Chapter 3 yall! Thanks so much for the positive feedback. It keeps me motivated to write more which in turn helps you which in turn helps me, etc etc...so! I know there's nothing too juicy just yet, but I'm getting there...sloooowly. I just hate those stories that go straight into SEX SEX SEX all the time. I figure they need a relationship for a bit. But don't worry! They'll get there! And soon, I shall write something to soothe the savage smexy fremione beast in all of us.

So, J.K. Rowling, I hope you don't get offended by me borrowing Fred and Hermione for a bit. They're all yours I know, but I just love them so much!

Enjoy!

Hermione had been avoiding him all day. Fred had tried his best to be sneaky and conniving, loving the way she blushed when he brushed her lower back when he walked by, or the way she glared at him when he pulled on one of her curls. It was subtle enough that no one would notice but the two of them in the crowded burrow. It was Christmas after all; the house was packed with people.

Hermione loved the Weasley house at Christmas. The smells, the sounds. Although, the one thing she loved about it more than anything else was the family.

She decided that for the time being, she would let her parents live out the way they were. After all, there were some people who were still in hiding after the Dark Lord's death, waiting to strike on the trio in revenge for their fallen leader. It was a lonely life, but the Weasley's had taken her in like it was nothing, like she had been a member of the family the entire time, born of Mrs. Weasley's womb just as the rest were.

Of course, she helped out as much as she possibly could. Sitting on the couch, reading again the Tales of Beatle Bard (her favorite book now the battle was over), she heard her name over the din of noise surrounding her in the living room.

"HERMIONE! Be a dear and help me a moment!"

She leaped up, rushing to the kitchen, where pots and pans were being held aloft, spoons twirling above them, stirring the contents within. Mrs. Weasley had a bit of flour on her nose…and on her apron…and in her hair. "Mind pulling the rolls out of the oven for me while I put the food on the table?" With a flick of her wand, she poured out corn, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a green bean casserole into respective dishes lining the large table. How the red headed mother had made a green bean casserole in a pot was beyond Hermione's knowledge.

Mrs. Weasley huffed. "I'd best be getting the group ready and at the table before the turkey's done. You know how long it takes to get them all in here."

Hermione chuckled. "No problem, Mrs. Weasley."

"Now, what did I tell you dearie? Call me Molly or call me mother. Goodness, you make me feel old." She sighed, lifting her apron and tossing a few stray red curls out of her face. "ALRIGHT BOYS AND GIRLS! DINNER!"

Hermione had to laugh, loving the homey feel she got when she spoke to Mrs. Weasley…Molly. She bent down, opened the lid of the old oven, the smell of fresh biscuts wafting over her face.

"Mmmm…smell delicious," she whispered, placing them on the counter.

"Not as delicious as you." Arms wrapped around her waist, startling her.

"Fred!" she gasped. She spun around, realizing that turning was probably a mistake a second too late. She was nose to nose with him, his eyes burning into hers. He turned his face, placed a kiss in the indention right underneath her ear. She shivered against her will. "That was a terribly corny line, Mr. Weasley."

He nibbled on her lobe. "That's where you're wrong. The corn is on the table."

She rolled her eyes, pushing at his shoulders. "Are you alright Fred?"

The questioning look in his eyes had her confused. "Of course I am."

"I just…didn't really notice…I mean…you like me?"

A moment of split shock crossed his face. Then, a second after she thought she might have offended him, he let out a laugh that echoed through the burrow. "I guess I'm a clumsy git after all."

He stepped back, taking her hand in his. "Hermione Granger, I would like to ask for your hand…in dating."

She blinked. "In…dating?"

"Yes. In dating."

The cogs in her mind seemed to creak to a halt. "I…am…what?"

He sighed, looking like a wounded puppy. "I guess I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry. I just…with the battle and Mungo's and all…"

She stopped him. "No! No! It's alright. I was just…surprised! That's all."

His blush made him a little bit more adorable than usual, and Hermione giggled. "Sooo…is that a yes?"

"A yes to what?"

The two turned, only to see a rather angry looking Ron, followed by the rest of the Weasley family, all of them curious as to what was going on.

"A…a yes to Hermione helping George and I in the shop a bit! Right Georgie?"

Whether it was twin telepathy or the pained expression on Fred's face, George got the picture. "Yea! I thought we'd planned on asking her together Fred."

Fred took the opportunity to put an arm around the confused Hermione. "Yea, but she was here, and what can I say, the topic just popped up! Oh well, dinner's ready. LET'S EAT!"

Fred looked at Hermione. Hermione looked at Fred. In the hubbub and chaos, the room stood still for a moment. She nodded. Fred grinned. Fred couldn't remember a Christmas that had been better.

Cutie cute cute! Keep reviewing yall! Keeps me fanfiction blood pumpin'! Yarg! *random pirate noises*