Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot is my own! Happy Reading!

A/N: This story is currently undergoing grammar and formatting editing.

Chapter Three: The Plan Part 1

It was a cold, windy morning the day the train left at Kings Cross. Hermione had spent a glorious few days with the Weasleys and Harry. Fred had played his part quite convincingly, making Ronald more than uncomfortable numerous times. His display of affections included, but were not limited to, chaste kisses, swooping his arm around her waist, and (when he was feeling rather bold) gripping her from behind and placing a kiss on the base of her neck. All of these actions had made her blush and squirm away while giggling, but it had also stirred something within that scared her beyond all reason.

The train's whistle was sounding off, alerting the students and parents of its impending departure. The gang hurriedly rushed from the platform and grabbed their compartment. Harry was all too happy to have Ginny so close, and it made Hermione snort when he made sure to take a seat next to her. However, her expression dropped when he became disappointed that Ginny left to join Dean after he made a brief appearance.

She and Ron were to do rounds on the train, as were their roles as Prefects. Though, Hermione was not looking forward to this time with him. Almost sure that he would either complete the patrol in uneasy, awkward silence or press her for information regarding her sudden "relationship" with his older brother. Ronald huffed beside and she decided he would choose the former of her ideas and make the already awkward situation even more tense. She just could understand how he could be so oblivious about her feelings towards him?

Once back in the compartment, Harry began to pester them about more questions he held about the half-blood prince. Hermione's patience was long gone concerning this topic and it only served to fuel Ron's vigorous attempts to defend Harry's new obsession. The train trudged on for the rest of the day, arriving late that night.

As soon as the train arrived at the station, the trio grabbed the first ride available to the castle. Hermione was trying to remain optimistic about Ron's quiet behavior. Maybe he was reconsidering recent actions? Maybe he was reconsidering her?

"Oh, Won-Won! My darling beloved Won-Won!" Lavender was waving her hands dramatically over her head and rushing past other students to get a seat on the carriage.

"Er…Lavender, good to see you!" Ron replied, looking rather uncomfortable. He was being sandwiched in between Hermione and his girlfriend and the prospect of the two being so close at the present time did not seem to sit well with him.

"Hello, my sweet! Harry, hope you enjoyed your holiday!" She excitedly exclaimed. Then her whole expression darkened and soured as she turned her attention to Hermione. "Granger, I hope yours went well."

Hermione, feigning giddiness and pleasantry, hopped to the chance to annoy the bubbly blonde.

"Oh, it went rather well, indeed. Fred and I grew much closer over the break. My time during New Year's at the Burrow was absolutely fantastic." She flopped back in her seat, pleased to see the girl was not prepared for her answer.

"I thought you were with McLaggen. Certain rumors were bouncing about the castle concerning a rather private moment with you two." Lavender was smiling smugly as she repeated the obviously false gossip.

"Impossible. Quite the bore, the poor boy. I find Fred a rather amusing sort and impressive businessman to boot. Older too. Offers more experience, don't you agree?" Hermione added loftily. Harry snorted then quickly looked away, busying himself with his scarf.

Lavender seemed stunned by her answer and could only muster a mumbled agreement. Ron seemed to be gritting hit teeth and resetting his jaw in frustration.

The carriage ride ended and the group unloaded and began the procession to the Great Hall for dinner. Dumbledore delivered his speech and the students watched as the food appeared on the tables. She ate while watching a myriad of emotions cross Ronald's face. Feeling rather proud of herself, she glanced toward Ginny's direction. She snorted and raised an eyebrow in response. Hermione winked at her and laughed. Harry just shook his head at the actions he considered quite out of character for his best friend.

Back in the common room, Hermione was seated by the fire reading. She looked up to see Lavender tugging Ronald into a dark corner for what they considered a "private" snog. It sickened her to watch the display of flailing limbs and tasteless behavior being done in public. Ron seemed all too happy to allow his girlfriend to command his presence and attention.

Hermione needed to make sure this plan of hers was set in motion if she was to ever get his attention. Harry would be of no use to her, he was either battling his own obsession over a faceless name or pining for a certain fiery red head girl, that just so happened to be attached to her current boyfriend at the moment. Hermione could tell Ginny was growing tired of Dean, though. The excitement was the relationship was no longer there, but Ginny was not ready to end it just yet.

"Harry, Hogsmeade weekend is fast approaching. Seems to have been scheduled near Valentine's. It will be prudent for you to not eat any chocolates you receive. You know why, don't you?" Hermione pressed.

"Can't quite prove it, but I seem to recall a Miss Vane longing for me. I'd rather not ingest any love potions, so yeah. Why? Are you going to buy me some chocolates, Hermione?" Harry countered coolly.

She laughed. "Sure, I'll add you to my list of sweethearts, Harry."

"Care to walk with me, Mione?" Harry said, eyeing her curiously. She closed her book and nodded.

They walked up the staircase towards the boy's dormitory. Entering his room, Harry held the door open and then motioned for to sit on his bed. He shut the door and cast a muffliato.

"I want to know the truth. No games, no lies. Are you honestly dating Fred?" Harry asked.

"What if I am?" Hermione tried, but the look Harry returned made her resolve shatter. "Harry, I don't know what to tell you."

"You could start by telling what made you go absolutely barking and become involved with Ron's brother. Hermione, Ron's brother. No offense, but have you gone mental?" Harry questioned.

"Harry, that's not fair! Ron can gallivant all over the castle, twisting into a squid at will for that bimbo. But I can't have someone show me affections? How does that make any sense, Potter?" Hermione countered.

"This has nothing to do with you finding someone, Hermione. This has everything to do with who it is? Were you trying to hurt him?" Harry inquired.

She bit her lip, turning in frustration. "Fred, showed me kindness when I needed it. He was there for me that night I heard you and Ron…" Her voice trailed off, breaking with the threat of tears.

Harry's eyed grew wide when he realized the night she was referring to. "You were outside the door that night. You heard him boasting. That's why you and Ginny never came to the attic and why you came back in the living room later with Fred behind you."

"It stung like a knife piercing my chest to hear his confession. I climbed to roof and Bill and the twins were there. He gave me whiskey and the three of them talked me out of feeling sorry for myself. It felt nice. Fred…"

"Is this relationship real or a play to make Ron jealous? Honestly," Harry stated.

Hermione bit her lip, staring at the floor avoiding his eyes. Harry understood this as her answer.

"Play this card carefully. I don't want you hurt for a second time, yeah?" Harry said, flashing her a small smile. She nodded and wiped her tears away.

"I'm exhausted, Harry. I think I will turn in for the night," Hermione whispered softly. She gave him a kiss on the cheek before heading to down the staircase.

The term was rather eventful, if you considered constantly avoiding one of your friends for sucking face with blibbering idiot and the other completely torn between a seemingly dark fictional character and a girl currently taken by another eventful. Hermione spent a lot of her time patrolling and avoiding her roommates in the library, completing homework and researching the fictional obsession of Harry's. In her spare time, she managed to scrawl notes to Fred. She had to at least give the appearance of the relationship if this plan was to go as planned.

Fred,

Hogsmeade weekend is fast approaching, just two weeks away. I was wondering if you could spare the time and meet me in town at the pub. I think it would seem rather odd if my current "boyfriend" was not present. Ron seems to be increasingly distressed about our relationship, rather amusing at this point. I think seeing us on a date would seal the deal. He seems to be losing patience for his "Lav-Lav" as of late.

I hope all is well at the shop? How are sales? I'm sure you will have an influx of orders for your love potions and sweets soon, if not already. Please send my regards to George.

Love,

Hermione

The letter was no sooner dispatched than did she receive a package with several brightly colored hearts charmed to glitter. She laughed at the note attached.

It read: For My Darling, Sweet, Beautiful, Goddess Hermione. Love, Your Honorable, Strong, Courageous, Charming, Dashing Fred.

Again, she had to admit, he could be quite the charmer when he needed to be.

She pranced all the way to the common room, holding her package proudly. Upon entering, Lavender and her group of gossiping biddies spied her and ran to see what the present was. Hermione marched over to Ginny, who burst out laughing and jumped away from a rather unimpressed Dean.

"Oh, my dear brother can do wonders when he needs to, eh?" Ginny joked.

"What did Fred send you?" Lavender asked, all to nosy for Hermione's taste. Several of her group echoed her question.

"I'm not sure, yet. Let's open it, shall we?" Hermione smiled, passing a brilliant smile.

Dean huffed and left the sitting area, and Hermione noticed Ginny looked all too relieved at his departure. She made a mental note to ask about that later. She unwrapped the package carefully, charmed hearts flying all around as they left he paper. Unboxing the present, she found another note for her, on top of a veil of tissue paper. She opened the note and smiled at the brilliance of his work.

Dear Mia, (Since when did he call her that?)

These last few weeks have left me missing your sweet presence. It would do me the great honor and delight if a gorgeous bird, such as yourself, would accompany me to dinner on the next Hogsmeade weekend. If my records are correct, it should fall very near Valentine's and the timing could not be any more perfect, my love. I hope you find this present useful and to your pleasure. With loving anticipation, I await your answer, milady.

Forever Your Dashing and Charming Servant,

Fred

Hermione passed the note off to Ginny and winked at her. Unveiling the gift, Hermione noticed it was a beautiful deep blue sweater dress and matching pins for her hair. The entire outfit was a bit flashy for her taste, but Fred had done a great job in finding a dress that did not show a lot of cleavage. However, she noticed the hem was a bit short.

"Seems Fred likes for you to show a little leg, eh Hermione?" Parvati piped up, making the girls giggle behind her.

Hermione was turning crimson at the insinuation, but was all to relieved to see Ginny uncover a pair of leggings and grey leg warmers.

"Oh look, my Freddie sent me leggings and leg warmers. So considerate, wouldn't you agree?" Hermione chimed in.

"Got you a rather nice pair of boots to go along with it, too. Blimey, my brother got you the whole lot. Lucky!" Ginny contributed.

Harry and Ron appeared at the group and took notice of the gifts. Ron turned several shades of red before leaving, Lavender prancing behind him. Ginny rolled her eyes and Harry groaned, eyeing Hermione suspiciously.

The crowd dispersed and Harry approached her carefully. "Um…I hope this was part of the plan," he whispered.

"Fred, did this all on his own, actually. I just sent my invitation to him this morning and received this as my owl was leaving the tower," she explained.

Ginny cleared her throat, causing Hermione and Harry to jump. They had forgotten she was still there.

"I'm not going to pretend to think this relationship is real, Hermione. However, this plan seems to be driving Ronald quite mad and it's rather amusing to watch. Just get out of dodge when you instincts tell you. The twins and Charlie have reputations as heartbreakers for a reason," she eyed her friend sincerely.

Noting that Dean seemed to be trying to rejoin her by the fire, Ginny quickly changed course.

"So, Harry. Um…you said you needed help with that play. I thought I could offer my thoughts."

Harry, quite startled by her change in conversation, just nodded numbly.

"Excellent. I think this would be best discussed in private. Shall we go to the pitch and go over that one thing, yeah?" Harry hastily agreed, flashing a look of anxiety to a rather amused Hermione.

Before Harry could utter another word, Ginny dragged him out the portrait, leaving Hermione with a rather disappointed and grumbling Dean.