Love and war {fremione fanfic}

Chapter four ~ Dinner

Hermione's POV

These days in the shell cottage had been the best time I'd had since we left for our search after horcruxes.
In the days everything was calm and happy like the war couldn't reach us but every night I was haunted by nightmares of Bellatrix torturing me. And just when she was about to kill me I would wake up shaking and crying. Then Fred would wake up beside me the next moment and hold me tight until I understood that I was safe and not at Malfoy Manor.

But today I had to tell Fred something that I just couldn't bring myself to do. All I wanted was to stay here and be happy forever, or at least until the war was over. But I couldn't no matter how much I wanted it. There was a war going on and I couldn't just sit here doing nothing. I had to fight.

"A sickle for your thoughts." Fred's voice greeted as he hugged me from behind.
"It's nothing special." I said and turned around so I could look into his eyes.
"Are you okay?" He asked
"Yeah, I'm fine." I nodded.
"Good because I was wondering if you were doing something tonight." He said as he rubbed my arms gently.
"Not that I know of." I answered
"Perfect. Will you meet me here at six tonight then?" He asked very politely
"What for?" I asked smiling
"I was thinking dinner and music just you and me." He said. His face was just inches away from mine now.
"Perfect." I said and closed the distance between our lips. I ended the kiss too soon just to tease him.
"See you tonight then." I teased.
"Not fair!" He exclaimed laughing.
I walked laughingly back into the house.

That evening I was getting ready when Fleur came in with one hand behind her back.
"Hermione what have you planned to wear tonight?" she asked
"I don't know really. The only dress I've got is the one I had on your wedding so I guess I'll have that one." I said.
"Unless..." She said secretly and showed me what she was hiding behind her back. It was a beautiful blue dress with off shoulder sleeves.(see photo at top)
"Oh Fleur it's beautiful!" I gasped
"You can have it tonight." She smiled
"Seriously?" I asked
"Of course." She answered
"Thank you!" I exclaimed and pulled her into a hug.
I must confess that at first I didn't really like Fleur but since we got here and I got to know her I liked her and suddenly we were kinda friends I guess. With her help I got ready just in time to meet Fred.

I walked down the stairs where Ron, Harry, Bill and George sat engulfed in some kind of card game. But they all looked up when we walked down the stairs. Fleur walked to Bills side and laid a hand on his shoulder. I couldn't help but laugh at Harry, Ron and George staring at me when I walked up to the table.
"You should see your faces." I laughed.
"You look amazing." Harry said smiling
"Thanks." I smiled.
"Where's Fred?" I asked
"Outside waiting for you." George said
"Thanks. See you later." I said as I started to go towards the door
"Hermione!" Ron's voice stopped me. I turned around and faced him
"Yeah?"
"Have fun tonight. Don't think of the war or anything else. Just have a good evening with Fred, okay?" He told me. I was sincerely moved by his words and hugged him.
"I will. Thank you." I said. Then I let go of him and he returned to the game.
I walked to the door but before I went to the outside and Fred I looked back on how the others all sat around the table laughing and being together. Then I understood it all. Since I'd changed my parents memories I had felt like I had no family in the world, like I was truly alone. But I did have a family. I had the Weasleys and Harry. They had always treated me like one in the family. And Fred, I had Fred, the one who's always been by my side forever. They were my family just as much as my parents were and I loved them. They were the reason I kept fighting. I had to win this war, for them.

When I stepped out in the chilly air I saw Fred all dressed up nicely in a black suit. He just stared at me when I walked up to him.
"Wow." He exhaled amazes. I couldn't help the blush on my cheeks.
"You don't look to bad yourself." I said smiling.
"Thank you." He said
"Now if you will follow me Milady." He reached out his arm for me and I took it. We walked through the garden to a little table with a white tablecloth and candles on. Around in the trees hang lanterns and a enchanted flute played in the background.
"It's beautiful." I gasped as I sat down on the chair that Fred pulled out for me.
"I will not be the cliché who says not as beautiful as you no matter how true it is." He said and I couldn't help but laugh
"Fine by me." I smiled
"Accio food." He said and one plate each with grilled chicken and potatoes flied to the table.

That night was one of the best in my life. We ate, talked and laughed. I took Ron's advice and didn't think about the war and for the first time in far to long I was truly happy.

After the dinner Fred took my hand and we walked on the beach. I rested my head on his shoulder as we saw the sunset coloring the sky beautiful.
"Thank you so much for tonight." I thanked
"Thank you." He answered
"For what?" I asked
"For being you and for being my girlfriend." He said. He was so cute that I couldn't help to kiss him. But when we broke apart I knew that it was time.
"Fred, I need to tell you something." I said and stopped.
"Okay." He also stopped standing in front of me. Okay this was it. He would hate me more if I didn't tell him.
"We're leaving tomorrow." I said and then stood anxious waiting for him to answer. He stood silent a moment that felt far too long but when he finally answered it was certainly not the answer I expected.
"I know." He said
"What?" I asked chocked
"I heard you, Harry and Ron talking yesterday. That's why I fixed this dinner today." He explained
"And you're not mad?" I asked. He just smiled comforting
"No I'm not mad. I hate that you're going to be in danger everyday again and I'll be worried sick especially since what happened to you but I understand that this is what you have to do." I just looked at him. I had been worried that he would be mad but he was just there by my side supporting me like he always had. I laid my arms around his neck and looked deep into his eyes.
"I love you." I kissed him.

When we broke apart he smiled mischievously at me and suddenly got down on one knee. I gasped.
"Hermione Granger. I love you more than anything in the world..." He started
"More than George?" I teased
"Yeah but tell him and you're dead." He warned before he continued
"When you're gone I miss you more than I thought I could. So I want to give you this..." He took out a beautiful silver ring with a small diamond on it.
"Oh Fred." I gasped
"Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me when this is all over?" He asked and I could feel tears in my eyes
"Of course." I nodded and he exhaled relieved
"Then take this ring as a promise that I will always love you and when this war is over we will get married and grow old together." He said as he put the ring on my finger. I cried of joy as he took me into his arms and spun me around.
I had never been that happy in my entire life.