George sank down onto the edge of the mattress, resting his leg on it, his knee digging into Fred's side.

"Sod off, George," Fred mumbled into his pillow.

"It is, in case you were unaware, Christmas."

"I know what sodding day it is." He turned his head and glared. "Now fuck off."

"Mum's expecting us for breakfast."

"If Mum's read the letters I've sent, she's expecting precisely what she'll get, which is you, by yourself." Fred turned away from his brother. "So go away."

"You've got some presents."

Fred whirled around and shoved George off the bed. "Leave me the fuck alone, George."

He got off the floor slowly, his eyes never leaving Fred's. "It's been two months."

"I know exactly how long it's been."

"Then you should know exactly how long I'm going to keep putting up with your shit. So get up, get dressed. We're going home."

"No. I'm…"

"Fine. I'll tell Ron that you're sulking at home, so not only will he have the girl, he'll know that your own damn plot backfired on you and he'll have the last laugh."

"I'm in love with her, George."

"Yeah? Well, so's Ron." George shrugged. "The only difference is that she's in love with him too."

Fred stood outside the Burrow, listening to the raucous din coming from inside. George was levitating Crookshanks and, if he listened closely, he could hear Hermione's soft protests. He turned to leave, stopping at the sight of his younger brother. His jaw tightened, the pulse jumping. "Ron."

"'Lo, Fred." Ron cleared his throat. "Happy Christmas."

"You too."

"Going inside?"

"No. I think I left the teakettle on. George'd kill me if I burned the shop down."

"Mum…Mum misses you. I overheard her talking to Dad last night. She said you never come 'round."

"Shop's busy. Business is booming."

"That's great."

"Isn't it." He cleared his throat. "Look, I better get back."

"Ron?"

Fred closed his eyes, his body practically jerking with reaction to her voice.

"Oh. Hello, Fred."

He managed a strangled whisper. "Hermione."

"Happy Christmas."

"You too." He laughed somewhat hysterically. "You'll both excuse me, won't you? I'm sure I've left the kettle on." He didn't turn around, didn't look at her. There was a loud crack and a sharp crackle in the air and he was gone.

"That went well." Ron sighed. "Damn."

Hermione looked over her shoulder where George was waiting in the doorway. "George?"

"I don't know. He came." His worry showed in his eyes. "That's a start."

Fred looked up as the fire sparked to life. He closed his book and folded his hands on top of it, biting the inside of his cheek to keep his emotions in check. "Hello, Hermione." He schooled his voice, prepared for her now. "Ron let you come, did he? I guess now that you're actually dating he can afford to be magnanimous."

"I didn't ask Ron for permission to come, Fred."

"And my little brother's fine with you being here alone with me?"

"Did you plan on doing something he'd need to be worried about?"

"Of course not. That's the kicker isn't it?" He leaned back, forcing himself to act relaxed. "It doesn't matter what I want to do. You're in love with him."

"It doesn't mean that I didn't love you, Fred. That I don't love you."

"All my mother talks about is how you and Ron are so perfect together, how you're each other's destiny. At least until I'm within earshot and then suddenly she'd rather talk about Voldemort or the end of the world."

"I never meant to hurt you."

"Well, I never meant to fall for you." He shrugged and looked away. "Guess we both got a raw deal."

"Do you want me to leave the Burrow, Fred?"

"So I can be blamed for you leaving? For Ron following you? No." He met her eyes for the first time. "Stay. Be happy. I'll come around eventually. Ask anyone. Can't keep a good Weasley down."

"George says the shop's doing well."

"Yeah. Your ideas are a hit. Our female clientele is almost as large as the male. George wants us to start marketing more adult themed products, but I'm a little leery of carrying anything I don't want Mum to see. Not that she's set foot in here so far."

"She's been here before…" Her face flushed and her eyes darted to the couch. "But not…not in the shop, right?"

"You should go home, Hermione. Really. I'm fine. Or I will be. I just need to find something or someone…" He chuckled bitterly. "Maybe I should see what Luna's up to, huh?"

Her voice was sharp. "She's dating Neville."

"Of course she is." He sighed and gave her a half-hearted smile. "You don't get to do that, you know?"

"Do what?"

"Be jealous."

"I was your girlfriend for three months, Fredrick. I think I have every right in the world to be jealous if I so wish."

"That'd be a valid argument if you weren't shagging my little brother."

"We're not." She blushed crimson. "I mean…"

"I don't want details." He held up his hand to stop her threatened babbling. "Please."

She bowed her head and nodded then dug something from the pocket of her coat. "I brought you a present."

"I don't want it."

"Please?" She held out the small package. He refused to take it and she sighed. "Please, Fred?"

He grasped it with trembling fingers and unhooked the string, pulling the paper away. Inside was a small, framed picture, Hermione waving from her broom. "You're flying? And smiling?"

"I had an exceptional teacher."

"Thank you. For the picture." He looked around at everything but her. "I had a gift for you, but it's vastly inappropriate. So I'm more than happy to stock you up with whatever sweets your heart desires to turn Hogwarts into the school of practical jokes it was back in my day."

"All of a year ago."

He shrugged. "Legends fade so quickly these days."

"Says someone who's friends with a living legend?"

"There is that, isn't there?"

"I want it."

"What?"

"The present. The inappropriate one."

"You don't."

"Is it sexy?"

"Hermione…"

"Accio my present!"

"Hermione." He grabbed the box out of the air as it flew toward her, lifting it out of her reach. She stood on tiptoe, stretching to catch it from him, one hand on his chest as she leaned into him. Fred dropped his gaze, staring directly into her melting brown eyes. His voice changed, dropped huskily. "Hermione."

"I want my present, Fred."

He lowered it, reveling in the feel of her body against his, the soft brush of breasts and breath as she settled back on her feet, opening the box. Inside was a thin gold chain, two small charms dangling from it. She pulled it free and held it up to the light, smiling as she recognized a witch's hat and a broomstick. "It's lovely."

"It's sappy. And completely inappropriate for the girl who's dating my brother." He curled his fingers around it between her two hands. "Let it go, Hermione."

"I want it."

"You can't…"

She rose on tiptoe again and pressed her mouth to his. Fred groaned and released the chain, his hands moving to her waist, holding her away from him despite the overwhelming urge to pull her close. It was wild and hot, her tongue darting through his mouth, exploring, remembering as her hands moved up to frame his face, holding him still as she nipped at his lips, licking and sucking and tasting him.

Fred jerked away, panting hard and stumbling free of her. "Don't do that. Don't…don't kiss me if you can't love me." He clutched at the counter for support, sitting hard on one of the stools. "Please?"

"I do love you, Fred."

He pulled her to him and kissed her again, his heart breaking in his chest as her tongue slid inside him once more, capturing his, sucking it gently into her mouth. He tasted her tears, his tears, and pulled away, the sharp salty tang like fire.

He stroked her cheek with his thumb, dropping it down to her lower lip, parting it from the top one in a movement as soft and seductive as a kiss. He shook his head sadly and released her for the last time.

"Not enough."