Title: For All the Wrong Reasons
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 575
A/N(optional): This story assumes that Fred never died in DH. EWE.

Hermione stepped out of Burrow to escape some of the noise and activity in the kitchen. What had started as a gathering to celebrate her and Ginny finishing Hogwarts had turned into an impromptu engagement party when Ron had pulled out a ring, gone down on one knee, and asked Hermione to marry him. She had been so stunned by his actions that it had taken her several seconds to find her voice and accept his proposal.

As good wishes, slaps on the back, and congratulatory hugs were passed around Hermione had watched Fred slip out of the house into the garden. When she'd followed him minutes later, he was sitting on a bench under a large oak tree, idly kicking at the garden gnomes as they scurried past. He gave her a slightly awkward smile when she sat next to him.

"Did you know Ron had planned this?" Hermione asked softly. She and Fred had grown close over the last six months after she and Ginny had begun helping out at the Wheezes' Hogsmeade shop on the weekends.

Fred shook his head. "I can't say that I'm surprised, though. Even 'ickle Ronnikins' can recognize a good thing when it is standing right in front of him."

Hermione blushed.

"What I find most astounding, however, is that you said yes."

She stiffened. "Why wouldn't I have said yes? Ron's my best friend. I care for him deeply. I'd be devastated if anything every happened to him. I can't imagine my life without him in it. Besides, this is what I've dreamed of for the last three years."

Fred shook his head again before turning to look at her. "For a smart girl, you can be incredibly stupid sometimes."

Hermione gasped. "Take that back!"

"Not a chance! I'm right. Do you know why? Because all those reasons you just listed for agreeing to Ron's proposal are all the wrong reasons to get married."

She glared at him. "And exactly what do you know about it?"

"I know that you shouldn't get married to someone just because you 'care' about them. You need to love him."

"I do love him!"

"But you aren't in love with him, are you? He's not what you think about right before falling asleep at night. He's not the first face you imagine when you wake up in the morning. He's not who invades your dreams with kisses and caresses. Godric all to hell and back, Hermione, I want my brother to be happy and he's never going to be happy once he realizes that you married the wrong Weasley!"

"What are you saying?" she asked, sitting almost frozen in shock.

"I'm saying that I'm in love with you and I'm pretty damn sure that you are in love with me. And by agreeing to marry Ron you will not only be destroying any chance of happiness between the two of us, but you'll be obliterating his happiness, as well!"

For perhaps the first time in her life, Hermione did not know how to respond. He was wrong – she didn't love him. She had never let herself think about him that way. Even when he made her laugh and told her she was brilliant and teased her for studying on her breaks, he was always Ron's brother. Ron's older, good-looking, exciting, and funny brother.

And suddenly she knew he was right and that nothing would ever be the same again.

The End