AN: Hello everyone! I know that it's been a while, but I'm finally back. Before we begin, I would like to talk to you about the way I portray Ron in my writing. I love Ron. I really do. When I was younger he was my favorite character and I dislike all the hate he gets in fanfics, so I try to write him as he is portrayed in the books. As far as him blowing up about breaking up with Hermione, I felt that it would be a normal reaction for anyone. So, if ever you as the reader feel that I am not portraying ANY of the character correctly, please feel free to let me know. Without further ado, here we go!

Hermione sat a shabby, wooden table in a gloomy corner of the Leaky Cauldron. Her copy of Pride and Prejudice was cracked open. Whilst she read, she sipped, occasionally at the mug of hot butterbeer perched upon the grainy, wooden surface.

"Is there anything else I can get you, Miss Granger?" came a voice above Hermione.

She looked up from her book, a frown on her face from being called by her surname. The person standing over her seemed somehow familiar. He was a handsome, young man with sandy hair. Suddenly, it clicked.

"Michael?!" she exclaimed.

The man's eyes widened slightly. "You…you remember me?"

"Of course I do! What are you doing here? Did the Moonbellenot work out?"

"'Fraid not. It wasn't really my cup of tea."

Hermione nodded her understanding. "Well, I'm sure Hannnah will be a good boss. She's such a lovely person."

"Yes," agreed Michael. "Mrs. Longbottom is a wonderful employer."

A silence suddenly settled around the pair of them. A silence that made Hermione rather uncomfortable.

Michael's blue eyes scanned her face so intensely that she adverted her gaze to the table. She could still feel his eyes upon her after a few moments passed.

"Um," she started, still not looking at him, "I should let you get back to work."

Michael cleared his throat before speaking. "Right. Just let me know if you need anything." He then shuffled away.

Hermione tried to go back to reading her book, but she felt far too uneasy by the encounter she had just had. She felt her breath begin to quicken and her hands become slick with sweat.

Before she could cause a scene, she closed her book and threw a few galleons on the table before storming out the pub. She walked with her gaze trained on her feet. After walking a few paces away from the building, she bumped right into the chest of someone.

"Whoa, there!" said the poor person whom she had walked into.

"Do forgive me, Sir," Hermione began, still looking at her feet. "I should have been paying attention."

"No harm done. It's…Hermione?"

Hermione finally looked up. Her breath eased slightly at the sight of Fred Weasley. Without a second of hesitation, she threw her arms around him and buried her nose in his chest.

Fred immediately put his own arms around her. "What happened, love?" he asked tenderly.

"It's stupid," she whimpered against his chest.

"You can tell me," he assured her.

She then told him of the encounter she had with Michael. How his lingering gaze felt as though he were prying into the most secret and private corners of her mind.

Fred was quiet for a moment when Hermione had finished her tale. Instinctively, his grip tightened on her.

"Mione, I don't want you to go in there unless someone is with you, okay?"

Hermione sniffed. "I can take care of myself, y'know," though it did not come out as confidently as she would have liked.

Fred allowed himself to smile a little. "I have no doubt about that. I would just feel better if someone was with you."

"All right," Hermione said. "I'll bring someone along with me for your sake."

Fred chuckled softly. He released his grip on her, then linked his hand with hers. "Come on. I know just the thing to make you feel better."

"Where are we going?"

He flashed her a sly grin. "It's a surprise."

The pair ran about Diagon Alley hand in hand 'til they reached Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. The shop was closed since it was so late in the afternoon. So late, in fact, that sun had begun to set.

I didn't think I was out that late, Hermione thought to herself.

Fred gently tugged her into the dim lit shop. They weaved their way through the shelves. Soon they arrived at the back of the shop. They ventured up the staircase that led to the flat above the shop.

Fred stuck his free hand into the folds of his robes to retrieve his wand. "Alohamora," he said, pointing it at the door. There was a click before Fred turned the handle.

"After you," he said, releasing Hermione's hand and opening the door for her, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

She smiled fondly at him.

When Hermione walked into the flat, she was surprised to see the simple austerity of the room. Beige walls and a dull, gray sofa in the living area. The kitchen and dining area seemed to have been completely untouched.

"Don't look so surprised, Hermione," Fred said jokingly from behind her.

Hermione turned to face him, a blush warming her cheeks. "Surprised?"

"Let me guess, you were expecting to find rubbish littering the floor and a sink full of dirty dishes?"

"Something like that," Hermione said sheepishly.

Fred laughed. "Well, let's go up to the roof."

"The roof?" Hermione said nervously.

"Just trust me."

He led her up yet another staircase. When they arrived on the roof, Hermione felt a cool breeze ruffle her hair. The setting sun turned the sky various shades of crimson and purple.

"It's beautiful up here," she whispered.

"Yes it is," Fred agreed. "This isn't even the best part."

"Oh?"

"I'll be right back."

Fred walked over to a shed-like building. He rummaged around in there before returning. Hermione noticed he carried a broomstick in his hands.

"Fred," she said nervously.

"There's nothing to worry about, Hermione."

"Except falling!"

Fred smiled softly. "I won't let you fall," he said quietly.

Hermione stared at him for a moment still unsure. "Do you promise?"

"I swear to you, Hermione, I will always be there to catch you if ever you should fall. May it be off a broom or anything else" He said this so sincerely, so wholeheartedly, that Hermione was momentarily stunned by his words.

"Okay," she said finally.

"Brilliant! You get on first, then."

Hermione took the broom from Fred and mounted it. Fred then climbed on behind her. He wrapped one arm around her waist and gripped the handle of the broom with his free hand.

"Ready?" he whispered in Hermione's ear, causing her to shiver.

She only nodded and before she comprehend what was happening, the pair of them took off into the air.

Hermione's breath hitched in the back of her throat and her body tensed. Fred tightened his hold on her.

"Relax," he told her. "I've got you."

She let herself relax only a little. It was then that Fred placed a kiss upon her temple, which caused her to calm down a bit more.

They flew around Diagon Alley. The setting sun turning it an orange-gold. A few children pointed them out to their parents, who waved up at them.

Hermione drank in the familiar scent of smoke and sweets, and laughter bubbled from her lips.

They flew around long after the sun had completely set. A blanket of stars high above them and a full moon shone bright.

After a while, they finally landed back on the roof of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

Hermione's hair was windblown, making it even more wild than usual, and her cheeks were pink from the sting of the cool, night air.

"See, that wasn't so bad," Fred said as they dismounted the broom.

Hermione smiled up at him and wrapped her arms around him. "Do you remember that question you asked me last week?"

"I do," Fred said looking hopefully at her.

"I have an answer for you."

"And what is your answer?"

"I want to give it a chance," Hermione told him. "I want to give us a chance."

Fred pressed his forehead against Hermione's. "You're sure?" he asked.

"I have never been more sure in my life. Well, except when it came to school."

Fred chuckled, then kissed her fully and passionately.