Deal or No Deal – What might have happened if Hermione had met Fred and George on the train instead of Ron and Harry? (What started as a one shot that grew into something more.)

Deal or No Deal

Chapter 1

September 1991

Hermione Granger stalked along the corridor of the speeding train, eyes focused on the floor. Suddenly the door to the compartment beside her burst open and two older boys with red hair tumbled out, knocking the girl to the ground in the process.

"Sorry!" The pair exclaimed in unison. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Thank you," she replied in a rather annoyed voice.

They helped Hermione to her feet as she dusted off her new, neatly pressed school robes. She drew herself up to her full height and tucked a lock of unruly brown hair behind her ear before inquiring, "Have either of you seen a stray toad? A boy named Neville's lost one."

The pair chuckled at her precocious tone.

"Haven't see one yet —" started one boy.

"— but if we do we'll be sure to let you know. Whom shall we ask for?" finished the other.

"My name's Hermione. Hermione Granger. And you are…?"

The twins traded a look then bowed in turn.

"George Weasley," said Fred.

"Fred Weasley," said George.

She considered them carefully then shook her head. "Oh, I don't think so."

Before they could respond the girl shouted, "Neville! Look! There he is!" She pushed past the Weasley twins and sprinted after the runaway amphibian, bypassing a compartment occupied by two boys —one red haired, the other dark with glasses — excitedly perusing the mound of sweets sitting between them.

Fred and George shrugged and went about their business but they paid special attention during the sorting ceremony, both nodding their approval when a certain girl with bushy dark hair was sorted into Gryffindor house.

xxx

The next morning at breakfast Hermione was already at the table when they arrived. As they strolled past she glanced up from her book and addressed each one in turn.

"Hello, Fred. Hello, George."

The boys froze as they realized she had correctly identified each of them in a matter of seconds. They threw themselves down on the bench on either side of her.

"How'd you know that?" they asked in unison.

"Know what?" she asked. "How to tell you apart or the fact that you lied about which one was which on the train?"

She now had the pair's full attention.

"Hold on. Even if you could tell us apart — " started Fred.

" — which you can't — " continued George.

" — how'd you know we switched names?"

"I have cousins in America who are identical twins. It's a misnomer, really. No two things are ever exactly alike. There's always differences if you know what to look for. As for the name switch, that's the oldest twin trick in the world - introducing yourself as the other one. Common really."

Fred snorted indignantly. "Common! Did you hear that Forge?"

"I did indeed, Gred. The cheek of an ickle firstie!"

Hermione shrugged, now engrossed in her book. "It is what it is."

"What it is — " challenged Fred.

"— is a lucky guess," agreed George.

"Couldn't do it again — "

" — even if she tried."

She kept her eyes on her book as she sighed. "Fine. Leave and come back in a second time."

The twins didn't hesitate before dashing out to the hallway. A full minute passed before they swaggered back to the table and plopped down on either side of Hermione who had remained absorbed in her studies. She only briefly looked up as she pointed to her left.

"Fred."

She didn't even bother turning her head as she flicked her finger to the right.

"George." She picked up a piece of toast and resumed reading.

By this point the boys were fit to be tied.

"How did you — "

" — do that?!"

"Who's tipping you off?!" demanded Fred.

"No one. It's quite simple," stated Hermione.

"Simple?! It's been thirteen years — ."

" — and our own family can't do it!"

"Not my fault if they don't notice things," she said.

Fred yanked her book away causing her to cry out. "Hey! Give that back!"

The surrounding Gryffindors were beginning to take notice. Ron elbowed Harry, made a face and whispered, "Watch this. She's done for now."

"You'll get it back — "

" — when you tell us whose helping you."

"No one's helping me! If you bothered to pay attention, you'd have noticed that no one's said more than a half dozen words to me since I got sorted except for you and poor Neville," Hermione huffed, giving the painfully shy boy across from her an apologetic look. "As for how I'm doing it, I'm more than happy to tell you but seeing as how you've now attracted the attention of half the Great Hall I'm not sure you really want me giving everyone the key to telling you apart."

She sat up straight and gave them a defiant stare.

This gave the twins pause. They were almost certain the girl was bluffing but on the slim chance she was right they couldn't risk it. George finally broke the impasse by elbowing his brother.

"Come on, Forge. Give the firstie her book back. We're going to be late for potions."

Fred hesitated before dropping the book into Hermione's lap. "You're right, Gred. Need to get there in time to make sure Snape's start of term surprise is in place."

As they stood to leave Fred leaned over and whispered, "We'll finish this conversation later, little miss. You mark my words."