"The stars in a hazy heaven
Tremble above you"
"A Lovely Night," from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.
Fred ran through the halls of Hogwarts frantically. "Hermione! Are you alright?"
Hermione collapsed into his arms. "I. . .I'm fine, but. . ." She trailed off. "But Bill. . ."
Fred's face whitened. "He's alive," she hurried to reassure him. "But he was attacked by Greyback."
"The werewolf?" Fred whispered. "But it's not the full moon."
Hermione nodded tearfully. "He's fine, he just has a few scars. And Professor Lupin thinks he won't be a full werewolf, he just might get a little wolfish around the full moon."
Fred pulled his arms tighter around her. "But everyone else is fine?"
He could feel Hermione shake her head. "Who else?"
"Dumbledore."
"What? But he'll be fine, right? Is he at St. Mungos or are they treating him in the infirmary?"
"He's dead."
"No," Fred shook his head. "No, you're wrong. He can't be dead."
"Harry saw it. It's true." She whispered.
"Merlin," Fred gasped. "I- I can't believe it. What are we going to do now? It'll only get worse after this."
Hermione straightened, pulling away from him and looking him in the eyes. "I'll tell you what we're going to do. We're going to keep fighting. If they think that this will deter us, then they are mistaken."
Fred snorted. "You tell them, firecracker. Ow!" He clutched at his arm, wincing.
She glared at him. "Don't call me that."
He smirked. "But it fits so perfectly."
Hermione sighed, slumping down to lean against the bottom of the window. They stood there together for a while, until Hermione broke the silence. "I still can't believe that they attacked Hogwarts. We always thought it was the safest place, but . . . I guess after this no place is entirely safe." Fed didn't respond, still watching her face as if he were mesmerized. He reached out out wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Everything will turn out right. You'll see." Hermione leaned back against Fred's chest, watching the stars above them twinkle.
A few days later at Dumbledore's funeral, Hermione sat with Harry, Ron, and Ginny at the end of a row beside the lake. They sat through the funeral together, and when it was over and Harry was talking quietly with Ginny and Ron had left to comfort Lavender, Hermione still sat there, alone, her eyes glazed with tears. She heard someone sit in the empty chair beside her and looked up.
"Fred," She said, smiling sadly.
"Hey, Granger," he said softly. "You alright?"
She shrugged. "Is anyone?"
He laughed. "Fair point." She leaned against his side, taking comfort in his closeness.
"Well, I have some good news," Fred said.
Hermione frowned slightly. "What?"
"It can't get any worse after this."
Hermione hit him in the stomach with her elbow. "Shh, don't jinx it!"
He laughed, clutching his side in pain. "Ow, Hermione, why are you always so violent?"
"It's not my fault," she huffed, folding her arms in annoyance. "It's always you who-"
"Hermione!" She was interrupted by Harry's call. She looked over at him standing next to Ron. "Hermione, we need to talk about the you-know-whats." She nodded at them in silence and stood.
"Thanks for cheering me up, Fred."
He lolled back in his chair, smiling slightly up at her. "Anytime, Hermione."
