Chapter 2

"I have a question " Tonks said watching Fred carry Hermione bridal style back toward the kitchen. Bill and George hummed the bridal march loudly to drown out the sounds of Hermione's half hearted pleas to be left alone.

"Yes?" Remus asked, shuffling an already very tidy pile of parchment.

"Why'd you choose Fred over George or even Bill to be Hermione's fiance? You never do anything without a reason," Tonks asked.

"Ahh well I promised Molly I would do everything in my power to keep her safe, I feel she will be the safest with Fred. He's quite taken with her, have you noticed?" Remus said.

"What makes you say that?" Tonks asked curiously.

"It's little things, how he will never prank her, though he always has ample opportunity. Fred can talk to Hermione, but he never really looks at her face while she's looking at way he won't look at her, I've seen it before, with Lily and James in school. It's also the way I have tried to not look at you," Remus told her, turning a bit pink.

"Are you saying you're quite taken with me then?" Tonks smiled brightly.

"Dora, you know I am very fond of you. I'm very happy you've consented to this mission, to being my undercover wife," Remus said, taking her hand gently.

"I'd be your real wife, if you'd get your head out of your arse and ask me," Tonks rolled her eyes.

"You'll find my resolve slipping, I'm coming to the conclusion that you tend to get what you want."

"I'm quite stubborn you see, get it from my dad I think," Tonks said with a wink as they headed to the house.

…..

"Might I bid you goodnight and goodbye fair fiance?" Fred asked Hermione after supper was finished that evening.

"But of course, kind sir. Aren't you two staying here tonight?" Hermione giggled and rolled her eyes at him.

"Unfortunately George and I have some pressing business at the shop to take care of tonight. We will be staying tomorrow night for sure though," Fred said as they made their way to the living room.

"Okay then, have fun tonight... maybe, do your plans involved destruction of some sort?"

"As a matter of fact they do, I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. Speaking of which, would you like to go have lunch with me down in the village tomorrow? I reckon if we're to be engaged it might do well to know a bit about each other, no?" Fred smiled at her.

"That's actually a lovely idea, yes, thank you Fred. I do like to be prepared after all," said Hermione as they caught up with George and Bill. Bill was going to stay with the twins tonight and help out with these mysterious plans of theirs. "Boys, please be careful."

Hermione watched as the three brothers disapeared into the fireplace, an odd sort of smile playing at her lips, until she caught sight of Ginny staring her down. With a defeated sigh Hermione waved her hand toward the stair case and followed Ginny up to their shared bedroom.

"Alright, all I can say is that it's an undercover mission at a university in London. It involves a muggle professor, oh and Fred will be my fiancé," Hermione knew it was best to be preemptive with Ginny, and also knew that last bit would distract her from asking too many questions about the mission itself.

"Will he now? How'll that do with the massive crush you have one half of my favorite brothers?" Ginny asked.

"First of all, they are two separate people, you know. They aren't half of anything. They really are quite different when you take the time to notice. Second of all, it's not a massive crush and that was years ago," Hermione stated simply.

"So you've taken the time to pay attention, then?" Ginny pressed, smirking.

"I'm a highly logical person, I pay attention to everything, for example Charlie is actually your favorite brother," Hermione said dismissively.

"Damn your good. Wanna have a girl's spa night to get you beautiful for your fiance?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, but not for Fred. I'm not sure the next time I'll have girl time with you. I'll miss you terribly," Hermione told her honestly.

"Alright, don't make me cry before we get started! I'm going to miss you too," Ginny said, hugging Hermione tightly.

By midnight both girls were feeling quite pampered. They had given each other manicures and pedicures, Ginny decided on a bright fire engine red, Hermione choosing a more subtle pale pink. They then gave each other facials complete with a spell Ginny learned about that reminded Hermione of muggle waxing, without the pain. They had just finished rinsing the hair straightening potion out of Hermione's hair and spelled it dry when the girls decided it was time to call it a night.

….

"So guys, what's the big project then?" Bill asked once they had settled in back at the twins shop, they had asked for his help but said very little else about it.

"Right, well we've been thinking," Fred started.

"-that in the interest of keeping everyone safe," George continued.

"- and of course with this new mission taking the two of us away.-"

"- now would be a good time to close up shop for a bit."

"Alright, and you need me for this why?" Bill asked a bit nervous at the look of absolute glee on his younger brothers matching faces.

"It has come to our notice,-" again George started the verbal bouncing thing the twins were famous for.

"-being the blood traitors that we are,-" Fred picked up where George left off.

"-the Death Eaters might use our absence to their advantage-"

"-unless of course we make the place appear to be less than worth the bother."

"I see," Bill smiled understanding where this was going. "So we're going to trash the place then?"

"Well we are going to make it appear trashed," Fred started this time.

"-we fully intend to open again once this whole war nonsense is finished."

"Too right you are, twin of mine. We have moved all of our back stock to sweet Auntie Muriel's house," Fred informed his eldest brother.

"How's that now?" Bill asked a bit surprised at this but if information.

"Oh yes, it's a good thing sweet Aunt Muriel doesn't venture down into the cellar often," George laughed.

"Oh bloody hell," Bill sighed, scrubbing his face with his hand.

"Shall we get started then?" The twins asked at the same time.

…..

Hermione was enjoying a quiet moment in the garden reading when Fred found her the next morning, he stopped a short distance from her to just look at her. She was simply radiant sitting there in the sun. She wore a simple soft pink sundress, her hair in a messy fishtail braid over her shoulder, it had gotten quite long Fred noticed. She was quite engrossed in whatever it was she was reading, with a lovely smile on her face. Fred realised what it was that made her so alluring, she looked happy. There was no worry over exams, no anger over rule breakers, no fretting over her two hopeless best friends. For these few moments she was in a small bubble of happiness and it truly took Fred's breath away. It was at that moment with a bit of a goofy grin on his face that Hermione looked up and saw him.

"What's got you smiling so big, should I be concerned?" She asked, but had a small smile on her own face.

"Not at all, love," Fred said, thinking he was definitely the one in trouble here. "What is that you're reading?"

"The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. It's a muggle book my father used to read to me when I was small," She told him with a sad smile.

"Miss them?" Fred asked, offering her a hand up pointing in the direction of the village. "You usually spend a bit more time with them at the beginning of the holidays before making your way here."

"More than you know, it just worked out this way this year. Let me just put these away and let your mum know we're leaving. She worries," Hermione answered looking ever so slightly guilty. She ran into the house to return her book and blanket to the bedroom she shared with Ginny. As she walked back towards the back garden she found Mrs. Weasley putting together lunch for everyone else.

"Fred and I are leaving now for lunch down in the village Mrs. Weasley. Can we bring you anything back?" Hermione asked her.

"Molly, dear, I've told you time and time again, call me Molly." She said kindly. "And no, I don't need anything, you two have a lovely time," Molly watched as Hermione walked out to meet her son. They both looked a bit nervous.

Honestly Molly had always pictured Hermione with Ron, but watching her and Fred walk together she began to think differently. Fred held out his arm and Hermione took it naturally. The more she thought on it the more sense it made to her, Fred needed a strong girl to calm him a bit and Hermione needed Fred's carefree spirit to help her unwind, she was much too serious for such a young woman. The thought put a smile on her face. Ginny walked into the kitchen then seeing her mother's face and what she was looking at decided to get her mother involved.

"They make a pretty picture, wouldn't you say mum?" Ginny asked feigning innocence.

"I was actually thinking along those same lines. But isn't there something between her and Ron?" Molly asked.

"Oh no, they thought maybe at one time, but they are better friends. Besides, I believe Ron fancies Luna." Ginny answered, gossiping a bit with her mum. As the only girl, Ginny had made it her goal to know what was going on with everyone.

"Luna, Xeno's daughter?" Molly asked making sure she was thinking of the right witch.

"That's the one, she quite pretty you know, and extremely brilliant. A bit odd maybe, but she's pretty amazing at picking up on people's feelings. I like her quite a bit."

"Why don't you send Errol to the Lovegood's with an invitation for supper tonight."

Ginny smiled, impressed her plan had worked so easily. She had after all, learned all her meddling ways from the best, her mother. She quickly went off to send the owl.

"Sounds like a splendid idea, Mum."