A/N: We won first place in the backdrop competition! So my thirty-seven hours of work payed off! Hooray! Also, fifty plus reviews and I fully appreciate them all.

I know this is long, but I feel I must address a review I have received.

To CelticMage: While I fully respect and appreciate constructive criticism like you dolled out, I must say that if you don't enjoy Harry Potter fan fics, as I got the impression you don't, then why read them? I would more appreciate criticism from writers who write and read HP Fan Fiction and know what the good kind is and what the bad kind is.

So while I thank you for the input about the word "fancy" which I will gladly enforce, please stick with critiquing what you know.

Thank you,

Sneezy Mouse

Also, she said my characters are, supposedly, out of character. Well, this is taking place about two years since Book 4, so they probably don't act EXACTLY as they used to. This is how I envision them at this age and apparently, all my other reviewers believe I've done a splendid job keeping them in basic character.

One more thing: CelticMage pointed out I say "like" instead of "fancy." I didn't use fancy for two reasons: one) I figured that if I, being an American, used "fancy" as many times as I used "like," I would come off as an idiot trying to sound British. And two) I also figured that the Brits that read this story are not idiots and could figure out what I meant.

Sorry this A/N is so long.

:*: 8 – Awkward Letter Writing :*:

What could make my life better? I mean really.

I was in the best store in the wizarding world and I was kissing the best girl in the world.

Someone coughed.

Hermione and I pulled away to see Harry standing there, blushing.

"We should get going," he said carefully. "We have a few more things to do before we head back to Hogwarts."

I smiled and nodded.

"I'll owl you when we get back to school, okay?" Hermione said.

"I'll be waiting," I replied before kissing her on the forehead.

Harry rolled his eyes before heading toward the door, Hermione following him.

"She's cute."

I was snapped out of my blissful stupor.

"Huh?" I said dumbly.

"That girl," Caitlin said. "She's cute. Girlfriend?"

"Well, we fancy each other," I said. "We've yet to go out on a date. We're not girlfriend boyfriend yet."

"Well," Caitlin said, smiling, "The way she was smiling as she left, I'd say you'd better think about it."

"I thought you were working in back?" I said.

"I was until I heard the courtesy bell ringing," she said seriously. "There was a huge line of customers at the register which you, since you were snogging that girl, failed to notice."

I blushed.

"You won't tell Celia Zonko… I really want this job," I pleaded.

Caitlin smiled.

"Calm down, Fred," she said, "I was joking. Just keep your romantic interludes to a minimum, please."

I laughed.

"Thanks," I said. Caitlin smiled back.

:*: :*: :*: :*: :*: :*: :*: :*: :*: :*:

I was still on my post-Hermione-snoggage high, so I was practically skipping as I waltzed through the door after work.

"Hello, Fred," Mum said cheerfully. How was work?"

"Absolutely spiffing," I said happily.

"Am I missing something?" she asked, confused. "Why are you so happy today? You've been so… gloomy lately."

I wasn't really sure I wanted to tell her about Hermione and I. I'm not sure exactly why, but knowing Mum, she'd make a huge production about it. I just didn't want to deal with her inquiries about us.

"I've just," I paused, thinking for the right words, "Finally gotten used to working and living more for myself."

I knew that sounded stupid, but Mum lapped it up.

"Oh, Fred, dear, that's wonderful!" she cried, hugging me.

After one of Mum's rib-shattering hugs, I walked upstairs and into my room to find George, who was sitting at his desk.

"Guess what?" I baited.

He just looked at me with one of those "I don't feel like guessing" kind of looks.

"I kissed Hermione!" I practically yelled. Oops, hope Mum didn't hear that.

George looked impressed.

"Congratulations!" he said, smiling. "I'm happy for you. I'm sure Mum practically was in tears when you told her."

I shuffled my feet.

"You didn't tell Mum?" he asked, shocked.

"I couldn't!" I said defensively. "You know Mum. She'd get all serious about it and probably start scouting out locations for the wedding."
"And you don't want that?"

"Well…" I didn't like this conversation. It made me uncomfortable. "I fancy Hermione all right and stuff, but two kisses, one mutual, zero dates… We're not even a quote-unquote couple yet."

George nodded like one of those annoying psychiatrists. I was expecting him to next ask me "Now how does that make you feel?" but he didn't.

"You're in a hell of a predicament, my dear brother," was all he said before walking downstairs.

I heard an abrupt tapping on the window and saw Hedwig, Harry's owl, holding a letter.

I quickly ran to the window and opened the door. Hedwig dropped the letter in front of me and flew to perch on my bed stand like she was waiting.

I ripped open the letter and, to my happy thoughts, it was from Hermione.

Dear Fred,

I said I'd write, but now that I have, I've realized I'm not quite sure what to say.

So far, Hogwarts has been great. I've got top marks already and was allowed to do some seventh year Transfiguration homework as Professor McGonagall thinks the sixth year stuff is not challenging me enough.

Potions is still an awful class to deal with. Although Professor Snape's vendetta against the Gryffindors has lessened a bit, he still largely favors the Slytherins this year, as we have Potions with them again this year.

Arithmancy is by far still my favorite class. It's just so simply fascinating.

Now, all of that was quite boring, I'm sure. I've just never written to anyone that wasn't my friend or family before.

That's not to say you're not my friend, because you are. I obviously think of you as more than a friend and we are more than friends.

Ron is being decidedly difficult. The only explanation I can possibly think of to why he's acting this way is that it's Ron and Ron seems to enjoy being frustrating.

Oh, Ginny wants to write something.

Hi, Fred!

It's your favorite little sister, Ginny. Congratulations to you and Hermione. I'm looking forward to the wedding. I call Maid of Honor.

Sorry I was so horrible to you before I left for school. You were just being such a jerk. Sorry, that was mean.

Oh, now Harry wants to write something. Bye! Say hello to Mum, Dad and George. And Percy, Charlie and Bill if you see them.

Hey, it's Harry. How are you? I know I've only just saw you, but everyone else was writing to you and I didn't want to feel left out. We've picked out the new Beaters and Chasers. The new team stands as follows:

Seeker/Captain: Harry Potter, me.

Keeper: Seamus Finnigan

Chaser One: Ron Weasley

Chaser Two: Dean Thomas

Chaser Three: Amanda Lewis (a second year)

Beater One: Donald Martin (a fourth year)

Beater Two: Clara Vincent (another fourth year)

So far, the team seems rather promising, but the Beaters are going to need some work. Are you still up for training them on weekends? I've asked McGonagall, who then asked Dumbledore, and they approved you to come down once a week to train up.

Unfortunately, Slytherin has a good team this year also. Malfoy is now captain also and he's picked a fairly good line up. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have followed suit. It looks to be an interesting Quidditch season.

Our first game is the second Saturday of November. Come watch us. You can see Hermione. Oh, speaking of which, Hermione wants her letter back. I've sort of been hogging it, haven't I? Hope all is good at the Burrow!

Hello. Hermione again. My, aren't you the popular one? Well, I talked to Ron, but he's mad at us. Don't fret, he insists it's not because of me. Harry confirmed that fact. Ron fancies some Hufflepuff fifth year… a friend of Ginny's no less. He's just been in horrid mood because Ginny has not been able to stop pestering him about it (neither has Harry).

So he just is in a bad mood all around so this is just another thing. He thinks now that I have you and Harry has Ginny that he ahs no one. Oh, this is hard to explain. Harry mentioned that you might come to Hogwarts, so I can try to explain it to you in person… or maybe Ron can.

Hope to see you soon!

Love from,

Hermione

I smiled as I finished reading the letter. I didn't care how formal the letter sounded. The fact that it was from Hermione was fine with me.

I quickly realized Hedwig was still there, awaiting my response, so I quickly scribbled one down.

Dear Hermione,

You're right. This does feel awkward. I have absolutely no idea what to say.
I'm glad to hear your classes are going good this year and good job scoring Advanced Transfiguration homework. I was doing remedial Transfiguration homework when I was a sixth.

Tell Ginny all is forgiven. I was being a prat and I know it.

Tell Harry I'll be out on Thursday. It's my day off. I'm looking forward to training new Beaters and passing down my secrets. Though how many secrets can be held by beating a Bludger with a stick, I'll never know.

Smack Ron for me. Tell him to bite the bullet and kiss the damn girl. That's what I did and look at me now. I'm currently with the most beautiful witch in the entire world.

See you Thursday!

Sincerely, love, or however I should end the letter,

Fred

I slipped the parchment into an envelope, tied it to Hedwig's leg and she flew off.

I wish I could be with Hermione right now.

Boy, am I a sap.

"Fred!" I heard George bellow from downstairs.

"What?" I yelled back. I was quite enjoying thinking about Hermione… then Fred had to be an ass and interrupt my wonderful thoughts.

"Come down here!" he yelled. "I found something!"

Utterly perplexed, I mosied downstairs to see George looking at the "Evening Prophet."

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Look at what I found!" he said excitedly, shoving the paper under my nose.

"Self-cleaning Women's Undergarments?" I asked, reading the ad that was smack dab in the middle of the paper. :No offense, but I don't think I need those… don't think any one does for that matter. It's kind of gross."

"What? No!" George said. "Under that."

I looked under it. It was the "For Sale" ads. The circled one (I assumed that was George's doing) read:

Spacious two-bedroom, one bath. Kitchen/living area combined. Great view of Hogsmeade Village Square. Located to the right of Honeydukes Sweet Shop. Fifteen Galleons a month. Apparating point included, already connected to Floo network. Please come for a tour or owl at…

It proceeded to give contact information.

"Was there a point to this?" I asked.

"You really are dense, Fred," George said exasperated. "It's for us. I figure we need to move out some day. And now that we both have jobs, we could afford fifteen galleons a month… probably."

I reread the ad. It sounded like a pretty good deal for fifteen galleons per month. I've seen the apartments next to Honeydukes and they're not bad for a first "On Our Own" place.

"I think we should check it out," I finally said. "Though we should probably not tell Mum. You remember how she was in July when Percy got a place with Oliver and Angelina. She was practically hysterical… for a week. And that was just one of her children. Think of how nuts she'll be if TWO of her 'Precious Babies' were to leave her."

George considered this.

"Hey! She's practically been pushing us out of the house at the end of August with the whole job thing," he reasoned. He was right. "So this is just the next step."

"All right," I agreed. "First, let's look at the apartment and then make a decision. All right?"

George nodded.

Whoa. This relationship with Hermione started to seem really weird at this moment.

Here I was:

An independent graduate of Hogwart's, have my own job, might be getting my own place.

And here was Hermione:

Two years of Hogwart's left, no job, lives with her parents.

I seemed a lot older than her all of a sudden.

I quickly snapped myself out of my skepticism and thought to myself that age shouldn't really matter in a relationship.

Right?

A/N: Chapter eight, there you go. It seems to be one of those filler chapters that you just throw in because you can't think of anything better to write. If you're wondering about the character Caitlin and her possible romantic involvement with Fred, fear not. I just felt the need to innocently throw myself in the story. No harm, no foul. Well, I'm off to start chapter nine so hooray! I promise nine will have a bit more plot… and Fred's visit to Hogwarts possibly. That means it might get a bit fluffy, folks.