"But aren't you feeling a bit left out?" Ginny asked, leaning awkwardly across the table to address Hermione.

"Nope. Just because you're all going to have babies at the same time doesn't mean I want to do the same. It's all a bit creepily well organised, don't you find?"

Fred chuckled and agreed. Before Ginny could argue back Harry asked her a question about the pregnancy and thereby distracted her.

This had been happening a lot. In order to spare Hermione from their wives the men had been distracting them when they started on her about her single status, heading them off before a real argument started.

Hermione hadn't been surprised to find herself seated next to Fred at the table. The pair of them were all the women had been talking about. At least the men were more sympathetic. Despite the general belief that she and Fred were soulmates, even amongst the men, they weren't being as obvious in their attempts to set them up. They naturally assumed that they would get together on their own and that forcing it would be contrary to what their women wanted.

She and Fred chatted away in their usual friendly manner, well aware that the eyes of everyone else at the table were on them. Hermione resolutely ignored them and Fred took his cue from her, making her giggle now and then with tilts of his eyebrows and exasperated looks as his sister made very unsubtle comments.

Fred would then monopolise her by talking about the shop and George, seated opposite her, would pitch in with suggestions. Officially her shop would open the next day. Bill put in a compliment on the timing since the summer holidays had just begun and, if he knew Diagon Alley, summer was one of their busiest times.

The men promised to be there for the opening and to all buy at least one thing to get her started. The women were too busy discussing their pregnancies and scheming ways of getting Hermione and Fred together.

"Hermione, dear, I don't seem to have made enough apple sauce for the pork. Would you and Fred mind going up to the orchard for a moment and picking some more apples?"

"Really subtle Mrs Weasley." Hermione muttered, looking at Fred, who rolled his eyes. They considered for a moment.

"Sure, why not? Come along, Fred." She said, rising.

Together they wandered over to the orchard, leaving the women behind to gossip and speculate and the men to roll their eyes. These pregnancies were affecting everyone a little too much.

As soon as they were out of earshot Hermione and Fred burst into laughter.

Clutching her side she said "But surely she can just magic some more?"

"Of course, but this reeks of a scheme to force a confession."

"Absolutely. But please don't feel obligated to make the confession."

He snorted. "Who says it has to be me that makes the confession?"

"Everyone knows it's up to the man to initiate the relationship."

"Ta very much. But I don't see why."

"For a woman it would be too forward."

"What about Ginny? She practically stalked Harry and forced the confession."

"She did not stalk him. I told her to wait and maybe make him jealous by dating other guys."

"So you were behind it. I had my suspicions."

"I think she might have told Ron to do the same with Lav-Lav. Shame it didn't work on me."

"I did wonder. Luna would have made more sense for him."

She laughed again. "Hardly. And who would ever deny Neville happiness?"

"True, true. But, at the risk of sounding like the girls, why haven't you fallen in love with me yet?"

"Hm I don't know. It could be on account of that gigantic ego of yours."

"Harsh."

"But true nonetheless. I don't know about you but I'm getting a bit sick of all this matchmaking business."

"So am I. In fact we all are. All us guys I mean."

"Want to put an end to it?"

"How?"

Hermione grinned devilishly.

A few minutes later they returned to the lunch table.

"They're holding hands!" Lavender whispered excitedly. A thrill ran round the table.

Fred pulled out Hermione's chair for her and tucked it in under her. She smiled at him shyly and a little coquettishly. This was also noticed by the women.

"Does this mean what I think it means?" Ginny asked.

Their answer was a sidelong glance accompanied by a blush apiece.

"We shall accept that as a yes. Pay up girls." Mrs Weasley ordered.

"But-"

"No buts. My plan worked so you have to pay up."

The women fumbled for their handbags.

"Mum, you're gambling! We're so proud." the twins chorused, wiping fake tears from their eyes.

"Well I wouldn't have had a part in it if the girls hadn't insisted."

"I wouldn't say insisted as such." Angelina muttered.

"They said I couldn't join in with the matchmaking unless I agreed to place a bet."

Hermione sniggered. "Sounds like something they would do."

George made a comment about how it looked like they'd be seeing Hermione over at the flat a lot more often, which made her blush. She blushed deeper when Angelina started discussing breakfast making rotas, eyes bright.

The meal continued in relative peace, the previous matchmaking hints now replaced by fervent pleas for details. None of them believed that the relationship had only just started; they were too lovey-dovey for that. And indeed they were. Fred fed her titbits from his fork and she fussed over him affectionately, looking at him coyly when she refilled his glass. As the meal reached its close he slung an arm over the back of her chair and she leant back against him a little, prompting a chorus of "aw's" from the family. When Hermione shivered his arm left the chair and wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her closer to share their heat.

None of which was lost on the cooing ladies in the family.

Several times Hermione had to supress her snorts as Fred whispered funny observations and speculations about the others in her ear. Harry seemed to be the only one who was a little suspicious.

After the meal he dragged her off to Ron's bedroom with Ron following lazily.

"Alright, wanna fill us in?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Harry."

"Please. This morning you were revolted by the thought of dating Fred. Either you're under a love spell or the imperius curse."

"The twins do sell love potions." Ron put in vaguely.

"I wasn't repulsed by Fred. He just hadn't been considered before."

"Like you really have a lot of options in that area."

"That was below the belt even by Malfoy's standards."

"Sorry. But my point is, why, if you're so much in love, haven't we seen a kiss yet?"

"Give us a chance, we've only been together for an hour."

"You know, it's not nice to lie to your best friends."

"And it's equally not nice to interrogate them. Fred and I have agreed to take things slow since I'm such a total virgin and he doesn't want to scare me off. That do? Now excuse me, right now I like his company a lot better than I do yours." With that she swept out and stormed downstairs.

Fred raised his eyebrows at her and she rolled her eyes. He understood. They silently agreed to leave not long after. The rest let them go, the boys lamenting the loss of the final member for the quidditch match. Fred promised to play the following Sunday but said that he wanted to spend time with Hermione and get to know her better.

This naturally prompted a chorus of wolf-whistles.

For the next week they maintained their romantic façade. Hermione even spent a few nights over at the twin's flat, something which caused Angelina so much excitement that Hermione and the twins had to remind her she was seven months pregnant and that she could put the baby in danger.

Privately Hermione quite liked having Fred doting on her, even if she knew it was only pretend. And she liked having someone who could make her laugh like he did, and at the same time she could also have a serious and deep conversation with. Hermione had never really had a boyfriend before and although she knew it wasn't real, it was still nice.

Despite what she told Ginny and the other girls, she was a bit lonely. It wasn't too nice being the only single girl in her group. At least Fred was part of the family. She was a loose link.

After seeing George and Angelina off to Sunday lunch at the Burrow Fred noticed Hermione steeling herself as though expecting a fight.

"What's that look on your face for?"

"Think we can really pull it off? I mean this week we've really only had George and Angie scrutinising us, today we have to face the whole family."

"It'll be fine. We've got our stories so we won't get in a muddle and raise suspicions and a little public display of emotion and we'll be set. We did so well last week."

"But they'll expect more this week."

"Then we'll give them more. Look stop worrying girl, and get in that fireplace."

She giggled and flooed to the Burrow. The family were there to greet her as she stepped out. Fred stumbled out and bumped into her, knocking her over. Apologising profusely to his 'darling' he picked her up and set her on her feet. Giggling affectionately she forgave him and brushed the soot off his shirt with a barely perceivable wink. Smothering his grin made it become rather saucy as he began to brush the soot off her in a decidedly intimate manner. She blushed and looked a little flustered at the attention.

The moment was spoiled by Mrs Weasley demanding the girls help her get the food ready and ordering the boys outside to prepare the table.

Hermione leant up to kiss Fred's cheek and whispered "Show time," with a little breathy laugh. He chuckled and tickled her waist as he let her go. She squealed playfully and batted his hand away as she followed the girls to the stove.

Everything went off without a hitch during the meal. Fred held her hand under the table and when she laid her hand on the table he held it there. More than once he raised her hand and kissed the back of it tenderly when she made a clever comment or comeback. She basked in his proud smiles and returned them shyly. She leant back into his shoulder when he put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head tenderly. She was funny and witty and he clearly revelled in it.

After the meal they gathered on rugs in the field and played muggle games including, to Hermione's horror, charades. It was all good fun, especially seeing Fleur make a ninny of herself trying to spell out a song by the Wyrd Sisters that was played at the Yule Ball. Hermione didn't think she'd ever laughed that hard as Fleur plonked herself back down next to Bill looking extremely put out as everyone laughed at her good-naturedly.

Somehow the conversation turned to the 'new couple'. Harry was still a little suspicious and he pointed out that they still hadn't seen them kiss on the lips. Everyone agreed and soon the chant of "Kiss!" started.

Hermione and Fred exchanged looks. This was one thing they had been holding off on, since it would be Hermione's first kiss, a fact that he would have teased her a lot more for if it weren't for their little charade.

"Might as well." She whispered. His eyes asked if she was sure and she nodded.

Fred leaned in and captured her lips with his. It was only a light kiss but it still made her stomach flutter with butterflies.

When he ended the kiss there was something new in his eyes. An almost triumphant look, like he'd achieved something. The family were applauding appreciatively, all suspicion now apparently gone.

Hermione excused herself and returned to the house. After a moment Fred got up and followed.

"What's wrong?" he asked, surprising her and making her drop the cutlery she was collecting to wash up.

"Nothing."

"Don't give me that. What's wrong?"

She glanced around and saw they were alone. "I've been thinking, this isn't working."

"What isn't?"

"This pretence."

"What are you talking about? Of course it's working. They all believe we're together."

"We're lying to them."

"It was your idea."

"I know. But I didn't know it would feel like this."

"Like what?"

"Something has just felt right this week. I can't explain it, but suddenly it all seems to fit."

He smiled. "I understand. I don't want it to be pretend anymore."

She grinned impishly. "And here I thought you'd sworn never to make the confession." She teased. He chuckled.

"Eh what do I know, I'm always getting proven wrong."

"We've both been proved wrong, and the family has been proved right."

"Oh?"

"Now who's teasing? They were right though. We just had to find out for ourselves."

"Find what out?"

"This." She stated, crossing the room and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer for a passionate kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him.

"Well it's about bloody time!" Ron cried from the door. George led the rest in a cheer.

"That one I believe." Harry said, grinning.

Hermione laughed into Fred's chest, still in the embrace.