He had no idea what was going on.
After a very busy day at the shop he'd been exhausted and had wanted nothing else than to go to sleep, but the empty shelves had been screaming for attention so both he and his twin had been forced to restock everything and then go over the plans for the coming day. He'd spent the entire day smiling and pranking customer and because it was Easter break it'd been more people in the store than usual so it was no surprise that they'd needed to restock.
It'd been well after midnight before they were done and he'd finally been able to go to bed.
But sleep never came. Instead he thought of her.
The first time they'd met he hadn't thought that much of her, other than the fact that she'd seemed to be a bit of a know it all - almost like a mini version of his older brother Percy. Over the years however he'd started to notice her more and more, like how she always had time to help others even though she was drowning in assignments or how dedicated she was to her friends even though they more often than not caused trouble for her.
She'd been in her third year (his fifth) when he'd first realized that he fancied her.
Just like so many times before memories had started to play in his mind:
It was a little after two in the morning and the fifteen year old Fred Weasley couldn't sleep. After missing dinner due to detention he was really hungry and his stomach growled angrily, so he decided to go down to the kitchens for a snack. With this mission in mind he got up and didn't care about getting dressed, instead he walked with confidence in his worn out pyjamas but just as he was about to climb out the portrait he saw something in the corner of his eye. Stopping abruptly he panicked for a second when he realised that it was his little brother's best friend who was curled up by one of the many windows in the common room, gazing up at the dark sky, but the panic was quickly replaced by concern. He could tell that she was exhausted and had just stopped crying by the look of it, which he understood. Ron and Harry hadn't talked to her since the Firebolt incident and even though he too was a bit upset about it he made the decision to check up on her and see if she was ok. You know, since he - unlike his idiot brother - actually cared about other people's feeling. Deep, deep down.
"Hey, Granger! It's night time if you can't tell. You should be in bed."
He saw how she flinched a little when his voice disturbed the silence.
"So should you."
Fair point. Still she stayed put right where she was and it just didn't seem right just to leave her there. Ignoring his aching stomach he walked over to her. Up close he could see just how pale the poor girl was.
"Seriously Granger. You look exhausted. They will come around eventually, you just acted a bit rashly, that's all."
That was exactly what not to say in that moment. He gulped when she turned her eyes glaring daggers at him and in that moment he was terrified of her. Perhaps even more so than he'd ever been by his mother.
"Rashly?! RASHLY?! What is wrong with you people?! Does no one understand that there's an actual murderer out there who's trying to kill Harry? Everyone knows that Quidditch is his favourite thing on earth and it would've been so easy for Sirius Black to order one, curse it, then send it to Harry's ignorant arms!
So when I decide to be cautious about this anonymously sent, EXPENSIVE broom because I prefer to keep my best friend alive, I'm just a stupid girl who acted rashly without thinking about the consequences."
Even though she'd been whispering, her words was ringing loudly in his head and for some reason, in that moment, something inside him changed. She cared so much!
"You're right."
"I know. Doesn't change the fact that my best friends refuse to speak to me. I won't apologize though. I know I did the right thing. Even if it turns out it's not been tampered with in any way, I still did the right thing."
She said the last thing while turning her head to look out the window again. It had almost been as if she'd tried to convince herself that being lonely was a prize she'd been willing to pay. For some strange reason he suddenly wanted to reach out and touch her.
"You did the right thing. You're a great friend Hermione, and everyone who doesn't see that are idiots."
She turned her head towards him again, this time with a small smile on her lips and surprise in her eyes. For the first time he realized that her brown eyes could change from having a scary spark in them to the most beautiful ones he'd ever seen and his heart had skipped a beat when looking into them.
After a second he realized that he'd called her by her first name and for some strange reason he started to think about how special it was and how it suited her perfectly. Hermione. It was such a pretty and unique name, however a bit to long. Mione would be even better.
"You should go back to bed, Fred."
"So should you."
"I guess so."
With one final look towards the sky she stood up, collected her many things and started to walk upstairs to the girls bedroom. Just before she disappeared from view she turned around to look at him.
"Thank you. Good night."
He'd barely been able to respond with a "G'night!" before she was gone.
"Mione my love, I think this calls for a celebratory date in Hogsmeade next weekend!"
"I don't really think Harry is interested in you in that way Fred."
It was the night after the first task in the Triwizard Tournament and the party that he and George had arranged was a success. The whole common room was filled with people having fun but she, of course, was in her own world sitting down in one of the armchairs by the fire. knitting another hat to leave for the house elves.
"Come on love, you know my heart belongs to you!". Even though he was shouting over the crowd no one reacted to his words, other than a few giggles from some of the younger students. They were after all used to his dramatic displays and this particular line of conversation had occurred several times in the past year.
"For the thousand time Fred, No."
"Aw, come on Mione! You can't deny the handsomeness of me forever!"
She was shaking her head at his ridiculousness.
He grabbed a glass of punch and walked over to her, then he sat down on the edge of her armchair and smiled down at her. He tried to ignore how good her hair smelled of apples and old books because, you know - he wasn't a creep but he had to admit that the beautiful colour of it was really enhanced by the fire and because it was so frizzy it looked as if she had a gloria on her head. Must resist to touch it, must resist to touch it!
"Love, It's a time for celebration! The way Harry tackled that dragon was wicked and I know you helped him with the spell. So celebrate! The Boy-who-can't-get-killed get's to live another day!"
She glared up at him.
"Is everything a joke to you?"
"Life is more fun when you look at the bright side, love."
She continued to glare at him but he could see the corners of her mouth twitching as if to suppress a smile. After looking at her perfectly pink mouth just a little too long he snapped out of it and instead focused on why he was there.
"Hey, I brought you some punch."
"Fred, I refused to eat that jam tart you offered me earlier after seeing Neville transform into a canary, so do you really think I would be so stupid as to drink whatever it is you're offering?"
"I would never do that to you love." He knew she could read the truth in his eyes when hers softened and she slowly extended her hand to get the glass from him. When their hands touched he didn't care about that prick Ludo Bagman and the money he stole from them, he only wished that she would love him back.
She took a sip and he held his breath.
"It's really good. Thank you."
"You're welcome… So, speaking about what we talked about earlier. Are you really going to go to the kitchens to talk with the house elves?"
"Of course I am! It's slavery what they're doing now! They deserve to get paid just as any other working creature!" Her demeanour had changed and she was practically exploding with determination and enthusiasm.
"Hey, I'm completely on your side! Don't forget, I was the first one to support S.P.E.W, though I still think that with your cleverness you might want to think of a better name, people get a little confused, but I think it's wicked cool how much you care about them." George had refused completely and he could understand why but he needed to support his girl. The girl. Anything to show that he supported the girl.
"Honestly?"
"Yes! Sure, I'd still like to be able to get a snack now and then but they should get paid for their work."
"Huh." He had stunned her into silence, a feat he was quite proud of actually.
"So.. Do you want me to take you there sometime?"
"Where? To the kitchens? You told me earlier how to get there, remember? So I really think that you've helped me enough for me to find my way on my own."
He cursed himself for his stupidity. This could've been his shot to get some real alone time with her.
"Thank you for the punch Fred but I think it's time for me to go to bed. So much has happened today and I'm exhausted."
And with that she left him alone on the armchair.
"How are you holding up?"
He was hiding out in one of the many rooms on Grimmauld Place but she'd found him. Of course she had to be the one to find him. For the first time ever he didn't feel like talking to her, or anyone for that matter.
"I know this must be terrifying but-"
"How. How could you possibly know how I feel, Granger? Have you ever had to go through your father getting bitten by a venomous snake? No. You don't know how I feel. Go away and leave me be."
He hadn't meant to snap at her like that but it made him feel a little better when he did. She knew much but she didn't know everything.
"You're right, I'm sorry."
He heard how she turned away again and started to leave and suddenly he didn't want her to go anymore. So what if she saw him cry, he just wanted her to hold him and tell him that everything was going to be okay.
"Mione…"
Her footsteps stopped. Then he heard her getting closer again until he felt her sitting down next to him. Her arms circled around him and he melted into her embrace sobbing quietly with his head on her chest. She stroked his arms and the gesture felt so comforting.
"I've n-never been so scared before" He managed to whisper between his sobs.
"Sch, he's okay, He's going to be fine."
"Don't leave me, please."
"I'm here for you, Fred. Don't you worry anymore. You'll see your father soon and then you'll see that everything is going to be okay."
"Thank you."
She didn't answer him. Instead she rocked him like a child and hummed a soft melody in his ear and before he knew it he was asleep in her arms.
Her otter was dancing around him and he couldn't keep his eyes of it. It was beautiful, just like her and he could feel the strong magic coming from it. He himself hadn't succeeded so far to conjure his own patronus and he was starting to get a little stressed out about it. His little brother and his sister had their own patronuses running and galloping around the room and even George was playing with his fox but nothing for him.
He was broken from his thoughts when he suddenly felt a hand lay on top of his own that was gripping his wand and he quickly became aware of how close she was to him.
"Are you having trouble with your patronus?"
"A little bit yes, but I'm sure I'll get a hang of it soon enough."
"I'm sure. Still, is there anything I can help you with?"
Yes. Kiss me and help me with my happy memory.
"Eeh, I don't know…"
Having her so close was really distracting him and he had trouble getting out coherent sentences. Bloody hell, he was acting like Harry was with that Chang girl. He cringed at the thought then turned his attention back to the woman standing next to him.
"Well, you seem to have the wand movement right so I'm guessing the problem is your memory. What were you thinking of?" By the way her cheeks coloured he guessed that she'd realised that it was a rather private question and he wondered if it would be warm to the touch.
"You don't have to answer that, it was terribly rude of me to ask. I'm sorry."
"Don't be embarrassed. I thought about the first time I flew on a broom." The moment he said it he realized that even though he loved that memory it wouldn't be strong enough.
"I'm sure it was a lovely day but I think you might have to think of something just a bit happier memory than that. I'm sure you have plenty of them. After all, you're Fred Weasley! One of the happiest people I know. And one of the cleverest. You'll get it in time."
Before she walked away she kissed his cheek and he stood there frozen and amazed. Perhaps she'd finally started to warm up to him. Perhaps he still had a chance to make her fall in love with him before he and George left.
With the feeling of her lips on his skin he was more determined than ever and he flicked his wand while whispering "Expecto Patronum" and from the tip of his wand he could see the vague shape of a otter taking form before he was interrupted by the voice of an house elf, telling them that the Inquisitorial Squad was about to attack.
Then he grabbed her hand and ran.
"How's your eye?". He still couldn't believe that something he created had hurt her. Damn Boxing Telescopes. The fact that they had been his idea only made it worse.
"Better, thank you. The yellow paste really helped. It's really incredible magic you know, especially since not even Mrs. Weasley was able to remove it."
His neck and ears went red from the compliment. It wasn't very often she'd praised their inventions, probably since they had caused a lot of trouble back at school, but when she did it she said it with the most sincere honesty and he loved it. She looked at him strangely and he frowned.
"What is it?" Her eyes bore into him and he started to fidget under her gaze.
"Nothing, I just.. How do you do it?"
"Do what?" He was really confused.
"Everything. Never once did i see you study at school, you were always in detention or planning a prank that would get you in detention and I just... how can you're so extremely talented without even trying? You got three OWL combined...".
The question caught him completely off guard. The look in her eyes changed and and he could tell this was bothering her.
"I mean… I study and practice everything until I get it right but you, you don't even have to try. Everything seems so easy when you do it. You even know how to do nonverbal spells and wandless magic..."
Finally he understood what she was talking about and before he knew it he was laughing. If she only knew.
"Are you laughing at me?" A frown appeared on her adorable face and he really tried to take it down a bit but Merlin, this woman was unbelievable!
"Hermione Granger - Brightest witch of her age, heck probably even brightest witch of this decade, is comparing herself to me, Fred Weasley - Prankster extraordinaire!
Love, you have no idea how many hours I've spent trying to get my potions right or trying to get a spell to work. Sure, I didn't care about school work and when I actually was in class I just took what I needed to be able to manipulate the spells to do what I want them to. I'm incredibly lazy, no- just listen. I'm incredibly lazy and I always try to figure out the easiest way to do something, however I'm also incredibly dedicated to my passion for pranks and laughter. I learned how to do cast nonverbal spells because it's easier than having to verbalize it every time. I learned how to do some wandless magic because it's convenient. I'm just trying to make things easier for myself and I've struggled a lot to get there. Everything I've learned is so that I can create.
You however. You learn for the knowledge. You are interested in everything you come across and stop at nothing to educate yourself on everything there is to know. And once you've learned something new you never forget it. You're absolutely brilliant, you are!"
"Books and cleverness-"
"Books and cleverness is a part of you, but they don't define you. You're so much more than that, love."
She was shaking her head but a small laugh escaped from her lips.
"Fred Weasley, you sure know exactly what to say, don't you?"
"Always, love."
She started walking closer to him and his breath caught when she stopped right in front of him. She was so close he could count her eyelashes and the freckles on her adorable nose.
"Thank you, Fred."
There! He saw it! That flicker of affection that he'd longed to see in her eyes for so long was finally there but only for a moment. But he'd seen it. It was there. And now he knew that she loved him back. His insides heated up and in that moment he was happier than he'd ever been before.
She stepped back and he missed the closeness.
"It'll be strange not having you around anymore, both at the Burrow and at Hogwarts."
"I'm sure you're going to appreciate the quiet, not having to harass us about selling our products in the common room or the corridors anymore.".
"It'll be worse, because every student will have stocked up on your products in beforehand."
"Just let me know if you need any Daydreaming Charms! I'd be more than happy to give them to you as long as you're thinking of me." He smiled smugly at her and winked when a slight blush coloured her cheeks.
"Not going to happen, Fred."
His mother's voice echoed in the house telling them that dinner was ready and she started to walk towards the kitchens.
"Coming, Fred?"
He jogged after her thinking about that flicker of affection in her eyes.
She loved him.
Somehow sleep must have claimed him after thinking back on those key moments he had with her, because the loud pop of someone apparating into their living room had had woken him, followed by the voice of his eldest brother shouting for them to quickly get up, grab only what's necessary and get ready to apparate to the meeting point from where they'd be taken to the safe house.
Since both he and George had prepared one backpack each filled with everything they could possibly need in case of a quick escape, they'd been ready to go in less than three minutes.
After meeting the rest of their family at the meeting point, all of them had been transported to the safe house. And now they were here. In aunt Muriel's house.
He really hated aunt Muriel's house.
It was filled with frilly and cringe worthy things and usually George and he would loudly complain and try everything to get away from there but tonight they were silent and thankful that everyone was safe.
He looked around the room and saw the same tired and confused look in his parents, as well as his siblings eyes.
His father was stroking his mother's back to sooth her while silently talking to aunt Muriel about what was going on, which was pointless really since he seemed to be just as informed as everyone else - which means to say not at all. His mother was staring at the door while nervously ripping a piece of paper to tiny pieces, once in a while glancing over at all of the present children as if to make sure we were ok.
Charlie was rigid and seemed ready to fight at any second while holding a crying Ginny close to him and George was sitting on a chair next to them holding his wand in a death grip.
He himself was leaning against the wall, waiting.
They all were waiting.
None of them had seen or heard from Bill since he'd apperated them to the meeting point and they were all anxiously waiting for him to come and explain the what the bloody hell was going on. But if they were totally honest with themselves they already knew, only one thing could have happened for this to be the outcome. Because not everyone was safe. The youngest Weasley-brother along with the Boy-who-lived and the woman he loved was missing from the gathered group.
Time passed and nothing happened.
Finally, the sound of someone apparating was heard outside and his father moved quickly to the door and asked the security question that his brother answered before the procedure was repeated. The door opened and Bill hurried inside with his wife closely behind him, then he locked the door again and sighed heavily. He looked exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes stood out against his pale complection and his eyes were harder than Fred had ever seen them before. That look paired with the scars on his face made him look more frightening than ever but that was not what Fred was focusing on. No, instead he looked at the woman his brother arrived with. Fleur was shaking from head to toe and her clothes were stained with blood. It looked as if she'd seen a ghost and that's what scared him more than anything.
You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.
"They're safe. They're at Shell Cottage and a lot have happened to them, but they're safe."
Everyone let out the breath they've been holding and he could hear that his mother started to cry. They're safe, they're safe, she's safe, she's safe was all he could think of.
"I need to see my baby! Let me go to them, Bill!" His mother's voice was desperate and he wished he could find his own to say the same thing. He needed to see her with his own eyes.
"Mom, no. You need to stay here." The sobs were getting louder as well as his mother's pleas to go to them, but then his father's somewhat strangled voice interrupted them with the question on everyone's mind.
"What happened?"
"They didn't know about the Taboo and accidently said the name of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The snatchers led by Grayback caught them and they were taken to Malfoy Manor. Luckily, Hermione was able to distort Harry's face enough for them to be uncertain whether or not they'd actually captured Him - Undesirable nr. 1, which is why they didn't summon their Lord right away.". His clever witch.
"And once they'd figured it out they still couldn't summon him because they wanted information…". For some reason that sentence made his insides turn cold.
"How did they get away? What is it you're not telling us?"
"Dobby the house elf rescued them. We woke up when we heard him apparate outside our house with Mr. Ollivander, a goblin named Griphook and that Lovegood girl, then-"
"Luna?" Ginny's voice was quiet but hopeful when she asked about her close friend.
"Yes, she's okay. Anyways, Dobby told us that Ron had instructed him to apparate them to Shell Cottage. Then he disappeared, only to turn up again on the beach with Ron, Harry and Hermione. Dobby died. Bellatrix threw a knife at him just before he apparated." Poor Dobby. He'd liked him. He'd seen him a lot while being at Hogwarts when going to the kitchens.
"Lestrange? She was there?" He almost didn't recognize his father's voice because of the weariness. Everyone knew that Bellatrix Lestrange was insane. And the right hand of You-Know-Poo.
"Yes." Bill's short answer was enough to tell them that something wasn't right.
"And everyone's okay? Everyone's unharmed? What is it you're not telling us, William."
His eldest brother flinched when his father called him by his full name and he put an arm around his wife.
Suddenly Fleur turned her head and locked her eyes to his and in that moment he knew something terrible had happened to the amazing girl that he loved.
"... Hermione was tortured.".
Around him everyone in the family gasped and then loud sobs could be heard once again, but he didn't care about that. His heart broke and he didn't know what to do with himself. He wanted to touch her, hold her, kiss her and never let go. His Mione was tortured. He was going to kill the bitch that did that to her.
"What- how- ... For how long was she…? Is she going to be okay?" His mother's whisper was strangled and he didn't know if he could take listening to this. This time however, it was Fleur who answered.
"Cruciatus, for at least forty minutes... Also.. a Cursed blade. Used on her arm. I've been taking care of her since the moment they arrived. It vas bad but now… She'll live." Bill took over when Fleur lost control of her voice.
"She didn't tell them anything, in fact she lied. I don't know what about but Ron said that she was so brave and that she lied to them."
He couldn't take this anymore. He needed some fresh air. Without warning he fled the house and ran. He didn't got very far though before his legs gave up and he fell to the ground. Finally the tears that had threatened to spill over ran freely down his cheeks. This was why he hadn't wanted her to go. He'd known something like this would happen and he hadn't been able to be there to rescue her. He needed to see her and hold her.
He looked up at the stars and hated how they twinkled so peacefully. This is your fault! She's hurt because she thought leaving me was the right thing to do! I hate you, I hate you!
"I hate you." he whispered before he started shaking with sobs again.
He could hear someone approaching from behind him.
"Why did she have to go, Georgie? Why did she have to go with them?"
"Because they wouldn't be able to do anything without her. She's the best and the brightest and it's because of her there's a chance we might win this war. Do you honestly think that Harry and Ron would be able to take on the Darkest Wizard of all time by themselves? She lied to them under torture. I would've never been able to do what she did."
She was amazing. But he couldn't handle thinking about that now. She was hurt,
"Fleur told me to tell you that she said your name. When she finally fell asleep she said your name."
He didn't know what to answer to that. She'd said his name.
He could feel his twin sitting down next to him and putting a comforting arm around him.
"She'll be okay, Fred." The stars twinkled a bit extra when those words were spoken, as if to reassure him that it was the truth and then he turned his head and cried into his twin brother's shoulder.
