He stood in the rapidly decreasing twilight, cloak wrapped tightly around him, blending into the shadow of the trees lining the street. His eyes were fixed on a point across the street where she was making her way, also trying to stay out of sight. He continued to move, keeping his head down to obscure his face. They made their way like this for some time, as the darkness flowed over the street, dented only by the scattered street lights. Only when another person came into view did he tense, his hand tightening hard around the one thing that would keep them both safe.

Standing in the middle of the darkened street fear gripped her as she saw an older man come into view followed by two more either side. They made no move to hide their wands, their ugly cruel faces outlined in the green wand light. She glanced behind her as they called out but the feeling that someone had been following her made retreat seem futile.

"Hey look what we did" The leader grinned menacingly,

"We found the little muggle girl what hangs around with Harry Potter. Only there's no Harry Potter round to save her".

"Maybe he'll hear her scream" Another taunted, as two more joined the group. Hermione gripped her wand ready to fight when a shout came from behind her.

"Protego" Hermione let out a cry of surprise and relief as the cloaked figure produced a shield between them and their attackers, the light of the wand revealing Ron's anxious face.

"Ron what are you doing here?" She gasped, pulling out her own wand as another crack sounded, signaling that more trouble was on the way.

"Stupefy" They shouted together aiming at the group.

"Petrificus Totalus" George shouted as he and Fred appeared by their sides, joining in the fight.

"Get ready to apperate Hermione" Fred shouted, swearing as Ron was hit and flung back against the curb. Spell after spell was being cast making it hard to distinguish what was what.

"Now Hermione……..Protego". George and Fred both held up the shield while Hermione grabbed hold of Ron. Fred moved back to join Ron and Hermione, but George hesitated a moment as he realized his shield charm wasn't the only shield at that moment.

"George get moving" Fred yelled, and he moved quickly to Hermione's side. She felt George grab her arm and suddenly they were twisted out of the street, landing with a crash on the field near to the Weasley house.

"Ahhh" Ron groaned as he sat up, nursing his aching arm. He could feel a trickle of blood running down his forehead, but it was nothing compared to seeing Hermione safe beside him. George helped him to his feet, and the next moment he gasped in pain as Hermione gripped him in a crushing hug, then suddenly began hitting him, tears streaming down her face.

"Why did you do that? Why did you do that Ron?"

"Ow! Hey what do you expect?" He caught her hand, stepping back from her, astonished that she could ever ask such a question.

"You think I'd let you…." His voice shook a little as he trailed off; trying hard to hold the pain and anger he was feeling rather than the fear that was threatening. As Hermione hugged him again this time she was gentler, and he felt his pulse returning to a calmer state as he realized she was safe.

"Thank you" she whispered softly, and then turned to hug both Fred and George who were standing looking rather sheepish.

"Come on you two, we'd better get inside and cleaned up before mum freaks out on us".