CHAPTER SUMMERY - Hermione is told why she's so different.

Chapter Ten

A few hours after she went to bed, Hermione continued to toss and turn. She couldn't get comfortable and the warm breeze flowing in through her window didn't help. The wool covers piled on top of her just made things worse. Tossing the covers off her in frustration, she grunted, stood up and slipped on her black slippers. Opening the solid oak door to the room she shared with Ginny and another girl named Lavender, she stepped out onto the top landing and walked down the spiral staircase.

The common room was empty and the fire was still burning. She walked over to the social desk and grabbed some parchment and a quill. She sat down on the couch in front of the fire and started writing. She would write, re-read, crumple up and re-write a letter to her friends. A half hour later, she had finally finished with a letter she liked.

"And what are you doing up, young lady?" came a voice from behind her.

Hermione looked over her shoulder and smiled. One of the twins was standing on the stair way, resting his forearms on the railing. He was wearing nothing but his red plaid pajama bottoms. Her eyes roamed his tan muscles and she chewed on her lip, until she met his eyes. He smirked and lifted an eye brow.

"Like what you see?"

"I um...I couldn't sleep. Too warm up there." she said, ignoring his second question as she blushed.

"And sitting in front of a fire isn't too warm?" he teased as he walked down the steps towards her.

Hermione blushed again as he sat down next to her and watched the fire. He sighed and looked over at her. She was wearing black shorts that reached mid-thigh, with two black stripes down the sides. A deep red tank top that hugged her every curve and her hair was pulled up into a tight pony tail. He followed her tan legs down to her small feet which were covered by fluffy black slippers.

"Why you up?" she asked him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, well, I couldn't sleep either."

"Couldn't come up with your own excuse?" Hermione smiled.

The twin laughed and rested his arm on the back of the couch. He leaned his head back and watched her re-read what ever was written on her parchment. "I use all my good excuses for when Fred and I get caught."

"Doing what?"

"You'll know in time." George laughed.

"Do I need to look around ever corner or shouldn't I worry?"

George chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll hear the talk." he smiled at her.

"Um, could I use your owl?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.

"I don't really have an owl. I just use the school owls. Any one can use them." he said.

"Well, where are they?" Hermione smiled. "Or do I need to find that out on my own too?"

George smirked. "Go get dressed, I'll bring you to the Owlery." He said and stood up. "I'm gonna go grab a shirt, and meet you back down here in a bit."

"Right now?"

"Yea, right now. Neither of us can sleep a nice walk could do use both some good." George smiled.

"Alright, thanks." Hermione said and disappeared upstairs.

A few minutes later, Hermione reappeared in the common room to see George sitting on the back of the couch with his back to the fireplace. He was wearing brown slacks and a red tee-shirt. His hair was still messy and he had his arms crossed over his chest and he was looking around the common room. A step creaked and he looked up and smiled when he saw that it was her.

"Ready?"

Hermione nodded and grabbed the piece of parchment. "Ready."

"We're not allowed to be out right now, but I borrowed Harry's invisibility cloak." He said holding it up.

"What's an invisibility cloak?" Hermione asked as she walked over to him.

"Well, its pretty simply said, Herms. It's a cloak that makes you invisible." He said and wrapped the cloak around them. "Honestly, I thought you were the smartest girl in your muggle school." he teased.

"There I was, but I don't know anything about this world." She said quietly as they walked out of the common room, with a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

George smiled a bit and looked down at her. "It's alright, Herms. If you want, I could show you around tomorrow."

"Can't be tomorrow, I'm going to Diagon Alley with Hagrid to get my wand and other things I need for classes on Monday."

"Well what about Saturday? We have a Hogsmead visit then and we could maybe get a bit to eat afterwards..." he said nervously.

Hermione looked up at him. He was nervously looking anywhere but at her. Trying to hold in a giggle at his embarrassed expression. Smiling, she chewed on her lip and looked back ahead of her. They were now walking out of the Entrance Hall and down the large stone steps.

"Yea. I think that would be fun." Hermione said. "What time?"

"How about I meet you after breakfast on the steps?" he said as they walked across the dark grounds towards the Owlery.

"Alright..." They were quiet for a few more minutes until Hermione couldn't hold it in any longer. "Can I ask you something, George?"

"Shoot."

"Do you...do you know why I'm so different from other muggle borns?"

She heard George sigh and she looked over at him. His eyes were darker and his usual excited facial expression had been replaced with a troubled one.

"George?"

He sighed again. "You know that there's a war coming, Hermione. You've only been here one day and you already figured it out. Which means its going to be bad. Really bad. Worse than the first one with You-Know-Who..."

They reached the bottom of the Owlery Tower and George looked up at the sky. "Our fates are already written for us, Hermione. Live here long enough and you'll understand that its nearly impossible to change them..."

George looked down at Hermione who was watching him in awe. "You're the one, Hermione..."

"What?" Hermione watched his eyes brighten up a bit.

"...that's why you're different. They said that Harry was the chosen one, but Fred and I heard Dumbldore talking with the Minister of Magic when you left last weekend. You're the changing of the tides, Hermione. You're the one who's supposed to stop Him. Not Harry..."

"Why am I the one? I thought Harry was the boy who lived?"

"He was. He still is, but Hermione, you're the one who's gotta defeat him..."

"Defeat You-Know-Who? There's no way I can do that, George!"

"It's not him you need to beat, Herms..." George looked at her with sad eyes.

"Then who?"

"...Harry."

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Sorry it took me so long to update. I'm back at school now and have a shit load of homework. I hope you liked this chapter. I wrote it while i was in my Algebra II class. ^_^ Dont forget to leave a review! Thanks for reading and thanks for waiting for an update! ^_^