A/N: This is an AU story, starting the Christmas break of HBP. Hermione ends up staying with the Weasley family for part of the break because her father gets the chicken pox and she never had them either. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have to leave after Aunt Muriel hurts herself and ask (wearily) Fred and George to watch them while they're gone. The boys decide to liven things up a bit…have fun reading it and please leave a review of some sort, thanks!

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"We'll keep the little lambs in line."

"More watchful than Moody's eye, we'll be."

Mrs. Weasley gave the twins an apprehensive look. The tone in their voices making her rethink her plans to leave.

"You know Fred, I don't think the woman has any faith in us at all. And after asking us to give up our weekend to babysit this bunch, as though we don't have social lives of our own to keep up on."

"Yes. Yes. For shame. Now chivvy along mummy dearest or Auntie Muriel might break another hip," George jested, helping her with her coat.

"Now boys, we both appreciate your help. We know we will come back to a house that is just as sound—" Mr. Weasley told them, giving them a firm squeeze on each of their shoulders.

"That means still standing," Mrs. Weasley added, kissing them on the cheek.

"See you in two days," said Mr. Weasley, almost warningly.

"Toodles," the boys said together.

After wishing their parents a farewell the two traveled back into the family room, with horrorstruck faces for the sad sight they saw before them; Ron and Harry sat near the twinkling Christmas tree, while Ginny messed about with one of her presents. Near the fireplace Hermione was curled up with a book, ignoring the game of Wizards Chess and all of Ron's not so subtle glances her way.

"Knees up, kiddies. Mum and dad have been gone a whole five seconds, what are you still doing sitting there like a bunch of nesh whipped sacks?" asked Fred in mock outrage. The gang glanced up, eyeing the brother's with the same look of apprehension Mrs. Weasley wore before she left.

"I told mum she should have just left us here alone. These two in charge of anything…just because they haven't blown up the joke shop, doesn't mean they aren't completely incompetent." He turned his attention to them both, addressing them hotly. "We've been home without parent supervision for the first time in our lifetimes and you want to have a party? Are you mental?"

"Oh, put a sock in it, Ronnikins. Mum and dad will never be the wiser and this lot looks like they could use a good time," George said, surveying the sad group before him. "When did you become the king of morality?"

Ron understood, as he watched his brothers mockingly bow down to him a few times, snickering, if he were to put up anymore of a fight they would tease him mercilessly for it, so he quickly became tight lipped. And it wasn't like he was opposed to a party, just the getting in trouble part. If anything were to go wrong those two would have to take the fall he rationalized, watching the two run about, getting the Burrow 'party ready'. Then they got out a large trunk and opened it up to reveal that it was filled to the brim with interesting looking clothes. Fred pulled out a sparkling number and tossed it at Ginny and then one to Hermione.

"Our parties are nothing if not classy. We thought a throw-back 1920's party would shake things up a bit," said George, still rummaging through the trunk.

"I think everyone could use a good night of drunken debauchery and a morning of regretful decisions they will barely register if they remember them at all," Ron heard Fred or George explain, as he watched Hermione follow Ginny up to her room.

"You two better get cleaned up as well if you want a certain totty to take notice and talk to you—"

"Again…Finally," Fred added for emphasis, getting across to Ron just who he should be trying to impress.

Ron decided to take his brothers' advice and put some effort into looking presentable. Though he wasn't sure if Hermione would stick around for the party or hideaway in Ginny's room all night.

*

"Blimey, you two! We may have to keep you locked up in Ginny's room for the night," George whistled and exclaimed sweetly as the two girls came back down, already changed. "If any guy tries anything, they'll have to deal with us."

"Hermione, I may as well apologize now for anything I saw or do later under the influence of firewhiskey," Fred winked. Hermione just gave him a shy smile and rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry, I'll probably head to bed early tonight, so you probably won't get a chance to offend me," she joked.

"Oh, what a shame."

"Unacceptable, really."

"You really should stick around. We promise a night you'll never forget."

"But will because it's that good."

"Right and a bit of mischief is good for everyone. Keeps things on an even keel, eh?" Fred suggested. Ron's ears were burning a little now, not liking how friendly his brothers were being with her or the idea of other guys surrounding Hermione tonight, especially with her in that dress.

"Hermione isn't big on your type of parties. Besides, she probably has some studying she wants to get to before break is over. Don't try to bring her down to your level of indecency. Hermione isn't like that," Ron said, thinking he was only helping. The sharp look she gave him and the words that followed made him realize his error.

"And just what is that suppose to mean? You don't think I know how to have a bit of fun? Oh, that Hermione, always in a book. I can hold my own, thank you very much."

"I just meant…you don't have to feel like you need to come down to the party if you don't want to…no one will think less of you…"

"I will," both Fred and George said at once.

"You have to stay," Ginny told her. Harry just gave Ron a sympathetic look and stayed out of it.

"I'll be there. Even if Ron wishes for me to stay away—"

"Oh! That's not what I meant at all. You're twisting my words…"

"I'm sorry if my presence here is a hindrance on your life, but it wasn't like I could tell your mum no thank you after my mum asked if it was alright. What are the odds my father would get the chicken pox at his age? I suppose you wish I had stayed at home and got infected as well. Would that make you happy?"

"Hermione, I'm not…I never…I'm really glad you're here." Everyone averted their eyes as soon as the row between Ron and Hermione abruptly ended. Hermione's eyes darted around the room, realizing her outburst, trying to gage everyone's reactions.

"Come on, Hermione, lets finish getting ready," Ginny told her, pulling on her arm, attempting to alleviate the situation.

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Ch. 2 coming soon