Author's note: Takes place in no particular time period. Keep in mind, that I'm one of the writers that like to ignore that Fred died and never came back for a better education. :)

Written for: mrsginnypotter12347

Written because of the absolute brilliance of the:

Secret Santa Competition! on Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges Forum.

I own nothing. :)


The Diving Escapade


Fred knew that something was wrong when he saw Hermione Granger diving behind the whimsical Christmas tree. He was quite surprised that no one else gave notice to that unusual acrobatic display but with a shrug he began to look around the common room for anything that could have disturbed the most knowledgeable witch of the century. There were no known or suspected Death Eaters hanging about. There were no professors to hide from- wait, Hermione Granger never needed to hide from them! Maybe she was avoiding a fellow student but he didn't know Hermione well enough to know if she was avoiding anyone.

He silently debated the wisdom of joining Hermione behind the Christmas tree but how could he leave her alone? That expression of pure anguish upon her exquisite face had practically cut his heart in half! With ease he joined her behind the Christmas tree and stole her wand. He didn't want to be accidentally or purposely cursed by the most knowledgeable witch of the century. He was greeted by her tearstained face.

"George," Hermione shakily asked him.

"No, Hermione," he gently told her, "It's me, Fred."

"Oh," Hermione numbly replied.

"You look like you could use a hug," Fred murmured as he held his arms out to her.

She gave him a dubious look. It provoked him into giving her a large grin.

"I have no pranks on hand, at the moment," he cheekily told her.

She quietly giggled before she wrapped her arms around him. Fred did his best to ignore the prickly branches that accusingly poked at him and scratched at his face. He was surprised that Hermione and he had managed to get behind the tree without dislodging all the ornaments that hung on the tree. He gently rubbed her back as she quietly cried. He was slowly growing aware that his shirt was becoming soaked by each tear that fell.

"What happened, Hermione," he quietly asked her.

"I saw him… kissing her. Yesterday morning, I had told him that I had fancied him. I thought that he had fancied me too. He had said that he did, anyway," she faintly told him.

"Who is he," Fred lightly asked her.

Hermione searchingly gazed into his eyes before asking him, "You promise not to prank him?"

"Me prank him? Never!"

He could always convince his twin to prank the lying coward.

"Ron," she quietly told him.

"Who?"

"Your brother,Ron," Hermione nervously told him.

Fred clenched his fist and fought the urge to growl. He was going to kill his brother! Unfortunately, killing his brother would have to wait since he was still holding Hermione.

"Thank you, Fred," Hermione sleepily told him.

She had unintentionally interrupted his planning.

"Welcome," he muttered as he felt his ears turning a bright red.

He hoped that she would not notice.

"Fred?"

"Yeah," he quietly asked her.

"Don't ever stoop to Ron's level," she absentmindedly told him.

"Anything for you, Hermione," he sincerely replied.


Author's note: Merry Christmas to you all! What do you guys think? Do you have any praise to give? ;)

Best of Luck,

Griffin