Hello lovely readers, hope you all like this chapter :)

Chapter Four

Mixed Feelings and Mischief

"Hey gorgeous," Fred said loudly as he met Hermione outside of Herbology, making sure that Pavarti and Lavender could hear.

"Hey handsome," Hermione responded. Fred smirked. He and Hermione had rehearsed this scene many times but it still sounded funny to hear her call him handsome.

"I missed you last night," he said in a softer voice that was still clearly audible to the other students leaving the greenhouses. At this, Lavender and Pavarti broke out into whispers, gossiping furiously.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said with a pout. "I was studying."

"You should have told me," Fred replied, playing with her hair. "You look cute when you're studying." She fake blushed at this.

"Well how about tonight?" She asked, stepping closer to him.

"Tonight works just fine," He replied, leaning down as he spoke, his lips caressing her ear, his voice drowning out Lavender and Pavarti's shocked whispers.

"I guess I'll see you then," Hermione said, her voice taking on a slightly (well rehearsed) sultry tone, before turning to go. Fred smirked as Pavarti and Lavender hurried away, anxious to share the newfound gossip with anyone and everyone they should encounter.

…

"Why is everyone saying you're sleeping with Hermione?" Ron growled, confronting his brother in the common room.

"Maybe because I told them I am," Fred said, smirking.

"WHAT?" Ron yelled, outraged.

"Don't worry Ronny," he said laughing. "We're just messing with Brown and Patil."

"Oh," Ron said, calming slightly.

Hermione walked up and smiled at the red heads.

"Hermione, why are you spreading the rumor that you and Fred are sleeping together?" Ron asked and an infliction of hurt registering in his voice.

"Oh," she laughed, "Lavender and Pavarti were gossiping as usual. We thought the best way to get back at them was to have a bit of fun and pretend it's true."

During this conversation, the three were getting sidelong glances from other Gryffindors in the common room; their tones hushed as they speculated what the three could be talking about.

"I bet she's sleeping with both of them," a little third year girl whispered.

"Nah, she's probably just trying to break the news to Ron easily."

"That's pretty hard to do considering everyone already knows."

"I bet Ron and Fred are going to have it out."

"Now that I would pay to see." Subsequently, bets were taken on the future fight Ron and Fred could have.

…

The next day was Saturday, Hogsmeade day. Fred and Hermione met in the common room.

"Morning," he said with a grin. She smiled shyly back. Carrying their stack of newly printed Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, they set off towards Hogsmeade.

It was an unusually warm November day. Hermione and Fred walked side by side along the well-beaten path.

"I'm so surprised everyone actually believes we're sleeping together," Hermione said.

"Yeah," Fred said with a laugh, "I mean it's not like we fancy each other." This resulted in an awkward silence as he and Hermione cast subtle glances at each other.

Reaching Hogsmeade, they went about distributing magazines in every store that would take them. After almost an hour, the pair went into The Three Broomsticks for a break.

"Two butterbeers please," Fred ordered and he and Hermione sat down at the scuffed wooden tables. Hermione took a sip from her mug.

"You've got something there," Fred said, laughing, indicating towards the foamy butterbeer mustache above her lip. Using a napkin, he wiped it away gently. Hermione blushed and looked down.

"Well, well, well," a voice drawled. The pair looked up to see Malfoy approaching them with his goons, Crabbe and Goyle. His white-blonde hair gleamed in the light. "I suppose the rumors are true. Although, I don't know why anyone would want to date that," he said shuttering and looking at Hermione. Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly. "You know, Granger, I would say you could do better, you're shagging a weasel after all, but then again, you are a mudblood," he finished with a smirk.

At this, Fred stood up so fast the table shook slightly and made as if to advance on Malfoy, but Hermione grabbed his arms, and held him back with much difficulty.

"Oh shove off, Ferret," she growled and he smirked at her and strode off cockily. Just in time too, for she wasn't nearly strong enough to hold back Fred.

Hermione bit her lip, fighting a few tears that were threatening to fall at being called a mudblood. Old insults still stung. Fred frowned, casting her a worried look.

"C'mon," he said.

They walked outside, where it had begun to drizzle. Hermione and Fred stood, steadily getting soaked as the slight rain increased to a poor.

"I know it's silly to cry over something so trivial," Hermione said wiping at her eyes.

"It's not silly or trivial," Fred said, reassuringly, brushing a few stray tears off her face. "He has no right to call you that. I would've pounded the little scumbag to a pulp if you hadn't been holding me back."

She laughed, "I almost wish I hadn't." His hand lingered on her face. "Thanks," she said softly.

"What for?"

"For making me feel better," Hermione replied.

He smiled down at her, "Anytime."

They stood in silence as the rain washed over them, steadily drenching their clothes.

"We should get inside," Fred said turning away.

"Wait," Hermione said, gazing up at him. "Why are you so good to me?"

"Because I'm a fool for you, Hermione," he said with a grin and without thinking he leaned closer to her and gently pressed his lips to hers. Hermione stood still, frozen in shock. After a few seconds, she slowly reciprocated. His lips were soft and warm. Fred slid his hands down her back to her waist. Hermione stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her passionately and she ran her fingers through his now drenched, soft red hair. The rain washed over Hermione's face and they were pressed against each other, their clothes soaked. After a few minutes they broke apart. Hermione gazed up at him, her big brown eyes wide. Then, she pulled away in realization and put a hand to her mouth.

"What have we done," she whispered, her voice fraught with guilt. She bit her lip, "I have to go." She turned and ran, blinking back tears leaving Fred staring after her, his lips still tingling from the kiss.