A/N: This chapter might seem a bit weird because I'm doing a bit of mental cleaning if that makes sense. I got off the path that I wanted to be on big time and yeah. It's quite a bit of fluff i will say. This ended up being my favorite chapter yet. Anywho, I hope YOU enjoy! Don't forget to review and all of that good stuff because it makes me smile. A lot. And want to write more faster. :))))

After dinner, Fred and Hermione made their way to the common room together slowly. He'd offered her his arm with a smile, the most gentlemanly thing he could think of to do, and her hand now rested comfortably in his elbow. They'd waited for the Great Hall to mostly clear out before leaving which gave them an opportunity to actually be alone for once without worrying about people interrupting them. Hermione couldn't help but think about how nice it was to simply be with Fred, and how just being alone with him made her feel safe in a way. Like everything was under control, especially with their relationship. The whole one day they'd spent together had been pretty hectic as far as first days go. Hopefully things would calm down a bit now that Ron apparently knew about their relationship. Although, Hermione still had no clue what Fred actually said to Ron, and whether he really knew about their relationship or not, she was too tired to care. The look on his face when he sat down at the table again told a different story than the one Fred had told her aloud. She decided she must have been seeing things though. Fred seemed perfectly normal now, laughing and joking with her. Just as the approached the Fat Lady he paused.

"So, since our Ron knows..." he began, a bit nervously. "Do you think we could be, er, not secretive?" He was afraid Hermione would still be uncomfortable being public about the two of them. She wasn't one who typically condoned PDA. Fred didn't plan on doing anything too couple-y in front of everyone, but he was still afraid she'd say no to even quick kisses every now and then.

Hermione was thinking quite the opposite however. She was, quite frankly, taken aback at his question. She'd assumed he had already forgotten that it was a "secret" what with the way they'd been on the walk back. "Of course!" she chirped. "I would love to be not secret." A huge grin was plastered to her face. She was beyond excited to walk into the common room and see everyone's reactions when they noticed "Is that one of the Weasley twins? With his arm around Granger?"

Fred laughed in relief. "Thank Merlin. That secret stuff is stressful, and it's only been one day! I can't imagine doing that long term." He laughed again, feeling giddy. Hermione laughed along with him. She was equally as giddy and worn out from the single "secret" day.

"True, which is shocking. We didn't do much to keep it a secret anyway. I suppose it was more of a mind over matter situation. In any case...it was horrible to think about. Secrets, that is, not our relationship..." She was back to being nervous, Hermione realized. She'd been rambling again. It was something she'd really have to work on.

"Don't you worry, love. I knew what you meant," Fred murmured, a small smile still playing around his mouth. "Anyway, shall we?" he asked, gesturing to the portrait door.

"Oh, young love," the Fat Lady sighed as they tried to give the password. The couple jumped back, startled. They'd completely forgotten she was there, and able to make comments for herself. Hermione laughed awkwardly, and looked down at her feet as a blush crept across her cheeks.

"Have I ever told you you're incredibly cute when you blush? Even more so than when you're thoroughly not embarrassed?" he asked, starry eyed and ignoring the Fat Lady swinging open. He'd been distracted from entering, anyhow. Her blush had always been one of his favorite of her features.

"Probably," she smiled. She knew how much he enjoyed teasing her just to see her blush. Fred moved to gently bring her chin up so she was looking in his eyes. He began to move closer to her, closing his eyes. It was as if time had stopped all together. Hermione blinked several times in succession before finally closing them for good. Fred's lips pressed down upon hers softly. They tasted metallic, but warm and slightly chapped. The blush on Hermione's cheeks only deepened and spread.

They kissed lasted only for a moment, due to the Fat Lady clearing her throat obnoxiously loudly behind them. It seemed like an eternity, though hey both wished it could have been longer at the same time. It was perfect. Fred took a step back, and opened his eyes.

"Well that was...nice," Hermione said softly. Fred chuckled and slipped his hand into hers.

"C'mon, let's get inside before people start spreading any big rumors about the scandalous new couple," he teased with a wink.