Fred could not stop checking the mirror, and he could tell that George was getting annoyed. "Gred, you're gonna be fine. Just don't act as nervous as you actually are," he joked.
Fred looked back at his twin through the mirror and gave him a falsely-confident smile. "Who, me? Nervous? Pfft," he laughed awkwardly.
George rolled his eyes and walked away. "You'll be fine! I'm going out with Angelina- see you later!" he called as he made his way down to the shop. Fred took in a deep breath and blew it out. He'd been pacing around the shop all morning until George had banished him upstairs to their flat for being "so ridiculously unproductive". One last glance in the mirror, one more shift of his muggle coat (it was a particularly dark shade blue that went well with his eyes; or so he had been told), and he was apparating to The Three Broomsticks.
The second he appeared outside the door, he smiled. While he didn't regret his decision to leave Hogwarts, he certainly did miss visiting Hogsmeade. Just as he was musing how he could find more time to visit, he felt someone tap him on the shoulder.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she walked down the road alongside Harry and Ron. For the millionth time, Harry was talking about Draco Malfoy. If the situation wasn't so serious, Hermione would have teased him about his apparent obsession. She opened her mouth to respond to a comment of Ron's when she saw a man with bright red hair appear just outside The Three Broomsticks.
She smiled to herself and felt the multiple pieces of parchment she had stuck in her pocket. Most of the papers were covered in her ideas and notes for the daydream potion, while others were blank and ready to be filled with whatever her and Fred would discuss that day. Oddly enough, Hermione had enjoyed this miniature collaboration with the older Weasley, and she found that she had been looking forward to this moment for the past few weeks with great anticipation.
Hermione began to separate from her little posse when she felt a hand grab hers. "Oi, where're you going, 'Mione?" Ron asked.
She rolled her eyes and took her hand back. "I'm meeting your brother for a butterbeer. We've been talking for the past few weeks about improving one of his products," she said vaguely. She nodded her head toward where Fred was standing.
"But what about Malfoy?" Harry demanded.
"I'll be back within two hours at least," she told him reassuringly. As she listened to the boys' outrage at how long she'd be gone, she giggled and made her way toward Fred. She tapped him on the shoulder and watched when he jumped and spun around.
"Hello," Hermione smiled. "Want to go in?" she asked with a nod toward the door.
Fred seemed to be lost in his thoughts for a moment. "Uh- yes! Yes, let's go right in!" he said quickly. She laughed at his excitement, and he grinned back at her.
Fred thought his heart was going to explode just looking at her. He could hardly believe that she was finally without his annoying little brother and Harry, let alone that she was there to see him. After staring at her for about five seconds, he regained his senses and opened the door for her.
"How about a booth in the back?" he suggested. "Wanna keep the inner workings of Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes a secret!"
Hermione looked ready to agree, but soon scrunched up her nose. "Unless you want to watch your little sister snog her boyfriend, I wouldn't suggest it," she said. Fred looked toward the back and saw that Hermione had a point. She nodded her head in a different direction, and he followed her to a booth on the other side of the pub.
The second after they ordered, Hermione leaned forward across the table, eyes wide. "So how did it work? I got your letter the other day," she told him, "but what was it like?"
Fred chuckled at her enthusiasm and leaned forward as well. "I woke up from the charm just fine, but the dream itself wasn't as clear as usual," he informed her, watching her closely. He could practically see the gears turning in her head.
"I think it's funny how you call it a charm," Hermione commented. "When it's really-"
"Really a potion," Fred finished for her. "'Patented Daydream Potion' just doesn't have the same…zing to it, does it? Calling it a charm makes it more fanciful."
She nodded. "I agree, it does make it sound more magical," she joked. Fred laughed, and he noticed that as Hermione laughed with him, a bright pink blush spread across her face. "So did you figure out how many more pixie petals to add?" she asked.
"Not quite, but I think with a bit more tinkering, I'll have the new and improved version of our Daydream Charms," he told her with a smile.
Hermione tilted her head at him curiously. "So why did you need to talk with me today? You seem to have it all figured out," she noted.
"True," he acknowledged. "I have a business proposition- just a side thing, mind you," he added at her wary look. "I know how busy sixth year is, and no doubt you're already studying for your NEWTS."
She blushed, but looked at him attentively. "Go on."
Fred watched as their butterbeers were set down in front of them before he continued. "You test our products, let us know where we can improve, and help us figure out how to improve them," he said simply.
"You make it sound so easy," she laughed. He watched as she took out a piece of parchment and one of his very own Self-Inking quills.
His heart skipped and beat, and he grinned, "Guess you didn't need my help finding those, did you?"
"Well they are quite useful," she told him as she labeled her paper September 14, Meeting with Fred Weasley. She looked back up at him. "So how would I be assisting you?" she asked.
Fred sat back and ran a hand through his hair. "For now, I suppose it'd be more of what we've been doing. Owling back and forth about problems and how to fix them. If we could work it out, you could visit the shop sometime and see what the process is actually like," he offered. "Christmas break would probably be best."
Hermione nodded hesitantly. "I'd planned to spend Christmas with my mum and dad, but I'm sure I could come over at some point."
"Fantastic!" he grinned. Fred picked up his butterbeer and clinked it against hers. "To the newest, unofficial employee of Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes!" he cheered.
The witch in front of him threw her head back laughing, and Fred thought that he had never seen anything more beautiful. She took a sip of her butterbeer, and when she pulled her mug away, there was a line of foam across the top of her lips. Smiling softly, Fred leaned across and wiped it off with a napkin.
Hermione blushed. "Thanks," she mumbled.
"What are business partners for?" Fred asked with a wink. Hermione giggled again, and Fred knew that he was in trouble.