I would like to take a moment and say that oo1. If I have grammar of any kind like punctuation, or spelling mistakes, I'm sorry. We all have them and I can't be perfect. oo2. Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and favoriting the story! You all are lovely people and I'll drag this story out as long as I can, promise!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does.

Special thanks to - Marielle. I'll probably be thanking her throughout this fanfiction ;)

A burst of cool air had hit her, Hermione snapped out of her thought's, and the memories that washed over her. Those almond eye's casually took one glance to the window nearest to her, which seemed to be blasted to bits. Rubble was all around, and gaping holes in the walls were seen. However, as she surveyed the area, she was only looking for one thing, and that was Fred Weasley.

Almond eye's continued to lazily go over minor details, but she was hoping for a sign of Fred at any given moment. Seconds passed, minutes passed, and Hermione was still walking around on the seventh floor. Bloody hell did that Weasley manage to occupy himself. Well, it did seem boring up here, especially if you were the only one to be assigned to this area. A soft crunching sound was heard, Hermione whipped her head into the direction to not see Fred, but to see a black mass. It was a Death Eater, and he seemed rather agitated. With one flick of his wand, a spell was sent straight to her.

Before Hermione could even react, a tall, lanky Weasley put himself right in front of her. His wand had deflected the spell that was originally sent to Hermione. Heart quickened in pace once more, the smell of Fred suddenly pierced her nostrils. And then, within minutes, two large, yet firm hands taken her behind a wall. Back pressed against it, both her and Fred could hear the spells hitting the opposite side of the wall that they were on. "T-thank you, Fred," Hermione breathed out within panicked gasps.

"No problem, 'Mione," he said. One thing that struck her to her core was even at this moment, of being cornered, Fred had managed to give her that half smirk he always gave. A sudden blush went to her cheeks as she quickly closed her eyes. The Death Eater was closing in on them, and the more spells he seemed to send their way, the more rubble came off the wall and onto them both.

"Ahh!" Hermione suddenly yelled, as a large chunk of the wall came off and barreled down onto her arm. And sadly, it was the same arm which held Bellatrix's wand. A shattering crunch was heard, and it was broken into bits.

"Hermione! Are you okay?" Concern filled the Weasley boys voice as he quickly took off the fallen debris and pulled her into his chest.

Once again, Hermione's mind swirled. "Y-yeah. But the wand," she paused and gazed down to the broken bits of it, bringing her hand up to her own chest, cradling it. "I can't protect myself." A soft sign was given as she winced.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you, 'Mione." Fred's voice seemed so soft to her. Her heart skipped a beat once he hugged her closer. Both of her almond hues closed, taking in every moment she had with Fred. It felt so right, but it was so wrong. It wasn't Ron. The man she fell in love with, the man who she is currently dating. And the man who was her first kiss. Every time she thought of him though, her mind immediately went back to Fred. But why?

His voice broke her train of thought, "I'll stop the Death Eater, you stay behind this wall and don't move," without her protesting, he stood up and left her behind the wall. A small knot began to form into Hermione's stomach.

Hearing the two battle behind the wall, Hermione heard a sudden silence. And then, footsteps sounded. Quickly glancing to the walls edge, she could see a shadow growing bigger and bigger. Finally, the shadow stopped and that familiar large hand, and bushy red hair peaked from the edge. "I told you, I would protect you, 'Mione. Now, let's go before anything else happens." Once more, that Weasley half smirk was seen on his features. Without saying a word, she was helped up with her good hand. Hermione still cradled her wounded hand and left Bellatrix's wand behind.

Fred's arm draped over her shoulders, bringing her into his side. That damn scent went back into her nostrils. Clutching her wounded hand, which throbbed every step they took, her and Fred headed back to the stairs.

"How'd you find me?" A now full smirk was plastered onto his face, as he stopped momentarily before they would cascade down the stairs. "Did Granger use the Marauder's Map?" His voice sounded mischievous, and the gleam in his eyes matched the sound of it. It would be rather funny in his opinion if he heard her say, I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good. She seemed to be a stuck up, know-it-all, and getting into rebellious things didn't seem to be her style. However, she was his little brother's girlfriend. When Ron was around Fred and George, so was Hermione. Maybe his bad habits rubbed off on her? Either way, he didn't care. He thought it to be cute.

Cute.

Those brown eyes met the gaze of her almond ones. Fred now looked down to Hermione with a full grin. Cute was the proper word for her. She was the cute bookworm, and the cute know-it-all. Wait! Was he thinking that his little brother's girlfriend was cute? Blinking suddenly, he realized what he was doing. He was thinking that Hermione Jean Granger, the girl who had always tried to stop him and his twin from doing mischief, was cute? Mentally slapping himself, he couldn't stop. Every time she smiled up at him, or her petite figure up against his large figure, it made him nearly go mad.

Was Fred Weasley falling for Hermione Granger?

ϟ ϟ ϟ

A sound of breaking glass was heard. Both of them looked in that general direction and more Death Eaters came through the now, broken window.

It didn't take much time to register in her mind that they were outnumbered. And her, losing her wand, didn't help much either. They were so close to freedom, so close to seeing their friends and family faces again, but now - all of that was gone. One thing she wanted most of all, was Fred to be alive. Watching one of the Death Eater's raise his wand to them both, Hermione took in a deep breath and did what she had to do.

Pushing Fred out of the way harshly, he stumbled near the steps that lead downward. Before he could realize what had just happened, a large explosion sounded in the corridor. The Death Eater's had scattered, and some were trapped underneath of the rubble.

Frantically, his brown eyes searched the rubble. No sign of Hermione.

Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he now began to move the debris. "Hermione! Hermione! HERMIONE!" Fred continued to call out her name as he kept moving things aside. After about five minutes of searching, he wasn't going to give up, "Oh please, Hermione...please be alive!" Fred's voice cracked, as his actions began to quicken.

A soft groan was heard near him. He suddenly stopped, to see if he heard it again. "Ugh..." Now, he could hear it as plain as day. Tossing aside the fallen wall and part of the ceiling, he could see a bob of brown, bushy hair, and two arms out in front of it. His heart nearly dropped into his stomach - he found Hermione.

"Hermione!" She didn't answer back, but he knew she was alive from the previous groans. It took two minutes to reveal her battered, and bleeding body.

"FRED! HERMIONE!" A loud sound of footsteps pierced Fred's ears as he had Hermione in his lap.

The first to see her was Ron, who quickly grabbed her from Fred. "Hermione! Hermione.. oh Merlin...please be alive." Pressing her face into his chest, he could hear her groaning into it.

"She's well enough alive, but badly injured," Fred had said. He was now rejoined with George who put an arm around his shoulder lazily, as if he did it all his life. "We need to get her medical attention, and fast." Fred's voice sounded concerned, and George took notice of it, "What happened brother mine?" George asked. "Death Eater's caused an explosion. Hermione pushed me out of it, and..." His eyes trailed to the wreckage, and the place where he had found Hermione. Fred never finished his sentence.

As Ron held her closely, he noticed her breathing, but it was shallow. "You're going to be alright, Hermione..." Ron softly said. Hermione muttered something, but it wasn't very audible. However, her almond eyes fluttered open, but her vision was blurred. All she could see were numerous blobs of heads, and the sound of echoing voices. But as the voices continued to echo, and fade, so did her vision. Seconds later, her body stayed still, and no more life was seen out of her, only the rising and falling of her chest.

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter! I know I did.

Anyway, stay tuned for Chapter 3!

Reviews are welcomed and encouraged! Thank you for reading!