I was a little more unsure about quite how to write this chapter but overall I felt it went fairly well, I hope you agree x

Happy reading :)

Fred rejoined them a minute later.

"What've I missed?" He asked expectantly.

"I was just telling Ron about how great it is to live here." Said Hermione, unwilling to recount to Fred what they had actually been speaking of.

"And what is it that makes it so great?" Questioned Fred.

"Firstly the food," Fred and Ron both nodded in agreement, "But everything about this place is... magical." Hermione sighed in pleasant contentment and Fred smiled at her.

Eventually, the tables were cleared and put away. Bill and Fleur said a tipsy goodbye and left. Ginny and Harry were snuggled up on the sofa together and Mr and Mrs Weasley went to bed. Hermione, the twins and Ron played a few games of cards before deciding to call it a night.

With George in his room and Ron occupying the bathroom on the floor below, Fred continued his habit of taking Hermione up to her room.

"Hey Hermione?" He asked once they had reached the top.

"Yeah?"

Fred produced a bunch of flowers from his sleeve- sweet peas and white roses.

"Do you think I'm magical too?" She took the flowers and breathed in their soft perfume. "You looked beautiful this evening." Fred told her quietly. Hermione was a good bit more drunk than Fred.

"Thanks Fred." She whispered, "You looked quite handsome yourself."

Then, to her own surprise, she pulled his head gently down to her level and planted a kiss on his forehead. He gave her a searching look, their noses just inches away and Hermione's hands on either side of his face. She could feel his breath on her nose and she smiled. Fred gave a small smile in return.

The moment was broken my the graceless thumps of Ron's footsteps coming up the stairs. Fred kissed her lightly on the cheek and disapperated.

"What was that?" asked Ron, referring to the pop.

"What pop?" asked Hermione, "I didn't hear anything."

"Oh." Said Ron a little confused. "Well, 'night."

"Goodnight." Hermione hurried into her room.

Hermione was awoken by Crookshanks who had taken to wondering around the Burrow for days at time. Crookshanks's purring sounded like a bag of rocks being run over. She lightly pushed the dribbling cat out of the way and got up. Her hair was still full of glitter but it no longer looked elegant, more insane.

She decided to go for another outside shower as even in the early morning, it was looking to be another beautiful day. Grabbing a cloud-like warm towel and some clothes to wear after her shower (currently wearing her pyjamas), She crept downstairs.

The house was still quiet, everyone was likely having a lie in due to the amount of alcohol consumed the night before. Hermione herself had a light but persistent headache but it was well worth the fun of the night before.

At the base of the garden she found her shampoo and conditioner hidden in the shed.

Under the stream of warm water she found an opportunity to examine her thoughts and feelings. She was going to have to accept that something was happening between herself and Fred. She had long found him attractive (and she knew she was not at all alone in this opinion) but had always assumed that they simply weren't compatible. But it was like everyone had changed recently, including herself. She massaged shampoo into her long hair.

Thinking back to the previous night, she remembered the softness of his kiss on her cheek. His breath was warm, tinted with the taste of alcohol. His eyes searching her own for something she was yet to understand. She sighed deeply, and wished he had kissed her mouth.

"Hello?" Fred's voice called, confused from the other side of the fence. "Ron, is that you?" Hermione quickly finished rinsing her hair and switched off the water.

"Hang on!" She shouted, trying to keep the panic from her voice.

Grabbing her towel, she wrapped it tightly around herself and opened the shower door a few inches. Fred looked surprised.

"Hermione?" He was standing outside holding his own towel.

"Er, yes?" Hermione tried to neaten her hair with one hand and hold the towel firmly with the other. The door opened another few inches.

"I didn't expect-" He gestured to her dripping body. He grinned at her cheekily "I'd have thought you were far too civilised."

"Clearly not." Hermione gave up on neatening her hair and reached instead for the door handle. Fred leaned forward and put his hand over her own.

"How long are you going to be?" He asked, speaking to her lips. Hermione reddened.

"I'll be quick."

"Sure." He leaned back, removing his hand from hers and winking. "Take you're time love."

Hermione shut the door, dropped the towel and switched the shower back on. True to her word, she showered quickly. She dried her hair and body with her wand and slipped into her tank top and denim shorts. She almost regretted not wearing her new lingerie as she did her best to organise her long hair into a more attractive mess.

When she left the shower, Fred was standing outside, nothing but a towel covering his lean body. Hermione smiled tightly, doing her best to keep her eyes firmly on his face.

Fred walked towards her slowly, cupping one side of her jawline in his long fingers. He leant forwards slowly, giving her plenty of time to object but she didn't. His lips met hers gently but insistently. After just a few seconds, Hermione pulled away.

"Sorry, did I-" He asked, embarressed.

"No." Said Hermione simply. Then she kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck decisively and drawing his mouth more firmly against her own. She could feel Fred smiling. He lifted her back into the small shower cubicle, shutting the door behind him with one hand, the other wrapped around her. Hermione shivered in pleasure at the feeling of his long fingers gripping her around the waist.

Their mouths moving together, Hermione was being pressed between the shed wall and Fred's bare chest... She could feel her breasts being massaged by the movement of their bodies. Clearly Fred had also noticed as his kisses became more intense, more passionate.

Whoosh. The shower was turned on as Fred's arm knocked against the switch in his attempt to shift slightly.

Cold water caught half of Hermione's face and clothes.

"Eugh!" She escaped his grip and dropped to the ground, scooping up her towel and pyjamas as she went. She felt suddenly embarrassed, unsure of herself.

"Shit!" Fred said with feeling. "Sorry Hermione! Hermione? Wait!"

But she was gone.