Notes: Please see the companion to this story, A Kiss at Midnight. I suggest reading it first.

Thanks to all who are sticking with me.

Chapter 2

Fred woke to the sounds of his mother making breakfast downstairs. His stomach had just growled in anticipation when he shot up and groaned loudly.

"What's the matter with you?" George grumbled. "Some of us are trying to sleep." He held his arms in front of his face trying to block the light streaming in from the window.

"What am I supposed to say to her this morning? She probably thinks I am completely pathetic."

"No, she probably thinks it was a joke," his twin sighed and pulled into a sitting position, accepting that he was not going to be allowed to go back to sleep.

Fred looked startled. "But I-"

"Look you have two choices," George interrupted. "since you obviously aren't going to just tell her. You can play it off as a joke. She'll believe it. It's what we do."

"Or?"

"Or you make her see that you're serious."

"How do I do that?" That had been his problem all along, hadn't it? Showing her how he felt. She wasn't just any girl; she was Hermione bloody Granger! He really didn't want to screw up what little chance he probably already had with her.

George shrugged. "You'll have to make sure that night is extra special."

"Like a party or something? Do you think she'll even stay up to midnight?"

"She did last year."

"What? How do you know that?" Fred looked truly confused. He remembered the previous New Year, but nothing about Hermione. "We went to the party at Lee's…"

"Yep, and since the two of you were too busy snogging Alicia and Katie in the corner, I spent the evening with the Golden Trio."

"Oh, bloody hell," Fred fell back on the bed and covered his face with his hands. "Did she see?" Who was he kidding, of course she did. She probably thought he was teasing her now trying to setup a Round two for this year. He had forgotten all about his impromptu make out session with Alicia. They both had too much to drink and it just kind of happened. It hadn't really meant anything. He and Alicia even laughed about it now.

"Well, it was rather hard to miss, Freddie. You weren't exactly inconspicuous."

"She's going to think I'm such a player. No way she takes me seriously now." He felt his heart sink. This wasn't like any half-arsed feelings he had felt for other girls over the years. He thought she might actually be the one to make him commit to a real relationship. Oh, bugger, he had it bad.

"Oh, I don't know, you two do seem to have some weird kind of chemistry. Maybe you're just what she needs. Loosen her up a bit. We'll think of something."

"I'm taking a shower. I'll meet you downstairs," he muttered, his mind preoccupied as he stepped out in the hallway, right smack dab into the very person dominating his thoughts.

"Oi, Hermione!" he shouted as he realized who he had momentarily wrapped up in his arms.

"Fred! Hi, I was just, um, that is I am just heading down for breakfast." He couldn't help but smirk at her reaction as she realized her hands were resting on his chest. He watched as she ran off, clearly embarrassed. Great, he thought. She's going to be scared of me now.

He decided to skip the shower, eager to get downstairs and see her again. George met him at the top of the stairs and gave him an odd look. He just shook his head, not ready for any more teasing from him just yet. Fortunately for him, they were able to overhear the conversation downstairs before making their entrance.

"What's the matter with you?" Ron asked with a mouthful of toast.

"Nothing," Hermione answered quickly. "And close your mouth, it's revolting."

"Aw, come now, Granger," George teased as he plopped down in the seat across from her, "ickle Ronniekins would never be revolting."

"Annoying, perhaps," Fred added as he swept in to the open seat beside her.

"Or a bit thick," George offered.

"Or even a little dull," Fred admitted.

"But never revolting," they finished together smiling wickedly at their little brother who simply muttered under his breath in way of response. He did occasionally feel bad for the hard time they gave him, but then he would go and do something so incredibly thick, so Ron-like, that the feeling soon passed.

"I suppose that the two of you find it perfectly acceptable to have virtually no table manners to speak of," Hermione asked. He couldn't see her face, but knew she was probably rolling her eyes. It was part of what he loved about her, her feistiness. He inched closer to her, perhaps a little more than was actually necessary.

George, meanwhile, pretended to be shocked by her comment. "Why of course not, Granger. In fact, we are capable of pristine manners in even the most formal of circumstances."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "And do you find yourself attending formal occasions often?" she smirked. He had to admit she seemed completely unaffected having him in such close proximity. He clearly didn't make her too nervous.

"Have you forgotten the Yule Ball, in what, your fourth year?" he asked. Attempting to be funny, he leaned over in an exaggerated manner, hoping to get a laugh. No such luck. Bugger.

"That was just a school dance," she scoffed. "Hardly a chance to put any true skills to the test."

"Is it just me, Freddie, or does that sound like a challenge?" his twin asked his eyes sparkling in anticipation.

He eyed George for a moment, trying to read whatever was on his mind. He clearly had an idea. He decided to roll with it. "I do believe so, Georgie. What did you have in mind?"

"New Year's Eve. A formal dinner. Perhaps a ball afterwards," he shrugged. "We will show Hermione here what gentlemen we can be."

"Ooooh, a ball!" Ginny squealed. "Hermione, we have to go shopping immediately. I am going to need new dress robes. Can we have it outside, Mum?" she asked.

Fred glanced over at his Mum, who was clearly a little startled by the sudden plans. Leave it to Ginny to get carried away. Maybe that wasn't a bad thing this time.

"Well, yes, dear, I suppose so," Mrs. Weasley replied. "We could all use a little happiness since the war, I think. Yes, quite so. We'll start the preparations straight away."

Hermione looked back and forth between he and George in amazement. Fred knew she was debating with herself. That's what she did. The idea of a ball was appealing to her, but she really didn't want to give them the satisfaction of possibly proving her wrong.

She was quiet for a long time. It was starting to get a little weird, if he was honest. He tried to get George to tone down the theatrics a bit before turning back to Hermione. He nudged her ever so slightly, hoping to get her attention.

"Four more days, Granger," he whispered quietly in her ear. He tried his best to give a flirtatious look, but was certain he came out looking like a complete git. Oh well, seemed to have worked anyway, didn't it? She turned beet red and started to run off.

"That was great, Molly," she said sincerely, before completely disappearing. "Thank you."

And she was gone.

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