Hermione woke up early the next morning and decided to go downstairs to have a cup of coffee and to read the newspaper.

Quietly, she tiptoed to the kitchen where she made herself a large cup of coffee. She thanked Errol for bringing her the Daily Prophet and enjoyed the silence for as long as it lasted. It wasn't often that you were able to catch a moment of silence at the Burrow.

Not 15 minutes passed before she heard small feet trodding down the stairs. She looked over the top of her newspaper to see James standing at the bottom of the staircase in his white pyjamas with blue stars, sucking his pacifier and hugging a muggle plushie.

"Hi, James," she said to the toddler, "want to read the paper with me?"

James shook his head, rubbing his eyes.

"Oh okay. I guess that's boring. Want to sit with me while I sing you my favourite song?"

James walked over to her and raised his arms over his head, signalling to her that he wanted her to pick him up. She sat him down on her lap and he pulled on one of her curls with a smile.

"You're up early," she said quietly as she kissed the top of his head and held him close. He nuzzled against her chest.

"Do I get the same treatment if I sit on your lap as well?" Hermione heard an amused voice from the staircase.

She recognised the voice as Fred's and curled up her lip in a sour expression, bracing herself for the conversation that was bound to come. "That depends," she said.

"On what?" Fred asked with a grin. He was wearing a green Puddlemere United t-shirt and chequered pyjama pants.

"If you're going to ignore me today."

"Ignore you?" Fred looked at her curiously, "I thought we had already established that we'd both been busy," he crossed his arms.

"That isn't what I'm referring to and you know it. You ignored me all day yesteday," Hermione huffed accusingly

"Did not!" Fred retorted.

"You wouldn't even look at me."

"Is it because I wouldn't give you George's seat?" Fred raised his eyebrows at her.

Hermione felt the anger surge inside of her, "Forget it," she huffed and turned her gaze towards the paper in front of her.

"Look who's ignoring who now," Fred muttered under his breath and continued in his normal voice, "come on James - I have something for you."

The toddler jumped down from Hermione's lap and took Fred's hand, following him to the living room.

"Hey! James and I were just enjoying a quiet morning!" Hermione said with furrowed brows.

"Well, he clearly thinks I'm more fun." Fred said as he closed the double doors behind him with a giggling James in his arms.

Hermione tried to suppress her anger and ignored James' many laughs from the living room while she angrily tried to concentrate on the Daily Prohet.

For the remainder of the day, Hermione ignored Fred. Although she knew it was childish, she wanted him to receive the same treatment that she been at the end of yesterday evening. She had no idea why his behaviour was upsetting her this much but right now she felt more alone than she had for quite some time. He couldn't just offer to be someone she could confide in and then take it away the very next day. It wasn't fair.

After dinner that night, George brought a large wooden box to the living room.

"What's that?" Ginny asked him.

"That, my dear sister, is a Christmas gift from one of our suppliers."

With raised eyebrows, Arthur took in the box and read out loud, "Ogden's Finest Fire Malts. What a nice present!"

"Freddie and I thought we could turn it into a small tasting," George said and held out a few glasses with a suggestive smile.

Hermione wanted to ask if they had tampered with the contents of the flasks as a prank but had only had the time to open her mouth slightly before George looked her dead in the eyes and said, "and no, Hermione, we didn't pour anything into them if that's what you're pondering."

Fred looked at her for the first time since that morning, and she couldn't help but blush a bit as she couldn't read his expression.

"Wow - Thanks boys, "Arthur said, "That sounds really nice!"

George handed out glasses for all of them except for Ginny and Angelina.

"Ugh, this has got to be the worst part about being pregnant," Ginny groaned.

"I know, love," Harry said and kissed her on the top of her head.

Hermione took a seat on the floor between Harry's feet and used his legs as back support, "you're not expecting me to kiss your scalp as well, are you?" He asked her.

"I'm good. I'll just take Ginny's helping of firewhiskey instead."

"Good girl," George winked at her and passed her a large glass of Ogden's finest.

Fred started telling the crowd a wild tale about the supplier who had given them the Christmas gift. Hermione, however, was having a hard time concentrating on his words as she was far too concerned with observing him and his twin. Fred and George were sitting beside each other on the red velvet sofa and for the first time in her life, she didn't think they looked that much alike. Sure, the fact that they were twins was obvious, but she suddenly noticed differences she hadn't noticed before.

During her first glass of firewhiskey, all she could think of was the differences in their appearance. Fred had far more freckles than George, and his hair colour was warmer. George on the other hand had darker eyes and a slightly smaller nose.

They also talked and moved differently; Fred was always energetic, waving his arms around and telling stories loudly. George was far more laid back and never let his twin miss out on an opportunity to capture the audience.

During her second glass of firewhiskey she thought about how different their personalities actually were. Both mischievous and up to no good, of course, but George was, compared to his twin, much more considerate, gentle, and thoughtful while Fred was more careless and definitely had a larger temper (something that she had seen on numerous occasions at various game nights). Hermione knew that Fred could get agitated over the smallest of things and that he was always on the verge of being careless - however, he never crossed the line. What the twins did share, however, was a deep love for their family and friends. She knew that they would do anything for the people they loved. And for a while Hermione had felt that protective love, but during her third glass of firewhiskey, she wondered why she hadn't felt it since George's wedding. What had happened that had pissed them so much off that they had stopped coming around? And why had Fred acted as if everything was fine the other night right up until George had called for him? It was starting to dizzy her. The more firewhiskey she drank, the more confused and angry she got. How dare he be nice to her and then pretend it hadn't happened? Had George called him out for being a 'pansy' as he would have put it himself? Was Fred embarrassed to show his twin how close him and Hermione had grown while George had been absent?

She was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice how her glass had been refilled several times and that she was currently drinking the last bits of firewhiskey number four.

"I'm off to bed," Harry finally said in a slurred voice from behind Hermione, "I can't stomach more alcohol.." Ginny followed him up the stairs, waving to the rest of the group with a yawn.

"Yes, I'm off too. Thanks for the firewhiskey, boys," Arthur said with a wave.

Ron and Aubrey who had been making out for the past couple of minutes finally decided to take their ministrations elsewhere, and soon the only people left in the room were Fred, Hermione, Angelina, and George.

"I'm off too," Angelina said and padded her husband's thigh, "Goodnight, guys."

"You mind if I stay for one more firewhiskey?" George looked up at her with a pout.

"Of course not," Angelina said and kissed her husband softly before stroking her pregnant belly. "Goodnight baby," George said and kissed Angelina on the bump.

Hermione could practically hear Fred's eyes roll to the back of his skull.

"You're sure you're not off too, Georgie?" Fred sent his twin a knowing look.

"Nah, one more glass would be lovely," George said with a smirk.

Fred sent George a death stare but George just held out his glass with a rattle, waiting for a refill.

"Are you absolutely sure you're not off to bed?" Fred asked him again in a mechanical voice.

George sent Hermione a sour expression before turning to his twin with a sigh, "I guess..."

"Oh, so he does take a hint," Fred teased, causing George to flip him off.

"Kicked out of my own party," George muttered to himself as he made his exit, "good luck with him. He's your problem now," George said to Hermione as he stomped out the room, flipping Fred off once more before he closed the double doors behind him.

"I can't believe that he's going to be a father.." Hermione laughed, scared of why Fred wanted to be alone with her. She wanted to be alone with him too, but right now she was too intoxicated to be rational. She took a deep breath to try and stay calm.

"Don't even get me started," Fred rolled his eyes, "Imagine a baby version of that idiot. The other night he set fire to himself."

Hermione laughed, "during the emergency?"

Fred nodded.

"I've been meaning to ask; what exactly was the nature of that emergency?"

"Yeah, there was no emergency," Fred grinned, "George just wanted some time alone with me, " he took a large gulp of his firewhiskey.

"Yeah, so much I'd guessed.. Is he panicking?"

"About the baby? No, not at all. I don't think I've ever seen him this excited before." Fred sent her a sad smile.

And then it hit Hermione, "wait a minute: are you panicking?"

Fred laughed, "no, Hermione," he said calmly, "I'm not panicking. Why would I be?"

"You're always together. George's married and has a baby on the way and you are..." her voice trailed off. She wasn't sure how to put it without offending him.

"And I'm what?" His eyes were piercing her, "A miserable twat that only cares about himself?"

"You're putting words in my mouth, Fred. That wasn't what I was going to say," she said softly, "I just mean... well, things between you two are bound to have changed."

"They have. A bit," Fred shrugged, "but it wasn't as if I was expecting us to be inseparable forever... I'm happy he's happy. I don't need him to be around constantly to have fun. I liked hanging out with you guys even when he wasn't around."

Hermione nodded, "we liked having you. You should start coming again."

"Yeah, maybe.." Fred said and ran a hand through his hair.

"...And just for the record: I don't think you're a twat nor that you only care about yourself...you just haven't met your Angelina yet."

"Easy there, Hermione. I was just teasing you," he laughed, "but if you must know, I actually fancy someone - although I'm trying to stay clear of her until I know what she wants."

"How are you ever going to find out if you stay clear of her?" Hermione laughed.

"Maybe I'll just come right out and tell her," he shrugged, "yeah..maybe.." he muttered to himself while pouring firewhiskey number five into his glass, "you want one?" he asked her, indicating that the topic they had just discussed was closed for more inquiries.

"Yeah, sure," she held out her glass which he filled sloppily.

"It looks really uncomfortable on the floor."

"Now that you mention it," she said and got up from her position on the floor. She contemplated taking the chair that Harry had been occupying, but settled on George's old seat next to Fred.

"So...back to the emergency.. If George wasn't panicking and you weren't panicking - what did you two talk about?"

"Gods, you're nosey!" He laughed.

"Blame it on the firewhiskey" she rattled her glass with a smirk.

"Well, do you want the uncomfortable truth or a daring lie?" He winked at her.

"Surprise me," she smiled.

"Do you really want to know?" He said. This time a bit more serious than he had been all night.

"Yes, Fred," she sighed, "I miss being close with you."

Fred looked at her with piercing eyes before he said, "well, we talked about you of course."

"Me?" Hermione raised an eyebrow at him, half expecting him to take the mickey out of her. But he didn't laugh. And he didn't say anything.

"Was that the daring lie or the uncomfortable truth?" She asked him. Hermione had never seen him so quiet before. "By the look on your face, I'm guessing that was the truth..." she looked to him for any kind of reassurance but he didn't react to her words so she continued, "what about me?"

"Come on, Hermione. You're bright. I'm sure you can figure it out," he said a took a sip of his firewhiskey, "just rewind the conversation a bit..."

Hermione racked her brain for what he'd been saying but came to no conclusion. He had talked about a girl that he fancied but there was no way in hell he could've meant her.

"I honestly have no idea," Hermione said truthfully, "and I don't understand why George wanted to talk to you alone about me.. I saw him listening in on our conversation. He had an extendable ear."

"What a nosey git!" Fred sighed, "yeah, he worries about me. After everything that has happened, he's scared that I might say something stupid and ruin everything."

Hermione looked at him with huge eyes. What was he on about? "I'm not sure I'm following you.."

"George thinks I should leave you alone."

"Doesn't he like me anymore?" Hermione piped.

"He likes you. Don't worry," Fred laughed, "In fact, he cares about you so much that he doesn't want me to corrupt you no matter how much I want to. He says I should let you get over Wood in peace without meddling. We fought about it all night and - I can't believe I'm saying this," he added with a groan, "but he actually convinced me to stay away from you. But as you can see," he held out his arms with a fake laugh, "I just can't help myself."

"You can't help yourself?" Hermione whispered. The seriousness of the conversation was just dawning on her, "with...me? Wait - what? Are you saying that I'm the girl you fancy?"

Fred took a long sip of the firewhiskey before he put down the glass. He avoided her gaze.

Hermione could feel her face getting hot, "me?"

"Why is it so hard to comprehend?" Fred said with annoyance written all over his face, "do you want me to go shout it from the rooftop?"

"I'm sorry Fred, I just don't understand..."

Hermione could tell that Fred was getting annoyed, "I fancy you, okay?" he desperately said, "have for quite some time. Before everything went to shit. Before Wood. I tried to stay away as to not say anything stupid but then you show up and...you're not with him anymore but you're clearly still hurting and George wants me to leave you alone so I don't hurt you even more," Fred ranted, "he says that it'd be best for you to get over Wood in peace. Says that I would break your heart and screw up everything that this family means to you and vice versa. He keeps telling me that I'm no good for you - which I, if I'm being completely honest, probably isn't."

Hermione didn't know what to say. This was a lot to take in. Fred had a crush on her. At Hogwarts she had always found him a bit cute. Annoying, sure - but cute. Back then she had heard plenty of rumours about Fred being a wonderful shag and she would lie if she said that she hadn't thought about letting him do the unspeakable things from the rumours to her - but she had never ever thought about doing anything downright romantic with him. They were good friends! Or at least they had been - it suddenly dawned upon Hermione that her and Fred weren't good friends anymore. She had nothing to lose by letting him occupy her mind for a night and live out the small fantasy that had been in the back of her head since Hogwarts.. She had no idea if it was the firewhiskey talking or the quiet desperation of having missed him so much that made her want to explore if all the rumours about him were true. It couldn't get worse between them than it had already been. And on top of that he might be able to get Oliver out of her system for good. Right now, she didn't care if Fred wasn't any good for her - he might be just what she needed. After all, Ginny had said that what she needed was a good shag.

"What if it's exactly what I need to get over him?" Hermione finally croaked, "Something that isn't good for me.."

For a moment, Fred looked surprised until he realised what she was asking of him, "sod off, Hermione. I don't want to be your one-night stand."

"Hear me out, okay? The night we went for a stroll was the first night in forever that I haven't thought of Oliver. I know that the conversation eventually fell on him, but up until then, I just enjoyed your company."

"But then you thought about him after I left," he said hestitantly.

"Actually, all I've been able to think about was how happy I was to see you again and how frustrating it was that you avoided me yesterday," she laughed at herself, "you were the only one who occupied my mind. What if you're just what I need to forget Oliver for good?" She reasoned.

Fred looked at her as if in shock, "are you serious?"

Hermione nodded, "why not.." She moved closer to him. Their faces were now only inches apart, "Lord knows that I could use a good shag."

Fred looked between her eyes and her lips with a gulp, "You've had a million firewhiskeys. I don't want to force you to do anything."

"You're not forcing me to do anything," she laughed, "I want this."

"Hermione I don't want you for a night and then never again.." Fred sighed, "it would only make things worse.."

"Come on, Fred. What do we have to lose? We don't talk anyway... I can't imagine it being worse than it's already been."

Fred looked her over. Hermione could tell that he was weighing the pros and cons in his head.

"I want you so bad right now," she whispered and felt the goosebumps emerging on his arms, "who cares what George thinks."

He looked at her intently for a few seconds before his face erupted in a very typical Fred-like grin that Hermione was sure he wasn't able to hold back, "yeah, fuck George," he groaned before he claimed her lips.

As soon as their lips touched, Fred exploded in a heap of emotions. His soft lips caressed hers in a way she had never experienced it before. His tongue moved sensually inside her mouth and over her lips while his long fingers danced all over her body. Fred pulled Hermione onto his lap, and the kiss turned more sloppy and soon they were kissing ferociously while she was fisting his hair.

His hands were under her skirt and she was cursing her wollen tights underneath. His thumbs carressed her inner thighs and she rewarded him with a quiet hum. She ran her hands through his hair, moving against him to cause friction between herself and the obvious erection she could already feel through is dark blue slacks. His hands moved to under her shirt, brushing over her nipples while his mouth was moving further and further down the sensitive skin on her throat.

A guttural sound escaped his lips as Hermione brought her hands down to his belt buckle.

"Not here," he whispered, bringing her back to reality, "not at the burrow, okay?"

His hands were on her hips, holding her in place so she couldn't move. His face was flushed, and he was shifting uncomfortable underneath her.

Hermione nodded, "your place?"

Fred sent her a devilish smile before apparating them both out of there.