Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, not me.

Chapter Seven!

Fred's POV:

'Hello,' I greeted, grinning.

'Hey,' she replied shyly.

Hermione's eyes darted around the circular room, and then quickly back to me. A small smile spread across her lips.

'What did you want to talk to me about?' she asked, walking in long strides over to me.

'No particular reason,' I said. 'I just wanted to talk to you… About, er…'

'About what?' she whispered, touching my arm with her hand, looking up at me.

About last night. Right, now I just had to say it out loud.

'About… Er, I – sit down, please.' I laughed feebly.

'Is everything okay, Fred?' She sounded concerned.

'I'm fine, seriously,' I began. 'I just… I really like you, Hermione. I think you're beautiful, honestly. And well you know, I understand if you don't feel the same way because well you know you probably don't, I don't even know why I'm saying this…'

Hermione didn't say anything for a few seconds. Slowly, a smile started to spread across her face.

'I know completely what you mean,' she said quietly. 'And I do like you, Fred. Quite a lot, to be honest,' she laughed. 'Sorry, I'm kinda new to this,' she added.

What did she say? She liked me back? What? This was brilliant. So, why couldn't I say anything? I was stunned. How could a beautiful girl like her, like a troublemaker like me?

'But,' Hermione said. 'If you would, please don't tell Ron… I don't think he'll take it the right way; his best friend with his older brother.'

'Yeah, that's fine.' I felt myself smile. 'So, does that mean we're…?'

'A couple?' she asked. 'I guess.'

'Brilliant,' I said. And, just like that, I leant forward and put my hand on her arm and pressed my lips gently to hers. She kissed me back immediately, and I could taste her spearmint toothpaste, and smell the strawberry conditioner she'd used in her hair.

We sat there for a while, kissing on that sofa. Soon, she pulled away.

'I'm really tired,' she yawned. 'I think I'm gonna go to b-b-bed.' She yawned again.

'Okay,' I laughed. 'Goodnight, love.'

''Night,' she said, smiling.

Hermione's POV:

In the morning, I was awoken by the girls in my dormitory rushing around, putting on their heaps of makeup. I couldn't be bothered with that; beauty isn't just skin deep! After the night before with Fred, I was feeling very pleased with myself. Lots of girls from many years and houses wanted to be with Fred and George. It was quite cute really, seeing them swoon whenever they were there. But Fred as mine. All mine. And what was that he'd called me? Love. How cute!

I shuffled down the spiral stairs and found myself in the familiar common room. A mess of ginger and black ran over to me. It was George.

'Congrats with Freddie,' he said, winking.

'You know?' I asked, worried. What if he'd gone blabbing it round? Ron would never speak to me again…

'Hermione,' he said, looking into my eyes. 'We're twins. We share everything; expect me to be a part of your relationship now, too.' George winked again.

'Right then…' I muttered.

'Now now, George. Don't harass the lady,' said Fred, waltzing over to where we were standing.

'Sorry, Fred. You know I just can't resist,' he retorted.

'Right, good morning, Love. Did you sleep well?' he asked, turning to me.

'Yes thank you,' I answered, blushing.

'Lovely!' he exclaimed. 'Hungry? George and I will happily escort you down to breakfast.' The twins held out their arms on either side of me.

I laughed. 'Okay, then.'

And so, the twins and I made our way to the Great Hall for breakfast. We talked the whole way; that was what I loved about Fred and George. They were so easy to talk to, and they were just so funny it was unreal. They made me laugh the whole way down to breakfast, and when we sat down with Harry and Ron, their humour didn't stop.

We sat down on the wooden table, and I grabbed a bowl of porridge and started digging in.

'Hermione,' Harry said. 'How many people exactly are coming to the Hogs Head on Sunday?'

I quickly swallowed the porridge and my throat burned.

'Just a few…' I murmured. I'd asked Luna and Ginny to find as many people as possible to go. It was just a guess, but I'd say about thirty so far. But I knew that if Harry knew, he wouldn't want to talk to them.

'And how many is 'just a few'?' he enquired.

'I'm not sure, okay! Not too many.' I quickly shoved more porridge into my barely-recovered mouth.

Fred's POV:

The rest of the week went by quickly. In between classes, I would find Hermione and walk her to her next class; every class. When we were alone, I would hold her hand, and kiss her, but she was too afraid to tell Harry and Ron. Why, though? Was she embarrassed to be with me?

Before I knew it, it was Saturday. I slept in, had a late lunch, spent some time with Hermione (and George), and then it was Quidditch practise. That was Ron's first practise on the team, and, truth be told, he wasn't very good. Despite this, George and I didn't tease him that much. Maybe a little bit, when we were in the changing rooms. And every time he missed a goal. And before he'd even started. But that didn't matter! We were his brothers; it was our job to tease him. I really hoped he didn't tell Hermione so she wouldn't shout at me.

That night, I secretly asked her to see me in the common room at 12:30 again that night. I really missed talking to her and kissing her for a long time.

'Fred,' she greeted, as she walked once more down the stairs that night.

'Hello, love,' I said, in barely more than a whisper, as I walked over to her and softly grabbed her hands.

We sat and talked for a while, while I gently ran my fingers through her hair. We shared kisses every now and then, and her cheeks were blushing furiously.

'Fred?' she suddenly said.

'Yes, love?'

'I really do want to tell people about us, you know.' She said this in a whisper.

'I know,' I whispered back. 'I know…'

'It's just Ron… I don't think he'd… Take it well, you know?'

'I know,' I repeated. 'You can tell people about us when you're ready, okay?'

'Well…' she murmured. 'I was hoping that you could tell Ron… For me… If it's okay…'

'Of course.' I smiled gently. 'When do you want me to?'

'What about after the meeting tomorrow? Wait, are you coming?'

'Sure. And of course I am! Wouldn't miss it for the world.' I winked.

'Great!' she beamed. 'Right, I'm actually exhausted.' Hermione gave a huge yawn, and I felt her minty breath touch my cheek. 'I'll see you tomorrow, okay?'

'Okay, love,' I said, kissing her deeply. 'Sleep well.'

And so we walked separate ways, off to our dormitories. I was dreading talking to Ron the next day, but for Hermione, I would. I'd do anything for her.

The next morning, I woke up late. Oops.

I wasn't late for Harry, Ron and Hermione's meeting, but I missed breakfast and was very hungry. When George, Lee and I finally wandered down to Hogsmeade, it wasn't yet time for the meeting; so we went to Zonko's for a bit. We stocked up on lots of products, although not spending too much (maybe Hermione had finally rubbed off on me).

Finally, it was time for the meeting. Lee, Georgie and I were one of the first ones there, so we all got decent seats. Slowly, more and more people shuffled in, and finally the meeting started. I heard Hermione grab everyone's attention, but I wasn't listening. I was too busy panicking about what I would say to Ron later on. I didn't care if he got angry; there wasn't much he could do to me, but I really didn't want him to hate Hermione for it.

'Hey uh, Ron?' I called, once the meeting was finished and everyone was headed outside.

'What is it, Fred?' he asked.

I took him over to the side of the path and swallowed nervously.

'What is it?' he asked again.

Oh my God. 'I, uh…' I stammered.

'Is everything okay? Did something happen to mum? Dad?' Ron started to sound worried.

'No, no!' I exclaimed. 'Everything's fine, I just…'

'Just what?' he demanded.

'How do you feel about Hermione?' I felt myself turn slightly red.

Ron turned red, too. 'I, uh… She's a friend…' he murmured.

'Right,' I said slowly. 'So how would you feel if I uh…'

'You what, Fred?' he enquired.

I took a deep breath. 'How would you feel if me and Hermione sort of… Went out?'

'You what?' he exclaimed.

I took another deep breath. 'Listen, Ron… I really like her… I mean, if you don't want me to, I…' But then I stopped. Because, if Ron wasn't happy with us being together, it wouldn't change a thing. I liked her. A lot.

'No,' he snapped. 'It's fine. I hope you and Hermione have a wonderful relationship.' He stormed off.

Oh crap; he was mad at us.