-- GRIMMAULD PLACE

Sirius hadn't lied- living in Grimmauld Place with the boys was anything but boring. If she was being honest with herself, Hermione would admit it was kind of amusing watching them sometimes flounder over each other and themselves to dote on her.

Despite the hooligans they were, Remus and Sirius taught them more transparent and practical uses for magic than they'd ever been exposed to. Sirius honestly would've been a quite brilliant Transfiguration professor. Hermione would never forget the look on Harry's face when he realized Sirius actually did do school work back in Hogwarts. It was like being told Peeves was secretly policing the halls under the show of causing mayhem.

Hermione's healing process was slow. The first week made her want to scream and rip her hair out as she was on strict bed rest the entire time with potions being shoved down her throat every few hours. The next few weeks were more tolerable, even though one of the boys would always have to carry her to wherever she wanted to go. It was then that they quickly learned the library seemed to be a good base for her as it was central to the entire house.

In the back of her mind, Hermione couldn't get past the nagging thoughts about her last encounter with Fred. Fred Weasley- someone she'd thought she had a good idea of just became a bit of an enigma to her.

In the first week she debated writing him, but for one reason or another would just talk herself out of it. The first time Pigwidgeon, the Weasley's owl, paid them a visit, Hermione remembered waiting with baited breath only to be disappointed when it was just Ron and Ginny checking in on them. Sometime during the third week a beautiful eagle owl swooped into their kitchen and landed at the center of the breakfast table. They'd all been surprised by the new owl. Sirius carefully detached the letter from the well-mannered creature and skimmed through it only to inform them with a bark of laughter that Fred and George had finally moved out and started setting up shop and they said to be careful of their new owl because 'the bugger will nick your bacon while he thinks you're not looking.'

By the time Hermione started walking around the house again, she'd also started trying to convince herself that she must've been reading into the situation too much. Sure, she could still feel Fred's lips lingering on her skin if she closed her eyes, but he probably meant that as a brotherly gesture. It's not like she had much romantic experience with boys, and if the stories were anything to go by, Fred was the exact opposite. With every additional visit of the eagle owl and no word from Fred, it was getting easier to believe.

By the time Hermione went back to her parents recovered enough for her injuries not to be visible, she'd managed to force the matter from the forefront of her mind to the point where it would only come in an undesired dream every now and then.

By the end of the break, Hermione had almost entirely overlooked the importance of that last encounter, having coated over it with layers of logic and forced indifference.

 ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ・☽ ༓ ☾・  ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶  ̶̶̶̶

-- WEASLEY'S WIZARDING WHEEZES 

"Wow, this looks absolutely incredible," Hermione whispered when she gazed upon the business the twins had built from the ground up.

"I know," Ron said proudly. "Mum had an absolute fit when they told her they wouldn't be using their NEWTs to get ministry jobs. But seeing them and the shop in action shut her right up."

"Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder?" Harry asked, gazing at a nearby shelf. "Some of these things aren't even pranks, they're just plain brilliant."

"Well thanks, Harry.""

"We'll make sure to quote you the next time we get a contract from the Ministry."

Fred and George appeared through the crowd, throwing their arms around Harry lightly.

"The Ministry?" Hermione asked.

"That would be correct, Miss Ganger," George said gleefully. "You're looking at the new largest supplier for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Congratulations," she said, genuinely excited that they had the opportunity to use their innovation for more than just pranks.

Hermione's gaze flickered over Fred uncertainly, but he merely grinned back casually. Things didn't seem awkward, and he treated her exactly as he always had. Before she could say anything else, Ginny arrived, dragging her away to the Wonder Witch products while Ron and Harry wandered in the other direction.

"Hermione, you think any of these hair potions would work on you?" Ginny asked curiously.

"It'd be a miracle if they did. Of course, leave it to the twins to be able to tame my hair," Hermione laughed good-naturedly.

"It's not even that crazy anymore," Ginny defended. "It's smoothened out quite a bit in the last year alone."

"I'm more interested in that dragon hide cloak than I am in hair potions, to be honest," Hermione mumbled, glancing to the other side of the store.

"Wow," Ginny laughed, moving on to the next shelf. "Mum would have a conniption if she saw they were selling love potions."

"Love potions?" Hermione asked, turning back to Ginny startled. "Why? They're not exactly ethical..."

"Or illegal," Ginny mumbled. "They must make a fortune off these."

"Right you are dear sister," Fred said, making his way over to them. "Though I don't think love potions are the most suitable product for you two ladies."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Fred's words. She didn't know what to make of that; was it supposed to be a compliment or a protective brotherly show?

"Like I'd need love potions," Ginny scoffed. "My love life is perfectly active without them, I'll have you know."

"Yes, we've heard," George groaned, leading Harry and Ron over. "Dating Dean Thomas now, are you?"

Ginny bit back a grin, mumbling, "None of your business." She kept moving through the aisles, away from her congregating brothers.

"Did you just say Dean? From our year?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Yeah, they've been writing all summer," Ron said. "Bit disgusting actually."

"Didn't see that coming," Harry mumbled.

They too kept strolling through the shop and Hermione made a move to follow them before Fred smoothly stepped into her path, cutting her off from the others. Harry and Ron didn't even notice, already entranced by the section of Quidditch gear George had led them to.

"Urm... Hello?" she said flustered, taking a hasty step back when she realized she was almost right up against his chest.

"Hello," Fred grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his bright azure eyes. "Good to see you fully recovered."

"Yeah," Hermione let out a relieved laugh. Small talk. She could do that. "It was driving me barmy needing someone to carry me around all the time."

He glanced down at the love potions in a pause and Hermione couldn't help but go on one of her normal tangents.

"You know you really shouldn't sell those," she said in her best prefect tone. "They're dangerous in the wrong hands, and not really ethical either."

"They're not illegal, Hermione," Fred said good-naturedly. "Besides, better they buy a properly brewed version from us than trying to make one themselves and use something even more dangerous. Our recipe makes it quite obvious that whoever takes it is under the influence of a potion."

"I guess that is safer," Hermione mumbled reluctantly.

"Either way, this isn't the product for you," Fred said, studying her.

"What-"

"What you need," Fred said, pulling her away towards what looked to be a back room of some sort. "Is something we haven't even technically released yet. But I'll make an exception for you. You know, saving my life and all that."

He led her into a magnificent potions lab with a wall full of stocked ingredients. Hermione's jaw dropped at the sheer scale of the room. She'd wager even Snape would drool over this room. Fred pulled open a small drawer, taking out what looked like dish of hard candies, and held it up to her.

"What is this?" She asked as she accepted it.

"Patented Daydream Charms," Fred said proudly. "Well... we're working on getting the patent right now, which is why they haven't been released yet. Figured you could use some. Knowing you, you'll already be studying for NEWTs even though you won't take them for another two years."

"They show you anything you want to see?" Hermione asked curiously, ignoring his jibe even though he hit the nail right on the head.

"They show you what you need to see," Fred corrected. "It doesn't just pull from your consciousness because then you could just daydream that yourself. It pulls from your subconscious too."

"That's brilliant," she exclaimed. He was right, in the middle of all her self-assigned responsibilities, this was the perfect treat for herself. "How much do I owe you for this?"

"No," Fred insisted holding his hands up. "You saved me, you don't pay for any of my products."

"Fred really, you don't owe me a thing," Hermione pleaded, reaching for her purse.

Fred halted her movements by grabbing her hands. She looked up at him startled, unaware of when he moved so close.

"Hermione, I owe you my life," Fred said intensely staring down at her. "I don't know how much that means in the Muggle world, but it's not taken lightly in the Wizarding world."

"You saved Sirius too," she insisted. "Besides we were in a battle."

"Yes, I saved Sirius," he admitted. "But I didn't throw myself in front of him to do it."

"What difference does it make?" Hermione asked in confusion.

Fred stared at her, bemused that she didn't see it. "It makes all the difference in the world. It means you didn't just save me because you had the opportunity and a clean shot," he emphasized, pulled her closer, resting their connected hands on his sternum over his steadily beating heart. "You put yourself directly in harm's way to do it."

Hermione stared at him blankly. She understood his reasoning but at the same time didn't know if she agreed with it. She pulled her hands away, taking a step back from him, suddenly overwhelmed. He couldn't mean anything by it.

"We'll have to agree to disagree," Hermione finally said after clearing her throat.

"I'm still not taking your money," Fred said, grinning at her.

Hermione didn't say anything. She'd already decided to send it anonymously by post because she knew he wouldn't accept it from her directly.

"Well thank you, these are perfect," she smiled, tucking them into her purse.

"Are you going to try one?" He asked inquisitively.

"When I get home," she said. "I'll let you know how it goes at dinner tonight!"

Like every other year, Hermione spent the week before the start of term at the Burrow to prepare for the upcoming school year. And as tradition, Molly hosted a huge dinner the night before they were all sent off on the Hogwarts express.

Hermione found her way back to Harry and Ron, and they'd both wanted to walk through the rest of Diagon Alley to see what else was open. Just as they were about to head out of the Weasley's shop, a ruckus drew their attention back.

George had just grabbed Angelina's wrist, running with her straight into the human-sized decorative cage of pygmy puffs. She was squealing from laughter. They could see Katie nervously backing away from Fred, trying to strategically avoid being thrown in with them, but Fred merely laughed at her. When she tried to plain turn around and run, he swooped in, snaking an arm around her waist and carrying her in as she screamed in mock indignation.

Hermione watched the group of Hogwarts friends with a touch of melancholy. She left the shop drilling the same thought into her brain, 'the twins are affectionate with everyone, Fred especially.'

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-- THE BURROW

Hermione plopped down on her bed, lying back with a deep sigh. Harry had dragged them into the depths of Nocturn Alley to spy on Malfoy, and it was almost dark by the time they got back. Sitting up suddenly, she remembered the Daydream Charms she'd gotten from Fred. She dug through her purse, pulling out one of the hard candies.

Letting it sit on her tongue, she felt the rich sweet burn of caramel sink into her taste buds as a warmth filled her body, whisking her into her dream world.

She was at Hogwarts- near the Black Lake- on a beautifully peaceful autumn day with clear skies and a cool breeze. She was under the cover of a great weeping willow- not the whomping one, mind you. She took a second to simply inhale and enjoy the serenity of the water slowly lapping at the shore and the splashes of the giant squid playing towards the center of the lake.

"There you are, I was wondering where you'd disappeared to," a deep voice called, stepping out around the large tree.

"Fred?" Hermione asked in slight confusion.

"Don't tell me you thought I was George," he jested, coming to stand behind her, teasingly resting his chin directly on top of her head.

"What am I? Your human stand?"

"Well the position is unoccupied if you'd like to fill it," he said, trying to choke back a snicker. "You certainly seem to meet the height requirements."

Hermione huffed indignantly, stepping forward abruptly, which only proceeded to knock Fred off balance and throw him toward her. She stumbled under his weight, and he quickly snaked an arm around her waist to steady her back against his chest.

"Thanks," she mumbled expecting him to let go and step back, but he only tightened his arms, leaning forward to embrace her and rest his head on her shoulder.

"I think I checked every corner of the library before coming out here," he murmured.

For a second Hermione considered breaking out of his arms for propriety's sake but then remembered that this was her daydream. She could do whatever the hell she bloody wanted. With that thought, she melted back into his arms, resting her temple against his.

"Not my fault you thought I'd be inside on this gorgeous day."

"Can you blame me? This is our first time back in years, everyone thought you'd go reminisce in the library first."

Years? Hermione looked down at herself and saw that she was wearing professional but fitted slacks and a feminine blouse. She looked quite elegant, but this was definitely not something she'd have in her wardrobe as a sixth year.

"I was always in the library," she simply said. "Maybe I finally wanted to explore the things I'd never really given as much time to."

He chuckled lightly and she could feel the vibrations of it through her entire body. "If that was the reasoning that finally made you give me a chance, I'm not complaining."

Through their bits of conversation, Hermione could begin to deduct the scenario they were in. She turned around in Fred's arms, softening under his clearly adoring gaze.

"Are you happy with me?" Hermione suddenly asked.

Fred looked at her in surprise. "Of course I am, where is this coming from?"

"Maybe just being back here, but we were always so different," Hermione pondered.

Fred merely chuckled. "I thought we decided opposites attract?"

Taking a moment to study him, she decided that he'd aged well, even though he seemed to still be in his 20s. His hair was slightly long and styled back and to the side in a sweeping fashion. He was well dressed in a midnight blue coat and velvet black vest.

"We balance each other, 'Mione," he said, nuzzling her jaw. "You ground me and support me, and I like to think I can make you laugh when you get too caught up in the details."

"I can see that," Hermione chuckled, feeling a slight tickling sensation from his light stubble.

"Didn't hurt that you were a bloody gorgeous witch," he admitted, planting a light kiss at the pulse on her neck.

Hermione's breath hitched when he continued his soft kisses along the column of her neck. Sure he'd kissed her before in real life but there was no mistaking these as platonic.

"That-" Hermione tried to speak, but it came out more breathless than she would've liked. "That wasn't the case back at Hogwarts."

Fred's head suddenly emerged from the loose waves of her hair as he gave a bark of laughter, staring at her in incredulity. "Hermione, I can guarantee you boys had been drooling over you since the Yule Ball, and most definitely by the time you started up Dumbledore's army."

"They did not," Hermione insisted.

"Sweetheart, guys talk more than you think."

Hermione dropped the matter; it was probably her mind trying to boost her ego. It was all in her head after all.

"Still," Hermione insisted lightly. "You could've been with literally anyone you wanted."

Fred's cheerful eyes darkened slightly seconds before he swopped down, crushing his lips against hers, catching Hermione by such a surprise that she gasped against his mouth. He took advantage, sucking on her bottom lip, giving it a gentle tug before drawing away.

"Does that feel like I want anyone but you?"

Hermione mutely shook her head, unable to gather any words.

Fred turned them, walking her backwards a few paces until she came up against the bark of the tree.

"Has anything I've ever done made you think I would ever want anyone but you?" He rumbled in a low tone. "Cuddling when you read hours into the night?" He whispered against the shell of her ear. "Or maybe the way I touch you?" He teased, his hands skating lightly up her waist, his fingertips brushing her lower rib cage.

Hermione inhaled sharply. He was so close yet so far. "Fred..."

"What do you want, love? You only need to say it..." he whispered.

She looked up at him, relishing in the way his gaze burned into her. "Kiss me."

She'd barely finished talking when his mouth was on her, kissing her in long drugging tugs. He angled her head up, drinking from her like a man dying of thirst. Hermione trailed her hands up his stomach, smirking when the muscles tensed under her palms. Feeling her teasing smile, Fred growled, shocking Hermione, and lifted her arms, holding them above her head, pinning them against the tree. The movement lifted Hermione's body flush against him, and Hermione could feel her grip on reality quite literally spinning away from her.

When she opened her eyes next, the scene had dissolved away and she was back on her bed in the Burrow.

Holy shit. It was only a daydream.