Molly insisted upon doting on Fred for the remainder of the week. Every time the man even so much as attempted to handle something for himself his mother would quickly appear next to him, telling him to rest before handling whatever he needed herself. While Fred appreciated his mother's concern he found himself growing frustrated with the monotony of simply sitting in the living area while his mother did everything for him. It came as a relief when Molly decided to go into the village on the Thursday afternoon.

"Hermione is going to be here with you all day," Molly told Fred for what he was sure was the thousandth time. He smiled at his mother, hoping to alleviate some of the stress he could tell she was feeling at the prospect of leaving her recovering son home. "The others are out but if you need anything have Hermione handle it for you."

"Yes, mum," Fred mumbled returning to the orders he was working on for the shop. George had done an excellent job with Ron and Lee reopening it in his absence but he longed to return to the store and work on production once again. Molly left the house being careful not to distract her son from his work. She was going into the village to speak to one of the other wizard families who lived there, she was hoping that they would know a way to get at out of this ridiculous law. In the Burrow, Hermione settled herself into one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the fire and started reading Hogwarts: A History once again. After a few hours Fred appeared to notice her presence.

"Are you ready for this arranged marriage thing," he asked her. She shook her head.

"I was researching was to get out of it, basically, you either have to be already married or have a wedding planned to someone in the next two months," she sighed.

"Like I said you should just marry Percy, it would probably save the both of you some trouble," Hermione let out a laugh but Fred could tell she was not actually amused.

"My parents always loved each other so much, I always thought I would wind up like them." Fred decided to leave the subject of marriage and love alone. Instead deciding that it would be better to try and cheer her up.

"Haven't you read that book a million times already," Fred asked and Hermione smiled at him..

"They released a new version after the battle, apparently I'm mentioned." Now it was Fred's turn to laugh.

"I guess that's a silver lining." Hermione shrugged before putting her book down and standing up.

"I'm going to the kitchen, do you need anything?" Fred shook his head. Hermione came back with a glass of water for him anyway.

"I figured you're to stubborn to actually tell me if you need something. Besides if I didn't do something for you I have a feeling your mum would have something to say." Fred thanked her and took the glass. The two sat in silence for a while longer and Fred watched Hermione read her book.

He noticed the details he had not allowed himself to notice in the past. He noticed the way her eyes danced across the pages, hungrily taking in every phrase. He noticed how small her hands were clutching her book close to herself. He noticed how her hair, still frizzy despite her best efforts, had a bright sheen to it. He smiled to himself watching her read before turning back to his work. He could enjoy some distractions but at the end of the day his business was the most important thing to him.

"Do you think my choices are going to be good," Hermione asked after some time had passed and for a moment Fred was confused before he remembered that there was only a few more days until their letters containing their matches. Fred decided to be honest with her.

'I have no clue, I mean they said yours would primarily be pureblood men, so I honestly don't know what to expect for you. I'm really hooping you get a Weasley on there honestly, because then at least we know you'll be safe and not stuck with someone who won't respect yo," Fred sighed. "You''re the only one I'm really worried about, because Harry is going to get Ginny, he saved the wizarding world I'm sure the Ministry is taking his relationship into account. Ron is a git, he'll get some random witch and just be thrilled if she's pretty. Percy and Charlie are both very independent and I doubt that marriage will change that." Hermione nodded.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "I know I can handle myself, but I don't want to marry someone I don't love. What if I get Malfoy," Fred choked on his water.

"Don't even joke about that,: he sputtered. "If he even shows up on your list I'll marry you myself."

"You promise?" Hermione laughed. Fred nodded seriously.

"I promise, if Malfoy is one of your options we will run away together and get married before the letters even finish getting sent out."

"So who do you think you're going to get," Fred shrugged at her. Secretly he was hoping to get Hermione, or not so secretly if you asked George. Fred had been attracted to Hermione since the day he first met her. Part of the reason they never really pranked her was because he did not want to upset the girl. George had teased him mercilessly when they were younger about his crush.

Going out with Angelina had been a good distraction for his feelings, but eventually they realized it was not going to work out for them. Fred had a bit of a mean streak that Angelina just could not stand. Part of him believed she should be with George, he was the nicer twin after all.

"I know who I don't want," Hermione raised her eyebrow at him. "I don't want to match a Slytherin." Hermione tisked at him.

"They're not all bad," she started but Fred cut her off.

"Sorry but too many are related to death eaters for me to be comfortable. I don't want another wall dropped on me."

Molly walked into the Burrow then and heard the end of their conversation. She was pleased to see that Fred had found someone to open up to, but the next sentence she heard shocked her and she nearly dropped her shopping.

"Fred, if you get matched with a Slytherin I will marry you, I worked too hard to keep you alive for you to get another wall dropped on you." Molly heard her son laugh at this.

"Well, Miss. Granger, I guess we have a deal. You better start planning that wedding, I want my special day to be spectacular."