A/N: Follows Chapter 1- Chocolate Cake

Hours after the Quidditch game wrapped up, and after Molly and Hermione had dealt with the three nosebleeds, one broken nose, broken arm, sprained ankle, and too many bruises to count; Hermione was settled in on a bench in the back garden of the Burrow, cup of tea in hand, savouring its flavor as well as the peace, quiet, and crisp night air. Again she felt more than heard a presence behind her on the path from the back door of the house.

"You never really answered my question," he commented, "I didn't realize until later, but you couldn't actually see me when you recognized me."

"Mmmmhh." Hermione replied noncomittally.

"Come on, Hermia," he pleaded, hovering next to the bench.

"That one's new," she responded.

"Thought you might hate a nickname less if it came from Shakespeare too." he offered. "Fits too, you are little and fierce." Hermione made another noncommittal noise in her throat, sipped her tea, and gestured to offer the seat next to her. He sat, but didn't relax. She let him stew a moment before speaking.

"It's your energy." She replied cryptically.

"Pardon?"

"George has always been more relaxed around me. You though? You try hard to seem relaxed, but you never are. For the longest time, I thought you hated me."

"I could never hate you, Hermia."

She smiled softly. "I know that now, but when I was younger…" she shrugged. "Do you remember the summer I gave you and George that book on muggle pranks?"

"And we spent the rest of the holiday tormenting you and Ginny."

"Do you remember the day George put the water bucket over the door?"

"Vividly."

"Well, that was the day I realized you didn't hate me." She sipped her tea and glanced at him raising her eyebrow. "You don't have to be so embarrassed. I've kept your secret all this time, and haven't even teased you about it. Much."

"Ah. Well. Yes." he said uncomfortably. "You still dating that bloke from the Ministry, Nigel?" He changed the subject abruptly. Hermione laughed in response.

"Uh, Merlin no! What a bore." She chuckled. "What about you? Still seeing Barbie?" She asked, drawing the girl's name out mockingly.

"First, her name was Barbara. And second, that's a hard no. Last time I let George set me up with a girl." He responded, shaking his head ruefully.

"You always say that. Dollars to dougnuts, two weeks from now, you find yourself on another double date with George, Steffi, and another bimbo. Probably named Candi."

"And she dots the I with a heart." Fred added, laughing. "Dollars to doughnuts?"

"Muggle term."

"Ah." The silence stretched out, only slightly uncomfortably.

"What a pair we make," Fred ventured after a few moments, "Me, pining for years after a girl so far out of my league...and you. You still waiting for Ronnie to wake up?" Hermione blinked at him, stunned.

"Out of your league? What? And Ron? What are you on about? You think RON and...I?" She shook her head and laughed. "Firstly, Ron. Oh, no. He and I kissed once, did you know that?" Fred shook his head, mutely. "It was like kissing Harry. Or, rather how I'd imagine kissing Harry would be. Not that I've ever kissed Harry. Or imagined kissing Harry, for that matter." she laughed. "I think Ron and I both always thought as kids that we'd end up together, but when the moment arrived? Well, we have an unspoken agreement to never speak of it again." Fred's expression grew more stunned as she spoke.

"And you! Who are you pining over?" Hermione questioned. Fred blinked. "And what girl could possibly be out of your league? If she can't recognize how charming, handsome, funny, kind, and successful you are, then she can't possibly deserve you." Hermione finished, crossing her arms determinedly in front of her, glaring at the unknown female.

Fred finally found words. "But, I thought you knew. You said you knew. You know everything."

"I said I knew? What?"

"The water bucket!" Fred sputtered.

"The water bucket? But. That. I knew you were attracted to me, but embarrassed about it! What could that possibly have to do with this?"

"Everything!" Fred burst out. "Of course I was embarrassed! I thought you were Ronnie's girl! What kind of bloke falls for his own brother's girl?" Fred shook his head "I thought you knew everything all this time. That you knew all along, but just...preferred Ron." he finished quietly.

"All this time," Hermione said softly, "I've thought you were embarrassed just because you felt attraction towards the plain-jane, bossy, bookworm."

"There's nothing plain about you." Fred replied, almost too softly for her to hear, pressing his forehead against hers, "And bossy bookworm is one of the things I love most about you."

"Your mother is going to be thrilled," Hermione cautioned jokingly. "She'll probably start planning a wedding tonight."

"Okay by me." Fred murmured. And kissed her softly as he finally relaxed.