Chapter 2
Authors Note: I want to thank chocolateMnMs for the very first review on this story. It's because of you the next chapter is up within a day. Enjoy!
"Not happening." Fred snapped, "No way in hell." He was whispering quickly as to try to make himself unheard by the deatheaters and the few terrified customers who couldn't escape the store quickly enough.
"I have to go." She whispered back and Fred swore he felt himself drifting back to his sixth year.
*Flashback*
"I have to go." Hermione said, "I said I would."
"Well you could always say you can't now." Fred suggested, Hermione smiled slightly. Fred, who had always kept his composure with the ladies felt his cheeks heat up. He was so going to… what was that muggle phrase… lose his cool? It was just that she looked so beautiful tonight. That dress and even her hair, he imagined she knew some heavy-duty spells on that front.
"Fred, stop messing with me." Hermione scolded, "I have to go meet Krum now, and I'll see you at the ball." With that she was gone.
Fred recalled how much he used to admire Krum, those feeling felt far away now. After a few moments he heard a familiar voice from behind him.
"We do have our dates as well, Forge." It was George, Fred was busted.
"I was only joking, Gred. " Fred replied, a little too quickly.
"I'm sure you were." George muttered, "I'll distract Krum so you can get a dance in tonight, probably only one though. I don't know how long I can feed that ridiculously large ego for with vomiting."
Yeah, Fred had a fantastic twin.
All night Fred tried to distract himself with Angelina, and as much as they were good friends it was hard not to notice Hermione. He found himself wondering when she had grown up. Then it hit him.
In first year she had helped harry get to Voldemort and had only left him when it was necessary. Second year she was petrified and still managed to find out that the basilisk was behind all the attacks. And by third year, he would actually never know but whatever happened clearly made her less uptight and tense, not that she still wasn't her usual school-obsessed self but she seemed more… real. Even after the gossip Rita Skeeter was spreading around she maintained her composure. Hermione had grown up much too quickly, but she had handled it with such grace it was hardly noticeable.
"Operation inflate Krum's ego is now in effect." George whispered to Fred. Fred looked over to see that Krum was walking towards the punch bowl, one that George had spiked earlier, and had left Hermione sitting at one of the tables. George followed Krum to the punch as Fred made his way to Hermione.
"Fred," Hermione smiled, "How's your night going?"
"Pretty good," Fred replied, "But it would be amazing if you'd honor me with a dance." Hermione laughed and got up from the table, taking Fred's hand.
There was one word to describe the feeling he had as he glided across the floor with Hermione, heaven.
That was the day Fred Weasley fell for his little brothers best friend.
*Present Day*
"Hermione, we'll figure this out. I'm not going to let them take you." Fred whispered onto her hair.
"As sickly sweet as this is I'm afraid we're going have to pick up the pace." Another deatheater said. He pointed his wand at Georges head, George kept a steady glare at the deatheater.
"Ms. Granger, if you'd so kindly come with us we won't need to kill Mr. Weasley here." Fred bit down his tongue so hard he tasted blood.
"I'm afraid I can't let that happen." Hermione said, loud enough for the deatheaters to hear her.
"Yes and how do you figure that?" The deatheater laughed.
It took Fred a moment to realize what was happening but by the time Hermione had grabbed the wand out of his pocket he knew what he had to do.
"Expelliarmus!" The wand flew out of the deatheaters hand and George dived behind a counter.
"Flipendo!" Another deatheater flew back.
"Aguamenti!" A large blast of water flew from the wand, disorienting the remaing deatheaters. George screamed for the few customers left behind to run which they all did and successfully escaped while Fred half-carried half-dragged Hermione to the storage room, George behind them. They slammed the door and whispered a small charm that locked the door from the inside and prevented anyone from entering.
"Muffliato." Hermione muttered, still holding Fred's wand. She was utterly exhausted, and was practically falling asleep in Fred's arms.
"Hermione that was bloody brilliant." George panted.
"You are amazing, you know that?" Fred said, Hermione smiled weakly before passing out in Fred's arms.
"'Mione?" Fred said, panicked.
"Calm down mate." George said, "She's tired, let her rest." Fred nodded and leaned against the wall, readjusting Hermione so that her head was resting on his shoulder.
"Bloody hell, George, what are we going to do?" Fred sighed.
George shook his head.
"I have no idea."
Authors Note: Hope you enjoyed it! R&R please!