As they re-entered the sitting room, Hermione noticed that everyone seemed to draw their attention to them. It couldn't possibly be imagination that every eye in the room was on them, could it? Had everyone noticed that they'd been upstairs alone together? They were all smiling, so they weren't angry… but no one had been angry when they found out.

But there were a million reasons a couple of good friends could need a moment alone together, right? Of course, Molly probably knew what was going on, that thought made Hermione feel sick, but how would everyone else know? It must have been all in her head.

Ron sat on a chair at the far end of the room. Hermione sat on the floor next to his legs; not against them, that would look too intimate. Just next to him. Best friends sat next to each other… she'd sat next to Harry before. No one would find this odd. But everyone was still silent and looking in their direction. Hermione's eyes skimmed across all the faces. Harry and Ginny weren't there; they must have still been in the kitchen.

"Why's everybody staring?" Asked Ron's voice from behind her. Obviously it wasn't all in her head. "What's…?" She turned to look at him just in time to see him grow steadily redder. "Mum!" He shouted, shooting up out of his chair. Hermione squinted at him, confused, then gasped with understanding.

"Mrs. Weasley!" She accused in a shocked tone.

"It wasn't me!" Said Molly defensively. "Fred, George, apologize to your brother." Ron snarled at the twins, who were smirking at them from across the room.

"Hey, don't pin this on us, mum…"

"You're the one who sent us up there."

"Mum!" Groaned Ron again.

"I told you to go check on them, not to come down here yelling… personal things." Said Molly. "Now apologize." Fred sighed.

"We're sorry the concept of you with a girl is so funny." Said George.

"And we're sorry we intercepted your love notes." Agreed Fred, hanging his head in mock shame.

"You WHAT?" Shrieked Ron in an unusually high-pitched voice, Hermione buried her face in her hands, too embarrassed to look anyone in the eye.

"So there have been notes…" Smiled George.

"And we were bluffing."

"Have to keep our eye out now, though." Hermione could swear she heard Ron actually growl at them. She put a hand on his shin to keep him in place, just in case he was planning on running over to attack them.

"I think it's great, Ron. Hermione." Interrupted Bill, who was nodding as he held his bride-to-be lovingly in his lap across the room. "I'd give you trouble about it, but I think these two have that under control." Hermione smiled.

"No, it is good." Said Tonks. "It's great, I think it's been a long time coming."

"Please don't tell Harry, or Ginny…" Hermione repeated for the umpteenth time

"I'm going to kill you!" Growled Ron to Fred and George, ignoring everyone and drawing his wand. Hermione stood and now grabbed his arm.

"Ronald!" Scolded Molly. "You put that away right now!"

"Come on, mum." Said Ron. "You'd still have five kids left over." Molly seemed less amused by this comment than Bill, who was snickering quietly.

"Ron, sit down." Hissed Hermione in his ear. He obeyed after a moment.

"Actually, mum," said Fred.

"If we may," continued George.

"Your actual words were 'see what they're up to.'"

"So wouldn't that mean you did want to know?"

"Be quiet, boys, you don't know what you're talking about." Said Molly quickly, turning slightly pink.

"All right, boys." Arthur piped up. "Leave your mother alone, she used to spy on you, too."

"Arthur!" Scolded Molly, as Bill's laugh grew louder.

"Well, when that Angelina girl stayed over…"

"Shush!" Shouted Molly in a high-pitched voice. Fleur had now joined in Bill's laughter, and Ron was smiling with a satisfied look on his face.

The door swung open and all fell silent. Harry politely stepped aside for Ginny to come through. Harry sat near Ron and Hermione, while Ginny took a seat near her parents. Neither looked happy, and neither seemed to want to face each other. Silence lurked in the air for a few painful minutes.

"Well, would you look at the time?" Exclaimed Molly, realizing that it was after noon. "I'll go make lunch." Hermione groaned. Surely she couldn't be expected to sit through another meal like this morning's?