Chapter seven

"You were about to tell me why you've been such a prat lately." Hermione lips were pursed slightly as she leaned back into the chair, her legs crossing as she began to smooth down her hair and shirt.

Fred groaned and fell back onto another chair, pouting at her petulantly. His arms crossed as he settled back, glaring slightly at her.

"Come on Fred, you promised." She sighed and hung her head, feeling disappointed.

"I know birdie, it's just hard for me." He sighed and reached over, clutching her hand. "I get so afraid sometimes."

She glanced at him, squeezing his hand as she spoke, "Of what Fred?"

"Losing you." His voice sounded thick and she reached over, moving so she knelt before him, peering at his face.

"Why would you lose me? I mean the war, that makes it a possibility for all of us but I thought you knew that?" She stroked her fingers across his cheek, her thumb smoothing over his chapped lip.

"Yeah, I know." Fred nodded.

"Then why Fred?" She pressed, making him look her in the eye.

"Why would you stay with me?" He asked and her breath caught in her throat, she could feel her eyes well with tears. "Krum wanted you so much, then Mclaggen, there was Wood as well, Ron fancies you, Seamus did. You have so many options but you stay with me, why? I'm nothing like you really."

"Frederick Gideon Weasely, how dare you question me?" She growled out, her hand began to tremble as tears began to fall. "I love you because you made me see that I could be myself, all of me was acceptable and you showed me that. You love me and that's why I stay Fred. Because I love you too, I love you so much because you're smart, funny, sincere and so kind. You love your family and your friends, I love you because you're you and you're perfect."

Fred stared down at her, his eyes were wet and he looked like he'd cry any second now, "I- Oh, gods Mione."

He clutched her then, pulling her close as he cried, "Shhh, Fred it's alright."

He nodded and pressed a kiss to her hair, his hands smoothing over her arms. They sat that way for awhile, staying quiet as they reaffirmed their love for each other. It was rather overwhelming that Fred was just as scared of losing her as she was of him. Sure they had talked about losing each other in the war, she believed in being realistic but she'd never imagine that he was scared to lose her while she was still alive. He was her past, present and future. He was her afterlife as well.

"Marry Me Fred." She murmured against his neck, loud enough for him to hear. He froze for a second and squeezed her tight as he began to laugh.

"Yes Hermione, I'll marry you." He said, kissing her firmly on the mouth before pulling back, giving her a wet grin. "George is never going to let me live this down."

Hermione chuckled softly and reached for his hand, curling their fingers together.

GWGWGWGWGWGWGW

George Weasely was a confused man, he paced the door leading to the cellar. He was waiting for Lee to reemerge on his own. He still needed to think but he was pretty sure he did care about Lee more than he should have really. But was that really all that surprising? Lee had been the only other steadfast thing at Hogwarts for him other than Fred. The boy had never judged him or his twin for their rather unhealthy attachment to each other when they were younger, he'd always been there when they'd needed him most. Lee made him feel calm and happy. Sure he'd often thought the other boy was pretty. His lips were full and his eyes always seemed to glitter with this hidden mischief. George sighed and leaned on the door, his head thunking back against it, but he didn't care. Where on earth was Lee? He stood there for what felt like hours, it had been but he wasn't sure how long.

Soon though he fell backwards, yelping as he impacted a body behind him, "George!" Harry grunted and pushed him off.

"Oh, yeah, hey Harry." He felt a little awkward seeing the boy after their earlier fall-out "Listen Harry,"

"No George it's alright, I swear." Harry murmured. "Lee will be out in just a few minutes he's just finishing up changing bandages."

"Alright, thanks," He murmured and then helped the boy stand, patting his shoulder as Harry walked past.

George smiled slightly, feeling rather nervous and giddy as he waited for Lee to show himself. Soon though his friend was before him and he clutched his hand, dragging him away from the basement and up the flights of steps that led to Lee's own room.

They were inside quickly and as soon as the door was shut Lee started to talk, "Listen George, I know that was rather foolish of me, but I just couldn't help myself. And I won't apologise because I'm not sorry."

George chuckled, staring at Lee, who looked rather fierce and determined, "I wasn't going to ask you too."

Lee's eyes widened, "Really?"

"Yeah," George reached for his hand and lifted it in his own, playing with the dark boys fingers. "Yeah, you never need to apologise for showing your feelings, Love."

Lee's eyes were comically large now and George resisted the urge to laugh at his expression, after all it WAS rather funny. "George?" he sounded so hopeful and looked at him with such care that George couldn't believe he'd never thought about it before, never even noticed.

"I'm sorry Lee, I've been completely oblivious to all of this." He murmured and drew the boy into his arms, holding him firmly against his body. "I've missed out on a lot."

Lee's head rested against his chest and George grinned down at him, "You really have George."

"Wanna play catch up?" George asked, waggling his eyebrows. Lee snorted.

"I'm not going to snog you all the time, George." Lee reprimanded, hitting his arm lightly.

"What? That's completely unfair!" George whinged and Lee chuckled.

"I said I wouldn't do it all the time, not that I wouldn't, you'll just have to deal." Lee said, nudging the ginger boy to his bed. "After all there is one thing I'd really, really like to catch up on doing with you."

George felt his eyes widened, staring down at Lee who looked a little mischievous and a lot tempting. "Re-really? What's that then?"

Lee laughed and shoved George on the bed, crawling to him and George nearly fainted when the boy settled into his side, snuggling closer. "What the hell was that?" George asked a few seconds later.

"It's called being a tease, You'll get used to it." Lee mumbled, snuggling closer.

George sighed, a little disappointed, a little amused, but mostly content. He wrapped his arms around Lee and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep again. He really should have realized two naps in one day was a bit excessive but who was he to argue?

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Harry grinned slightly, a slight hop in his step as he took meals down the stairs to the basement. He couldn't wait to be civil with Snape. Making the older man uncomfortable with kindness would be far more fulfilling than hating him. Hermione and Lee were sleeping, both still exhausted from expending magic that day. The two were their resident spell weavers, their youth and imaginations making them perfect for the taxing job. Molly always made sure that they got the best food she could make for them, knowing how important it was for them to be well fed and well rested. He stopped and frowned at the door, his hands filled with trays.

"Damn." He juggled the trays around, one resting on the crook of his arm as he pulled open the door, his swift reflexes saving it from toppling to the ground as he maneuvered around door. "Professors?"

Snape was awake, Remus sleeping fitfully in the bed beside him. "Dinner already?"

"Uh yeah, Mrs. Weasely made you both stew." Harry responded, setting down a tray on the table, bringing the other to the sallow man.

"Thank you." Snape murmured and Harry nodded, feeling a little awkward.

He turned to Remus and nudged the man's leg, mindful of his reaction to Hermione earlier that day. "Remus?" He nudged his leg again, jumping as the man shot up with a snarl. "Merlin!"

"Sorry Harry." Remus flushed, looking mildly embarrassed.

"Not a problem." Harry grinned at his mentor, Remus was definitely like an uncle to him. "It's dinner time though, Molly made Stew."

"No more broth?" Remus looked pretty hopeful and Harry laughed, they had only been there for a couple of days and Remus was already sick of 'hospital food'.

"Yeah, well as long as you both keep this down she said." Remus looked at the tray Harry brought to him with purpose.

"I think I can manage that." Remus began to dig into his food, murmuring how delicious it was. Harry glanced at the man in the other bed, eating his food slowly, wincing every now and then when he swallowed.

Glancing around the room Harry found a pitcher filled with chilled water, filling up two glasses he handed one to each of them, then conjured a third for himself. He sat at the stool perched between the beds. "I know Hermione's been reading to you, mind if I give it a shot?"

"No offense Mister Potter but I've read 'Quidditch Through the Ages'." Snape murmured quietly from his bed, Harry scowled slightly at the man.

"Very Funny," He grouched, glaring as Remus stared at him for his childish response. He huffed and tugged the battered book from his pocket. Ignoring the way Remus glared at the condition of the book.

"This was the only book I had at privet drive, found it when I was in the cleaning the shed for Aunt Petunia, it's falling to pieces now but I still love it." He flipped open the book and began to read softly, telling them a tale about three siblings finding adventure in places they could only dream about. They asked him questions every now and then, he answered as well as he could, happy that they seemed to be enjoying the story.

They had finished eating shortly after he started, but he didn't stop until Hermione had come to find him, clearing her throat as she leant against the wall by the door. "Sorry for interrupting but Molly said that Harry missed his dinner."

"Oh, bollocks." Harry cursed; the Weasley matriarch was not going to be pleased with him skipping a meal.

"What're you reading?"

"Peter Pan" Remus replied, smiling at his friend.

"Want me to finish it while you go up and eat?" Hermione asked, Harry glanced from her to the two men and nodded his head.

"Yeah, I'm starving." He pecked her cheek and waved to his former professors as he left. Hopping up the stairs, he whistled softly to himself. Maybe he could change, maybe he could start feeling a little more rational about all of this, after all he'd spent two hours chatting with Severus Snape and didn't call him a greasy git even once. And after that, well anything was possible right?

FWFWFWFWFWFWFWFWFW

Fred stared at his twin and other best friend; they were sitting next to each other, rather close actually. George was whispering something to Lee and Lee's eyes were comically huge. Fred was sure if his dark skin could show it he'd be red as a tomato.

"George? Could you not whisper filthy things to Lee while I'm sitting right here?" Fred's question burst out before he could stop himself, wincing as George looked at him, his cheeks pink.

"Shut it! Not like you're any better." George poked his tongue out at him.

Lee chuckled and moved away from George, ignoring his pout, "Yes but you hate it when he does that so maybe you should lead by example?"

Fred grinned at his friend, George pouted though and moved closer again, wrapping his arm around Lee's shoulders.

"Fine." His twin mumbled, looking completely put out.

"And I don't have a problem with this, I don't." Fred began, moving to sit across from them. "It's just going to be a bit weird seeing you two together after you know years of you not being together.." He trailed off, feeling a little awkward.

"No worries Freddie, I'm still not used to seeing you and Hermione being all adult with your flirting… I mean last year a passing comment about you two kissing would make her go red!" George put in.

"It still does." Lee corrected, smilling slightly. "Just a little while ago she got all red and flustered when I asked what she'd be up two for the last couple of hours."

Fred's cheeks went pink and he glanced at the floor… "Did she now?" he murmured avoiding their eyes.