Years In Waiting

A/N: I didn't see alot of FW/HG. And I like them together. Don't ask why, I just do. So I decided to try my hand at it. Hope you like it.

Summary: This is not DH compliant. Takes place a few years after the war. Fred didn't die. He is alive and well, and has been in love with Hermione for years. He finally makes a move on her one evening at while she visits at the Burrow. Heres how things happened. No she didn't marry Ron. They decided after the war was over, they would just be friends. Besides, he saw the worry on her face when she thought Fred had died. He refused to come between them, when he really thought of her as a friend. He was just waiting until the day they both woke up and realized it.

Chapter 1:
Sunday at the Burrow


He'd been trying for years to tell her he was in love with her. The timing just always seemed wrong. Someone always needed her attention for something. He never knew if he would ever get to tell her.

Geez, I better be able to get a few moments alone with her tonight. I just hate it when everyone steals all of her attention. Ickle Ronnikins needed help with this idea. Ginny needed women advice. Mum wants a little help in the kitchen. Dad wants to talk Muggle stuff. When do I get a chance for her attention. How can I ever let her know I have - well- I need to talk to her. Bloody Hell. Its almost time for her to be getting there. Better get to the loo and straighten myself up, and head over to the Burrow.

Fred's thoughts were seemed to be rambling about his brain. But he was nervous. Tonight he was going to do his best to get Hermione's undivided attention. Even if he had to hex the rest of the family.

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Hermione stood at the apparation point outside the Burrow. It was a newer updated version of what had stood in the exact spot prior to the Deatheaters attack a few years ago. She thought the Weasley boys, with the help of Harry, had done a wonderful job of rebuilding it. Everyone helped to fix what had been there prior. There had been such a horrible fire, simple spells couldn't fix it.

She loved coming here on Sundays for dinner. It was a tradition they had started right after Harry, Hermione and Ron had retaken their seventh year at Hogwarts, and moved out on thier own. Hermione passed all of her NEWTS with O's. This of course shocked no one. With Voldemort gone and the Ministry taking care of the scattered Deatheaters that had remained. They young ones had a chance to relax, and concentrate on thier studies.

She was walking at a leisurely pace, when Ginny came running out the back door. She must have been watching for Hermione from the kitchen window.

"Hermione!" Ginny came bumbling across the wide expanse of yard, and enveloped Hermione in what could only be described as a bear hug.

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed. She hadn't got to spend much time with Ginny this week. She'd been away on Ministry business.

"Oh, I hate it when your away all week like that. I mean letters are all well and fine, but nothing conveys what you have to say like actually being in person." Ginny said, as she released Hermione from the tight embrace.

"I know what you mean. So how is everyone?" Hermione questioned.

Ginny wrapped her friends arm within her own and started walking toward the house. All the while telling her what she'd missed.

"Well, Albie is potty training now. Harry encourages him, by bribing him with sweets. Ron and Millicent are hilarious. Watching her boss him around and him do as she says, well it's just too funny. The rest are basically the same as before. Mum's been working hard on trying to talk Millicent into trying for a baby, like she doesn't have enough grandchildren. But Millicent stands firm. Just you wait. Next, she will be trying to marry you off, so she can plan another wedding and baby showers."

Ginny had been talking non-stop. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the mention of Millie bossing Ron around. He should be used to it, after all those years of Hermione doing it.

"So, who's here today? Everyone?" Hermione questioned Ginny.

"Nope. Most of them had made other plans for this evening for some reason or another. It's mainly just Mum and Dad, Ron and Millie, Harry, me and Albie, you and then Fred." Ginny said nonchalantly.

Secretly Ginny knew her brother had been harboring a secret love for Hermione for years. But every time she was sure Fred would tell her, something came up, or someone needed her for something. Or some family drama arose. She hated to see her good friend so alone. She knew Hermione tried to pretend that it didn't bother her being alone, while most everyone around her was coupled or married, but Ginny knew better.

"Oh, well that will be different for a change. Not quite as chaotic as most Sundays, huh?" Hermione responded. And followed Ginny in the door to the kitchen.

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"Hermione! Come here, sweetheart and give me a hug." Mrs. Weasley always so affectionate. Hermione loved her dearly. She had all but taken the place of Hermione's own mother. After the Deatheaters destroyed what was thier home in Australia, there was no family left for her, except that which had adopted her here. Yes, she missed her own mother. But it was nice to know she had Molly.

She did as Molly bid her, walking to where she stood stirring something on the stove. Giving the woman a gentle hug and slight peck on the cheek.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley. How are you?" Hermione greeted.

"Oh, I'm good, dear. Just peachy. How have you been?" Then the elder woman turned to look at Hermione. She got that look on her face that said Hermione was going to be scolded for something.

"Now Hermione,dear. You haven't been eating well, have you? I tried to tell Harry that position they have you in at the Ministry isn't good for your health." Molly started.

Fortunately for Hermione, Fred came through the door in time to hear the tail end, "Aw, mum. You can try to get her to give up that position, but you should know her well enough by now, she's to stubborn to be swayed."

He gave Hermione that saucy wink, as he passed her to envelope his mum in a hug.

"Right you are Fred. But can't blame an old girl for trying." And surprisingly Molly dropped the subject.

Hermione looked to Fred and gave him a silent thank you smile. He just nodded to her, and made his way into the sitting room to say hello to the rest of his family.

He hadn't missed the blush that crept up her neck to her face, when his gaze lingered before turning toward his destination.

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Later at the dinner table, there were several conversations going on at once. Harry and Arthur were engage in a discussion regarding Muggle something or others. Millicent and Molly were discussing the fact that Millie wasn't ready just yet to have a child. She was sticking to her guns that she wanted time for just her and Ron before making an addition to the family. Ginny was pre-occupied with keeping Albie from making a mess of Molly's new table cloth. Fred, whom sat directly across from Hermione decided to engage her in a 'friendly' conversation.

"So, my sweet Hermione. How are things going with you work?" Fred asked. Yet again, noticing the slight blush the crept to her face at the endearment he'd used to address her.

"Fine, thank you. We've just discovered a new way for the Aurors to converse without the straggling Deatheaters being able to intervene the messages,when they are far from each other." Hermione responded.

"That's great." Fred was contemplating on asking more about it, when yet again someone else wanted her attention. This time it was Ron. Something about work. Fred tuned it out. He was starting to get frustrated that every time he built up enough courage to try and talk to her, someone else butted in.

He sighed heavily. Ginny noticed he looked aggravated, she understood. Why did Ron have to steal moments away from them?

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Hermione had offered to help Molly clean up, but she declined and told the young witch to join the others outside to enjoy the evening. They were playing an old muggle game of yard darts, and Hermione decided to join them. Molly hardly let anyone help clean up.

She found Fred and Harry had teamed up against Arthur and Ron. Ginny and Millicent were sitting with Albie perched on Ginny's lap, watching the men and thier game. The sun had yet begun to set. It was a balmy mid-summer evening.

She took a seat next to Ginny at the table where they could watch the game.

"You missed it, Hermione." Exclaimed Millicent. "Harry here almost put Ron's eye out with that last one." She said loud enough for her brother-in-law to hear. But she said it in a way that Harry knew she was teasing him.

"Well the bloody wanker shouldn't have been standing so close to that ring, and it wouldn't have happened." Harry retorted, just as teasingly.

Hermione loved to hear the people of this family banter back and forth.

"You'd better watch it Harry. You take better aim with those darts. You hurt Molly's chances of getting a grandchild out of him, and may the Heavens help you." Arthur joined in the merriment.

Everyone laughed. Hermione noticed Fred was unusually quiet this evening. He hadn't said much. As a matter of fact, the past couple weeks, he seemed more and more preoccupied by something. She was deteremined to find out what it is. She hated to see anyone in the family hurting.

The men continued to play for quite a while. Hermione decided to go for a walk down by the pond. She loved taking walks by the water on evenings like this.

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She'd been sitting by the water's edge for close to half an hour, when she heard someone approaching. Looking over her shoulder to see whom it was, she smiled when she saw it was Fred. Here was her chance to find out what was bothering him.

"Hey, Fred." She greeted him, and turned back to watch the fireflies as they danced along the top of the water.

"Hey, Hermione. Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all. Pull up a piece of grass, and cop a squat." She replied.

"Cop a what?" He questioned.

She giggled to herself. "Nevermind. Muggle expression."

He nodded like that explained everything. And sat beside her.

"So, nice night huh?" Fred asked.

"Yeah. I love watching the fireflies. They are so graceful." Hermione replied. Trying to hide the fact that she'd noticed Fred was nervous.

They sat in a companionable silence for a while. Hermione was trying to figure the best way to ask Fred about what was bothering him.

"Fred."

"Yes, love?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there something bothering you?" Hermione had decided to just ask him straight out.

"No, never better. Why do you ask?" Was his response.

Now she knew he was lying. "Nothing much. You've just seemed to be distracted by something to night."

"Hmm." he said absently.

She'd let it go. For now.

After a few moments of still more silence, Fred spoke again.

"Hermione, I lied to you." Fred's sudden outburst surprised her.

She turned to look at him with questions in her eyes. "About what?"

"Well, just now. When you asked if something was bothering me. I said no. I lied." Hermione waited for him to continue, but he didn't. She decided to sit and wait for him to further devulge what he meant.

When he didn't, "Fred, you can talk to me you know. If it's a secret or something, or about your family you can tell me. I promise not to say anything."

"Well, it's just, um. I don't really know how to say this." He'd turned to face her, she knew he'd continue now. She just needed to give him a minute to gather himself and say what it was he needed to say. "Can I ask you a serious question?"

When she started to immediately respond, he held up a hand.

"Wait let me finish before you answer. It's kind of personal. And - well, just promise you won't run away?" He said it in a question.

"Fred, you can ask me anything. I've nothing to hide. You know that." Hermione responded and gave him an encouraging smile.

"Ok. Well, I was just wondering, what do you think of me?"

Hermione got a confused look, "What do I think of you? I'm confused."

"Yes, what do you think of me? As a person? Am I - well - un- oh nevermind." Fred said, frustrated. He'd been in love with her so long now. And not knowing how she saw him was a problem. Contrary to what everyone believed, he wasn't a confident about rejection as they thought.

"Fred, what is it? I mean, I think you wonderful. Your funny, brilliant, caring, loyal to your friends and family. And well bloody handsome." She said, trying to lighten his mood.

"Your just saying all that, because I seem upset." Fred replied to her confession.

"No, I'm not. What's the matter Fred? Has someone said or done something to make you doubt yourself?" Hermione asked, getting infuriated quickly. Who in their right mind could make Fred feel, well insignifigant?

"No, no. Nothing of that sort. I just well. Nevermind. Thanks for letting me talk." Fred started to get up.

Hermione grabbed hold of his wrist and pulled him back down to sit beside her.

"Fred Weasley! Your started this conversation. Now you will bloody well tell me what is bothering you, or I will- well- I will- ugh!" Hermione was frustrated now.

Hermione had turned away, breathing deeply, trying to gain her composure. She'd learned long ago pushing one of the Weasley's into confessing anything by force wouldn't work.

When she turned back to face him, he was extremely close to her. He was sitting indian style, facing her directly.

"Hermione, I've got another question."

"What is it?" She sounded slightly breathless. She was trying to figure out why him being so close was causing her to feel all fuzzy and warm inside.

"Is there, well- are you, um, seeing anyone?" Fred asked. His gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth.

"You know that I'm not. When do I have time? If I'm not at work, I'm with your family." Hermione replied. "Besides, not to many men want to date the 'bushy haired-know-it-all-bookworm-best-friend-of- Harry Potter." She was shocked, Where in the bloody hell did that come from? And why was she voicing her insecurities to Fred.

She looked away, slightly shamed at herself for letting her feelings out like that on a man who was obviously having his own problems.

"What if I did?" Fred whispered.

Hermione looked confounded. "What if you did what?"

He closed his eyes, trying to build up the courage to take the possible rejection, he knew may be coming.

After a few moments, "What if I did, you know, want to take you out on a date?"

"Fred, I don't - are you serious? You want to take me out for a date?" Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Why the hell would someone as funny and brilliant as Fred Weasley want to date her?

"Nevermind. I understand. You probably think it would be wierd. It's fine." Fred stated. Trying to hide the hurt, that lace his voice.

He was half the way of getting to his feet when Hermione grabbed hold of his wrist again, and pulled him back.

"Fred, -" She didn't finish.

She just did what she had wanted to secretly do since she was a young girl of fifteen. She kissed Fred Weasley.

He immediately began returning the kiss. With as much passion as Hermione was giving. It deepened when Fred plied her lips with his tongue and she allowed him entry.

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Ginny had went in search of Hermione when she hadn't returned by the time they others were finished playing their game. She knew she'd went to the pond, so that's where she started looking for her friend.

The scene she came upon didn't surprise her one bit. And she said a whispered, "About bloody time." Then she removed herself to give the couple laying in each other's brace on the ground thoroughly snogging one another their time.

"Did you hear that?" Hermione said, sitting up abrumptly.

Fred had moved away quickly. She assumed he had the way he'd pulled his wand.

"Must have been an animal. I don't see anyone." Fred responded.

He sat beside her. "So, love. When are you free for that date?"

She blushed as she tried to smooth the hair that was mussed from being snogged on the grass. "Well, I'm free Thursday through Sunday. They're giving me a four day weekend due to the overtime I put in the past couple weeks."

Fred nodded, "Great, so Thursday at six?"

"Sounds good. But Fred?"

"Yes?"

"Why'd you wait so long to, well ask me?"

Fred smiled. "I was trying to figure out if you liked me in a more than the best-friends-brother kind of way."

"You should've asked." She stood up when he held his hand out to her.

"Don't worry. Won't happen again." He winked that saucy wink that he knew made her blush. "Can I accompany you back to the Burrow my dear?" he said, mocking a gentlemen.

Hermione laughed. "I would be delighted. Thank you."

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As they approached the Burrow, Ron and Millicent were just getting ready to leave. Ron noticed how close they were to each other and the way Hermione was laughing at his brother. About bloody time. He thought to himself.


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Ok, don't know where it's going. It won't be a long fic, but can you tell me what you think so far. I'm sure there will be smut. But had to set the story's base first.