A/N: I know it's short, but writers block is setting in. I'm going to go meditate (a.k.a play with glowsticks and rave) to try and get some ideas. :) Thanks to my reviewers. I love you!

Chapter 7: Nails for Breakfast and Tacks for Snack

Disclaimer: Not mine, but I want twins for my birthday! (It's next month you know...)

The next couple weeks passed rather quickly for Hermione. Her and Fred sat together at every meal, and sometimes Fred would walk her to her classes. Nights were spent in the common room, doing homework together, or relaxing on the couch by the fire. And of course, there was the snogging, which made most of their friends gag. The couple had agreed to take it slow, so there wasn't anything going on other then kissing. Those few weeks had been uneventful, except for Ginny bugging Hermione to tell Fred the truth. The truth finally came out one night in the common room.

"Fred! What did I tell you about playing tricks on the first years!"

"Aw 'Mione, he was asking for it! He shouldn't be eating candy that's been lying on the table."

"Fred, it has a sign next to it that says 'Eat Me! I'm Free!'" Hermione gestured to the bowl of Ton Tongue Toffees on the table.

"It was just a joke."

"Just a joke? It wasn't a very funny one. I've got a first year hysterical crying in the corner now Fred. Thanks a lot." Hermione huffed and made to go to the corner to check on the kid.

Fred grumbled under his breath "You need to learn to take a joke."

Hermione stopped in her tracks and spun on her heel. "I need to learn to take a joke, huh? You can't be serious."

Fred could see the fire in her eyes, and he was a little scared.

"I've been taking jokes from you and your brother ever since I met you. I'd say that I'm pretty good at taking a joke, since you're both still alive." she growled.

"You know you'd never do anything to us anyway, Hermione."

"Oh, that's what you think. You know, this whole relationship we have started out as a joke to begin with. I just didn't plan on ACTUALLY liking you." Hermione put her hand over her mouth.

Fred's eyes widened. "What?" He couldn't believe he had heard that. "You were pretending to like me?"

Hermione could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. "Oh Fred..." she said softly.

"Don't 'Oh Fred' me, Hermione. You were pretending to like me so that I would like you back, just so you could stomp on my heart. Then the joke would finally be on me, right?" Fred was clenching his fists tightly, and his knuckles were white. "Well guess what Hermione? I guess you won." And with that, Fred turned around and walked out the portrait hole, leaving a crying first year, and a crying Hermione behind.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hermione laid in her bed the next morning. She had spent most of the night crying, and had not really slept well at all. She had no idea where Fred has disappeared to, and didn't know if he had even come back, since she didn't want to stick around. Ginny came into the room to see why she hadn't come down to breakfast.

"'Mione, you okay?" The red head sat on the edge of her bed.

"Ginny..." Hermione began to sob.

"Oh no! What did my prat of a brother do now?"

"I told him..." she sniffed.

"Oh. That bad huh?"

"Yeah, we had a fight, and it just kind of slipped out. I didn't...didn't mean for it to come out like that. He looked so hurt, Gin. He didn't even let me explain..."

Ginny shook her head. She leaned over and hugged her friend. "He'll come around, 'Mione. I'm pretty sure he's crazy about you. You just need to give him time to cool down. If you want, I'll try and talk to him."

Hermione nodded. "I'm going to stay in bed today I think. Will you bring me something from lunch?"

"You got it hun. Feel better." Ginny stood up and walked down the stairs. Hermione rolled over and sighed, drifting off back into a restless sleep.