DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and Co are owned by the ever fabulous JK Rowling. The only thing I own is Phoenix and various other originals you see running around.

CHAPTER FOUR

"And I Might Drive Myself Insane"

"Draco?" Fred repeated. "Draco Malfoy?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, Draco Dumbledore-Snape. Of course Draco Malfoy, do we really know any others?"

He ignored my sass and continued to stare at me. "You aren't considering it are you?"

"Of course not! He's a relative! I know my grandparents were into that sort of thing but not me."

That comment seemed to make him even madder. "It's not like you're closely related. He's your second cousin. You said it yourself, the pureblood families are all interrelated now."

I frowned. "What, so now you think I should marry him?"

"No!"

I sighed and fell back onto the bed. "You're not making any sense Fred."

"I'm not saying you should marry Malfoy but don't count him out because your family trees intersect somewhere."

"So you want me to consider it?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying at all." I heard a thud and looked over to see him leaning against the wall he'd apparently just punched. "Look, you're not going to get it anyway so there's no point. Have fun planning your wedding." He started to leave.

"Fred wait."

He looked back at me and the look on his face startled me. He looked completely floored; almost as if I told him his entire family went missing. "Yeah?"

"Can you not tell the others about this?"

He scowled. "Sure, why not. There's another secret I can keep." Before I could ask what he meant, he left.

"So what exactly am I supposed to be getting from the Malfoys?" I asked the next day at breakfast, looking over at Lupin and dad.

"Any bits of information you get can be helpful," Lupin said, buttering another piece of toast. "You never know when something can be useful."

"Say they mention a lunch with the McNairs. Doesn't seem like a big deal, but depending on where the other death eaters were that day, it could have been a meeting," Tonks suggested, pointing a slice of bacon at me.

"It's hard to know what will be helpful," dad said. "Just tell us everything you remember and we'll sift through it."

"You'll get better at it, the longer it goes on," Tonks said confidently.

Fred scowled over his plate of eggs. "How long is she going to be doing this?"

Arthur shrugged. "No one knows. As long as she's in the Malfoys good graces I suppose. Spies can be in place for years."

"Years?" I asked, frowning. "How do I keep it up that long?"

"Well, you'll have to get closer to them as time goes on, otherwise they might suspect something. They'll want to think that your loyalty lies with them. We'll have to think of some way to convince them," dad answered.

Fred set his glass down on the table with a thud and stood up. "I'm sure she'll think of something," he said before leaving the kitchen. An awkward silence followed.

"So how long before she sends me an invitation?" I asked after a moment.

"Knowing my cousin, it'll be here sometime today. She won't want you forgetting that you owe her."

Dad was right. A letter came via eagle hour an hour after lunch. There was no doubt at first glance who had sent it. The parchment was thick and expensive, it was addressed to me in a majestic cursive and the owl seemed to have a condescending look on its face as it watched me read the note.

Phoenix,

I request your company this Wednesday at Malfoy Manor.

Regards, Narcissa Malfoy

The eagle owl continued to look at me and I assumed he'd been directed to stay until I accepted. Taking the parchment, quill and ink Lupin handed me, I wrote a quick note back.

Narcissa,

I would be most delighted.

Respectfully Yours, Phoenix McKinnon-Black

We watched the owl fly away before returning to our cleaning. I could hardly believe I was thinking it, but I couldn't wait for my visit to Malfoy Manor.

"Be sure to stand up straight."

"Speak politely but firmly."

"Give them the upper hand but don't let your guard down."

"Follow Narcissa's lead around the men."

"Don't do anything a gentleman should be doing for you."

"Alright you lot, that's enough. You're overwhelming her."

I smiled gratefully at my dad. "Do you think I'm ready?"

"You're Marly's girl, you're ready for anything."

"She's also your daughter, so there's a chance she'll set the house on fire," Lupin said with a smirk. Dad waved his comments off.

"Remember, you're not in danger. Narcissa wants you too much to let any harm come to you," dad said, coming over to give me some last instructions.

Tonks spun me around to take another look at my outfit. "You look like one of those pureblood swots Aunt Cissy used to bring around," she said, satisfied.

I wasn't used to wearing too many dresses and it felt weird to be wearing one now, especially with everyone staring it me. It was a pale blue that emphasized my eyes and fell just below my knees. It had looked good on me in the shop but I wasn't so sure now. My long blonde hair was piled up on my head, pinned with a jeweled clip the same color of the dress. When Fred first saw it he made a choking noise and ran back into his room. That wasn't really confidence building.

"So how am I getting there?" I looked around for a port-key but didn't see one. "Floo powder?"

"Good heavens, no," Molly shook her head.

"Floo powder is not proper transportation for a pureblood lady of good breeding," Hermione said as if reciting from a book, which she probably was.

"How then?"

"Kreacher will be taking you." Dad said. "Kreacher!"

With a crack, Kreacher appeared in the room. "Master has called Kreacher?" He bowed to my dad, and then started muttering. "Ungrateful swine. He calls on Kreacher as if Kreacher didn't hate him for breaking Mistresses heart."

Dad sighed and I grinned. "Kreacher? I need you to take me to Malfoy Manor."

Kreacher bowed low to me, looking happy. "Why yes Mistress Phoenix, of course Mistress Phoenix. Kreacher lives to serve the Blacks."

Dad rolled his eyes. "You get happy house elf and I get sassmonster from the Forbidden Forest. That's hardly fair."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Maybe I'm more likable."

Lupin laughed. "She's got you there, Padfoot. Now Phoenix, you don't want to keep the Malfoys waiting."

I nodded, and Kreacher grabbed my wrist. I had just enough time to smile at my family before I was twisted away. An unsettling minute later, I was standing in an enormous foyer.

"Malfoy Manor, Mistress Phoenix." Kreacher let go of my wrist and bowed, walking over to stand in a shadowy corner.

"Phoenix, dear," Narcissa came in, her arms out as if she was going to hug me. She did, and then lightly kissed my cheek. I followed suit, as Hermione had told me.

"Narcissa. Thank you for your kind invitation."

"Come, the men are in the sitting room." She led me down a hall and into a large room. Lucius Malfoy was sitting on a pale green couch next to a large window overlooking the grounds and Draco sat on a silver couch to across from his father. The rest of the room was decorated in the silver and green palette, even the silver birds flitting around the ceiling. "Lucius, Draco, our guest is here," Narcissa announced, leading me over to the chairs.

Lucius stood up and walked over to me. "Miss McKinnon-Black," he said, bowing his head to me.

I held out my right hand as Lupin directed and Lucius took it, brushing his lips against the back of it. "Please Mr. Malfoy, call me Phoenix."

"I shall, so long as you call me Lucius."

I nodded at his request, and then smiled at his son. "Draco."

"Phoenix," he said, also nodding politely at me.

Narcissa smiled. "Phoenix, why don't you take the seat beside Draco?"

I nodded and sat down on the silver couch as Narcissa sat on the green one. Draco and Lucius took their former seats, and it was quiet for a moment. I wondered if they could tell I was nervous.

"Tea, darling?" Narcissa asked. I nodded and she rang a small silver bell on the table between us. A half-minute later, a group of house elves entered the room, carrying trays holding a teapot, four cups, bowls of sugar and a plate of cakes and biscuits. I took Narcissa's lead and fixed myself a cup of tea, but was unsure of what to do when she started fixing one for Lucius. Draco laughed quietly, then leaned forward to fix his own. I sat back, mortified. Was I supposed to ask him how he wanted his tea? Did Narcissa expect me to know how he wanted it? We'd gone to school together for 4 years but I didn't know how he took his tea.

"How are you liking school, Phoenix?" Narcissa asked, distracting me from my mishap.

"Oh, I like it very much. Hogwarts is my favorite place."

"Draco didn't want to go to Hogwarts at first," Narcissa said, glancing at her son. "But I believe he likes it now. What are your career plans?"

I shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure yet. Lately I've been thinking about either working in the ministry or teaching. "

"The ministry is an excellent choice," Narcissa said, nodding in approval. "But teaching would be hard if you wish to start a family."

I blushed slightly and looked down at my tea. "I haven't really planned on starting a family any time soon."

"Why not? As a pureblood from two long lines, one of them the most ancient of lines, you would have your first choice in husbands." Lucius asked.

I nodded. "I suppose I would, but I'm one of those romantics. I don't think I'd marry someone without truly loving them." It felt so awkward to be having this conversation with the Malfoys.

"It's possible to find love among a pureblood marriage," Narcissa said, resting her hand on her husbands arm. "Uncommon but possible."

I saw Draco looking at me out of the corner of my eye. "What?"

He shook his head, smirking slightly. "Oh, nothing."

A house elf entered the room. "Master Malfoy, Mistress Malfoy, the Greengrasses are here to see you."

Narcissa and Lucius stood up. "Will you excuse us Phoenix, dear? We will only be a moment."

I nodded. "Please, take as long as you need."

They left and I turned to Draco. "Why were you laughing at me?"

He smirked. "You're very new to this pureblood thing, aren't you?"

I shrugged. "So? I've always been a pureblood."

"A McKinnon Pureblood."

I felt offended. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"McKinnons aren't known for being involved in Pureblood society. Now that you're a Black, you're the most desirable guest."

I frowned. "I still don't understand that."

"Your bloodline is as pure as they come. Think of it this way, you're the new princess of pureblood society. Don't mess up."

I looked down at the tea and blushed. "But I don't know how to be this kind of pureblood."

He looked at me for a moment. "I suppose I could assist you."

I looked over at him, eyebrows raised. "Well, how generous of you Draco Malfoy. What's in it for you?"

He smirked. "Didn't you hear me? You're the most desirable person in pureblood society. I'm a Malfoy. We tend to want the best."

"You never spoke to me before now," I shot back.

"You weren't a Black until now."

"And how does that change anything? I'm still a Gryffindor."

He shrugged. "How does that matter? My aunt was a Slytherin and she didn't fit in her house. Your dad's mate Pettigrew was a Gryffindor and he's not very brave. Maybe your inner Slytherin is just waiting to be released."

I rolled my eyes. "And now that I'm a Black I'm suddenly desirable?"

He gave me a long, sweeping look from my feet to my head and then smirked. "Oh no, you were desirable before but had no redeeming traits. It's as though you're a flower in a garden, pretty but not a rose. Then it's discovered you're this rare new flower. Still pretty as ever, but now much more desirable. Of course one would want to pick it."

"Wow Malfoy, way to set back the Witches Rights Movement. Women are more than their looks you know."

"I know. You're also proud and arrogant and reckless and ambitious. Not unlike a Slytherin." I scowled at him and he laughed. "You've also got an attitude problem."

"If you're trying to convince me I've been wrongly sorted, it won't work."

"I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I'm only trying to bring out your inner Slytherin."

"Good luck with that."

He crossed his arms and leaned back against the arm of the couch. "I know why you're here. Mother wants us married. Why do you think the Greengrasses are here? They had wanted to marry me to one of their daughters. They don't like competition."

"So? What does that have to do with anything?"

He leaned forward, closer to me then he was before. "We're going to spend a lot of time together, Phoenix. I might succeed in turning you Slytherin."

I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you worried? I could just as easily turn you into a Gryffindor."

He laughed. "Not likely." He reached up and tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "I wouldn't fight too hard if I were you. Malfoys tend to get what they want."

"And that's me?"

"Right now it is."

The door to the sitting room opened and Draco leaned back as his parents came back into the room.

"So sorry about that, Phoenix," Narcissa said, taking her seat. "Just some business to take care of."

"Oh, I understand. There's no need to apologize."

"Yes Mother, it gave me and Phoenix a chance to get to know each other a little better." He smiled at me and Narcissa looked pleased.

"Well excellent. One of the elves informed me that lunch is ready. Shall we?" She stood and took Lucius arm. I stood and did the same with Draco, shooting him a look when his parents' backs were turned.

"It's only a matter of time," he whispered into my ear, before leading me down the hall.

"…And then after lunch, Narcissa and I went back into the sitting room and chatted for a little bit," I reported, eating dinner back at Grimmauld Place.

"And they let nothing slip?" Lupin asked.

I shook my head. "No. We mainly discussed school and er…various pureblood customs." I looked down, still not wanting to talk about her request that I consider marrying her son. "The adult Greengrasses showed up, but it was to discuss business."

Dad frowned in thought. "Damon Greengrass is thought to be a death eater sympathizer. He's not one himself though. Do you know what they were discussing?"

"Draco thinks they were there to discuss a marriage between one of their daughters and himself."

Hermione nodded slightly. "It makes sense. The Greengrasses are an influential pureblood family without having ever been labeled as supporters of You-Know-Who."

"So there's no useful information then. Did you get any opportunities to get more involved with them?" Tonks asked.

"Not really," I said. "Narcissa wants me to see her before term starts, but there's not really anything-"

"You aren't going to tell them?" Fred interrupted. I shot him a look. "I suppose I wouldn't either, its such a joke."

Dad looked curious. "Tell us what?"

"Narcissa wants Phoenix to marry Draco," Fred answered, rolling his eyes. He looked amused at the idea.

Dad and Tonks looked at each other, and Lupin nodded.

"This could be the thing we need," Lupin said.

"The Malfoys would welcome their future daughter-in-law right in their circle."

"What?" Fred asked, standing up so suddenly his chair tipped backward. He didn't seem amused anymore. "You can't be serious."

"Well, she wouldn't have to actually marry him. She could put it off until he's done with school, then for a year or two after that. The war would have come to a point by then I'm sure," dad reasoned.

"You're going to have her accept?" Now Fred looked furious, and also a little something else. I wasn't sure what.

"Fred, it's a tactic. Possibly the best one we have. It's up to Phoenix of course," Lupin added.

"Real engagement or not, you can't send her around that git!"

"Oi, calm down," George coaxed his twin, shooting me a look to do something. I didn't know what though.

"No, this is complete and utter rubbish. I can't believe you'd even consider it." He stormed out of the kitchen. I looked at the door, and then at George. He shrugged. Molly and Arthur were shooting disapproving looks at the door, probably deciding if they should punish him or not. Dad, Tonks and Lupin were talking in low tones at the end of the table, not very concerned about Fred's tantrum. Ron went on eating as if nothing happened. Harry and Bill were talking about Quidditch, awkward looks on their faces. Hermione and Ginny however, were looking at me, knowing looks on their faces. I wasn't sure why.

Excusing myself, I left the kitchen in search of Fred. I found him in the drawing room, standing in front of the tapestry.

"Sorry about that," he said dully, tracing the tapestry lines with his finger. "Didn't mean to ruin everyone's dinner."

"What was all that about?" I asked, walking over to stand next to him. "I'm not actually marrying him. It's just pretend."

"But it shouldn't even be pretend," he said, turning to look at me. "It should be real and it should be me."

I frowned, confused. "You want to marry Malfoy?"

"No!" He said, looking at me as if I was stupid. Maybe I was.

"I don't understand."

He sighed. "Think about it." Without another word, he turned and left.

I sat down in an armchair, completely confused. What in the world was going on with Fred? Why was he acting so crazy? It's not like I was going to marry Malfoy. 'Think about it.' As if I was thinking about anything else these days. He hadn't always been this strange. It's just been this summer. Being all helpful, staying with me when I had nightmares, then he started freaking out over the idea of me marrying Malfoy. 'It should be me.' Maybe it should be him marrying Malfoy because they were both crazy. None of this made sense.

Until it did.

"It should be real and it should be me."

"I'll be your family again someday."

"I don't want things to be ruined."

"You'll figure it out eventually."

"Don't count him out because your family trees intersect somewhere."

"It should be me."

Fred was in love with me.

You'd think that a declaration, or rather an insinuation, of love would be the hardest part, but no. Once I figured out Fred's feelings, it was like he disappeared. The only time I saw him was at meals, and it wasn't a conversation I wanted to have in front of everyone. I could just imagine. 'Oi, Ginny, pass the potatoes. Also, did you know your brother wants my babies?' Yeah, not going to happen. The conversation at least. I didn't know about the future.

I had to admit, there's something about knowing someone likes you to change your opinion of him or her. I'd always seen Fred as a close friend, nothing more, but now…well, I was starting to see the appeal. He knew me better than anyone, except perhaps Katie and Izzy. We had similar interests, the same sense of humor and we trusted each other completely. Definitely a good foundation for a relationship.

Looking back, I'm amazed I didn't see it before. He was fairly obvious about his signs, once you knew where to look. Perhaps dad's genes had corrupted me. Lupin said he was fairly oblivious when it came to love. If dad didn't break me, it was likely Ron. He was as oblivious as they came.

I walked out of my bedroom just in time to see Fred scurry back into his. I sighed. Maybe it was for the best that he wasn't ready to talk. I didn't know what to say. At any rate, I needed to focus on today. I was going back to Malfoy Manor.

After a quick debriefing and breakfast in the kitchen, Kreacher whisked me away. Narcissa greeted me like last time.

"Phoenix. So glad you could make it, darling." She kissed my cheek.

"Of course. I had a wonderful time, my last visit."

She took my arm, leading me to the sitting room. "Lucius has business to attend to, so it is just, you, Draco and myself." Draco nodded at me as we walked over to the sofas, a slight smirk on his face. No doubt he was anticipating a new opportunity to turn me Slytherin.

"Phoenix. You look good," he said, his version of a greeting.

"Thanks, so do you." He did. He was wearing a black dress shirt that looked as though it'd be silky, and black dress pants. The dark clothing made his pale looks stand out and his eyes seemed to glow. That could have been his ego spilling over though.

Narcissa looked very pleased at our interaction and even more so when I sat next to Draco. I wondered how long it would be before she made an excuse to leave us alone. I didn't have to wait long. We were only halfway through our tea when a house elf came in with a letter. She read it, and then glanced at me.

"I'm sorry dear, but I have been called to the ministry. It's such a shame we couldn't have spent more time together. It shouldn't be too long however, you can stay and catch up with Draco." Before I could say anything, she left the sitting room. Draco snorted.

"Not even three minutes. Really, I shouldn't be surprised."

I shrugged. "I suppose not. I was actually wondering how long it would be before she came up with some reason to leave us alone."

He looked at me over the edge of his teacup. "I can't say I'm too disappointed."

I raised an eyebrow.

He shrugged. "Mother didn't make a horrific choice. Spending time with you isn't as terrible as I anticipated."

"Wow, you really know the way to a girl's heart," I said, smirking. "Really, tone it down or you'll make me swoon."

He smirked. "Trust me, Miss McKinnon-Black, if I wanted to make you swoon, I could. Without any difficulty at all, I imagine."

I laughed. "Yeah, I have to say I doubt that." Draco was handsome, sure, but he wasn't really my type.

"Is that a challenge?" He raised an eyebrow.

I crossed my arms. "Go ahead. Give it your best shot."

Draco shook his head. "Oh no, I'm not going to do it right now. I'm going to wait until you let your guard down. "

I rolled my eyes. "You do that then."

He laughed. "You laugh now, but you won't doubt me later when you're putty in my hands."

I snorted. "You're hilarious. Do all Slytherins have such a massive ego or is that just you?"

He raised an eyebrow. "It's not ego if what I say is true." He chuckled, flashing me a knowing look.

I frowned. "What did I say now?" He had such a skill for riling me up and putting me on the defensive.

"You're starting to sound like a Slytherin."

I rolled my eyes. "Slytherins are the only ones allowed to have comebacks?"

He took a sip of tea and shrugged. "They're the only ones with good ones."

"You're such a house-hater. Don't you ever get sick of thinking you're better than everyone else?"

He raised an eyebrow. "No. Should I?"

I looked at him. He really didn't seem to find anything wrong with his behavior. How miserable his life must be. There's no way he had many friends with that attitude. Come to think of it, I'd only ever seen him around with Crabbe and Goyle and they seemed more like henchmen than friends.

He looked at me warily. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

I raised an eyebrow and imitated his smug look from before. "Am I making you nervous?"

"You're starting to catch on," he said with an admiring look.

I scowled. No matter what I did, he read it as me turning into a Slytherin. There was no way that was happening…right? I didn't even want to consider that. After all, dad spent his life trying to run from his Slytherin roots, that wasn't a promising sign for the snake house.

Draco and I talked for a little bit, our topics ranging from school to future plans to sweets. It was surprising how easy he was to talk to once you got past all of the sarcasm and ego. It was as easy as talking to Ron and Harry, though Draco and I were much more sarcastic to each other.

Narcissa still hadn't come back by the time the elf came in to let us know that lunch was ready, so we started walking to the dining room. Without warning, Draco stepped into a shadowy corner, pulling me in behind him.

"What are you doing?" I asked, ready to tell him off. Then I realized how close he was. "Um…"

He reached up, pushing my hair out of my face, leaning his head down and making the distance between us even smaller. "You have beautiful eyes Phoenix," he said, his voice low.

I swallowed. "Thank you." My voice was shaking and I hoped he didn't notice. Clearly this was where he was going to try and make me swoon. I just had to ignore the way he was looking at me…and how close he was…and, and… bloody hell. I was doing a horrible job.

He moved closer, which I didn't really think was possible. His nose was brushing mine now. I tried to look away and he moved his hand down to hold my chin, making me look at him. I blushed. What the hell was wrong with me? This was Draco sodding Malfoy, not some Quidditch Bachelor with a Witch Weekly smile. My heart didn't listen though. It was thudding so loud I was sure he could hear it. He grinned at me, not saying a word. After what seemed like an hour of electric eye contact, he leaned in, closing the space between us.

I don't know what I expected kissing Draco Malfoy to be like, but it wasn't this. His lips were warm and he moved slowly, completely shattering the aggressive Slytherin stereotype. I'd kissed a few boys before, but this…this was different. There was the same confidence he always displayed, and an almost arrogance, but there was an intensity to his motions that I didn't expect and something else that I couldn't put a label on. The closest thing I could think of was hope, but you couldn't kiss hopefully could you?

He pulled away and I looked down, trying to catch my breath without making it too obvious what I was doing. Was I wrong about Draco? He'd seemed so earnest and sweet, so unlike his sarcastic and abrasive nature. Maybe it was a front. I looked back up and he was smirking, leaning against the wall. Or you know, maybe we weren't wrong about him.

I scowled. "Have fun there?"

"I told you I'd make you swoon."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't swoon."

"Oh?" He said, raising an eyebrow. "So you get breathless for no apparent reason?" I blushed and he smirked. "That's what I thought."

I turned and stormed down the hall, almost bumping into Narcissa who had just returned.

"Oh, sorry Phoenix. Did I miss anything?"

I shot Draco a look as he came up beside me. "No, Narcissa. Nothing too important."

Draco chuckled and walked into the dining room. I glared at his back. He was a git, just like I'd always assumed. So what if he was a brilliant kisser? It wasn't going to happen again. You want to kiss him again, a little voice said in the back of my head. I ignored it. Stupid voices, thinking they were right. Stupid Draco, kissing me like that. Stupid me, wishing it would happen again.

I was moody over the next few days – mainly mad at myself for getting so caught up in that stupid kiss – and I guess the guys had enough of it because the next thing I knew, I was in Diagon Alley having a girls day with Hermione, Ginny and Tonks. The joke was on them though, because we were all in an angsty mood.

"I can't stop thinking about him," Hermione said, looking cross.

"He's still so oblivious," sighed Ginny.

"He'll never want me," Tonks moped.

"I wish I could murder him, things would be so much easier," I mused.

"Sometimes it seems like he'd start to catch on but then he doesn't," Hermione frowned.

"You'd think he wouldn't be so dense. It's no secret I like him," Ginny pouted.

"He thinks I'm just a kid," Tonks groaned.

"Perhaps I could slip poison in his tea. No one would know it was me," I considered.

"Ronald is an idiot," Hermione said decisively, as if it was news to us.

"Harry's no better," Ginny added, crossing her arms.

"You'd think Remus would know better, but he doesn't," Tonks put in.

I groaned. "Well, I always knew Draco was a git."

"Draco?!" They all turned to look at me.

"We kissed," I said miserably, covering my face with my hands.

"WHAT?"

"I blew up a house once," Tonks said after a moment. I looked up at her, confused. "Sorry, thought I'd tell you one of my mistakes to make you feel better."

"Was it…did you like it?" Hermione asked, looking scandalized.

I nodded slowly and her eyebrows shot up.

"Dad would kill you if he knew," Ginny pointed out.

"So would Sirius," Tonks added.

I sighed. "Assuming Fred doesn't kill me first."

"Fred?" They looked confused.

"He's in love with me," I said, covering my face again. There was a moment of silence.

"There was someone in the house," Tonks offered. I snorted.

"Uh, thanks Tonks. I feel a little better."

She nodded to herself, satisfied. Ginny was looking at me, grinning.

"What?"

"You and my brother. It's adorable. I didn't know why I didn't see it before. It's almost as obvious as Hermione and Ron."

Hermione squawked. "I am not obvious!"

I rolled my eyes. "Uh, yeah you are 'Mione."

She frowned. "Well, not as obvious as Ginny and her feelings for Harry!"

Ginny scowled. "Can we not talk about that? He's such a bloody idiot."

I grinned at them and they both shot me a dirty look.

"You guys are screwed up," I laughed.

"Oh shut it Nix," Ginny said with a scowl. "You kissed Malfoy, you can't talk."

That shut me up. We all returned to our ice cream before looking at Tonks suddenly.

"Hold on a minute-" Hermione said.

"-When you say Remus-" Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"-Do you mean Professor Lupin?" I finished.

Tonks blushed and we squealed. We proceeded to talk through her issues with Lupin, then Hermione's issues with Ron, followed by Ginny's issues with Harry. When they all looked at me, I laughed. "We don't have enough time for me. Come on, some retail therapy will work wonders."

We stood up and started walking through Diagon Alley, looking in the windows. I slowed down, falling back a little and Hermione matched my pace. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine 'Mione." She opened her mouth to argue with me but I cut her off. "I'll buy you that set of Magical Theory books you've been wanting if you drop it."

She snapped her mouth shut so quickly I laughed. She gave me a look, then laughed as well. There was a loud thud and we looked ahead to see Tonks standing next to an overturned cart of cauldrons, apologizing to the angry wizard. We laughed again, and then hurried over to help her clean up the mess.

Dinner was a quick affair that night, mainly because everyone was eager to get away from Hermione who was boring us all silly with facts from her Magical Theory books. I had just managed to sneak upstairs and I was almost to my room when I hear footsteps.

"Oh, Fred, you scared me. I thought you were Hermione," I peeked around him to try and see down the stairs. "She didn't follow you did she?"

He shook his head. "No. You know, you probably shouldn't have giver her those books," he said with a grin.

"Yeah, I'm starting to realize that now," I sighed. I looked over at him, suddenly realizing that this was the first normal conversation we'd had in 10 days. He looked down awkwardly, probably realizing the same thing.

"Er, I'm sorry for avoiding you," he mumbled.

I looked at the floor. "It's uh, fine." Wow. We were really bad at awkward conversations.

He looked like he was trying to figure out what to say, but was spared the effort when the door to Walburga's old room flew open. Kreacher ran into the hall and down the stairs, Buckbeak close behind him. Fred pulled me out of the way of the stampeding Hippogriff before I got trampled, and we watched the pair thunder down the stairs before cracking up. I giggled, looking up only to find myself staring into Fred's eyes. My laughter died and my breath caught in my throat.

Fred cleared his throat, not breaking eye contact. His arms were still wrapped around me from pulling me toward him, but it didn't matter. I couldn't move anyway. I was frozen, trapped in his gaze and my own want for the inevitable next step. He tilted his head down and I could hear his breathing catch as well. There was only the smallest of spaces separating us now…

Footsteps on the stairs brought us to our sense and we sprang apart. Hermione stood at the top of the stairs, a hard to read look on her face. Fred blushed, mumbled some sort of excuse and went into his room. I did the same. It was only when I was in my room that I realized that Hermione looked disappointed.

Author's Note: So there's that. Let me know if the chapters should be longer or shorter.

Reviews are Fred/Phoenix almost-kisses.