Hermione was where she was usually to be found in the holidays these days. She was in a dark corner of Florish and Blotts, piles of books around her, a large tome open in her lap and parchment balanced on the open book, quill scratching away as she made notes for her classes.

She was avoiding Ron. And Harry. And Ginny. And, most importantly, Mrs Weasley.

Neville glanced over from where he was surrounded by herbology books in a similar attitude to Hermione. He smiled sympathetically, knowing why she was hiding from her nearest and dearest.

It was very late and the bookshop was closing up for the day. But the manager was a nice man and always let Hermione and Neville stay until the very last moment; they were special cases.

They were the youngest professors at Hogwarts. At twenty three they had surprised their friends by accepting Dumbledore's offer to join the teaching staff. Professors Flitwick and Sprout had expressed a wish to retire but only if they were replaced by Hermione and Neville. Being teachers had brought them closer together and he was now almost as good a friend to her as Harry and Ron.

Better in fact, since he didn't get her into dangerous situations like they did when they begged for her help with various Auror missions, which invariably went wrong.

But now the manager was sidling up to them to usher them out.

As soon as they were outside the downpour started. Neville waved goodbye before apparating home. Hermione muttered a curse on her best friends for getting her into trouble.

The nearest was the Weasley twin's shop. They'd let her floo out from their apartment. Harry and Ron had seen to it that she couldn't apparate out. Bloody ban.

Clutching her books to her chest she ran to their shop.

"Sorry, luv, we're closed," they chorused. She laughed.

"Very funny. Now let me in."

"Hm, I like it when you get bossy," one of them, and she knew it was Fred, said. She hit him playfully as she passed.

"Funny, that's not what your brother says."

That made the twins laugh. George dried her off and Fred offered her tea.

"Why not? The longer I spend away from the Burrow the better."

"Mum on your case then?"

"This wedding is more trouble than it's worth. I'm not even sure I want it to happen anymore."

"What do you mean?" they chorused, identical expressions of bewilderment on their faces.

"I don't love Ron."

"Of course you do. This is just cold feet. Every bride gets them this close to their wedding."

"I promise you, George, it's not. I'm only marrying him because of The Plan."

"What plan?"

"You know; Harry marries Ginny and has twelve kids, and I marry Ron and have just as many."

"But Harry did marry Ginny. And they have two kids. Already."

"It does seem kind of planned out, now that you mention it." Fred said.

"Yeah, too calculated. Like it was planned in advance to end up that way. Too convenient."

"Didn't you know about this? Your mum put the plan in motion as soon as she found out that Ron had befriended Harry. And then later when she heard about me being so clever and befriending them too, it all fell into place. She wrote me letters for years egging me on, telling me that she thought Ron and I would be perfect for each other. The Harry and Ginny story is genuine, so don't worry. They do love each other. But I just can't love Ron, not in that way at least."

"But to us it looks like you do."

"I tried, really I did. But we're just too different. He's just too thick. Come on it is true. We fight all the time. Being married to him is going to be hell."

"Then don't."

"I wish it were that simple. Mrs Weasley will murder me if I call off the wedding two days before it happens."

"You can't marry him if you don't love him, its logical." Fred refilled her mug.

Hermione smiled into her mug, hiding her slight blush. "I know. What do I do?"

"Just tell them the truth."

"I don't think I'm brave enough for that." An idea hit her like a candle lighting. She opened her mouth to speak but the twins held up a hand each.

"Don't even think about it." They chorused firmly.

"Oh come on. Please? I can't do this by myself."

"Not a chance."

"You're so mean to me. Besides you've got no choice. You have to come back with me. Mrs Weasley wants you over for dinner tonight remember?"

"Oh. Right."

"I won't make you say anything when I tell them, but please just stay with me. Your courage might give me courage."

"Ugh fine!"

They flooed to the kitchen of the Burrow and walked out into an argument. She exchanged a worried look with the twins when the room fell quiet as the family saw them. Then the glare started.

Ron stormed towards her, waving a copy of the Evening Prophet. "Have you seen this?"

"No." she replied uncertainly. "What is it?"

"They passed the marriage law."

"And?"

"We weren't paired together."

"Then who were you paired with?"

"Luna."

Despite his anger she laughed. "Unorthodox, but I can see it working."

"Why aren't you more upset by this?"

She shot a look at the twins who both nodded encouragingly. "Because I was going to call off our wedding tonight anyway. I don't love you and I don't want to marry you just because your family said I should. I'm sorry but this marriage law is good news for me."

"Wait 'til you hear who you were paired with." Harry said, seated beside Ginny at the table, arm around her waist and other hand resting on her pregnant belly.

"Why? Who was it?"

"He's standing behind you."

"Which twin?"

"Fred."

Pause.

"This should be interesting." "Oh this'll end well." "Why me?" From Hermione and the twins simultaneously.