Hermione paced the room fretfully, clutching the sheet to her otherwise naked form. From the bed the young man lounged, casually watching her. He was rather bored.
"Come on, love, calm down."
She spun around on her heel and glared at him, in a manner reminiscent of his mother at her most fierce. It was a look that was very familiar to this particular young man.
He held up his hands in surrender and lowered his eyes a little. She resumed her pacing.
Her internal struggle went something like this.
You idiot. Look what you've gone and done now.
It's not that bad.
Look at this mess. I mean, what's Ron going to say?
Oh god, Ron!
Calm down, dear. It's not like you're married to him. Oh wait…
Only engaged, not married yet.
The wedding is in two weeks.
Oh right.
That is if there'll still be a wedding.
Ron doesn't have to know about this.
Face facts dearie, you're his best friend and he is Ron's brother, odds are one of you is bound to tell him.
He forgave me the last time.
Yeah, but this makes it the third time with the same guy. Are you sure you're marrying the right brother?
Less and less.
She glanced round at him and he smirked that smirk. Despite her panic she felt her knees grow a little weak. Resolutely she turned her back on him and resumed pacing.
Focus girl. Now's not the time.
You're telling me.
Let's be sensible about this for a moment, shall we? How ticked would they all be if you cancelled the wedding?
Pretty damn pissed.
Hermione turned back to him and sighed, sinking down onto the bed beside him. He reached out and gently stroked her bare back above the slipping sheet.
"Don't marry Ron." He said, very softly, in a tone she had only ever heard spoken to her.
"Think he'll get over it?"
"Eventually. He'll never forgive me though."
"I thought everyone always forgave you."
"This is a little worse than usual though, don't you think?"
She chuckled. He could always make her laugh. "Yeah I guess. Just, promise to be there with me when I tell them."
"Of course. But them? Surely it's Ron you should be more worried about?"
"Are you kidding? Your mother's been planning to make me a part of the family since I met Ron."
"You still could be. For now I'm still part of the family, and I also know that a few months down the line there'll be a different engagement ring on that finger. A much nicer one I might add."
Hermione giggled. "After this I'm not sure she'll still want me to be part of the family."
"After this I'm not sure she'll want me in the family either. But that doesn't matter anyway. I want you to be part of the family."
She smiled and leant down to kiss him. "Okay, Freddie, let's go tell them."
"What, right now?"
"You're right, it's a bit early to go now," she glanced at the clock on the bedside table which read ten o'clock. "Later will be fine."
His grin said it all.