AN: This is the beginning of the chapters about Fred/Hermione/Draco's past relationships and interactions at Hogwarts with each other before the Battle and present time. These will always be in third person and labeled accordingly with time stamps. Some will be out of order, depending on the events of the previous or future chapters.


October 1996

"Ginny? What are you doing?"

Ginny Weasley looked up from her furious scribbling, meeting Hermione's eyes. "Writing a letter. Ron's being a prat, and if Fred catches wind of him doing you dirty like he did, he'll sort him out." She went back to writing. "Plus I really don't like Lavender, and I don't fancy having her as a future sister-in-law."

Hermione just watched blankly as Ginny finished the last of her letter, folding it and putting it in an envelope. She didn't understand why Fred would have any sort of influence over Ron (apart from holding that incident where he and George transfigured Ron's teddy bear into a giant spider over Ron's head when he royally ticked them off), but nevertheless, Hermione wasn't one for revenge, even if it would bring her the greatest satisfaction. This was Ginny's dish, not hers.

Ginny motioned for Hermione to follow her out of the portrait hole as she wound her scarf tightly around her neck, making their way to the Owlery.

When the large owl landed in front of Ron the following Monday, everyone was pleasantly surprised with the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes package he'd received, hoping it was sweets he would share with the Gryffindor table.

Harry watched as Ron tore open the package, a grin on his face when he saw the contents.

"Cool!" Ron said, pulling out several small brightly wrapped sweets. "Fred and George sent me some of their new products!"

Harry snorted. "Are you sure they aren't trying to poison you?"

Ron shook his head. "Fred and George would have no reason to. Plus," he picked up a small neon orange candy, biting into it, "they can't all be that bad even if they were trying to poison me."

Just down the table, a smug Ginny and horrified Hermione watched as Ron turned white, before finally sprouting tufts of hair, small ears, and a long tail, making him resemble…

Well… a rat.

Hermione oddly had a sense of deja vu watching the transformation, when suddenly a letter was dropped in front of her.

Curious, she opened it, instantly smelling sandalwood and jasmine, and she read the script elegantly penned onto the golden brown parchment.

For you, Granger. Hope you enjoyed the show.

-F (and G!)

P.S. Thanks for the inspiration, by the way. You made a great cat; Ron makes an even greater rat.

A small blush crept up her cheeks, and a giggle escaped her throat as she watched Lavender run screaming down the aisle, Ron crawling after her, his long nose and whiskers a source of amusement for everyone in the Great Hall.

December 1996

He reread the letter over and over again, running his fingers over her delicate cursive.

It had been five weeks since he'd sent the Polyjuice infused sweets to Ron as an act of revenge for Hermione, and Fred couldn't believe his luck when it came to her. He felt like the luckiest man in the world to be connected with the brilliant witch, and he'd known from the first time he met her, he'd do anything to protect her.

Not that she needed protecting, no; she was capable of taking care of herself, he knew that.

But he felt protective and loving when it came to her nonetheless.

He skimmed the letter again, smiling when he read about her irritation with Harry being impartial about their relationship, with Ron ignoring her (and his lingering tail), and her studies. She was much too smart and mature to be in Hogwarts, Fred thought. He loved that about her; it's what set her apart, made her unique and level headed.

"Fred?"

Fred quickly folded the letter and gently put it in his desk, turning around to face his twin. "Yes, George?"

"That old hag is back, trying to nick love potions again. What do you want to do?"

Fred sighed and followed his twin out of the office door, Hermione on his mind as he dealt with the screeching old woman.

8888888

Romilda had taken to cornering Hermione at odd times, questioning her about Harry, and Hermione was sick of it.

It seemed as if everyone viewed her as some sort of encyclopedia that they could just… consult! Especially when it came to matters concerning homework or Harry!

Hermione huffed as she saw the dark, curly haired witch veer in her direction, a deranged twinkle in her eyes, and Hermione scurried as fast as she could into the nearest classroom, slamming the door behind her.

She missed Fred; he hadn't written since his letter inviting her over to the Weasleys for Christmas. He always knew what to say to her when she was having a bad time.

She sighed and rested her forehead against the hard wooden door, taking a few deep breaths to collect herself, when she heard a rustling.

She whipped around, suddenly cautious. Even though she was in Hogwarts, she knew she couldn't be too safe; tensions outside of the school had begun to escalate and it was only a matter of time before it spilled into the stone walls of the castle.

Hermione pulled out her wand, realizing that she wasn't in a classroom like she originally thought; but in the Room of Requirement.

Except, it didn't look like it did last year. It was filled with random things; no doubt possessions and furniture that had been forgotten in the school over the years.

Hermione briefly forgot her wariness, instead marveling at the room.

It wasn't until she saw a flash of platinum blonde peeking from behind a termite infested bookcase that she was back on guard, pointing her wand in that general direction.

"Who's here?" She called out, her voice strong and unafraid.

Silence met her, so she asked again.

"Who is here?"

A pale hand curled around the side of the bookcase, and Draco Malfoy slowly came out from behind, wand drawn, a solemn expression on his pale face.

Hermione hissed. "Malfoy."

Draco only jerked his head in acknowledgment of his name. "Granger. Have you come to spy on me for Potter?"

Hermione furrowed her brow in confusion. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"I hear things in the hallways. In libraries. I know Potter suspects me to be something that I am not."

Hermione tilted her chin. "Even if I was, why would I tell you? Just so you could curse me, and prove once and for all that you are what he suspects you to be: a Death Eater?"

Draco winced, but quickly regained his composure, chuckling mirthfully. "Now, why would I want to curse you, Granger? Sure, no one would find you here," Hermione scowled, her grip tightening on her wand, but Draco continued on anyway, "but then everyone would wonder where one-third of the Golden Trio ran off to. Perhaps," he smiled facetiously, "they would think you ran off with the Weasley twin."

Hermione stepped forward, her eyes fiery. "Don't you talk about him."

Draco lowered his wand, chuckling as he backed away slowly, his grey eyes boring into Hermione's brown ones as curiosity flickered in their murky depths.

"I'll be seeing you Granger. Be careful." And he was gone, leaving a bewildered Hermione in his wake.


AN: I know there wasn't much Fremione in this flashback chapter, but the next one will be more inclusive since it will be Christmas at the Burrow.