Hello everyone, I hope you're as healthy, safe and sane as possible right now. I think this situation is stressful for everyone right now, no matter the circumstances. So try to be kind to each other and keep to the rules.

This pandemic shit totally threw me out of the loop. I wanted it to publish this chapter weeks ago but then - boom! - Suddenly I find myself with a system relevant job. So, I hope you can forgive me for the late update. I was super exhausted from work and at home, I spend my time sewing masks for family and friends.

Please review and tell me what you think :) And in general review stories you like. Authors are sitting at home, maybe isolated and lonely, and can use a bit of positive feedback. And I'm not trying to suppress critique but right now I can do without nasty comments, so please keep that in mind.

I wish you all the best and maybe - just a small hope - this pandemic forces us as humans and as a society to become better and change some things in a positive way.

Okay, that's enough from me for now. I hope you enjoy this chapter and stay safe.

ooo ooo ooo ooo

WHAT IF

Chapter 30 - The Witch & The Teenage Drama

"You know, you might actually be right," Ginny frowned. The redhead was sitting with Hermione and the end of the Gryffindor table, staring at her brother and Lavender Brown. The two were at the other end of the table, entangled in a tight embrace and obviously now an item. And the whole school could watch or had to watch... Hermione was torn between feeling disgusted, sad, angry, and hurt.

"I can't believe it," she murmured, stabbing her cereals with the spoon. The sight of Ron and Lavender disgusted her in more than one way and she was very close to losing her appetite. How was it possible for two people to snog so... loudly at the breakfast table? It was plain rude to everyone around them and more than one student at the Gryffindor table looked very uncomfortable at the sight of Lavender on Ron's lap while they were attached by the lips. Around them, the students from the other houses threw occasional glances at their table and there was the tell-tale whisper of the rumours making their rounds.

"Well, seems like he is really going through with this," Ginny's eyebrow furrow deepened.

At the night of the Quidditch party, Hermione had told Ginny about her suspicion that Ron was trying to make her jealous by snogging Lavender. In the beginning, Ginny hadn't been quite sure. She had tried to explain Ron's behaviour with other reason and every single one of them could be right as well. Ginny had listed his urge to get public recognition and fame, which the glorious Quidditch win and a cute girlfriend provided. The reactions of the other students certainly confirmed that now Ron for once could enjoy all the attention. And of course, it was a booster for his ego that Lavender was all over him.

But now was already the fifth day of this very public display and Ginny was more willing to believe Hermione's theory. Especially since she had witnessed herself that the snogging mostly occurred when Hermione was nearby. Or Seamus, as Ginny now pointed out.

"You think they're in this together?" Hermione asked. "Working together to make Seamus and me jealous? Because I will rip Ron a new one if he not only acts like a git towards me but also hurts Lavender meanwhile. She might not be my closest friend but she doesn't deserve being used by him. Plus, I really don't want to have her as an enemy. Merlin, can you imagine how she would react if it's true and she finds out?" A cold shudder went down Hermione's back and Ginny cringed.

"Merlin no, she has access to all your stuff and could strangle you in your sleep. I will grant you asylum in our dorm when it comes to this." Ginny blanched visibly. "Well, here comes our chance to find out more." Ginny nodded at the entrance of the hall.

Parvati was slowly walking in, probably looking for Lavender, and Hermione saw the exact moment when Parvati spotted her best friend. Parvati's beautiful face distorted into an annoyed and slightly hurt grimace and she let her eyes wander over the table. With a grin, Ginny waved at her.

"Good morning," Parvati muttered and reached for some fresh fruits.

"Morning," Ginny wiggled her eyebrows at Hermione and then started her investigation. "So, I take it you have no desire to sit with our resident octopus couple?"

Parvati let out a coughing laugh.

"No, not really." She sneaked a glance at the still snogging couple. "They're really overdoing it a bit, don't they?" Parvati's voice was carefully even without even a trace of annoyance, but Hermione suspected that there was quite a bit anger bottled up inside of her roommate. Lavender hooking up with Ron had also the slight side effect of Lavender spending almost no time with Parvati. That would already be annoying and hurtful in a normal friendship, but Parvati and Lavender also were platonic soulmates and Hermione imagined that it hurt Parvati more than she let on. And maybe all it took was a little prompt from someone else to set Parvati's emotions free and Ginny happily provided said prompt.

"Please, overdoing is an understatement," Ginny seethed. "You have no idea what it's like to see your brother behave so," she waved at the couple, "like this. It's disgusting. If they would at least choose something more private."

"Yeah," Hermione jumped in. "And I'm actually a bit surprised, you know." She addressed Parvati. "I never thought Lavender would be the type to enjoy something so public. When she dated Seamus we never saw much about their... physical relationship." Ginny and Hermione both looked at Parvati. They had talked about asking Parvati if she knew what was going on but Parvati may be a Gryffindor but she was as loyal as a Hufflepuff. The chance of her giving information away was slim. Plus, Hermione and Ginny had no desire to sabotage the relationship between Ron and Lavender with false information. Merlin, they wouldn't even sabotage them if their suspicions were true. This was Ron's mess and they would try everything to stay out of it.

Parvati just shrugged and went back to her plate of fruits. Hermione glanced at Ginny but they both knew that they shouldn't ask more. It would be cruel to needle Parvati into giving up information about Lavender.

"Well, at least Seamus seems relaxed with the whole situation," Ginny shrugged non-nonchalantly. "I was a tad afraid that he would bloody Ron's nose but it seems like he's quite okay." Hermione almost choked on her juice about Ginny's remark. It was Ginny's newest theory about why Lavender would ever date Ron willingly. As his little sister, Ginny was convinced that no girl could see anything than a git in him and therefore Lavender had to be in on the deal and used this scheme to make Seamus jealous.

"Yeah," Parvati's gaze darkened. "Well, I'm going to go ahead." She started to stand up but Hermione quickly grabbed her hand. Ginny also looked slightly alarmed.

"Wait, Parvati, and sorry if our talk about Ron and Lavender offended you. You know, we don't need to talk about them at all. You don't have to go." Hermione slightly pressed Parvati's hand. She liked Parvati and the last thing she wanted was to make her feel unwelcome or pressured.

"It's quite okay, Hermione," Parvati smiled. "I'm just sick of it, everyone asks me about Lavender these days. It's just annoying. But can't begrudge you to be curious, right?" There was a pause as if Parvati was waiting for Hermione to say something. It felt like a bizarre dance between them, each trying to say something or gather some information without being direct about it.

"You seem quite relaxed about this, same as Seamus." Hermione's roommate added. Opposite of them Ginny barely covered her laughter with a cough.

"Well, I find it disgusting and annoying but otherwise," Hermione shrugged. She really didn't know how to find the words to describe her feelings. She didn't care about Ron dating someone but she did care if he only did it to get to her. Hermione really - really - wanted to say more but she bit back the words.

"Well, that's a loss on both fronts then," Parvati rolled her eyed but vanished before Hermione could ask more.

"Did she just?" Hermione turned to Ginny, letting the question hang between them. But the wide grin on Ginny's face was answer enough. Her friend certainly thought that her theory was hereby proved right.

"Well, it certainly would make a lot of sense if the two of them were in on this together. At least that way it would spare me from Lavender's wrath when Ron inevitable blows this mess up." Hermione reached for the teapot and filled their cups.

"Seems like they're both idiots," Ginny giggled as she stirred her tea. "At least Lavender had a relationship with Seamus before; it isn't so weird that she tried to make him jealous as a last resort."

"Yeah, she already tried talking to him last year, after he joined the DA and everything." Hermione chanced a glance at Seamus, who was not far away. He seemed highly unbothered by Lavender and Ron. "Seems like Parvati is right, it really is a loss on both fronts. I feel a bit bad for Lavender. She really liked Seamus and now she's getting desperate."

"Yeah, I think I can relate to that," Ginny muttered and Hermione nodded. They both knew to hurt and pain of being rejected by someone you loved. Of course, their cases were a bit different, but the pain was the same. And they both knew that a teenage girl in love would certainly do stupid things to get her love.

"Now that I think about it I can't believe that we ever thought she would seriously date Ron," Hermione giggled. "Not after all the time we had to listen to her babble about Seamus. I mean, she never even mentioned Ron."

"Speak for yourself, I never believed it. She might be annoying but even Lavender has higher standards than Ron."

"Ginny," Hermione scolded. "Don't be cruel. Ron is a good guy and he would make a good boyfriend if he were serious about someone. He's nice and funny and loyal. He might have his flaws but the good points certainly make up for that. And he's quite good-looking."

At that Ginny raised a curious brow. "Are you going to change targets now?" She teased.

"No," Hermione sipped her tea. "I'm still quite determined to get my target; I'm just saying you should be nicer to Ron. Don't be cruel to him on my behalf."

"I will think about it but he's still a git," Ginny grumbled. They enjoyed the quiet atmosphere as the breakfast time ended and thankfully Ron and Lavender departed early. Hermione had just pulled out her quill and special letter paper to write her latest letter to Fred when Ginny let out a quiet groan.

"What?"

"Nothing," her friend mustered the paper. "It just- I just thought that maybe Fred should know about this. Ron is a git and I'm fully supporting you and Fred but-"

"No." Hermione felt anger boiling in her belly. "It doesn't change anything between me and Fred and certainly not my feelings. Why would I tell Fred about Ron's stupidity if it doesn't change anything for me?" Her voice was bordering on shrill even if Hermione tried to keep it down. Most people - including Harry and Ron - would quickly paddle back when she got like this. But Ginny was not only unimpressed but seemed rather angry.

"Because it's not just about you and Fred or you and Ron." Ginny scowled. "It's about Fred and Ron too. Their brothers - my brothers - and it might hurt their relationship if they start to compete against each other, especially if they don't know what is going on." Ginny's words, and her vicious voice, made Hermione pause.

Her brain went blank for a moment. She still couldn't be totally sure that Ron was trying to make her jealous but... wouldn't It be like lying if she intentionally withheld this from Fred? It took her a beat but then she realised her selfishness and her anger dies quickly. Instead fear surged through her veins. What if Fred decided that it did make a difference?

"What if Fred decides that he doesn't want... whatever we have anymore? What if he thinks it's more important to spare Ron the pain?" Hermione could easily imagine Fred doing that. Fred surely made jokes about Ron and teased him whenever he could but never would he hurt him in such a way.

"Ron will be hurt either way, I'm sure Fred will realise that too," Ginny's voice was gentle again. She grabbed Hermione's hand and soothingly caressed it with her thumb. "But he deserves to know that his little brother will be hurt."

"Maybe I should just tell Ron the truth?" Hermione's mind was running ahead of her. She could tell Ron right now. Tell him that she was in love with Fred and wished him the best with Lavender.

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea but it's your decision. Just keep in mind that Ron is a git and maybe won't take your confession how you want him to." Hermione tested the idea in her head. Let it play in her mind.

She would tell Ron and he would flip.

She would tell Ron and he would laugh at her.

She would tell Ron and he would be hurt like hell.

There was no good outcome. Ron didn't handle rejection well, Hermione knew that, and he often wasn't rational about it. He would probably not understand that Hermione had just fallen in love with someone else, someone who just happened to be his brother. The best outcome was that Ron would just ignore her for a while until he had worked it out by himself. But there was no good outcome no matter when she told him the inevitable. Hermione could only hope that Ron might fall out of love with her naturally with time.

"I could do it for you? Tell Fred." Ginny offered as she eyed Hermione's obvious distress. "I could tell Fred to get his act together if he doesn't want his little brother to hit on his girl. That could actually be amusing. And maybe would finally kick him into action." A devilish grin spread over her face and Hermione was glad about how effortlessly Ginny could lift the mood.

"No," she shook her head. "I will write. I'll tell him that it's just a theory, just an assumption, and doesn't need to mean anything. Plus, even if Ron has some feelings for me, it doesn't matter. I made it clear who I fancy and that won't change. I just need to tell Fred so he won't do anything stupid like hurting us both to spare Ron an inevitable heartbreak. And Ron… I will wait for a better timing to talk to him."

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

"Hermione," the whining voice of Harry disrupted Hermione peaceful studying in the library. Her best friend sat down beside her, a tired look on his face. "I know you are angry with Ron about how he behaves and everything but do you really have to ignore him?"

"He's using my roommate to make me jealous in the most childish way. I'm not going to reward his behaviour by giving him a reaction."

Since they had started dating Ron had managed to snog Lavender at every public spot on the school grounds. By now the gossip had calmed down and would probably only flare up again when the two finally broke up. Because no one seemed to believe that this was an epic love story, able to survive longer than their last two school years. Ginny had actually discovered that there was a very popular betting pool about how long the relationship would last. Hermione had refrained from placing a bet but she knew that Ginny had placed a few coins on a date shortly after Christmas.

Amidst all this Hermione had decided that simply ignoring Ron and Lavender would be the best way to deal with it. She had tried to behave normally at first but her anger about it made it difficult to have a normal conversation with Ron. And every time she got angry with Ron he would show this little satisfied smirk like he had won something which made Hermione even more furious.

"But by ignoring him you're already giving him a reaction if you want to or not. Everyone thinks that you ignoring them is proof that you are jealous. And I'm afraid Ron thinks so too."

"You're just annoyed because you have to split your time between us," Hermione hissed and Harry had the decency to look sheepish.

"Well, yes, it feels like the third year all over again."

"Just with the slight difference that back then you were also ignoring me," Hermione turned back to her books, aware that she had just dealt a low blow. She knew it was unfair but she was in a foul mood and Harry had picked the wrong moment to start a discussion.

"Okay, okay," Harry placed something on her book. "Ginny warned me that it's not worth arguing over this with you." Hermione eyed the chocolate bar from Honey Duke's and decided to be a bit nicer.

"It's not your fault, I'm just," she sighed. "Annoyed with the situation in general. Ron is grating on my nerves, I have so much to do for our classes and-"

"And?"

"And, remember about the guy I'm writing letters?"

"The one you're in love with?" Harry smiled slightly. "Yeah, and that makes this whole situation with Ron even more annoying, I imagine."

"Well, certainly. I'm just in a bit of a foul mood because I worry what he might think about Ron..." Hermione bit her lip. She tried not to think too hard about all the possible reactions from Fred to her letter. She had worried herself for two days after her breakfast with Ginny and Parvati and had sent the letter only this morning. And now she had to wait which was even worse.

"Well, do you need me to, you know, threaten him or something?" Harry grinned. "I don't look like much muscle but most guys might be still impressed about the whole chosen one thing, you know? Could tell him if you break her heart I break your nose or something like that. Like in the movies." Harry tried to imitate some gangster's voice and they both erupted into laughter which earned them a threatening glare from Madame Pince.

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione let out a happy sigh. "But I don't think that's necessary."

And would probably not be very successful, she thought. The idea of Harry threatening Fred was hilarious since he was one of the few people who were never really impressed by this chosen one thing and saw Harry only as a normal teen.

"No, he's not the kind of guy you need to threaten for me. He's just... it's all a bit in the loop with us. I'm just completely overthinking right now and need to be patient. Besides, I'm more than able to threaten him myself." She winked.

"So," Harry grinned slightly. "He knows Ron and I guess he's not at Hogwarts, or you wouldn't write letters. Is it Krum?"

"Merlin, no. Viktor and I are just friends." Hermione could see that Harry really wanted to ask. "Harry, I would tell you who it is if you really want to know. But it might put you in a difficult position with Ron." There was a second were Harry's eyes flickered, unsure about what to say, how to decide.

"You're right," he finally sighed. "It hard enough to know you have someone while he behaves this way. I already feel like I'm betraying him, knowing who it is might not be a good idea. But," his eyes were full of sorrow. "I want to be a good friend to you too, Hermione. I don't want it to be like back in the third year when we both were against you. I haven't forgotten how loyal you were when Ron ignored me at the start of the Triwizard Tournament. I want to be there for you, I mean it." He grabbed her hand and Hermione actually had to swallow a big lump of emotions.

"Thanks, Harry," she whispered. "You're already being a good friend. As long as you're not deciding between me and Ron everything is fine. And I'm sure Ron won't keep this up forever, so don't worry."

They sat together for a while that afternoon, talking about everything and nothing, just keeping each other company.

OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO

When Hermione's letter finally arrived Fred almost burst from excitement. His feelings since George and Angelina had spent the night together - doing you know what, George still wasn't telling him - were conflicted. Fred was a bit jealous but not because of his own former relationship with Angelina. No, he was jealous because he could see that they were going to be happy. There was still a lot to work on between them but one day they would have the perfect love and security only a soulmate could provide. And Fred wanted that too.

The thought about having someone who was a hundred per cent perfect for you, who would never leave you for someone else, was tempting. But ever since Fred had started to toy with the idea of maybe starting to actively search for his soulmate something curious happened. Whenever he tried to imagine his future with some faceless women, who would be perfect for him in every aspect, his heart made a little painful jump. Because every time Hermione's face popped up in his mind too.

Hermione sitting at his wedding as a guest, smiling and cheering for him. Being happy for him.

Hermione standing in front of him, crying as he told her that he had found his perfect match. Walking away from him forever.

Dozens of scenarios flitted through his mind and not one made him happy or excited to search his soulmate. One night it had even lead to the idea to just avoid ever meeting her and be happy with Hermione instead. It wasn't common for magical folks to search their soulmate, most people were perfectly lucky with their partners no matter if they were soulmates or not. So he could easily imagine himself being happy with Hermione.

That thought had scared Fred beyond measure. Hermione and he hadn't even really started to date. They weren't a couple, they had kissed two times. That was almost nothing so why were his feelings for her so strong?

Now Fred's heart danced some excited little jig when the owl finally placed a letter with Hermione's neat handwriting in front of him. With a dash he excused himself from the workroom, stating that he needed a lunch break.

"At ten in the morning?" George laughed, probably knowing what was going on, but Fred just ignored him. In the flat, he contemplated for a moment if he should brew a tea to enjoy the letter in full measure but decided he was being ridiculous. It was just a letter, they had written dozens of them before. No need to make a big thing out of it. So Fred just sank down on the plush sofa.

A few minutes later he was glad he had sat down and was alone. This couldn't be real... He read the letter again just to be sure and because - apparently - he was a masochist.

Dear Fred,

you should be very proud of me since I used your nifty little spell to teach Ron a lesson. Granted, I'm not sure if he got the message but it brought me immense satisfaction to see him being chased around by these little birds.

You're probably wondering why it took me so long to write back. Well, one reason is that Gryffindor won the last match and of course the common room was a mess for the rest of the weekend. And somehow your wicked little sister managed to rope me into celebrating. Also, my classes are very busy right now, I'm sure you remember, and I had a lot to catch up on because of the lost weekend.

But to be honest I put off writing to you because I wasn't sure what to write. Or to be clearer, I had an awful assumption that I had to tell you something but I wasn't sure if I was right or not. Ginny helped me to find out and now we're both sure it's true and that I should tell you. It would be unfair to keep this from you.

You remember when George and you bet before the Yule Ball that Ron would ask me to be his date? You and I had a fight about it and I was so angry with you. Confession time: I was so angry with you because I thought you would ask me. Remember, during the dancing lessons you asked if I already had a date and it really got my hopes up. You can imagine how disappointed I was when you said you only asked because of Ron. I'm not telling you to make you feel guilty; I just thought a little context would be good.

So, the thing is I haven't really thought about it much ever since. The idea about Ron asking me for a ball and what that would mean, what might change if he ever did such a thing, I thought it was impossible. I never really thought you were right about it, about Ron wanting to ask me. Ron and I are friends and I don't want that to change. I hope you know that.

But now it seems like Ron wants that to change. He started to date Lavender Brown and it seems like he's just doing it to make me jealous while she is trying the same with Seamus. They both are pretty public with their affection, rubbing it right under my nose. I know it might sound crazy but Ginny and Harry are both convinced it's true. Ron's self-confidence wasn't the best in the last few weeks and apparently, I said something that made him angry or jealous or both. But that's another long, complicated story and not really important right now. Thing is, Ron seems to think that showing me how other girls are interested in him, making me jealous, might change my view of him.

Merlin, I sound like a crazy, vain cow... And I'm not sure if this letter makes any sense. I've written it a dozen times but it doesn't get better. And I want to make it completely clear: I'm not writing this to make you jealous. I don't want to play games but I think you know that.

I just wanted you to know. Maybe I'm wrong and Ron is just behaving like an idiot for no reason, it could be possible. He is an idiot from time to time after all. But I thought it would be unfair to keep even the slightest suspicion from you. I hope you know that my feelings for you haven't changed and that I hope this doesn't make a difference. I know you would never want to hurt Ron but it won't be only you who has to hurt him. If it's true I will have to hurt him badly and trust me, I will. My feelings for Ron will always stay platonic and nothing will change that so he will have to accept that. And I hope he can accept that I love you.

Yours truly

Hermione

Fred closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. Please. Just a bad dream, a nightmarish déjà vu. A girl, a brother in love, and Fred in between. That sounded awfully familiar.

"Oy, since when do we have two-hour long lunch breaks?" George's voice pulled Fred out of his thoughts. It seemed like he had just spent hours staring at the wall, thinking about nothing and imagining the worst. Wordlessly he handed George the letter and hoped that it would spare him from having to put it into words himself. There was a long pause and Fred suspected that his twin too was reading the letter more than once.

"She's right, she does sound crazy," George tried to joke but Fred heard it in his voice that he was also worried.

"I don't know how I could ever forget it," Fred sighed. "Ron had a thing for her forever. I should have thought about it. The two of us were the first ones to recognise it after all."

"Yes, but he never acted on it," George sat down. "And it seems like now he's doing the most stupid thing ever. Should have known that Ron would use the most stupid advice from that book."

"Book?"

"Don't you remember? During the summer holidays, he asked us for advice on girls and we gave him the book. The one from Bill. I'm pretty sure that one chapter was about making the girls jealous but in the end, it said that it a very risky strategy. Can get you into right a mess. So, of course, Ron is choosing that one." George rolled his eyes and carefully folded the letter. "What are thinking?"

"That I didn't know that I suddenly have a twin sister." Fred joked. But in truth, he just wanted to stall the inevitable conversation because he had no idea what he was thinking. George snorted and flicked a cushion at him.

"There's nothing unmanly about caring for you, you git. Besides, I can hear you overthinking." He accioed some butterbeers. "And overthinking is never good. We never overthink. We just decide and then act. Suits us better."

"Yeah, like you're any better with Angelina. Pot and cattle, Georgie." Fred grumbled. "And I'm not overthinking, I'm just realising what rotten luck I have with girls and apparently my brothers."

"Ouch, I will try to pretend that didn't hurt." George nonchalantly handed him a bottle, an easy grin on his face.

"Sorry," Fred muttered sheepishly. "I'm just completely out of the loop right now. This is- this is just downright cruel, destiny seems to hate me. First the thing with you and Angelina..." He took a long sip. "Don't misunderstand me, I'm over it and fine with whatever is going on with you two now but the irony isn't lost on me. Because now it seems to repeat. One brother dating a girl - if you want to call what Hermione and I are doing dating - while the other is secretly in love with her."

"Yeah, the only difference is that with Angelina and me there was a soulbond involved. It would be really rotten luck if Hermione and Ron have one too."

The words were like a punch in the stomach. No matter the overthinking Fred had done in the last few hours, it hadn't crossed his mind that Ron and Hermione could be soulmates. But now Fred couldn't ignore the little nasty voice in his head whispering that Ron and Hermione were perfect for each other. Friends since the first year, through thick and thin during their countless adventures. They were connected particularly. Perfectly friends to lovers-situation. While Fred felt like most of his time with Hermione was spent with bickering, joking and fighting about products. Merlin, why ever would she fall in love with him?

"And If they have? They've been friends forever, same as you and Angie." Voicing it felt good, at least. And telling George his biggest fears had always been the best way to make them seem smaller, less threatening. But a new scenario flitted through Fred's head.

Ron waiting at the alter while Hermione approached him. Both of them radiantly happy. And he in the first row, watching.

"Yes, but a whole lot of people are friends forever and not soulmates. Hermione is friends with Harry too and Angie is also friends with you and Lee. Don't overthink everything." While talking George raised his wand and muttered a spell Fred couldn't understand. A second later a silver mist vanished through the window. "Just a quick message to the Order," George shrugged. "Just remembered something I had to tell Remus."

Normally Fred would ask what it was about but since a few weeks, they were assigned to different missions and therefore not allowed to talk about specifics. That way secrets could hopefully not reach the wrong ears even if Fred and George both thought it was bullocks.

"I thought about searching for my soulmate," Fred stated but he knew it sounded more like a question. George just snorted an amused laugh.

"Well, then I suggest you start by asking every random woman on the street to see her soul mark. You might want to help destiny a bit if you're really set on only falling in love with your soulmate. We could start to print pamphlets and hang them up in Diagon Alley. And maybe in a few other countries, might as well start with an international search if you want to be successful before you turn sixty. Well, and then you pray that your soulbond isn't platonic, because that would probably be a real bummer."

"When you say it like that it sounds crazy."

"Because it is crazy."

"Says the man telling me nothing happened between him and his soulmate."

"Nice try changing the subject," George raised an eyebrow and Fred let out a frustrated sigh. Merlin, it was annoying to have a twin who knew when you're talking rubbish. "You know, it seems like the thought hasn't crossed your mind yet but Hermione could actually be your soulmate. Maybe you're winding yourself up about nothing."

"Yeah, right," Fred snorted a sarcastic laugh. "Like destiny would actually be so kind." He waved dismissively but the thought alone made his traitorous heart swell with hope. Fred gave his heart a mental kick, gearing it back into reality.

They sat in silence for a few minutes but Fred could feel George eyeing him, probably searching for the right words. Then, finally, his twin broke the silence.

"It's just," he started. "I thought you had decided to give the thing with Hermione a shot, why the hell are you so negative now?"

"I don't know. I can't even imagine ending… this, but still… what about Ron? He will hate me if he thinks I stole his girl."

"Well, Hermione isn't his girl, she made that perfectly clear." George waved the letter. "He will be hurt either way; the question is if you hurt Hermione and yourself too just to spare Ron some pain. Yes, he will probably be furious when he hears about it but he will get over it. It's not like there is more between them than some one-sided crush from his side. She will hurt him as soon as he comes clean."

"I know," Fred sighed. "I think I'm just overthinking-"

"-I knew it-"

"-because everything was going so well, like really, really good, and now this feels like… I don't know. It makes things even more complicated and I would love it if something was just easy for a change. I don't know why I'm this angsty and cautious, guarded. Never before did I have a problem with speaking my mind and my heart."

"Well, maybe I can help with that," a melodic voice from behind Fred chimed in. He turned in a second to see how Angelina was climbing out of the fireplace. She was still in her healer robes and there was sot all over her but she still looked lovely. And George clearly thought so too since he almost knocked up the living room table as he tried to welcome her. Fred tried very hard to keep a straight face.

"Thanks for coming," his twin pulled Angelina into a hug and both of them blushed.

"Thanks for the invitation," Angelina smiled sweetly and then both of them turned to Fred with expectant looks.

"Yes, yes," he stood up. "No need to be impolite, I will leave you two alone on my own accord. Someone should man the shop after all now that Georgie is taking a long break too."

"Oh no," Angelina grinned. "I'm not here because of George. I'm here because I think it's high time you and I get some talking done."

ooo ooo ooo

Okay, everyone, I'm super nervous about publishing this chapter because a) it's been so long and b) nothing happens with our couple and I'm also anxious to get them together but the final steps in-between are so important. And I didn't want to brush over the whole Ron-thing, I think it's important to address the conflict correctly because I want to come back to it in the later chapters.

I hope you enjoy it and I try to update sooner next time. In my country, we're slowly opening up the lockdown rules and therefore my job might get a bit easier now.