Dierdre was rushing to get to her next class in time. Dierdre, Ginny and Hermione had lost track of time talking about boys and she almost forgot about making it to Defense Against the Dark Arts. She walked in mere seconds before Professor Snape. He must be subbing today, He usually didn't teach this class. She was writing a note to Fred when she looked up and saw Snape looking at her. "Something you care to share with the class, Miss McTully?" She put her book over the note. "Just taking notes, Professor. Can't be too thorough." Professor Snape looked at her for a second, obviously contemplating whether or not to just drop the argument. "Great," He muttered under his breath. "An older version of Miss Granger." He went on with the class and Dierdre carefully finished her note. After leaving the classroom, Fred caught up with her. "Thought Snape was going to stare a hole right through you with that glare of his." He said. Dierdre laughed. "I'm not afraid of that old dirtbag." She said, smiling up at Fred. There was a silence between them. They stood there, gazes locked. Dierdre broke eye contact and blushed. "Oh, that reminds me. I wrote you this." She said as she handed Fred the note she has written. Fred took the note and Dierdre started to walk away. "Where are you going?" Fred called after her. Dierdre turned around and shrugged. "Why don't you follow me and then we'll both know?" She said with a sly smile. Fred laughed and followed her. He really like her sense of humor. He smiled to himself and he caught up to her.
Dierdre had a thinking spot as well. There was a room down a long hallway near the Gryffindor common room. It had been very dusty and abandoned when she found it. She brought a piece of linen to cover the antique table in the room and she dusted off the chairs and the small couch that was in the room. It was a quaint little drawing room looking space that was all hers. She found a vase and added some flowers and lighting to the room. This was where she was headed. No one else knew about it. Not even Ginny and Hermione. Fred was still following behind her. He had trusted her enough to show her his thinking spot, so Dierdre felt it was only right to return the favor. Fred finally caught up to her as she drew near to the Gryffindor wing. "Dierdre, Where are you going?" Fred asked, winded. "Slow down." Dierdre stopped and waited for him. "Well maybe if you weren't so out of shape.." She smiled at him and winked. He smiled wide and stood up. "You know, between you and George, it's a wonder I stick around. He called me old just last night." Dierdre laughed. She started walking down the hallway that led to her room. "Where in the world are you taking me? Dierdre?" Fred asked. Dierdre kept walking. "Are you going to take me to a remote place and kill me?" He asked with a smile. Dierdre stopped in front of a door. She grinned at him and pulled out her wand. She pointed it at the lock. "Alohomora." She breathed quietly. She looked down the hallway and entered the room. Fred followed closely behind. She shut the door and looked at Fred, who was taking everything in. She smiled at his stunned look. "What is this place?" He asked, finally meeting her gaze. "This is my thinking spot." She said, looking at the floor. She looked up at Fred, who was smiling at her. Ah, those dimples. That smile was going to give her a heart attack one day. "What?" She asked. He walked over. "I'm so proud of you, breaking school rules and all." He said. Dierdre laughed. Fred hugged her. She stood there, holding on to him. She never wanted this moment to end. She breathed deep. She mentally recorded what all of her senses were taking in. The way it felt to hold him, the way he smelled, and the way she longed to taste his kiss. "I really missed holding you." Fred said, breaking the silence. He seemed to read her mind. "I was just about to say the same thing." Dierdre said. Fred smiled down on her. There was a silence again. "Dierdre, I want to talk to you about something." He said. He sounded upset. She looked up at him. He looked concerned. She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the couch. They sat down. "What's wrong, Fred?" Fred looked around the room. He looked at the floor. Finally he looked at her. "As you know, things have been getting pretty dangerous around here. Due to you-know-who." Dierdre nodded. "Well," Fred continued. "Harry and Ron are planning on leaving very soon and they can't say why. I'm worried about them. I just know it's some kind of act to stop you-know-who." He paused and looked at her. "I know I'm going to stay here and train some of the others in Dumbledore's Army to defend themselves. I just have this gut feeling that things are about to get dangerous, very dangerous." Dierdre brushed his hair out of his face and tucked it behind his ear. "What are you trying to say, Fred?" She asked gently. Fred looked her in the eye and she was surprised to see pain there. "If things get too bad, I want you to go back home. I can't let anything happen to you." Dierdre looked at the floor. "I see." She said, simply. Fred put his fingers under her chin and lifted it so that her face was inches from his. "Don't be upset with me Dierdre. It's not that I don't think you could handle yourself. I know you're about as tough as they come. I just couldn't… You are the only thing your dad has left." Dierdre stood up and walked across the room. She didn't know whether to feel happy that Fred cared for her, or be upset that he was just going to send her away and expect her to let her friends fight without her. "I can't do that Fred. You should know me at least that well. I won't walk away and let you have all the fun." A small, fragile smile flashed across her face. It was gone just as quickly as it came. Fred walked across the room and met her by the table. "Dierdre, look at me. Do you see what you've done to me?" Dierdre turned around. Fred took her hand in his. "I can't stop thinking about you. I can't sleep. I go out of my way to see you. How did you get to me like this?" Dierdre shrugged. "If anything happened to you.." His voice trailed off. He looked at the floor. He felt like he couldn't breathe. Dierdre lifted his chin and looked into his eyes. "Nothing is going to happen to me. No matter where I go or what happens, I'll always find my way back to you." She kissed him then, holding nothing back. She wanted him to feel what she felt. She wanted him to understand why she couldn't leave him to fight alone. Never in her life had she kissed someone so fully, so passionately. He pulled her closer and kissed her back with so much passion she swore her legs would give out. He broke the kiss and pulled her into an embrace. He just stood there and held her for a few minute, afraid to let go. "I don't care how bad things get, Fred." Dierdre said holding him tighter. "I will not leave you to fight this war alone. I would die before I left you here without me to protect you." Fred laughed and pulled her away so that he could look at her. Dierdre was surprised to see tears in his eyes. "You, protect me?" He asked, obviously amused. "I think not." He kissed her again and she felt weak in the knees. "I will not let anything happen to you, my little D. You stick with me and everything will be ok." He held her close and she knew he was sincere. She smiled with her face pressed against his chest. Damn you-know-who for causing so many problems. She'd kill him herself if he dared to even point his wand at her Fred. That was one thing she was sure of.
