1A Series of Fortunate Events

Chapter Four: Move-In Day

The next day Hermione got up bright and early as usual, took her shower, ate some breakfast, and then headed over to Fred and George's place. George was at the shop and the apartment was pitch black. "Lumos." Hermione muttered and all the lights turned on. She walked over to Fred's bedroom and knocked loudly on the door, "Fred!"

Hermione heard some movement and something that sounded like an alarm clock falling on the floor followed by a groan. A few minutes later a sleepy-eyed, half naked Fred opened the door, "Good morning." Fred rubbed his eyes.

Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes, "Good morning Fred." she walked into his room, "Let's get a move on."

Hermione brushed past him while walking into the room and her hand brushed his barer stomach. She felt a tingle go through her body but ignored it. Fred touched the spot that her hand brushed and just kept his hand there for a while.

Fred disappeared into his bathroom but returned shortly later fully dressed and looking much more awake, "Ok, I think I'm ready for the big move."

Hermione smiled, "I know how weird this must be, it'll be the first time that you're not living with George."

"Please don't remind me." Fred sighed picking up a large box. Hermione couldn't help but wish that he was lifting that without his shirt on. Oh stop that, she told herself, that is not an appropriate way to think about your friend.

Fred and Hermione quickly moved all of the boxes over to the fireplace while talking about George.

"How is the house hunt going for him?" Hermione asked.

"Pretty well, he's actually going to pay a visit there in a few weeks to check out a place."

"That's great!" Hermione grinned levitating an odd shaped box over to the fireplace, "Hopefully, he'll find a place soon and you could visit him over Christmas."

"Yeah, that's what we were thinking." Fred said rummaging through some stuff in his closet.

"I've always wanted to go to America." Hermione told him, "I've never gotten the chance though with the war and then starting at Hogwarts so quickly."

"Well, you should come with me then over Christmas. It would be nice to have someone to do some sight-seeing with while George is going to all the meetings and stuff."

Hermione's eyes lit-up, "Really? I could go with you?"

Fred grinned, "Of course, I would like nothing more then to have you join me."

"That sounds great." Hermione beamed.

Fred and Hermione finished sorting through everything and took turns transporting stuff through the fireplace to Hogwarts. Snape's sleeping chambers were completely empty and the room looked massive. "Wow, I really don't think I have enough stuff to move in here." Fred marveled.

Hermione looked around,"I don't remember the room looking so empty."

Fred made a face at her, "You've been in here before?"

Hermione scowled, "I meant when I saw my room I don't remember it being so big."

Fred grinned, "I'm sure that's what you meant." he said playfully.

Hermione slapped his arm, "Oh come on let's empty out your stuff."

It didn't take long to move everything in since Fred didn't really have too much. After everything was unpacked they collapsed on the large bed.

"I think the bed's even more comfortable." Hermione pouted.

Fred laughed, "How 'bout the pillows?"

"Wha-" Hermione started to say but Fred hit with a pillow.

Hermione reached over and grabbed one of his large pillows and smacked him back. Before they knew they were in an all out war and feathers were flying everywhere. Hermione was laughing so hard that she had tears coming out of her eyes and her stomach hurt. Fred slipped on a pile of feathers while chasing her and landed with a thud on his bum. That caused Hermione to stop and laugh even harder. Fred reached up and grabbed the back her shirt trying to get up but instead she fell right on top of him. Fred burst out laughing at Hermione's look of surprise. In return Hermione smacked him in the face with the pillow.

"I think I'm gonna need some new pillows." Fred said through howls of laughter holding up his now deflated pillow.

"Nonsense." Hermione said laughing, "Reparo." she pointed her wand to the defunct pillows and all the feathers disappeared back into the pillows.

"Yay!" Fred said with the enthusiasm of a child who was getting a present. He picked up his pillow and laid it on Hermione's lap and put his head down, "I'm exhausted."

Hermione laughed, "You're exhausted? I did all the work."

"Hah, you just think you did the work." Fred teased.

Hermione rolled her eyes and laid her head on the side of the bed. The two of them sat there in comfortable silence for a while, Fred was tracing shapes on Hermione's legs with his fingers and Hermione was running her fingers aimlessly through Fred's hair. Both os them were utterly comfortable and happy. However, this did not last long because a few moments later there was a knock at the door and both of the scrambled off the floor and threw the pillows back on the bed. Fred went over to the door, "Oh, hi Head Mistress!"

"You can call me Minerva now Fred." McGonagall walked into the room, "I just wanted to make sure you got all of your stuff here in one piece." she surveyed the room and her eyes first fell on Hermione's untidy hair and then Fred's shirt that was no longer tucked into his pants, she smirked, "But I see everything got here in one piece."

Hermione attempted to pat down her hair while Fred tucked in his shirt, "Oh this isn't what it seems." Hermione tried to explain.

"Hermione, dear we should just come clean about our relationship." Fred grinned. Hermione's mouth fell wide open and McGonagall smirked.

Hermione pulled out her wand, "But Fred, dear I'm not ready yet."

Fred knew not to mess with Hermione when magic was involved, "I'm just kidding."

McGonagall smiled, "Well, I'll let you finish unpacking. I was actually just on my way to see Harry about something."

McGonagall left and Hermione finished helping Fred unpack before she headed back to her room to finish grading homework for tomorrow. Fred headed down to the kitchens with a wide smile on his face, maybe George was right, maybe Hermione does actually like me. Hermione walked to her room slowly thinking about the day's events: was Fred flirting with me? Was I flirting with Fred? Does he like me? Do I like him? Hermione shook her head, heck, he probably still thinks of me as "the know-it-all". She sighed and walked into her chambers.

Meanwhile, McGonagall did in fact head over to Harry's chambers but that was not her original destination. She knocked his door and waited patiently for him. Just a few moments passed before he opened the door, "Oh, hello profe- um Minerva. I wasn't expecting you, is everything ok?" Harry still had problems referring to her as Minerva.

"Oh not at all." McGonagall shook her head, "Is it alright if I come in?"

"Oh sure." Harry said moving out of her way.

McGonagall, walked briskly past Harry and into his room, "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I hear a rumor that Ginny is trying to find Professor Granger up?"

Harry was shocked and confused by this question, "Um, yes."

"Hm," McGonagall paced, "and so far she hasn't had any luck, correct?"

"Yeah, from what I've heard. I'm actually trying to stay out of the whole thing."

"Interesting, well I think you should keep your open for a potential suitor."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I just came from Professor Weasley's room where he was with Professor Granger, and if I do say so myself they looked quite happy together."

Harry sat down on his bed, so he wasn't just imagining things, "Are you insinuating...?"

McGonagall turned to him with a stern look on her face, "Mr. Potter I do not insinuate, I'm merely telling you what I observed."

Harry smiled, "In all honesty, I was beginning to wonder if there was something between them."

McGonagall smiled, "Well, I think that covers everything, good night Harry."

"Good night." Harry said turning his thoughts to Hermione and Fred.