Chapter 10

Hermione was wandering down the hall towards the kitchen feeling frustrated and fed up again; she still had Fred and Veronica playing on her mind, Ginny had got the wrong end of the stick earlier, thinking that she now likes Ron, and there was no-one around again.

"Honestly Harry, please get here soon …" She murmured to herself; as if answering to her request, she saw a blur of colour rush past in front of her. It was orange however, so she knew it was a Weasley, not a Potter. "Ron? Ginny? I thought you two had gone …?"

Hermione entered the living room and saw the person in question rifling through a pile of magazines in the far corner. Her face flushed; it was the twin she had longed to speak to for too long.

"Fred!" She collapsed onto her knees beside him so that their faces were level.

"Err … Hermione, actually I –"

"No, please! SILENCIO!" She muttered, pointing her wand at his mouth, leaving him simply sitting and gaping like a fish while she looked at him, feeling slightly guilty but determined all the same.

"P-please, j-just hear me out …"

His expression was pained and it was clear that he was trying to tell her something he felt was important but she ignored his wild arm-flapping gestures and looked at the floor.

"Fred listen, I didn't mean what I said in Ron's room, about you being unattractive and ridiculous to fancy, I only said it to keep Ron calm! I'm not saying that I do fancy you," she added hastily, "because, well, you and Vanessa I'm sure are very happy and I wouldn't want to interfere …. C-cong-gratulations about that by the way!I'm sure she is simply delightful but … oh Fred please, please don't be angry with me, I couldn't bare for you to think lowly of me. This week has been so hard because I thought you hated me … Do you hate me? Oh I do hope not because …. I know, I know we haven't spent that much time together but I feel like I know you … you don't keep going on about Ron and me, and I can't stand it when people do because no matter how subtly I put it no-one seems to understand that he is just my friend, you know? I don't want to hurt him, and I also don't want to fall out with you or anything Fred – I've really liked having you as a friend. I know it hasn't been for that long but, when we're together … do you know what I mean? I really don't know if it's normal …I've just started thinking about … Oh I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I'm embarrassing both of us! You have Velma and I seriously need to get a grip … oh goodness I should never have said anything!" Hermione was talking incredibly fast and now seemed to be on the verge of tears.

Before she could carry on, her audience member suddenly clicked his fingers under her nose and gestured towards his mouth and then placed his hands together indicating a plea to speak. Hermione reached for her wand and nervously muttered the counter-charm allowing him to speak again, mumbled an apology and sat awkwardly, looking at him. His face was serious, and he looked confused.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?" She answered, her eyes wide.

"I'm George."

A/N: Hey folks! Thank you SO much for all the reviews, and I'm glad you like the story so far. The bad news is that I'm going on holiday in a couple of days for two weeks, so hopefully I'll be able to get another chapter up before I gobut then it'll be a while until I can continue. But please come back when I update!

Thanksx