A/N: Hi, guys. Remember me? The last time I updated this story was... early August? I'm so sorry for making you all wait months for this. And I'm even more sorry to tell you that this chapter undoubtedly sucks. I've gotten rusty with my writing skills, and this was just... I can't even explain how much I dislike this chapter. I really need a beta or something. However, the good news is, I've gotten this spontaneous Fremione kick again, and so updates should come faster (though this week is exam week... so not that fast).

Chapter 3: Tension Between the Weasleys

Fred Weasley was tossing and turning in his bed the whole night. Hermione Granger had a love potion in her possession, one that she may or may not use. Worst comes to worst, he could pin all of the blame on George. After all, it was George who used his suave moves to persuade Hermione into taking the potion. Fred took no part in this, and once Hermione was back in her snarky, obnoxious state of mind, she would surely back him up. Given that she wasn't still mad at him, and given that she had gotten over her childish crush on his twin brother. Which was completely absurd, Fred would like to add.

"Fred, stop groaning in your sleep."

Snapping out of his thoughts, Fred turned over to see his brother lying awake on the bed adjacent to his.

"I wouldn't be in such a bad mood if you didn't mess up and give Hermione that bloody love potion," Fred whispered harshly.

"You're just pissed off because you can't stand the idea of Hermione liking me instead of you," George retorted. He was aware that it was a low blow, but Fred was keeping him up, and he hadn't gotten proper sleep in ages.

"Don't get too ahead of yourself. You don't even know which one of us she'll be falling head over heels for," Fred said, anger lacing his voice.

"Whatever you say, Freddie. Now get some sleep."

"You know Fred, for such a 'ladies man', as you proclaim yourself to be, you're getting awfully shaken up over Hermione," George said during breakfast.

Fred was sure that if Hermione hadn't stumbled into the door at that very moment, he would've shoved a piece of bacon down George's throat. But since she did, all his attention was on her, and how she was practically dancing towards their table.

"Morning, Hermione," Fred and George smiled in unison.

The girl, who was looking much more flustered than usual, glanced at them, waved shyly, and sat with Harry and Ron by the end of the table.

"Which one of us was she waving to?" Fred asked impatiently as George scribbled his observations down on parchment.

"I dunno. It could be either of us, since we spoke at the same time," George answered. Fred wouldn't doubt that his brother was being vague on purpose, as a way of avenging his lack of sleep the previous night.

"If you're so interested, go over there and flirt with her. If she reacts like all the other girls, then you'll know it's you. If she brushes you off like she usually does, then it's not you," George proposed, not looking up once from his parchment.

"George," Fred replied, rolling his eyes in the process. "You can't flirt with Hermione. The girl is completely impassive and oblivious to the opposite sex. She's a prude. And unless you want a Weasley fight in the middle of the Great Hall, I'd suggest a new idea. You know how Ron is."

George shrugged and rolled up his parchment. He glanced over at Ron and Harry who were trying hard to not look conspicuous behind their newspapers. It was quite obvious from their perplexed expressions that Hermione had said something about Fred… or him… that had thrown both of the boys off.

"It's a bit late for that, Freddie. Ron looks like he's about to mangle your body," George pointed out.

Within seconds, Harry and Ron had dropped their newspapers on the floor and walked over to the twins, giving disapproving looks.

"What did you do with Hermione?

It was Harry who spoke first.

"Nothing at all," Fred answered through his teeth, glaring at his twin brother. George pretended that he didn't notice.

"Then why is she asking if you know her name? And whether you like her too?" Ron practically spat. It was apparent to everyone that he was protective over Hermione, and probably had a crush on her too, despite all of his denials.

"Whom are you talking to?"

"You, you git," Ron snarled, looking pointedly at Fred.

Fred's frown twitched into a smile, and he pushed himself up from the table.

"Did it ever occur to you, dear brother," Fred said casually, patting Ron on the back, "that Hermione might have a crush on me."

George scoffed.

"No it hasn't. So what did you do to her?" Ron retorted, clearly growing impatient the way Fred was avoiding the question.

"I didn't do anything, other than look good, of course."

It wasn't a total lie.

By this time, Hermione had skipped over to their part of the table, giving curious looks to Ron and Harry.

"What's all the fuss about?" Hermione asked, in her usual tone.

"Nothing," Ron grumbled before going back to where they were sitting. Harry followed, casually glancing at Hermione who had not moved a muscle. She seemed frozen in place and looked as though she had something to say, but couldn't completely formulate her sentence, which was odd 'Hermione behavior'.

"Fred," Hermione started, heat rising to her face. "Um… morning."

"Morning, Hermione. Are you actually going to start talking to me now, or am I still on the silent treatment."

"No, no, of course not," Hermione answered. For reasons unknown to herself, Hermione's face was turning redder and redder. She had never felt this way around Fred before, and she couldn't pinpoint the cause.

"Well that's good," Fred grinned.

"I-I should get back. Ron and Harry would probably—," Hermione stuttered, looking over at her two best friends who eyed her suspiciously.

"I thought you said Ron and Harry didn't have the right to tell you what to do," Fred responded slyly.

"They don't! But, I shouldn't keep them waiting too—"

Her speech was interrupted as Fred pulled her towards him and pressed his mouth onto hers. Instantaneously, the loud conversations ceased and all eyes were on them.

Fred smiled in the kiss as he noticed George's gaping mouth in the corner of his eye. Then it hit him. He was kissing Hermione Granger. And when her mouth started moving against his, he realized she was kissing back.

She was kissing him. Hermione Granger was snogging Fred Weasley.

In the back of his head, Fred knew this was unethical. Hermione didn't love him, she only thought she loved him. But… he was kissing Hermione Granger. And despite all the times he pretended he never noticed Hermione, he always did.

"That's enough!"

The booming voice was instantly recognizable to Fred, and he immediately stepped back from Hermione on reflex. She was still clinging onto him slightly, until a green spelled pulled her away. Irritated, the two turned towards the entrance and spotted a plump woman wearing a pink petticoat and a pink sunhat to match.

"Weasley. Granger. Detention," The woman announced in a sickly sweet tone.

With a quick turn of the heel, she walked away, her pink shoes clacking down the corridor.

"Hermione!" Ron said abruptly once Umbridge left the premises. He hurried over to his friend, sneering at Fred in the process. "You did something to her, I know you did!"

"What?" Fred asked calmly. He was so painfully aware of the many eyes staring at him and his brother, and this time, he wasn't sure whether he liked the attention or not. "Ron, don't be a git. You can't tell her what to do. And you definitely can't tell me what to do."

The whispers increased, and Ron's fists clenched tighter. He looked as though he was ready to hit Fred in the jaw. But by now, George had stood up next to his twin. And one hit could cause a cluster of Weasleys wrestling on the floor.

"Ron," Hermione suddenly said, breaking the tension between the brothers. "I love Fred. And he's right, you can't tell me what to do."