Chance--A Fremione OneShot

Seventh Year: The Burrow

A/N [Setting]: Hermione has just arrived at the Burrow after modifying her parents' memories. The war has begun, Hermione must leave in a few weeks with her two best friends to hunt horcruxes, but right now she feels empty. Chance leaves her alone with Fred to work through her tumult, but they find themselves relishing in each other instead.

***

Hermione looked out the window of Fred and George's bedroom at the Burrow. She and Ginny were sharing the room since Mrs. Weasley had given up her room to Fleur Delacour—or Flem, as Ginny called her. From this vantage point, Hermione could see the garden that was chock full of gnomes, the chicken coup where Mr. Weasley hid his more questionable Muggle finds from Mrs. Weasley, and the broomstick shed that housed a half dozen old, rickety broomsticks that the Weasley children somehow managed to keep functional enough to play aggressive games of quidditch. She relished the familiar sights and the few comforts she had left.

Soon Hermione, Harry, and Ron would set of off in search of Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes instead of completing their last year at Hogwarts. What's more, she had modified her parents memories after spending her first few weeks of the summer with them. She then apparated to the Burrow and decided that tears were of no use to her. Her parents were safe and blissfully ignorant in Australia, and she was surrounded by friends that were as good as family to her. Still, an empty feeling crept over her. Maybe it was because she was alone at the Burrow just then, which was a very rare occurrence for anyone at the Weasley home. Mrs. Weasley had demanded that everyone accompany her and Fleur to the various wedding vendors and stores on their numerous lists of wedding tasks to be done. Hermione, having just arrived, was able to stay back and rest.

The other Weasleys, accompanied by future Weasley, Fleur, departed by floo ten minutes ago and weren't expected back for several hours. She had the entire place to herself and her thoughts, though she found herself drawn to gaze out the window. Perhaps this is what adults had always meant when they said they needed time to decompress.

"Hermione?" came a familiar voice followed by a creek of the bedroom door. Hermione jumped, even though she knew the speaker immediately. A little rush of heat permeated her body.

"Fred!" She tried to sound cheerful, but she knew her voice was too hollow.

"You all right?" Fred asked her. His tone was relaxed, but his eyes were searching her face. Hermione smiled at him.

"Yes, yes, just not used to being on my own, I guess."

"I know exactly what you mean. George is at the store, by the way." Hermione was looking over his shoulder as if expecting the other Weasley twin to pop in at any moment. "I just came by to grab a few things from the room. We keep a lot of our test products hidden in here, lest they fall into the wrong hands." Fred winked at her. "Don't tell Ron that, though!"

"Wouldn't dream of it," chucked Hermione. Silence lapsed between them, and Fred stared at her with a question hovering behind his eyes. Hermione figured he was debating whether or not to press her further about her obviously sullen mood. She wouldn't mind telling Fred about it, even though she hadn't yet told Ginny or Ron, or of course Harry who wouldn't even arrive for a couple more weeks. Fred grinned broadly, coming to a decision.

"Hermione, you are in for a treat," he announced. "I know exactly what you need right now. A stiff drink and some good company." He waived his wand, and a bottle of firewhiskey with two glasses came zooming into the room and crashed onto his nightstand. "As it just so happens," he continued, "I am excellent company."

He sat down on his bed, poured out two small glasses—more in his glass than hers—and held one out to Hermione.

"Come on," he said as she stood unmoving by the window. "It's enough to warm that cute nose of yours, but not enough to get you hammered." He winked at her again.