The Experimental Arranged Marriage

Whoops! Forgot the disclaimer... but d'you seriously think that I could own this? I mean, I'm flattered; but...

Chapter Two – Planning

Hermione woke up groggily as shouting pierced her dim consciousness. Opening her eyes, she saw a blurred red outline which appeared to be pulsing. Rubbing the sleep away, she saw Ginny grappling with George, no doubt a result of her being awoken Far Too Early. Hermione empathised – she wasn't a morning person, either. In fact, she thought, I'd best ingest some caffeine soon, or I'll be as irritated as my roommate. She left the room, closing the door to prevent further disturbance.

Coming slowly down the stairs in search of a hot caffeinated wake-up, Fred almost went flying when someone with a great deal of momentum fell into him from above and behind. Picking himself up from the pile on the landing, he dusted himself off before turning to the accoster. He gaped as he saw Hermione's bushy curls – who knew she could have so much force? He was about to offer her a hand up when she muttered something. Bending closer, he could make it out.

"Stupid fight; I'll have to actually get up before her tomorrow. And I hate early risers... George is gonna get it..."

Laughing, Fred stuck out a hand, putting it in her line of vision slowly enough to prevent an attack – he'd heard about her reflexes. She appeared to accept it, and he pulled her upright, surprised to see a face almost as sleepy as his. They made their way in silence to the kitchen, both gratefully accepting large mugs of coffee from the very much alert Bill.

Hermione knew she was in for it when the oldest Weasley brother turned to her, and asked,

"So what actually happened in here yesterday? Fleur was too outraged that you know how to swear in French to tell me what led to it." He seemed amused. Good, thought Hermione, he won't be too annoyed...

"Er, I might have, um, been a little too surprised at something she said, that's all," she stammered. Bill was giving her a blank look, like, how can that lead to a fight? Luckily, Fred came to her rescue.

"The girls were gossipping and Hermione, along with the others," he stressed, "reacted when Fleur said that she didn't plan to have children." Fred shifted slightly, leaning away from his older brother in case he exploded. Hermione, he noticed, was doing the same.

He needn't have bothered; Bill was silent for so long that by the time he spoke, it was obvious that he wasn't about to shout.

"I – I suppose we should have talked about it..." He seemed to have forgotten the others, addressing himself. He left the kitchen, muttering.

"So then the chosen couple will need to sign the contract, before-" Nora was cut off by an irate Angelina, who stormed into the shop, looking for blood.

"Where is she?" She demanded of George, who was manning the till.

"You're going to have to be a bit more specific, love; I'm good, but I'm no mind-reader." He grinned as she huffed and turned to leave. He was left grinning like a maniac when she threw a roll of parchment on the floor and stalked out. Nora picked it up, read a few of the lines written on it, and took a step back in shock.

"What is it?" Asked George, concerned.

"I – I – I have to tell her..." She stuttered. Without a word, she turned and disapparated, leaving George to read the parchment in search of the shock-inducing words.

A/N: anyone see the resemblance to GCSE Science coursework? Tee hee...Never thought I'd be using that structure again. Any way – I love reviews; they brighten up my day so much! Please and thank you... that friendly button's just waiting... :D

A/N v1.2: sorry – I had to change a couple of errors – hopefully not too noticeable...