I want to thank everyone who offered to beta for me. I was simply overwhelmed how many people wanted too. For now I have decided to work with two people, who already helped me with betaing this chapter. Big thanks to more1weasley and foxesrun. They did a wonderful job with and if there are still typos left than these are all mine ;)

And big thanks also to moonfairy13 who gave me a shove in the right direction with her brutal honesty ;) This chapter got a lot better thanks to her.

ooo ooo ooo

WHAT IF

Chapter 32 - Surprises

Ginny was busy trying to force some breakfast on Hermione when the large shop owl from WWW arrived. Ever since she sent the letter off the day before, Hermione had felt miserable. Getting such a quick reply only made her more nervous. Well, waiting would have made her nervous too… Hermione took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was coming.

With a carefully blank face, she took the letter, offered the owl some treats, and then opened the envelope. It took her a few minutes to really comprehend the content. Her eyes went wide and her hands shook slightly; it took all of her willpower not to show anything.

"Do I need to hex someone?" Ginny casually murmured over her teacup, while trying not to attract attention. Harry and Ron had arrived a few minutes ago and, even though Ron and Hermione were still not on speaking terms, it was highly possible he would pick a fight if he had the chance.

"No," Hermione couldn't suppress the smile any longer. "He understands. And he says he's planning a date."

Ginny let out a high squeak, which did earn them quite a bit of attention, but gladly no one asked. Nevertheless, Hermione glanced around the table, briefly meeting Lavender's eyes. She knew by the blonde's expression that her roommate was at least curious.

The friendship between Hermione and Lavender had suffered more and more since the blonde-haired girl had started to date Ron. Hermione wasn't sure why exactly. She still thought that Lavender was mainly trying to make Seamus jealous – which seemed to work as well as it did with Hermione, if Seamus's unimpressed behavior was anything to go by – and therefore the blonde's hostility towards her was wholly unnecessary; but Hermione wasn't one to just take it lying down.

But today she didn't care for Ron or Lavender. Her day went by as if she were walking on clouds. There was a familiar little flutter in her belly when she thought of Fred and every now and then, Hermione would sneak a quick look at the letter between classes. Just the idea of finally having a date with Fred was making her a bit giddy and nervous.

She had a bright smile on her face every second - even when answering question in class, which got her a few annoyed side-eyes – and her mind was running wild with imagining what kind of date Fred might plan. With him, it could be anything.

Yes, Hermione Granger had a wonderful day. Therefore, she didn't even complain about having to go to another Slug Club party all alone. Today, she decided, nothing could ruin her good mood.

Nothing, except for Cormac McLaggen, who was already waiting at the entrance of Gryffindor tower for her.

"Oh, Hermione, you're going to Slug's party, too?" He asked, an overly surprised tone in his voice. "Should we walk together?"

Hermione gave him a stiff nod but only because she didn't really have a good excuse not to walk with him. She was sure Cormac had actually been waiting for her as he did for the last few times. And, no doubt, he would try to walk her back too, but Hermione was good at leaving without him noticing.

As always, Cormac completely ignored her silence and started to talk. He complained about the performance of the Quidditch team and his stressful preparation for the NEWTs. He managed to get a reaction from her when he dragged Ron's ability as a keeper, which Hermione couldn't ignore even though she was not speaking with her best friend. Cormac only looked mildly amused by her outburst, and Hermione silently fumed.

"Miss Granger, Mister McLaggen," Slughorn cheerfully greeted them when they arrived. He stood at the entrance to his quarters, as always, so he would be able to welcome all of his guests personally. And, as always, Hermione was perfectly polite and friendly, but tried to get away as fast as possible before Cormac started to flatter Slughorn's ego as he normally did. Merlin, these parties surely had developed their own little rituals and repetitions.

"I'm getting the impression the two of you are arriving and leaving together quite often." There was a twinkle in the old Professor's eyes, and Hermione froze.

Oh, no! Everyone knew Slughorn not only loved having former students in powerful positions, but he also loved matchmaking between his students.

"No, Profe-"

"You're a very sharp observer, Professor," Cormac interrupted her, throwing her a dashing smile. "I had actually planned to ask Hermione to be my date for your Christmas party. I just couldn't quite find the courage before we arrived. I'm a little shy, you know."

Hermione didn't believe one word. Cormac was everything, but shy. The git would have asked her if he really had wanted to. However, Slughorn's ecstatic reaction was enough to distract her.

"Excellent," he exclaimed. "You two would make such a wonderful pair. I expect you to at least take one drink with me at the party so you can tell me more about this wonderful development," Slughorn said and actually winked at them. "But, oh! Is that-," he said excitedly, looking past Hermione and Cormac as the next person walked towards the door. And, without giving Hermione the chance to clear up the situation, Slughorn ushered them inside.

With anger shimmering in her veins, Hermione tried to get away from Cormac, who was grinning like a loon, and took a quick glance at the crowd. She discovered Terry Boot and a few other nice Ravenclaws at an almost empty table and made a beeline for it.

Cormac slipped into the seat beside her. "Seems like we have a date." He winked; which was probably meant to be charming. On Hermione, it had no effect besides bringing her anger from shimmering to boiling.

"I wouldn't call it that," she seethed. "And how convenient that you didn't even need to ask me."

Hermione had to give him his due. Most people would have been scared to hell by her scathing glare and the threatening tone of her voice – Harry and Ron surely would know to be careful now – but Cormac only shrugged and kept his cool. Hermione decided that there was a fine line between Gryffindor bravery and stupidity and, apparently, Cormac McLaggen had no idea in how much danger he was in right now.

"You're still going, right? You would never disappoint Slughorn," he grinned. Hermione's hand made a little, unconscious movement towards her wand to hex him green and blue, but she knew this was not the place. She would have to wait and get her revenge some other time.

Unfortunately, Cormac was right. She hated to disappoint a teacher and it was only one evening…

A flash of anger at Ron surged through her. If the git hadn't started this farce, Hermione could have simply replied that she already had a plus one. But no… hell would freeze before she asked him to get her out of this.

For a moment she wished she could simply invite Fred, but people from outside the school could unfortunately only attend with an invitation from Professor Slughorn.

Hermione decided to ignore the question, and Cormac, for the rest of the evening. She spent her time making polite conversation with Terry Boot across the table instead. Hopefully Ginny would be able to help her find an elegant and polite way out of this situation.

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

"You're not my favourite twin anymore," George complained with a heavy pout. "We already work so hard at the shop and now you're making me work even more."

"I'm not making you work. We are planning a date, that's not work. It's fun." Fred had dragged George to the living room after closing the shop, where all his plans were laid out on the coffee table.

"Yeah, but not when I'm not the one going to this date." George dropped on the couch, his eyes closed and still in his working clothes. Fred sat on the floor on a plush cushion so he could sort his papers better.

Granted, it had been a hellish day. Who would have thought that there were so many parents stupid enough to buy their children pranks for Christmas? Apparently, those people had no experience with pranksters. Molly Weasley would have never made such a mistake.

"Well, I think it's kind of sweet of you to give it so much thought, Fred." Angelina walked in with three butterbeers and a plate of sandwiches levitating behind her. "I'll help if Georgie here it too tired." She made some space for the plate next to Fred's papers and nudged George with a butterbeer bottle until he finally sat up.

"I knew there was a reason why we keep you around." George grinned, but Angelina only rolled her eyes at him. Even though they were still early in their dating phase, there was already an incredible familiarity between.

"So, what do you have in mind?" Angelina asked and attempted to sit down beside George. However, he was faster and pulled her into his lap. Now Fred rolled his eyes at the couple giggling, snogging and playfully shoving each other on the couch.

"You're disgustingly sweet," he tossed a crumbled paper at them.

"Right, sorry," Angelina grinned, no remorse in her eyes. "Your plans?"

"I thought about next Hogsmeade weekend. I already missed the last one because of an Order meeting and I think it would be nice to finally get a chance. But it's not the most original date idea, so I need something to wow it up." He rummaged through his idea, searching for his two favourites. "I have several ideas, but I think some of them are a bit too crazy and I might need you two to tone it down a bit." Fred finally found the right ones and handed them over.

"Fred." Angelina didn't even take a look.

Fred sighed at her arched brows. "Yes, Miss Johnson?"

"All Hogsmeade weekends were called off since Katie had the accident with the cursed necklace. I think the next one is in March or April."

Oh… Fred realised he should have known this, should have remembered it. He had been at the Order meeting where Snape – with a mean little smile – had informed everyone of Dumbledore's decision.

"I… forgot." And there were his plans going down the drain.

"You could just sneak Hermione outside; there are plenty of secret passages." George munched on a sandwich, shrugging as if this was all no big deal. And, of course, in normal times this would be no big deal.

"No, there aren't," Fred smacked his head. "Because Remus, you and me told the Order about all the secret entrances so that they could protect them. Remember? Since Pettigrew also knows them, we thought it would be smarter to do the responsible thing for once."

Moreover, their mum had been so proud of them for doing it. It had been a win-win back then. Now his responsibility came back to bite him in the arse.

"Crap, right." Even George looked out of ideas. "You could still try? Or maybe meet up with Hermione somewhere outside the castle and then sneak away together?"

Angelina let out a loud sigh. "Boys, this is Hermione Granger we're talking about. Do you really think she would break the rules just for a date with you?"

"Good one, Angie," George laughed. "Don't you remember how often Harry got into trouble for breaking rules?"

"And Hermione was always right behind him." Fred nodded. Maybe she would take the risk for him too?

"But this is different, right?" Angelina interrupted his dreaming. "Helping Harry when he's in danger and breaking rules for a date. Plus, you two are in the Order, you know how dangerous it is to sneak around right now. It's a really stupid idea."

Fred sighed and laid down in the plush carpet. Yes, Hermione rushing after Harry when he did something reckless was certainly something different from sneaking around with him just for a date. And it was dangerous… heck, when did he become so responsible?

"But really, now Dumbledore has to go strict suddenly?" Fred whined. "I mean, there was a basilisk running wild and he didn't cancel Hogsmeade and Quidditch then. He didn't even cancel it when Sirius and the Dementors were after Harry."

"Even Umbridge didn't cancel Hogsmeade." George added.

"What about the holidays?" Angelina cracked open another butterbeer. "You can meet up then. Hermione is off age too, so she can use magic which should make it easier."

"Yeah, but I hoped it would be sooner." Fred moped. "I didn't want to wait until the holidays. Besides, Hermione is spending them at the Burrow, which means our nosy family is everywhere. One of them will realise it when we go out alone together. And call me old-fashioned but I really don't want to have mum in the picture before we even had a date."

"So, you have a problem." Angelina stated. "Hermione is in school and there is no way for you to get inside or get her out. Or maybe you might get inside, but what kind of boring date would that be? You can't really do something on the grounds. I mean, a Yule Ball would be a nice date-"

"That's brilliant!" Fred and George both perked up. Fred looked at his twin and knew that they just had the same idea.

"What is brilliant?" Angelina's face was torn between confusion and horror – horror that she had set things in motion no one could stop.

"You know, George, I always thought Snape should have liked us more. Should have been more impressed by our genius."

"Right, just because the git didn't like us. I bet any other potions professor would be delighted by us."

"Especially if we asked for his help with a complicated new potion and maybe send some patented products."

"Maybe he would even want to invite us to his party, just to get to know us better."

"Wouldn't it be amazing?"

"I've got no idea what you're talking about," Angelina sighed. "And I'm sure it's something stupid, but I'm tired and will leave you to it. Please don't break any laws." And with a kiss to George, she said goodbye and vanished through the floo while Fred and George started with the planning.

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

"Hermione, what's this nonsense about you going to Slughorn's party with McLaggen?" Harry hissed at her, a bit out of breath as he sat down. Hermione had retreated to the library to get some calm and quiet. The common room was too loud and full now that it was getting colder, and Ron and Lavender were still busy delivering their show.

"Where did you hear that?" Hermione thought she might need to murder someone. The question was how many other bodies besides Cormac McLaggen she needed to hide.

Harry frowned. "Lavender and Parvati were talking about it in the common room. Apparently, you and Ginny told Parvati at lunch."

"Oh, no, we didn't," Hermione hissed through her teeth. "Ginny made a stupid joke about it when we thought about how I could get out of this ridiculous date without Slughorn asking questions. It seems like Parvati misunderstood something." Hermione buried her face in her hands and proceeded to tell Harry how Cormac had obtained a 'date' with her.

"Why didn't you just tell them you were going with me?"

"Oh, that's a brilliant idea," she sighed. "I wish I would have come up with that. I was simply too stunned by the sheer nerve of McLaggen. You should've seen his grin."

"Well, Ron was frothing with anger when he heard, so it might be a good idea to clear it up as quickly as possible. The situation between the two of you is already bad enough."

"Oh, was he?" Hermione tried to suppress her smile. She really did try, but she didn't quite manage. Harry's face was slipping from complete confused to an impression of utter dread and horror.

"Hermione," he warned. "Please don't. It will only make him angry."

"Maybe I want to make him angry? He's a prat and it might do him some good to get a taste of his own medicine. Maybe I can convince him he has no chance with me when I go to the party with McLaggen. And then there is no reason for him to continue to behave like an idiot."

Now it was Harry who buried his face in his hands with a deep sigh while Hermione wanted to give herself a pat on the back. She thought it was a brilliant plan.

When she 'dated' someone else Ron would have to realise that his plan on making her jealous didn't work because she simply had no feelings for him. He then had to accept that there was no possibility of them ever being more than friends and her future with Fred would be a lot more peaceful.

It was a perfect plan.

"It's a terrible plan," Ginny announced at dinner.

"Thank you," Harry muttered. He had decided to split the meals between Ron and Hermione. In addition, every meal Ron and Lavender spent mainly with snogging also belonged to Hermione. And tonight was such a snogging night.

"And why's that?" Hermione glared at both of them, daring them to contradict her perfect plan.

"Because it looks like you're only going with McLaggen to make Ron jealous," Ginny exclaimed. "No one in their right mind would actually believe you're going with him because you like him. Seamus is already running a betting pool on whether Ron will explode and punch McLaggen or not; and when it might happen. I bet on sometime during the train ride to London."

"My bet is on the evening of the party," Harry added. "Seamus said even a few Ravenclaws wanted to place bets."

"That's," Hermione tried to come up with a logical argument, but found she didn't have one. Oh, no… how could she have made such a stupid, obvious mistake?

Harry, on the other hand, had no problem to point it out to her. "I'm so glad you will never become a couple because I swear you're a lethal combination. You were so thrilled with the idea of getting revenge on Ron that you didn't think twice. It's always like that with you two. You're both so hot-headed."

Hermione really wanted to object. Hot-headed really wasn't a word normally used to describe her.

"Absolutely right," Ginny jumped in. "Ron obviously mistakes it as romantic tension but in the end, it's just childish. You're bringing out the worst in each other."

Later, on her way to the library, Hermione let her friends' words seep in, tried to find an argument against it, but of course, they were right. Ron and her… they were always like that. Hot-headed and quick to snap at each other. But they were more than the fighting, Hermione reminded herself. When it mattered, they were always having each other's back. After all, their friendship had already started like this. With Ron making Hermione cry and then saving her from a troll.

Maybe it was time to finally end this fight, Hermione pondered.

The next day Hermione was determined to speak to Ron, to end this stupid fight between them. She had thought about it all night and all day and came to the conclusion that Harry and Ginny were right.

When Hermione arrived at the common room after her usual library study session, she saw Ron and Harry were still up, playing a game of chess in front of the fireplace. Moreover, Ron looked abnormally happy as soon as he saw her while Harry looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.

"Hermione," Ron grinned as he destroyed one of Harry's chess pieces. "I heard you're going with McLaggen to this stupid party? Couldn't find someone who isn't a total git? You know, I think it might be okay with Lavender if I still went with you, just to rescue you." He looked pleased with himself as if he was offering her the best deal ever. Harry, meanwhile, had taken an interest in the fireplace, studying the dying flames.

"And how would that be any help? I would still be going with a git, right?" Hermione countered before she could stop herself.

She was already halfway up the stairs before she realised what she had said. Hermione enjoyed for one second the glorious victory of having the last word. Then she realised this was exactly what Harry and Ginny had meant. Merlin, Ron and she really were a bad combination sometimes. Now Ron just had to realise that as well.

However, he would have to realise it on his own because Hermione decided it was his duty to end this fight as he was the one who had started it.

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

It was two weeks before Christmas when Fred got another letter from Hermione. A letter with good and bad news.

Bad news, Hermione wouldn't spent the holidays at the Burrow. Her letter simply stated how she looked forward to spending the holidays with her parents and for a moment Fred was confused. Then he remembered that Hermione never told him she would come to the Burrow. His mum had told him they had invited Hermione and Harry over and Fred had just assumed she would be there.

Good news, Hermione wouldn't spend the holidays at the Burrow.

"Makes it much easier to plan a date, right?" George winked as he charmed two cauldrons to stir themselves. "With our pesky family out of the way."

"Absolutely." Fred couldn't believe his luck.

Sure, it was sad not to see Hermione on Christmas. He had even gotten her a small present. But he knew he wouldn't have gotten much time alone with her with his family around. Ginny would be desperate to escape Fleur, Harry would probably need some attention, Ron was fighting with Hermione but would probably still be hovering around, their mum loved to have Hermione as a kitchen helper, and their dad would pester her with Muggle question. And every single one of them would be confused if Fred suddenly demanded alone time with Hermione.

No, a real date would be much better without them around. And now it was possible.

"We have to plan," Fred announced and smacked his papers on the table. George made a whining sound.

"I think you're not even my favourite brother anymore."

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

Hermione had been so close to avoiding Cormac McLaggen. So, so close. She had planned to go with Ginny and Dean – not an ideal situation – and then just to avoid Cormac for the rest of the evening. And since Harry had already offered to accompany her on the way back, she was sure to be safe for the evening.

However, Hermione had made her plans without accounting for Mister Cormac McLaggen himself. And Merlin was the git determined to pester her.

When Ginny and Hermione had arrived at the common room – an hour before the party to meet Dean and spend some time on campus before going to the party – McLaggen had already waited for them with an annoyed Dean.

Hermione pretended to need something from her room – while Ginny and Dean gave her pitying glances and went ahead – just to realise that Cormac had waited the whole hour while Hermione read her latest novel. She had hoped he would get mad if she left him waiting but he seemed to take it as a challenge.

Hermione arrived at the party with an awful mood and a beaming Cormac by her side. She was lucky enough not to meet Professor Slughorn right away and decided to 'lose' her unwanted date in the crowd.

She was just about to hide behind some lavish curtains when she spotted red hair and her heart stopped.

Fred.

And George.

They both stood in the middle of the crowd, talking and laughing with some Ministry worker, like they belonged here.

Maybe someone had mixed something in her drink? No, she hadn't even had a drink yet. Maybe hallucinating was a sign of having a stroke?

"Hermione!" Fred interrupted her confused thought. He wore the biggest grin and took large steps to reach her. "What a surprise to see you here. I didn't know you were invited."

"Yeah, totally unexpected," George followed, his grin equally big, with a smiling Angelina by his side. Their hands were intertwined; a happy intimacy between them, but Hermione barely registered it.

"Are you crashing the party?"

"On contraire, Miss Granger," George made a little bow. "We're here with an invitation from Professor Horace Slughorn himself."

"Don't ask me how they did it because I actually don't want to know," Angelina raised her brows, but she seemed amused. "But I think it's time Georgie and I have our first dance."

"When did we get married?" George joked easily as they went off, leaving a stunned Hermione with a smirking Fred.

"Surprised?"

"Absolutely," Hermione couldn't keep a big smile from blooming on her face. Fred answered with an equally big smile.

"Let's get you something to drink." He put his hand softly on the small of her back, directing Hermione through the crowd towards the bar.

There was a soft, warm prickle where Fred touched her – his hand lightly stroking her waist, sometimes pulling her a bit closer to evade people – and Hermione thought this was already a perfect date. And, of course, she had been right: with Fred, it could be anything and he managed to do what she least expected.

"By the way," Fred handed her a glass of bubbling champagne before he leaned down to her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You look very beautiful tonight."

Instantly Hermione felt her cheeks heat up. She took a quick sip from her champagne, just to do something. The feeling of the cool alcohol running down her oesophagus calmed Hermione a bit and she took a quick glance at Fred.

He wore some expensive looking robes in black, but with a popping rimming of purple and orange. Two intervened W were stitched on his breast pocket and the dress shirt underneath was also purple. George's would probably be orange. The colours should clash horribly with his hair but the opposite was the case. He looked absolutely dashing, and Hermione told him so.

"Thanks, do you wa-"

"Hermione! There you are." Hermione's bubble of happiness popped when Cormac arrived, big grin and loud voice included. "Professor Slughorn wants to take a drink with us, remember?"

Oh, yes, Hermione remembered. And she had brought one of Fred and George's birthday gifts just for this situation.

"Right," she put on a charming smile and sent a quick glance at Fred, signalling him to stay silent. "We should get you something to drink first. Why don't you wait here with Fred- you two know each other, right? And I get you something?"

Hermione was very happy about the fact that Cormac was underestimating her so much. She got a champagne for Cormac, dropped her little revenge pill in, and made her way back. She had only needed a few minutes, but it seemed like Cormac had already managed to annoy Fred.

"Here," she offered Cormac his glass. "Cheers." All three of them clinked glasses and took a sip.

Hermione had never been a fan of the skiving snackboxes. She would never approve of a product, which helped students to skive off classes. However, she was a fan of using those products to get rid of unwanted dates.

The effect was immediate. A confused Cormac touched his face and his eyes widened in horror when he saw the blood on his hand. And it was a lot of blood. It was streaming out of his nose, dripped on his pristine white dress shirt, and making a mess out of his face.

Without even saying anything, he stormed off, probably eager to escape the room before anyone could see him.

"Interesting way to treat a date." Fred took another sip. "Should I be worried?"

"Well, you did trick me into a date today, same as Cormac, so maybe?" Hermione grinned and started to retell the outrageous story. Fred was, of course, revolted by Cormac's dirty trick.

"I'm very proud of your little prank," he laughed. "Never seen someone use our Nosebleed Nougat in a better way. Maybe we should make a line out of it. Products to lose a guy."

"I think you would have a solid consumer base for that."

"So, before we were interrupted by this prat," Fred sat down their glasses. "Do you want to dance?"

"Of course," Hermione took the offered hand and followed Fred to the little dancefloor.

George and Angelina were still swaying. Hermione's heart warmed at the sight of them. They were close – much closer than necessary for a dance – whispering with each other and smiling like lunatics.

"Seems like shoving them in a broom closet is no longer necessary."

"No, but I might find them later in one anyway," Fred winked, but he too seemed happy for the couple.

Hermione was amazed how this evening, which she had dreaded so much, had now transformed into an amazing date.

She spent most of the evening dancing and joking with Fred. There was a sudden easiness between them. It took Hermione a while before she realised it was Fred, who was different. Not in a shocking way, he was still himself. Nevertheless, there were small changes.

Like the way he seemed more eager to touch her. It was just innocent, little touches, but it was still a difference. Or the way he easily joked with her, tried to make her smile and laugh.

Hermione wasn't sure what exactly had changed or when or why, but she liked it. She liked it because it made her feel like she wasn't alone with her feelings anymore. It felt like they were moving forward with large steps.

At the end of the evening, Fred was the one who accompanied Hermione back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry had vanished sometime after Draco Malfoy's try to crash the party, but Hermione was pretty sure Fred would have insisted anyway.

"Thanks for the wonderful date," Hermione said, smiling up at Fred. A large part of her wishing the evening wouldn't end yet. But she had a curfew and Fred also had to leave the castle soon.

"Oh, but this wasn't the date." Hermione's heart stopped, but Fred caught her shocked expression. "Okay, it was a date, but not the date I promised you. That will be in a few days."

With an elaborate bow, he handed her a small card.

December 21.

2 o'clock pm

Pick-up service included.

Dress warm.

"I don't get more information?"

"Nope." Fred smiled teasingly. "It's a surprise and you should know from experience that I'm very good with surprises."

"Yes, you are," Hermione laughed. A moment later her laughter trailed off when Fred caught her by surprise yet again. He softly put a hand on her cheek and leaned down, slow enough for her to evade him.

"I hope you don't mind."

Hermione didn't answer. Instead, she pushed up onto her tip-toes and closed the last few millimetres that separated her lips from his.

ooo ooo ooo

I'm always happy to get rewiews ;)