A/N: This isn't a real chapter, just an outtake. I got a request to post the conversation that Fred and Ron had at the dinner table after Ron's outburst so here you are!
"Listen Ron," Fred started as he dot down next to his younger brother. "You know that I'm not going to be here at Hogwarts much longer so just let me have this. I sincerely care about her, I do. I have since my third year, and now she's finally mine. Please don't mess this up for me. I know she's already nervous to be with me at all, and with the added pressure from you, it might just push her far enough to leave me even if it's just the first day." Fred was practically begging Ron, but it was all he could do. He couldn't turn this into a joke, not something so serious. Ron seemed to understand for a moment, but his old mind frame quickly returned.
"What about me?!" he demanded. I've liked her for a little over a year now, too! This isn't fair!"
Fred exhaled impatiently. "I told you, I'm leaving in just a few months. If you can get her to want to date you after that, fine."
"You know mum won't approve in the meantime. For Hermione's sake, i might add," Ron growled. It was true that Molly might try to convince Hermione to date any of her other sons...well, not George, of course. She'd always seen the twins falling for girls with similar personalities to their own, who would appreciate a good prank now and then. Nothing like perfect prefect Hermione Granger. Fred tried to ignore this new thought.
"Just know that I won't just forget about her when I leave. I'll owl her. And I'll even visit Hogsmeade just to see her. You'll see. Your job trying to make her change her mind isn't going to be a piece of cake if I have anything to do with it," Fred assured Ron. There was no way he'd ever let Hermione think for a second that he'd found someone else outside of Hogwarts or that he'd forgotten about her in the hustle and bustle of his new life.
"Yeah, well, we'll see about if she just forgets about you or not," Ron grumbled bitterly. He picked up his fork and resumed eating, apparently done with the conversation. Fred had made a good argument and Ron now realized just how much of a "crush" his brother had on Hermione. He'd always known that Fred thought Hermione was cute like that, practically all the Gryffindor guys did, save Harry and a few others. But he never entertained the idea that it might be more than that.
