would make it out alive, and it was a kiss of desperation. Afterwards, we talked it out and both agreed we didn't have romantic feelings for each other. Not everyone can marry their school sweetheart."
Fred smiles at her reference to Ginny. She and Harry were getting married next year, and Hermione will be her maid of honor, along with Luna as the second bridesmaid.
"Case in point," Fred jerks his thumb towards his chest. "Although, since Angelina ended up with George somehow, I could argue she ended up with me."
He turns his gaze across the pond, faint pain in his expression.
Unable to bear his pain, Hermione grabs his face, a hand on each cheek, and forces him to look into her eyes.
"Frederick Gideon Weasley. I want you to hear this. You are not your brother. Not your twin. You are your own person with your own tastes and history. I see you."
Her voice strains on the word see, almost a stutter, but she pushes past it. Fred stares into her eyes for a long moment, neither moving.
Then, slowly, he brings up his hands and places one on each of her cheeks. A relaxed smile spreads across his face as he leans in and kisses her. The kiss, unlike the approach, was built from desire, yes, but also desperation. How long did he think she fancied Ron? Years?
It's the last coherent thought she has as she softens into him, her body pressing against his. She's feels the years missed, the passion she's never really had with anyone, surprising even her. One thought breaking through. Years. Literal years they missed out on.
Low on oxygen, she pulls away, lips still brushing Fred's as she breathed in and out.
"Years. We could have had years of this."
Her eyes hold his, as she nudges his nose with the tip of hers.
Fred closes his eyes, breathing harder than she is. Voice pained, she can just make out, "Years."
They're still holding each other's faces. Fred opens his eyes, confident as he says, "We wouldn't have made it, probably. I was a teenage boy whose main passion was pranks and how to make bigger and better tricks. You were a rule abiding encyclopedia. I wouldn't have known how to treasure who you were at that time."
A wry smile from him, "I had that growing up to do."
Hermione finally moves her hands to his thighs and leans in, brushing a gentle, sweet kiss against his lips. An urgent need rushes over him, to wrap her in his arms and never let go.
So he does.
Fred wraps his arms around her and envelopes her in that need. To have her in his life. To value her and never let go. To tell her every day how amazing she is.
A throat clears behind them and they both freeze. Slowly, they turn as one to see the intruder. Harry is leaning against the back of the shed, arms crossed, the biggest shit-eating grin on his face.
"Ginny owes me 10 pounds."
Fred groans and looks skyward. "What did you and my sister bet on exactly?"
"Whether you two would ever get your shit together before the new year."
"It's September!"
"I know! But Arthur owes 20. He counted on next month."
Hermione and Fred appear to be stunned silent. Harry looks between them and sighs.
"It's time to head back. Soon Molly will miss you both. I'll see you there."
With a short nod, he turns the corner and heads back to the Burrow's kitchen. Fred turns back to Hermione, taking her hand and lacing their fingers.
"Are you ready? Do you want to tell people or let them figure it out?"
She grins, "They gotta figure it out. Bets on how long it takes Ron?"
"You mean bets on how long it takes Mum? Because she'll blurt it out and make a big to do?"
Hermione rolls her eyes. "OK, fine."
She stands up, brushes her pants off, and bend over to pick up her book, but he's already reaching up to hand it to her. Smiling, she thanks him.
Fred stands up and reaches out to snag her hand.
"Eh, fuck it. Mum'll figure it out soon anyway. I'll let go when we're close."
With that, they turn towards the Burrow, shoulders brushing with every step.