Title: Just Don't Know (3/4)

Author: granger2malfoy

Pairing: Fred/Hermione

Rating: R for subject matter and language

Genre: Angst, Humor

Disclaimer: Not mine and not betad.

A/N: Okay, you demanding wenches, won … again. Here is the prequel to Just Sex but these chapters will be done in HermioNe's PoV.

Chapter Three- The Turning Point

Hermione sipped gently on her hot tea and Ginny browsed the menu as they waited for their lunch guest. The little get together became a routine every Friday afternoon. "Hey, bitches."

Hermione smirked at the nickname by their friend, she glanced over shoulder and saw Pansy approach the table with her typical short skirt and matching purse. Yes, the Slytherin Princess joined the side of the Order once an unknown Death Eater had killed Draco. The three girls were as different as three friends could be but they balanced each other out. Hermione was the 'Smart one', Ginny known as the 'Sporty One', and Pansy was the self-proclaimed 'Princess'.

"Hey, Pans. Just on time," Hermione commented as the dark-haired, pretty girl took a seat to the right at the round table.

Ginny sat back in her chair as she crossed her arms over her chest and smiled at her brother's fiancée as she said, "For once."

Parkinson smirked as she signed for the waiter to come to their table. "Yeah, yeah. Bite me."

"No today. But thanks for the offer. I'll kindly let my brother do that."

"I'll take an Earl Grey, one sugar, and two of your delicious chocolate-chip cookies." The Slytherin smiled naughtily as the waiter nodded as he left and replied to the redhead, "I known he'll enjoy that like he usually does."

Ginny face scrunched and covered her ears with a desperate whine, "Too much information, Parkinson."

Hermione chuckled at the two young women and sipped her lovely tea again. Their new arrival turned from taunting the youngest Weasley to smile sweetly at her. Oh, yes that is a bad sign.

"I ran into an old friend today and they were asking about you, Mione."

She raised her eyebrow in interest and she asked, "And just who would this old friend be?"

The teenage waiter brought the cup of tea and plate of cookies for the other witch as she stated, "Thank you. Oh, just a handsome, intelligent photographer that just happened to take a promotion, which means he will be locating permanently to Diagon Alley."

Hermione's mouth dropped just a little before she replied, "Adrian?"

The bright green eyes of the Slytherin lit up as she placed her hand on the brunette's arm. Then she excitedly pulled her hand back as she dug into her small, fashionable purse and said, "The one and only. He asked me to give you this."

A small, ivory card with Adrian Pucey's name, address, phone number, and title of Head Photographer for the most popular magazine in the wizarding world. She gave the card a flip and saw that he wrote a short note on it: We really need together for that dinner I promised you, Kitten. Perhaps tonight. Call me. Soon. Adrian

Thoughts of the last time she saw the slightly older Slytherin came quickly to her mind. Pansy and Hermione joined forces to raise money for the building of a new hospital for the war victims straight after the end of the war. The handsome, brown-haired young man flirted with her as she tried discussing the shots she wanted for the advertising for the auction they were setting up. Adrian Pucey, once a Quidditch player of his house team, kept his mighty fine body and that smile melted her instantly. The dinner offer came at the end of their business relations but he'd been sent to an immediate photo job in Asia before that dinner date came true. That was two years ago and she still blushed at the ravenous way the green-eyed young man watched her every move.

Pansy's voice broke through her thoughts as she commented, "I told him that you were not busy tonight and gave him your flat's address. He'll pick you up at six."

Ginny laughed at the other witch's audacity but that was always the way Pansy was.

"You set me up on a date with Pucey? Tonight?"

"Adrian, darling, you called him that earlier. Yes and you will go," the female Slytherin replied before taking a bite of her second baked good.

Hermione shook her head and murmured, "But I can't."

Ginny frowned at her friend's response and then leaned forward to say, " So, help me, if you mention Fred's name. Hermione, he is being a stupid prick by not wanting more with you. I still don't understand why you continue with that whatever you call it because we all know it is eating you up inside. Hasn't it been two months and nothing has changed?"

She slumped back in her chair and she stirred the spoon around the dark liquid in her cup. "Yes, nothing has changed. I'm glad I said no kissing after that first night. I know I'd feel worse."

"See, he's a thick prat and doesn't deserve you. Now, you have someone that is really interested into you and you would be even more an idiot, if you didn't do tonight," Pansy agreed.

Hermione started, "Yeah, but-"

Ginny got up and took the seat on her other side as she looked straight into her eyes. "You will get dressed up in that sexy navy dress we bought last weekend. Then use some simple makeup charms and put your hair up. Its about bloody time that you did something for yourself and quit being used my that no good brother of mine."

Defeated on many levels within her heart and soul, Hermione sighed as she spoke, "Okay, I'll go tonight but I am still not sure, if this is the right thing to do."

"That's, my girl," Pansy replied as she paid their bill, since it was her turn.

"Trust me, Adrian is sure you forget all about Fred Blair Weasley," the redhead added as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Blair!" the other two witches exclaimed and began laughing hard at the twin's middle name.

Ginny grinned deviously and commented, "When you are the only sister, its good to keep a good amount of dirt on each of my brothers."

Pansy kept laughing so hard that she held her stomach with one hand and wiped the tears away with the other. "Oh, that's too brilliant. I'll have to remember that."

Hermione stood up as she finished her tea and tutted, "You're both awful. I need to go and finish my work fast since I now have plans tonight. Later, girls."

To Be Continued

A/N2: One more chapter to this short series. Then I will write a fic that takes place after Just Sex.