Title: Something Important
Rating: G
Word Count: 286

Fred Weasley was content. He had a job he loved, his family was safe and healthy after years of living in fear of Voldemort, and he had finally come to terms with the fact that he would never be with the only woman who had ever made his heart leap. Undoubtedly, other men would have gone into a depression upon such a realization, but Fred, who always saw his glass half-full and preferred to laugh than to cry, simply smiled softly when he thought about what could have been.

And then miraculously one day, the girl was unattached and was voluntarily spending time at the Wheezes. Fred's heart soared, not just because his chance of having a romantic relationship with her had improved, but also because he was now near her more often. He could freely revel in her smiles, insights, and laughter. When she visited the shop, he would tease her. It became his personal mission to make her blush. He admired how she teased him in return, rarely backing down from his most outlandish proclamations or daring stunts.

Before long his brothers and friends were giving him grief about 'being in looooooove.' They made kissy noises behind his back and doodled hearts filled with her initials on his parchment. He didn't get angry or embarrassed. He just shook his head and grinned, refusing to admit anything until he'd told her.

"It makes me nervous when I catch you smiling to yourself like that," Hermione said, as she walked into the shop one day.

"You should be nervous," he responded, his lips curving up even more at the thought of her reaction to his declaration. "Come over here. I have something important to tell you."