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CHAPTER 11.

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Since Mr. And Mrs. Weasley were vacationing in muggle Austria, this Sunday there was no traditional Weasley get together at the Burrow.

Luna had been busy on Saturday for some reason Hermione and Ginny both didn't know and Ginny too had not been able to make it for their weekly girl's day out.

So Hermione had thought that they could all meet up at George's flat. Fred agreed with her and was currently helping her prepare lunch for the not so small group of Weasley's.

They had sent the twins over to Harry's after breakfast, to play with Teddy so that they could prepare for the guests in peace.

Ginny had come in an hour earlier to help Hermione, she had thought that Fred would be as good as no help. Imagine her surprise when she popped into the Living room to see every corner of the flat neat and tidy. A few couches and cushions had been added to accommodate the guests and the table had been elongated.

Ginny had a view of the open kitchen from where she was standing and she saw her best friend and her brother not only co-existing without a debate in tow but actually working together.

Fred had their mother's pink apron on which had frills of lace at the seams. Ginny had seen her mum wear it loads of times when they were kids. So that's where it went, she thought, suppressing a laugh. Would've never imagined Fred to wear it let alone take it. And he actually was wearing it in front of Hermione, knowing very well she would never let him forget that.

If she was surprised by that then she was shocked at seeing them laughing together. Both had smiles that reached their eyebrows for Merlin's sake. Fred was imitating Mrs. Weasley and Hermione was pointlessly trying to glare at him and spanked his arm with a spatula although the ends of her lips were twitched upwards, betraying her.

Ginny decided that she had seen enough. She entered the kitchen and put her casserole of steamed and spiced mushrooms which she had prepared from home, on the counter and said, "Ahem. I came here early thinking you'll would need help. But clearly I overestimated my value."

Fred and Hermione suddenly turned toward her with surprised expressions.

Ginny continued to look at Fred, who had by now turned a slight shade enough to match his hair. Damn the Weasley blush, he thought furiously. Ginny smirked at his flushed face, not able to decide if she should attribute it to the fact that she'd caught him enjoying Hermione's company or seen the pink apron on him, which he hurriedly removed upon seeing her.

Hermione, on the other hand seemed happy to see her friend. She hugged her and said, "Rubbish. You're always welcome. I didn't ask you to come over to help since you were already minding the kids. And besides", she said turning to look at Fred, "your brother here has promised Angie to help me with whatever I want. So if he needs to be in her good books and still remain George's favourite brother, he's got to listen to The Boss"

"Yeah. She's right." Fred grumbled but his eyes continued to smile, "George and Angie owe me big time after they return from their second honeymoon."

"It's not a second honeymoon you twit! She's gone for work. How many times do I have to tell you that?" Hermione said swatting his arm with the spatula again.

"Work! Right. I get it that Angie's got work. But George? His work is right here at www. Why did he have to go? I bet we're going to have another set of twins on the way soon." Fred laughed.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's all you can think of. Angie's getting back to Quidditch after more than 3 years. That too in a foreign country. Surely it'll be good for her to have some moral support."

"Yeah. You're right. I bet she'd get lonely otherwise. Especially at night." Fred said waggling his eyebrows, unable to stop laughing now.

Hermione threatened him with the spatula again and by now they were running around the table in circles with Hermione stretching the hand which held her weapon, trying to catch Fred.

"In that case," Hermione said naughtily, "its better that George is with her than here. Imagine a lonely George in the shop with you. He'd be all mopey without would'nt want that would you?"

Fred stopped and looked at her, surprised. "Why, Granger! I can't believe you said that."

"I guess you're rubbing off on me" she said casually.

Once again, Ginny stood there witnessing this exchange between her bookwormish, prudish, teacher friend and her prankster, loud brother.

The fact that her presence had been conveniently forgotten didn't escape her either.

Ginny cleared her throat again, "I guess I should leave then. Since you've got it all covered." She said pretending to look downcast.

Fred and Hermione both turned to look at her again, this time both blushed slightly when they remembered that she was still there.

"Oh my dearest and favouritest sister," Fred began, with an arm around her shoulder.

"It's most favourite. There's no such word as favouritest." Hermione frowned at him, correcting him as usual.

Fred and Ginny both rolled their eyes and Ginny said,"I am your ONLY sister Fred. It's not like anyone else can be your favourite."

"Still. You're my favouritest sibling." He said.

"I can hear George's heart breaking somewhere.", Hermione said with a hand fanned behind her ear and face cocked sideways as if she were straining to hear the shattering of George's heart.

"He's my favouritest TWIN, Hermione", Fred said glaring at her.

The fact that he had used Hermione's name instead of surname was not lost on Ginny. Hmmm. This is going to be an interesting lunch, she thought with a smirk.

"Well anyway, what I was saying before I was rudely interrupted and questioned about my love for my dear sister is that you're always welcome. And there is no need for you to go anywhere. The boy who lived many times can do without you for an hour. Stay here. Everyone will be arriving soon." Fred said.

"Yeah Gin. You don't have to go anywhere. Besides we're already done. Just waiting for the cake to be done. Fred here..."

"Ummm. Yeah. I have been a good co-host and helped Hermione with everything. Why don't you just sit and let me get you some pumpkin juice? Or butterbeer perhaps?" Fred said, a bit nervously.

Hermione looked at Fred curiously. She was just about to tell Ginny that Fred had made the cake and she knew it would taste great because he had recently taught her how to make it. Why would Fred not want Ginny to know that he baked well? She would ask him later, so she let it go now.

Ginny was curious too. Surely Hermione was saying something else when Fred interrupted her with his own thing. There was something going on and she would find out soon. She gave Fred a look that said you're acting weird and I know something's up. But she let it go.

Fred, meanwhile had no idea why he had stopped Hermione from telling Ginny that he had made the cake. It's not like the family knew he cooked well but that wasn't anything to hide. But all he knew was that he didn't want Ginny to come to know from Hermione about their midnight dessert sessions.

Ginny settled with a butterbeer while Fred went to bathe and change and hide his pink apron.

She contemplated whether she should ask Hermione about what she had just seen. But Hermione seemed perfectly at ease. Unlike Fred. Maybe she was imagining things.

No. Ginny Weasley didn't imagine things. Sure, she was a Potter now. But she was also Molly Weasley's daughter. Both mother and daughter had a sharp eye for things and although she didn't know exactly what to make out of them, she knew there was something up.

So she decided to ease into it.

"Hmmm. So. Hermione. Brilliant idea. About lunch and all. It's good to meet even though mum's not around." She said.

Hermione nodded. "Yeah. Actually I thought about it because I really missed you and Lu yesterday. So I thought why not have the Sunday lunch here. And although I was wondering about cooking for so many people but Fred decided to help so it's all good." She said taking a sip of her butterbeer.

"Hmmm. Fred. What happened to Weasley ? Since when are you'll on first name basis?" she asked scrunching her eyes trying to extract something from her friend.

"Ummm. It's almost been a week since we're staying together. It just kind of happened. I still do call him Weasley sometimes though", Hermione said as if she was defending herself.

"Are you sure there's nothing you want me tell me Mione? After all I am your friend." Ginny pouted.

"Tell you what Gin?" Hermione looked questioningly.

"When I came in, you'll barely noticed me. And even after I met you'll, you'll had to be reminded of me being in the same room. It's as if the only people you'll notice is each other." she said gesturing with her hands as if implying the obvious.

"So? You know how I get when I argue", Hermione defended herself.

"Mione. You were thoroughly enjoying the argument." Ginny countered.

"Yeah. So? It's a crime now to enjoy a lively debate?" She asked.

"I'm going to ask you clearly Hermione. Is there something going on between you and Fred?" Ginny said, giving up on subtlety.

"What? Gin you think? Merlin! Really?" Hermione burst out laughing as if Ginny had cracked the funniest joke she had ever heard."Fred and I? Have you gone completely nutters?"

"What's so funny about it?" Ginny asked, looking a bit irritated since Hermione was laughing at her carefully observed deduction.

"It is funny. Hilarious actually, that you even considered it." She said. "Especially, since I'm going out on a date with Frederick McIntosh tomorrow night."

"O..." was all that a very confused Ginny could say at that time.

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Two Fred's!

Can Hermione handle even one? ;-)

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Thanks for reading!

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