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Shot 4

Hermione stood outside their shop, glancing over her shoulder constantly, as if her mere presence near the door was likely to make her a victim of their latest product, or worse, a prank by the twins themselves. Fred and George were merciless when it came to making sure their shop lived up to its reputation as the best joke shop the wizarding world had ever seen and that meant no customer was safe, no matter how long one had been practically family. In fact, that probably made it worse. They were never known to back down just because one of their siblings might be involved.

She peeked in the window again, hoping it was only Verity working, but to her dismay saw the identical forms of the twins behind the counter. She was certain they had spotted her at this point so, finally, taking a big breath, she pushed the door open.

"Ah, well, will you look who it is, Freddie," George said. "Can it be that THE Hermione Granger has decided to grace us with her presence? There must be some mistake."

"No, mistake, Georgie," Fred said. "I see her, too." He slid over the counter in one smooth motion and was immediately at Hermione's side. "Why, Miss Granger, is it? How can we be of service?"

Hermione scowled. "You know full well it is me, Fred Weasley," she said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I just need to grab-"

"The Ten-Second Pimple Vanisher? Yes, we know," he said as his twin nodded in agreement. "You've only been purchasing it for years, why do you still feel the need to act all secretive and embarrassed every time? It's a good product."

"I, that is, I…um…it's for a friend," she said, trying to get around him to grab a jar off the shelf, but he was taller than her and had quite the impressive arm span, effectively blocking her reach.

He raised an eyebrow. "You've been buying cosmetic products for a friend for the past six years? And what friend is this? Can't be Ginny because she has always had freakishly impeccable skin and well, can't be Harry or Ron for obvious reasons."

"Obvious reasons?"

"Well, their skin doesn't look very good, does it? They could really benefit from our Wonder Witch line, but no, they think that is too girly."

"No, Hermione," he said, "that beautiful skin of yours can only be the result of one thing."

"Careful, Fred, I don't want to have to hex you."

"Oi, Georgie, do you hear this? I call the girl beautiful and she threatens me."

"Oh, I heard it, Freddie. Ungrateful is what that is."

"Ugggh. Will you just give me the cream, please?"

"Fine. Have it your way, but you really do look lovely today."

Hermione rolled her eyes and continued searching through her purse for the right coins to pay them. Growing frustrated, she finally accio-ed them out and placed them on the counter.

"Eh, this one's on the house," Fred said, tossing the coins back in her purse much to her dismay, "for being such a loyal customer."

"It took me forever to sort out that change," she said. "And besides, I told you it's-"

"Not for you. Yes, got it. Thank your friend for being such a loyal customer then."

"Right. Well, thank you." She gave him a strange look and made her way to the door.

"What was that with Hermione earlier?" George asked as they were closing up the shop.

Fred smirked. "I don't know what you mean."

"You were flirting with her."

"No, I was not. I just like getting her riled up."

"Because you like her."

"Nooo, because it is fun."

"And it is fun because you like her? This isn't Hogwarts, Freddie. If you like her, tell her."

Fred only shook his head, but later, after George had turned his back, his eyes squinted in confusion as he thought about what his twin had said.

"Fred, why are you doing that?" Ginny asked.

"Doing what?"

"Pacing back and forth," she said. "It's distracting."

Fred stopped mid-stride and stared at her. They were at the Burrow for Sunday dinner and he had just discovered that Hermione would be joining them. She hadn't been to Sunday dinner in months. And he hadn't seen her since that day in the shop.

George smirked. "I bet I know why." He laughed at the death stare his twin was shooting him.

Ginny glanced back and forth between her brothers. "What is it? Oooh, tell me, please."

"Well, it's like this," George said, ignoring Fred's warning look. "Fred fancies someone."

Ginny's eyes lit up at this information. "What?" she asked. "Is this true?"

Fred groaned. "It's not like that."

"Then, pray tell, Freddie," said George, "what's it like then?"

"Who is it, Fred?" Ginny asked, before recognition settled in. "It's Hermione, isn't it? She is the only one coming tonight other than Phlegm, I'm sorry, Fleur."

"I do not fancy anyone. George just got this crazy idea-"

"I did not get a crazy idea. You are the one practically drooling over her at the shop and as soon as you found out she was coming today you started acting mental."

"Because I knew you were going to take the mickey out as soon as she showed up."

"Right, you're just scared of a joke. Got it. That makes way more sense."

"A joke? People's feelings are involved. Since when is that a joke?"

Ginny and George shared a glance before staring at their brother.

"So," Ginny said, "you are worried about Hermione's feelings?"

"Well, yeah," he said. "That's not funny."

She smiled. "I see."

"What do you see?" he asked. "You don't see anything."

"I see that you fancy Hermione," she said.

"I do not fancy Hermione!" he shouted just in time to around and see that she had arrived and was now looking just as mortified as he felt. He stopped to glare at his siblings before storming out of the house and down to the pond not far from the Burrow. He kicked the dirt around angrily a few times before plopping down on the ground with a huge sigh.

This is not how this was supposed to be. It was just a regular Sunday at the Burrow and they were supposed to be having a nice family dinner and now here he was, completely humiliated because George was going around spewing nonsense. He picked up a rock and flung it into the water. He didn't fancy her. Not really. He just thought she was pretty. And clever. And he really liked it when she got all flustered.

Fine, he fancied Hermione.

Bloody hell. He fell back onto the ground and rubbed his face with his hands before sighing loudly, his preoccupation preventing him from hearing the footsteps approaching.

"Is it really as bad as all that?" she asked, causing his head to whip around to face her.

"Hermione!"

"George told me where you'd be," she said, sitting down beside him. "I hope it's okay that I came down."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever."

"It's okay you know. George told me he was just playing around with you."

They sat in silence for a moment, the thoughts whirring through his head.

"He wasn't," he said finally.

"I'm sorry?"

"He wasn't playing around."

"Then why-" she began, but after a fairly pointed look from Fred a look of recognition spread across her face. "Oh."

More silence.

"Why did you say what you said?" she asked softly.

"That I don't fancy you? Well, if George and Ginny were standing there goading you, what would you say?"

She nodded, but once again they fell into silence.

"So, are you going to ask me out or not?"

Fred looked startled. "Whaaa-?"

"Are you going to ask me out?"

"Um, I guess…Hermione do you want to go out with me?"

"Yes, please," she said.

"Well, okay then," he said, his lips forming a smile.

Okay.