Heartbeats

Chapter One

AN- This is a Draco/Hermione fic. This chapter pretty much sets up the current situation. :)

January 15th 1996

Hermione gingerly shut the door behind her and quickly made her way across the desolate yard to the frozen pond. Chucking her house slippers off to the side, she hurriedly pulled on her ice-skates. She cautiously put one foot in front of the other onto the frozen water. Once she was sure it would hold Hermione let herself go wild. Hermione needed this. Needed to feel free again, but, most importantly, she needed to be done before Ron woke up and noticed she was gone.

Viciously she moved ever so elegantly. Pirouettes and jumps, twists, and turns. She was so concentrated on the way her body was so in sync with the frozen wonderland that she didn't even notice the tall, muscled red-head watching her from the bench. Making another speeding lap around the ice, Hermione's skate tip caught deeply in a rut in the ice, sending her skidding headfirst into a deep snow bank on the far side of the pond.

Fred laughed lightheartedly. Hermione's shoulders were shaking fiercely. Thinking she was laughing, Fred jogged over to her to join in on the fun. As he got closer, he heard light sobs coming from Hermione's half covered form.

"Awe come on Hermione, you didn't get that much snow up your knickers did ya?" Fred said, trying to lighten the mood. No response... Louder sobs emitted from the crumpled heap. Humor wasn't going to work for this situation. Fred sighed, he hated crying girls. He knelt down slowly and gently put his hands on Hermione's shoulders.

Mot realizing or even hearing someone come up because of the snow in her ears, when Hermione felt two large hands grabbing her shoulders and pulling her up out of the snow, she yelped and instinctively pulled back, not noticing the blue-gray eyes looking at her worriedly.

"It's okay Hermione. It's just me." Fred firmly, but calmly said. Once Hermione realized who was holding onto her she collapsed into his large frame, not worried is anyone heard her any longer.

Fred just kept holding her, rocking her slowly while rubbing her back gently. After a while the sobs slowly transitioned into small hiccups which died off eventually into slow, even breathing. When Fred was sure Hermione was sleeping, he conjured up a thick wool blanket and wrapped the both of them with it.

The morning rays from the rising sun over the frosty horizon were just reaching the very tops of the glistening trees as Hermione shifted and opened her eyes. She gasped when she realized where she was and who she was curled up in a blanket with. She tore away from Fred's sleeping form. She was halfway across the yard before Fred even realized what in Merlin's name was happening.

Hermione crept slowly up the creaky Burrow stairs. She slowly walked up to Ron and Harry's bedroom door and peeked inside. Ruffled sheets, but no Ron or Harry. Where were they? Then she heard the toilet flush from down the hall. Whether it was Ron or Harry, she didn't want to chance either of them finding her out this late, er, early?

Hermione quickly turned around to scamper down the hall to return to her and Ginny's shared room. She ran smack dab into a smooth, muscular chest. She looked up with tears threatening to fall down her rosy cheeks.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Harry asked groggily coming from the bathroom in his boxers.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" He said after seeing her teary eyes.

"Nothing," Ron said, "just had a nightmare is all." Ron fluidly pulled Hermione's small frame into his body and let her tears flow over him. Harry shrugged and grumbled something unintelligible, heading back into the bedroom. Ron roughly grabbed Hermione and pushed her into the wall hard.

"Where have you been Hermione?" Ron asked angrily.

"I was downstairs... I, I was going to make you some breakfast... I thought that you'd like it..." she trailed off.

"Liar."

SMACK. Hermione's head flew back into the wall and she slid down, defeated. Her lip bleeding slightly. Ready for what was surely next to come, she kept her eyes closed... Nothing... She opened her eyes slowly one at a time. Ron was walking away. Back to his bedroom, as if nothing had even happened. She cried, pulling her knees up to her chin.

She felt him pick her up bridal style gently. Felt the unfamiliar tug that could only be disapparation. Heard the all too familiar "pop". Felt the warm, comfortable bed; warm, strong, kind arms wrap themselves protectively. She felt safe.

July 4th 1997

"BOOM" the loud, bright firework lit up the orchard, momentarily highlighting two figures, hands interlaced, running through the trees. Fred stopped suddenly, turning around to catch Hermione's still running form in mid-stride and slamming his lips into her laughing ones.

"BOOM"

The two breathlessly pulled away from each other. Smiles adorning both of their sun-tanned faces.

"I've missed you, you know." Fred said, still slightly out of breath from running and their kiss.

"I've been here all summer, silly!" Replied Hermione. She smiled wider and kissed him this time.

"You know what I mean. I missed being able to do this," he kissed her again. "I miss being able to be with you, just us, alone, away from prying eyes," he kissed her on her neck and she giggled lightly.

"I know, love." Hermione replied still laughing. It felt so good to finally be able to stop pretending to just be his friend. It killed her whenever his family was around.

"I know you know," Fred said jokingly. "Speaking of, where is ickle Ronnikins? And how has he been treating you?" Fred's sharp eyes locked on Hermione's as another loud BOOM filled the air and sent sparks showering all around them.

"He's been suspicious of how happy I've been lately, but he got better after I told him no one would ask any questions if I'm happy. He was satisfied." Hermione went in for a kiss but Fred pulled back. Fred hated not being able to pummel his little brother into smithereens, and he would too, every time he heard that he even touched her, if damn Hermione didn't have him wrapped around her pretty little finger. He knew she could handle herself most of the times. But Fred knew sometimes Ron caught everyone off guard.

"Hermione, love, you evade my other question."

"He's inside the house setting the tables with your sister per your mother's wand." She answered satisfactory.

"Hermione Jean..."She sighed heavily and pulled her tank top up to just under her bra-line. A yellow and green hand-sized bruise was right under her rib cage standing out like a Weasley in Japan. Fred's blood boiled this was the last straw. He loved his brother dearly but he just couldn't let him do this anymore! Not to his Hermione. She didn't deserve it!

"Hermione... That's it I'm not taking this anymore. I love you, but I'm not watching Ron still hurt you when I'm supposed to be protecting you!" Fred put Hermione down and turned back towards the Burrow. Hermione grabbed his arm as hard as she could and yanked him back to her. He turned around sharply.

"What?" He yelled, as soon as he said it he regretted yelling towards her, this wasn't her fault. But Fred did not change his mind, he was angry, and he was going to solve this problem.

"What did you say?" She asked quietly, her big brown eyes brimming with tears looked up hopefully at him. Realizing what she was talking about Fred's cheeks got as red as his hair.

"N-nothing. I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about about Hermione, now if you'll excuse me..." Hermione caught Fred and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, reached up on her tip-toes and whispered softly into his ear,

"I love you too, Fred Weasley." She smiled and kissed him. All thoughts other than the two lovers in the orchard were forgotten. Fireworks raining down all around them.

May 2nd 1998

Hermione searched frantically for the red-head. Chaos everywhere. Two hands seized her roughly from behind and pulled her into an empty classroom. Hermione, alarmed, turned around with her wand being yanked out pf her pocket only to be caught in a soft, yet one of the most passionate kisses she'd ever had.

"Fred!" Hermione cried and wrapped herself around him tightly.

"I was so scared I thought I'd never find you!" Fred kissed her again, harder, needier this time. He backed away suddenly.

"Hermione, I love you."

"Fred, love, I know. I love you too! But now we know each other is safe, we must get back to the battle, I have to meet Ron by the third floor bathrooms."

"Hermione, just listen, please," Fred continued, "You are the last person I would have ever guessed that I would fall in love with. You're smart, beautiful, and funny. You are everything I've ever wanted and more. You're the only person that makes my heart beat faster, and slower at the same time." Hermione let her tears come in loud, happy sobs as Fred got down on one knee in front of her and reached into his rumpled pocket. He took out a deep blue, tiny velvet box and opened it.

"Hermione Je-"

"Yes!" She yelled. "Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes!" Fred let his own joyful tears come to his eyes as he stood and hugged Hermione as tightly as he could.

"You didn't even let me finish goof-ball." He laughed and cried. He'd never been this happy in his entire life. Hermione let Fred put the small princess cut Ruby set in a silver band, very simple, but very Hermione, on her small ring finger. He kissed her. So much love, passion, every emotion under the sun was put into that one kiss.

"Fred, I've got to go. I love you!" Hermione pulled away reluctantly and headed towards the closed door, towards the screaming, banging, and smoke. Fred grabbed her one last time, pulled her in close and whisper in her ear,

"June, I've always wanted a wedding in June. I love you Hermione, always." And he was gone. Around the corner and into the smoke and rubble. Off to fight for his home, family, friends, and her.

I love hearing reviews and the such. not my first story, but my first D/H story. I've always had a soft spot for the twins, so yeah. LOL I'll be updating every week at the latest, I've got the second chapter close to done maybe... the chaptters seemed soo much longer in my notebook than they turn out on here haha

anyway, comment/fav/alert whatevs :)

thankyou!