Chapter 4

Fred entered the tent and began loosening his tie and undoing the top couple of buttons on his shirt. Breathing a sigh of relief, he took in his surroundings. So far things seemed far less stuffy than he had been expecting for any event where Percy was the center of attention. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. It looked like they had even consented to a DJ. Fred had to give him props for that.

Wandering over to the bar, he ordered his typical firewhiskey and then looked around for Neville. Tonight was when their plan would be implemented, after all. He found Luna first, talking to her eccentric father. That might be a hindrance. Maybe he could convince his Dad to engage him in a spirited debate on the benefits of gnome saliva or something.

Ah, there was Neville, talking to Hermione. Why oh why did she have to be the one he was with right now? There was absolutely no way she was going to approve of his meddling.

"Oi, Neville," said Fred, patting him on the back. "Everything alright? And you, Granger?"

"We're fine, Fred." Hermione said. She glared at him suspiciously. "Why are you over here? Where's George?"

"Easy, Granger. George is helping Mum with a few things. He'll be here in a minute. Why are you looking at me like that? I come in peace." He held up two hands to show her he had nothing up his sleeve.

"He's right, Hermione," Neville said. "He's helping me out is all."

"Helping you out?" Hermione looked flabbergasted. "With what, pray tell? Plans to burn down the tent?"

Fred's lip quivered slightly, but he did his best to remain expressionless. "I'll have you know that I'm in the middle of a top secret plan with Neville here."

"Oh, it's just Hermione, Fred. You can tell her."

"Tell me what?"

"Fred's going to set me up with Luna," Neville said. He stood up a little straighter and puffed his chest out a little broader with the declaration.

"Oh, he is, is he?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, I am." Fred hadn't anticipated having to deal with her opinion on the matter tonight, but he was ready for a fight if necessary.

"I think that's a wonderful idea!"

Fred prepared to argue and then looked at her in surprise. "Wait, you do?"

"Of course," she said, nodding emphatically. "Neville and Luna would be amazing together. I'm sure she would be interested. How can I help?"

Fred stared at her in confusion. He had been certain she would chastise him for interfering in people's lives or toying with people's emotions or something like that. Yet, she seemed to actually approve. He was seriously going to have to work on reading people. First, Percy and now Hermione? He was losing his touch.

"Fred? Frederick!" she was saying as he pulled himself back into the moment. "So what should we do? Have him ask her to dance or something?"

"Er, no," he said, still trying to regain his composure, "that wasn't the plan exactly."

"What is it then? Please tell me you aren't going to prank her or anything? That really won't help anything, Fred. I know Luna is pretty easygoing, but she is still a girl and I really think he should take a more romantic approach."

"Well, fine, Granger," he said. "Why don't you just take the lead on this one then?"

"Alright," she said. "Oh, Luna! Luna! Over here!" She gestured with her hands for the other girl to join them.

"Oh, hello, Hermione. Neville. Fred. Did you find the moon frogs then?"

"The wha-?" Fred started.

"No, Luna," Hermione interrupted. "Actually we were looking for a fourth person. See, I was about to dance with Fred here, but we didn't want to leave Neville all alone and thought you might be his partner?"

"Oh. Well, yes, I suppose that would be alright." She held up her hand to Neville who took it, albeit rather nervously, and led her to the dance floor.

Fred did not appreciate the smug look Hermione was giving him. He glared at her a moment before taking her hand and pulling her after him.

"Fred! What are you doing?"

"You told Luna we were about to dance, so we are going to dance." He pulled her in close and put one hand around her waist. "Make it look convincing, love," he whispered.

She tensed for a moment, evidently trying to decide whether or not to trust him. She stared up at him, perhaps trying to read his eyes for mischief. Satisfied, she relaxed and placed her arms around his neck, in return bringing them even closer.

He felt an unfamiliar comfort at having her so near. What should have been an awkward situation was far from it. He felt at ease with her and well, he couldn't really complain about the feel of her body against his. When did she become so bloody hot? He could feel nearly every curve through the thin fabric of her dress and he was finding the result to be incredibly distracting.

He shook his head, trying desperately to rid himself of that kind of thoughts. This was Hermione Granger. His little brother's friend, the nerdy little bookworm who constantly scolded him. Sure, she had gorgeous brown eyes and an amazing body, but that didn't change the fact that she was his polar opposite. A little reluctantly, he pulled away.

"I better go find George," he said hoarsely.

She only nodded, her face slightly flushed. He didn't stop to think about what that meant, just rushed out of the tent, eager to feel the cool night air against his skin.


"Where have you been?" Fred demanded as George finally joined the party. Nearly an hour had passed since the start of the reception and Fred had been sitting at a table alone, nursing his firewhiskey, since his dance with Hermione.

"Relax," George said, ignoring the question. "I'm here now. How's the plan going?"

"The plan you were supposed to be helping with? That plan? Oh, see for yourself." He gestured to the dance floor where Neville and Luna were still lost in each other, oblivious to everyone else in the room.

"Well, don't they look cozy. You did it, mate!"

Fred scowled. "I didn't do anything. Hermione tricked Luna into dancing with him while she danced with me."

"Granger? You danced with Granger?"

"That's what you took away from that?"

"Sorry. Well, Loony and Longbottom look like they are getting along fine. What now?"

"Who knows? Where are all the girls? I thought Angelina would be here."

"She's here."

"What? How do you know? I haven't seen her anywhere." He stood up and began looking around the room.

"I, uh, ran into her. She said something about going into the Burrow to freshen up."

"Oh, there she is. I'll be back, brother. Wish me luck."

"Look, Fred, we really need to talk-" George said, grabbing his brother's arm as he started to walk off.

"It'll have to wait, Georgie. I've wasted too much time tonight already." He rushed off, leaving a frustrated George, sighing and rubbing his hands through his hair as he watched him go.


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