Falling (out of) Love

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Chapter 6 –

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            "Hey all." Harry said as she sat down in the dining hall. Ron came down a few minutes later- being dragged by Parvati. He escaped her grip, much to her dislike, and took a seat next to Harry.

            "Hey Ron." Ginny said, followed by the rest of the group, except Hermione. Rolling her eyes at him, she continued eating.

            "Parvati again, now is it?" Harry asked.

            "Unfortunately." Ron said, looking sick.

            "So everyone still on for today?" Ginny asked the trio.

            "Yes." Ron and Hermione said at the same time. They stared at each other and turned back to Ginny. "No." They both said again. Then together, "I'll go if he doesn't." "I'll go if she doesn't." After an exasperated sigh, Hermione said, alone,

            "Fred and I are going somewhere."

            "Well, me and Lavender,"
            "Lavender and I." Hermione corrected.

            "Lavender and I," Ron said in a mocking tone, "have plans, too."

            "Good."

            "Fine." They turned away from each other.

            "Harry," Ginny said, whispering.

            "What?"

            "This has to stop. I have a plan."

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Later that Day…Hogsmede…

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            Miraculously, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were walking to "Weasley's Jokes" together. Mind you, it wasn't pleasant but it was an accomplishment.  Their store wasn't open yet, but George quickly opened the doors for them.

            "Hey, look Fred, it's our favorite lot!" He yelled to the backroom. Fred emerged, saying,

            "Wow, George, is that Ron or an extremely sad looking git?" He joked, noting Ron's facial expression. He put an arm around Hermione's neck.

            "Hah hah." Ron said sarcastically. "Okay, I made an appearance. I'm leaving." He said to Ginny.

            "Fine. Leave." Ginny said, but he was already at the door.  "No one will miss you much!" She yelled to his back.

            "What's stuck up his-" Fred was interrupted by an elbow in his side. He looked at Hermione and grinned, shaking his head.

            "So, Harry. We've been seeing a lot of you and Ginny around lately." George said suggestively. Ginny blushed but Harry smiled.

            "Yeah. I supposed you are." Was all he said.

            "So, you ready?" Fred asked Hermione and pulled her closer.

            "You bet." She said and giggled; pretending for a moment that Fred was really her boyfriend.

"So I guess once Shirley shows, you guys can come with us to Three Broomsticks?" Fred asked.

"Sure," Ginny said. George nodded as did Harry.

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            Shirley ended up being a very funny seventh year with long brown hair and expressive blue eyes. George fed off her jokes and no one could stop laughing. Once inside Three Broomsticks, it was very crowded and loud. Big groups of Hogwarts students bombarded Fred and George, still congratulating them. Linking arms with Hermione, Fred led her to a corner table, almost out of sight.

            "So, 'girlfriend,' what should we do now?" He asked playfully.

            "I dunno, 'boyfriend,'" Hermione said and giggled. "See Ron?" She asked.

            "Nah…oh wait! You mean the poor old chap with the permanently contorted face!" He said and Hermione laughed.

            "Too bad we got separated from everyone else. I'd really love to snog right in Ron's face." Wait, did she just say that out loud?! Fred just laughed in surprise.

            "Yeah," he agreed, "but I hate seeing George drool over Shirley. Sure, she's cute and all,"

            "You're jealous." Hermione accused.

            "Nah…" Fred said and looked down.

            "Yes you are!" Hermione exclaimed.

            "Hermione, I have something to confess." He began seriously. Hermione's smile faded a little. "I guess I've been using you as a temporary girlfriend." Hermione nodded.

            "Yeah. But I was only using you to make Ron jealous. Remember?" He nodded. "Does that make us horrible?"

            "Nah. Not if we're both horrible together." He smiled a little. "I'm sorry."

            "For what? I did it, too."
            "No, I'm sorry for this." He said as he leaned in and kissed her softly. When they pulled back, they were forehead to forehead.

            "I forgive you." Hermione whispered as they both smiled. Hermione sat back in her chair and agreed to listen to one of Fred's jokes. She laughed, but was still confused. Her and Fred were nothing more then a few snogs, right? That's all they were supposed to be anyway. Then why is Hermione feeling this way?

A/N: Hope you liked. If things go as planned, expect 3 or maybe 4 more chapters…but its hard to tell cause I have this big chunk I can't really split up very well…so expect a short one, a long one, then a short one.  Maybe…I dunno. ANYWAY, review, review, review!