A/N: Thank you again to all that followed, favorited, and reviewed. Thanks to Poppy for helping me through some writers block!

To the guest reviewer…I'm not sure what "bits" you mean? It was a bit vague. Please let me know!

Disclaimer: Again…I own nothing… wish I owned Fred.

"Hermione, love, wake up." Fred said quietly, rubbing her stomach.

Her eyes fluttered open and she was greeted by his smiling face above her.

"Happy new year!" He practically yelled, making her wince.

"Happy new year, Fred." She replied, her voice still raspy from sleep.

The week had been so busy that they didn't find the need to go celebrate with the others. They both decided that they'd rather get a full nights sleep and stay sober so that they could be well rested and clearheaded for the grand opening of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Hogsmeade.

He gave her a quick peck on the lips. "I'll make us breakfast. Pancakes alright?" He asked, as he climbed out of bed.

"Sounds wonderful." She answered, stretching and closing her eyes.

"No sleeping in today, darling." He told her, standing by the door until she opened her eyes.

She waved him off and sat up, stretching once more before climbing out of her nice warm bed and into the cold bathroom. Her toes immediately curled when feeling the cold tile underneath them.

She was usually a morning person, but 5:00am was too early for even her to function properly. She hoped that a hot shower would wake her up.

She was looking forward to this year; it had to be better than the last. It felt like a fresh start for her; her schooling would finish, hopefully a career would start soon after, and she could spend more time with Fred.

Fred had hinted on more than one occasion that he wanted her to move in with him, but she really wanted to have a source of income first. She knew she couldn't stay at the burrow forever and she was feeling guilty about staying there already. She had owled Minister Shacklebolt about positions in the ministry when she graduated, but he had owled back telling her that the only openings available were in the Auror Department.

Her soul just couldn't handle that anymore. Everything that she had gone through with Harry had taken a toll on her. For the first time since she was thirteen, she felt her body and soul relax. She noticed how light she felt the day Charlie had arrived to the burrow for the holidays.

The war was over, Voldemort was dead and Harry was moderately safe, the twins promised to stall the prank war…which she just realized they've been too busy to remember to continue on (which was fine with her), and Charlie was now happy with Sorin.

She knew that there were still Death Eaters running amuck and that the Auror Department was busier now more than ever, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She knew deep in her heart that her work needed to be in getting old purist wizarding laws abolished and giving rights to magical creatures.

After her shower, she fixed her hair into a high bun and slipped on the fuchsia button down shirt that they ordered for the employees to wear, leaving the top button undone.

Hogsmeade employees wore fuchsia, Diagon Alley employees wore orange. On the left side of the chest there was the twins emblem and on the right it showed the employee's name.

She threw on black trousers with a crisp iron crease on the front and back of her legs and tucked her button down into her trousers. She picked black, sensible ballet flats to wear with her uniform.

She went back and forth about taking off her golden trio necklace that Harry made her, but she decided to leave it. All the employees from both shops would be working at the grand opening today and she knew that the others were probably not going to put as much effort into their uniform; a necklace wouldn't make or break her professionalism.

She made her way into the kitchen and Fred smiled at her.

"How do I look?" She asked, twirling for him.

He grabbed her in mid twirl and kissed her. "Sexy."

She laughed. "What? I'm covered from the neck down."

He looked down. "I know…we need to do something about that."

He reached down and unbuttoned two more buttons.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh that's much better…I look real professional showing my bra to everyone who walks through the door." She said, sarcastically.

"The wizards will love it."

"And their wives and girlfriends will never let them come back again." She retorted.

He laughed. "Yeah, your right. Plus I wouldn't want everyone ogling your goods instead of our products." He reached and buttoned up one button.

"Leave it like that. You don't look so stuffy that way." He told her, kissing her forehead. He appreciated her professionalism, but it was still a joke shop, after all. He didn't want her to look intimidating to the younger customers.

XxXxXx

They were down in the shop by 7:00am. None of the others were there yet, so Hermione went through the shop straightening the already straight shelves and dusting the already sparkling cabinets.

She spent a half an hour with the pygmy puffs, making sure they were fed and happy. She hadn't realized how smart they were. The happy pink ones noticed the black ones were getting attention and started turning black on purpose.

"Now you listen here loveys…in a couple hours you will all get all the attention your hearts could desire, so lets not be selfish now! You want to be pretty and pink so that people will want to take you home!" Hermione pepped. She watch them all turn back to pink and smiled.

Fred snorted from behind her. "Are you bullying my puffs Granger?" He wrapped his arms around her from behind and leaned down to her ear.

"I love it when you're authoritative." He whispered. "Now stomp that little foot of yours and go marching off."

She suppressed a grin, keeping her eyes on the puffs in front of her. "How can I do that when there isn't a library to go stomping off to?" She asked quietly.

He kissed the pulse point behind her ear, chuckling lightly. "Don't forget you've built up a pretty decent library of your own in the bedroom love…" He pinched her bum, making her squeak.

"Okay, you randy git! Get off of Hermione and get moving!" George called behind them.

She spun around and smiled. "Hi George! Have a good night?"

"Night's still goin' sweet cheeks!" George told her.

She rolled her eyes. "You mean to tell me you haven't slept yet?"

He shook his head. "You aren't the only one that can take advantage of the caffeinated candies, Herms."

Hermione scanned the room and saw Angelina and Katie sitting at the counter talking.

"Have you asked her yet?" Hermione asked George, her eyes still on the two witches.

He turned and looked towards Angelina, as well. "Not yet." He patted his chest pocket. "Have it right here."

"Nervous?" Hermione's eyes darted back to George.

"A bit nervous that she'll think I'm only asking because of the twins, but I think she'll say yes." George answered honestly.

Hermione hugged him around the middle, startling him a bit.

"Odd time to try and make a move on me Granger. I know I'm better looking than my twin, but I think now might be a bit too late…"

She poked his chest. "Oh George!" She threw her arms around him again. He squeezed her tightly.

"Let's not start the water works now! You'll ruin my new dress robes!" He patted her back.

She stepped away from him and wiped a tear off her cheek. "I'm sorry George. I'm just so happy for you two. I can't wait to get my hands on those babies!"

He gasped and grabbed his chest. "Oi! Ang! Hermione just admitted she was going to kidnap our children!"

Angelina just rolled her eyes.

Fred scoffed. "Why would she want yours when she could have her own with me?"

"What are you trying to say, dear brother?" George retorted.

Hermione backed away from the two of them and headed toward the others. She knew that their childish bickering could take awhile.

Hermione said hello to the two girls and checked the registers to make sure that they worked correctly and had enough change.

Lee came trapesing in as she closed the second register's door and she looked up to find him with his shirt half opened and wrinkled, his khaki trousers sporting a large ink stain by the pocket.

She looked up to meet his eyes and he looked back at her hesitantly, chewing on his lip.

"I had a late night…" He mentioned, coming closer.

Hermione whipped out her wand, stepping toward him and spinning him around. The shirt ironed itself and he buttoned the rest of the shirt while she cleaned the ink spot on his trousers.

He gave her a large grin. "Thanks Hermione."

She smiled softly back. "You're welcome."

It didn't take long for Verity, Dean, and Terry to head in as well.

Verity gave them a pep talk and assigned departments for each employee. Angelina and Terry were to man the registers, Dean and Hermione would man the first floor and Katie and Lee would man the second. The twins would walk around greeting customers and helping wherever needed and Verity was in charge of checking in with everyone and refilling shelves as they emptied.

They had a half an hour until they opened and they could see a line forming outside. Hermione started to get nervous. She was already excited, so the mixture if the two had her stomach churning. Maybe she shouldn't have had such a large breakfast.

Hermione and Dean did a walk-through of the first floor, trying to familiarize themselves a little better with the layout. Fred grabbed her elbow when she and Dean were near the back and Fred asked for a moment with Hermione.

She looked Fred over quickly, noticing he had changed into his fuchsia dress robes. It was rather bright and clashed with his hair a bit, but the contrast between the bright color and the white shirt he wore underneath along with the fuchsia bowtie around his neck made him look quite adorable. The twins could literally wear anything and make it look good.

"We should have never eaten such a heavy breakfast Mione. I think I'm going to be sick." Fred grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

Hermione had never seen him so nervous. She cupped his face and brought it down to hers and kissed him deeply.

"This is exciting! This is where you shine!" She encouraged, still holding his face close to hers.

"This is my future…our future!" He said hesitantly.

A small smile appeared on her face and she nodded. "And it's extraordinary!" She whispered, reminding him of the first time she was in their shop.

"You want this?" He whispered. It took Hermione a split second to realize he was speaking of their future.

Her eyes softened. "Forever…soul-bound." She admitted.

A soul-bind was a type of unbreakable vow that could be used during a couples wedding that would bind their souls in such a way that a piece of each would live within the other. It was rather common half a century ago, but very few choose to go through with the binding as part of present day weddings. The word soul-bound gets thrown around almost as a synonym for marriage…just a saying to most.

Divorce is almost unheard of with binding of the souls. Although, it wouldn't kill you, your soul would never be whole again and a piece of the other person lives inside you, making it impossible for either to love again. By confessing this to Fred, Hermione really meant forever.

His breath caught in his throat. "Soul-bound…?" He pulled her flush against him. "Promise me."

"I promise." She lifted on her toes and kissed his adam's apple.

XxXxXx

"Ready Fred?"

"Ready George!"

Each grabbed a handle on the big double doors in front and yanked them open, allowing the swarm of people standing outside to make their way in.

As soon as the first person stepped on the rug leading into the store, an eruption of fireworks exploded into the air between the first and second floors.

Hermione watched with wide eyes as family, friends, and even a few reporters and photographers from the Daily prophet came through the front doors and filled the shop.

Everyone stood, ooing and aweing at the firework display for a couple of minutes. As soon as they were finished, a loud horn broke out making everyone stop in their tracks again.

"CAN I GET EVERYONE'S ATTENTION PLEASE?" George yelled over the few customers that were talking.

"My name is George Weasley and I am part owner of this wonderful establishment. This is Angelina Johnson, the mother of my future children that are due in July." Angelina hid her face in her hands behind the register.

"She doesn't know it, but I bought her a ring a bit before Christmas and decided that today was the perfect day to ask her to be my wife! I wanted to start this year out right by asking the only woman I have ever loved…and the only one who has ever been able to deal my, although adorable, but mostly insufferable antics…to marry me. So, Angelina…whadaya say? Marry me?" George finally asked, climbing on the counter and kneeling on it.

Angelina stood there with her mouth open. Hermione couldn't tell if she wanted to jump for joy or strangle the man.

When she gave no answer, George turned to the crowd. "What do ya think folks? Should she marry me?"

An uproar of yes's, claps, and wolf whistles surrounded the shop. Grinning, George turned back to Angelina.

"Well, should we get hitched?" He asked her.

She nodded, her mouth still open, and everyone cheered. He reached up and pushed her jaw closed before slipping the ring on her finger.

XxXxXx

Although the shop was busy, everything seemed to be running smoothly. Hermione had seen Hogwarts friends, professors, Hagrid, and even the headmistress while assisting her customers. She had put out three small fires, calmed two crying children; one having just turned back from a canary, caught an old man with a cane as he was pushed by an eager teenager, and mended a few different cuts and bruises of customers caused by various objects. The shop was still standing and everything was selling like hot cakes, so Hermione felt like it was going pretty smoothly.

The Mood Puffs flew off the shelves in record time and Hermione, although knowing they were all gone, told her customer she'd look in back just to get away from the busy crowd for a moment.

She hurried toward the door behind the counter, looking forward to two minutes alone. However, when she opened the door, it was already occupied.

Hermione gasped, covering her mouth to try to stifle the sound, but it was too late. She had been spotted.

"Oh! Hello Hermione!"

A smile formed on Hermione's face as she watched the witch straighten herself and run her fingers through her tangled hair.

"Hello, Poppy. How nice to see you…I was just checking for Mood Puffs." Hermione's eyes scanned the room quickly. "Nope. None in here…best be getting back…pretend I wasn't here."

She turned and headed for the door, turning back to the couple one last time.

"Er…Dean…you might want to scourgify your face before reappearing…you seem to have some lipgloss…" Hermione mentioned, wiggling her finger around her own face. As Dean lifted his hand to wipe his face, Hermione turned and headed back out front.

XxXxXx

"Hi Fred."

Fred winced and turned toward the voice. "Hello Alicia…"

"Great turn out…" Alicia mentioned, looking around the shop.

"Yes…" It was almost a question. Why had she decided to bother him?

"Hermione here?"

"She is." He confirmed, looking everywhere but her face.

"You love her, don't you?" She pressed.

"I do. More than anything." He confirmed, staring at the shelf to the right of Alicia. He wished she would just leave or find Katie and Lee. Hermione would not approve of this.

"Enough to marry her?"

He nodded. "Enough for a soul-bind."

Alicia actually look a step back. "Wow. Fred Weasley…bachelor extraordinaire… talking marriage and binding. Who would have thought… you've never given a rat's arse about a relationship with any witch."

He shrugged. "Just had to find the right witch."

Alicia nodded. "I noticed last night that you were different with her... well…I'm happy for you." She reached up and squeezed one of his arms that were crossed over his chest.

"If you're really happy for me then stick to the Diagon store. I think it's best that we don't communicate... or even be in the same room. It isn't fair to Hermione." He took a step back, causing her arm to drop to her side.

"Fred… we've been friends for nine years!"

He continued to step back. "Good bye Alicia."

He turned to find Hermione staring from her place across the room. His heart gave a jolt, but when their eyes met, she gave him a small smile and a nod before turning back to her customer.

He took a deep breath and headed toward a small boy who was standing on his tiptoes, trying to reach one of the extendable ears.

XxXxXx

"I think we beat our record Georgie!" Fred said, closing the second register door, a large money bag in his hands.

"I think you're right Freddie!" George answered, a long role of parchment in his hands as he went over what inventory they sold.

Fred disappeared in back to lock the money inside the vault they installed the day Fred moved in.

Everyone was plopped down randomly around the counter; thoroughly knackered. Lee sat against the back wall with Katie sitting between his legs, leaning against him. Dean sat on the floor, leaning against the register, Poppy still tucked into his side. Angelina and George occupied the two stools behind the counter, Verity in an office chair that she brought from the back; Terry sat on one side of the counter and Hermione sat in the other, the registers in between.

Hermione looked around and noticed that a lot of the shelves looked bare. Fred and George had their work cut out for them. They'd be making products non stop from now on. She found herself a little disappointed with the fact that she had to go back to school and couldn't help.

Then it hit her. She had to go back tomorrow. Tomorrow was Sunday and classes started back on Monday. Her stomach dropped; she didn't want to go back. She was getting too used to sleeping next to Fred, even though she had only stayed at the flat a few days this week. Their excuse to Mrs. Weasley was that they were getting the shop ready.

At least Sunday meant that the shop was closed, not like they had much inventory left anyway. George would have to bring more from their stock pile in Diagon.

Fred appeared from the back and Hermione slid over to give him room to sit next to her.

He jumped up on the counter and leaned his head on her shoulder.

"I'm exhausted." Fred mentioned. Everyone agreed.

"Are you staying tonight?" Fred asked Hermione.

"We have to go back to school tomorrow." Hermione answered. She heard a groan from below.

"Don't remind me." Poppy complained.

"Stay here and you don't have to take the train tomorrow. When it arrives at five, just meet everyone there." Fred explained.

"You can do that?" Hermione asked, a bit surprised.

Fred chuckled. "Yes, Hermione. Isn't a bit counterproductive for Hogsmeade children to go to the train just to come back here?"

Hermione never gave much thought to it, but Fred was right. "I'll go to the burrow tomorrow and pack. I'll bring Giiny and my trunk back with me."

Fred smiled. "You know that students who don't take the train also get to leave school the Friday night of Easter break instead of Saturday morning…" He informed Hermione, hoping she'd come straight there.

Her mouth dropped. "How did I not know this? I'm not taking that ruddy train on Easter break!" She stated, shaking her head.

He lifted his head off her shoulder and kissed her cheek, nuzzling it with his nose so she'd turn her head and kiss him.

Fred straightened up, shrugging his fuchsia jacket off, lifting his hands and pulling on his bowtie, making it unravel. He let it lay undone around his shoulders and he released the two top buttons of his shirt. He sighed, happy to finally be more comfortable.

"Anyone want dinner? Our treat!" George asked, taking off his orange jacket and hanging it on one of the hooks on the wall behind the registers.

Realizing how hungry they all were, they nodded in unison.

XxXxXx

Four hours and multiple drinks later, Fred and Hermione collapsed onto the large bed, feeling extremely exhausted and a little buzzed, their bellies full and bodies content. Hermione wore his t-shirt and he wore his boxer-briefs, the firewhiskey warming them from the inside out.

Fred lay with Hermione tucked into his side, her head against the front of his shoulder and her leg entwined in his.

"Hermione…I swear I didn't know…" Fred started.

"Don't. It's okay. I trust you." Hermione jumped in.

He sighed. "I told her I didn't want anything to do with her. She won't cause anymore grief."

Hermione turned her head and kissed his shoulder. "I trust you."

They laid there in comfortable silence until a loud sigh came from Hermione.

"I hate that I have to go back to school. I know I have to…but the past few weeks…they've been perfect… I have fallen deeper in love with you the past three weeks than I ever thought possible." Hermione confessed.

He grinned widely. "I know what you mean. We fit so well together."

She nodded against his shoulder. "It's so easy with us… I think back to just a year ago and can't believe that I thought Ronald and I were soul mates. We loved each other…but we didn't fit like you and I do. We constantly had to try to make each other happy. I would see his face in the morning and if he had a certain look, my chest would constrict and I'd be anxious the rest of the day, knowing I had to walk on egg shells. I thought that's how loved worked…constantly working to make each other happy…constant friction even if it's slight. My parents were that way and I thought it was normal. I didn't know it could be easy.

"I keep wondering how life would have been if we lived in an alternate universe and he was alive. Would you and I have realized we were meant for each other? Or would I have gone through life trying to get our mismatched puzzle pieces to fit?" Hermione stopped, realizing she was rambling.

"You would probably be living in ignorant bliss and I would forever remain a bachelor, pining over my little brother's wife...my sister-in-law." Fred answered, his nose crinkling, like the word left a bad taste in his mouth.

Hermione sighed against his neck, making goosebumps form down his arms. "I love Ron and I wish he was still here, but I'm beyond happy that you and I got our chance."

"Me too." He turned and kissed her forehead. "I love you." He mumbled against her forehead.

"I love you, too. Goodnight Fred."

"Goodnight baby."