CHAPTER 12

Pairing: Fred W/Hermione G

Rating: K+

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot is mine. J

A/N: I really hope I find more time to write now because I don't want to keep leaving you hanging.. So here we go! Allons-y!

It took a couple of days once more before Hermione felt whole and happy again. The unexpected visit from Michael rattled her to the core, no matter how the situation turned out after that.

Rose was getting along swimmingly with her 'Unca Georgie', spending every moment she could with him in the shop. Hermione was grateful to George for taking care of her daughter, because the break she got was sorely needed.

Fred spent all his time outside of the shop at Hermione's side, keeping her company and making sure she stayed happy. His constant presence at her side did not go unnoticed by George or his sidekick, and the twin smirked as a plan to get them together blossomed in his head.

"Psst! Rosie!" Rose turned her head in confusion. She couldn't see where the sound was coming from, but was sure she heard her name.

"Unca Georgie?" She looked around the room with uncertainty.

"Rosie! Over here, kiddo!" George popped out from behind the Skiving Snackboxes display, a mischievous look adorning his face. Rose's face lit up with joy at the sight of her Uncle, and she ran over into his arms.

George's face split into a grin, and he swung the young girl up into his arms, enjoying the sound of her giggles.

Gripping her tightly to avoid dropping her, George leaned in conspirationally.

"Psst! Rosie! Wanna hear a secret?" Rose stilled immediately and nodded, a curious look in her eyes.

"What seekwet, Unca Georgie?" George gave an exaggerated wink, and lowered his voice still further.

"I think your mum and Uncle Fred fancy each other. Whaddya think?" Rose nodded furiously. Even for her young age, the three-year-old was quite observant, and had indeed noticed the increasing fluff between her mother and her uncle.

"Unca Fwed be my new daddy? I don't like my old daddy," Rose stated, a seriousness in her eyes that George had never seen before. The realization of what this child had been through hit him like a ton of bricks, and George tightened his hold on her.

"Well, you, Hugo, and your Mum are safe now. Your Uncle Fred and I will never let anything bad happen to you ever, okay?" Rose nodded, and smiled. She laid her head on George's shoulder, yawning into his neck.

"'M tired, Unca Georgie. Nap time yet?" George chuckled, and began the ascent up to the flat.

"What say we start planning for your Mum and Fred when you wake up?" Rose nodded sleepily, and yawned once more. A scheme was already rooting itself in his brain, and George filed it away in his brain for later use. This was going to be good.

Hermione hummed absently as she rocked Hugo in her arms. The flat was quiet, but she wasn't complaining. Rose was asleep as well, and the twins were minding the shop, leaving her to have some time to relax and assess herself.

Almost immediately, her thoughts steered themselves towards Fred.

Fred.

In the short span of a few weeks, the freckled joker had become the primary occupant of her thoughts. His smile, his sparkling blue eyes, his smooth voice… Everything about him made her smile like an idiot.

Hermione sighed and adjusted Hugo so he rested more comfortably. She had never felt feelings this deep and powerful towards another person before; even with Michael, who paid her attention (no-matter how lousy or half-assed) when no one else did, she simply felt neutral – neither happy nor sad, but simply in between.

She had to admit, the thought of such strong and fast feelings frightened her. It took a lot for Hermione to admit that to herself, for there was indeed very little that scared the witch.

Just as she started to sink back into her own thoughts, drowning in the oceans that were Fred's eyes, the door to the flat opened, startling Hermione into nearly dropping Hugo.

"Hermione! I've got an idea that we si –" Hermione glared at Fred, effectively silencing him, daring him to say another word. Fred shut his mouth quickly, looking contrite. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he continued,

"I found this new thing I wanted to try in the muggle world, but I'm not familiar with the area, and so I was wondering, maybe, perhaps if it's not too much trouble, but if you wanted to maybe come along with, well, me. You would have to leave Hugo and Rose with George though. What do you think?"

Hermione could feel her heart-rate increase at the thought of being alone with Fred for longer than 5 minutes. She couldn't pass up the chance to tease him, though.

"Fred Weasley! Are you asking me out on a date?" Hermione's smile was mischievous, a spark lighting up her eyes.

Fred blushed under her flirtatious gaze.

"Well, uh, if.. If that's what you want, then, I guess, uh, yeah," he stuttered. At the sight of Hermione's silent laughter, he straightened his shoulders with conviction.

"You know what, Granger? Yes. Yes, I am asking you on a date, because I fancy you, and would like to get to know you better." Hermione sobered instantly. She studied Fred's face for any sign of deceit, but was unable to find anything but love and sincerity. The thought made her giddy with happiness.

Careful to keep her face blank, Hermione stepped around Fred, and strode towards the sitting room.

At her exit, Fred looked crest-fallen. He had been so sure she shared his feelings, but it seemed obvious now that he had just made the biggest fool out of himself.

He turned towards the sitting room entrance, miserably watching the woman he loved place her son on the armchair, making sure the infant wouldn't fall off.

When she turned around, the smile Hermione had been trying to suppress had blossomed across her face, lighting it up beautifully. Fred's breath caught at the change, but he remained where he was in confusion.

Without another moment's hesitation, Hermione flew across the room once more, throwing herself at Fred's shocked body.

"I would love to go on a date with you, Fred! I thought you'd never ask!" She looked up at his face, taking in every feature as it changed from hurt and confusion to love and happiness within seconds.

Closing his eyes and not waiting for any other distraction or disturbance, Fred lowered his head and brushed his lips across Hermione's.

Finally.

A/N: THERE WE GO. I HOPE THIS MADE UP FOR THE PAST COUPLE SHITTY CHAPTERS. They finally kissed, too! Yay! Not going to lie though, this may be the last update for another couple of days, if not weeks or months or lifetimes.. I have my SATs coming up, and the 'rents are pushing hard for me to study for them. Anyhow, let me know what you think! This is by no means the end though. There are still a few things that need to happen in order to wrap the story up. Thanks for reading!