Hermione needed a way to walk to Slughorn's office without having to crouch down and hold her head in her hands and try to breathe until the crushing darkness in her mind and phantom unwanted touches left. It wasn't even in the dungeons, but something about the narrow hallway and the torches' silver flickering left a hole in her chest where her lungs ought've been. She usually walked to the meetings with Ginny or Harry if she could, but Ginny was preoccupied with making up for the last fight she'd had with Dean and Harry was off trying to find Luna—a difficult task which verged on impossible in Hermione's mind.

So Hermione was standing in the last, fully golden lit hallway staring into a blueish darkness. The outline of a door was facing her, taunting her to be brave and overcome her silly little fear of a man who was no longer free. She could even hear laughing and conversation, everyone invested in her battle to take a single step forward.

Hermione stared at her feet in the pinching shoes she'd spelled comfortable. They were such a lie; elegant, dainty little things that made her wobble just slightly if she moved too suddenly. Their powerful click as they struck stone had spoken to her on her journey down. They made her stand straighter and her calves look like she did something more athletic than just walk around the castle daily. She'd loved them, until this moment. Now they felt like another weakness should anything happen.

Maybe she should've taken Ron regardless of the situation with Lavender. At least an awkward, testy silence with him was better than a battle with her dressed up feet.

"Hello, love," and now she was daydreaming. Or hallucinating. She closed her eyes as a muscled arm pulled her back into a familiar chest. His chin ducked into the crook of her neck; her hair was all up and out of the way. "Did George tell you I was coming? It was meant to be a surprise."

Hermione shook her head, knowing she looked ridiculous and hoping no one deemed to walk by.

"Are you all right?" He asked, pulling on her waist so she moved to face him. He touched her cheek and she finally decided that this torture was enough, and she opened her eyes.

"Fred," she breathed, looping an arm around his neck to pull him down to her. He kissed her back hungrily, smiling against her so much it was difficult to kiss him at all. She bit his lip gently and his low chuckle rumbled through her.

"What's wrong?" He persisted after a moment. Hermione shrugged and looked down the hallway.

"We're late," she said simply. Fred's eyebrows pulled together but he let the lie pass. He kissed her forehead and pulled her against his chest.

"I was thinking—if we tell Harry I'm doing this as a favor to Ron, to keep you out of the evil clutches of semi-intelligent men, then you two-"

"Why would you do Ron a favor that has nothing to do with him?" Hermione asked, taking half a step away from Fred. He grimaced and touched his hair gently.

"I-I'm not actually-"

"Why would Harry believe it?" Hermione pressed.

"I'm not saying he would, he'd tell Ron and Ron might—I think it would help Ron and I and you be on better terms-"

"How do you-" Hermione glanced at the door before hissing, "Has he been writing you about me?!"

"He didn't understand why you were upset, it wasn't-"

"Well, I hardly think you're qualified to decide what upsets me and dispatch this glorious knowledge to your brother," Hermione snapped. She turned on her stiletto heel and marched toward the door, heels clopping angrily. She could hear him scrambling to follow, cursing under his breath. "Even if this did help things, the moment he discovers it was all a ruse, things will three times as bad!"

Fred caught her arm and pulled her against the wall, pinning her in place. Her eyes flashed indignantly. He leaned close to her and said lowly, "If you keep shouting, the entire school will know. It'll be all right. I'm sorry, I didn't realize you would get angry. It was just a thought."

"I'm tired of everything being about Ron," Hermione said quietly. Fred kissed her nose.

"Then tonight is about you," Fred smiled. "I'd heard there was meant to be magical mistletoe."

"What is that?" Hermione asked wearily.

"A new product we developed that freezes the first victim in place until they manage to convince someone to come kiss them," Fred's smile turned feline. "Some of them have a time limit."

"How so?"

"The longer you put it off, the longer I have to kiss you," Fred hummed, touching his forehead to hers.

"Are you sure you want to go to the party?" Hermione breathed, closing her eyes.

"And miss McLaggen's face when I snog you until you can't stand?" Fred kissed her.

"You just like to show off," she murmured. Fred chuckled his agreement. He stepped back and offered his arm. Hermione took it and they proceeded to the party together. Fred knocked on the door.

"Your lips are swollen," he whispered in her ear. Hermione scowled at him in a very familiar way. The door opened to him absolutely smirking at her glare.

All appeared normal to anyone who'd seen them the previous year.

"You look like a man who's just gotten away with murder," Hermione warned as they entered the party. There were a lot more adults than Hermione was expecting.

"Mr. Weasley, you made it! Oh, and who is this- Why Miss Granger!" Slughorn let out a booming laugh and clapped Fred on the shoulder hard enough that even Hermione had to take an adjusting step. "I love what you've done with your hair! Poof! All gone!"

With that, her professor wandered off, shouting a name and crossing the room.

"Someone's had a bit much mead," Fred snickered. Hermione hit his arm lightly. She noted some of her classmates watching with far too much interest, among them Blaise Zabini. Though he was much more poorly masked distaste. Fred ducked his head close to her ear. "We're supposed to be having fun. It is a party after all."

"You're here for your brother," Hermione's gaze scanned the amassed partiers. "Imagine all the business connections you could make tonight. Slughorn collects influential people. You-"

"I don't want to think about the damn store," Fred muttered. Hermione leaned into him. "Want to dance?"

"Where?"

"Wherever there's a dark enough corner I can snog you senseless in," Fred said impatiently.

"You seem very insistent on-"

"Mr. Weasley," Hermione nearly jumped out of her skin at Professor Snape's drawl. Her grip on Fred's arm tightened as he turned slightly. "As I understand it, you are no longer permitted on Hogwarts grounds."

"What?" Hermione looked at Fred, who was grinning.

"See, Fred and I aren't allowed on the premises. That's what it said, 'Fred and George Weasley are not permitted on the premises' blah-blah-blah. However, Fred isn't here, so Fred and George Weasley aren't on Hogwarts premises. Just George is. There's no rule saying I can't be here. Just that we can't both be here at the same time," Fred was truly beaming once more. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Sucks when you don't account for the fact that we aren't conjoined."

"A true shame your education will be forever . . . Incomplete," Professor Snape sneered.

"Yeah, looks like if I came back this year I could've finally had a decent potions teacher," Fred said. His voice was so pleasant it took Snape a moment to register what he'd said. By that time, Fred was pulling Hermione off toward the small section of dancing people.

"You don't need to be rude."

"That bastard has been riding Remus's ass for a month over something out of everyone's control," Fred threw a dark look over his shoulder. "I'm sick of his shit. 'I didn't risk my life and betray the Dark Lord for a group of half-stunted nitwits to ruin it all.' Pompous prick."

"We shouldn't talk about that here," Hermione whispered.

"Can I talk about how that dress is driving me mad?" Fred stopped and took Hermione's hand and waist. It was of a smooth, slightly sheer fabric that clung to every angle and curve of her chest, then drifted down to her knees. It was deep scarlet with shimmering gold overlaid. Parvati had done her make-up with a similar scheme. "You look like the Queen of Gryffindor Tower."

"Really?" Hermione pulled him closer as they began to sway. He shrugged with a shy grin.

"You're beautiful," Fred said. Hermione rested her head on his chest. "And way too smart."

"You clean up nicely," she admitted. "But you could do without so many layers of clothing."

"Don't do this to me here," Fred breathed.

"I thought you wanted Cormac McLaggen to know-"

"Snape is in this room," Fred hissed. "Who knows what he has to trade to You-Know-Who for information for the Order."

"Dumbledore-"

"I bet all the Death Eaters say the same thing; don't worry, the All Knowing Dark Lord of Eternity trusts Snape."

"Fred," Hermione said, throwing another cursory glance around the room. Ginny and Dean had arrived. Ginny did not look happy. It did not improve when she noticed Hermione and Fred.

"Oh, shit," Fred muttered.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" Ginny spat.

"Dancing," Fred said slowly. Ginny glanced around them.

"You look like an old married couple, not a convenient hook-up. Stop talking so much," Ginny seethed. Fred opened his mouth to answer, "You're a good enough liar for the both of you. If anyone tells Ron, I'll hex their balls off."

"Ginny-"

"You, with me," Ginny took Hermione's arm and pulled her away from Fred.

"What was it this time?" She asked with a sigh. Ginny groaned.

"He didn't understand why I had to dress up so much. Said I didn't have to impress him, he'd already seen it all."

"What a bloody moron."

"You know what I'd give to have him look at me the way Fred watches you just once?" Ginny grumbled. Hermione rested her head on her friends shoulder a moment.

She spotted Harry through the crowd. He was staring somewhat openly at the pair, blinking far more than usual. Hermione had noticed a lot of long stares from Harry since the end of the summer. They were never for her. She waved and he raised a hand slowly. The crowd shifted and he was gone.

"You two seem to do an awful lot of fighting," Hermione admitted. Ginny stopped by the refreshments table and passed her a glass of a golden liquid. The ginger herself downed a full glass in one go. "Ginny!"

"I don't want to talk about this," Ginny poured herself another glass and hooked her arm through Hermione's once more. As they wove through the crowd, Hermione suddenly found herself motionless. Ginny jerked hard enough that she would've pulled Hermione to the ground had she not been frozen. Hermione was able to look up—and see the mistletoe looming over her. Ginny beamed but Hermione cursed.

"I'll see if I can't find Fred."

"You can't leave me here like-" her friend was already moving away. "Ginny!"

Hermione nervously nursed her drink, waiting for someone to appear and offer to free her before Fred could arrive. He was taking his time, she had no doubt of that. She just wished he'd show up before McLaggen had a chance to.

"That stuff is the worst," Neville said empathetically as he passed with a tray of something or other. He didn't offer to help. Hermione was glad for it. Somehow she didn't doubt that he'd gotten stuck at least once already.

"You all right?" She twisted as much as she could to see her lover. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and looked moderately uncomfortable. There was something sad in his eyes and the way he wouldn't quite meet hers.

"You're doing it again," Hermione chided him. His mind was so dark and twisted. Most often humor left it, but when it didn't . . .

"Kiss me," Hermione said, glancing around to ensure no one else could hear. "Kiss me like you did at the Yule Ball two years ago."

"As long as you don't run off on me again," Fred smiled just a little. Hermione considered it her biggest victory yet. He touched her waist with one hand and kissed her softly, as though they had all the time in the world. Hermione moaned into his mouth and he pushed closer to her, his tongue sliding against hers. Hermione thought she could kiss him until the world ended.

"All right, enough of that," Fred jerked back with a pained sound. Hermione watched Ginny slip into the crowd and disappear.

"What the fuck is her problem?" Fred hissed, rubbing the back of his head irately.

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. She knew exactly what her problem was. It was the same problem Hermione had with Lavender and Ron.

Hermione frowned as she noticed Harry trying to duck away from a group of people. He was being crowded, wincing at every other word spoken.

Then Filch dragged Malfoy in by the ear.

"I hate that little shit," Fred growled, taking Hermione's arm and pulling her to the other side of the room. There were significantly less people there.

"Shouldn't we rescue Harry?" Hermione bit her lip and stood as high as she could with her heeled shoes, trying to find him in the crowd. As tall as he was, she didn't think it would be so hard.

"Harry has proven time and time again that he's capable of rescuing himself," Fred murmured. "He can stop dragging you into things."

"He doesn't drag me," Hermione dropped a hand to her hip. Fred touched her jaw gently.

"Your mum said you were coming home for Christmas," Fred said. Hermione blinked, slowly smiling.

"You still talk to my mum?"

"Of course I still talk to your mum, I'm not an idiot," Fred laughed quietly and waited. When Hermione didn't answer whatever he was getting at, he added, "Why aren't you coming to the Burrow?"

"Because Ron doesn't want me there."

"I want you there. Mum wants you there. Bill wants you there."

"Bill wants to catch us in the act," Hermione played with the lapels on his jacket. "And your mum doesn't realize I'm not on good terms with Ron at the moment."

"George wants you there."

"So you won't be mopey," she gave a sharp tug on them and smoothed them down.

"Please," he whined, making the saddest eyes and pouting. Hermione wondered when he'd developed that skill and why she'd never seen it before.

She blinked twice, "No."

"You heartless fiend," Fred poked her in the side and she squirmed with a laugh. "Even Mum will fall for that one!"

"I'm not your mother, Fred," Hermione reminded him, shoving him gently. "Besides, Tess is staying with me."

"Why?"

"Because she asked," Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. Fred nodded and kissed her forehead.

"Okay," he said simply. "I'll try to sneak out as much as I can, but Mum can only take so many excuses."

"Tell my mum I love her next time you see her," Hermione requested. "Her and Dad."

"And that you're having a friend over for the holidays," Fred raised his eyebrows.

"Please, they'll be elated. They never get to meet my friends," Hermione smiled.

"Can we leave now?" Fred asked.

"In a little bit," Hermione hummed.

Fred's eyes flicked to the side and he hissed, "Smack me."

She did. She scowled, eyes flicking to the side to see Blaise Zabini watching them. Fred groaned, touching his cheek.

"Presumptuous bastard!" Hermione spat, loud enough for the Slytherin to hear. She started moving toward the door.

"Hermione, wait, I was just- Granger!" She dipped through the people, making her way to the door. Fred followed.

She was back in the dimly lit hallway in moments. Fred cast a glance over his shoulder toward the party they'd left and slipped his hand into hers. They half-ran out of the area, Hermione giggling as he complained about her immediate compliance and the force of her slap. They'd only just made it to the Great Hall when Fred pushed her against the wall and began to kiss her. Hermione's toes curled as he pinned her hands beside her head and canted his hips against hers.

"Mr. Weasley," Hermione squeaked, burying her head in Fred's chest so she didn't have to face the mortification of being caught. "If you would please give Miss Granger the chance to breathe?"

"Sorry, Professor," Fred turned to grin sheepishly at the Head of Gryffindor House. "I'll try to keep it in mind."

Professor McGonagall humphed and moved away, shaking her head.

"I have a feeling I'm going to be hearing from Remus shortly," Fred muttered, watching her go. Hermione closed her eyes.

"We need to go somewhere else, please," Hermione muttered. Fred agreed with a grunt and took her hand again.

~m~

The trip to and from King's Cross went off without a hitch. The only problem was that George had seen Hermione for a brief moment as her parents met Tess, and he had not been allowed to go say hello. As everyone settled into the Burrow, their parents to go take naps and Ginny off to mourn Hermione's absence or write her boyfriend, George found himself in the kitchen with Fred, Ron, and Harry. It was an awkward spot to be in. Harry was trying to maintain a friendship with Ron despite his idiocy with Hermione. Fred wanted to rip Ron's eyes from his sockets, an urge that made him guilty without ever fulling it. Ron was grumpy and irate, especially with Fred. George wished he could take Harry's route, but he knew he couldn't. If Ron said a single vile thing about Hermione, George was liable to break his nose.

"Why isn't Granger joining us?" George asked as Fred skulked off. He'd yet to weasel it out if his twin. Harry followed his twin, Ron's eyes pinned on him before he deemed to even consider answering. George splayed his hands, waiting. Ron leaned back against the kitchen counter.

"She's being a bitch."

"Excuse me?!" George stood straighter, his fists clenching.

"She used Fred at Slughorn's damn party to make me jealous. I don't understand. Fred is supposed to be on my side, and he just went along with her. Maybe she Confunded him," Ron grumbled.

"You're an unbearable fucking bastard, aren't you," George sighed. "You know full well that was probably Fred's idea."

"So, what, this is his way of punishing me for bothering to ask for his help?!" Ron snorted. "Is that why he told me to find another girl? So you two can laugh at my misfortune the same as always?"

"That isn't-"

"And Hermione, of course he picked Hermione, he's trying to turn her against me because he just wants me to be miserable!"

"Ron, you don't know what you're talking about!" George warned.

"Did that slimy git use one of those love potions to trick her into sleeping with him?! Did he even need to, or did she-"

George hit him, hard. And he almost hit Ron again, but instead he was shouting, "Open your fucking eyes, Ron, he's in love with her!"

George shut his mouth and clenched his teeth, but it was too late. He let out a short breath and rubbed at his forehead. Ron gaped at him, his lip split and bleeding down his chin slowly. George snatched up his wand and cast a Muffling Charm. Ron sat down at the kitchen table, wrinkling one of the placemats, holding one hand to his mouth.

"If you don't keep your damn mouth shut, I'll rip your tongue out," George warned quietly. "I highly doubt Hermione knows how long it's been going on. I don't know if I really do. So if you fucking tell anyone, anyone-"

"You're in the Order now! Isn't it bad enough that she's Muggleborn?!"

"Why do you think that he's always treated it like some convenient fling?" Ron didn't do anything but scowl. "So if anyone caught wind of it, they wouldn't think to use her against him!"

"How- that isn't fucking fair to him, stringing him along like a damn-"

"Fred is an adult. Hermione is an adult. She's not great at picking up all of Fred's tells, but he's happy to get what he can. What is she supposed to do, take up Legilimens for the sake of Fred alone? Stop blaming her. Get over yourself," George said, shaking his head. Ron clenched his haw and offered no new arguments. George dropped his Muffling Charm and went to go find Ginny.

Who might just kill him faster than Hermione or Fred would.

~m~

"You did what?" Hermione gaped at her boyfriend's twin, leaning against the doorway so her parents (and Tess) couldn't see him. Fred was taking a shift in the shop.

"I punched him, then I told him," George repeated under his breath. Hermione sighed and pressed her hand to her temple.

"Told him what, exactly?"

"Hermione, who is it?" Her mother called.

"George," she answered over her shoulder, giving him a ruthless little smile.

"You know I can't stay-"

"George?" Hermione's mother opened the door further and beamed at him. "Well, hello, it's been a long while. Come on in."

"Tess is just dying for some wizarding company," Hermione grabbed his shirt before he could flee and yanked him into the house. She shut the door and smiled innocently at her mother.

"George Fabian Weasley," Tess put her hands on her hips. "You never sent me the Instant Darkness Powder I asked for."

"Shortage; we're backlogged by a month. Check your stocking for a lump of coal," George grumbled. Tess grinned and flopped down onto one of the couches.

"Have you ever watched the sun light telly shows?"

"Day time," Hermione's father corrected with a chirp. Tess snapped her fingers.

"Yeah, that. It's quite entertaining," Tess said. She pulled one of the blankets hanging on the back of the couch over herself. Hermione had noticed that she was always cold. Her parents hadn't asked about Tess's parents, for which Hermione was remarkably glad.

"George," her father marched over to him and extended his hand. "What brings you here today?"

"Just . . . Stopping in, to—erm—check on 'Mione," George said, red to his ears. He shook Hermione's father's hand vigorously, if reluctantly. "Do you mind if I steal her for a bit?"

Her father's eyes narrowed, "You are George right?"

Hermione nearly cursed herself. The Ministry's security measures! Mr. Weasley would have her hide if he found out. "Are you Gred or Forge?"

"Gred," he said without hesitation.

"It's George," Hermione confirmed, grabbing him by the front of his robe. She pulled him to her room and shut the door, casting Harry's Muffle Charm before releasing him. "I cannot believe you!"

"He's not going to tell anyone, I swear, I already threatened-"

"What did you say?!" Hermione demanded. George relayed every spoken word, his memory surprisingly good. Hermione began to pace, flinching every now and again.

"Hermione, I am so sorry," George said softly. "I- I didn't mean to."

"I can't believe you hit him," Hermione murmured.

"He was just-"

"George," Hermione touched his arm gently. She smiled at him, even though she easily recognized the guilt twisting through him. "Thank you, for defending me. You didn't have to, and I'm not angry that you did. I just wish you hadn't needed to."

"I should've just asked Ginny. None of this would've happened," said George, a touch morosely. Hermione hugged him. He was still for a moment before returning the embrace.

"Try not to give Harry a black-eye before term resumes," Hermione said lightly. George chuckled.

"I came here expecting to leave without my balls."

"That's why we didn't do this in front of Tess," Hermione pulled away from him, fiddling with her hair. Had she ever hugged George before? She wasn't sure, and it struck her as vaguely sad. "I assume you're going back to your mum's for dinner?"

"Someone has to cover for Fred's being here," George grinned, backing toward the door. "By the way," he pointed behind her, clearing his throat. Hermione turned scarlet and started shoving him out of her room. She flicked her wand at the pair of Fred's boxers and they soared to the bottom of her hamper.

George's laughter was bright and lifted an unsteady weight from her. Hermione shook her head, smiling and following him out to the living room. He was already chatting amicably with Tess and her mother.

"What are those things called again?"

"Tyres?"

"Yes! Tyres!"

~m~

"Will you keep your voice down?" Fred hissed. Remus rolled his eyes. They were stuffed away in the laundry room at the Burrow.

"You cannot sneak into Hogwarts to see Hermione. You cannot sneak into Hogwarts to touch her inappropriately in public. If you were seen by anyone other than Mum-"

"I didn't sneak in; I was invited! And don't say it like that!" Fred protested. "Wait, did you just-"

"You and George are banned from the school grounds," Remus hissed.

"Not individually," Fred insisted.

"That not how that works!"

"It doesn't say 'neither Fred nor George', so I'm pretty sure it is! Besides, what are they going to do? Put me in detention?" Fred shook his head, "Expel me? I already didn't finish! And Dumbledore's headmaster again, I'm pretty sure that undoes all the hag's decrees."

"That isn't how laws- You have to stop this," Remus pushed his hand through his grey streaked hair. Fred crossed his arms over his chest.

"I won't sneak in again," he muttered.

"What happened to your technicality?" Remus's eyes narrowed immediately. Fred shrugged guiltily. "Oh, you son of a bitch."

"One time-"

"For fuck's sake," Remus grumbled. "Do. Not. Do. That. Again. And if you do, don't wait around to report the flaws in our security!"

Fred wasn't sure if that was enough room to do it again. The glare Remus leveled him with said it was not. Fred made a perfectly innocent face and shuffled toward the exit of the laundry room. Remus followed him, dragging a hand through his greying hair. Fred apologized quietly.

Now that McGonagall knew, maybe he could get some kind of permission slip. Of course, there'd have to be some kind of occasion for it.

His little brother's birthday might do.

.o0O0o.

A/N: It's a me. *runs screaming from the hordes of people asking for updates* I promise (I think) that I'm not going to go that long without updating again. I just haven't ever had anything planned for Year 6 and feel like it shows. Regardless, I am not abandoning this . . . yet (lol, don't hurt me).

Also, dickish rant: I know the whole bit where she get's assaulted should probably have a trigger warning, but honestly? It's rated M and I don't mean to offend anyone who has an issue with PTSD or anything like that, but it ruins the suspense of the chapter to put a warning at the beginning that says WARNING SEXUAL ASSAULT. So, I'm sorry if it caused anyone an issue, but I'd like someone to point out to me where that happens in an actual book.

: Thanks!

livinginamuggleworld: Thank you so much! I'm glad you didn't try to read it all in one sitting, it's a bit long for that lol.

dinogirl2210: Thank you so much! Don't worry about what to say, even if you just keyboard slammed, it's encouraging.

RazieLynn: That's why I wrote this! Not enough Fremione is one of the world's biggest problems! (Not actually.)

Arizona Redbird: 1) Thank you! 2) Dyslexia does run in my family, so figuring out how to spell Fleur is one of life's greatest challenges for me. 3) FREMIONE IS LIFE 4) THANKS, I NOW HAVE TWO ZUTARA FICS BUT I MIGHT SCRAP THE FIRST COS I LIKE THE SECOND BETTER 5) Thank you so much! 6) :3 7) I hope this sufficed! 8) I'm working on it, swear 9) Lol, glad for that ocean (not really, crazy is my type of person) 10) I literally cannot spell 'flower' right in French, you're fine

LazierReader: Not even gonna lie, you caught me. This story is hella filler, but hey, why not? I've been working on it for nearly three years now (holy fuck that doesn't sound right, but it is) and there's a lot I would change, but I promised to finish it before overhauling it, so here we are.

Infernalbooks: 'Please don't kill Fred in this one!' Oh, honey. There are worse things than death . . .

Raven that flies at night: South? A fic about to go into the war?

Hollowg1rl: Gracias!

LoonyGleek: What is this soon you speak of?

thewinnowingwind: WIP's are a bitch (: