Disclaimer: I (sadly) do not own Harry Potter. Nor do I make any money from this. Nor do I update on time...again. It was finished some twelve hours ago, however real life can be quite distracting. I also do not own real life, or if I do then I'm not very goood at it.

Chapter Four: Kiss or Miss

It was February 10th- and Fred was panicking. There were only four more days until Valentine's Day, and it was starting to irritate him that he and Hermione hadn't spoken since the 'Incident'.

How could he have been so stupid? She wasn't doing this because she had feelings for him she was doing it to get back at his younger brother! What on earth gave him the idea that his feelings might be recuperated? Because she didn't run away or hit him when he were healing a cut that he caused? Because she had spent the day with him watching movies and had fallen asleep in his arms? Because he had a great time joking and laughing while they tried to make pasta?

The reason didn't matter- either way he was wrong.

She didn't care for him the way he cared for her. It was a hit or miss... well, kiss or miss, to be exact. And Fred had missed...

xoxoxoxo

Hermione worked. And worked. And worked. She ignored her friends as polietly as she could, she didn't take her lunch break (which she was begining to regret), she even skived off of her meeting earlier that afternoon. Hermione didn't want to see or speak to anyone untill she had everything under control. She had taken the day off when the 'Incident' happened, so she was catching up on all of the work which she missed. She had patients to see, checkups to give, and all of the paper work from her day off. And just incase Hermione might finish her work early enough that someone might think she wasn't busy and try to talk to her, she had also collected all of the paper work which would need to been done for the next few days. Hermione Granger was avoiding a problem. In her office. Had any of her former proffessors seen her, they wouldn't recognize the young woman before them. Hermione Granger did not hide. She was a war heroine. She had tracked down hororcroxes and defeated the (supposedly) undefeatable wizard. Yet here she was, doing, quite possible, one of the least Gryffindor things possible: she was hiding.

"Oh hello Hermione! Having a nice day?" a dreamy voice asked.

"Luna! How lovely to see you!" Hermione spat through clenched teeth. Luna Lovegood had also chosen a career as a Healer, and often popped by for little visits. Hermione adored the girl (now), however right now was not the time for visits.

"Wow, Hermione! You seem quite stressed about something. Do you think it might be the nargles?" Hermione truly did love the girl (most times).

"No Luna, I'm just trying to catch up on some work."

"Well, it seems to me that you're already quite caught up, and are trying to distract yourself. I understand that solitude might feel best inyour predicament. I know your just too polite to ask me to leave, but I don't mind. How's Fred?" Luna asked, remarkably accurate. A smile came over Hermione's face as she listened to Luna.

"He's...well."

"Ah." Luna said with a knowing smile, "So that's what this is about. Well, please enjoy yourself."

"Same to you, Luna." She smiled at the retreating figure.

"Hey! Luna! Luna! Luna! Feel free to stop by again soon, alright?"

xoxoxoxo

Fred worked. And worked. And worked. He ignored George and their assistants as polietly as he could, he didn't take his lunch break (which he was begining to regret), he even missed the great unveiling of some of his newest joke supplies earlier that afternoon. Fred didn't want to see or speak to anyone untill he had everything under control with his... romantic situation. He had taken the day off when the 'Incident' happened, so he was catching up on all of the work which he missed. He had product ideas to see, receipts to give, and all of the pranks to try that werewaiting for testing since his day off. And just incase Fred might finish his work early enough that George tried to talk to him, he had also collected paper work which would need to been done for the next few days. Fred Weasley was doing paperwork. In his office. Had any of his former proffessors seen him, they wouldn't recognize the young man before them. Fred Weasley did not do paperwork. He was the owner of a prank shop. He had tracked down incredible spells and created the (supposedly) foolproof joke supplies. Yet here he was, doing, quite possible, one of the least prankster-ish things possible: he was hiding. So, he trew his quill on his desk with disgust. He pulled out a piece of parchmant and began drafting an invitation to dinner.

Dear Hermione,

I apologize for my actions earlier- they were uncalled for. I'd like to make it up to you by taking you to dinner. If you're interested, please owl me and be ready for seven this evening.

Sincerely,

Fred Weasley

Too...formal.

Hey Hermione,

Want to meet up for dinner tonight? Owl me back, and I can pick you up at seven.

Fred Weasley

Too... casual.

Dear Hermione,

I was hoping you'd be interested in accompanying me to dinner. I could pick you up at about seven tonight, if you're interested.

Fred Weasley

Fred sighed tiredly- it would have to do. It was quickly approaching four in the evening, and he knew Hermione didn't like surprises.

He was nervous about meeting with Hermione after what had happened, but he was the infamous Fred Weasley! He wouldn't let himself get discouraged or spend time worrying about the consequences. He was determined to tell Hermione how he really felt about her, and even if she rejected him, it would be better than living in their complicated relationship of uncertainty.

He wouldn't tell her tonight, but on Valentine's Day after the family dinner. Then he would. He was positively terrified of her reaction, however. But before he had time to dwell on all the things that could go wrong, a familiar tapping disrupted his thoughts.

Dear Fred,

I'll see you at seven. I can't wait!

Love,

Hermione

xoxoxoxo

Hermione carefully placed the last pin in place, pleased with her transformation. An old dress in the back of her closet had finally been put to good use, and she had been a bundel of nerves from the time she finished getting ready (six o'clock) to the time Fred was due to pick her up. They didn't have much time to prepare their act, and Hermione was left confused about if it was an act or not. Had he tried to kiss her? Had she tried to kiss him? Did she even WANT him to kiss her? That would've made their whole situation so much more complicated. And complicated was hardly ever a direct translation to happy.

At seven o'clock, the familar chimes of her doorbell rang through the flat, and Hermione tried to calm her nerves. It was just Fred- your friend. Your friend who you're pretending to date to get back at his brother. Your friend who might've tried to kiss you... Just Fred.

She opened the door with an air of confidance that only a Gryffindor could master. A smile that was already at the ready was suddenly replaced by a genuine smile at the sight of her 'boyfriend'. He had cleaned up nicely, looking more mature than she had ever seen him. But he deserved more credit that she gave him- she hade noticed he'd been maturing a fair bit since their Hogwarts days.

Hermione smiled and took his outstretched arm with her nerves dissapearing. Just another reason why Hermione Granger loved Fred Weasley. The familiar tug of apparation pulled her from just below her navel, and the pair were wisked off to enjoy the company of their companion of preferance: each other.

Holy Hungarian Hortails! You guys are amazing! Thanks to:

Wonderlandr, MaraudersAlways, glazedwater, Sampdoria, dragonmia, PurebloodGirl, nette91, rupertslover09, Shadow96angle, ChloeBarrowman, CountryGirl2605, Katemae Black, Imightjustwishiwasaweasley , and Shirosaki-Yuki

You all reviewing, favoriting, fallowing- it means the whole Harry Potter universe to me! You've all made my day!

PurebloodGirl: Well you are most certainly welcome! Don't worry about it- I'm just glad you got a chance to read it. I'm very glad you liked it- written for you my dear! I was trying to have some original, creative drama so thanks! Glad you liked Romilda (we'll be seeing more if her soon!).

dragonmia: Don't worry- we've plenary if time. They're getting there, and expect some more romance in no time! They'll kiss soon, fear not! Thanks a ton for your review, and I'm really glad you liked it!

Sampdoria: Thanks! I'm trying to have an I retesting plot and creat a fun story, so I'm really glad you liked it. Hope you enjoyed that too!

You guys rock! Sorry about all the day-after updates. I'm trying to get ahead, don't worry!

ForensicGeek2