Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
A/N: I'm so relieved that you guys aren't getting bored with my story. I love you all! Thanks for reviewing and keep it up, please!
Hermione's mind was reeling. "Can a person actually fall in love in four days?" she asked disbelievingly.
"Apparently." Harry said. "Besides, you've technically known him for ten years…"
"Oh my gosh. You're right!" Hermione exclaimed. She was in love. Love. How strange! Hermione bit her lip. "I'm going to the library." she said abruptly, then apparated out.
Harry and Ginny shrugged at each other, laughed, and leaned in for a kiss.
Fred was also in good spirits when he returned home, but he couldn't help avoiding his bedroom. He knew that the second he went in there, George would ask questions about his night with Hermione. Why couldn't he just tell George that he, well, liked Hermione? As more than a friend. Even a very friendly friend. It was amazing, really, how in just a few short days he had gone from not looking twice at her to looking at nothing but her. Apparently, not only was love blind, it was also fast-acting.
He sighed, knowing that he could only avoid George for so long, and entered the room he shared with George.
"Yes, it went well, and yes, she has another date." Fred answered the questions before George could ask them.
"Do you think-" George began, but Fred cut him off.
"She doesn't know about the plan. How would she?"
"Do you want me to answer that question?" George asked with annoyance, "Or do you just-"
"Want to answer it myself?" Fred finished, grinning.
George snorted. "Exactly. Now stop it."
"Sorry," Fred said," It's just that once in a while I feel it's my duty to rub our psychic connection in your face."
"Oh, right." said George sarcastically. "Our psychic connection. So, who's Hermione's date for tomorrow."
Fred shrugged. "Some guy."
"That means it's you." George interpreted. "Geez, Fred. Are you that desperate to get her out of the house? You need to get a life."
They both laughed. "I'm afraid it's become an obsession." Fred replied. "Scary, isn't it?"
Hermione had been sitting in the library for three hours. Her original intent had been to read up on love- something scientific and psychological. However, she'd found herself unable to concentrate on anything but paperback romance novels.
She eyed the stack of them piled in front of her, picked up the top one, and flipped through it. How nice it would be to be a character in a romance, she mused. When a girl wants a guy, he wants her too. They kiss and flirt and the guy proposes on bended knee… She sighed, wishing real life could be that easy.
An elderly librarian picked her head around the bookshelf. "Hon? You ready to check out? We close in five minutes."
"Thanks." said Hermione. She scooped up the stack of novels and headed from the front desk.
As Hermione apparated back into the Weasley house, she wished she hadn't checked out so many romance novels. As the "intellectual" of the group, she'd rather no one found out that she was reading romantic fiction. It was a matter of pride.
One of the books fell from the stack as she went up the stairs. Hermione bent to pick it up- and screamed.
"Good God, Fr-George! What are you doing here!" George had gone to pick up the book at the same time as Hermione, and they'd nearly bumped heads.
"I live here." George deadpanned. He picked up the book and handed it to her. "You almost called me Fred." he said triumphantly.
"Why is it so important that I mix you two up?" Hermione asked him.
George shrugged. "We can trick everyone else, why not you?"
Hermione feigned sympathy. "Ah, well. You win some, you lose some." Whew, she thought, he didn't notice the books! "Goodnight, George." she said, scurrying up the stairs.
George watched her go. "Romance novels?" he muttered to himself.
"Ready to go, 'Mione?" Fred asked, poking his head into her room.
Hermione looked up at him from her seat on the bed amongst a sea of papers. She smiled reflexively at his use of her nickname, thinking about how stupid it would sound if anyone else said it, but it sounded sweet coming from him.
The smile quickly disappeared into a frown as she realized she wasn't ready, but far from it. "Fred, I'm sorry. I really can't go out tonight."
Fred's face fell. "Oh. Why not?"
"It's nothing you did," she assured him. "It's just that, well, my deadline's tomorrow and I have to finish filing all these papers before then." She really hated canceling out on Fred, especially now that she might be in love with him, but if she didn't finish this by tomorrow, she could just kiss her promotion goodbye.
Fred suddenly noticed the dark circles under her eyes. "How much sleep did you get last night?" he asked with concern.
Hermione shrugged. "About five hours. I got up at six to start this."
Fred checked his watch. "And you've been at it for…thirteen hours!"
"Yes." Hermione said, sounding upset. "And I still have a good six hours' worth to do!"
"You need a break." Fred told her seriously.
"Aren't you listening?" Hermione asked. "I have some definite time issues here."
Fred moved some papers and sat next to her on the bed. "'Mione, what if you come with me for a few hours," Hermione opened her mouth to protest but Fred held up his hand. "And when we get back, I'll help you finish this? We can get it done in half the time if I help you."
Hermione really wanted to go with him. And she did need a break… She smiled at him. "Let's go." she said. Them she made a face. "Where are we going?"
"Okay." Fred said. "Open your eyes."
Hermione did. "What is it?" she asked in confusion, staring at the maze of wooden crates and what looked like… bales of hay?
Fred grinned at her mischievously. "Hermione," he said. "You are about to discover the miracles of… paintball!"
A/N: You all want to read the next chapter. Don't lie; I know you do! Thanks to dancing in rain for the wonderful date suggestion. Remember to review, please!