Hello again darlings, I'm so sorry it's taken me longer to update this story. I've been working on this chapter for a while, and I'm still not completely satisfied with it. However, I hope you like it :)

Chapter Three

Gossip

Hermione awoke to the feel of Fred's arms around her. Shivering slightly, she buried her head in his chest, drawn to the warmth. She lay there peacefully for a few moments. Suddenly the room was flooded with sunlight; someone had drawn open the blinds. Hermione reluctantly opened her eyes to see George standing over her and Fred.

"Why do I always find you two in compromising positions?" George said shaking his head. She muttered something along the lines of "shove off" and closed her eyes again. George laughed.

Fred stirred and slowly opened his eyes.

"Morning Georgie," he said, a little sheepishly.

George frowned, remembering why he had woken them. "Get up. We need to talk."

After dragging Fred upstairs, George sat Fred down on his bed.

"I don't know what's going on with you and Hermione, Fred but it has to stop."

"What are you talking about?" Fred said, still groggy from sleep.

"You're always together and for Merlin's sake, you were with her all night!"

"She was upset about her fight with Ron," Fred said defensively.

"Fred, I've seen the way you look at her, this will never end well. She's our brother's girlfriend!"

"Look George, I like spending time with her. She's a good friend and she helps with the business. That's all."

George looked at him suspiciously.

"I hope you're telling the truth, Freddie," George said softly before exiting the room. Fred sighed and sat on his bed. He didn't feel that way about Hermione, did he? Shaking his head he went back downstairs.

Meanwhile, Hermione went up to the girl's dormitory to change. Lavender and Pavarti were sitting on Lavender's bed, gossiping.

"I have to say, Draco Malfoy's far better looking than Seamus," Lavender said as she braided her hair.

"True, but Seamus is so sweet," Pavarti argued.

"I heard he and Hannah Abbot were snogging after the last quidditch match," Lavender breathlessly informed her friend, the way one would reveal an important secret. Hermione rolled her eyes at the girls' inane conversation. Noticing Hermione, Pavarti and Lavender turned to her.

"So, Hermione, is it true you and Fred Weasley are sleeping together?" Pavarti asked, shamelessly.

"What? No!" Hermione said, her eyes widening.

"Where were you last night then?" Lavender asked, with a smirk.

"I was with Fred but-" the girls giggling cut her off. "I'm not sleeping with Fred, that's ridiculous," she huffed.

"Okay, whatever you say," Pavarti said in a singsong voice and the two girls left the room.

…

Hermione went down to breakfast in a bad mood. Spotting Fred's familiar red hair at the Gryffindor table, she went up to him, grabbed his hand and dragged him angrily from the great hall, receiving a few strange looks in the process.

"What's up Hermione?" Fred asked, confused.

"Lavender and Pavarti think we're sleeping together!"

"Brilliant," Fred said with a grin.

Hermione wacked him on the arm, "Not brilliant!" She said with a frown. "They think I'm cheating on Ron."

Fred's face fell for a moment. "Well who can blame you? I am the more handsome one," he said, attempting to give her his most dashing smile.

Hermione laughed, then quickly regained composure and glared at him. "Can you please be serious?"

"Sorry," he apologized, "but come on, Hermione they're just rumors. We both know it's total rubbish."

Hermione sighed, "I guess you're right."

"You know, we could have a little fun with this."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Oh nothing much," Fred said mischievously.

"As long as you don't get us into trouble, I'm in," Hermione said, smiling at the thought of wiping the smirk of Lavender's smug face.

Fred looked offended, "When have I ever gotten into trouble?"