The Portkey

Fred didn't get the full night of sleep he was looking for, but figured it didn't matter when he watched Hermione shove his twin awake, moment after she had done the same to him.

She looked like a very tired, disheveled angel.

Merlin he was so screwed.

She shook him half-heartedly one more time before leaving the room to get ready for the day. Once she was out of the room he buried his head in his pillow and groaned.

"She is kinda hot isn't she?" George mentioned sleepily.

Fred threw one of the fake wands that were lying next to his bed, smiling in a satisfied sort of way when George let out a yelp.

xXxXxXxXxXx

He was half asleep at the kitchen table when Hermione and Ginny finally joined them. He heard Ginny complain a bit about the time (like he wanted to be up at the arse-crack of dawn?), but he was having a bit of trouble keeping up with Hermione in sight.

She was looking a little more awake, and much more put together, wearing a pair of jeans and a frilly tank top, and Fred had to force himself to look away from her and at his mother, who was now shouting at him and George.

"Oh yeah," he muttered, dumping the pockets of his jeans and sweater, revealing a bunch of the Ton-Tongue Toffees like Harry's cousin had eaten.

Hermione gave him a reproachful look, and he tried his best to look guilty.

Now thoroughly stripped of the candies, Fred and George quickly grabbed their rucksacks and headed out the door, Hermione hot on their heels.

"I don't know why I'm surprised," she muttered darkly, getting a smile from each of them.

"…behave yourselves!" she heard Mrs. Weasley call. She snuck between the two of them and nudged them each in the ribs. They reluctantly turned around to wave good-bye to their mother, who brightened considerably.

"Thank you," Hermione said.

"Only for you Hermione," they responded in unison, causing the girl in question to crack a smile to match theirs.

The walk to Stoatshead Hill was long and tedious, but the three friends spent in with a comfortable silence, listening to Mr. Weasley teach Harry a little more about the Wizarding World.

At the bottom of the steep, nasty hill Hermione paused, looking up at the top warily. She wasn't out of shape, but sports were not something she excelled in; she felt like the stupid hill was taunting her.

One moment she was standing at the bottom, her feet planted firmly on the ground. The next, the twins were carrying her between them like she weighed maybe ten pounds.

She rolled her eyes and pretended to protest, but she was very glad to not have to endure that climb.

The dropped her delicately once they reached the top, panting only slightly.

They spread out to help Mr. Weasley search for the portkey, when they heard a voice they didn't recognize calling them over.

Amos Diggory stood next to a moldy old book, his son coming up behind him.

"This is Amos Diggory, everyone," Mr. Weasley told them. "He works for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. And I think you know his son, Cedric?"

Cedric said hello, and everyone but the twins responded in kind. They refused to even look at the handsome boy, until Hermione jabbed them in the sides again, and they nodded politely.

"You guys are honestly still mad at him over that Quidditch match are you?" she asked.

"'Course not," George replied gruffly.

"Boys," Hermione muttered, rolling her eyes and going to stand next to Ginny.

They followed quickly.

Amos was bragging about his son, something that, judging by the glazed look on Mr. Weasley's face, was nothing new. He seemed a bit star struck around Harry but then, who didn't?

Finally, it was time for the portkey, and everyone placed a finger on the disgusting boot. Fred glared once more at Cedric, who was smiling to nicely at Hermione in Fred's humbled, unbiased opinion, just as the portkey went off.

xXxXxXxXxXx

"I don't think I'm too fond of that," Hermione said woozily, gratefully taking Cedric's hand as he helped her to her feet.

"Thank you," she said, a bit dazed. Fred immediately rushed to her side, affectively knocking Cedric aside, George close behind him.

"Alright there Mi?" He asked softly, reaching out to steady her. George stood on her other side, worried.

"What did you call me?" she asked.

"Er…Mi?"

She smiled brightly. "I like that," she told him. She sent one more smile to each twin before glancing towards Mr. Weasley.

"I should help your dad with the Muggle money," she told them, hurrying over to stop the over-enthusiastic man before he ripped the bills to shreds.

"Did you just give her a nickname?" George asked, incredulous.

"I…I think so."

"You are one sorry bloke," George said cheerfully, slapping his twin on the back and walking away.

Fred could only nod.

Not too much longer than the last chapter, but it is longer! What did you guys think? I'm trying to stick with the books (obviously) so any dialogue you see that seems familiar is property of the great goddess JK Rowling.

How is Fred and Hermione's relationship coming? I'm trying not to rush it, but Fred is very head strong.

The next chapter is when you see how this is really changing things. Their friendship is very tight, and it becomes evident then. This might be the last chapter for a week. The next one is still in the works and I might not finish it till tonight.

Until the next chapter!