Falling (out of) Love
Chapter 3 –
~*
"You coming with us to Fred & George's shop today?" Harry asked Ron. It was Friday and the two were playing wizards chess shortly after breakfast.
"Us?" Ron inquired.
"You know, Ginny, Hermione and I?"
"No." He said coldly. "Parvati and I are going to Three Broomsticks. We'll be at Fred and George's later."
"But- I thought you and Lavender were-"
"C'mon, Harry, that was Monday. Check mate."
~* An hour or two later
"About ready?" Fred asked while scanning the shop shelves.
"You bet" George said as he brought out a box of Two Ton Tongue Toffees. "So…you going to ask Hermione today, right?" He said only half teasingly and he rechecked prices on the crowded shelves. The place they rented was actually pretty nice and rather cozy.
"C'mon, George, of course I am. And she'll say yes." Fred wasn't too sure of this though. If she did say yes, he reckoned Ron would be very angry. But Fred is no chicken.
"Let's open up." George said. The sign outside read "Weasley's jokes" And under it in smaller letters, "Hogwarts most professional Pranksters" They flipped the open sign and almost immediately the store was flooded in Hogwarts students. Almost all of them congratulated the twins on their stunning performances the previous year. When the crowd slowed, Harry, Ginny and Hermione walked in. The girls proceeded to hug Fred and George. When Hermione was hugging Fred, George winked very obviously. Fred rolled his eyes.
"You guys!" Hermione pulled back from Fred and looked around the store in wonder. They grinned back, surprised they didn't get a lecture.
"Wow. You two really made out." Harry said, noting the overflowing cash register.
"Yeah. Tons of Weasley wannabes." George said and smirked.
"I think you're missing someone. Ron, perhaps?" Fred asked.
"Oh. He's with-"
"Lavender." Ginny said.
"Katie." Hermione guessed.
"Parvati." Harry corrected quietly as the two walked in the door.
"Hey Fred. Hey George." He said. They nodded.
"Playboy?" George asked from the corner of his mouth. Ginny giggled and Harry just shook his head.
"You don't wanna know." He replied.
"So, what are you going to do with your profits?" Hermione asked Fred. She had quickly turned away once Ron had entered the store.
"Well I was wondering if I could treat you to a butterbeer. You know, at Three Broomsticks."
"Sure. I'm sure Harry and Ginny will fancy that idea."
"No" Fred said to Hermione, though the store was now silent. "Just you and me." Harry raised his eyebrows, and Ginny opened her mouth. George smirked and Ron dropped the bag of candy he was holding. Noticing this, Hermione leaned closer and whispered. Everyone's ears strained to hear
"I'd love to."
"C'mon." Ron said and hastily pulled Parvati by the elbow out of the store. Fred raised his eyebrows. Hermione promised to tell him later.
"Would you like to go now?" Fred asked, stepping out from behind the counter.
"Sure." Hermione smiled, her cheeks blushing pink.
"See you lot later." Fred waved to the still stunned Harry and Ginny.
"Why did he-?" Ginny asked. "I didn't know he fancied Hermione!" George just grinned. "What? You look too guilty." She followed George as he stepped behind the counter.
"Who? Me?" George bent over to pick up some gold and smiled innocently. Another herd of students entered. "Ginny? Harry? A little help?"
*~
"Oh, Ron, I could use a butterbeer." Parvati was saying.
"I don't think I want to." Ron replied coldly.
"Oh, c'mon. Please, please, please?"
"Fine." He didn't know that dating would cost so much. So they headed towards Three Broomsticks as Ron silently prayed his brother and Hermione would not be there.
*~
Sorta cliffhanger. Sorry. But until I get updated again, you can review! I'm sort of lacking them, but that's okay. Or check out my other finished stories, Out of Reach & The Act of Being Vulnerable. Both Ron/Hermione, of course.
