It could be worse, she reminds herself. It could be a stranger, or someone she knows she can never be happy with; it could even be someone who still holds the archaic beliefs about muggleborns. If the ministry were going to force her to marry, she could certainly do worse than Fred Weasley. She rests her head in her hands, pressing the heels tightly to her eyes.

The ministry just couldn't do this, could they?

Requiring them to marry within the month, reproduce within the year, never spend more than a week in separate residences and their rings would be charmed, so as to inform the ministry of any untoward conduct between two people not matched. And they wanted the wizarding world to calmly ACCEPT THIS?!

"Hermione." Well, apparently Fred had.

"Fred."

There was an awkward silence before they both said, "I'm sorry."

They laughed uncomfortable and then Hermione insisted on going first. "This is not ideal," she began, choosing her words carefully, "and I am probably not your first choice. We should, however, acknowledge that we both could've done worse and that at least we have a basis to work from. I don't expect you to fall in love with me, but we should try to be friends. I find you attractive, so as long as we get you a lust potion the sex won't be an issue. It sucks, but we will deal." She offered a smile.

"Right, my turn." He muttered. "I'm going to preface this by saying you're also attractive, so no the sex won't be a problem. And yes, we already have a friendship to work from. I think we're going to be okay. I mean, it's not the worst case scenario to live with a close friend forever, and besides they may repeal the law and if we want we can divorce and remarry and remain friends."

Thank Merlin they were on the same page.

FRED POV

He had made a mistake. He had heard from Ron about the extent of Hermione's physical experience and didn't want to go from 0-60 in ten seconds, so to speak. He'd meant to ease her into it, get her comfortable around him, get her comfortable with touch in general

He began to think about what he'd said to her, and the implication that he only wanted to be friends and, as he'd said, that wouldn't be the end of the world. However, he wanted to be in love with his wife and perhaps this would be in the incorrect order, but he had to try. That wasn't quite right. He had to tell Hermione that he wanted to try and go from there. Hermione, being the hopeless romantic he suspects her of being, would want to be in love with the man she was to marry.

In the meantime, he would investigate a little bit about her. He snuck into the room she shared with Ginny and snooped as best he could without touching things. He could see a worn and well-loved copy of a muggle book on her bed. Pride and Prejudice, which sounded interesting. On the other hand, hadn't she had enough prejudice to last her a life-time. He would file that away to ask at a later date. She was also, it appeared, exceptionally tidy. Her half of the room and Ginny's half of the room split almost exactly down the middle; one side was a disaster, the other was almost too clean.

He ran a hand through his hair as he continued to survey the room. Some sort of muggle make-up sat on her night stand. It was skin-colored but Hermione didn't wear makeup. Then he remembered what Harry had told him in confidence. Malfoy Manor, Bellatrix, the scar, the word Mudblood. Ironically, it was a title Hermione had come to be proud of. Despite Harry's hero complex and Ron's loyalty, Hermione was certainly the bravest of the three. It was a tough call and a close match but in the end, it was Hermione. Not to mention, she always was the brains of the operation among those three-and she'd saved his life.

But Fred admired them all.

Yes, Potterwatch, had been daring and a thrill. But they weren't enemies of the ministry; they weren't in the open, hunting pieces of Voldemort's sodding soul. That and they didn't break into a Gringott's vault and fly out on a dragon, nor did they enter the ministry knowing full well the bounty on their heads. It was daring, but it wasn't necessarily brave.

Perhaps the reason he hadn't done any of those things was that his Gryffindor courage had been saving itself for this moment, for this event. Hermione was kind enough that if he wanted to try developing a real relationship with her she would try. As a side bonus, Hermione Granger didn't fail. There was however, the niggling at the back of his mind reminding him that she's also kind enough to say, "Let's not," and let you think—make you think— it was your idea to begin with.

As soon as he get back to The Burrow, he decided, he'd man up.

Tomorrow.

First thing.

He swears.