AN: one shot written for the QLFC season 8 round 11

Position prompt: BEATER 1: Where Are We Going? (S5)

I've taken this in the romantic sense, as in where is the relationship between them going

Additional prompts used:

Prompt : [dialogue] "You're the worst" / "But you love me anyway

Prompt : [object] Invitation

Prompt : [word] Unnecessary

Thanks to my fellow Puddlemere united team member B. Weasley for beta-ing

Wc: 1764

"Sure," Fred replied, not really paying attention to George. His mind was focused on a brown haired girl, sitting just a few seats down. The girl in question had just received a letter, and was reading it with a frown on her face. Before Fred could inquire, the redhead next to her, opened his mouth.

"So Mione, who's the letter from?"

"My parents. It's Uncle's birthday in July, and apparently it will be a big family event. I've basically been told, to make sure I'm not planning on meeting up with you guys." Hermione replied, folding the letter and putting it in her bag.

Even though Hermione smiled as she said this, Fred noticed that she didn't seem quite as happy as she was trying to make out. Unfortunately Fred couldn't continue to dwell on it, as George reacquired his attention.

It isn't until later that day, when most people have gone to bed that Fred gets the opportunity to talk to Hermione.

"You go ahead, I'll be up in a minute," Fred said after spotting Hermione on the sofa in the common room.

George lifted his eyebrows as if saying,'what are you up to?' but he continued up anyway, leaving Fred in the common room with Hermione.

Fred slowly made his way to the sofa, being careful not to disturb Hermione until the very last second when he jumped over the back of the sofa and flopped onto it, surprising Hermione.

"So, what are you doing?" he asked as Hermione looked up at him.

"Reading?" Hermione half said, half asked, while she lifted the front of the books to show Fred. "Why?"

"Well I couldn't help but notice that you weren't too thrilled with a certain letter that arrived earlier today and was wondering if I can help?" Fred replied, with a cheeky smile.

Hermione lifted her eyebrows. "And how would you help?" she asked, a small smile making its way onto her face.

"Well, I could brighten up the party for you?" Fred answered, a cheeky smile on his face.

"And how would you do that?" Hermione asked, half smirking, half curieus.

Without missing a beat Fred replied, "I could come with you?"

"And how would you get into the event? It is a family event," Hermione asked, putting her book down. She hadn't expected a lot from this conversation, but it was starting to become interesting.

"Well, I could always pretend to be your boyfriend for the event?" Fred cringed internally. He hadn't wanted to say pretend. He had wanted to say, 'I could come as your boyfriend?', he wasn't sure Hermione liked him, but he had wanted to try.

"Thanks for the offer, but that will be unnecessary," Hermione responded, her voice going slightly cooler. She didn't know why, but the pretend in the sentence stung her. Did he think she couldn't get a boyfriend? Or had he realised that she liked him and this was his way of letting her know that he wasn't interested?

Hermione picked up her book, and stood up, making her way to the stairs. "Anyway, people would never believe that we are a couple." she added, with a snark, "night."

As Fred watched Hermione leave, he mentally kicked himself; he hadn't meant to upset Hermione. With a small sigh, he stood up, and went up to his bed. Fred was relieved when he noticed that George had already fallen asleep, and let himself fall onto his bed.

Over in the girls dorm, Hermione had done the same thing. She was currently lying on her bed looking at the canopy of her bed, wondering why she had reacted the way she did. She knew Fred, he wouldn't insult her on purpose. So why had she gotten so upset? Hermione let out a sigh, Fred would probably stay away from her now. She had probably blown any chance she did have with him.

As Hermione tossed and turned in her bed, she wished she had accepted. Fred was right, having him at her uncle's birthday, would make it more enjoyable. After some more tossing and turning, she decided that tomorrow she would accept his offer, on the condition that her parents could get her uncle to extend the invitation. With that thought Hermione fell asleep.

As Hermione finally managed to nod off, Fred still lay in his bed wide awake. What did Hermione mean with, 'people would never believe that we are a couple.' Did she think he wasn't good enough for her?

Or did she think the opposite?

It couldn't be? Could it? Or was she worried about the other students' opinions? Fred turned on his side; he would prove to Hermione that they would make a great couple. Starting tomorrow he would make everyone in Hogwarts think they were a couple. With that thought Fred to, finally fell asleep.

*hphphp*

After a fitful night, Fred woke up early, at least it was early for him. Looking over at George, he noticed that his brother was still asleep, and with a small sigh, he rolled out of his bed. Hermione was an early riser, and with a bit of luck, he would catch her before anyone else woke up. Unfortunately luck wasn't on his side, and by the time he finished in the bathroom, George had woken up. Fred nearly jumped out of his skin, when he closed the bathroom door closely, as not to wake anyone up, only to discover George sitting up in his bed with one eyebrow slightly raised.

"So you sneaking in, or out?" Fred's twin brother asked.

"Neither," Fred answered looking at Lee's bed to make sure the boy was still asleep. "I'm hoping to catch Hermione before she leaves for the library."

"Hermione? As in two years younger; brown hair; the girl Ron has a crush on, but doesn't want to admit; and always in the library or telling us off? That Hermione?" George asked, slightly disbelieving. "The one you talked to last night, before bed.?"

"Yes, that Hermione. Do you know any other Hermione?" Fred replied, walking towards the door. For some reason George's tone had annoyed him.

"Wait, I'm coming with you!" George quickly exclaimed, as he jumped out of his bed. "You're acting as if you like her."

Fred rolled his eyes, he didn't need George there to talk to Hermione, and George was acting as if it was impossible for Hermione to actually like him, Fred. Unfortunately it didn't take George long to get ready and before Fred had reached the common room, George had joined him, dragging Lee along.

Hermione, who had been sitting in the quiet common room, enjoying her book, looked up as the twins and Lee arrived downstairs, with a small smile, she put her book in her bag, and walked over towards them.

"Fred, can I —" she started, but she was interrupted by Fred.

"Morning, Hermione. Let me grab your bag for you, A lady shouldn't need to carry heavy bags." Before Hermione could protest, Fred had taken her bag from her and swung it over his shoulder. "This is heavy, what do you have in here? A Library?"

Fred could hear his brother snicker from behind him, but ignored it, instead he hooked his arm into Hermione's and continued talking to her, "Let me escort you to your next destination. Where are you going? The Great Hall or the library?"

"Neither, I was going to the owlery, I need to send my parents a letter." Hermione replied, letting Fred guide her out of the common room.

Once again George snickered, and once again he was ignored, as Hermione and Fred left the common room.

"I'm sorry for how I reacted yesterday,—" Hermione started.

"I'm sorry about yesterday—" Fred said at the same time.

Both of them stopped, and laughed. "Sorry, —" they both once again spoke at the same time.

Hermione signed carry on, with her hand, and waited for Fred to talk.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, I didn't mean to upset you." Fred said.

Hermione shook her head, "You don't need to apologize, I overreacted. I'm sorry."

This time it was Fred's turn to shake his head. "Don't worry about it. You were right, people won't believe it if we say we're a couple. George looked at me weirdly, just because I wanted to talk to you." he said, "But I know exactly how to prove them wrong!"

Hermione stopped walking to fully turn towards Fred, "And how would you do that?"

"Do you want to help me play a prank on the school?" Fred asked, a grin wide spread on his face."

"A prank? You do know that isn't really my strong point right?" Hermione asked, looking skeptical at Fred. "All right, what would I need to do?" she continued after seeing his puppy eyes."

"Easy, pretend to like me! We'll convince the whole school that we are a couple!" Fred said happily. "

"Urgh," Hermione turned away from Fred, and continued towards the owlery, she had to send her letter before she changed her mind and regretted it.

"Wait, Hermione! What's the matter now?"

"You're the worst!" Hermione let out, before she continued towards the owlery.

"Hermione stop! You were okay with helping me? What's wrong with pretending to actually like me?" Fred asked, becoming slightly annoyed. He wasn't that bad looking was he?

Hermione stopped, turned around and looked straight at Fred.

"What's wrong with pretending to like you? Just about everything. The fact that the only reason you are doing this is to prove a point? You know that is unnecessary! The letter I'm posting, it's to ask my parents if they can get you invited!" Hermione half whispered, half shouted. As she turned around, she muttered to herself "And I can't pretend to like you, because I actually do like you. Why are boys so complicated?"

Apparently she hadn't been quiet enough as Fred caught the end of it, and asked, "You actually like me?"

Hermione stopped, "I—,I—" she couldn't finish her sentence, how could she have been so stupid.

As she stood rooted to her spot, Fred slowly made his way towards Hermione and grabbed her hand. "Does that mean you want to be my actual girlfriend?"

Hermione could only nod. She only moved again when Fred's lips touched hers.

"So, how about this prank?" Fred cheekily asked, as he leaned back just far enough to be able to look into Hermione's eyes.

"You're impossible you know?" Hermione answered, rolling her eyes.

Fred nodded, "But you love me anyway."