You Know We Can't...

Chapter 5 ~ Hermione

   "Goodmorning, Ronald." I reply, smiling. He returns the grin and turns towards Ginny.

   "I think Mum wanted your help in the garden," He states. Ginny sighs and leaves the room. Ron turns back to me.

   "I thought she'd never leave," he whispers and embraces me with a more than friendly hug. My emotions, good and bad, threaten to choke me. Ron notices this and looks down at me.

   "Hey, are you alright?" He asks, gently lifting my chin up.

   "Just a lot on my mind, I guess." I nod and pull away. He shrugs and tells me he'll be outside helping set up for the wedding.

   Before anyone sees me, I run back up to my room and  slam the door behind me. I really like Ronald, but there are just times when I cannot stand him. He can be so needy when I don't have the time. But he's always there for me.

   And Fred? Most of my smiles are because of him. He knows exactly what to say when I need to hear it. I know his serious side and love it even more than his better known quality.

   How am I supposed to explain to one that I would choose their brother over them?

   I take in a shaky breath and fix my makeup. The ceremony is going to start in a few hours and Mrs. Weasley prefers all the help she can get.

  

   As I open the door, I take in a quick breath to find Fred outside my door, mid-knock. On instinct, I rub my cheeks, trying to wipe any leftover tears.

 

  He looks down at me, concern flooding his face. I try to appear fine, but my mind is overflowing with too many emotions at once.

   "Hermione," he whispers. "What's wrong?"

   I keep my vision to the floor and shake my head. Stay strong. Don't cry... Fred reaches for my hand and I let him take it. He looks around and then quickly pulls me into a nearby broom closet.

   No, not now... Not now... I repeat to myself over again. Fred keeps the light off but does not attempt to kiss me. Instead, he wraps his arms around me, placing his head on top of mine. I can feel the bump of his jaw as he speaks.

   "I know you have feelings for him," he begins. I finally break down and begin to sob into Fred's vest. "But I promise I'll always fight for you. You deserve so much more than him, and even more than me. But no matter what happens, I just want to see you happy."

  

   Fred clicks on the closet light and looks into my watery eyes. "How can I make you happy?" he whispers. Something in his voice just makes everything click into place.

   I reach up to kiss him. At first, I can tell he is confused, but he quickly understands my answer. Fred moves his hands under the hem of my shirt, cradling my sides.

  My hands entangle into his hair as he lets out a low moan. I smile and kiss him fiercer. Fred's hands crawl their way up my shirt and I can't help but shiver. He laughs which only makes me smile again.

   Fred. I choose Fred.