Time Slipped By

I'm still slowly making my way through my Praxis exams, so I'm so grateful for your endless patience! This is Hermione's first chapter! I'm super jazzed to be finally writing her! As always, reviews keep me motivated! Happy Reading!

Chapter 6: The One for Her

It's not as if Hermione really ever took full stake into the theory of the Patronus Charm. There was so much about magic that was still theory which, while it fascinated her to no end, also left her with a healthy level of skepticism.

That being said, seeing Fred's patronus fly across the room in happy circles made her heart face and her skin flush. A reaction she often compared to the feeling she got when Ron said something enlightened. Love? Maybe. Excitement? Most definitely.

However, having those physical reactions and emotions suddenly consume her over something that Fred Weasley had conjured left her feeling even more turned around than anything Ron had ever done. So what in Merlin's name did that mean?

Her patronus was an otter. Ron's was a Jack Russel Terrier. Those almost match as if by fate. One constantly chasing after the other. Seemed kind of like destiny. So why didn't it make Hermione feel as much excitement as it did watching Fred's magpie circle around the room—constantly butting heads with its twin magpie patronus conjured by George?

So, no, Fred and her patronus' do not seem to have anything in common. Much like the individuals themselves. But Hermione did always love the magpie birds. Silly little creatures, filled with superstition. One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told.

Hermione saw the twin magpies collide in the air, disperse, and then reform themselves only to start creating havoc again. With each dip and dive and near collision, Hermione hears the laughter that always seems to explode out of the Weasley twins. George's high-pitched, mischievous chortle. Very different from Fred's confident, booming, belly laugh. Two very different souls that still complemented each other.

Yes, if twins so alike as Fred and George Weasley can have differences and still complement each other, so could she and Fred. In theory—ironically enough.

His laughter made her smile, even if his jokes and pranks weren't always to her liking. His skill with magic amazed her every day, even if she would never admit that out loud. His love for his family warmed every part of her, even if she tried her hardest to feel a cool indifference towards him. She was very nearly in love with him, even if she was too scared to admit it even to herself.

Hermione turns towards Ron as he heard his laughter mingling with the excitement of the D.A.'s. She loved him, yes, but not enough or maybe not in the right way. At the very least, not in the way she wanted to. The way that she was beginning to see that he might want her to as well. But sometime in between boarding the Hogwart's Express and this very moment, Hermione had fallen for a different Weasley brother.

In this moment, Hermione has to make a decision. Follow the signs "destiny" may be throwing her way by having her patronus match so perfectly with Ron's. Or follow her gut—no matter how scary the destination of where her emotions may lead her might be.

She looks towards Ron. Laughing with Harry; excitement over accomplishing the difficult task of conjuring a patronus. She smiles.

Then she looks back towards Fred. Laughing with George, excitement just for excitement's sake. Pure happiness and joy. Her stomach fills with butterflies. He looks away from his patronus, perhaps feeling her eyes on him. His smile changes, but it doesn't falter. An excited smile, turns to a curious smile. Hermione likes that; likes the fact that her staring makes him curious. So she smiles back with a little quirk of her eyebrow.

Maybe Fred isn't her "destiny." At least as far as their patronus' seem to say. But Hermione feels something; something that all the magic theory cannot persuade her from. Fred Weasley is the one for her.

So that's that; Hermione's first chapter. Did you like it? Sorry there was no dialogue, but I just was feeling like this was more of a moment of contemplation for Hermione as she chooses between Ron and Fred. Next chapter will definitely have dialogue! As always, reviews make me happy and keep me motivated! Thanks!