The Act…

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and all his little friends.

Last time on The Act:

At 6 o clock Hermione stood in front of the mirror in the hall adjusting her clothes nervously. Seeing as how this was supposed to be a special occasion she had donned a pair of white chiffon pants and a blue halter top that was not very revealing but still made her look girly. For make up she dusted on some blue eye shadow and applied a layer of pink lip gloss. She had decided to let her hair down. And as she arranged the curls she had to say that she looked pretty good.

"'Mione you ready t—Wow. You look –Wow!" Charlie said when he finally saw her. Hermione grinned at his apparent loss for words. "Thanks"

Charlie finally snapped back to attention. "So you ready to do this?" The butterflies came back into her tummy. Slowly she nodded her head. Charlie grabbed her hand and they both apparated out.

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Chapter 2: No way!

Hermione and Charlie stood outside the Burrow. Hermione's heart was beating so fast she was surprised Charlie couldn't hear it. She was about to go in and lie to the family that had sort of adopted her as another daughter for the sake of her best friend. She must have been out of her mind when she agreed to this. She took a huge breath.

"Come one Char. We should go in before I get too scared and run away."

Charlie nodded and opened the door. As soon as she stepped in she was surrounded by people, all of them trying to choke her to death. "Guys! If you continue hugging me there will be no more me to hug!" She said gently trying to pull away from the Weasley twins who were holding on to her so tightly that she was practically gasping for air. When they finally let her go she took a deep breath and turned to survey the people around her. The twins were now trying to kill Charlie with their hugs, Ginny were standing at a corner grinning at her, Bill and Fleur were seated on the couch, Percy was trying his hardest to pry Fred and George off of Charlie. But there was someone missing.

"He's not here yet" said a voice behind her. Hermione jumped and whirled around to see Harry grinning at her. "Harry!" Hermione exclaimed enveloping her best friend in a hug. "Nice to see you to 'Mione. Anyways, I was saying Ron's not here yet. So how bout you explain to me first what you're doing walking in here hand in hand with his older brother, whom you just happen to live with?" Harry asked raising his eye brows. Hermione turned scarlet. Lying to Mrs. Weasley was one thing but she had forgotten about Harry. How could she lie to him?! Luckily she was saved from replying Harry when Mrs. Weasley came in to greet her and Charlie.

"Charlie! Now you wrote and told me that you were bringing someone special. So where is this person?" Mrs. Weasley asked anxiously. Charlie grinned and reached over and dragged Hermione next to him. Everyone in the room stared at them in incredulity. "Mum, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Hermione."

"What?!" Everyone turned towards the voice. Ron was standing at the doorway looking enraged. He turned to Hermione, "You dumped me for him?!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. How dare he! So maybe Charlie wasn't really her boyfriend but still he had no right coming in here and judging her choice in men.

"First of all Ron," she said anger dripping from every word, "I didn't dump you. You broke up with me because you felt I wasn't, what did you say, oh that's right. I wasn't female enough. And secondly, who I date is none of your business."

Ron calmed down a bit "Sorry, I was just shocked."

The astounded silence that filled the room was broken when Mrs. Weasley said "Ok then, why don't you kids go in the living room while I prepare the dinner."

As they all left Hermione swore she heard Mrs. Weasley humming the chorus of "Here Comes the Bride".

"'Mione," Charlie said. Hermione turned back. She had forgotten he was there.

"Did he really break up with you because you weren't girly enough for him?" he asked. His expression was unreadable.

Hermione blushed, "Yeah, but I'm over it now. It's really no big deal. We're better of as friends anyway."

Charlie pulled her towards him and hugged her. "He was wrong. You'd be the perfect girlfriend." He whispered in her ear.

Hermione stiffened and stepped out of his embrace. "I think we should get back there." She said and walked towards the living room leaving Charlie very very confused.

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What the two dragon keepers didn't know was that there were two people listening in on their exchange and watching them behave.

"I think that our Big brother and his girlfriend are not being entirely honest. What do you think George?"

"I think that our Big brother and his girlfriend are not being entirely honest, Fred. We should do something about, shouldn't George?"

"Yes we should Fred. Lets get to it now!"

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In the living room:

Charlie and Hermione sat next to each other on the couch as everyone grilled them about their relationship.

"Where did you guys meet?" this one received stared from everyone

"How long have been together?"

"Where did you go on your first date"

And then there were the slightly tougher questions.

"Do you guys live in one room or two rooms?" asked Ron.

Hermione huffed, "You guys are asking stupid questions. Of course two rooms."

The question and answer segment was going well. But Hermione felt a little queasy. She stood up and said "After living in a huge apartment with just one person for so long I think I'm becoming claustrophobic. So if you guys don't mind, I'm going to take a walk. Oh, and call me when dinner is ready." She said and left.

She went out to the front yard and leaned on the gate and looked at the stars. This was the last time she was going to do the pretend girlfriend act. She hated lying and she hated being Charlie's pretend girlfriend. She hated the word pretend!

"Hermione, you all right?"

Hermione sighed, she knew sooner or later someone would have followed her out. "Yeah, I'm peachy Harry."

Harry came and stood next to her. "Hermione I'm sure what exactly is going on inside but I know that something is bothering you and I have a feeling it has something to do with Charlie."

Hermione turned and looked at him, "If I tell you, you have to swear that you won't tell anyone. Especially Ron!"

"I swear!" Harry said.

And with that Hermione spilled everything out to Harry. The act she and Charlie pulled, how good they were at it, how she was getting sick of it and her growing feelings for Charlie. After she finished her confession Harry just hugged her. It was what she needed. No berating for lying, no feeling sorry for her state, just her best friend comforting her.

What Charlie saw, however, was different. He saw Harry making a move on his girl. He shook his head at that thought. Hermione was his best friend, not his girl. Sure she was when they put on the act, but other than that…Then why did the sight of her with Harry make him feel like tearing the Chosen one into pieces? Why did the thought her with Ron, no matter how long ago it was, make him feel like beating his little brother into pulp? What was happening to him? Love, said a voice at the back of his head. Love! No way! Hermione was his friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Mrs. Weasley was no fool. She knew Charlie and Hermione were pulling a fast one on her. But she didn't give their act away. She had a little secret of her own. Over the years when Hermione and Charlie became closer, she noticed a change in her son. The way his eyes lit up when she walked into the room, the way he always kept sneaking glances at her whenever they had dinner at the Burrow. And how he seemed so much happier than before.

But she also knew her son well. And she knew that he wouldn't make a move, not just because he was the champion of denial but because of her relationship with Ron. He would never move in on what he considered his brother's territory.

She wanted her son to be happy. And for him to be happy he needed Hermione. He would also need the shove that would get him where he wanted to be. And sadly she couldn't provide that shove. She needed ,and she hoped that she wouldn't regret it, Fred and George.

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Thank you guys so much for the reviews! I hope this chapter is better than the first one.

Who knew Mrs. Weasley was so…scheming! What will she get Fred and George to do? Will Charlie at least admit to himself the feelings he has? Or will he and Hermione continue to live together oblivious to each other's feelings?

So many questions! Tell me what you guys think should happen?

You know the drill! Read and Review!!