A/N: Hey guys this is the 3rd chapter. It's a bit long, i hope u don't mind :). So please read and review guyz. I hope u like it!

CHAPTER 3

Hermione was awoken by a loud voice very late the next morning.

"Wake up sleeping beauty" chimed Fred.

"What?" mumbled Hermione sitting up.

"Good morning" he replied.

"U-huh" she murmured.

"I bought you breakfast in bed Madame" he said presenting her with a tray of pancakes, hot coffee and a small vase of flowers on a tray.

"Thanks Fred" she said sweetly.

"Hermione, have you given any thought to living arrangements?" asked Fred.

"No" she replied slowly, "But I guess the best solution is to move into who ever has the bigger apartment."

"Well George lives above the shop. I moved out when he and Katie decided to get married. I now live in house close to Diagon Alley. Obviously it's bigger than your apartment."

"Well than that settles it." Said Hermione.

"I guess so" replied Fred, The rest of the day dragged on until it was four o'clock when Hermione decided it was time to get ready. She had a shower and spell dried her hair. She made it up into a stylish bun with long silk curls falling around her face. She applied some make up and than slipped into her white dress. It clung to her top half and than flared at her hips coming to a rest just below her knees. She added white strappy heels and topaz/diamond earrings and necklace. She looked at herself in the mirror, took a deep breath and walked out of her room. In the lounge room waiting for her was Fred. He looked very handsome in nice black slacks and a white and blue striped shirt. He had on nice dress shoes and his hair looked well kept for once.

Fred was speechless. The dress was simple but elegant. Hermione looked gorgeous. "You look sensational" he finally managed to choke out. Hermione's cheeks coloured lightly, "Thanks, you don't scrub up too bad either sparky". Fred offered her his hand and they apparated into the church. They were standing at the alter ironically.

"You'll like the priest here. He's a wizard. This church is both a muggle and wizard church."

"Ah the happy couple finally arrives," said a voice. Hermione turned to see the priest walking towards from the back of the church.

"Good Evening Father" said Hermione politely. "Are my parents here yet?"

He was just about to answer when.

"DARLING!" Hermione's mothers voice called out. She cringed as her mother came walking down the aisle smiling broadly with her father in tow. "She's here now," said the priest chuckling. "Shall we get under way?"

Hermione nodded. Her parents kissed her cheek and than sat down. Hermione and Fred stood in front of the minister. Hermione didn't hear any of the speech until the priest said. "Do you have the rings?" Hermione nearly panicked, 'rings, damn! We forget to get some' she was about to freak out when Fred produced a box out of his pocket. He opened it and handed a simple gold band to her and he kept the other one. "Now Fred take Hermione's hand. Do you Frederick Jonathan Weasley take Hermione Jane Granger to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to cherish and love, through sickness and health from this day forward, till death do you part" said the priest.

"I do" he replied and slipped the ring onto Hermione's finger. It was beautiful. In the middle was a middle-sized diamond. On one side was a topaz and Amethyst stones and on the other Emerald and Ruby.

"Do you Hermione Jane Granger take Frederick Jonathan Weasley to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold. To cherish and Love, through sickness and health, from this day forward. Till death do you part,"

"I do," replied Hermione shakily slipping the gold band onto Fred's finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" Fred bent down and gently kissed her. It last for a bit and than it ended. Hermione smiled in spite of herself.

After that it was whirlwind of her mother sobbing and going to the restaurant for dinner. After dinner Fred and Hermione walked down the street.

"Do you want to spend the night at my house and that way you can check it out" Hermione nodded "First can we get some stuff from my house" and they apparated to her apartment first. She collected what she wanted and than they apparated to Fred's house, well soon to be their house. Fred showed Hermione around, she had to say she was impressed. It was a very nice two-storey house in a well off neighbour hood. Downstairs was the open plan kitchen, dining room and lounge room plus a basement for Fred's inventing. There was a recreation room, a laundry, a separate toilet and a study. The kitchen led off onto a patio. Upstairs was four bedrooms. The master bedroom had it's own bathroom and down the hall was another bathroom. Also off the master bedroom was a balcony over looking the back yard.

"I have to say, you have a great house. I can't believe it. Business must be really good"

Fred shrugged. "Well yeah, very good". Fred offered her the master bedroom's bathroom and he'd use the other one. When she had showered and changed she sat on the bed just looking around. When Fred came in and started getting into bed Hermione suddenly felt awkward. She tried to shrug it off and got under the covers. "Fred does the marriage law say anything about umm consummating the err marriage" said Hermione awkwardly fidgeting.

"I had a feeling you'd ask," said Fred and sighed. "I read that, in a wizarding marriage to make it totally official the couple have to consummate the marriage before the mark of 3 months of marriage," said Fred.

Hermione nodded, she knew they'd have to.

"Hermione we don't have to. We can wait till later, I know this must be awkward for you," said Fred.

Hermione shook her head "No otherwise it will be way weird and I'd probably back out completely. We should just get it over and done with" she said as if they were talking about something less serious. Fred leaned in and kissed her passionately. His hand making their way to her hips. He broke the kiss to eye her critically. "Are you sure this is what you want" said Fred. Hermione hesitated and than wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, I'm sure".

The next morning Hermione felt an arm draped around her bare waist. She almost screamed but she caught herself when she realised what happened the night before. She ever so quietly looked over to see Fred fast asleep with one arm over her and the other resting under his head. He looked so peaceful. Hermione as quietly as she could slipped his hand off her. She gathered a towel and some fresh clothes and was about to use the master bathroom but than decided against it. She didn't want to wake Fred up so instead she went to the bathroom down the hall. She took a long hot shower and washed her hair. For the day she put it up in a high ponytail. Than she slipped on her mini skirt. It was ruffled in 2 layers with a wide band of black across the top and the rest was camouflaged. She slipped on a black t-shirt that read, I have attitude- so what? Hermione took out her current earrings and replaced them with small silver hoops with a blue bead threaded on each.

When she was satisfied she went back to the bedroom, opening the door she saw Fred was sitting up looking around. "Oh there you are," he said stifling a yawn.

"I was in the bathroom" she replied. "Why didn't you use that one?" he said pointing to the adjoining bathroom.

"I didn't want to wake you" Fred smiled wryly

"Mia I could sleep through world war three"

"Oh" she replied. She silently put her pyjamas into her suitcase.

"You know you could just unpack your stuff into the drawers. Yesterday when I slipped out and got the rings I also got an extra dresser and wardrobe for you"

"Thanks" she replied pulling out the pyjamas and replacing them in the drawers. It felt odd to be unpacking in her new home.

"I'm going to go for a shower," mumbled Fred going off to the bedroom.

Hermione turned to reply and instead blushed as she saw his naked butt disappear into the bathroom. When he came back out Hermione had finished unpacking and had disappeared. Fred got dressed and than went looking for her. He ended up finding her just setting breakfast on the table. As he sat down she handed him a cup of coffee. "Just so you know this is just about the only thing I can cook," warned Hermione. "That's okay. I'm a pretty good cook, if I do say so myself. I like to cook. How about for now I cook everything except breakfast and you wash the dishes."

"Agreed" said Hermione automatically, "I hate cooking"

"Don't let my mother hear you say that" Laughed Fred.

"Speaking of your mother when does she want you to go to lunch"

"Well she said 12 but that always means come at least an hour and a half early so I can chat your ear off"

Hermione smiled knowing Mrs Weasley would do something like that. "So what time is it now?" asked Hermione. Fred checked his watch.

"Nine". Hermione nodded and sat down. After breakfast Hermione cleared the table and began to wash the dishes. Fred got up and helped her. "Just this once" he said cheekily. Hermione rolled her eyes and threw soapsuds at him in response. So, Fred flick her backside with the dishtowel. Things were turning into a war with soapsuds flying everywhere. Fred chased Hermione around the kitchen table with the dishtowel as she waved her soapy cloth at him trying to ward him off. Fred caught up to her and chucked her over his shoulder.

"Oh no mister! You put me down this instant!" shrieked Hermione.

"Not until you give up and state that I, Fred Weasley am the hottest man alive and I am the sexiest husband you've ever had.

"You're the only husband I've ever had" muttered Hermione, "Now let me down"

Fred marched her around the kitchen, "Not until you say it"

"NEVER!"

"Well than I'm not letting you down"

"Fred!" shrieked Hermione beating her hands on his back. She stopped after a moment, as Fred's grip seemed to get increasingly higher because she kept moving. Fred just ignored her and went about drying and washing the dishes with his wand. Finally Hermione have up. "I give up! Fred please let me down"

"Say it!"

"Fine, fine. Fred Weasley you are the hottest man alive and the sexiest husband I've ever had".

"See that wasn't to hard" Fred let her down and as he did his hand glided over her butt.

"Did I mention you look hot in that outfit" he said. Hermione looked down at herself. Her skirt had risen up and her shirt was messed up, she quickly straightened them out. "Shut up" she murmured hitting him playfully.

"Did you know it's ten thirty?" he said distracting her.

"What! Aren't we supposed to be at your mothers now?"

"Yeah"

"Well than get you're butt moving, oh wait your hairs messed up. Let me fix it" Hermione pulled him back from the doorway to fix his hair.

"Yes mother," he murmured under his breath

"Correction, Yes my dear wife. Remember were in love dear"

"Got it"

Fred took Hermione's hand and they apparted in front of the burrow. They walked up the garden path and up to the door. Fred knocked and than let himself in. "IT IS I, FRED! YOUR MOST HANDSOME SON AND HIS PARTNER!" Hermione sent him a look,

"Did you had to announce us like that" Fred shrugged,

"They'll just think your some girlfriend or something"

"Uncle Fred" cried a girl rushing into the hallway. It was Kalia, Bill and Fluer's daughter who was 6 yrs old.

"Hey munchkin"

"Uncle Fred why are you holding Miney's hand" questioned Kalia. Fred leaned over, "Because she's my wife," he whispered in her ear.

Kalia giggled, "Really"

"Really, see" Fred showed Kali Hermione's and his rings. "Now you get to call Miney" Fred winked at Hermione, "Auntie Miney" Kali giggled and flung herself on Hermione proclaiming "AUNTIE MINEY! You take good care of Uncle Fred! He gets into lots of mischief" she giggled and than ran away proclaiming "AUNTY MINEY, AUNTY MINEY!"

Hermione laughed at Kali's antics. "Well that's one Weasley that's happy with the idea" said Fred.

"True" replied Hermione. Hermione took a step forward and than turned around. "I don't want Ron to hate you Fred"

"He won't like it at first but he'll get used to it"

"I hope so" Hermione took a step backward and tripped on the rug. Fred with quick reflexes caught her before she hit the ground.

"Your very clumsy you know that" he said, his breath tickling her face.

"I get it from my mother" replied Hermione.

"Hurt?"

"Nope just embarrassed"

"I think I can fix that" he said and leaned in pulling her closer giving her a gentle kiss but it soon deepened. Hermione snaked her arms around Fred's neck. "Fred, I could hear you from a mile away. Good to see you finally show up. What's this about you bringing some-" Ron stopped talking as he entered the hallway and stood with his mouth hanging open. A look of disbelief crossed his face and his eyes flashed with hurt and anger. Hermione stopped kissing Fred and looked at Ron. 'Shit'. "Hey Ron," said Hermione breathlessly.

"JUST WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!" shouted Ron at the top of his lungs.

"Err…" replied Hermione There was a rush of feet and soon all of the Weasley clan were crowed around Ron.

"Honestly Ronald, you don't have to shout. What is wrong?" said Mrs

Weasley sternly but trailed off seeing what everyone was looking at. Fred quickly pulled Hermione up but left his arm around her. There was an awkward silence.

"Hi folks" said Fred cheerfully.

"You didn't answer me," growled Ron.

"Well my dearest here tripped and I, her knight in shining armour saved her and was rewarded with a kiss from the fair maiden" Hermione rolled her eyes at his idea of downplaying the situation.

"Your dearest" said George bluntly slightly perplexed.

"Why wouldn't I call my sweet anything else" Hermione rolled her eyes again and nudged him lightly.

"Are you two… together?" asked Bill cautiously eyeing the rings on each of their fingers.

Fred turned to look at Hermione, "Together he says! Of course we are! Why wouldn't I be with my wife"?

Bill nodded as if it explained everything and than stopped, "WHAT? Did you just say what I think you said?" Everyone's mouths dropped open.

"If you heard me say Hermione's my wife than yes you heard correctly"

Everyone stood shocked for a moment, Ron looked so heart broken. It made Hermione feel very guilty. 'Now dear you didn't love him, you weren't going to stop having a life because he couldn't tell you how he feels' said a voice to her.

"You're joking right," said Harry.

"Since when do I joke?" said Hermione calmly.

"She's right, Hermione doesn't have one humorous bone in her body" said Harry

"Hey"

"It's the truth," he protested.

"But why would you marry Fred?" asked George

" Because I love him," she replied, quietly knowing she was lying to all of them, how she felt so guilty.

"This is preposterous! Did you two get drunk or something and decided to get married," said Ginny looking furious, she wanted Hermione to be with Ron, not Fred!

Fred pretended to look hurt by her accusation.

"I'm not that stupid"

"How long" interrupted Ron quietly.

Hermione sighed knowing what he meant, "Six Months" she replied.

Ron didn't say anything instead he turned around and walked away. They heard thumping on the stairs and than a loud bang of his door being slammed.

Hermione sighed, close to tears.

"I thought you cared about Ron and wanted to be with him, all the times I dropped hints you sounded interested." spoke up Ginny her eyes flashing.

"No, you wanted me to be with him. I do care about Ron, but as a friend nothing more"

"HE LOVES YOU!"

"WELL I'M SORRY BUT I DON'T LOVE HIM!"

"YOU JUST BROKE HIS HEART!"

"IT WOULND'T MATTER WHAT I DO, IF I MARRIED SOMEONE ELSE IT WOULD STILL BREAK HIS HEART!"

"YOU'RE BEING SELFISH!" Shouted Ginny pointing an accusing finger at Hermione.

"I'M BEING SELFISH! I DON'T THINK SO! JUST BECAUSE I WANT TO LOVE SOMEONE! BEING WITH RON WOULD NOT WORK OUT! I'D BE UNHAPPY AND THAN HE'D BE UNHAPPY!" Screamed Hermione back, than she took a deep breath, "I don't love Ron and I never will. This is just the way it is. I'm not going to be in a relationship were I'm unhappy" Hermione realised her words were hypocritical really. She was doing exactly that, she didn't love Fred and well she wasn't unhappy but it wasn't a loving relationship.

"How can you do this to your best friend?" said Ginny angrily.

"Ginny, I never wanted to hurt Ron's feelings but it was inevitable. No matter what happened he'd get hurt. I can't just start loving him because he loves me, it just doesn't work that way. I'm sorry if your angry at me Ginny but I want happiness too. I deserve to be happy. Ron will find someone else. He deserves someone who will love him back unconditionally." replied Hermione quietly.

Ginny stood there for a moment, than she too walked away.

"We'll I'm happy for you," Said Bill breaking the ice hugging Hermione and giving Fred a pat on the back. "You're life of freedom will never be the same" he told Fred.

"That doesn't matter to me"

"If anyone else is mad I understand so go ahead and yell at me," said Hermione.

"No one's going to yell at you dear" cooed Mrs Weasley sending everyone warning looks and than enveloping her in a hug. "I don't expect you to be with Ron just because he likes you. There are plenty of fish in the sea. I want both of you to be happy" They all nodded in agreement, Hermione noticed sadly that Harry had disappeared, probably also angry at her. "I think it's time for lunch" announced Mr Weasley.

Lunch was pretty quite amongst the adults. The children were oblivious to the hanging silence and were screaming and hurling food about. Finally when all the plates had been cleared away finally someone said something

"Why didn't you tell me? We tell each other everything," said George.

"I'm sorry George, it wasn't pay back at you for not telling me you were engaged to Katie. I just didn't get round to telling you. I've been so busy organising business in Australia and really it was a spur of the moment thing. When I got back I was going to tell you I got engaged but than instead I got married" George looked ashamed at being hypocritical than he shrugged.

"Your right man. I'm happy for you."

"So exactly when did you get married?" asked Charlie. Fred looked thoughtful.

"How long has it been dear?" Hermione looked at her watch, "Umm 6:30, 7:30…" Hermione mumbled under her breath tapping her watch. "16 hours, 45 minutes and 10 seconds exactly" announced Hermione after a moment.

"You got married yesterday?" said Percy incredulously.

"Yes," replied Hermione.

"I can't believe you two kept your relationship secret for 6 months. Now I know why you wouldn't go out with any of Katie's friends," exclaimed George.

"That's right" Than he lent over to Hermione and whispered, "Actually it's because they were really ugly". Hermione giggled. "Don't be mean," she whispered back.

"So seriously why tell no one?" said Charlie

"Well I guess we just forgot about it. We've both been so busy with work and other commitments; we didn't even think we'd last. In the end we just didn't get around to telling anyone"

"That and you didn't want to tell Ron," murmured Percy.

"Well yes I suppose," admitted Hermione getting worked up again.

Fred's arm was instantly around her waist to comfort her.

"What I don't get is how Fed got you to go out with him in the first place," said George.

"Umm well it was quite simple really" said Hermione trying to stall desperately trying to make up a story.

"Well you all known that most of us including me hadn't seen Hermione for almost a whole year because she was in truth avoiding Ron and was busy with work. One day I was walking down the street and I literally bumped into her. Quite funny seeing as she dropped everything including a cup of coffee. So I offered to get her a new one and buy her lunch to make up for it, she was reluctant but in the end I succeeded. After that it became a sort of ritual, almost everyday to have coffee and lunch I think it was around a month later that I asked Hermione out properly and to my surprise she said yes. And the rest they say is history" Hermione smiled at Fred gratefully. Katie awed, "That's so sweet" she cooed.

George laughed, "You think everything is cute". Katie gave him a wounded expression.

An hour or so later Ginny, Harry and Ron still hadn't been seen and Hermione was feeling awkward. People had got up and were wandering around chatting to various people. Hermione was chatting with Katie while Fred was talking with George. Fred saw Percy giving him and than Hermione suspicious looks. 'I think it's time to get out of here' thought Fred. Fred walked over to Hermione wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder. Hermione jumped slightly in surprise but than relaxed when she noticed it was only Fred.

"Do you want to get out of here?" murmured Fred in her ear.

"If you don't mind"

"I don't. Come on" Fred and Hermione made the rounds saying good-bye to everyone downstairs. Hermione looked sadly at the stairs before they walked out the front door and apparated back home appearing in the lounge room. Fred pulled Hermione into a silent hug, her head resting on his chest.

"I had business to do this evening but I'll cancel it and stay with you" Hermione shook her head refusing to cry in front of him.

"You don't have to do that. Go, do what you need to do. I'll be here when you get back. I'm fine"

"I'm not going to leave you like this. You're not fine"

"Fred, I said I was fine! Just drop it. Just go do what you needed to. Don't feel like you have an obligation to me," snapped Hermione pulling away. Hermione was looking away from him so she missed the hurt look on his face.

"Herm-"

"JUST GO!" Hermione turned away from him furiously telling herself not to cry.

"Fine, I'll go. I'll be back soon" and than he was gone. As soon as he left Hermione slid to the floor in tears. Making her way to the kitchen she pulled out a bottle of wine and a six-pack of beer, than taking them to the lounge room to drown her sorrows. Fred walked in the door an hour later and immediately regretted leaving when he found her on the couch with an empty bottle of wine in her hand and various bottles of alcohol lying about. Her eyes were puffy and red.

"I'm sorry I left," he said coming to sit next to her.

"They hate me" she replied simply.

"No they don't"
"YES THEY DO" she slurred back tears spilling down her cheeks once more. Fred gently pulled her to him.

"You're drunk"

"Thankyou captain obvious!"

"Things will get better"

"No they won't. They hate me. I don't want them to! They'll never speak to me again especially Ron. I broke his heart!" she sobbed.

"You're being ridiculous. They won't hate you forever. Personally I think it's time for bed" Fred scooped Hermione up wedding style and carried her up the stairs.

In spite of herself Hermione smiled.

"Did I ever tell you I have a crush on you"

Fred raised his eyebrows. "No you didn't"

"Well I did. I like you for ages. Since I was fifteen! My crush only lasted for a year"

"But a crush none the less. So tell me how come whenever you see George and I you always know whose who?"

"That's easy. You have a scar on your neck and George has one along the left side of his jaw. There's another one but I'm not telling." She gave him the best smile she could while drunk.

"You know you're the only one to figure that out. Not even our own mum knows!" said Fred putting her gently on the bed.

"Fred?"

"Yes"

"I'm glad I could help you" Hermione sobered up slightly to say that. Fred smiled slightly.

"I'm glad you could too" than before he could say anything Hermione fell asleep. Fred grinned and proceeded to change her into Her pyjamas before putting on his own and climbing into bed.