-1"We were going to make the magical ceiling of the Great Hall nonexistent over spring break," Fred said quietly. "But we thought that might interrupt people's studying, so we put it off." Hermione looked up at the twins. To be honest, she was a little surprised by their thoughtfulness. Hermione could see the attraction of getting rid of the ceiling. It would make the outside weather would flow into the heart and soul of the school, and it would be funny because people wouldn't think of the ceiling. Plus, it would create a great deal of trouble for Umbridge. She was shocked that the twins would put off such their grand plan to accommodate studying.

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Late that night, around three o'clock in the morning, Hermione crept out of the girls' dormitory into the common room. She couldn't sleep. She didn't know what she expected to gain by coming down to the common room, but she knew she couldn't stay in bed. Maybe, she thought to herself, I'll relax a little if I sit in front of the room. She came into the room and was surprised to find that it wasn't empty. In front on the dancing flames sat Fred. His eyes were closed, and the fire cast a strange light onto his face. With the shadows and the way he leaned forward, looking intently into the fire, he seemed almost…sad.

Her feet scuffled along the floor and Fed looked up. When he saw who it was, he gave her a small smile and patted the couch next to him. As she sat, he asked, "What are you doing up so late?" Hermione leaned back into the couch and tilted her head to look at him. "Couldn't sleep," she answered softly.

For awhile, they sat in silence, just enjoying the warmth of the fire and quiet comradity. Then Hermione turned to him again said, softly, "Why did you put off pulling the prank? It would have been perfect and it would have caused Umbridge so much trouble." "I put it off because I knew it would disturb you," he answered quietly. "You're Ron's best friend, and like it or not, you're my friend too. Wouldn't want to mess up you're thousands of perfect outstanding O.W.L.S." He reached out and patted her hand. "Plus, it will cause more trouble if we do it during term time. More people will be here, and Umbridge will have to deal with regular business as well as this." Hermione laughed lightly. Fred wondered at the tingle that the sound sent up his back.

"Why are you really awake this late?," he finally asked. "There's just so much on my mind. O.W.L.s and Umbridge and You-Know-Who…it's a wonder I ever get to sleep at all," she replied lightly. "But I'm worried," she continued more seriously. Then she looked at him intently for a moment. "What are you doing up so late?" she countered. "Couldn't sleep," he answered, a meaningful twinkle in his eyes.

Hermione sensed that he was hiding something. The twins usually made their plans together, and she could not imagine why he would be up so late unless it was to formulae one of their master plans. But she didn't press him. Instead, she leaned forward and picked up a book at random off the table. She curled up in the corner of the couch and began to read. Fred studied the fire with unusual intensity for several minutes before he finally turned back to her. "Hermione, do you believe in fate?" he asked finally. She looked up, surprised as much by the seriousness in his voice as she was by the question. "I don't know," she replied thoughtfully. "I suppose I believe in fate when I need to." Fred considered her answer for a moment, then said softly, "I suppose I'm up for the same reason you are. Everything seems to have been slipping slowly away from normal ever since we found out that Voldemort had returned, and I guess you're not the only who's worried. I'd like to be able to believe that everything was planned out by some greater power, that everything will turn out the way it should, but I don't think I can."

Hermione was quiet. She was surprised to say the least. This was a side of Fred she had never seen before and knew she unlikely to see again any time in the near future. She wasn't sure how to respond to his sudden confidence in her. Finally, she reached out and took his hand. "I don't know whether there is some master plan or some power to guide us," she began. "But I do know that everything will turn out okay. Even if everything doesn't turn out the way we think it should, it will still be okay." She sighed deeply. "There are things more powerful than pain that help us to heal and to carry on at the darkest of times." "How can you be so sure, so secure when everything could go up in flames at any moment?" Fred asked.

Hermione was silent for a moment, and then she came to a decision. She would tell Fred a secret that she had up until now told only to Harry and Ron. She only hoped that she was making the right decision.