Hermione grumpily stalked into the Gryffindor common room. Snape had just given the class homework- a two-foot page on the uses of asphodel in potionmaking. Earlier that day, she had been assigned a foot-long essay for Ancient Runes, a rat to Transfigure into a log and back, two new charms to practice, and a one-and-a-half-foot-long essay to write for History of Magic. How did the professors expect her to get all that done in three days? And to top all that, Harry and Ron would probably expect her to do theirs, too!
"Hey, Hermione!" said a voice. It was Fred Weasley, Ron's older brother.
"Hi, Fred," said Hermione, and she slumped over to a chair by the fire.
"Why so gloomy?" asked Fred.
"Homework," Hermione replied angrily.
"But you're the smart one! Surely you can do it!"
"Just go away," said Hermione. "Please."
Fred frowned, but said, "Okay, bye then. I like your shirt."
Hermione was uncomfortable. No one ever complimented her. But why did it have to be Fred Weasley? She didn't even like him! Well, she didn't like like him, anyway.
"Hermione?" called Fred from the boys' dormitories.
"What, Fred?" asked Hermione, annoyed.
"I'll help you with your homework if you want," he answered.
"No, that wouldn't be fair," said Hermione.
"Okay, good night Hermione! You look pretty today, by the way!"
What was wrong with Fred? Hermione didn't look pretty, in her opinion. Oh! Did Fred have a crush on her? That was what it seemed like! No one had ever had a crush on Hermione before. She decided to play along, just to see what it was like.
Hermione got up early the next morning to finish her homework (and Ron's). It wasn't a surprise to see Fred already there.
"Good morning, Hermione!" he greeted her.
"Good morning, Fred!" said Hermione. "I'm just going to finish my homework, then change my clothes. I look hideous."
"What? No, you don't! You're very beautiful, actually!" said Fred.
Hermione blushed. Maybe she really did like him! He was so nice to her.
"Hermione... since today's a trip to Hogsmeade, would you want to go with me? I mean, it's okay if you don't want to... Harry and Ron..."
"Sure, Fred!" replied Hermione.
Fred smiled. They agreed to meet each other at Honeydukes Sweet Shop.
Later that day, everyone was finally ready to go to Hogsmeade. Hermione rushed over to Honeydukes to meet Fred. Big surprise- he was already there.
"Hello, Hermione!" said Fred. He hugged her. Hermione was slightly taken aback, but she hugged him back. Fred blushed and said "Want a sweet?"
"Yeah, I was thinking about getting myself one of those Every Flavor Beans boxes..."
"No! I mean, no... I was going to get it for you..."
"Aww, thanks Fred," said Hermione.
Fred got two boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. He took one and handed the other to Hermione.
"Thanks." While her mouth was still open, Fred tossed one of his beans into her mouth. Hermione chewed it and laughed. She tossed one of her beans into his mouth. Fred grinned and said, "I like you, Hermione."
"I like you too," said Hermione.
"No... I love you," said Fred. He leaned closer to her. He leaned closer, and closer, and closer... until his lips were touching hers. A kiss! A kiss with Fred Weasley, in Hogsmeade. How much better could anything be?