BOY, GIRL AND A TIME TUNER
CHAPTER1: New Term, New Secret
Everything about her made him curious; like her bushy hair, cute little face and bossy eyes. Since the first time he met her at train. He felt something moving inside him whenever he met her. But he hated the girls who are book wormy, know-it-all and does not possess a single humor bone. And how she, Harry and his brother Ron get away with all that rule breaking they had done for past two years made him feel little jealous of her. All together she made him curious.
"Don't be silly," said Hermione shortly. "Of course I won't be in three classes at once."
"But —"
"Oh, Ron, what's it to you if my timetable's a bit full?" Hermione snapped. "I told you, I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall."
There is a twinkle in her eyes Fred noticed. Something mischievous, a new thing added to the list of things Fred was curious about. How Hermione attends three classes at once?
Then one day he once saw her outside transfiguration class and when he reached common room she was already there. She never walked past him and he didn't wander around castle since all teachers especially McGonagall breathing over his neck trying to find out secret pathways inside castle after all that rumors about Sirius Black.
"When did you get here?" He asked Hermione who was sitting in the middle of a pile of books. She looked up hesitated to take her eyes of from precious essay she has been writing.
"She is sitting there for an hour, where have you been? I was searching for you all over the castle." George answered his question. As they walked away Fred thought about all that happened. He must have mistaken someone else for her. Or she has a twin like him. That explains everything; nobody can study that much with a single brain.
He can't sleep that night. Secrets are always has a terrible effect on him. Last year he searched all over castle for secret chamber despite the dangers. Next morning he told George about his suspicions.
"Hahaha. Hermione's twin? What happen to your imagination, Fred?" George said holding his stomach.
Fred: Ok, that twin thing is bit overboard. What about the other things?
George: You have a point. We need to get her schedule first.
Fred: Already get it from Ron. Morning nine she has three classes- Divination, Arithmancy and Muggle Studies.
George: Muggle Studies, why did she study Muggle Studies?
Fred: You know she is mental.
George: Let's go to great hall. After breakfast you go and check on her, I will make up some excuse for you.
"You are a life saver brother mine" Fred said with a smile.
When Fred and George reached great hall for breakfast Hermione was leaving for her class with a bunch of third years. They joined Harry and Ron were discussing chance of Gryffindor victory against Slytherin upcoming quidditch match. Following Hermione wasn't a hard task for Fred. But there was a better way to find out what she is doing without raising any suspicion. He got up to leave. George gave an understanding nod. He found an empty class room took out his wand and an old piece of parchment from his pocket. He tap his wand on the parchment and said under his breath "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good"
Map of Hogwarts appeared on parchment and small moving dots and labels indicating people inside the castle. For a second he can't believe his eyes, Hermione was present in not one but three location inside the castle. He was nowhere nearer to finding out the secret but this is a confirmation that something is going on. The map never lies. He has been using this map for five years. It was always right. Somehow he knew whatever the secret is it is full of possibilities. In his hand it would worth thousand new tricks. He waits patiently- after one hour one of Hermione started to move along with a dozen other students. Arithmancy class is over. He didn't want to risk losing her and also he want to witness her little new trick. He ran towards Arithmancy class.
He saw her moving towards Divination class. That was strange; there is already a Hermione in divination class. Why is she going there? Then he saw Second Hermione who was in divination class start moving in map. Three of them were converging to a common point. He wants to see the meeting between two Grangers. He hid in a broom closet watching both corridor and map. Any moment now they will meet. Suddenly he saw Hermione from Arithmancy class start walking back. She seems to be in a hurry. From her movements Fred could tell that she doesn't want to meet the other Granger. She is searching for a place to hide or an alternate way. She couldn't find both. Fred decided to help her. He went behind her back placed one of his hand on her mouth and other around her waist and took or practically dragged her to the broom closet. "AAAHHHH" He shrieked in pain. Hermione's parents can get a detailed dental report her from Fred's hand. She bit him so hard all thirty of her teethes made impressions on his hand.
"Fred, what are you doing?" She screamed trying to catch breath. He can see terror in her face which is now fading slowly.
"Shhh" he said placing his finger on her lips. She took his hand wipe it with her hand kerchief.
"I saw you were trying to hide. Thought I could help. Didn't mean to scare you. Who are you hiding from anyway?" Said Fred expecting a clever lie in return.
Hermione took a little time to come up with a lie "You know from Ron. He is upset with me since Crookshanks try to attack Scabbers. And I am upset with him too."
"That's silly of him." –said Fred.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
"Hiding of course. Missed my transfiguration class today. McGonagall is coming this way, don't wanna run into her." –he said without hesitation. He expected that question so prepared a convincing lie.
They heard third years moving through corridor. Fred was watching them through a hole. She got alarmed and pulled him back. She didn't want him to saw other Hermione. Fred lost his balance and both of them fell on the wall. A strange warm feeling rises in his heart. He forgot that he was on the top and should get up first. It takes three punches in his shoulder and a kick in his knee for him to realize that. He move away and give his hand to Hermione who was struggling with the wall to get up. This is the first time in three years they are spending some time alone. Still it doesn't felt strange or weird. As she moved to open the door Fred get hold of her other wrist- kind of an involuntary action. He let her go as soon as he realized what he doing. Now it felt weird because he didn't want to let her go. He just stood there watching her walking away.
He watched Hermione dot moving towards divination class in the map. It stopped near divination class and just vanished.
