As the last days of January rolled into the beginning of February, the evenings started to get slightly lighter, and Quidditch practice had gotten underway again. Fred found that he had less time to spend with Hermione as Angelina Johnson was scheduling two practices each week, determined that Gryffindor win the House Cup that year. Hermione and Fred managed to catch a few quiet hours in the Room of Requirement once a week, often just after dinner on a Tuesday.

Hermione had given up trying to study with Fred around, he was too much of a distraction, even when she did manage to study and he was supposed to be doing his own studying, he often hung off her, playing with her hair and kissing her neck. This often proved too much for Hermione, who found herself giving in more and more to his playfulness. They frequently talked about her Muggle world, Hermione being very patient in explaining the purpose of CD players and treadmills.

Hermione was obviously still under a lot of stress, her complexion was still the same and she was losing even more weight; however, no one dared say anything to her; not after what she did to Ron. Fred tried to get her to eat more, but soon gave up when she had barked at him in front of the entire Great Hall and then promptly burst into tears. Ginny took him aside that afternoon and explained to him that it was inconsiderate of him to mention Hermione's diet in front of everyone, as sometimes girls where sensitive round weight issues.

"Merlin, Ginny! The girl is disappearing in front of my eyes!" Fred exclaimed.

"I know, we're all concerned. But you have to realise Hermione is under a lot of stress at the moment. What with her OWLs and the fight with her parents; now is the time to support her Fred, not mention her eating habits," his sister advised him.

"You can all see it, eh?" Fred asked. Ginny nodded.

"Yes Fred. Even Ron is concerned, despite the fact she gave him a tail." Ginny grinned at the memory.

"Ok, I'll do my best Gin," Fred promised, before returning to the common room.

Before everyone knew it Valentine's Day had rolled around. Hermione woke up on the 14th of February with the sun streaming in through the window onto her face. She took her time in the shower and Ginny kindly pinned back her hair in an elaborate style. She also lent Hermione some high heels that went with the dress she had given her friend at Christmas.

"Are you sure about this dress Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Of course! You look gorgeous! Fred won't know what hit him!" Ginny exclaimed. "Just keep your cloak on when you're out in public or else the other students will talk," she warned her friend. Hermione threw her cloak over her shoulders and fastened it. With a final nod of approval from Ginny she made her way down to the entrance hall to meet Fred. He was also wearing his cloak so she couldn't see if he had made an effort like her. They greeted each other with a smile and instantly reached out to hold hands but a shriek from behind them startled them. Looking around their eyes fell on Pansy Parkinson, who was standing nearby with a group of Slytherin fifth-years.

"What have you done to your hair Granger?" she cackled. "It looks like a bird's nest!" The other Slytherin girls howled with laughter. Hermione blushed and looked away, tears starting to fill her eyes. She was always very sensitive about her brown bushy hair, but was more embarrassed that Pansy had pointed it out in front of Fred than anything else. Fred, however, shot Pansy a dirty look and steered Hermione down the steps to where the caretaker, Filch was signing students out.

"Ignore her," Fred whispered to Hermione as Filch ticked them off his list. "I think your hairs beautiful." Hermione blushed a deep red as she walked alongside him down the driveway and through the front gates. She quickly changed the subject to Quidditch, knowing that Fred's passion for the subject would take his attention from her. Sure enough Fred began to speak enthusiastically about his favourite Quidditch team the Holyhead Harpies and how they were doing in the League. Hermione found that she wasn't listening to what Fred was saying, but took pleasure in noting the way he formed his words and just listening to the sound of his voice.

When they reached the end of the packed High Street in Hogsmeade, Fred took a few hurried steps and held open the door of the restaurant for Hermione. She smiled as she passed him and walked into the warmth. They stood in a small reception area where a tall, smartly dressed wizard stood in front of an open book. Hermione looked around, taking in the sights around her. There were chandeliers everywhere, crystal glasses shone brightly on all the tables, the wallpaper on the walls was of a bold purple and black design and the waiters dressed in ties and waistcoats. Fred cleared his throat and the Host looked up, and smiled widely.

"Can I help you Sir?" he asked.

"Table for two under the name Weasley?" Fred asked. The Host glanced at his book and reached for two menus on the side of his desk.

"Ah, yes Sir, right this way," he said, leading them through the restaurant to a small alcove at the back. The table was richly dressed in a dark red, heavy table cloth and candles where lit in extensive candelabras'. The restaurant was busy but as Hermione followed Fred to their table she didn't see any other students here, it was full of witches and wizards of age. Hermione concluded that restaurant was very expensive.

The Host offered to take Hermione's cloak and she sat down quickly in the chair he pulled out for her, slightly embarrassed she had dressed up for the occasion. However she was relieved when Fred removed his own cloak, revealing his three piece suit and tie.

"Fred, this place looks really expensive, and I didn't bring a lot of money with me!" Hermione hissed at him. Fred swatted his hand in the air as he took his seat.

"This is on me Books. No need for you to worry about money. By the way, you look gorgeous in that dress." Hermione blushed again.

"Thank you. You look awfully smart in that suit. Is it new?"

"Yes, George and I have decided to smarten up our image for when we open our own shop," he explained, picking an imaginary piece of lint from his shoulder. The Host had returned to take their drinks order and they surveyed the menu and ordered their food to their waiter.

"Are you sure about paying for this?" Hermione asked him. "I wouldn't have minded going to the Three Broomsticks." Fred looked at her doubtfully.

"We agreed we're not ready to go public, remember Books? Anyway, you've been doing the accounts for our products for how long now? You know I can afford it," Fred said to her. Hermione was still uncomfortable with the fact Fred was paying but decided to drop the subject, not wanting to spoil the day. Anyway, Fred had a point. Hermione had been doing the accounts for the twins and was honestly shocked at just how much money they were making on their products, despite having to spend a lot on materials for unsuccessful experiments.

As they waited for their food to arrive they chatted about Umbridge and soon their conversation turned to You-Know-Who.

"Are you going to tell me who the weapon is?" Fred asked, cutting another piece of steak and popping it into his mouth.

"I don't know who the weapon is Fred, I only have my theories." Hermione said to him.

"Who do you think it is then?" Hermione let out a sigh.

"Fred, we've been over this, I'm not saying. Have you finished reading my book yet?"

"Don't change the subject Books. Why won't you tell me? Couple's aren't supposed to have secrets," he said to her, chancing his luck.

"Couples? I didn't realise we were a "couple" now we're halfway through our first proper date. Anyway, you'll find out soon enough. I have a feeling that something big is going to happen before we leave Hogwarts for the summer."

"I won't be here though, Hermione," he whispered very seriously. Hermione's head snapped up.

"Yes, I know you're leaving Hogwarts at the end of the year, but that doesn't mean you can put a time limit on when I can tell you who I think the weapon is," she barked at him. Fred shook his head sadly.

"No, I mean, I won't be at Hogwarts for much longer, Books." He took a deep breath. "George and I, we're leaving early, quitting, dropping out, whatever you want to call it. We've decided not to take our NEWTS; we've actually got the premises for the joke shop sorted; signed the papers last week. We don't have a reason to stay at Hogwarts anymore."

"When are you going?" she whispered, unable to meet his eyes. Fred shrugged his shoulders.

"We haven't exactly decided yet, but it will definitely be long before the summer."

"Is this some kind of punishment for not telling you "my secret?" she asked him determinately.

"No, of course not!" Fred looked at her, shocked that she could ask such a thing. "This has really nothing to do with you Books. I don't think George and I were ever going to finish school. It's just not for us anymore. We've been feeling like this for a long time," he finished in a soft voice.

Hermione's heart plummeted to the bottom of her stomach. She put down her fork, her appetite suddenly gone. Her head felt hot but her body cold and a buzzing sound filled her ears. Fred was leaving Hogwarts. She had always known he would leave after he completed his final year, but to think that she wouldn't even have the next few months to spend with him. She moved the remainder of her salmon around her plate, biting her lip so she wouldn't cry.

Fred mimicked her actions; his own appetite also had disappeared. He hated upsetting Hermione, and she was obviously upset at his news but he had to tell her at some point. Part of him had hoped that by telling her that he and George were leaving that she would have returned the incentive and tell him her secret, but he was disappointed when she had kept silent. There was nothing he could do however, he knew he couldn't just leave and not give her some warning.

Part of him wanted to stay at Hogwarts, not to finish his education, hell; he didn't turn up to half his classes as it was. No, he wanted to support Hermione when she needed him most and he could only fully do that if he remained at Hogwarts. He knew if he told George he was thinking of staying that his brother would stay with him, even though that wasn't what he really wanted, but George would stay as well just to keep Fred happy. But Fred knew he couldn't be 100% happy staying on at Hogwarts, no matter what his feelings where for Hermione.

Their waiter came and collected their plates asking if they wanted to see the dessert menu. Both Fred and Hermione refused and when the waiter had left to get the bill at Fred's request, Hermione knocked back the remainder of her Butterbeer. They left the restaurant and walked to the Three Broomsticks in silence. They walked side by side but there was a noticeable gap between their bodies that hadn't been there on the walk down to Hogsmeade.

Fred had arranged to join George and Angelina for the remainder of the day as Hermione had pre-arranged to meet Harry to discuss something she wouldn't share with Fred. While Fred stood at the bar of the Three Broomsticks to get himself a Butterbeer, he looked around for his brother and his date, but instead his eyes landed on the company Hermione was keeping. Curiously, she was sat at a table not far away with Harry, Luna Lovegood and none other than Rita Skeeter, ex-journalist for the Daily Prophet. Fred tried to pick up a bit of their conversation but the noise of the pub drowned them out. Huffily he took his drink and went and joined George and Angelina, determined to get answers from Hermione later on.