A/N: Hey everyone, I know, I know! I am a terrible person and will go to hell when I die! But, I have finally uploaded the last chapter of Complicated. I have probably lost a number of readers, due to the lack of updates, but I really hope you can forgive me. I have been so busy lately, I just found out that my grandmother has cancer, it has been really hard on all of us. So, I hope this lives up to your expectations! I haven't writtine in a while, so it may be a little OOC. Enjoy, :)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Hermione sat bolt upright in bed as she scrambled around on her bedside table, finally finding her alarm clock and shoving it under her pillow, punching the snooze button. She groaned, it was only four o'clock! She grabbed the covers and pulled the covers over her head, closing her eyes and sinking back into her soft pillow. She lay there for a couple of minutes, her eyes closed and her mind at peace. She snuggled down into the many layers of her bed, almost asleep, before Fred's face burst through the tranquil peace of her mind. She shot back up, her eyes wild, her chest heaving, face flushed. She groaned and threw her covers off and stood up, stretching in the process. She would never get any sleep like this.

Walking over to her trunk, Hermione pulled out a pair of jeans and a white shirt. Grabbing her black converse, she pulled on her blue sweater over her shirt, wrapping a pale blue scarf around her neck. Walking over to her mirror, that was placed above her bed, she started brushing her hair, mumbling angrily to herself, when her hair refused to co-operate, sticking up in odd places and as curly as ever. Yanking her brush through her hair, she pulled it up into a messy bun, a few stray strands floating around her face, a strand curling at the nape of her neck.

Sighing, Hermione got up and walked to the door, taking one final glance around the room, making sure no-one saw her quick escape. Satisfied that all was well, she slipped out of the room, tiptoeing down the hallway and making a run for the stairs. Dashing down them, Hermione stopped short of the castle's doors, glancing about, checking for people. When she saw no-one, she proceeded to rush out the doors; her feet jumping the last step and onto soft, slightly damp grass. It was still rather dark outside, for the sun hadn't risen yet and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, relieved to finally get some time alone. She made a beeline for a patch of soft looking grass that lay next to the lake, a huge tree hanging out of the shore.

Sitting down, Hermione watched soft ripples rise and disappear in the water, small waves lapping softly at the bank, making a gentle splashing sound. She rested her head against the tree, brining her knees up to her chest, closing her eyes. Breathing deeply, she went over the past week or so, her thoughts whirling through her head, moments flashing past her mind's eye. Fred face bubbled to the surface, making her gasp, her head whipping up and smacking into the tree trunk behind her.

"Shit!" she mumbled, her face growing red with embarrassment, even though no-one was around to see. Resting her head, back onto her knees, she banged her forehead on them over and over again. She needed to get over this silly attraction of hers; there was no way that he could feel the same. Hogwarts bookworm and the prankster? It just wasn't meant to be. As this harsh thought flew into her head, tears rose to her eyes. She wiped them away crossly, shocked at herself for reacting so, it wasn't like she loved him or anything. It was just a simple crush that was all, a simple crush. Accepting her fate, she leaned back again, her back pressing up against the trunk of the tree, wide and comforting in her pain.

"Hermione?" There was a cracking sound and a hand came to rest on her shoulder, making her gasp aloud. She turned her face, to find Fred's only inches away.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," he said, grimacing. Pulling his hand away from her shoulder, she shivered as the cool air came into contact with her skin once more.

"No, no, it's quite alright Fred, don't worry about it," she said, smiling at him. Why, oh why did he have to look so cute, especially now? What about her resolve of not liking him anymore that she had made just moments ago?

"I just saw you sitting down here and I thought I would come a join you. I mean, I've never had any company before."

She looked up at him in confusion. "Do you come down here often?" Hermione asked, pulling a few strands of hair away from her face and tucking them behind her ears.

"Yeah, I do, to clear my head, you know? So much going on, nowadays," he replied, grinning as the hair she had just tucked away flew back across her face.

Leaning over, he gently tucked the lock of hair back, making Hermione shudder at his touch. She looked into his eyes, losing herself within them, watching as he leaned forward, till they were only inches apart.

"Fred..." It was the whisper of his name, which made him draw away, disappointment welling up inside him. She was going to say no, that this would never work out, that she didn't like him in that way. Biting his lip, he cast his eyes downward, ready for the emotional blow.

"Fred, look, we can't, we can't-" she broke off as Fred grabbed her face in his hands, a mixed expression upon his face.

"Yes, we can," he whispered his eyes filled with a kind of fiery desire that she had never seen, before pulling her to him and pressing his lips firmly against hers, holding her to him. Hermione sank into him, her resolve melting away as Fred held her in his arms, feeling his muscles flex beneath her. She smiled as his tongue pressed against her mouth and she opened it, letting him inside. He pulled her onto his lap, his arms wrapped around her tight, as she draped her arms around his neck, winding her fingers into his shoulder-length red hair. He pressed himself closer to her, feeling a hand, make its way to his chest, exploring the expanse of skin, hardened by years of hard quidditch playing. He moved a calloused hand to the side of her face, stroking her cheekbones, memorising her face with his hands.

Finally they pulled as the kiss ended, never looking away from each other's eyes. Fred pulled Hermione to his side, cradling her against his chest.

"I broke up with Angelina last night," he said, leaning down to kiss her hair. She looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Really?" she asked, reaching up to cup his face in her hand. "You did that... for me?" She smiled, gazing into his face, happiness overwhelming her.

Turning to face her, Fred bent down so that he was at her eye level.

"Hermione, of course I did. Angelina was never right for me. It was you Hermione, all along, it was you." He gazed at her, half pleading with her to see the desire building up inside him.

"All this time, for years, I always thought you were just hanging around me to annoy me, or just because I was Ron's best friend. I never thought..." She trailed off, her eyes growing slightly watery as she thought of all the times that Fred had just brushed her off, without so much as saying hello.

"Hermione," he said, watching tears form in her eyes and put a finger under her chin, tilting it up, so she was looking at him.

"Hermione," he said again, gazing into her eyes. He broke off for a second, looking down, unsure. Should he? Maybe it was too soon; maybe she wouldn't take him seriously. That would be right; he confessed his feelings to her, only to have her laugh at him. Shaking his head, he turned back to Hermione's expectant face, feeling slightly nervous.

"Hermione," he said once more, in a voice stronger than he felt, "You were the one that I wanted to go the ball with. It killed me to see that idiot, Ernie, take you in his arms. I had to stop myself from going over to you; it would have been stupid then. And when my stupid brother, hurt you so much, I realised that it was always you and would only ever be you. You are the one for me Hermione, no matter how stupid it may seem. I know, it seems ridiculous right? The prankster and the bookworm!" he said, grinning as he touched the tip of her nose with a finger. "Never!" he said in an uncanny impersonation of Professor McGonagall, making her giggle.

After smiling along with her, Fred became serious once more. "Hermione, I... I love you," he said, trailing off, afraid to look at her. It was too soon, he knew, he had scared her off. He shouldn't have said it!

Fred looked up and to his surprise he found Hermione still sitting in front of him, her mouth open, staring at him. Grimacing, he looked away, cursing himself inwardly for being so stupid. Then he felt a small, soft hand against the side of his face and found Hermione gazing at him, her mouth turned up into what might have been, just maybe, a smile. Then, without warning, she launched herself at him, her tongue battling against his in a fierce kiss. He fell back, as she wrapped her arms around him, so there was no friction between them, no space. He grinned, elated as he felt Hermione in his arms, true and real, finally.

* * *

Hermione and Fred entered the Great Hall just as breakfast was starting, holding hands, sneaking small glances at each other and grinning every couple of seconds. Soon enough, Ginny and Harry came to join them, pulling a protesting Ron with them, Seamus, George and Lee Jordan bringing up the rear. As George and Lee saw Fred and Hermione sitting together, they grinned and hi-fived each other. They alone, apart from Harry, knew about Fred's secret attraction to the bushy-haired beauty.

"So," Ginny said, noticing how close Fred and Hermione were sitting next to each other. "Did everyone have a good sleep?" she asked, winking at Hermione, who was now resting slightly against Fred's shoulder, her eyes half closed.

Poking Harry in the ribs, Ginny gestured over at Fred and Hermione. Harry looked at her, beaming as he watched the two together. "I have a feeling that Ron's not too happy about this," he whispered to Ginny, who made a face in return. "Who cares about that git, he seems fine with Lavender," she giggled, staring at Ron who was making an obvious attempt to flirt with Lavender Brown. "It's disgusting!" Ginny exclaimed, watching as Ron draped a hand onto Lavender's arm. "I know," Harry said, secretly winking at Ron, who returned it. Last night, Harry had made Ron promise that he would apologize to Hermione, and also managing to convince him that Lavender may be interested in him. Ginny looked over at Harry, asking, "You wouldn't have anything to do with it, would you now?" He just looked at her innocently before saying, "Whatever do you mean, Ginny?" and tucking into his eggs, making her laugh.

"Hermione?" Fred whispered, looking down at the girl seated next to him. She looked up at him, her mouth curling into a smile. "Come with me!"

* * *

Fred and Hermione walked along the hall, watching Nearly Headless Nick, whoosh past them and through the wall opposite them. They walked in silence, content to be together, holding hands. After a little while the bell rang, alerting students to get ready for class. Soon after, Fred stopped, pulling Hermione with him, behind a suit of armour, underneath the picture of a knight fighting a group of goblins.

"Hermione, what made you like me?" he asked, uncertainty in his voice, his eyes fixed upon hers. "Whatever do you mean?" she asked, grinning at him. "Who could not help but fall in love with such a devilishly handsome guy, like you?" she inquired, tapping the tip of his nose, like he had done only a while ago. Fred smiled, draping an arm around her shoulder, and in a hilariously good imitation of Ron, said, "Oh Lavender, want to come and watch me practise quidditch later?" Hermione doubled over in fits of laughter, slapping Fred on the arm, managing to gasp out, "Don't be mean. He just isn't as good at talking to girls as you are!" Fred groaned, but pulled her to him, walking out from behind the suit of armour, just in time to get in front of the horde of students making their way out of the Great Hall. As they looked behind themselves and saw a tide of students rushing towards them, Fred kissed Hermione on the top of her head, and grabbed her hand once more. "I love you," he whispered, as they walked off to class.

A/N: So that's it guys! I hope you liked it! Please R&R! I'm thinking of doing a sequeal, so email me or review or tell me somehow if you want me to! Alie, ;)