Lingering Softness

"And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?"

Prologue

She knew it was wrong the minute the thought popped into her head, but she just couldn't help remembering what had happened so many years ago.

He, too, couldn't help but remember, though it wasn't as scandalous for him as it was for her. For she was joined to a man she thought she loved, though found it wasn't true as soon as she laid eyes on the man she loved before. The feelings rushed back, washing over her like water rushing over rocks just before it freezes. Cold, and hard.

He, unlike her, hadn't forgotten those feelings, but chose to ignore them. When they locked eyes that day he knew he couldn't hide them any longer.

They both knew it was wrong, but they thought it could be right.

* * * * * *

Chapter I

"Come on, honey, we have to get--" Hermione stopped mid-sentence, finally aware of the person staring at her. Her heart skipped a beat as the man's face lit into a smile.

"But, mummy!" The little brown-haired girl stared up at her mother with eyes full of tears. "I wanna stay!"

"We need to go home." Hermione looked back at her small daughter, picking her up slowly, setting her on her hip. "Daddy will be waiting for dinner when he gets home." She walked toward the door, when a strong hand touched her lightly on her shoulder. Hermione swirled around to find that she was standing face to face with her husband's brother, Fred Weasley.

"Well, funny seeing you here, Hermione." The red-haired man smiled, his eyes twinkling in the light of the store. "And how are you, little Jemma?"

"Good," the little child said, rather quietly, holding onto her mother's neck. "Who are you?" she asked Fred, for the last time the two had met had been when she was just a little baby.

"Your uncle Fred!" Fred laughed, rubbing Jemma's back with his hand. He glanced over at Hermione, their eyes meeting full contact for the first time in years. Something in his stomach jolted, that almost made him want to throw up. Fred quickly pulled his hand away from Jemma's back and looked to the ground. What was he thinking? Hermione was married! He took a step back. "Well, uh, I should probably head home. See you around." And with that, he left, exiting the store quickly.

For a few minutes Hermione stood there, awestruck. It was quite odd to see Fred, not seeing or hearing from him ever since... it... happened. But, that was in the past and she was married to the one she loved. She too, exited the store with Jemma still on her hip, heading toward the car parked about fifty feet away. Placing Jemma in the car-seat, and sitting in the driver's seat, Hermione drove home.

Home was about eleven blocks away, and the driveway they pulled into was the driveway belonging to a red-brick house, with pale blue shudders, and a big white door. After grabbing Jemma and the few bags that lay in the backseat, Hermione walked the concrete pathway and got out her keys, sliding the house key into the golden lock. Upon entering the house, she smelled an odd smell. Like someone trying to cook something, yet failing. Had she left the oven on? Had she forgotten to take something out of the microwave?

Quickly she put down her daughter and the bags, and rushed into the kitchen, a rather amusing site entering her eyes. There Ron stood, looking at the cookbook, a perplexed look upon his face. He glanced up, cheeks reddening.

"I, uh, um, wanted to make you a, uh, surprise dinner," Ron mumbled, looking overly embarrassed. Hermione rushed over to him, arms wrapping around his thin, lanky body.

"That's so sweet of you!" she exclaimed, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"It didn't turn out so well..."

"But it's the thought that counts." Hermione squeezed him, holding onto him tightly, wishing she hadn't seen Fred that day.