Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. You can stop rubbing it in now.
A/N: Okay, from here on in, you'll be seeing a lot more F/H. I finally cut to the chase and got to the good part.
Ginny Weasley brushed her hands together. "Are you all ready," she said grandly, "for Hermione Granger's dancing debut?"
Hermione elbowed her. "Stop it." She looked at her audience, which consisted of Harry, Ron, George, and Mrs. Weasley. Fred and Ginny were there too, of course, but they considered themselves part of the show. "It isn't really that big a deal." Hermione said nervously. "I mean, just because I learned to do something everyone else can do-"
"No, Hermione." Harry said. "We really want to see. We're proud of you!"
"Yeah," said Ron. "And besides, not everyone can do it." He paused. "Well, most people can, but-" Ron shut up at a combined look from Ginny and Fred.
Fred stepped up and offered her his hand. Hermione took it and "assumed the position," as she liked to say. Ginny sat down and lazily flicked her wand at the old beaten-up piano in the corner that none of the Weasleys could even play, and it began to play "The Christmas Waltz."
This hadn't been Hermione's idea. When Ginny had started her lesson this morning, Hermione hadn't done as badly as Ginny had thought she would. (Fred and Hermione had neglected to tell her about their late-night dance class.)
After they'd practiced for a while without shoes, Hermione had put on the heels she would be wearing on her date tonight. Quickly, she'd become competent in these as well, and Ginny had decided that Hermione should show everyone else how much she'd improved. When Hermione had protested, Ginny had only said, "You'll have to dance in front of people eventually." Hermione had finally given in, and here they were.
Everyone watched as Hermione and Fred danced slowly. Hermione was glad that the music was loud enough that no one could hear Fred murmuring, "Left…two…three…back…two…three…"
Harry grinned as he watched the look of intense concentration on his friend's face. Ron watched her feet, and Molly watched the pair contentedly. George watched his twin suspiciously. Since when had Fred been so interested in Hermione?
"'Mione," Fred said out of the corner on his mouth, "Look at me. Never at your feet." Hermione complied, and almost simultaneously stepped on his foot.
"Ouch." Fred muttered. She was wearing shoes. "Okay, look at your feet." She did, and the rest of the song went by practically flawlessly. Fred ended the dance by spinning her out and then pulling her back into his arms. They separated and Hermione curtseyed good-naturedly. Ginny, Harry, and Mrs. Weasley clapped enthusiastically, while George and Ron stared pointedly at something above their heads.
Mrs. Weasley saw it and frowned. "I don't remember putting up any invisible mistletoe this year."
"What!?" Hermione exclaimed, glancing up at the mistletoe. "That was not there before!"
"I put it up." Mr. Weasley said, walking into the room. He grinned at Fred and Hermione, who appeared to be floored to the spot and were busy avoiding each other's eyes. "Sorry about that."
"It's invisible mistletoe that randomly becomes visible." Ron explained to Harry, who, living with the Dursleys, was just as in-the-dark about invisible mistletoe as Hermione was. "We put it up one year and then never again," Ron continued, "because we, um, couldn't find it."
Ginny was looking at Fred and Hermione as she said, "It's cool because if you don't know where it is, you can't avoid it."
Hermione caught the implications in Ginny's words and smiled weakly. She knew that she could never bring herself to give Fred a real kiss in front of his parents and siblings, as well as her two best friends, so she stood on tiptoe to brush her lips against his cheek. Everyone in the room laughed, and she and Fred were no longer at the center of attention.
Fred and Hermione stood, glued to the spot, just watching each other. This was happening a lot this weekend, Hermione thought. She frowned, wondering if she had really seen a flash of hurt in his eyes. She began to wish she had kissed him on the lips. A second later, Fred turned on his heel and left the room.
Up in his room, Fred sat at his desk with his head in his hands. What was wrong with him? He had almost kissed Hermione last night, and he had wanted her to kiss him today! Boring, bookish Hermione Granger! The plan had been to liven her up a bit, and now he was developing a crush on her? It was so wrong.
What was he thinking? She was his exact opposite, a dull workaholic who did nothing but read and had to be forced to have fun. Falling in love with said bookworm was not part of the plan! Therefore, it was unacceptable.
No big deal. He would get over it. He would just tell himself over and over how boring and bookish and socially challenged she was. Boring and bookish and socially challenged. Boring and bookish and socially challenged. Boring and bookish and socially challenged…
Hermione had just finished getting ready for her date with Dean, who was picking her up in five minutes. Admiring herself in the mirror, Hermione felt satisfied. She looked beautiful in her "dancing getup." She opened her door and stepped into the hallway to see Fred, who was apparently just going downstairs.
When he saw her, his eyes widened and then closed tightly as he murmured something under his breath. Hermione thought she heard something about "social challenges," but shook it off.
She walked up to him. "Hey."
"Hey." he replied, his eyes opening.
"I'm ready."
"I see."
Hermione suddenly realized how close they were. His eyes bored into hers, bringing her to do the most spontaneous thing she'd ever done. Sliding her arms around Fred's neck, she kissed him soundly.
A/N: Wow! I am just cranking 'em out! (These are fast updates, for me.) Well, I suppose the invisible mistletoe wasn't the most creative idea I've ever had, but it felt right in the story. Anyway, review, please. You know you can't stand not knowing what comes next...