The fourth time it happened, it was because Hermione believed Fred deserved it. She had been livid when she learned he'd been using this potion to spy on her thoughts. It felt like a massive violation of privacy. He claimed that the first and second times had been accidents and the third time had only been because he missed her, but Hermione still couldn't believe he was listening to her hidden thoughts.

So, she decided that she was going to teach him a lesson on the importance of privacy.

Life had been good for them following the war. Well, as good as it could be following a war. Many of their friends had died, a pain they had to deal with daily. Fred, himself, had almost died the night of the Battle of Hogwarts. Miraculously, he survived. Hermione was determined never to take Fred for granted, she had been given a second chance with him and she was going to cherish every blessed moment with him.

When the war ended, Hermione had returned to Hogwarts to finish her education before finding a job at the Ministry. She loved her work, she loved fighting for what she believed in. Last week, a law was finally passed that ended the discrimination of werewolves in the workplace. No longer could anyone be fired simply because they were a werewolf. Hermione wished that Remus Lupin could have lived to see this feat.

Fred and George had returned to the shop. They started selling numerous Harry Potter merchandise, which the public seemed to inhale. Sometimes, they would have Harry sign random objects around their store. For some reason, those items always seemed to fly off the shelves. They waited a year, but they were finally able to open another shop in Hogsmeade. Currently, they had plans to grow their business even further. They had recently discussed plans with Fleur about a branch in France.

Today, however, marked the day five year anniversary of when Fred kissed Hermione for the first time. She had been adamant that she would not accept any proposal he made until she was well-established in her work. She wanted to marry Fred, she had told him a thousand times, but she refused to marry him until they were ready. Fred was extremely understanding about it.

Yesterday, he had sent her an owl, telling her that he wanted to take her out to a nice dinner as a way to celebrate their years together. She, of course, accepted, thinking that this was finally the right time to pay him back for breaching her privacy. He claimed he had never used the potion against her except for those three times. She trusted him, but she desperately wanted to use it against him herself.

So, that night, she drank the potion with Fred's hair inside. She could hear his anxious thoughts the moment she Apparated to the shop.

He was dressed impeccably. Gone was the purple Weasley Wizard Wheezes clothes. Instead, he wore formal dress robes, looking as handsome as he did the day of Bill and Fleur's wedding. He was pacing outside of the shop, as though he had a mountain of energy that he needed to burn off.

She let him pacing in anxiety for a moment, listening to his thoughts. She's late...what if–don't even think that, Freddie. Merlin, did I forget it? He fumbled around in his pocket for something, his shoulders releasing in relief. It's still there. This has to be perfect.

"Fred," she called out to him, ambling over to him. He froze when he saw her. Merlin, she's beautiful, he thought. Hermione flushed a little at that. She glanced down at the purple dress Ginny had forced her to buy the last time they went shopping. She hadn't thought much about it when she threw it on. She just thought Fred might like it. "Sorry, I'm late."

"It's alright," he said dismissively. He held out his arm to her, which she took immediately. "You look beautiful, by the way."

"Thank you, Fred."

He led her down to a new restaurant in Diagon Alley. He had told her a hundred times that he wanted to try it, but they never had the time. Now, they were finally going to taste the food that the Daily Prophet had claimed to be "absolutely divine."

It was a quaint little restaurant. There was a kind looking gentleman playing slow ballads on the piano. The restaurant wasn't terribly crowded and Hermione could hear Fred's words with ease. This had certainly been a good idea.

Apparently, however, she was the only having these thoughts as Fred kept scanning the people around him, his thoughts frayed and making little sense. This was all in stark contrast to his usual carefree attitude.

Oh, Merlin, I've forgotten what I was going to say–It's so hot in here–What was I going to say to her? I haven't forgotten the– Fred quickly checked his pockets for a second time that evening. Hermione raised an eyebrow at him.

"Fred, is everything alright?" she inquired.

"Yes," he answered too quickly. Oh, I'm fine, I'm just about to have a conversation with you that with either end in terrible heartbreak or–

She never heard the "or" as the waiter chose at this moment to appear with their food. Fred looked at the food like he was going to be sick. Yes, he was definitely not okay.

How was I going to start this? This is why George told me to write the speech on my hand. I can't remember any of it! Merlin, this is a disaster! Just-just say "Granger, I think we need to talk." Fred took a deep breath.

"Hermione, I think we need to talk." Fear erupted in Hermione. Was he going to break up with her? She thought he was going to propose soon. Was this dinner just a way to be nice and break it off amicably?

She set down her fork, suddenly no longer hungry, even if the food was absolutely divine. "Yes, Fred?" Say it now before you lose your courage and end up dating her forever!

"W-we've been dating for a long time and I-I love you so much." Understanding fell on Hermione like a ton of bricks. She smiled encouragingly at him. Merlin, she's beautiful, he thought again. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you…" He trailed off, looking frustrated with himself. Say something! She's clearly waiting for it!

"I love you, too," Hermione interjected, helping him find the words. "I thought that I was going to lose you during the war, but you survived. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you, too." She reached out and took his hand in her own.

"I had a speech prepared, you know," he admitted, his eyes trained on their entwined hands. "I was going to be bloody romantic and sweep you off your feet. For the life of me, I can't remember a word of what I was going to say."

"Just say you love me and then ask me. You can tell me the speech later when you've remembered it." He smiled broadly at her.

"I do not deserve you, Hermione Granger. I love you, will–" he broke off suddenly and fell to the floor on a knee, taking the small box out of his pocket and holding it open to her, "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes, of course I will," Hermione answered, pulling Fred into a fierce kiss. He placed the ring on her finger. The largest smile spreading across his face. The phrase "She said yes!" played on repeat in his mind for most of the evening. Every time Hermione glanced up at him, he had large, goofy smile on his face as though he couldn't believe this had really happened to him.

Later that evening, Hermione and Fred went on a walk together. Her arm was looped around his and her head laid on his shoulder. She's going to be my wife, he thought to himself as they walked in companionable, contented, and happy silence. She's going to be mine forever. Merlin, I love her.

Hermione sighed fondly. She had thought listening to his thoughts would be embarrassing for him. She could hold whatever he thought over him. But this night had just proved how much he did truly love her. There was nothing from this night that was incriminating, nothing that Hermione could think to hold over him. Well, she would just have to try again later. After all, they had their entire lives ahead of them.

Fred, hearing her sigh, looked down at her, that goofy smile still plastered to his face. "Knut for your thoughts?"