To the casual observer, nothing significant seemed to have transpired between Fred and Hermione. They were their usual selves for the most part, Hermione casting exasperated looks at Fred every so often and Fred teasing her or cracking jokes amongst their group. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred, and George had been spending time together regularly whenever they could. The five of them would make frequent trips down to the Three Broomsticks (Umbridge was never there.), talking and joking with each other. Sometimes, George would bring Katie along with them and Harry would bring Cho. During trips like these, Harry wondered if Ron realized he was being the ultimate third wheel even while Fred and Hermione were being discreet about their affections for each other. Harry thought Ron had figured it out when he caught Fred looking at Hermione for a moment too long, but Ron had convinced himself it was nothing. After that particular trip, Harry had been on the verge of telling Ron about Fred and Hermione – he had a right to know – but Hermione had made him swear not to tell. Harry decided Hermione was right to keep it under wraps for the time being. He remembered being around Ron when Viktor was still around – he didn't want to imagine what Ron's reaction would be like when he found out that his older brother was with Hermione.
"More Butterbeer, Harry?" Cho's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Harry snapped out of his reverie. The five of them, plus Cho and Katie, were at their usual booth in The Three Broomsticks. It was an unusually cold spring day the Three Broomsticks was incredibly busy and lively with groups of students seeking protection from the cold.
"Sure," Harry replied, holding out his cup. Cho poured him his drink and turned so she could lean against him. Harry wrapped a long arm around Cho and took a sip of his Butterbeer and a warm sensation flooded his body. It had been a week since their row and Madame Puddifoot's, but Harry and Cho had been trying to work out their problems. Harry was glad that Cho had finally understood how hard it was for him to talk about Cedric. She also seemed much more relaxed and happy around him. This thought made Harry feel a rush of affection for his girlfriend and he kissed her cheek.
"…and then I told Pansy that if she ever used that spell on Marietta's robes again, I would be more than happy to repay the favor," Cho finished her story and Harry could her smiling as she talked after he had kissed her. She shifted and reached a hand to the back of Harry's head so he could bend down and kiss her properly.
"Oi, keep the snogging to a minimum," Ron exclaimed and pulled a face. "If you can't hold it in, at least have the common decency to mysteriously disappear from our booth every once in a while like George and Katie." Harry rolled his eyes, but pulled away from Cho anyway.
"Sorry, Ron," Cho replied, not looking sorry in the slightest.
"Just like you to be a git and spoil their fun," Fred chimed in, shaking his head. "Thank Merlin Ginny's good at hiding the things she does with her boyfriends or you might just try and hex all of them. And I don't think you would do so well one-on-one with Michael Corner."
"I could take Corner," Ron said confidently. Looking at the group of dubious faces he added, "Right?"
Hermione sighed maternally. "Yes, Ronald, you would hex Michael Corner into the next dimension. Happy?"
Ron took a smug sip of his Butterbeer. "Extremely."
"Are you going to do your Victory Dance for us?" George asked, snickering. Katie smacked his arm.
"Shut up," Ron snapped, his ears turning red. Fred caught George's eyes and the twins held back their laughter, choosing to drop the subject.
"Did you hear that some of the seventh years are planning a dance?" Katie changed the subject, shooting a vaguely annoyed look at George. She had obviously asked him not to bring Ron's victory dance up, knowing it would be a touchy subject.
"Really?" Hermione asked, leaning forward.
"Yes, it should be really fun. It's for fifth, sixth, and seventh years. We could all go if we somehow managed to sneak the twins in," Katie lowered her voice conspiratorially.
"Do you need to ask someone?" Ron shot a quick, nervous look at Hermione. Harry thought he saw Fred glance at Hermione as well after Ron asked the question. Hermione was looking resolutely at her half empty Butterbeer mug.
"You can," Katie said, looking strangely at Ron. "You don't have to, though. It's nowhere near as formal as the Yule Ball. A lot of students are just going in groups, which is what I thought we could do. It might be more fun that way."
"Yeah, definitely," Ron replied, looking relieved. Fred, on the other hand, was biting his lip and still casting sideways looks at Hermione. It looked as though he were keeping himself from asking her if she wanted to go with him on the spot. Hermione still refused to look at either of the Weasleys sitting next to her and quietly poured herself another glass of Butterbeer. Harry noticed Hermione turning a faint shade of pink, which made him realize she might not be completely oblivious to Ron and Fred's attention on her.
"Do you want to go with me, then?" Harry casually asked Cho, grinning.
She shrugged, playing along with his nonchalance. "Sure, why not? It's not like anyone better is going to ask me." A tinge of melancholy crept into her voice, but she quickly covered it up with a radiant smile. Harry held her closer, sensing Cho's changing mood.
"What about you? Do you want to go?" Katie asked, raising her eyebrows at George.
"Do I have a choice?" He teased her.
"Nope," Katie replied cheerfully.
"I guess it's settled, then," George sighed, shaking his head in mock resignation. Katie giggled and linked their hands together under the table, causing George to break his feigned sadness and smile. "And the three of you would make it 'going as a group', seeing as none of you are asking anyone," George added, trying to keep the irony out of his voice. He glanced at Harry, who bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"Sounds like a plan," Fred answered. His voice sounded a bit off and Ron turned to look at his brother, his brow furrowing. Ron seemed to be picking up on the intimacy between Fred and Hermione for the first time since they had started circling each other. He looked at Hermione, then back at Fred, then back to Hermione. The pair of them put on a great show of being puzzled by the awkward silence that had descended (Katie was trying to get George's attention nonverbally so they two of them could duck out if Ron figured out what was going on.) and Ron's behavior in general. Ron shook his head suddenly, dismissing whatever connections he was making in his mind. Harry realized that it was easier for Ron to convince himself that he was exaggerating things in his mind rather than facing the truth.
"George and I are going to get going," Katie announced. The pair of them slid out of their booth and shrugged on their coats. "He's going to help me with Professor Sprout's paper."
"See you," Harry replied, waving goodbye.
"Bye."
"See you at home, Georgie."
George and Katie waved silently and the two of them weaved their way through the crowed, before disappearing completely.
"Maybe we should head back too, Harry," Cho said, leaning away from him. "It's getting late." Harry hadn't realized how dark it was outside.
"You're right," He agreed, sliding out of the booth and making room so Cho could get out as well. "Let's go." Cho accompanied him at the other side of the table and linked their fingers together. Ron's head snapped up and he scooted out of his seat as well.
"Hold on, I'll come with you. It's getting dark out," He muttered and tied a thick woolen scarf around his neck. He didn't look at either Ron or Fred on his way out. Harry, Cho, and Ron made their way through the mass of people still in The Three Broomsticks and walked tiredly back to the castle, leaving Fred and Hermione alone at their booth.
"Well, that was awkward," Hermione remarked. "Ron was being so odd. You didn't tell him, did you?"
"Of course not," Fred replied stoutly, covering her hand with his on the table. "Do you want him to kill me? Besides, this…thing that's between us is really new. There's no use in telling him something that the both of us are still figuring out."
"He's not going to kill you," Hermione repeated for, what felt like, the millionth time. They had had this conversation several times before. "You're right. Of course, you're right. But, I still feel bad keeping things from Ron."
Fred took a deep breath. "Me too." He paused. "Don't tell him I said that."
Hermione laughed. "God forbid, he actually finds out that you care about him."
"Us Weasley men aren't the sentimental, sharing-our-emotions type. You've known Ron for five years and you know what he's like with feelings. I'm surprised he hasn't confessed his undying love for you yet – he's driven George and me mad, talking about you." Fred grinned at Hermione and tugged her closer so she was leaning against him.
"…And back to being guilty," Hermione sighed, scrunching up her nose. "And a little flattered, to be honest," she admitted. "Still wrapping my head around the fact that he's felt that way for so long." Hermione absently wondered if she and Ron had gotten the timing right, she would have been leaning against Ron instead of Fred. She felt Fred quietly laugh next to her and she looked up at him, a small smile playing across her mouth. Fred looked down at her, a curious expression crossing his face. He brushed her brown curls from her face and she felt her skin warm under his hand as he cupped her cheek in his palm. He brought his face down to hers (Hermione briefly wondered if Butterbeer doubled as a breath mint) and kissed her softly. It was a short, chaste kiss, but Hermione felt her stomach dip all the way down to her toes. Fred broke away and Hermione, with her eyes still closed, fell forward and her eyes snapped open as Fred steadied her with his hands. "So that was…that was – that was…" Hermione took a deep breath, trying to collect her thoughts. Her brain had evaporated. She flopped against him and gave up on coherency, settling for saying once again, "That was." She said it as a statement this time, knowing she was making no sense.
"Being kissed suits you," Fred commented, chuckling at her reaction. Hermione looked up at him, realizing that she had given away her complete lack of experience in this arena. Suddenly, Fred seemed much older than her and she blushed, looking down. "Hey," Fred said softly, sensing her tension. "Do you want to go to that dance with me?" He asked her in a husky, low voice. Hermione beamed at Fred and nodded. He kissed her again, holding her face in between his large hands. Hermione felt her heart pounding against her ribcage, and as Fred drew her nearer, she was sure he could feel the steady rhythm of her heart against his chest.
"Does this mean we tell Ron and risk you getting murdered?" Hermione murmured against his lips.
Fred pulled away from her and grinned crookedly. "Eventually. We have plenty of time."