Hermione's P. O. V.

I was really scared that Fred was suspicious that I had a crush on Ron. I thought I did a good job of hiding it. I went to the ball with Krum last year; I tried to give Ron and Harry equal attention. If Fred knew I had a crush on Ron, what would everyone else think? I really wish Ginny was here. I really needed some advice from her. She was the only one that knew about my crush on Ron.

I never realized how much of a . . . toucher Fred was, I thought as I got ready for bed. I pulled a long sleeved blue t-shirt, and a pair of long, striped bottoms. For the first two days, he had put his arm around my waist, sat in my lap, and carried me over his shoulder for at least five hours. I sighed and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

The bathroom was just down the hall, and I silently walked over, holding my tooth brush and tooth paste. Someone was already in the bathroom. I knocked three times.

"Just a minute," said a deep, husky voice belonging to Fred, I heard the toilet flush, the sink go off, and the lock click.

Fred opened the door, and was holding a toothbrush. He wore a gray tank top, and plain blue pajama bottoms.

"Er- I just-um got to brush my teeth," I said, holding up my tooth brush, very awkwardly.

He smirked. "Checking out my six-pack Granger," he said, rubbing his stomach. It was true: he did have a six pack, clearly visible through the tank top. But he couldn't know that I was impressed. Quidditch did him kindly.

"Of course not," I said. "I just have to brush my teeth."

"Well, I do too," he said, opening the door wider. "Come on in."

"I prefer to brush my teeth alone," I said, crossing my arms.

"Just get in here," he said.

Hermione, sighed, rolled her eyes, and entered the small bathroom. Fred stood behind her and watched as Hermione put the tooth paste on the brush she pulled her bush hair behind her, flicking Fred in the face.

"Watch it Hermione," he said.

"This is why I prefer brushing my teeth alone," I said.

He shuffled from behind me, to the other side of the counter, and did the same as me.

"Are you really pulling your hair behind you?" I asked.

"Can't get toothpaste in this lusciousness," he said.

I rolled my eyes, and began brushing my teeth. Fred copied.

"Sho Hermione," he said his mouth full of toothpaste. "Shoo like Ron?"

I spit in the sink, cleaned my toothbrush, and let my hair loose. "No, Fred. I do not like Ron," I lied, leaning against the counter. He also spit, and cleaned up. He shuffled back in front of me and out his arms on either side of the sink, trapping me. He got right in my face.

"Well, since you don't like Ron, does this bother you?" he asked, drifting closer. My hand reached for the doorknob and I pushed it open. I got underneath his arm, and twirled to the hall. He fell into air, expecting to meet my face. When he realized, I wasn't at my bedroom door, he looked around, confused.

"Yes it does bother me," I said. "Because you are like my brother." I yanked open my door, slammed it shut, and locked it. I heard him apparate to outside my door.

"Look, Hermione, can we talk?"

"I can hear you perfectly fine through the door!" I shouted back.

"You know I can just apparate in there?"

"Damn," I said, sliding down the door. I heard a crack, and when I looked up, Fred stood in front of me. I sighed and stood up. "What do you want?"

"I didn't mean to scare-"

"I wasn't scared!"

"Right," he said, rolling his eyes. "I didn't mean to bother you, Hermione, I just wanted you to admit that you like Ron. I figured that the only way to get it out of you was to scare you. Now please Hermione, tell me the truth. DO YOU LIKE RON?"

"Yes, just a bit," I whispered, mortified.

He chuckled. "Knew it," he smiled.

"But you cannot tell anyone," I said. "Or I will hex you so much; it will be like one of your inventions that never wear off."

"Trust me, Miss Granger; I don't intend to tell anyone. In fact, I will help you win my young brother's heart."

"Oh and how will you do that?"

"We'll improvise through the year," he said.

"Wait, we'll need a plan!" I said.

"Oh Hermione, not everything needs to be planned."

"If things go well, then they need to-"

"Lalalalala, I can't hear you," he said , running around in circles, with his fingers plugged into his ears.

"Really Fred? This is childish. You're seventeen years old Fred and you are acting like a child," I said, as he ran around me.

"I GOT TO GO!" shouted Fred. "LOUD MUSIC BOTHERS ME!" He ran out of my room, and down the hall.

"There is no music playing!" I shouted as he ran. "And you do like loud music, I heard you listening to it last night!"

I slammed the door shut, and went to my bed. Getting under my covers, and blowing out the candle, and loud music starting down the hall, I only had one thing on my mind.

Damn.

. . .

I woke up around 7:30 the next morning. Yawning, I crawled out of bed, grabbed my clothes for today and stuff to take a shower and went to go to the bathroom. I took a quick shower, changed and wrapped my head in a towel. Silently tip-toeing, I still was fretting over telling Fred about my crush on Ron.

I knew Fred could keep a secret. I guess if you're a prankster, that has to be a talent, but I knew he could not keep a secret from George.

Sighing, thinking that I would worry about it later, I released my hair, and started brushing it. I could only brush my hair when it was wet, as it would get even bigger. As soon as I finished I made my bed, and headed downstairs.

Mrs. Weasley was sitting by herself at the kitchen table, stirring a cup of tea.

"Good morning, Mrs. Weasley," I said.

She looked up, looking tired. "Oh, good morning Hermione dear."

I sat down next to her. "Mrs. Weasley, are you ok?

She looked up, her usual brown eyes, which were normally filled with fury, or happiness, just looking tired, and drained. "I'm fine. Just a bit stressed," she said. She reached across the table and patted my hand. "I'm sorry Ron, Ginny and Harry aren't here. I know Fred and George and you aren't the best of friends, but I hope you're getting along with them."

"It's perfectly ok, Mrs. Weasley, I'm actually getting along with them fine. They're . . . easy to talk too."

"That's sweet of you to say. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to start breakfast." She stood and bustled to the kitchen.

I sighed, and slumped back in my chair. I did wish that Harry, Ron and Ginny were here, but it was nice talking to Fred and George. They seem to make the happiness come, and barely consider darker things. I started to make a cup of tea.

A few second later, Fred and George came barging the stairs, running into each other, and laughing.

"Good morning boys," I said, crossing my arms.

"Oh hey Hermione," said George. Fred smirked at me, and sat across from me. I shot him a look.

"Do you know when Mum has breakfast ready?" asked George, completely oblivious to Fred and mine's silent looks.

"Look you two," I said. "Your mother is much stressed. I think that you two should go to her, give her a compliment, a kiss on the cheek or maybe help with breakfast. That's what I'm doing."

I stood up, and walked to the kitchen, hearing Fred and George walking behind me.

"Mrs. Weasley, do you need help? Fred, George and I would be glad to," I said. She turned around, looking surprised.

"Um, I suppose you three can make the biscuits? In the dining room though. There is hardly enough room in here" she said.

"Of course mum," said Fred. "And may I say, your hair is absolutely perfect today."

She blushed. "Thank you. Now off you three."

I grabbed the ingredients, and Fred and George got the bowls, measuring cups, and spoons and levitated everything to the dining room.

We each slid into a chair, Fred and George across from me. I ripped open the flour and poured it into a bowl.

"Now, if I mess up, you two have to fix it with magic. I'm afraid I'm not the worlds best cook."

"Aww, is ickle Hermione-"

"Not able to do magic-"

"And need big,-"

"Strong-"

"Handsome-"

"Smart-"

"Funny, Fred and George to fix it?

"You forgot modest," I said, rolling my eyes. "Pass the butter, will you?"

"Ahh, how silly of us," said Fred, handing me the butter. I smirked and took a sip of tea.

"So, Hermione, how are we going to get ickle Ron to fall in love with you?" asked George.

I spewed tea all over them, and jumped up. "YOU TOLD HIM?" I yelled at Fred, who cringed in his seat.

"Yes?"

Furious, I grabbed the bowl of flour and began throwing it at them. "You will pay for this."

They squealed and hid under the table. I suddenly felt the ground come from beneath me, and I turned around, discovering that Fred had picked me up around the waist. George slipped the bowl from my hands and I kicked and pounded my fists.

"Hermione, calm down!" said Fred.

I felt like crying, I was so stressed. I was worried enough just to tell Fred, but he had to tell George.

"Please, let go Fred," I said, my voice cracking.

He set me gently on the ground, and holding back a sob, I ran to my room.

"Hermione wait-" Fred began.

But I was gone.