Chapter 4: The one with the smile

Fred was rooted to the spot for Merlin knows how long. His thoughts were going a mile a minute to the point that nothing made sense. The sound of a familiar voice was the only thing that brought him back.

"I thought you said they were just here?"

"Well this is where we left them, Ron," it was his twin brother's voice.

"Where could they have gone? She didn't say what she wanted to talk about?" asked Ron.

"I just told you that she didn't," George sounded annoyed.

"G-George," Fred said trying to compose himself the best he could and he walked towards his brothers.

"There you are! Where'd you run off to?" asked George.

"And where's Hermione?"

"She went back to the castle, I reckon," Fred shrugged as he walked into the pub.

"Did she say why? What did she want to talk to you about anyway?"

"You know Granger," was all Fred said giving Ron an irritated look. Hoping that his younger brother would pass it off as an annoyance towards Hermione rather than him.

Ron just nodded and seemed confused more than anything.

It was finally Monday and Hermione was glad for this. She didn't know how long she could stay in the girl's dormitory any longer. She had been avoiding Fred since the incident and she needed to get her mind off of what had transpired that weekend. Finished with all her homeworks, readings and advanced readings she was running out of things to do.

She was on her way to Ancient Runes at that particular moment when she turned the corner and the person she dreaded the most was leaning against a tapestry, a devious grin on his face.

"If I didn't know any better, Granger, I'd say you've been dodging me,"

"Not so much as dodging. Completely avoiding is probably the more appropriate term," she blushed furiously as she kept walking.

He followed her.

"Why? We have to talk about it some time, don't we?"

She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him.

"No Fred, we absolutely do not have to discuss what happened. And I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't bring it up any longer," she turned around, "with anyone." She started walking again.

"But I want to discuss it. And not just with anyone, with you. I have a right to know why it happened, how it happened and if there's any hope of it happening again."

"Well, I can't help you with why it happened because I have no idea myself. How it happened, you were there so I believe that's a rather silly question, really. And as for it happening again you can rest assure that it won't," her words came out as an unintentional scoff.

Fred paused at this.

"You know what, I don't think that's true."

Hermione was just about to enter the room.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, Granger. I don't think that it won't happen again."

"I wouldn't bet on it," her eyebrow rose and she disappeared behind the door.

"I would," he whispered to no one in particular.

Although Ancient Runes was one of her more favorite lessons, it did not help take her attention away from thoughts of Fred Weasley. After being ambushed by him she couldn't help feel furious. Why was he incapable of letting the incident go? Didn't he understand that it was a mistake, a fluke, and possibly just a long overdue meltdown of Hermione Granger?

After her class Hermione headed toward Gryffindor tower to drop her books and bag before dinner when someone had pulled her into what seemed like a secret passage.

"We must stop meeting like this, Granger," Fred grinned.

Hermione was shocked, and apalled. When she finally came to her senses, her clenched fists collided with the red-head's chest.

"What. Is. Wrong. With. You!" Each word recieved an equivalent hit.

He was caught off guard but let out a soft chuckle when she had finished. He looked down at her and saw that the tears that were starting to form in her eyes and had a mixture of fury. He must have scared her with what he had done.

"UGH! Nothing. About. This. Is. Remotely. Funny!" She had starting beating him again.

He pulled her small frame towards him to cease her actions as he chuckled again.

"I'm sorry gave you a fright. I didn't mean to."

This had startled her as well.

"I wasn't frightened!" she said freeing heself from his arms.

He chuckled yet again.

"Honestly Fred, what is funny?" she was on the verge of screaming, her anger was slowly getting to her. If she had thought that what had happened two days ago was a mistake, this very moment had confirmed that it was. Her fists were still clenched and she could feel her nails digging into her palms but it didn't quite hurt as much at the humiliation she was feeling right now.

"Not so much as funny, but it's because of you." This didn't help, "You and your expressions. They're so adorable."

Her eyes turned into slits.

"Are you seriously mocking me right now, Weasley?"

He shook his head disbelievingly at her and smiled.

He smiled. THAT smile. The same smile he had given her that particular summer night not so long ago.

And just like that her defenses were down. Her expression softened and her hands relaxed.

"You have no idea just how beautiful you are, do you, Granger?"

Hermione had no retort for this. She didn't know what to think. The look he gave her seemed so genuine, not a trace of mischief could be found and yet she couldn't fathom his words. What exactly was he saying?

"I- I don't speak Weasley," was all she could come up with. It was true though.

He outright laughed at this.

"Don't speak Weasley?" he repeated.

"What I mean to say is that I don't know what you mean. I- I don't understand,"

"You are beautiful Hermione Granger," he stepped closer to her and a feeling different from anything she had ever felt quilted her body as her first name escaped his lips.

That was the first time she had ever really seen her name form on anyone's mouth. It was like it watching him say it in slow motion. The way the bottom and and upper lips met when they reached the "MY" in Hermione was enough to cause her knees to weaken. She wanted to have it memorized but she her eyes didn't stand a chance because the next thing she knew her own lips were the only part of her she could comprehend. It was met by the very thing she had just been watching.

A/N: I really had fun writing this chapter! :) I do hope more of you review! I'm almost done with chapter 7! YAY! So, please review! It helps with my writing! :)