Chapter 10: Lessons and Coincidences

Screaming Hermione relaxed as Fred's arms reflexively held her tighter against him as his hands took control of the broom again. Having borrowed Ginny's broom to teach her flying because they all knew a Firebolt would be way too fast for a beginner to train on. This was her first lesson with Fred and she had ended up losing control when she saw just how high they had been in the air. She was very glad that Fred decided to fly like this even though his brothers had given him a lot of ribbing, and they also looked a little concerned over how close she and Fred had gotten.

With how high they were it was way too difficult for the two of them to talk, so Hermione tapped Fred's wrist giving him the signal that she was ready to try again. His grip relaxing from the broom allowing her to take control again, although it was really hard for her to concentrate with his body pressed against her back like it was. She might only be fourteen in body right now, but she had the mind of a nineteen year old and was enjoying the comfort Fred was offering her by just being up here with her.

Although she didn't really enjoy flying all the much she was sort of making her progress seem slow because she wanted to be able to spend this time with Fred. Besides it was silly after everything that she had been through in the future that she was still afraid of flying, especially considering just how often they had to fly to escape in the past. Sure she would never be comfortable playing Quidditch, but she know realized just how important flying could be for her survival in the future.

Hermione ended up losing control of the broom three more times before Fred decided to take them down where Ginny was waiting holding two steaming cups. Until that moment Hermione hadn't realized exactly how cold the night was, but she could see goose bumps on Fred's arms, and then realized that somehow during their flight his jacket had ended up draped over her shoulders. She hadn't understood why Fred had taken a jacket with him and wondered just how soon into the flight he had done it without her noticing.

"Thanks Gin," Fred said with a small smirk as he casually put his arm over Hermione's shoulder his other hand grasping onto the cup Ginny had handed him. Ginny looked between the two of them seeming wanting to ask them something, but Hermione guessed Ginny was still in her shy stage because she just thrust the cup into Hermione's hand and ran off. At least it had been Ginny seeing them acting so couple like and not one of the boys.

Sipping on the delicious hot chocolate Hermione turned back towards Fred giving him a warm smile. "Thanks for the lesson Fred, but I'm really tired so I think I'll just head up to bed." Before she could really think about it Hermione quickly kissed Fred's cheek before running off to her room. Leaving a stunned Weasley twin behind her, turning around she blushed when she saw Fred holding a hand to his cheek, and put her hand down ignoring the urge to wave a final goodbye.

Luckily Hermione didn't run into anyone when she ran into the house with her bright blush. She really didn't understand why she was blushing so much after having kissed Fred on the cheek, so what if he had reacted that way she was acting like she truly was fourteen perhaps her younger body was affecting her older mind. Just because she truly loved Fred didn't mean she should be acting like a little girl with her first crush again.

The day after her flying lesson with Fred Hermione acted like nothing had happened. Giving Fred her normal greeting hug in the morning and acting like kissing him on the cheek last night had truly been because of gratitude. She really didn't need Fred finding out that she fancied him this early on, even though she knew he wouldn't be cruel about it, she just knew it would cause too many complications that she didn't need at the moment.

Instead most of the day was spent with Hermione packing to return to school even though they still had a few more days before their winter vacation was over. After all they still had New Year's Eve to celebrate in two days and the actual New Year, then they would return to school two days after that. For the first time in a long time Hermione didn't want to actually return to school. It was driving her insane redoing these years because she had already been the top of the class before, and with this year not being as chockfull as it had originally been she had a lot of free time. Time that she spent worrying about how she was going to succeed in destroying the Horcruxes, and how she was going to keep certain people from dying.

Hermione actually found herself closed up into her room searching through books she might have gotten from going to Knockturn Alley illegally when everyone else was sleeping. She had disguised the books to look like she was studying and doing homework that she had already completed before they had even left for the holiday. Still desperately trying to find answers, like an old forgotten curse or something, to destroying the Horcruxes Hermione hadn't even looked through the potions kit Harry had gotten her yet.

The next two days passed in the same fashion with Harry, Ron, or Fred dragging her away from her work to relax for an hour or so when they felt like she was locked up to long. Although with Fred she didn't really relax since he was dragging her off on her flying lessons during the night, neither of them bringing up the kiss on Fred's cheek or how he had reacted to it. Finally New Year's Eve was upon them and Hermione had to promise not to study or risk her precious books being hidden on her, something that might end up revealing to whoever hid them exactly what she was looking into.

George also carefully avoided her as he probably worried about revealing something he shouldn't know. She had been hoping that George might be the perfect alibi for her to do certain things, but she was now realizing that it would have been better if it was Fred. After all George tended to start acting really oddly whenever he had a secret which made her amazed that he had been able to hide the truth about coming back with her as long as he had.

Now Hermione was just sitting back relaxing and watching the antics of the Weasley family as they celebrated their first New Years Eve together in ages. Fred and George had disappeared for an hour after lunch returning with big smirks and George sending her a wink, so she was hoping that whatever they had planned wouldn't end up messing around with her mind too much. She was just glad that coming back here and relieving the next few years didn't seem to be too much for George at the moment, but she was certain that it was mainly due to the fact that he had gotten his wish. Having his twin back was the best therapy George could ever receive, and Hermione was happy that he hadn't ended up losing his mind after arriving back in time and seeing his twin again.

At the moment Bill and Ron were once again in a heated Chess match with the twins routing on their older brother as Charlie routed Ron on. According to Arthur it was because Charlie had failed in beating Bill many times, and liked watching Bill's face fall on the occasions that Ron could beat him. Ron beating the transfigured chess set made by McGonagall in their first year was mainly thanks to Bill for teaching Ron how to play from a young age. Actually Hermione was shocked to find out that Percy was terrible at Chess despite how intelligent he was, but she guessed it was more due to the fact that he wasn't really that great of a strategist.

Since she was afraid of having them confiscated Hermione hadn't even dared bring down one book to read and that was why she was watching the chess match. It had nothing to do whatsoever with Fred occasionally trying to charm the chess pieces, and definitely had nothing to do with the fact that she could keep her eyes off of Fred. It was just purely coincidence that Fred was standing in the area of the chess match and therefore her eyes couldn't avoid looking at him. Even if George was giving her teasing looks as he darted his eyes back and forth between her and Fred, it meant absolutely nothing!

Really all Hermione wanted to do was get some sleep. Her nightmares were getting worse again, but she refused to come downstairs to read knowing what would happen if she did. Instead she tried to hide from everyone that she was absolutely positively tired and could keel over in sleep at any moment now. She just couldn't allow herself to read downstairs or anything because she was afraid of running into Fred and relying on him again. Even if falling asleep next to Fred was the only way that she could get any sleep. If she had to sacrifice sleep to keep Fred's reputation safe, well safe in the ways that matter anyway, then she would just have to suffer.

Truthfully it was getting bad enough that Hermione was thinking that she might end up having to go see her father when she got back to Hogwarts and ask him for some dreamless sleep potion. Knowing him he would think it had something to do with her being a seer and seeing things in her dreams, but once he saw how utterly exhausted she was Hermione was fairly certain that he would give her a couple doses once in a while. Enough for her to get a few decent days of sleep, but not enough that she would end up addicted to it.

"You ok there Hermione?" Charlie's concerned voice filtered through Hermione's foggy half asleep state.

"Huh, what, yeah I'm fine," she said trying to blink the sleep out of her eyes hoping he didn't realize that she had just been about to fall asleep despite how noisy everyone was being.

"You don't look fine," he said his wide blue eyes showing concern for her. Lately she had a feeling that Charlie had started to adopt her as a younger sister as well, something that they hadn't done before because she hadn't really gotten to know Charlie. She still didn't even know how Charlie and Bill ended up coming home this Christmas, and how that had changed from the original time line, although she was thinking that maybe George might have something to do with it.

"Just read a little too much last night didn't get much sleep," she said with a wave of her hand like it wasn't important praying that he would drop it.

He gave her a stern look telling her he didn't actually believe her, but he seemed to get the message because he nodded and turned his attention back to the chess game. Once again Hermione felt her eyes dropping heavy with sleep fighting it off again. Even though she knew she needed the sleep lately Hermione had hated going to sleep because of those terrible nightmares, where she watched Fred die over and over again. It never failed unless if she fell asleep beside Fred on the couch she would see him die over and over again, failing to save him and watching George turn accusing eyes to her blaming her for the fact that once again he had lost his twin.

"Oi Charlie move your big butt over," Fred's voice filtered through her ears making her jolt as she felt the couch dip beside her. "Hello my lady I came to rescue you from this boorish old man."

"Oi!" Charlie practically shouted at the insult.

"Oh shove off Charlie I'm talking to Hermione."

"Fred," Hermione warned smirking as he paled slightly, but still made a dismissive gesture to his older brother smirking as Charlie left them alone. Honestly this boy was trying to give his family the wrong impression about their relationship.

Instead of responding to her with words Fred just grabbed her feet off the floor and pulled them into his lap. Then shocking her when he pulled her head into his shoulder making it so she was cuddling with him the way she had seen various couples cuddle on the armchairs in the Gryffindor Common Room over the years. At first she had tried pulling away, but Fred just pulled her back and started to run his fingers lightly through her hair causing her to yawn. He just smirked at her as she tried to push his hand away from her hair; it was like he knew it was a way to make her sleepy even though Hermione herself hadn't even known of it.

"Just go to sleep, I'm here nothing bad will happen to me," he whispered softly into her ear, or at least that's what it sounded like he had said. There was no way that was actually what Fred had told her and Hermione put it off as her brain replacing whatever he had said to make it sound even more comforting. There was just no way that Fred knew that it was watching images of his death that made it so difficult for her to sleep.

Despite the fact that she fought it Hermione soon found herself succumbing to sleep. She was only glad that she couldn't see the other Weasley males, or Molly and Arthur, looking at them because she was certain it would cause her to turn a million shades of red. Eventually Hermione just gave up fighting and cuddled into Fred even more breathing in his calming scent as she allowed sleep to overcome her. Even if Fred hadn't actually said those words it was true that she wouldn't have any nightmares as long as he was beside her, as long as she was certain that he was safe and sound.

Hermione stirred slightly as she felt someone carrying her upstairs to bed. Although she wasn't completely aware, all she knew was that something soft was laid beside her that smelled really good and she cuddled closer to whatever it was. She also felt something soft brushing against her lips slightly, but just put it off as her hair brushing against her lips before she allowed herself to fall asleep. Only slightly aware of someone tucking her in and brushing her hair out of her face before she fell back into a dreamless state.

When Hermione woke up she was shocked to find that she was cuddled with a teddy bear that was wearing a mini Weasley jumper. She had never seen it before, but just by the distinct smell of it she knew who its owner was. Hermione was glad that no one was around to see the raging blush on her face as she realized that Fred had carried her upstairs last night and tucked her in, and then had given her an old teddy bear of his to sleep with. Hopefully it was just Fred playing a joke on her and he didn't know that it was very difficult for her to sleep comfortably without knowing that he was nearby.

Noticing that Ginny wasn't in the room Hermione quickly got dressed and went looking for everyone. Feeling a little shocked when she glanced at the clock and realized that it was past lunch time, and the Burrow was much too quiet. Clutching her wand tightly in her hand Hermione made her way downstairs, paying attention to the slightest noise as she tried to figure out why it was so quiet. It wasn't until she got to the kitchen that Hermione found a note from Molly on the fridge.

Arthur, Percy and I went grocery shopping, the boys and Ginny are out on the Quidditch Pitch. I hope you are feeling alright Hermione dear, there's some soup on the stove with a warming charm for you if you're hungry. Charlie mentioned that you weren't looking to well last night and that you were very quiet. Sorry that you ended up missing out on the festivities last night, but your health is more important. We'll be back sometime before supper, but if you need anything just holler out to the boys I'm certain they would be happy to help. Take care dear and please don't overdo it anymore.

With Love:

Molly Weasley

Realizing that she had been burning herself out lately Hermione decided to head back upstairs after eating the delicious pumpkin soup Molly had made for her. Instead of heading for her books like she had been doing lately Hermione decided to finally look at the Potions Kit that Harry had gotten her for Christmas. She needed to see if it had the ingredients her personal kit was getting low on, or if she would end up having to put an order in at the apothecary for the extra ingredients.

When Hermione opened the kit she realized just how sneaky Harry had been in buying this for her. Originally it had looked like a normal potions kit with more exotic ingredients, but when opened she found out that there was at least five different compartments packed to the brim with ingredients. The first compartment having all of the ingredients they tended to need for class that her father didn't supply in high quantities. Now she couldn't even reprimand Harry for it, not only because of the majorly expensive gifts she had gotten everyone this year, but also because then that would mean admitting to Harry that she hadn't looked at it until now and she was afraid he would take that badly.

In the second compartment was actually a ton of potions texts that Hermione had never even heard of. At first Hermione had believed Harry had just gotten her a premade potions kit that was easy enough to buy, but the books told her the truth. Just how had Harry been able to order this to these specifications, and just how much had he ended up spending on the custom made kit? If she didn't know that it was impossible this kit alone would make her doubt whether or not Harry knew that their potions professor was her father.

The next hour Hermione spent just glancing through the potions books wondering where Harry had gotten them. Most of the texts were very old and some were even first editions, perhaps Sirius had taken Harry to Potter Manor, or at least Harry's family vault because she had no other idea how he would have gotten such rare texts. The recipes in them were ones long forgotten and one was completely in really old Latin, but if Hermione's translation was correct it might possibly be a cure for the Cruciatious insanity! No matter what she was going to have to bring that recipe to her father, it was a recipe that needed a Master to brew if it truly was what she believed, and she was certain he would love the challenge it would give him.

After Hermione was done browsing the books to her satisfaction she began to search through the other compartments. The third having a bunch of self shrinking potion cauldrons in different materials, each better for different types of potions, there were also any kind of gloves you could imagine good for harvesting potions ingredients. The fourth had slightly more common potions ingredients, and the ingredients to Poly Juice making her laugh and promise to herself that she would sneakily replace the Boomslang Skin she had stolen from the potions cupboard.

It was the last compartment though that had Hermione gasping in shock as she reached the bottom, after passing things like Acromantula Venom and silk, dragon's blood, and other rare ingredients. Because in the bottom were seven large vials of Phoenix Tears almost like it was meant to be that she found another way, considering that there was no Basilisk Venom in here. If there had been Hermione would have gone to Harry and berated him in front of everyone over going down into the Chamber of Secrets without adult supervision.

Actually that wouldn't be such a bad idea, she should suggest that Harry ask her father to go with him into the Chamber of Secrets to harvest the Basilisk. She didn't know why she hadn't thought of it before, it would certainly go a long way to repairing the relationship between her heart's brother and her father, especially considering how many potions her father would be able to make with the rare ingredient. Plus Basilisk Blood and venom were two of the main ingredients for the potion she needed her father to make, that might possibly be a cure to the Cruciatious.

It was almost like the founders, maybe even Merlin or Morgana, were trying to help Hermione succeed in killing Voldemort with fewer deaths this time. Maybe she and George had gone back so far because the witches and wizards of the past had realized just how badly the war would affect the magical population. Thinking that just made Hermione feel even better about coming back in time and giving so many people a second chance even if she wouldn't be able to save everyone. At least she seemed to be getting help from sources much more powerful then herself. It made her believe that she and George really would succeed.

With great glee and gratefulness that none of the Weasleys were in the house Hermione took out the Horcrux she had been carrying around for so long. With a vicious smirk she opened the vial of Phoenix Tears in her hand and raised her meager mental shields before ripping open the bag she was carrying the terrible object. For some reason it didn't even react as the Phoenix Tears came near it, a small drop from the bottle was all it took for the Hufflepuff Cup to start shrieking before a black mist rose out of it.

How had the Dumbledore of her timeline not realized that Fawkes was the ticket to him defeating the Horcruxes without risking his life? It was so much easier than it had been destroying them the first time because Hermione didn't have to fight against her deepest fears in order to defeat the Horcrux. It was almost anticlimactic in a way that she was able to destroy the Horcrux based on a pure coincidence that Harry would include vials of Phoenix Tears inside her potions kit.

With the Horcrux destroyed Hermione felt peace coming over her. Something that because of Fred's presence she hadn't even realized she had been missing because he had been filling in that missing feeling. Maybe without the Horcrux she would stop reliving Fred's death every night, because now without it she realized that was what had been causing her terrible nightmares, but her feelings for Fred had been strong enough that with him near her she was easily able to fight it. Two down with the Diary, and then she could work towards the true death of that monster. Finally her mission was truly beginning and looking possible, without having to drag innocent people or those she didn't trust into this mess.

AN: Finally finished the newest chapter, would love to know what you guys think about everything. Sorry for the delay, but this chapter took a little while to get out in the direction I wanted to go. Hope you enjoy it though and thanks for sticking with this story :)