Chapter 9: Say My Name

Something Fred had taken to, that he was not use to, was being alone. He had spent a lot of time alone since George and Hermione had been together. He could easily find a friend to hang out with instead. Lee, Dean, Harry even Ron, but he didn't seem to want much company now and days. He found being alone actually relaxing, the best place he found, was the forbidden forest. He would walk about 10 feet in before sitting down and working on projects he had taken on by himself. New joke candies and such. It was the best place to experiment out of sight from professors as well.

As he headed down there one day holding a box full of potions to mix he noticed a bushy brown head standing knee deep about 8 feet out, in the lake.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" Fred called from the shore.

Hermione turned her head towards him. "Oh, why is it always you who finds me?" she laughed and continued burying her hands under the water.

Fred gawked at her. "What are you doing, its nearly 30 degrees out here."

"Professor Sprout told me a new patch of gilly weed was growing near here, I thought it would be a nice surprise if I plucked some for her." She pulled plants from under the water, grimaced and threw them back. "As the waters rather mucky I haven't been able to find any."

"Get out of there Hermione, don't you know how dangerous that is? You'll get sick. That is if the giant squid doesn't get you first!" Fred shouted at her trying to scare her out.

She gave a cold chuckle. "I hardly believed in the story of the Giant squid in my first year. And don't be a worried windy, I'm going to take a warming potion as soon as I get back up to the castle." She continued to step lightly over the rocks in the lake trying to feel for weeds and roots.

Fred stared blank faced at her. "…Did you just call me a worried windy? Ok, that's it. I'm getting George. Does he know you're out here?"

"No, and he doesn't need to." Hermione's attention shot quickly back to him.

"Well if being in the lake when its near freezing is nothing then you shouldn't care."

"Why do you care so much?"

"Because you're being stupid, which is not like you."

"I don't need to be told to be safe by you. And what are you doing with all those potions in your hands? Making more things for the joke shop I see." She sneered at him.

"Yeah, so what?"

"That's just as dangerous, you could get hurt."

"I know what I'm doing."

" –And so do I." Hermione snapped.

Fred could only glare at her. "Well if you get sick don't come crying to me."

"You're the last person I'd cry to." She retorted turning back to searching.

Fred was beside himself with anger, there was no winning with her. Despite wanting to chock her right now he couldn't help worrying about her as well. "Whatever, I'm not her boyfriend." He said to himself as he turned to leave. He felt a tightening in his chest as he did.

Just as he had taken one step forward there was a sudden gasps and splash sound behind him. Fred smirked to himself not having to turn around to know Hermione had just fallen in.

"Aha! I told you so. Now you're really going to have to get out –" Fred turned back to the lake. However the gloating smile on his face quickly faded. Where Hermione had been she no longer was. There was a small ripple in the water but nothing else.

"Hermione…?" Fred put his things down and walked closer to the lake. His eyes searched every which way.

"Come on, Granger. This isn't funny." Fred stepped one foot into the lake and an icy chill ran up his spin. How could she have been standing here for so long? He thought to himself.

"Hermione!" He was getting desperate now. Quickly he slipped off his jacket, robs, and shirt throwing them on the lake shore. As soon as he was free of them he dove head first into the bone chilling water. It felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach the second his body hit the water, but he didn't care. The water was thick with clouds of dirt. He could only see a couple feet in front of him. It seemed hopeless that he would find her. Please be ok. He thought to himself.

He swam with a quickened pace lifting his head up to breath only for a second before plunging back down for another look, a cold punch to the stomach every time he went back down. As he passed some tall grass something brushed against him ever so slightly but enough to make him turn back around, he reached his hand in and was entangled in long grass and weeds. He stretched his arm longer until he came in contact with something that felt like fabric. He pulled with all his might, ripping the weeds away from it, until he had Hermione's full body free from their grasp. He rose quickly out of the water with her held tightly in his arms. As he gasped for breathe a glance sideways at her told him she wasn't doing the same. Her eyes remained closed. Her head was limp.

Oh, please…No. His eyes widened. But now was not the time to freak out. He swam back to the shore not losing his grip on her. Gently he laid her down. "Hermione!" Fred shook her by the shoulders. "Wake up, now." He gave her a couple light slaps to the cheek. "Come on…"

Lowering his head to her chest he searched for a heartbeat. It was slow and faint but it was there. He lifted his head and looked down at her. He hesitated for a moment. He knew what he had to do, his father had told him and his siblings how muggles handled this sort of thing and had them practice it a million times, because it fascinated him so. But it would require Fred to remain calm which was something he wasn't right now and there was no way he would keep his cool if he did what he knew he had to do.

Fred shook his head. "Don't be an idiot." He quickly took off Hermione's robe, ripped her shirt open trying to ignore the fact that her bra and belly button were completely exposed. Blushing only slightly, he took a deep breath, bending down and placing his mouth around hers he blew air into her lungs. Lifting his head he put his hands on her ribs and pressed down a couple times before repeating the motions.

"Please, don't do this Hermione, Please." Fred's eyes began to burn and he noticed his vision was blurring. He rubbed his eyes impatiently, before continuing to push down on her chest. Suddenly she began to cough, rolling over slightly spitting water from her mouth. Fred jumped back in surprise. He could hardly believe it worked.

She opened her eyes slightly and stared at him. He gave a weak smile. "You're ok."

She squinted back at him, clearly trying to figure out who he was, before giving up and closing her eyes again, unaware that her top clothes had been taken off. Fred stared at her for only a second more before wrapping her in his jacket and robe, picking her up and carrying her into the castle.

"It's ok Hermione. I'm going to take care of you." He said softly to her as he headed to the hospital wing.

Hermione only made soft grunting noises back.

Madam Pomfrey was hysterical the moment she caught sight of a half-naked and dripping wet Fred walking into the wing with an unconscious, looking pure white and cold as ice Hermione wrapped up in his arms. He could barely explain what happened before he was pushed aside and a cup of potion was shoved into his hands as Hermione was taken from him.

"Goodness this child looks of stone. Mr. Weasley strip out of those wet clothes this instant and drink that, it will warm you down to your bones."

Any other day Fred would have made a joke about a teacher asking him to strip, but today he submitted obediently. Not taking his eyes off Hermione as Madam Pomfrey laid her on a hospital bed, taking his eyes away only when his robs were removed from her and her bear skin shown again.

He took a sip from the cup he was given and immediately felt warmth envelope his body. He gulped down the rest of the drink almost immediately feeling a hundred times better.

"Lord, how long was she out there?" Madam Pomfrey ran her wand over Hermione and Fred noticed color coming back to her skin.

"I'm not sure" Fred said weakly putting on a hospital robe which took more effort then he thought it would as he was just now realizing how tired his limbs were from swimming so hard to find her. He took a step towards her, noticing she was taking in long deep breaths that put him at ease.

"Please, now is not the best time to visit. I'm sure your girlfriend is grateful to you but she won't be able to say anything to you today." Madam Pomfrey ushered him out of the hospital.

"But I'm not –"

"Thank you, George." She said slamming the door on him.

Fred stared at the texture of the wooden doors inches from his face. He probably should tell George. Was there a rush? He wouldn't be able to see her till the next morning anyway. Although if he didn't tell his twin he'd never forgive him for keeping such information from him. Fred groaned not looking forward to the conversation.


"She, what?" George shot up from his bed heading to the door. Fred reluctantly followed.

"She's alright, George. She's resting in the hospital wing right now."

"I can't believe her. After the huff she gives me about being safe and following rules…" George continued to walk in a quickened pace.

"You won't be able to see her tonight anyway, Madam Pomfrey threw me out she'll do the same to you." Fred struggled to keep up, he was still very tired.

"What do you expect me to do? Go to sleep and wait patiently –"

"Ms. Granger!" Madam Pomfrey came shrieking out of the wing. "Where did she go?"

"What happened?" George ran up to her.

"She was here only a moment ago. She was mumbling about having to go to some lesson, I turned to grab a sleeping potion to get her back into bed and when I turned around she was gone." She put her hand to her mouth looking very worried.

"She couldn't have gone far. Fred you look down that hall way, I'll check this one." George directed him. Fred nodded and ran down the hallway George pointed out for him.

Where did she go? Lessons? Fred's mind raced. She couldn't mean… It was a long shot but it wouldn't hurt to check. Fred raced down to the Transfiguration lab. He stopped at the door. Could she really be… Fred turned the door knob slowly, listening carefully, then hearing a faint click. It was open. He rushed inside, searching the room with his eyes.

"Hermione?"

The room looked empty. Nothing moved. He let out a sigh, it was stupid to think she would come here. As he turned to walk out he heard a faint whimper. He froze, turning back around quickly.

"Hermione?" He hurried to the front of the class, there on the floor, curled up in a ball laid the shivering 5th year Gryffindor. Hermione opened her eyes slightly smiling up at him.

"What are you doing here?" Fred crouched down next to her and sat her up leaning her against his chest, he put his hand to her forehead. "Your burning up, I have to get you back to the hospital." Fred lifted her slightly to get her up but she held herself down.

"No. I can't go…"

"What? Why not?"

"You have a lesson…I don't want to miss it." She said in a faint voice. Fred was bewildered. Did she think it was two months ago?

"Hermione its fine, your fevers causing you to be delirious."

"I'm sorry George…" Hermione buried her head in Fred's chest. "I was really stupid…"

Fred couldn't help but blush as the girl he longed for clung so tightly to him, but at the sound of his brother's name he was not going to get carried away. He put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a light pat.

"It's ok, Hermione. We all do stupid things every once in a while. This only proves that you're human." He beamed at her head still hidden in his robs covered by a mountain of wavy brown hair.

"No…" Hermione said, now sniffling. "I'm sorry about…Fred…"

Fred's eyes widened. "What?"

Hermione continued to sniffle. "I've always liked him…I thought he was the most amazing person…he always speaks his mind. Doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. He's a hard worker when it comes to fighting for what he wants and believes in…I've always admired that about him…and somewhere down the line those feelings turned into deeper ones…"

Fred's heart was beating so fast it felt as though it might tear through his shirt. She's delusional. He told himself. She can't seriously mean what she's saying.

"When we first started the lessons…I actually thought you were Fred." Hermione laughed weakly into his chest.

"What?" Fred's eyes became even wider. "How…why would you think that?"

"You two are a lot alike so it's hard but…you two have very different smiles." She said turning her head slightly. "At least that's what I thought. I thought maybe he was playing a joke pretending to be you, and he would admit it in the end of the lesson. I mean why would he continued all the lessons for you?"

Fred grimaced, looking sideways. "But when you never did admit to being Fred, and continued to have the same smile through all the lessons I thought I must be mistaken." Hermione reached her hand up and touched the side of his lip.

"Then you kissed me." Hermione smiled slightly. "And I knew you were who I wanted to be with. I want to be with George, always."

Fred's heart sank at her words and his chest had never felt so hollow.

"Oh…?" was all he could say.

Hermione nodded slightly closing her eyes. "You always treat me so sweetly, like I'm the only one in the world who matters. I may have liked Fred first but… I'm so glad I fell in love with you."

Fred swallowed down the large lump in his throat. He forced a smile. Taking his hand he moved the hair from her face, he sat silently with her wrapped in his arms laying in his lap. What to do now, what could he do? George had won. He had already come to terms with it months ago, or he thought he had. But hearing Hermione say it was a giant hit from reality. George loved Hermione…And she loved him.

Fred sat starting down at the only girl to ever make his heart ache. He knew he should get her back to the hospital wing, he knew he should return her to his twin, but not just yet. He wanted to hold her just a little longer. He wanted to be with her and only her just a moment more pretending she was his. Before he went back to fake smiles and awkward breakfasts.

Fred lifted Hermione's chin slightly with his index finger and thumb. "Hey…say my name." He said softly to her.

She grunted softly not opening her eyes. "George…"

"No." Fred swallowed hard. "Say my name."

Hermione shifted in his arms snuggling closer to his chest. "Fred…" she whispered softly.

He laughed weakly, his eyes were getting blurry again, he wiped them but they didn't improve, all that changed was a wet spot that developed on his sleeve. He hadn't heard his name come from her lips in so long. He didn't realize how much he missed it. How he wished he could always hear her say his name.

"Fred…" she whispered again. "I really liked Fred." She clung to his rob tightly before letting go and drifting to sleep.

He put his hand to her lips feeling them gently, slowly he bent down closing his eyes he pressed his lips to hers and there they stayed absorbing all the warmth and softness that came from hers. He pressed down only slightly before moving away slowly.

"You found her."

Fred's head turned around so fast he was sure he pulled something. But he showed no sign of pain as he stared up looking his out of breathe twin in the eye. How long had he been there? He didn't even hear the door open.

"Yeah." He managed to say.

George bent down next to him, touching her forehead, before moving his hands under her body. "I'll take her." He said looking up at Fred with no expression on his face.

Fred nodded, and released her onto her boyfriend. George did not wait to see if Fred was following as he walked calmly out of the class room down to the hospital wing, cradling Hermione in his arms as if she were a precious treasure.

Fred followed eyeing the back of his brother's head as they walked in silence. Fred wanted to ask him how long he had been there, had he see anything strange? He wondered if it was ok to ask him that? The more he thought it over the more he knew it was better to remain silent.

Madam Pomfrey looked so relived as she hurried George into the wing. Fred was sure she would have hugged him if Hermione wasn't in the way.

George watched over her as she got settled in her bed. Fred watched them standing a few feet behind. After a couple minutes he felt he had over stayed his welcome.

"Well I'll just be heading back to the common room." He said backing away slowly. His twin turned his head only slightly, and nodded.

"Can I stay with her for a little longer?" He asked Madam Pomfrey who hesitated for a moment but then nodded in agreement. "Thank you."

"Ok, well see you later then Georgie." Fred said now turning around and hurrying out of the wing. He heard no reply as the doors closed behind him.

"He's upset. He had to have seen." Fred said to himself as he settled into bed. He touched his lips gently before groaning and buried his face in his pillow.


He awoke the next morning amazed at how fast he had gone to sleep. He figured it must have been the swimming, tiring searching and then anxiousness of uncertainty about George that put him to sleep so quickly. He yawned lifted his head to look out at the Giant Clock Tower that shown through their window.

"Blimey it's already noon." He hurriedly grabbed his rob but froze the moment he turned around to head out the door.

George was standing in the doorway, eyes red and dark. "Hey." He said weakly.

"Hey, you just get in?" Fred eyed his brother, noticing his flattened hair to one side. He must have slept in the hospital wing the whole night.

George nodded, eyes half open as he made his way to his bed, taking a seat and hanging his head.

"You look beat. Stay there, I'll bring you up some breakfast." Fred turned to quickly leave.

"Fred wait!" Fred hear George call behind him.

Despite everything telling him to continue downstairs, Fred turned to face his brother who was eyeing him intensely.

"Hermione…" George looked down for a moment before turning back at his brother. "She thanked me for saving her from the lake. It made me wish I had."

Fred wasn't sure how to respond. "Well…you would have if you were there, mate. Don't feel down on yourself."

George stood up, walked towards his twin and put his hand on his shoulder. "I really owe you one."

Fred smiled back. "Yeah, I know."

His brother chuckled before letting out a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad it's over." George fell sideways on the closest bed next to him.

"Oh!" He sat up almost as quickly as he had fallen down. "And I still owe you for taking those tutoring classes for me! Especially for what happened afterwards." He grinned slightly. "Man, I owe you for a lot, huh?"

"Nah, forget it." Fred said waving him away.

"No, seriously mate. Anything you want. Anything at all, just name it and I'll get it for you." George winked, before falling back on the bed and closing his eyes.

"Anything…" Fred said staring down at the floor. He knew he shouldn't tell his brother what he really wanted. He knew no good could come from it. He knew all this.

"Of course mate." George yawning slightly with his eyes still closed.

Fred stared at his twin who had no worries.

"Then… I want Hermione."


A/N: Please Review!