Time Slipped By

So…..it's been two weeks. Two very hectic weeks, sure, but I was updating my other story and TOTALLY forgot to update this one as well! So sorry my faithful readers! I hope you will take pity on my poor forgetful soul and leave reviews anyways! Happy Reading!

Chapter 11: Five Weeks of Trying

After three and a half months of pretty much following Hermione around like a love-sick puppy, Fred had finally managed to get Hermione to agree to go out on a date with him. Three months of convincing her his feelings were true, and two weeks of convincing her that his hasty "I love you" was also very true. And when was all said and done, it should have been fairly easy to have that first date. Nothing could have been more difficult than Fred's initial pursuit of Hermione. Or so they both had foolishly thought.

Week 2—Attempts 1 and 2

"Hermione I have the perfect idea for our first date! Ice skating!" Fred rushed Hermione as she entered the shop that Saturday afternoon.

"Ice skating? Really?" His eager face was enough to crack her uncertainty, "Okay….sounds great. What time will I meet you at the rink?"

"Ahh…no! Gentlemen pick their dates up. They do not meet their dates. Especially not for a first date, love."

Hermione blushed; still reeling from the new pet name Fred was using for her since she agreed to start dating him, "If you say so. What time will you pick me up, then, Weasley?"

Fred's smile was beatific, "Seven. I just have to close the shop up with Georgie first."

And Fred was certain it would have been the perfect first date. If not an hour before closing the shop, a careless parent hadn't left their five year old unattended. And then that unsupervised five year old hadn't then accidently set-off a display of fireworks using a bit of accidental magic. One little scared cry after realizing he was alone, and poor Henry Casper (as he was later identified) set-off hundreds of fireworks across the shop.

Fred and George had scrambled to disarm the fireworks, but not before many of their surrounding displays went up in flames. While Henry Casper's thoughtless parent was very remorseful, and even offered to pay for any ruined products, they were hurried away by the twins who were much more worried about the further damage the child could cause if it stayed in their shop any longer.

A half hour before he was due to pick her up, Fred sent an owl to Hermione with his apologies. Their date would have to, regrettably, be rescheduled for another day. He couldn't leave George alone to clean up their mess of a shop. Hermione was understanding in her reply. Another time, Fred. Do you guys need any help cleaning up?

No, love. Thanks for the offer though. I'll send an owl tomorrow with a new plan for our date.

And so he did. Not twenty-four hours later Fred sent an owl with a new date plan. Wednesday night? I'll take you to dinner at that new French place in Diagon Alley. Pick you up at seven?

Hermione was excited more by their new date plan than the previous for sure. Absolutely! Can't wait!

And so three days later, Fred was leaving early from the shop—just in case another disaster decided to occur right before his date with Hermione, again—when he got a Patronus message from Ginny. The great stallion circling around him. At first, he was worried there was trouble due to the way that the message was being carried—so much like the time of the recent war—but then he remembered Ginny mentioning she needed more practice with that certain charm at dinner a few nights ago.

"Fred," the glowing horse spoke to him, "I was just at the Ministry with Hermione. A new case came in that is so major she forgot all about your date tonight. She is completely frazzled and asked me to message you. She must cancel tonight. She's really sorry."

Fred's whole body slumped as he turned back towards the shop, "Hey, Georgie! I guess I can close up with you tonight after all."

Week 2—Attempt 3

Fred and Hermione were not discouraged. They were dedicated to going on a date, and two failed attempts was really nothing in the long run. With how busy their lives were, it was almost expected.

Hermione, however, did figure that maybe she should plan the date this time. Just in case Fred just had some bad luck on his side. While Hermione never really believed her friend's silly claims, Luna had commented to her the other day that Fred seemed to have some nasty Wrackspurts floating around his head when she saw him in the shop the other week. She figures they may be befuddling his mind a bit. And, honestly, with all the amazing things Luna has accomplished in the past few years of their acquaintance, who was Hermione to ignore her claims?

And so Hermione was the one to send the first owl to Fred the Tuesday morning of that second week. My turn. How about we go to muggle London to see a movie? Say three o'clock this Sunday? We could do dinner afterwards.

Fred's reply came after a quick shouted conversation across the shop with George, "You and Verity good to man the shop Sunday afternoon? Hermione wants to take me to see a mov-ay!"

"Sounds fine! You'll have to let me know how that muggle contraption works!" And with George's agreement, Fred sent off a quick owl to Hermione confirming their date. Sunday at three. Perfect.

And really, it would have been a great date. Hermione looked at the newspaper and found the perfect 3:15 showing for them of a film she was certain Fred would love! But then they had bring your kid to work day at the office. A bring your kid to work day which was infested with germ-carrying children who were more than happy to slobber and sneeze and Merlin knows what else all over the office.

And so Hermione had to cancel on Fred again. She was sick. St. Mungo's gave her a few potions, but said sleep was the best medicine. And so after sleeping through all of Saturday, and part of Sunday, a still very ill Hermione sent an owl to Fred. I'm sick. Can barely move. I'll have to cancel again. I'm so, so sorry! Forgive me?

There is nothing to forgive. Would you like me to bring over mum's famous soup? Tastes like dung, but it cures everything!

That sounds...horrid. Please don't. I'll just sleep it off. I don't want you catching anything from me either.

Week 3—Attempts 4 and 5

"This'll be the week, Georgie! I'm certain of it! This week Hermione and I will finally get to go on our date! It's foolproof! She's all better from her cold. I feel great! And I'm scheduling the date for tonight. It's going to work!"

"Sure. It might've. If you hadn't just cursed yourself by saying that, dimwit!" Fred glared at his chuckling twin, but chose to ignore him in lieu of happier thoughts.

Hermione had just owled him back saying tonight at five would be great for dinner. They were going to keep it casual and just head to the Three Broomsticks for a bite and some drinks. Then they would just see where the evening took them. Casual. No pressure. Foolproof.

Until George's curse prediction came true. Because why wouldn't it after Fred was so naively optimistic? At three thirty Hermione sent him an owl. And before he opened it, he knew what was coming. Not the details, but definitely the cancellation. Why else would she be owling him?

Fred. Don't hate me. Ginny just came home crying. Apparently she and Harry got into another fight about marriage and kids. I just can't leave her alone tonight. Can we reschedule for tomorrow? I swear I'll make sure my evening is completely clear!

I could never hate you, love. Ginny needs you. Send her my love. And when she is feeling better, tell her she owes me!

The next day Fred was warily hopeful for their date to succeed this time. Same plans, just a different day. He refused to even think words that could curse the outcome. He was dedicated. He was determined. He was certain. This date was going to happen!

And then, tragically, but honestly almost predictably by now, Fred had to cancel their date with Hermione this time. George was working on a new product in the backroom while he manned the shop when an explosion shook the shop. Fred ran away from a customer to find George on the floor unconscious. After yelling for Verity to clear out the last few customers and then close early, he apparated George to St. Mungo's with haste.

Fred sat by George's bedside for hours as he waited for his twin to wake. The healers were confident he was just fine, and just needed a few hours rest, but the wait was really killing Fred. He shooed away their worried family after they got the good news from the healers. He would take care of Georgie. Go home. Go back to work. They were fine.

But as the hours continued to tick on, Fred once again had to send an owl to Hermione. George is still unconscious. I've got to be here for when he wakes. Raincheck for next week?

Of course! I figured when I got the news that we wouldn't be meeting up tonight. Give George my love when he wakes. And when he is feeling better tell him he owes me one.

Week 4—Attempt 6

"Ginny, do you think fate doesn't want Fred and me to date?" Ginny looked up from her Witch Weekly at Hermione's defeated sigh.

"That's utterly ridiculous! After everything you've been through to get to this point, I honestly think this is just fate giving you another undeserved test. But that's the Fates for you."

Hermione wasn't sure that she believed in fate, even with her first comment to Ginny. But something had to be preventing these dates. And if it wasn't fate than what was it? Destiny? The gods? The ghost of her bitter Grandmother Granger? That woman always had it out for her!

"Do you really think so? I'm just…this is the fourth week! When do we stop trying? When do we just give in and admit defeat?"

Ginny gave her hard look, "Never. If you care for my brother than don't give up," Ginny winked at her as her face lightened, "Especially if it's your hag of a dead grandmother."

Had she said that part out loud? How embarrassing! Hermione's blush gave away her thoughts to Ginny and the younger girl burst into peals of laughter, "Make the date. Keeping making the dates. One of them is bound to stick."

And so Hermione tried again. Tomorrow at seven?

Fred's reply was almost immediate. Absolutely. Meet me at the shop. George and I are working on a new product I want to show you before our date.

Hermione and Fred were convinced that this date was going to work out. She had arrived at the shop at ten to seven. Both seemed to be in good health. Both excited for the prospect of this date. Fred eagerly guided her to the backroom where the new product had just been brewed. Rapunzel Rice Cakes. Those who ingested this treat would have gradual hair growth. It would continue to grow and grow without stop until a counter-potion was taken. This could be taken for those who wanted to grow their hair quickly, or to curse an enemy.

Hermione was impressed and told Fred so. But in his eagerness to continue impressing his date—and overconfidence in the untested product—he took a bite of the rice cake. And his hair grew—rapidly. Minor setback to be sure. But then when he took the reversal potion and all it did was make the ever-growing hair turn purple, they both knew that another date was to be cancelled.

Week 5—Final Attempt

Fred was worried. It took him all week to convince a downtrodden Hermione that the Fates did want them together. They just had really, really, really bad luck. But in convincing her, he had to also promise that they were not going out for their new date.

So the plan was for them to have dinner at the twin's apartment. Molly was even going to cook the meal beforehand so that a fire or burnt dinner couldn't ruin their evening. George and Fred cleaned and de-pranked their entire apartment. Ginny took Hermione shopping for a new outfit. Even Ron pitched in to the effort by being on his best behavior around Hermione for the days prior to the date.

Hermione knocked on the twins' apartment door at six o'clock. Nerves made her hands shake. She wasn't sure if she was more nervous about the date or about the possible cancellation of another date. But the meal in her hands rattled in its containers all the same.

Fred opened the door with a smile. He hoped she didn't see how nervous he was. He was hopeful, but hopeful hadn't gotten him anywhere this past month.

Hermione lifted their meal towards Fred, "Hot and Ready. Your mum's famous kidney pie. She even baked us some brownies for dessert."

"Sounds delicious. Come in! Come in!" He took the food off her hands and she reached to pull off the shawl around her shoulders. Setting it down on a nearby coatrack, Hermione scanned the parts of the apartment that were visible to her.

"Your apartment is great. Very colorful. Very you and George." Fred's smile was teasing, but proud. He and George had worked very hard to make their apartment clean and safe for her, but that didn't mean that they took away their personality from the place. He was incredibly pleased that she liked it.

"Thank you! Ready to eat?" With her nod they made their way into the kitchen that doubled as a dining room. Fred had taken the risk and set up flowers and candles at the table. He figured romance couldn't die due to a slight risk of his apartment catching on fire.

Hermione smiled at the romantic setting, "The flowers are beautiful."

"They're yours. Please take them with you when you leave later. I put a stasis charm on them. Should last a few weeks."

"Thank you."

After that conversation flowed. They laughed at Fred's tales of the shop. Discussed issues that Hermione was facing at the Ministry. Reminisced about their days at Hogwarts. And with that, Fred and Hermione successfully had their first date.

What did you guys think? Was it corny? I hope not! I made sure it was extra-long due to the two week wait you guys had to go through due to my forgetfulness! My apologies, again! I really hope to finish this story before the school year starts—and therefore my student teaching starts—because after that I do not know how busy my schedule is going to be! Thanks for reading! Please don't forget to review!