Granger Danger ⇗ Fred Weasley

Ch. 3: Let Me Grab My Lamp

Dedicated to _HoneyPooPoo for the awesome cover on the side! Thank you so much, hun! 

Song For This Chapter: She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds Of Summer

Ch. 3: Let Me Grab My Lamp

     "Elle?" She asked again, soft brown eyes watching me as I shivered under the freezing water. "What are you doing?" 

Standing up from the shower, I yanked the hose shut, turning off the torrent of icy water and stepping out of the tub. "Just thinking, Hermione." Slicking my hair back, I rung it out and scrunched the water out of my white v-neck. It was only now that I realized I was wearing someone else's clothes. 

     Hermione was clad in her usual Gryffindor attire. Her wiry hair was askew like she'd been running her fingers through it impatiently. her wide brown eyes reflected fear and hope, relief and worry, all contradictions meshing in her complex mind. My sister.

     As soon as I gingerly stepped out of the tub, I was attacked by Hermione. She clamped her arms around my neck and buried her face on my shoulder. Her body shook slightly as she cradled herself to me, sobbing a little. 

     Softly, I hugged her back, feeling the dampness seep into her fresh robes. I squeezed her as tight as I could, though feeling very weak.

       "I-I thought- we'd all thought -" Hermione paused and pulled away from me, wiping under her eyes to clear the tears. "Oh god, Elle - you look terrible."

Chuckling softly, I smiled at her and took in her appearance. "You're all wet now."

"That's what he said." There was an obnoxious roar from the door way, a beaming redhead leaning against the wooden door frame. Fred was practically glowing with self fulfillment as he looked me up and down.

Rowling under my breath, I yanked away from Hermione muttering under my breath. "Hold on, let me get my lamp."

      "A lamp? For what?" Hermione rose a brow, paling a little. 

      He too was wearing his Gryffindor robes, standing tall and proud in the midst of the bathroom as if he were David himself. He'd grown taller since the last time I'd seen him, which had only felt like a day to me but was obviously much longer. His long red hair had been cropped, better displaying his sharp jaw and a wicked grin. He was different, but all the same.

       Fred wrapped me in a tight hug that I softly returned, feeling confused, yet happy too. "Come on Letter, you shouldn't be using electricity yet. You're still recovering."

     "What the hell does that mean?"  I groaned, sticking my arms between the both of us and shoving him off weakly. I was too skinny now to fully do any harm. My arms were like twigs, my fingers like thorns compared to Fred. 

       Blushing at his familiar smell, I looked up to carefully examine his face. He looked older, tired, and happy all the same. "You cut your hair." I pointed out, reaching up and brushing my hand through it, playing with it slightly.

        Fred chuckled a little and nodded. "Yeah, I decided it was time. George cut it as well, so we don't look different." 

"Why do you guys constantly work your hardest to look the same? I think it's weird." I teased, in all honesty I couldn't care less about the fact that he and George liked to have people forget which was which, I just loved teasing him. 

And Fred knew that. Grinning, he kissed my forehead and examined me. "You look tired. And dying."

"Thanks, Frederick - you really know how to make the girls melt, don't you?" I rolled my eyes and pushed a wet strand of long, brown hair behind my ear. "I need to go change into proper clothes and dry myself off."