Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters.

Note: The chapter title speaks for itself.

Probably Not A Good Idea

When I was finished I was terrified of the look Melinda gave, but relieved because for once it wasn't geared at me. I told her on time, there was no reason she was going to be mad at me over it.

"There's no way she thinks she can actually get Draco, I mean, so what if she thinks she can…she can't. He still cares about me; he wouldn't have apologized if he didn't. As for George, he knows what kind of game she's playing, he knows how much I detest her, he wouldn't be daff and go for her. And—" she broke off, now looking at me.

"She knows she can't have Fred" I said, my voice sure, almost too sure. I winched as I tried to fight the feelings, tried to ignore Matt's words in my head.

"Yeah, he doesn't like her anyway, I heard he's real crazy about someone else" Melinda joked, trying to make light of the situation. I smiled, now debating telling her about my conversation with Matt, even though that would obviously be defeating the point, but she was my friend, she'd murder me when she found out. Just as I decided I'd wait and tell her if Fred didn't agree Matt walked over, heads turning as he did so.

"Sorry to interrupt, but, can I speak with Tammie for a moment?" he asked looking directly at Melinda.

"Sure" she said leaning back in the chair. Matt nodded, realizing Melinda didn't exactly plan to leave us alone. Already she didn't trust us. I didn't blame her, I rarely trusted myself, how was I supposed to trust him?

"Ah Melinda! Just spoke with George about your detention," Fred said cheerfully as he strolled in and over to us. "Seems things went well! Now, excuse me while I make things awkward for Matt by spending some much overdue face to face contact with my girlfriend" he said playfully as he wrapped his arms around me. Melinda, satisfied with this situation got up, nodded approvingly at Fred, winked me and gave a sneer to Matt before leaving.

"I wish she didn't hate me so much. I keep trying to see why, but, I don't see anything…" Matt said sitting across from us.

"Sometimes it's not always a reason you can see, I hate you, but you can't seem to see why" Fred said casually as he pulled up a chair next to me, putting his legs on my lap, looking too comfortable.

"You simply hate me because you see me a threat to your relationship" Matt said crossing his arms over his chest. I looked at Fred who didn't say anything, just stared at Matt, his expression hard.

"It's more so that I think you like my girlfriend so I hate you because you are a threat to my relationship" Fred said firmly.

"I do like your girlfriend" Matt replied, his face not showing the least sign of embarrassment. "What always seems to ruin a perfect plan is misunderstanding. You agreed to help in this plan so it's only fair that I'm completely honest with you, otherwise, it will never work" Matt explained.

"And you're going to start off by telling me you want my girlfriend?" Fred asked his tone cold and annoyed.

"See, already a misunderstanding. I like Tammie, she's sweet, kind, friendly, all the reasons you like her, but she's your girlfriend, you two have been together so long, I don't want to ruin that; I don't want you two to break up. And let's not forget, she doesn't want me, she cares deeply about you. I can see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice" he paused to look at me; I hoped my expression said not to tell Fred how I felt, I couldn't let him know. Not yet.

"Listen, we're doing this for Melinda, and Matt's right, if our relationship isn't strong then there's no point. I need you to trust me and Matt…okay?" I said looking at Fred, directly into his eyes, my breath catching as I felt myself tense.

"Okay" he replied, leaning in close to kiss me. I gave him a thankful smile, and kissed him again, this time his hand cupped my face. I could tell whatever he had been wanting to say he wanted to say now.

"Right now is probably not a good place to tell me your secrets…" I told him pulling back a little.

"I'm doing this to help Melinda because I honestly feel she belongs with Draco" he said, his hand now in mine.

"I feel the same way" Matt replied. "Alright, you ready?" he asked, now looking at me. I nodded though I didn't feel ready. "You won't feel the effects until morning, and even then it won't be nearly as strong as Draco felt for Courtney" Matt explained, still staring at me.

"You're not pushing her on to yourself, are you?" Fred asked looking worried. I could hear him, but it was almost like he was underwater and so far away.

"No, I'm just pushing her off you, you'll be easier, you're already pretty jealous" he said, trying to joke about it. "Don't worry about it Tam, just keep in mind you'll be okay as long as your feelings are true" Matt added.

It was another five minutes before we left and headed back to the Gryffindor Tower. Matt went the opposite direction, it wasn't quite time for all students to be in bed so he could still roam around.

I was happy the common room was relatively empty when we got inside, especially that George wasn't there, he wouldn't have agreed to this if it meant my feelings for Fred were going to decrease. "How are you feeling?" Fred asked for the fifth time as I cradled myself next to him. I smiled up at him, giving him a reassured kiss. He brushed the hair away from face as I turned to watch the fire, listening to our breathing, my eyelids heavy.

I listened to students come in, students play as I thought about the mountain of homework lying on my bed but decided to close my eyes, just for a bit, today seemed to be dragging on longer than I hoped. I listened to Fred, he wasn't sleep, his breathing was too fast, his heartbeat was too quick, I wondered if he thought I was sleep too. "I love you…" I heard him whisper, causing my thoughts to came to a halt and new ones forming. I was glad I wasn't looking at him, I wouldn't have known how to reply, did I feel the same? I asked myself, though that answer should've been clear a long time ago. I felt that way earlier, I felt that way when Matt pretty much said it for me. I remained silent, if I didn't know how to respond it was best to remain silent, pretend I was sleeping.

About an hour later I was being shaken awake, I didn't know when I had actually fallen asleep, had I wondered if I had imagined what Fred told me? When I opened my eyes I could tell I hadn't imagined anything, he truly felt that way. But he didn't let on; it wasn't something I was supposed to hear. He did think I was sleep after all.

"Bedtime already?" I asked stretching and standing up.

"C'mon, up you go" he said standing up as well and wrapping his arms around me. "I'll see you tomorrow, make sure you tell me every step, we have to be honest and straight forwards, otherwise—"

"It won't work, I know" I said with a smile kissing him before running up off to my bed. I had tiptoe inside, everyone else was already sleep.

I wanted to tell Melinda what I accidently overheard Fred say, but again, I had to stop myself and remember the plan. Melinda was in a rather talkative mood the next morning, mainly recounting her experience with Draco and detention and giving him smirks all through breakfast which meant I didn't need to tell her anything. During Transfiguration we remained silent, Professor McGonagall was giving us vital information about the O.W.L. and I couldn't afford to miss anything she was saying. Matt didn't talk much either, though he did keep an eye on me, careful to pay just enough attention to not draw attention. Draco didn't talk to me at all; instead shot me dirty looks, as if it were somehow my fault George liked Melinda.

It wasn't until the day before the match when I noticed something strange. Fred had spent the afternoon helping me with my papers, again, and as he leaned over to kiss me I wanted to pull away. It was a strange sensation. It was like I didn't care enough to want him to kiss me but cared enough to want to be in his presence. I forced to myself to kiss him, on the cheek, just as I heard Melinda and George approaching. "Ready?" Fred asked moving over a bit. I gave him a nervous nod and he squeezed my hand.

"Hey you two!" George said loudly as he pulled out the chair for Melinda and then sat in the one next to her.

"How's it going?" Melinda asked happily. I nodded and looked at Fred who nodded too. Melinda raised an eyebrow; she must have known something was different already. Probably the mere difference in proximity.

"Ready for your game tomorrow?" I asked her, trying not to think about what she might be thinking.

"I suppose…" she said still looking curiously at me.

"That's wonderful, but I should let you girls catch up, c'mon George, I'm a bit hungry and I know Lee had a few snacks left from Honeydukes, and we need to check on our batch of stuff anyway" Fred said pushing his chair back. He hesitated, I flinched. Fred was always sure of his actions, of his words. I was always sure of him, even if I did feel nervous or awkward his assurance shone.

"See you later" I said to him patting his hand as he kissed my cheek and then started off, pushing his brother along who looked just as confused about the sight as Melinda did. I waved at after them as they disappeared out of the library.

"What was that about? Did you two get an argument or something?" Melinda asked, her words already accusing.

"No, well, I mean, he's annoying me, but that's really nothing new" I told her with a shrug. It felt weird how simple these words came, as if I actually felt that way. "But I don't know, things seem a bit different this time…" I trailed off, trying to remember I had to hold her attention; I needed her mind off of murdering Courtney. "Hey, um, tomorrow's game, since you got your revenge on Draco you'll leave Courtney alone, right?" I asked. She laughed, as if I had told a very funny joke. "I thought so" I added, trying to laugh as well.

"Fred's doing okay, right? He doesn't like Courtney or anything?" she asked. I quickly shook my head; I didn't need to give her more of a reason to harm Courtney, especially if Courtney was greater than we thought.

"I don't think Courtney destroyed that tea shop" I said, though it was more of a thought than actual fact.

"Personally, I don't care, I've had enough of her, and after what she said about Draco, after she kissed Draco." Melinda shook her head as she twirled her wand. "Professor Snape said we can take our aggression out during Quidditch so that's what I'm going to do. She's gonna pay" Melinda explained. As much as I wanted to agree, as much as I wanted to see Courtney get what she deserved I knew it was a bad idea; Matt said Melinda had to be kept under control for a reason, she was a powerful witch, I've seen plenty of examples of that so far. "So, has Fred talked you about anything lately?" she asked, completely changing the topic. I looked back at her, she was smiling, hoping he said what she already knew, probably what he already told her, after all he told her everything first. I bit the inside of my cheek now realizing what their secret glances meant.

"Nope, I mean it would be nice if he said something to justify his sudden awkwardness but that's okay, we seem to be growing apart anyway. Maybe we're just not meant to be together…" I said, pretending to sound disappointed, though it was scary because I felt completely indifferent about the whole thing.

"Oh c'mon, you know he cares a lot about you, he probably—well, I don't know for sure, but he might really really like you" she whispered, leaning forward, her eyes wide. I shook my head.

"He doesn't love me if that's what you're thinking" I said back to her, as I leaned away. Denying it felt more weird than hearing it. "He probably wants to break up soon actually, I wouldn't be surprised if he called it quits after the game tomorrow" I said praying I didn't sound too predictable.

"If you two break up I'm going to kill you" she said sourly. I gave a disappointed grunt, that wasn't fair at all, I thought to myself.

"I thought you were you were just gonna stab me?"

"Yeah and you'll die" she replied casually.

"Why is always my fault?" I asked putting my Potions book back in my bag.

"Because you're related to Draco and we know he's the cause of our break ups so therefore you're the cause of yours" she explained as if it were that simple.

"Yeah, because that makes sense" I joked, standing up, slinging my bag over my shoulder. She nodded in agreement as she joined me in walking out of the library.

"Tammie, listen, I'm not supposed to tell you this, but, Fred loves you, a lot. Whatever is going on between you two you need to stop, don't hurt him, again" she pleaded. I looked away, I couldn't look at her and lie, but if I spoke while looking around, especially on something so serious she'd know I was lying.

"It's just my fault you know, things happen, people grow apart, he probably told you that ages ago" I said waving a hand at the thought.

"Actually he told me the day before you dumped him for Oliver Wood" I paused and looked at her. If it wasn't for my feelings for Fred being temporarily skewed the fact would've made me laugh and feel guilty all at once. "And he's told me about ten time since. I told him he should tell you sometime this year, I hoped you were mature enough to react appropriately" she continued.

"Well, he hasn't told me so don't worry about it. If we break up it's not like your fault, remember it's mine?" I said sarcastically stopping at the staircase below the Fat Lady. "Anyway, it's late, go get some sleep, good luck tomorrow, I'll be rooting for you guys, obviously" I said as I walked up the stairs.

"Alright, night" she replied, her voice uncertain. I quickly went inside I wanted to leave her in doubt; that was always the start of it.