Notes: Thanks to those who are still following. I am posting two chapters at the same time tonight. I hope you'll let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 7

He led her into the tent, watching anxiously as she took in the scene in front of her. It was unlike him to be nervous like this. He was the guy that was always the center of attention, creating spectacles just so they could be seen. He didn't care what other people thought. People either loved it or hated it. He'd found over the years that just accepting that as truth was a pretty solid way to live his life. Take it or leave it was the Weasley twins' personal philosophy.

Not any more.

Now, there was this beautiful witch standing in front of him that he wanted so desperately to impress. They were so different in some ways that he was terrified she would never truly be able to appreciate the flamboyant way he and George lived their lives. Still, she didn't seem to hate it. In fact, just the opposite.

"Brilliant, isn't it?" he asked, seeing the smile on her face. "If you'll come with me, I believe our table is just this way."

She took his hand allowing him to guide her through the crowd.

"Ah, here we are Mrs. Granger," he said with a gentlemanly bow. "May I?" he asked and pulled out her chair.

"How?" she asked. "It's beautiful." She was clearly impressed. It made his heart skip a beat.

"Do you like it?"

"Of course! It's mesmerizing, it's gorgeous, it's….perfect," she cried.

"It's for you," he said quietly. Well, that was dumb. He had probably said too much. She looked stunned.

"For me? What are you talking about? We agreed to have a ball to help everyone forget about the war."

"No, you suggested that George and I knew nothing about formal occasions," he argued, thinking desperately of what he could say to save the situation.

"And then," he said as he suddenly whipped out a small corsage from behind his back, "we took it as a personal challenge." He fastened the flower to her wrist. Her arm shuddered slightly under his touch.

"You did all this to convince me you have manners?" she laughed. "You two are something else."

"No, we did it to make you happy," he said softly. "You need to smile more, Granger. Since the war, you have been a real fuddy-duddy."

"Fuddy-duddy?" she smirked.

He threw his hands up in defeat. "It's a muggle word I heard in one of your telly shows! That's what you took away from this? You try to do something nice for somebody…"

She grabbed his arm and pressed a finger to his lips. "I love it," she whispered. "Thank you." She leaned over slowly and left a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Besides, I doubt it will hurt ol' Georgie with Angelina at all," he said, rolling his eyes at his brother and his girlfriend who had just joined them.

"Who else is at our table?"

"That'd be Lee and Katie," he said pointing to the spot beside George and Angelina. "And Harry and Ginny."

"What about Ron?"

Why was she worried about Ron? She wasn't still hung up on him was she? No, of course not. They are still friends is all. "Ah, don't worry, love, we took care of ickle Ronniekins. He and Lav-Lav are perfectly situated between Neville and Luna and…" he grinned pausing for effect. "The Patil twins."

Hermione hit at him jokingly. "You're awful," she said. "Poor Ron won't get a word in edgewise with those three."

"He has Neville and Luna," he said in his own defense. He couldn't really keep a straight face though. He couldn't stand his brother's pathetic excuse of a girlfriend and anything that kept her as far away from his as possible was obviously a perfect plan.

Hermione couldn't help but giggle. "I'm sure that makes it quite alright then."

"Hermione!"

It was Harry. "You look beautiful," Fred heard him whisper. He tried to push down the twinge of jealousy he felt whenever Harry was around. He knew they were just close friends, much like brother and sister. And he also knew that Harry loved Ginny very much, but he couldn't help but feel a little envious of the easy relationship he shared with Hermione.

"This is great, guys," Harry said turning to Fred and George. "Really, you've outdone yourselves."

"Anything for the Boy Who Lived," they answered together. "Now that you mention it, Harry, if we could have a word." They each put an arm around him and led him off, threatening to finish what Voldemort started if he ever hurt their little sister.

"And what about you, Fred? Am I to give you the talk as well?" Harry asked.

"Harry! I'm surprised at you. I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to date Ginny."

"Really, Harry? Incest?" George continued for his twin. "We're not into that kind of thing."

Harry simply rolled his eyes. "You know what I'm talking about. I'm not a fool. You fancy Hermione."

"So what if I do?"

"She's like a sister to me, Fred. Don't hurt her. If this is some kind of joke…or little fling…"

"It's not," George answered for him. "Fred's in looove."

Fred only glared at his twin in response. Turning to Harry, he said, "It's not a joke, I swear it. I just need some time to make her see."

"Alright," Harry said, nodding his head. "See that you get to it then." He walked back over to join the girls leaving George sniggering.

"Will you bug off?" Fred asked, giving him a quick shove.

George snorted, but at least had the decency to head back to his date. Fred rubbed his hands through his hair and sighed. Well, if nothing else, it promised to be an interesting night.

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