Hermione grinned back at him, one eyebrow raised. "You know full well that color would look much better on me," she stated, holding her arm out close to the jumper, and he saw how well the yellow brought out the tones in her darker skin. "But if your aim is to be the most garishly dressed, by all means, this is the perfect addition to your wardrobe."
Still holding the jumper against himself, Fred whirled around to look in the full-body mirror in the aisle. Seeing how nicely the yellow clashed with his hair and skin color, his grin widened.
Nine months later brought many changes to Fred's life, one of which included him finally asking out Hermione Granger. Those changes, however, did not include the jumper that quickly became his favorite. Despite his siblings' attempt at getting rid of it–color-changing charms, and even the single attempt to let the gnomes at the Burrow keep it–the jumper itself stayed strong. Fred had stopped wearing it just to keep it safe, and now it had a place of honor in his wardrobe. It was one of the few articles of clothing that he lounged in after work, something he looked forward to after a long day at the shop.
Today was the last day for school shopping in Diagon Alley before September 1st. He and George had even kept the shop open later in order to eke out those last few sales from wearied parents dragging their overstimulated kids home. As he locked up, he looked forward to washing up, changing into what was now his comfort jumper, and then sitting down for a late dinner with his girlfriend, who had grabbed Muggle Chinese takeaway.
"Honey, I'm home!" Fred called out as he headed up the stairs. George had flooed over to Angelina's for the night, so he and Hermione had the flat all to themselves until the morning. "Hermione?" he called out. He heard running water in the bathroom and shrugged, quietly padding his way to the bathroom to get changed. He could just wash up afterwards.
His robes landed in a heap on the floor, mere centimeters from the laundry basket, his shirt and pants following. His socks somehow landed in the basket. After donning a pair of joggers, expectantly grinning, Fred headed for his wardrobe to grab his yellow jumper.
It was missing.
His pulse rushed in his ears, his mind whirling. Had one of his siblings snuck in while he was working? Was it merely in the wash, and he had forgotten to hang it back up?
The door to the bathroom opened, and Fred whirled around.
"Hermione, have you seen my jump–" The words died on his tongue as his girlfriend stepped out of the bathroom, wearing the tiniest shorts he had ever seen and the missing yellow jumper.
Fred's mouth went dry. Hermione finally noticed him standing there.
"Oh, Fred! You're home!" Hermione said, delighted, greeting him with a kiss. "I have the food under a warming spell, but we should probably eat sooner rather than later. Are you hungry?"
"You know what? Keep the jumper. You're right; it looks so much better on you than on me. Mhm. Wear this every day, please!" Fred declared dramatically as his hands rested on her hips, drawing her to him. A laugh bubbled up out of her.
"Fred! Let's eat now, and then you can show me your appreciation for this jumper later, okay?" Hermione stated. She giggled again as he saluted her.
"Yes, Ma'am! But food quickly!" He stole another kiss before racing off
Nine months later brought many changes to Fred's life, one of which included him finally asking out Hermione Granger. Those changes, however, did not include the jumper that quickly became his favorite. Despite his siblings' attempt at getting rid of it–color-changing charms, and even the single attempt to let the gnomes at the Burrow keep it–the jumper itself stayed strong. Fred had stopped wearing it just to keep it safe, and now it had a place of honor in his wardrobe. It was one of the few articles of clothing that he lounged in after work, something he looked forward to after a long day at the shop.
Today was the last day for school shopping in Diagon Alley before September 1st. He and George had even kept the shop open later in order to eke out those last few sales from wearied parents dragging their overstimulated kids home. As he locked up, he looked forward to washing up, changing into what was now his comfort jumper, and then sitting down for a late dinner with his girlfriend, who had grabbed Muggle Chinese takeaway.