Fic: Persistence Through Time (2/?)
Persistence Through Time
- Chapter 2 -
Hermione trailed behind Harry and Ron as they made their way into the Great Hall. Ron fell back as they walked, his hand slipping timidly into hers. She gripped it tightly, grateful for his support, as the group finally caught sight of what awaited them in the middle of the room.
Having just leapt to his feet, Fred Weasley stood staring at them, without a single scratch visible on his skin. She felt a warm smile spread across her face, her eyes shining with tears of happiness, as they locked onto Fred, the twin who seemed to have conquered Death. She watched as his eyes drifted over each member of his family in, at first, disbelief and then joy, taking them in, as if he hadn't seen them in forever. However, when his gaze connected with hers, Hermione felt as if her breath had been suddenly stolen away by a redheaded thief.
Hermione could feel the intensity of his piercing gaze upon her, as her name slipped from his lips like a prayer. In the entire seven years she had known the Weasley Twins, she had never been on the receiving end of such a soul-quivering glance, like the one Fred was now bestowing upon her. The exhilarating sensation, mixed with her confusion and shock, left Hermione breathless, as she stood between Harry and Ron.
Her slender hand slipped from Ron's grasp, like her skin was on fire, as she stood rooted to the ground, mesmerized, wondering vaguely why he was whispering her name. Shouldn't he be rushing towards his family, and embracing them all? Molly, Arthur, and his siblings seemed to be confused about this odd behavior as well.
"Freddie?"
His twin calling his name snapped Fred's attention back to George, who had taken a cautious step toward him, effectively releasing Hermione from under his 'spell', leaving the brown-eyed witch somewhat bereft. 'What the bloody hell?' she pondered inwardly, as she watched the reunion, slightly dazed.
Gred barked a happy little laugh, as his eyes trailed over Forge. His twin was alive! He allowed the tears he had been fighting to hold back free reign, thick salty teardrops streaking down his cheeks.
"Georgie..." He whispered with emotion.
In that moment, it was like a barrier had been lifted from between them. The twins crashed into one another, like two blurry red missiles, wrapping each other up in their shared presence, hugging, and squeezing each other with all their might.
Fred let out a soggy laugh. "I've missed you!"
George clung tighter to his twin, unwilling to let him go. He had been ecstatic to find that Fred had somehow miraculously survived the massive wall that had fallen on him only hours prior.
He, along with the rest of his family, had been devastated when they had entered the Great Hall during the momentary cease fire to find his twin lying pale upon a blanket on the cold stone floor. He had felt like his whole world had been ripped away, but then he'd been forced to pull himself together as the battle had commenced, culminating in the final moment between Harry and Lord Voldemort.
When Madame Pomfrey had come rushing up to the congregated Weasley's in the courtyard, telling them that they needed to 'quickly come with her', the last thing they had thought to see was a very much alive Fred sitting there staring at them in shock. It had almost been too good to be true.
Although now that he was holding his twin in his arms... Perhaps he had been right to think that Fred's recovery was a little too good to be true, as he sensed that something was... off somehow, like Fred was only half there?
That didn't sound right, but it was how he felt. Ever since they had been born, Fred and George had always been completely in tune with one another. They were able to sense their twin brother's presence and moods, and on some occasion, even their thoughts.
Now however, George felt a slight void, like the bond that had bound them together had been damaged somehow, frayed at the edges.
He viciously pushed these thoughts and feelings away.
No! His brother was... Right. There. In. His. Arms. Alive.
He refused to believe anything else! Reluctantly, George pulled away from Fred, knowing that the other members of the family would also want their own time to embrace the younger twin, but as he did so, he couldn't help but notice the way Fred's eyes - suspiciously a lighter blue color - seemed to be trained in the direction of the Golden Trio, more specifically focused in on the tiny bushy haired witch.
George hesitated, as his eyes trailed Fred's gaze to Hermione, and that suspiciously wary feeling intruded on him once more. Why was he looking at her? He never showed a glimpse of interest in the petite bookworm before, so why now? What happened?
There was the time in the trio's fourth year, when Ronnikins warned all of their brothers off of Granger, and they respected his wishes, not that he was interested, of course... But perhaps... he had missed Freddie's interest? Was that possible?
George was derailed from his line of thoughts just as effectively, as Fred was broken from his obvious staring by Molly, as she rushed up and engulfed him in a motherly bear hug so intense, the small woman practically lifted her lanky son off his feet, however impossible that might have seemed.
"Freddie!" Molly blubbered. "Thank Merlin, you're okay."
"Mum!" Fred mumbled, burying his face into his mother's soft hair, prompting George to sigh in relief.
"I am making a feast tonight, all of your favorites." She sniffled.
One by one, the rest of the Weasley clan gathered around Fred, taking turns scooping him up into a hug or, in Ginny's case, cheerfully leaping into his arms and wrapping herself around him, like a blanket, as she sobbed into his chest. Percy's hug had been somewhat awkward, however, as he muttered an apology into his shoulder, that had Fred wondering why it was warranted.
The last to hug him was Ron, and George noticed another odd thing from his twin. For some reason, Fred seemed to be a little stand off-ish with their youngest brother, the comforting warmth in his eyes cooling significantly.
Ron frowned slightly at Fred's behavior, sensing something was off. His bullshit radar was buzzing noisily, especially when he noticed the glances his brother had been stealing Hermione's way.
Ever since they had arrived on the scene of the final battle, and even while embracing his own twin, Fred's eyes had never left Hermione. Ron had felt the way the muggleborn witch had stiffened at his side, her hand slipping from his grip, although he had been way too shocked to really think on what that could signify.
What was the git on about? Nearly dying did not give him the right to stare at her like that. Besides, hadn't he sworn his brother's off his 'Mione in fourth year? Sure, he hadn't been interested in her himself at the time - that had developed later - but he still had done it.
Harry stood beside Hermione, a suspicious sheen misting in his bright emerald eyes, as the Weasley family became whole again. The Boy Who Lived felt a hand gently squeezing his own, and he glanced over to the witch, who had stood beside him through thick and thin, ever since they entered into the world of Magic.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione asked, rubbing the back of his hand soothingly.
He glanced at her with a grin on his face. "I'm brilliant, 'Mione. We're finally free." Hermione watched as his eyes clouded over and knew he was lost in thought.
Thoughts of losing Remus and Tonks.
Of losing Sirius and Dumbledore.
Thoughts of his parents.
"We lost some loved ones, Harry." Hermione re-enforced her presence as she sensed her friend sinking into despair again. "But we didn't lose everyone." She glanced back over at the group of red heads and once again caught Fred looking in her direction.
Harry followed her gaze, noticing the direction of the resurrected twin's gaze. He looked back and forth between the two as they had yet to break eye contact, and a suspicion began to take root within the recesses of his mind.
Then a firecracker with long, shiny red hair barreled into him with a squeal of delight, kissing him fiercely, before grabbing his hand, and dragging him toward her family. Ginny's excited intrusion and almost immediate departure with her friend shook Hermione out of her staring contest with Fred, and she watched as the couple approached the twins. She couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips when Fred drew Harry into a brotherly hug.
It was as she stood there that a golden mist crept along the ground around her feet before winding its way up the distracted witch's body. It swirled and dipped, weaving through her legs and around her hips and shoulders before eventually, as she took her next breath, slipping into her nostrils and mouth.
Despite this, Hermione seemed to notice nothing amiss besides a slight chill that briefly overtook her body...
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Another chapter for you, hopefully you enjoy. Please don't forget to leave a nice comment and let me know your thoughts on this. I'd love to hear any questions and expectations you have for what will happen to alternate Fred in this new world.
- Chapter 2 -
Hermione trailed behind Harry and Ron as they made their way into the Great Hall. Ron fell back as they walked, his hand slipping timidly into hers. She gripped it tightly, grateful for his support, as the group finally caught sight of what awaited them in the middle of the room.
Having just leapt to his feet, Fred Weasley stood staring at them, without a single scratch visible on his skin. She felt a warm smile spread across her face, her eyes shining with tears of happiness, as they locked onto Fred, the twin who seemed to have conquered Death. She watched as his eyes drifted over each member of his family in, at first, disbelief and then joy, taking them in, as if he hadn't seen them in forever. However, when his gaze connected with hers, Hermione felt as if her breath had been suddenly stolen away by a redheaded thief.
Hermione could feel the intensity of his piercing gaze upon her, as her name slipped from his lips like a prayer. In the entire seven years she had known the Weasley Twins, she had never been on the receiving end of such a soul-quivering glance, like the one Fred was now bestowing upon her. The exhilarating sensation, mixed with her confusion and shock, left Hermione breathless, as she stood between Harry and Ron.
Her slender hand slipped from Ron's grasp, like her skin was on fire, as she stood rooted to the ground, mesmerized, wondering vaguely why he was whispering her name. Shouldn't he be rushing towards his family, and embracing them all? Molly, Arthur, and his siblings seemed to be confused about this odd behavior as well.
"Freddie?"
His twin calling his name snapped Fred's attention back to George, who had taken a cautious step toward him, effectively releasing Hermione from under his 'spell', leaving the brown-eyed witch somewhat bereft. 'What the bloody hell?' she pondered inwardly, as she watched the reunion, slightly dazed.
Gred barked a happy little laugh, as his eyes trailed over Forge. His twin was alive! He allowed the tears he had been fighting to hold back free reign, thick salty teardrops streaking down his cheeks.
"Georgie..." He whispered with emotion.
In that moment, it was like a barrier had been lifted from between them. The twins crashed into one another, like two blurry red missiles, wrapping each other up in their shared presence, hugging, and squeezing each other with all their might.
Fred let out a soggy laugh. "I've missed you!"
George clung tighter to his twin, unwilling to let him go. He had been ecstatic to find that Fred had somehow miraculously survived the massive wall that had fallen on him only hours prior.
He, along with the rest of his family, had been devastated when they had entered the Great Hall during the momentary cease fire to find his twin lying pale upon a blanket on the cold stone floor. He had felt like his whole world had been ripped away, but then he'd been forced to pull himself together as the battle had commenced, culminating in the final moment between Harry and Lord Voldemort.
When Madame Pomfrey had come rushing up to the congregated Weasley's in the courtyard, telling them that they needed to 'quickly come with her', the last thing they had thought to see was a very much alive Fred sitting there staring at them in shock. It had almost been too good to be true.
Although now that he was holding his twin in his arms... Perhaps he had been right to think that Fred's recovery was a little too good to be true, as he sensed that something was... off somehow, like Fred was only half there?
That didn't sound right, but it was how he felt. Ever since they had been born, Fred and George had always been completely in tune with one another. They were able to sense their twin brother's presence and moods, and on some occasion, even their thoughts.
Now however, George felt a slight void, like the bond that had bound them together had been damaged somehow, frayed at the edges.
He viciously pushed these thoughts and feelings away.
No! His brother was... Right. There. In. His. Arms. Alive.
He refused to believe anything else! Reluctantly, George pulled away from Fred, knowing that the other members of the family would also want their own time to embrace the younger twin, but as he did so, he couldn't help but notice the way Fred's eyes - suspiciously a lighter blue color - seemed to be trained in the direction of the Golden Trio, more specifically focused in on the tiny bushy haired witch.
George hesitated, as his eyes trailed Fred's gaze to Hermione, and that suspiciously wary feeling intruded on him once more. Why was he looking at her? He never showed a glimpse of interest in the petite bookworm before, so why now? What happened?
There was the time in the trio's fourth year, when Ronnikins warned all of their brothers off of Granger, and they respected his wishes, not that he was interested, of course... But perhaps... he had missed Freddie's interest? Was that possible?
George was derailed from his line of thoughts just as effectively, as Fred was broken from his obvious staring by Molly, as she rushed up and engulfed him in a motherly bear hug so intense, the small woman practically lifted her lanky son off his feet, however impossible that might have seemed.
"Freddie!" Molly blubbered. "Thank Merlin, you're okay."
"Mum!" Fred mumbled, burying his face into his mother's soft hair, prompting George to sigh in relief.
"I am making a feast tonight, all of your favorites." She sniffled.
One by one, the rest of the Weasley clan gathered around Fred, taking turns scooping him up into a hug or, in Ginny's case, cheerfully leaping into his arms and wrapping herself around him, like a blanket, as she sobbed into his chest. Percy's hug had been somewhat awkward, however, as he muttered an apology into his shoulder, that had Fred wondering why it was warranted.
The last to hug him was Ron, and George noticed another odd thing from his twin. For some reason, Fred seemed to be a little stand off-ish with their youngest brother, the comforting warmth in his eyes cooling significantly.
Ron frowned slightly at Fred's behavior, sensing something was off. His bullshit radar was buzzing noisily, especially when he noticed the glances his brother had been stealing Hermione's way.
Ever since they had arrived on the scene of the final battle, and even while embracing his own twin, Fred's eyes had never left Hermione. Ron had felt the way the muggleborn witch had stiffened at his side, her hand slipping from his grip, although he had been way too shocked to really think on what that could signify.
What was the git on about? Nearly dying did not give him the right to stare at her like that. Besides, hadn't he sworn his brother's off his 'Mione in fourth year? Sure, he hadn't been interested in her himself at the time - that had developed later - but he still had done it.
Harry stood beside Hermione, a suspicious sheen misting in his bright emerald eyes, as the Weasley family became whole again. The Boy Who Lived felt a hand gently squeezing his own, and he glanced over to the witch, who had stood beside him through thick and thin, ever since they entered into the world of Magic.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione asked, rubbing the back of his hand soothingly.
He glanced at her with a grin on his face. "I'm brilliant, 'Mione. We're finally free." Hermione watched as his eyes clouded over and knew he was lost in thought.
Thoughts of losing Remus and Tonks.
Of losing Sirius and Dumbledore.
Thoughts of his parents.
"We lost some loved ones, Harry." Hermione re-enforced her presence as she sensed her friend sinking into despair again. "But we didn't lose everyone." She glanced back over at the group of red heads and once again caught Fred looking in her direction.
Harry followed her gaze, noticing the direction of the resurrected twin's gaze. He looked back and forth between the two as they had yet to break eye contact, and a suspicion began to take root within the recesses of his mind.
Then a firecracker with long, shiny red hair barreled into him with a squeal of delight, kissing him fiercely, before grabbing his hand, and dragging him toward her family. Ginny's excited intrusion and almost immediate departure with her friend shook Hermione out of her staring contest with Fred, and she watched as the couple approached the twins. She couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips when Fred drew Harry into a brotherly hug.
It was as she stood there that a golden mist crept along the ground around her feet before winding its way up the distracted witch's body. It swirled and dipped, weaving through her legs and around her hips and shoulders before eventually, as she took her next breath, slipping into her nostrils and mouth.
Despite this, Hermione seemed to notice nothing amiss besides a slight chill that briefly overtook her body...
~*~*~*~
Author's Note: Another chapter for you, hopefully you enjoy. Please don't forget to leave a nice comment and let me know your thoughts on this. I'd love to hear any questions and expectations you have for what will happen to alternate Fred in this new world.