a/n: This is going to end up being a series of unrelated one shots of 50 different ways Fred Hermione could get together based on my drabble list on Tumblr. I'm aiming to update at least once a week, this is the first one so enjoy!

#16 - "It could be worse."

"I can't believe you."

"For the hundredth time, Hermione, it wasn't supposed to be you!"

"You're such a child."

"Hey, the idea was bloody brilliant, it's not my fault you went and buggered up the execution!"

"Well maybe if I'd have had some warning! A simple, 'Hey Hermione, by the way, don't go anywhere near Ron's wand because we've spelled it to lock the next person who uses it inside the shed'!" Hermione was practically shaking with anger as she attempted once more to unlock the door using every spell she could think of.

"If we'd have told everyone and their Mum's what we were going to do we'd have taken half the fun out of it! I'm sorry we don't send out invitations to every one of our pranks!" Fred was quickly becoming irritated at her refusal to accept his apology. He'd tried to tell her that he was truly sorry that it had been her that got locked in but she seemed to think he'd somehow meant to get her trapped in a room with him.

Under any other circumstances he'd have been thrilled to be locked in a room with her. He'd been trying to get to know her better alone for the majority of the summer. Ever since the Yule Ball when she'd walked down the steps and into the Great Hall he'd been steadily becoming more and more attracted to her.

The thing that had surprised him the most was that he didn't think his feelings for her had started then. He'd realized that he'd taken notice of her long before that but he hadn't even noticed he was falling for her until she'd descended those stairs and he'd been rendered speechless.

He'd always known she was beautiful and he'd admired her cleverness ever since he'd met her.

It had been dead inconvenient when he'd realized that instead of irritating him when she caught him and George setting up their latest pranks he was transfixed on her face and lips as she became angered at their recklessness.

He couldn't help but find it extremely attractive whenever she became even the slightest bit hot and bothered.

"Ugh, how long does this stupid spell last? We've been in here for at least half an hour." Hermione gave up on trying to unlock the door and flopped down onto an overturned bucket on the other side of the room.

"Well, there's not really a time limit specifically…" Fred answered, scratching his neck nervously. She was going to truly explode when she found out what she'd have to do to get out of here. He hoped she didn't find out just how his body reacted to hers when she really got going.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Hermione glared at him icily.

Fred suddenly became very interested in the floor as he struggled to think of how to explain it in a way that ensured Hermione didn't use him for her own personal target practice for the foreseeable future.

"Remember that this was never meant for you and if I could unlock that door any other way we absolutely would not ever be about to have the conversation we're about to have which I'm pretty sure will be my last." Fred grimaced.

Hermione had stood up by this point and was looking even more murderous than Fred had ever thought it was possible to be.

"Fred. How do we unlock the door?" Her voiced had managed to morph into what Fred referred to as 'scary calm'. It was a state few people could perfect but a tone that never failed to make him realize he was well and truly buggered.

He was familiar with it when it came to his mother but he'd had no experience with it when it came to Hermione and that fact alone had him backing up a few paces and plastering on what he hoped conveyed his most innocent and contrite expression.

"We were planning on tricking Ron into here with us so we could find out who he fancied so that when we got back to Hogwarts we could use that information to get back at him for last week when he…well, you don't need to know the details but trust me when I say he is long overdue for some embarrassment. It could be worse. You're lucky this is only part one of the prank." He tried to chuckle to ease some of the tension but he was so on edge waiting for her reaction that it came out more like a strangled squeak.

Hermione seemed to deflate, her cheeks flamed a bright pink and she groaned in anguish.

"So we're stuck in here until I tell you who I fancy?" Hermione winced, hoping she'd misheard him.

"Yep." Fred smiled in slight relief now. She didn't seem to be about to murder him so he deemed it safe to relax slightly. "If it's any consolation I sorta already know and I promise it won't leave this room."

"You do!?" Hermione choked. If it was possible she flushed an even brighter shade of pink and began nervously shifting as if she were debating bolting through one of the walls.

Fred was confused for a second. He'd assumed Hermione fancied Ron since they were constantly around each other. His second guess would've been Harry but based on what he'd seen this summer he'd say that they had more of a brother/sister relationship than anything romantic. He was pretty sure Harry was into Ginny anyway.

Ron had been the main reason Fred had never actually made a move on Hermione. He'd thought that getting to know her better might allow him to gauge just how she saw both of them. It'd be awful if he confessed his feelings for her only to have her tell him she'd only ever seen him as a platonic big brother figure and that Ron was the only Weasley she'd ever wanted.

He was sure Hermione liked Ron and he had a feeling Ron liked Hermione but then he'd also seen Ron staring at another girl in their house. Lila? Leanne? Lavender? Something like that. He'd been hoping Ron would admit to liking that girl, partly because it made him feel less guilty in fancying Hermione and partly because he wouldn't be able to make fun of Ron for fancying Hermione when Hermione was so incredible.

"Well, yeah. I mean, obviously you like Ron, right?" He forced the words out in as neutral a tone as possible, willing his heartbeat to calm down as he waited for her inevitable confirmation.

Hermione locked eyes with him and seemed to struggle with something for a second before she forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Yeah. Of course. I like Ron." She nodded and dropped her head as if attempting to hide her face.

Fred's heart stuttered to a halt in his chest then beat sluggishly as disappointment washed over him. The little bit of hope he'd had that maybe, just maybe, she liked him instead flickered out and died as he nodded stiffly.

"Try the door. It'll be unlocked now." He moved slowly forward as she turned to pull the handle.

He watched her tug on the handle and prepared for the inevitable click of the lock unlatching.

When nothing happened he stopped dead.

"It still won't open. Did you do the spell wrong?" Hermione looked at him over her shoulder and was surprised to find a small smile stretching across his face.

"You lied." Fred shot her a grin. This just got miles more interesting. He briefly considered that this may not actually be a good thing. Surely she had other friends who were boys. Hogwarts had hundreds of boys. She might have a crush on any of them. Oh god, please don't let it be Krum.

"I didn't! I like Ron!" Hermione protested, shifting closer to him as she defended her answer.

"You might like Ron but he's not the person you currently fancy. That door will only open once you admit who you want most. The spell's perfect. Your answer wasn't."

Fred took a few steps towards her. He was within touching distance now and his hands almost ached to reach out to her. He tried to catch her eyes but she was studiously refusing to meet his own.

"Come on, 'Mione. I promise I won't tell anyone. Do you really wanna be stuck in here for the rest of your life just because you won't tell me who you like? I swear I won't judge." Fred attempted to smile encouragingly.

"I hate you so much right now." Hermione mumbled.

Fred laughed, he hoped she didn't notice how forced it sounded. "I'm sure whoever it is isn't that bad."

"I'm not embarrassed about who it is." She looked at him now, determination etched all over her face.

"Then what's the problem?" He asked.

"It's you." Hermione said quietly.

"I told you I won't judge…" Fred started.

"No, you don't understand. It's you." She'd moved closer again and Fred was still struggling to catch on to what she was trying to say.

He searched her eyes for a second before it clicked and he froze.

Oh.

Oh.

"Fred? Say something, please?" Hermione looked nervous now.

Fred was unable to even remember what words were at this point.

"I know you must just see me like a little sister. I understand that you've never seen me as anything more than that and it's okay, honestly, so can we just forget this ever happened and go back to being friends. We never have to mention this again." She was growing more and more embarrassed as he continued to remain mute.

Fred watched her begin to turn away and panicked. No way was he letting her walk away and forget about this when she'd just admitted something he'd been dreaming she'd say for months.

He mentally slapped himself for choosing now of all times to turn into an unresponsive moron.

Fred reached out hastily and caught her wrist just as she started to step away from him. He tugged her gently back around and waited for her to look up.

He smiled brilliantly hoping she'd catch on because he was still having difficulty putting into words all that he was feeling at her admission. He decided he'd always been more of an actions speak louder than words type of guy anyway.

Hermione began to smile hesitantly back as Fred pulled her closer. He began to lean in slowly, cupping her cheek with one hand and bringing his other up from her wrist to rest firmly on her waist.

Hermione's eyes fluttered closed as Fred closed the remaining distance and touched his lips softly to hers. He wasn't prepared for her pleased little gasp and found himself caught up in his desire for her as her mouth opened under his and he began to kiss her properly.

Her hands found their way into his hair as she pulled him closer. He dropped his hand from her cheek and wrapped both his arms more securely around her waist, determined to eliminate the remaining space between their bodies.

They kissed for what seemed like an age, gentle nips and heated battles, slow then fast, soft then hard. The contrast thrilled him and the sounds she was making made it difficult for him to control himself as his whole body seemed to ache to get as close as possible to hers.

They pulled back eventually, smiling and laughing quietly between kisses until only their foreheads touched, his arms still wrapped around her waist and hers clinging to his neck.

"I'm guessing the door's unlocked now." Hermione giggled softly. Merlin, that sound was adorable.

"I'm really hoping so after that." Fred grinned, moving reluctantly backwards and pressing a kiss to her head.

Hermione dropped her arms from his neck but quickly caught one of his hands in hers as he released her and watched her turn to check the door. It gave an audible click as she opened it and Fred couldn't control the wide smile that stretched across his face.

"Guess I was telling the truth this time." She said cheekily.

"I don't think I've ever been more happy at a prank going wrong in my entire life." He laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leading her out into the garden towards The Burrow.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. I overreacted." She blushed again.

"I'm not. I quite like it when you yell at me. It's hot." Fred winked at her as she giggled again, the blush spreading to her chest.

"Is that your way of telling me that you deliberately wind me up to get your kicks?" Hermione raised an eyebrow, smiling.

"I assure you that it has never been my intention to wind you up. Total accident every time." Fred said innocently.

"Sure." She scoffed.

"Okay, fine. I love it when you get all worked up." He pulled her closer, cuddling her.

"So, what happens now?" She questioned, slightly shy.

"Well, hopefully, you and I will go on a date tomorrow and we can spend the rest of the summer getting to know each other better. I really, really like you, Hermione, and I'd love it if you'd go out with me."

"So, you're saying you'd like to be my boyfriend?"

"I'm saying I'd love to be your boyfriend. Any objections?"

"Not from me."

"Good."

"Fred?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad the prank went wrong too. Do you need any help setting up another one?"

"Merlin, I'm in love with you."

"I'm in love with you, too."

They walked hand in hand into The Burrow, laughing quietly as they got to work plotting their future prank on Ron.

a/n: So that's it, thanks for reading and I'd love to know what you thought! :)