A/N: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed! I have a few things I need to address. 1) Updates might be a bit less frequent after this one. My home computer broke, so I can only update if my mum brings home her laptop, or I go to my dad's. But I assure you, they won't be too far apart, only a few days at the most. 2) Well, I really only needed to address one thing… oh well. I suppose I can put a disclaimer in this one, since I'm not being too lazy. I still don't own Harry Potter. So don't sue me. Because you won't get any money, because I have a lack of it.
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"You can apparate, right?" Fred asked Hermione as they walked through the entrance gates of Hogwarts, leaving the grounds.
"Yep. I passed my test the first time I took it, too."
"That doesn't surprise me." Fred said honestly. "Okay, we'll be apparating to my flat above the joke shop." She nodded, grabbed her trunk and landed with a -pop- in the living room of the apartment above Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Moments later Fred landed next to her with an identical -pop-.
"Why didn't we just apparate to the Burrow?" Hermione questioned.
"I was looking out for you," he replied. "Think about how Mum will be once you get to the Burrow." Although it sounded mean, and though she loved Mrs. Weasley, her son had a point. The woman would end up suffocating her by way of bear hugs, or cause her to become immensely overweight by feeding her constantly and not allowing her to do anything but relax.
"Besides, I decided I would use today to help cheer you up," he smiled. "Then you can stay here tonight and sleep in George's old bed. Is that okay with you? Because if it's not, you can go to the Burrow if you want to. I mean, it's not like I'm forcing y–"
"Fred! Stop rambling! Of course I'll stay here tonight." Hermione interrupted.
"Sorry." He blushed. She was positive he blushed this time. "Well then, let's put your trunk in the bedroom," he said while opening a door to their left.
Hermione glanced in and saw two twin beds pushed up against the wall opposite the door. They were separated by two night stands. "This," he pointed to the bed on the right, "will be yours." The girl nodded, noticing the small vase of flowers on the nightstand next to it. Daisies. Her favorite.
The Weasley set down her trunk and turned to her. "And now, we're off!" But before Hermione could ask what he meant, he grabbed her arm and they landed with a -pop- outside of the Three Broomsticks. Fred dragged the girl inside and sat her in a booth. "Two butterbeers, please!" he called out to Rosmerta, who gave a nod.
"Fred, what are we doing in Hogsmead?" Hermione asked, trying to sound as though it was irresponsible, but she was smiling and looked excited.
"Why, cheering you up of course!" He exclaimed with a smirk as a waitress brought over their butterbeers. "And obviously," he said, noticing the grin on Hermione's face, "it's working."
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"Now where are we going?" Hermione asked as Fred led her down the road in Hogsmead.
"Right here," he said as he pulled her into a new shop.
"The Literature Lounge!" Hermione squealed, getting more excited than any normal person would. She wandered around the store, pulling certain books off the shelves and examining them.
While she was enthusiastically looking at the books, Fred followed behind. 'Merlin, she's wonderful. She's smart, funny, sensitive but can stand up for herself, not to mention beautiful. Wait! Did I just think that about Hermione Granger! She's one of my brother's best mates and his ex! She is gorgeous though… NO! Stop it Fred! Fred! Fred! What the…' He looked up to see Hermione waving her hands in front of his face.
"Fred! Fred!" She brought him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, sorry Hermione, what do you need?"
"I found a book that I want, but then I realized that I didn't have any money, so –"
"Don't be silly!" He interrupted. "The book's on me! And yes, Hermione, I'm sure," he added when the girl opened her mouth. "What book did you pick out?"
"It's a muggle play called 'Romeo and Juliet'," she explained. He looked confused, so she briefly summarized it for him. "It's about two young lovers who's families hate each other, so they have to meet in secret."
"Right." 'That sounds a bit familiar.' The Weasley thought. 'No it doesn't! Hermione doesn't fancy me. I wish she did. No I don't!' he argued with himself before he snapped back to reality.
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The rest of the afternoon flew by quickly, with the pair stepping in various stores to buy a few items, and then stopping back at the Three Broomsticks for dinner. When they finally apparated back to the flat, they were both exhausted.
"I'm going to get changed into some pajamas," Hermione said as she grabbed some clothes from her trunk and walked into the bathroom. She came back into the bedroom wearing a pair of black shorts and a light green tank top. She blushed when she saw Fred getting into bed wearing nothing but a pair of flannel pajama bottoms. 'Merlin, he's great. He's smart, funny (of course), but he's also really nice and caring, not to mention good looking. Wait! Did I just think that about George Weasley! He's one of my best mate's (and ex's) brother's! He is handsome though. No! Stop it Hermione!' She climbed into bed and turned off the lamp on her nightstand. "Goodnight, Fred," she whispered.
"Night, 'Mione." Did he just call her 'Mione? She liked that nickname.
"Hey Fred," Hermione whispered a few minutes later.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Everything. For today, for my book, for making me feel good. Everything." She said.
Fred turned onto his side and propped his head on his hand. "It was no problem, Hermione. You deserved it."
She propped her head up the same way. "Either way, thanks. So how's life been going for you? Are you still seeing Angelina?" She asked, hoping he would say no to the last question.
"Nah. She broke it off with me about a month ago. Found some famous quidditch star," he answered.
Hermione hoped he couldn't see her smile. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I loved her more as a sister anyway, know what I mean?"
"I know exactly what you mean. That's one of the main reasons I broke it off with Ron. I just didn't love him the way he loved me."
"That explains the yelling of 'Why'd you say yes' I suppose. But, if you don't mind me asking, why did you say yes?" Fred questioned.
"I didn't want to hurt his feelings. And everyone was always pressuring me. They said we were the 'perfect couple' or 'meant for each other'. Everyone always assumed we'd end up together." It was true. People said that to them all the time, even before they started dating.
"I see. He sure was acting like a royal git about it though."
"Yea, but you know Ron. He overreacts to everything."
"True," Fred said through a yawn. Hermione yawned immediately after him.
"We should probably be going to sleep. Night, Fred."
"Goodnight, 'Mione."
