Chapter 4
Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes was always overflowing with customers, and thankfully for Hermione, this evening was no exception. Her arm still locked with Ginnys, she steered them to the WonderWitch section while scanning the crowd for ginger hair.
“Oh, yes. This is the one George was telling me about. It was Angie’s idea, apparently after a particularly experimental evening. I told him to shove the details after that comment.” Ginny handed the perfume bottle to her. It was labeled with a golden text saying Aphrodisiaque and the shiny liquid inside had a pink tone.
“Lovely, anything else you need, Gin?”
“We have a new litter of Pygmy Puffs in the aisle over if that tickles your fancy, little sister.”
Hermione’s shoulders tensed, but she forced herself to relax as she turned to the redhead. Luckily, George was the twin standing behind them. She smiled at him while his gaze drifted down to the bottle in her hands.
“Ah! Our new product. I knew our Hermione would come for this one. Such a loyal customer with our perfume line!”
“Yes, Ginny told me about it and I thought I’d try it. We were already here doing some light shopping.”
“Since you are so loyal to us, might as well take it for free as a thank you.”
“We insist.”
Hermione blushed and looked down as Fred stepped to George’s side. It felt silly, but seeing him again brought a funny feeling to her stomach. Something familiar, but she shoved the feelings aside and forced herself to make eye contact with him.
She could not be feeling butterflies for Fred, honestly.
“Freddie, thank you for the generosity. And, obviously, you too, George. Even though I didn’t approve of your products at first I’ll always say you both are quite brilliant with your magic.”
“Gred, did you hear that? The Hermione Granger, complimenting our store.”
“It’s not the first time, Forge. But we certainly don’t get tired of hearing it.” George grinned at her as Hermione shook her head.
“Yes, yes. You are both brilliant. Now, tone down the male ego, we are in the WonderWitch section. Women rule here.” She motioned to the sign above the entrance to the section. It was bright purple, and they changed the phrase underneath "WonderWitch" often.
“I would never disrespect the wonder of witches, Min. I thought at least you knew that about me by now.” Fred replied with a wink. Hermione blushed again, and suddenly, her shoes were the most interesting thing in the room.
"Went shopping, eh?" Hermione's gaze shifted to the bag she was holding, and she quickly swung it to her side away from the redhead. She did not need him taking a peek inside and finding the four new sets of lingerie Ginny had convinced her to buy. The set near the top of the bag was particularly revealing, and she did not need to give him anything to flirt with her about.
Not that he needed much in the past.
"Oh, yes. Ginny picked out some things for me. Just some new work clothes and you know." The blush was still shining on her face as she made eye contact with Fred again. Unbeknownst to Hermione, George was observing with a careful eye. Fred had quickly told his twin about his night with Hermione, and George was intrigued for his brother. He had never described a woman like he described the experience with Hermione.
He thankfully left out the finer details, since George thought of Hermione as a sister.
“I just glanced at the pygmy puffs, but I don’t think I can manage one right now with the season starting soon. We’ll be off then, brothers.” Hermione didn’t even notice Ginny had slipped away, but she gratefully took her arm again and started to turn her towards the door.
“Bye, Min.”
Hermione looked back at Fred staring at her. She smiled softly and waved goodbye to him as Ginny pulled her out of the store.
George gave Fred a knowing look.
“You are in trouble, dear brother.”
-
The rest of the week passed by in a blur of working frantically. The Giant land treaty had finally been signed, but the creatures had immediately broken it in the days following. The Giant's leadership counsel claimed the breach was done by some of their kind who tend to act rebellious with wizarding treaties, so as a result, Hermione was back and forth with the counsel and drafting new treaties constantly.
By the time she made it to Thursday, she was exhausted.
She was dosing on her couch when a tapping came on the window of her apartment living room. She jumped and nearly fell off the couch with the surprise but was able to stand quickly and stumble to the window. She recognized Harry and Ginny’s dark brown barn owl, Harley, and let the creature in. She flew in and dropped the letter on her table, immediately swooping out again. Puzzled, Hermione grabbed the letter off the table and opened it. Normally, Harley would always stick around for a response and a treat, but the swift exit from the owl indicated that someone told the bird to not wait for a response.
It had Ginny written all over it.
Hermione,
My dear, dear Hermione. I have set up a date for you tomorrow evening! It is at the new French cuisine place in Godric’s Hollow. Harry and I have been, and the food is lovely.
I know you probably think this is too quick since you just requested my help on Monday, and that is why Harley is not collecting a response from you. I know you, and you are going on this date. Trust me, this man is perfect for you!
He is very handsome. Dark hair and tan, nice muscular man. He is not a quidditch player, but he actually is a healer for one of the teams we mingle with frequently. I’ll stop now so you can ask him all your Hermione questions.
Hope to hear all about it on Sunday!!
Love,
Your matchmaker, Gin
Hermione threw the letter down, but since it was parchment it did not have the dramatic effect she was wanting. Of course, she would set up a date on Friday, after potentially the busiest week of her career.
She definitely had busier weeks before, but she felt like complaining.
She hadn’t gotten the best rest either that week. Every night she seemed to dream of Fred, which was new to her. Hermione had no idea why the dreams had started, but she found herself waking in the early morning covered in sweat.
Not because the dream was scary.
Memories of their night together were clear, and every time she saw someone with red hair she swore she would flash back to those moments with him. She needed to clear her head of him. It was affecting her sleep, and she had no clue why he was troubling her so.
No idea at all. Or maybe she knew and was just ignoring it.
Maybe this date was a blessing in disguise. Healers were smart, and she knew she could have an intelligent conversation with this man. It seemed to be exactly what she needed, even though every part of her body ached from the week she was having.
She would fight the urge to order her favorite muggle Chinese takeout, and she was going to go.
-
Hermione shot up in bed, covered in a cold sweat. She groaned, grabbed her wand off the bedside table, and muttered a quick scougify. This was the fourth night in a row Fred plagued her dreams, and she looked at the clock on her wall. It read 3:30 am, and she sighed and laid back down.
His calloused hand ran up her thigh while his hips pressed her into the wall.
Hermione threw herself on her back and rubbed her eyes. She needed these thoughts of him out of her head, but clearly, her subconscious had different plans.
His hand weaved through her hair and yanked her head back, and he turned his attention to her neck. She cried out as he sucked on a particularly sensitive spot at the base of her neck.
She flipped over and groaned childishly into her pillow.
It was going to be a long day at work.
-
Hermione’s head slipped off her hand and she nearly went face-first into her desk. She shoved herself away from the paperwork and decided to take a walk to get some coffee.
Her fourth of the day, but who was counting?
When she returned to the office, Melody was perched on the edge of her desk waiting for her. She plucked the coffee out of her hand and replaced it with an orange.
“Melody, come on. I’m exhausted.”
“Coffee isn’t going to get you anywhere, especially after how much you’ve had. I don’t want your heart to give out while flooing home later.”
Hermione went around the desk and flopped down in Melody’s chair. The younger woman placed the coffee down and looked to Hermione with concern.
“I know it’s been a busy week, boss lady. The paperwork has been reviewed, and it won’t come back til next Wednesday. Maybe you should take a couple of days off next week.”
“Even if I wanted to, I have that stupid meeting with McLaggen on Monday. Then I’m meeting with the investors for the magical creature preservation in the afternoon.”
“Someone can take care of McLaggen, and I’m sure Curty could meet with the investors!”
“Curty? Really?”
“Yeah, out of everyone I could’ve said I should not have said him. Why don’t you have a nice weekend? I can come over tonight. We can drink wine, and I’ll bring over my new merfolk face masks. Maybe rehydrate that skin of yours.”
“Ugh, that would be lovely. I have a date.”
“Hermione Granger! You have a date and you didn’t tell me?”
“It’s been a busy week, alright? Also, Ginny just let me know of the date yesterday to avoid me chickening out. I couldn’t have told you until today even if I wanted to.”
“Please let me help you get ready. We can still do the face masks, I’ll just come over after work!”
“Actually, that would be helpful. I have no idea what I’m wearing and we are going to the fancy new French place in Godric’s Hollow.”
Melody grinned, and Hermione suddenly regretted letting the girl help out, “I have just the outfit, Hermione. I’ll be over a little after 4.”
Blessing in disguise. Blessing in disguise.
“Sounds great. As long as it's nothing like what you wore to the Ministry’s New Year's Eve ball.”
“Oh, Hermione. You act like I don’t know you. I would never suggest something that scandalous to you. I know your limits.”
“Alright then, I trust you.”
“Plus, that color would not compliment your complexion at all. The light blue would totally wash you out.”
“Thanks, Melody.”
She stood from her co-worker’s chair and swiped her coffee back from beside the blonde. She had her office door closed behind her before she noticed the coffee was gone.
“I’m going to ward the coffee room so you can’t enter anymore!”
“I’d love to see you try!”