A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters

Word Count:968

The world around them froze. Hermione's mouth fell open as she looked around. There was a butterfly frozen in midflight just within her reach. She turned to Fred, her eyes asking more questions than she could voice out loud.

He smiled brightly. The whole park where they'd been sitting seemed like a painting around them. Hermione couldn't help but be impressed. She hadn't been sure why she'd agreed to a picnic lunch with Fred in the park, but now, a least a small part of her, was glad she had.

"It's a new product, well, it was going to be," he answered, gesturing around. "We thought it would be a fun prank to stop time for a brief moment, just a minute really, but then there were some complications with the spell and George figured out a way it could be used for something worse than spending a moment with the person you love more than anything. We discontinued production, destroyed all but a few of them," Fred explained.

"You made this?" she asked, her voice soft in awe. "That's so advanced, complicated, mad almost."

"Exactly why they were destroyed. Hermione, I know our lives are not what we want them to be, I know you think you're in love with Ron. I see the way you look away when he's talking about you. I see the spark of doubt in your eyes when you tell us all that he's the one."

"We're supposed to be together, it's practically written in the stars, that's what he keeps telling me," she replied, a sad laugh escaping her beautiful lips.

"He's wrong. I see the way he treats you, how he just brushes you aside, how he belittles your accomplishments," Fred said, a concerned look on his face. Hermione pretended she didn't see it. Things were already complicated enough without the fact Fred cared so much about her.

"He just doesn't understand how important most of them are. I mean, it's all very complex laws and legislation and-"

"Hermione, look at me. The spell's going fade in a moment, and the world around us will flare back to life. Look me in the eyes and tell me that you're happy with him, please, just tell me those words and I'll let this go," Fred promised. Hermione raised her head, her eyes meeting Fred's.

"I am-" she paused, nibbling her lower lip slightly. "I'm with Ron."

"I didn't hear the word happy in there, please, if you're happy with him, I'll understand. If you're not, it's not your fault. You and my brother are two very different people."

"I can't," she whispered, looking just past Fred at a kite frozen in the sky.

"Can't say it, or can't leave?" Fred asked, taking Hermione's hand in his. He could feel her trembling. Around them, the world was starting to thaw, starting to move again. Hermione could hear the birds starting to sing again. Hermione's eyes found Fred again.

"Both," she whispered, tearing her gaze from him. "I can't say it, but he and I... no one else would want me after what we've done."

"That's not true, Hermione. Sleeping with him doesn't mean he owns you, doesn't mean you owe him anything. If that's what he's telling you, he's a liar. Listen to me Hermione. I love you, I'll take care of you if that's what you want. Just say the word and I'll be right there, next to you. You deserve t be happy."

"I should get going Fred, this lunch was nice, but I'm sure Ron's waiting for me," Hermione said, rising from her spot on the grass. She brushed the dirt and grass from her arse and started walking away. Fred watched her go, wondering if she'd heard a word he'd said, if she'd really stop and think about her future with his brother.

Had he just lost any chance he'd ever had with her? He shook his head, knowing George would be expecting him back at the shop soon enough. He sighed, grabbed the wicker basket and headed back to Diagon Alley. He'd barely made it to the front door of the shop when a pair of arms flew around him from behind. He froze as his nose filled with the scent of vanilla and bergamot, Hermione's scent. He spun in her arms, finding himself once again face to face with Hermione.

"What changed your mind?" he asked, looking at her.

"Ron told me to quit my job," she replied. "I told him it was important, that I couldn't make his Quidditch game because I had a meeting with Kingsley, and he, well, he didn't take it well. Apparently getting rights for non humans is not nearly as important as watching him try and keep balls out of a hoop. I told him I wasn't quitting. We had a row, mostly him screaming at me for not being supportive and I remembered how you said I deserved better, and I kind of just... well, it all went white for a moment, like a light before my eyes and I realize I didn't love him like that anymore."

"So you came to find me?"

"To thank you, yes, for helping me realize what I should have seen all along. I don't know if I feel the same about you as you do about me, but I think, I might be willing to find out?" she asked, looking into Fred's eyes.

He smiled, thanking everyone and thing he could think of for having the courage to finally tell Hermione the truth about his feelings. She might not return them now, but at least there was a chance, even if it wasn't with him, that she could finally maybe find her own happiness. That was all he'd ever wanted, Hermione happy.