They arrived at a small bar with a pop. Hermione looked around, unsure of whether or not she had ever seen a place like it. There were wizards all around, doing magic, smooth jazz music playing, and lots of laughter. "Fred, where are we?"

"We're at Artie's. He's an old mate George and I met when we were looking for a place to set up the shop. Has the best drinks around. I think it's just because he puts firewhiskey in everything," he winked as he led her to a mall booth where George and Katie were already sitting with Verity and Veronica. "Hello ladies," Fred smiled at George's sour face.

"What a pleasure, Fred. It's been too long since you've come around," Veronica spoke first. She was the only one Hermione didn't recognize. She was petite, with long red hair and a hint of too much make up. She was probably excited to see Fred.

Hermione sighed when she realized she wouldn't get a proper introduction, so she held out her hand to Veronica. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting. I'm Hermione," she smiled at the girl, who shook her hand in return.

"Yes, of course. Always good to see a new face. How do you know Fred?" she questioned quickly as Hermione and Fred slipped into the booth.

"Hermione and I are," Fred stopped for a moment, debating on whether or not to flat out lie. "Good friends," he smiled and winked at her again. She was surprised when she realized her heart fluttered a little every time he did it.

"Friends? That's it?" Veronica questioned.

"For now," George muttered with a laugh as he wrapped an arm around Katie. Hermione noticed how close they seemed to be. Almost attached. She could barely tell where one ended and the other began. She wondered how Fred must feel. As far as she knew, this was a new thing for them. Neither had ever had a very serious relationship.

"George, now don't tease them too much. This one seems nice," Verity joked. "Mione, dear, I didn't know you and Fred were actually that close. I always thought you had eyes for Ron."

Hermione laughed. "Ron and I are very good friends. And we had a bit of a thing after Hogwarts, but he has a bit of a temper. And as far as Fred and I go, I suppose you start to become friends with the people you live with, eh? Fred's been very hospitable," she insisted.

"Mione, this isn't an interview. You don't have to be so formal," Fred whispered in her ear. His breath on her neck caused Goosebumps.

She rolled her eyes and jabbed Fred in the side with her elbow. When she got a funny look from everyone she smiled and kept her mouth shut, unsure of what Fred really even wanted them to be portraying.

"Mione always has been the one who can put my poor brother in his place when he starts to get a bit handsy," George laughed, which earned a dirty look from not only Fred, but Hermione too. He didn't seem to notice. He and Katie were both laughing, seemingly at his joke, but Probably more of a joke they shared together.

"You want a drink, love," Fred looked at Hermione sympathetically. He could tell she was a bit uncomfortable with the whole situation. After all, most of her conversations with the boys probably didn't involve sex or alcohol or anything that could make her blush. On the contrary, quite a bit of conversations in that group involved all of the above.

"I'll come with you," she smiled casually as she held out her hand for him to help her out of the booth. As they approached the bar, she turned to him. "So what exactly do you want from me here? Do you want me to act like I want you or are we just good friends? I feel like I'm on trial here," she sighed when he started laughing.

"Relax, Mione. I have the whole thing handled. You barely even have to speak if you don't want to. The whole problem is Verity knows we're not dating. So if we just kinda act like we're friends, who maybe have a little more going on, she won't tell Veronica that I'm a bloody liar. You're just wonderful for being here. This is the first time she hasn't been practically on my lap," he rolled his eyes at the thought of it. "I owe you one. Just do exactly what you're doing, looking beautiful and like you're interested in me," he smiled.

"Well I suppose I can do that. Although acting never was my thing," she smirked. "So what am I drinking?" she took a small sip from the cup he handed her and to her delight, it was quite fruity.

"It's probably better that you don't know how many kinds of alcohol I'm giving you right now," he laughed at her face. "Swear, I won't let you dance on any tables," he grabbed her waist and pulled her back over to the table.

"So Fred, I was thinking we ought to all go to the lake again soon. It was so much fun," Veronica immediately turned her attention back to Fred as soon as they sat down.

"Uh, sure. Sounds good," he smiled. "Where are you two going?" Fred asked Katie and George as they got up.

"Promised the lady a dance. You know I can't deny her my skills," George laughed as they walked out together to the dance floor.

Hermione stared out at Katie and George, their bodies moving slowly with the music, laughing and whispering in each other's ears. She wanted that. To be so in love with someone they were all you could see. To love someone and have them return it so fully, you just know you were meant to be.

"Fred, would you dance with me? Please?" Veronica's eyes lit up when she realized this may be her chance.

"Well, I suppose one dance wouldn't hurt," he gave a have smile, trying not to sound too disappointed.

When he got up, he shot Hermione a look, and she instantly understood that about halfway through, she should find some reason to interrupt. Not that she would mind. Her and Verity never had really talked, so the idea of sitting alone with her just didn't seem so wonderful.

"So Mione, it's quite obvious you and Fred have something going on," Verity nudged.

"Well, I'm not sure about all that. Fred and I are good friends. He's a great guy," she responded.

"Well it seems as though you're good friends. But it also seems like you both want something a little more," she smiled. Verity liked to come up with these so called brilliant deductions. Hermione knew that much about her.

"Well I suppose only time will tell of such things," she smiled back before excusing herself. She walked out to the middle of the dance floor. She cleared her throat, and tried to look innocent when Veronica looked at her. "May I?"

Veronica said nothing, only let go of Fred and walked back to the booth to sit with Verity. Hermione instantly took her place, her hands around Fred's neck and his on her hips. "She looks so sad Fred," Hermione really did feel bad for the girl. She seemed to genuinely like Fred.

"Yeah, well she was practically talking about our grandchildren. It took you long enough, Mione. I've never been so happy to see you," he smiled.

"Well it wasn't exactly pleasant for me to be alone with Verity. She really does think we want each other. I don't know what to tell her. You know I don't like lying."

"So what'd you tell her?" he smirked.

"That you were a good guy. And we're good friends," she blushed. Fred was staring down at her. He looked so intense. "I'm not sure I'm doing what you intended me to. Veronica doesn't seem very discouraged."

"Well we'll have to do something to discourage her then," he smirked.

"Fred, I don't like that look," she narrowed her eyes. That look made her nervous. It usually meant he was planning something.

"Do you trust me, Mione?"

"Are you sure you want the answer to that?"

"Oh c'mon. Seriously. I'll owe you even bigger," he smiled as his hands pulled her closer to him.

Her breath suddenly caught in her throat, realizing she had never actually been this close to a guy in this sort of way. Her body was flush against hers. She was surprised she was still able to move with the music. "Fred," she looked up at him, his eyes waiting for an answer. She nodded and his head bent down to meet with hers. She was unaware of anything else as his lips came into contact with hers. He kissed her bottom lip softly at first. She parted her lips for him as her hands moved up into his hair. She was standing on her tip toes before she knew it, trying to get closer to him. It was shorter than she had secretly wished. When he pulled away, she was a bit more disappointed than she'd ever admit.

Fred laughed at her. "You know how to put on a show," he nodded his head toward the booth, where everyone was staring at them, George's mouth wide open with shock.

"You going to tell George tonight that this was all for show?" she smiled.

"You going to tell Ron?" he laughed.

"I suppose I'll have to. George will torture him if we don't tell him," her smile faded. "He's going to be mad. No matter the reason. He was already mad I was coming out with you."

"Let me deal with Ron, alright? He's my brother. I can handle him," he laughed. "You know Granger, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you really enjoyed that kiss," he smirked as they walked back to the booth.

"Yeah, you wish," she laughed. God, what was going on? Did she really enjoy it that much? Of course, Fred was a decently better kisser than her previous love interests. That had to be it. One thing was for sure. It would never happen again.