Disclaimer: I do not own or retain any rights what so ever to the Harry Potter franchise. They belong to J.K. Rowling; I am merely sharing her sandbox and borrowing her toys.

Two redheads were sitting in a close huddle with the third member of their private party, a bespectacled boy with dark, messy hair. The tensions were distinctly high, with the younger of the redheads clenching his fists, and the older attempting to explain the situation. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were not amused with George Weasley – one-half of the Weasley twins.

"Fred likes Hermione – that's ridiculous, why would he like her?! He doesn't even know her! She's too good for him." Ron spat in annoyance, jealousy flaring up. He had no romantic interest in his female best friend, that ship had sailed a good two years ago when they'd finally realized that their kiss on the battlefield of the final battle against Voldemort had been nothing but a heat of the moment, a lack of judgment. But that didn't mean he was eager to let another one of his brothers steal away one-third of the Golden Trio. Ronald Weasley was a possessive individual, and he had a lot to live up to in terms of his amazing big brothers who had done so well for themselves. He didn't want to lose a friend to them too.

Harry was more silent, even as his Avada-green eyes narrowed behind his stylish, rectangular glasses (a purchase made by one Ginevra Potter when she'd finally grown tired of his circular, out-of-the-stone-age glasses. "Ron, calm down . . . but I do believe an explanation is in order. I wasn't aware she was well acquainted with either you or Fred." His tone was just as possessive as Ron's, but for another reason entirely, but he was willing to listen. He'd spent enough time with Hermione to notice the occasional longing look enter her eyes when she thought no one was looking - and she was looking at Fred. And Ginny rarely kept secrets from him; he knew Hermione had quite the thing for Fred, for a while too.

But still, unlike Ron, who had much to live up for, Hermione was a sister to Harry. She had become part of his new family, and, despite not sharing blood, the two had grown incredibly close during their time at Hogwarts and while on the run from death eaters, not to mention the last two years of tight friendship during the recent time of peace. He was also very well aware that Hermione could make her own decisions, but it didn't stop the brotherly-act of wanting to chase off any suitors, despite the fact Hermione was almost a full year older than he was.

George glanced from one to the other, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he tried to figure out the best way to explain the situation, "Honestly, your shock was just about what I felt when he finally admitted it to me a couple of months ago. We're not close with her, not like you blokes are, and I know that it's some of those aspects of her personality that have charmed him so far: her loyalty, bravery, care, and compassion. But I don't reckon it'll work out. I mean, she's a goody-two shoe . . . and Fred, well, he's definitely not. But this isn't a new thing. He's been kind of watching her for a while now . . . years even."

George, however, wasn't expecting the sudden laughter from Ron, or Harry, though it took Harry only a few short moments to collect himself enough to grin ruggedly towards the Weasley Twin, "Hermione's a good one, ya . . . but she's not as goody-two-shoes as she'd like everyone to think. You'd be surprised by some of the things she's done before."

Ron nodded, chuckling still, "Bloody scary that one, brilliant but scary."

George huffed faintly, shaking his head, "Yeah . . . I'll believe that when I see it." He snorted, not about to believe anything about the Gryffindor Princess, who could do no wrong.

Her cohorts weren't about to ignore the denial. Instead, they grinned to one another at the potential challenge, "You know what, tonight, after Sunday dinner at mum's let's all get together, and we can play some games – drinking games even if it helps convince you and Fred, and anyone else to join in. And who knows, ya'll might see a side of Hermione you'd never imagine. Whatcha say?" Ron asked with a smirk.

Harry nodded from his position next to Ron – chuckling again, "Yeah, and once you and Fred start to realize who Hermione really is beneath that bookworm-exterior, we'll touch upon this topic again."

George stared at the two curiously before grinning and holding a hand out, "Sounds like we got ourselves a deal." Of course, by the time the game would end, that touch up wouldn't be needed.

The tension was beginning to mount between the Weasley Twins and two-thirds of the Golden Trio as dinner drew to a close. The younger members of the family started to collect in the living room, letting Molly Weasley clean up in peace, and Arthur Weasley snuck out to his shed to experiment with the new radio Hermione had brought him earlier that morning.

"Oh come now, why are you boys glaring at each other now?! Fred, George, stop that. Harry, Ron, enough!" Hermione's hands were on her hips as she stared down the three redheads and one black-haired man. As the two groups turned away from each other, she nodded at their continued silence and once more returned to her seat on the couch and reopened her book, picking up where she'd left off. The goblin rebellions were a tragic misconception of our past – and today are used to continue to create a stark animosity between the gob-

"Who wants to play a game!" The crowed exclamation came from one Ronald Weasley, causing Hermione to flinch and glare over the top of her book at her smirking best friend, "Better yet, let's get some Firewhiskey and glasses, and go out with a bang. Hermione put the book down; everyone gather around! Let's play that muggle game you taught us, 'Mione . . . Never have I done whatever."

Hermione's lips pursed staring harshly at Ron, ignoring his easy grin, "It's called Never Have I Ever, and I highly doubt anyone else would be inte-"

She was interrupted by George, who jumped up, "Never have I ever? Sounds interesting, Fred, go get us some drinks and cups, and someone explain this game!" Fred was quick to follow his twin's suggestion, both of the pranksters ignoring the glare the bushy-haired bookworm had now focused onto them.

Harry knew his cue when he saw it, the plan having been hashed out early to convince Hermione to play, his grin growing, "It's simple really. One at a time, people say something about not doing something, taking a drink if they had and moving on." The description was bastardized, it was true – but if there were one thing Hermione was likely to jump in for – it would be to clarify the game's rules.

And it worked flawlessly as Hermione Granger finally set the book down with an annoyed huff, "That is very misleading, Harry! And not explained properly at all, and you should really have waited for Fred to return before explaining." As the mentioned twin came back into the room, arms heavy with alcohol and some shot glasses being directed through the air behind him with a loosely gripped wand, Hermione corrected Harry's poorly explained rules. "Never Have I Ever is a muggle drinking game, in which everyone has a shot of alcohol when they've done a task someone else says they haven't. Typically it's played one at a time, in which the person currently making a claim starts off with saying 'Never have I ever' before stating something they have never done. Anyone who has done that has to take a shot of the alcohol and refill their cups afterward. If you're currently 'It' and you can't think of anything you haven't done, you can still use the 'Never Have I ever' phrase, but you'll take a drink with everyone else. The winner is usually whoever is the least drunk when the game is decided to be over."

Okay, so even Hermione had to admit it wasn't the best description ever. Still, it appeared to do the job as shot glasses were levitated in front of each individual before the Fire Whiskey was brought around. Fred moved to sit between Hermione and his twin, gently pulling the bookish-beauty off of the couch and onto the floor as well, his expression showcasing his eagerness for a game. He was already imagining it would be both fun for blackmail gathering, as well as learning a bit more for the bird he couldn't help but fancy.

Soon everyone was sitting around in a circle, George, Fred, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Charlie, and Bill, and with a shared look between Harry and Ron, the game was underway. George and Fred (especially Fred) were about to have one hell of a wake-up call regarding one Miss Hermione Granger.

Harry grinned quickly, winking playfully at Hermione, and raised his glass, "I'll start! Never have I ever . . . lit a teacher's robes on fire."

Instantly Charlie, Fred, and George all downed their drinks with a little surprise from anyone – however, it was Hermione's knockback of alcohol that silenced the group for a moment. "Hermione?" The question was posed from Ginny, her eyes glittering with an eagerness for the story.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, even as a faint pink stole across her cheeks, "I was a first year, I thought Snape was the one hexing Harry's broom! I was trying to distract him!" She defended, missing the shocked expression that passed between Fred and George as they mouthed the word 'Snape.' Hermione shook her head with a huff even as laughter broke out around the group, the revelation having not been expected from the Goody-Goody Granger.

George was starting to wonder what else might come out, that one had been a surprise enough, even as his gaze drifted from the brunette witch to his twin brother, who was staring at the witch with wide-eyed amazement. His attention was called away from Fred when Ron spoke up.

"Never have I ever . . . had to outrun a werewolf." This time both Hermione and Harry settled narrowed eyes onto their best friend, both downing the shot of alcohol, remembering the night in third year. Next to George, Bill made a face, also taking a shot, trying not to think about the scars marring his face. Hermione nor Harry explained this time, however, so Fred and George were left a touch curious.

From there, they knew they'd likely have to wait for the full circle to get to learn anything more about Hermione, although George was aware of the action meaning behind the game, Charlie's next words would shock the group again, "Never have I ever cut class." George, Fred, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione all took shots, while many eyes turned to Hermione again.

Hermione rolled her eyes with a slightly exaggerated huff, "It technically shouldn't count, but I did walk out in the middle of Divination. Never returned. Hardly could count for a class; it was a joke." She grumbled, and Fred couldn't help but chuckle softly with a shake of his head.

From there, it did mellow out slightly, Bill commenting on having never kissed a bloke, to which Charlie, Hermione, Ginny, and both Twins taking a shot. George was next with having never worn a dress, getting both Ginny, Hermione, and surprisingly Ron to take a shot, Ron shooting a glare at Hermione while doing so. A question was posed on the tip of Fred's tongue, but he hesitated instead of asking. He paused for a moment before glancing at the group, trying to think of his statement before grinning.

"Never have I ever stolen from a professor!" He and George both clinked glasses and downed them, only for both to choke on the liquid when Hermione raised her own glass to Fred before swallowing it. Again, silence. Again, all eyes on Hermione.

"I . . . uh . . . needed some ingredients? For . . . a potion?" She offered, almost awkwardly, causing Ron and Harry to exchange a smirk and snicker, remembering the cat ears and tail she'd worn when she'd added the wrong hairs to her particular potion. At this point, however, Ginny was starting to eye the boys – as well as Fred and George's reactions and was beginning to think she had an idea of what was going on. She wasn't blind after all, and she'd been watching Fred's gaze linger on her best friend, a gaze that her best friend often gave her brother. She knew Hermione had been in love with Fred for years, and she wasn't oblivious enough to not notice how Fred was watching her more and more as the years passed as well. Perhaps this was the game to push them into each other's arms, finally?

Hermione was up next, and was determined not to have to drink anything, "Never have I ever played quidditch," She stated sweetly, making the entire rest of the room groan and swallow their cups.

Ginny narrowed her eyes at the brunette, having figured initially she'd let the boys have their fun and not tease Hermione herself - but that had been a low blow. Retaliation was in order, and so Ginny couldn't help smirking as she met Hermione's gaze with one sweetly spoken phrase, "Never have I ever held a reporter captive in a jar." The entire group relaxed, thinking that perhaps the first round of no drinks would be had. They should have realized it was too specific not to be a direct taunt.

Hermione blushed bright red, glared at Ginny, and hissed quietly, "That was supposed to be a secret! You said you wouldn't tell anyone!" Before downing her drink. This time the shock was almost audible before every man in the room started talking over each other in a desperate bid for the story. Hermione simply shifted her position, folded her hands into her lap, the visual representation of prim and proper, and replied with two words, "Rita. Skeeter." She paused for dramatic effect before shrugging, "I don't approve of those who slander my friends, and she didn't say nice things about me either. She did fairly well after that – not writing nasty things about myself or my friends – so I suppose it was worth it. It is rather lovely to keep blackmail on someone, is it not?" She mused innocently, her gaze landing directly on the twins as if daring them to argue.

George's eyes were wide in shock before his head spun to Harry and Ron, who met his look with equally shocked expressions of their own – not even they had been aware of that one. But at least the twins were beginning to see that there was more to Hermione "Bookworm" Granger than following the rules. Fred, however, staring still at Hermione, his shock was dissolving into amazement and something softer when Hermione caught his gaze, her stomach filled with butterflies.

Harry was, of course, ready to further prove that Hermione was more than what she appeared, and smiled apologetically to his friends, "Never have I ever broken into Gringotts," as he, Hermione and Ron all took drinks, even as he followed up with, "Although, it was 'Mione's master plan that got us in there! Never seen anyone act so horribly though, how the goblins actually thought she was Bellatrix is beyond me."

Both Hermione and Ron had to laugh at that before Ron raised his glass to Hermione with a cheeky grin, "Never have I helped a convict escape."

Both Harry and Hermione took shots, this one a little less startling as there had been some news leaked of how the two had helped Sirius and Buckbeak escape death. Hermione, however, still had to wrinkle her nose at him, "What is this, pick on Hermione day? Why am I the one constantly drinking the bloody shots?" She pouted, having to refill her drink again. She was grateful that for the most part, she was pretty even with Harry and Ron too, they had shared almost all of their adventures after all – but she was the lightweight of their trio, and had already begun to sway slightly.

Charlie grinned innocently at Hermione, more than amused with her outburst when he chose his next words carefully, "Never have I ever ridden a dragon." Hermione growled, slamming the alcohol down as she glared at the second oldest Weasley brother, as he, Harry and Ron laughed and drank their shots as well.

"Not like I had a choice, now did I?" She grumbled, before shifting to lean slightly up against Fred, not noticing him freeze at the contact before he hesitatingly shifted to wrap an arm around her to help steady her. The moment his hand closed around her shoulder, pulling her slightly more into his side, it took all of her self control not to snuggle in deeper.

Bill chuckled with a shake of his head, before realizing it was his turn, "Never have I ever lied to a teacher." This time everyone took a shot, including Hermione, as she shared a smile with her two best friends, remembering the lie after the troll that had led them to become friends. It wasn't the last time they would lie to a teacher either, as already Ginny was ready to get in on the act. Thankfully there were three turns to get through while she figured out how she phrased it.

George forced the entire group (except Bill and Charlie) to drink when stating he'd never been part of a student militia, even as he downed a drink himself, and Fred followed up with a "Never have I ever snuck out to Hogsmeade," once again everyone - including himself taking a drink. Hermione had promptly followed suit with a claim of never returning a library book late, to which half the Weasleys' took shots before Ginny stared straight into Hermione's eyes and smirked once more - causing Hermione to shift nervously against Fred's side.

Instantly the group recognized this look, and everyone eagerly leaned forward, wanting to know what the newest revelation about their favorite bookworm would be. What she said, however, produced a stunned silence, especially with the casual delivery of the comment, "Never have I ever tried to feed a teacher to a Giant."

Hermione jumped to her feet, swaying heavily as she did so, her cheeks blazing red, "I'm not drinking to that! I didn't know Grawp was going to come out of nowhere! I was just . . . er . . . leading . . . uhm, well, I figured the Centaurs wouldn't hurt students! And Umbridge was in the way! We needed to get to the Ministry, and so . . . uh. AND he didn't eat her, she was clearly found and rescued, so I'm not drinking to that!" It didn't matter though - as the brunette swayed on her feet (Fred, at this point, had rewrapped his arm around her waist to try to keep her from toppling over), everyone was staring at her with various levels of shock and amazement.

It was Fred who gave a low whistle though, "She topped our big escape, Georgie! She out pranked us in our final year! What's a giant swamp and firework display compared to leading a teacher to death by a giant? She outplayed our final year big bang!" His voice wasn't angry though, it was filled with awe and admiration, and his eyes seemed to sparkle brighter, warmer, more delighted as both twins were beginning to see just what the bookworm was really made of. Fred had never been more convinced that she was the perfect bird for him.

Hermione huffed as she dropped to the ground, her arms folded, and made a face at Fred, "I'd hardly call it an attempt to out prank you! She was in our way. So . . . so . . . I kinda lied, said we were trying to reach Dumbledore through the floo, and that we had a weapon against the Ministry in the forest . . . . and then led her to it . . . . The centaurs came, but it was Grawp who reached her first, he's Hagrid's brother if you didn't know, but anyway . . . . we just needed her distracted." She mumbled, even as Harry chuckled and pressed a glass into her hand, making her drink to Ginny's phrase.

Fred couldn't take his eyes off of her though, the way she seemed to blush as she admitted what she'd done, but the determination and steel in her voice as she defended her actions. What had Ron always called her - Scary but brilliant. Yeah . . . he could see it; it finally was beginning to make sense . . . she was brilliant, beautiful, amazing, and perfect. Bloody Hell, she was perfect.

Harry was ready for this game to shift again, and this time a look was passed between Ron, George, and Harry as the black-haired man nodded to the oblivious Fred and Hermione. Ginny, catching the nod, nudged her boyfriend with her own big grin, and it was a silent decision then and there to change the context of the game. The point had been made - Hermione was more than suited for Fred, and the way Fred was staring at her, Harry (and grudgingly Ron) could finally see what George had been on about with Fred's infatuation. Maybe it was time to help their best friend.

"Never have I ever . . . . wanted to kiss someone in this room." There was a stunned silence, as the group suddenly paused, well aware that there were mostly siblings in the room before slowly glasses were raised. Harry and Ginny were no brainers, grinning at each other as they drank to Harry's comment. Ron followed, but it was the equally red Hermione and Fred who drank that had finally clued Bill and Charlie into just what this game had really been about tonight.

It was further proven when Ron gave the next phrase on his turn, "Never have I ever liked someone older than me." Ginny drank with no hesitation, but it was the almost too-quick glance of Hermione towards Fred as she raised her own glass that had Ron, Ginny and Harry realizing that this really just might work. At this point, Charlie was ready to help too.

"Oh come on, we can't just go one way with that. Never have I ever liked someone younger than me. Drink up Bill, ol' boy; your wife is much younger than you. And I'll raise a glass to the beautiful Hermione, any woman who can ride a dragon is worth a second glance." He chuckled with a playful wink. It was enough, however, to have Fred scowling at his brother, even as he took his own drink, his arm snaking back around the blushing and swaying Hermione and pulling her back into his side.

Hermione blinked up at him in surprise at the move, before happily settling against him, her cheeks flaming red again and the game was finally up for everyone but the two oblivious young adults cuddled against each other. Bill wasn't about to push the two together, however, firmly believing in letting things develop naturally - they didn't need any more of a push, and so he made a quick comment of never having failed a test which was declared boring (very loudly at that) by Fred and George - both of which took two shots in honor of just how badly they'd failed their OWLS.

George glanced towards his brother, who was whispering softly to Hermione and decided to follow Bill's lead of a slight break, hoping that perhaps his brother would make a move soon. "Never have I ever broke into another house's common room."

Of course, Harry and Ron took drinks, surprising a few, while Hermione pouted: she really had wanted to be with them when they had interrogated Malfoy, "I should be drinking to that too! Stupid cat hair!" Of course, her tipsy outburst had others wanting to know the story, "Uhm, we thought . . . Malfoy was the heir of Slytherin - in second year. So, we uh... may have . . . brewed polyjuice in a bathroom . . . . Harry and Ron were able to sneak in . . . . I accidentally added cat hair to mine." Bill almost fell over from laughing so hard, while everyone else seemed confused by her words, "The . . . potion isn't meant for animal transformations . . . I . . . had cat ears . . . and a tail . . . . and . . . it was awkward. Stop laughing, Bill."

Fred wasn't focused on the turning into a partial cat thing - okay so he was, he couldn't even begin to describe how hot that would look on her now, but he was more focused on the potion part, "You brewed a working Polyjuice potion . . . in a bathroom . . . in your SECOND YEAR? You have to come work for us!" He had to quickly explain his outcry when the others looked on in confusion, "I handle a lot of the experimentation and brewing of the potions for WWW, so I know my potions. Polyjuice is far beyond NEWT level. Can you imagine the items we could create with Hermione working with us? I knew she was amazing, but I didn't realize how perfect she really wa-" Suddenly realizing what he was saying, he turned bright red from his neck to his the tips of his ears, all the way into his hairline, all while Hermione stared at him in surprise, quietly mouthing the word 'perfect' in shock.

He couldn't not smile faintly at her surprise, god she was beautiful. And so, it was with his Gryffindor courage, that he finally raised a glass towards her, his voice dropping slightly into an almost growl, he couldn't ignore it anymore, he had to tell her. "Never have I ever been helplessly in love with Hermione Granger." Her eyes snapped open wider, sitting up from where she had cuddled up against him, her eyes tracking the glass as it moved to his lips, and he knocked it back with a roguish wink, hardly believing his words, or his actions. "And frankly, it's not the alcohol talking either." He added before she could try to deny what he was saying, "I've been wanting to do this for a while now. Years even." And tossing the cup to the ground, Fred tangled his fingers in her bushy curls, pulling her face towards him and kissing her deeply, with all the feelings he had locked away for as long as he could remember.

All around them, the group broke out in cheers, and general teasing remarks as Hermione flung her arms around Fred's shoulders, kissing him back. When he pulled away, grinning, Hermione couldn't help but smile again, "Never have I ever been helplessly in love with Fred Weasley since . . ." She paused, glancing at Ginny with a questioning look, "Fourth-year?" She asked, and Ginny shook her head, with a quick retort of Hermione first commenting about Fred in third. "Okay, so since Third year." She hadn't even gotten the glass to her lips before Fred pulled her in for a second growling kiss.

"That long?" He asked, finally pulling away from her, but keeping his fingers' threaded into her hair. She nodded with a shy but pleased smile, and he chuckled with a shake of his head, "I've been an idiot." He responded.

Hermione laughed softly, "If it helps, it didn't become a full-fledged crush until you tried to cross the age line in my fourth year to enter the Triwizard Tournament."

Fred chuckled, "I was originally planning to ask you to the Yule Ball, but George was too chicken to ask Angelina - had to help a twin out, and I just couldn't imagine any scenario where you might have said yes." He admitted, the game suddenly having switched to a back and forth form of confessions between the two.

Hemione smiled slightly, "I'd have probably expected it to be a prank if you had . . . but I'd have said yes anyway."

Fred could stop grinning, his voice pitching lower - hopefully, "So, say yes now. Will you go out with me? Be my girlfriend?"

Hermione smiled, "Never have I ever refused to go out with Fred Weasley." She didn't take a drink.