Like me? Fred thought. He was about to say something to Hermione when a bloody, panting Dean Thomas bolted down the corridor.

"He's back!" Dean said as he stopped at the two, hands on his knees and breathing hard.

"W-what?" Hermione forced.

"He's back!" Dean said, collecting his breath. "Voldemort. He… he's made an entrance at Azkaban. Death Eaters are surrounding the school…" He took another deep breath. "We're fucked."

Hermione and Fred were speechless. She struggled for air.

"Okay," Fred started. "Go to the Gryffindor common room. The password is 'Wingardium'. Alert the others, and wake everyone except the Slytherins. Merlin knows what they'll do."

Hermione started shaking; Fred grabbed her hand.

"Tell everyone to get ready. Be careful." He took a breath. Dean was nodding the whole time. "We know what we're dealing with somewhat, but there may be more than before."

Dean nodded vigorously and ran.

"Shit. I forgot to ask him why he's bloody. Some part of me doesn't want to know." Fred turned to Hermione, who had tears running down her face. Her bottom lip was trembling, along with her entire body.

He didn't realize, but she was squeezing his hand so hard it started to hurt and go numb. He looked her in the eyes.

"Hermione," She looked past him, not all there, it seemed. Fred started to worry. "Hermione!" He gently shook her. "Fuck."

Fred picked her up and went as fast he could to the Gryffindor common room. When he came in, everyone was crying, shouting, or completely silent.

Thankfully, everyone had gotten past their drunkenness and remained focused – sort of. Fred ordered Harry and Ron to follow him upstairs.

"What happened?" Harry asked as Fred put her down on her bed.

"I don't know what emotionally happened," He said, looking at them. "But I think she lost all sanity when Dean simply said 'Voldemort'."

Hermione suddenly sat up, taking a sharp breath and breathing hard. She had tears in her eyes, and stared up at the three boys.

"Harry, I think you should take this," Fred said, nodding at him.

"No," All of them looked at Ron, who took a deep breath. "I'll do it."

"Ron do you think—", Harry started.

"I said NO!" He yelled. "I'm sorry. I… I promise I'll be okay. I promise she'll be okay."

"Alright." Harry said. He put a hand on Ron's shoulder and left the room.

"Thanks, brother." Fred told Ron. He left as well, feeling very proud of his little brother.


"Hey, brother!" George yelled to Fred. He seemed unnaturally happy.

"You're still a bit affected by the firewhiskey, huh?" Fred asked him skeptically.

"Maybe…" George said as he walked away. Fred laughed at him.

"Brother!" He called. George turned around and looked at him.

"Be safe." Fred said to him. He was afraid of losing his brother, like he almost did the last time this happened. George smiled.

"Who are you and what have you done with Fred?" He laughed, putting a hand on his brother's shoulder and looking at him. "You really think I'm going somewhere without you? You must be mad."

Fred smiled. "I guess I am."