AN: Thank you all for the reviews! I'm so glad you like this story as much as I like writing it. I'm so sorry that it's taking so long to update. Life is notorious for getting in the way of things. Any who, I don't own Harry Potter (obviously). Enjoy!

"So, let me get this straight," began Ron. He, Harry, and Hermione were lounged about on his bedroom floor of the Burrow. "You and Fred are dating?"

"Well, sort of," Hermione replied timidly.

"What the bloody hell do you mean by 'sort of?'" Ron bellowed.

"Ron, mate," spoke Harry, "calm down."

"I am calm!"

Hermione let out a distraught sigh. She knew that it was probably not the best time to be telling people, especially Ron, that she was now dating Fred, or as she said, 'sort of' dating him. They had never officially gone on a date, so Hermione was not sure that her relationship with Fred could be considered dating just yet.

"Ron, I'm really sorry," Hermione said. "I really didn't mean for any of this to happen. I never meant to hurt you."

Ron's ears were bright red. A shade so bright that it was a sure sign that he was furious. But, as he spoke, he did his best to control the venom in his voice.

"Maybe that's true, Hermione, but, nevertheless, I still ended up hurt. Do you have any idea what it's like to think you're completely in love with someone one minute, and then have them tell you that they don't feel the same way in the next?" There was an excruciating pause before Ron continued. "And, to make matters worse, I find out that you and my brother are all-but shaking up with each other almost three months after our breakup!"

Hermione felt tears sting the corners of her eyes. She knew that she had hurt Ron, and knew that that was probably the worst thing she had ever done in her entire life.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I won't ask for your forgiveness because I know that I am not deserving of it. Words cannot express how very sorry I am, though."

"God, I can't even look at you right now," Ron said, his voice breaking ever so slightly as he averted his gaze from her and rose to his feet. "I need some air." He walked out the door without saying another word.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," said Harry, placing his hand gently upon Hermione's shoulder. "He'll come around eventually. He always does."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, but until then, let him be. He has every right to be upset with me." She then rose to her own feet and wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks. "I have to go to work. See you later." And, with a loud crack, Hermione vanished.

oOo

At the shop, Hermione quickly made her way to the workroom without saying so much as a "hello" to anyone. She sat at the shabby table, cracked open a couple of books, and began throwing ingredients into a cauldron.

She was completely enthralled into her work, a distraction she was most grateful for. The only thing she had to worry about at the moment was adding in the correct amount of doxy venom to the Skiving Snackboxes.

Hermione went on like that until noon, when she heard a knock on the door. The door opened, revealing George, who began speaking the very second he crossed over the threshold.

"Hey, Hermione. Fred and Verity are just going to finish helping a couple customers, then the lot of us are going down to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch."

Hermione nodded, barely hearing him. "Okay, have fun."

"Erm... Aren't you coming?" George confusedly asked.

Hermione stayed silent. Her focus was so transfixed on her work, like a bloodhound on a scent, that she could not be bothered with answering questions.

"Right..." began George. "I...I'll just leave you to it, then." He then disappeared back behind the door.

oOo

Unbeknownst to Hermione, the minute the door had shut behind him, George went in search for Fred.

"There you are!" he said once he had found his brother, who bad been putting up a sign that read, 'Be back soon,' in the window. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Fred chuckled to himself. "It's only been ten minutes, Gred."

"Okay, maybe not everywhere, but the dramatics of the statement fit the moment!"

Fred screwed up his face in a confused expression at George's words. "What are you talking about?"

"It's Hermione. Something's wrong. She seems a bit off."

Fred sighed and nodded. "I'll talk to her. You and Verity go ahead and go. We'll meet you down there."

"Sure thing, Forge!" George replied as he clapped Fred's shoulder encouragingly. "The best of luck to you, mate."

It was then that Verity came gliding into sight.

"Ah, perfect timing!" George said once he spotted her. "Verity, you and I are going to go ahead to the Leaky Cauldron and Fred and Hermione will meet up with us later."

"Of course, Mr. Weasley," she answered in her whimsical voice. As she passed Fred, she said, "See you in a bit, Mr. Weasley."

"Verity, how many times do we have to tell you?" began George as he held the door open for her. "Just call us George," he gestured to himself, "and Fred," he finished, gesturing to his brother. "This 'Mr. Weasley' stuff gets so confusing."

The last thing that Fred heard before he headed off in the direction of Hermione was Verity muttering something that sounded like: "...Weasley...your idea."

When the door to the workroom came into sight, Fred found himself wanting to run towards it, but thought better of it. He continued to make one agonizingly slow step after another until he was able to make contact with the door. His hand raised, he rapped his knuckles gently against the smooth surface of the wood. "Hermione, it's me. Can I come in?"

"You may," was Hermione's muffled reply from the other end of the door.

Fred opened the door with a loud creaking whine. He saw that Hermione was sat at the worktable occasionally tossing the various ingredients she had littered upon the table into a bubbling cauldron. Her gaze was so focused on the book in front of her that Fred would not be a bit surprised if it were to burst into flames at any given moment.

"Mione," he said, speaking softly.

At the sound of her nickname, Hermione looked up from her work.

Her forehead was creased and her lips were pursed in concentration. The locks of hair that had fallen loose from the knot she wore at the nape of her neck, were now frizzy from the humidity of the steaming cauldron. Even in this state, Fred thought she was beautiful.

"Love," he said in the same dulcet tone. "Won't you take a break and come to the Leaky Cauldron with the rest of us?"

Hermione sighed, the tention leaving her features as she exhaled. "I don't know, Fred," she answered, closing her eyes.

Fred walked over to the table and sat in the remaining chair so that he was postioned in front of her. With a wave of his wand, the mess upon the table was cleaned. The various items returned to their assigned spots.

Fred then lifted one of Hermione's dainty hands off the table and held it between his much larger ones. She opened her eyes ever so slightly before closing them again.

"What's wrong?" he asked her, his voice cracking a bit at the end.

Hermione sighed again. "I just feel so guilty, Freddie," she whispered.

Fred's heart fluttered. Never in almost the eight years he had known Hermione, had she ever called him 'Freddie.' And, if he was being completely honest with himself, he hoped she'd do it again.

"Guilty for what?" Fred asked, clearing his throat before he spoke.

Hermione opened her eyes. They were swimming with unshed tears, making them appear as though they were made of glass. "I feel guilty because I'm happy even though people around me are suffering. Sometimes, I'm so happy that I completely forget that my parents wouldn't know who I was if I were to bump into them on the street."

There was defening silence after Hermione finished speaking. The both of them stared down at their intertwined handshands. Fred was trying to think of something to say and Hermione was still mentally beating herself up.

Finally, the silence was broken by Fred. "You're allowed to be happy, Hermione," he whispered without looking up at her.

Hermione released a breathy, humorless laugh through her nose. "Am I, Fred, because I don't think I am?"

At this Fred looked up at her. "Why would you say that?"

"Because, Fred. Everytime I get myself to a good place, someone or something comes along tells me that I can't. Sometimes I think that I really am just the stupid Mudblood people keep telling me I am."

Fred's stood up from his seat and came to kneel in front of her, he took her hand. His eyes were wide with determination. Though he spoke gently, his voice shook with subtle force, "Don't call yourself that, Hermione. Don't ever call yourself that."

Tears began to slip down Hermione's cheeks. She released a harsh breath and wiped at them with her free hand in frustration.

Fred caught her hand with his and held it to his heart. He then leaned in and kissed each of her tear streaked cheeks. "You are so much more than that," he whispered. He dropped her hands and brought his own up to cup her face. As he brushed his lips on her forehead, he said, "You are by far the most extraordinary person I have ever had the privilege of knowing."

Hermione hooked her hands behind Fred's neck. "Will you just kiss me already?" Before he answered, she pulled him to her and placed a firm kiss on his lips.

Fred released a moan of surprise, but he quickly got over the initial shock and began kissing her back.

He was gentle as he caressed her cheek with his thumb. Every now and then he would stop kissing her to brush his lips lightly against hers.

Hermione, however, did not want him to be so gentle. She removed her hands from his neck and into his hair. As she pulled him closer to her, her teeth grazed his bottom lip.

Fred kissed her harder. His arms wrapped around her waste and then he lifted her onto the table lightly. He stood between her legs as they continued kissing.

It was not until Hermione began to snake her hands up Fred shirt, that he stopped her.

"Hermione," he said, his voice husky. He caught her hands and took a step back. "Hermione, we should stop."

Hermione nodded, disappointed. "Okay," she said flatly, sliding off the table. Her gaze was trained on her feet.

"Mione," Fred whispered, taking her face in his hands again so she would look at him. "Believe me, I would love nothing more than to continue this, but..."

"But?" Hermione questioned.

"But," Fred said, smiling warmly, "It would be rather rude to keep my brother and Verity waiting. Also," Fred's cheeks began to grow warm with a blush," when we, erm, finally d-do take that step, I want to make it feel special. I want to make you feel special. I, uh," he laughed nervously. "Sorry, I'm not very good at this."

Hermione smiled up at him. She was completely moved by his words. "Don't apologize," she said. "You're doing beautifully."

Fred smiled brightly down at her.

"And just so you know, Freddie," Hermione continued, "I always feel special when I'm with you."

Fred swooped down and captured her lips in one final kiss. "Well then," he said, pulling back, "shall we go grab some lunch?" He extended his arm to her as asked.

"We shall," replied Hermione as she took his arm.

The couple walked out the door of the shop arm in arm. A smile tugged at Hermione's lips as they walked down the street.

AN: Well this chapter was an absolute pain in the ass to write! Writer's block is the worst. Please review!