Dierdre spent the next few weeks doing her assignments and spending as much time as she could with Fred. Ron, Hermione and Harry had left and everyone was tense and worried. There were a lot of changes going on at Hogwarts as well. The teachers changed, some of them had substitutes and others were short-tempered and edgy. Dierdre was sitting under a large tree, contemplating what was to come when Fred walked up behind her.

"Hey D. What are you up to?" He asked, startling her. Dierdre turned and wrapped him in a hug. She held on to him, afraid to let go. He gave her a squeeze and then pulled her back a little bit. "What's wrong?" He asked her. She buried her face into his shirt. "I don't know what is going to happen. I'm afraid Freddy. What if Hermione and Ron and Harry don't come back?" Fred sat down, pulling her next to him. "Worrying won't change a thing my dear. They have been through enough to survive anything." She held on to him as he continued to speak. "Dierdre, I'm not going to lie to you though. Things are going to get dangerous. I want to show you something." Dierdre stood, looking down on Fred. She gave him a quizzical look and he laughed. He stood and took her hand. "Do you trust me?" He asked her. She nodded and he pulled her towards the woods. "Umm.. Fred, we aren't supposed to be in these woods. Where are we going?" He didn't reply to her, he just kept looking to make sure no one was following them and they ran through the forest. They stopped at a big tree and Fred's grin grew even bigger. "This is what I wanted to show you." He said. Dierdre looked at him like he was loony. "Fred," She said slowly. "This is a tree." He pulled out his wand and gave it a little flick. The tree roots lifted and a doorway formed. He dragged a very stunned Dierdre into the doorway and it closed. As her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting she looked around. She was in what appeared to be a dining room. The walls looked wooden and the floor was dirt, but it was still a pretty room. She noticed that there was a doorway leading to another room. "Fred, what is this?" He stepped closer to her. "This is your new home." She stood there, speechless. "But how?" She asked him. He pulled her into an embrace and held her close. "Don't worry about how. No one else, besides George, knows about this. I'm going to show Ginny when the time is right, but for now tell no one." Dierdre nodded. Fred leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "Dierdre I have to tell you something." Dierdre looked up into Fred's blue eyes. There were none quite like them. "Yes?" She asked him dreamily. "Dierdre, I ….. love you." Fred said hesitantly. Dierdre froze. "Don't you say those words to me unless you mean them Fred Weasley." Fred lifted her chin and looked into her eyes once again. "I mean them with all that I am." He kissed her then and she could have sworn her heart stopped. "I love you too." She murmured as their lips parted. He kissed her more deeply and she felt faint. They spent the afternoon there in the tree house.

They did not visit the tree house often, for fear of someone finding it. Their love grew stronger every day, but the sense of dread never left her. She couldn't help but feel that something awful was going to happen. She often tried to tell herself that it was just the tension of everyone at school. Until one day when Fred rushed in and told her to pack her things and meet him at their tree. She had never had the chance to explore the rooms beyond the dining area. When they were safely inside and the charms were up, Fred carried their bags to the bedroom at the end of the hallway. It was the only room with a bed. He dropped the bags next to the dresser and pulled her into a hug. "What's going on, Fred?" She asked, worried. Fred let her go and sat on the bed. There's a war coming Dierdre. Sooner than I thought." He stood and paced the room. "You have to stay here. Promise me you won't leave." He said. Dierdre was very worried now, and the concern showing on Fred's face scared her. "Only if you stay with me." She said to him. He held her close. "I can only stay tonight. I will come back soon though. There's enough food supplies stored to last you awhile." She squeezed him. "What's really going on Fred?" Fred kissed her. "Ssshhh…" he said. He kissed her again, with more need. He backed her up to the bed and they lay down, lovers entwined. There bond is one that no one could ever separate.