"So this is it! Welcome to your new home!" Fred dramatically cried as he opened the front door to his flat. Hermione was surprised to see how clean it was, if not just a bit eclectic. The walls were colored a light, subtle shade of orange, while the furniture was in all other different bold colors. It was odd, mismatched, yet it somehow worked. Hermione bit down a giggle, that was so like the twins. Colorful, yet simultaneously beautiful.

The flat was open, a large living room connected to the kitchen, with a large marble island. Perhaps the most surprising part was the grand bookcase that covered one side of the room, filled to the brim with multiple tomes and books of every size.

"It's… It's actually really nice." She spoke honestly, throwing her gaze to the books. Since when did the Weasley twins read?

Fred chuckled, "Try not to look too surprised. I've been living away from home for almost four years now."

Hermione fought off a small blush, "You know I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," He grinned, "But I really do enjoy seeing your embarrassed blush."

The bright witch threw a glare at the elder wizard, "So are you going to show me around?"

"Well of course! Follow me, my lady." Offering his arm, Hermione giggled as she linked hers around his. "This is the living room, where I assume you will spend much of your free time perusing through my collection of books."

"Speaking of which, why do you have so many books? I never took you for much of a reader."

Fred narrowed his eyes, "I do have other hobbies you know."

"Well… yeah… I mean of course." She stammered.

He grinned in response, "Merlin Hermione, you're too easy."

Smacking him in the arm, she then gestured for him to continue the grand tour. "The kitchen is over here, where we have all the appliances you could ever dream of having."

"Uh, Fred… Why are there two refrigerators?"

"Well one is for actual food, while the second is for our potion ingredients that don't fit downstairs. Some concoctions really need to be regulated in specific temperatures for long periods of time, and I feel better if they're near me."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. She never really put much thought into how Fred and George made their pranks, but now she was starting to realize just how much work has to be put into it. "So which one is for your potions? I would hate to put my edible food in there."

"The gray one. The blue is for food."

"Gray one, got it."

Fred's eyes twinkled in amusement, "Relax Granger, you already got the room. No need to take notes for an interview."

"You can never be too prepared."

"Oh, the things I would do to have you work for me." He sighed.

Hermione raised a brow incredulously, "You want me to work for you?"
"Obviously! Not only are you the brightest witch of her age, you are also incredibly meticulous and organized. Plus, I trust you inexplicably. With you around, I can cut back the time I spend dealing with finances and spreadsheets, turning my attention towards brewing instead."

"You really like potions, huh?"

Fred smiled softly, "I really do. George is better as charms, absolutely brilliant to be completely honest. But potions; that's the one subject I never struggled with."

Hermione smiled. Fred happened to look very… cute when he smiled that way. Shaking her head to banish the traitorous thoughts, she responded, "Well, I hate to disappoint, but I already have a job."

"Ah yes, working for the Ministry. Well good luck with that, and if you ever come to the realization that perhaps it's not worth it, there's always a spot for you in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."

Granger grinned, "I appreciate it. So which ones my room?"

Somehow, really Hermione had no idea how it happened, she ended up staying for dinner. "We need to get to know each other better," Fred reasoned, "It'll be a shame to let mothers casserole go to waste when I'm the only one around to eat it."

She supposed she could have told the prankster that she, in fact, actually lived with his mother, thus had access to all her cooking. But she presumed, quite correctly, that Fred probably had a dozen more excuses behind his back, so really it was better to just give in.

Currently, she was in the process of dying of laughter as Fred recounted one of his many, many adventures in Hogwarts, "No no, I swear! Umbridge was so angry, that she chased us for two whole floors! I didn't even know her short stubby feet could actually carry her that far, but I digress."

Hermione wiped away a tear, "How did you and George even pull that off?"

Fred gasped dramatically, his hand placed on his heart, "My dear Granger! You should know by now that a prankster doesn't reveal his secrets."

"Well of course," She drawled sarcastically, "How dare I ever have such traitorous thoughts?"

He shook his head in mock anger, "And here I thought you were better than this, truly I am disappointed."

Hermione bowed her head, "My sincerest apologies, how could I ever make up for these vile transgressions?"

Fred pretended to give it deep thought, stroking his chin in wonder, "Hmm, perhaps I will let you off easy. How good are you at cleaning charms?"

The young witch raised her brow, questioning the sudden inquiry, "I do live with your mother."

Fred grinned in response, "Perfect! I'll cook, you clean! See, I knew you would make the perfect roommate!"

"You can cook?"

"Granger, I am a potion enthusiast. Surely you realize that could translate to putting a few ingredients together."

Hermione smiled, "Oh thank Merlin, because I can't cook at all."

"I do believe that this is the start to a wonderful partnership." He declared, raising his glass.

Hermione clinked her cup with his, "Permitting that we don't kill each other first."

That night, Hermione had to be very careful as she snuck back inside the burrow. It was later than she thought, her having spent more time than she presumed having dinner with Fred. It was odd, she thought, how much she got along with her ex's older brother. In fact, it was down right bizarre. They never really interacted during their years at Hogwarts, unless it was to lecture the twins on testing their products on the poor first years. Really, that was basically the extent of their relationship. He was Ron's older brother, a prankster admired by the entire student body, and if rumors were to be believed, a quite infamous playboy.

Yet here she was, actually considering moving in with him. She knew that if Ron were here, he wouldn't exactly be happy about this situation. He was… well, a jealous man to be completely honest. Despite it being his own brother, he wouldn't let his girlfriend move in with an unattached man. Especially one with a reputation like Fred's.

But Ron wasn't here. There was to be no contact with him for another nine months. He would have absolutely no idea that she was going be live with his brother, not she was looking forward to telling him. Speaking of which, she also had no clue as to how she was going to break the news to either. Molly had been nothing short of fantastic with her, patient and caring, truly taking over the role of a mother figure to her. It would hurt her when Hermione left, of that she was certain. But Hermione knew she didn't have a choice, she couldn't live with Mr. and forever.

They had spoken all throughout dinner, outlining their plan, as well as certain house rules. Fred had been absolutely wonderful, giving Hermione such a great rent price, that she was certain she was taking advantage of the red-haired man. When she brought up the concern to him, he waved her away. He made more than enough money to cover the costs, in fact, he said that he would have let her stay completely for free if he wasn't certain that Hermione would be offended. She smiled at that memory, for a man who didn't spend much time with her, he certainly knew her well enough.

Both agreed that telling his mother about their new, peculiar, living situation wasn't their best bet. She would never permit Fred and Hermione living together; two unattached adults living alone under the same roof was not okay to the matriarch. Especially when they consider that she was still in the process of planning Hermione's wedding to her youngest son.

According to Fred, George will be completely moved out by the end of the week. His new girlfriend Angelina lived in Hogsmeade, where the twins were opening their second branch. That way, George will be able to live close by to their new store, running it while Fred continued overlooking the original.

This left Hermione exactly six days to pack everything up, and find a way to explain to Molly that she was leaving. Without letting it slip just who exactly she was moving in with. She took a deep breathe, this wasn't going to be easy.