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Fred always despised things that were perfect. It began when he first met Lucius Malfoy and saw what ‘perfection’ looked like. A perfect pureblood, which he and his father were not. A fact they were shamed for, stared down at like the dirt beneath the blonde’s shoe. It was then he decided he would do everything in his power to be everything Lucius Malfoy was not.
His mother demanded perfection in her own way, one which he and his twin never fulfilled for her. But what did it matter anyway? She had five other children to be proud of. He was willing to be the disappointment child with his twin, it was much more fun that way.
Hermione Granger had no flaws, none that he could see at least. He never understood what the others said about her looks, making it out as if she were just as average looking as any witch. But Granger had this burning gold in her dark eyes that he had never seen in any other girl. Her skin was creamy smooth, decorated with subtle freckles from the sun. None at all like the obvious ones that covered his entire body. Her hair was his favorite though, as unique as it was. Every time she cast a spell, he would watch her curls tighten and frizz as magic coursed through her figure. It was as if she was made of pure lightning.
But even if he admired her, he knew they were on different levels. She was perfection, and he was anything but. He preferred it that way. She deserved someone just as perfect. Though the thought of her with another itched at something within him. He ignored it, allowing his younger brother to put forward his desperate attempts to catch her attention. Though even he knew that wouldn’t work out. Not when the dumb oaf thought dating another girl would cause her to fall into his arms.
He did wonder if perhaps his own mother could tell. As blunt as she was, she had been very subtle in her methods of separating the two. He had heard Ron complain about it, so it seemed to be making an effect. Granger on the other hand didn’t seem to mind being paired with him during the daily chores. She was still her bossy self, telling him how he’s supposed to clean, as if he hadn’t lived in this house his entire childhood.
He couldn’t help but wonder why he had to do chores when he had already moved out, but knew better than to challenge his mother. Instead, he was here, chasing gnomes around the garden with the witch. Grunting as he tossed the pest over the hedge, he waited to hear the thud on the other side and angry mumblings.
“FUCK!”
Spinning around, his neck cracked from the speed he turned his head to the source of the obscenity. It was Granger, holding her knee with a scrunched-up face. Watching her, he found himself shocked still. Noticing his stare, she gritted out in anger, “The little shit kicked me!” Said little shit was laughing maniacally as it jumped back into its hole.
He had to be dreaming. There was no way his ears were hearing her right. In the years he had known the witch, he had never heard her utter a single swear. Until now. Blinking slowly at her, he managed to force out, “W-What did you say?” He watched her blow her curls from her face, before she stood and brushed the dirt from her jeans.
“I said it kicked me, Fred.”
He shook his head, his brain rattling around as it tried to gather together what just happened. “No,” He began, his brows furrowing, “No, that wasn’t it. You said fuck.” She stared at him as if he was daft, crossing her dirt-covered arms over her chest, “Yes, I did. So?”
Why was she acting as if this was so normal? Did she swear often? Suddenly he was filled with a deep curiosity that he simply had to satisfy.
“Say it again.”
Okay that may have come off a bit strange. The look on her face definitely told him it was. But before he could take it back, she parted her lips and said confidently, “Fuck.” Swallowing thickly, Fred tried to fight off his own excitement. Something about Granger cursing really did something to him.
“Say another swear.”
Granger laughed at that, shaking her head at him, “Seriously Fred, are you trying to set me up for something?” He felt a bit offended at that, as if he would be capable thinking about a prank at this time. How could he, when such a marvel was happening!
“I swear I’m not. Just..say another?”
She watched him for a moment, as if assessing if he was speaking the truth. Once she was satisfied, she looked around before speaking softer than before, “Cunt?”
Fred inhaled sharply, staring at her in amazement. Before he realized it, his feet had carried him over to where she was. He loomed over her, a grin forming on his lips, “Granger..I never knew you had such a vocabulary.” She scrunched her nose up in irritation at him, “Everyone swears, Fred.”
“I just never expected it from you.”
“Well, no one’s perfect.”
It was as if he was seeing her for the first time. Her muggle clothes dirtied from the garden, her unruly curls falling from her messily tied bun and framing her face.
“No..” He trailed off, his eyes widening in realization, “But you are. Even more than before.”
It was her turn to be shocked, looking up at him with wide eyes, “Fred?” He wet his chapped lips, his heart was beating so fast within his chest that it felt like would give in. He watched as her eyes softened into a knowing look, somehow to understand the words he was unable to say.
As she moved in closer, it felt as if the entire universe was shifting around him. His legs felt weak, and he feared he might fall. Gasping in a quick breath, he pressed their lips together in a brief kiss. It was hardly a snog, but it stole all the air from his lungs.
One of her hands came to curl around his cheek, cradling it softly as she responded to the kiss. He melted beneath her touch, his knees trembling in threat of giving out. Pulling back, he opened his eyes to take in her, a boyish grin forming on his face, “I think the kissing could take some work though.”
She shoved him into his mother’s cabbage patch, laughing out, “Fuck off Fred!” He grabbed at her hand, tugging her down with him, “Now now, Hermione, no one’s perfect!” He made sure to catch her, capturing her against his chest so she couldn’t escape. She didn’t fight him, laughing against his shoulder as he hugged her.
Using a cabbage as a pillow, he laid back and stared at the sky with a smile, holding the witch tightly in his arms. Letting out a content sigh, he whispered, “You’re perfect for me though.” He realized it the moment the first swear left her mouth, he could love something perfect, but only if it was Hermione Granger.
The cabbage beneath his head disappeared, his head slamming back on the ground in a dull thud.
“OUCH! Damn Gnomes!”