The next morning at breakfast, the usual owl post came to deliver mail. A barn owl landed in front of Hermione's plate with a letter clasped in its beak. Hermione took the letter and began to read it:

Dear Hermione,

Of course you can stay with your friends for the holidays. We were planning to go to Scotland to visit your Uncle Jimmy. And considering how he can be when he has family over, we thought it best that we avoid any more "incidents". We hope you enjoy the holidays with your friends.

Love from,

Mom and Dad

"Who's it from?" asked Harry, leaning over to read the letter.

"My parents" said Hermione handing the letter over to him so he could read it "they said it was ok that I spend the holidays at the Burrow. They were planning on visiting my uncle in Scotland anyway, so they thought it best I don't come. Not like I'm complaining or anything." She quickly scribbled a reply on the back.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you so much! I hope you have fun in Scotland.

Love from,

Hermione

"What do they mean by 'incidents'?" asked Harry after Hermione finished writing.

"Oh… it's just every time we visit my uncle, he always tries to get me drunk, no matter how many times I try to explain to him that I'm not of legal drinking age yet."

"That's awesome." remarked Fred, who was listening in on their conversation.

"Yeah, I wish we had an uncle like that!" exclaimed George.

"I don't think Mrs. Weasley would approve of him." said Hermione sternly.

"So you're coming over?" asked Ginny. Hermione nodded. "Great! I'll owl Mom and say you're coming."

"Even if you don't owl Mom, she'd be delighted to have Hermione over." said Ron.

"I know, but I'll owl her anyway." replied Ginny. They continued eating their breakfast in silence, then got they all got up from the table. The rest of the day was uneventful.

The next day, they arrived at the Burrow and were greeted by Mrs. Weasley. "Harry! Hermione! So nice of you to be staying over!" She engulfed the two of them in a bone-crushing bear hug.

"Thanks for letting us stay over, Mrs. Weasley." gasped Hermione.

"Yeah, thanks." said Harry. Mrs. Weasley let them go and smiled "Don't mention it, the two of you are practically family. Now, come in before you all catch your deaths of cold." They all entered the house, relieved to be out of the cold.

"Come on Hermione, lets put our things in my room." said Ginny. They climbed the stairs and went into Ginny's room; there was already an extra bed in there for Hermione. They unpacked all their things and freshened up. "So, what do you want to do now?" asked Ginny.

"I was thinking of catching up on my reading." Hermione answered as she started opening up one of her many books. Ginny groaned.

"Anything else you want to do besides read?" Ginny asked hopefully. Hermione shrugged. "Fine" sighed Ginny "is it ok if I go and be with Harry for a bit?" Hermione nodded, and Ginny left the room. After a ten minutes though, Hermione got distracted from her reading, which never happens. Her thoughts were distracting her, thoughts for a certain Weasley.

"I guess I'll read later." sighed Hermione and put her book away, she started singing to herself.

I will be there
Always waiting
Waiting for you
To let me inside
Where your fire burns
In the city of angels
Just like a river rushing straight into the sea
I'm the one thing meant for you and you for me…

"Really now? I never thought you cared, Hermione." someone said behind her. She turned around. Fred was standing in the doorway with a grin on his face.

"Have you been there the whole time?" asked Hermione starting to blush.

Fred nodded. "Never thought you felt that way." He was still grinning.

"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione looking confused.

"That whole I'm the one thing meant for you and you for me thing." Answered Fred as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"It was only a line of a song." Said Hermione, trying to make it sound as if it didn't bother here, but it did. "Why were you standing in the doorway anyway, George?"

"Fred"

"What?"

"I'm Fred, not George."

"Oh…right."

"And to answer your question, lunch is ready and you should come down before Ron eats everything." He turned his back on her, but he took one backward glance at Hermione, "By the way, you sing well." And hurried downstairs. Hermione stared at the spot where Fred was standing a few seconds ago. What was that all about? And what was with that whole 'I never thought you felt that way' thing? He sounded really serious when he said that too, could he maybe like me? Wait! This is Fred; he doesn't like me that way! Get a hold of yourself! As if he's ever serious about anything other than pranks! Might as well stop dwelling on this, it doesn't mean anything! She sighed and went downstairs for lunch.

-- --

Fred's POV

What the heck was that? You give her a compliment and then run away! You could have at least waited for a reaction before bolting. Stupid, stupid Fred! Why did you have to interrupt her singing… it was so good. And that whole 'never thought you felt that way' thing was so stupid, as if she was singing about you! She probably thinks you're a complete idiot! I am a complete idiot! Try to forget what happened. Just have some lunch. Fred sighed and sat down beside George.

-- --

"Something bothering you, dear brother?" asked George.

"No, nothing." replied Fred with his cheery tone of voice. "Just hungry, that's all." He took a sandwich from the plate in front of him and started eating. Ginny, Harry and Ron came into the kitchen and sat down.

"Where's mom?" said Ron, taking a sandwich.

"Out shopping." replied George "she'll be back by dinner." Just then, Hermione came down from upstairs. "Are all the sandwiches the same?" she asked as she sat down beside Fred.

"Yes" answered Ron as he started on his second sandwich "at least it's not corned beef."

-- --

Fred's POV

She's sitting beside me. I guess she doesn't think I'm a complete idiot after all. Ooooh she's so pretty up close… FRED! What are you thinking? This is Hermione! She's the Gryffindor bookworm and you are a prankster, she won't see past that! But what about that afternoon we spent in Hogsmead? What are you talking about? That wasn't a date! Fred…Fred… what the…?

-- --

"Fred!"

"Earth to Fred!" someone was poking him, something was waving in front of his face.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Dunno"

"It's like he lost his brain."

"I'll handle this…FRED!" someone yelled in his ear, he was brought out of his thoughts. It was George who yelled, Hermione was the one poking him, and the thing waving in front of his face was Harry's hand.

"Huh? What? What's going on?" stammered Fred. Ginny raised her eyebrows "That's what we want to know."

"Just zoned out, that's all." explained Fred. It was sort of true, it was better than saying that he was having an internal conflict concerning how he feels or doesn't feel about Hermione.

"You never zone out that long." said Ron.

"I had a lot on my mind. Lot's to think of." shrugged Fred.

"But… you never think." said Ron.

"Shut up, Ron! He thinks more than you do!" retorted George, he and Fred were now standing up and glaring at Ron.

"Enough!" shouted Harry, Hermione, and Ginny. They had to stop this before it got out of hand.

"Stop it! We have guests! Just sit down and finish your sandwiches." said Ginny to her brothers. This seemed to stop them in their tracks and they all sat down except for Fred.

"I'm done eating." He mumbled "I'll be in my room." He stormed off.

"I'm done too." Said George and followed Fred upstairs.

xxxxxxx

Booo yaaa! what did you guys think?